Best Food Places in Downtown Atlanta: Where to Eat, Drink, and Snack

Downtown Atlanta packs a lot of flavor into a relatively small area. Whether you’re catching a game at State Farm Arena, attending a convention at the Georgia World Congress Center, sightseeing around Centennial Olympic Park, or just working nearby, there are plenty of food places in Downtown Atlanta for every budget and taste.

This guide walks through key areas, must-try spots, quick bites, sit-down meals, late-night options, and tips for making the most of Downtown dining.

How Downtown Atlanta’s Food Scene Is Laid Out

It helps to think of Downtown Atlanta food places in a few clusters:

• Centennial Olympic Park / CNN Center / State Farm Arena area – great for pre- and post-event dining, tourist-friendly, lots of casual options.
• Peachtree Street corridor – stretches through the heart of Downtown; mix of fast-casual, coffee shops, and classic sit-down restaurants.
• Fairlie-Poplar Historic District – narrower streets and older buildings; more local and creative spots, especially for lunch and happy hour.
• Five Points / Underground area – busy on weekdays with commuters; several quick and affordable food choices.
• Georgia State University zone (Piedmont, Courtland, Broad, and around Hurt Park) – heavily student-focused, with budget-friendly and late-night bites.

Quick Bites and Fast-Casual in Downtown Atlanta

If you’re in a rush between meetings, games, or sightseeing, Downtown has many fast-casual and grab‑and‑go options.

Popular choices for something quick

You’ll typically find:

• Sandwich and salad spots along Peachtree Street and near Hurt Plaza.
• Pizza-by-the-slice around the Georgia State University area and near Five Points.
• Burger and fry joints close to Centennial Olympic Park and State Farm Arena.
• National chains (coffee, sandwiches, smoothies) clustered in:
  • The Peachtree Center complex (225 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30303)
  • The CNN Center / State Farm Arena area on Centennial Olympic Park Dr NW
  • Around Five Points MARTA Station (30 Alabama St SW, Atlanta, GA 30303)

These areas are especially convenient if you’re:

• Taking MARTA to a game or concert
• Staying in a downtown hotel
• Working in a nearby office building

Sit-Down Restaurants for Lunch and Dinner

If you have more time, Downtown offers casual and upscale sit‑down restaurants with everything from Southern comfort food to international cuisine.

Where to look for a proper meal

Focus your search along:

• Peachtree Street (Broad St to Baker St)
  Classic Downtown corridor with many business-lunch and dinner spots, plus hotel restaurants that are open later and on weekends.

• Fairlie-Poplar Historic District
  Centered around Luckie St NW, Poplar St NW, and Forsyth St NW. Expect:

  • Casual American fare
  • International spots
  • Bars with solid food menus

• Centennial Olympic Park area
  Around Centennial Olympic Park Dr NW, Marietta St NW, and Andrew Young International Blvd NW. Many places are used to big event crowds and families.

Types of food you can reliably find Downtown

You can typically find:

• Southern and soul food – Fried chicken, mac and cheese, collard greens, cornbread, and hearty meat-and-three style plates.
• Seafood – From fried fish platters to more upscale seafood dinners.
• Steakhouses – Popular for business dinners and special occasions.
• Mexican and Latin-inspired spots – Tacos, bowls, and margaritas are common happy-hour draws.
• Italian and pizza – Sit‑down pizza and pasta places around the park and hotel corridors.
• Asian options – Sushi, noodle bowls, and fusion fast-casual near Peachtree Center and GSU.

If you’re planning a pre-show dinner near the Fox Theatre (technically Midtown but walkable or a short MARTA ride from Downtown), consider eating slightly earlier, since places can fill quickly on show nights.

Food Near Major Downtown Atlanta Attractions

If you’re visiting Downtown for a specific attraction, it’s usually easy to walk to several food places nearby.

Around Centennial Olympic Park & the Museums

Nearby landmarks include:

• World of Coca‑Cola (121 Baker St NW)
• Georgia Aquarium (225 Baker St NW)
• National Center for Civil and Human Rights (100 Ivan Allen Jr Blvd NW)
• College Football Hall of Fame (250 Marietta St NW)

Within a short walk you can usually find:

• Family‑friendly restaurants with burgers, sandwiches, and kids’ menus.
• Casual sit‑down spots good for larger groups.
• Ice cream, frozen yogurt, or dessert shops around the park and along Marietta St NW.
• Hotel restaurants along Baker St NW and Andrew Young International Blvd NW, which can be calmer than the busiest tourist spots.

If you’re trying to avoid the heaviest crowds, consider:

• Eating before peak lunch (11–11:30 a.m.) or after (1:30–2 p.m.)
• Walking a couple of blocks away from the park toward Fairlie-Poplar or Peachtree Street, where options tend to be less touristy.

Near State Farm Arena and Mercedes‑Benz Stadium

For games and concerts, both venues sit along:

• Centennial Olympic Park Dr NW
• Martin Luther King Jr Dr NW
• Near the GWCC/CNN Center MARTA Station (100 Centennial Olympic Park Dr NW)

Your options include:

• In‑arena food – Typical stadium fare plus some local-inspired options; convenient but often pricier.
• Pre‑game restaurants and bars within a 5–10 minute walk, especially:
  • Around Marietta St NW
  • Inside or near the CNN Center area
  • Along Centennial Olympic Park Dr NW

If you’re catching MARTA:

• GWCC/CNN Center Station and Vine City Station flank the stadium and arena.
• Grabbing food near these stations can save time compared with waiting for concessions lines inside.

Budget-Friendly Eats for Students and Workers

Downtown is home to Georgia State University and many office buildings, so there’s a strong market for affordable food places.

Where to find cheaper meals

You’ll see more budget‑friendly options:

• Around Hurt Park and along Decatur St SE, Broad St SW, and Courtland St SE
• In and around the GSU Campus (33 Gilmer St SE, Atlanta, GA 30303)
• Near Five Points MARTA Station, where quick-service restaurants are clustered

Common choices include:

• Counter‑service taco and burrito spots
• Pizza slices and simple pasta dishes
• Coffee shops and bakeries with sandwiches or breakfast all day
• Asian fast-casual bowls and noodle dishes
• Mediterranean and Middle Eastern build‑your‑own plates or wraps

💡 Tip: Many Downtown places run weekday lunch specials aimed at students and office workers. If you’re flexible on timing, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. can be the most affordable window to eat out.

Late-Night Food in Downtown Atlanta

Downtown Atlanta is more of a business and events district than a 24‑hour neighborhood, so late-night choices are more limited than in some other big cities—but you still have options.

What to expect after 10 p.m.

• Hotel restaurants and bars along Peachtree St and near Centennial Olympic Park often stay open later, especially on weekends and event nights.
• Some sports bars and grills in the core Downtown area serve food until late evening, particularly around Peachtree, Marietta, and the arena.
• A few fast-food and chain spots remain open late near Five Points and Peachtree Center, but hours vary and can change.

If you need very late options, you might:

• Take a quick rideshare or MARTA up to Midtown (North Ave or Midtown Stations), where late-night dining is more common.
• Check hotel lobby restaurants if you’re staying Downtown—hotel kitchens may be your most reliable choice after big events.

Coffee Shops, Bakeries, and Light Bites

For working remotely, quick meetings, or a snack between attractions, Downtown has a growing number of coffee and bakery spots.

You can commonly find:

• Independent coffee shops scattered between Peachtree St, the Fairlie-Poplar area, and the GSU zone.
• Chain coffee places in:
  • Peachtree Center
  • CNN Center / arena area
  • Major office building lobbies
• Bakeries and dessert shops near Centennial Olympic Park and around the student-heavy streets by Georgia State.

These are particularly useful if you:

• Need Wi‑Fi and a table for a couple of hours.
• Want a quieter place to sit compared with a full restaurant.
• Prefer a lighter breakfast or lunch instead of a large meal.

Vegetarian, Vegan, and Health‑Conscious Options

Downtown Atlanta isn’t as concentrated with plant-based restaurants as some neighborhoods, but vegetarian and vegan options are increasingly common at mixed‑menu spots.

What you can usually find:

• Salad and grain bowl chains around Peachtree Center and GSU.
• Taco and burrito places offering veggie, bean, or tofu fillings.
• Pizza and pasta spots that can make cheese‑only or veggie‑heavy dishes.
• Hotel and sit‑down restaurants with at least one marked vegetarian or lighter entrée.

If you have specific dietary needs:

• Many Downtown menus label gluten‑free, vegan, or dairy‑free options.
• Calling ahead to confirm ingredients and preparation methods is often helpful, especially at smaller or older establishments.

Family-Friendly Food Places in Downtown Atlanta

If you’re in Downtown with kids—for the aquarium, World of Coca‑Cola, College Football Hall of Fame, or a big game—you’ll want places that are:

• Close by
• Tolerant of noise
• Flexible with kid preferences

What tends to work best for families

Look for:

• Casual sit‑down chains around Centennial Olympic Park and along Marietta St NW.
• Pizza and burger places near major attractions.
• Fast-casual restaurants where you order at the counter and sit anywhere—great for fussy eaters and mixed diets.
• Food courts or clusters like:
  • Peachtree Center (indoor, helpful in bad weather)
  • Areas directly across from Centennial Olympic Park

Many spots in these clusters are used to:

• Handling larger families and groups
• Splitting checks or separate orders
• Accommodating strollers and tourist gear

Using MARTA and Walking to Food Places Downtown

One advantage of Downtown Atlanta is how walkable it is around the main attractions, especially compared with many other parts of the city.

Key MARTA stations for food

• Peachtree Center Station (N1)
  Good access to:

  • Peachtree Street restaurants
  • Peachtree Center food court
  • Several nearby hotels and office-building eateries

• Five Points Station (C+E/W/J)
  A hub where several MARTA lines connect; you can walk to budget-friendly spots and quick-service food.

• GWCC/CNN Center Station (W1)
  Best for:

  • State Farm Arena and Mercedes‑Benz Stadium events
  • CNN Center area food
  • Restaurants near Centennial Olympic Park

Downtown streets are set up on a grid, but many are one‑way. Walking is often faster than driving for short distances, especially on event days.

Quick Reference: Downtown Atlanta Food Areas at a Glance

Practical Tips for Eating in Downtown Atlanta

• Plan around events. Big games, conventions, and concerts can pack restaurants before and after start times. Checking the State Farm Arena and Mercedes‑Benz Stadium schedules can help you avoid the worst rush.
• Reserve for popular dinners. While many spots take walk‑ins, a reservation is wise for sit‑down dinners on Friday and Saturday nights, or when there’s a major event.
• Check hours carefully. Some Downtown restaurants close early on weekends or during slower seasons, especially those geared to office workers.
• Use MARTA when you can. Parking near major venues and the park can be expensive and tight; eating near a MARTA station can simplify your trip.
• Walk a block or two off the main tourist stretch. You’ll often find more local-feeling spots and slightly better prices just a short walk from the biggest attractions.

If you’re living in Atlanta, visiting for a few days, or just passing through for an event, Downtown gives you a compact slice of the city’s food scene—from quick takeout to sit-down Southern meals—all within a walk or short train ride.