McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood & Steaks in Atlanta, GA: What to Know Before You Go

If you’re searching for “McCormick and Schmick’s Seafood and Steaks Atlanta GA,” you’re most likely looking for where it is, what it’s like, and whether it’s a good fit for your lunch, dinner, business meeting, or special occasion in Atlanta.

This guide walks through location, atmosphere, menu, dress expectations, parking, and tips specifically for visiting McCormick & Schmick’s in Atlanta, Georgia.

Where Is McCormick & Schmick’s in Atlanta?

As of recent years, McCormick & Schmick’s has operated in the Buckhead area, one of Atlanta’s busiest dining and business districts.

You’ll typically find it in or near a mixed-use complex or office cluster surrounded by other restaurants, hotels, and corporate offices. This makes it convenient if you:

• Work in Buckhead or nearby office towers
• Are staying in a Buckhead hotel
• Are planning a business dinner, client meeting, or special event in the area

Because restaurants can relocate or close, it’s wise to verify the current Atlanta location and hours before you go by checking:

• The official McCormick & Schmick’s website
• A recent listing on a major map or navigation app
• The restaurant’s direct phone number for same-day details

What to Expect: Atmosphere & Crowd

McCormick & Schmick’s in Atlanta generally leans toward upscale casual with a traditional steakhouse feel. For locals and visitors, the experience usually falls between “nice date night” and “client-ready business dinner.”

Typical Atmosphere

You can expect:

• White-tablecloth style or polished interiors
• A comfortable but refined environment
• A mix of after-work professionals, hotel guests, and local couples/families
• Slightly quieter corners suited for conversation or business discussions

If you’re used to the trendier, louder restaurants along the BeltLine or in Midtown, McCormick & Schmick’s will usually feel a bit more classic and reserved, similar to other national steakhouses in Atlanta.

When It’s Busiest

In Atlanta, the restaurant often sees higher traffic:

• Weeknights, 6–8 p.m. – after work and business dinners
• Friday and Saturday evenings – date nights and celebrations
• Major holidays and game weekends – especially if there are big events in Buckhead or Midtown

For popular times, reservations are strongly recommended.

Dress Code: What Atlantans Usually Wear Here

McCormick & Schmick’s in Atlanta typically follows a business casual expectation.

Most guests wear:

• Men: Collared shirts or polos, slacks or dark jeans, closed-toe shoes
• Women: Blouses, dresses, skirts, or dressy jeans with flats or heels

You’ll usually be fine if you avoid:

• Athletic shorts
• Cutoff or heavily distressed denim
• Gym wear
• Beachwear

If you’re coming straight from an office in Buckhead, what you’re already wearing will likely match the room.

Menu Overview: Seafood & Steaks in an Atlanta Context

McCormick & Schmick’s is known for featuring a seafood-forward menu with a solid selection of steaks and classic American sides. The exact offerings can change, but some categories are common across locations.

Seafood Highlights

You’ll typically see:

• Fresh fish selections (grilled or pan-seared) with various sauces and sides
• Shellfish options such as shrimp dishes, crab-based entrees, and sometimes lobster
• Appetizers like calamari, crab cakes, or seafood-stuffed items

For Atlantans used to local seafood joints on the Westside or in Decatur, McCormick & Schmick’s tends to feel more traditional and polished, similar in atmosphere to other national seafood-steak concepts rather than a casual oyster bar.

Steaks & Non-Seafood Choices

Even though seafood is a focus, steak lovers are well-covered:

• Filet mignon, ribeye, New York strip and similar cuts
• Sometimes surf-and-turf combinations
• Chicken or pasta dishes for those who want non-seafood options

This makes it a practical pick when your group has mixed preferences—some want seafood, others want steak.

Lunch vs. Dinner

• Lunch in Atlanta often includes:

  • Lighter seafood dishes
  • Burgers or sandwiches
  • Salads with seafood toppings or steak strips

• Dinner typically leans more:

  • Entrée-focused, with full seafood plates and steaks
  • Heavier sides and more extensive appetizer choices

Sample Visit Snapshot (Atlanta-Focused)

Here’s a simple snapshot to set expectations for a typical dinner outing.

Parking, Transit, and Getting There in Atlanta

Driving & Parking

In Buckhead and surrounding business districts, you’ll usually encounter:

• On-site parking decks or shared garage parking tied to an office or mixed-use complex
• Sometimes valet parking during peak hours or evenings
• Limited street parking, depending on the exact block

Common Atlanta patterns:

• Parking may be validated partially depending on the building and restaurant policy. It’s smart to ask about validation when you check in.
• Weeknight evenings can be busy but manageable; weekend evenings may require a few extra minutes to navigate garages.

MARTA & Rideshare

For anyone staying in Atlanta without a car:

• MARTA Rail: Buckhead is served by the Red Line (e.g., Buckhead, Lenox, and Lindbergh Center stations). From a station, you may need:

  • A short walk or
  • A quick rideshare hop, depending on the restaurant’s current location.

• Rideshare (Uber, Lyft) is very common in Buckhead:

  • Good option if you’re staying in Downtown, Midtown, or near the airport
  • Helps avoid garage navigation and parking fees

Reservations, Wait Times, and Group Dining

Reservations

For Atlanta, it’s generally smart to book a reservation if:

• You’re dining Thursday–Saturday evening
• You’re with a group of four or more
• It’s a holiday, graduation weekend, or major event night

You can typically reserve by:

• Calling the restaurant directly
• Using a common restaurant-reservation platform
• Booking through a hotel concierge if you’re a guest in Buckhead

Walk-Ins

Walk-ins may be easier:

• Weekday lunches
• Early dinners (e.g., before 6 p.m.)
• Off-peak days or weather-affected evenings

However, for special occasions, Atlantans often prefer to lock in a time rather than risk long waits.

Group & Event Dining

McCormick & Schmick’s locations often offer:

• Private or semi-private rooms
• Prix-fixe or special menus for larger parties
• Support for corporate events, rehearsal dinners, or celebration dinners

If you’re planning something like:

• A team meeting after work in Buckhead
• A birthday or anniversary dinner
• A small corporate function

Call ahead to ask about group size limits, deposits, and menu options.

Tips for Different Types of Diners in Atlanta

For Local Professionals

• After-work drinks and dinner: Expect a crowd of coworkers and business meetings, especially if you go directly from the office.
• Client meals: The classic setting and broad menu tend to work well for clients with varied tastes.

Tip: Mention any time constraints (e.g., needing to be done in 90 minutes) when you’re seated, especially if you’re between meetings.

For Visitors Staying in Buckhead or Midtown

• If you’re at a Buckhead hotel, check whether McCormick & Schmick’s is:

  • In walking distance, or
  • A short five-to-ten-minute rideshare ride away

• If you’re based in Midtown or Downtown, expect:

  • Around 15–30 minutes of travel time by car, depending on traffic and time of day

Tip: If you’re catching a show, game, or event afterward, pad your schedule for Atlanta traffic and restaurant pacing.

For Families

While the atmosphere is more adult-oriented:

• Children are usually welcome, and many locations offer kid-friendly menu items or adapt dishes on request.
• Early dinner times (around 5–6 p.m.) are typically calmer for families.

How to Confirm Current Details in Atlanta

Because restaurants can move, rebrand, or close, it’s responsible to double-check current information before planning.

To confirm today’s reality for McCormick & Schmick’s in Atlanta, GA:

1. Look up “McCormick & Schmick’s Atlanta GA” in a current map app.
2. Confirm:
   • Address
   • Phone number
   • Today’s hours
3. Call the restaurant directly to ask about:
   • Parking details and validation
   • Dress expectations if you’re unsure
   • Reservation availability for your preferred time
   • Private dining or group options, if needed

Is McCormick & Schmick’s a Good Fit for Your Atlanta Plans?

McCormick & Schmick’s in Atlanta, GA, is usually a solid match if you’re looking for:

• A seafood-and-steak-focused restaurant with a classic, polished feel
• A place in or near Buckhead that works for business dinners, date nights, or special occasions
• A menu broad enough to cover seafood fans, steak lovers, and more traditional diners in the same party

If you want something trendier, more experimental, or hyper-local, you might look at other Atlanta neighborhoods like Inman Park, Old Fourth Ward, or West Midtown. But if your priority is a reliable, traditional seafood and steak experience in a business-friendly setting, McCormick & Schmick’s is often a practical choice in the Atlanta dining landscape.

Before you go, just verify the current Atlanta location and hours, book a reservation if you’re planning a peak-time visit, and plan parking or transit based on Buckhead’s typical traffic and garage setup.