Your Guide to Restaurants at Atlantic Station in Atlanta, Georgia
Atlantic Station in Midtown Atlanta is more than a shopping and entertainment district—it’s also a convenient, walkable spot to eat your way through a wide mix of cuisines. Whether you live nearby, commute through Midtown, or are staying in a nearby hotel, the restaurants at Atlantic Station cover quick bites, date-night dinners, family meals, and late-night cravings.
Below is a practical guide to what to expect, where different types of restaurants tend to be located, and how to choose the right spot for your visit.
Getting Oriented: Where the Restaurants Are in Atlantic Station
Atlantic Station is laid out like a small urban neighborhood, centered around 17th Street NW and Market Street NW with structured parking underneath and around the district.
Most restaurants are concentrated in three main areas:
Around Atlantic Green (the central lawn)
This is where you’ll find many casual sit-down spots and people-watching patios.Along Atlantic Drive NW and Market Street NW
Lined with retail, this stretch has a mix of chain restaurants, fast-casual options, and dessert spots.Near the movie theater and parking decks
Handy if you’re planning dinner and a movie or just want easy in-and-out access.
Many places are walk-up friendly, and the whole district is laid out for pedestrians, so you can park once and wander until something catches your eye.
Types of Restaurants at Atlantic Station
1. Casual Sit‑Down Restaurants
If you’re looking to meet friends, have a relaxed date night, or enjoy a meal before or after a movie, Atlantic Station has multiple full-service spots with indoor and outdoor seating.
You’ll typically find:
American grills and bar-style menus
Burgers, wings, salads, sandwiches, and shareable appetizers are common. These spots usually have a strong drink menu and plenty of TVs, making them good for watching big games.Family-friendly sit-down chains
These places often have kids’ menus, booster seats, and high chairs ready to go, making them convenient if you’re coming in from nearby neighborhoods like Home Park, West Midtown, or Midtown with young kids.Patio dining
A number of restaurants at Atlantic Station offer outdoor seating overlooking the central green or pedestrian streets—popular on mild Atlanta evenings.
Best for:
- Pre- or post-shopping meals
- Group dinners
- Casual birthdays or celebrations
- Watching sports in a busy atmosphere
2. Fast-Casual and Quick-Service Spots
If you live or work in Atlanta and use Atlantic Station as a lunch or after-work stop, fast-casual options are especially practical.
Expect to find:
- Build-your-own bowls, salads, or burritos
- Fast-casual burger and chicken spots
- Sandwich and wrap shops
- Grab-and-go counters with seating nearby
These are useful for:
- A quick meal between errands at Target or IKEA
- A lunch break if you work in nearby Midtown offices
- A low-commitment option before or after a show, movie, or event
⏱️ Tip: Weekday lunch rush can get busy, but lines tend to move quickly. Mobile ordering can help if you’re short on time.
3. International and Diverse Cuisines
Atlantic Station tends to feature a rotating mix of global flavors. While lineups can change over time, you can usually find:
- Italian-inspired spots (pizza, pasta, flatbreads)
- Asian-inspired eateries (noodles, rice bowls, sushi in some cases)
- Mexican or Latin-inspired concepts (tacos, bowls, street-food-style menus)
For Atlanta locals, this means you can often combine shopping, a stroll, and a casual “travel the world by plate” experience without leaving Midtown.
Good to know:
- These places range from counter-service to full-service.
- Vegetarian options are commonly available, and some spots clearly mark gluten-free items; asking staff is usually the best way to confirm ingredients.
4. Coffee Shops, Desserts, and Treats
In addition to full meals, Atlantic Station is a convenient place to satisfy a sweet tooth or grab caffeine:
Typical options include:
- Coffee shops for lattes, cold brew, and light snacks
- Ice cream or frozen dessert counters
- Bakeries or pastry cases with cookies, cupcakes, or cakes
- Seasonal carts or pop-ups during events around the central green
These work well when:
- You’re meeting a friend from nearby Georgia Tech or Midtown for a quick catch-up
- You want a dessert stop after dinner and a movie
- You’re strolling around holiday markets or special events and want something small
5. Bars, Lounges, and Late-Night Options
Atlantic Station’s nightlife is more relaxed than high-energy club districts, but you’ll still find:
Bars integrated into restaurants
Many sit-down restaurants double as bars, with cocktail menus, local beers, and wine lists.Happy hour–style specials
While offerings change, you can often find late-afternoon or early evening drink and appetizer deals—especially useful if you work in Midtown and want an easy spot to unwind.Late-night kitchen hours
Some spots keep their kitchens open later on weekends, especially those closer to the movie theater.
🍸 Tip: If you’re planning a night out, it’s smart to call ahead to confirm kitchen closing times, particularly if you’re catching a late movie or event first.
Practical Info: Parking, Transit, and Accessibility
Parking for Restaurants at Atlantic Station
Most visitors use the Atlantic Station parking deck, which runs underneath much of the property and connects by elevators and stairwells to street-level shops and restaurants.
- General location:
1380 Atlantic Drive NW
Atlanta, GA 30363
Key points:
- Restaurants validate or offer parking deals at times; ask when you’re seated or when you pay.
- Clear signage typically guides you to exits near Atlantic Green, the movie theater, and main restaurant corridors.
- There are ADA-accessible spaces and elevators from the deck to street level.
Taking MARTA and Shuttles
If you’d rather not drive, Atlantic Station is reachable by transit:
MARTA Rail:
The closest rail stop is usually the Arts Center Station on the Red/Gold line.Shuttle Service:
A free shuttle often runs between Arts Center Station and Atlantic Station’s central area. It normally drops off near the heart of the district, within a short walk of most restaurants.
This can be especially convenient if you live along MARTA’s north-south line (e.g., Buckhead, Sandy Springs, College Park) and want to avoid Midtown traffic and parking entirely.
Walkability and Accessibility
Once you’re on site, Atlantic Station is:
- Pedestrian-friendly, with wide sidewalks and crosswalks
- Equipped with ramps and curb cuts for wheelchairs and strollers
- Laid out so you can easily walk from one restaurant to another, which is helpful if your group wants different things or if wait times are long
When to Go: Timing, Crowds, and Wait Times
Weekdays vs. Weekends
Weekday lunch:
Busy with office workers and nearby residents; fast-casual spots can get lines around noon.Weekday evenings:
Moderate crowds, generally manageable waits except during big Midtown events.Weekends:
Brisk foot traffic throughout the day, with peak times around dinner, especially Saturday.
Events and Special Occasions
Atlantic Station regularly hosts:
- Holiday events and markets
- Outdoor movie nights
- Fitness events on the green
- Art and music events
These can significantly increase restaurant wait times and parking demand. If you’re planning a meal before or after an event:
- Aim for off-peak times (early dinner or late lunch).
- Consider calling ahead to see if a restaurant is accepting call-ahead seating or reservations.
Atlantic Station Restaurant Cheat Sheet
Below is a simple overview to help you match your needs to the right kind of spot. This is not a full list of individual restaurants, but a practical snapshot of what you’ll typically find.
| Goal / Situation | Best Type of Spot at Atlantic Station | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|
| Quick lunch during errands | Fast-casual / quick-service | Counter ordering, moderate price, fast turnover |
| Sit-down dinner with friends | Casual full-service restaurants | Appetizers, bar menus, indoor/outdoor seating |
| Family dinner with kids | Family-friendly chains or grills | Kids’ menus, high chairs, flexible seating |
| Date night | Full-service with patio or bar atmosphere | Cocktails, shareable plates, comfortable pacing |
| Coffee or remote work session | Coffee shops | Wi-Fi in many spots, light snacks and drinks |
| Dessert after a movie | Ice cream, bakery, or treat-focused counter | Simple, walk-up ordering near central areas |
| Happy hour meet-up | Restaurants with bar areas | Drink specials, shareable bar bites in some places |
| No-car visit from elsewhere in Atlanta | Any spot, arriving via MARTA + shuttle | Walkable access once you arrive at Atlantic Station |
Tips for Making the Most of Atlantic Station’s Restaurants
Check current lineups and hours:
Restaurant offerings can change. If you’re heading in from farther away (e.g., Decatur, East Atlanta, or the northern suburbs), it’s wise to confirm that your preferred spot is still open and verify its hours.Consider reservations for peak times:
Some full-service restaurants accept reservations, which helps on Friday and Saturday nights or during Atlanta-wide events.Plan around parking and traffic:
During big Midtown events or rush hour on I‑75/85, driving can be slow. Arriving a bit earlier can make the experience smoother.Use Atlantic Station as a “one-stop outing”:
Many Atlantans pair a meal with:- A movie at the theater
- Shopping for clothes, home goods, or groceries
- Seasonal events or outdoor time on Atlantic Green
If you’re staying in a nearby hotel or visiting from out of town, this makes Atlantic Station a convenient place to spend several hours without needing additional transportation.
Atlantic Station offers a compact, walkable mix of restaurants right in Atlanta’s Midtown area, with options that work for quick bites, family outings, or relaxed nights out. If you’re in or around Atlanta and want food choices in one easy-to-navigate spot, Atlantic Station is designed to give you plenty to pick from without leaving the district.