Best Restaurants Near the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, GA

Looking for restaurants near the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, GA? Whether you’re planning a family day at the aquarium, a date night in downtown Atlanta, or grabbing a quick bite between attractions, there are plenty of options within a short walk or drive.

This guide focuses on where to eat around the Georgia Aquarium with practical details for visitors and locals: what’s close, what’s kid-friendly, and where to go for a nicer sit-down meal.

Getting Oriented: Where You’re Eating

The Georgia Aquarium is located at:

• 225 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313

It sits in the downtown / Centennial Olympic Park area, right next to:

• World of Coca-Cola
• Centennial Olympic Park
• Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame
• National Center for Civil and Human Rights

Most nearby restaurants cluster in:

• Walkable radius (0–10 minutes on foot)
• Short drive or quick rideshare (5–10 minutes) into Downtown, Midtown, and Westside.

If you want to stay close to the aquarium, focus on Centennial Olympic Park Drive, Luckie Street NW, Baker Street NW, and nearby hotel restaurants.

Quick & Casual Restaurants Within a Short Walk

If you’re visiting with kids, on a tight schedule, or just want something easy, these fast-casual and family-friendly options near the Georgia Aquarium are typically within a 5–10 minute walk.

1. Food Court–Style & Fast Casual Near the Aquarium

These are useful when you want something predictable and quick between attractions.

Typical options you’ll find within walking distance include:

• Burgers & Sandwiches

  • National burger chains and sandwich spots along Luckie St NW and around Centennial Olympic Park.
  • Good for families wanting something familiar and fast.

• Pizza & Italian Fast-Casual

  • Build-your-own pizza and pasta spots are common in the downtown hotel and office corridors.
  • Convenient if you’re with a group and need flexible options (gluten-sensitive, picky eaters, etc.).

• Salads, Bowls, and “Lighter” Lunches

  • Fast-casual salad and grain bowl concepts are scattered in the blocks between the aquarium and Peachtree Street.
  • Ideal if you want something light before walking more.

📝 Tip: Many of these places are busiest from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. on weekdays when office workers and tourists overlap. If possible, aim a bit earlier or later.

2. Kid-Friendly and Group-Friendly Spots

When you’re with children or a larger group, look for:

• Counter-service spots with open seating near Centennial Olympic Park
• Hotel-adjacent restaurants (often more space, high chairs, and flexible menus)
• Places that offer:
  • Chicken tenders or simple grilled chicken
  • Pasta or mac and cheese
  • Personal pizzas or flatbreads

Most nearby casual restaurants welcome families coming from the aquarium and other attractions, and servers are accustomed to tired kids and strollers.

Sit-Down Restaurants Near Georgia Aquarium for a Full Meal

If you’re not in a rush and want a proper table-service meal, there are plenty of sit-down restaurants within a short walk or drive of the Georgia Aquarium.

3. American & Southern-Inspired Restaurants

Downtown Atlanta offers several places where you can get Southern-influenced dishes, burgers, and comfort food after your aquarium visit.

Common features you’ll find nearby:

• Southern-style starters (fried green tomatoes, pimento cheese, wings)
• Hearty mains (fried chicken, meatloaf, shrimp and grits, burgers)
• Brunch menus on weekends in some hotel and park-adjacent spots

These restaurants are popular with tourists and locals looking to make a full outing around the aquarium, especially on weekends and during conventions.

4. Bars, Grills, and Sports-Oriented Spots

If you want to watch a game, have a drink, and still be near the aquarium, look for:

• Sports bars and grills along Marietta St NW and nearby hotel corridors
• Bars with:
  • Wings, burgers, nachos
  • Plenty of TVs
  • Casual atmosphere appropriate for adults and older kids or teens

These are especially convenient if you’re heading to or from State Farm Arena or Mercedes-Benz Stadium as part of a bigger day in the area.

Cuisines You Can Find Near the Aquarium

The Georgia Aquarium area pulls visitors from all over, so nearby restaurants tend to offer varied menus and international flavors.

5. International and Global-Inspired Options

Within a 5–10 minute walk or short drive, you’ll typically find:

• Mexican / Latin-inspired spots
• Asian-inspired fast-casual (noodles, stir-fries, rice bowls)
• Mediterranean / Middle Eastern–influenced bowls, wraps, and salads
• Italian-American (pasta, pizza, flatbreads)

These can be good for:

• Mixed dietary preferences in one group
• Vegetarian or “mostly plant-based” eating
• People wanting more variety than standard burgers and fries

Restaurants Inside or Directly Attached to Nearby Hotels

Even if you’re not staying overnight, hotel restaurants near the Georgia Aquarium can be a smart choice. They are usually:

• Used to serving families, convention groups, and tourists
• Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner
• A bit quieter than street-level fast-casual during peak tourist hours

Look around Baker Street NW, Andrew Young International Blvd, and Marietta St NW for hotel properties with:

• Lobby restaurants, often American or Southern-inspired
• Lobby bars offering small plates and cocktails
• Breakfast buffets that sometimes allow walk-ins, not just hotel guests

📝 Tip: If you’re unsure where to eat, walking into a nearby hotel lobby and checking the restaurant menu is often an easy way to find a reliable, comfortable option without much planning.

Walking vs. Driving: How Far Are You Willing to Go?

To help you plan, here’s a simple overview of how restaurant options usually break down by distance from the Georgia Aquarium.

If you’re comfortable taking a short rideshare, MARTA, or driving yourself, your options expand significantly, especially into Midtown and the Westside.

Going a Bit Farther: Midtown & Westside Dining after the Aquarium

If you’ve finished at the aquarium and want to explore more of Atlanta’s food scene, consider:

6. Midtown (North of the Aquarium)

Midtown Atlanta is a quick ride up Peachtree St or via MARTA from the Peachtree Center or Civic Center stations.

Midtown offers:

• Trendy restaurants with creative American, Southern, and global cuisines
• A mix of casual and upscale spots
• Lively areas near Piedmont Park and Peachtree Street

This can be a good choice for:

• Date night after an aquarium visit
• Visitors staying in Midtown hotels who visit the aquarium during the day
• Locals wanting to pair the aquarium with a broader Atlanta dining experience

7. Westside / West Midtown

To the west of downtown, Westside / West Midtown has turned into a popular dining district.

Common features:

• Modern American restaurants in refurbished industrial buildings
• Trend-driven concepts and chef-driven menus
• Breweries and casual hangouts

You’ll likely need a car or rideshare from the Georgia Aquarium, but many Atlanta locals treat this as an easy next stop after visiting downtown attractions.

Planning Around Aquarium Hours and Crowds

Because many visitors build their whole day around the Georgia Aquarium and nearby attractions, timing your meal can make a big difference.

8. When to Eat

• Before your timed-entry slot:
  If your aquarium reservation is late morning or midday, you might want to:

  • Eat a solid breakfast at a hotel restaurant or nearby café
  • Grab a light snack before entering so you’re not rushing to leave for lunch

• Midday breaks:
  Many families take a break between exhibits to:

  • Eat at a nearby fast-casual spot
  • Let kids rest at Centennial Olympic Park and snack on something simple

• After your visit (late afternoon / early evening):
  This is popular for:

  • Early dinners at sit-down restaurants
  • A more relaxed meal after walking through the aquarium for several hours

🕒 Tip: Restaurants closest to the aquarium can be especially busy on weekends, holidays, and when big events or conventions are in town, so be prepared for waits at peak meal times.

Dietary Considerations: Vegetarian, Vegan, and Gluten-Sensitive Options

Most restaurants near the Georgia Aquarium are used to hosting diverse visitors and often offer at least a few flexible choices.

You can usually find:

• Vegetarian options:
  • Salads, veggie burgers, pasta, cheese pizzas, grain bowls, and sides
• Vegan or plant-forward choices:
  • Build-your-own bowls with beans, tofu, vegetables
  • Veggie-heavy plates at global-inspired spots
• Gluten-sensitive options:
  • Bun-less burgers, salads, some rice-based dishes, and certain tacos

If you have strict dietary needs, it helps to:

• Call ahead to the restaurant
• Ask for details about how items are prepared
• Check whether they can accommodate cross-contact concerns

Parking, Transit, and Walking Safety

9. Getting to Restaurants from the Aquarium

Parking:

• Georgia Aquarium’s main parking deck is at
  • 357 Luckie St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
• Many visitors leave the car parked there and walk to nearby restaurants to avoid moving and re-paying for parking.

MARTA & Rideshare:

• Nearby MARTA rail stations:
  • Dome/GWCC/State Farm Arena/CNN Center Station (west of the park)
  • Peachtree Center Station (northeast of the aquarium)
• Rideshare pickup zones are common around the Centennial Olympic Park area and hotel entrances.

Walking:

• The area around the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, and Centennial Olympic Park is designed for pedestrians, with crosswalks and sidewalks.
• At night, it’s common to see other tourists and locals walking between restaurants, arenas, and hotels.

As with any major city, it’s sensible to:

• Stay on well-lit streets
• Follow marked crosswalks
• Keep valuables secure and avoid being distracted when crossing intersections

How to Choose the Right Restaurant for Your Visit

When deciding where to eat near the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, consider:

1. Time constraints

   • Only have 45–60 minutes? Look for fast-casual within a 5–10 minute walk.
   • Have 1.5–2 hours? Opt for a sit-down restaurant or hotel dining.

2. Group type

   • Families with kids: Choose counter-service or casual sit-down spots with kid-friendly options.
   • Date night or adult group: Consider restaurants with a bar, more refined menus, or Midtown/Westside dining.

3. Budget

   • Close-in fast-casual and chain restaurants are usually the most budget-friendly.
   • Hotel and chef-driven restaurants can be more mid- to high-range.

4. Interest in exploring Atlanta

   • If you want to see more of the city’s neighborhoods, pair your aquarium visit with a short ride to Midtown or Westside for dinner.
   • If you want a simple, walkable day, keep your meals in the Centennial Olympic Park / Downtown area.

By focusing on restaurants within walking distance of the Georgia Aquarium or just a short ride away into Downtown, Midtown, or Westside, you can easily plan a full day in Atlanta that covers both world-class attractions and satisfying local meals without unnecessary hassle.