Your Guide to Atlanta International Airport Restaurants: Where to Eat at Hartsfield–Jackson

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is one of the busiest airports in the world, but it’s also one of the best airports for food. Whether you’re an Atlanta local flying out, a visitor on a layover, or picking someone up, you’ll find plenty of restaurants, bars, coffee spots, and grab-and-go options in every concourse.

This guide walks you through where to eat at Atlanta’s international airport, what to expect on each concourse, and how to plan your meal around your flight.

How ATL’s Restaurant Layout Works

ATL is organized into:

• Domestic Terminal North & South
• International Terminal (Concourse F)
• Concourses T, A, B, C, D, E, and F
• A Plane Train and walkable underground corridor that connect them

Most restaurants are past security in the concourses, but there are a few options before security in the terminals.

⭐ Key tip: You can usually ride the Plane Train to any concourse after you clear security (check that you have enough time before boarding). This means you’re not totally limited to your gate area, especially during a longer layover.

Quick Overview: Popular Food Options by Concourse

Use this table as a fast reference if you’re already at the airport and need to decide where to eat:

Menu specifics can change, but the general pattern above stays fairly consistent.

Before Security: Eating in the Domestic and International Terminals

If you prefer to eat before TSA, or you’re waiting with someone who isn’t flying, there are a few restaurant options in the:

• Domestic Terminal North and South
• International Terminal (Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal)

You can usually expect:

• Coffee shops for early flights
• Fast-food counters for burgers, chicken, or breakfast biscuits
• Grab-and-go markets with packaged salads, sandwiches, and drinks

📍 Domestic Terminals Address (for planning rides):
6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320

📍 International Terminal Address:
2600 Maynard H. Jackson Jr. Blvd, Atlanta, GA 30354

If you’re meeting someone arriving on an international flight, many people choose to eat or grab coffee at the International Terminal because it’s less hectic than some domestic concourses.

Concourse T: Good for Early Flights and Quick Bites

Concourse T is the first concourse after the domestic terminal and often feels less overwhelming than A or B.

You’ll typically find:

• Coffee and pastry shops – handy for very early departures
• Sandwich and salad counters – for something lighter before a flight
• Bar areas – if you want a quick drink before boarding

This is a good choice if you:

• Want something faster and less crowded
• Don’t want to ride the Plane Train far from your gate
• Have a short layover and need something reliable

Concourses A & B: High-Traffic Hubs with Plenty of Choices

These two are some of the busiest concourses at ATL, with a wide mix of restaurants.

Concourse A

Concourse A is ideal if you want:

• Fast-casual food (burgers, sandwiches, salads)
• Bars and grills with typical American fare
• Coffee chains and bakery counters

Because of the heavy traffic, lines can get long during peak times. If you have at least 45–60 minutes, you can usually still eat comfortably.

Concourse B

Concourse B offers similar variety, but many travelers find it slightly easier to move around compared to A.

You’ll commonly see:

• Burger spots
• Mexican or Tex-Mex counters (tacos, burritos, bowls)
• Pizza stands
• Grab-and-go fridges with wraps and snacks

Tip for Atlanta locals and frequent flyers: If your gate is on B and your usual spot on A is crowded, staying on B often saves time.

Concourses C & D: Comfort Food, Bars, and Casual Dining

These concourses have a more laid-back, classic airport food feel.

Concourse C

Expect:

• Bar-and-grill style restaurants with burgers, wings, and fries
• Sandwich shops and sub counters
• Snack stands for chips, candy, and drinks

It’s a good choice when you’re craving familiar, hearty food and don’t need a chef-driven menu.

Concourse D

Concourse D leans toward:

• Sit-down restaurants where you can actually rest at a table
• Pubs or sports-bar style spots with TVs
• Mixed-cuisine menus (American, some global flavors, salads, flatbreads)

If you have around an hour or more, D can be a nice spot to sit and recharge with a proper meal instead of eating at the gate.

Concourses E & F: Best for Longer Layovers and International Flights

If you’re flying internationally from Atlanta—or connecting through—Concourse E and Concourse F are where you’ll likely spend your time.

Concourse E

Concourse E typically includes:

• Full-service restaurants with more extensive menus
• Wine bars or cocktail lounges
• Cafés and coffee shops for lighter options

Many travelers use Concourse E as a place to relax and eat something a step up from standard fast food when they have extra time.

Concourse F (International Terminal)

Concourse F is attached to the International Terminal, and it’s one of the better concourses for:

• Sit-down meals suitable for families or business travelers
• More global-style dishes alongside typical American options
• Cafés with plenty of seating, charging outlets, and kid-friendly options

If you’re arriving in Atlanta from abroad and have a long layover before a domestic connection, Concourse F often feels quieter and more spacious than some domestic concourses.

Types of Food You Can Expect at Atlanta Airport

Even though specific restaurant names may change, the types of food available at ATL stay fairly consistent. You can almost always find:

• Southern-inspired items
  Fried chicken, biscuits, pimento cheese, barbecue-style sandwiches, and sides like mac and cheese or collard greens are often available in at least one concourse.

• American classics
  Burgers, fries, wings, sandwiches, hot dogs, salads, and grain bowls.

• International flavors
  Mexican/Tex-Mex, Asian-inspired noodles or rice bowls, sushi counters, and Mediterranean-inspired options often appear in the mix.

• Breakfast options all day
  Many spots serve breakfast sandwiches, eggs, and pastries well into mid-day.

• Vegetarian and lighter options
  Salads, veggie wraps, grain bowls, fruit cups, and snack packs are widely available, especially in grab-and-go fridges.

• Coffee, juice, and smoothies
  Major coffee chains plus smoothie and juice counters in busy concourses like A, B, and F.

• Bars and pubs
  Almost every concourse has at least one full bar with food, geared toward travelers waiting out delays or longer layovers.

How to Choose Where to Eat Based on Your Situation

1. Short Layover (Under 45 Minutes)

Focus on grab-and-go and counter-service options:

• Stick to the same concourse as your departure gate.
• Look for pre-packaged sandwiches, salads, or snack boxes.
• Avoid full-service sit-down restaurants unless there is no line and you’re comfortable eating quickly.

👍 Best move: Use whichever restaurant is closest to your gate to avoid rushing back.

2. Medium Layover (45–90 Minutes)

You have time to:

• Sit down at a casual restaurant or bar.
• Ride the Plane Train one concourse away if your current options are packed.
• Order a hot meal and still make boarding without stress.

👍 Many travelers in Atlanta use Concourses A, B, D, or E during this type of layover for more variety and seating.

3. Long Layover (2+ Hours)

This is where you can be more intentional:

• Consider Concourse E or F for a slightly calmer feel and more full-service choices.
• Choose a restaurant with comfortable seating and outlets if you need to work.
• Walk the underground corridor between concourses instead of only riding the train if you want to stretch your legs; you’ll pass smaller snack and drink stands along the way.

If you’re an Atlanta local flying out, this is when some people arrive early on purpose, eat at the airport, and treat it like an extra part of the trip.

4. Traveling with Kids or a Group

When traveling with family or a larger group:

• Pick a full-service restaurant with real tables instead of balancing trays at the gate.
• Look for menus with kid-friendly items (chicken tenders, fries, pasta, simple sandwiches).
• Many restaurants allow you to split appetizers or large plates, which works well with younger children.

Try to stay on the same concourse as your gate to make it easier to get back with strollers, carry-ons, and kids in tow.

Budget-Friendly Eating at ATL

Airport prices are usually higher than what you’d pay in many Atlanta neighborhoods, but you can still keep costs reasonable:

• Choose fast-food or counter-service spots instead of full-service dining.
• Look for combo meals that include a main, side, and drink.
• Buy reusable water bottles before arriving and fill them at water fountains or bottle stations after security, then just purchase food.
• Grab a larger snack pack and share it instead of several individual snacks.

If you’re driving from anywhere in metro Atlanta, you can also eat before heading to the airport and then just grab a light snack at ATL.

Tips for Navigating Atlanta Airport Restaurants Smoothly

Here are practical pointers that help both Atlanta residents and visitors:

• Check your concourse first. Your boarding pass or airline app will list it; that determines what restaurants are closest.
• Allow extra time during peak hours. Early mornings, lunchtime, and evenings often have the longest lines.
• To-go containers are common. Even sit-down restaurants often provide to-go containers, so you can finish your meal at the gate if boarding begins sooner than expected.
• Ask about wait times. Hosts at full-service restaurants will usually tell you if your party is likely to be seated and served in time.
• Dietary needs. Most places can talk through ingredients or offer modifications (like skipping cheese or sauces). Choose places with made-to-order menus if you need more flexibility.
• Use the Plane Train wisely. It runs continuously between all concourses, but always leave a time buffer (many travelers aim to be at their gate at least 30 minutes before departure for domestic, even earlier for international).

Helpful ATL Contact Information for Planning

If you need general information about airport services, including current restaurant offerings, you can reach Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport at:

• General Information Line: (800) 897-1910
• Airport Address:
  Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport
  6000 N Terminal Pkwy
  Atlanta, GA 30320

For those living in or visiting Atlanta, it can be helpful to keep this number handy if you want clarity on terminal locations, parking, accessibility, and terminal-to-terminal transportation, which all affect how easily you can reach certain restaurants.

Whether you’re a long-time Atlanta resident flying out for the weekend or a first-time visitor passing through on an international connection, Atlanta International Airport restaurants give you plenty of ways to eat well between flights. Knowing which concourse you’re in, how much time you have, and what kind of meal you want makes it much easier to choose the right spot and enjoy your time at ATL instead of rushing or settling for something you don’t really want.