Best Places to Eat Near Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta

Looking for Centennial Park Atlanta restaurants before or after a game, show, or convention? The blocks around Centennial Olympic Park in Downtown Atlanta are packed with options, from quick bites to special-occasion dinners, all within an easy walk of major attractions like the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, State Farm Arena, and the Georgia World Congress Center.

This guide focuses on where to eat near Centennial Olympic Park, what each area is best for, and how to plan your meal around your schedule in Atlanta.

Getting Oriented: Where You’re Eating

Centennial Olympic Park sits in Downtown Atlanta, roughly bounded by:

• Marietta St NW to the north
• Baker St NW to the east
• Park Ave W NW and Andrew Young International Blvd NW to the south
• Nassau St NW / Luckie St NW to the west

Most restaurants people think of as “Centennial Park spots” are within a 5–10 minute walk of the park.

Main dining clusters around the park

North & East of the Park

• Around Baker St NW, Luckie St NW, and Centennial Olympic Park Dr NW
• Good for: casual restaurants, family-friendly spots, quick eats after attractions

South of the Park / CNN Center & State Farm Arena side

• Around Marietta St NW, Andrew Young International Blvd NW, and Philips Dr
• Good for: pre- and post-game dining, bar-style food, groups

West of the Park / Georgia World Congress Center & Mercedes‑Benz Stadium side

• Around Northside Dr NW and GWCC campus
• Good for: event days, big crowds, tailgate-style options

Quick-Reference: Types of Restaurants Near Centennial Olympic Park

Casual & Family-Friendly Restaurants Near Centennial Olympic Park

If you’re juggling kids, stroller, or a packed sightseeing schedule, staying close and casual is usually best.

Around Baker St NW, Luckie St NW, and Centennial Olympic Park Dr

Within a few blocks of the park you’ll typically find:

• Burger and sandwich spots – Ideal for a fast, familiar meal between the Georgia Aquarium and World of Coca-Cola.
• Pizza places – Often by-the-slice or personal pies, easy for families and groups.
• Tex‑Mex and Southwestern – Tacos, bowls, and nachos are common picks around this area.
• Multi-cuisine casual restaurants – Menus that range from wings to salads to pasta, helping mixed‑taste groups.

These streets are designed for foot traffic from the attractions, so you can usually:

• Walk from Centennial Olympic Park to your table in 5–7 minutes
• Get seated earlier if you avoid standard peak times (around 12–1:30 p.m. and 6–8 p.m., especially on weekends and event days)

👀 Local tip: If you’re visiting the Georgia Aquarium, consider grabbing lunch either before 11:30 a.m. or after 1:30 p.m. to dodge the heaviest restaurant lines nearby.

Game Day & Concert Dining Near State Farm Arena and Mercedes‑Benz Stadium

If you’re headed to a Hawks game, Falcons game, Atlanta United match, or a major concert, the area south and west of Centennial Olympic Park is your zone.

Around Marietta St NW and Andrew Young International Blvd

Expect a concentration of:

• Sports bars and grills – Burgers, wings, fries, and large TV setups
• Casual bar-style restaurants – Shared appetizers, flatbreads, comfort food
• Quick counter-service spots – For when you’re rushing to get into the arena or stadium

On event days, restaurants here often:

• Get very crowded 90 minutes before start time
• May have limited menus to serve more people faster
• Sometimes offer game-day specials on appetizers or drinks

Near Mercedes‑Benz Stadium & Georgia World Congress Center

The streets along Northside Dr NW and the GWCC campus see heavy foot traffic during:

• NFL and MLS games
• College football events
• Major trade shows and conventions

Around this part of Downtown, you’ll find:

• Tailgate-style spots with hearty, filling food
• Restaurant options inside and adjacent to large hotels serving the convention crowd
• Pop-up stands or casual eateries that focus on speed over ambiance

⏱️ Timing tip: Aim to finish eating at least 45–60 minutes before kickoff or showtime to account for crowds at security lines, especially for big events.

Sit-Down & Upscale Restaurant Options Near the Park

Not every Centennial Park visit is about grab‑and‑go food. Downtown also offers nicer sit-down restaurants within walking distance, often clustered inside or near hotels.

Where to look for upscale or special-occasion dining

You’ll typically find more polished dining experiences:

• Along Marietta St NW, Andrew Young International Blvd NW, and Peachtree St NW just beyond the park’s direct edges
• Inside major Downtown Atlanta hotels, many of which have full-service restaurants and lounges
• In nearby mixed‑use developments just a short rideshare or streetcar ride away

Common styles near Centennial Olympic Park include:

• Modern American – Seasonal menus, steaks, and seafood
• Steakhouses – Popular for business dinners and convention groups
• Contemporary Southern – Takes on fried chicken, shrimp and grits, and local produce
• Upscale lounges – Small plates and cocktails with a quieter atmosphere than game-day bars

🎟️ Reservation tip: On nights with State Farm Arena or Mercedes‑Benz events, book reservations before you arrive Downtown if you want a specific upscale restaurant or a particular time slot.

Breakfast, Brunch, and Coffee Around Centennial Park

If you’re staying in a Downtown hotel or starting your day around the park, you have several ways to fuel up.

Hotel breakfast and brunch

Many large hotels around Centennial Olympic Park offer:

• Buffet-style breakfasts with eggs, pastries, fruit, and hot items
• Sit-down brunch menus on weekends
• A mix of continental options for lighter eaters

If you’re not a hotel guest, some hotel restaurants still allow walk‑in breakfast, especially on weekdays, but it’s wise to:

• Check host stands or front desks early in the morning for availability
• Expect higher prices but reliable seating near the park

Coffee shops and light bites

Within a short walk of the park along streets like:

• Baker St NW
• Luckie St NW
• Marietta St NW

you’ll typically find:

• Coffee chains and local cafés serving espresso drinks, drip coffee, and teas
• Grab-and-go breakfast: muffins, bagels, breakfast sandwiches, yogurt parfaits
• Seating that works well for quick laptop time or planning your attraction route

☕ Crowd tip: These cafés often get busy between 7:30–9:00 a.m. on weekdays due to office workers and convention attendees. If you want a seat, arriving earlier helps.

Quick Bites Between Attractions

Many visitors string together Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca‑Cola, the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, and the park in one day. That makes quick, flexible food options especially useful.

Food court and counter-service options

Near Centennial Olympic Park you’ll often find:

• Food court-style areas with several stalls: burgers, Asian-inspired dishes, salads, and dessert options
• Walk-up windows and kiosks with hot dogs, pretzels, ice cream, and snacks (especially on event or high-traffic days)

These can be ideal when you:

• Have less than an hour between timed tickets at attractions
• Need flexible choices for multiple diets and preferences
• Don’t want to commit to a full restaurant experience

🧃 Kid-friendly tip: If you’re traveling with children, check how far your next attraction is, then choose somewhere within a 5-minute walk so you’re not rushed getting to a timed entry.

Vegetarian, Vegan, and Lighter Options Near the Park

Downtown Atlanta has become more accommodating to vegetarian and health-conscious diners, and that extends to the Centennial Park area.

Common lighter options you can typically find:

• Salad and grain bowl spots – Build-your-own or preset combinations with proteins, greens, and grains
• Multi-cuisine menus – Many American and global restaurants have at least a few clearly labeled vegetarian dishes
• Mediterranean or Latin‑influenced options – Often feature vegetable-heavy plates, beans, rice, and salads

When scanning menus near Centennial Olympic Park, look for:

• “V” or leaf icons marking vegetarian/vegan dishes
• Sections labeled “lighter fare,” “bowls,” or “power salads”
• Side dishes (roasted vegetables, rice, beans, salads) you can combine into a full meal

If you have more specific dietary needs, such as gluten-free or dairy-free, consider:

• Calling the restaurant ahead if you’re planning a sit-down meal
• Sticking with build-your-own bowl or salad places where ingredients are easy to customize

How to Plan Meals Around Events and Attractions

Timing is everything when you’re eating near Centennial Olympic Park, especially during big events.

Plan around major Downtown attractions

Georgia Aquarium & World of Coca‑Cola

• Both sit on the north side of the park
• Standard visit time can easily stretch 2–3 hours per attraction
• Plan either:
  • A late breakfast / early lunch before the first attraction, or
  • A flexible lunch window between the two

National Center for Civil and Human Rights

• Walking distance just north of the park
• Pairs well with a midday meal at nearby cafés or casual restaurants

SkyView Atlanta (Ferris wheel)

• Located along the south edge of Centennial Olympic Park
• Easy to combine with a pre- or post-ride meal at restaurants all along Marietta St NW

Plan around sports and concerts

If you’re going to State Farm Arena or Mercedes‑Benz Stadium:

• Expect nearby restaurants to be busiest 90–120 minutes before events
• Decide if you want to:
  • Eat early (e.g., 4:30–5:30 p.m. for a 7:30 p.m. event), or
  • Wait and eat after, keeping in mind that some kitchens stop serving food before bar closing time

For Georgia World Congress Center events:

• Conventions can flood nearby restaurants at typical lunch hours
• Consider slightly off-hour meals: 11:00–11:30 a.m. or after 1:30 p.m.

Parking, Transit, and Getting to Restaurants

How you get to Centennial Park can shape where you choose to eat.

MARTA (Public Transit)

Centennial Olympic Park is a short walk from several MARTA rail stations, including:

• GWCC/CNN Center Station (Blue/Green Line) – Good for the west and south sides of the park and arenas
• Peachtree Center Station (Red/Gold Line) – Good for the east and northeast sides and hotel corridor

If you’re dining and exploring without a car:

• You can ride MARTA into Downtown, walk between the park, attractions, and restaurants, and then ride back out.
• This avoids parking costs, which can increase on major event days.

For route details or current schedules, you can contact MARTA Customer Information at (404) 848‑5000 or visit a MARTA station with staff during operating hours.

Driving and parking

If you prefer to drive:

• Look for public parking garages and surface lots around:
  • Marietta St NW
  • Andrew Young International Blvd NW
  • Baker St NW
  • Centennial Olympic Park Dr NW

On game days, concert nights, and large conventions:

• Rates may be higher and some lots may shift to event-only pricing
• Arriving earlier not only helps with parking but also makes it easier to get seated for a meal

Practical Tips for Eating Around Centennial Olympic Park

To make the most of Atlanta’s Centennial Park dining area:

• Check event calendars

  • Look up major events at State Farm Arena, Mercedes‑Benz Stadium, and Georgia World Congress Center. Big events usually mean busier restaurants.

• Use timing to your advantage

  • Eat slightly earlier or later than peak times when possible.
  • Build at least 45 minutes to an hour into your schedule if you have timed tickets or hard start times.

• Consider hotel restaurants

  • Especially helpful when it’s raining, extremely hot, or very crowded outside.
  • Often more predictable for seating, especially at breakfast and lunch.

• Plan for walking

  • Most Centennial Park restaurants are reachable within 5–10 minutes on foot, but wearing comfortable shoes makes it easier to move between the park, attractions, and dining.

• Budget realistically

  • Because you’re in a high-traffic tourist and event area, prices are often a bit higher than in residential neighborhoods of Atlanta.
  • Quick-service and food court options are usually the most budget-friendly choices near the park.

With a little planning around your attractions and events, it’s straightforward to find Centennial Park Atlanta restaurants that match your schedule, budget, and style—whether you’re a local meeting friends downtown or a visitor making the most of a day in the heart of Atlanta.