Howell Mill Restaurants in Atlanta: Where to Eat Along One of the City’s Busiest Corridors

Howell Mill Road on Atlanta’s Westside has grown into one of the city’s most popular dining stretches. Whether you live nearby in West Midtown, are visiting from out of town, or just want to explore a new food pocket beyond Midtown and Buckhead, the Howell Mill area offers a dense cluster of restaurants, coffee shops, and casual spots.

This guide focuses on Howell Mill restaurants in Atlanta, with practical tips on what to expect, where they’re clustered, and how to plan a meal around traffic, parking, and nearby attractions.

Getting Oriented: Where Exactly Is the Howell Mill Dining Area?

When people talk about “Howell Mill restaurants,” they usually mean the section of Howell Mill Road NW running roughly:

• From I-75 (near the Howell Mill exit)
• Down through West Midtown / Westside Provisions District
• Toward the industrial districts around Marietta Street NW

Key dining clusters include:

• Near I-75 & Northside Drive / Collier Road area – chain spots, fast casual, and drive-throughs
• Westside Provisions District (14th St & Howell Mill Rd) – one of Atlanta’s best-known restaurant hubs
• Howell Mill / Marietta Street industrial corridor – breweries, modern Southern, and creative concepts

Most people navigate here by car or rideshare, but the area is also reachable via MARTA bus routes running along Howell Mill and connecting to the Arts Center and Midtown rail stations.

Types of Restaurants You’ll Find on Howell Mill

The Howell Mill corridor is known for variety. Within a short drive, you can find:

• Upscale Southern and New American – chef-driven menus, craft cocktails, and date-night vibes
• Trendy casual spots – burgers, tacos, ramen, pizza, and modern comfort food
• Fast-casual chains – bowls, salads, sandwich spots, and coffee
• Global cuisines – Mexican, Asian, Mediterranean, and more, mixed among local staples
• Breweries and taprooms – often with food trucks or attached kitchens

Because the area sits between Midtown, Buckhead, and the Upper Westside, many Atlanta residents treat Howell Mill as a “meet in the middle” dining destination.

Popular Dining Zones Along Howell Mill Road

1. Westside Provisions District Area

General area: Howell Mill Rd NW near 14th St NW, Atlanta, GA 30318

This redeveloped industrial area is one of the most restaurant-dense corners of Howell Mill, mixing higher-end dining with casual options. You’ll typically find:

• Upscale restaurants suited for anniversaries, celebrations, or client dinners
• Brunch-friendly spots that fill up on weekends
• Patio seating overlooking the rail tracks and mixed-use courtyard
• Parking garages and surface lots, often shared among shops and restaurants

Because of its popularity, reservations are common during peak times, especially Friday–Sunday evenings.

2. North Howell Mill / I-75 Exit Area

General area: Howell Mill Rd NW near I-75 and Collier Rd NW

Closer to the interstate, this stretch has more everyday, quick-serve options, such as:

• National burger, chicken, and sandwich chains
• Coffee shops and drive-throughs
• Takeout-friendly spots convenient for commuters getting on or off I-75

This is a practical zone when you need something fast before a drive, a trip to Piedmont Hospital, or errands in the nearby office and retail parks.

3. Industrial Westside & Marietta Street Corridor

As Howell Mill bends toward Marietta Street NW, you’ll find:

• Breweries and taprooms with casual food or rotating trucks
• Modern Southern and creative American restaurants in converted warehouses
• Lofts, design showrooms, and galleries that give the area a creative, industrial feel

Parking here is often in surface lots or street parking, and the vibe is more relaxed than in the busy core of Westside Provisions.

When to Go: Timing, Traffic, and Reservations

Howell Mill is one of the busiest north–south routes on the Westside, and traffic patterns can heavily affect your dining experience.

Traffic & Parking Tips

• 🕔 Avoid peak rush hours (roughly 4–7 p.m. weekdays) if possible; traffic backs up near the I-75 ramps and major intersections.
• 🚗 Plan for parking in Westside Provisions and popular nodes; lots may charge and can fill up at prime times.
• 🚶 If you’re restaurant-hopping, consider parking once and walking within the district rather than moving your car between spots.
• 🚕 Rideshare drop-off is popular, but pick-up areas around Howell Mill and 14th can get crowded on weekend nights—build in a few extra minutes.

Reservations vs. Walk-Ins

• Many upscale and in-demand restaurants in the Howell Mill / Westside Provisions area operate on reservations and may book out for peak times.
• Some casual spots accept call-ahead or online waitlists.
• Walk-ins are usually easier:
  • Earlier in the week (Monday–Wednesday)
  • Earlier in the evening (before 6:00–6:30 p.m.)
  • For bar or patio seating rather than the main dining room

If you’re coming from another part of Atlanta, it’s smart to check the restaurant’s hours and reservation policy before driving over, especially for brunch or Friday/Saturday nights.

What Locals Often Look for on Howell Mill

1. Brunch Options

Howell Mill and the nearby Westside are well-known for brunch, with many spots offering:

• Southern-style dishes like biscuits, fried chicken, and shrimp and grits
• Creative breakfast plates and lighter options such as grain bowls and avocado toast
• Cocktails like mimosas and Bloody Marys, sometimes with special brunch menus

Weekend brunch can be one of the most crowded times on Howell Mill; arriving early or booking ahead is often necessary.

2. Happy Hour & After-Work Bites

Because of its proximity to Midtown offices, Georgia Tech, and Buckhead, the corridor is popular for:

• After-work drinks and shared small plates
• Patios and rooftop-adjacent areas (in nearby developments) when the weather is good
• Meeting spots convenient for groups coming from different directions on I-75 and I-85

Happy hour offerings vary by restaurant, so many locals check menus in advance if price is a priority.

3. Casual Takeout and Delivery

Residents of West Midtown, Berkeley Park, and surrounding neighborhoods frequently use Howell Mill for:

• Quick takeout dinners on weeknights
• Delivery from restaurants clustered along Howell Mill and Marietta Street
• Prepared foods or snacks picked up while running errands

If you’re staying in a hotel or short-term rental nearby, the area is particularly convenient for delivery apps because of the density of restaurants.

Practical Planning: Howell Mill Dining at a Glance

Below is a simplified snapshot of what to expect in the main Howell Mill restaurant zones. This is not a restaurant list, but a planning guide to help you decide where to go based on your needs.

Getting There: Transportation and Nearby Landmarks

By Car

• From Midtown: Head west on 14th St NW or 10th St NW, then turn onto Howell Mill Rd NW.
• From Buckhead: Take Peachtree Rd or Northside Dr toward the Westside; Howell Mill intersects many east–west routes.
• From I-75: Use the Howell Mill Rd NW exit; you’ll immediately be in a strip of fast-casual and chain options, with Westside Provisions a short drive south.

By MARTA

Howell Mill doesn’t have its own rail station, but you can:

• Ride the Red/Gold line to Midtown or Arts Center station.
• Transfer to a MARTA bus route serving Howell Mill / West Midtown (routes sometimes change, so confirm current schedules).
• Walk or rideshare from nearby bus stops to specific restaurant clusters.

Nearby Destinations

Many people combine a Howell Mill meal with:

• Shopping or strolling in Westside Provisions District (boutiques, home stores, and local retailers)
• Exploring the Westside BeltLine Connector and nearby trails
• Visiting Georgia Tech, which is a short drive away
• Checking out galleries and design spaces in the Westside arts and design district

Tips for Choosing the Right Howell Mill Restaurant for You

When you’re scanning options on or near Howell Mill Road in Atlanta, it helps to narrow your search based on:

• Budget: The area ranges from casual and affordable to high-end.
• Occasion: Everyday lunch, casual dinner, birthday, date night, or group gathering.
• Parking comfort level: Some prefer simpler parking in the industrial stretch; others value the walkability and options in Westside Provisions.
• Noise level and atmosphere: Trendy spots can be lively and loud; some side-street or smaller venues may feel more relaxed.
• Dietary preferences: Many restaurants along Howell Mill offer vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-conscious options, but it’s wise to glance at menus beforehand.

How to Make the Most of a Visit to Howell Mill’s Restaurant Scene

If you’re planning an evening or weekend outing:

1. Pick your zone first (I-75/Collier, Westside Provisions, or industrial corridor).
2. Check restaurant hours and reservation options—especially for brunch or weekend dinner.
3. Plan for parking or rideshare, factoring in traffic along Howell Mill and cross streets like 14th St NW.
4. Consider walking between spots: it’s common to eat at one place and grab dessert or drinks at another nearby.
5. Give yourself extra time if you’re coordinating with friends coming from Buckhead, Midtown, or the suburbs via I-75.

For Atlantans, Howell Mill is a convenient, central dining zone; for visitors, it offers a concentrated taste of modern Westside Atlanta without needing to crisscross the entire city.