Mary Mac’s Tea Room in Atlanta: A Local Guide to the “Dining Room of the South”

If you search for “Mary Mac Restaurant Atlanta,” you’re almost certainly looking for Mary Mac’s Tea Room – one of Atlanta’s most iconic Southern restaurants and a longtime favorite for both locals and visitors.

Located in Midtown Atlanta, Mary Mac’s is known for classic Southern comfort food, warm hospitality, and a dining room that feels like stepping into Atlanta history.

Where Mary Mac’s Is Located and How to Get There

Address:
Mary Mac’s Tea Room
224 Ponce de Leon Ave NE
Atlanta, GA 30308
Phone: (404) 876-1800

Mary Mac’s sits along Ponce de Leon Avenue, just east of Peachtree Street and a short drive from major in-town neighborhoods like Midtown, Downtown, Old Fourth Ward, Virginia-Highland, and Inman Park.

Getting There

• By car:

  • Easy access from I-75/85 via the North Avenue or Freedom Parkway exits.
  • Street parking and nearby lots/garages are usually available, but can fill up during peak dining times and on event days.

• By MARTA:

  • North Avenue Station (Red/Gold line) is the closest rail stop. From there, it’s roughly a 10–15 minute walk or a short rideshare trip.
  • Several bus routes along Ponce de Leon Ave also stop within a short walk of the restaurant.

• From major Atlanta spots:

  • From Downtown (Centennial Olympic Park / State Farm Arena): about 5–10 minutes by car in light traffic.
  • From Ponce City Market: just over a mile west along Ponce de Leon, often under 5 minutes by car.
  • From Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport: generally 20–30 minutes by car or MARTA (airport to North Avenue).

What Mary Mac’s Is Known For

Mary Mac’s is often described as “Atlanta’s dining room” and is especially known for:

• Traditional Southern dishes like fried chicken, pot likker, collard greens, and black-eyed peas
• Homemade breads and desserts – think cinnamon rolls, peach cobbler, and banana pudding
• Tea Room tradition: Historically, “tea rooms” in Atlanta were places where women could own and operate restaurants, and Mary Mac’s has preserved that legacy
• Handwritten order slips and a home-style feel – many guests receive an order sheet at the table to mark their choices

Locals often bring out-of-town guests here when they want a true Atlanta-style Southern meal in a setting that’s casual but steeped in local character.

Mary Mac’s Menu: Classic Southern Comfort

The menu focuses on comfort-heavy, meat-and-three–style dining, where you pair a main dish with a selection of sides.

Typical Southern Staples You’ll Find

While specific offerings can change over time, guests commonly find:

• Main dishes (entrées)

  • Fried chicken (often a top pick)
  • Chicken and dumplings
  • Meatloaf
  • Country-fried steak
  • Baked or fried fish
  • Pork chops
  • Roast turkey or chicken specials

• Vegetables and sides (“veggies”)

  • Collard greens
  • Macaroni and cheese
  • Black-eyed peas
  • Candied yams
  • Green beans
  • Okra (fried or stewed)
  • Mashed potatoes and gravy
  • Butter beans
  • Cole slaw and potato salad

• Breads

  • Yeast rolls
  • Cornbread
  • Cinnamon rolls (often a favorite, especially when served warm)

• Desserts

  • Peach cobbler
  • Banana pudding
  • Pecan pie
  • Seasonal cakes or pies

• Drinks

  • Sweet tea (a Southern standard)
  • Unsweet tea, soft drinks, and other typical beverages

Dietary Considerations

Mary Mac’s menu leans heavily toward traditional Southern cooking, which often includes:

• Fried items
• Dishes cooked with butter, cream, or pork seasoning
• Hearty portions and rich flavors

However, there are usually vegetable-forward sides that may work for some vegetarian diners, and you can often assemble a meal from multiple sides. If you have allergies, dietary restrictions, or are looking for lighter options, it’s best to:

• Ask your server how specific dishes are prepared
• Look for grilled or baked options instead of fried
• Focus on sides that are prepared without meat, when available

Price Expectations and Value

Mary Mac’s is generally considered moderately priced by Atlanta standards:

• Entrées typically come with multiple side items, making portions substantial
• It’s common for guests to leave with leftovers
• For visitors comparing it to other Atlanta restaurants, it often falls in the casual sit-down range, more than fast food but usually less than high-end dining in Midtown or Buckhead

For many locals, the value comes from:

• Hearty, filling plates
• The historic, Atlanta-specific experience
• A chance to introduce friends and family to traditional Southern dishes in one place

Atmosphere: What It’s Like Inside

Mary Mac’s feels like a large, bustling Southern dining room:

• Multiple rooms with simple, comfortable décor
• Tables are fairly close together, and the space can get lively during peak hours
• Staff are generally friendly and used to welcoming many first-time visitors to Atlanta

Expect:

• A mix of locals and tourists
• Families, groups, and sometimes large parties
• A setting that is casual enough for everyday dining but special enough for out-of-town guests

It’s a place where jeans and casual attire are perfectly normal, but you’ll also see people dressed up before a show at the Fox Theatre or an event in Midtown.

Best Times to Go and Wait Times

Because of its reputation as a must-try Atlanta restaurant, Mary Mac’s can be busy.

Typical Patterns

• Lunch (especially weekdays)
  • Often busy with in-town workers, local regulars, and visitors
  • Earlier lunch (11:00–11:30 a.m.) can sometimes mean shorter waits
• Dinner
  • Can draw both neighborhood diners and tourists
  • Weekend evenings in particular may have a noticeable wait
• Weekends and holidays
  • Often the most crowded, especially when there are major events in Midtown or nearby venues

If you’re on a tight schedule before an event:

• Aim for earlier dining times
• Build in a buffer for parking and potential waiting
• Consider calling ahead to ask about current wait patterns (though not all casual spots use formal reservations)

Mary Mac’s in the Context of Atlanta Dining

When people talk about the “classic Atlanta food experience,” Mary Mac’s is usually part of the conversation, alongside:

• Barbecue spots
• Other long-standing Southern and meat-and-three restaurants
• In-town staples near Downtown, Midtown, and the BeltLine

For Atlanta residents, Mary Mac’s might be:

• A place to take visiting relatives who want “proper Southern food”
• A nostalgic spot tied to family traditions or celebrations
• A landmark to compare newer Southern-style restaurants against

For visitors, it often becomes:

• A first introduction to dishes like pot likker, fried green tomatoes, or true Southern sweet tea
• An easy, one-stop way to try multiple local favorites at once

Planning Your Visit: Quick Reference

Mary Mac’s Tea Room – At a Glance

Tips for Atlanta Locals and Visitors

A few practical pointers if you’re planning Mary Mac’s into your Atlanta day:

• If you live in Atlanta:

  • Consider using Mary Mac’s as your go-to spot for visiting friends who ask, “Where can I get real Southern food?”
  • Time your visit around Midtown traffic and major event schedules to avoid the heaviest crowds.

• If you’re visiting Atlanta:

  • Pair a meal at Mary Mac’s with nearby attractions such as Ponce City Market, the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail, or the Fox Theatre.
  • If you’re relying on MARTA, planning around North Avenue Station can simplify your trip.

• If you’re trying Southern food for the first time:

  • Ask your server for recommendations on signature dishes.
  • Try at least one classic side (like collard greens or mac and cheese) and one traditional dessert (like peach cobbler or banana pudding).

Mary Mac’s Tea Room remains one of Atlanta’s most recognizable spots for traditional Southern cooking in a setting that feels distinctly local. Whether you live here or are just passing through, it’s a straightforward way to experience a slice of Atlanta’s food and cultural history on a single plate.