Your Guide to Restaurants at Phipps Plaza in Atlanta
Phipps Plaza isn’t just about luxury shopping and the AMC theater—it’s also become a solid dining destination in Buckhead, with everything from quick bites between errands to full sit-down dinners before a movie or after work.
If you live in Atlanta or you’re visiting Buckhead and wondering where to eat at or near Phipps Plaza (3500 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30326), this guide walks through what you’ll actually find there, how the dining scene is laid out, and how to make the most of it.
What to Expect from the Dining Scene at Phipps Plaza
Phipps Plaza mixes mall-style casual spots with chef-driven and upscale restaurants that fit the Buckhead neighborhood vibe. You’ll see:
- Upscale dining fit for special occasions and business dinners
- Modern casual restaurants good for date nights or group outings
- Quick-service and café options for coffee, snacks, or a fast meal
- Easy access to nearby Buckhead restaurants if you want more variety
Parking is generally available in the Phipps Plaza parking decks off Peachtree Road and Lenox Road, and many people walk over from nearby offices, apartments, and hotels.
Sit-Down & Upscale Restaurants at or Very Near Phipps Plaza
These spots work well if you’re planning a full meal—before a movie, after shopping, or as a destination dinner in Buckhead.
1. High-End & Special-Occasion Style Options
These restaurants typically fit business dinners, celebrations, or date nights. Dress tends to be business casual or nicer.
Key things to know:
- Expect table service, reservations recommended, and higher price points.
- Many Atlantans pair these dinners with a movie at AMC Phipps Plaza 14 or shopping at Phipps or nearby Lenox Square.
When searching locally, look for:
- Steak and seafood concepts: Common in Buckhead, often clustered around the Peachtree/Lenox corridor, within walking or a short drive from Phipps.
- Hotel-connected restaurants: Some of the higher-end spots sit inside or next to Buckhead hotels close to the mall, making them convenient if you’re staying nearby.
If you’re planning a Friday or Saturday night around Phipps Plaza, it’s smart to:
- Book a reservation earlier in the day, especially during holidays or big shopping weekends.
- Allow extra time for parking and traffic around Peachtree Road.
2. Trendy & Modern Casual Restaurants
Around Phipps Plaza you’ll also find modern American, international, and fusion-style restaurants that are a bit more relaxed but still feel “Buckhead nice.”
These are usually good for:
- After-work meetups
- Pre- or post-movie dinners
- Group outings or casual date nights
Common features you’ll see around the Phipps Plaza area:
- Indoor–outdoor seating when weather cooperates
- Shared plates or small plates menus
- Full bars with cocktails and wine lists
If you’re coming from elsewhere in Atlanta, you can usually plug Phipps Plaza, 3500 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30326 into your GPS and then walk around the mall property and surrounding blocks to see which Buckhead restaurant fits your mood and budget.
Quick Bites, Cafés, and Coffee at Phipps Plaza
If you’re shopping, catching a movie, or in between errands in Buckhead, you may just want something fast and easy.
Quick-Service & Food-Court Style Options
Inside Phipps Plaza, you can usually find a rotating mix of:
- Counter-service spots for sandwiches, salads, or bowls
- Grab-and-go kiosks with snacks and drinks
- Sweet shops or dessert counters
These are handy for:
- A fast lunch if you work nearby in Buckhead
- Feeding kids in between browsing the mall
- A quick bite before heading to a different part of the city
Hours may shift with mall hours, so if you’re going early or late, it can help to check ahead to see which counters are open.
Coffee and Light Snacks
Buckhead shoppers tend to rely on:
- Mall-based coffee chains or kiosks for a quick caffeine fix
- Nearby street-level cafés along Peachtree Road NE and connecting streets
If you’re planning to work from your laptop, you may find better seating and outlets at cafés in the nearby Buckhead office/hotel clusters, a short walk or drive from Phipps Plaza.
Planning a Meal Around a Movie at AMC Phipps Plaza 14
AMC Phipps Plaza 14 is a big draw, and many Atlanta residents plan a dinner + movie combo right on site.
How to Time Your Meal
To avoid feeling rushed:
- For a full-service restaurant, plan to sit down 90 minutes to 2 hours before your showtime.
- For quick-service, 30–45 minutes can be enough, depending on lines.
You can use this simple guide:
| Plan Type | When to Eat Before Movie | Good For |
|---|---|---|
| Full-service dinner | 1.5–2 hours before | Date nights, business dinners |
| Casual sit-down | 1–1.5 hours before | Friends, families |
| Quick-service or café | 30–45 minutes before | Solo, kids, tight schedules |
🎥 Tip: On busy weekends or during holiday shopping season, build in extra time for parking and walking through the mall to the theater.
Parking, Traffic, and Getting Around Buckhead
Parking at Phipps Plaza
- Main address: 3500 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30326
- Multiple parking decks and surface lots are connected to the mall.
- Restaurant guests often use the same shared parking as shoppers and moviegoers.
If you’re meeting friends, you may want to:
- Choose a specific entrance (“Peachtree Road entrance” or “near AMC”) to avoid confusion.
- Share the parking deck level and section by text once you park.
Traffic Considerations
The Phipps/Lenox area is one of Buckhead’s busiest:
- Peachtree Rd NE, Lenox Rd NE, and GA-400 can back up during rush hour and on weekends.
- If you’re driving from Midtown, Downtown, or the suburbs, add extra buffer time during peak hours.
MARTA’s Buckhead, Lenox, and Lindbergh Center stations are all within the general area, but you’ll usually need a short rideshare or shuttle from the station to Phipps Plaza if you don’t want to walk.
Tips for Choosing the Right Restaurant at Phipps Plaza
When you’re on-site in Buckhead, it helps to think about:
1. Your Budget
In and around Phipps Plaza, prices range from mall-casual to luxury Buckhead dining. As a rule of thumb:
- Quick-service and cafés: Better for budget-conscious meals or families.
- Full-service Buckhead restaurants: Expect higher prices, especially at dinner, and more formal service.
2. Who You’re With
- Families with kids: Look for restaurants with kid-friendly menus or counter-service options.
- Business groups: Choose a spot with quieter seating and space for larger parties.
- Date night: Upscale or trendy concepts around Phipps Plaza and nearby Buckhead blocks tend to fit nicely.
3. Time of Day
- Lunch: The area draws office workers and shoppers; quick-service spots can get busy but usually move quickly.
- Afternoon: Good window for a late lunch, coffee, or dessert with lighter crowds.
- Evening: Dinner plus movie, date nights, and Buckhead nightlife all converge—reservations and extra travel time help.
Nearby Buckhead Dining Beyond Phipps Plaza
If you’re at Phipps Plaza but want even more choices, Buckhead offers a dense cluster of restaurants within a short walk or drive:
- Lenox Square area (3393 Peachtree Rd NE) right across Peachtree Road, with its own mix of mall and street-level dining.
- The stretch along Peachtree Rd NE between Phipps Plaza and Buckhead Village is lined with additional dining options and bars.
Many Atlantans will:
- Park once at Phipps Plaza or Lenox Square,
- Walk between the two malls,
- And choose a restaurant based on what’s less crowded or better matches their plans that day.
Practical Details to Keep Handy
If you’re organizing a visit, these basics help you orient around the Phipps area:
Phipps Plaza Address:
3500 Peachtree Rd NE
Atlanta, GA 30326General Area: Buckhead, in north Atlanta, near the intersection of Peachtree Rd NE and Lenox Rd NE
What You’ll Find for Food:
- Mall-based quick-service and snack spots
- Coffee and café options
- Access to multiple sit-down and upscale restaurants in the immediate Buckhead corridor
By thinking through your timing, budget, and who you’re dining with, you can use Phipps Plaza as either a convenient quick-bite stop while you shop or a starting point for a full Buckhead dining night out.