Best Restaurants Near the Atlanta Convention Center: Where to Eat Downtown

Looking for restaurants near the Atlanta Convention Center and not sure where to start? Whether you’re attending a conference, working nearby, or staying in one of the downtown hotels, the good news is that you’re surrounded by plenty of food options within an easy walk or short ride.

In Atlanta, “the convention center” usually means the Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) in downtown, next to Mercedes-Benz Stadium, State Farm Arena, and Centennial Olympic Park. This guide focuses on that area and the nearby restaurant clusters that locals and visitors actually use.

Quick Snapshot: Where to Eat Near the Atlanta Convention Center

Here’s a simple overview of nearby dining zones around the Georgia World Congress Center and what they’re best for:

*Walk times are approximate from the central GWCC buildings; plan a few extra minutes if you’re moving between halls.

On-Site and Very Close: Eating at or Right Next to the Convention Center

If you have tight breaks between sessions, it’s easiest to stay within the convention or connecting complexes.

Food Options Inside or Directly Connected to GWCC

Inside the Georgia World Congress Center itself, you’ll usually find:

• Concession-style stands with sandwiches, salads, hot dogs, and snacks
• Coffee kiosks and pastry counters
• Event-specific pop-ups during large conventions

What’s open can vary based on the event schedule, so many attendees plan at least one meal off-site per day for more variety.

CNN Center Area (While It Lasts)

The GWCC is connected via walkways and short streets to the CNN Center complex. Historically, this building has housed several fast-casual spots and chain restaurants. The mix here has shifted over time, but you can generally expect:

• Quick-service American food
• Coffee and dessert options
• National fast-food chains

Many people use this area for quick lunches between sessions or a simple early dinner before a game or concert at State Farm Arena.

Centennial Olympic Park Side: Visitor-Friendly Restaurants

Just across from GWCC and the Georgia Aquarium, the Centennial Olympic Park area caters heavily to out-of-towners, families, and group diners.

What to Expect in This Area

Around Centennial Olympic Park Dr NW, Andrew Young International Blvd NW, and nearby streets, you’ll typically find:

• Casual sit-down restaurants serving burgers, wings, and salads
• Pizzerias and sports bars good for groups and kids
• Dessert shops and ice cream stands
• Plenty of places that are used to big crowds on game and event days

This is a smart area if:

• You have kids with you
• You want a place that’s easy to find and explain to a group
• You’d like something within a 5–10 minute walk of the convention center and major hotels

Marietta Street & Luckie Street: Pubs, Burgers, and Casual Dining

A few blocks from GWCC, Marietta St NW and Luckie St NW form one of downtown Atlanta’s main casual dining corridors. This stretch is popular with both locals and visitors, especially before and after events.

Why This Area Works Well

Along and around Marietta and Luckie, you’ll find:

• Sports bars and pubs with big TVs, beer lists, and bar food
• Burger and sandwich spots that can handle groups
• Southern-inspired menus—think fried chicken, shrimp and grits, and hearty sides
• A mix of historic buildings and renovated spaces, giving the area some character

This zone is ideal if you’re:

• Meeting coworkers after a day at the convention
• Looking to watch a game and grab wings or a burger
• Wanting something a little less “touristy” than right at the park, but still walkable

Walking here from GWCC usually takes about 8–12 minutes, depending on which hall you’re coming from.

Downtown Peachtree Corridor: Business-Friendly and Hotel Dining

If you walk or rideshare a bit farther into central downtown, the Peachtree St NW corridor offers more business-oriented restaurants, especially around the major hotels.

What You’ll Find Along Peachtree

Around Peachtree Center, Ellis St, and Andrew Young International Blvd, you’ll often see:

• Hotel restaurants with polished service and quiet seating suitable for meetings
• Steakhouses and upscale American spots for client dinners
• Quick-service and food-court-style options within Peachtree Center for a fast lunch
• Coffee shops and cafés for informal meetups

This area works well if you:

• Need a professional setting for a lunch or dinner meeting
• Prefer indoor, climate-controlled walkways (Atlanta’s skybridge system around Peachtree Center is handy in bad weather)
• Want a little more variety than what’s directly next to GWCC

Walking from GWCC to the heart of this district usually takes about 10–15 minutes, or you can take a short rideshare or use the nearby MARTA Peachtree Center Station.

Castleberry Hill: Trendy Dining a Short Walk Away

South of the convention center, Castleberry Hill is a historic, artsy neighborhood with local restaurants, lofts, and galleries. It’s popular with Atlantans who want to avoid the more tourist-heavy parts of downtown.

Why Locals Like Castleberry Hill

In Castleberry Hill, you’re likely to find:

• Chef-driven concepts with creative menus
• Cozy neighborhood spots for brunch, dinner, and drinks
• A more residential, local feel, even though it’s very close to GWCC

This area is a good choice if you:

• Want a date-night atmosphere or relaxed evening with friends
• Prefer locally focused menus and unique spaces
• Don’t mind a 10–15 minute walk or a brief rideshare from the convention center

Castleberry Hill sits roughly between Nelson St SW, Walker St SW, and surrounding blocks, just southwest of Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Short Drive Away: Westside & Howell Mill for Foodies

If you have a car or are fine with a rideshare, the Westside / Howell Mill area offers some of the most talked-about restaurants in Atlanta. It’s not walkable from GWCC for most people, but it’s a popular choice for evening dinners after a day at the convention.

What to Expect on the Westside

Around Howell Mill Rd NW, Marietta St NW farther north, and the Westside Provisions District, you’ll typically find:

• Modern Southern and New American restaurants from well-known local chefs
• Trendy brunch and cocktail spots
• Shared-plate and small-plate concepts good for groups who like to sample multiple dishes

This area is best if you:

• Are a food-focused traveler looking for standout meals
• Don’t mind a 10–15 minute drive from downtown
• Want to see a different side of Atlanta beyond the convention bubble

Parking can be tight depending on the time and day, so many people use rideshare instead of driving themselves.

Practical Tips for Eating Near the Atlanta Convention Center

A few Atlanta-specific tips can make your dining experience smoother:

1. Plan Around Event Schedules

When there’s a big convention, Falcons game, Hawks game, or major concert, restaurants close to GWCC and the stadiums can fill up quickly.

• Make reservations for sit-down dinners, especially on Friday and Saturday evenings.
• For lunch, go early or late (before noon or after 1:30 p.m.) to avoid the heaviest rush.

2. Budget Expectations

Downtown prices are often higher than neighborhood spots farther out.

• Places right by Centennial Olympic Park and in hotel corridors may be more expensive than similar food farther from tourist zones.
• If you’re on a budget, consider:
  • Fast-casual chains near CNN Center or Peachtree Center
  • Walking a bit farther into Castleberry Hill or using a short rideshare

3. Getting Around

From the Georgia World Congress Center (285 Andrew Young International Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313):

• On foot: Many of the closest places are within a 5–15 minute walk. Downtown streets are generally straightforward, but give yourself extra time at night or in bad weather.
• MARTA rail:
  • Dome/GWCC/State Farm Arena/CNN Center Station (Blue/Green lines) serves the convention center area.
  • Peachtree Center Station (Red/Gold lines) is convenient for the Peachtree corridor and many hotels.
• Rideshare / taxi: Widely used around GWCC, especially during large events and late evenings. Designated pick-up areas are usually marked near the convention center and stadiums.

4. Allergy and Dietary Preferences

Atlanta’s downtown and nearby neighborhoods increasingly cater to vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-conscious diners.

• Many menus in the Peachtree corridor, Westside, and Castleberry Hill clearly mark common dietary options.
• If you have serious food allergies, consider calling ahead—busy event nights can make special requests harder if you arrive unannounced.

5. Timing Your Meals Around Traffic

Atlanta traffic is well known, and it can affect your dining plans:

• If you’re heading to Westside, Midtown, or Buckhead for dinner on a weekday, try to leave before 5 p.m. or after the peak.
• After an evening session or game, some downtown spots stay open later, but more local neighborhoods may have earlier kitchen closing times on weeknights, so it’s wise to check hours in advance.

How to Decide Where to Eat Near the Convention Center

If you’re overwhelmed by choices, here’s a quick way to narrow it down:

• Need something fast between sessions?
  Stay in the GWCC / CNN Center area or grab something quick near Centennial Olympic Park.

• Want a casual sit-down spot within walking distance?
  Try the Marietta St & Luckie St corridor or the park-side restaurants.

• Hosting a business meal or client dinner?
  Look along the Peachtree St / Peachtree Center area or in one of the major downtown hotels.

• Looking for a more local, less touristy vibe?
  Walk or rideshare to Castleberry Hill.

• Chasing standout, chef-driven food and don’t mind a drive?
  Head to the Westside / Howell Mill area after your convention day.

Focusing on these zones will give you a realistic sense of what’s available near the Atlanta Convention Center, help you match the restaurant to your schedule and budget, and make it easier to enjoy Atlanta’s downtown food scene while you’re in town.