Where to Eat Near Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta

Looking for restaurants near Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta? You’re in the heart of downtown, surrounded by major attractions like the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca‑Cola, State Farm Arena, and the College Football Hall of Fame—plus a surprisingly wide range of places to eat within a short walk.

This guide focuses on walkable options around Centennial Olympic Park, what to expect in each direction, and how to choose a spot that fits your time, budget, and cravings.

Getting Oriented: Dining Around Centennial Olympic Park

Centennial Olympic Park sits between Marietta Street NW, Baker Street NW, Luckie Street NW, and Andrew Young International Blvd NW. Most restaurants cluster in a few walkable pockets:

• Marietta Street / CNN Center area – casual spots, sports bars, and quick eats, great before or after events.
• Baker Street & Luckie Street – tourist-friendly restaurants near the Aquarium and World of Coca‑Cola.
• Peachtree Center & Downtown Core – a bit farther (10–15 minute walk), with more sit-down restaurants and lunch options.
• Mercedes‑Benz Stadium & State Farm Arena edges – heavy on game‑day food, bars, and grab‑and‑go spots.

You can comfortably walk to most places listed here from the center of the park in 5–15 minutes.

Quick Bites and Fast-Casual Near the Park

If you’re between attractions or on a short lunch break, you’ll find plenty of fast‑casual and grab‑and‑go options.

Around the Georgia Aquarium & World of Coca‑Cola

On Baker Street NW and Luckie Street NW, you’ll typically find:

• Sandwich and salad shops – good for lighter meals; often popular with convention attendees and families.
• Pizza by the slice – useful if you’re wrangling kids or a group that wants something quick and familiar.
• Casual burger and fry spots – close to the park, often with counter service and indoor seating.

These places are designed for high-traffic tourist areas, so expect:

• Straightforward menus
• Fast service
• Crowds around lunch (11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.) and after major attractions close

Inside or Near State Farm Arena & Mercedes‑Benz Stadium

On event days, concession-style food is common:

• Chicken tenders, burgers, hot dogs
• Tacos and nachos
• Bar-style snacks

If you want to avoid event pricing and lines, walk 5–10 minutes back toward Centennial Olympic Park or downtown for more options.

Sit‑Down Restaurants Near Centennial Olympic Park

If you have more time—before a concert, after the Aquarium, or during a downtown stay—there are several full-service restaurants within walking distance.

On or Just Off Marietta Street NW

The blocks along Marietta Street NW, especially around the CNN Center area and the western edge of the park, are known for:

• Sports bars and grills – big TVs, wings, burgers, and beer; highly popular before and after games and shows.
• Casual American restaurants – sandwiches, salads, and entrees that work for mixed‑age groups.
• Some international options – Italian, Mexican, or Asian-inspired menus depending on what’s operating nearby.

This area works well if you:

• Want to stay very close to the park
• Need a place to watch a game
• Are meeting a group staying at nearby hotels or attending the Georgia World Congress Center

Downtown Core & Peachtree Center (10–15 Minute Walk)

If you’re willing to walk a bit farther east from the park—toward Peachtree Street NW and Peachtree Center Avenue NE—you’ll find:

• More diverse cuisine – including Southern‑influenced menus, Asian, Mediterranean, and modern American.
• Business‑friendly lunch spots – popular on weekdays with people who work in downtown office towers.
• Hotel restaurants – useful when you want a more predictable sit‑down meal or a quieter setting.

Peachtree Center, in particular, includes both quick-service food courts (more active on weekdays) and nearby street-level restaurants for sit-down dinners.

Family-Friendly Dining Options

Centennial Olympic Park is surrounded by major attractions that draw families all day. Restaurants in this area typically expect kids, strollers, and large groups, especially on weekends, school breaks, and during major events.

Look for:

• Pizza and pasta restaurants – forgiving for picky eaters.
• Burger and sandwich places – common near Marietta Street NW and around tourist attractions.
• Chain restaurants with familiar menus – especially near hotels and the park’s edges.

Tips for families:

• 🍽️ Try to eat a bit early (before 11:30 a.m. for lunch, before 6:00 p.m. for dinner) to avoid long waits.
• ✅ Ask about high chairs and kids’ menus—most places near the park offer them.
• 🧾 Many restaurants automatically add a gratuity for large parties, especially in tourist-heavy areas.

Game-Day & Concert Crowd Favorites

If you’re combining a visit to Centennial Olympic Park with a Falcons, United, Hawks game, or a big concert, planning where to eat can save you a lot of hassle.

Before the Event

For pre‑event meals, restaurants within a 10–15 minute walk of:

• Mercedes‑Benz Stadium (Northside Dr NW & Martin Luther King Jr Dr SW)
• State Farm Arena (Centennial Olympic Park Dr NW & Andrew Young International Blvd NW)

often fill up 1–2 hours before start time.

Expect:

• Longer waits at sit‑down spots
• Loud, energetic atmospheres, especially in sports bars
• Limited space for large groups without reservations (where accepted)

If you want a less hectic meal, consider:

• Eating earlier than you think you need to
• Walking a bit farther into the Peachtree Center or Fairlie-Poplar areas for more options

After the Event

Late-night options vary:

• Some downtown restaurants close earlier on weekdays when there’s no major event.
• On big event nights, several places near the arenas and park may stay open later and be busier.

If you rely on a specific restaurant after a late event, it’s wise to check closing times in advance or have a backup option.

Food Courts and Indoor Hubs Near Centennial Park

When the weather is hot, rainy, or you’re with a group that can’t agree on cuisine, a food court or multi-restaurant complex can be helpful.

Peachtree Center Food Court Area

About a 10–15 minute walk from Centennial Olympic Park, the Peachtree Center complex (centered around Peachtree Center Ave NE and Andrew Young International Blvd NE) typically offers:

• Multiple fast‑casual counters (sandwiches, salads, international options)
• Coffee and dessert spots
• Indoor seating, convenient in extreme heat or rain

This area is particularly useful:

• On weekdays during lunch
• If you’re attending an event at the Georgia World Congress Center and want more variety than on-site options

Note: Some vendors operate mainly Monday–Friday, so choices may be more limited evenings and weekends.

Price Ranges and What to Expect

To help you plan your budget, here’s a rough overview of typical price ranges near Centennial Olympic Park. Actual prices vary by restaurant and menu.

Because this is a downtown, tourist-heavy area, prices can be higher than in some other Atlanta neighborhoods. Many visitors plan for at least mid-range sit-down pricing if they’re staying nearby and eating out frequently.

Timing Your Meal Around Attractions

If you’re pairing restaurants with specific downtown attractions, a little timing strategy can make your day smoother.

Georgia Aquarium & World of Coca‑Cola

Both attractions sit just north of Centennial Olympic Park, along Baker Street NW.

• Morning visits: You can eat early lunch nearby after you finish the Aquarium or World of Coca‑Cola.
• Afternoon visits: Consider a late lunch (after 1:30 p.m.) to avoid the heaviest crowds at nearby restaurants.
• If you have kids, it can help to eat before they get too tired—lines for both attractions and restaurants add up.

College Football Hall of Fame & SkyView Atlanta

The southern and eastern sides of the park are closer to:

• College Football Hall of Fame (Martin Luther King Jr Dr NW & Centennial Olympic Park Dr NW)
• SkyView Atlanta Ferris wheel (Centennial Olympic Park Dr NW & Luckie St NW)

Nearby, you’ll find:

• Sports-friendly restaurants suited to visitors who just finished the Hall of Fame.
• Casual spots where you can grab a meal before or after riding SkyView.

If you plan multiple attractions in one day, it’s common to:

1. Do one major attraction in the morning
2. Break for lunch near the park
3. Finish with another attraction or a walk-through of Centennial Olympic Park in the afternoon

Parking, MARTA, and Walking to Restaurants

How you get to the park will influence where it’s easiest to eat.

Using MARTA

The closest MARTA rail stations are:

• GWCC/CNN Center Station (Blue/Green Line) – good for the western side of the park and Marietta Street restaurants.
• Peachtree Center Station (Red/Gold Line) – good for Peachtree Center and downtown core dining, plus a 10–15 minute walk to the park.

If you’re arriving by MARTA and planning to eat nearby:

• Coming from GWCC/CNN Center Station: Walk through or along CNN Center and toward the park; most sports bars and casual spots will be on that side.
• Coming from Peachtree Center Station: You’ll pass more varied downtown restaurants on your way to the park, giving you more choices.

Driving and Parking

Downtown Atlanta offers:

• Surface lots and parking decks around Centennial Olympic Park, Georgia Aquarium, and Mercedes‑Benz Stadium.
• Event pricing that may be higher on game and concert days.

If you plan to park once, visit attractions, and eat nearby:

• Look for lots around Ivan Allen Jr Blvd NW, Luckie St NW, and Marietta St NW for flexible walking access.
• Expect to pay more in private decks directly attached to attractions but with more convenience.

Practical Tips for Eating Near Centennial Olympic Park

To get the most out of restaurants around Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta:

• Check hours, especially on weekends and late nights. Some downtown spots are busiest on weekdays and may close earlier on other days.
• Build in extra time on event days. Crowds from Mercedes‑Benz Stadium and State Farm Arena can overflow into nearby restaurants.
• Have a backup option. If your first choice has a long wait, you’re usually within a short walk of several alternatives.
• Consider walking a bit farther. A 10–15 minute walk toward Peachtree Center or the Fairlie‑Poplar area often means more variety and sometimes shorter waits.
• Plan around attractions. Eating a bit earlier or later than peak times can improve your experience and reduce lines.

Whether you’re a local catching a game, a visitor exploring the Aquarium and World of Coca‑Cola, or someone staying in a downtown hotel, the area around Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta offers plenty of restaurant choices within an easy walk—you just need to match your time, budget, and style to the right pocket of downtown.