Best Restaurants Near Exhibition Hub Atlanta Art Center in Atlanta, GA

Looking for restaurants near Exhibition Hub Atlanta Art Center before or after your immersive art experience? You’re in a good spot. The venue, located in the upper Westside / Blandtown area of Atlanta, sits near several growing food pockets with everything from casual grabs to destination dining.

Below is a practical, Atlanta-focused guide to where you can eat nearby, how far you’ll need to travel, and what types of food you can expect.

Getting Oriented: Where You’re Eating Around Exhibition Hub

Exhibition Hub Atlanta Art Center is in a light industrial area that has been transforming with breweries, food halls, and modern restaurants. It isn’t like Midtown or Inman Park, where places are wall-to-wall, but you still have plenty of options within a 5–15 minute drive.

Most visitors pair their exhibit with food in one of these nearby clusters:

  • Upper Westside / Blandtown – closest, with breweries and casual spots
  • Westside Provisions District – stylish restaurants and patios
  • The Works on Chattahoochee – a food hall plus standalone restaurants
  • Midtown – more variety if you don’t mind a short drive

Quick Comparison: Nearby Dining Areas

Area / DistrictApprox. Drive from Exhibition HubVibe & Best For
Upper Westside / Blandtown3–8 minutesBreweries, burgers, casual eats, industrial chic
The Works on Chattahoochee5–10 minutesFood hall, family-friendly, groups, variety
Westside Provisions District8–12 minutesUpscale casual, date nights, patios
Midtown12–18 minutesBig mix: quick bites to white tablecloth

Drive times depend on traffic, especially around rush hour and event times.

Casual Spots Very Close to Exhibition Hub

If you want something fast and nearby without heading across town, start with Atlanta’s Upper Westside and Blandtown.

Breweries and Taprooms with Food Options

These aren’t traditional restaurants, but they’re popular for pre- or post-exhibit bites.

  • Atlanta Brewing / Fire Maker / Other Nearby Breweries
    Several breweries in the area either:

    • Serve food via on-site kitchens, or
    • Host rotating food trucks on busy nights and weekends

    These setups are good if you:

    • Don’t mind a casual, order-at-the-counter style
    • Are with a group that wants to hang out rather than have a formal meal
    • Are fine checking the day’s food truck schedule before you go

    You’ll usually find:

    • Tacos, wings, burgers, sliders
    • Loaded fries and bar snacks
    • Soft drinks and non-alcoholic options for kids or non-drinkers

👉 Tip: If you’re going right after a weekend exhibit time, breweries nearby can get busy. Arrive a bit early if you want seating for a group.

Nearby Fast-Casual & Everyday Dining

In the blocks surrounding the Exhibition Hub and along major roads like Marietta Blvd NW, you’ll find a rotating mix of:

  • Fast-casual burger and chicken places
  • Pizza spots offering whole pies and slices to-go
  • Coffee shops with pastries or light sandwiches
  • Takeout-friendly options that work well if you’re headed back home or to your hotel

These are useful if:

  • You’re with kids or a mixed-age group
  • You need something quick between timed exhibit tickets
  • You’d rather take food back than sit down for a long meal

Because the area continues to develop, specific tenants can change, but the pattern is consistent: more casual and quick-service than fine dining immediately next door to the Art Center.

The Works on Chattahoochee: Food Hall & More (5–10 Minutes Away)

One of the most convenient choices after visiting Exhibition Hub is The Works on Chattahoochee, a redeveloped mixed-use project that has:

  • A food hall with multiple vendors
  • A central outdoor area for kids to move around
  • Additional standalone restaurants and dessert spots

Why The Works Works Well with Exhibition Hub

  • Short drive from the Art Center
  • Great for groups – everyone can pick what they want
  • Easier to accommodate picky eaters or dietary needs
  • Plenty of indoor and outdoor seating

You can typically find at the food hall and surrounding spots:

  • Tacos, ramen, and noodles
  • Burgers, fried chicken, wings
  • BBQ or smoked meats
  • Salads, bowls, and veggie-forward options
  • Coffee, bubble tea, and ice cream

If you’re visiting on a weekend evening, expect more of a lively scene. Weekday afternoons are generally calmer and easier for families with younger kids.

Westside Provisions District: Trendy, Upscale-Casual Dining

If you want something a little more “special night out” after the exhibit, head to Westside Provisions District along Howell Mill Rd NW.

It’s about 8–12 minutes from Exhibition Hub and known for:

  • Chef-driven restaurants
  • Stylish patios overlooking the railroad and city views
  • A mix of Southern-inspired, Mediterranean, and modern American spots

You’re likely to find:

  • Upscale burgers, steaks, and seafood
  • Seasonal small plates and shareable dishes
  • House-made pastas and wood-fired items
  • Creative cocktails and curated wine lists

This area fits best if you:

  • Are on a date night or adults’ outing
  • Don’t mind waiting for a table during prime hours
  • Prefer table service and a more polished environment

Parking in this district is typically in paid decks or lots, so build in a few extra minutes.

Midtown Options: More Variety if You Don’t Mind the Drive

If you’re combining the exhibit with a full day in the city, heading to Midtown Atlanta after your visit opens up a much larger range of restaurants, roughly 12–18 minutes away depending on traffic.

In Midtown you’ll find:

  • Sit-down Southern and New American restaurants
  • International cuisines: Thai, Indian, Korean, Mexican, Ethiopian, and more
  • Quick counter-service spots for sandwiches, salads, and grain bowls
  • Dessert cafés and late-night snacks closer to Peachtree St and 10th–14th Streets

Midtown is convenient if:

  • You’re staying at a hotel in the area
  • You want to walk around before or after dinner
  • You might combine your meal with Piedmont Park, the Fox Theatre, or other Midtown attractions

What Type of Food Are You Looking For?

To narrow down your choices after the Exhibition Hub Atlanta Art Center, it helps to think by food style and group needs.

Family-Friendly & Kid-Friendly Choices

For families, especially with younger kids:

  • The Works on Chattahoochee is often the best fit
    • Food hall means fast service and lots of options
    • Outdoor seating where kids can move around
  • Fast-casual spots in the Upper Westside
    • Burgers, pizza, and chicken are easy wins
    • Usually more tolerant of noise and strollers

Look for places that offer:

  • High chairs or booster seats
  • Kid-size portions or shareable platters
  • Counter service so you’re not locked into a long meal

Date Night or Adults-Only

If you’re making the exhibit part of a date night or special outing:

  • Try Westside Provisions District for
    • Elevated small plates
    • Cocktail bars or wine-forward restaurants
    • Romantic patios and warehouse-style interiors
  • Consider Midtown for
    • Longer, linger-friendly dinners
    • Post-dinner strolls or drinks nearby

Booking a reservation for weekend evenings is often helpful in these areas.

Quick Bites Before or After Timed Tickets

If your exhibit tickets are at a specific time and you need something efficient:

  • Before the exhibit
    • Grab a quick sandwich, salad, or coffee at a nearby café
    • Aim to finish at least 30–45 minutes before your entry time to allow for parking and check-in
  • After the exhibit
    • Plan fast-casual or food hall style so you’re not stressing about exact arrival time

Nearby Upper Westside spots and The Works both work well for this.

Planning Tips for Eating Near Exhibition Hub Atlanta Art Center

To keep your visit and meal smooth:

  • Check exhibit time first: Timed entries can affect when you should eat.
  • 🚗 Plan parking and traffic: The area is drivable but can back up during peak hours or big weekend events.
  • 📍 Decide on an area, not just a restaurant: Choosing between Upper Westside, The Works, Westside Provisions, or Midtown first makes it easier to adapt if one place has a long wait.
  • 🧒 With kids? Aim for earlier evening at food halls or fast-casual spots.
  • 🍽️ With a group? Food halls or breweries with food trucks give everyone choices and fewer seating constraints.

Nearby Areas Worth Knowing About

While your main focus is restaurants near the Art Center, understanding the broader Westside dining scene can help if you come back to this part of Atlanta:

  • Upper Westside / Blandtown: Evolving area with breweries, casual eateries, and creative adaptive-reuse spaces.
  • West Midtown (Howell Mill corridor): Densely packed with trendy restaurants, bars, and coffee shops, popular with locals and visitors.
  • Midtown: More established dining zone with a huge variety, good if you’re already headed toward central Atlanta.

By focusing on these nearby pockets—especially The Works on Chattahoochee, Upper Westside casual options, and Westside Provisions District—you can easily pair your trip to Exhibition Hub Atlanta Art Center with a meal that matches your timing, budget, and group.