Where To Eat Near Perimeter Mall in Atlanta: A Local Guide

If you’re searching for restaurants near Perimeter Mall in Atlanta, you’re really looking at the broader Perimeter Center / Dunwoody area on the north side of the city. This is one of Atlanta’s busiest commercial districts, with corporate offices, hotels, and a huge range of food options from quick bites to special-occasion dining.

Below is a practical, locally focused guide to what you can expect around Perimeter Mall (4400 Ashford Dunwoody Rd, Atlanta, GA 30346) and how to choose the right spot for your visit.

Getting Oriented: The Perimeter Mall Area

Perimeter Mall sits at the crossroads of:

• Ashford Dunwoody Road
• Perimeter Center West / East
• Just inside the I‑285 (Perimeter) loop, near GA‑400

The Dunwoody MARTA Station is just north of the mall, and most restaurants cluster:

• Along Ashford Dunwoody Rd (both north and south of the mall)
• Along Perimeter Center Parkway / Perimeter Center West / East
• In nearby mixed-use developments like Perimeter Place, Park Place, and pockets closer to Sandy Springs and Brookhaven

You’ll find:

• Mall food court options for fast, familiar chains
• Sit-down restaurants right across the street
• Hotel restaurants and bars within a short drive or walk
• A mix of Southern, American, Asian, Mediterranean, Mexican, and upscale chains

Quick-Glance Guide to Restaurant Types Near Perimeter Mall

Types of Restaurants You’ll Find Near Perimeter Mall

1. Inside the Mall: Food Court & Fast Casual

If you’re already shopping at Perimeter Mall, the quickest options are:

• Food court on the upper level with:
  • Burger and chicken chains
  • Pizza slices and pasta
  • Sandwich and salad spots
  • Bubble tea, smoothie, or coffee stands
  • Ice cream, cookies, and dessert counters

These are ideal if you:

• Want a fast, inexpensive meal
• Have kids who each want something different
• Need something before or after a movie or quick shopping run

Most of these are open during mall hours, but it’s smart to:

• Check holiday hours
• Expect crowds at weekend lunch and early dinner

2. Casual American & Bar-and-Grill Spots

Just outside Perimeter Mall, especially on Ashford Dunwoody Road, you’ll find many:

• American grills and sports bars
• Casual chain restaurants with big menus

Typical options include:

• Burgers, flatbreads, wings, salads
• Sandwiches and bowls
• Mac and cheese, fries, and kid-friendly sides
• Full bars with beer, wine, and cocktails

These are good for:

• After-work meetups from the nearby office buildings
• Casual date nights that don’t feel too formal
• Watching a game or grabbing a late-night bite

Parking is usually surface lots or shared decks, and these spots are often walkable from the mall depending on where you park.

3. International & Ethnic Restaurants

The Perimeter area reflects Atlanta’s broader food scene, so you can usually find:

• Asian options

  • Sushi and Japanese grills
  • Chinese and pan-Asian takeout
  • Thai or Vietnamese within a short drive toward Sandy Springs or Dunwoody village

• Mexican and Latin-inspired restaurants

  • Casual spots with tacos, fajitas, burritos, and margaritas
  • Quick-service burrito or bowl chains

• Mediterranean and Middle Eastern

  • Gyros, shawarma, hummus, falafel
  • Build-your-own bowl concepts with grains, greens, and grilled meats

These are popular for:

• Work lunches
• Lighter dinners if you don’t want something too heavy
• Groups where some people want vegetarian or pescatarian choices

Many of these spots offer takeout and third-party delivery, which is convenient if you’re staying at one of the Perimeter-area hotels.

4. Upscale & Special-Occasion Dining

For something a bit more elevated near Perimeter Mall, look for:

• Steakhouses with:

  • Prime cuts, seafood, rich sides
  • More formal settings, sometimes business casual attire
  • Wine lists and craft cocktails

• Upscale American / New American kitchens

  • Seasonal menus
  • Plated entrees like fish, chicken, and short ribs
  • Shared appetizers and desserts

• Wine-forward or chef-driven spots in nearby centers like Park Place

People in Atlanta often use these for:

• Business dinners and client meetings
• Anniversaries, birthdays, and celebrations
• Special nights where you’re okay with higher prices and longer meals

Reservations are often recommended, especially:

• Thursday–Saturday evenings
• During conference weeks at nearby hotels and offices

5. Breakfast, Brunch, and Coffee Near Perimeter Mall

You’ll find a mix of:

• Breakfast chains and diners offering:

  • Pancakes, waffles, eggs, bacon
  • Omelets, biscuits, and grits
  • Kid-friendly menus

• Brunch spots (often busier on weekends) with:

  • Omelets, benedicts, avocado toast
  • Sweet brunch dishes, brunch cocktails

• Coffee shops in and around the mall:

  • National chains
  • Smaller local or regional cafes
  • Grab-and-go pastries, bagels, or breakfast sandwiches

These are especially handy if:

• You’re staying in a nearby hotel and need coffee before a meeting
• You’re meeting friends or family who live in Dunwoody, Sandy Springs, or Brookhaven
• You want a late-morning meal before shopping at Perimeter Mall

6. Healthy, Vegetarian, and Quick Lighter Options

If you’re trying to eat lighter in Atlanta’s Perimeter area, look for:

• Salad and grain-bowl concepts
• Smoothie and juice bars
• Mediterranean-style counters with grilled chicken, veggies, and legumes
• Sushi and poke-style spots for a lighter seafood option

Many of these offer:

• Build-your-own bowls
• Clearly labeled vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-conscious items
• Online ordering for easy pickup

These can be helpful if you work in the nearby office towers and want something quick but not heavy.

Practical Tips for Eating Near Perimeter Mall

Parking & Traffic

• I‑285 and GA‑400 can get congested, especially:

  • Weekday rush hours (early morning and late afternoon)
  • Rainy evenings and Friday nights

• Most restaurants provide:

  • Free surface lot or deck parking
  • Validated short-term parking near the mall

If you’re new to Atlanta, building in a little extra time for traffic around the Perimeter is wise.

MARTA & Walkability

• Dunwoody MARTA Station is a short walk from Perimeter Mall, through or around the surrounding office parks.
• Several restaurants are within walking distance from the station and nearby hotels.
• Sidewalks are fairly consistent along Ashford Dunwoody Rd and main cross-streets, though you may still need to cross busy intersections.

Public transit can be a good option if you’re:

• Staying downtown or in Midtown Atlanta and don’t want to drive
• Meeting someone coming in from another MARTA line

When to Expect Crowds

The Perimeter area is ringed by office buildings and hotels, so it has its own rhythm:

• Weekday lunch (11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.)

  • Heavy with office workers
  • Some places may have a wait; many offer quick lunch combos

• Weekday evenings

  • After-work gatherings, but not as intense as weekend peaks

• Friday and Saturday evenings

  • Popular times for mall visitors, date nights, and family dinners
  • Upscale and popular casual spots may require reservations or have waitlists

If you’re planning a group dinner or birthday, calling ahead can make things smoother.

How to Choose the Right Restaurant Near Perimeter Mall

When you’re in the Perimeter area, narrowing down your options is often the hardest part. It can help to think in terms of:

1. Budget

   • Lower: Food court, fast food, fast casual
   • Medium: Casual sit-down chains, neighborhood Asian and Mexican spots
   • Higher: Steakhouses, upscale American or seafood

2. Time Available

   • 30 minutes or less: Mall food court, quick-serve chains, takeout
   • About an hour: Casual sit-down spots
   • Leisurely evening: Upscale or multi-course places

3. Group Type

   • Kids/family: Chain restaurants with kids’ menus and booths
   • Friends/coworkers: Bars, grills, casual chains with shareable appetizers
   • Clients or special occasions: Steakhouses and nicer American restaurants

4. Dietary Needs

   • Look for menus with clear labeling for vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-conscious items
   • Mediterranean and bowl-style concepts often have customizable ingredients
   • Many places will accommodate modifications when you ask clearly

Helpful Local Pointers

• If you’re staying in a hotel near Perimeter Mall, the front desk or concierge usually keeps updated lists of nearby restaurants and can suggest walkable options.
• If you’re visiting from another part of Atlanta, consider combining your meal with:
  • Shopping at Perimeter Mall
  • A quick stop at nearby big-box stores in the Perimeter Center corridor
• Atlanta locals often see Perimeter as a central meetup spot for people coming from different suburbs because of its location around I‑285 and GA‑400.

Perimeter Mall and the surrounding Dunwoody/Perimeter Center area give you almost every kind of restaurant Atlanta typically offers, all within a short radius. Whether you want a quick bite after shopping, a business lunch, or an upscale dinner, you’ll find plenty of choices just steps or a short drive from the mall.