Empire State South in Atlanta: What to Know About This Midtown Favorite

If you search for “Empire State South Atlanta”, you’re almost always looking for one thing: the well-known restaurant in Midtown Atlanta that helped define modern Southern dining in the city.

This guide walks through what Empire State South is, where it is in Atlanta, what to expect when you go, and how it fits into the broader Midtown and Atlanta dining experience.

What Is Empire State South in Atlanta?

Empire State South is a Southern-style restaurant in Midtown Atlanta, Georgia, known for:

• A modern take on traditional Southern dishes
• A relaxed but polished atmosphere
• A strong focus on seasonal, locally inspired ingredients
• Serving breakfast, lunch, dinner, and often weekend brunch

It’s the kind of place Atlantans use for:

• After-work drinks in Midtown
• Business lunches
• Date nights and special occasions
• Brunch meetups before heading around the city

While restaurant concepts can evolve over time, Empire State South has generally been known as a neighborhood anchor in Midtown’s dining scene.

Where Empire State South Is in Atlanta

Empire State South is located in Midtown Atlanta, a central, dense, and walkable part of the city that’s popular with both locals and visitors.

General location details:

• Neighborhood: Midtown Atlanta
• Area: Near Peachtree Street corridor, between Downtown and Buckhead
• Nearby landmarks:
  • Georgia Tech campus
  • Midtown office towers and high-rise apartments
  • Arts institutions like the Woodruff Arts Center and High Museum of Art (a short drive or rideshare away)

Because it sits in a busy part of town, many people combine a visit with:

• Meetings in nearby office buildings
• A show or concert in Midtown or Downtown
• A day exploring Piedmont Park or the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail

👉 Tip: Midtown is very walkable by Atlanta standards. If you’re staying at a Midtown hotel, there’s a good chance you can reach Empire State South on foot or with a short rideshare.

Getting There: Transportation and Parking

Atlanta doesn’t have one single “best” way to get around, so your route to Empire State South depends on how you’re moving through the city.

By MARTA (Atlanta’s Rail System)

Midtown is one of the easiest areas to access with MARTA rail.

• Closest MARTA station: Typically Midtown Station or Arts Center Station, depending on your starting point
• Both stations are on the Red/Gold lines, which connect to:
  • Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport
  • Downtown (Five Points, Peachtree Center)
  • Buckhead and points north

From the station, many visitors:

• Walk 10–20 minutes, or
• Take a short rideshare or scooter if walking isn’t convenient

By Car

Midtown streets can be busy during:

• Weekday rush hours
• Weekend evenings
• Big event nights (concerts, sports games, festivals)

Common options:

• Parking decks/garages: Many office and mixed-use buildings around Midtown have paid garages.
• Street parking: Limited and often time-restricted; watch signs carefully to avoid tickets.
• Rideshare: Popular for evenings and weekends when parking is tight.

What to Expect When You Visit

While specific menus and offerings can change, Empire State South has generally focused on a modern but approachable Southern experience.

Atmosphere

People tend to describe the vibe as:

• Casual but refined – not overly formal, but polished enough for meetings or special occasions
• Lively in the evenings, especially on weekends
• Comfortable for groups, couples, or solo diners at the bar

Food and Drink

Expect a menu built around Southern flavors with a contemporary twist, often including:

• Takes on classic Southern dishes (like pimento cheese, biscuits, or seasonal vegetables)
• Locally influenced ingredients, depending on what’s available
• Breakfast and lunch options that work for Midtown office workers and visitors
• A bar program with cocktails, beer, and wine that often leans into regional ingredients or styles

💡 Good to know: Menu details, pricing, and service times can shift, so many locals check directly with the restaurant before planning a visit, especially for brunch or special evenings.

When Empire State South Fits Into Your Atlanta Plans

If you live in or are visiting Atlanta, Empire State South can be a fit in several situations:

For Locals

• Working in Midtown or Downtown:

  • A common choice for business lunches or client dinners
  • Convenient for after-work drinks before heading home or to an event

• Living in nearby neighborhoods:

  • Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, Virginia-Highland, Inman Park, and West Midtown residents often treat it as a go-to “nice but not stuffy” spot.

For Visitors

If you’re staying in:

• Midtown: Easy walk or short rideshare, fits seamlessly into a day of exploring Piedmont Park, High Museum of Art, or the Fox Theatre.
• Downtown: Short rideshare or MARTA trip away; can pair with attractions like the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, or College Football Hall of Fame.
• Buckhead: A straightforward ride south down Peachtree or via MARTA on the Red line.

Empire State South vs. Other Atlanta Neighborhood Dining Areas

Atlanta’s dining scene is spread across several neighborhoods. Empire State South is part of Midtown’s cluster of restaurants, which differs from other popular areas:

If your goal is to sample modern Southern food in a convenient, central area, Empire State South aligns well with a Midtown-focused itinerary.

Practical Tips for Dining at Empire State South

Here are simple, Atlanta-specific tips to make your visit smoother:

• Reservations:

  • Frequently recommended for weekend dinners and brunch in Midtown.
  • Weekday lunches can sometimes be easier to walk into, especially off-peak.

• Timing:

  • Midtown’s rush hours (late afternoon to early evening weekdays) can slow driving and parking.
  • Many Atlantans plan a bit of buffer time before a show or event.

• Dress:

  • Generally smart casual works well.
  • You don’t need formal attire, but most people dress neatly, especially in the evenings.

• Group dining:

  • If you’re meeting coworkers or planning a small celebration, calling ahead for larger groups is common practice in Midtown.

Nearby Atlanta Spots to Pair With Your Visit

If you’re already headed to Midtown for Empire State South, you can easily build a full Atlanta day or evening around it.

Cultural stops nearby:

• High Museum of Art – Major art museum with rotating exhibitions
• Woodruff Arts Center – Home to the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Alliance Theatre
• Fox Theatre – Historic theater and major performance venue (a short rideshare away)

Outdoor options:

• Piedmont Park – Atlanta’s “Central Park,” great for walking or relaxing before or after a meal
• Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail – A little farther east, but often part of a bigger day out for those exploring intown neighborhoods

How Empire State South Fits Into Atlanta’s Food Identity

Atlanta’s reputation for food is built on a mix of:

• Traditional Southern cooking
• Global influences from a diverse population
• Modern reinterpretations of regional dishes

Empire State South represents the modern-Southern, chef-driven side of that story, and it has helped Midtown be seen as more than just an office district. For many locals and visitors, it’s a familiar name when talking about “where to get a really good Southern meal in the city core.”

If you’re exploring Atlanta and want a Midtown-based, contemporary Southern dining experience, Empire State South is one of the names that frequently comes up in local conversations and planning.