Sweet Treats Around Atlanta Symphony Hall: Where to Find Dessert Before or After the Show

Atlanta Symphony Hall is best known for world-class performances, but if you have a sweet tooth, the area around the hall can be just as memorable. Whether you’re heading to a concert at Woodruff Arts Center (1280 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309) or you live nearby in Midtown, there are plenty of dessert and sweet treat options within a short walk or quick drive.

This guide focuses on dessert and sweet spots near Atlanta Symphony Hall, with practical, Atlanta-specific tips on what to expect, when to go, and how to plan around show times.

Getting Your Bearings: Atlanta Symphony Hall in Midtown

Atlanta Symphony Hall sits inside the Woodruff Arts Center in Midtown Atlanta, one of the city’s most walkable neighborhoods. You’re right in the middle of:

• High-rise condos and offices
• Popular Peachtree Street restaurants
• Arts destinations like the High Museum of Art and the Alliance Theatre

Because of this, most dessert options are either:

• A 5–10 minute walk from the hall
• A short drive or rideshare away along Peachtree, 14th Street, or West Peachtree

If you’re planning dessert around a performance, it helps to decide whether you want something quick and casual or more of a sit-down experience.

Quick Bites: Desserts You Can Grab and Go Near the Hall

If you’re short on time before the show or want something to carry with you as you stroll through Midtown, you have several convenient choices.

Coffee Shops With Sweet Treats ☕

Around Atlanta Symphony Hall, many coffee spots also serve pastries, cookies, and other baked goods. These are great if you’re:

• Arriving early for a performance
• Waiting on friends
• Grabbing a light bite after a matinee

Common offerings in Midtown coffee shops include:

• Croissants and danishes
• Muffins and banana bread
• Cookies and brownies
• Seasonal specialty pastries

Many of these spots are within a short walk along Peachtree St NE and 14th St NE, and often stay open into the early evening on weekdays. Hours can vary on weekends and holidays, especially around performance schedules, so it’s worth checking before you head out.

Fast-Casual Dessert Options

In the streets surrounding the Woodruff Arts Center, you can often find:

• Ice cream and gelato counters
• Bakery cases inside casual restaurants
• Grab-and-go dessert coolers with cakes, cheesecakes, or parfaits

These work well if you’re leaving a performance and want something sweet without waiting for a full restaurant table.

Sit-Down Dessert Experiences in Midtown

If you prefer to make dessert the main event—maybe after a symphony performance or date night—Midtown offers several sit-down options that are still convenient to Atlanta Symphony Hall.

Restaurant Desserts Near Atlanta Symphony Hall

Many of the sit-down restaurants on or just off Peachtree Street have robust dessert menus. Typical Midtown dessert choices include:

• Classic Southern options like pecan pie, peach cobbler, or bread pudding
• Cheesecake, chocolate tortes, and crème brûlée
• Seasonal fruit tarts or sorbets

A number of restaurants in walking distance of Woodruff Arts Center are used to pre- and post-show guests, so they are familiar with people who:

• Ask to just order dessert and coffee
• Need to be out by a certain time for curtain
• Arrive later in the evening after the performance

When you make a reservation, you can mention that you’re attending a concert at Atlanta Symphony Hall so staff can help you time your dessert course.

Hotel Lounges and Bars With Sweets

Midtown’s nearby hotels often have lobby lounges or bars that welcome non-guests and offer:

• Dessert menus with plated sweets
• Espresso drinks and after-dinner cocktails
• Comfortable seating suitable for conversation after a performance

These can be particularly useful if:

• The weather isn’t ideal for walking around
• Nearby standalone dessert shops are closed
• You want a quieter atmosphere late at night

Dessert Timing Around Performances

To make dessert work smoothly around a concert at Atlanta Symphony Hall, it helps to think in terms of before, intermission, and after.

Before the Performance

If your concert starts around 8:00 p.m., common approaches are:

• Early dessert and coffee around 6:30–7:00 p.m. after an early dinner
• Light sweet snack (pastry, cookie, or ice cream) as a pre-show treat

Most neighborhood coffee shops and fast-casual spots in Midtown are open early evening on weekdays, while some may close earlier on Sundays.

Intermission Sweets at the Hall

Inside the Woodruff Arts Center and Symphony Hall, you can usually find concession areas that sell:

• Candy and small packaged snacks
• Soft drinks and sometimes simple baked items or chocolates

These are usually more about convenience than gourmet dessert, but they work well if you want a quick sweet bite without leaving the building.

After the Show

After an evening performance (often ending between 9:30 and 10:30 p.m.):

• Some nearby restaurants may still be serving dessert and drinks
• Bars and hotel lounges in Midtown may stay open later for a lighter dessert or nightcap
• Standalone dessert shops may have more limited late-night hours, especially on weeknights

If your goal is a late dessert, it’s smart to:

• Check typical closing times
• Consider making a reservation at a restaurant that serves dessert later in the evening
• Factor in a 10–15 minute walk or rideshare from the hall, depending on where you choose

Types of Sweet Treats You’ll Commonly Find Near Atlanta Symphony Hall

You won’t find just one style of dessert around the hall; Midtown’s mix of restaurants and cafes means a wide range of flavors and formats.

Classic Southern Sweets

Even in an arts-focused part of town, you still see plenty of Southern-inspired desserts, including:

• Peach cobbler
• Pecan pie
• Red velvet cake
• Banana pudding

These are more likely found in sit-down restaurants than coffee shops, but some bakeries carry Southern favorites by the slice.

Cakes, Pastries, and Baked Goods

For something lighter or more portable, Midtown spots frequently offer:

• Layer cakes and cupcakes
• Fruit tarts and cream pies
• Croissants, turnovers, and cinnamon rolls

These are ideal if you’re coming from a daytime event at the Woodruff Arts Center and want something sweet without committing to a full meal.

Ice Cream, Gelato, and Frozen Treats

On warmer nights—or really any time in Atlanta—frozen sweets are popular, including:

• Hand-scooped ice cream in cones or cups
• Gelato with rotating seasonal flavors
• Milkshakes at burger or diner-style spots

Many of these are clustered along main Midtown corridors like Peachtree St NE and nearby side streets, often just a few minutes away from Atlanta Symphony Hall by foot or scooter.

Parking, Transit, and Walking to Dessert Spots

Because this is a busy arts and business district, a little planning helps if you’re combining parking, performances, and dessert.

Parking Near Atlanta Symphony Hall

The Woodruff Arts Center has its own parking options, and there are multiple public garages and lots within a short walk. Common patterns:

• Many visitors park once near the hall for the entire evening
• They then walk to dessert before or after the performance
• Rideshare or short drives are more common for spots a bit farther into Midtown or nearby neighborhoods

Check posted garage hours to ensure your vehicle can be retrieved after a later dessert stop.

Using MARTA and Walking

Atlanta Symphony Hall is near the Arts Center MARTA Station, which makes it relatively easy to:

• Take MARTA into Midtown
• Walk to the hall
• Walk to nearby dessert spots along Peachtree and surrounding streets

Sidewalks in Midtown are generally well-lit, and there is regular foot traffic before and after major performances, especially on weekends.

At-a-Glance: Dessert Planning Around Atlanta Symphony Hall

Practical Tips for Dessert Lovers Attending Atlanta Symphony Hall

To make your dessert plans in Midtown smoother:

• Check hours first. Dessert-focused shops may close earlier than restaurants, especially on Sundays.
• Account for curtain times. Evening concerts commonly start around 8:00 p.m.; aim to finish dessert at least 20–30 minutes before.
• Think about traffic. Midtown traffic and parking can be busy on Friday and Saturday nights, so leaving extra time helps.
• Use the hall as your home base. Parking once near the Woodruff Arts Center and walking to sweets nearby often feels simpler than moving your car.

Atlanta Symphony Hall isn’t just a musical destination; it’s anchored in a part of town where dessert and sweet treats are easy to build into your night out. With a bit of planning, you can enjoy both a great performance and a memorable Midtown indulgence in a single trip.