Hickory & Hazel Southern Table in Atlanta: What to Know Before You Go

If you’re looking for comfort food and casual Southern dining near Atlanta, Hickory & Hazel Southern Table & Bar is a name that comes up often. Located just south of the city near Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, it draws both locals and travelers who want classic Southern dishes in a relaxed, modern setting.

This guide walks you through what to expect: food, atmosphere, pricing, location tips, and how it fits into Atlanta’s broader casual dining scene.

Where Hickory & Hazel Fits Into Atlanta’s Restaurant Scene

Atlanta is packed with Southern and comfort-food spots, from historic meat-and-threes to trendy modern bistros. Hickory & Hazel stands out because it:

• Leans into classic Southern flavors (think fried chicken, grits, biscuits)
• Sits in a hotel/airport corridor, making it easy before or after a flight
• Offers a sit-down, casual dining experience rather than fast-casual or counter service

If you live in Atlanta, you might come here for a comfortable brunch, business lunch, or pre-flight dinner. If you’re visiting, it can serve as a soft landing into Southern cooking without leaving the airport area.

Location, Parking, and How to Get There

Hickory & Hazel Southern Table & Bar is generally associated with the airport area on the south side of Atlanta, in or near a full-service hotel property that caters to travelers.

Typical details for this type of location:

• 📍 Area: Near Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (south of Downtown)
• 🚗 Parking: Often in a hotel parking lot or garage, sometimes with validation; check at the front desk or host stand
• 🚆 Transit: Usually reachable via airport shuttles, rideshare, taxi, and a short drive from MARTA’s Airport Station
• ⏰ Hours: Commonly serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner, plus weekend brunch; hours can shift with hotel and travel demand

Because restaurant hours near the airport can change with hotel operations or seasonal demand, many Atlanta diners:

• Call ahead to confirm current hours and menus
• Ask about wait times if traveling with a tight schedule
• Check whether they’re serving full menu, brunch menu, or bar menu during your time window

Atmosphere: Casual, Cozy, and Travel-Friendly

Hickory & Hazel aims for casual dining with a modern Southern vibe. Common features you can expect:

• Relaxed, family-friendly seating with booths and tables
• A bar area that feels comfortable for solo travelers or colleagues meeting after a flight
• Décor that often nods to Southern themes—wood accents, warm colors, and regional touches

Typical dress ranges from jeans and a T-shirt to business casual, especially given the mix of locals and travelers. You can walk in from the airport in comfortable travel clothes and still feel appropriate for the dining room.

Menu Overview: What Hickory & Hazel Usually Serves

While exact offerings can change, the restaurant generally focuses on Southern comfort food with contemporary touches. Expect a mix of:

Classic Southern Starters

You’ll often find appetizers inspired by familiar Atlanta-area flavors, such as:

• Fried green tomatoes
• Pimento cheese with bread or crackers
• Deviled eggs with seasonal twists
• Wings or smoked/BBQ-style small plates

These are good options if you’re sharing among a group or just want a taste of the South without committing to a heavy entree.

Main Dishes and Comfort-Food Favorites

Core entrees usually highlight Southern staples:

• Fried or roasted chicken with sides like mashed potatoes or collard greens
• Shrimp and grits featuring creamy stone-ground grits
• Burgers and sandwiches, often with regional add-ons like pimento cheese or bacon jam
• Steaks or pork chops with classic sides
• Hearty salads topped with fried or grilled chicken

In Atlanta, diners often use this kind of restaurant for:

• A sit-down dinner before an early morning flight
• A business lunch with Southern flair but approachable options
• A family meal where kids and adults can both find familiar comfort food

Sides and Vegetables

Southern-style casual dining in Atlanta tends to give plenty of attention to sides, and Hickory & Hazel is no exception. Side dishes might include:

• Collard greens
• Macaroni and cheese
• Mashed potatoes or roasted potatoes
• Okra, green beans, or seasonal vegetables
• Cornbread or biscuits

Many locals enjoy mixing and matching sides to build a plate that feels like a modern take on a meat-and-three.

Desserts

Comfort food isn’t complete without dessert. You can often expect:

• Peach cobbler or another fruit crumble, a nod to Georgia’s peach reputation
• Bread pudding, pecan-based desserts, or seasonal pies
• Ice cream or sorbet options for a lighter finish

Drinks and Bar Experience

As a Southern Table & Bar, Hickory & Hazel typically has a full bar with:

• Cocktails featuring bourbon, whiskey, or regional ingredients
• Beer selections, often including recognizable national brands and some craft options
• Wine by the glass or bottle
• Non-alcoholic options like sweet tea, lemonade, and sodas

For Atlanta residents, this makes Hickory & Hazel a practical after-work or pre-flight drink spot, especially if you’re meeting someone who’s just landed or about to depart.

Typical Price Range and Value

Prices at Hickory & Hazel tend to reflect mid-range casual dining inside a full-service hotel environment. Diners in Atlanta can typically expect:

Locals often see it as a convenient, comfortable option rather than a budget choice. For visitors, it can be a good way to experience recognizable Southern dishes without needing to navigate deeper into the city after a long travel day.

Good Times to Visit

In the Atlanta area, Hickory & Hazel is especially useful in these scenarios:

• ✈️ When flying in or out of ATL and you want something better than basic airport food
• 🧳 When staying at a nearby hotel and you prefer not to drive into Midtown, Buckhead, or Decatur for dinner
• 👨‍👩‍👧 When traveling with family, because the menu usually works for picky eaters and kids
• 💼 When hosting out-of-town colleagues, since it offers a comfortable setting with distinctly Southern touches

If you live in neighborhoods like Hapeville, College Park, or East Point, the drive is short enough to make Hickory & Hazel an option for weekend brunch or casual dinners without going into central Atlanta.

Reservations, Wait Times, and Group Visits

Because the restaurant is in the airport corridor, the crowd can vary with flight schedules, conventions, and hotel occupancy. Atlanta diners often keep these tips in mind:

• Call ahead if you’re a larger group or on a tight schedule
• Ask about:
  • Wait times
  • Group seating or private areas if meeting with colleagues
  • Special menus (brunch, holiday, or event menus)

If you’re catching a flight, it helps to plan at least 60–90 minutes for a relaxed sit-down meal, especially during peak evening hours or busy travel seasons.

Dietary Preferences and Special Requests

Many modern Southern restaurants in Atlanta, including places like Hickory & Hazel, aim to accommodate a range of preferences. You can typically ask about:

• Vegetarian options (salads, sides, and sometimes dedicated entrees)
• Gluten-conscious choices, such as grilled proteins and certain sides
• Ingredient details if you have food allergies or need to avoid specific items

It’s common in Atlanta to let your server know about allergies or dietary needs upfront, so they can suggest the safest and most suitable dishes.

How Hickory & Hazel Compares to Other Atlanta Comfort-Food Spots

If you’re deciding whether to stay near the airport or head deeper into the city, it can help to think about what you want most:

• Choose Hickory & Hazel if you want:

  • A convenient, sit-down Southern meal close to ATL
  • A comfortable, hotel-style dining room for groups or colleagues
  • Classic comfort dishes without a long drive or complex parking

• Consider exploring other Atlanta neighborhoods (like Midtown, Inman Park, West Midtown, Decatur, or the Westside) if you want:

  • A wider range of independent, chef-driven restaurants
  • More specialty concepts (like vegan Southern, upscale Southern, or global fusion)
  • A more walkable, nightlife-focused setting after dinner

For many travelers, the balance ends up being: try Hickory & Hazel when logistics matter most, and plan a separate meal in intown Atlanta when you have more time to explore.

Practical Tips for Atlanta Diners

To make the most of your visit to Hickory & Hazel Southern Table & Bar:

• 📞 Call ahead for current hours, especially if your schedule revolves around a flight
• 🚗 Confirm parking rules and whether there is validation linked to the restaurant
• 🕒 Build in extra time during peak travel seasons (spring break, holidays, major conventions)
• 🍽️ Ask your server which dishes are house favorites or particularly Southern if you’re new to the cuisine
• 🧾 Expect mid-range pricing, similar to many full-service restaurants attached to Atlanta hotels

For someone living in or visiting Atlanta, Hickory & Hazel offers a straightforward, comfortable way to enjoy Southern comfort food right in the airport corridor—especially useful when you want local flavor without straying far from your travel plans.