Richard B. Russell Café at the Federal Building in Downtown Atlanta: What to Know

If you live or work in downtown Atlanta, you may have heard people mention the Richard B. Russell Café. This small, practical café serves the Richard B. Russell Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse, making it a convenient option for federal employees, jurors, attorneys, and visitors who need a quick bite or coffee without leaving the building.

This guide focuses on what Atlanta residents and visitors should realistically expect from the café, how to access it, and how it fits into the broader downtown food and coffee scene.

Where the Richard B. Russell Café Is Located

The café is located inside the:

Richard B. Russell Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse
75 Ted Turner Dr SW
Atlanta, GA 30303

Key points about the location:

• The building sits in downtown Atlanta, a short walk from Five Points and the Garnett MARTA stations.
• It primarily serves people who already have business in the federal building or courthouse, rather than being a destination café you’d visit on its own.
• You will need to go through federal security screening (similar to airport-style security) to enter the building, even if you only want to visit the café.

Who the Richard B. Russell Café Is Really For

While anyone who clears security can generally reach the café, in practice it mainly serves:

• Federal employees and contractors working in the building
• Jurors reporting for federal jury duty
• Attorneys and legal staff attending hearings or trials
• Visitors with scheduled business inside the courthouse or federal offices

If you are simply looking for a trendy coffee shop or brunch spot in Atlanta, this café will likely feel more like a building cafeteria than a neighborhood coffee bar.

However, if you:

• Have jury duty in the Russell Federal Building
• Are appearing in court
• Are visiting a federal agency housed in the building

…then the café can be one of the most convenient options for a quick coffee or meal nearby.

What to Expect: Atmosphere and Setup

The Richard B. Russell Café is designed for efficiency rather than ambiance.

Typical characteristics of a federal-building café include:

• Functional, no-frills setting – more like a cafeteria or canteen than a cozy coffee shop
• Counter service for coffee, drinks, and quick meals
• Indoor seating aimed at employees and visitors taking short breaks
• A focus on speed and convenience, especially during weekday mornings and lunch hours

You are unlikely to find the specialty coffee culture you might see in places like Old Fourth Ward, Inman Park, or Midtown. The café’s main purpose is to make it easy to grab food and drinks without leaving the secure building.

Food and Drink Options You Might Find

Exact menus can change over time, but cafés in large federal buildings in Atlanta typically offer:

• Hot and iced coffee
• Tea and basic bottled beverages
• Grab-and-go breakfast items (muffins, pastries, bagels, sometimes hot breakfast items)
• Sandwiches and wraps
• Simple hot dishes or daily specials, depending on the vendor
• Snacks and packaged items (chips, cookies, yogurt, fruit, etc.)

Because this is a workday-focused café:

• Expect it to be busiest during weekday mornings and lunch hours.
• Evening and weekend options are often limited or unavailable, especially when the courthouse is closed.

If you have specific dietary needs, it’s a good idea to:

• Plan for a backup option nearby in downtown Atlanta.
• Consider bringing your own snacks if you are there for jury duty or a long hearing.

Security and Access: Getting to the Café

Since the café is inside a federal courthouse and office building, access works differently from a regular neighborhood coffee shop.

Security Screening

Anyone entering the Richard B. Russell Federal Building should expect:

• Photo ID check (common for adults entering federal buildings)
• Metal detector screening
• Bag X-ray or inspection
• Prohibited items (weapons, certain tools, etc.) will not be allowed

This means that if you only want a casual coffee, it’s usually not worth the extra time and screening compared with nearby street-level cafés in downtown Atlanta.

When It Makes Sense to Use the Café

The café is most convenient when:

• You are already required to be in the building (jury duty, court appearance, federal appointment).
• You have limited break time and don’t want to leave the secure area and re-enter.
• Weather or timing makes it impractical to walk to another downtown restaurant.

For most other downtown coffee needs, you’ll likely find it easier to step into one of the many public cafés and coffee shops scattered around the Peachtree corridor, near Five Points, or closer to office towers and hotels.

Typical Hours and Operations

Hours can vary by vendor contract and federal holidays, but patterns for building cafés in Atlanta generally include:

• Weekday service (Monday–Friday)
• Morning opening in time for employees and jurors starting their day
• Closing in the mid- or late afternoon once the main courthouse and office activity winds down
• Closed on federal holidays and often on weekends

Because these details can change, people who must rely on the café (especially jurors or anyone with a long day scheduled) often:

• Confirm hours when they arrive at the building
• Ask court staff, jury coordinators, or security officers what food options are open that day

How the Richard B. Russell Café Compares to Other Atlanta Coffee Options

For context, it helps to understand how this café fits into the broader Atlanta coffee and café landscape.

When the Russell Café Makes Sense

It’s a good option if you:

• Are inside the building already
• Need a fast, predictable meal or caffeine boost
• Do not want to deal with going through security multiple times in a day

When to Look Elsewhere Downtown

If you have more flexibility, downtown Atlanta offers many other cafés that may provide:

• Specialty coffee drinks and espresso-based beverages
• More comfortable seating for working or meeting
• Longer hours and weekend availability in some areas
• A more relaxed or social atmosphere

For someone staying at a downtown hotel, working in nearby offices, or just exploring the city, those neighborhood cafés will usually be the better fit.

Quick Reference: Is the Richard B. Russell Café Right for You?

Below is a simple overview to help you decide how this café fits into your plans in Atlanta:

Practical Tips if You’ll Be at the Russell Federal Building

If you know you’ll be spending several hours in the Richard B. Russell Federal Building in Atlanta, it helps to plan ahead:

• Arrive early: Allow extra time to clear security, especially in the morning.
• Bring water and small snacks if allowed: Security rules can vary, but some packaged snacks may be permitted; check onsite or with court instructions.
• Ask about café hours as soon as you arrive: Jury staff or building personnel can often tell you when it opens and closes that day.
• Have a downtown backup plan: If you get a longer break, you can step out to nearby restaurants and coffee shops along Ted Turner Drive, Marietta Street, or close to Five Points.
• Consider your budget: Like many workplace cafés, prices are usually moderate, but it’s still helpful to know whether you want to rely on it for all meals or just for coffee and snacks.

For someone focused on courthouse business, federal appointments, or jury duty in Atlanta, the Richard B. Russell Café is a straightforward, functional place to get coffee and a quick meal without leaving the building. For broader Atlanta coffee experiences—from specialty roasters to cozy neighborhood cafés—you’ll find many stronger options just a few blocks away in downtown and the surrounding neighborhoods.