The Depot at Emory University: Kaldi’s Coffee on Atlanta’s Clifton Corridor

If you spend any time around Emory University or Atlanta’s Clifton Corridor, you’ll probably hear about The Depot (Kaldi’s Coffee). This train-station-turned-café sits right next to Emory’s main campus and has become a regular stop for students, staff, hospital workers, and neighbors from nearby Atlanta neighborhoods like Druid Hills, Virginia-Highland, and Decatur.

Below is what to know before you go, how it fits into Atlanta’s broader coffee scene, and tips for making the most of a visit.

Where The Depot (Kaldi’s Coffee) Fits in Atlanta

The Depot is a campus-adjacent coffee shop and café located on Emory’s main campus area. Unlike many off-campus coffee shops that mainly serve remote workers and neighborhood regulars, The Depot is heavily shaped by:

• Emory University class schedules
• Foot traffic from Emory University Hospital and nearby clinics
• Campus events, lectures, and conferences

For Atlanta residents, this spot works well if you:

• Are visiting Emory for an appointment or campus tour
• Want a study- or work-friendly café on the east side of the city
• Enjoy locally roasted coffee and a quieter, university setting compared with denser in-town areas like Midtown or Downtown

Location, Parking, and Getting There

Approximate Location:
The Depot (Kaldi’s Coffee) sits near the main Emory campus in the Clifton Road area of Atlanta, close to the university’s central pedestrian corridors and shuttle stops.

Because it’s on or right next to campus, access works a little differently than a standard street-corner café.

Getting There from Around Atlanta

• From Midtown or Downtown Atlanta:
  Typically reached via Ponce de Leon Avenue or North Decatur Road, then turning toward Clifton Road NE and the Emory campus area.

• From Decatur:
  North Decatur Road is a main route toward Emory and The Depot, with clear signage pointing to Emory University.

• By Public Transit:
  MARTA bus routes that serve Emory University / Clifton Road (often connecting from the Decatur or Lindbergh Center rail stations) can drop you within a short walk of The Depot area.

• By Emory Shuttle:
  If you’re already on or near campus or affiliated clinics, the Emory shuttle system connects different parts of campus, nearby parking decks, and some off-campus buildings. The Depot is generally walkable from major shuttle stops near the heart of campus.

Parking Tips 🚗

Parking near The Depot follows typical university practices:

• Expect campus parking decks and paid visitor parking rather than free surface lots.
• Look for signed visitor parking decks around Emory’s main campus and follow pedestrian routes to the café.
• Weekday mornings and early afternoons are busiest with student and hospital traffic; if you’re driving in from elsewhere in Atlanta, give yourself time to park and walk.

If you’re planning to meet someone there, it can help to:

1. Decide which deck or lot you’ll use before leaving.
2. Share a pin or landmark (such as a nearby building or shuttle stop) so you can find each other easily.

What You’ll Find on the Menu

The Depot operates as a Kaldi’s Coffee location, so you’ll see a familiar structure if you know Atlanta specialty coffee:

Coffee & Drinks

You can typically expect:

• Espresso-based drinks:
  • Espresso
  • Cappuccino
  • Latte and flavored lattes
  • Americanos
• Drip and pour-over coffee featuring freshly roasted beans
• Cold brew and iced coffee options, especially popular in Atlanta’s warmer months
• A selection of teas, chai, and possibly matcha or seasonal specialty drinks

Non-dairy options like oat or almond milk are commonly available at modern Atlanta coffee shops, and The Depot generally aligns with those expectations, but availability can change, so it’s worth asking at the counter.

Food Options

As a campus-oriented café, The Depot is designed to cover light meals and grab-and-go needs:

• Pastries and baked goods (muffins, croissants, scones, cookies)
• Breakfast items that work well before class or a hospital shift
• Sandwiches or simple café fare suitable for lunch or a quick bite between meetings
• Ready-made grab-and-go items for people rushing across campus

If you have dietary restrictions (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-conscious), Atlanta coffee shops often label items clearly. At The Depot, this can vary by day and supplier, so checking the posted menu and ingredient labels is important.

Atmosphere: What It’s Like Inside

The Depot is known for its converted train depot setting, giving it more character than a typical strip-mall café. Inside and around the building, you’ll usually find:

• A mix of seating:
  • Individual tables for laptop work
  • Small group tables for study sessions or quick meetings
• Plenty of students using laptops, reading, or working on group projects
• A general “campus café” feel—busy but still workable for focused time, especially during non-peak class hours

Noise and Peak Times

If you’re planning to work or study, timing matters:

• Busiest times:
  • Mid-morning (class breaks, hospital coffee runs)
  • Early afternoon (post-lunch, pre-afternoon class)
• Quieter windows:
  • Later afternoons
  • Some early mornings
  • Weekends, depending on campus events

For Atlanta locals used to crowded in-town cafés, The Depot’s traffic patterns are shaped more by Emory’s academic calendar than by office-commuter rhythms downtown.

How The Depot Fits Into a Day on Emory’s Campus

If you’re visiting Emory University—for a campus tour, a clinic visit, a conference, or to meet someone—it’s easy to weave The Depot into your day.

Common Use Cases

• Before a hospital or clinic appointment
  Grab coffee and a light snack before heading to one of the nearby Emory Healthcare facilities.

• During a campus tour
  Prospective students and families often use The Depot as a rest stop between walking tours and info sessions.

• As a remote work base
  Atlanta professionals meeting with Emory faculty, students, or healthcare staff sometimes use The Depot as a casual meeting spot close to campus offices.

• Study and group work
  Students from Emory and nearby institutions sometimes coordinate group projects here rather than in a library or classroom.

Pros and Cons for Atlanta Coffee Lovers

Here’s a quick overview of how The Depot (Kaldi’s Coffee) stacks up for different types of visitors:

Practical Tips for Visiting

To make your visit smoother, especially if you’re coming from elsewhere in Atlanta:

• Plan for parking:
  Check Emory’s visitor parking options in advance and budget extra time to walk from the deck to The Depot.

• Avoid tight schedules:
  If you’re meeting someone before a class, appointment, or campus event, build in a cushion in case there’s a line or it takes longer to find seating.

• Bring what you need for work or study:
  The Depot is commonly used as a laptop workspace, so bring chargers and headphones if you need to focus.

• Check hours if you’re on a break in your day:
  Many campus cafés adjust hours during summer, holidays, or academic breaks, so hours may differ from typical Atlanta street cafés.

When The Depot Is a Good Choice (and When It’s Not)

Good fit if you:

• Already have a reason to be near Emory University or Clifton Road
• Want a reliable, campus-style coffee shop with a familiar menu
• Appreciate a university atmosphere and don’t mind some background activity

You might look elsewhere in Atlanta if you:

• Want a late-night café scene (hours are usually campus-oriented rather than nightlife-oriented)
• Prefer a neighborhood hangout in areas like Inman Park, Old Fourth Ward, or Grant Park
• Need extensive food options beyond typical coffee-shop fare

For anyone living in or visiting Atlanta who finds themselves on Emory’s campus or at nearby medical facilities, The Depot (Kaldi’s Coffee) is a practical, comfortable stop for coffee, a light bite, and a bit of time to regroup—whether you’re between classes, between appointments, or just exploring this part of the city.