Apron at Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta: A Local’s Guide to This Fine Dining Hotel Restaurant

If you spend any time around Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport, you’ll quickly hear about Apron, the modern restaurant inside the Kimpton Overland Hotel overlooking the runways and Porsche Experience Center. For Atlanta locals, business travelers, and visitors on a layover, Apron sits in a unique sweet spot: it’s elevated, design‑forward, and chef‑driven, yet still relaxed enough for a weeknight dinner.

This guide walks through what Apron is, how it fits into Atlanta’s fine dining scene, what to expect from the menu and atmosphere, and how to decide if it’s the right choice for your next meal in the city.

Where Apron Fits in Atlanta’s Dining Scene

Atlanta has no shortage of fine dining and celebrity-chef restaurants—from Midtown tasting menus to Buckhead steakhouses. Apron is a bit different:

• It’s attached to an airport‑area hotel, not a traditional intown neighborhood.
• It offers an upscale, chef‑driven menu with clear European and Mediterranean influences.
• It’s designed to serve locals, business travelers, and Porsche Experience Center guests all in one space.

If you live in Atlanta, Apron can feel like a quiet “escape” from the city’s busier restaurant districts. If you’re visiting, it can function as your first or last taste of Atlanta dining without trekking into Midtown or Inman Park.

Location, Parking, and Access

Apron (inside Kimpton Overland Hotel)
2 Porsche Drive
Atlanta, GA 30354
Phone: Typically available via the hotel’s main line

Getting There from Around Atlanta

• From Downtown/Midtown:
  Drive south on I‑75/I‑85 toward the airport, then follow signs toward the Porsche Experience Center / Porsche Drive. Plan for 15–25 minutes without heavy traffic.
• From Buckhead/Brookhaven:
  Use GA‑400 to I‑85 South, then exit near the airport area. Expect 25–40 minutes, more during rush hour.
• From the Terminals at Hartsfield‑Jackson:
  Apron is not inside the secure terminal. You’ll need to exit, take a taxi, rideshare, hotel shuttle, or rental car to Porsche Drive (usually 5–10 minutes by car).

Parking

Because Apron is in a hotel, parking is usually available:

• Hotel parking lot or garage adjacent to the Kimpton Overland
• Short walk from your car to the lobby
• Valet may be available depending on hotel operations and time of day

If you’re planning a special dinner before or after a flight, it’s wise to build in time for:

• Traffic near the airport
• Short waits at the hotel front entrance or valet

Atmosphere: What It Feels Like to Dine at Apron

Apron combines modern hotel-restaurant polish with a casual, comfortable feel. Common impressions from Atlanta diners include:

• Design & Space

  • Light, contemporary interior with clean lines and large windows
  • Views toward the Porsche Experience Center track and, in some spots, airport activity
  • Open, airy dining room with a central bar area

• Vibe

  • Breakfast and lunch: business meetings, travelers, and occasional locals
  • Dinner: mix of hotel guests, Porsche guests, and Atlanta diners on “date night” or celebrating
  • Sound level is typically moderate, not as loud as many Midtown hot spots

• Dress Code

  • Smart casual fits best: nice jeans and a button‑down or blouse, casual dresses, or elevated leisurewear
  • Jackets and cocktail dresses are welcome but not required
  • Airport travelers often dress more casually and still feel comfortable

If you’re used to Atlanta’s trendiest restaurants, Apron will feel a bit more relaxed and less scene‑driven, but still refined.

Menu Overview: What Apron Tends to Serve

Apron’s menus can change seasonally, but there are recurring themes:

• Modern American with Mediterranean and European touches
• Focus on fresh, balanced flavors and plated presentation
• Offerings suitable for business dinners, date nights, and solo travelers

Typical Meal Structure

While specific dishes change, you can usually expect:

• Starters / Small Plates

  • Seasonal salads with local or regional ingredients when available
  • Seafood starters like crudo, shrimp, or mussels
  • Soups that change by season (e.g., lighter in summer, richer in winter)

• Main Courses

  • Seafood entrees (salmon, white fish, or shellfish preparations)
  • Steak or beef in a refined preparation
  • Chicken, pork, or lamb with Mediterranean herbs and sides
  • A vegetarian main (often a composed dish, not just pasta)

• Sides

  • Roasted vegetables, grains, or potatoes
  • Occasionally Southern‑inspired sides with a more global twist

• Desserts

  • A short list of house desserts—often a crowd‑pleasing chocolate option, a fruit‑forward dessert, and a lighter choice like sorbet or panna cotta

Because you’re dining in an airport‑area hotel restaurant, the menu tends to be balanced and accessible, but plated with the finesse you’d expect at a fine dining level.

Drinks: Wine, Cocktails, and More

Apron usually offers a full bar program suitable for both casual drinks and more serious wine enthusiasts:

• Cocktails

  • Modern classics and a few signature drinks
  • Often featuring herbal, citrus, or spice notes that match the European/Mediterranean influence

• Wine

  • A curated selection by the glass and bottle
  • Mix of Old World (France, Italy, Spain) and New World (California, Oregon, etc.)
  • A good fit if you’re pairing a bottle with steak, seafood, or multi‑course meals

• Non‑Alcoholic Options

  • Soft drinks, coffee, and tea
  • Usually some house mocktails or zero‑proof takes on classics

If you’re meeting colleagues from the airport, Apron can work well as a professional yet relaxed setting for a drink and light bites.

When Apron Works Best for Atlantans

1. Pre‑Flight or Post‑Flight Dining

For locals flying out of ATL:

• Plan a pre‑flight dinner if you want to avoid terminal food and start your trip on a calmer note
• Ideal if you’re:
  • Traveling internationally and want a nicer send‑off
  • Meeting family or friends before they head through security
• Allow sufficient time to park, dine, then return to the main terminal

For visitors landing in Atlanta:

• Apron can be your first real meal in the city without commuting to Buckhead or Midtown right away.
• Helpful after a late arrival if you’re staying at or near the Overland/Porsche area.

2. Date Night with a Different View

If you live in Atlanta and want something that feels a bit outside the usual in‑town circuit, consider:

• A late afternoon Porsche Experience Center session, then dinner at Apron
• Watching cars on the track or planes in the distance while you dine
• A more relaxed vibe than some of the city’s trendiest date‑night spots

3. Business Meetings and Client Dinners

Apron’s setting makes it convenient for:

• Client dinners when you or your guests are flying in or out of ATL
• Team dinners after meetings in the airport, East Point, College Park, or south‑metro business parks
• Power breakfasts or lunches, where on‑time and efficient service matters

If your colleagues are split between the suburbs and in‑town, meeting near the airport at Apron can be geographically practical.

Reservations, Timing, and Practical Tips

Availability can vary depending on:

• Hotel occupancy
• Porsche Experience Center events
• Busy travel seasons

Here are some general guidelines:

Reservations

• Dinner: Reservations are recommended, especially:
  • Thursday–Saturday evenings
  • Before or after major events in Atlanta (conferences, big games, concerts)
• Breakfast & Lunch: Often more flexible, but still wise to call ahead if timing is tight or your group is larger.

Dining Duration

For a typical visit:

• Breakfast / Brunch: 45–75 minutes
• Lunch: Around 60 minutes if you order starter + main
• Dinner: 90 minutes or more if you’re having multiple courses and drinks

If you’re tied to a flight time, inform your server early so they can help keep the pacing efficient.

Special Dietary Needs

Many Atlanta restaurants, including hotel spots like Apron, are accustomed to:

• Vegetarian and often vegan diners
• Gluten‑sensitive or other common dietary preferences

It’s helpful to:

• Mention any restrictions when making a reservation
• Remind your server when seated so they can guide you toward suitable dishes

Comparing Apron to Atlanta’s Other Fine Dining Options

Apron differs from some of Atlanta’s best‑known celebrity‑chef and fine‑dining spots in a few key ways:

If you’re visiting Atlanta for just a couple of nights and plan to stay near the airport, Apron can be your most practical fine‑dining‑adjacent choice. If you have more time and flexibility, you might use Apron as your arrival‑night meal, then explore Midtown or Buckhead for more classic Atlanta fine dining on subsequent evenings.

How to Decide if Apron Is Right for You

Apron may be a strong fit if you:

• Are staying at the Kimpton Overland Hotel or nearby
• Want an elevated meal close to Hartsfield‑Jackson without driving into the city
• Need a professional setting for a client or team dinner
• Enjoy modern American/European cuisine with polished service

You might look elsewhere in Atlanta if you:

• Want a celebrity-chef “name” experience for a big celebration
• Prefer a bustling intown neighborhood with multiple bars and restaurants to stroll between
• Are looking for highly experimental or avant‑garde tasting menus

For many Atlantans, Apron fills a unique niche: a refined, convenient restaurant at the edge of the airport that can make a layover, business trip, or south‑metro evening feel like an occasion—without the stress of rushing across town.