Amalfi Cucina + Mercato in Atlanta: What to Know Before You Go
If you’re craving Italian and Mediterranean-inspired international cuisine in Atlanta, Amalfi Cucina + Mercato is a name that comes up often. This restaurant brings a coastal Italian feel to the city, with an emphasis on pizza, pasta, and market-style offerings in a casual, social atmosphere.
Below is a clear, locally focused guide to what Amalfi Cucina + Mercato is, where you’ll find it in metro Atlanta, what the menu is like, and how it fits into the city’s restaurant scene.
What Is Amalfi Cucina + Mercato?
Amalfi Cucina + Mercato is a full-service Italian restaurant and bar with a strong focus on:
- Neapolitan-style pizza baked in high-heat ovens
- Classic and modern Italian pastas
- Small plates and antipasti designed for sharing
- A “mercato” concept, where some locations also highlight grab-and-go items, Italian pantry goods, and casual counter service elements
The vibe aims to capture Amalfi Coast–style dining: relaxed but energetic, with bright flavors, simple ingredients, and a focus on pizza, seafood, and fresh herbs.
In Atlanta, the brand positions itself as a place where you can:
- Meet friends before or after a game, concert, or event
- Have a sit-down Italian meal with family
- Enjoy drinks and a few shared plates at the bar
Where You’ll Find Amalfi Cucina + Mercato in the Atlanta Area
Locations can change over time, but the concept has focused on high-foot-traffic, entertainment-oriented parts of metro Atlanta. Common patterns you’ll see:
- Intown or near major venues – often close to arenas, theaters, or busy mixed-use districts
- Large dining rooms with group-friendly seating – to handle event crowds
- Bar areas with TV screens, cocktails, and wine
If you’re planning to visit, it’s smart to:
- Check the exact address and hours through a current map or directory
- Look at the event calendar nearby (for example, games at State Farm Arena, concerts, or downtown festivals), since crowds and wait times can spike around big events
- Consider reservations if you’re going before a show or with a large group
Because Atlanta traffic and parking vary a lot by neighborhood, also factor in:
- Whether there’s on-site or deck parking
- If the location is near MARTA stations or streetcar routes
- How long it typically takes to drive from your part of the city or suburbs
What Kind of Food Does Amalfi Cucina + Mercato Serve?
Amalfi Cucina + Mercato focuses on Italian and Mediterranean flavors, with many dishes that will feel familiar if you’ve eaten at other Italian spots in Atlanta, but with a coastal and pizza-forward twist.
Pizza
You can expect:
- Thin, soft-centered, Neapolitan-style crusts with some charring
- A mix of classic toppings (Margherita, pepperoni-style options) and more creative combinations (prosciutto, arugula, truffle, or spicy salami)
- Individually sized pies that can be shared if you’re ordering several things
For Atlanta diners, this style of pizza sits in the same general lane as other artisan, wood-fired pizzarias around town, but with a stronger tie to a full Italian restaurant menu—not just a slice shop.
Pasta & Mains
You’re likely to see:
- Traditional pasta dishes like:
- Spaghetti or linguine with tomato-based sauces
- Creamy or cheese-forward pastas (for example, Alfredo-style or four-cheese options)
- Hearty dishes with meatballs, sausage, or braised meats
- Seafood options, reflecting Amalfi’s coastal inspiration—think shrimp, mussels, or white fish prepared simply with olive oil, lemon, and herbs
- Entrées such as chicken or steak preparations with Italian seasonings and sides
Portions are typically sized for a full meal, but many diners in Atlanta choose to:
- Share a pizza + one or two pastas among the table
- Add an appetizer or salad and skip dessert if heading to a show afterward
Antipasti, Salads, and Sides
Common patterns on the menu include:
- Antipasti (starters) such as:
- Meat and cheese boards
- Fried or baked appetizers (arancini-style rice balls, calamari, or bruschetta)
- Salads built around fresh greens, tomatoes, olives, and cheeses
- Vegetable sides like roasted seasonal veggies, potatoes, or sautéed greens
These are especially handy if you’re with a group and want to order family-style.
Desserts and Drinks
Dessert options often highlight:
- Classic Italian sweets like tiramisu, cannoli, or gelato-style items
On the drinks side, you can usually expect:
- A wine list that leans Italian or European, mixed with approachable by-the-glass options
- Beer choices, including some popular domestic and imported brands
- A cocktail program with Italian-inspired drinks (think spritzes, negroni-style drinks, or citrusy vodka/tequila cocktails)
As with most Atlanta restaurants, ID is required for alcoholic beverages, and drink offerings can vary by location.
Price Range and What to Budget
Pricing can shift over time and by location, but for Atlanta standards, Amalfi Cucina + Mercato tends to fall into the mid-range sit-down restaurant category.
Here’s a general sense of how to budget (per person, before tax and tip):
| Category | Typical Expectation in Atlanta at This Style of Restaurant |
|---|---|
| Appetizers / Antipasti | Often in the $10–$16 range |
| Individual Pizza | Commonly around $14–$22, depending on toppings |
| Pasta / Entrées | Frequently $18–$28+ |
| Desserts | Often $8–$12 |
| Soft Drinks | Usually $3–$5 |
| Cocktails / Wine | Often $10–$16+ per drink |
For an average night out in Atlanta at a place like this, many people find that:
- Pizza + drink can land in a moderate budget
- Shared starters + pasta + drinks will push things toward a higher mid-range tab
Checking a current menu before you go can help you plan more precisely.
Atmosphere: What It Feels Like Inside
Amalfi Cucina + Mercato typically aims for a lively, casual-yet-polished atmosphere. For Atlanta diners, that translates to something that works well for:
- Pre-game or pre-concert meetups
- Date nights that aren’t ultra-formal
- Group dinners, including birthdays or work gatherings
Common elements you may notice:
- Open dining rooms with plenty of seating
- A bar area that can be louder during big events or weekend nights
- Music and TV screens, especially in bar sections
If you’re sensitive to noise or crowds, you might prefer:
- Visiting on weeknights
- Choosing an earlier dinner time before the main rush
Reservations, Wait Times, and Group Dining
Atlanta’s restaurant scene is busy, especially around entertainment hubs. For Amalfi Cucina + Mercato, typical patterns include:
- Reservations recommended:
- On Friday and Saturday evenings
- Before or after major events near the location
- Walk-in seating: Often available but can mean a wait during peak times
For groups, it’s usually helpful to:
- Call ahead if you’re 8+ people
- Ask about:
- Table arrangements for large parties
- Any group or prix-fixe options they may offer
- How early you should arrive before a nearby event
Atlanta locals often time dinner 90–120 minutes before a concert or game, allowing enough time for traffic, ordering, and unhurried dining.
Parking, Transit, and Getting There in Atlanta
Exactly how you reach Amalfi Cucina + Mercato will depend on the specific location, but in the Atlanta area, your main options are usually:
Driving & Parking
- Many entertainment districts in Atlanta rely on garage or deck parking
- Rates can increase on event nights, so it’s useful to check posted prices as you enter
- Give yourself extra time for traffic, especially if you’re coming from:
- The northern suburbs (Alpharetta, Roswell, Sandy Springs) via GA-400 or I‑285
- The western or eastern suburbs via I‑20
MARTA & Alternative Transit
- Some locations may be reachable via MARTA rail plus a short walk, depending on where you’re coming from
- Using rideshare services is common if you want to avoid parking and driving after drinks
Because parking rules change by garage and by night, scanning signage at the lot or deck entrance helps you avoid surprises.
Dietary Needs and Menu Flexibility
Like many modern Italian restaurants in Atlanta, Amalfi Cucina + Mercato generally offers some flexibility for different dietary preferences, though options will vary by location and menu updates.
Common patterns you may find:
Vegetarian options
- Margherita or veggie-focused pizzas
- Meatless pasta dishes
- Salads and vegetable appetizers
Requests for modifications
- Leaving off certain toppings or cheeses where possible
- Simple substitutions for sides
If you have specific dietary needs (for example, gluten sensitivity or dairy concerns), many Atlanta diners choose to:
- Call the restaurant in advance to ask about:
- Gluten-conscious pizza crusts or pasta alternatives
- Ability to adjust sauces or cheeses on certain dishes
- Confirm details with your server when you arrive
Restaurants can’t always guarantee that every dish is free from cross-contact with allergens, so asking clearly and early in your visit is important.
When Amalfi Cucina + Mercato Fits Into Your Atlanta Plans
Amalfi Cucina + Mercato can be a good fit if you:
- Want Italian international cuisine that’s more polished than a quick slice shop, but not white-tablecloth formal
- Are meeting a group near an Atlanta event venue
- Prefer pizza and pasta as crowd-pleasing options when you’re hosting out-of-town visitors
- Like the idea of a restaurant that feels lively and social, with a full bar and shareable plates
It may be less ideal if you’re seeking:
- A very quiet, intimate dining environment
- Highly experimental or ultra-regional Italian dishes beyond the more familiar coastal Italian and classic restaurant fare
How to Plan Your Visit in Atlanta
To make your experience smoother, it helps to:
- Confirm the current Atlanta-area location and hours
- Use a reliable map or directory listing to verify address and opening times.
- Decide your timing
- For pre-event dining, aim to arrive at least 90 minutes before showtime.
- Check for reservations
- If your group is larger or you’re going on a weekend, see if reservations are available.
- Plan transport and parking
- Look up nearby garages, expected rates, and traffic around your route.
- Review the menu in advance
- Helpful if you have picky eaters, kids, or dietary restrictions in your group.
By planning ahead around Atlanta traffic, event schedules, and your group’s needs, Amalfi Cucina + Mercato can be a straightforward, familiar option for Italian-inspired international cuisine in the city.