Boardwalk Restaurant Experiences in Atlanta: Where to Find International Flavors by the Water (and Beyond)

If you’re looking for a “boardwalk restaurant” in Atlanta that serves international cuisine, you’re probably picturing breezy waterfront dining, a lively walking area, and a mix of global flavors all in one place.

Atlanta is landlocked, but it still offers several boardwalk-style and waterfront dining areas—plus plenty of restaurants that create that same relaxed, stroll-friendly vibe with international menus.

This guide walks you through:

• What “boardwalk restaurant” really means in Atlanta
• Key waterfront and boardwalk-style spots to know
• Types of international cuisines you can find
• Practical tips on getting there, parking, and reservations
• How locals use these areas for date nights, family outings, and visitor plans

What “Boardwalk Restaurant” Means in Atlanta

Because Atlanta doesn’t have an oceanfront boardwalk, people here usually mean one of three things when they say “boardwalk restaurant”:

1. Waterfront or lakeside restaurants with a walking path or dock area
2. Mixed-use developments with walkable promenades, patios, and outdoor seating
3. Restaurants that feel like a boardwalk spot: casual, open-air, and near a place you can stroll

Within that, you’ll find plenty of international cuisine: Italian, Mexican, Japanese, Mediterranean, Latin, Indian, and more—often clustered in walkable districts.

Where to Find Boardwalk-Style International Dining in and Around Atlanta

1. The Battery Atlanta (Near Truist Park – Northwest Atlanta)

The Battery isn’t on the water, but for locals it’s one of the closest things to a modern urban boardwalk:
wide walkways, patios, plazas, and lots of international restaurants packed into a compact, walkable area.

Area overview:

• Location: 800 Battery Ave SE, Atlanta (Cobb County area near Truist Park)
• Vibe: Lively, sports-centered, great for groups and visitors
• Best for: Dinner before a Braves game, weekend hangouts, out-of-town guests

International cuisine you’re likely to find here includes:

• Mexican & Latin-inspired spots
• Asian fusion and Japanese-leaning concepts
• Upscale steakhouses with global influences
• Casual eateries with international comfort food twists

Why it feels like a boardwalk:

• You can walk freely through the complex, stop for a drink, then try another restaurant nearby
• Many restaurants offer patio dining that opens onto the central plaza
• Regular events and game-day crowds add to the boardwalk-style energy

💡 Tip: Parking is typically in structured decks. Many visitors plan to arrive a bit early, especially when the Braves are playing, to avoid congestion and enjoy a more relaxed meal.

2. Atlantic Station (Midtown/Westside)

Atlantic Station has a central green space, fountains, and long sidewalks lined with restaurants and shops. It’s not waterfront, but it often gives visitors the same stroll-and-dine feel as a traditional boardwalk.

Area overview:

• Location: 1380 Atlantic Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30363
• Vibe: Urban, family-friendly, walkable, with a mix of chains and unique concepts
• Best for: Casual nights out, movie + dinner, groups with diverse tastes

International cuisine highlights you'll commonly find here include:

• Italian and pizza with outdoor seating
• Mexican and Tex-Mex spots
• Pan-Asian and sushi
• Dessert shops with European-style pastries or gelato

Why locals treat it like a boardwalk area:

• You can park once and explore multiple restaurants
• Seasonal events (outdoor movies, holiday activities) make it a good evening destination
• Wide sidewalks and open plazas create that leisurely walking experience

💡 Tip: Atlantic Station offers deck and street parking; many locals use rideshare on busy weekends to avoid circling for a spot.

3. The Atlanta BeltLine: International Eats Along the Trail

The Atlanta BeltLine—especially the Eastside and Westside Trails—comes closest to a city-style boardwalk, but on a trail instead of a pier.

You can walk or bike along the path and stop at restaurants with international menus that sit directly on or near the trail.

Key BeltLine segments for international cuisine:

Eastside Trail (Inman Park, Old Fourth Ward, Ponce area)

• Vibe: Young, energetic, artsy, heavy foot and bike traffic
• Common international options:
  • Mediterranean & Middle Eastern small plates
  • Latin American and fusion tacos
  • Korean, Japanese, and pan-Asian bites
  • Italian-style pizza and pasta

Many places have patios and BeltLine-facing entrances, so you can easily walk from spot to spot.

Westside Trail (West End, Westview area)

• Vibe: More laid-back, growing restaurant scene
• International flavors you might encounter:
  • Caribbean and Afro-inspired dishes
  • Latin and Central American flavors
  • Global twists on Southern and comfort food

Why the BeltLine feels like a boardwalk:

• Continuous strolling path
• Plenty of outdoor seating, people-watching, and casual dining
• You can design your own “food crawl,” stopping for small plates or snacks at different spots

💡 Tip: Many Atlantans use scooters or bikes on the BeltLine. If you’re planning to stop and dine, bring a lock and allow extra time for popular spots during peak hours.

4. Lakefront & Riverside Dining Near Atlanta

If you want something closer to a true waterfront boardwalk, you’ll need to look just outside the city at lakefront or river-adjacent areas. These aren’t as dense with restaurants as a beach boardwalk, but they do offer a mix of dining options with international dishes on the menu.

Lake Lanier Area (Northeast of Atlanta)

• Distance: Roughly 45–60 minutes from downtown Atlanta, depending on traffic
• Vibe: Marina and lakeside atmosphere, especially around larger resorts and docks

You may find:

• Restaurants with American menus featuring international dishes (think fish tacos, pasta, or Caribbean-inspired seafood)
• Seasonal spots with tropical-style drinks and globally inspired appetizers

Most lakeside venues focus on casual and resort-style dining, often blending local Southern flavors with Latin, Caribbean, or Mediterranean elements.

Chattahoochee Riverfront Areas (North Fulton / Sandy Springs)

Along parts of the Chattahoochee River (especially near parks and outfitters), there are restaurants that offer:

• Patios with river views
• Mixed menus: burgers, salads, plus a few international items like Asian-style wings, tacos, or Mediterranean bowls

These areas are less like a long boardwalk and more like standalone restaurants with outdoor seating, but they still scratch that “by the water” itch.

💡 Tip: If you’re coming from Atlanta, try to avoid peak rush hour on weekdays when heading toward the suburbs or Lake Lanier to keep the trip manageable.

5. Mixed-Use Developments with International Food & Stroll-Friendly Design

Atlanta has several neighborhoods and developments that aren’t on the water but do recreate the boardwalk feel: lots of foot traffic, patios, and back-to-back restaurants.

Ponce City Market (Old Fourth Ward)

• Location: 675 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
• Vibe: Trendy, historic building, direct access to the BeltLine Eastside Trail

International cuisine themes you’re likely to encounter inside the food hall and nearby:

• Latin American & Mexican-style street food
• Mediterranean and Middle Eastern–inspired dishes
• Japanese and other Asian cuisines
• European-style bakeries, gelato, and coffee bars

Ponce City Market blends:

• Indoor food hall (great for sampling from different global counters)
• Rooftop entertainment space
• Direct BeltLine access, so you can walk along the trail before or after your meal

This combination makes it feel a lot like an urban boardwalk hub, just without the ocean.

Town Brookhaven, Avalon, and Other Suburban Hubs

• Town Brookhaven (Brookhaven, GA)
• Avalon (Alpharetta, GA)

These outdoor centers combine:

• Central walking streets
• Plenty of patio seating
• A rotating mix of restaurants, many of which serve international or globally influenced menus

You’ll often find:

• Italian trattoria-style places
• Sushi and Japanese restaurants
• Mexican and Tex-Mex eateries
• Contemporary American restaurants with international touches

Common Types of International Cuisine at Atlanta’s “Boardwalk-Style” Spots

Whether you’re at the BeltLine, The Battery, or a lakeside restaurant, you’re likely to run into some recurring international cuisine categories.

1. Mexican, Latin, and Tex-Mex

You’ll see:

• Tacos, burritos, and empanadas
• Latin-influenced seafood dishes
• Margaritas and agave-based cocktails

These spots work well for:

• Groups who want shareable plates
• Casual, fun evenings with outdoor seating

2. Italian & Mediterranean

Common offerings:

• Wood-fired pizzas and flatbreads
• Pasta dishes with Italian or Mediterranean sauces
• Small plates featuring olives, cheeses, grilled vegetables, and seafood

These make good choices for:

• Date nights
• Longer sit-down meals while people-watching

3. Asian and Pan-Asian

Expect:

• Sushi and sashimi
• Ramen and noodle bowls
• Asian-fusion small plates, bao, dumplings, or skewers

These are popular in:

• Urban hubs like Midtown, the BeltLine, and mixed-use developments

4. Global Fusion and Contemporary International

Many Atlanta restaurants in busy areas now mix flavors:

• Korean BBQ tacos
• Mediterranean-style grain bowls
• Burgers with global spice blends or sauces

These menus work well if your group has different preferences but wants some adventurous options.

Practical Tips for Enjoying Boardwalk-Style Dining in Atlanta

Getting Around

• Driving:

  • Many boardwalk-style areas (The Battery, Atlantic Station, suburban hubs) have structured parking decks.
  • Expect to pay for parking near Truist Park or major attractions on event days.

• MARTA + Rideshare:

  • For Midtown, Downtown, Old Fourth Ward, a combination of MARTA (rail or bus) and rideshare is often easier than parking.
  • Visitors staying in central hotels frequently use rideshare to reach areas like the BeltLine or Ponce City Market.

• Walking and Biking:

  • The BeltLine is ideal if you like to walk or bike between restaurants.
  • Scooters and bike rentals are commonly used for short hops.

When to Go

• Weeknights: Generally more relaxed, easier to get same-day reservations or walk-in seating.
• Weekends: Popular spots and patios can fill up quickly, especially:
  • Before and after Braves games at The Battery
  • Sunny afternoons and evenings on the BeltLine
  • Holiday seasons at mixed-use developments

Reservations and Wait Times

• Many international restaurants in these areas accept reservations, especially for dinner.
• Walk-ins are often possible, but for large groups or prime-time slots (7–9 p.m.), planning ahead helps.

Simple Planning Guide: Choosing a Boardwalk-Style Area

How Locals Use These Spots

People in Atlanta tend to treat these boardwalk-style districts as all-in-one destinations:

• Locals:

  • Meet friends at the BeltLine, then “graze” from one international spot to another
  • Take family or visitors to The Battery or Ponce City Market to show off a high-energy side of Atlanta
  • Head to lakes or rivers on weekends when they want a mini-getaway feel without driving to the coast

• Visitors:

  • Often choose one major hub (like Atlantic Station or Ponce City Market) as a base for lunch, shopping, and an afternoon walk
  • Use these areas to experience multiple cuisines in one neighborhood without needing a car all day

If you’re searching for a “boardwalk restaurant” in Atlanta with international cuisine, your best bet is to think in terms of boardwalk-style districts: the BeltLine, The Battery, Atlantic Station, Ponce City Market, and nearby lake or riverfront areas.

From there, you can pick the neighborhood that matches your priorities—water views, nightlife, family-friendliness, or a diverse lineup of global flavors—and build your meal plans around that part of the city.