Fanplex in Atlanta: What It Was, What’s There Now, and Where to Find International Cuisine Instead

If you’ve heard the name “Fanplex” in Atlanta and are wondering what it is—or where to eat there—you’re not alone. The short answer: Fanplex was a short-lived entertainment complex near the Atlanta Braves’ former Turner Field, not a current restaurant or food hall. It’s no longer operating in the way many older online references describe.

However, the story of Fanplex ties directly into Atlanta’s sports scene, neighborhood redevelopment, and the city’s international food options. If you’re looking for international cuisine in or near the old Fanplex area, there are still plenty of great choices—you just won’t find them at a place actively called “Fanplex” today.

What Fanplex Was in Atlanta

Fanplex opened in the early 2000s near Turner Field, at the edge of Downtown and the Summerhill/Peoplestown area. It was intended as a family entertainment center for baseball fans and visitors.

Common features associated with Fanplex when it operated included:

• Miniature golf themed around baseball
• Arcade-style games and casual entertainment
• Proximity to Braves games at Turner Field
• A focus on pre-game and post-game fun for fans

While you might see old references online to restaurants or concessions at Fanplex, it was not a dedicated dining destination in the way people now think of food halls or international markets.

Over time, attendance dropped, Turner Field was eventually vacated by the Braves, and Fanplex effectively disappeared from Atlanta’s active entertainment map.

Where Fanplex Was Located

Fanplex was located just south of Downtown Atlanta, close to what is now Center Parc Stadium (Georgia State University’s football stadium), in the Summerhill/Peoplestown area.

If you’re trying to place it on a modern map:

• General Area: Near the intersection of Hank Aaron Drive SE and streets surrounding the old Turner Field site
• Nearby Landmarks Today:
  • Center Parc Stadium (Georgia State University)
  • The Summerhill commercial corridor along Georgia Avenue SE
  • Close driving distance to Downtown Atlanta and Grant Park

The site itself has been part of broader redevelopment efforts, so the exact Fanplex-branded facility is no longer operating as a recognizable, public entertainment complex.

Is Fanplex Still Open?

No, Fanplex is not currently operating as an active entertainment or restaurant venue in Atlanta.

If you’re:

• A longtime Atlantan remembering the name: what you recall is now mostly a defunct concept.
• A visitor seeing Fanplex referenced in old travel blogs or guides: those references are outdated.
• Looking for international food at “Fanplex”: you’ll need to look to nearby neighborhoods instead.

However, the area around the old Fanplex location has grown into a more vibrant food and entertainment zone, especially with redevelopment in Summerhill, nearby South Downtown, and continued activity in adjacent neighborhoods.

International Cuisine Near the Former Fanplex Area

While Fanplex itself won’t feed you today, the surrounding parts of intown Atlanta offer a wide range of international cuisines within a short drive or rideshare.

Here’s a simplified guide to nearby areas and what kinds of international options you can realistically find:

You won’t find a single “Fanplex International Food Hall,” but you do have multiple neighborhoods that can easily substitute if your goal is global flavors in Atlanta.

If You Planned an Outing to “Fanplex” for Food

If you or your group had the idea of going to “Fanplex” for international food, here’s how to quickly reframe your plans within the city:

1. Check Where You’re Starting From

• Staying Downtown or in Midtown?
  Pivot to Downtown, Old Fourth Ward, or Edgewood for closer options.
• Driving from outside the Perimeter (OTP)?
  Consider going straight to Buford Highway if your main priority is international cuisine.

2. Decide What Type of International Food You Want

Different neighborhoods in Atlanta tend to be known for different clusters of international flavors:

• Buford Highway (Chamblee–Doraville corridor)

  • Broad mix: Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Mexican, Central American, and more
  • Good if you want authentic, no-frills global food and don’t mind a short drive north of central Atlanta

• Edgewood / Old Fourth Ward / Eastside

  • Trendier spots with global takes (e.g., Caribbean, African, Asian fusion, Latin-inspired menus)
  • Works well if you also want bars, nightlife, or a walkable evening

• Downtown / Near Georgia State University

  • Quick-service and casual restaurants with international influences
  • Handy for lunch or pre-event meals if you’re already near the stadium, State Capitol, or government offices

• West Midtown / Midtown

  • Higher-end dining and modern interpretations of global cuisine
  • More of a “night out” destination than a simple casual stop

How the Former Fanplex Area Fits Into Atlanta’s Food Map Today

Even though Fanplex is gone, the broader neighborhood is evolving:

• Summerhill (around Georgia Avenue SE)
  This area, close to the old Turner Field site, now has:
  • A walkable stretch of restaurants and bars
  • A mix of local and nationally known names
  • Menus that often include global twists, even if they’re not traditional, single-origin cuisines

You won’t find a huge cluster of strictly international restaurants in Summerhill the way you would on Buford Highway, but you can:

• Grab a meal before or after a game or event at Center Parc Stadium
• Pair food with nearby attractions like Downtown, Grant Park, or the State Capitol

Tips for Finding International Restaurants in Atlanta Near the Old Fanplex Site

Here are practical steps if you’re starting your search from the general Fanplex/Center Parc Stadium area:

1. Use “Summerhill Atlanta restaurants” or “Downtown Atlanta restaurants” as your search terms
   Instead of “Fanplex restaurants,” which will mostly surface outdated information.

2. Look along these nearby corridors:

   • Georgia Avenue SE (Summerhill)
   • Memorial Drive SE (Grant Park / Cabbagetown area)
   • Edgewood Avenue SE (Edgewood nightlife and Old Fourth Ward)

3. Be flexible about cuisine style
   In these close-in neighborhoods, many spots offer:

   • Fusion menus
   • Internationally inspired dishes instead of purely traditional menus
   • Modern, casual environments aimed at both locals and visitors

4. If your priority is authenticity and variety above all else
   Plan a separate trip to:

   • Buford Highway (roughly a 20–30 minute drive north of the old Fanplex area, depending on traffic)
   • The Doraville and Chamblee portions of Buford Highway are especially known for international food diversity.

Getting Around: Transit and Driving Notes

If you’re navigating from the Downtown/Fanplex/Center Parc Stadium area:

• By Car:

  • Buford Highway is typically reached via I-85 North, exiting around North Druid Hills Road, Clairmont Road, or Chamblee–Tucker Road, depending on your chosen destination.
  • Eastside areas like Edgewood and Old Fourth Ward are reachable by surface streets from Downtown in under 15 minutes in light traffic.

• By Transit (MARTA):

  • The Georgia State Station (Blue/Green Line) and Five Points Station (central hub) can help you transfer to bus routes that serve Downtown and some international food corridors.
  • For Buford Highway, riders often use Brookhaven/Oglethorpe or Doraville stations and then connect via short bus or rideshare to specific restaurants.

Key Takeaways for Someone Asking About “Fanplex” and International Cuisine in Atlanta

• Fanplex itself is no longer an active, public destination for dining or entertainment in Atlanta.
• The former Fanplex area is near today’s Center Parc Stadium and the growing Summerhill neighborhood.
• For international cuisine close to that part of town, you’ll likely branch out to:
  • Summerhill / Georgia Ave SE (closest general dining)
  • Downtown, Grant Park, and Edgewood/Old Fourth Ward (short rides away with more variety)
  • Buford Highway (best choice for a concentrated international food experience, but a longer drive)
• When planning your outing, searching by neighborhood name, not “Fanplex,” will give you up-to-date, realistic options for global food in Atlanta.

This way, even though Fanplex itself is part of Atlanta’s past, you can still enjoy a wide range of international flavors within easy reach of where it once stood.