Hotel Clermont in Atlanta: International Flavors on Ponce de Leon

Hotel Clermont is best known in Atlanta for its retro-cool vibe, rooftop views, and historic building on Ponce de Leon Avenue. But for locals and visitors who care about food, it’s also a destination for internationally inspired cuisine, cocktails, and social dining right in the heart of the city.

This guide walks you through what to expect from Hotel Clermont’s dining scene, how it fits into Atlanta’s broader international restaurant landscape, and how to make the most of a visit focused on food and drink.

Where Is Hotel Clermont and Why Do Atlantans Care About It?

Location:

• Address: 789 Ponce de Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30306
• Neighborhood: On the edge of Poncey-Highland, close to Old Fourth Ward and Virginia-Highland
• Nearby landmarks: Ponce City Market, the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail, Freedom Park

For Atlanta residents, Hotel Clermont is:

• A social hub for after-work drinks and weekend hangs
• A convenient stop for dinner and rooftop cocktails on a Ponce/BeltLine night out
• A place where hotel guests and locals mix, which keeps the atmosphere lively and less “tourist-only”

Even if you’re not staying overnight, you can visit for dinner, drinks, and views, and treat it like a neighborhood spot with an international twist.

The Dining Scene at Hotel Clermont: What’s Inside

Hotel Clermont typically offers several food and drink experiences under one roof, each with its own character and range of global influences.

1. The Main Restaurant: International Comfort with a Modern Edge

The hotel’s primary sit-down restaurant (often referred to as the ground-floor restaurant) leans into modern American cuisine with international accents. You’re likely to find:

• Classic dishes with global flavor profiles
  Think fried chicken with a twist in seasoning, pastas with Mediterranean notes, or vegetable dishes built around Asian or Latin flavors.
• Shareable plates
  Options sized for the table often pull from multiple culinary traditions—good for groups that want to sample a little of everything.
• Cocktail-friendly food
  Salty, tangy, and rich dishes that pair well with spirits, from European-style aperitifs to tropical-inspired drinks.

While the cuisine foundation is American, the techniques, spices, and inspirations often draw from:

• French and Italian (sauces, pastas, braises)
• Japanese and Korean (pickles, umami-heavy condiments, chili heat)
• Latin American (citrus marinades, fresh herbs, grilled meats)
• Mediterranean (olive oils, fresh vegetables, spreads)

For Atlantans used to the city’s diverse food scene—from Buford Highway to Midtown—Hotel Clermont’s restaurant fits in as a stylish, centralized option that borrows from those global influences without feeling fussy.

2. The Rooftop: Drinks, Bites, and a Global Snack Board Vibe

The Clermont rooftop bar is one of the main draws, especially for people exploring Ponce, Midtown, or Old Fourth Ward.

On the rooftop, you can usually expect:

• Creative cocktails with international spirits, amaros, and liqueurs
• Global-inspired bar snacks
  Examples might include:
  • Fries or tots with spice blends or sauces influenced by Asian or Middle Eastern flavors
  • Small plates like skewers, sliders, or flatbreads with international toppings
• Casual, come-and-go atmosphere
  Better for hanging out, chatting, and snacking than for a long, formal meal

For visitors to Atlanta, the rooftop is an easy way to:

• Sample internationally inspired cocktails
• See how locals spend weekend evenings
• Pair city views of Midtown and downtown with approachable, globally influenced bites

3. Lobby and Lounge Areas: Coffee, Light Bites, and Social Space

Depending on the time of day, the lobby bar or lounge spaces may offer:

• Coffee and espresso drinks, sometimes with international roasts or preparation styles
• Light pastries or snacks with European-style or café-style influences
• A relaxed environment for remote work, casual meetings, or pre-dinner drinks

Residents in nearby neighborhoods sometimes use these spaces as an alternative to crowded coffee shops—a quieter way to enjoy hotel-style service with a cosmopolitan feel.

How “International” Is the Cuisine at Hotel Clermont?

If you’re expecting a strictly Italian, Japanese, or Indian restaurant, Hotel Clermont isn’t that. Instead, it follows a common Atlanta trend: modern American menus layered with global touches.

You’re likely to encounter:

1. International Ingredients

• Spice blends like harissa, za’atar, garam masala, or gochugaru
• Condiments like kimchi, miso, aioli variations, chimichurri, or tahini
• Cheeses and cured meats in European styles

2. Fusion Comfort Food

• Familiar dishes (burgers, fried chicken, roasted vegetables, pasta) that use:
  • Asian sauces
  • Mexican or Latin garnishes
  • Mediterranean herbs and oils

3. Globally Inspired Cocktails

• Drinks that highlight:
  • Agave spirits (tequila, mezcal)
  • Rum and tropical ingredients
  • European aperitifs and digestifs
  • Bitters and syrups with spices from multiple regions

For Atlantans who enjoy restaurants on the BeltLine, in Inman Park, or along Howell Mill, Hotel Clermont’s food fits comfortably among the city’s “worldly but accessible” dining spots.

When to Go: Timing Your Visit for Food and Drinks

Best Times for Atlantans

• Weeknights (Mon–Thu)
  Good for locals who want dinner or drinks without heavy crowds. Easier to get a table and enjoy conversation.
• Early evenings on weekends
  Arriving on the early side can help avoid long waits, especially if you’re aiming for the rooftop at sunset.
• Late-night
  The hotel often draws a nightlife crowd; food options may shift to a more streamlined menu, but it’s still a solid choice for late drinks and bar bites.

Considering Atlanta Traffic and Parking

• Ponce de Leon can be busy, especially rush hour and weekend evenings.
• Many visitors use:
  • Rideshare to avoid parking stress
  • Walking from the BeltLine if they’re already near Ponce City Market or Old Fourth Ward
• If driving, allow extra time for parking, particularly on weekends or during nearby events.

Pairing Hotel Clermont with an Atlanta Night Out

One of the hotel’s strengths is its location among other international and eclectic food spots. You can easily build a full night around it:

Option 1: Ponce + Rooftop

1. Start with an early dinner at Hotel Clermont’s restaurant.
2. Head up to the rooftop for after-dinner drinks and views of Midtown and downtown.
3. Walk or rideshare to Ponce City Market for dessert or a second round.

Option 2: BeltLine + Bar Bites

1. Walk or bike the BeltLine Eastside Trail in the afternoon.
2. Cut over to Ponce de Leon and head into Hotel Clermont for:
   • Pre-dinner cocktails and snacks
   • Or a light meal with shared plates
3. Continue on to another international restaurant in Inman Park, Old Fourth Ward, or Virginia-Highland if you want a multi-stop food tour.

Option 3: Weekend Staycation For Atlanta residents:

1. Book a room at Hotel Clermont for a mini staycation.
2. Spend the afternoon exploring nearby neighborhoods.
3. Have dinner at the hotel’s restaurant, then enjoy rooftop drinks.
4. The next morning, walk to nearby cafés or brunch spots to continue your international food exploration.

Hotel Clermont at a Glance for Food-Lovers

Below is a quick summary tailored to someone planning around dining and drinks:

Tips for Getting the Most Out of Hotel Clermont’s Food and Drink

Here are practical ways Atlantans and visitors can make their experience smoother and more enjoyable:

• Check menus in advance 📋
  Menus can evolve, so look up current offerings to see how the international influences show up in dishes and cocktails.
• Plan around sunset for the rooftop
  On clear evenings, this is one of the more photogenic spots overlooking Atlanta, and timing your visit can make the night feel more special.
• Use it as a starting point for exploring international food in the area
  After a meal or drinks, you’re close to:
  • Ponce City Market’s food hall
  • Asian, Latin, and Middle Eastern spots along nearby corridors
• Be flexible with seating
  If the rooftop is full, consider:
  • Starting in the ground-floor restaurant
  • Enjoying a drink in the lobby bar until space opens up

How Hotel Clermont Fits into Atlanta’s International Food Scene

Atlanta is known for:

• Buford Highway as a corridor of authentic Chinese, Mexican, Vietnamese, Korean, and Central American food
• Neighborhoods like Decatur, West Midtown, and Buckhead that feature high-end global restaurants
• A growing number of chefs blending Southern and international traditions

Within that landscape, Hotel Clermont offers:

• A central, design-forward space to taste internationally inspired food without leaving the city core
• Menus that are approachable for mixed groups—people who want comfort food and those who want something more adventurous
• A social dining environment that feels distinctly Atlanta: casual, diverse, and rooted in neighborhood energy

If you live in Atlanta, Hotel Clermont can be:

• A reliable spot to take out-of-town guests for “a taste of the city” with a global flair
• A convenient anchor point for an international-themed food crawl nearby
• A fun change of pace from your usual neighborhood restaurants

If you’re visiting Atlanta, it’s an easy way to:

• Experience internationally influenced cuisine without a long drive
• See how locals eat, drink, and socialize in a classic Atlanta building
• Connect your meal with other cultural stops in the Old Fourth Ward, Midtown, or BeltLine area

By keeping its food globally inspired but not rigidly tied to one cuisine, Hotel Clermont fits well into the way Atlantans actually dine: curious, casual, and always up for a good rooftop view with a well-made drink.