Ikea Restaurant in Atlanta: What to Know Before You Go

If you’ve searched for “Ikea restaurant” in Atlanta, you’re probably looking for the Swedish-style cafeteria tucked inside the big blue IKEA store on the Westside. It’s not a standalone restaurant on its own; it’s part of the store—but for many Atlantans, it’s a destination all by itself.

Below is a practical guide to IKEA Atlanta’s restaurant, what it serves, how it works, and how to make the most of a visit.

Where the Ikea Restaurant Is in Atlanta

IKEA Atlanta Restaurant (inside IKEA Midtown)
Address: 441 16th St NW, Atlanta, GA 30363
Area: Westside / Midtown, near Atlantic Station

You’ll find the restaurant upstairs inside the store, typically near the showroom section. You:

1. Enter through the main store entrance.
2. Take the escalator or stairs up.
3. Follow signs for Restaurant & Café.

The restaurant is self-service cafeteria style, with separate sections for hot foods, desserts, drinks, and a seating area that overlooks parts of the store.

What Kind of Food the Ikea Restaurant Serves

Even though IKEA is known for furniture, the restaurant focuses on simple, affordable, international-style food, with an emphasis on Swedish dishes and a few American staples.

Core Swedish-Inspired Dishes

You can typically expect items like:

• Swedish meatballs with gravy, mashed potatoes, and lingonberry sauce
• Plant-based or veggie meatballs as a lighter or vegetarian alternative
• Salmon plates (often baked or grilled, with sides like vegetables or potatoes)
• Swedish-style sides such as mashed potatoes, seasonal veggies, and sauces

Everyday American-Friendly Options

To appeal to a wide audience in Atlanta, the cafeteria usually offers:

• Chicken tenders or cutlets with sides
• Pasta dishes (such as macaroni and cheese, or rotating pasta specials)
• Simple kids’ meals with smaller portions and basic sides
• Salads and simpler cold options

Desserts and Snacks

You’ll also see a small selection of:

• Cakes and pastries (chocolate cake, cheesecake, or seasonal desserts)
• Cookies and small sweets
• Soft-serve ice cream or frozen treats (often at the bistro area near the exit)

🎯 Good to know: Dessert options can rotate, especially around holidays when Swedish seasonal sweets are more common.

Drinks

Available drinks usually include:

• Fountain sodas
• Coffee and tea (self-serve, with refills depending on policy)
• Bottled juices or sparkling drinks
• Sometimes Swedish-style drinks, such as fruit or berry beverages

Typical Experience: How Ordering Works

The IKEA Atlanta restaurant works more like a cafeteria than a traditional Atlanta sit-down restaurant:

1. Grab a tray and utensils at the start of the line.
2. Move along the counters, where staff plate hot dishes to order.
3. Add cold items such as salads or desserts from chilled displays.
4. Pick drinks from a self-serve station or refrigerated section.
5. Pay at the checkout registers at the end of the line.
6. Choose your table in the seating area and enjoy your meal.

You don’t need a reservation, and service is first-come, first-served.

Hours, Timing, and Crowds

Exact hours can change, but in Atlanta, a common pattern is:

• The store opens first, and the restaurant opens shortly after or around the same time.
• The restaurant typically serves:
  • Breakfast in the morning (limited menu, if available)
  • Lunch and early dinner into late afternoon or early evening

Because this IKEA is close to Midtown, Atlantic Station, and Georgia Tech, crowds can spike at:

• Weekends (especially mid-morning through mid-afternoon)
• Rainy days or holidays, when more people head indoors
• Times when IKEA runs storewide promotions, which can draw bigger crowds

✅ Tip for locals and visitors: If you want a quieter experience, aim for weekday mornings or early afternoons instead of Saturday lunch.

Ikea Restaurant as International Cuisine in Atlanta

While there are many international restaurants across the city, IKEA’s restaurant stands out as:

• A casual, budget-friendly introduction to Swedish-style food
• A way to try meatballs, lingonberries, and salmon in a low-pressure setting
• A convenient meal option while you shop for home goods

If you’re exploring international flavors in Atlanta, this isn’t a high-end Nordic restaurant, but it does let you experience Swedish-inspired comfort food in a very accessible way.

Prices and Value

One major reason Atlantans talk about the IKEA restaurant is the price point.

Common patterns:

• Entrees are usually lower-priced than many Midtown sit-down spots.
• Kids’ meals are generally budget-friendly and portioned for younger diners.
• Combos or special plates may offer a main + sides at a set price.

This makes it appealing for:

• Families looking for an affordable lunch while shopping
• Students or young professionals in Midtown wanting a low-cost meal
• Travelers staying nearby who want a quick bite that isn’t fast food

💡 Practical note: Prices and menu items can change, so if cost matters, it’s wise to glance at the posted boards at the restaurant entrance before getting in line.

Seating, Atmosphere, and Amenities

The IKEA Atlanta restaurant is designed to be:

• Bright and casual, with big windows and simple furniture
• Self-seating, so you can choose your own table
• Often equipped with:
  • Highchairs for small children
  • Some larger tables for groups or families
  • Views over parts of the store or outside area

Noise levels can be moderate to high, especially:

• On weekends
• When there are many families with kids

This is not a quiet, formal date-night venue—it’s more like a busy, modern cafeteria with an international twist.

Dietary Considerations and Menu Flexibility

For Atlantans with dietary needs or preferences, the IKEA restaurant generally offers:

• Plant-based meatballs or vegetarian options
• Fish-based options (like salmon)
• Simple sides like vegetables and potatoes that can be paired flexibly

In most cases:

• Items are labeled with basic ingredient or allergen information near the serving line.
• Staff can answer simple ingredient questions, though offerings are standardized.

If you have strong allergies or strict dietary requirements, it’s a good idea to:

• Check menu boards carefully.
• Ask staff directly what’s in a specific dish and how it’s prepared.

Ikea Restaurant vs. Ikea Swedish Food Market & Bistro

Inside IKEA Atlanta, you’ll usually encounter three main food-related areas:

If you’re specifically looking for an “Ikea restaurant” experience, you want the full cafeteria upstairs, not just the bistro by the exit.

Parking and Getting There

Driving:
The store has a large surface parking lot directly outside the building.

• Expect heavier parking demand on weekends and afternoons.
• The lot is shared by shoppers and restaurant visitors, but there’s no separate parking fee in normal circumstances.

Transit and Rideshare:

From much of in-town Atlanta:

• Many visitors come via rideshare from Midtown, Downtown, or nearby hotels.
• Depending on the day, you can also combine MARTA rail + short rideshare, getting off at:
  • Arts Center or Midtown MARTA stations, then ride or walk to IKEA (most people choose a short drive due to distance and road setup).

If you’re planning to buy bulky furniture and eat a meal, consider driving or arranging a rideshare that can handle your purchases.

When Ikea Restaurant Fits Into an Atlanta Outing

For locals and visitors, the IKEA Atlanta restaurant can easily anchor part of a day:

• As a quick Midtown-area lunch:
  Combine it with a shopping trip, a visit to Atlantic Station, or errands on the Westside.

• As a family outing:
  Eat in the restaurant, shop, and then let kids pick a small home item or soft toy.

• As part of a budget-friendly day:
  Pair a low-cost meal at IKEA with free or low-cost attractions nearby, such as window-shopping around Atlantic Station or exploring other Westside spots.

Tips for a Smooth Visit

A few Atlanta-specific tips to make your IKEA restaurant stop easier:

• Go earlier in the day if you want shorter lines and less noise.
• If you’re meeting friends, plan to meet inside near the restaurant entrance; the parking lot can be busy and sprawling.
• Check the menu boards at the front to decide what you want before you reach the serving station, especially during busy times.
• If you’re planning a larger IKEA shopping day, eating a sit-down meal first can make the trip less tiring, especially with kids.

Is the Ikea Restaurant in Atlanta Right for You?

The IKEA Atlanta restaurant is a good fit if you:

• Want a casual, inexpensive meal while in the Westside/Midtown area
• Are curious about Swedish-style comfort food without committing to a formal restaurant
• Need a kid-friendly, no-reservation place to eat during a shopping trip
• Prefer simple menu options and fast, cafeteria-style service

It may be less ideal if you’re seeking a quiet, romantic dinner or an extensive international fine-dining experience. But for many Atlanta residents, students, and visitors, it’s a practical, unique, and budget-friendly option that combines international flavors with the convenience of a big retail store.