Piccadilly in Atlanta: A Local Guide to This Classic Cafeteria-Style Restaurant

If you live in Atlanta or you’re visiting and searching for familiar, comfort-focused international cuisine in a casual setting, Piccadilly is one of the better-known cafeteria-style restaurants you’ll come across. While it’s not “fine dining international,” it does offer a mix of Southern comfort food with touches of classic European and American cafeteria dishes that appeal to a wide range of tastes and ages.

This guide walks you through what Piccadilly is, what to expect at Atlanta-area locations, typical menu options, price expectations, and practical tips for locals and visitors.

What Is Piccadilly?

Piccadilly is a cafeteria-style restaurant chain known for:

• Hot, ready-to-serve meals you choose as you move down a serving line
• A focus on comfort food with some international and classic American dishes
• A relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere

In the Atlanta area, Piccadilly is often used as:

• A quick, sit-down lunch spot if you work or shop nearby
• A family dinner option when you want a variety of choices
• A place where older adults and large groups can eat together comfortably

You won’t find cutting-edge global fusion here, but you will find familiar, accessible dishes with a few international-style options (like baked fish, roast beef, and vegetable sides that fit many cultural comfort-food traditions).

Where You’ll Typically Find Piccadilly in and Around Atlanta

Piccadilly restaurants around metro Atlanta are usually located in or near:

• Shopping centers or malls
• Busy commercial corridors with grocery stores and big-box retailers
• Areas with a mix of residential neighborhoods and office buildings

If you’re staying in-town (Midtown, Downtown, Buckhead), you may drive a bit to reach one, as many cafeteria-style restaurants are more common in suburban corridors like:

• South and southwest Atlanta
• Areas around major roads such as I‑20, I‑285, and state routes that connect to shopping hubs

Because exact restaurant lineups can change, many Atlanta residents check:

• Map apps on their phone
• Local business directories
• Mall or shopping center tenant lists

…to confirm the nearest open Piccadilly, current hours, and whether there’s dine-in, takeout, or catering.

What the Piccadilly Experience Is Like in Atlanta

Atmosphere and Setup

Inside an Atlanta-area Piccadilly, you can expect:

• Casual, cafeteria-style seating with booths and tables
• A serving line where you push a tray and choose dishes as staff plate them
• A mix of families, solo diners, office workers, and older adults
• A generally unhurried, sit-and-stay-a-while vibe

It feels less like a trendy restaurant and more like a community dining room, which appeals to people who like predictable, straightforward meals without a lot of fuss.

How Ordering Works

1. Grab a tray and utensils at the start of the line.
2. Move down the line, choosing:
   • An entrée
   • Sides
   • Salad, bread, dessert, and drink (if desired)
3. Staff plate your selections and hand them to you.
4. At the end, you’ll pay at a cashier, then seat yourself in the dining area.
5. Many locations have staff circulating to clear plates and help with small requests.

This setup is convenient in Atlanta if:

• You’re on a short lunch break and need food quickly.
• You’re with kids or picky eaters and want to see the food before choosing.
• You prefer straightforward pricing, with most items visible on menu boards or signage.

What Kinds of Food Does Piccadilly Serve?

While menus can vary slightly by location and day, Atlanta-area Piccadilly restaurants generally focus on:

Entrees: Comfort and Familiar International-Style Dishes

Common options include:

• Fried or baked chicken
• Roast beef or pot roast
• Baked fish (often white fish, sometimes with a mild seasoning or topping)
• Meatloaf
• Turkey and dressing (seasonal or rotating)
• Hamburger steak or Salisbury steak
• Occasionally pasta-based dishes like spaghetti or lasagna-style bakes

These aren’t strongly spiced international dishes, but many are European-American classics that are familiar to a wide range of cultural backgrounds in Atlanta.

Sides: Southern and Classic Cafeteria Mix

Sides usually include:

• Mashed potatoes and gravy
• Macaroni and cheese
• Green beans
• Collard greens or other leafy greens
• Corn, carrots, or mixed vegetables
• Rice dishes or dressing (stuffing-style)

For many Atlantans, Piccadilly fills the niche of “meat and three”—a protein with several sides—similar to Southern cafeterias and diners.

Salads, Breads, and Desserts

You’ll often see:

• Simple green salads and coleslaw
• Yeast rolls and cornbread
• Pies, cakes, and puddings in a dessert case

Desserts are a big draw for some local regulars, especially for after-church meals and family lunches.

Typical Prices and What to Expect at Checkout

Prices can change, but in Atlanta you can generally expect:

• Entrée + 2–3 sides: a moderate price that’s competitive with casual sit-down chains
• Add-ons like desserts and drinks to raise the total somewhat
• Kids’ meals at a lower rate, often with smaller portions

Because it’s cafeteria-style, you can:

• Control your total by choosing fewer extras
• See your plate build in real time and decide whether to skip dessert or extra sides

Many Atlanta diners describe Piccadilly as more affordable than many full-service restaurants, but not as cheap as fast food.

Who Piccadilly in Atlanta Works Well For

Piccadilly tends to work best for:

• Families: Easy seating, high chairs at many locations, flexible menu for kids
• Older adults: Familiar food, quieter atmosphere, and straightforward ordering
• Office workers and shoppers: Quick, hot meals near busy commercial areas
• Mixed groups: Everyone chooses their own entrée and sides, which can simplify group dining

If you’re in Downtown for a convention, Buckhead for shopping, or Midtown for museums and parks, you might look up the closest suburban or corridor location if you have a car or rideshare access and want a no-surprise, cafeteria-style meal.

Piccadilly vs. Other International Cuisine Options in Atlanta

Atlanta has a huge international food scene, from Buford Highway to Decatur, Norcross, and beyond. It’s useful to understand where Piccadilly fits:

If you specifically want authentic international cuisine, you’ll probably head to:

• Buford Highway for Asian and Latin American restaurants
• Neighborhoods like Clarkston for East African and other immigrant-owned spots
• Decatur, Doraville, and other suburbs for regional specialties

But if you want reliable, comfort-focused, cafeteria-style food with broad appeal, Piccadilly fills that niche for many Atlantans.

Practical Tips for Visiting Piccadilly in Atlanta

Here are a few ways to make your visit smoother:

1. Check Hours and Services Before You Go

Atlanta-area locations may vary on:

• Opening and closing times
• Whether they offer breakfast, lunch, and/or dinner
• If takeout or catering is currently available

Many locals double-check hours using:

• Map apps
• Local business listings
• A quick phone call to the restaurant

This helps avoid arriving right before closing, when selection on the line may be more limited.

2. Aim for Off-Peak Times if You Prefer Quieter Dining

Cafeteria-style places in Atlanta can be busiest:

• Sunday afternoons, especially after church services
• Weekday lunch hours near office and shopping areas

If you prefer a calmer visit, try:

• Late lunch (around 2–3 p.m.)
• Early dinner (around 4–5 p.m.)

3. Ask About Daily Specials

Many Piccadilly locations rotate:

• Daily entrée specials
• Seasonal items (holiday-style turkey and dressing, special desserts, etc.)

If you’re budget-conscious or like variety, it can help to:

• Check any specials board near the entry
• Ask the staff at the start of the line what’s featured that day

4. Navigating With Dietary Preferences

Piccadilly isn’t designed as a specialized dietary restaurant, but you may be able to:

• Choose baked or grilled options instead of fried
• Load up on vegetable sides
• Ask staff about ingredients in certain dishes

If you have strict allergies or medical dietary needs, it’s wise to:

• Speak directly with staff
• Visually inspect items along the line
• Keep in mind that cross-contact can be harder to avoid in a cafeteria setup

Using Piccadilly as a Visitor to Atlanta

If you’re visiting Atlanta and staying near major roads or shopping centers, Piccadilly can be:

• A familiar fallback option when you’re not sure what you’re in the mood for
• A comfortable place to bring multi-generational families
• A way to experience a style of Southern-influenced cafeteria dining that has been part of the regional culture for decades

You can plan it into your day by:

• Pairing it with a shopping trip to a mall or large retail area
• Stopping in after sightseeing if you’re driving back out toward the suburbs
• Using it as a group-friendly meeting spot if you have people coming from different sides of town

Key Takeaways for Atlanta Diners

• Piccadilly in Atlanta offers cafeteria-style, comfort-focused food with a mix of Southern and classic international-style dishes.
• It’s best suited for families, groups, older adults, and anyone wanting simple, familiar meals.
• Locations are typically near shopping centers and busy corridors, more often in suburban or outer-city areas than in the urban core.
• You’ll find straightforward ordering, visible food choices, and pricing that usually sits between fast food and full-service dining.
• If your goal is reliable comfort food rather than adventurous international dining, Piccadilly can be a practical option in and around Atlanta.