Ray’s in the City in Atlanta: What to Know Before You Go

If you’re looking for a polished, downtown Atlanta restaurant with a strong seafood focus and a classic city-steakhouse feel, Ray’s in the City is one of the best-known options. This guide walks through what to expect, what to order, how to plan your visit, and how it fits into Atlanta’s broader international and upscale dining scene.

Where Ray’s in the City Fits in Atlanta’s Dining Scene

Atlanta has a huge range of cuisines, from Buford Highway’s international restaurants to high-end steakhouses in Buckhead and Midtown. Ray’s in the City sits in a specific niche:

• Location: Downtown Atlanta, convenient to Centennial Olympic Park, Peachtree Center, the Georgia Aquarium, State Farm Arena, and many office buildings.
• Style: Upscale but approachable, with a mix of seafood, steaks, sushi, and globally influenced dishes.
• Vibe: Classic “big city” dining room—white tablecloth feel, dimmer lighting, suited for business dinners, date nights, and special occasions.

It’s especially practical for:

• Out-of-town visitors staying in Downtown or at Peachtree Center hotels
• Locals heading to a concert, game, or the Fox Theatre and wanting a nicer dinner nearby
• Business lunches and corporate events

Location, Parking, and Getting There

Ray’s in the City – Downtown Atlanta

• Address: 240 Peachtree Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30303
• Area: Peachtree corridor in Downtown, close to Peachtree Center MARTA Station

Getting There

By MARTA 🚇

• Take the Red or Gold Line to Peachtree Center Station.
• Follow signs to the Peachtree Street exit. Ray’s in the City is just a short walk along Peachtree Street NW.

By Car 🚗
Downtown traffic can be heavy during:

• Weekday rush hours
• Events at Mercedes‑Benz Stadium, State Farm Arena, or Georgia World Congress Center

Common options:

• Nearby paid parking garages along Peachtree Street and cross streets
• Valet options may be available at or near the building (check current details when you book)

Build in extra time if you’re coming from Buckhead, Sandy Springs, or the suburbs during peak traffic.

Atmosphere: What It Feels Like Inside

Ray’s in the City is set up more like a classic urban seafood and steak restaurant than a casual neighborhood spot:

• Ambiance: Low to moderate lighting, business-casual crowd, comfortable seating
• Dress code (informal guidance):
  • Common: business casual, “nice jeans and a shirt,” dresses, slacks
  • Less common: shorts, very casual athleisure
• Noise level: Can get lively, especially around weekend dinner and event nights, but designed for table conversation.

Atlanta locals often use it for:

• Anniversary or birthday dinners
• Pre-theatre meals (especially if you’re heading to the Fox Theatre or a Symphony Hall performance and don’t mind a short rideshare trip)
• Client meetings and business dinners

Menu Overview: Seafood, Steaks, and International Influences

Ray’s in the City’s menu changes over time, but you can generally expect a mix of:

1. Seafood

This is where the restaurant is most recognized:

• Fresh fish preparations with sauces and sides that draw on both American and global flavors
• Shellfish such as crab cakes, shrimp dishes, and oysters (availability can vary)
• Seasonal specials often highlight different regional or international preparations, like Asian-inspired glazes, Mediterranean sides, or Southern-style accompaniments.

2. Steaks and Chops

Ray’s also appeals to people who want a steakhouse-style meal:

• Hand-cut steaks (filet, ribeye, New York strip, etc.)
• Typically grilled and served with house sauces and classic sides
• Works well if your group includes both seafood lovers and meat eaters

3. Sushi and Raw Bar

A distinctive piece of Ray’s in the City compared with many traditional steakhouses is its sushi selection:

• Sushi rolls and sashimi prepared to order
• Good option if someone in your group wants lighter, Japanese-influenced dishes while others order steaks or cooked seafood

4. Starters and Sides

Expect a mix of:

• Seafood starters: shrimp cocktails, calamari, crab-based appetizers (offerings vary)
• Soups and salads: often including chowders, house salads, or seasonal options
• Classic sides like mashed potatoes, seasonal vegetables, and other steakhouse-style accompaniments

5. Desserts and Drinks

• Desserts usually follow the classic upscale American restaurant pattern—cakes, cheesecakes, chocolate-based desserts
• Bar program: cocktails, wine list, and beer options suitable for happy hour and dinner pairing

Sample Experience: What a Typical Visit Might Look Like

To give you a clear sense of how a visit flows, a typical evening at Ray’s in the City might look like this:

1. Arrival: You park in a garage or take MARTA to Peachtree Center, walk a short distance, and check in at the host stand.
2. Drinks and starters: Many guests start with cocktails or wine and an appetizer such as shrimp, crab cake, or sushi rolls.
3. Main courses:
   • One person orders a grilled fish with a globally inspired sauce.
   • Another chooses a steak with classic sides.
   • A third opts for sushi or a lighter seafood entrée.
4. Dessert and coffee: If time allows (especially before a game or concert), you might share a dessert and a coffee or after-dinner drink.

This structure works especially well if you’re on a tight timeline before an event—just let your server know what time you need to leave so they can pace things accordingly.

Ray’s in the City vs. Other Atlanta International and Upscale Options

Atlanta diners often compare Ray’s in the City with other city-center restaurants when deciding where to book. While not a strict “international restaurant” in the sense of being tied to one country’s cuisine, it fits into the international cuisine subcategory because:

• The menu pulls from American, Japanese, Mediterranean, and broader global influences, especially in sauces, sides, and sushi.
• Visitors can pair a more traditional Southern-influenced seafood platter with sushi, internationally styled fish dishes, or globally inspired cocktails.

In practical terms, you might choose Ray’s in the City if you:

• Want a seafood-forward menu with sushi in the heart of Downtown
• Need a spot that feels formal enough for business but still accessible and comfortable
• Are already in the Downtown area for tourism, conventions, or events and don’t want to travel to Buckhead or Midtown

If your priority is hyper-specific international cuisines like regional Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, or Ethiopian food, you’ll typically find more specialized options along Buford Highway or in neighborhoods like Doraville, Chamblee, and Clarkston. Ray’s in the City is better thought of as internationally influenced upscale American dining.

Reservations, Timing, and Practical Tips

Reservations

In Atlanta, Ray’s in the City is considered a popular spot, particularly:

• Friday and Saturday nights
• Evenings with major events Downtown
• Holiday periods and convention weeks

Tips:

• ✅ Make a reservation, especially for prime dinner hours (6:00–8:00 p.m.)
• ✅ If you’re going before a show or game, book earlier than you think you need to account for traffic and parking
• ✅ For large groups or business events, contact the restaurant ahead of time to ask about group dining or private space options

Best Times to Go

• Lunch: Quieter, with more business and convention guests; easier to get seated and often a bit faster.
• Early dinner (5:00–6:00 p.m.): Good window if you want to avoid crowds and still enjoy a relaxed meal.
• Prime dinner (7:00–8:30 p.m.): Livelier atmosphere; expect a busier dining room.

Cost Considerations for Atlanta Diners

Ray’s in the City falls into the moderate-to-upscale price range for Atlanta:

• Not as casual or budget-friendly as neighborhood eateries or many Buford Highway spots
• Generally more in line with Downtown and Midtown upscale restaurants and steakhouses

If you’re planning a visit:

• 💳 Expect to pay more than a casual chain restaurant or food hall
• 💳 Factor in parking or valet costs if you’re driving
• 💳 Consider that cocktails, wine, and dessert can significantly increase the total

This makes Ray’s in the City a common choice for:

• Special occasions
• Client dinners or team outings
• Trips where dining is part of the overall experience (for example, tourists visiting the Georgia Aquarium or World of Coca‑Cola and wanting a nicer meal nearby)

Quick Reference: Ray’s in the City at a Glance

How to Decide if Ray’s in the City Is Right for Your Visit

Ray’s in the City is likely a good fit if you:

• Are staying or working in Downtown Atlanta and want a nicer, sit-down dinner
• Prefer a menu that includes both seafood and steak, with some international and sushi options
• Need a place that works for mixed groups—business associates, family, or visitors with different tastes
• Want to make the most of MARTA access and avoid driving across the city

You might look elsewhere if you:

• Are specifically searching for a single-country, deeply traditional international cuisine (for example, regional Indian, Korean barbecue, or West African)
• Are on a very tight budget for dining out
• Prefer extremely casual or grab-and-go dining near attractions

For many Atlanta residents and visitors, Ray’s in the City serves as a reliable, centrally located option for upscale, globally influenced seafood and steak in the heart of Downtown, with convenient access to MARTA, hotels, and major attractions.