Zen on Ten: A Local’s Guide to This International Restaurant in Atlanta

Zen on Ten is a well-known international and Asian-inspired restaurant and bar in Atlanta, popular with both neighborhood regulars and visitors looking for a relaxed place to eat near Midtown and West Midtown.

If you’re wondering what Zen on Ten is like, what kind of food it serves, and whether it fits what you’re looking for in Atlanta, this guide walks through the essentials.

Where Zen on Ten Fits in Atlanta’s Restaurant Scene

Zen on Ten sits in the International Cuisine space, blending influences you’ll recognize from:

• Asian and pan-Asian dishes (stir-fries, noodle dishes, rice-based plates)
• American bar and grill fare (wings, sliders, burgers, appetizers)
• A full bar with cocktails, beer, and wine

In Atlanta, where you can find everything from Buford Highway’s deeply traditional spots to high-end fusion restaurants in Midtown and Buckhead, Zen on Ten tends to appeal to people who want:

• Casual, comfortable dine-in without a formal dress code
• A versatile menu that works for groups with different tastes
• A spot close to Downtown, Midtown, Georgia Tech, and Westside

It’s often used as a meet-up point before or after events in the city, or as a go-to for people staying in nearby hotels.

Location, Parking, and Getting There

Zen on Ten is located in Atlanta, Georgia, in a corridor that’s convenient to several major neighborhoods and routes.

While exact tenants in the area can change, people typically reach it from:

• Downtown / Midtown via Northside Drive NW, Spring Street NW, or 10th Street NW
• West Midtown / Westside via Northside Drive NW or local side streets
• Georgia Tech by a short drive or rideshare, often along 10th Street or Northside Drive

👉 Tips for getting there:

• Driving: Many diners arrive by car. Depending on your exact route, you may use I-75/85 and exit toward 10th Street, 14th Street, or Northside Drive. Parking in this part of town is often a mix of surface lots, small shared lots, or nearby street parking. It’s common for visitors to factor in a few extra minutes for finding a spot, especially during peak dinner hours.
• Rideshare: For visitors staying in Downtown, Midtown, or Atlantic Station, rideshare is a common choice to avoid parking stress.
• Transit: MARTA bus routes and nearby rail stations can be used together, but most people find it simplest to combine MARTA with a short rideshare if they’re not already close by.

If you’re unsure about parking details or hours, calling the restaurant directly before you head over is a practical step, especially on weekends and game days when traffic around Atlanta can be heavier.

What Kind of Food Zen on Ten Serves

Zen on Ten is usually described as a blend of international, Asian-inspired, and American comfort dishes. While menus can change, diners in Atlanta often encounter:

Common Menu Categories

• Starters and small plates

  • Items such as dumplings, spring rolls, wings, or fusion-style appetizers
  • Good for sharing when you’re in a group or grabbing a drink and a snack

• Noodle and rice dishes

  • Stir-fried noodles, rice bowls, and dishes with vegetables, chicken, beef, or seafood
  • Common with people looking for something filling but not overly formal

• Grill and bar-style plates

  • Burgers, sliders, or sandwiches with an international twist in flavors or sauces

• Salads and lighter options

  • Greens with grilled proteins or Asian-style dressings

• Desserts

  • Simple, shareable sweets that round out the meal

Atlanta diners often use Zen on Ten for weekday dinners, casual date nights, group meetups, and pre-event meals before concerts, shows, or games in the city.

Atmosphere: What It Feels Like Inside

People who visit Zen on Ten tend to describe it as:

• Casual and laid-back, not a “special-occasion-only” place
• Comfortable for small groups, coworkers, couples, and friends
• Suitable for after-work drinks or a relaxed dinner

If you’re staying at a nearby hotel or coming from an event, you won’t feel out of place dressed casually. The environment typically sits somewhere between a neighborhood bar and a full-service restaurant with international flavors.

Dining Options: Dine-In, Takeout, and Groups

Dine-In

Zen on Ten is set up primarily for dine-in service, with:

• Tables and booths for small to mid-size groups
• A bar area for solo diners, couples, and casual drinks

If you’re in Atlanta on a busy weekend, a large convention, or a big game day, it can be a good idea to:

• Call ahead to ask about wait times
• Consider arriving a little earlier than the standard dinner rush

Takeout and Delivery

In Atlanta, many restaurants with this profile typically offer:

• Call-ahead takeout
• Sometimes third-party delivery (through popular Atlanta delivery apps)

If you’re staying nearby or live in Midtown/Westside, it can be convenient to order:

• Noodle dishes
• Fried rice and stir-fries
• Starters to share at home or in a hotel room

Because delivery options can change, it’s best to confirm with the restaurant or your delivery app of choice rather than assuming availability.

Large Groups and Special Meetups

Zen on Ten often attracts:

• Office groups from nearby businesses
• Friends meeting up before heading to Downtown or Midtown nightlife
• Small celebrations or casual birthday outings

For groups, it’s often helpful to:

• Call ahead if you have more than 6–8 people
• Ask about seating options and timing, especially on Fridays and Saturdays

Rough Price Expectations

While exact prices can change over time, Zen on Ten generally falls into a moderate price range for Atlanta:

• Starters: Usually in the low-to-mid single digits up into the teens
• Main dishes: Often in the low to mid-teens, depending on protein and portion size
• Drinks: Comparable to other Midtown/Westside bars for beer, wine, and cocktails

For many locals, it fits into the “comfortable weeknight dinner” or “casual evening out” budget rather than a high-end splurge.

When to Go: Timing and Crowd Patterns

Atlanta’s traffic and event schedule can influence any restaurant near central neighborhoods. Zen on Ten is no exception.

Here’s how many locals plan their visit:

If you’re pairing your visit with a concert, game, or show, build in extra travel time—Atlanta’s I-75/85, Northside Drive, and 10th/14th Street corridors can back up around event times.

Nearby Atlanta Spots and How Zen on Ten Fits Your Plans

Because of its central location, Zen on Ten can easily be part of a larger day or night in the city. People often combine a meal here with:

• Midtown attractions
  • Walks through Piedmont Park
  • Visits to the High Museum of Art or Woodruff Arts Center
• Westside / West Midtown stops
  • Shopping or strolls in Westside Provisions District
  • Brewery visits and casual nightlife
• Downtown activities
  • State Farm Arena or Mercedes-Benz Stadium events
  • Georgia Aquarium and Centennial Olympic Park visits

This makes it useful if you want one base restaurant that works with a lot of different itineraries, whether you’re a local planning an evening or a visitor trying to make the most of a short trip.

Practical Tips Before You Go

To make your experience smoother in Atlanta:

• Check hours: Restaurant hours can shift seasonally or for private events, so verify them the day you plan to go.
• Ask about parking: When you call, confirm current parking options and any validation or limitations.
• Share dietary needs: If anyone in your group has dietary restrictions, call ahead and ask which dishes are more flexible or customizable.
• Plan around traffic: If you’re coming from outside the city (Sandy Springs, Decatur, the suburbs), consider Atlanta’s typical rush hours and major event schedules.

How Zen on Ten Compares to Other International Options in Atlanta

Atlanta has a wide range of International Cuisine options:

• Buford Highway: More traditional and regional Asian, Latin American, and other global cuisines.
• Midtown / Buckhead: Higher-end fusion and chef-driven international restaurants.
• Westside & Downtown: A mix of casual, modern, and bar-forward venues with global influences.

Zen on Ten falls closer to the casual, approachable middle ground:

• Comfortable for mixed groups who want international flavors without a very formal or very traditional setting
• Conveniently located for people already in Downtown, Midtown, or Westside
• Works well as a “default” choice when you want global flavors but also familiar bar and grill options

If you live in Atlanta, Zen on Ten can be a reliable nearby option for casual dinners and drinks. If you’re visiting the city, it’s a practical, centrally located spot for international-inspired food that fits easily into a Midtown, Westside, or Downtown itinerary.