Empire State South in Atlanta: Modern Southern Cooking in the Heart of Midtown

If you’re searching in Atlanta for Southern food with a modern, seasonal twist, Empire State South is one of the names that consistently comes up. Located in Midtown, it blends farm-driven cuisine with a relaxed, neighborhood feel that appeals to locals, business travelers, and visitors exploring the city.

This guide walks you through what to expect at Empire State South, how it fits into Atlanta’s Southern and soul food scene, when it’s worth the trip, and how to make the most of your visit.

Where Empire State South Fits in Atlanta’s Food Scene

Atlanta has no shortage of Southern and soul food restaurants, from casual meat-and-three spots to white-tablecloth dining. Empire State South sits in the category of:

• Upscale-casual Southern
• Strong focus on local and regional ingredients
• A place that works for both special occasions and weekday meals

Rather than classic “soul food” in the traditional sense (huge plates, heavy sauces, long-simmered sides), Empire State South leans toward:

• Lighter, seasonal dishes
• Modern techniques applied to Southern staples
• Menus that change to reflect what’s in season in Georgia and the Southeast

If you live in Atlanta, think of it as a place to show off contemporary Southern cooking to out-of-town guests—or to enjoy a more refined version of the flavors you grew up with.

Location, Parking, and Getting There

Neighborhood: Midtown Atlanta
General area: Near Peachtree Street and several major office and residential buildings

Empire State South is convenient if you’re:

• Staying at a Midtown hotel
• Working in the Midtown office district
• Visiting nearby venues, like the Fox Theatre, High Museum of Art, or Piedmont Park

Getting there in Atlanta terms:

• 🚗 Driving: Midtown parking can be tight, so expect to use a garage or paid lot nearby. Some visitors plan a little extra time around lunch and dinner for parking.
• 🚶 Walking: Very walkable from many Midtown hotels, apartments, and offices.
• 🚇 MARTA: Midtown and Arts Center MARTA stations are often used by diners who want to skip parking; from there, it’s typically a short walk or rideshare.
• 🚕 Rideshare/taxis: Common option for dinner, especially on weekends or if you plan to enjoy drinks.

Always double-check current hours and exact address before heading out, as restaurant hours in Atlanta can shift based on season, events, or staffing.

What Kind of Food Does Empire State South Serve?

Empire State South focuses on modern Southern cuisine, heavily influenced by Georgia farms and regional producers. The menu evolves, but you can usually expect:

1. Southern Staples with a Twist

You might see:

• Pimento cheese served with thoughtful accompaniments
• Biscuits or cornbread-based items that feel more refined than diner-style versions
• Takes on shrimp and grits, pork, or chicken that are elevated but still recognizable as Southern

The dishes tend to be:

• Beautifully plated but not fussy
• Flavor-driven, leaning into acid, herbs, and texture rather than just richness
• Portions that are reasonable rather than oversized

2. Seasonal, Farm-Driven Dishes

A core part of Empire State South’s identity is its farm-to-table approach. Diners in Atlanta often notice:

• Menus that change with the seasons
• Heavy use of local vegetables, greens, and grains
• Rotating fish and meat specials depending on what’s fresh and available

If you enjoy exploring Georgia-grown ingredients beyond the basics of fried chicken and mac and cheese, this approach can be a highlight.

3. Lunch, Dinner, and Brunch Focus

Hours can change, but many Atlanta diners know Empire State South for:

• Lunch: Popular with Midtown office workers and business meetings
• Dinner: A go-to option for date nights, small celebrations, or pre-theatre meals
• Brunch: Often a draw for locals in Midtown and nearby neighborhoods

Menus at each service will reflect:

• Lighter options at lunch (salads, grain bowls, sandwiches with Southern elements)
• More composed entrées at dinner (proteins with seasonal sides, shareable starters)
• Brunch dishes blending breakfast classics with Southern flavors (think biscuits, local sausage, seasonal jams, and fresh produce)

Empire State South vs. Traditional Soul Food in Atlanta

If you’re specifically seeking traditional soul food in Atlanta—think fried chicken, collard greens seasoned with smoked meat, candied yams, cornbread, and big portions—Empire State South is related but not identical.

Here’s how it generally compares:

If you’re visiting Atlanta and want the full range of Southern food experiences, many people will:

• Try Empire State South for a contemporary take on Southern cooking
• Also visit at least one classic soul food restaurant for more traditional plates

Atmosphere and Experience

Empire State South generally aims for a relaxed but polished feel:

• Dining room: Casual enough for jeans, elevated enough for special occasions
• Bar area: A comfortable spot for solo dining, a quick drink, or small plates
• Service style: Typically attentive and knowledgeable, with staff able to explain menu items and ingredients

Atlanta diners often use it for:

• Client lunches or business dinners in Midtown
• Date nights where you want something nice but not overly formal
• Weekend meetups with friends who appreciate good food and drinks

It’s not a “party” restaurant in the nightclub sense, but it feels lively, especially during prime dinner times and weekend brunch.

Drinks: Cocktails, Wine, and More

Empire State South is also known for a thoughtful beverage program, which often includes:

• Cocktails that echo Southern flavors (herbs, seasonal fruits, regional spirits)
• A curated wine list that pairs well with modern Southern dishes
• A selection of beer, often including some local or regional choices

For Atlantans, this makes it a solid spot if you care about both food and drinks rather than treating the bar as an afterthought. If you don’t drink alcohol, ask about mocktails or zero-proof options—many Midtown spots can accommodate that.

When Should You Make a Reservation?

In Atlanta, Midtown restaurants can fill up faster than neighborhood spots, especially during:

• Weekend evenings
• Brunch hours
• Convention weeks or major events nearby (Fox Theatre shows, festivals, large conferences)

To avoid long waits:

• ✅ Make a reservation for Friday or Saturday dinner, or for groups of 4 or more
• ✅ Consider reservations for pre-theatre dining if you’re heading to a show afterward
• ✅ For weekday lunch, reservations are helpful but sometimes not strictly required, depending on the time

Walk-ins may be possible, but if you’re visiting from out of town and have limited time in Atlanta, planning ahead is smart.

What to Expect to Spend

Exact prices change, but Empire State South generally fits into the mid-to-higher range for Atlanta Southern restaurants:

• Lunch: Usually lighter on the wallet—salads, sandwiches, and smaller plates
• Dinner: Entrées often priced in a range typical for Midtown chef-driven restaurants
• Brunch: Somewhere between lunch and dinner pricing, depending on how much you order (especially if you add cocktails, sides, or desserts)

To manage costs:

• Share small plates or appetizers with the table
• Focus on one main course and skip multiple add-ons if you’re budget-conscious
• Visit at lunch if you want the experience at a somewhat lower price point than dinner

Who Will Enjoy Empire State South Most?

Empire State South tends to be a good fit if you:

• Live in Atlanta and want a reliable Midtown spot for impressing guests
• Appreciate chef-crafted, seasonal food rather than ultra-heavy comfort dishes
• Are visiting Atlanta and want a modern interpretation of Southern cuisine
• Need a place for business meetings or client dinners with local flavor
• Enjoy a restaurant where bar, food, and service are all taken seriously

It might not be ideal if you’re strictly looking for:

• Very large, traditional soul food plates
• Extremely casual, cafeteria-style dining
• Late-night, high-energy party environments

Tips for Atlantans and Visitors Planning a Visit

A few practical pointers tailored to navigating Atlanta and Midtown:

• 🕒 Check hours ahead of time. Atlanta restaurants adjust schedules more often than many visitors expect, especially around holidays and major events.
• 🚗 Plan parking or transit. Midtown traffic can be slow during rush hour and event nights, so allow buffer time.
• 🎭 Combine with Midtown activities. Many diners pair Empire State South with nearby attractions like the Fox Theatre, Alliance Theatre, or High Museum.
• 🧑‍🍳 Ask about seasonal specials. If you care about local produce or specific ingredients, staff can often point you to dishes that highlight the season.
• 🥗 Mention dietary preferences. If you’re vegetarian, pescatarian, or avoiding certain ingredients, let your server know—farm-driven menus often have flexibility.

How Empire State South Fits Into an Atlanta Eating Itinerary

If you’re building an Atlanta food itinerary centered around Southern and soul food, Empire State South often plays one of these roles:

1. Daytime Midtown anchor: Lunch here, then walk to nearby museums or parks.
2. Pre-theatre dinner: Eat here, then take a short ride or walk to a show in Midtown.
3. One “elevated” Southern meal: Paired with a separate visit to a more traditional soul food spot elsewhere in the city.

For locals, it’s the kind of place you might rotate into your regular dining mix, especially if you work or live nearby and enjoy trying different seasonal menus over the year.

Bottom line for Atlanta:
Empire State South is a Midtown restaurant offering modern, seasonal Southern cooking in an upscale-casual setting. It’s not a classic soul food joint, but it’s one of the places where Atlanta shows how far Southern cuisine has evolved—while still staying rooted in the flavors and ingredients of the region.