Parkwoods Restaurant in Atlanta: What to Know Before You Go
If you spend time around Perimeter Center in Atlanta, you may have heard people mention Parkwoods Restaurant as a convenient place to eat near offices, hotels, and shopping. If you’re trying to figure out what it is, where it is, and whether it belongs on your Atlanta “things to do” list, this guide breaks it down.
Where Parkwoods Restaurant Fits into “Things to Do” in Atlanta
Parkwoods Restaurant has typically been associated with the Perimeter business district in north Atlanta/Sandy Springs, near major employers, Perimeter Mall, and several hotels.
In Atlanta terms, that means:
- It’s more of a destination for people already in the Perimeter area
- It often serves hotel guests, business travelers, and local office workers
- It’s convenient as part of a day of shopping or meetings near Perimeter Center
So while it may not be a citywide landmark like Ponce City Market or the BeltLine, Parkwoods Restaurant can be a practical “attraction” for dining if you’re staying, working, or running errands in this part of metro Atlanta.
Location, Access, and Nearby Attractions
Parkwoods Restaurant has historically been located in the Perimeter Center area near:
- Perimeter Mall
- Major office towers and corporate campuses
- Hotels clustered along Hammond Drive, Peachtree Dunwoody Road, and Ashford Dunwoody Road
- Easy access from GA-400 and I-285
If you’re:
- Staying in a nearby hotel – Parkwoods may be one of the closest full-service restaurant options, often within walking distance from several properties.
- Working in the area – It can serve as a convenient spot for business lunches, after-work drinks, or small team dinners.
- Visiting Perimeter Mall – It can be a quieter sit-down alternative to food court or fast-casual spots, especially in the evening.
Because there are many intersecting city limits here (Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Dunwoody), it helps to plug the restaurant name directly into your navigation app and confirm it matches the Perimeter Center location you’re aiming for.
What to Expect from Parkwoods Restaurant
Specific menus and decor can shift, but consumers typically experience Parkwoods as:
- A casual to upscale-casual dining room
- A menu that leans toward American fare with Southern or contemporary twists
- A setting geared toward comfort and convenience rather than being a “scene” or nightlife hotspot
Many hotel- and office-adjacent restaurants in this part of Atlanta share similar traits:
- Breakfast service focused on travelers and early office workers
- Reliable lunch options such as sandwiches, salads, burgers, and a few composed entrees
- Dinner menus that offer recognizable dishes with slightly elevated presentation
- A bar program with classic cocktails, wine, and local or regional beer
If you’re comparing it to other Atlanta experiences, expect something closer to a polished hotel restaurant than a destination-only intown spot like those you’d find in Inman Park, Old Fourth Ward, or West Midtown.
Typical Uses: Who Parkwoods Restaurant Works Best For
1. Business meetings and work lunches
Parkwoods is often used by professionals in the Perimeter area because:
- It’s usually quiet enough for conversation
- The menu tends to be broad and approachable (good for mixed tastes or picky eaters)
- It’s close to office buildings and corporate campuses
2. Travelers staying nearby
If you’re staying in a Perimeter-area hotel:
- Parkwoods may be one of your most walkable, sit-down options
- It can be convenient when you don’t want to deal with traffic on GA-400 or I-285 just to get dinner
- Staff are usually accustomed to serving out-of-towners, so service and pacing tend to work well for varying schedules
3. Locals looking for a low-stress meal
For nearby residents, Parkwoods might be:
- A backup plan when other reservations are hard to get
- A place to meet friends or family who are staying in one of the nearby hotels
- A comfortable option when you want table service but don’t want to drive into Buckhead or intown
Pros and Cons for Atlanta Diners
A simple way to think about Parkwoods Restaurant within the Atlanta dining scene:
| Aspect | What Many Diners Like | What to Keep in Mind |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Easy for Perimeter workers, shoppers, and hotel guests | Less central if you are based intown (Midtown, Downtown, Decatur) |
| Atmosphere | Typically comfortable, business-friendly, not overly loud | Not usually a “wow-factor” destination spot or nightlife draw |
| Menu Style | Familiar American/Southern-leaning options; good for groups | May feel conventional if you’re seeking cutting-edge or highly creative cuisine |
| Convenience | Often walkable from nearby hotels and offices; good parking options in area | Traffic around I-285/GA-400 and Hammond/Ashford Dunwoody can be heavy at peak times |
| Use Case | Great for business meals, travel days, or errands near Perimeter | Not usually the top pick for a once-a-year celebration if you’re willing to travel intown |
Practical Tips for Visiting Parkwoods Restaurant in Atlanta
Here are some Atlanta-specific tips to make your visit smoother:
1. Plan Around Perimeter Traffic
The Perimeter area is one of the busiest traffic zones in metro Atlanta.
- 🚗 Evenings (4–7 p.m.): GA-400, I-285, Hammond Drive, and Ashford Dunwoody can all be congested. Build in extra time if you’re driving from Midtown, Buckhead, or beyond.
- If you’re already in the area, consider walking from your hotel or office when possible.
2. Consider MARTA Access
Perimeter is served by MARTA’s Red Line:
- Dunwoody, Sandy Springs, and Medical Center stations are the closest, depending on the exact restaurant location.
- From those stations, you may need a short rideshare, shuttle, or walk, depending on your comfort level and time of day.
Using MARTA is often easier than driving if you’re coming from Downtown or Midtown and want to avoid highway traffic.
3. Check Current Hours and Menu
Because restaurants tied to hotels and office complexes can change hours, concepts, or operators, always:
- Confirm opening hours for breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- Check if they offer weekend service, as some Perimeter business-oriented spots may have reduced hours on Saturdays and Sundays
- Look at the current menu to see if it fits your dietary needs or preferences (vegetarian, gluten-conscious, etc.)
4. Think About Why You’re Going
To decide whether Parkwoods is the right “thing to do” in Atlanta for you, consider your purpose:
- On business in Perimeter? It’s a practical, nearby choice.
- Staying at a hotel next door? It can be your easiest first-night dinner.
- Exploring Atlanta for food alone? You might prefer to focus your time on higher-profile dining districts like West Midtown, Inman Park, Old Fourth Ward, Grant Park, Virginia-Highland, or Decatur, unless you already have reason to be in Perimeter.
How Parkwoods Compares to Other Atlanta Dining “Attractions”
Within the broader “things to do in Atlanta” framework:
- Parkwoods Restaurant is best viewed as a localized amenity and dining option within the Perimeter Center submarket.
- It’s not typically a tourist magnet like the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, or the BeltLine.
- It fills a practical niche: reliable sit-down meals near one of the city’s biggest office and shopping hubs.
If your Atlanta itinerary already includes time in the Perimeter area—for work, shopping at Perimeter Mall, medical appointments near Pill Hill, or visiting someone staying in a nearby hotel—Parkwoods Restaurant can be an easy, built-in dining stop that keeps you close to where you need to be.
If you’re deciding where to spend limited time in the city and are mainly after unique, only-in-Atlanta dining experiences, you might treat Parkwoods as a backup option unless you’re already in that part of town.
By thinking of Parkwoods Restaurant as a convenient Perimeter-area attraction—rather than a citywide must-see—you can better decide whether it belongs on your personal list of things to do in Atlanta and how it can fit into your day around the Perimeter Center district.
