Development in downtown Atlanta has exploded over the last two years as the city prepared for thousands of World Cup soccer fans this summer, along with future hosting duties like Super Bowl LXII in 2028.
This development boom includes an influx of new restaurants and mixed-use complexes centered around walkability and access to transit in downtown Atlanta.
New restaurants will also benefit Downtown tourism for people visiting attractions like the Georgia World Congress Center, World of Coca-Cola, Georgia Aquarium, National Civil Rights Museum, and College Football Hall of Fame, as well as for people attending concerts and sporting events at Mercedes-Benz Stadium and State Farm Arena.
Many restaurants and bars have already opened around Downtown, with more restaurants opening over the coming weeks and months at developments like The CTR, Centennial Yards, and South Downtown.
Check out the recent downtown Atlanta restaurant openings, along with upcoming openings below. Look for occasional updates and additions to this guide.
Downtown Atlanta proper
While restaurants come and go in downtown Atlanta, The CTR and 207 Peachtree have quickly gained attention for the multi-million-dollar overhauls that will see tired facades and dated interiors transformed into dining and entertainment destinations. But these Downtown complexes aren’t the only ones ungoing a revitalization. Hotels and second and third generation restaurant and retails space are experiencing makeovers, too.
Recent openings
Breakfast on Luckie St. (breakfast and lunch)
JW Marriott Downtown Atlanta
• JW Market (grab-and-go coffee shop)
• The Ledger Bar (cocktail bar)
• Fiora (Italian)
The Moxy Hotel
• Jagger Suite (rooftop lounge)
• Eggslut (breakfast and lunch sandwiches)
The CTR (former CNN building)
• CTR Food Works (food hall)
• The CTR bar (claiming largest bar in Georgia)
207 Peachtree
• American Dive (dive bar)
• Peachtree Sporting Club (private sports bar)
Upcoming openings
SKOL Brewing complex
• Valhalla Gaming Lounge (Summer 2026; games, food, drinks)
The CTR
• Mastro’s Ocean Club (2026; steak and seafood)
207 Peachtree
• Aire (July 2026; rooftop lounge)
• Red Phone Booth (Summer 2026; pizza speakeasy)
• Amalfi Cucina (Summer 2026; Italian)
South Downtown
Atlanta Tech Village founders Jon Birdsong and David Cummings purchased the South Downtown development from German developer Newport RE in 2023. The project includes 56 buildings and six acres of parking lots. Birdsong and Cummings have continued sympathetic renovations on century-old storefronts and hotel buildings, considered part of Atlanta’s oldest commercial district. Upon completion, the revitalized district will house new restaurants, retail shops, apartments, and offices within walking distance to the Georgia state capitol and Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Now open
Spiller Park Coffee (coffee, pastries, sandwiches)
Tyde Tate Kitchen (Thai)
Bottle Rocket (burgers, sushi, cocktails)
Glide Pizza (pizza)
Dough in the Box (doughnuts)
El Tesoro (Mexican)
Smorgasburg Atlanta (weekly food festival)
Upcoming openings
Brewhouse Cafe (June/July 2026; soccer bar)
Kitchen Counter (July 2026; sandwiches, salads, bagels, and coffee)
Broad St. BBQ (Summer 2026; barbecue)
Mule Train (Summer 2026; Southern-leaning)
Estrellita (Late 2026; Filipino)
Delilah’s Everyday Soul (Late 2026/early 2027; Southern)
Centennial Yards
The Centennial Yards mega project encompasses the old Norfolk Southern Railway buildings and the Gulch, once home to the rail lines passing through downtown Atlanta. The new 50-acre entertainment district adjacent to South Downtown will eventually include hundreds of new apartments, new restaurants and offices, entertainment venues, and brand new hotels catering to people living, working, and visiting downtown Atlanta.
Now open
Wild Leap Brewery & Distillery (brewery, distillery, taproom, tasting room)
The Irish Exit (Irish pub and bar)
Cosm Atlanta (Immersive entertainment, sporting events venue, food, drinks)
Hotel Phoenix
• Zephyr (Southern-French)
• Bless Your Heart (Pool-side restaurant)
Upcoming openings
Shake Shack (2026; fast food, burgers, shakes)
Khao Thai Isan (Late 2026/early 2027; Tapas-style Thai)
Chops Lobster Bar (2027; Atlanta steakhouse)
Varuni Napoli (2027; pizza)
The Busy Bee (2027; soul food)
Virgin Hotels (2027)
