This Rough Draft dining series highlights restaurants in cities and neighborhoods within easy walking distance or a short bus ride from MARTA rail stations. Check out other MARTA dining guides to Brookhaven, Chamblee, Doraville, and Lenox on the Gold Line, Buckhead, Dunwoody, and Sandy Springs on the Red Line, and Lindbergh Station, Arts Center, and Midtown on the Gold and Red lines.
Hit the arrow tab on the top left of the map to view each station guide.
North Avenue • Downtown Atlanta • South Downtown/Centennial Yards
Located along West Peachtree Street between Ponce de Leon and North avenues, the North Avenue MARTA station is technically in Midtown. But cross over North Avenue, and you’re in downtown Atlanta.
For people catching a show at the Fox Theatre on Peachtree, grabbing a meal at a nearby restaurant, or staying at one of the hotels on the southern end of Midtown, the North Avenue MARTA station is one of the most accessible transit points in the city, outside of Downtown. For commuters, they only have to traverse a flight of stairs to reach Tower Square in Midtown, as the train pulls directly into the skyscraper’s basement level. Buses also run on the regular along Peachtree, North Avenue, West Peachtree, and Ponce De Leon Avenue.
Meanwhile, downtown Atlanta includes multiple MARTA stations, with Five Points being the nexus for all four lines of the transit system. You’re spoiled for choice when it comes to walkable, transit-friendly dining options Downtown, which is home to numerous attractions, hotels, concert venues, Mercedes-Benz Stadium and State Farm Arena, and the Georgia World Congress Center as the heart of the city’s tourist district.
This MARTA dining guide to southern Midtown and downtown Atlanta spotlights more than three dozen local restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and a food hall easily walkable from various train stations.
North Avenue Station
Station 11 ($$)
30 North Ave.
- Cafe and coffeehouse serving Caribbean-Asian fusion food, cocktails, wine
- Walking from station: 2 minutes
Located in a restored firehouse listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Station 11 serves Stone Mountain-based Gilly Brew Bar coffee and a selection of breakfast dishes, starting at 8 a.m. Come by at 11 a.m. for lunch and brunch, including curry branzino, oxtail stew, and some seriously substantial sandwiches.
What to eat: Egg and cheese sandwich; stir-fried shrimp and grits
What to drink: Jamaican vanilla latte; D’Angelo aka Brown Sugar
Publik Draft House ($$)
654 Peachtree St.
- Gastropub offering lunch, dinner, weekday breakfast, and weekend brunch
- Walking from station: 3 minutes
Midtown gastropub Publik Draft House opened in 2009 and has since solidified itself as a gathering spot for people seeking a solid meal and drinks throughout the day. Order pub fare, then stay for the karaoke or a chess tournament. In addition to cocktails, wine, and beer, you’ll also find a selection of absinthe on the menu.
What to eat: Smash burger; pretzel; catfish and chips
What to drink: Jalapeno cucumber martini; Mysterious (rum) tiki punch
Lyla Lila ($$$)
693 Peachtree St.
- Southern Italian, pasta, wood-fired seafood, cocktails, wine
- Walking from station: 6 minutes
Not only is Lyla Lila featured in the Michelin Guide to the American South, but Chef Craig Richards and the wine program have also been recognized as semifinalists for the James Beard Awards. Pasta lovers should order the crispy duck lasagna or squid ink with bolognese. However, don’t overlook other entree options, including the wood-fired fish, roast chicken, or rack of lamb.
What to eat: Crispy duck lasagna; wood-fired fish
What to drink: Wine; martini; negroni
El Vinedo Local ($$)
703 Peachtree St.
- Latin American food; empanadas; arepas; ceviche; wine; coffee
- Walking from station: 7 minutes
Head to El Vinedo in the morning for coffee, then switch to wine (or stick with coffee) in the afternoon and evening, while enjoying empanadas, arepas, and ceviche at this unpretentious coffeehouse and Latin American wine bar. With bifold doors that open onto the patio overlooking Peachtree, two-tops lining the wall inside, and a community table (with plugs) for folks to work or dine in groups, El Vinedo has become a gathering spot for both residents and visitors alike in Midtown. Pro tip: The siesta (late afternoon) menu features a bottle of wine pairing with empanadas or a charcuterie board.
What to eat: Desayuno criollo breakfast platter; empanada de jamon y queso; arepa pabellon; Victoriano ceviche; yucca fries
What to drink: Latin American wines by the glass or bottle; cafe con leche
Flavor Rich ($$)
549 Peachtree St.
- All-day Southern breakfast, brunch
- Walking from station: 8 minutes
Chefs Chris Fletcher and Angelica Finley founded the Flavor Rich food truck in 2018, followed by its first permanent location in Suwanee two years later. The Midtown location opened in 2024 along Peachtree, with two more locations in Buford, GA, and San Antonio, TX. This all-day breakfast and brunch spot serves everything from waffles, omelets and pancakes, to burgers, sandwiches, cocktails, and wine.
What to eat: Shrimp and waffles; Cinnamon Toast Crunch French toast; crab cake
What to drink: Mind power juice; verde fuego
J.R. Cricket’s ($-$$)
129 North Ave.
- Wings, sandwiches, seafood platters
- Walking from station: 7 minutes
Which restaurants serve the best wings is a hotly debated topic in Atlanta. But most locals agree that J.R. Cricket’s serves some of the city’s best lemon pepper wings. The original location on North Avenue opened in 1982 and helped establish Atlanta’s loyalty to wings, as well as the flavor most associated with the city: lemon pepper. If you’re not in the mood for wings, the ribs and fried seafood platters here are also worth a try.
What to eat: Lemon pepper wings; fester wings; onion rings
What to drink: Beer
MORE NORTH AVENUE STATION OPTIONS:
El Valle Kitchen and Bar
Peachtree Street; Mexican/Latin American; wine; cocktails
Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse
Peachtree Street; dinner theater; pub food; beer
Poor Calvin’s
Piedmont Avenue; Asian fusion; cocktails
Mary Mac’s Tea Room
Ponce De Leon Avenue; iconic Southern restaurant
The Varsity
North Avenue; iconic drive-in with hamburgers, shakes
North Avenue • Downtown Atlanta • South Downtown/Centennial Yards
Downtown Atlanta
Restaurants listed below are located within easy walking distance of the closest MARTA station or accessible via the Atlanta Streetcar. Downtown Atlanta includes the following MARTA stations: Civic Center, SEC District, Peachtree Center, Five Points, and Georgia State.
Polaris ($$$)
Hyatt Regency, 265 Peachtree St.
- Southern-American; cocktails; iconic Atlanta restaurant that rotates; reservations
- Walking from Civic Center station: 10 minutes
Opened in 1967, the flying-saucer-like Polaris restaurant makes a full rotation every 45 minutes and includes ties to the Civil Rights movement and famous figures like Sammy Davis Jr., Harry Belafonte, and Gladys Knight. Located on the 22nd floor of the Hyatt Regency, Polaris offers more than just a spectacular view of Atlanta. Indulge in everything from steak Oscar and pan-roasted grouper to the restaurant’s equally iconic blue-tinted cocoa butter dome of chocolate mousse and caramel honey.
What to eat: Steak Oscar; seared Chilean sea bass; Polaris Blue Dome or seasonal dessert
What to drink: Mind Your Bees Knee’s with honey from the rooftop hives; Round Trip NA cocktail (blackberry lemonade, agave, ginger beer)
Trader Vic’s ($$-$$$)
255 Courtland St., basement level of the Atlanta Hilton
- Polynesian restaurant and tiki bar; iconic Atlanta restaurant
- Walking from Peachtree Center station: 10 minutes
Opened in 1976 at the Atlanta Hilton, Trader Vic’s is one of the last of its kind. Trader Vic’s is equal parts restaurant, bar, and time-warp experience in a very vintage space with some veteran bartenders and servers who’ve seen it all. Order a Mai Tai in honor of Trader Vic’s founder Victor Bergeron.
What to eat: Char siu pork; cosmo tidbits pupu platter; all-in fried rice
What to drink: Scorpion bowl (for four), Zombie; Mai Tai
Aviva by Kameel ($-$$)
225 Peachtree St., first floor Peachtree Center
- Middle Eastern/Mediterranean; counter-service, halal
- Walking from Peachtree Center station: 6 minutes
At Aviva by Kameel, you never need to worry about what you’re consuming. Everything here is made fresh daily, and with great care by owner Kameel Srouji and his family. Founded in 2012, the Peachtree Center location is where this local favorite got its start. Srouji and his family now own locations in Midtown and Buckhead. Come here for wraps stuffed with shawarma and falafel, hearty salads and savory soups, and plates of 12-spice rosemary chicken. Aviva serves certified halal meats and actively avoids seed oils. The small bar offers a few beers on tap and in the cooler. And if an employee offers you a cup of soup, portion of bread, or piece of fresh fruit, follow the hospitality laws and take it.
What to eat: Rosemary chicken; vegan lentil soup; cabbage salad
What to drink: Beer on tap
Red Phone Booth and Amalfi Cucina ($$-$$$)
17 Andrew Young International Blvd
- Cocktail and cigar bar; Neapolitan-style pizzeria
- Walking from Peachtree Center station: 5 minutes
Red Phone Booth isn’t merely an offhand name: it’s a portal to the Prohibition era, with the added bonus of Amalfi pizza upstairs. A red phone booth with a secret code you must dial via a rotary phone allows guests to enter the cocktail and cigar bar, which also features a hefty selection of whiskeys. Pop upstairs to grab some Neapolitan-style pizzas, before heading back down to Red Phone Booth for one last drink. The group also owns restaurants at 207 Peachtree in downtown Atlanta.
What to eat: Polpette sliders; Spicy Sicilian; the mini cannoli at Amalfi
What to drink: Four Oh Four; Horse’s Neck at Red Phone Booth
Aamar Indian Cuisine ($$)
100 Luckie St.
- Indian; biryani; curries
- Walking from Peachtree Center station: 4 minutes
Serving a mostly North Indian menu, Aamar is one of downtown Atlanta’s staple restaurants with an extensive menu perfect for takeout and delivery. Look for everything from samosas and pakoras to biryani, mulligatawny soup, and lamb, goat, beef, and chicken curries and masalas on this menu. There’s even a small cocktail bar here. On a nice day, grab a seat outside.
What to eat: Mulligatawny soup; lamb curry; chana masala; chicken tikka biryani
What to drink: Mango lassi
Park Bar ($$-$$$)
150 Walton St.
- Sports bar; extensive whiskey and bourbon selection
- Walking from SEC District or Peachtree Center stations: 12 minutes
While you’ll find fans tailgating here before games at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Park Bar is just as popular with regulars and folks just looking to watch games on TV. Spread out over two floors, enjoy burgers, patty melts, and entrees of New York strip steak paired with a beer or a cocktail.
What to eat: BYOB burger; Centennial chop salad; New York strip; appetizer sampler; ice cream sandwich cake
What to drink: Whiskey/bourbon cocktails; beer
Hungry AF ($-$$)
27 Piedmont Ave.
- Wings, pasta, fried rice
- Walking from SEC District or Five Points stations: 13 minutes
- Bus 49: 12 minutes, with 1 minute walking
This Black-owned restaurant has taken metro Atlanta by storm and expanded to 11 locations (with another opening soon in the city of Tucker). It nails some of ATL’s favorite dishes, including chicken and shrimp pasta and wings in flavors like honey ranch and mango habanero with lemon pepper. Finish off your meal with a delightfully over-the-top cookie.
What to eat: Hungry AF Combo (chicken pasta and wings); wing flavor of the month; cookie flavor of the month
Specials: Twofer Pasta Tuesdays and BOGO Wednesdays
CTR Food Works ($-$$)
190 Marietta St.
- Food hall with massive bar serving cocktails, beer, wine (former CNN Center)
- Walking from SEC District or Five Points stations: 9-10 minutes
Any itinerary that involves walking around Downtown should include a pit stop at CTR Food Works for a snack, meal, or just a drink. Bonus points for the clean restrooms. Located in the indoor courtyard of the former CNN Center and Omni Hotel, the lineup at this food hall boasts a strong contingent of local brands and chefs. (Think food from Morelli’s Ice Cream, Southern Belle’s Chef Joey Ward, and Midtown Chinese restaurant The Sparrow.) CTR Food Works also claims to operate Atlanta’s largest bar, accommodating up to 60 people.
What to eat: Margherita pizza from Flora d’Italia; any chicken sandwich from Southern Belle Chicken Co.; salted caramel ice cream from Morelli’s
What to drink: Name your poison at the bar
Pepper’s Hotdogs ($$)
84 Peachtree St.
- Hot dogs with various toppings
- Walking from Peachtree Center or Five Points stations: 5 minutes
Founded as a pop-up, Pepper’s Hotdogs opened its first location in 2025 at the Flatiron Building. Owned by Tarina Hodges, the creativity found in these hot dogs knows no bounds, especially when it comes to toppings. Hot dog aficionados with a sense of adventure can find a thrilling meal in the monthly rotating hot dog special.
What to eat: Hot dog of the month; elote dog; PPP (Pepper’s Pizza Party)
A guide to eating and drinking like a local in downtown Atlanta
Reuben’s Deli ($-$$)
57 Broad St.
- New York-style deli sandwiches
- Walking from Five Points station: 4 minutes
Seeking a New York-style sandwich? Hit up Reuben’s Deli on Broad. Head in for a Reuben, tuna melts, hot pastrami, turkey club, and even a lemon pepper chicken sandwich. Order a soup and sandwich combo for under $11 and grab a knish for the road.
What to eat: Reuben; turkey club; lemon pepper chicken sandwich; knish
What to drink: Iced espresso drinks
The Municipal Market (aka Sweet Auburn Curb Market) ($-$$)
209 Edgewood Ave., Sweet Auburn
- Various food stalls
- Walking from Georgia State station: 12 minutes, or hop on the Atlanta Streetcar
Opened in 1918 and part of the Sweet Auburn neighborhood, this former open-air market continues to serve the surrounding communities. Referred to by locals as Sweet Auburn Curb Market, you’ll find independently owned shops selling seafood, meat, produce, and pantry goods, along with food stalls serving soul food, barbecue, Mexican street fare, pizza, and Caribbean-American fusion dishes.
What to eat: Take your pick. All stalls are locally owned.
MORE DOWNTOWN ATLANTA OPTIONS:
Mendoza Cafe y Vino
Marietta Street; coffee and wine; pupusas; conchas; cochintos
Der Biergarten
Marietta Street; German beer garden; pub food
Baraka Shawarma
Walton Street; falafel; gyros; shawarma
Breakfast on Luckie
Luckie Street; breakfast and lunch; Southern diner vibes
Underground Atlanta
Near Five Points station; street-level, below-street restaurants and bars
Auburn Angel
Sweet Auburn via Atlanta Streetcar; Southern fine dining; cocktails
North Avenue • Downtown Atlanta • South Downtown/Centennial Yards
South Downtown/Centennial Yards
South Downtown restaurants and bars are within walking distance of Five Points station. From this station you can connect to east and west MARTA train lines, including the blue line west to Vine City station and destinations like Mercedes-Benz Stadium. A pedestrian bridge also allows walkable access to the stadium from South Downtown and Centennial Yards.
The South Downtown development project will eventually see 56 buildings and six acres of parking lots near the state capitol building transformed into an eating and drinking destination with residences and office spaces. Located within century-old storefronts and hotel buildings, this is considered Atlanta’s oldest commercial district. Several local restaurants are already open, including Tyde Tate Thai Kitchen, Spiller Park Coffee, Bottle Rocket, Glide Pizza, Brewhouse Cafe, El Tesoro, and Broad Street BBQ.
Centennial Yards encompasses the old Norfolk Southern Railway buildings along Ted Turner Drive, as well as the Gulch, once home to the rail lines passing through downtown Atlanta. The 50-acre entertainment district adjacent to South Downtown will eventually include hundreds of apartments, several restaurants, and new hotels. Check out Georgia-based Wild Leap Brewery & Distillery, The Irish Exit pub and bar, and immersive entertainment venue Cosm Atlanta.
MORE OPTIONS VIA FIVE POINTS/VINE CITY STATIONS:
Capolinea
Signia by Hilton; Italian; fine dining; cocktails; great views of the Benz
Atlantucky Brewing
Castleberry Hill; brewery; music; food pop-ups
No Mas! Cantina
Castleberry Hill; Mexican restaurant
Paschal’s
Castleberry Hill; soul food; fried chicken; iconic Atlanta restaurant
