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STK Atlanta

Where to Spot Celebrities in Atlanta

Atlanta has become a city of double takes because you never know whether that familiar-looking person you spy at the bookstore is the doppelganger of a Hollywood celebrity — or actually the celeb.

Did you spot a Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson look-alike? It might’ve been him while he was in Atlanta filming “Red One.” His Instagram post says so. Maybe you spotted Lady Gaga at one of her many favorite ATL spots or Donald Glover while he was filming the iconic series “Atlanta.”

A-listers love to check out Atlanta’s hot spots, restaurants and watering holes as much as locals do. So as you explore this list, bear in mind the famous people who also think these spots are pretty wicked.

Ponce City Market

You never know whose autograph you'll snag at Ponce City Market
You never know whose autograph you’ll snag at Ponce City Market (📷: Jamestown)

Deciding where to eat from among the two dozen eateries inside PCM’s Central Food Hall is one of life’s delicious pleasures, and actor Owen Wilson can certainly relate. He frequented Ponce City Market while in town filming the movie “Bastards” with Atlanta-native Ed Helms. That Holeman & Finch burger, in particular, made an impression.  

STK Atlanta

Enjoy delicious meals with a potential celeb sighting at STK Steakhouse
Enjoy delicious meals with a potential celeb sighting at STK Steakhouse.

If you’re craving a Manhattan kind of vibe in Atlanta, look no further than STK Steakhouse, an upscale restaurant known for fabulous cocktails and a chic atmosphere. Naturally, it’s a good spot to see a celebrity or two. Actor Denzel Washington, singer Selena Gomez and former Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton have toasted the good life there.  

Georgia Aquarium

Celeb sightings at Georgia Aquarium
Who wouldn’t want to admire stunning underwater creatures?

By now, the gracefully playful beluga whales have wrapped all of us Atlantans around their fins, and celebs are no different. A-listers like Elton John, Jennifer Lopez and Jennifer Lawrence all have been spotted having their “Finding Nemo” moment at Georgia Aquarium.  

Cypress Street Pint & Plate

Why use bread to bun a burger when you can use glazed doughnuts? That’s not a rhetorical question at Cypress Street Pint & Plate, where good brews and fun food (like the aforementioned Sublime Doughnut Burger) delight Atlanta visitors, residents and famous patrons including Justin Timberlake, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler and Terrence Howard.

Mary Mac’s Tea Room

The food at Mary Mac's lives up to this restaurant's VIP status
The food at Mary Mac’s lives up to this restaurant’s VIP status.

If you’ve been craving Southern comfort food done right, then you’ll want to explore this 1940s-era gem. Not only is it famous for its fried chicken, sweet potato souffle and pot likker with cracklin’ bread, among other dishes, it can also lay claim to a visitor not many can boast: the Dalai Lama himself. Now that’s a VIP.  

The Battery Atlanta

Cheer on the Braves with the chance of also cheering on your favorite celebs
Cheer on the Braves with the chance of also cheering on your favorite celebs (📷: Matthew Grimes)

Here in the South, we love the Atlanta Braves and apparently so do visiting celebrities. Lady Gaga was seen at a game, as was “Deadpool” actor Ryan Reynolds.  

South City Kitchen

Dive into A-list approved Southern cuisine at South City Kitchen
Dive into A-list approved Southern cuisine at South City Kitchen.

Now this is a place to get sophisticated Southern cuisine while doing some serious celeb-focused people-watching. A-listers spotted here include Kanye West, Judd Apatow, Chris Rock, Clint Eastwood, Cameron Diaz and Usher, among others.  

Chops Lobster Bar

Ranked as one of the top 10 steak houses in the country, Chops has worked its magic on diners like actor Josh Duhamel and singer Fergie. If it’s good enough for a Black Eyed Pea, it’s good enough for me.  

Shopping in Buckhead

Celebrity sightings at Buckhead shopping malls and boutiques
You can’t pass up the opportunity to spend a little time and money in Buckhead.

Not only are Lenox Square Mall, Buckhead Village and Phipps Plaza the most fashionable locations in Atlanta, they also boast some of the best celeb sightings. A-listers are as drawn to those designer boutiques as are us mere mortals, so don’t be surprised if you catch a glimpse of a movie star or musician buried under bundles of shopping bags.

Four Seasons Hotel

Located inside the Four Seasons Hotel, Park 75 is a favorite spot for celebs and industry insiders to discuss business over cocktails. With a discreet staff, celebs can enjoy a low-key yet sophisticated night in Midtown, especially if they’re already guests at the luxurious hotel. 

Goat Farm

Goat Farm is a sprawling location for artists tucked away in West Midtown
An event at the Goat Farm is one worth attending.

The Goat Farm is a sprawling location for artists tucked away in West Midtown. But it is also a great venue for music events and is known for hosting many concerts and live shows. Additionally, the Goat Farm has actually been the location of several movie sets, including “The Hunger Games” starring Jennifer Lawrence.

Celebrity sightings go beyond A-list musicians and actors in the ATL. You can dine at these celebrity chef-owned restaurants and potentially see some of the nation’s favorite chefs in action.

Aubree is a content creator with a passion for all things food and travel. You can find her around Atlanta tasting some of the most iconic bites or burning it all off on the dance floor.

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