Celeb Sightings In Atlanta

By Beth Clark
Posted March 25, 2016

Atlanta is quickly becoming the town of double takes, because you never know whether or not that familiar-looking person you spied at the bookstore is the doppelganger of the Hollywood celebrities you’re mistaking them for… or actually him/her.

Did you just spot a Ryan Gosling look-alike? It actually might’ve been him while he was in Atlanta filming “The Nice Guys.” Were those flaxen locks Reese Witherspoon’s? They certainly could’ve been while she was in Atlanta filming “The Good Lie.” Was that 6’2″ stud attending the Cirque du Soleil “Kurios” show really Chris Pratt? His Instagram post says so, and he is indeed here filming “Guardians of the Galaxy 2.”

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

Ponce City Market

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 sympathize. 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

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

Georgia Aquarium

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

Mary Mac’s Tea Room

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.  

Turner Field

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

Now this is a place to get sophisticated Southern cuisine while doing some serious celeb-focused people watching. A-listers spotted there 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.  

Lenox Square

At Lenox, you won’t just shop til you drop… sometimes, you shop til you name drop. When it comes to people watching, Lenox Square Mall can’t be beat, and you are bound to spot a celebrity or two. As a landmark Atlanta destination, you never know who you’ll see there.

Beth Clark is a writer and foodie who loves to roam around Atlanta, uncovering the city’s quirky, glam, upscale and down-home character. Curiosity is her compass, and you’ll find her writing on www.thecitydweller.me.