Dining Gems Near the Atlanta Airport
Published November 2, 2023
Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport is home to a wide variety of restaurants, but sometimes you have the luxury of venturing outside the airport before your flight. Or maybe you live in Atlanta and want to pick up friends with lengthy layovers and treat them to a meal. There are welcoming neighborhoods in the ATL Airport District, which is full of restaurants that will satisfy any craving.
Aye Tea Elle Elevated Tapas
Aye Tea Elle, fewer than five minutes from the Atlanta airport, offers an elegant menu of comfort dishes. Enjoy an intimate setting with R&Bingo every Thursday and live music during brunch on Sundays, all fewer than five minutes from the Atlanta airport.
Where: 3755 College St., College Park
Bentley’s Steakhouse
Bentley’s Steakhouse, located inside the Atlanta Airport Marriott, is known for its steaks, cozy dining and a contemporary gallery art. Among signature dishes are the 1855 certified black Angus beef, Delmonico rib eye and pepper-seared ahi tuna. Bentley’s also loves its wine, with than 150 world-class vintages from its Wine Spectator award-winning wine list. Finally, there are desserts plus imported French-press coffee.
Where: 4711 Best Road, Atlanta
Benton’s Restaurant
Located at the Sonesta Atlanta Airport North, Benton’s Restaurant features a buffet-style lunch. Benton’s special chef’s evenings are prime rib night on Tuesdays, pasta night on Wednesdays and seafood night on Thursdays.
Where: 1325 Virginia Ave., Atlanta
Burger Theory
If you’re looking for a burger, then go to the experts at Burger Theory, the newest restaurant at Holiday Inn Atlanta Airport South. Burger Theory features made-to-order burgers and flatbread selections as well as 12 beers on tap. Don’t forget to order a freshly made desserts served in a Mason jar.
Where: 2158 Ranchwood Drive NE, Atlanta
Busy Bee Cafe
The Busy Bee Cafe is an Atlanta icon and an Atlanta West End mainstay since 1947. It recently was recognized by the Atlanta MICHELIN Guide. The Busy Bee always makes the city’s top 10 fried chicken lists. Nothing more to say. It’s delicious and so are the three sides.
Where: 810 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive SW, Atlanta
Cecilia’s Southern Table
The Westin Atlanta Airport’s signature restaurant, Cecilia’s Southern Table, is a bistro located in the hotel’s atrium. Among the menu highlights are Tandoori salmon and Jack Daniels’s baby back ribs.
Where: 4736 Best Road, College Park
Louisiana Bistreaux
The Louisiana Bistreaux in East Point brings the cuisine of Louisiana to a casual setting with a fully stocked bar. The menu consists of all the favorites such as fresh seafood, gumbos, jambalaya étouffée, gator bites, spicy garlic crawfish and eggplant Atchafalaya.
Where: 1375 Virginia Ave., East Point
Manchester Arms
Feeling a bit British, are we? Then go to Manchester Arms in College Park, which brings a pub-like environment to Georgia. Enjoy British favorites such as fish and chips, shepherd’s pie, and bangers and mash featuring Fergus Nolan English breakfast sausage. Of course, you can always be Southern British and order shrimp and grits.
Where: 1705 Virginia Ave., Atlanta
Nouveau Bar & Grill
Enjoy homestyle cooking with cocktails in a bustling environment at Nouveau Bar & Grill. While you may go for the upscale dining and atmosphere, you may find yourself staying a little longer for karaoke or a dance session with the live DJ on certain days.
Where: 3775 Main St., College Park
Spondivits
Spondivits is an Atlanta favorite that delivers on its promise to offer down-home seafood for “real” people. Located near the airport on Virginia Avenue in East Point, its menu consists largely of seafood — hot, cold, in soups, between two pieces of bread, on a salad or on a plate surrounded by fries and vegetables. For those who don’t want seafood, the restaurant offers a variety of black Angus beef options.
Where: 1219 Virginia Ave., East Point
Thumbs Up Diner
Who doesn’t love breakfast? The Thumbs Up Diner has been an Atlanta institution for years. With six locations in metro Atlanta, the East Point location is near the airport. While there is a varied menu, it’s great to know that breakfast is always served. FYI, this famed eatery is cash only, so stock your wallet before arriving or use the ATM inside for a small fee.
Where: 1617 White Way, East Point
The Breakfast Boys
Who doesn’t enjoy an all-day breakfast? Whether you’re an early bird or a late afternoon bruncher, you can head to this College Park gem for delicious pineapple upside-down French toast or savory jerk chicken and waffles. The finger-licking menu pairs perfectly with drink options including peach cobbler lattes and passion fruit mimosas.
Where: 3387 Main St., College Park
Still trying to figure out where to eat near the airport? Find more nearby restaurants here.
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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