Eat and Play in the A: 6 Spots in Midtown Atlanta

By Lindsey Watts
Posted December 7, 2021

You’ll notice a special something when you visit Midtown, Atlanta’s artistic epicenter. To put it succinctly, it’s a happening neighborhood with lots of things to do. So if you’re in town for a meeting, an event, a vacation or simply making plans in Midtown, here are some great places to start.

For more inspiration, check out our Midtown neighborhood guide.

What To Do in Midtown Atlanta

Midtown prides itself as being the heart of the arts in Atlanta. Students shine and thrive at SCAD FASH Museum of Fashion + Film as well as on the Georgia Tech campus at the Ferst Center for the Arts. The High Museum of Art showcases American and international pieces ranging in style from folk to contemporary. 

Take in a ballet performance, Broadway show or comedy act at Fox Theatre. The ornate theater, built in 1928, reflects theaters of years past with its mosque-inspired design, Egyptian influence and fabulous marquee. 

For some fresh air, take a stroll through Piedmont Park’s expansive green spaces, shoot some hoops at the basketball courts or participate in one of the free fitness classes held throughout the year. The gazebo at Lake Clara Meer offers the perfect view of Midtown’s skyline.  

What To Eat  

Contemporary Southern cuisine is the highlight of dining at South City Kitchen Midtown. Diners enjoy dishes of pimento cheese, Springer Mountain fried chicken or shrimp and Marsh Hen Mill grits in the comfort of a cozy bungalow.  

Slip inside the lobby of Loews Atlanta Midtown for a bite at Saltwood Charcuterie & Bar. Try one of the local cheeses, such as Green Hill from the Sweet Grass Dairy Farm — soft, ripened double cream cow’s milk handcrafted in a camembert style.

For a classic Atlanta experience, head to the world’s largest drive-in restaurant, The Varsity, one of the city’s most iconic restaurants. Indulge in a chili cheeseburger, onion rings or an F.O. (That’s a frosted orange to non-locals.) Don’t forget to take an iconic red paper cap as a souvenir.

Lindsey Watts is a member of the public relations team at Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau.