Ultimate Guide to South Downtown

By Taylor Boser

Published September 16, 2026

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You may have heard people talking about SoDo and wonder if they’re even talking about Atlanta. But yes, it is South Downtown, which is a newly reimagined walkable neighborhood in Downtown with plenty of local businesses to support.

South Downtown is revitalizing 58 buildings across 16 acres in the historic center of the city.

When heading to the area, take MARTA to the Five Points or Garnett Stations to be within a 5-minute walk of South Downtown. Mitchell Street and Broad Street are going to be great locater points to get to the area.

If driving, there is free two-hour parking available at specific lots: 170 Mitchell Street, 165 Mitchell Street, 120 Forsyth Street SW and 214 Nelson Street SW.

But what to actually do while visiting? We’ve got you covered.

Morning

Start your morning off at Spiller Park Coffee. It’s a local coffee shop chain named after Atlanta’s original baseball team that played at Ponce de Leon Field, which burned down in 1923.

Locals rave about their coffee and the laid-back atmosphere inside. Hang out here for a few hours to get some work done or chat it up with a friend.

For a quick morning snack, head next door to Dough In The Box Donuts for fresh, handmade doughnuts.

Afternoon

It’s easy to spend a few hours shopping around at local stores. The best part is everything is so close by that even if you plan to walk around with no agenda, there’s so much you’ll discover.

Swiftly Vintage is a curated vintage store where the owner has thrifted pieces from different decades and around the world.

Village Books is a Black, female-owned bookstore focused on stories by and about people of color. Owner Dr. Lakeysha Hallmon first opened the sister store, Village Retail, in Ponce City Market, which sells clothing items, home decor and greeting cards.

Crates ATL, is owned by Darryl Harris, who also owns Moods Music in Little 5 Points. This record store has a variety of artists and genres to choose from. Check their Instagram page to see when they host The Imaginary Sessions, which is an intimate, acoustic listening experience.

KMM & Co. is a handmade leather store. The workshop area is on display so people walking around can see products the workers are creating. Come here the next time you’re in need of a gift for a loved one.

Looking for something for the kids? Brown Toy Box is a toy store centered around Black children while welcoming all families to explore, discover and grow through play. Find STEAM kits, puzzles, books and more.

Friedman’s Shoes has been a staple in the area since 1929. They sell large shoes, like really large. Men’s shoes range from sizes 7-22 and women’s sizes range from 7-14.

After all that shopping, grab a quick lunch at El Tesoro if you’re in the mood for authentic Mexican food. Their margarita pitchers are a must.

Or grab a slice of pizza from Glide Pizza, which has an outdoor patio area. Or just walk around because there’s plenty more food to try that just one day here won’t cover it.

Evening

Later in the day, relax and hang out at Founders Green. This half-acre public gathering space hosted watch parties for FIFA World Cup matches and now is a space for free yoga classes on weekends, community events, concerts and more. Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta United FC and Atlanta Dream games will be played on the big screen. Try to find the Tiny Door while in the park.

Up to stay a little longer? Head to Bottle Rocket Fine Food and Beverage to grab a drink. Or stop by Brewhouse Cafe if a soccer match is on and enjoy a round of beers.

South Downtown is a short walk away from top attractions, sporting venues and restaurants, so explore our Ultimate Downtown Itinerary to see what else you must do when in the area.

A Chicago transplant, Taylor loves exploring what makes Atlanta the place to be. Name a popular festival, food hall or brewery to check out and she will be there.