A football fan’s guide to eating in Atlanta

The completion of the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium downtown cemented Atlanta as a top destination for football fans for events such as the Atlanta Falcons home games, the Aflac College Football KickOff, the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, the SEC Championship and ultimately the 2028 Super Bowl. In addition to the tailgating and football games, visitors can experience the Southern comforts of Atlanta’s food scene, from soul food to an extensive list of global dishes.

“There is no shortage of places to enjoy a meal in Atlanta, from vibrant dining rooms to award-winning restaurants,” said Logan Doctson, assistant manager of public relations for the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Our hope is that football fans visiting Atlanta will have the opportunity to explore our vibrant culinary scene and the multicultural opportunities it offers.”

Ponce city market

The former Sears, Roebuck & Co. retail and distribution center. was sold to Jamestown Properties in 2010 and became the new Ponce city marketa sprawling community center of five buildings and 3 million square feet with offices, residences, shops and the famous food hall with more than 30 food and beverage concepts, plus the roof Nine mile station. There are plenty of options for everyone in the group, from donuts at Five Daughters Bakery to Indian street food at Botiwalla.

SkyLounge

The best views of the city are just steps away from the stadium SkyLoungeon top of the Glenn Hotel. The rooftop bar offers unobstructed panoramic views of Atlanta, especially the historic Centennial Olympic Park. The bar offers craft cocktails and small plates, with an indoor lounge and outdoor viewing areas. If you plan to visit, call ahead to make a reservation, as the small space fills up on busy weekends.

Rodney Scott’s Whole Hog BBQ

The Mercedes-Benz Stadium is a short distance away Rodney Scott’s barbecuean outpost of legendary pitmaster Rodney Scott’s award-winning restaurant. What sets it apart is the whole pork approach, cooked ‘low and slow’ on the coals left over from burning hardwood. Grab a plate of pulled pork with a ‘bag of skins’ on the sides and don’t miss the Burnt Ends on a Stick, two skewers with burnt ends of pork belly glazed in Kathy’s BBQ sauce.

The Silver Skillet restaurant

In the heart of Midtown is a tribute to vintage diners, The silver frying pan. The humble atmosphere hasn’t changed in its 60 years, with a traditional Southern menu including country ham steak with red-eye gravy, fried catfish strips, Dutch salad and lemon ice cream cake. The restaurant is a must-visit spot for celebrities and politicians and has its own celebrity location, which is used as a regular location for film shoots in the city.

Buford Highway

For more than 50 years, Buford Highway has been a staple of Atlanta’s diverse culinary scene, home to restaurants, bodegas and markets heavily influenced by immigrants. Visitors can sample flavors from around the world, including, on one stretch of road LanZhou Ramen, Bengali restaurant on Deshi StreetSupermercado Chicago Taqueria, en Sweet Hut Bakery. “Food is a constant dependence on a sense of belonging for the immigrant communities of Atlanta’s Buford Highway corridor,” said Lily Pabian, CEO of We love Buford Highway. “There is nothing like it and our organization’s passion is to preserve it through connection, service and advocacy.”

The Busy Bee Café

No trip to the South is complete without soul food. The Busy Bee Cafe is one of the most popular places for it, with history and a quality southern comfort-oriented menu. Opened in 1947 by Mama Lucy, it housed the early efforts of the Civil rights movement as a meeting place for Martin Luther King, Jr. and Hosea Williams. The restaurant is known for its fried chicken, fried shrimp and catfish, oxtails and side dishes.

One flight south

Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport is the busiest airport in the world year after year, and its locally focused dining options have expanded recently, including a restaurant twice nominated for a James Beard Award. In hall E, One flight south offers respite from airport traffic congestion with a private dining area and sushi bar. Guests can order from the fusion menu of Southern and Asian cuisine, including the famous BLT with pickled fried green tomatoes, a fresh selection of sushi and an extensive wine and cocktail menu.