Updated 5/16/24

This post might contain affiliate links. That means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you, if you buy through my site. I appreciate your support of my site.

Over the last few years there has been a huge trend to repurpose old railroad tracks into pedestrian and bicyclist paths. You’ll find these trails in many cities around the US. One of my favorites is the BeltLine in Atlanta, Georgia. It will eventually form a 22 mile paved multi-purpose loop around the city.

By connecting 45 in-town neighborhoods the Atlanta BeltLine makes it so much easier for everyone to access jobs and services in the city without a car. Most of the best neighborhoods in Atlanta are located along the BeltLine. Many acres of greenspaces have already been created due to the trail. Connector trails branch off the path to even more great parks and places to walk in the city. Atlanta is a very green city, but also an artsy one. Along the BeltLine you can also find some of the city’s best murals and hidden tiny doors.

Almost any local will recommend the Atlanta BeltLine to visitors and newcomers. As Atlanta continues to be a very car focused city, the residents are usually not recommending it for the accessibility. Atlantans love to walk on the BeltLine and eat at all the delicious restaurants on the BeltLine in Atlanta!

Are you craving Mexican? Looking for a good southern meal?  From quick and casual eats to formal sit down restaurants, there are Atlanta BeltLine restaurants for everyone.

Restaurants on the BeltLine in Atlanta

Just as the BeltLine is divided into sections, I’m dividing the best restaurants on the BeltLine in Atlanta by the same sections. I’m including all of my favorite spots that I have personally enjoyed and are directly off the trail or within a .5 mile walk. As I haven’t been everywhere (yet!) I included some other popular spots at the end of every section that I have repeatedly heard great things about.

For additional details on access points and current trail connections please check the official BeltLine trail map.

Northeast BeltLine Restaurants

The northeast section will eventually run 4.5 miles from the Lindbergh MARTA station to 10th St NE & Monroe Dr NE. From north to south the trail will go through or border the neighborhoods of Lindbergh, Peachtree Hills, Brookwood Hills, Piedmont Heights, Ansley Park, Morningside-Lenox Park, and Virginia Highlands.

Currently the northeast trail is open from Mayson St NE to Westminster Dr. The 1.3 mile section is paved.

The following .9 miles from Mayson St NE to 10th St NE along Piedmont Park is also open, but it is unpaved. At 10th St NE the trail connects with the Eastside Trail.

Bantam & Biddy

Bantam & Biddy is a casual southern spot with a few locations. Their Ansley Mall location is only .4 miles away from the Northeast Trail. It’s a great spot to try if you are looking for restaurants near the BeltLine or Piedmont Park.

While they are known as a chicken place, I wouldn’t go here for the fried chicken. It was good, but in Atlanta there are a lot of other places to find excellent chicken. What you should come here for is their waffles. The cheddar waffle is scrumptious.

It’s also a great spot for brunch as the wait is a little shorter compared to other brunch places in Atlanta.

Bangkok Thai Restaurant

Atlanta has a lot of great Asian restaurants. Bangkok Thai Restaurant is one of them. Eat here for classic and authentic Thai dishes.

The drunken noodles had the perfect mix of veggies, chicken, and noodles. The dish is usually quite spicy, but it felt extra spicy here. I probably would have asked for it to be toned down a bit, but if you like it hot this is a good spot for drunken noodles. The Pad Thai was good, but didn’t have the typical peanut taste. There is a difference between Thai and American Thai food so perhaps it is more of the typical Thai flavor?

Park Tavern

As my friend said “Park Tavern is a good location but not the best for everything else.” The location in the SE corner of Piedmont Park and along the BeltLine is very handy. In addition to the location I will also say they have a nice outdoor patio area. There’s a nice vibe for hanging out on a beautiful day. 

I ordered the classic American steak burger. The menu claimed that their burgers are better as they include angus sirloin, short-rib steak, and brisket. They are cooked to order, but my burger was definitely overcooked. There wasn’t the slightest hint of pink in it. I’m not a huge tater tot fan, but the garlic seasoned tots here were pretty good. 

To order, go to one of the indoor or outdoor windows or order on your phone. You will be texted when your order is ready for pick-up inside. There is wifi, but it wasn’t working well for me so they let me give my name for the pick-up. 

I wouldn’t go for the food, but the location and vibe make Park Tavern worth a visit.

More Northeast BeltLine Restaurants

•Varuni Napoli – Italian spot known for wood-fired pizzas. There is also a location within Krog Market (included below).

Eastside BeltLine Restaurants

It’s no surprise that the Eastside trail is the most popular as the majority of the Atlanta BeltLine restaurants are in this section. You’ll find two of the biggest food halls along this portion as well as casual sit-down spots and higher end restaurants that make for a perfect date night.

This segment runs for about 3 miles from the SE corner of Piedmont Park to Memorial Drive SE. It begins with Midtown to the west and Virginia Highland to the east. The trail then borders  Old Fourth Ward to the west and Poncey Highland and Inman Park to the East. After traveling through Cabbagetown it connects with the Southside trail in Reynoldstown.

Ponce City Market Food Hall

Ponce City Market is probably the most well known food hall in Atlanta. From 1925 to 1991 the building was home to Sears, Roebuck & Co’s retail and warehouse distribution center. After about two decades of being owned and occupied by the City of Atlanta, the building was transformed into the Ponce City Market. Over the last 12 years the market has continued to grow and evolve.

One of the main draws to Ponce City Market is the food hall. There are food stalls and restaurants with cuisines from around the world. Everything I have tried in the food hall has been really tasty, but one of my favorite places is the Indian street food place, Botiwalla.  Their inventive dishes take a twist on traditional Indian cuisine. Five Daughter’s Bakery is one of my favorite places to have a donut in Atlanta. Their 100 layer donuts not only look amazing, but taste just as good too.

A few food places at Ponce are not located within the food hall. One of my favorite healthy places to eat, Sweetgreen, is at the market, but outside of the main food hall building.

Ruby Chow’s

After taking the elevator or going down the stairs across the BeltLine from Kroger, Ruby Chow’s is only a short walk down the the block on North Ave NE. You wouldn’t know it from the outside, but the inside has eclectic decor which creates a really unique loungy vibe.

The menu consists of Asian fusion small plates. It is a fun way to try a lot of different dishes. Everything was very good. Dine with a group so you are able to enjoy several items. Ruby Chow’s is also known for amazing, creative cocktails.

New Realm Brewing

This is one of the many Atlanta BeltLine restaurants directly on the BetLine. The super convenient spot is near Old Fourth Ward park and not too far from Ponce City Market. There’s a nice outdoor area that is packed on weekends and weeknights with great weather. Unfortunately my visit was on a cold, dreary night so we ate inside. 

Of course you pay for the location with the prices. The entrees are between $14 – $20. Not too costly, but the portions aren’t huge either. 

The food is presented nicely. The meatball sub was pretty good. The basil pesto soaking into the bread gave it a good flavor. The meatballs were quite tasty too. I could have used an extra one or two though. There is a choice of side, which I always appreciate. I had the greens, which are simply greens. That portion was large, but also pretty basic for not having any toppings.

As a local brewery there is a big tap list too!

Folk Art

Folk Art just sneaks in with my less than a 1/2 mile off the BeltLine rule! Some of the walk can be on the Freedom Parkway trail so I definitely think it should be included because it is one of my favorite brunch spots in Atlanta. Everyone else agrees because there are always really long lines here for weekend brunch.

There are a lot of great southern dishes here, but the Folk Southern Fried has to be the winner. It’s fried chicken over a biscuit with an egg and sausage gravy. The portion is huge, but you will want to eat every bite.

Fritti

Farther along North Highland Ave NE is a group of bustling, trendy spots in the heart of the Inman Park food scene. Like many of the restaurants in the area, Fritti has long waits. This Italian restaurant has a nice outdoor patio with heat lamps in winter. Be aware the tables are placed pretty close together. 

Fritti’s menu mainly consists of Neapolitan style pizza. I’m no pizza expert, but I have been to Naples and the pizzas did remind me of the real thing in Italy. I could have used a bit more toppings on my pizza though. 

I don’t know who goes to a pizza place and doesn’t order pizza, but to each their own. If that’s you, the salads are a good choice as well. The Caesar salad was really good with the right amount of dressing.

Barcelona Wine Bar

This is another great, trendy spot just down the street from Fritti. The large outdoor patio offers some great people watching in the neighborhood. With heat lamps and a fireplace it is open most of the year. With top notch service the whole dining experience is very nice.  

You’ll mostly be focusing on the Spanish tapas as they are all so delicious. They come out one by one as they are ready. The spinach and chickpea cazuela was unexpectedly my favorite. I’m not a huge fan of American ham so the jamón serrano took me back to my study abroad days in Spain. You can’t go wrong with any of the dishes.

It’s one of the few tapas restaurants that gives bread with olive oil for free. It’s fresh right out of the oven. I couldn’t get enough of it so I most certainly asked for a second loaf!

Delbar Middle Eastern

Hip and happening are the words that pop into my mind when I think about Delbar Middle Eastern. Luckily this lively spot allows reservations. You do need to make them a couple weeks in advance for weekend dining though. 

Both the indoor and outdoor tables have a nice atmosphere. They have covered outdoor seating so you can even sit outside in Atlanta’s notorious rainy weather. Service is excellent at Delbar.

I loved the bread served before the meal with feta cheese, radishes, and walnuts. The Polo Sefid, a rice dish that was scorched on top, was so nice and crispy. The food was really good, but the atmosphere and experience were probably my favorite parts. 

Bomb Biscuit

I was so sad when I saw Highland Bakery closed in this location. Luckily another great brunch place, Bomb Biscuit, opened a couple years ago. If the line out the door just for take-out isn’t enough of a clue, let me tell you it is a big hit! Dare I say, it is the bomb!? You’ll want to make reservations on the weekend.

It’s no surprise that you’ll want to order a sammie with one of their famous biscuits. Considering that the sammies are $10 or under and they are quite big, it’s one of the best priced brunches in Atlanta!

It’s located directly off the Freedom Parkway trail or only a short walk from the BeltLine.

Julianna’s Coffee & Crepes

It’s only a couple blocks off the BeltLine, but Julianna’s feels far removed from the hustle and bustle of the trail. The cute crêperie uses family recipes to make both savory and sweet crepes. Most of the crepes are filled with ingredients that you could find in crepes in Hungary.

So far I have only been able to try the savory crepes, but I have my eye on the sweet ones. The Ace – with marshmallows, Reese’s pieces, and chocolate chips – is calling for me.

Krog Street Market

Another one of Atlanta’s go to food halls is Krog Street Market. Renovations over the last couple of years have expanded on the food hall to create the Krog District with more places to eat and additional businesses.

Within the original Krog Market there are several food stalls and a few sit down restaurants. Jeni’s ice cream has to be one of my favorite food stalls. The ice cream shop always has inventive flavors with enough variety to make them unique, yet nothing too crazy for the vanilla lover in me. Ole Cuban Cuisine and Soul: Food & Culture are both really good food stalls.

For sit down restaurants I enjoy Superica. This Tex-Mex spot has a fun atmosphere and decor. People love the fajitas at Superica.

Hawkers Asian Street Fare

For restaurants on the Atlanta BeltLine, like right on the BeltLine (not .2 miles away), head to the StudioPlex Alley near Krog Street Market. Now part of Krog District the strip of businesses includes workout places, beauty shops, and some foodie places you shouldn’t miss. 

Hawkers Asian Street Fare is one of them. After a long closure they have finally opened again. They cook up a bunch of different Asian street foods. I’m excited to visit again with the new menu. I have heard the roti canai is the best of the best!

Nina & Rafi

Another restaurant in the StudioPlex Alley is Nina & Rafi. You can order Detroit style pizzas or classic pies. To me the crust on the classic pie was perfect, not cardboard thin, but not super thick like the Detroit style.

If you don’t want pizza, the chicken parmesan is a popular option. It’s very flavorful with some spice to it. Proportionally there is a lot of linguini compared to the breaded chicken though.

There are cheaper places for pizza in Atlanta, but if you are looking for a good atmosphere and BeltLine restaurants with outdoor seating then Nina & Rafi is a winner. Both the outdoor and indoor tables can fill up fast depending on the weather.

Guac y Margys

The location in the StudioPlex Alley is one of two locations. As there is only a little indoor dining it’s a good spot when you want to sit outdoors.

I bet you can guess the guacamole and the margaritas are really good here. They really do have some of the best guac in the city. The rest of the menu is pretty small, but what they do, they do well! Tacos are priced at 3 for $12. There’s also an adult happy meal Monday – Thursday with two tacos and a margarita included.

More Eastside BeltLine Restaurants

Inman Park is known for its food scene. For restaurants near the BeltLine you can’t go wrong when choosing from the selection in this neighborhood. Here are a few more top picks in the area.

•Two Urban Licks – I thought this was an ice cream place for the longest time. It is actually a more upscale American restaurant with great views in Poncey Highland.

• Sotto Sotto – This pricier classic Italian restaurant always comes up when the best Italian places in the city are mentioned.

• Ladybird Grove & Mess Hall – Ladybird is directly off the BeltLine. It’s a good spot to bring your dog due to all the outdoor picnic tables. The fire pits add to the elevated camping environment.

• Kevin Rathbun Steakhouse – When a side of butter costs $4 you know the main courses are going to set you back quite a bit. I have only heard great things about the steak though.

• Breaker Breaker – Who needs to go to the coast when you can get your beach vibes at this seafood restaurant.

Southside BeltLine Restaurants

The Southside trail picks up where the Eastside trail ends at Memorial Drive SE. It will eventually run for about 4.2 miles to University Ave SW. It travels through Glenwood Park, Grant Park, Ormewood Park, Boulevard Heights, Chosewood Park, Peoplestown, Capitol View Manor, Pittsburgh, and Capitol View.

The first .5 miles is paved and goes parallel to Bill Kennedy Way SE. Most of the Southside BeltLine restaurants are in this section.

From Glenwood Ave SE to Boulevard SE is currently closed for construction.

Boulevard SE to Pittsburg Yards is currently open and unpaved. As it is full of big chunks of gravel it is not the easiest section to walk and I definitely don’t recommend biking here with a regular road bike. Even on beautiful weekends it is fairly deserted. You can easily walk for 10 minutes and not see someone else. It feels more like a nature trail than a city path. It’s not the best segment to find restaurants on the BeltLine.

The last .8 miles to University Ave SW where the trail turns into the Westside Trail is paved.

Muchacho

Technically Muchacho is on the Eastside Trail. Southside BeltLine restaurants need some more love so as it is at the intersection between the Eastside and Southside Trails I’m including it here!

A large outdoor seating area overlooks the BeltLine. It’s a good spot for groups as you order & pay inside and then choose a table. The fun, colorful vibe makes it a great meeting place too.  

The tacos have a lot of meat on them! The barbacoa was my top choice, but sadly doesn’t look like it is on the menu anymore. I’m not a margarita drinker, but those who are said they were very good and more authentic than other places in Atlanta.

Taqueria Tsunami

It wasn’t too long ago that this part of the city was mostly warehouses. In recent years it has totally been transformed. Now Madison Yards has popped up and offered the neighborhood a Publix, fitness studios, health services, and most importantly places to eat!

If you can’t decide between Asian or Mexican then you need to go to Taqueria Tsunami. They take two of the best cuisines and combine them into inventive tacos, salads, bowls, and quesadillas. I recommend the Tsunami Trio or Tsunami Quatro where you can try 3 or 4 different kinds of tacos. My favorites were the pacific rim and the shrimp tempura.

Home Grown

Slightly off the BeltLine a couple of blocks down on Memorial Drive SE you will find one of the best breakfast places in Atlanta. It’s a favorite of locals and I would recommend taking visitors here for a good southern breakfast.

Everything at this casual diner is delicious. I usually order the comfy chicken or chicken and waffles. They are both served with delicious chicken that has a bit of a kick. The comfy chicken is topped with sausage gravy. I rarely tear myself away from these two favorites, but it is tempting with all the other offerings. The Best, basically a BLT on french toast, was amazing.

There are no reservations here and you can always expect a wait on the weekends, but it is worth it!

Salata

Salata is a fast casual spot in Madison Yards. It’s a create your own salad place that is perfect if you want quick and healthy places to eat on the BeltLine. It is quick compared to sit-down restaurants, but they haven’t quite mastered the concept of salads being ready for take-out yet. Every time I order ahead they have no clue about my order.

The huge selection of vegetables, fruits, proteins, and other toppings makes up for it though. Plus their ingredients are always fresh.

First Watch

I prefer local restaurants whenever possible. I’m always a little skeptical of chains, but despite having hundreds of restaurants First Watch was a lot better than I expected.  The modern farmhouse chic decor was nicer than I expected as well.

I had the bacado omelet with bacon & avocado. It’s served with whole grain artisan toast and greens. The toast was very good. I didn’t try the jam until the end because I thought it was dressing, but also delicious. The seasoned potatoes were also a tasty surprise. I would like to go back for a hash with those potatoes and eggs. 

Emmy Squared

I love Glenwood with the modern town homes around the immaculate Glenwood Park and Brasfield Square. Started in Williamsburg, Brooklyn in 2016, now Glenwood has a Emmy Squared location! There is patio seating, but on a balmy day when I would have loved to sit outside it wasn’t an option. The inside dining room is nice and modern though.

The pizza is a mix of New York grandma style with Detroit style. The focaccia like dough creates a really good crust. I was a big fan of the crispy pepperoni which is apparently a signature of Detroit style. Despite saying romaine, the caesar salad was basically just a big chunk of ice berg lettuce with a lot of dressing. Stick with the pizza! 

Vickery’s Bar & Grill

Vickery’s is a southern bar and grill right on the square. It has a neighborhood feel with friendly servers. It’s the kind of place where I am sure people from the neighborhood frequent over and over.

The menu has southern classics like fried chicken and catfish. There is also a variety of other seafood dishes including paella. Although it was pricier, the paella was very good. Seafood paella typically is more expensive. The sandwiches are a little pricier too, but they do come with a side.

Buteco

The Beacon, a mixed-use complex, is one of the only places with Atlanta BeltLine restaurants on the southern most section of the trail. There are a few different restaurants and breweries. There is BeltLine access on Hill St SE and also behind the Pratt Stacks condo.

Buteco has a great atmosphere on the weekends. There is often live music and dancing. I don’t know if it is always the case, but there were a lot of Brazilians on the night I visited. They were a fun, lively crowd that even shared a popsicle with me! 

Most of the seating is outside. Inside there are only a few tables. While it seems busy on the weekends, you order at the counter so the wait isn’t as long as you might expect. After ordering you pick up your food at the food truck when you receive a text. 

Only a day or two after I ate at Buteco they changed their menu. The fish dish I ordered is no longer on the menu. Maybe they realized it wasn’t their star menu item as the sauce was excellent, but the fish was just ok. I would like to go back and try their pão de queijo and other small bites. 

More Southside BeltLine Restaurants

•Gun Show – Gun show isn’t just a restaurant, but also an experience. Chefs create their own small plates and explain their masterpieces as they bring them to your table. It’s similar to dim sum style where you can choose which dishes you want to try.

• Hotto Hotto – A ramen and teppanyaki restaurant in the Beacon.

• Patria Cocina – Another option in the Beacon is this Mexican restaurant.

Westside BeltLine Restaurants

The Westside path will eventually start from University Ave SE and end at Huff Rd NW, a distance of about 6.4 miles.

The trail is paved and open from University Ave SW to near the intersection of Lena St NW and Stafford St NW. It begins in the neighborhoods of Oakland City and Adair Park. Many of Atlanta’s oldest neighborhoods that are becoming up and coming areas, such as West End and Westview, are along the southern part of the Westside trail. Slowly more restaurants on the BeltLine are popping up in these two neighborhoods.

Lena St NW to Law St NW is not open yet. Downtown is linked via the Westside Connector trail to Law St NW.

Law St NW to Huff Rd NW is open. This section has a paved path running parallel to the street for most of the way.

The remaining sections of the Westside Trail from south to north go through Mozley Park, Ashview Heights, Washington Park, Hunter Hills, Bankhead, Knight Park/Howell Station, and Hills Park. Currently the restaurants on the BeltLine are concentrated to two areas (West End and Westview) and there aren’t many places in the other neighborhoods.

Wild Heaven West End Brewery & Gardens

The Lee & White redevelopment is in the West End’s former warehouse district directly off of the BeltLine. The mixed-use district is full of businesses including many restaurants and breweries.

Wild Heaven is one in this group of West End breweries. They are mainly a brewery, but have some snacks, burgers, and other bar food. Despite the often long lines, food comes out pretty quickly.

Boxcar at Hop City West End

Across from Wild Heaven is Boxcar at Hop City. Boxcar is a restaurant within the Hop City Brewery. It’s one of the few Atlanta BeltLine restaurants with a cool connection to the BeltLine. As the BeltLine was a former rail line, the name “boxcar” is very fitting! The mural inside features Leon Ray Livingston, a hobo who rode the rails. He wrote 12 books and helped to develop the hobo symbols system. Some of the symbols are on the mural.

Most of the breweries have some food, but Boxcar has a full menu of salads, burgers, sandwiches, and other American entrees. The shaved ribeye on the Butcher’s Bun made for a really good sandwich.

Lee & White Food Hall

Within the Lee & White redevelopment is a food hall that recently opened. All the places look really good, but I have to give credit to Gekko Kitchen. The Japanese food stall not only had really good food, but they were also efficient.

They were one of the few restaurants that continued taking orders after closing hours following the Westside BeltLine Lantern parade. It’s one of the best spring events in Atlanta and draws a huge crowd. While other places were not taking more orders or took forever, Gekko’s line moved fast and the food was ready within 10 minutes!

D’s Cafe and Catering

The second group of restaurants on the Westside BeltLine is in Westview. D’s Cafe is located only a couple blocks off the Westside trail. You exit the BeltLine right after going under the Lucile Ave SW tunnel. As an added bonus you will even get to find another tiny door on the outside of the tunnel.

D’s Cafe may have made it into my top five picks for chicken and waffles in Atlanta. It’s tough as there are a lot of great places, but the waffle here had a great consistency and flavor. The chicken had a nice breading on it and was quite moist. The menu is full of southern staples. My friend claims that the mac and cheese was some of the best in the city. 

While slow, the service was very good. It’s great to support a Black and family owned restaurant. I was able to chat with the friendly owner.

Augie’s Cafe

Another good place to eat in Westview is Augie’s Cafe. It is open from 8am until 5pm everyday so makes for a great breakfast and lunch spot.

They know how to make waffles in Westview, as the waffle here was also amazing. In general Augie’s is a great spot for waffles and other carby breakfast items like french toast and pancakes. 

More Westside BeltLine Restaurants

• Monday Night Garage – Primarily a brewery, they also have pizza, sandwiches, and salads. The pizzas looked really good. It’s located in the same West End brewery area.

•Slutty Vegan – This is a super popular vegan burger place. There seems to be huge lines here at any of the location including this Westview one.

• Firewall – Also in Westview, Firewall is known for their brick oven pizzas and also their hummus bowls.

Northwest BeltLine Restaurants

The Northwest section starts from Huff Rd NW and will go to the Lindbergh MARTA station where the Northeast Trail begins. It will be about 4 miles. We have finally ate our way around the full loop!

A good portion of the Northwest trail is still in design. Eventually it will go through the following neighborhoods: Blandtown, Underwood Hills, Berkeley Park, Loring Heights, Collier Heights, Brookwood, Ardmore, Collier Hills, Collier Hills North, Peachtree Hills, and Lindbergh.

The one mile section through Tanyard Creek Park is paved and completed. It’s over .5 miles to any restaurants from there though.

Restaurants near the BeltLine in this section will be added once the other sections are finished, or at least under construction!

Which one of these Atlanta BeltLine restaurants are you heading to first? If you aren’t looking for restaurants on the BeltLine, make sure to check out all the other delicious restaurants in Atlanta.

More in Atlanta

ACTIVITIES:

• 3 Day Itinerary
• Date Ideas
• Explore the Best Neighborhoods
• When to Visit Atlanta
• Why to Visit

ART:

• Atlanta Murals
• Atlanta Tiny Doors

DAY TRIPS:

• North Georgia

FESTIVALS & HOLIDAYS:

• Christmas Activities
• Fall Festivals
• Festivals by Season
• Spring Festivals

FOOD:

• BBQ
• Breakfast Spots
• Brunch Places
• Burger Restaurants
• Casual Restaurants
• Chicken & Waffles
• Donuts
• Food Halls
• Healthy Places to Eat
• Mystery Picnic

OUTDOORS: 

• Chattahoochee River Trails
• Hiking Near Atlanta
• Places to Walk
• Walkable Neighborhoods

---

Pin IT!!