This post contains 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.

Looking for a new spot to meet up with friends this weekend? Over the last five to ten years many Atlanta neighborhoods have started revitalizing and that includes a lot of new food halls as well as mixed-use developments with places to eat, entertainment, and spaces to hang out. You’ll find all the best Atlanta food halls and mixed-use developments in this post. First let’s get straight on the difference between a food hall and a mixed-use development.

What is a food hall?

The Sbarro and Taco Bell food halls are thankfully being replaced with trendy food halls full of boutique food stalls. These upmarket food courts are sprouting up all over the country. They serve the original purpose of food courts by having different options all in one place, but now they have nicer eating areas and better, local food options. They are often located within mixed-use developments.

What is a mixed-use development?

I have fond memories of college, but most of them are from outside the classroom! I couldn’t even tell you what this class was about or why I was taking it as a teacher, but this urban planning class I took one year has always stuck with me. I remember learning about how mixed-use developments and neighborhoods are good for safety and resident’s needs.

The official definition of a mixed-use complex describes it as a structure or area that includes housing, accommodations, retail, parking, transportation, food, culture, and/or entertainment facilities. Many years after that college class here I am in Atlanta enjoying the plethora of mixed-use developments around the city. They are great for being a one stop shop for a fun adventure or evening out.

Atlanta Food Halls & Mixed – Use Developments

Ponce City Market

If you know of any Atlanta food halls, you know of Ponce City Market. Did you know it was one of the first revitalized historic buildings that is now a food hall in Atlanta?

Ponce City Market is located off the Eastside BeltLine trail at the intersection of four of the best Atlanta neighborhoods, Poncey-Highland, Virginia Highland, Old Fourth Ward, and Midtown. Sears, Roebuck & Co constructed the building in the 1920s as a retail store and distribution center. Sears sold the building in 1991 to the city. It wasn’t until 2011 that renovations began to turn the old warehouse into Ponce City Market. It was a few years later when the food hall opened.

The complex continues to grow every year. It is a one stop shop for luxury apartments, office space, shops, workout studios, and entertainment. The Roof at Ponce City offers a fun night of mini golf, small amusement rides, food, and great views.

Let’s not forget Ponce City Market’s food hall. With two floors it is one of the biggest food halls in Atlanta. Whatever you are in the mood for, there is sure to be a place to satisfy your cravings. Botiwalla, an Indian street food place, is one of my go to spots. Five Daughters Bakery has some of the best donuts in Atlanta. Tables are available at some of the restaurants. There are communal tables on both floors.

Krog Street Market

Krog Street Market is another historic Atlanta food hall that is just off of the Eastside BeltLine trail. Built for Atlanta Stove Works in 1889 and used for about 100 years it was then abandoned for a couple of decades.  In the early 2000s plans for a mixed-use development began.

In 2014 Krog Street Market opened with a handful of eateries and shops. Now it is a bustling market full of people. The market is much smaller than Ponce City Market, but there is currently a ton of construction going on around the main building. There is a big expansion in the works to include more restaurants and stores.

A few restaurants are stand alone and offer their own seating, but the majority of the eateries do not have tables. There is one main indoor eating area and one outdoor space. While the market is compact, there are plenty of tasty options. Wood’s Chapel has some of my favorite BBQ in Atlanta. If you have a sweet tooth you won’t want to miss Jeni’s ice cream.

Chattahoochee Food Works

Atlanta’s Upper Westside was a former industrial hub. As is the theme around Atlanta, The Works was created from one of these old industrial spots. It’s a great example of a mixed-use development with entertainment, food, retail, outdoor spaces, a fitness studio, and more. Give axe throwing at American Axes a try for a fun group activity or date night in Atlanta! You can order from Scofflaw Brewing, bring in food, or head to the food hall afterwards.

The Chattahoochee Food Works is the food hall. With a lot of good choices it’s quite difficult to choose. Surina Thai and Taqueria La Luz were both very good for Thai and Mexican, respectively. Monster Cravings claim of “addicting cookie flavors” is spot on. These creations are beautiful and mouthwatering!

Around the complex you can find a variety of seating. The covered patio seating with ceiling fans is adjacent to the food hall. With cushioned seats and ceiling fans it’s the perfect indoor/outdoor option. There are other fully outdoor tables and indoor spots as well.

Currently only 27 of the planned 80 acres are complete. Be on the lookout for Your 3rd Spot opening soon. It will be a social spot for games and food. It is only the beginning for the Works!

Politan Row at Colony Square

Many of the food halls in Atlanta have quite the historic feel. Politan Row on the other hand is very new and modern. It is an upmarket food hall with seating in the middle and food stalls around the outside. Food halls are typically fairly trendy, but Politan is even more so. Maybe it is the dimmer lights, the louder music, or the nicer seating, but it definitely has a different feel. Not to mention you can reserve tables. 

There was a nice variety of vendors. When I went I had pizza on my mind, but if I didn’t I would have had a hard time choosing. Belli Pizzeria makes Neapolitan style pizzas. Mine was a little more on the pricier side compared to many other pizza places in Atlanta, but it was very good. 

Politan Row is located within Colony Square. It’s also home to a hotel, stores, services, and offices. Plus the plaza has a wide range of free events. Events range from movie nights to drag bingo to yoga!

The Collective Food Hall

The Collective Food Hall at Coda is one of the newest food halls in Atlanta. Located in Midtown it is a perfect lunch break if you work in a nearby office or a good stop if you are checking out the many attractions in Midtown. The modern building with outdoor doors on each side provides a lot of natural light and airflow.

Currently four eateries are located within the food hall. Communal seating is in the middle and there are tables outdoors as well.

Aviva is a Mediterranean spot and a healthy place to eat in Atlanta. Prices are a little high for lunch, but other than that I can’t say enough good things about Aviva. During the peak lunch hour lines can get long, but service is friendly and efficient and will get you your food quickly.

Westside Provisions District

Once a meatpacking factory, now it is an upscale dining and retail district! You won’t find a food hall at Westside Provisions, but you will find a lot of great places to eat. Higher end places like the Middle Eastern Aziza, the Italian Forza Storico, and the steakhouse Marcel are top choices for date night.

For more casual restaurants in Atlanta, Flower Child is an excellent choice for a healthy, yet flavorful meal. As a foodie I am often asked about my favorite restaurant in Atlanta. It’s a pretty impossible question, but Mushi Ni at Little Trouble is usually my go to answer. It’s tucked away at the end of a passageway, but it’s worth finding. The Asian fusion food is really unique.

For shopping there are big chains like Lululemon and Anthropology, but also local ones like Brick & Mortar and Crafted.

The Interlock

Across the street from the Westside Provisions District is the Interlock. It’s a new hot spot for dining and entertainment. Puttshack is the future of mini golf. The indoor mini golf courses are designed for a social night out. The electronic balls keep score for you and each hole has a fun theme with chances to earn bonus points.

In addition to the restaurant at Puttshack, Velvet Taco is a popular place to eat. Open until 1 or 2am on the weekends it is a hot spot. Drawbar inside of the Bellyard has great food too. The Bellyard is a boutique hotel and the Drawbar matches the swanky feel of the place.

Larkin on Memorial

The history of Atlanta fascinates me, and so does the revitalization of historic areas and landmarks. Memorial Avenue SE has seen a crazy amount of development in the last 10 years. Take a look at the street on google earth even five years ago and be amazed at the changes.

Larkin is one of the earlier, but still new developments along Memorial Ave SE. It is a smaller, mixed-use development in Grant Park across from Oakland Cemetery. With a childcare, a hardware store, market, and cycling studio it’s purpose is to serve the daily needs of the community.

Other than a couple of outdoor tables, it doesn’t have any communal sitting or lounging areas. Larkin does have multiple restaurants to choose from. I’m a big fan of Firepit Pizza’s brick oven pizzas and brunch at Woodward & Park.

Atlanta Dairies

Only a few blocks from Larkin is another newer development. Is anyone old enough to remember getting their milk delivered? How about receiving their milk from the Atlanta Dairies? The former milk plant has now been redesigned into a shopping, eating, and entertainment development.

Have dinner at Wonderkid, coffee at Cold Brew Bar, or drinks at Three Taverns Imaginarium.  Head to the live music venue, The Eastern, for a great concert. I love the greenspace between the buildings. It is hidden from the road and provides the perfect outdoor social oasis on nice days.

In the gravel parking lot in front of the Atlanta Dairies apartments there are often events like A Day at the Dairies, a vintage pop up market.

The Beacon

Past Glenwood, the southern BeltLine trail is lacking in BeltLine restaurants. Luckily the Beacon is a beacon of foodie delights!

In addition to restaurants the former industrial area has a little bit of everything now including beauty salons, an indoor gaming venue, and the Grant Park farmer’s market on Sunday mornings. The Beacon is also an artsy area with art studios and murals around almost every corner.

As for the food, Marguerite’s Bistro is a small eatery with great Jamaican food. The Brazilian restaurant, Buteco, is a fun place that often has live music and dancing. Baker Dude can’t be missed for delicious baked goods. Eventide Brewing is a craft brewery with a dog friendly patio and weekly events.

The Battery

Home to the Atlanta Braves, the Battery has a lot more entertainment than just baseball. Punch Bowl Social is a popular restaurant and adult gaming space. Park Bench is a live music venue with dueling piano shows. There are plenty of shops as well. My favorite would of course have to be a the food centric, River Street Sweets from Savannah!

For more food there are Atlanta favorites such as H & F Burger, Antico Pizza, and Superica. Ph’East is a smaller Asian food hall at the Battery. With several local Asian eateries it is reminiscent of a typical hawker market found abroad.

Are you inspired to visit these Atlanta food halls and cool mixed-use developments? Let me know in the comments below which one you like the best! 

More in Atlanta

ART:

• Tiny Doors
• Murals by Neighborhood

ACTIVITIES:

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

FOOD:

• BeltLine Restaurants
• Brunch Places
• Breakfast Restaurants
• BBQ
• Burger Places
• Chicken & Waffles
• Donuts
• Healthy Restaurants
• Mystery Picnics

OUTDOORS: 

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

---

Pin IT!!