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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 .5 miles. 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.

Northeast BeltLine Restaurants

Mayson St NE is the current starting point of the Northeast BeltLine, which runs south through the neighborhoods of Piedmont Heights and Ansley Park. It then travels along the eastern border of Piedmont Park. The trail turns into the Eastside trail after about two miles.

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 places in the city.

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?

More Northeast BeltLine Restaurants

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

•Guac y Margys – If you couldn’t figure out from the name, this is a Mexican spot known for guacamole and margaritas. They have another location off the Eastside Trail in Inman Park.

•Park Tavern –  It is in the perfect spot within Piedmont Park. It’s known more for the atmosphere and drinks than the food. There are even drink specials on rainy days.

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 in Midtown to Memorial Drive SE 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 10 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 create your own salad places, Sweetgreen, is at the market, but outside of the main food hall building.

Folk Art

Folk Art just sneaks in with my less than a 1/2 mile off the BeltLine rule! It’s a good thing too, 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

Further 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.

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. 

Highland Bakery

There are a few different Highland Bakery locations. The original location is only .2 miles away from the BeltLine. Highland Bakery is a bakery, but they are most known for their breakfast items. Sweet potato pancakes, cilantro corn pancakes, and peanut butter french toast are all popular choices.

With such a huge menu you can really find anything you are looking for at Highland Bakery. Soups, salads, and sandwiches are also available. All their menu items are available from opening to closing each day.

Highland Bistro

Highland Bistro, just across the street from Highland Bakery, is another great spot off the Eastside trail. If it’s not too hot you can sit outside on the patio in their bright turquoise chairs. It’s one of the many BeltLine restaurants with outdoor seating.

The menu includes a mix of southern favorites like shrimp and grits and American classics such as the Highland Cheeseburger. I’m a big fan of chicken and waffles. I really liked how Highland Bakery changed up the usual waffle and had a cornbread waffle.

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 markets is Krog Street Market. Currently it is under construction to include even more food spots and retail offerings. Don’t worry the main food hall is still open and has plenty of options.

There are food stalls and sit down restaurants at Krog. 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. Wood’s Chapel BBQ is a new arrival to the market. I have tried their delicious ‘cue at the original location in Summerhill and it’s one of my favorite Atlanta BBQ spots.

For sit down restaurants I enjoy Superica. This Tex-Mex spot has a fun atmosphere and decor. People love the fajitas at Superica. Bar Mercado is another sit-down spot. As of writing you can also order from Recess’s menu while dining at Bar Mercado. Recess’s menu includes bowls and salads. Spanish tapas and larger plates of Latin cuisine make up Bar Mercado’s menu.

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. In addition to some workout places and beauty shops there are also some foodie spots. 

Hawkers Asian Street Fare is one of them. As of writing Hawkers is temporarily closed for renovations and plans to reopen February 2022. They cook up a bunch of different Asian street foods. I’m excited to see what is on their menu when they reopen next year.

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.

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.

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

• Barcelona Wine Bar – Another top spot that is known for drinks and Spanish tapas.

• 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 $5 you know the main courses are going to set you back quite a bit. I have only heard great things about the steak though.

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. Currently only the first .5 miles is paved. There are a couple more miles of unpaved, rocky trail. The trail is now closed at Pryor Rd SW. If you want to continue to the Westside trail you will need to walk on University Ave and keep going straight. You will reach a dead end that goes directly onto the Westside trail.

It’s not the easiest section to walk and I definitely don’t recommend biking here. It’s not the best segment to find restaurants on the BeltLine either. There are a few at the start in Glenwood and a few more in Grant Park at The Beacon.

Home Grown

Slightly off the BeltLine a few 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!

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.

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.

Marguerite’s Jerk Bistro

There are not really that many south BeltLine restaurants between Glenwood and the Westside trail. Your best bet is at the Beacon, a newer multi-use complex with stores and restaurants. It is located directly off the BeltLine and is becoming a hot spot on nice weekends.

Marguerite’s Jerk Bistro, which serves Jamaican cuisine, is one of my favorite spots in the Beacon. They have cheaper lunch special bowls that have a great portion size for the price. I really liked the curry shrimp, it had enough kick to it to taste good, but not so much that all I tasted was heat. The oxtail bowl is also very good, but I preferred the curry shrimp. That could just be my personal preference though. 

A couple tables are located in the restaurant, but there are more outside in the shared space in the Beacon. If you have any room left have a treat from Baker Dude. 

Buteco

Located in the Beacon, 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 find a table and the servers bring you your food.

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 alright. 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.

•Vickery’s Bar & Grill – I love Glenwood with the modern town homes around the immaculate Glenwood Park and Brasfield Square. Vickery’s is a southern bar and grill right on the square.

Westside BeltLine Restaurants

The three mile Westside path travels from University Ave SE to near the intersection of Lena St NW and Stafford St NW. Many of Atlanta’s oldest neighborhoods that are becoming up and coming areas, such as West End & Westview, are along the trail. Slowly more restaurants on the BeltLine are popping up in this section.

Wild Heaven West End Brewery & Gardens

Wild Heaven is one in the group of West End breweries directly off the BeltLine near the start of the Westside segment. They are mainly a brewery, but have some snacks, burgers, and other bar food. Despite there often being long lines, food comes out pretty quickly.

Augie’s Cafe

Despite passing directly through Westview, restaurants on the BeltLine are quite lacking in the neighborhood. Luckily there is Augie’s Cafe! It is open from 8am until 4pm or 5pm everyday so makes for a great breakfast and lunch spot.

Augie’s 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 was amazing. In general Augie’s is a great spot for waffles and other carby breakfast items like french toast and pancakes. 

It 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.

More Westside BeltLine Restaurants

•Boxcar at Hop City – Boxcar is in the Hop City Brewery. It’s in the same area as Wild Heaven Beer and other breweries like Monday Night Garage. Most of the breweries have some food, but Boxcar has a full menu of salads, burgers, sandwiches, and other American entrees.

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

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
• Explore the Best Neighborhoods
• Atlanta Festivals
• When to Visit Atlanta
• Date Ideas

ART:

• Atlanta Murals
• Atlanta Tiny Doors

FOOD:

• Casual Restaurants
• Mystery Picnic
• Atlanta BBQ
• Chicken & Waffles
• Brunch Places
• Breakfast Spots
• Donuts

OUTDOORS: 

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

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