Atlanta Offers Southern Comfort, Soul Food, and Global Flavors for Football Fans

The completion of the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium in downtown solidified Atlanta as a top destination for football fans for events like Atlanta Falcons home games, the Aflac College Football KickOff, the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, the SEC Championship, and eventually the 2028 Super Bowl. In addition to the tailgating and football games, visitors can experience the Southern comfort of Atlanta’s dining scene, from soul food to an expansive list of global eats.

"There is no shortage of places to enjoy a meal in Atlanta, from bustling food halls to award-winning restaurants," says Logan Doctson, assistant manager of public relations for the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau. "Our hope is that football fans who are visiting Atlanta have an opportunity to explore our vibrant culinary scene and the multi-cultural opportunities it offers."

Ponce City Market

The former Sears, Roebuck & Co. store and distribution center was sold in 2010 to Jamestown Properties and became the new Ponce City Market, a sprawling five-building, 3 million-square-foot community hub of offices, residences, retail, and the renowned food hall with more than 30 concepts for dining and drinks, plus the rooftop Nine Mile Station. There are plenty of options for everyone in the group, from doughnuts at Five Daughters Bakery to Indian street food at Botiwalla. 

SkyLounge

The best view of the city is within steps of the stadium at SkyLounge, atop the Glenn Hotel. The rooftop bar includes unhindered 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 books out on busy weekends. 

Rodney Scott's Whole Hog BBQ

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

The Silver Skillet Restaurant

In the heart of Midtown is an homage to vintage diners, The Silver Skillet. The humble atmosphere hasn't changed in its 60 years of business with a traditional Southern menu, including country ham steak with red eye gravy, fried catfish strips, Dutch salad, and lemon ice box pie. The diner is a must-visit spot for celebrities and politicians and has its own celebrity, used as a set location for filming in town.

Buford Highway

For more than 50 years, Buford Highway has been an important part of Atlanta’s diverse culinary scene, home to restaurants, bodegas, and markets that are heavily influenced by immigrants. Visitors can try flavors from around the world on one strip of road, including LanZhou Ramen, Deshi Street Bangladeshi Restaurant, Supermercado Chicago Taqueria, and Sweet Hut Bakery. “Food is a constant dependency to the senses of belonging for the immigrant communities of Atlanta’s Buford Highway corridor," says Lily Pabian, CEO of We Love Buford Highway. "There’s nothing like it and our organization’s passion is to preserve it through connection, service, and advocacy,”

The Busy Bee Cafe

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-focused menu. Opened in 1947 by Mama Lucy, it hosted early efforts of the Civil Rights Movement as a meeting place for Martin Luther King, Jr. and Hosea Williams. The restaurant is famous for its fried chicken along with fried shrimp and catfish, oxtails, and sides. 

One Flew South

Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport is year-over-year the world’s busiest airport, and its locally focused dining has expanded lately, including a restaurant that's been nominated for a James Beard Award twice. In Concourse E, One Flew South offers a reprieve from the airport congestion with a private dining space and sushi bar. Guests can order from the fusion menu of Southern meets Asian cuisine, including the famous BLT with pickled fried green tomatoes along with a fresh selection of sushi and a comprehensive wine and cocktail menu.