After years of sitting basically abandoned on Ponce de Leon Avenue as the old Sears building, Ponce City Market has become Atlanta’s top tourist destination for shopping, dining, and more. And the dining possibilities can frankly, be overwhelming! From a plethora of food hall vendors to full-service restaurants to other delicious options down the street, there’s a lot to pick from and we’re here to help guide ya. 

1. 9 Mile Station

For one of the best views in all of Atlanta, hop on the elevator and head to the tip top of Ponce City Market for 9 Mile Station. A lot of restaurants with beautiful views or atmospheres skimp on the actual service or quality of their food, but we’ve always found their food to be quite good, and we love them especially for brunch. Insider tip: Make a reservation ahead of time to avoid the $10 elevator fee. There is a $20 deposit that goes towards the cost of food and drinks. 

2. 12 Cocktail Bar 

Want to really impress a date? Take them to this tucked away and little-known intimate lounge at the top of PCM. Make a reservation online or walk-in. Insider tip:  There are no drink menus–instead talk to the gifted bartenders here and ask them to make a concoction to your tastes.

3. Atrium

This relatively new addition to the market is easily one of ATL’s most beautiful. Insider tip: Go for drinks and small bites and grab your pictures, but if you’re trying to save some coin then peruse the rest of the market for more filling and affordable fare. 

4. Bar Vegan

You can always expect an unforgettable vibe when visiting any of Pinky Cole’s restaurants. Bar Vegan is no exception, with a sexy, glamorous atmosphere that’s blasting music that’s always on point.  Insider tip: Their menu is even larger than it was when it first opened, so be sure to visit again if you haven’t come recently! 

5. Bellina Alimentari

While a lot of Atlanta restaurants make a fine carbonara, Bellina Alimentari in Ponce City Market has got to have some of the best. It’s served with a heaping portion of bacon and made with bucatini, a thick and spaghetti-like pasta that has a hole running through the center, allowing for even more of the creamy sauce of a carbonara to seep in! Insider tip: Head to the back for a sit-down experience and a place to rest your feet from all your shopping.

 

6. Biltong Bar

Biltong Bar will forever be one of our favorite cocktail bars! Insider tip: During the holiday season, they also will transform into a winter wonderland called “the Blitzen Room!” 

7. Botiwalla 

This Indian street food restaurant comes from the founder and chef of Chai Pani. Every item is absolutely exploding with flavor no matter what you get. Perhaps the most popular item is the Chicken Tikka Roll: tender grilled chicken covered in tikka marsala sauce, desi slaw, onions, cilantro, and chutney rolled up in a buttery piece of naan. Insider tip: The Lamb Burgers are phenomenally-seasoned sliders topped with slaw, green chutney, and Maggi ketchup on toasted buns. These are also available in the vegan variety!

8. Dancing Goats Coffee Bar 

Adjacent to the market sits this city’s best location of Dancing Goats Coffee Bar. Insider tip: In warm weather, the swinging chairs and patio is irresistible and great for a casual first date or study spot. 

9. El Super Pan

Puerto Rican Chef Hector Santiago’s El Super Pan has been a mainstay in PCM for quite some time. Sink your fork into mofongo, a classic Puerto Rican dish made with green plantains, or ropa vieja, a Cuban dish consisting of slow-cooked beef shoulder. Insider tip: Their frozen drinks and their spicy, fusion pork belly bao are insanely good. 

10. Five Daughters Bakery

The signature item at Five Daughters Bakery is the 100 Layer Donut, a combination of a croissant and a donut. Repeat: a croissant AND a donut. It’s crunchy like a fresh donut but flaky and melt-in-your-mouth like a croissant. This juxtaposition leads to a perfect bite. Less is more with the Purist, a simple 100 Layer Donut dipped in a vanilla glaze, perfect for a first timer. Insider tip: If you’re feeling adventurous, the King Kong donut is rolled in sugar, infused with vanilla buttercream, and topped with a maple glaze and candied bacon pieces. It has every taste and texture you could possibly imagine, and they combine spectacularly.

11. H&F Burger

You can’t talk ATL’s best burgers without having H&F in the conversation. Our host/founder, lists them in his top spots: “It is forever the Hall of Fame burger in Atlanta for the meticulous manner in which Chef Linton Hopkins created them.”  Insider tip: Stick with the original double beef patty with American cheese. You can’t get better than the classic. 

12. Honeysuckle Gelato

Jeni’s is likely the most popular and ubiquitous artisanal ice cream spot in town, and we do love them, but in our opinion is the Honeysuckle Gelato is the GOAT. It’s creamy, it’s fresh, it’s irresistible! Insider tip: the ice cream sandwiches are also delish! 

13. Hop’s Chicken

Fried chicken is, without a doubt, one of life’s finest pleasures. And Ponce City Market has your fried chicken fix with Hops’ Chicken. Get a half or a whole or a family meal or a tender combo or a chicken biscuit–you can have our fried chicken any which way you want it. And of course, they’ve got the sides you crave: mac and cheese, buttery biscuits, and collard greens. Insider tip: Diners love their fried apple pie!

 

14.  Jia Tasty China

Everyone loves their go-to Chinese spot, and Tasty China being a Szechuan spot makes it that much better. This cuisine excels with crispy, dry, and spicy fare like the Crispy Tender Pork Belly and the 3 Pepper Chicken. Insider tip: You can always opt for the Americanized Chinese dishes, like General Tso or Mongolian Beef if that’s more your flavor but, hey, when in Rome!

15. Minero

Sean Brock, the famous Charleston restaurateur, brought this unbelievably unique modern Mexican spot. Their well-balanced tacos are fresh and creative (especially Cauliflower) and the salsa tasting menu is the perfect blend of comforting and unexpected. Insider tip: The brined and grilled wings are surprisingly delightful! 

18. Ton Ton Ramen & Yakitori

Whether it’s cool or muggy outside, ramen always hits the spot and Ton Ton offers some of Atlanta’s finest! While we all love slurping some ramen, the tastiest item on the menu might just be the brothless Invincible Dan Dan Mazeman, with minced pork, soft-boiled egg, cucumbers, spicy soybeans, szechuan oil, scallions, and sesame seeds. Insider’s tip: If you’re more of a purist, look no further than the Hakata Tonkotsu Classic.