Chow Down
Located in the heart of Atlanta’s business and tourism district, the Hyatt Regency Atlanta is within a short walk of lots of food — especially in the daytime. Evenings, most options along Peachtree Street cater more to tourists than to students, so that may be a time you get a group and venture out via MARTA, UBER, or LYFT.
Nearby and fun:
Broad Street
The prime lunch destination for Georgia State University students and downtown office workers, Broad Street offers scores of lunch spots and a few early dinner options. Turn left and walk south on Peachtree Street until it intersects with Auburn Avenue. Turn right, then immediately left onto Broad Street. Stroll around. You’ll find a virtual United Nations of food.
Caveat: Many of the restaurants are closed nights and weekends.
Here’s what Yelp recommends: https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=Restaurants&find_loc=Broad+Street+Northwest%2C+Atlanta%2C+GA+30303
CNN CENTER
190 Marietta St, NW
Even if you don’t have time for the CNN Studio Tour, you’ll want to stroll through the world headquarters of the giant media operation. You’ll find lots to eat and even a few shopping opportunities. From standard food court options to fine dining, you’ll find plenty of options under one roof. And it’s downhill from the hotel, so getting there is a breeze.
http://www.cnncenterretail.com/template.aspx?CID03=67d8fd72-6aff-4d5f-8480-23924a5c59bc&name=goocou
The Mall at Peachtree Center
225 Peachtree Street NE
Attached to the hotel (via an elevated glass walkway) is the Mall at Peachtree Center food court. Three floors of generally any fast food and some more upscale spots:
http://peachtreecenter.com/dine-shop/
Ted’s Montana Grill
133 Luckie Street NW
A short walk from the hotel at the corner of Luckie Street and Ted Turner Drive, you’ll find the original Ted’s Montana Grill founded by legendary CNN founder and former Atlanta Braves owner Ted Turner (the street has recently been renamed after him. It’s one of the few relatively affordable dinner options within walking distance.
https://www.tedsmontanagrill.com/tmg001.html
Waffle House
135 Andrew Young International Blvd NW
Open 24 hours, this renowned southern chain is known for much more than waffles. Best known for eggs and hash browns, you can also get burgers and sandwiches, as well as plenty of coffee. The downtown Atlanta location is near the corner of Andrew Young International Boulevard and Centennial Olympic Park Drive.
http://www.wafflehouse.com/waffle-house-menu/
A bit further afield
Little Five Points
Euclid and Moreland Avenues
For a funky and fun evening out, Little Five Points is filled with dining and entertainment options from Front Page News — decorated as you would expect with images of old newspapers — to the Vortex Bar and Grill (21 and up), as well as shops and entertainment venues. Located three miles east of the hotel, you’ll want to Uber or Lyft out there.
http://littlefivepoints.net
http://www.frontpageatlanta.com
Mary Mac’s Tea Room
224 Ponce De Leon Ave NE
If you want to experience a southern staple, don’t miss Mary Mac’s, a little over a mile north of the Hyatt Regency. A perfect Uber or Lyft destination, Mary Mac’s will take you back in time to a mid-20th century tea room where patrons fill out their orders on cards at their tables and dine on southern staples such as fried chicken, fried green tomatoes, fried shrimp, or meatloaf. More than 30 side items are available — and yes, in the South, macaroni and cheese is a vegetable.
Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
http://www.marymacs.com
Sweet Auburn Curb Market
209 Edgewood Ave SE
The Sweet Auburn Curb Market is located inside the original Municipal Market building, which opened its doors in 1924. Referred to as “The Curb Market” by locals, the building houses 24 individual businesses, including produce and meat merchants, a full service bakery, a bookstore, pharmacy and 11 popular eateries. Hop the streetcar or plan to walk about a mile each way.
Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m.–6 p.m.*
Sunday, Noon–5 p.m.*
*Some merchants have different hours of operation and some are not open on Sundays.
http://thecurbmarket.com/
The Varsity
61 North Avenue
The world’s largest drive-in restaurant has been serving customers in Atlanta since 1928. Located across the expressway from Georgia Tech at the intersection of North Avenue and Spring Street, The Varsity is indeed a one-of-a-kind experience. The downtown Atlanta location is on over two acres and can accommodate 600 cars and more than 800 people inside. On days when the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets are playing a home game, more than 30,000 people visit The Varsity. Located a mile north of the Hyatt Regency, you’ll need to plan on a 20-minute walk or take MARTA north to the North Avenue station and walk two blocks west.
Hours of Operation:
Inside Service: Sunday-Thursday 10 a.m.-10:30 p.m., Friday-Saturday 10 a.m.-11:30 p.m.
Curb Service: Sunday 10 a.m.-11:30 p.m., Monday-Thursday 10 a.m.-10:30 p.m., Friday-Saturday 10 a.m.-12:30 a.m.
Hop on MARTA
http://www.atlanta.net/explore/transportation/marta-guide/
Clusters of restaurants are accessible from the Buckhead, Decatur, and Midtown MARTA stations. But remember, the fare is $2.50 per person each way, so if you’re in large group, ride share services may be cost efficient and will take you directly to and from your restaurant selection:
From the Peachtree Center Station you can explore:
Buckhead http://www.atlanta.net/Buckhead/Restaurants/ (Buckhead station North RED LINE North/Northsprings)
Decatur http://decaturrestaurant-tour.com (Decatur station on the East Line)
Midtown http://www.midtownatl.com/life/nightlife (Midtown or Arts Center Station on the North line)