Georgia World Congress Center – Foodie Guide

Like most major cities, Atlanta, Georgia, is a haven for foodies. Turn down any street and you’ll probably find a restaurant worth trying. From Southern-inspired breakfast spots to retro fast food joints, Atlanta’s thriving food scene has got it all and then some.

If you’re attending an event at the Georgia World Congress Center in Downtown Atlanta, for instance, there are plenty of foodie-friendly eateries nearby. A short walk from the convention center is all it takes to get to some of the best restaurants in the city. Want to get the lowdown on these dining destinations? Check out the list below!

Just Around the Corner

At just over a 10-minute walk from the Georgia World Congress Center, Just Around the Corner really is “just around the corner.” And even if it wasn’t, it would still be worth going to while you’re in town.

Don’t let Just Around the Corner’s small size and unassuming appearance fool you. This tiny eatery really is home to one of the best burgers in Atlanta, despite being located right next to a parking deck. They cook their burgers to order on a sizzling flattop grill and amp them up with classic toppings like bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion, and their own special sauce.

Burgers aren’t the only thing they’re doing right at Just Around the Corner however. Another standout on their crowd-pleasing menu is their chicken wings, which you can get tossed in a variety of sauces or a zesty lemon and pepper spice rub. They’ve also got sizeable sandwiches and subs, generous portions of fried fish, tasty gyros, and more.

Ted’s Montana Grill

It’s only fitting that you have a meal at Ted’s Montana Grill during your visit to Atlanta and the Georgia World Congress Center. Why? Because this restaurant is part of a chain owned by Ted Turner, the media mogul who founded CNN, which just so happens to be headquartered in Downtown Atlanta.

Aside from that association, Ted’s Montana Grill is also worth eating at because they serve a variety of dishes featuring a meat you don’t see on menus all too often: bison. This lean, nutrient-rich protein finds its way into all kinds of dishes, from nachos and chili to burgers, pot roast, meatloaf, and more. If you’ve never had bison before, Ted’s Montana Grill is a great place to start.

If bison’s too far out of your culinary comfort zone or you’re just someone who doesn’t eat meat, don’t worry! The menu at Ted’s Montana Grill also features plenty of seafood and poultry dishes, steaks, salads, and more.

One particularly popular bison-free entrée at Ted’s Montana Grill are the St. Phillips Island crab cakes, which feature Southwestern-inspired seasoning and pieces of crab meat so big you can spot them before you even take a bite. These succulent patties of crabby deliciousness come with guacamole, Parmesan-roasted broccoli, and kale salad.

Alma Cocina

With a name like Alma Cocina, Spanish for “soul kitchen,” you better believe this modern Mexican restaurant serves food that comes straight from the heart. Executive chef Chad Clevenger uses his 15-plus years of culinary experience to turn bright, fresh ingredients into dishes that will reshape your expectations of Mexican and Latin cuisine.

The menu at Alma Cocina is as varied as their food is delicious. Don’t know where to start? Try one of their three guacamoles, which range from a traditional take to ones mixed with unconventional ingredients like Marcona almonds and roasted pineapple. A guacamole trio is also available for foodies who’d like to sample each.

For an entrée, you can’t go wrong with the roasted chicken mole. This savory dish consists of chicken doused in a rich sauce known as mole negro served with a side of mashed plantains and grilled green beans. They’ve also got tacos filled with lamb barbacoa, grilled octopus, fried avocado, and more.

If you somehow manage to save room for more, reward yourself with one of their decadent, sweet tooth-satisfying desserts. Options include cakes of both the tres leches and masa variety, churros served with two dipping sauces, and a variety of homemade ice cream and sorbet.

They’ve also their own version of a banana split sundae made with plantains, Mexican vanilla ice cream, ancho-chocolate mousse, goat’s milk cajeta sauce, morello cherries, and a sesame crumble. Because of course they do.

Atlanta Breakfast Club

Nothing beats a good breakfast, and one of the best breakfasts in Atlanta can be had at the aptly named Atlanta Breakfast Club. This homey eatery is known for elevating all kinds of breakfast classics.

The French toast there is far from ordinary, for instance. They make it their own by topping it with a brown butter peach compote, warm crumble, vanilla butter, and powdered sugar. Executive chef Anthony Sanders describes the dish as “Atlanta in one bite,” and it sure is.

Another breakfast staple that gets a makeover at Atlanta Breakfast Club is the humble biscuit. Their menu features five biscuit-forward dishes that range from a Southern-inspired version of Eggs Benedict to a fried green tomato BLT. Biscuits can also be used in place of bread for a build-your-own breakfast sandwich.

Believe it or not, Atlanta Breakfast Club serves lunch too. Go there later in the day and you can enjoy rich seafood gumbo made with crawfish, shrimp, and chicken sausage on a bed of creamy grits or a fried chicken sandwich topped with buttermilk ranch dressing, sliced tomato, pickles, and field greens. If neither of those dishes strikes your fancy, their lunch menu also features a house salad, shrimp po’ boy, and the A.B.C., a.k.a. Atlanta Breakfast Club, Burger.

The Varsity

No trip to Atlanta is complete without eating at The Varsity. Like Just Around the Corner, they serve up made-to-order fast food favorites in a no-frills, no-fuss atmosphere. The only difference is that The Varsity has been doing it for almost 100 years.

There are eight Varsity locations scattered across Georgia, including two in Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Lucky for you, the one closest to the Georgia World Congress Center just so happens to be their oldest location too. It’s a little under a mile and a half away from the convention center.

When you step up to the counter at The Varsity, they’ll greet you by asking, “What’ll ya have?” a question that has become synonymous with this Georgian institution. Make sure you’re ready to order, though, because if not, you might end up getting sent to the back of the line.

Like any fast food joint worth their salt, The Varsity specializes in hamburgers and hot dogs. If you opt for either one of these staples, make sure to get them topped with a heaping spoonful of their world-famous chili. And don’t even think about leaving without trying the FO, a creamy orange milkshake, and a fried peach or apple pie.

By the way, if you really want to feel like a local, familiarize yourself with some Varsity lingo beforehand. For example, “chili steak” means a hamburger with chili; “heavy weight” means a hot dog with extra chili; and getting something “all the way” means it’ll come topped with onions. Start talking like that and there’s no way they’ll be able to tell it’s your first rodeo. You can find a full list of phrases and definitions on The Varsity’s website.