Atlanta is one of our favorite food cities in the United States thanks to tea parlors and barbecue spots, lemon icebox pie, and craft breweries. But when you’re eating in restaurants and drinking in bars on the ground level, you miss the glittering skyline of new and historic buildings and the greenery of the BeltLine and other city parks. It’s only from above that you see the perfect mix of green and modern. And the best way to experience it all is by enjoying the view from a rooftop, cocktail in hand and food on your plate. Because the only thing better than enjoying a delicious meal or perfect cocktail is tasting and sipping with a gorgeous view on the horizon.
Photo: Heidi Geldhauser
The Best Rooftops in Atlanta to Eat, Drink, and Be Merry
These are our five favorite elevated outdoor spaces in the city where food and drink service comes with a view.
1. The Rooftop at Hotel Clermont
Photo: Asher Moss
Hotel Clermont is one of the best places to stay and eat in Atlanta, in no small part thanks to the French-American food at Tiny Lou’s. The hotel also has one of the coolest rooftops in the city. As you get off the elevator, find a seat at the bar or settle into the vintage patio furniture on the astroturf. Sweeping views of the Atlanta skyline are accompanied by street food-inspired bites and seasonal drinks (think Frosé in the summer and Hot Toddies come fall). This hotspot gets busy during prime evening hours, so we suggest arriving for a pre-dinner drink or a late-night tipple.
Where: 789 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30306
2. O-Ku
Photo: Heidi Geldhauser
If you’re in the mood for sushi, O-Ku serves a delicious, innovative take on classic Japanese cuisine with classic nigiri and sashimi sitting on the menu next to a signature menu of sushi topped with ingredients like foie gras, wagyu beef, and truffles. The restaurant also features an expansive rooftop with a perfect view of the city’s Midtown skyline. Order a cocktail (try the Shochu Wanna Drink made with shochu, lime, cucumber, mint, and black pepper) before diving into dishes like Otoro tartare topped with pickled wasabi stem, uni, truffle ponzu, scallions, and caviar. Try to time it right so you can order dessert right as the sun is setting over Atlanta’s skyscrapers.
Where: Westside Ironworks, 1085 Howell Mill Rd NW A3, Atlanta, GA 30318
3. Ponce City Market
Photo: Ponce City Roof/Facebook
There’s enough shopping and eating at Ponce City Market to keep one occupied for hours. But perhaps the coolest part of this massive retail space is The Roof. The venue hosts special seasonal happenings (ice skating with private heated igloos in the winter, adult summer camp in the warmer months) and Skyline Park, which features rides and games like mini-golf and a three-story slide. If all that activity is making you thirsty, stop by beer garden 9 Mile Station or the swanky 12 Cocktail Bar for drinks and snacks.
Where: 675 Ponce de Leon Ave., NE, Atlanta, GA
4. The Regent Cocktail Club
Photo: The Regent Cocktail Club Atlanta/Facebook
Not only is The Regent Cocktail Club one of the best cocktail bars in Atlanta, it also has one of our favorite rooftops in the city. Industrial chic meets old-school glamor on the inside, and a wraparound outdoor space gives imbibers a nice view and some fresh air while they sip. On the menu, you’ll find classics like a barrel-aged Manhattan alongside signature drinks like the Peachtree & Regent, made with High West Rendezvous Rye, fernet, orgeat, and citrus. Order a plate of delicious wings and enjoy The Regent’s lineup of live music as you gaze over the city skyline.
Where: 3rd floor of American Cut 3035 Peachtree Rd NE #140 Atlanta, GA 30305
5. SkyLounge
Photo: SkyLounge Atlanta/Facebook
Perched on the 11th floor of the Glenn Hotel, SkyLounge is an elegant indoor-outdoor space, the latter of which is enclosed in cooler weather for year-round enjoyment. As you take in the fresh air or gaze out the massive windows, take a moment to check out the drink menu. It’s small but mighty, and you can choose from a few wines by the glass and tasty classic and signature cocktails. Don’t miss SkyLounge’s weekend programming if you’re in the mood for live music.
Where: 110 Marietta St NW, Atlanta, GA 30303 