
Mary Mac's Tea Room
An Atlanta institution since 1945, Mary Mac's Tea Room offers a true taste of Southern hospitality with classic comfort food in a charming, homey sett...

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Mary Mac's Tea Room

Highlights
Must-see attractions
An Atlanta institution since 1945, Mary Mac's Tea Room offers a true taste of Southern hospitality with classic comfort food in a charming, homey setting.
Try the Catfish
Many reviewers suggest the catfish entree as a must-try, highlighting its perfect cooking and flavor.
Consider Off-Peak Hours
To avoid crowds, especially on weekends, visiting during off-peak hours is recommended.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
Southern
Price
Mid-range
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Classic Southern Fried Chicken
Experience the crispy, flavorful fried chicken that locals and tourists rave about. A true taste of Southern comfort.

Authentic Southern Hospitality
Step into a homey atmosphere that feels like grandma's kitchen, with warm service and a charming, nostalgic vibe.

Delectable Peach Cobbler
Indulge in a classic Southern dessert, with seasonal variations available, often served a la mode for extra delight.
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Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Try the Catfish
Many reviewers suggest the catfish entree as a must-try, highlighting its perfect cooking and flavor.
Consider Off-Peak Hours
To avoid crowds, especially on weekends, visiting during off-peak hours is recommended.
Don't Miss the Sides
Savor delicious sides like sweet potato soufflé and green beans, often praised for their unique flavors.
Write Your Own Order
Embrace the old-school charm: servers provide menu cards for you to write down your own selections.
Tips
from all over the internet
Try the Catfish
Many reviewers suggest the catfish entree as a must-try, highlighting its perfect cooking and flavor.
Consider Off-Peak Hours
To avoid crowds, especially on weekends, visiting during off-peak hours is recommended.
Don't Miss the Sides
Savor delicious sides like sweet potato soufflé and green beans, often praised for their unique flavors.
Write Your Own Order
Embrace the old-school charm: servers provide menu cards for you to write down your own selections.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Mary Mac's Tea Room is celebrated for its authentic Southern comfort food and warm, hospitable atmosphere, reminiscent of a grandma's kitchen. Many praise the fried chicken, sides, and desserts like peach cobbler, while some reviews mention inconsistent service and food quality that doesn't always meet the high expectations set by its long-standing reputation.
"Enjoyed our dinner here. Food server was great, offered recommendations, and stayed attentive throughout. Had chicken fried chicken with smothered gravy, fried okra, cornbread dressing (not very good), and sweet potato with brown sugar. Topped it off with a peach cobbler ala mode. Delicious."
Jody B.
"Mary Mac’s delivers a true Southern dining experience that feels like stepping back in time. From the start, we were treated to a small bowl of pot likker (the flavorful broth from boiled greens) served with cornbread and rolls. It was rich, comforting, and a delicious way to begin the meal.
For appetizers, we tried the fried livers, which were perfectly seasoned and cooked—absolutely excellent. My husband ordered the chicken and dumplings with sweet potatoes. While the flavor was spot on, the dish could have used a bit more chicken. I had the fried chicken wings with collard greens and fried green tomatoes, and everything was tasty, especially the greens. Portions were very generous, leaving us with plenty for leftovers that night.
The atmosphere is warm, nostalgic, and full of Southern charm, making the experience just as memorable as the food. Service was friendly and efficient, adding to the welcoming feel.
Overall, Mary Mac’s is a must-visit for anyone craving hearty Southern comfort food. We’ll definitely return the next time we’re in Atlanta!"
Pamela Harper
"This was such a charming gem in Atlanta. I don't know how many seats can possibly be in the facility, but we did not have to wait at all to be sat. Beings it was a Sunday evening around the supper rush, we were shocked by there not being a wait.
My son and I really enjoyed our dinner date. He is a bit of a foodie, so it was neat to get his take as we dined. He pointed out that the establishment is clear about what they serve, and they take pride in doing so. They aren't trying to be something they aren't. They serve literal southern food and do it well. In all honesty, our total was $80, including tip, which we both felt was reasonable.
This was a recommendation from some of our state representatives, and it is one we were gold we tried."
Jena LeAnn
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Mary Mac's is renowned for its authentic Southern comfort food, especially its fried chicken, as well as its warm, homey atmosphere and friendly hospitality.
While it can get busy, especially on weekends, some visitors have been pleasantly surprised by short or no wait times, even during peak hours.
Popular choices include the fried chicken, catfish, shrimp and grits, peach cobbler, and various Southern sides like collard greens and sweet potato soufflé.
The menu includes several side dishes that can be combined for a vegetarian meal, such as mac & cheese, green beans, and broccoli casserole.
Some reviews indicate that sharing dishes may not be allowed or encouraged, so it's best to check with your server upon arrival.
The restaurant is described as having a charming, nostalgic, and homey ambiance, often compared to visiting a Southern grandma's house.
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Sometimes, it’s just best to keep things simple, and that’s where Mary Mac’s Tea Room comes in. The tried and true restaurant has become a staple in Atlanta since its inception in the 1940s, and 76 years after it first opened, Mary Mac’s continues to serve guests high-quality pies. Currently, the restaurant’s dessert menu is nearly devoid of that specific type of dessert, yet although past fan-favorites like the peanut butter pie are no longer available, Mary Mac’s Tea Room’s classic Key Lime Pie with a homemade almond crust will be more than enough to satisfy your sweet tooth this holiday season.
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If you ask anyone who’s visited Atlanta for restaurant recommendations, they’ll almost certainly suggest Mary Mac’s Tea Room. While the spot is a favorite of tourists—and celebrities, for that matter—it’s also a classic American eatery that locals frequent for special occasions. The space itself is sprawling, covering dozens of rooms and feeling much like a teahouse—although the only tea you’ll be drinking here is sweet and cold.
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Mary Mac’s Tea Room serves all your classic southern comfort foods. Come here for buttermilk fried chicken, black-eyed peas, corn bread, giblet gravy, collard greens, creamed corn, ribs, fried green tomatoes, and of course, peach cobbler. In addition to the peach cobbler, Mary Mac’s makes seasonal variations like blueberry cobbler.
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Expect to find this Southern classic on Ponce packed with weekend tourists. Mary Mac’s is an old school meat-and-two where you write down your own order on a menu card. And where else will servers announce, “Comin’ in, honey” before setting down a plate of delicious fried green tomatoes?
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Atlanta landmark Mary Mac’s Tea Room (224 Ponce de Leon Ave. NE, 404/876-1800) has served traditional Southern food (fried chicken, peach cobbler, and sweet tea) since 1945. A large, lively (and just a little bit seedy) 1930s-style café, the Majestic Diner (1031 Ponce de Leon Ave., 404/875-0276) is open daily 24 hours for great waffles, burgers, and endless cups of java. In between these two landmarks, check out the Ponce City Market (675 Ponce de Leon Ave. NE) food hall and amusement center, or take a stroll along the adjacent BeltLine, an evolving pedestrian and cyling path that forms a 22-mile loop around the heart of the city.
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Dainty and delightful Mary Mac's Tea Room is yet another Atlanta classic that's been serving great food since long before the city developed a fervent gay scene—and has in recent years become a mainstay of that very community. Serving lunch and dinner daily, this go-to for filling and tasty Old South cooking has changed little since it opened in 1945. Count on the talented cooks here to keep turning out big bowls and plates of Brunswick stew, fried pork chops, chicken and dumplings, fried oysters, broccoli soufflé, Georgia peach cobbler, and Key lime pie with whipped cream.
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According to their website, Mary Mac’s first opened its door in the 1940s during the days when women couldn’t easily own restaurants, so many female business owners used the more genteel Southern name “Tearoom” to get around that custom. Today, Mary Mac’s has been operating for over 70 years and continues to serve up seriously craveworthy Southern cookin’ just like your mama used to make it. Their banana pudding has rave reviews and every meal begins with a bread basket filled to the brim with cornbread, warm cinnamon buns, and more.
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You can’t visit Atlanta without trying some authentic Southern food like fried green tomatoes, fried chicken, fried okra, cornbread, and more. Mary Mac’s Tea Room was established in 1945 and has 4.4/5 star reviews by a whopping 8,481 people!. Parties of 2 or more can order the Southern Special consisting of 3 entrees, 3 sides, and dessert to share where choices include fried chicken, oven roasted turkey with cornbread dressing, black-eyed peas, fried green tomatoes, squash soufflé, Hoppin’John, and so many more!
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This restaurant is known as the place for classic Southern cuisine. Recently cited by Gourmet magazine as the best place for family dining in Atlanta, Mary Mac's has been providing great food in a comfortable atmosphere for more than 50 years. The charming staff bring out plates piled high with country favorites like fried catfish, country steak, and meatloaf, with sides like macaroni and cheese, sweet potato soufflé, squash soufflé, black-eyed peas, steamed cabbage, and collard greens.
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Mary Mac’s Tea Room is serving made-from-scratch classic Southern food with genuine hospitality in the heart of Atlanta for over seventy-five years. it is primarily opened its doors with one dining room; currently, they already have a full-service bar and 6 bustling dining rooms. Their food is undeniably comforting, the environment feels as close as grandmother’s kitchen, and their staff welcomes each customer as if they were offering their long-lost cousin a holiday cuisine.
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Mary Mac’s Tea Room is not only famous for its authentic southern meals and fresh desserts, but the Georgia peach cobbler has made it very famous among many people who live in Atlanta. If it’s your first time there, make sure to try the tomato pie and fried chicken, and for dessert, you should definitely pick the peach cobbler. The restaurant also has a big variety of desserts including ice cream, banana pudding, seasonal cobbler, key lime pie, and pecan pie.
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Comfort foods made from scratch and sweet tea — the so-called “table wine of the South” — will delight diners in the one-time tearoom that Mary McKenzie opened in 1945. Though the boarding house days are long gone, you can still feel the care put into running this genteel establishment. While fried chicken is always a good choice, consider ordering the country-fried steak, cornbread stuffing with gravy, fried okra and peach cobbler at Mary Mac's Tea Room.
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No visit to Atlanta would be complete without indulging in the classic Southern flavors at Mary Mac's Tea Room. Established in 1945, this institution offers a taste of the South with dishes like fried chicken, collard greens, and sweet potato soufflé. The warm, inviting atmosphere and the restaurant’s dedication to preserving Southern culinary traditions make it a must-visit for anyone seeking authentic Southern comfort food.
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When we went in to place our to-go order, the waiter took the time to go to the back and ask about allergens, informing us that their peach cobbler was safe for me to eat. After we placed the order, he went back to the kitchen again to remind them of my allergy and brought out our peach cobbler when it was ready, assuring us that it was made safely. It was absolutely delicious and the best way to end our trip!
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Mary Mac’s Tea Room has delivered on serving up down-home faves like fried green tomatoes, fried chicken and copious amounts of sweet tea (never order unsweet here; it’s blasphemy) since opening its doors in 1945. Yes, for 75 years, it’s been a legend in Atlanta’s culinary story, and if you ask anyone where to go for a healthy dose of proper Southern cooking, this Ponce de Leon icon will be first on the list.
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Today, however, they’ve become a relic of the past, and only holdouts like Mary Mac’s Tea Room remain. Mary Mac’s Tea Room specializes in good old country-style food. From crispy fried chicken and gravy-smothered biscuits to piping hot cornbread served with okra and collard greens, you’ll feel like you stepped back in time to a genuine southern kitchen from the ’40s and ’50s.
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Mary Mac’s Tea Room has been operating in Atlanta since 1945 and has a rich, unique history behind it. It was opened by Mary Mackenzie at the tail end of WWII when many women were looking for a way to make their own money and enter the workforce. In this era, women couldn’t legally open up their own restaurants, so they called them “tearooms” to get around the red tape.
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Mary Mac’s Tea Room – Truly a “can’t miss” because of its historical significance. Mary Mac’s was opened by Mary MacKenzie in 1945, one of many “tearooms” run by women in town because they couldn’t open restaurants. Mary’s successor, Margaret Lupo, stayed true to the kitchen’s commitment to freshness, and they have employees who have worked there for over 45 years.
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Mary Mac’s is a must for both locals and travelers, especially with its very antique-y vibes and historic ambiance, because of the pictures of the famous people on the wall that have visited this lovely restaurant, including Joe Biden and the Dalai Lama. The fried chicken is very good, with a very nice light golden color and juicy inside.
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Stepping into this Atlanta institution feels like visiting grandma’s house. Since 1945, locals and tourists alike have flocked here for authentic Southern cooking. The peach cobbler arrives piping hot with a golden-brown crust that crackles under your spoon, revealing juicy Georgia peaches swimming in their own sweet syrup.
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Can you have a list of the best restaurants in Atlanta to host your rehearsal dinner without a good old made-from-scratch Southern food option?. Mary Mac’s Tearoom has been an Atlanta staple for over 75 years!. Every morning at Mary Mac’s start by brewing their own sweet tea and baking their own bread and desserts.
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Since 1945, Mary Mac’s Tea Room has been an absolute staple restaurant in Atlanta. Southern hospitality is the central theme at Mary Mac’s, highlighted in both their traditional homestyle food and antique tea room atmosphere. If you’re planning a special event in Atlanta, Mary Mac’s also offers fantastic catering!
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Mary Mac’s Tea Room – Mary Mac’s has been serving “a meat and two sides” Southern style since 1945. The staff serves up genuine Southern hospitality and down-home cooking. Meatloaf, fried chicken, baked fish, and so much more, with over 30 different side choices mean you never have to eat the same thing twice.
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Mary Mac’s is set to bring delicious Easter offerings (Source: Google Reviews). Midtown residents and visitors can bask in the delicious taste of Southern comfort food at Mary Mac’s Tea Room. This food establishment can be an ideal pick for families this Easter Sunday, owing to its classic ambiance since 1945.
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Let’s face it, after the birth of Chick-fil-A, Georgia dominates the fried chicken game. Putting the successful chain to the side, Mary Macs Tea Room’s crispy, tender chicken has been drawing in customers for 70 years. The heavenly cinnamon rolls and traditional sides may have something to do with it, too.
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No list of Atlanta’s best Southern food restaurants would be complete without mentioning Mary Mac’s Tea Room. Established in 1945, Mary Mac’s has been serving up classic Southern dishes for generations. This iconic restaurant is famous for its fried chicken, collard greens, and mac ’n’ cheese.
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First opened in 1945 by namesake Mary Mackenzie, Mary Mac’s Tea Room is the last-standing location out of her 16 original tearooms. Their tried-and-true menu of delectable, made-from-scratch Southern fare hasn’t changed much in 70 years. And that’s just the way their patrons like it.
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Mary Mac's Tea Room in Atlanta is a must-visit for families seeking a taste of Southern charm and hospitality. Their delicious comfort food and friendly staff will leave a lasting impression. From the savory fried chicken to the delectable sweet tea, every bite felt like a warm hug.
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Atlanta's best-known home of soul food, Mary Mac's delivers quality Southern favorites like fried chicken, collard greens, hoppin' John and fried okra. Fried food is the order of the day so people with an aversion to crunchy, crispy goodness probably should find other places to be.
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The Mary Mac`s Tea room is a restaurants in Atlanta that has specialized in southern cuisines. The restaurants has been in existence for decades and has kept is truth is serving some of the best meals in Atlanta. The restaurant stands as one of the oldest in Atlanta.
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Mary Mac's Tea Room—one of the last of Atlanta's 16 tea rooms from the 1940s—blends history, coziness and affordability. The Midtown institution is a Southern comfort food destination that allows couples to kick back and relax like they're in grandma's kitchen.
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Hours: Sunday-Thursday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM, Friday-Saturday: 11:00 AM – 9:30 PM. Mary Mac’s Tea Room is a Southern institution known for its homestyle cooking and welcoming atmosphere. The restaurant offers a special kid’s menu and plenty of high chairs.
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For nearly 80 years, Mary Mac’s Tea Room has been a beloved spot in Atlanta. Located on Ponce de Leon Ave, it's famous for Southern cooking like fried chicken, fried green tomatoes, and sweet tea. Opened in 1945, it's one of Atlanta's oldest restaurants.
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- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (3,958 reviews)- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.5/5)- Type of cuisine: American- Price: $$ - $$$- Address: 224 Ponce de Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308-1938- Read more on Tripadvisor
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Another soul food restaurant with a lengthy history, Mary Mac’s has been feeding hungry diners since 1945. It’s the last of 16 tea rooms that once lined 1940s in-town Atlanta. Today, they have six dining rooms in addition to a full-service bar.
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224 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308 | (404) 876-1800. Mary Mac’s is the quintessential downhome Southern eatery and a must-stop for visitors looking for a great Georgia dining experience. Here’s what one reviewer says about Mary Mac’s.
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Mary Mac’s has been setting the standard for Southern cooking in Atlanta for more than 75 years, and chose to close during the coronavirus pandemic. The restaurant’s website states it plans to reopen when it’s safe to do so.
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Arguably the most legendary restaurant in Atlanta, Mary Mac's is a Southern food institution. Be prepared to wait for a seat (it's first-come first-serve). Be prepared to also be wowed with a quintessential Southern meal.
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You won’t find finger sandwiches and high tea service here!. Instead, this “tea room” is a full restaurant serving from-scratch Southern foods. Think: fried chicken, pot likker, grits, hoppin’ john, and more.
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Midtown restaurant known for its nourishing Southern comfort food. There’s definitely something for everyone to enjoy at Mary Mac’s Tea Room, so order a shareable plate!. Image courtesy of Instagram.
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My best friend ordered the chicken fried chicken with white gravy, macaroni and cheese, and stuffing. He passed out the second he got in the car on… read more
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Mary Mac’s Tea Room offers a traditional Easter meal in a historic Midtown setting known for Southern comfort and hospitality.
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