If you haven't been to Buckhead lately, you might be looking for the old Phipps Plaza food court and finding yourself completely lost. It’s gone. Honestly, the era of lukewarm Sbarro slices and plastic trays at Phipps died a few years ago, replaced by something much more ambitious called Citizens Market. It's a 25,000-square-foot massive culinary "food hall" that feels more like a high-end hotel lobby than a place to grab a quick taco.
But is it actually better? That depends on whether you're looking for a $15 artisan sandwich or just a place to sit down after buying shoes at Nordstrom.
The shift at Phipps Plaza reflects a massive bet by Simon Property Group. They didn't just want to feed people; they wanted to create a "live-work-play" ecosystem. With the addition of the Nobu Hotel and the Life Time fitness club, the dining had to level up. You can't really sell $400 leggings next door to a 1990s-style mall cafeteria. So, they brought in C3 (Creating Culinary Communities), a platform founded by Sam Nazarian, to curate a digital-first dining experience.
The Reality of Dining at the Phipps Plaza Food Court Today
When you walk into Citizens Market, the first thing you notice is the lack of cashiers. It’s very tech-forward. You’re basically looking at kiosks and QR codes everywhere. For some, this is a dream. You order on your phone, you get a text, you pick up your food. For others who just want to talk to a human being about whether the spicy tuna is actually spicy, it can feel a bit sterile.
The lineup is diverse, but it's all under one umbrella. Unlike a traditional food court where every stall is a different company, most of these brands are "ghost kitchen" concepts that C3 has scaled globally.
What You Can Actually Eat
One of the heavy hitters is Umami Burger. If you've spent any time in LA, you know the vibe—truffle salt, caramelized onions, and a lot of richness. It’s a solid burger, maybe one of the better ones in Buckhead, but it’s priced like a sit-down meal. Then there’s Krispy Rice. This is essentially "Instagram sushi." It’s pretty, it’s boxed well, and the spicy tuna over crispy pressed rice is genuinely addictive, though a bit pricey for the portion size.
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Cicci di Carne is another interesting one. It’s a deli concept helmed by Dario Cecchini, who many recognize from Chef’s Table. He’s often called the "world’s greatest butcher." Does a sandwich in a mall food hall live up to that legacy? It's a high bar. The meats are high quality, certainly better than your average sub shop, but it’s still a sandwich in a food hall.
You’ve also got Sa’Moto by Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto. This is where the Phipps Plaza food court really tries to flex its muscles. We're talking pan-Asian flavors, gyoza, and bao buns. It’s fast-casual Morimoto, which is a sentence I never thought I’d write. It’s good, but don't expect the same experience you'd get at his flagship restaurants.
Why the "Food Hall" Rebrand Matters
People use the terms "food court" and "food hall" interchangeably, but they aren't the same. Not even close. A food court is about utility. It’s about feeding a family of four for under fifty bucks so they can keep shopping. A food hall, especially this one at Phipps, is a destination.
The design is intentional. There’s a massive bar in the center because, let's be real, shopping at Phipps is an Olympic sport and sometimes you need a martini. The "Green" outside—a lush, landscaped courtyard—is where the real magic happens. In the spring and fall, it’s easily one of the best spots in Atlanta to just exist without feeling the claustrophobia of a mall.
The Digital Friction
Here is the honest truth: the "digital-first" approach has some growing pains. Sometimes the kiosks are glitchy. Sometimes the wait times for a "fast" burger can stretch to 20 minutes during the Saturday rush. If you're coming here on a lunch break from one of the nearby office towers like One Phipps Plaza, give yourself a buffer.
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Also, the pricing. You aren't in the suburban food courts of the 2000s anymore. A meal for two with drinks will easily clear $60. It’s Buckhead. Adjust your expectations accordingly.
Comparing Phipps to Lenox Square
You can't talk about Phipps without mentioning Lenox Square across the street. The Lenox food court is still very much a traditional food court. It’s loud, it’s crowded, and it has the classic chains. If you want Chick-fil-A, you go to Lenox. If you want a goat cheese and beet salad or a wagyu burger while sitting on designer furniture, you stay at Phipps.
The demographic shift is palpable. Phipps is leaning hard into the luxury traveler and the "work-from-mall" crowd. You’ll see people on MacBooks in the Citizens Market area for hours. It’s a vibe. It’s polished. It’s very "New Atlanta."
Sustainability and Quality
One thing C3 pushes is the idea of "thoughtful" fast food. They claim to use better ingredients than your average fast-food joint. From what I’ve seen, the quality is definitely higher. The buns are fresher, the fish in the Krispy Rice boxes doesn't look like it’s been sitting out, and the packaging is almost entirely compostable or high-grade recyclable material. It feels less wasteful, which matters to a lot of people shopping in this zip code.
The Hidden Perks of Citizens Market
Most people don't realize that the Phipps Plaza food court area—Citizens Market—has a pretty great happy hour. Because it’s trying to compete with the actual restaurants in the mall like Ecco or Alon’s, they often have deals on beer and wine to draw in the after-work crowd.
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Another pro tip: The seating near the back, closer to the Nobu entrance, is usually much quieter. If you need to take a call or just want to eat your Umami Burger in peace, head that way. The main atrium gets loud because of the high ceilings and the hard surfaces—concrete and glass aren't great for acoustics.
Is it worth the trip?
If you are a foodie, you’ll find it interesting. It’s a laboratory for how we’re going to eat in malls for the next decade. If you just want a cheap taco, you’re going to be annoyed by the $14 price tag.
But honestly, the sheer variety is impressive. You can get a high-end coffee at Elixr, a heavy burger at Umami, and a light sushi lunch at Krispy Rice all in one transaction. That’s the selling point. It’s the "everything app" but for lunch.
Navigating the Experience
- Download the app ahead of time. If you’re a local, the "Go by Citizens" app lets you skip the kiosk lines entirely. You can order while you’re still browsing in Saks and just walk down when it’s ready.
- The Outdoor Space is Key. If the weather is even remotely nice, take your food outside to The Green. There’s plenty of seating, and it feels a world away from the traffic on Peachtree Road.
- Validation. Don't forget that Phipps has moved to a more structured parking system. Check if the market offers validation; usually, for a certain spend, you can get your parking covered, but it changes, so always ask at the bar.
- The "Secret" Brands. Keep an eye out for rotating pop-ups. Because it's a digital kitchen setup, they can swap out brands relatively easily. Sometimes you'll find a limited-time chicken sandwich or a dessert brand that isn't on the permanent signage.
The evolution of the Phipps Plaza food court into Citizens Market is a sign of the times. It’s more expensive, it’s more technical, and it’s definitely more "Atlanta." It’s not just a place to eat; it’s a place to be seen eating. Whether that’s a good thing is up to you, but you can’t deny that the food is a massive step up from the lukewarm pizza of yesteryear.
Next Steps for Your Visit:
- Check the hours: While the mall stays open late, some of the specific kitchens inside Citizens Market may close earlier than the main bar.
- Plan for Peak Times: Saturdays between 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM are chaotic. If you want a seat, aim for an early 11:30 AM lunch or a late 4:00 PM snack.
- Explore the Perimeter: Don't forget that Alon’s Bakery is also right there. If the tech-heavy ordering at the food hall feels like too much, Alon’s offers a more traditional (and incredibly high-quality) European market experience with a great patio.