Midtown Atlanta moves fast. Too fast, honestly. You walk down Peachtree Street and half the buildings look like they were erected yesterday, all glass and steel and cold precision. But tucked away at the bottom of the 999 Peachtree building is Empire State South Atlanta GA, a place that feels like it’s been there forever while simultaneously feeling like it’s constantly reinventing what Southern food actually is. It’s a Hugh Acheson joint, which means it has pedigree. But it’s not stuffy.
It’s actually kinda weird if you think about it.
You have this high-end, James Beard-winning level of cooking happening in a space where people are literally playing bocce ball on the patio. It shouldn’t work. The contrast between the corporate skyscraper vibe and the "slow down and eat some pimento cheese" vibe is jarring. Yet, for over a decade, it has remained the anchor of the neighborhood.
The Acheson Effect and Why It Matters
Hugh Acheson is a name you probably know if you watch Top Chef or read Food & Wine. He’s the guy with the eyebrows and the sharp wit. But at Empire State South Atlanta GA, the kitchen isn't just a trophy case for his awards. It’s a laboratory.
The philosophy here is "New South." That’s a term people throw around a lot—usually to justify charging $28 for fried chicken—but at Empire, it actually means something specific. It’s about taking the agrarian roots of the region and applying classical French techniques.
Think about the trout. Most places in Georgia just fry it. Here, it’s treated with a level of delicacy that feels more like a Parisian bistro than a Southern meat-and-three. They source from local farms—places like Riverview Farms or Crystal Organics—because the dirt the vegetable grew in actually changes the flavor profile. If you don't believe that, go eat a grocery store radish and then eat one here. The difference is night and day. It’s spicy. It’s earthy. It’s real.
The Bocce Ball Court: Not Just a Gimmick
Most "business lunch" spots in Atlanta are stiff. You sit in a booth, you talk about quarterly earnings, you leave feeling slightly depressed. Empire State South Atlanta GA flipped that script by putting a professional-grade bocce court right out front.
It’s a vibe-setter.
Even if you aren't playing, just seeing people toss those heavy balls around while sipping on a Bourbon-based cocktail changes the energy. It softens the corporate edge. You’ll see guys in $3,000 suits losing their minds over a bad roll next to a group of SCAD students sharing a bottle of Rosé. It’s one of the few places in Midtown where the social hierarchy actually seems to flatten out for a few hours.
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The patio is the heart of the operation. In the spring, when the pollen finally stops murdering everyone’s sinuses, there is no better place in the city to sit. The way the light hits the surrounding skyscrapers at 4:30 PM is enough to make you forget you have 100 unread emails.
The Coffee Program is Secretly Elite
We need to talk about the coffee. Most people think of Empire as a dinner spot, or maybe a fancy lunch place. But they have a full-service coffee bar that rivals anything in West Midtown or Decatur.
They take it seriously. Like, really seriously.
They use high-end beans, often rotating through roasters that emphasize ethical sourcing. It’s not just a "push a button and brown water comes out" situation. The baristas know their extraction times. They know their origins. If you’re working remotely and tired of the local Starbucks, grabbing a seat in the lounge area here with a flat white is a pro move. It’s quiet in the mornings, the Wi-Fi is reliable, and the atmosphere is significantly more inspiring than a home office.
What You Should Actually Order
Don't overthink the menu. People get intimidated by the culinary jargon, but the staff is genuinely helpful. They won't judge you if you don't know what shishito means or if you're confused by the daily ferment.
The Farm Egg is a legend for a reason. It’s usually served over some kind of grain—like farro or crispy rice—with celery, guanciale, and a perfectly poached egg. When you break that yolk, it creates this rich, silky sauce that ties everything together. It’s breakfast, lunch, and dinner all at once.
Then there's the pimento cheese.
Look, everyone in Georgia thinks their grandma makes the best pimento cheese. They’re probably right. But the version at Empire State South Atlanta GA is served in a little jar with bacon marmalade and house-made crackers. The marmalade is the key. It adds this smoky, sweet punch that cuts through the richness of the cheese. It’s the perfect appetizer to share while you’re waiting for the rest of your party.
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- The Pork Chop: Usually thick-cut, incredibly juicy, and served with whatever is in season. If it’s autumn, expect apples or squash.
- The Veggie Plate: This isn't just a side dish. It’s a curated selection of the best produce in the state. Even if you’re a carnivore, this is worth your time.
- The Wine List: Curated by experts, it leans heavily into interesting, small-producer labels. Don't be afraid of the Orange wines or the funky Pet-Nats. They pair surprisingly well with Southern fat.
The Logistics of Eating in Midtown
Parking in Midtown is a nightmare. Everyone knows this. It’s the universal truth of Atlanta. However, Empire State South Atlanta GA offers validated parking in the deck attached to the 999 Peachtree building.
Use it.
Don't try to find a spot on the street. You won't. And if you do, you'll probably get booted. Just pull into the deck, take your ticket, and get it stamped at the host stand. It takes the stress out of the entire experience.
If you’re coming from out of town, the restaurant is also incredibly close to the Margaret Mitchell House and the High Museum of Art. It makes for a perfect "Culture Day" itinerary. You hit the museum, walk over to Empire for a late lunch, play a round of bocce, and then head back to your hotel. It feels like a very "complete" Atlanta experience.
Misconceptions About the Price Point
Is it expensive? Kinda. It’s definitely not a "cheap" meal. But you have to look at the value. You’re getting ingredients that were literally pulled out of the ground 24 hours ago. You’re getting service that is attentive without being overbearing.
Honestly, you can get out of there for a reasonable price if you’re smart. Order the pimento cheese and a couple of sides for lunch. You’ll be full, you’ll have experienced the vibe, and your bank account won't be screaming.
The "Dinner" experience is where things get pricier, but even then, it’s not out of line with other high-end Atlanta spots like Miller Union or Bacchanalia. It’s a "you get what you pay for" situation.
The Evolution of the Neighborhood
When Empire State South first opened, this part of Midtown was a bit of a culinary desert. There were some fast-casual spots and a few old-school steakhouses, but nothing with this level of soul. Now, the area is booming. You have Colony Square just up the street with its massive food hall, and dozens of new apartments.
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Despite all the shiny new competition, Empire still feels like the gold standard.
It’s the consistency. The kitchen staff changes over the years—as all kitchen staffs do—but the core identity remains the same. It’s about hospitality. Real, Southern hospitality. Not the fake, "bless your heart" kind, but the kind where they actually care if you’re enjoying your meal and having a good time.
Actionable Steps for Your Visit
If you're planning on headed over, there are a few things you should do to make sure you have the best possible time.
First, make a reservation. Even on a Tuesday. The lunch rush is real, and the dinner crowd is dedicated. You don't want to be the person standing awkwardly by the host stand for 45 minutes while everyone else is eating.
Second, check the weather. If it’s a nice day, specifically request a table outside. The indoor dining room is beautiful—it has this great mid-century modern aesthetic—but the outdoor area is where the magic happens.
Third, ask about the daily specials. The menu changes frequently based on what the farmers bring in. Sometimes they’ll have something limited—like a specific heirloom tomato or a rare cut of meat—that isn't on the printed menu.
Finally, bring your appetite for things that aren't fried. People expect Southern food to be heavy. It can be, sure. But the best things at Empire State South Atlanta GA are often the lightest ones. The salads are vibrant. The seafood is fresh. The ferments are zingy.
It’s a place that respects the past but refuses to be trapped by it. And in a city like Atlanta, which is always looking toward the next big thing, that balance is exactly why this restaurant continues to matter. It's the perfect middle ground between the old Atlanta and the one that's still being built.
Go for the food, stay for the bocce, and definitely don't forget to validate your parking. That’s the most important piece of advice you’ll get today. Trust me. Midtown parking enforcement does not play around. Enjoy the meal; it’s one of the few places in the city that genuinely deserves the hype it gets.