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10 Best Casual Restaurants in Marietta, GA

10 Best Casual Restaurants in Marietta, GA

The ten best casual restaurants in Marietta, GA include Marietta Diner, Marietta Melt Yard, The Marietta Local, Stockyard Burgers and Bones, Two Birds Taphouse, Kiosco Marietta Square, Hoboken Cafe on Whitlock, Cafe Eataly, Hamp and Harry’s, and WR Social House. Many casual restaurants in Marietta are located around the Square and along major roads like Cobb Parkway. Options include classic 24-hour diners, Southern comfort kitchens, modern gastropubs, and authentic international eateries. Diners can find the round-the-clock energy of Marietta Diner or the cozy, neighborhood feel of The Marietta Local. A meal at a casual restaurant in Marietta costs between $10 and $60 per person.

Majority of Marietta's casual restaurants are recognized for food like towering layer cakes from a 24-hour diner, authentic Colombian platters, and gourmet burgers. Marietta Diner stands out as the best overall for its 24/7 service, its famously extensive menu, and its status as an iconic local landmark. Marietta Melt Yard serves excellent gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches. Hamp and Harry’s offers a more sophisticated dinner experience with its fresh seafood and raw bar. Good Kitchen + Market provides extensive vegan options, and Stockyard Burgers and Bones has gluten-free options, including gluten-free buns for its burgers.

The top casual restaurants in Marietta, GA are listed below.

10 Best Casual Restaurants in Marietta, GA are listed below.

1 Marietta Diner
2 Stockyard Burgers and Bones
3 Hoboken Cafe on Whitlock
4 WR Social House
5 Marietta Melt Yard
6 The Marietta Local
7 Two Birds Taphouse
8 Kiosco Marietta Square
9 Cafe Eataly
10 Hamp and Harry’s

What Makes Casual Restaurants in Marietta, GA Famous?

The reputation of casual restaurants in Marietta, GA is built on Southern comfort food, a vibrant dining hub around the historic Marietta Square, and classic American diners. The city's food culture is built on a foundation of traditional Georgia recipes served in welcoming neighborhood spots. Cooks employ methods like slow-braising collards, deep-frying chicken, and grilling gourmet burgers. Important ingredients in these local dishes include stone-ground grits, pimento cheese, fresh Georgia produce, and high-quality beef.

What Types of Casual Restaurants are Commonly Found in Marietta, GA?

Diners in Marietta, GA will find several common types of casual restaurants, including Southern comfort kitchens, modern gastropubs, and gourmet burger joints. These commonly found Marietta, GA restaurants contribute to the local dining character.

Southern Comfort Kitchens: These establishments serve traditional, homestyle Southern recipes like fried chicken and shrimp and grits. The Marietta Local is a key example.
Modern Gastropubs and Taphouses: These spots pair an extensive list of craft beers with an elevated, chef-driven food menu. Two Birds Taphouse fits this description.
Gourmet Burger Joints: These restaurants focus on high-quality, creative burgers made with premium ingredients, often alongside a strong beverage program. Stockyard Burgers and Bones represents this category.
Classic American Diners: These eateries offer massive menus of comfort food classics, breakfast all day, and towering desserts in a retro setting. Marietta Diner is a primary example.
International Eateries: These restaurants provide authentic flavors from specific countries, such as Colombia or Italy. Kiosco Marietta Square and Cafe Eataly fall into this group.

Does Marietta, GA Have an Authentic Casual Restaurant?

Yes, Marietta, GA has authentic casual restaurants, including Kiosco Marietta Square, Hoboken Cafe on Whitlock, and The Marietta Local. Kiosco Marietta Square provides a genuine Colombian dining experience with traditional family recipes for dishes like Bandeja Paisa. Hoboken Cafe on Whitlock is a true New Jersey-style deli, importing key ingredients like Taylor Ham to create authentic sandwiches. The Marietta Local remains a classic Southern kitchen, serving homestyle fried chicken and shrimp and grits with no pretense.

Do Casual Restaurants in Marietta, GA Offer Easy Online Reservations?

Yes, diners can make easy online reservations for some casual restaurants in Marietta, GA through their websites and third-party platforms like Resy. Upscale-casual dining rooms like Hamp and Harry’s, Stockyard Burgers and Bones, and Two Birds Taphouse use these systems for bookings. Making a reservation is a recommended practice for securing a table during peak hours. High-volume spots like Marietta Diner and counter-service eateries like Marietta Melt Yard operate on a first-come, first-served basis.

What are the Signature Dishes of the Best Casual Restaurants in Marietta, GA?

The best casual restaurants in Marietta, GA are recognized for signature dishes like authentic Colombian platters, gourmet burgers, and classic Southern staples. The list below details some of the most well-regarded food in Marietta, GA.

Bandeja Paisa: A traditional and hearty Colombian platter featuring grilled steak, pork cracklings, chorizo, rice, beans, a fried egg, and an arepa. Kiosco Marietta Square is famous for this authentic dish.
Shrimp and Grits: Sautéed shrimp served over creamy, stone-ground grits, a hallmark of Southern cuisine. The Marietta Local serves a classic version of this dish.
Gourmet Burgers: High-quality beef patties with creative toppings, served on brioche buns. Stockyard Burgers and Bones is a top destination for this American classic.
Mile-High Cakes: Towering, multi-layered cakes in a variety of flavors, displayed prominently in a dessert case. Marietta Diner is well-known for these massive desserts.
Taylor Ham, Egg, and Cheese: A classic New Jersey breakfast sandwich with Taylor Ham (pork roll), a fried egg, and American cheese on a hard roll. Hoboken Cafe on Whitlock specializes in this authentic sandwich.

What is the Average Meal Price at Casual Restaurants in Marietta, GA?

A meal at a casual restaurant in Marietta, GA costs between $10 and $60 per person. An individual meal at a fast-casual spot like Marietta Melt Yard or Hoboken Cafe runs from $10 to $20. A group meal for four people at a sit-down establishment such as Stockyard Burgers and Bones or The Marietta Local falls between $80 and $150. A full dinner with drinks at an upscale-casual restaurant like Hamp and Harry’s costs $30 to $60 per person.

Are There Vegan Options at Casual Restaurants in Marietta, GA?

Yes, plant-based diners can find vegan options at casual restaurants in Marietta, GA at eateries like Good Kitchen + Market, Cool Beans Coffee Roasters, and Marietta Melt Yard. Good Kitchen + Market offers a dedicated menu of plant-based bowls, salads, and smoothies. Cool Beans Coffee Roasters provides vegan breakfast and lunch items, including sandwiches and pastries. Marietta Melt Yard offers a vegan grilled cheese sandwich made with plant-based cheese.

Do Casual Restaurants in Marietta, GA Offer Gluten-Free Options?

Yes, guests seeking gluten-free options at casual restaurants in Marietta, GA can find them at dining spots like Stockyard Burgers and Bones, Hamp and Harry’s, and Two Birds Taphouse. Stockyard Burgers and Bones provides gluten-free buns for its gourmet burgers. Hamp and Harry’s offers a raw bar with oysters and other seafood dishes that are naturally gluten-free. Two Birds Taphouse has salads and other menu items that can be modified to accommodate a gluten-free diet.