


This 1945-era institution draws locals & tourists for Southern comfort food in a homey space.
Hours
| Sunday | 11 AM–9 PM |
| Monday | 11 AM–9 PM |
| Tuesday | 11 AM–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 11 AM–9 PM |
| Thursday | 11 AM–9 PM |
| Friday | 11 AM–9 PM |
| Saturday | 11 AM–9 PM |
Address and Contact Information
Address: 224 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
Phone: (404) 876-1800
Website: http://www.marymacs.com/
Menu Photos
Photo Gallery
Related Web Results
Mary Mac’s Tea Room
Mary Mac’s Tea Room (@marymacstearoom) – Instagram
Mary Mac’s Tea Room | Atlanta GA – Facebook
Reviews
Our server was phenomenal—very attentive, friendly, and made sure we were well taken care of throughout the meal. The food was good overall, with generous portions that were well worth the value. While the flavors were enjoyable, a bit more seasoning would have taken the dishes to the next level.
Overall, it was a pleasant dining experience with excellent service, a welcoming atmosphere, and hearty Southern portions.
Mary Mac’s, established in 1945, is sectioned into several dining areas with the wall of the corridor leading into the main dining room filled with photos of celebrities – from all generations and professions – who have visited the establishment. After all, it is “Atlanta’s Dining Room,” the place where southern hospitality meets made-from-scratch classic Southern foods, like fried chicken, greens (turnip and collards), and mac-n-cheese. Oh, and don’t forget the complimentary serving of “potlikker,” which is the flavorful broth of stewed collards; good for soaking those complimentary scratch yeast rolls and cornbread in.
My fiancée ordered chicken and dumplings with collard and turnip greens, and the broccoli souffle. I ordered fried chicken liver as a starter, and for dinner I had fried chicken with sweet potato souffle and collards. We both ordered a half-and-half (half unsweetened tea, half sweet tea) to drink.
The chicken and dumplings was good, though my fiancée said it was a short on dumplings and long on chicken. The greens were delicious, some of the best collards I’ve eaten, but the broccoli souffle had too much breading. The sweet potato souffle was good, but a bit too sweet for me – which is to be expected with the marshmallow topping.
The fried chicken was deep fried with a cornmeal/flour crust, which was crunchy but not greasy. Same with the chicken livers, which were not dry at all. Thoroughly enjoyed them.
We ordered banana pudding for dessert. It was a delicious real deal treat with bananas, vanilla wafers, pudding, and meringue.
The food portions were large (we boxed up), but everything was hot and delicious. The service was also excellent. The restaurant’s aesthetic, while dated, has a homey feeling to it and let’s be honest, no one is going for the aesthetic anyway.
Definitely returning when in town again.
I recently had the opportunity to visit Mary Mac’s Tea Room in Atlanta again. During my previous visit, the food was enjoyable, which is what prompted me to return. Unfortunately, this time the experience was disappointing. It seemed as though the quality was not consistent with what I had enjoyed before.
The chicken lacked seasoning and flavor—I was only able to eat one piece from the six-piece dinner. The collard greens were overly greasy and not appetizing. I had also invited a guest to dine with me, and they, too, left most of their meal untouched.
Our server was great but consistency is important, and sadly it just wasn’t there during this visit. Because of that, this will likely be my last time dining.
Old Review
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!
Atlanta has no shortage of sleek, modern landmarks.
But if you want to truly feel the warmth of the American South, you have to step into a humble little restaurant—Mary Mac’s Tea Room.
From the outside, it looks like the most ordinary red-brick building, with an old-fashioned sign hanging by the door, its lettering weathered by half a century of sun and rain. Yet the quieter a place is, the more stories it tends to hide.
Push open the wooden door, and it feels like walking straight into a documentary about the South: an old ceiling fan turning lazily, vintage wall lamps casting a soft golden glow, and an air filled with the scents of fried chicken, cornbread, and warm butter—
that comforting smell that feels like “someone gently calling you back when you’ve been running too fast.”
Inside, it’s lively but never noisy.
It’s the kind of human warmth that puts you at ease.
Elders sit with heads lifted, sharing stories from a lifetime;
young people laugh over the latest gossip;
a couple holds hands quietly by the wall, their eyes reflecting the small happiness brought by a table of Southern dishes.
The three classics here: Southern fried chicken, creamy mashed potatoes, and cornbread balls.
The first bite of fried chicken brings a crisp crack, giving way to tender, juicy meat infused with that signature Southern peppery aroma;
the mashed potatoes are rich and buttery, soft as cotton on the tongue;
the cornbread balls carry a gentle sweetness—the kind of timeless comfort you always find on a Southern table.
As you eat, you start to realize: the food here isn’t complicated, yet it offers a deep, steady sense of comfort.
No wonder the locals say:
“You don’t just eat at Mary Mac’s — you come home.”
At Mary Mac’s, you’re not just having a meal—you’re coming home.
When you leave, there’s still a long line waiting at the door.
Sunlight shines on that unassuming wall, as if wrapping this nearly eighty-year-old restaurant in a coat of warm, golden light.
Seems like they haven’t changed a thing in years and the recipes taste like they’ve stood up over time. Next trip will be a dine-in for sure. Thank you to the awesome staff for indulging all my questions and letting me tour around like it was a museum.