Name: Mary Mac's Tea Room
Address: 224 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308, Atlanta
Telephone: +14048761800

This 1945-era institution draws locals & tourists for Southern comfort food in a homey space.

At a glance

#61 of 161 Restaurants in Atlanta #8 of 18 Southern restaurant (US) in Atlanta

LocalGuideWorld score: 4.40

0.2 km from the center of Atlanta

Rating breakdown

5 ★65%
4 ★18%
3 ★9%
2 ★4%
1 ★4%

224 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308

marymacs.com

(404) 876-1800

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Quick facts

What is the rating of Mary Mac's Tea Room?: Mary Mac's Tea Room is rated 4.4 out of 5 based on 13,032 reviews.
How does Mary Mac's Tea Room rank in Atlanta?: Mary Mac's Tea Room is #61 of 161 Restaurants in Atlanta by LocalGuideWorld score (rating weighted by number of reviews).
Where is Mary Mac's Tea Room located?: 224 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308 — 0.2 km from the center of Atlanta.
How can I contact Mary Mac's Tea Room?: Phone: (404) 876-1800 · Website: marymacs.com

Reviews (8)

Jeanette Price 2024 Feb 27

I was taken for lunch to this restaurant and all along the way I was told how good the food was so I was excited to try it. I am a foodie so to say I was disappointed is an understatement. 😔 I ordered the blackened salmon with vegetable medley and cornbread dressing with gravy. My blackened salmon was simply grilled. 😒 My vegetable medley was tremendously overcooked and mushy. The cornbread dressing was stuffing, which I truly truly hate, but the gravy was edible. They offer an assorted bread basket with yeast rolls and cornbread and the cornbread was like chewing sawdust! The yeast rolls were really good though. Our server Aaliyah was great and she offered substitutions for my sides but at that point I was ready to leave so I declined because I didn’t think anything else they had to offer would be satisfying. I seen alot of famous people eat there from their celebrity walk so maybe it was just an off day but I don’t think so…….. Oh and I ordered the pot killer which they offer “free” to new patrons but I never got it. 🤦🏾‍♀️

Shawn Toole 2024 Feb 26

I really wanted to give this place 10 stars. I’ve been here about three times over my life. You will always wait in a line to eat here on the weekends. There is no good time, so no need to ask.

We only waited for 10 minutes on Sunday after a fox show. The waiting list can be viewed on the yelp app which makes things very nice, and you were able to watch your position in line.

Inside the place is not changed in 60 years. Same pictures on the wall same tables, same thing I think. It’s very comforting and very nice. Their menu is heavily slanted to southern style cocktails. Lots of peach!

This visit did not have very good service. I’m afraid. We waited for 21 minutes after we had finished our meal for the check. It was just me and my wife and our 50% occupancy for most of the day. It just really made me a little miffed.

Our server was great in the end. At first, she seemed quite cold and uninterested, but by the end of the meal she was really great and had a wonderful time with her. She never missed a single item on our order!

The last thing I want to say, is that my fried chicken, breast, was Dry a bone. I’ve eaten southern fried chicken probably over 100 times in my life and I’m pretty sure this was just a piece left under the warming lights. It still tasted really good for the most part, but there’s nothing worse than a dry chicken breast, deep fried.

Would definitely come back. I’ve had wonderful experiences here in the past.

EVA CHARQUERO 2024 Feb 04

This spot was recommended to me by my local cousin who loves it. Food is very flavorful, down south-southern meals. Very ATL Food just not friendly. The hostess called our name, we jumped up but had to run behind her because she was seating us and another table- and was walking with the other table really fast. Once we caught up, we had to wait awkwardly beside her as she seated the other table and followed her to ours. She kinda just pointed at the table we’re supposed to sit at. I guess because of the (sort of) rush to sit us, she forgot to tell our waitress we were here so we waited for quite awhile. Once we let them know, and our server came- she apologized and made up for it. She gave us free pot liker (that’s what they do for newcomers) and explained the menu. You write down your order on the notepad which is pretty cute.
Food:
•cornbread could use some sugar, but soft. •My smothered fried chicken was perfect! Perfect crunch and flavor. Breading was really perfect crisp! My greens also were a perfect texture, cooked in what looked to be Turkey meat.
•mashed potatoes are whipped so well I couldn’t believe they weren’t boxed (but they are def real potatoes) I also didn’t need any butter or gravy for them because they were made well.
•Sweet tea had refills and was really really good. Very sweet 🙌 it was def giving southern sweet tea which is what I wanted.

The building could be updated for a better vibe. I think they may not be willing to update this though because they have so much history here.

Ryan Marcano 2024 Jan 19

Some of the best good southern cooking around Atlanta. They have been in business since 1945 ALMOST 80 years, unheard of for restaurant business.

The beef pot roast was insane, fried chicken was quality too. Proper southern crispy fried chicken. Sweet potato is a must try, I think they put brown sugar or cinnamon or both but it tastes incredible.

The banana pudding and cinnamon rolls to finish off! The banana pudding is class and you can get a dozen cinnamon rolls for under $5… hard to beat that.

Our server Jackie was friendly and took care of us. Lots of history in here from all the pictures. Looks like a classic restaurant from an old movie inside.

Not much bad stuff to say about this place, Mac and cheese was probably the worst thing I put in my mouth but was still tasty.

Frank Ambrusko 2024 Jan 04

I've eaten at this restaurant years ago and decided to bring my good friend who just moved here from Germany and her son to get some good soul food. He ordered the catfish and shrimp, and she ordered the roasted turkey, and I ordered the chicken fried chicken with pepper gravy. They both enjoyed their meals, but I have to keep it real. I was disappointed with my chicken because it was Luke warm along with the gravy and the fries. For dessert, I had the banana pudding, and the wafers were stale. I'm just happy that my guests enjoyed their meals because this was their first time dining here. Our server was awesome and brought me some Peach Cobbler, but I gave all my leftovers to the homeless guy sitting outside the restaurant. Step it up, Mary Macs! Consistency is key, and you are an iconic establishment in the ATL, so I expected quality food. I'll give it another try.

Michael Abbott 2024 Jan 04

One of Atlanta's famous historical restaurants for many reasons, chief among them is the food is delicious.

The menu has a large variety of dishes to choose from and a lot of staples. I enjoy soul food a ton so I couldn't go wrong with choosing.
The dishes were all made well and presented with clean plating.

The service was a bit slow for a late evening, but the waiters were friendly.

The desserts were the best part of the meal as they were sweet and capped off a nice experience.

Matthew Barnes 2024 Jan 01

Southern comfort food... very tasty and delicious
This is comfort food, not gourmet
Just simple and delicious.
Really great service and fills your soul.
Fantastic southern fried chicken and fried green tomatoes.
I could help them with their roast pork, had a little too much chew, but other dishes were delish.

David A. 2023 Oct 28

Let me start by saying all the good things you heard about Mary Mac's Tea Room are true. This place is incredible. We were greeted right away and had the best server ever. Tried the chicken livers which weren't my favorite but that's not their fault. I'm sure if you like liver, it would be great. The collards and corn bread were delicious. My shrimp and grits were fresh and tasted perfect. So many good things to try here and the location just drips with history. Highly recommend!