When asking yourself about something to do near me in Atlanta with a group of friends or family, consider
Piedmont Central Dining Hall
Why Piedmont Central Dining Hall is a fun option when searching for things to do near me with friends and family
Piedmont Central Dining Hall at Georgia State University represents a unique dining destination ideal for students, faculty, and guests seeking a vibrant social hub paired with diverse culinary offerings. Open 24 hours during the week, it provides flexibility for late-night study breaks or casual gatherings with friends, making it a convenient spot no matter your schedule. The dining hall's extensive menu ranges from American classics and international dishes—including Italian, Asian, Mexican, and pizza options—to specialty stations such as hibachi grill and freshly made waffles, catering to a wide variety of tastes. The buffet-style all-you-can-eat format encourages a relaxed and sociable dining atmosphere perfect for group hangouts. As a 3-Star Green Restaurant Certified venue, Piedmont Central is committed to sustainable dining practices, enhancing its appeal beyond just food quality. It offers amenities like free Wi-Fi and big screen TVs, making it a comfortable place to meet, eat, and unwind. Its location in Atlanta places it in easy reach of campus and city life, with parking available nearby for added convenience. These features collectively make Piedmont Central Dining Hall a great place to meet up with friends, enjoy diverse cuisines, and experience sustainable dining in a lively setting.
Here's what people think of Piedmont Central Dining Hall
As of recent, Piedmont Central Dining Hall holds a 4.2-star rating based on 142 reviews.
Reviews of Piedmont Central Dining Hall reflect a generally positive consensus with an average rating of 4.2 from 142 reviewers. Patrons appreciate the variety and quality of food offered, highlighting the international options and the hibachi grill as standout features that bring excitement to the dining experience. The buffet-style service is favored for its versatility and value, accommodating different dietary preferences including vegan and vegetarian dishes. The 24-hour availability during weekdays is frequently noted as a significant advantage for students with varied schedules. Positive reviews also commend the dining hall's commitment to sustainability as a certified Green Restaurant, which resonates well with environmentally conscious diners. On the downside, some reviewers mention occasional wait times at popular stations like the hibachi grill and express a desire for more seating space during peak hours. A few note that access is restricted to university affiliates and their guests, which some found limiting for outsiders. Despite these minor drawbacks, most reviews conclude that Piedmont Central Dining Hall offers a friendly, convenient, and diverse dining environment, making it a well-regarded campus dining option with a good balance of quality, sustainability, and social atmosphere.
Highlights from reviewers (Most Relevant)
Sumukh S
Best place to have a lot of food, deserts and juices!! Lots of options for meals. Only negatives is there is only one vegan desert.
ps 91
I always eat it up here. Very convenient that it's open late. They do lack in fruit selection and sometimes they just have straight up meat and pizza. It is nice to do work with background noise of people. The manager of the dining hall is always checking on things when needed. I notice he observes a lot and checks on utensils. There's also a late night worker that I notice always cleans tables well and it's appreciated. I really liked the hot sauce they used to have, but the current ones are cool too. Improvements could be made, but overall decent dining hall.
Electrical Specialist
Great food! Great staff! Great school! Great place to work! I am very thankful to the school, staff and students for allowing me the opportunity to help out in their kitchen. I will always be humbled to have had this experience. I truly appreciate all of you!
Mackenzie Stines Taylor
This place is a good dining hall but I don't like that it is also allowed as a restaurant for non-students! GSU has enough money as is, we shouldn't have to share the dining hall with the general public bc the school wants to make an extra buck.
Ian Flink
I am a Georgia State student living at the Piedmont Central dorms, so I go here relatively often. If you want the most mediocre food you've ever eaten, then this is the place for you. The burgers taste like a dirty grill, the pizza uses the blandest and most rubbery cheese, the fish tastes like it's been frozen for several months, their vegan and vegetarian options are scarce at best, and they rarely have anything decent. They rarely have good desserts, and the only good desserts are the cookies, whenever they have anything other than sugar cookies or white chocolate raspberry cookies. That does sound good, but after you've had them twice they're painfully mediocre just like the rest of the bland frozen food there. The online menu is never accurate, and it seems that the staff only makes whatever they feel like rather than what's on the menu, which means your meal that day is in the hands of the dining hall staff. They probably don't even eat the food there, and if they did they'd think it was gross and keep cooking it anyway, since the students (who have no other choice) eat it anyway. If you're going here and you're not a student, you'll have a better experience literally anywhere else. Speaking of students, the students that go here are basically brain-dead. They navigate the dining hall slowly and with little to no spatial awareness. They try to walk through other people until they realize this is real life and not a video game. Sometimes the staff acts the same way, or they stand in the middle of the walkways just because they can. I'm convinced that they get paid to get in people's ways, like however many people's walking paths they break is an extra ten dollars in their weekly pay.
How to reach Piedmont Central Dining Hall
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Why Piedmont Central Dining Hall may become Your Favorite Meetup Place for Catching Up, Celebrating or Just Hanging Out
Why rally at Piedmont Central Dining Hall with your friends? Because it offers an inviting and versatile gathering space designed to suit any group occasion, whether it’s a casual meal, study session, or night out. With a solid rating of 4.2 based on over 140 reviews, Piedmont Central Dining Hall combines convenience, variety, and atmosphere, making it an excellent place to catch up and enjoy shared experiences. Open 24 hours Monday through Friday and with extended hours on weekends, it accommodates early risers, late-night owls, and everyone in between. Its suite-style living environment nearby fosters a strong community feel, encouraging social interaction and group meetups. The dining hall’s diverse menu stations cater to all tastes and dietary preferences, from comfort food to international cuisine and healthy options, ensuring no one leaves hungry or unfulfilled. Plus, it is a reputable Green Restaurant certified dining hall, reflecting a commitment to sustainability that many groups find appealing today. All these elements make Piedmont Central Dining Hall an appealing hub for friends and family to gather, eat, relax, and connect in Atlanta’s heart.
What activities can you enjoy at Piedmont Central Dining Hall that make it perfect for groups?
Piedmont Central Dining Hall is not just about food; it’s a community space where you can engage in various activities that fit the needs of groups. Besides dining, the hall functions as a social and study hub with ample seating and a variety of common spaces designed to promote connection. The dining hall is part of a larger suite-style residence complex that includes several dedicated areas such as a classroom, fit room, flix room, tune room, play room, and study room. These rooms provide plenty of options depending on your group's interests — from watching movies together, playing games, engaging in music activities, exercising, or focusing on academic work. The versatile spaces make it ideal for study groups who want to collaborate before or after sharing a meal. Because the dining hall operates 24 hours on weekdays, friends can grab a bite and continue their activities regardless of the time, supporting everything from breakfast meetups to late-night hangouts. This flexibility in both timing and activity fosters a strong group dynamic and allows memories to be created beyond just dining.
Why is the food variety at Piedmont Central Dining Hall a major draw for group meetups?
One of Piedmont Central’s strongest appeals for groups is its nine distinct dining stations, each bringing a unique flavor and culinary experience to the table. This variety ensures that every member of a group will find something they enjoy, avoiding the common challenge of mixed dietary needs or preferences.
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Almost Home: Homestyle comfort food favorites fill the plate with familiar and satisfying options, perfect for those craving classic meals.
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Deli: Build-your-own sandwiches and wraps allow guests to customize their lunch exactly how they like it, ideal for picky eaters or those wanting lighter fare.
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Bakery: Offers handcrafted desserts to add sweet indulgence to any meal, great for sharing and celebrations.
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Expo: Made-to-order specials provide daily changing unique dishes that keep the menu exciting even for frequent visitors.
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Grill: Features grilled classics like burgers and chicken, a universal favorite in any social dining experience.
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Passports: Presents international fare, including Caribbean, Chinese, German, Indian, and Korean dishes, providing a global dining adventure without leaving the table.
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Pizza: Classic brick-oven pizzas serve as an easy and shared meal option that is perfect for groups and casual hangouts.
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Salad: Garden-fresh salads and soups offer healthy and light choices, catering to health-conscious guests.
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Wellness: Homemade vegan and vegetarian dishes cater excellently to those with specific dietary restrictions or preferences.
This extensive variety ensures no one feels left out of the culinary experience and makes it easy to plan meetups with diverse tastes and preferences. Sharing dishes from different stations also encourages a communal atmosphere, where friends can sample and recommend their favorites to each other.
How does Piedmont Central Dining Hall’s schedule support group gatherings at any time?
A major advantage of Piedmont Central Dining Hall for friends and families planning a meetup is its extended and flexible operating hours. Open 24 hours Monday through Friday and from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends, the dining hall offers unparalleled availability. This schedule caters to a range of needs:
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Morning meetups: Early risers or students with morning classes can gather for breakfast and start the day together.
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Midday breaks: Whether it’s lunch or a quick snack, the accessible hours fit right into busy schedules.
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Late-night hangouts: The 24-hour weekday access is perfect for study groups pulling all-nighters or friends wanting to unwind together after typical business hours.
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Weekend socializing: With convenient weekend hours, groups can plan brunches, dinners, or casual get-togethers without rushing.
This flexible timing removes the common constraint of meeting only during traditional meal times, giving groups freedom to socialize when it’s most convenient for them. Additionally, the dining hall’s no-cash policy and acceptance of various digital payment methods like Apple Pay and PantherCash make transactions seamless and quick, minimizing wait times for groups eager to start their meals or activities.
What makes Piedmont Central Dining Hall an eco-friendly and community-conscious choice for meetups?
Piedmont Central Dining Hall holds a 3-Star Certified Green Restaurant rating, the second highest honor from the Green Restaurant Association. This recognition reflects the dining hall’s commitment to sustainability through practices like waste reduction, energy conservation, and sourcing environmentally friendly products. For groups interested in supporting green initiatives and responsible dining, this certification adds a meaningful layer of value to their outings.
More than just food sustainability, the hall encourages community growth with its suite-style housing for over 1100 residents, designed to foster social connections. The living suites feature private bedrooms and common areas that promote gathering, along with modern conveniences like high-speed internet, which make it easy for friends to organize their meetups from start to finish.
The overall design of Piedmont Central Dining Hall and its residential facilities emphasize comfort, environmental responsibility, and inclusivity, making it a socially conscious venue that aligns with today's values of community and sustainability.
How does Piedmont Central cater to families and mixed-age groups?
Piedmont Central Dining Hall is a great destination not just for students and friends, but also for families hosting gatherings with children present. The pricing structure is family-friendly: children 5 and under eat free while kids 12 and under enjoy half-price meals. This benefits groups planning casual meals with younger attendees, making it an affordable option for larger family meetups without compromising quality.
The dining hall’s spacious seating and availability of comfortable common areas make it easy for families to sit together and enjoy their meals. Moreover, the variety of food options—from kid-friendly pizza to health-conscious salads—ensures that even the pickiest young eaters will find something appealing.
In addition to mealtime, the nearby activity rooms and green-certified environment provide a wholesome, safe space where family members of all ages can relax or engage in group games, discussions, or casual socializing.
In sum, Piedmont Central Dining Hall stands out as an exceptional venue for hosting meetups with friends and family due to its round-the-clock availability, extensive food variety, eco-conscious operation, and versatile common spaces. Whether planning a quick bite, a leisurely meal, or an all-day gathering full of activities, this dining hall meets diverse needs and sets the stage for memorable social experiences. Its combination of convenience, atmosphere, and community-oriented services make it a reliable and enjoyable choice to rally your group under one roof.