Take a Little One to Lunch at the Sun Dial Restaurant

When I lived in Mississippi and would visit Atlanta for conferences or to see friends, I loved to visit the Sun Dial Restaurant at the top of The Westin Peachtree Plaza. It’s 71 stories up in the sky and gives you an amazing view of the skyline, since the restaurant has floor to ceiling windows and rotates. You have a 360 degree view of everything from Stone Mountain to Kennesaw. So for Spring Break, week I decided to take A.J. to lunch at the Sun Dial Restaurant. I couldn’t wait to see his face as we took the elevator and he saw the city’s skyline. After going with a little one, I came up with a few dos and don’ts that can help when you go!

 

Take a Little One to Lunch at the Sun Dial Restaurant ~ MommyTalkShow.com

Take a Little One to Lunch at the Sun Dial Restaurant ~ MommyTalkShow.com

DO: Take Marta.

It’s just easier and more fun that way instead of worrying about parking. Plus the Westin is across the street when you exit the Peachtree Plaza train station at Peachtree Road. For $5 round-trip, we got downtown in about 20 minutes. You can’t beat that. Plus, A.J. loves to ride Marta and count how many stops until we reach our destination.

If you’re driving to lunch at the Sun Dial Restaurant, just park in the Westin or Central Parking lots and get your parking validated.

DON’T: Forget to make a lunch reservation.

This is where I flubbed a bit. Without a reservation, we had to wait about 20 minutes in the Westin’s lobby before we could be seated. Try telling an anxious five year old he had to wait to get into a glass elevator! Thank goodness my mommy powers had kicked in and I remembered his Polaroid 2 tablet. We took a tour of the lobby then, he played a few games and was entertained.

The ride in the elevator was epic and I posted a video on Instagram.

Take a Little One to Lunch at the Sun Dial Restaurant ~ MommyTalkShow.com

In case you’re wondering there is a children’s menu at the Sun Dial Restaurant. A.J. ordered the pepperoni pizza and it did not disappoint. It was a considerable size and he wasn’t able to finish it, so we brought the rest home. Lunch hours are best to take children, in my opinion. There wasn’t a huge crowd and the daylight made it ideal for the view.  I’ve shared my opinion about bringing children to fine dining establishments late in the evening and to me it’s a no-no.

Take a Little One to Lunch at the Sun Dial Restaurant ~ MommyTalkShow.com

DO: Tell the staff it’s your child’s first visit.

Our waiter, Jeremy, was delighted to tell A.J. some amazing facts about the Sun Dial Restaurant. A.J. was shocked to learn that we were 723 feet above the ground and eating lunch.

Sun Dial Restaurant View

DON’T: Rush through the observation deck.

Take your time. Ask questions and enjoy the amazing view on the observation deck above the restaurant. As you look outside, see if you can locate your car, landmarks like Centennial Park, Braves Stadium or the state capitol.

DO: Explore the menu.

You are there to eat and the Sun Dial Restaurant offers an amazing lunch. I was almost tempted to order the Sun Dial Burger, then I chose the fried chicken breast with mac & cheese, and green beans. In my 41 year on this Earth, I have not tasted fried chicken like this unless my Mother made it. The honey drizzle made its way from the fried chicken to the mac & cheese and I would have never imagined that sweet mac & cheese tasted so good.

Southern Fried Chicken

DO: Make it a special occasion.

I can see us making a big deal out of our next visit. Maybe for his sixth birthday or kindergarten graduation. I promised my Mother we’d take her to lunch at the Sun Dial Restaurant the next time she visits Atlanta.

Sun Dial Restaurant Lunch

Take a Little One to Lunch at the Sun Dial Restaurant ~ MommyTalkShow.com

Talk back to me in the comments. Have you visited the Sun Dial Restaurant with or without your children? What’s your favorite part of your visit? Can you think of a special occasion to take your children to the 71-story high restaurant?

About Joyce Brewer

Creator & Host of Mommy Talk Show. Emmy award-winning TV journalist.Wife & Mommy; Mom Blogger; Social Media Coach; Long Island, New York transplant living in Atlanta, GA. Follow Joyce on Twitter @MommyTalkShow Author of Use What You Know: A Business Idea Guide for Moms featuring interviews with mompreneurs who created businesses using their skills & backgrounds.

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13 comments

  1. Awesome review! I totally forgot about this restaraunt for a nice family lunch downtown. My kids would love it.

  2. Oh yeah! How much? 🙂

  3. I have never been to the Sundial. I’ve been wanting to go visit it done reading about it in a book I was reading. Funny until I read that book I had no idea that it even existed. I hope to go soon though. It sounds like you and A.J. Really enjoyed your experience.

  4. It sounds like AJ & you both had a great time!

  5. Looks like fun! I went there for my birthday a few years ago and enjoyed the views. I think it’s great to expose children to eating in nice restaurants and lunch vs dinner is the perfect time.

  6. I have never been to this restaurant before but it looks like it would be good and a great place to take my girls. I know they’ll be thrilled to see the views that high.

  7. Krystyn @ Really, Are You Serious?

    Looks like a fun time. I didn’t realize that they had a kid’s menu!

  8. Lindsey, Redhead Baby Mama

    I don’t know if I’d trust my wild monkey to such a nice place! Give me a few more years and maybe we’ll have a lunch date, too! Great tips, and yes, you can NEVER forget the reservation!

  9. Jenn @ The Art of Better

    We really love the Sundial but we’ve never taken our 12 y/o and didn’t realize they were open for lunch! Great points. I’m so in agreement about not taking children to a nice restaurant in the evening as well. Thanks for sharing!

  10. Such a beautiful place. Your son seems very well behaved and that is awesome. We have a similar restaurant in South Florida that rotates and you get to see the Miami skyline. I loved going there when I was younger. Great review and I have to say your lunch looked AMAZING!

  11. This looks like a wonderful lunch date. I’ve never been to Sun Dial it looks like I’m long overdue, the view alone is worth the trip. I totally agree with you about bringing young children to fine dining for dinner, bringing them to lunch is a much better option, especially on a weekend. The kids menu looks great and the price is reasonable.

  12. BalancingMama (Julie)

    We love the SunDial! But haven’t been in years. Thanks for the reminder!