Dining Above the City: A Complete Guide to The Sun Dial Restaurant at the Westin Peachtree Plaza, Atlanta

From the moment the elevator doors open onto the top floors of the Westin Peachtree Plaza, the Sun Dial Restaurant, Bar & View feels more like an experience than a simple meal. With its sweeping views of Atlanta’s skyline and its distinctive setting in one of the city’s most recognizable towers, it often appears on shortlists of memorable places to eat in downtown Atlanta.

This guide walks through what visitors can generally expect at the Sun Dial: the atmosphere, dining options, view experience, practical tips, and how it fits into a wider Atlanta itinerary.

What Is The Sun Dial Restaurant in Atlanta?

The Sun Dial is a restaurant and observation experience located near the top of the Westin Peachtree Plaza in downtown Atlanta. The property is widely recognized for its cylindrical glass tower, which makes the restaurant a visible landmark from many parts of the city.

Key elements of the Sun Dial experience

• Location: Upper floors of the Westin Peachtree Plaza, downtown Atlanta
• Components: Typically a dining area, bar/lounge, and an observation/view level
• Focus: Elevated city views paired with contemporary American-style cuisine and drinks
• Guests: Popular with travelers, couples, business diners, and locals marking special occasions

Because on-site details such as menus and policies can change over time, visitors often find it helpful to confirm current offerings directly with the hotel or restaurant before they arrive.

The Setting: What It Feels Like to Dine at the Sun Dial

Even before looking at the menu, the ambience is usually what draws people to the Sun Dial.

Atmosphere and design

• Skyline-centric: Floor-to-ceiling windows frame the city from above, especially striking near sunset and after dark.
• Modern hotel aesthetic: The interior generally follows a polished, contemporary style consistent with an upscale, high-rise hotel restaurant.
• Flexible vibe: Some visitors treat it as a special-occasion destination, while others visit for a more casual drink or view-focused outing.

The combination of height, glass, and city lights can feel especially dramatic for first-time visitors to Atlanta or anyone unused to rooftop dining.

Food and Drink: What’s Typically on Offer

The specific menu can shift with seasons, chef direction, and hotel programming, but the Sun Dial Restaurant generally emphasizes American and Southern-influenced cuisine with an upscale bend.

Restaurant menu themes

Many guests report seeing:

• Starters that might include salads, soups, and small plates with local or regional touches
• Main courses centered on items such as steaks, poultry, seafood, and plant-forward dishes
• Desserts often featuring classic American sweets and seasonal flavors

The restaurant commonly aims to balance recognizable favorites with nods to Southern ingredients like regional vegetables, grits, or locally influenced preparations, though the exact dishes vary.

Bar and lounge offerings

The bar area usually features:

• Cocktails: A mix of classic and signature drinks
• Wine and beer: Domestic and international options
• Small bites: Appetizers or bar snacks for guests primarily visiting for the view and a drink

Because pricing and selection are subject to change, many visitors review current menus through the hotel or restaurant contact channels before finalizing plans.

The View: Why People Seek Out the Sun Dial

The Sun Dial’s primary draw is its vantage point high above downtown Atlanta.

From the upper floors, visitors can often see:

• Major downtown office towers and landmarks
• Portions of Midtown Atlanta, including other high-rise clusters
• The broader metropolitan sprawl, especially visible during clear daytime hours
• A grid of streets and lights that becomes especially striking at night

Many guests time their visit to capture sunset over the city, when the sky transitions from bright afternoon into the blue and orange tones that precede nightfall.

Planning Your Visit: Practical Tips for the Sun Dial at the Westin

To make the most of a visit, it helps to plan around timing, expectations, and logistics.

When to go

Different times of day shape the experience:

• Daytime: Clearer visibility of city landmarks and neighborhoods
• Sunset: Gradual shift from day to night, often seen as the most dramatic time to visit
• Evening: Emphasis on lights and atmosphere, ideal for date nights or special occasions

Dress and etiquette

Dress expectations can evolve, but visitors often treat the Sun Dial as a smart-casual or dressy-casual environment, particularly in the main dining room. The bar area may feel somewhat more relaxed while still maintaining a polished hotel standard.

Reservations and wait times

Because the restaurant is known as a notable view destination:

• Reservations are frequently used, especially on weekends or around holidays.
• Walk-in guests may face wait times during peak periods.

Checking current reservation options in advance often helps avoid surprises.

Getting There: Access, Parking, and Navigation

The Sun Dial is housed within the Westin Peachtree Plaza in downtown Atlanta, a district that sees regular traffic from business travelers, tourists, and event attendees.

Transportation options

• Walking: Convenient for guests staying in nearby hotels or attending downtown events
• Rideshare or taxi: Common choice to avoid downtown parking and navigation
• Public transit: Some visitors use MARTA (Atlanta’s rail system) to reach the downtown area and then walk a short distance

Parking considerations

Parking arrangements can depend on:

• Hotel garage or valet options available at the Westin Peachtree Plaza
• Nearby public parking garages or lots in the downtown core

Because availability and pricing can shift over time or with special events, guests often check with the hotel for current guidance.

Sun Dial vs. Other Atlanta Viewpoints

Atlanta offers several elevated vantage points—rooftop bars, observation decks, and restaurants in different neighborhoods. The Sun Dial stands out for being:

• Directly integrated into a major hotel in the heart of downtown
• Recognizable as part of a signature cylindrical tower that defines part of the city’s skyline
• Positioned to give a central perspective, with downtown below and other districts stretching outward

Other rooftop spaces in Atlanta can emphasize neighborhood charm, music scenes, or more casual atmospheres, so visitors sometimes choose the Sun Dial for a hotel-based, skyline-focused experience in the city center.

Who the Sun Dial Tends to Suit Best

Different types of visitors often gravitate to the Sun Dial for specific reasons.

Common use cases

• Couples: Celebrations, proposals, anniversaries, or “first-night-in-town” dinners
• Business travelers: Client dinners, small group outings, or after-conference drinks
• Tourists and first-time visitors: A combined “dinner + city view” introduction to Atlanta
• Locals: Milestone birthdays, family gatherings, or nostalgic returns

While some guests prioritize cuisine over view, others see the view as the main feature, with food and drink serving as part of the overall ambiance rather than the sole focus.

Quick-Glance Guide to the Sun Dial 🌇

Tips for Making the Most of Your Visit

A bit of preparation goes a long way when planning a visit to the Sun Dial Restaurant at the Westin Atlanta.

Practical tips to keep in mind:

• 🕓 Time it around sunset if you want both daylight and nighttime city views in a single visit.
• 📞 Confirm current operations (hours, dress expectations, view access) directly with the hotel or restaurant, as details can change.
• 🍽️ Preview the menu to align expectations on style and pricing before you go.
• 🎉 Mention special occasions when booking; many guests find that staff respond thoughtfully when aware of celebrations.
• 🚗 Plan your transportation early, especially if visiting during major downtown events, game nights, or conventions.

How the Sun Dial Fits into an Atlanta Itinerary

For many visitors, the Sun Dial acts as a centerpiece experience within a broader Atlanta stay:

• Before or after a visit to nearby attractions such as downtown parks, museums, or sports venues
• As the kickoff or finale to a multi-day trip
• As a way to orient yourself to the city layout from above before exploring neighborhoods at ground level

By pairing the Sun Dial’s high-rise perspective with time spent in surrounding areas like Midtown, the BeltLine, or historic districts, visitors often gain a fuller sense of Atlanta’s character.

Viewed as both a restaurant and an urban lookout, the Sun Dial Restaurant at the Westin Peachtree Plaza offers a distinctive way to see Atlanta from above. With thoughtful planning around timing, reservations, and expectations, many guests use it as a memorable backdrop for celebrations, introductions to the city, and evenings that blend skyline views with the rhythm of downtown life below.