When people ask us what makes Marietta special, we point them to the Square. Not because it is the obvious answer, but because it is the honest one. The Marietta Square is the heart of our city, and it has been for more than 180 years. If you are visiting for the first time, relocating to the area, or just looking to rediscover your own hometown, this guide covers every reason to spend a day on Marietta's historic downtown Square.
We have spent countless hours here ourselves. Client lunches, date nights, Saturday morning coffee runs, holiday celebrations, and casual walks through Glover Park with our family. The Square is where Marietta comes together, and we want you to know exactly what makes it so special.
In this guide:
Why the Marietta Square is Special
Glover Park sits at the center of it all, four blocks of green space ringed by historic brick storefronts, shaded benches, a beautiful old fountain, and the iconic white gazebo where generations of Marietta families have gathered for concerts, celebrations, and quiet afternoons. The streets are walkable in the way that only an authentic 19th-century town square can be, wide enough for a carriage but intimate enough that you can cross the whole thing in a few minutes.
Here is what sets the Square apart from the manufactured "downtowns" you find in newer developments across metro Atlanta. This place is real. It was not designed by a corporate planning committee. It grew organically around a courthouse square starting in the 1830s, and that history is baked into every building. The storefronts have real character. The streets have shade from trees that have been standing longer than anyone can remember. And the community that fills those streets every weekend is not a curated demographic. It is Marietta, in all its variety.
Whether you are a first-time visitor or a lifelong resident, the Square rewards slow exploration. There is no rush here. That is the point.
If you are considering a move to the area, we highly recommend reading our full Marietta neighborhood guide and our honest pros and cons of living in Marietta for a complete picture of what this city offers.
Dining on the Square
For a deep dive into Marietta's restaurant scene, we have a full guide to the best restaurants in Marietta. But here is a quick tour of what you will find right on the Square, from fine dining to casual bites.
Fine Dining
Spring Restaurant at 36 Mill Street is farm-to-table at its finest, with a rotating seasonal menu sourced from local Georgia farms. The tasting menu with wine pairing is an experience worth planning a night around. Expect $40 to $70 per person.
Mac's Chop House at 19 N Park Square is the place for a classic steakhouse dinner. The dry-aged steaks, especially the bone-in ribeye, are outstanding. The patio overlooks Glover Park and is one of the best people-watching spots on the Square. Dinner runs $50 to $80 per person.
Marietta Proper at 9 W Park Square offers upscale American fare with a sophisticated patio and craft cocktail program. It is a favorite for anniversary dinners and celebratory meals.
Hamp and Harry's at 168 Roswell Street is a neighborhood steakhouse that feels both special and comfortable. The roasted bone marrow starter and the dry-aged burger at lunch are standout dishes.
Casual and Family-Friendly
Marietta Pizza Company on the corner of the Square is our default recommendation for families. Hand-tossed brick-oven pizza, a patio overlooking the park, and paper tablecloths for the kids to draw on. The "Marietta" pizza with pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, and bell peppers is our standard order. Pizzas run $14 to $22.
Big Pie in the Sky is famous for its massive 28-inch pizza. It is a rite of passage for anyone visiting the Square. Slices start around $6, and the atmosphere is lively and fun.
Taqueria Tsunami at 70 S Park Square brings Latin-Asian fusion tacos to a lively patio setting. The short rib tacos and the Korean BBQ quesadilla are our go-to orders. Expect $15 to $25 per person.
Gianni and Mac's Ristorante at 85 Church Street has the largest patio on the Square and serves excellent wood-fired pizza and handmade pasta. The charcuterie bar is a great way to start a meal here.
Australian Bakery Cafe at 48 S Park Square is our favorite spot for a quick breakfast or lunch. The meat pies are the real deal, the coffee is strong, and the Lamingtons are a must-try. Most items are under $12.
Breweries and Bars
Glover Park Brewery at 65 Atlanta Street is the heart of Marietta's craft beer scene. The taproom is spacious, the beer garden is one of the best outdoor spaces on the Square, and the "Marietta Square Ale" is a perfect warm-weather pour. They host live music on weekends and the energy is always good.
Two Birds Taphouse on the Square offers a rotating tap list with local and regional craft beers, plus a solid gastropub menu. The blackened chicken sandwich and the pimento cheese burger are standouts.
Contrast Artisan Ales at 101 Church Street brings experimental brewing to a modern industrial taproom. Hazy IPAs, sours, and stouts rotate frequently. This is the spot for craft beer enthusiasts.
Quick Bites and Lunch Spots
Marietta Square Market at 68 North Marietta Parkway is a food hall with multiple vendors serving everything from Mediterranean bowls to Cuban sandwiches to tacos. It is perfect for groups where everyone wants something different. The large communal outdoor seating area makes it a great warm-weather lunch spot.
Kiosco Marietta Square at 48 Powder Springs Street offers Mediterranean-inspired small plates and craft cocktails in a beautifully designed space with one of the nicer patios on the Square.
Bottega Italian Market-Pizza at 136 S Park Square is perfect for a quick slice or an Italian sandwich to go. The market section has imported pasta and olive oil if you want to bring a taste of the Square home.
Shopping and Boutiques
One of the best things about the Marietta Square is the shopping. You will not find the same mall brands you can get anywhere. The Square is home to independently owned boutiques, antique stores, and specialty shops that give the downtown its character.
Market with a B. at 15 W Park Square is a beautifully curated Southern boutique with farmhouse decor, gifts, and home provisions. It is the kind of shop where you walk in for one thing and leave with an armful of gifts you did not know you needed.
The Local Exchange features locally made food, beverages, and merchandise. You can fill a growler with Red Hare Root Beer on tap, pick up local honey, or grab a bag of coffee roasted right here in Georgia. It is a one-stop shop for Marietta-made goods.
Shop 'Til You Drop has been a women's fashion boutique on the Square since 1991. If you are looking for a wardrobe refresh with pieces you will not see everyone else wearing, this is your spot.
Antiques on the Square at 146 S Park Square and Park West Vintage at 17 Whitlock Avenue are both excellent for treasure hunting. Whether you are looking for vintage furniture, mid-century decor, or collectibles, these shops reward slow browsing.
Rhinos and Rhinestonez at 37 W Park Square is our go-to for kids' clothing and accessories. The selection is adorable and the staff knows their inventory.
Rocket Fizz is a soda pop and candy shop that kids and adults both love. Hundreds of glass-bottle sodas, retro candies, and novelty items. It is a fun stop on any Square walking tour.
Marietta Wine Market carries over 500 wines and beers, and the staff is knowledgeable and helpful. It is the perfect place to pick up a bottle for dinner or a gift for a host.
The Square's shopping scene is one of the reasons we recommend it so strongly to clients exploring the area. It gives you a feel for the community's values, local artisans, and independent spirit. That is hard to replicate in a strip mall.
Coffee and Dessert
Every great downtown needs great coffee and something sweet to go with it. Marietta Square delivers on both fronts.
Cool Beans Coffee Roasters at 31 Mill Street is our favorite coffee spot on the Square. They roast their own beans, the espresso is excellent, and the atmosphere is cozy without trying too hard. Grab a latte and a pastry and find a bench in Glover Park. It is the perfect start to a morning on the Square.
Tuesday Coffee and Shoppe at 137 Church Street is a newer addition that has quickly become a local favorite. The coffee is excellent, and the space doubles as a boutique with curated gifts and home goods. It is the kind of spot where you can linger over a flat white and browse at the same time.
Australian Bakery Cafe, which we mentioned in dining, also deserves a spot here. Their flat white is the best on the Square, and the vanilla slice and Lamingtons are excellent with an afternoon coffee.
For dessert, Sugar Plum Visions is a custom bakery on the Square that produces gorgeous wedding cakes, gourmet chocolates, and pastries. It is worth stopping in just to admire the craftsmanship.
Further down Whitlock Avenue, Marietta Melt Yard at 800 Whitlock Avenue serves gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches and milkshakes that scratch the comfort food itch. The tater tots are crispy and perfect.
And of course, a walk through the Square on a hot summer day calls for a stop at Rocket Fizz for a root beer float or an old-fashioned soda. Simple, classic, and exactly right.
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Events and Festivals
The Marietta Square calendar is packed with events year-round. These are the ones we circle every year and the ones that draw the community together.
Glover Park Concert Series
Free concerts on the last Friday of each month from April through September in Glover Park. Now in its 40th year, this series brings local and national acts to the gazebo stage. Bring a blanket, pack a picnic, and settle in for an evening of live music under the stars. It is Marietta at its best.
Taste of Marietta
The last Sunday in April, the Square fills with 50-plus restaurants offering samples of their best dishes. It is Cobb County's longest-running food festival, drawing over 50,000 attendees. Live music, cooking demonstrations, and a kids' zone make it a full-family event. Tickets are $2 to $10 per tasting, so you can sample your way around the Square.
Marietta Square Art Walk
Every first Friday of the month from 5 to 9 PM, year-round, the Art Walk transforms the Square into an open-air gallery. Local artists display their work, galleries open their doors, and live music fills the streets. It has been a Marietta tradition for over 20 years, and it is one of our favorite ways to spend a Friday evening.
May-Retta Daze
A two-day outdoor arts, crafts, and music festival held the first weekend in May. Handmade goods from local artists, live entertainment, and a true community fair atmosphere.
Art in the Park
Labor Day weekend brings a juried art festival to Glover Park featuring over 220 artists from across the country. It is one of the premier art events in the Southeast, and the quality of the work on display is remarkable.
HarvestFest and Holiday Events
October brings HarvestFest with pie-eating contests, crafts, costume contests, and Halloween activities. Then the holiday season transforms the Square into something magical. The annual tree lighting, Santa's arrival, the Ugly Sweater Parade, and the Festival of Trees draw families from across Cobb County. The Square is beautiful any time of year, but it is especially stunning in December with the lights and decorations.
Marietta Square Farmers Market
Operating year-round on Saturday mornings near 41 Mill Street from 9 AM, the farmers market is a Marietta institution. Fresh produce, local meats, artisan breads, flowers, and prepared foods. It is our go-to Saturday morning routine, and we recommend it to every client moving to the area as the best way to plug into the community.
Insider Tip
The Saturday farmers market is also one of the best places to bump into us. If you see us at the coffee stand, come say hello. We love meeting new neighbors and talking about what brings people to Marietta.
Arts and Culture
Marietta punches well above its weight in arts and culture. The Square is home to several cultural institutions that make it more than just a pretty downtown.
The Strand Theatre at 117 N Park Square is a beautifully restored 1930s Art Deco movie palace that now hosts concerts, films, comedy shows, and live theater year-round. The acoustics are excellent, the architecture is stunning, and the programming is diverse enough that there is always something worth seeing. A show at The Strand is the perfect cap to a date night on the Square.
Marietta City Hall itself is a historic building that often hosts art exhibitions and community events in its public spaces. The Marietta Cobb Museum of Art at 30 Atlanta Street is housed in a historic former post office building and features rotating exhibitions of American art, with a focus on works from the 19th and 20th centuries.
For theater lovers, the Marietta Theatre Company at 26 Powder Springs Street puts on several productions each year, from musicals to dramas, featuring local talent. The intimate venue makes every show feel personal.
The Brown Bag Concert Series offers free noon concerts in Glover Park each Thursday in May and September, giving downtown workers and visitors a lunchtime dose of live music. It is one of those small touches that makes the Square feel alive even on a random Thursday.
If you are considering a move to Marietta, the arts scene is a huge part of the quality of life here. It gives the city a personality that goes beyond just good schools and nice houses. For a deeper comparison of how Marietta stacks up against nearby cities, read our Marietta vs. Kennesaw comparison and our best neighborhoods in Marietta guide.
Parks and Green Space
Glover Park is the centerpiece, but the green spaces around the Square are worth exploring in their own right.
The park itself is four blocks of flat, manicured lawn with mature shade trees, a beautiful historic fountain, the iconic white gazebo, and plenty of benches. It is the kind of park where you can sit for an hour and watch the town go by. On a Saturday morning, the farmers market fills the perimeter. On a summer evening, the concert series draws hundreds of families with blankets and lawn chairs. On a random Tuesday afternoon, it is quiet enough to read a book.
The gazebo is a focal point for photos, events, and concerts. The fountain is a favorite gathering spot for kids on warm days. And the benches around the perimeter are perfectly positioned for people-watching.
Beyond Glover Park, the Square is surrounded by walkable streets with wide sidewalks, planters, and outdoor seating from the restaurants. It is a pedestrian-friendly environment that feels safe and welcoming at any hour.
A Day on the Square: Sample Itinerary
If you want to experience the full breadth of what the Marietta Square offers, here is how we recommend spending a day here. This is the itinerary we give to out-of-town guests and new clients exploring the area for the first time.
Morning: Coffee and a Stroll
Start at Cool Beans Coffee Roasters on Mill Street for a pour-over or a latte. Grab a pastry from Australian Bakery Cafe and take it across the street to a bench in Glover Park. Watch the Square wake up. The morning light is beautiful here, and the pace is slow.
If it is a Saturday, head to the Farmers Market around 9 AM. Walk the stalls, talk to the farmers, and pick up something fresh for lunch. It is one of the best community experiences Marietta offers.
Midday: Brunch and Shopping
For brunch, Australian Bakery Cafe is our go-to for a quick, satisfying meal. Or, if you want a sit-down brunch, Marietta Pizza Company does a surprisingly good weekend brunch on their patio.
After brunch, spend an hour or two browsing the shops. Start at Market with a B., wander through The Local Exchange, then poke your head into Antiques on the Square and Park West Vintage. Even if you are not buying, the window displays alone are worth the walk.
Afternoon: Culture and a Walk
Check the schedule at The Strand Theatre for afternoon shows or matinees. If nothing is playing, the Marietta Cobb Museum of Art is a short walk away and rarely crowded on weekday afternoons.
Around 3 PM, grab an afternoon coffee from Tuesday Coffee and Shoppe on Church Street and take a leisurely lap around the Square. Stop at the fountain, sit on a bench, and just soak it in. This is the part of the day that visitors remember most the quiet moments that make Marietta feel like home.
Evening: Dinner and an Event
For dinner, pick your mood. Celebrating something special? Spring Restaurant or Mac's Chop House. Casual family night? Marietta Pizza Company or Taqueria Tsunami. Want to sit outside? Gianni and Mac's has the best patio on the Square.
After dinner, check if there is a show at The Strand or live music at Glover Park Brewery. If the concert series is running, grab a blanket and join the crowd in the park. On a warm summer evening, with the string lights glowing and a local band playing, the Square feels like the best place in metro Atlanta to be.
If you find yourself imagining what it would be like to live within walking distance of all this, you are not alone. Many of our clients started with a visit to the Square and ended up buying a home in one of the surrounding neighborhoods. Our guide to buying a home in Marietta walks through exactly what you need to know.
Why We Love It
We have spent more hours on the Marietta Square than we could possibly count. Client lunches at Mac's Chop House. Saturday mornings at the farmers market with our family. Date nights at Spring Restaurant that feel like mini-vacations. Holiday parades where we wave at neighbors we know by name. Concerts in Glover Park where we spread out a blanket and watch our community come together.
The Square is where we bring out-of-town clients to show them what makes Marietta different. It is where we celebrate closings with a toast at Glover Park Brewery. It is where we walk when we need to think through a deal or decompress after a long day.
Here is what we have learned after years of bringing people here. The Square is not just a collection of restaurants and shops. It is proof that community still matters. That a place can grow and change without losing its soul. That you can have great food, real culture, and genuine neighborliness in the same four-block walk.
That is why we love it. And that is why we think you will love it too.
Want to Live Walking Distance to All This?
The Marietta Square is one of the best downtowns in metro Atlanta, and the neighborhoods within walking distance are some of the most desirable in Cobb County. Whether you are upsizing for a growing family, downsizing to be closer to the action, or relocating from out of state and want to land in the heart of Marietta, we would love to help you find the right home. With 360+ homes sold and deep knowledge of every street within a mile of the Square, we know exactly where to look.
