Citizens Market: Not Your Everyday Food Court

This new part of Phipps Plaza has indoor and outdoor dining and eight options from which to choose.

By Marcia Caller Jaffe June 14, 2023, 10:57 am Edit

After 37 years with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and now with the AJT, , Jaffe’s focus is lifestyle, art, dining, fashion, and community events with emphasis on Jewish movers and shakers.

Grab a bite before or after a movie. Sip a cocktail after shopping at Hermes or Balmaine (opening soon).

Citizens Market, the west rear of Phipps Plaza, opened in April with 25,000 square feet of indoor/outdoor space, featuring bar, event, and culinary dining destinations. Call it an “elevated food court as there are no Moe’s or Chik-fil-A’s among the eight geometrically designed chef-driven choices.

The new Citizens Market has its own outdoor entrance as well as an interior connection to Phipps Plaza.

Citizens Market sits adjacent to The Green, the newly designed, grand courtyard with comfortable seating, well-manicured green space, and a large-scale, hand-painted mural that Simon commissioned from Savannah College of Art and Design.

The overall reimagined Phipps Plaza is a unique mixed-use development with work, play and shopping options. After all, it’s no secret that the old mall model, store to store with the likes of The Limited, has either declined or is on developers’ tables slated for renovation. Simon added the Nobu Hotel, Life Time and Life Time Work, a luxury athletic country club and coworking destination, and One Phipps Plaza, a LEED-certified, 13-story, Class A office tower.

This spicy vegan ramen has a bounty of fresh ingredients, especially non-traditional tomatoes.

Citizens Market is operated by global premium experiences company, Legends, with culinary brands created by C3 (Creating Culinary Communities), the fastest-growing global food tech platform. All the employees wear navy blue Citizens’ hats as a team under one umbrella.

The dining options include:
Umami Burger: A rich and savory taste sensation that goes beyond the commonplace flavors of sweet, sour, salty, and bitter.
Sam’s Crispy Chicken: Southern-fried chicken specialties, 100 percent antibiotic and hormone free. Sam’s Crispy Chicken specializes in hand-battered, cornflake-crusted, all-natural chicken sandwiches.
Krispy Rice: An elevated sushi experience centering around handrolls, maki cut rolls, nigiri, and chef-curated combinations.
Sa’Moto: A collection of Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto’s most loved pan-Asian dishes, merging Asian flavors, Japanese techniques, and American spirit.
Ella Mia: A modern and sophisticated coffee shop with a slice of craft coffee culture serving breakfast, lunch, and early dinner, breads, sandwiches, and soups with an international flair. Opens at 8 a.m.
Cicci Di Carne by Dario: Centered on the local deli and butchers’ shop concept, with a menu helmed by world-renowned butcher, Dario Cecchini, known as the “world’s best butcher.”
El Pollo Verde: El Pollo Verde, by Dani Garcia, offers roasted organic chicken and Spanish-inspired salad bowls by three Michelin-starred chef, Dani Garcia, who is the creative force behind renowned Casa Dani.
SOOM SOOM Fresh Mediterranean: Authentic Mediterranean pitas and wraps packed with flavor in dishes like chicken shawarma, kabobs, classic hummus, and falafel served with house made tahini.

The platter from SOOM SOOM’s star item was the babaganouch.

All of the above descriptions were provided by Citizens. This AJT writer sampled two venues: SOOM SOOM Fresh Mediterranean and Sa’Moto. The former was a traditional grouping (mix and match) of cauliflower, roasted carrots, beets, tabbouleh, and a sublime babaganouch with real smoked flavors. At Sa’Moto, the group ordered the vegan spicey ramen, which was bountiful with fresh tomatoes, corn, tofu, sesame seeds, scallions, a really special malange of noodles and veggies. (Folks on limited salt diets should stay away from this elaborate “stew” as the only caveat.)

The drink menu at elongated Citizens Bar, facing The Green, features craft cocktails and mocktails using fresh, seasonal ingredients; a rotating selection of bottled beers, including local offerings from Atlanta Brewing Company, Atlanta Hard Cider, Creature Comforts Brewing Co., Scofflaw Brewing Co., SweetWater Brewing Company, and Wild Heaven Beer; and selections of wines by the glass. The full-service bar opens onto The Green for drinks al fresco with live music and entertainment. Patio seating stretches the entire length of the courtyard and around the corner of the food hall.

The outdoor Green patio space is an extra special respite from shopping.

Designed by architect David Rockwell, Citizens Market’s architectural elements include geometric food counters, homogeneous stall design, vibrant neon brand logos, and low lighting to create the ambiance of an upscale restaurant. Shades of greenery peek out to offer soft touches.

Loads of guest seating includes high-top community tables, traditional banquettes, and modern ottomans, colored in terracotta and neutral tones.

Bottom line: A fine addition to the Buckhead scene, and those lucky guests staying at the Nobu Hotel, Citizens enhances Phipps’ uniqueness. Certainly a notch above fast food, but keep expecations in check. The outdoor space alone is worth a visit, kids, and all.

Citizens is open daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

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