If you haven't been to Marietta Square in a few months, you're in for a pleasant surprise.
While Art in the Park returns over Labor Day weekend, several longtime spaces around the Square have quietly welcomed new life. New restaurants have opened, familiar favorites have returned, and a few exciting businesses have completely transformed how locals experience downtown Marietta.
Whether you're planning a day at Art in the Park or simply looking for a reason to spend an afternoon on the Square, here's everything that's new this fall.
New Restaurants & Shops Around Marietta Square
One of the things I love about Marietta Square is that it never stops evolving. The historic charm stays the same, but every season seems to bring something new to discover.
Here are a few of the biggest changes since last Labor Day.
Asher & Rose Modern Grocers
45 West Park Square
For years, Piastra was a favorite destination for special dinners. When it closed at the end of 2025, many locals wondered what would take its place.
The answer is Asher & Rose Modern Grocers, an entirely new concept from Chef Greg Lipman and Betty Bahl. Instead of another traditional restaurant, they've created a neighborhood market and café offering fresh produce, regional cheeses, premium meats and seafood, prepared meals, specialty groceries, wine, and a welcoming café.
It's the kind of place you'll find yourself visiting on an ordinary Tuesday just as often as a weekend.
West Park Sports Club
29 West Park Square
The former Red Hare Brewing & Distilling location has been transformed into West Park Sports Club, which opened in April 2026.
Created by Fork U Concepts, the team behind Taqueria Tsunami and Stockyard Burgers & Bones, the space brings a relaxed sports bar atmosphere to one of the Square's most recognizable locations. It's already becoming a popular gathering spot for locals looking to catch a game or enjoy dinner with friends.
Spring Returns
One of the biggest pieces of news for Marietta's dining scene is the return of Spring.
Chef Brian So's Michelin-starred restaurant quietly reopened this spring after renovations. Although currently operating in a limited capacity, its return once again places Marietta Square among Georgia's premier dining destinations.
If Spring disappeared from your list over the past year, it's time to add it back.
Deep Roots Wine Market & Tasting Room
Wine lovers have another reason to spend an afternoon downtown.
Deep Roots Wine Market & Tasting Room opened this spring near the Square, offering carefully selected wines, tasting events, and a comfortable gathering place just steps from Glover Park.
Whether you're meeting friends after work or enjoying a Saturday afternoon, it's a wonderful addition to downtown Marietta.
Tacos La Villa Cantina
Another exciting newcomer is Tacos La Villa Cantina.
With authentic flavors and a lively atmosphere, it adds another excellent dining option within walking distance of the Square and has already become a favorite for casual lunches and evenings out.
Art in the Park Celebrates 40 Years
Labor Day weekend means one thing in Marietta: Art in the Park.
Celebrating its 40th anniversary, this year's festival takes place September 5 through September 7, 2026, in beautiful Glover Park.
Recognized as one of the Southeast's premier fine art festivals, Art in the Park welcomes more than 55,000 visitors each year and features hundreds of artists from across the country displaying paintings, sculpture, photography, jewelry, pottery, woodworking, glass art, and much more.
This year's anniversary celebration also includes expanded artist demonstrations, a special featured Artist Showcase, and the return of the beloved Chalk Spot, where children can create sidewalk masterpieces while supporting the Marietta High School Visual Arts Program.
If you've never attended, it's one of my favorite weekends of the year in downtown Marietta.
Don't Miss These Late Summer Events
The excitement doesn't stop with Art in the Park.
Late summer is one of the busiest seasons on Marietta Square, with something happening nearly every weekend.
Upcoming events include:
- Cobb International Film Festival (August 6-9)
- First Friday Art Walk (August 7 and September 4)
- Marietta Summer Night Market (August 8)
- Glover Park Concert Series (August 28)
Whether you enjoy live music, local art, outdoor dining, or simply walking around the Square, August and September are wonderful times to visit.
My Perfect Day at Marietta Square
If I were planning the perfect Saturday, here's how I'd spend it.
Start your morning early with coffee and breakfast at Asher & Rose before the festival crowds arrive.
From there, wander through Art in the Park while the temperatures are cooler and the artist booths are easier to browse.
Around lunchtime, stop for tacos or another favorite restaurant around the Square before taking a break inside Deep Roots Wine Market for a relaxing wine tasting.
If you're looking for an unforgettable evening, finish the day with dinner at Spring. Reservations are well worth making in advance.
By arriving early and taking your time, you'll enjoy the Square at its very best.
One Corner Still Waiting
Not everything has changed.
One of the most talked-about locations on Marietta Square remains the vacant lot at 77 North Park Square.
Plans for a Ted's Montana Grill were approved, but the project was ultimately canceled earlier this year, leaving the longtime "Goldstein Gap" undeveloped once again.
It's a reminder that even as downtown continues to grow, there are still exciting opportunities for what's next.
Why I Love Marietta Square
One of the reasons so many people love living in Marietta is that the Square never stands still.
New restaurants open. Local businesses reinvent themselves. Beloved traditions like Art in the Park return year after year. Yet somehow, it still feels unmistakably like the historic Marietta everyone knows and loves.
Whether you're meeting friends for dinner, enjoying live music in Glover Park, browsing local art, or simply strolling the sidewalks with a cup of coffee, there's always something new to discover.
As a local Realtor, I love sharing these places with clients because buying a home isn't just about the house. It's about finding a community you'll enjoy long after move-in day.
If you're thinking about buying or selling a home in Marietta or East Cobb, I'd be happy to help you discover not only the right home, but also the neighborhoods, restaurants, parks, and local favorites that make this area such a wonderful place to call home.
