11 Best Restaurants in Sweet Auburn, the Old Fourth Ward, and East Atlanta, Atlanta

Argosy

$ | East Atlanta

Dark wood and a welcoming vibe make this cavernous bar with above-average food and a well-curated beer menu feel like a place you can sink into and stay awhile. Ask for their favorite bottled or on-tap brew, or take them up on an offer to sample one that's piqued your interest.

Banshee

$$ | East Atlanta

With a food menu inspired by a range of cultures, from Italian to Native American, and a cocktail menu directed by some of Atlanta’s best barkeeps, this boutique eatery brings a level of sophistication to an otherwise pub-heavy scene. Rose gold pendant lights and rich blue hues, which tint the heavy velvet drapes separating the bar from the small dining area, give the place a serious bent, but the mini dinosaur figurines tucked away in unexpected spots let you know it’s fine to relax and “enjoy yourself”—and a pink neon lighted sign mounted against a hallway wall encourages visitors to do just that.

Chrome Yellow Trading Co.

$ | Sweet Auburn

If you’re looking for a pit stop after exploring all Edgewood Avenue, the BeltLine, or Krog Street Market has to offer, Chrome Yellow has you covered. This cool coffee shop hides within a generic black brick building, but once you walk inside, its aesthetic really shines with white paint, industrial metal, and light wood decor. Pastries aren’t always available, so when they are, they tend to go fast.

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Gunshow

$$ | East Atlanta

Experience a range of tastes at this Southern-style dim sum outpost founded by former Top Chef contestant Kevin Gillespie. The menus change frequently, as do the chefs who prepare twists on Southern staples, such as a black-eyed peas fritter. The entire space is considered part of the kitchen, with no separation between guests and the folks cooking.

Holy Taco

$$ | East Atlanta

Don't fill up on the tortilla chips at this Tex-Mex joint. They are so tasty that you might miss the rest of the menu, which includes vegan and vegetarian options, as well as standards like fish tacos and fajitas. A big patio makes this a big sunny-day draw, especially with the organic margaritas featuring rotating flavors fresh from local farmers' markets.

Home grown

$ | Reynoldstown

Southern comfort food at its finest can be found at this bright, old-school diner. Cheese grits with a good cheddar bite, fluffy biscuits that can be stuffed with anything from sausage and gravy to perfectly fried chicken, and hunks of made-from-scratch cake are just a few of the reasons locals flock to Home grown. Before you leave, browse the in-house thrift store—an appropriate backdrop to the eclectic atmosphere and crowd at this restaurant.

Arrive before 11 for the shortest wait, or grab a seat at the counter.

Lottafrutta

$ | Sweet Auburn

Smoothies, fruit cups, and sandwiches—Lottafrutta has a fresh take on them all, and the brilliant colors of the exterior mimic the hues you’ll find in those tasty fruit cups. If you prefer a smoothie, options are plentiful. This spot on the outskirts of the MLK historical district has a funky, colorful vibe you can’t miss.

Muchacho

$ | Reynoldstown

The yellow door of the old Atlanta & West Point Railroad station where this coffee shop is housed will undoubtedly draw the eye. Muchacho offers West Coast retro vibes and an assortment of breakfast tacos, matcha lattes, and daily frescas in a bright space.

Staplehouse

$$ | Old Fourth Ward

Staplehouse was a true staple of Atlanta, with its 2016 James Beard finalist for Best New Restaurant and charitable status widely known. In 2020, the lauded restaurant became a market. The fresh charcuterie is a holdover from the full-service menu, but some new offerings such as pork loin with tortillas hit the spot. Buy what you need and take it to go, or sit out on the garden patio while you eat.

The Earl

$ | East Atlanta

Scrappy and lots of fun, this bar has a hearty menu of classic pub food. A favorite here is the Greenie Meanie Chicken, a grilled chicken breast topped with roasted poblano peppers and salsa verde. In the back bar you'll see the country's best up-and-coming indie acts.

Thumb's Up Diner

$ | Old Fourth Ward

You haven't really lived, or at least tested the limits of your heart's health, until you've tried the Heap: a sizzling skillet full of eggs, buttery veggies, and potatoes. Add a fluffy biscuit on the side, and this is one of the city's best breakfasts. Thumb's Up also has good lunch options, including tamari-flavored tofu served on a bed of raw spinach.

Atlanta

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