atlanta good eats tagged interest

Inman Park is kinda like the Voltron of Atlanta dining, assembling some of the best food in the city in one charming historic area. This is one of ATL’s oldest neighborhoods, with beautiful tree-lined streets, houses we wish we could afford, and historic architecture. Here, you’ll find a favorite Italian spot with a wild creative streak, a gorgeous French bistro that switches to a Pan-African menu by night, and a brunch spot you'll want to wait in line for.

THE SPOTS

BoccaLupo is an Italian-American restaurant with a comfortable atmosphere, outstanding food, and chill music that bounces from OutKast B-sides to nu jazz. Order our favorite dish, the black spaghetti with hot Calabrese sausage, tender shrimp, and scallions. But the four-course $125 tasting menu is also a wise move since it's a great showcase of the chef’s talented use of fresh, seasonal ingredients. The restaurant’s run-of-the-mill exterior might not indicate that it has been in the top-tier of Atlanta dining for years—it’s an IYKYK-type place, but the space is always booked and busy, so don't wait until the day of to try for a reservation.

Delbar, a Middle Eastern restaurant, is the center of this neighborhood's universe, and not just because of its stylish, plant-filled interior and sceney, always packed sunken patio. The food is the real star here—from the creamy hummus and the char-grilled citrusy wings to the decadent sea bass and delicious, zesty-sweet spring pea salad. It’s not only one of our highest-rated restaurants, it’s the ultimate place to bring your big group of friends or coworkers and make a family-style feast with multiple plates.

A French brunch cafe with a Haitian dinner menu not only makes a slick mash-up, it makes Bread andamp; Butterfly a place we'd want to spend our whole day. The cafe itself is strategically reminiscent of Paris bistro life, with blue and white rattan chairs and a covered patio lined with hanging plants. Breakfast and lunch feature solid standards like quiches and tartare, and the dinner menu has a blend of dishes with a focus on Haitian food (since the chef from the Heritage Supper Club pop-up took over the space in 2023). And nothing epitomizes this cool new direction better than the decadent golden brown Haitian beef patty, arriving like a fluffy spiced meat pillow on your plate.

Lloyd’s is like a nostalgic mix of an '80s Pizza Hut (complete with stained chandeliers and worn maroon booths) and your cousin Pat’s den room with velvet owl and turtle art on the walls. The pizzeria has a super chill, "we know who we are" vibe that's pretty endearing—so even though they're not making the absolute best pizza in Atlanta, it’s still one of our favorite places to eat a pie. Come to hang out with your group, just make sure you show up around 5ish to avoid a long wait. And you really want to get here early for Monday’s crab night, where $30 gets you two lightly seasoned crab leg clusters to share with your crew.

There’s always a lengthy wait at Folk Art, unless you ride at dawn and get here promptly at 7am. The crowds aren’t here for sceney photo ops (since the Southern diner looks like it's been decorated with Goodwill finds). It’s packed because Folk Art consistently serves one of the best brunches in Atlanta. Everything you'll eat here is fantastic—soft sweet potato donuts dusted in powdered sugar, perfectly crispy fried chicken on a sweet potato pancake, and their infamous sticky bun waffle covered with pecans, marshmallow cream, maple bourbon syrup, and powdered sugar.

For over two decades, Fritti has been a neighborhood favorite for great pizza and a relaxed scene. Kids who first visited this spacious, plant-filled patio with their parents now bring their own children to enjoy the same great view of the square and reliably good pizza. Enjoy a glass of white wine on the patio while choosing from more than 25 pizza options. The cheese-less marinara with wild oregano, garlic, and tomato showcases Fritti's freshness while the capricciosa with cotto ham, salame, artichokes, and olives is a solid choice for meat lovers. Though a single pizza could feed one person, order a few varieties to share.

Picture Beetlecat as the Optimist's laidback sibling, the Fresh Prince to its more buttoned-up cousin Carlton. Their above average, straightforward take on seafood classics makes it an easy choice for oyster Happy Hour with colleagues or for multigenerational families to enjoy a tasty blackened mahi sandwich. The nautical theme doesn’t go too campy, but it still manages to make us feel like we're dining somewhere seaside with navy blue accents and floor-to-ceiling windows that spotlight plush sectionals.

The key word at Italian restaurant Sotto Sotto is consistency. The place has been around for nearly 30 years and has remained a neighborhood favorite because pastas like the savory linguine del pescatore are reliably delicious. In the evenings, the lighting dips to romance novel levels, and your meal is soundtracked by soft jazz. Take a date, and order the rich, flaky halibut braised with tomato, white wine, capers, and oregano. And enjoy it while you relax on the soft-lit patio and sip an Italian barolo.

Krog Street Market isn't just a food hall, it's a food wonderland. No other food hall in the city has as many standout spots. Pop by for better-than-almost-anywhere-else burgers and sandwiches from Fred’s Meat and Bread, inventive cocktails and mocktails in an elevated dive bar space from Ticonderoga Club, and pizza with a soft, crunchy crust that requires repeat visits (Varuni Napoli). Use this place as your go-to when dining out with friends who can never agree on a single cuisine option.

Kitty Dare has a spacious, plant-filled patio that’s great for meeting up with friends and large groups. The menu features a mix of decent Mediterranean, American, and Italian dishes—from koobideh kabobs and burgers to pasta and grilled cheese. If all those options feel overwhelming, here’s a tip: start with the savory, cumin-spiced Tunisian eggplant dip loaded with tomatoes. And the pear-and lime-flavored Hommas gin cocktail pairs nicely with patio breezes. Any decision after that will be a good one.

If you’ve just come from walking around the square with your friends, Pure Taqueria makes a decent stop for coastal Mexican food. Inside, it’s a kaleidoscope of teal and yellow pastels with plants everywhere, which gives it a fun, beachy atmosphere. We usually order the tasty fried shrimp tacos with flour tortillas and pair with a sweet watermelon margarita, but skip the too-hard tortilla chips. Head out to the large patio when you want to people-watch.