{"id":35660,"date":"2026-09-28T20:54:13","date_gmt":"2026-09-28T20:54:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.diningandcooking.com\/us\/35660\/"},"modified":"2026-09-28T20:54:13","modified_gmt":"2026-09-28T20:54:13","slug":"where-to-eat-and-drink-in-atlanta-in-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.diningandcooking.com\/us\/35660\/","title":{"rendered":"Where to eat and drink in Atlanta in 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

Atlanta\u2019s art scene speaks in many vernaculars, unfolding across converted industrial spaces, artist-led initiatives, university museums and a network of independent studios that have shaped the city\u2019s distinctive cultural cadence. Atlanta Art Fair houses that energy, returning to Pullman Yards for its third edition with more than 80 galleries \u2013 its largest line-up yet \u2013 alongside installations, performances, talks and special exhibitions. This year\u2019s edition also expands its international reach while keeping Atlanta and the wider American South firmly at its core. With the 2026 edition taking place from 1-4 October, five of the city\u2019s artists, curators and cultural figures share the caf\u00e9s, bars and restaurants they return to beyond the fair.<\/p>\n

Where to eat and drink in Atlanta, the insiders\u2019 guideAlicia Felder<\/p>\n

\"Alica<\/p>\n

\nAlica Felder\n<\/p>\n

Cultural Producer and Collector<\/p>\n

Alicia Felder is an Atlanta-based arts leader and cultural producer whose work spans education, artist development, museums and entertainment. She is vice chair of the STIL Artist Residency in Johannesburg and has held leadership roles across Kid\u2019s Opera Art Posse, SAG-AFTRA and luxury brands, including Donna Karan, Christofle and Bloomingdale\u2019s globally.<\/p>\n

\n

\"East\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: East Pole Coffee Co)<\/p>\n

Morning treat at East Pole Coffee Co<\/p>\n

\u2018I don\u2019t need caffeine, so for me a cappuccino is a dessert treat I\u2019m very serious about \u2013 which means I\u2019m incredibly picky about getting it right. I\u2019ve been known to try a cappuccino and throw it away after one sip if it\u2019s bad. I usually pair mine with an almond croissant from The Little Tart Bakeshop on Krog Street \u2013 they\u2019ve had me in a chokehold forever.\u2019<\/p>\n

East Pole Coffee Co is located at 676 N Highland Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30306, United States<\/p>\n

Wine o\u2019clock at VinoTeca<\/p>\n

\u2018VinoTeca is the perfect place to do a wine flight and discover new wines, have a meeting, or simply go for the atmosphere. The environment is comfortable and welcoming, the crowd is always great and open to interacting if that\u2019s what you want, dogs are allowed; and their sommelier, Jeanine, is fantastic. The wine selection is also incredible for a shop of its size.\u2019<\/p>\n

VinoTeca is located at 299 N Highland Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307, United States<\/p>\n

Dinner at The Consulate Atlanta<\/p>\n

\u2018The Consulate is a proper elite dining experience in Atlanta. The global cuisine is always authentic and sublime, while the atmosphere and d\u00e9cor are sexy perfection. Every 90 days, they literally spin a globe and select a random country to inspire an authentic new menu. The mixologist also creates masterful, limited-edition craft cocktails to coincide with each new concept. Although a few fan favourites have made it onto the permanent menu, I always try the new one because the food is consistently outstanding.\u2019<\/p>\n

The Consulate Atlanta is located at 10 10th St NW Ste P200, Atlanta, GA 30309, United States<\/p>\n

Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.<\/p>\n

Kevin W. Tucker<\/p>\n

\"Kevin<\/p>\n

\nKevin W. Tucker\n<\/p>\n

Chief Curator at High Museum of Art<\/p>\n

Kevin W. Tucker is chief curator at Atlanta\u2019s High Museum of Art, where he oversees its collections, exhibitions and eight curatorial departments. A specialist in late nineteenth- and early twentieth-century design, his three-decade career includes senior roles at the Dallas Museum of Art and Columbia Museum of Art.<\/p>\n

\n

\"Lucian\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Lucian Books and Wine)<\/p>\n

Morning treat at Alon\u2019s Bakery & Market<\/p>\n

\u2018As a city of the South, Atlanta is more of a \u2018biscuits for breakfast\u2019 hub rather than a place known for its pastries, but Alon\u2019s Bakery & Market is my neighbourhood \u2018go-to\u2019 for a croissant or pain au chocolat and a cappuccino. For the complete vintage diner experience and Southern breakfast complete with biscuits, try the Silver Skillet on Westside. Decidedly unfancy, but a true flavour of the city.\u2032<\/p>\n

Alon\u2019s Bakery & Market is located at 1394 N Highland Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30306, United States<\/p>\n

Wine o\u2019clock at Lucian Books and Wine<\/p>\n

\u2018Lucian Books and Wine is a relaxing and elegant spot in Buckhead that, as its name suggests, brings together these two great things. Enjoy their French-inspired bites, sip a Spanish Tempranillo, and peruse an art book (of course) or three for a wonderful evening experience. For cocktails, I enjoy seeking out hidden spots around the city, from inspired gin creations at Whoopsie\u2019s in Reynoldstown to rum-infused tiki cocktails at Trader Vic\u2019s only East Coast location in the downtown Hilton Atlanta.\u2019<\/p>\n

Lucian Books and Wine is located at 3005 Peachtree Rd Ste 300, Atlanta, GA 30305, United States<\/p>\n

Dinner at Elise<\/p>\n

\u2018Elise, next to the High Museum of Art, is a new favourite for its beautiful setting and its refined menu crafted by chef Craig Richards. Try the risotto cacio e pepe or the roast chicken and savour the presentation, service, and flavours of one of Atlanta\u2019s best dining spots right on the museum\u2019s piazza in midtown. And be sure to check out their dedicated vermouth menu as an aperitif to an excellent meal.\u2019<\/p>\n

Elise is located at 1280 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, United States<\/p>\n

Sarah Higgings<\/p>\n

\"Sarah<\/p>\n

\nSarah Higgings\n<\/p>\n

Executive and Artistic Director of Art Papers<\/p>\n

Sarah Higgins is an Atlanta-based curator, writer and cultural producer, and executive and artistic director of Art Papers. She has curated over 45 exhibitions for institutions including the Hessel Museum of Art and MOCA Georgia, and served as guest curator at Atlanta Art Fair 2026.<\/p>\n

\n

\"Ticonderoga\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Ticonderoga Club)<\/p>\n

Morning treat at Aurora Coffee<\/p>\n

\u2018For coffee, Aurora Coffee in Little Five Points is my stop. They\u2019re not pastry-oriented, but my morning order does include a chocolate chip cookie. In summer, it\u2019s a large iced coffee; in winter, a hot dirty chai latte. But really, Atlanta is a sit-down breakfast city, and visitors shouldn\u2019t skip that experience. My favourite, by a mile, is Homegrown on Memorial Drive. I even met my fianc\u00e9 there, sitting at the breakfast counter! Be warned, though: their comfy chicken biscuit will send you straight back to bed for a nap.\u2019<\/p>\n

Aurora Coffee is located at 468 Moreland Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307, United States<\/p>\n

Cocktails at Whoopsie\u2019s<\/p>\n

\u2018Whoopsie\u2019s is my favourite for excellent boozy cocktails, delicious food and impeccable vibes. Whoopsie\u2019s is like the fanciest dive bar \u2013 or a fancy bar that has slid, ever so slightly, into grittier times. It\u2019s like a switchblade with a crystal handle. For the vino sophisticate, I\u2019m also a fan of Lucian Books & Wine. It\u2019s the perfect place for those who want to pair their glass with a beautifully designed art book in an elegant yet relaxed setting.\u2019<\/p>\n

Whoopsie\u2019s is located at 1 Moreland Ave SE Ste c, Atlanta, GA 30316, United States<\/p>\n

Dinner at Ticonderoga Club<\/p>\n

\u2018I love sneaky, hole-in-the-wall places. Not quite speakeasies, but restaurants that feel cosy and a little eccentric, with a sense of discovering a hidden oasis. Ticonderoga Club on Krog Street is a favourite. My cocktail is the Horsepower \u2013 bourbon, apricot eau-de-vie, lemon, ginger and bitters. I\u2019d start with the steak tartare, served with daikon medallions, then follow it with the S&S chargrilled pork steak with green papaya salad, nuoc cham, fresh herbs and sweet-and-sour tamarind sauce. Obviously, this is a place for carnivores. I\u2019d finish with the chocolate mousse and maybe a nightcap.\u2019<\/p>\n

Ticonderoga Club is located at 99 Krog St NE, Atlanta, GA 30307, United States<\/p>\n

Tiffany LaTrice<\/p>\n

\"Tiffany<\/p>\n

\nTiffany LaTrice\n<\/p>\n

Founder and Executive Director of TILA Studios<\/p>\n

Tiffany LaTrice is an Atlanta-based visual artist and writer. Her portraiture focuses on representations of the Black body at rest. She is also the founder and executive director of TILA Studios, which creates and advances career pathways for Black women visual artists through community, agency and fellowship programmes.<\/p>\n

\n

\"JoJo&rsquo;s\n<\/p>\n

JoJo\u2019s Beloved Cocktail Lounge<\/p>\n

(Image credit: JoJo\u2019s Beloved Cocktail Lounge)<\/p>\n

Morning treat at Portrait Coffee<\/p>\n

\u2018My favourite place to grab coffee and a pastry in the morning is Portrait Coffee. It\u2019s a short walk from my house and a Black-owned coffee shop in Atlanta\u2019s West End, so it feels like a true neighbourhood spot. I always order the Aunt Viv with an extra shot of espresso, along with a chocolate croissant for a little sweet treat. I usually sit inside and enjoy both because I almost always run into a friend. What starts as a quick coffee often turns into sitting around and catching up, which is one of my favourite parts of going there.\u2019<\/p>\n

Portrait Coffee is located at 1065 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd SW # A, Atlanta, GA 30310, United States<\/p>\n

Wine o\u2019clock at JoJo\u2019s Beloved Cocktail Lounge<\/p>\n

\u2018My favourite cocktail bar is JoJo\u2019s Beloved Cocktail Lounge in Midtown. It\u2019s a cute, swanky speakeasy tucked inside Colony Square, with great cocktails, good music and an effortlessly fun atmosphere. It\u2019s one of those places that feels special without taking itself too seriously.\u2019<\/p>\n

JoJo\u2019s Beloved Cocktail Lounge is located at 1197 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, United States<\/p>\n

Dinner at Poor Calvin\u2019s<\/p>\n

\u2018I\u2019ve been a huge fan of Poor Calvin\u2019s for more than 10 years, and it\u2019s still one of my favourite dinner spots in the city. My go-to order is the lobster crawfish wontons, followed by the country fried chicken with lobster mac and cheese and collard greens. And you absolutely have to save room for the toasted pound cake for dessert. Everything on the menu is incredible, but those are my must-orders.\u2019<\/p>\n

Poor Calvin\u2019s is located at 510 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308, United States<\/p>\n

Victoria Dugger<\/p>\n

\"Victoria<\/p>\n

Victoria Dugger is an Athens, Georgia-based visual artist whose work explores identity, disability and Southern heritage through a reimagined Southern Gothic lens. Her practice blends humour, body horror and opulence, challenging conventional ideas of beauty and femininity. She is represented by Sargent\u2019s Daughters and is on show at the Atlanta Art Fair 2026.<\/p>\n

\n

\"Little\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Little Tart Bakeshop)<\/p>\n

Morning treat at Little Tart Bakeshop<\/p>\n

\u2018I love Little Tart Bakeshop for coffee and pastries. I\u2019m pretty simple with coffee \u2013 usually a latte with oat milk \u2013 and then whatever pastry looks best that day. I have a hard time saying no to a sweet treat.\u2019<\/p>\n

Little Tart Bakeshop is located at 437 Memorial Dr SE, Atlanta, GA 30312, United States<\/p>\n

Wine o\u2019clock at Madeira Park<\/p>\n

\u2018I like places where you can actually sit and talk and stay for a while, and Madeira Park has that kind of energy. I\u2019m usually a wine person, but I would get a good cocktail if something interesting is on the menu.\u2019<\/p>\n

Madeira Park is located at 640 N Highland Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30306, United States<\/p>\n

Dinner at Antico\u2019s Pizza<\/p>\n

\u2018Antico\u2019s Pizza is one of those places I always want when I\u2019m in Atlanta \u2013 casual, loud, a little chaotic, and just really good. I usually get something with mushrooms.\u2019<\/p>\n

Antico\u2019s Pizza is located at 1093 Hemphill Ave NW, Atlanta, GA 30318, United States<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Atlanta\u2019s art scene speaks in many vernaculars, unfolding across converted industrial spaces, artist-led initiatives, university museums and a network of independent studios that have shaped the city\u2019s distinctive cultural cadence. Atlanta Art Fair houses that energy, returning to Pullman Yards for its third edition with more than 80 galleries \u2013 its largest line-up yet \u2013<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":35661,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[2963,2961,2959,2962,2960],"class_list":["post-35660","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-georgia","tag-georgia","tag-georgia-dining","tag-georgia-food","tag-georgia-grocery-stores","tag-georgia-restaurants"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/vive.im\/@dc\/117350659990827670","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.diningandcooking.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35660","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.diningandcooking.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.diningandcooking.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.diningandcooking.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.diningandcooking.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=35660"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.diningandcooking.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35660\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.diningandcooking.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/35661"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.diningandcooking.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=35660"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.diningandcooking.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=35660"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.diningandcooking.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=35660"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}