Ziba’s Bistro
Tucked away in a historic shopping center just a few minutes off exit 59a and down the street from Zoo Atlanta, Ziba’s Bistro offers an eclectic Mediterranean-inspired menu that has something for everyone. Since it opened its doors in 2010, Ziba’s Bistro has been dubbed ‘Grant Park’s Best Kept Secret,’ thanks to its use of the freshest ingredients, great atmosphere, and friendly service. The restaurant’s name, Ziba, means beauty and strength, and the building has original ceilings from 1880 as well as custom-made tables to comfortably seat you and your friends. Its rustic walls, beautiful blurry paintings, billowy curtains, shady street-side patio, and jazz music make customers feel like they are in the Italy of their dreams. Their cocktails are inventive and tasty, and the European wines pair perfectly with the delicious dishes that have included amazing spicy chorizo mussels, tender steak frites, carrot salad with soy ginger dressing, and grilled calamari. The menu changes often, always using the freshest local ingredients, and they also serve fantastic coffees.
Ria’s Bluebird
An extremely popular small and cozy breakfast, brunch, and lunch place, Ria’s Bluebird serves up amazing Southern comfort food options that are always worth the wait. The restaurant resembles a small diner, with a compact counter/coffee bar inside the cozy, naturally well-lit dining room. The interior has a cool rustic modern vibe, with padded wooden benches and chairs, bluebird-themed artwork including a beautiful mosaic, an enclosed outdoor area with a nature-themed design, and great music always jazzing the place up. Patrons love the hearty and flavorful Brisket Breakfast, the pancakes with caramelized bananas, shrimp and grits, omelettes, frittatas, chicken salad and pimento cheese, and the great vegetarian options including biscuits and gravy, the skillet of potatoes and peppers, and the country fried tempeh, an Indonesian soybean cake.
Address & telephone number: 421 Memorial Dr SE, Atlanta, GA, USA, +1 404 521 3737
Grant Park Coffeehouse
Located right across from the main zoo entrance, Grant Park Coffeehouse specializes in premium organic and fair trade coffee, as well as made-to-order breakfast and lunch, high quality delicious ice cream, and baked goods and desserts that are made on the premises. Visitors love the cool outside wall with the Grant Park Coffee name and Coca Cola logo painted on the bricks of the building, and the interior is small and quaint, a cozy spot to hang out and relax or study with a delicious hot cup of coffee when it’s raining. There is also a lovely dog-friendly outdoor patio perfect for enjoying sunny days. Patrons love the freshly squeezed juices and the delicious sandwiches, wraps, scones, and breads.
Address & telephone number: 753-A Cherokee Ave SE, Atlanta, GA, USA, +1 404 856 0433
Stone Soup Kitchen
Since its opening in 2005, Stone Soup Kitchen has earned a reputation for delicious food made from fresh ingredients and served by a friendly staff. Stone Soup Kitchen offers breakfast and lunch all day long, with a menu that offers something for everyone, whether you are a vegetarian, a vegan, or a carnivore. People love to stop by for biscuits and gravy or vegan blueberry flapjacks for breakfast, and a traditional southern Pimento Cheese sandwich or a delicious Henry Jones wrap filled with hummus, sprouts, tomato, and yogurt dill sauce for lunch. The restaurant has a full bar with favorites like the Spicy Bloody Mary and the always popular Mimosa. Patrons love the mom and pop diner feel of the place, with colorful art on the walls, mixed antique and counter seating, baked goods for sale, and cozy space. There is also a beautiful covered back patio with a cool relaxing environment that people love to sit in. Patrons are big fans of the cheese grits, the huevos rancheros, the flavorful tofu scramble, the homemade peanut butter cookies, and the pumpernickel rye bread sandwich with turkey, avocado, different lettuces, and fresh tomato with red onion. The place is quite popular among locals, so there is often a wait, but it’s definitely worth it.
Address & telephone number: 584 Woodward Ave, Atlanta, GA, USA, +1 404 524 1222
Mix’d Up Truck Stop
A rock ’n roll-inspired food truck serving gourmet burgers decided to set up a permanent home called the Mix’d Up Truck Stop in late July of 2013. Owner Chef Brett takes his passion for music and global cuisine and combines them to create some of the best burgers in the world, with everything from turkey burgers to lamb to black bean to Angus beef, all seasoned so perfectly that condiments aren’t necessary. Located in a small building with a drive-thru, Mix’d Up Truck Stop has become a favorite amongst locals looking for quick meals that are better quality than the typical fast food chains. The huge orders of fries are extremely popular, hand-cut shoe string fries that you can get done up in a variety of ways including garlic and parmesan, wing sauce, ranch, and bleu cheese, cheesy rotel, pulled pork with BBQ sauce and cheese, or just plain. Served on crispy, flavorful, and fresh buns, favorite burgers include the Flyin-mix turkey burger, the Santa Fe with beans and pico de gallo, the chili-rubbed Texan with cheese, bacon, pulled pork, BBQ sauce, and slaw, the lamb hero burger with tzatziki sauce, and the vegan black bean burger with avocado, pico, and cheese.
Address & telephone number: 313 Blvd SE, Atlanta, GA, USA, +1 404 963 2381
Grant Central Pizza & Pasta
Established in 1992, Grant Central Pizza & Pasta serves some of the best pizza and pasta in Atlanta. People love to stop by and hang out while drinking beer, eating pizza, and catching up with friends in the relaxing atmosphere of the place. The restaurant has a cozy neighborhood feel, the staff are always friendly and welcoming, and there is even nice artwork on the walls. Some favorite pizzas include the Pepperoni and Meatball, the Pepperoni and Pineapple, the Pesto Pizza, and the the White Pizza with mushrooms. The chocolate cake topped with Heath bars and the decadent strawberry cake are to-die-for, and some customers even ask the restaurant to call them when they have the cake in stock. The fresh and flavorful garlic bread is also popular, as are the big delicious salads from the restaurant’s innovative salad selection and the fantastic calzones.
Address & telephone number: 451 Cherokee Ave SE, Atlanta, GA, USA, +1 404 523 8900
Octane
Focusing on local craft and produce, Octane roasts their coffee beans right next to the café and uses milk from a nearby dairy so that the baristas can craft a quality enjoyable experience that makes visitors feel like they’re at home. The space is a nicely renovated warehouse with exposed piping and brick walls, the service is friendly and unpretentious, the vibe is hipster, and the café even offers free wifi for the people who want to hang out and get work done. Considered one of the best coffee shops in the country, some people visit Atlanta just to go there. Patrons fall in love with the iced coffee on nitro, the amazing chai tea, and the ‘Super Regular,’ which is a solid yet intricate house coffee with a seasonally changing makeup of single origins or blends that are fresh off the harvest. They also have a nice bar that opens in the evening with cocktails, craft beer, and a great happy hour.
Address & telephone number: 437 Memorial Dr, Atlanta, GA, USA, +1 404 815 9886
Mi Barrio
When you’re looking for an authentic Mexican culinary experience in Atlanta, Mi Barrio is the place to be. With great carne asada, burritos, tacos, pickled cactus, cow tongue, enchiladas, and chili relleno, the few tables at this small restaurant often get filled quickly. People also love the potent and tasty margaritas and beer that are perfect for washing down the super flavorful and spicy salsa. The cozy environment makes guests feel like they are at their abuela’s house, so if you’re a fan of Mexican food, this little hole in the wall is worth seeking out.
Address & telephone number: 571 Memorial Dr SE, Atlanta, GA, USA, +1 404 223 9279
Six Feet Under Pub & Fish House
When Six Feet Under Pub & Fish House’s Grant Park location first opened its doors across from the Oakland Cemetery in 2002, it had a simple goal, to be a fun place where everyone could enjoy great food and service. From craft beer and hand-crafted cocktails, Six Feet Under Pub & Fish House has it all. Perhaps one of the most popular aspects of the restaurant is the amazing rooftop seating that affords visitors an expansive view overlooking the cemetery. While enjoying the atmosphere, patrons love to eat the gator bites, steamed shrimp, and scallops cooked in parchment paper with herbs and wine sauce, the freshly battered and fried fish and chips, the shrimp boil with calamari, the catfish tacos, the incredible raw oysters, and the huge fish stew made with delicious shrimp, fish, scallops, and mussels. People also have favorite sides including the spinach salad and the onion rings, and the icebox-style key lime pie makes for a perfect end to a wonderful meal.
Address & telephone number: 437 Memorial Dr SE, Atlanta, GA, USA, +1 404 523 6664
Augustine’s
This string-light-adorned hangout in Grant Park is known by locals as the go-to place to sit and relax with friends, watch a game, bring your dog in the outside seating, or preface a trip to the historic Oakland Cemetery. There is also darts and a bocce ball court, and a huge picnic table for large groups out back. Favorite menu items include the fried plantains, the short rib grilled cheese sandwich, the crispy fries cooked in duck fat, the smothered tots appetizer, and the perfectly cooked juicy House Burger with pimento cheese, slabs of bacon, and pickled jalapeños, topped with a fried egg. The bar carries a fantastic and large selection of local and craft beers from around the country, as well as an extensive wine and liquor selection. Servers are entertaining, fast, reliable, and great at recommending the perfect new beers or foods that you’ll love.
Address & telephone number: 327 Memorial Dr, Atlanta, GA, USA, +1 404 681 3344