Alon's Bakery & Market

1394 N Highland Ave, Atlanta, GA 30306 404-872-6000

Description: VIRGINIA HIGHLAND. Alon's lunches are great for one main reason: the sublime, fresh-baked bread. Challah, Country French, rye and croissants are done to perfection. Top these with creative mixtures of fresh vegetables, flavorful cheeses and hearty meats, and you have a sandwich that's nothing short of unforgettable. If you love to browse tray after tray of bakery-fresh desserts ­ and who doesn't! ­ then don't skip theirs. From tender scones to some of the most addictive cookies in Atlanta, you'll find it all here. Try a tangy lemon square or a big piece of raspberry white-chocolate cheesecake, and don't forget a fragrant cup of coffee to go with your selection. Wine is not served, but you may buy a bottle in the store to take home.
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Atlanta Grill

181 Peachtree St NE, Ritz-Carlton Atlanta, Atlanta, GA 30303 404-221-6550

Description: DOWNTOWN. Lauded for its superb cuisine and inviting ambience, this esteemed restaurant is elegant and gracious ­ just as you'd expect from the Ritz. Well-executed murals and classic city photographs distinguish the space, which plays host to well-to-do travelers and celebs. The Southern-inspired menu finds great expression in the prix fixe brunch, which includes fare like prime rib, artisan cheeses, and pastries. Not to be outdone, lunch at the Grill is itself an impressive affair ­ one that includes frisee and endive salad with pancetta, Maine lobster club with eggs brioche, tomato and cucumber gazpacho, and green asparagus soup.
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BLT Steak

45 Ivan Allen Jr Blvd NW, W Atlanta - Downtown, Atlanta, GA 30308 404-577-7601

Description: DOWNTOWN. Clean-lined, monochromatic BLT Steak eschews the traditional dark interiors of a steakhouse and adds in a dose of bistro accessibility and downtown style. Exceptional American and Japanese cuts of beef are the focus, naturally aged and broiled at high heat. Go for a NY strip with bearnaise sauce or a flavorful, bone-in rib-eye. Poultry, veal, and seafood are also available, along with seasonal specials. A host of rich sides and decadent desserts contributes to a full meal, and a raw bar delivers ocean-fresh shellfish to aficionados. Moreover, a broad selection of wines fits the restaurant's stellar reputation, and while meals don't come cheap, they do come with high praise.
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Bread Garden

549 Amsterdam Ave, Atlanta, GA 30306 404-875-1166

Description: MIDTOWN. Patrons will tell you quite readily that this small shop turns out some of the city's best breads, from focaccia and baguettes to ciabatta and country Italian loaves. They're crusty, flavorful, and ideal for a sandwich, which the shop will make for you during designated lunch hours. Otherwise, stop in for something sweet or savory to enjoy at home. Service can be slow at times and the staff can take some getting used to, but you can't beat the tasty goods that Bread Garden serves.
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Brookhaven Bistro

4274 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30319 404-846-2233

Description: BUCKHEAD. Claiming the title of "Brookhaven's Healthy Restaurant," Brookhaven Bistro cooks with fresh ingredients and robust Cajun flavors that suit any diet. Open for breakfast and lunch, the bistro has unique and eclectic menus for both meals. Breakfast offerings include eggs and bacon with hash browns or tofu scramble with vegan sausage, for those with more restricted diets. For lunch, the chef suggests chowing down on the signature salmon quesadilla. There are also an assortment of soups and salads from which to choose. With this bistro, health food is sure to become a craving.
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Café Intermezzo

4505 Ashford Dunwoody Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30346 770-396-1344

Description: BUCKHEAD. Many locals say this is the number one spot for dessert and coffee in Atlanta. A favorite with locals and tourists, the southern Buckhead café is always busy. With a selection of 120 fresh cakes and pastries, you're sure to find one ­ or several ­ that you can't resist. The festive bar is a popular place to meet for drinks as well. Choose from among 70 wines, 36 coffee drinks, and 30 single-malt scotches. Dinner is available too, but that's just icing on the cake (so to speak) ­ for more than 20 years, the place has been known for its desserts!
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Corner Cafe

3070 Piedmont Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30305 404-240-1978

Description: BUCKHEAD. This bustling, casual eatery, with its wall of windows and oversized mural, does a brisk business with folks stopping in for a bite from morning to mid-afternoon. Early on, try a Belgian waffle, white chocolate French toast, an omelet, or eggs Benedict. Come lunchtime, you'll want to take advantage of the range of sandwiches and salads. Gourmet takes on egg salad, roast turkey, and a ham and cheese go hand-in-hand with roasted rosemary lamb, a tower of smoked salmon, or a fried green tomato BLT. Baked goods and coffee are also handy takealongs.
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El Taco Veloz

5670 Roswell Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30342 404-252-5100

Description: SANDY SPRINGS. Craving full-flavored Mexican quick food at more-than-fair prices? El Taco Veloz knows just what you need. The place is nothing to look at, but don't let that deter you ­ taste and satisfaction are ample rewards for your determination. Soft corn tacos are as homey and delicious as you'd imagine, and huge burritos make folks sigh with delight. Along with standard offerings, you can try selections like beef tongue or the even more exotic barbacoa (slow-cooked beef headmeat). Don't forget to spice things up with their potent, zesty salsas.
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Highland Bakery

665 Highland Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30312 404-586-0772

Description: INMAN PARK. Highland Bakery in Atlanta is arguably the city's number one stop for foodies. Located in the charmingly historic Old Fourth Ward neighborhood, Highland is known for its top-drawer baked goods, all made from house-milled grains. Daily brunches are the biggest draws for locals and feature famous dishes like peanut butter-stuffed French toast, crab cakes Benedict and cilantro corn pancakes. For a caffeine fix, try the bottomless gourmet coffee for only $2.65!
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Java Jive

790 Ponce De Leon Ave, Atlanta, GA 30306 404-876-6161

Description: PONCEY-HIGHLAND. An all-American coffeehouse/diner that combines nostalgic appeal with contemporary hipness, Java Jive draws big crowds each weekend thanks to its hearty, creative eats. Try the mouthwatering scrambled eggs with fresh basil and cream cheese, scrumptious gingerbread waffles with lemon curd, or what many locals regard as the best pancakes in town. If you're feeling particularly adventurous, their PB&J French toast is the way to go! Authentic period furnishings from the 1920s-1950s, along with big band and swing music, create a unique environment of yesteryear. Great for all ages!
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La Madeleine French Bakery and Café

1165 Perimeter Center W, Atlanta, GA 30346 770-392-0516

Description: DUNWOODY. This place is known for fast food with a French flair. First off, you order cafeteria-style and settle into the simple dining room to enjoy your meal or dessert. Once seated, table service makes the visit more pleasant. Soups and sandwiches are fresh and delicious, but the fabulous French desserts invariably become the highlight of the meal. Pies, cakes and puddings are prepared with aplomb. Perfect for a midmorning or afternoon coffee break.
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Lobby at TWELVE

361 17th St NW, TWELVE Atlantic Station, Atlanta, GA 30363 404-961-7370

Description: MIDTOWN. Slate floors, pendant lights, and dark wood square tables fill the interior of this sophisticated space, located in TWELVE Hotel. Grab a barstool in front of the open kitchen and watch the chef craft dishes such as sage-roasted quail, beef short rib, wood oven pizzas and wood-grilled Mediterranean daurade. In addition to being a superb dining experience, the Lobby has also emerged as Atlantic Station's hippest locale for post-IKEA cocktails.
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LottaFrutta

590-A Auburn Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30312 404-588-0857

Description: INMAN PARK. A self-proclaimed "gourmet fruit house and market," LottaFrutta takes the lush, sweet allure of fruit seriously, incorporating it into a menu chock full of salads, juices, ice pops, and smoothies. If you're in the mood for lunchtime sustenance, give one of their grilled sandwiches a try, and if you want to see what they're really famous for, order a gourmet frutta cup. These amazing treats (they come in two sizes) are a chilled delight of chunky banana, watermelon, kiwi, pineapple, mango, papaya, grapes, and more!
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OK Café

1284 W Paces Ferry Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30327 404-233-2888

Description: BUCKHEAD. For a classic American diner-style breakfast, head over to the OK Café, where crisp French toast with maple syrup, bacon, eggs, sausage, biscuits, and many other morning favorites are available. Brunch, meanwhile, poses tough questions like, "Will it be the crab and crawfish cakes or the griddlecakes with Granny Smith apples and pecans." At lunch or dinner time, try tender pot roast with homestyle vegetables. The decor is homespun but unique, with folk art and a sparkling open kitchen adding extra pizzazz. All meals are fresh, satisfying, and reasonably priced.
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Park 75

75 14th St NE, Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta, Atlanta, GA 30309 404-253-3840

Description: MIDTOWN. Classical architecture and gracious furnishings highlight the dining room at this well-received restaurant. Global influences shine in such seasonal New American dishes as butter-braised Maine lobster with Anson Mill grits and chorizo, or roasted rack of Colorado lamb with eggplant and feta moussaka. Park 75's wine list features mostly American vintages, though you'll also find a handful of international selections and a Merlot bottled specifically for the restaurant. An especially memorable experience, the Chef's Table affords eight patrons the chance to enjoy a fabulous, nine-course menu with wine pairings at a table situated in the heart of the kitchen.
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Ria's Bluebird

421 Memorial Dr, Atlanta, GA 30312 404-521-3737

Description: GRANT PARK. If you plan to have weekend brunch at Ria's, plan to come early, because crowds quickly gather, and the tiny place takes some time to turn over. It's in your best interest to hold out, though, because the homemade food is to die for. Breakfast served all day is the real attraction, whether you choose the omelet of the day, lush caramelized banana pancakes, huevos rancheros, or even the unusual but delicious brisket breakfast. An array of vegetarian and vegan options are available, and although the funky little place has a groovy vibe, it's as comfortable for your hipster nephew as for your church-going grandma. At lunch, find gourmet sandwiches, soups, salads, and a few hot entrees.
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The White House Restaurant

3172 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30305 404-237-7601

Description: BUCKHEAD. Imagine Greek eats combined with Southern dishes like fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and collard greens. Sound a little unique and a lot tasty? Well, the lunch crowd in Atlanta tends to agree. For years, this unassuming diamond-in-the-rough has been passed up by tourists while Buckhead regulars bustle into the small restaurant as if it were handing out paychecks. From lawyers in seersucker to construction workers in steel-toed boots, the crowd is as diverse as the menu.
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The Flying Biscuit Café

1655 McClendon Ave, Atlanta, GA 30307 404-687-8888

Description: LITTLE FIVE POINTS. This red-hot dining spot serves three meals a day, but for locals of Atlanta, the best draw is brunch. Southern favorites and plenty of vegetarian options ensure that every appetite is satisfied. The decor is eclectic and stylish, providing a fitting backdrop for classic dishes given an innovative spin. Try the Meggxican Wrap with cheddar, onion, and serrano peppers in a flour tortilla, or opt for the orange-scented French toast served with honey crème anglaise.
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The Palm

3391 Peachtree Rd NE, Westin Buckhead, Atlanta, GA 30326 404-814-1955

Description: BUCKHEAD. One of the glitzier Atlanta steakhouses, The Palm has been known to host Braves players, award-winning actors and even notable pop stars. The celebrity caricatures adorning the walls may seem hackneyed, but the classic USDA Prime steaks are justifiably famous, the jumbo Nova Scotia lobsters delicious and the veal Milanese sublime. A casual yet refined atmosphere and outstanding service accommodate a relaxed meal or a business meeting with equal aplomb.
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Thumbs Up Diner

573 Edgewood Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30312 404-223-0690

Description: INMAN PARK. Hidden away in Atlanta's Inman Park, this quirky diner attracts weekend breakfast crowds from all over Atlanta with homemade pancakes and biscuits and jellies, which pose tough alternatives to equally tasty scrambles and three-egg omelets. If you're a late-riser, don't fret ­ they serve breakfast throughout the day, and lunchtime offerings are also superbly done. Infinitely casual, Thumbs Up has the look and attitude of a neighborhood diner and is the kind of place a person can get hooked on. Judging by the number of patrons who deem themselves "regulars," many folks have developed addictions.
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