If you're looking for an incredible dining scene packed into a walkable area, Decatur, Georgia delivers in a big way. This vibrant community just east of Atlanta has become a destination for food lovers, with over 80 restaurants, bars and cafes offering everything from James Beard Award-winning cuisine to late-night dive bars. Whether you're craving authentic street tacos, farm-to-table Italian or craft cocktails in a tiki bar, Decatur has something to satisfy every appetite and mood.

Best eats & drinks in Decatur

Full-service restaurants

Leon's Full Service

Located in the heart of downtown Decatur, Leon's Full Service has transformed a 1920s service station into a neighborhood gastropub that truly lives up to its name. The restaurant offers farm-fresh scratch cooking paired with classic cocktails and a rotating selection of craft beers; you'll find everything from pub frites to bacon in a glass on the menu, along with more substantial entrees that showcase their commitment to quality. The two open-air, shaded patios welcome dogs and create the perfect atmosphere for a relaxed meal, and while the restaurant operates on a walk-in basis only, they do accept calls ahead for large parties.

The White Bull

The White Bull sits on the iconic Decatur Square, bringing an Italian-inspired farm-to-table dining approach to the neighborhood’s culinary scene.

What really sets this restaurant apart is their dedication to using only Georgia-grown products and milling their own grain for house-made bread and pasta. The menu changes seasonally to reflect what's available from local farms, though a few signatures like their sfincione bread remain constant. Don't miss out on their daily Aperitivo hour, either, featuring pasta specials and discounted drinks — you'll come to understand why Chef Pat Pascarella's creation earned recognition as one of Atlanta Magazine's 75 Best Restaurants!

No. 246

In the heart of town near our Downtown Decatur apartments, No. 246 delivers what they call "OG" red sauce Italian — a loving tribute to old-school Italian-American dining. 
The menu reads like a Greatest Hits of Italian comfort food: spicy rigatoni vodka, meatballs swimming in gravy, calamari marinara and cheesy garlic bread that'll make you forget your diet. They also offer pizzas, classic secondi like chicken al limone and shrimp scampi, plus carefully selected cocktails and wines. 

For a truly special experience, book one of the four seats at their chef's counter for a custom five-course menu!

The Iberian Pig

Known as one of the area's premier tapas restaurants, The Iberian Pig brings authentic Spanish small plates to Decatur Square. 

The menu features classics like pan con tomate and patatas bravas alongside creative options like pork cheek tacos and braised short rib empanadas. The restaurant has built a fine reputation for its romantic atmosphere and Spanish flair, making it ideal for date nights or gatherings with friends who love to share plates.

Kimball House

Kimball House has established itself as a cornerstone of Decatur's cocktail culture while serving food and drinks that reflect the seasons and local farms. The restaurant balances sophistication with approachability, creating an atmosphere that works equally well for special occasions or casual nights out. While their seasonal menu changes regularly, the commitment to quality ingredients and innovative cocktails remains constant year ‘round!

The Deer and The Dove

This farm-centered neighborhood restaurant combines rustic cuisine with exceptional service and a beautiful patio setting. 

The Deer and The Dove earned a mention in the inaugural Michelin Guide to Atlanta, and Chef Terry Koval won the James Beard Foundation's Best Chef in the Southeast for 2023. The restaurant specializes in wild game and seasonal American fare, all prepared with farm-fresh ingredients and meats.

The name certainly suits it well!

Parker's on Ponce

Decatur's first independently owned steakhouse opened in November 2008 when brothers John-Thomas and Christopher Scott decided the area needed a proper steak destination. Today, Parker's delivers on that promise with top-quality selections that include ribeyes, pork chops and seafood like scallops and crab cakes, all accompanied by classic comfort sides. The restaurant also offers two private dining rooms that can accommodate everything from intimate business dinners to small wedding receptions! 

Additional notable restaurants

Belén Bistro + Market Argentina brings authentic Argentine cuisine to Decatur Square, featuring award-winning empanadas, chorizo, provoleta, grilled steaks and seafood, while their in-house market lets you take home wines, cheeses and other Argentine specialties.

Cafe Lily has been a Decatur institution since 1999, offering Mediterranean cuisines spanning Italy, France, Greece, Spain, Portugal, North Africa and the Middle East, making it the perfect spot for everything from romantic dinners to large celebrations!

Wahoo! Grill combines European influence with Southern flair in a casual bistro setting, and the restaurant features a glass-walled dining room and outdoor patio surrounded by a secret garden atmosphere. A unique dining spot, for sure!

Cafe Alsace specializes in Alsatian cuisine with signature dishes like spaetzle, tarte flambee and choucroute garnie, all served in an intimate setting that’s perfect for special occasions. 

Fawn, from the team behind The Deer & The Dove, creates a moody wine bar atmosphere with curved booths and low lighting, with the focus on seafood and an impressive amaro selection that rivals the wine list.

Mexican & Latin cuisine

Rreal Tacos

Rreal Tacos has more than earned its reputation for authentic Mexican street food. The menu goes beyond basic tacos to include barbacoa tacos birria style, beef ramen with black rice noodles and massive quesadillas that are perfect for sharing. With over 200 tequilas and mezcals to choose from (plus craft margaritas), this spot takes its drinks as seriously as its food. Be sure to try the quesabirria with consomé on the side, which has become a local favorite.

Indian cuisine

Chai Pani

Chai Pani serves up what they call "mindblasting" Indian street food in a space filled with vibrant colors and Bollywood posters. 

This isn't your typical Indian restaurant either —it's a James Beard Award winner that took home the Outstanding Restaurant honor back in 2022. The menu features chaat (your calssic crunchy, spicy, sweet, tangy street snacks), along with crowd-pleasers like kale pakoras, butter chicken, saag paneer and their famous matchstick okra fries, while the daily lunch buffet provides a great introduction for first-timers. Honestly, you can’t go wrong with what you pick!

BBQ & Southern comfort

Community Q BBQ

Consistently ranked as one of Decatur's top restaurants, Community Q BBQ delivers exactly what you want from a barbecue joint: melt-in-your-mouth meats and exceptional sides. 

The pulled pork sandwich with three-cheese mac and cheese has achieved legendary status among locals, and beyond the standards like brisket and pulled chicken, they also offer Southern sides like greens, sweet potato and potato salad that are hearty enough to stand alone as their own meals!

Mother's Best Fried Chicken

Located right by Decatur Square, Mother's Best takes fried chicken seriously. Their seasoning blend includes 14 spices (“one more than KFC offers”, they'll proudly tell you), resulting in perfectly crispy, herby chicken served in buckets, as tenders or on thick buttery toast as a sandwich topped with crawfish boil pickles and "mom sauce." The sides deserve equal attention, especially the "whirled" famous velvet potatoes and collard green coleslaw, while a convenient to-go window on the side of the building makes it easy to grab food on your way to or from the MARTA station. 

Breakfast & brunch

FolkArt

FolkArt puts a fresh spin on classic diner fare, serving breakfast, brunch and lunch any time they're open. 

The restaurant takes Southern classics and comfort food and makes them feel both approachable and indulgent, and their creative approach to traditional dishes has earned them a loyal following who appreciate that you can get breakfast food at 2pm without anyone batting an eye.

Athens Pizza

Started by Greek immigrants decades ago, Athens Pizza occupies a unique niche by specializing in both Greek and Italian cuisines, often combining them in unexpected ways. You can get excellent spanakopita here as well as a perfect pizza — their Athens Special perfectly showcases this cultural fusion with a traditional Greek fluffy crust topped with feta, white cheddar, ground beef, Italian sausage, peppers, onions and mushrooms. 

Bars & breweries

Brick Store Pub

A Decatur institution for nearly three decades, Brick Store Pub has earned national culinary recognition, including being named one of CNN's "America's Best Bars!" This isn't just hype, either, as they serve pints in proper glassware, make food from scratch daily and foster an atmosphere where conversation dominates over screens. 

The historic building houses multiple bar areas: a main floor, a beer garden out back, a cozy upstairs bar and a UK pub-style cellar serving rare and vintage beers. That, along with an extensive list of local and international brews, really does make it a beer lover's paradise!

Three Taverns Brewery

Three Taverns delivers an American interpretation of traditional Belgian-style beers and plenty more. The brewery offers tours with tastings and souvenir glasses, and their dog-friendly patio makes it a popular weekend destination — they also host Comedy on Draft the last Wednesday of every month, combining craft beer with entertainment. 

Twain's Brewpub & Billiards

This Decatur's brewpub brews all their beers on-site, typically offering at least six varieties at any given time. Beyond the beer, they also serve handcrafted cocktails and from-scratch pub food, and the space includes a four-season patio, pool tables, darts and shuffleboard. Regular events include Team Trivia on Monday nights, Wing Wednesdays and Burger Thursdays!

S.O.S. Tiki Bar

Hidden behind Victory Sandwich Bar on Church Street, S.O.S. Tiki Bar transports you to a Polynesian paradise with its bright and casual speakeasy vibe. The space is packed with tiny hula statues, retro graphics, colorful plants and themed glassware, while they serve expertly crafted tiki drinks with an impressive rum collection. Their fiery Mai Tai has become legendary, so definitely give that one a try next time you go! Plus, during the holidays, the entire bar transforms into a Mele-Kalikimaka wonderland!

Victory Sandwich Bar

Also on Church Street, Victory Sandwich Bar reimagines the deli concept with smaller, more affordable sandwiches. Think of it as a sandwich taqueria where most people order two or three different options, with popular choices including the spicy Tea Bird chicken with ghost pepper jack and the Brisky Business with smoked brisket and provolone. Their Jack n' Coke slushie for $5 has achieved cult status among locals, so that’s always a good place to start.

Eddie's Attic

Just south of the square, Eddie's Attic holds legendary status as the venue where artists like the Indigo Girls, John Mayer and Sugarland all got their start. Smart locals know to buy tickets online early for shows at this intimate venue that combines live music with dining, and you never know when you might catch the next big star or see a surprise appearance from an established artist.

Trackside Tavern

For those looking for a straightforward, no-frills dive bar experience, Trackside Tavern on E. College Avenue is the place to go. Open until 3am, this longtime neighborhood favorite offers cheap drinks, pub grub, billiards, darts and air hockey in an unpretentious atmosphere.What more could you want?

Coffee shops & cafes

The Reading Room

Yet another Church Street locale, The Reading Room seamlessly transitions from morning coffee shop to evening wine bar every day of the week. They serve responsibly sourced coffee in a lush, relaxing environment during the day, along with pastries and light breakfast items —  as the day progresses, the menu shifts to toasted baguette sandwiches and charcuterie boards paired with natural wines from women winemakers around the world and creative cocktails.

Sign. Us. Up. 

B-Side

B-Side combines New York nostalgia with Southern hospitality, serving hand-made, wood-fired bagels and coffee, while small to-go coffees come in iconic NYC Greek coffee cups that add a touch of authenticity to your morning routine.

Dancing Goats Coffee 

Dancing Goats offers specialty coffee and fresh-baked scones in a comfortable setting with a dog-friendly patio. As one of Atlanta's original coffee roasters, they know their way around a proper espresso!

Opo Coffee

The newest addition to Decatur's coffee scene, Opo Coffee in the Old Depot District stands out with its bright space, colorful design, walls of plants and that Instagram-worthy pink La Marzocco espresso machine. 

The Decatur dining experience

What makes Decatur's food scene special isn't just the quality, though with James Beard winners and Michelin mentions, the quality really is undeniable. Rather, it's the density and diversity packed into such a walkable area. You can start your morning with a wood-fired bagel at B-Side, grab authentic tacos for lunch at Rreal, enjoy happy hour at The White Bull and end the night with tiki drinks at S.O.S., all within a comfortable walking distance.

The area has maintained its neighborhood feel despite gaining national recognition. Local ownership still dominates, with many restaurants run by people who live in the community and treat their establishments as extensions of their homes rather than just businesses. This personal investment shows in the attention to detail, from Brick Store Pub serving beer in proper glassware to Mother's Best developing a proprietary 14-spice blend for their fried chicken. 

Whether you're a resident of our luxury Decatur apartments looking to explore your neighborhood's offerings or visiting from our other luxury Atlanta apartments, this thriving food scene offers something for every taste, budget and occasion. From food trucks to fine dining, dive bars to craft breweries and morning coffee to late-night drinks, Decatur has established itself as one of the Southeast's premier dining destinations — and it shows no signs of slowing down.

Enjoy!

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Featured photo by Dan Gold on Unsplash

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