Best cafés in Atlanta

55 people recommend, 2 warn against itvia r/Atlanta

Most people who name Little Tart recommend it, mainly as a pastry shop with good coffee. Several praise the coffee, and several praise its croissants, including a ham and cheese one, a pistachio one and savory versions. One commenter likes its milk bread for sandwiches, and a couple of commenters point to the Grant Park shop's late-evening program of wine, small plates and desserts. It has a Grant Park shop and a smaller Summerhill one, and one commenter says the Grant Park shop beats Summerhill for lingering and menu range. One regular finds the coffee mediocre, and one commenter says the Grant Park shop has no wall outlets.

Grant Park

40 people recommend, 2 warn against itvia r/Atlanta, r/espresso

Most people who name East Pole Coffee recommend it, and several call it one of the best local roasters or coffee shops in town. The company has more than one shop, with commenters mentioning the Ottley and Midtown shops among them. The listing is for the Ottley shop; some commenters say there is plenty of indoor space, and one likes sitting in the building lobby there. One commenter likes its drip coffee and thinks it would please a crowd, and one favors lighter roasts yet still names it a favorite. One commenter recommends it but says parking is bad, and one commenter does not enjoy it.

Ottley

35 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/Atlanta, r/espresso

Most people who name Bellwood recommend it. Several praise its Smoke Signals dark roast, and one raves about its soda made with cold brew and another calls it a good cold brew option. Bellwood has more than one shop, and commenters mention Riverside, which the listing shows, while one mentions a Peachtree shop. One commenter calls it a lounge-style spot that is welcoming to linger in, and one says it has a mostly shaded back patio and good breakfast food. Others have complaints: one found the cappuccino small and the pastry choice limited, another says the food is mainly scones and breakfast sandwiches, and one rates its cold brew as its weakest offering while liking the shop overall.

Riverside

33 people recommend, 3 warn against itvia r/Atlanta, r/espresso

Most people who name Chrome Yellow recommend it. Several praise its coffee and in-house roasting, and a few point to its cold drinks, with one calling its draft oat vanilla latte outstanding and another liking its nitro draft choices. One commenter places the shop near King Memorial station and another near Old Fourth Ward, and one says it may be a long way to reach without a rideshare. Parking comes up: one says the lot is tiny but free street parking is available, and another says parking is scarce. Others are less sold: one commenter says it used to be their top pick but the beans tasted worse after it began roasting its own, and another respects it but says the beans do not make their favorites. One commenter says its Wi-Fi has time limits, which makes it less suited to students.

King Memorial Station

29 people recommendvia r/Atlanta, r/espresso

Nearly everyone who names Portrait Coffee recommends it, mostly as a local roaster. Several praise its beans and roasts, including a dark roast and an OutKast blend, and one says it roasts in-house and offers limited special blends. Several commenters point to the West End shop, with one calling it clearly the best pick, and one places it about a quarter-hour walk from West End station. A few praise its cold brew and oat-milk slushie, and one says their favorite latte comes from here. One commenter calls it excellent but inconvenient to get to.

West End

26 people recommend, 3 warn against itvia r/Atlanta, r/espresso

Most people who name Perc recommend it, and several count it among their favorite local coffee shops. One commenter calls its latte the best in the city, and a couple point to its unusual flavored or iced coffees, including a wild cold brew. Perc has several shops: commenters name Virginia-Highland, which the listing shows, plus Grant Park and North Buckhead, and one says some of its shops serve tasty breakfast. Three commenters are less impressed: one calls it mediocre, one is not a fan of Perc in Atlanta, and one says its roasts are unusual and may not appeal to a crowd. One adds that it feels a bit more chain-like though the coffee is very good, and another says its beans are pricier.

Virginia Highland

22 people recommend, 2 warn against itvia r/Atlanta

Most people who name Dancing Goats recommend it. A few single out its cold brew, and two call it very strong. One commenter finds the coffee solid and consistent and says it makes great espresso, though not especially wow-worthy. Dancing Goats has several shops, including Midtown, Ponce City Market and Buckhead. Two commenters place the Midtown shop by Midtown station, and one says that shop validates parking if you ask. Caveats: one commenter finds it somewhat chain-like despite good beans, one does not rate the coffee but finds it a good place to work, one says the patio is usually packed and a poor spot to work or study, and one says parking is difficult at the Peachtree shop.

Midtown

19 people recommend, 3 warn against itvia r/Atlanta, r/espresso

Most people who name Brash recommend it. Specific praise includes: one commenter calls its iced latte the best they have had in the city, one names its flash-brewed cold brew as a favorite, and one says it is great for espresso. Brash has several shops, and commenters name the Atlanta History Center, The Works and a Beltline shop near Krog Street, and one names the original location. The listing is for the History Center shop in Buckhead, which two commenters name. One former regular says cortados at the original location were repeatedly burnt, one commenter doubts a shipping-container setup counts as a coffee shop, and one commenter dismisses it in a single line.

Atlanta History Center

18 people recommendvia r/espresso, r/Atlanta, r/AtlantaFood

Everyone who names Academy Coffee recommends it. Several praise its creative drinks, including rotating seasonal ones such as a peach latte, and one commenter who usually skips elaborate coffee drinks still finds its offerings appealing. Two commenters pick it as the city's top espresso shop or their favorite while visiting, and another counts its cappuccinos among their favorites. One says their first dirty chai there was memorably good, and others name it when asked for the best dirty chai. One commenter says it is busy, with plenty of sidewalk tables.

Virginia Highland

16 people recommendvia r/Atlanta, r/espresso

Most people who name Coffee Man recommend it. Several point to its range of flavored cold brews and rotating drinks, with several singling out the cold brew and one praising its chocolate cherry cold brew; one praises its fermented specialty coffees and one its London fog. One commenter calls the Blandtown space cool and comfortable with an industrial look, and some name it as a place to work. One commenter likes it but finds the per-drink cost steep for a single cup.

Blandtown

15 people recommendvia r/Atlanta

Most people who name Ash Coffee recommend it. Several praise its drinks, including a pair who recommend the egg coffee and one who calls its banana chai a standout. One commenter finds the Virginia-Highland shop cozy and suggests it for reading, one calls it a hidden gem, and another finds it wonderful but a little hard to find. One commenter recommends it for matcha, and another for its community events, including a recurring evening clay workshop. Two commenters who like it note that it is a hard place to take calls, and one adds there are few sidewalk tables.

Virginia Highland

14 people recommendvia r/Atlanta, r/AtlantaFood

Most people who name Finca to Filter recommend it. It sits in Old Fourth Ward beside the Beltline, which one commenter finds handy for dog walks. Commenters point to its creative menu, its rotating seasonal espresso drinks and its playful special drinks, and one adds that it gives out ceramic mugs for drinking in and has coffee art. Two commenters recommend its muffins, including a peach cobbler one, and one says it serves matcha, with outdoor seating. A couple mention free or easy street parking nearby.

Old Fourth Ward

13 people recommendvia r/espresso, r/Atlanta

Most people who name The Postcard recommend it. Several praise its matcha, with one ranking it among the best found outside Japan and another calling it the top in town, and a few praise its coffee, including a pour-over and espresso. Commenters place it in Buckhead, and one calls it a sleeper hit with its own house roast. One commenter calls it a hidden gem, and another recommends it for local beans and equipment.

Buckhead

12 people recommendvia r/Atlanta

Most people who name Aurora Coffee recommend it. At the Little Five Points shop, one commenter says the space smells of chai, another says its house-made chai concentrate is very good, and one says its smallish patio usually seems to have room. A couple of commenters name it when asked for dark roast, and one drinks its cold brew every morning. One commenter praises its Shallow Grave drink as superb, and one calls it the city's top coffee while finding the atmosphere lacking.

Little Five Points

12 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/Atlanta

Most people who name Cafe Intermezzo recommend it. Several recommend it for dessert and coffee, with commenters mentioning its cake cases and cheesecakes, and one calls the coffee divine and goes for dessert and cappuccino. A few point out that it stays open late, until midnight and later on weekends. One commenter says it fits a European-style coffee shop vibe, one calls it an underpriced gem for brunch that is not crowded, and one regularly orders its espresso with club soda. A few commenters place it in Midtown. One commenter was disappointed by its whole cakes for celebrations.

11 people recommendvia r/Atlanta, r/espresso

Most people who name Spiller Park Coffee recommend it, though four are mixed. A few praise its cold or iced coffee: one says it occasionally makes excellent cold brew, another liked an iced coffee, and another names it as the answer for cold brew. One commenter praises its dirty chai at the Ponce location, and one calls the coffee at its Ponce City Market shop high quality. The company has several shops, and one commenter also names the Mitchell Street shop downtown; the listing is for the Ponce City Market shop. Mixed views: one calls it somewhat overrated, one says it is overpriced but still pretty good, one finds the Intelligentsia coffee very good but doubts the beans are fresh, and one used to like it a lot.

Ponce City Market

8 people recommendvia r/espresso, r/Atlanta

Most people who name Harbor Coffee recommend it. Three commenters name the Inman Park shop, and one suggests it for matcha and a walk. A couple praise its flash brew, one says the bar seating usually has a few people and that it hosts enjoyable Friday evening events, and one was pleasantly surprised by how modestly it prices its coffee.

Inman Park

8 people recommendvia r/Atlanta

Most people who name San Francisco Coffee recommend it. Two point to its in-house or fresh roasting, one noting the roasting is done at the Virginia-Highland shop, and a few point to the Virginia-Highland shop. One commenter says they love the cold brew, and another calls it a solid option and goes because one location is nearby. It has at least two locations.

Virginia Highland

8 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/Atlanta, r/espresso

Most people who name Recuerdos Cafe recommend it, apart from one who found it closed on a midweek visit. It sits beneath El Ponce, and one commenter picks it for a second coffee on an eastside walking day. One calls it great but says it is open only on certain days of the week. Check its days before you go.

Inside El Ponce

7 people recommendvia r/Atlanta

Most people who name Momonoki recommend it as a coffee stop. One commenter says it serves great coffee, one says its latte art is still solid and it offers for-here cups, and one calls the Momo Cafe branch inside Momonoki in Midtown excellent. One notes it is easy to reach by transit, and one recommends Momo Cafe but says it gets busy with Georgia Tech students.

Midtown

7 people recommendvia r/Atlanta

Everyone who names Raani recommends it. It is a coffee shop and roaster on Moreland Avenue in East Atlanta Village. One commenter recommends it for in-house roasting and grinding, unusual Indian-fusion pastries, good snacks and a calmer afternoon crowd, and another praises the shop's vibes, drinks and community focus. Two commenters recommend its pastries, and one names it as a stop on an East Atlanta Village outing while another agrees with that list of stops.

7 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/Atlanta

Most people who name Park Grounds recommend it. Two commenters single out its outdoor area. One suggests it for reading, one relays a partner's love of it as feeling like a private home, and one says the coffee is weak but the spot is calm enough for laptop work or reading. Another says pets are not allowed inside and outlets could be a problem, though they still like it. One commenter warns of a bad experience there.

6 people recommendvia r/Atlanta

Stereo is a coffee shop near Inman Park station, and one commenter says it is marketed as a daytime coffee shop that becomes a bar after dark. Three commenters name it for late-night plans, since it serves alcohol, and one says it has good vibes as a coffee spot. One commenter lists it among coffee suggestions near Inman Park station and another points to it for free or validated parking. One says evenings bring cocktails and DJs, calling it a cool hang but not a quiet one.

Inman Park

6 people recommendvia r/Atlanta

Most people who name Peoplestown Coffee recommend it. One calls it a good local spot in Peoplestown, another strongly endorses it, and two praise its pumpkin latte, one calling it the best they have had and the other calling the earlier atomic pumpkin version insanely good. A couple point to its free lot or free parking.

6 people recommendvia r/Atlanta

Most people who name The Daily Cafe recommend it. It has several shops, including West Midtown and Old Fourth Ward ones; the listing is for the Inman Park shop beside the MARTA station, which a few commenters name. One suggests it as a coffee spot, one recommends its Upper Westside and Old Fourth Ward shops for food, shakes and coffee, and one says the Inman Park shop uses high-grade matcha and sits in a lovely area for a stroll. One notes a large free lot nearby.

Inman Park

6 people recommendvia r/Atlanta

Most people who name Foxtail Coffee recommend it. It has more than one shop, and one commenter places a Foxtail outside Arts Center station; the listing is for the Buckhead shop, which two commenters name. One calls it their favorite Buckhead cafe and says they walk there, and another calls the Buckhead shops excellent with plenty of charging outlets. One finds the interior cozy with decent non-coffee options, one rates it superb, and one recommends it for beans and equipment.

Buckhead

6 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/Atlanta

Most people who name Java Lords recommend it. It is a Little Five Points coffee shop, named for dark roast, as a place to read, as a coffee option in the area and among the latest-closing independent spots. One commenter says it roasts its own beans and will do a custom roast for larger orders, and one lists it among cafes where smoking outside is likely fine. One commenter finds the cappuccino too bitter and says they have never enjoyed the coffee.

Little Five Points

5 people recommendvia r/Atlanta

Most people who name Bloom Coffee recommend it. It sits between Buckhead and Midtown. One calls its matcha great, with flavor options and seasonal specials, and one who has visited found it a good place to work, with plenty of outlets and music that is not loud. One notes it gives visitors a free parking pass, and one suggests it as the coffee pick in lower Buckhead.

Peachtree

5 people recommendvia r/Atlanta

Most people who name Land of a Thousand Hills recommend it. It has several shops around Atlanta, with a Midtown one and a Flatiron one among them. One says its roasts are deeper and more even rather than sharp and acidic, one calls the Flatiron branch very good, one says they tend to like it, noting one branch gets busy while another has plenty of seats, and one suggests it as an interesting stop for a visitor.

5 people recommendvia r/Atlanta

Most people who name Prevail Union recommend it. One ranks it as their top pick for atmosphere and rich coffee, one lists it among spots they have personally worked from, one says they like it, and one suggests it for ordering coffee in bulk for a crowd. The listing is for the West Midtown shop, which one commenter recommends; that commenter also mentions a newer second branch.