Three days to fall in love with ATLANTA!
IG Travel Guides are BACK with our recent trip to Atlanta! In our guides you will find food and culture focused inspiration for adventurous travelers (like you!) with information about places worth exploring. Curated itineraries (that we have tested), insider finds and food focused culture and travel tips for the worlds most exciting destinations. AND- we like to throw in a recipe that we discovered or was inspired by the trip! The guides are designed to give you a head start in planning your ultimate itinerary. We have so much more information to share with you and would love to create a customized plan for your next adventure- reach out to us at hello@tastejourneytravel.com for more details!
ABOUT ATLANTA
We didn’t hit many “touristy” spots but we did fill up 72 hours with lots of Atlanta culture, incredible food, cocktails and walking/biking through diverse neighborhoods. Taste Journey does the research so you can just show up, eat, explore and have the BEST trip ever!
Something to know about ATL is that the things worth seeing, doing and eating extend far beyond what one would typically consider the city center of Georgia’s capitol. But, with the right recommendations, curated destinations and a well planned itinerary you can easily experience several parts of the city in a few days or less.
GETTING THERE AND AROUND
If your flying, keep in mind that ATL used to be (Beijing just took over the #1 spot) the busiest airport in the world! There is a “Plane Train” to get you around and expect wait times to get through security when departing. We like to use Uber/LYFT while in Atlanta. The airport to Buckhead, where we often stay, is a 17 mile drive. With traffic it can take from 30-45 minutes on average.
WHERE WE STAYED
The Kimpton Sylvan - We love this recently opened boutique hotel in the middle of Buckhead (a cosmopolitan part of the city) because of its very residential feel with a modern, mid-century style. The backyard pool sits under a gorgeous old tree, and Willow, which is casual and plant-based, is a beautiful outdoor bar and restaurant next to the pool and the perfect destination to take your complimentary glass of wine during their guest happy hour! The Betty is the fine dining option (and where complimentary coffee is served in the morning) and St. Julep is their signature rooftop bar serving up soft serve, craft cocktails and awesome views (attracting the locals as well). The gym has Peloton bikes and there are many workout destinations that are walkable from the hotel (BARRY’s, Pure Barre and F45).
FOOD AND DRINK
The number of amazing restaurants and bars in Atlanta can be overwhelming. We ended up eating two dinners one night because we just had to fit more in. A TJ travel hack- split meals so you can try more places!! Here are some of our favorites (and we have many more to recommend):
STORICO- This recently opened third Italian concept from the Storico team introduces itself as a place to drink with great food! We were there on a Wednesday night and let me just say it was THE place to be in Buckhead! We ordered cocktails (the Fanculo di Salad was amazing), oysters, bruschetta and the cavatelli pasta dish and it was perfection. Definitely need to reserve this one ahead.
PANCAKE SOCIAL- We were immediately on board with their mission: “We are all about sharing the joy of pancakes”. This adorable, all day breakfast is a perfect way to start your day before Ponce City Market (see below in activities). The pancakes (obviously) shine here but the sandwiches, bowls and sides are great too.
KROG STREET MARKET- Our bike tour ended close to this market and since Travel & Leisure has called it “one of the world’s best food halls” we knew we had to check it out. Located along the Beltline trail in Inman Park, this historic building (from 1889 Atlanta Stove Works to Tyler Perry Studios in the early 2000’s to 2014 when it re-opened as Krog Street Market) has something for everyone. We tried Fried Green Tomato Bao Buns from Suzy Siu’s (Southern meets Asia!) and the Falafel Laffa wrap from LALLA. Also loved walking through The Collective Shop in the cottage- so many home, food and southern things to purchase!
BUTTERMILK KITCHEN- I literally told our waitress that this was the BEST breakfast of my life! Honestly, the biscuits (house blueberry basil jam on the side) are insane and I had an omelet with a trifecta of ingredients for me- southern bacon, pimento cheese and house made red pepper jelly. We also tried the Grit Bowl which was over the top delicious as well. AND…the Salty Dog Mimosa is a must order too! If you only have one breakfast in ATL, THIS is your place.
GRANA- Meatball flight anyone?! Handmade pastas, wood fired Neapolitan pizzas- all family recipes, all delicious! The rooftop seating is our favorite. Happy hour and brunch menus too!
RUBY CHOW- Located across from the Ponce City Market, this Asian fusion restaurant from Chef Guy Wong is not to be missed. So much so that we ate TWO dinners the night we came here! Must try’s include the Shoyu Tomago over crispy rice (don’t hesitate on this one), the Peking Duck Bun and the Spicy Garlic Shrimp. The vibe is great here and the decor is so fun.
RINA KITCHEN- Located in the Fourth Ward close to the Ponce Market and right off the Beltline (they even have a Beltline to-go window!), this casual Middle Eastern gem has amazing falafel, hummus (order #3) and the BEST Tahini Date shake EVER. We loved the shake so much that we asked our server for a verbal recipe so we could come home and re-create it (see recipe below). RINA means happiness in Hebrew and it lives up to its name with its traditional Israeli street food.
GYPSY KITCHEN- Located in Buckhead Village, modern Spanish food with an awesome happy hour. The Labneh Flatbread and Gin and Tonic Apothecary cocktails were amazing.
SOUTHERN GENTLEMAN-This Southern Gastropub, located in Buckhead Village, has a great Happy Hour (Oysters and Pimento Cheese Fries anyone?!). We have also enjoyed brunch on their patio. Cheddar Hush Puppies, Shrimp and Grits, Avocado Toast and Mimosa’s by the carafe!
SWEET WATER BREWERY- Favorite brewery in ATL! This taproom is anchored by a bar serving 24 different beers (wanted to try them all!). Huge roll up doors connect the indoor and outdoor seating areas. They offer tours ($8 and samples are included) and the food looked amazing. Get a flight that is presented in the cutest “flight fish” tray you have ever seen!
NEW REALM BREWING- Another one of our favorites. This brewery is located right off the Beltline in the fourth ward (walkable from Ponce City Market) and has not only great beer and food but also a rooftop bar with killer city views.
ST JULEP- This rooftop bar (there are not many rooftop bars in ATL BTW) is located in the Kimpton hotel. Great views on a nice night, perfect if you’re a guest of the hotel and don’t have to pay the Valet parking fees!
BAR VEGAN- Located in Ponce City Market, we loved the Happy Hour here with a couple of Vegan craft cocktails (our bar tender asked us what we were in the mood for and proceeded to create a custom drink for us!) and some seasoned sweet potato Totz for snacking on. Vegan but Fun!
THINGS TO DO
Yes, we love to eat and drink our way through a destination! However, we always find time for activities that work off some of the food as well as expose us to the culture and lay of the land.
TWO-WHEEL EXPERIENCE- Bike tours are a favorite activity for us and the perfect way to see a lot in a short period of time. We loved the “Fall in Love with Atlanta” tour and learned so much about the history and culture of ATL while we biked on the Atlanta Beltline, through Inman Park, Little Five Points, the Krog Tunnel, Jackson Street Bridge, Cabbagetown, The Old Fourth Ward, Oakland Cemetery and the King Historic District. All in a few hours! Walt, our guide, had an infectious energy and passion for the city and made us feel safe no matter where our wheels took us. Highly recommend this as a way to kick start your visit to ATL.
ATL BELTLINE TRAIL- The Beltline is a sustainable redevelopment project that will ultimately connect 45 in- town neighborhoods via a 22-mile loop of multi-use trails, modern streetcar, and parks – all based on railroad corridors that formerly encircled Atlanta. Biking, walking, running, art viewing, trail tours, brewery’s and restaurants are all features of this amazing connector of neighborhoods throughout Atlanta. If you take the bike tour you will spend lots of time on the Beltline. At the very least, take a walk on the Beltline after checking out Ponce City Market (below). This is a MUST when in ATL!
TINY DOORS- While on the Beltline exploring the city be sure to look for a Tiny Door! The power of public art to bring communities together is on full display with the Tiny Door project in ATL. The 7-inch doors are created by artist Karen Anderson Singer at the invitation of a neighborhood or institution and are designed to reflect the spirit, architecture and other unique elements of the surrounding community. The doors are ever evolving and an invitation to locals and tourists to explore the history and neighborhoods of ATL. It’s fun to imagine what’s behind the colorful doors and a bit of a scavenger hunt to find them all. We will definitely be continuing our Tiny Door scavenger hunt on our next trip.
MARKETS/SHOPPING
PONCE CITY MARKET- The historic Sears Roebuck & Co. building, located in Atlanta’s Old Fourth Ward, was renovated and re-imagined in 2014 as a dining, shopping, workplace and living destination. The heart of the market is the Central Food Hall, a true Atlanta culinary destination, filled with an almost limitless selection of food and flavors! Bar Vegan for a creative cocktail, Botiwalla for Indian street food, Five Daughters for decadent donuts, King of Pops for a cool treat (we like the location outside the market as well) and Hops for chicken are just a few of our favorites. Lots of shops here too to walk off your food hall consumption. There is easy access to the Beltline (see above) from the market which also is a nice way to allow yourself to eat more!
WESTSIDE PROVISIONS- A very cool shopping and dining destination built in and around an early 1900’s meat packing plant. There are SO many great restaurants here (Forza Storico, Red Bird and JCT Kitchen are some of our favorites) and although most of the shopping is quite “high end” the shops are unique and perfect for an afternoon of browsing.
BUCKHEAD COMMONS- A small strip of shops and food located around the corner from the hotel. Check out Tulipano for gorgeous women clothing, handbags and accessories and Southern Baked Pie Company because…PIE!
BUCKHEAD VILLAGE- A stunning outdoor shopping village featuring the Spanx headquarters set among high end designer shops, awesome restaurants and great coffee/cafe’s. So close to the hotel- we did happy hour here, brunch and dinner one night!
SHOPS AROUND LENOX MALL- Although the Lenox mall is huge with all your typical anchor stores, we skip it in favor of the shops “around” Lenox mall. Some of our favorites include a new anchor store for etc HOME (the most gorgeous wooden charcuterie boards from European reclaimed wood), South Moon Under and The Impeccable Pig for casual women’s apparel.
Tahini Shake by way of Atlanta
This is our version of Rina Kitchen’s Tahini Shake. They make theirs with vanilla bean gelato which is decadent and delicious. We came home from Atlanta so obsessed with the flavors in this shake that we decided to make a “healthy” version as well so that we can enjoy it guilt free on a regular basis! Either way it makes us HAPPY.
INGREDIENTS
• 1 cup almond milk or milk of choice (nut-free if necessary)
• 2 sliced and frozen ripe bananas OR 1/2 cup vanilla bean gelato
• ¼ cup tahini
• 1/2 teaspoon honey
• 1 Medjool date, pitted and torn
• 1/4 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract (can omit if using vanilla Gelato)
• Date Syrup to coat the sides of your glass
• Optional garnishes: black and white sesame seeds, 2 Medjool dates, pitted and torn or cut with kitchen scissors into pieces
INSTRUCTIONS
In a high power blender, combine the milk, frozen banana slices OR Gelato, tahini, date, vanilla and honey.
Blend until smooth. Taste and add more vanilla or honey if desired. If you’d like it to have a thicker consistency when using milk, freeze the milk in ice cube trays prior to using.
Squirt the date syrup around the inside of the glass (this mixes in with the shake and adds so much flavor and a bit more sweetness). Pour shake into glasses and garnish with black and white sesame seeds and a few date pieces. When they sink to the bottom it’s like a treasure when you get to scoop them up with your straw at the very end!
