ATLGuide
The Best Restaurants In Inman Park
photo credit: Amy Sinclair
Over the past decade, Inman Parkwent from a quiet restaurant scene with a few good eateries to one of Atlanta’s treasured pedestrian-friendly stretches. There are plenty of restaurants to scout while you wander around, whether you arrive by car, by electric scooter off the Eastside trail of the BeltLine, or just stroll over from your super swanky Victorian home. A scene-y Middle Eastern spot that feels like South Beach, a big-ticket Italian date night classic, and a sandwich haunt with a "World Famous" whiskey coke slushie are some of the 13 best restaurants in Inman Park.
THE SPOTS
photo credit: Amy Sinclair
Whether you’re in the stunning sunroom, on the tropical outdoor patio, or by the scene-y bar, every seat at this Middle Eastern restaurant in Inman Park feels like you just sat down at the cool spot that all the travel influencers post. Persian carpets, Iranian art, potted trees, and small antique oil-burning lamps placed at each table may inspire you to post a few pictures of your own, then put your Teams status on OOO. But the whole experience from the complimentary bread service—pita with feta cheese, walnuts, rashes, and herbs—to the pace and plating of your ordered dishes makes you want to book a trip back. The super helpful waitstaff will walk you through the menu, and when they tell you to get the Sabzi Polo, an herby rice dish with a crispy top shell, or the tangy Dill Labneh with shredded lamb, you should really listen.
Being miles from any ocean, Atlantans are usually stuck between frozen fish sticks and fancy surf and turf establishments where you have to double-check your credit limit before you even look at the menu. Beetlecat is a lovably easy-going seafood spot, where you can eat a fresh, quality meal with many of the items under $40, including $3 oysters and the same great lobster roll as their pricier West Midtown sister restaurant, The Optimist. With the Den, their downstairs bar that feels like your grandparents’ basement, Beetlecat's casual setting feels just as good for a random night out as it does for a higher-stakes date. There's also a donut brunch on the weekend, with cocktails, a few types of hashbrowns, and more donuts than you should ever try in one sitting.
There are plenty of Italian restaurants in Inman Park to choose from, but if you need somewhere for a big date or to celebrate the promotion you’ve not-so-patiently been waiting for, go to Sotto Sotto. Unlike most places on this list, Sotto Sotto has been around for a decade. And in that time, it’s become a go-to option for when you want to dress up a bit and eat great homemade pasta. If you still have room after trying out as many of the 13 pastas on the menu as possible, make sure to get the panna cotta for dessert.
Bread & Butterfly echoes Paris’ Latin Quarter with its chic blue and white bistro tables, a covered patio lined with hanging plants, and a ceiling artfully adorned in gold like they just won first place in the Fancy Ceiling Olympics. While the original French breakfast and lunch menu remains familiar, the dinner menu now features a fusion of flavors from the African Diaspora (since the chef from the Heritage Supper Club pop-up took over the space in 2023). Nothing epitomizes this cool new direction better than the tasty golden brown Haitian beef patty, arriving like a fluffy spiced meat pillow on your plate. The French cafe atmosphere with the Pan-African dinner menu not only makes a slick mash-up, it makes Bread & Butterfly a place we'd want to spend our whole day.
There are several Bartacos around the city, and just like the others, the Inman Park location has a nice patio, great margaritas, and serves little tacos that you can easily eat three or four of—our favorite is the fried oyster. And if you’re with a friend who says they don’t want tacos because they’ve already had some five times this week, the ceviche and plantains are good picks too.
Victory Sandwich Bar is a great spot to just sit on a patio, eat a few little sandwiches, and drink a whiskey Coke slushie. There’s a menu of nine different sandwiches, from the Tea Bird with spicy chicken and sweet tea mayo to the vegetarian Beeter, and each one’s small enough that you can double, especially if you spend a whole afternoon here. They also have a few sides, like smoked potato salad and cold sesame noodles. This place gets packed on the weekends, but you can always get your order to-go and go sit in the park across the street instead.
photo credit: Tabia S. Lisenbee-Parker
If you associate soju with a good time, then you're in the right place. This one-room Korean grill in Inman Park feels like a tight squeeze, but then Char surprises you with how many good things they can fit in a small package. As soon as the dinner service begins and the party playlist gets jumping, the indoor/outdoor space fills up and the tabletop grills somehow (maybe summoned by the mystical wall murals) manage to hold a remarkable amount of tasty banchan and marinated meats for grilling. Start with the sweet kimchi-topped deviled eggs and scallion pancakes—since all the food comes out pretty fast, you'll have time to take the edge off your hunger while you think about the rest of your order.
Every neighborhood needs a place where you can get good bar food, beer, and watch whatever game is on that you can’t find a way to illegally stream at home. In Inman Park, that’s The Albert. Their burgers are great and what they’re best known for, but they also have solid appetizers, like their pimento cheese with sausage and smoked nachos (for when you decide to stick around for the late game as well). They also carry 70-plus beers, along with a variety of wine and cocktails, so no matter what you’re in the mood for, you’ll be covered.
There are two main reasons to come to Fritti: the patio and the pizza. The well-shaded patio is usually packed, but the space is big enough that you won’t have to wait too long for a seat and to start scanning the 25 wood-fired pizza options on the menu (the faultless Regina Margherita is always our favorite). With a great cocktail list and well-adorned salads to non-pizza entrees like grilled salmon and steak frites, everyone should be able to find something they want—from your best friend who’s a vegetarian or your 10-year-old cousin who thinks that pepperoni is a requirement for any meal.
MF Sushi might not be the first spot to come to mind when you 're in the mood for a spicy tuna roll. But when you’re down to spend some hard-earned dollars on raw fish and to feel incredibly well taken care of, this is where you should go. MF has a full menu of sushi nigiri and specialty rolls, along with appetizers like baked lobster tempura, and a whole selection of grilled vegetables and seafood too. If you've already committed to spending a night here and money isn’t an issue, just reserve a spot at the seven-seat omakase bar instead for high-quality chef’s picks.
photo credit: Jacinta Howard
BoccaLupo is an Italian-American restaurant with a comfortable atmosphere, outstanding food, and chill music that bounces from OutKast B-sides to nu jazz. The restaurant’s sign, featuring a swirling noodle as part of the logo, doesn’t necessarily translate that this restaurant has been in the top-tier of Atlanta dining for years. Although it’s an IYKYK-type place, the space is always booked and busy, so don't wait until the day of to book a reservation. Get the black spaghetti, our favorite here. The hot Calabrese sausage with red shrimp and scallions adds nuance to the dish. Prepare your knowing smile when the rum-based Broken Figurine hits the table, served in a literal figurine head. Yes, you are the cool kid who knows all the cool places.
The next time you’re planning a quadruple date, birthday party, or just want an excuse to drink a lot of sangria with some friends, go to Barcelona Wine Bar. Besides having one of the best patios in the neighborhood, they have a ton of shareable small plates options. Plus, with prices that range from $5-$15, you can order a bunch of things for the table, knowing even your pickiest tablemate will stumble on something they like.
There are three things you want after a long walk on the BeltLine: a cold margarita, a snack, and somewhere to sit in the shade. Luckily, you can find all of those things just a block away at Pure Taqueria. There's a large covered patio and great cocktails, and the menu includes everything from empanadas and ceviche to tacos served in handmade corn tortillas. Grab a drink and recharge for a bit before you head back out on the trail, or just get a second round and make an afternoon out of it instead.
