ATLGuide
The Best Cookies In Atlanta
photo credit: Sarah Newman
Most desserts are polarizing, but no one really hates on cookies. That’s because these handheld treats have more genres than the Spotify homepage. There’s something for everyone—the gooey, fresh-out-the-oven ones, the small crispy ones served with your coffee, and even the sandwich ones that blur the cookie lines a little. Whatever your preference, you’ll find it at one of these top-notch Atlanta bakeshops.
THE SPOTS
photo credit: Amy Sinclair
Skip a night of shots at Little Spirit up the street, and hit A Haute Cookie for their cookie shots, which are edible cookie cups filled with milk. While the shots are fun, you should also try their doughs baked in traditional form because this small Inman Park shop nails the thick cookie with a soft, chewy middle and a crunchy exterior. The menu has a sizable mix of classic options and unique flavors like Oreo strawberry shortcake. If there are any Twix cookies (a shortbread cookie with chocolate and caramel topping) left in the display case, get it—if they’re out, beg for them to bake you more.
photo credit: Amy Sinclair
There are many things we expect a New York-style Jewish deli to have on the menu. And black and white cookies fall into that category. Luckily this beloved Emory Point location has ‘em with thick icing and a soft, slightly domed base. And if you want a sugary feast, you can get their $13 cookie plate to try out their black and white cookie along with their black car, rugelach, and chocolate chip. Even with other tempting desserts like NY cheesecake and blackout cake on the menu, we're always going to scoop up the cookie plate since the black and white is the star of the show.
photo credit: Sarah Newman
Don’t get hung up on the company name. All you need to know is that Not As Famous in Smyrna makes goliath, super dense cookies that somehow consistently achieve a gooey softness without being doughy or underdone. A picture board by the register shows the flavors of the month, which will always feature a seasonal offering like a green Grinch cookie or fall sweet potato. We’re big fans of their red velvet, which is a mainstay on the menu. And if you can handle even more cookie, get the mini-pie-sized cookie bowls, which come with your choice of ice cream and toppings. Famous Amos could never.
photo credit: Amy Sinclair
With at least 15 different cookie flavors, Ali’s Cookies in Emory Village, Perimeter, and Cobb has you covered when the cravings for a sweet treat hit. Plus, a variety of gluten-free and vegan options ensures that everyone can get into the action. We’re partial to the red velvet or snickerdoodle, but all of their moist, chewy cookies could take home a blue ribbon. And for those who need to level up on dessert, any cookie can be made into an ice cream sandwich.
photo credit: Amy Sinclair
Alon’s silver dollar-sized cookies look unassuming and harmless, but we’ve nearly lost a limb in an office fight for the last oatmeal raisin (which says something since the often-despised cookie is like the Voldemort of baked treats). So, if you’re looking for a dessert to bring to an office potluck or house party, an assorted box of Alon’s chocolate pecan, oatmeal raisin, and double chocolate chunk is always well received. Alon’s is also a great place to get harder-to-find specialities like Italian wedding cookies and krakovski cookies, which are available at both their Phipps and Morningside locations.
photo credit: Amy Sinclair
With nearly 20 flavors, St. Germain makes some of the city’s best macarons and has one of the largest selections. We like visiting their spacious venue in the Interlock, so we can stare at their colorful assortment of the French sandwich cookies until we fall into a daydream about our last trip to Paris. The beautiful French cafe is also a nice place to work and work your way through the menu. Start with coffee and breakfast quiches then move on to lunch sandwiches. And know you can retreat back to the counter whenever you need a macaron to rinse away the distaste of that all-company email.
photo credit: Amy Sinclair
Munster Cravings moved to a bigger stall in the Chatt Works food hall, which feels like a more appropriate fit for their name and massive cookies. The things to order here are the stuffed or topped cookies. The s’mores cookies are stuffed with marshmallow centers and warmed so you get the same gooey, fluffy marshmallow pull you get from a toasted s’more. Their PB&J is another nostalgic trip, topped with a thick peanut butter icing and jelly drizzle. It's a real stain-creating monster, but it’s a sweet moment worth the risk.
photo credit: Sarah Newman
Before earning household name status as one of the best burgers in America, the Holeman & Finch team was mostly known for their bread company (which is now under new ownership). The Buttery, their bakeshop in Morningside, is their full circle moment and should be your go-to if you’re trying to impress your dinner party with great pastries, breads, and desserts. We really like their Dream cookie. It’s like a chocolate chip that grew up, picked up a few interesting traits (like coconut, pecans, and sea salt), found an executive presence coach, and really learned to command the full attention of a room.
photo credit: Amy Sinclair
The cookies at Yaaas! Cookies might not be the biggest or the fanciest on this list. But the ability to choose your level of doneness gives us a type of customization that feels unparalleled. You can, of course, pick a room temperature one from the trays and trays of cookies sitting in glass cases in the Glenwood Park shop. Or head to the kiosks, select your warming level (hot and fragile is our go-to), then watch as aproned cookie bakers place dough balls onto a baking sheet and bake 'em to your preference. We love their strawberry Pop Tart and classic chocolate chip, which we always eat right away while they're warm. But even if we tried to wait, they'd never make it all the way home anyway.
photo credit: Candy Hom
Sweet Hut is our go-to when we’re on the hunt for delicious mooncakes and sesame tuile cookies. And whenever we’re here, we’ll usually spend an eternity roaming the pastry cases full of individually packaged sweets to see what other treats catch our eye. If they have red velvet or those flaky elephant ear cookies on the shelves, get them. The Pan-Asian cafe and bakery has three metro locations, and we’re practically residents at their Midtown cafe. It's a cheerful, pink-hued escape from the mess that is Peachtree at lunch time.
