The Meteor

The Meteor on South Congress is a one-stop shop if you’re on the way to a pizza-and-wine cyclist meetup. The equal parts cafe, wine bar, pizzeria, and bicycle shop is a great casual spot to pop in for a glass of wine and some tinned fish, even if you’re not here for an oddly-specific event. The focus here is on natural wines that won’t break the bank, with plenty of bottles falling in the $25-$35 range, plus a really nice Happy Hour with half price glasses of wine. And if you’d rather hang out in your living room with your cat and enjoy some wine in peace, they also have a retail bottle shop and a wine subscription service.

photo credit: Holly Dirks

It’s a reliable neighborhood spot if you live in the area, with round, sourdough pies that are just good enough to satisfy a craving for carbs and cheese. They also make some sandwiches—including a solid burger if you prefer your carbs and cheese in handheld form—and a few salads, if you want nothing to do with carbs and cheese. And of course, being 1/4 coffee shop, you’ll find all the classic teas, espressos, and pastries that come with the territory. 

The Meteor is far enough away from the busy part of South Congress to make it a welcome escape from all the action, or just as a bookend on either part of your long day out shopping for new sunglasses and boots. And with a nice, big patio in the back, you’ll always have somewhere perfect to show off your shiny new purchases.

photo credit: Nicolai McCrary