It's official; Decatur may be the coolest suburb outside Atlanta. Just a few miles east of downtown Atlanta, you'll find a blend of great people, shops and a movie set-worthy square. Recently, The New York Times called Decatur a trendsetting destination with a vibe that's "Mayberry meets Berkeley." Planning on hitting the area sometime soon? Don't miss some of these delicious spots.
DeKalb Farmers Market
Start your journey here even if you don't need to go grocery shopping. The colors, cultures and variety of product will blow you away. They carry things from all over the world in this massive warehouse type supermarket. From aisle to aisle, it's an international travel experience.
Southern Sweets Bakery
They call themselves "Atlanta's Homemade Secret for 20 years." Stop by Southern Sweets for a quick lunch or take one of their ridiculously good cakes to go. Southern Sweets sources their product to many Atlanta restaurants.
Leon's Full Service, The Brick Store, Kimball House
You can credit Mike Gallagher, Tom Moore and Dave Blanchard for Decatur's exploding dining scene with their restaurants The Brick Store, Kimball House and Leon's Full Service. If you're looking for the perfect patio experience, it's happening at Leon's. The bocce ball court is perfect for family fun and your kids will flip over their French fries. For beer, The Brick Store is a must. Kimball House is known for their fresh oysters and unique craft cocktails. Make sure to get there early or late, as they don't take reservations.
Victory Sandwich
For a quickly assembled, high quality sandwich, you need to try Victory. Almost all of their sandwiches are $4, so feel free to order two or three. Favorites include the Castro (smoked pork, ham, pickle, fontina cheese and mustard) and the Hambo (prosciutto, arugula, apple, mozzarella cheese, balsamic vinegar). If you want to upgrade your afternoon, try one of their boozy slushies and challenge your date to Ping-Pong.
Iberian Pig
For authentic Spanish tapas in a sexy atmosphere, Iberian Pig is the place to be. Hit this hot spot right on the square for their killer charcuterie program and fabulous cheeses. If you come to Iberian Pig and don't order the bacon wrapped dates, you are missing out on what's good in life. Need even more bacon? Order the Iberian Old Fashioned, which is made with bacon-infused whiskey. There's no such thing as too much bacon.
Chai Pani
Decatur is full of authentic Indian food, but for a truly amazing experience, go to Chai Pani. This funky spot features chaat, Indian street sandwiches, unique salads and thali platters (special of the day). Many Decatur establishments are kid-friendly and Chai Pani is no exception. They have an excellent kids menu that is perfect for less adventurous eaters.
