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18 Atlanta Restaurants Perfect for Solo Dining

Grab a seat at the bar with a good book or a table for one by the window

by Eater Staff Updated May 1, 2023, 2:15pm EDT

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by Eater Staff Updated May 1, 2023, 2:15pm EDT

El Vinedo Local

There is sometimes an unwarranted stigma associated with solo dining — that it’s an isolating experience. For most people who regularly dine out alone, that’s simply not the case. Dining solo is often a deliberate choice to provide a person with downtime after a busy day or a chance to unwind with a good book and a meal or to catch up on work while enjoying a bite to eat with a glass of wine. Thankfully, most Atlanta restaurants have created spaces to make solo dining a pleasurable experience. Every solo diner has their favorite spot, too, but here are just a few restaurant suggestions around Atlanta to consider for some alone time paired with a great meal.

Don’t see a favorite solo dining restaurant listed? Email Eater Atlanta with details via the tipline.

Read more: The Best Way to Dine Alone

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Star Provisions Market & Cafe

Most people pop into this market and cafe from chef Anne Quatrano in the mornings to grab breakfast sandwiches or pastries and coffee to go or to enjoy a bite paired with a latte while doing a little work. But regulars know the best time to dine solo here is during lunch and in the afternoon when crowds are typically lighter and the menu includes everything from fresh asparagus soup, a shrimp po-boy, and an eggplant banh mi to spinach pizza, a Thai shrimp bowl, and an antipasto salad. Star Provisions also serves beer and wines by the glass.

Open in Google Maps

1460 Ellsworth Industrial Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30318

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Also featured in:

El Viñedo Local

Located in Midtown, both the small bar and community table at South American coffee, wine, and tapas restaurant El Viñedo Local were built for solo dining. Mornings and afternoons see solo diners reading or working on their laptops during breakfast and lunch. Order arepas, empanadas, sandwiches, and ceviches paired with coffee and wines leaning into South American producers using sustainable and organic wine practices. In the warmer months, the restaurant throws open the large front windows to give the space an indoor-outdoor vibe.

Open in Google Maps

730 Peachtree St NE #100, Atlanta, GA 30308

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Also featured in:

How Crispy Express

Serving a menu dedicated to fried chicken paired with sides like collards, mac and cheese, and yucca fries, How Crispy Express is a great restaurant to grab a quick and casual solo meal at lunch or for an early dinner. Order at the counter and take a seat on the covered patio with a good book or to catch up on work. Afterwards, head over to Little Tart Bakeshop for a latte and a pastry or a soft serve ice cream cone next door at Big Softie.

Open in Google Maps

71 Georgia Ave SE Unit B, Atlanta, GA 30312

Visit Website

Also featured in:

18 Restaurants for Mighty Fine Fried Chicken Around Atlanta

Talat Market

This buzzy Thai restaurant in Summerhill features a fantastic bar perfect for solo dining. Start off a meal here with a glass of wine or the martini with a choice of vodka, pisco, or gin mixed with vermouth, madeira, pandan, and artichoke. Then, order a bowl of crispy shrimp chips for snacking, spicy papaya salad, and an entree, including beef red curry and seafood noodles. Don’t skip dessert at Talat Market, like the banana ice cream laced with palm sugar atop coconut sticky rice. Seating is available on the patio and at the rail outside, too.

Open in Google Maps

112 Ormond St SE, Atlanta, GA 30315

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Noni's

The bar at Noni’s on Edgewood is frequented by solo diners looking to indulge in a heaping bowl of pasta just like grandma used to make or a hearty sandwich, including a meatball sub paired with garlic parmesan fries. Order a beer, a glass of natural wine, or a cocktail and enjoy the vibe, music, and people watching.

Open in Google Maps

357 Edgewood Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30312

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Aria

Aria might not be the first place people think of when considering a restaurant for solo dining, but it’s the tiny bar here that makes this restaurant perfect for enjoying a fancy meal for one. Located just off of the dining room, the bar and lounge serves Aria’s full menu, including its popular burger, paired with the restaurant’s epic wine list and stellar cocktails. Reservations encouraged for the bar.

490 East Paces Ferry Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30305

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Staplehouse

Seeking sunshine and patio time while reading or finishing up some work? Consider Staplehouse on Edgewood a go-to, solo dining spot for afternoons (or evenings) on the patio. Pop inside to order fresh pastries, cheese and charcuterie, or any of the daily dishes and sandwiches listed on the menu board from the kitchen. Then, order a glass of wine, a beer, or a cocktail and head out back to the garden or covered patio.

541 Edgewood Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30312

Visit Website

Also featured in:

MetroFresh

Located in the Midtown Promenade complex across from Midtown High School, MetroFresh serves freshly made soups, salads, and sandwiches, along with wine and larger entrees in the evenings. Opened by former actor Mitchell Anderson, this small restaurant blends casual dining with seriously good food. Seating options range from two- and four-top tables inside and on the patio out front and a small bar.

931 Monroe Dr NE a106, Atlanta, GA 30308

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Eats

While booth and table seating for groups of four abound at this Atlanta landmark restaurant, it’s not unusual to see Eats filled with solo diners enjoying a hearty yet affordable meal, especially when a meat-and-three combo costs right around $10. In addition to lemon pepper, barbecue, and jerk chicken on the menu, Eats also serves turkey meatloaf and tilapia. The priciest meal on the menu is the chicken alfredo with garlic bread offered on Thursdays and Saturdays for $12

Open in Google Maps

600 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Petit Chou

The bar at Petit Chou was made for solo dining. This congenial French-American bistro in Cabbagetown features breakfast and brunch fare in the mornings, followed by dinner paired with wine and cocktails in the evening.

Open in Google Maps

662 Memorial Dr SE, Atlanta, GA 30312

Visit Website

Also featured in:

BoccaLupo

BoccaLupo’s roots may be Italian, but its heart sits right in the middle of Inman Park as a casual, neighborhood restaurant. Specializing in handmade pastas and seasonal dishes, chef Bruce Logue changes up the menu frequently here to keep it fresh. It’s not unusual to see folks dining solo with a book in hand at the bar, while indulging in the restaurant’s 20-yolk tagliatelle or black spaghetti and a glass of barbera.

Open in Google Maps

753 Edgewood Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Daily Chew

Owned by Stop Think Chew chef Julia Kesler Imerman, this cafe includes multiple seating options inside and out for a morning or afternoon of reading or working while dining on protein bowls, toasts, fresh pastries, and rotisserie chicken dishes and pitas. Try the harissa roast cauliflower, too. Order a latte or cup of tea and take a seat for a bit of solo respite with a refreshing meal.

Open in Google Maps

2127 Liddell Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30324

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Bread & Butterfly

For a quaint and quiet experience, grab a small table in the dining room or a bar stool at Bread and Butterfly, an all-day Parisian cafe in Inman Park. Bread and Butterfly excels at the simple and savory French classics. The laid back ambiance, friendly service, and French cafe vibes make it easy to settle into a corner nook with an espresso and a freshly baked croissant or a glass of champagne and steak frites.

Open in Google Maps

290 Elizabeth St NE F, Atlanta, GA 30307

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Home grown GA Restaurant

No one ever leaves hungry after eating at this cozy Southern food establishment. And solo diners are often found at the counter enjoying the restaurant’s famous comfy chicken biscuit, breakfast tacos, or a breakfast bowl in the morning or plates of country fried steak and fried catfish or a pimento cheese sandwich during lunch. Everything is homestyle here, from the kitschy decor to the folksy vibe of fellow diners.

Open in Google Maps

968 Memorial Dr SE, Atlanta, GA 30316

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Pollo Primo

This Sinaloan-style chicken restaurant features quarter, half, and whole roast bird portions marinated in morita chile, citrus, and a selection of spices, served with fresh tortillas and sides like rice and beans, street corn, chicken soup, and churros. Fast, but oh so good, Pollo Primo is primed for solo dining, especially along the covered rail with seating overlooking Moreland. The frozen margaritas and agua frescas from Pollo Primo just hit the spot on a hot day in the A.

Open in Google Maps

792 Moreland Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30316

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Atlanta Chinatown

The food court inside Atlanta Chinatown mall serves quick, counter meals that are flavorful and affordable. Go all in on one dish or sample a few from the various food stalls, which include everything from hand-pulled noodles and barbecue duck to soup dumplings and spicy hot pots on the menus. When finished, take a stroll through the shops in the mall. There’s also a peaceful courtyard patio here.

Open in Google Maps

Chinatown Mall, 5383 New Peachtree Rd Suite C, Atlanta, GA 30341

Visit Website

Rising Son

Whether eating at the bar or at a two-top table in the dining room, Rising Son is a warm and welcoming restaurant for solo diners. Head in for breakfast or lunch during the week to dine on fried trout and grits, chorizo tacos, or a fried chicken and bacon biscuit paired with coffee. The breakfast dumplings filled with pork, ginger, and cilantro in a soy maple glaze and the three-egg frittata ensalada are both must-try dishes.

Open in Google Maps

124 N Avondale Rd, Avondale Estates, GA 30002

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Gilly Brew Bar

Located in the oldest house in Stone Mountain Village, Gilly Brew Bar serves coffee and innovative cocktail-style coffee and tea drinks on its menu, along with dishes prepared by chefs in residency in its kitchen called the Mayor’s House. This is the spot in Stone Mountain for a solo diner looking to work or read quietly while sipping on clever coffee concoctions and dining on meals served by some of Atlanta’s next-generation chefs. Indoor seating is available, but it’s hard to resist the views and vibes on Gilly’s ground-floor patio or the wraparound covered porch upstairs.

Open in Google Maps

5329 Mimosa Dr, Stone Mountain, GA 30083

Visit Website

Also featured in:

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Star Provisions Market & Cafe

1460 Ellsworth Industrial Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30318

Most people pop into this market and cafe from chef Anne Quatrano in the mornings to grab breakfast sandwiches or pastries and coffee to go or to enjoy a bite paired with a latte while doing a little work. But regulars know the best time to dine solo here is during lunch and in the afternoon when crowds are typically lighter and the menu includes everything from fresh asparagus soup, a shrimp po-boy, and an eggplant banh mi to spinach pizza, a Thai shrimp bowl, and an antipasto salad. Star Provisions also serves beer and wines by the glass.

Open in Google Maps

1460 Ellsworth Industrial Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30318

Visit Website

El Viñedo Local

730 Peachtree St NE #100, Atlanta, GA 30308

Located in Midtown, both the small bar and community table at South American coffee, wine, and tapas restaurant El Viñedo Local were built for solo dining. Mornings and afternoons see solo diners reading or working on their laptops during breakfast and lunch. Order arepas, empanadas, sandwiches, and ceviches paired with coffee and wines leaning into South American producers using sustainable and organic wine practices. In the warmer months, the restaurant throws open the large front windows to give the space an indoor-outdoor vibe.

Open in Google Maps

730 Peachtree St NE #100, Atlanta, GA 30308

Visit Website

How Crispy Express

71 Georgia Ave SE Unit B, Atlanta, GA 30312

Serving a menu dedicated to fried chicken paired with sides like collards, mac and cheese, and yucca fries, How Crispy Express is a great restaurant to grab a quick and casual solo meal at lunch or for an early dinner. Order at the counter and take a seat on the covered patio with a good book or to catch up on work. Afterwards, head over to Little Tart Bakeshop for a latte and a pastry or a soft serve ice cream cone next door at Big Softie.

Open in Google Maps

71 Georgia Ave SE Unit B, Atlanta, GA 30312

Visit Website

Talat Market

112 Ormond St SE, Atlanta, GA 30315

This buzzy Thai restaurant in Summerhill features a fantastic bar perfect for solo dining. Start off a meal here with a glass of wine or the martini with a choice of vodka, pisco, or gin mixed with vermouth, madeira, pandan, and artichoke. Then, order a bowl of crispy shrimp chips for snacking, spicy papaya salad, and an entree, including beef red curry and seafood noodles. Don’t skip dessert at Talat Market, like the banana ice cream laced with palm sugar atop coconut sticky rice. Seating is available on the patio and at the rail outside, too.

Open in Google Maps

112 Ormond St SE, Atlanta, GA 30315

Visit Website

Noni's

357 Edgewood Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30312

The bar at Noni’s on Edgewood is frequented by solo diners looking to indulge in a heaping bowl of pasta just like grandma used to make or a hearty sandwich, including a meatball sub paired with garlic parmesan fries. Order a beer, a glass of natural wine, or a cocktail and enjoy the vibe, music, and people watching.

Open in Google Maps

357 Edgewood Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30312

Visit Website

Aria

490 East Paces Ferry Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30305

Aria might not be the first place people think of when considering a restaurant for solo dining, but it’s the tiny bar here that makes this restaurant perfect for enjoying a fancy meal for one. Located just off of the dining room, the bar and lounge serves Aria’s full menu, including its popular burger, paired with the restaurant’s epic wine list and stellar cocktails. Reservations encouraged for the bar.

490 East Paces Ferry Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30305

Visit Website

Staplehouse

541 Edgewood Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30312

Seeking sunshine and patio time while reading or finishing up some work? Consider Staplehouse on Edgewood a go-to, solo dining spot for afternoons (or evenings) on the patio. Pop inside to order fresh pastries, cheese and charcuterie, or any of the daily dishes and sandwiches listed on the menu board from the kitchen. Then, order a glass of wine, a beer, or a cocktail and head out back to the garden or covered patio.

541 Edgewood Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30312

Visit Website

MetroFresh

931 Monroe Dr NE a106, Atlanta, GA 30308

Located in the Midtown Promenade complex across from Midtown High School, MetroFresh serves freshly made soups, salads, and sandwiches, along with wine and larger entrees in the evenings. Opened by former actor Mitchell Anderson, this small restaurant blends casual dining with seriously good food. Seating options range from two- and four-top tables inside and on the patio out front and a small bar.

931 Monroe Dr NE a106, Atlanta, GA 30308

Visit Website

Eats

600 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308

While booth and table seating for groups of four abound at this Atlanta landmark restaurant, it’s not unusual to see Eats filled with solo diners enjoying a hearty yet affordable meal, especially when a meat-and-three combo costs right around $10. In addition to lemon pepper, barbecue, and jerk chicken on the menu, Eats also serves turkey meatloaf and tilapia. The priciest meal on the menu is the chicken alfredo with garlic bread offered on Thursdays and Saturdays for $12

Open in Google Maps

600 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308

Visit Website

Petit Chou

662 Memorial Dr SE, Atlanta, GA 30312

The bar at Petit Chou was made for solo dining. This congenial French-American bistro in Cabbagetown features breakfast and brunch fare in the mornings, followed by dinner paired with wine and cocktails in the evening.

Open in Google Maps

662 Memorial Dr SE, Atlanta, GA 30312

Visit Website

BoccaLupo

753 Edgewood Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307

BoccaLupo’s roots may be Italian, but its heart sits right in the middle of Inman Park as a casual, neighborhood restaurant. Specializing in handmade pastas and seasonal dishes, chef Bruce Logue changes up the menu frequently here to keep it fresh. It’s not unusual to see folks dining solo with a book in hand at the bar, while indulging in the restaurant’s 20-yolk tagliatelle or black spaghetti and a glass of barbera.

Open in Google Maps

753 Edgewood Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307

Visit Website

Daily Chew

2127 Liddell Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30324

Owned by Stop Think Chew chef Julia Kesler Imerman, this cafe includes multiple seating options inside and out for a morning or afternoon of reading or working while dining on protein bowls, toasts, fresh pastries, and rotisserie chicken dishes and pitas. Try the harissa roast cauliflower, too. Order a latte or cup of tea and take a seat for a bit of solo respite with a refreshing meal.

Open in Google Maps

2127 Liddell Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30324

Visit Website

Bread & Butterfly

290 Elizabeth St NE F, Atlanta, GA 30307

For a quaint and quiet experience, grab a small table in the dining room or a bar stool at Bread and Butterfly, an all-day Parisian cafe in Inman Park. Bread and Butterfly excels at the simple and savory French classics. The laid back ambiance, friendly service, and French cafe vibes make it easy to settle into a corner nook with an espresso and a freshly baked croissant or a glass of champagne and steak frites.

Open in Google Maps

290 Elizabeth St NE F, Atlanta, GA 30307

Visit Website

Home grown GA Restaurant

968 Memorial Dr SE, Atlanta, GA 30316

No one ever leaves hungry after eating at this cozy Southern food establishment. And solo diners are often found at the counter enjoying the restaurant’s famous comfy chicken biscuit, breakfast tacos, or a breakfast bowl in the morning or plates of country fried steak and fried catfish or a pimento cheese sandwich during lunch. Everything is homestyle here, from the kitschy decor to the folksy vibe of fellow diners.

Open in Google Maps

968 Memorial Dr SE, Atlanta, GA 30316

Visit Website

Pollo Primo

792 Moreland Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30316

This Sinaloan-style chicken restaurant features quarter, half, and whole roast bird portions marinated in morita chile, citrus, and a selection of spices, served with fresh tortillas and sides like rice and beans, street corn, chicken soup, and churros. Fast, but oh so good, Pollo Primo is primed for solo dining, especially along the covered rail with seating overlooking Moreland. The frozen margaritas and agua frescas from Pollo Primo just hit the spot on a hot day in the A.

Open in Google Maps

792 Moreland Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30316

Visit Website

Related Maps

Atlanta Chinatown

Chinatown Mall, 5383 New Peachtree Rd Suite C, Atlanta, GA 30341

The food court inside Atlanta Chinatown mall serves quick, counter meals that are flavorful and affordable. Go all in on one dish or sample a few from the various food stalls, which include everything from hand-pulled noodles and barbecue duck to soup dumplings and spicy hot pots on the menus. When finished, take a stroll through the shops in the mall. There’s also a peaceful courtyard patio here.

Open in Google Maps

Chinatown Mall, 5383 New Peachtree Rd Suite C, Atlanta, GA 30341

Visit Website

Rising Son

124 N Avondale Rd, Avondale Estates, GA 30002

Whether eating at the bar or at a two-top table in the dining room, Rising Son is a warm and welcoming restaurant for solo diners. Head in for breakfast or lunch during the week to dine on fried trout and grits, chorizo tacos, or a fried chicken and bacon biscuit paired with coffee. The breakfast dumplings filled with pork, ginger, and cilantro in a soy maple glaze and the three-egg frittata ensalada are both must-try dishes.

Open in Google Maps

124 N Avondale Rd, Avondale Estates, GA 30002

Visit Website

Gilly Brew Bar

5329 Mimosa Dr, Stone Mountain, GA 30083

Located in the oldest house in Stone Mountain Village, Gilly Brew Bar serves coffee and innovative cocktail-style coffee and tea drinks on its menu, along with dishes prepared by chefs in residency in its kitchen called the Mayor’s House. This is the spot in Stone Mountain for a solo diner looking to work or read quietly while sipping on clever coffee concoctions and dining on meals served by some of Atlanta’s next-generation chefs. Indoor seating is available, but it’s hard to resist the views and vibes on Gilly’s ground-floor patio or the wraparound covered porch upstairs.

Open in Google Maps

5329 Mimosa Dr, Stone Mountain, GA 30083

Visit Website

Related Maps