Where To Find the Best Pastries in Atlanta: A Local’s Guide

Atlanta’s pastry scene is one of the city’s quiet superpowers. Whether you’re craving a perfectly flaky croissant, Southern-style morning buns, indulgent kouign-amann, or creative vegan treats, you can find it somewhere along the Peachtree corridor or in one of the city’s intown neighborhoods.

This guide walks through where to find the best pastries in Atlanta, what each spot does especially well, and how to plan your pastry runs whether you live here or are just visiting.

How Atlanta Does Pastries

Atlanta’s best pastry shops blend European technique, Southern flavors, and local ingredients. You’ll notice a few patterns:

• Strong French and European-style bakeries, especially in Midtown, Inman Park, Old Fourth Ward, and Buckhead
• A newer wave of coffee shop–bakery hybrids that serve laminated pastries alongside specialty espresso
• Southern-influenced pastries (think pecan, peach, sweet potato, and buttermilk flavors)
• Good options for gluten-free and vegan pastries in several neighborhoods

If you’re planning a pastry “tour,” keep in mind:

• Many bakeries sell out of top items by late morning.
• Some specialize in laminated doughs (croissants, kouign-amann), others in cakes, tarts, or doughnuts.
• Parking can vary a lot by neighborhood—Morningside, Inman Park, and Old Fourth Ward often get crowded on weekends.

Classic French & European-Style Bakeries

These are the places locals often mention first when talking about the best pastries in Atlanta.

Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, & Inman Park

1. French-Style Croissants, Kouign-Amann, and Tarts

In and around Midtown and Old Fourth Ward, you’ll find bakeries known for:

• Butter-forward croissants (plain, almond, chocolate)
• Kouign-amann with caramelized, crunchy layers
• Seasonal tarts with fruit sourced from regional farms when available
• Weekend-only specials like brioche, savory pastries, or quiches

What to know:

• Expect lines on Saturday and Sunday mornings, especially after 9 a.m.
• Many spots offer both indoor seating and sidewalk tables, making them good meet-up locations.
• Some bakeries share space with coffee roasters, so you can make it a full breakfast stop.

Buckhead & North Atlanta

Buckhead and nearby neighborhoods are home to several pastry-forward cafés and patisseries that lean slightly more upscale:

• Elegant individual entremets (glazed mousse cakes, layered desserts)
• Macarons in rotating flavors
• Mini tartlets that travel well if you’re bringing dessert to a dinner party

Tips:

• If you’re headed to a party in Buckhead or Brookhaven, these are practical stops for a pastry box.
• Weekdays are usually calmer than weekends; lunch hours can be busy with office crowds.

Southern-Inspired & Comfort Pastries

Atlanta’s pastry scene shines when it leans into Southern flavors and traditions.

Downtown, West Midtown, & Surrounding Neighborhoods

In areas like West Midtown, Downtown, and Castleberry Hill, you’ll often find pastry counters attached to:

• Southern cafés and brunch spots
• Coffee shops that bake in-house rather than buying wholesale

Expect to see:

• Cinnamon rolls and sticky buns with pecans
• Buttermilk biscuits that blur the line between pastry and savory breakfast
• Hand pies filled with seasonal fruit (peach, berry, apple)
• Cakes by the slice and classic banana bread or pound cake

These spots are great if you:

• Want something more filling than just a croissant
• Are already planning brunch or coffee and want to add a pastry “for the middle of the table”
• Need something kid-friendly—many offer simpler items like chocolate chip cookies or muffins

Best Pastries by Type

If you’re hunting for something specific, this breakdown can help you narrow your search.

Best Croissants & Laminated Pastries

Across intown Atlanta, some of the most commonly praised items include:

• Classic butter croissants with visible layers and a shattering exterior
• Almond croissants filled with frangipane and topped with sliced almonds
• Chocolate croissants (pain au chocolat) with dark chocolate batons
• Savory croissants (ham and cheese, spinach and feta)
• Kouign-amann: dense, caramelized, and buttery, often in limited quantities

To improve your odds of getting these:

• ⏰ Arrive early—often before 10 a.m. on weekends.
• 🍴 Ask which pastries were baked most recently if you’re visiting later in the day.
• 📦 If you’re buying a dozen or more, calling ahead (where allowed) can help ensure availability.

Best Morning Buns, Danishes, and Sweet Rolls

For something sweeter than a croissant:

• Morning buns: Often rolled with cinnamon, cardamom, or citrus zest.
• Fruit danishes: Topped with seasonal fruit or berries, sometimes with cream cheese filling.
• Sticky buns: Frequently topped with pecans and caramel, popular in many Atlanta bakeries.

Look for these in neighborhoods with a strong brunch culture—Virginia-Highland, Old Fourth Ward, Inman Park, West Midtown, and Grant Park.

Best Cakes, Tarts, and Slices

Many “pastry” counters in Atlanta double as dessert destinations:

• Tart slices (lemon, chocolate, fruit)
• Cheesecake bars or mini cheesecakes
• Seasonal cakes by the slice (carrot, red velvet, hummingbird, chocolate)
• Fruit galettes in late spring and summer

These are ideal if you’re:

• Grabbing dessert on the way to a dinner
• Looking for a shareable treat instead of individual pastries
• Interested in something that keeps well in the fridge for a day or two

Coffee Shop Pastry Counters Worth Knowing

Many Atlantans get their “best pastries” from coffee shops that bake in-house or bring in top-tier pastry partners. Across Decatur, East Atlanta, Kirkwood, Reynoldstown, and Midtown, you’ll often find:

• House-made muffins (blueberry, banana-nut, seasonal flavors)
• Scones (both sweet and savory, like cheddar-chive)
• Limited runs of croissants, cookies, and brownies
• Breakfast bars and granola-based pastries

Why they’re worth a stop:

• They’re usually less crowded than standalone bakeries early on weekdays.
• You can combine specialty coffee with a genuinely good pastry instead of a generic option.
• Many offer Wi‑Fi and seating, making them a comfortable place to linger.

If you’re working remotely or studying, this can be a convenient way to explore Atlanta’s pastry scene without dedicating a separate trip.

Vegan, Gluten-Free, and Allergy-Friendly Pastries in Atlanta

If you have dietary needs, Atlanta has a growing number of options.

Vegan Pastries

Across several intown neighborhoods you can often find:

• Vegan muffins and banana bread
• Vegan cookies and brownies
• Occasionally vegan croissants or danishes at specialty bakeries

Tips:

• Check the daily case; vegan items may rotate quickly.
• Some places clearly label everything; others require you to ask at the counter.

Gluten-Free & Allergy-Conscious Options

Common offerings include:

• Flourless chocolate cake or brownies
• Macarons (often made with almond flour; check for cross-contact if needed)
• Gluten-free cookies or bars

If you’re highly sensitive:

• Call ahead to ask how strictly they separate gluten-free items.
• Look for bakeries that explicitly identify themselves as gluten-free or allergy-aware—Atlanta has a few dedicated spots, particularly in the metro area.

Timing Your Visit: When to Go for the Best Selection

Bakeries operate on a rhythm. In Atlanta, this typically looks like:

• Early morning (7–9 a.m.)
  Best for: croissants, kouign-amann, morning buns, and anything laminated.
  Expect: the widest selection, but also the most regulars and commuters.

• Mid-morning (9–11 a.m.)
  Best for: danishes, scones, and coffee shop pastries.
  Expect: popular croissants may be sold out, but still plenty of options.

• Afternoon (12–4 p.m.)
  Best for: cakes, cookies, tarts, and grab-and-go desserts.
  Expect: baked goods that hold up well during the day; lighter crowds.

• Late afternoon to close
  Best for: discounted items at some bakeries, if they offer end-of-day deals.
  Expect: limited selection; don’t count on specific pastries.

If you’re visiting Atlanta for only a few days, aim for one early-morning visit to a dedicated bakery and one afternoon visit to a café-style spot.

Neighborhood Snapshot: Pastries Across Atlanta

Here’s a quick, skimmable overview of what different areas tend to offer. This is not exhaustive, but it can help you plan by neighborhood.

Practical Tips for Enjoying Pastries in Atlanta

To make the most of Atlanta’s pastry scene:

• Plan around traffic and parking.
  Morning bakery runs are easier before rush hour builds; weekends near the BeltLine fill up fast.

• Check hours before you go.
  Many pastry-focused shops are closed on Mondays or have shorter weekday hours.

• Consider calling for large orders.
  If you need pastries for an office meeting, wedding party, or brunch, many Atlanta bakeries accept pre-orders for dozens of items or custom boxes.

• Ask about seasonal items.
  In peach season, expect more fruit pastries; in fall, look for pumpkin, pear, and spiced options.

• Carry pastries carefully.
  Laminated pastries are delicate—if you’re driving across town, ask for a box and avoid stacking items.

How Locals Use Bakeries Day-to-Day

If you’re new to Atlanta or just visiting, it can help to know how locals typically incorporate these spots into their routines:

• Weekday grab-and-go: Coffee + croissant from a Midtown or Decatur café before work.
• Saturday BeltLine stroll: Start with pastries in Old Fourth Ward or Inman Park, then walk.
• Party and holiday pickups: Cakes, tarts, and boxes of mixed pastries from Buckhead, Midtown, or neighborhood bakeries.
• Remote work afternoons: Set up with a laptop at a coffee shop that has strong pastry options and stay through the slower hours.

If you build your day around one bakery stop and one coffee stop, you’ll quickly get a feel for how varied and high-quality Atlanta’s pastry options are.

If you’re in Atlanta—whether for a weekend or long-term—treat bakeries as part of exploring the city, the same way you might explore its restaurants or parks. Plan for early visits, try both classic French items and Southern-influenced pastries, and don’t hesitate to ask staff what they’re most proud of that day.