Fontaine’s Oyster House in Atlanta: What to Know Before You Go

If you search for “Fontaine’s Oyster House Atlanta”, you’re almost always looking for one thing: a relaxed, neighborhood spot in the city where you can enjoy oysters, seafood, and drinks without a lot of fuss. Fontaine’s fits that description for many people in Atlanta’s Virginia-Highland area.

This guide focuses on how Fontaine’s typically fits into Atlanta life—what to expect, how locals tend to use it, and practical tips if you live in the city or are just visiting.

Where Fontaine’s Oyster House Fits in Atlanta

Fontaine’s Oyster House is known as a casual oyster and seafood bar in the Virginia-Highland neighborhood, a walkable intown district a few miles northeast of Downtown Atlanta.

People in Atlanta often think of Fontaine’s as:

• A laid-back oyster spot for happy hour or a weeknight dinner
• A neighborhood bar where you can grab a drink and some seafood
• A convenient stop when exploring Virginia-Highland shops, bars, and restaurants

Because Virginia-Highland is easy to reach from Midtown, Inman Park, Poncey-Highland, and Old Fourth Ward, Fontaine’s is a reasonable meeting point for friends coming from different parts of the city.

Location, Parking, and Getting There

Fontaine’s is in the heart of Virginia-Highland, along a cluster of restaurants, coffee shops, and boutiques. While hours and details can change, the area setup is fairly consistent.

Getting There from Around Atlanta

• From Midtown / Downtown:
  Usually a straight shot up Monroe Drive or Ponce de Leon Avenue, then into the neighborhood streets toward Virginia Avenue and North Highland Avenue.
• From Buckhead:
  Many drivers come down Piedmont Road or I-85 and cut across toward Virginia-Highland.
• By MARTA:
  There isn’t a MARTA rail station right at Fontaine’s. Most people:
  • Take the Red/Gold line to Midtown or North Avenue station
  • Then use a rideshare or bus to Virginia-Highland

If you’re planning to include Fontaine’s as part of a wider day in the area, it’s common to pair it with a walk or short ride to:

• Piedmont Park
• The Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail
• Ponce City Market

Parking Tips 🚗

Virginia-Highland is dense and walkable, so parking can be tight, especially:

• On weekend evenings
• During neighborhood festivals or events
• On warm-weather nights when patios are busy

Typical options:

• Street parking on nearby residential streets (watch for signs and time limits)
• Paid small lots shared by nearby businesses, where available
• Rideshare to avoid circling for a spot

If you’re coming from intown neighborhoods, many locals prefer rideshare so they can enjoy drinks without worrying about parking or driving later.

What to Expect at Fontaine’s Oyster House

Fontaine’s generally aims for a no-frills, neighborhood-bar feel rather than a formal seafood restaurant atmosphere.

Atmosphere

Expect:

• A casual, lively vibe—especially in the evenings
• A mix of regulars, locals, and visitors exploring Virginia-Highland
• Bar seating, indoor tables, and often patio seating when weather allows
• TV screens that may show sports, making it feel like a hybrid of a bar and seafood spot

It’s typically the kind of place where you can show up in jeans and a T-shirt without feeling underdressed.

Oysters and Seafood: What People Commonly Order

As the name suggests, oysters are the main draw. While the specific menu can change, there are some common patterns you can expect at an oyster house in Atlanta like Fontaine’s.

Types of Oysters

You’ll usually see a rotation of oysters by the half shell, often including:

• Gulf oysters (from the Gulf of Mexico), which are common in Southern oyster bars
• Occasional East Coast varieties, depending on availability

You can typically order them:

• Raw on the half shell
• Charbroiled or baked with butter, cheese, or seasoned toppings
• Sometimes as part of specials or platters

If you’re new to oysters, many Atlanta diners start with:

• Chargrilled/charbroiled oysters (richer, cooked, often garlicky and cheesy)
• A small half-dozen raw to try different toppings like lemon, cocktail sauce, and mignonette

Other Seafood and Bar Favorites

Again, menus change, but a place like Fontaine’s usually features:

• Fried seafood baskets (shrimp, fish, or combo)
• Po’ boys or seafood sandwiches
• Seafood pastas or specialties depending on the season
• Appetizers like crab dip, calamari, or seafood nachos

Non-seafood options are often available too, such as:

• Burgers or chicken sandwiches
• Salads with optional seafood add-ons

Drinks and Happy-Hour Style Deals

Fontaine’s generally operates as both an oyster house and bar, so drinks are a big part of the experience.

Common offerings include:

• Draft and bottled beer (often a mix of domestic, local, and regional options)
• Cocktails, sometimes featuring:
  • Classic drinks that pair with seafood (like martinis or citrus-forward cocktails)
  • House specials depending on the season
• Wine by the glass or bottle

Many Atlanta residents know Fontaine’s for happy-hour style pricing on oysters or drinks, but the specifics can vary by day and over time. If you’re planning a visit specifically for deals, it’s wise to:

• Call ahead and ask about current specials and times
• Check whether those deals apply to the bar, dining room, or patio

Indoor vs. Patio Seating

In Atlanta’s climate, patio seating can define the whole experience. Fontaine’s often features:

• An outdoor or patio-style area that’s popular in spring, fall, and warm evenings
• Indoor seating that may feel more like a traditional bar environment

Locals often:

• Aim for patio seats on comfortable-weather days
• Accept indoor seating when:
  • It’s very hot and they want air conditioning
  • The patio is packed during prime hours

If you care where you sit, mention it when you arrive or when you put your name down for a table.

Timing Your Visit: Crowds and Wait Times

Like many intown Atlanta spots, Fontaine’s can feel very different depending on the time and day.

When It’s Usually Busier

You can expect heavier crowds:

• Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings, especially after 6:30–7:00 p.m.
• During sports events or neighborhood happenings
• On mild-weather evenings when the patio is appealing

At busy times, you might:

• Wait for a patio table
• Find bar seating more quickly if you’re flexible

Quieter Times

If you prefer a more relaxed pace:

• Try weekday afternoons or early evenings
• Consider earlier dinners (for example, before 6:00 p.m.)

Rough Idea of What a Visit Might Look Like

Here’s a simple overview of what a typical local or visitor might experience at Fontaine’s:

This is not a strict pattern, but it reflects how many Atlantans tend to use the space.

Dietary and Practical Considerations

If you’re planning a visit with specific needs, these points are worth keeping in mind.

Shellfish and Food Sensitivities

Because Fontaine’s is an oyster and seafood-heavy spot:

• Cross-contact with shellfish is a real possibility in the kitchen
• Fryers, grills, and prep areas may handle multiple types of seafood

If you have allergies or strong sensitivities, call ahead to:

• Ask how they handle shellfish or gluten in the kitchen
• Confirm whether they can safely prepare a dish that works for you

Staff at many Atlanta restaurants are accustomed to these questions, and asking before you sit down is usually appreciated.

Kids, Groups, and Noise Level

Fontaine’s is generally adult-leaning, but:

• Some families do visit earlier in the evening
• It can be loud and bar-like later at night, especially on weekends

For groups:

• Call ahead if you’re bringing a larger party, especially during peak hours
• Expect seating to be more limited outdoors for bigger groups

Pairing Fontaine’s with Other Atlanta Plans

Many Atlanta residents and visitors don’t treat Fontaine’s as their only activity of the day. Instead, they fold it into a wider intown itinerary. Common pairings include:

• Before or after the BeltLine:
  • Walk or bike the Eastside Trail, then rideshare into Virginia-Highland for oysters
• Ponce City Market + Va-Hi:
  • Browse or eat lightly at Ponce City Market, then head to Fontaine’s for oysters and drinks
• Piedmont Park + Oysters:
  • Spend the afternoon at Piedmont Park, then drive or rideshare to Virginia-Highland in the evening

If you’re visiting Atlanta, it’s reasonable to treat Fontaine’s as one stop in a day of exploring intown neighborhoods.

How to Decide if Fontaine’s Is Right for You

Fontaine’s Oyster House in Atlanta is likely a good fit if you’re looking for:

• Casual, neighborhood-style oysters and seafood
• A lively bar environment rather than fine dining
• A convenient stop while exploring Virginia-Highland or nearby intown areas

It might be less ideal if you’re seeking:

• A very quiet, formal dinner
• A setting with extensive non-seafood options or highly specialized dietary accommodations

For most people in Atlanta—whether you live here or are visiting—Fontaine’s is best thought of as a laid-back oyster bar in a walkable, social neighborhood, suitable for relaxed meals, drinks with friends, and part of a larger day or night out in the city.