Best Restaurants in Virginia-Highland, Atlanta: Where to Eat, Drink, and Hang Out

Virginia-Highland (often shortened to Va-Hi) is one of Atlanta’s most walkable, restaurant-packed neighborhoods. Centered around the intersection of Virginia Avenue NE and North Highland Avenue NE, it blends historic bungalow homes with a lively strip of restaurants, bars, and cafés.

Whether you live nearby, you’re visiting from another part of Atlanta, or you’re in town for the weekend, this guide walks you through where to eat in the Highlands, what each spot is known for, and how to plan a great meal (or full food crawl) in this intown neighborhood.

Getting Oriented: The Highlands Dining Scene

When Atlantans say “the Highlands”, they’re almost always talking about Virginia-Highland. It’s bordered by:

• Midtown to the west
• Morningside to the north
• Poncey-Highland and Inman Park just to the south and east

The main restaurant clusters are:

• North Highland Ave NE & Virginia Ave NE – the core “village” area
• North Highland Ave NE south toward Ponce – connects down toward Ponce City Market
• A few tucked-away spots on nearby side streets

It’s an easy neighborhood to walk, bar-hop, and restaurant-hop, especially in the evening or on weekends.

Quick Snapshot: Popular Virginia-Highland Restaurants

This table is a simple overview, not a ranking. Always check current hours before you go.

Use this to narrow down what you’re craving, then explore the options right along North Highland Avenue NE.

Where to Go for Casual Dinner in the Highlands

Virginia-Highland is known for easygoing, neighborhood-style restaurants. These are the places locals rely on for weeknight dinners or low-key weekends.

Classic Neighborhood Hangouts

You’ll find a cluster of casual spots around the Virginia Ave NE / N. Highland Ave NE intersection, typically offering:

• Burgers, sandwiches, and bar snacks
• Plenty of beer on tap and familiar cocktails
• Big screens for game days
• Patios or sidewalk seating when the weather’s nice

These restaurants are convenient if you:

• Want somewhere unfussy and walkable
• Need a spot that works for mixed groups (friends, couples, or kids)
• Are catching a game and looking for wings and a beer

If you’re driving in, street parking can be tight during peak times; many locals use rideshare to avoid circling for a spot.

Date-Night & Special-Occasion Restaurants

For a slightly dressier night out that still feels relaxed and Atlanta-casual, Virginia-Highland has several modern bistro-style restaurants.

Typical features to expect here:

• Seasonal menus with Southern or New American influences
• Cocktail programs that go beyond the basics
• Shareable plates or small plates that work well for couples
• Comfortable but elevated interiors and, often, patio seating

These places tend to attract:

• Date-night crowds from across intown Atlanta
• Small groups celebrating birthdays or promotions
• Weekend visitors staying in Midtown who want a cozier neighborhood feel

For Friday or Saturday evenings, it’s wise to make a reservation when possible, especially if you plan to sit outside or arrive after 7 p.m.

Pizza, Italian, and Family-Friendly Spots

If you’re out with kids, a larger group, or you just want something everyone agrees on, Virginia-Highland is reliable for:

• Pizza (both classic and more creative toppings)
• Pasta dishes, from simple red sauces to more seasonal options
• Big salads, antipasti, and shareable appetizers

These are good picks if you:

• Need a kid-friendly restaurant in the Highlands
• Want a place that can handle groups or birthday dinners
• Are coming from nearby parks like Piedmont Park or the Eastside BeltLine Trail and want a laid-back meal afterward

Expect busy dining rooms on weekend evenings and plenty of families earlier in the night. On nice days, patios and sidewalk tables fill quickly.

Breakfast, Coffee, and Brunch in the Highlands

Virginia-Highland wakes up early, especially on weekends. Brunch is a major draw, and there are several coffee shops, bakeries, and breakfast-forward restaurants in a short walk of each other.

What to Expect from Highlands Brunch

Common themes:

• Locally roasted coffee and espresso drinks
• Classic breakfast plates: eggs, bacon, biscuits, pancakes, and waffles
• Brunch cocktails like mimosas and Bloody Marys
• Outdoor tables and people-watching along North Highland Ave

Tips to make brunch smoother:

• 🕒 Arrive earlier (often before 10:00 a.m. on weekends) to avoid waits
• 👥 Smaller parties are usually seated faster than large groups
• 🚶‍♀️ Consider parking a block or two off North Highland Ave NE and walking in

Many Atlantans make a morning of it: brunch in Va-Hi, then a stroll down to the BeltLine or through Piedmont Park.

Bars, Wine Spots, and Nightlife

While nearby neighborhoods like Inman Park and Old Fourth Ward have grown as nightlife hubs, the Highlands still offers a more low-key, grown-up bar scene.

You’ll typically find:

• Neighborhood pubs with darts, trivia nights, or live music
• Wine bars featuring by-the-glass lists and light bites
• Cocktail-forward spots with a smaller, more intimate atmosphere

These work well if you:

• Want to start with dinner, then move to a nearby bar without driving
• Prefer conversation-friendly spots over loud clubs
• Are meeting friends from across the city and need a central, intown location

Weeknights tend to be relaxed; weekends are livelier but still not as intense as some other Atlanta nightlife districts.

Dessert, Ice Cream, and Sweet Stops

If you’re finishing up dinner in the Highlands, it’s easy to add a dessert stop without leaving the neighborhood.

You’re likely to find:

• Ice cream and gelato shops suited to kids and adults
• Bakeries or cafés with cookies, cakes, and pastries
• Some restaurants with strong dessert menus (think bread pudding, seasonal pies, or specialty cakes)

A lot of people:

• Grab ice cream to go and stroll around the neighborhood streets
• Combine dessert with a second drink or coffee at a nearby café or bar

If you’re visiting in the summer, expect lines in the evening at the more popular ice cream counters.

How to Plan a Food Crawl in Virginia-Highland

Because everything is so walkable, many Atlantans use the Highlands for a progressive night out:

1. Start with a drink
   • Hit a wine bar, cocktail bar, or casual pub at the northern end of North Highland Ave NE.
2. Move to dinner
   • Head to a bistro, pizza spot, or pub depending on your group.
3. Finish with dessert or a nightcap
   • Walk to an ice cream shop or a quieter bar for one last drink.

Helpful planning tips:

• 📍 Use Virginia Ave NE & N. Highland Ave NE as your central meeting point.
• 🚗 If you’re driving, consider parking once on a side street and walking everywhere.
• 🚘 If you’re coming from farther away (like Buckhead or the suburbs), many people use MARTA plus rideshare:
  • MARTA rail to Midtown Station or Inman Park/Reynoldstown Station, then a short rideshare to Virginia-Highland.
• 🐶 Many patios in the area are dog-friendly, but policies vary by restaurant—if you’re bringing a dog, it’s smart to call ahead.

Practical Tips for Eating Out in the Highlands

To make your restaurant visit smoother, keep these local details in mind:

• Reservations vs. walk-ins

  • Casual pubs and pizza spots often handle walk-ins easily except at peak times.
  • For date-night and brunch spots, reservations (when offered) are strongly recommended on weekends.

• Parking

  • Expect a mix of street parking and some small lots.
  • Always check residential signage; some streets near Virginia Ave NE and N. Highland Ave NE have time limits or permit requirements.
  • Many locals prefer rideshare to avoid parking frustration, especially during events or festival weekends.

• Peak times

  • Weekend brunch and Friday/Saturday dinner are the busiest.
  • If you want a quieter experience, try early dinners (before 6:30 p.m.) or weekday evenings.

• Neighborhood feel

  • This is a residential, walkable community. Outdoor voices and street noise carry more than in high-rise areas. Most restaurants and bars are mindful of this, and visitors who keep that “neighborhood” mindset fit right in.

Nearby Areas to Pair With a Highlands Meal

If you’re planning a fuller day in town, it’s easy to combine a Highlands restaurant visit with nearby Atlanta highlights:

• Piedmont Park & Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail
  • Many people walk or bike the BeltLine, then head up toward Virginia-Highland for food and drinks.
• Ponce City Market
  • Just down the hill via North Ave or the BeltLine; you can explore Ponce during the day and end your evening in the Highlands.
• Midtown
  • Stay in a Midtown hotel, then take a short rideshare to Virginia-Highland for a more neighborhood-style dinner.

Using Virginia-Highland as your “home base” for a meal is a practical way to experience Atlanta’s intown food scene without needing a car every step of the way.

If you’re searching for restaurants in the Highlands Atlanta, you’ll find everything from relaxed burgers and pizza to polished date-night spots, all within a compact, walkable village. Start at Virginia Avenue NE and North Highland Avenue NE, explore in a slow loop, and you’ll quickly see why this part of Atlanta is a go-to dining destination for both locals and visitors.