Highland Bakery in Atlanta: What to Know Before You Go

Highland Bakery is one of Atlanta’s most recognizable names for fresh-baked bread, cakes, pastries, and brunch-friendly sweets. If you live in Atlanta or you’re planning a visit, it’s a spot that often comes up when people are talking about desserts, sweet treats, and casual breakfast or brunch around the city.

This guide walks through what to expect at Highland Bakery, how it fits into Atlanta’s dessert scene, when to go, and practical tips for getting the most out of your visit.

What Is Highland Bakery Known For in Atlanta?

Highland Bakery started as a neighborhood bakery and café and has grown into a small local chain recognized across Atlanta. It’s best known for:

• Southern-style breakfast and brunch with a bakery twist
• House-made cakes, cupcakes, and pastries
• Sweet-and-savory comfort dishes (think sweet potato pancakes, French toast, and baked goods paired with eggs and grits)
• A casual, cozy atmosphere that feels very “Atlanta local” rather than touristy

Even though it’s categorized under Dessert and Sweet Treats, Highland Bakery also functions as a daytime restaurant where many Atlantans grab breakfast, brunch, or coffee with something sweet on the side.

Popular Highland Bakery Locations Around Atlanta

Highland Bakery has had multiple locations across metro Atlanta over time. Because restaurants can open, move, or change hours, it’s always wise to verify current locations and operating hours before you go. That said, here’s how locations typically fit into the city:

1. In-Town Neighborhood Spots

Historically, some of the most popular Highland Bakery locations have been in or near:

• Old Fourth Ward / Inman Park / Virginia-Highland area
• Midtown / Georgia Tech area
• Downtown / Government and college districts

These spots often draw:

• Nearby residents walking over for coffee and pastries
• Students and office workers grabbing a quick breakfast
• Weekend brunch crowds who plan around a sweet treat and a sit-down meal

2. Campus and Office-Adjoining Locations

Some locations have been attached to college campuses or office complexes, which is useful to know if you:

• Work downtown or in Midtown and want a reliable coffee-and-pastry stop
• Attend or visit nearby campuses and want an easy, familiar option for breakfast or lunch

Because these locations can be more sensitive to academic calendars and building access, hours may differ from the more neighborhood-based bakeries.

Dessert and Sweet Treats: What to Expect

Even though Highland Bakery is a full café, many Atlantans go specifically for desserts and baked goods. Offerings can vary by location and season, but you’ll commonly see:

Everyday Bakery Case Staples

You can usually expect a rotating selection of:

• Cakes by the slice – often in classic flavors like chocolate, red velvet, carrot, or seasonal flavors
• Cupcakes – iced generously, often with flavors that lean toward Southern comfort desserts
• Cookies and bars – chocolate chip, oatmeal, brownies, and specialty bars
• Breakfast pastries – muffins, cinnamon rolls, scones, and sweet breads

These are typically counter-service items you can order quickly for dine-in or takeout.

Cakes for Special Occasions

Highland Bakery is also known locally for custom cakes for birthdays, baby showers, weddings, and corporate events. If you live in Atlanta and want a dessert with a local, homemade feel rather than a mass-market option, this is often one of the bakeries people consider.

Typical options may include:

• Layer cakes in a variety of flavors and fillings
• Decorated occasion cakes with custom writing or designs
• Cupcake assortments for office parties or gatherings

Ordering ahead is usually necessary for larger or personalized orders, especially around weekends and holidays, when bakeries are busiest.

Beyond Dessert: Brunch and All-Day Sweet Comfort Food

Although this article is focused on desserts and sweets, you’ll experience Highland Bakery most fully if you know how it works as a brunch-style restaurant:

Classic Sweet Brunch Dishes

Many Atlantans associate Highland Bakery with:

• French toast and pancakes that lean sweet and indulgent
• Sweet potato or specialty pancakes (often topped with butter, syrup, and sometimes nuts or whipped cream)
• Baked goods served with meals – biscuits, breads, or muffins
• Flavored coffees or lattes that pair well with cake or pastries

If you’re more interested in dessert than a full meal, you can still:

• Order coffee and a pastry and treat it like a dessert café
• Choose cake by the slice as a mid-afternoon treat instead of a full dine-in brunch

When to Go: Timing Tips for Atlantans

Highland Bakery locations, especially the more central ones, can experience heavy traffic at peak times. If you’re in Atlanta and want dessert or a sweet snack, here’s how timing usually plays out:

Busiest Times

• Weekend brunch hours (roughly 10 a.m.–1 p.m.) often bring the longest waits
• Late morning on Saturdays and Sundays tends to be prime time for both breakfast and bakery orders
• Weekday mornings can be busy with commuters and students, but usually move quickly

Better Times for Dessert and Sweets

If your focus is dessert rather than a full brunch meal, you may have a smoother experience if you aim for:

• Mid-afternoon on weekdays – often quieter, easy to sit with coffee and cake
• Early weekdays after the morning rush – pastry cases are still well-stocked, but seating is easier
• Late morning on non-peak days – like Tuesday or Wednesday

A simple way to approach it:

Takeout, To-Go, and Ordering for Events

Highland Bakery generally offers several ways to enjoy their sweets if you don’t want to sit down for a full meal. Availability may differ by location, but here’s what many Atlantans rely on:

Quick Grab-and-Go

Ideal if you:

• Work nearby and want to pick up pastries for the office
• Are visiting Atlanta and want to bring back desserts to a hotel or rental
• Prefer to avoid busy dining rooms but still want cake, cookies, or cupcakes

Tips:

• Go earlier in the day if you want the widest dessert selection.
• If you have your heart set on a specific flavor, consider calling ahead to confirm availability.

Larger Orders and Catering

For birthdays, showers, office gatherings, or other events around Atlanta:

• You can often pre-order trays of pastries, cakes, or cupcakes.
• Customization (flavors, decorations, writing on cakes) usually requires advance notice.
• Around major holidays and graduation seasons, lead times may increase, so it’s smart to plan earlier than you think you need to.

Price Expectations for Desserts and Sweets

Prices can change over time and may vary slightly by location, but many Atlanta diners find Highland Bakery’s desserts to be moderately priced for a local, scratch-focused bakery.

In broad terms, you can expect something like:

If you’re budget-conscious:

• Ask about daily specials or smaller items if you just want a taste.
• Consider sharing a slice of cake if you’re pairing it with a full brunch entrée.

Dietary Considerations and Preferences

Highland Bakery is best known for traditional, indulgent baking: butter, sugar, flour, and classic Southern-style recipes. If you have dietary preferences or restrictions, it’s worth being intentional:

• Vegetarian options are usually easier to find, especially in pastries and some brunch items.
• Some locations may occasionally offer gluten-conscious or vegan-friendly items, but selection can be limited and varies by day.
• If you have a serious allergy, it’s important to understand that typical bakery environments may involve cross-contact with common allergens such as wheat, dairy, eggs, and nuts.

For peace of mind:

• Ask staff directly about ingredients and preparation.
• If you need strict avoidance of certain ingredients, consider whether a traditional bakery environment meets your comfort level.

How Highland Bakery Fits Into Atlanta’s Dessert Scene

Atlanta has a wide and growing dessert scene, from high-end patisseries to hole-in-the-wall donut shops. Highland Bakery sits in a middle ground that many locals appreciate:

• Neighborhood feel: Frequently used as a casual meet-up spot for friends, students, and coworkers.
• Family-friendly: Kids can enjoy cupcakes or cookies while adults have brunch and coffee.
• Visitor-friendly: Easy to understand menu, familiar flavors, and locations near busy city areas.

For Atlantans, Highland Bakery often functions as:

• A go-to birthday cake source when you want something above grocery-store quality but still approachable.
• A reliable brunch-and-dessert combo spot when hosting out-of-town guests.
• A comfortable workspace or catchup spot in the afternoon when crowds are lighter.

Practical Tips for Visiting Highland Bakery in Atlanta

To make your dessert-focused visit smoother, keep these simple tips in mind:

• Check the specific location’s hours before heading out; some close mid- to late-afternoon rather than staying open at night.
• Plan ahead for weekends – if you’re combining brunch with dessert, be ready for a wait during peak times.
• If you’re mainly after cake, cupcakes, or pastries, consider off-peak hours and focus on the bakery counter rather than full table service.
• For special orders or custom cakes, contact your preferred location well in advance, especially near holidays or graduation season.
• Parking situations can vary: in-town locations may rely more on street parking or shared lots, so allow extra time if you’re driving.

How an Atlantan Might Decide if Highland Bakery Is Right for Them

Highland Bakery is likely a good fit if you:

• Enjoy classic, comforting desserts and baked goods
• Want a place where you can get both a meal and something sweet
• Prefer a local Atlanta brand over a national chain
• Don’t mind daytime or early afternoon dessert runs (many locations are not late-night spots)

It may be less ideal if you’re looking for:

• Late-night dessert (it’s primarily a breakfast–lunch–afternoon bakery café)
• Highly specialized diet-restricted baking (such as exclusively gluten-free or vegan)
• Ultra-formal plated desserts you’d expect in fine-dining restaurants

For most people living in or visiting Atlanta, Highland Bakery works best as a daytime destination where dessert, brunch, and coffee intersect. If you keep timing, location, and your dessert cravings in mind, it can be a reliable, locally rooted place to satisfy a sweet tooth in the city.