Alon’s Bakery & Market in Atlanta: What to Know Before You Go

Alon’s Bakery & Market is one of Atlanta’s most recognizable spots for European-style baked goods, specialty foods, and prepared meals. For many locals, it fills several roles at once: neighborhood bakery, casual café, gourmet market, and a dependable place to pick up party platters or last‑minute desserts.

If you live in Atlanta—or you’re visiting and want to eat like locals do—this guide walks through what Alon’s offers, where to find it, and how to make the most of a visit.

Where Is Alon’s Bakery & Market in Atlanta?

Alon’s operates multiple locations in metro Atlanta. Exact addresses and phone numbers can change over time, but the core areas are:

• Virginia-Highland – The original neighborhood bakery and market, in one of Atlanta’s most walkable intown districts.
• Dunwoody / Perimeter area – A larger market-style location convenient to Perimeter Center offices, the mall, and nearby suburbs.
• Additional locations or kiosks may appear in high-traffic retail or mixed-use centers as the business grows.

Because hours and offerings can vary by store, it’s smart to:

• Check hours of operation before you go, especially around holidays.
• Confirm which location you’re choosing if you’re using a map app or rideshare.

What Type of Place Is Alon’s: Bakery, Café, or Market?

Alon’s fits best into the “Food Halls and Markets” niche within Atlanta’s restaurant scene. Each location typically combines:

• European bakery – Breads, croissants, pastries, cakes, tarts, cookies.
• Gourmet market – Cheeses, charcuterie, pantry items, snacks, imported goods.
• Prepared foods and café – Sandwiches, salads, hot foods, coffee, and drinks.
• Catering & party trays – Platters and baked goods for gatherings.

This makes it a flexible option whether you’re:

• Grabbing a quick coffee and croissant
• Picking up lunch to-go
• Shopping for specialty ingredients
• Ordering desserts or platters for a celebration

What You’ll Find at Alon’s: Core Offerings

1. Fresh Breads and Pastries

Alon’s is best known for its European-style baking, which typically includes:

• Artisan breads – baguettes, country loaves, multigrain, sourdough, and seasonal varieties
• Croissants and breakfast pastries – classic, chocolate, almond, and fruit-filled options
• Danishes, muffins, scones, and brioche

For Atlanta residents, Alon’s often serves as a weekend breakfast destination or a regular stop for bread to serve with dinner.

Tips for locals and visitors:

• 🕗 Go earlier in the day if you want the fullest selection of pastries.
• For holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter, pre-orders are often recommended or required for popular baked goods.

2. Cakes, Tarts, and Desserts

Alon’s dessert case is a major draw, especially for birthdays, special occasions, and dinner parties. You’ll usually see:

• Whole cakes in classic and European styles
• Individual desserts like mini cakes, mousse cups, or petits gâteaux
• Fruit tarts and chocolate tarts
• Cookies, brownies, and bars

Atlanta residents often use Alon’s as a go-to for:

• Birthday cakes
• Office celebrations
• Host/hostess gifts (a cake or tart instead of a bottle of wine)

Because popular items can sell out, Atlantans planning a specific dessert for an event commonly:

• Call ahead to ask about availability, or
• Place a special order several days in advance, especially for customized cakes.

3. Prepared Foods and Café Options

Alon’s isn’t just a bakery; it functions like a casual café and deli. Depending on the location and time of day, you’ll typically find:

• Hot and cold sandwiches (often with European cheeses and cured meats)
• Prepared salads and sides in a deli case
• Soups (especially in cooler months)
• Hot entrées or daily specials at certain locations
• Breakfast items such as quiche, egg sandwiches, or breakfast pastries
• Coffee drinks, tea, and sometimes wine or beer options where permitted

Atlanta workers often stop by:

• In the morning for coffee and a pastry on the way to Midtown, Downtown, or Perimeter offices
• At lunchtime for a sandwich or salad to eat in or take back to the office
• On the way home to pick up a prepared entrée and sides instead of cooking

4. Gourmet Market and Specialty Groceries

As a market, Alon’s tends to stock:

• Cheese and charcuterie – both imported and domestic
• Olive oils, vinegars, and condiments
• Crackers, breads, and snack items that pair well with wine or cheese
• Chocolate and sweets from European or specialty brands
• Pantry staples suitable for more refined home cooking

This makes Alon’s a useful stop if you live in Atlanta and want to put together:

• A cheese and charcuterie board for a dinner party
• A small picnic spread for Piedmont Park, the BeltLine, or a concert at Chastain Park
• A gift basket for holidays, new neighbors, or thank-you gifts

Eating at Alon’s vs. Taking Food Home

Both Atlanta locations generally offer indoor seating and sometimes outdoor tables, depending on the site.

Eating There

Good for:

• Solo coffee breaks or laptop time
• Casual meetups
• Breakfast after a morning walk in Virginia-Highland or near Perimeter trails

Keep in mind:

• Peak times (weekend mornings, lunchtime) can be crowded.
• Seating is first-come, first-served, not table-service restaurant style.

Taking Food To-Go

Many Atlantans use Alon’s almost like a takeout hub:

• Grab a combination of entrees, sides, and dessert for a full meal at home.
• Pick up breads and cheeses before heading to a potluck or gathering.
• Use prepared salads and deli items to supplement home-cooked main dishes.

Price Range and What to Expect

Alon’s is generally considered a mid- to higher-priced option compared with typical chain bakeries or grocery store bakeries in Atlanta. You’re paying for:

• Artisan baking and specialty ingredients
• Imported products in the market section
• Prepared foods that are closer to restaurant-style than basic takeout

Typical Atlanta customer patterns:

• Everyday items like bread or a pastry are manageable for many budgets.
• Larger purchases—like multiple cakes, platters, or cheese boards—are usually reserved for special occasions, holidays, or entertaining.

When to Visit: Timing and Crowds

Crowd levels at Alon’s locations generally follow predictable Atlanta patterns.

Busiest times:

• Saturday and Sunday mornings – brunch and pastry rush
• Weekday lunch hours – surrounding office workers and locals
• Major holidays and the days before them – Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, Rosh Hashanah, and other festive periods

Quieter times typically include:

• Mid-morning on weekdays
• Mid-afternoon between lunch and dinner

If you’re in Atlanta and want to avoid a long line:

• ⏰ Aim for off-peak hours when possible.
• For big orders, call ahead to confirm preparation and pickup times.

Special Orders, Catering, and Events

Alon’s plays a significant role in Atlanta home entertaining and office events. Many customers turn to them for:

Catering & Platters

Common options may include:

• Sandwich trays for office meetings
• Breakfast pastry assortments for early-morning events
• Cheese and charcuterie platters for evening gatherings
• Dessert platters or assortments of mini pastries

Atlanta hosts often place orders for:

• Corporate lunches in areas like Midtown, Buckhead, and Perimeter
• Holiday parties, both at home and in offices
• Showers, birthdays, and engagement parties

Planning Ahead

For catering or special orders in Atlanta, people typically:

• Order several days in advance, longer during holiday seasons.
• Confirm pickup location and time carefully, especially if traffic or parking could be an issue.

Dietary Considerations and Ingredient Awareness

Alon’s features European-style baking that often uses butter, wheat flour, eggs, and dairy. While some items may suit certain dietary needs, it’s not a dedicated allergen-free or specialty diet bakery.

If you have specific dietary goals or restrictions in Atlanta:

• Ask staff which items, if any, are gluten-free, vegetarian, or vegan-friendly.
• Inquire about nut use and potential cross-contact if you have allergies.
• Remember that recipe details can change over time; staff at the counter can usually provide the most current information.

Getting There and Parking in Atlanta

Each location has a slightly different parking and access experience:

Virginia-Highland Area

• Typically street parking plus any nearby shared lots.
• This neighborhood can be busy on weekends and evenings, especially when the weather is nice and people are walking to bars and restaurants.
• Many locals walk or bike from nearby streets or use rideshare to avoid circling for a spot.

Dunwoody / Perimeter Area

• Often has shared parking lots with surrounding shops and restaurants.
• Close to major roads like I‑285 and GA‑400, useful if you’re coming from Sandy Springs, Brookhaven, or further out in the suburbs.

General Atlanta tips:

• During peak times, build in extra time for parking.
• If you’re picking up a large catering order, consider having one person stay with the vehicle while another runs inside, especially in busier intown areas.

How Alon’s Fits into Atlanta’s Food Scene

Alon’s has become part of the everyday food rhythm for many Atlantans:

• Intown residents use the Virginia-Highland location almost like a neighborhood bakery and café.
• Northside and Perimeter residents rely on the Dunwoody area store as a gourmet market and prepared-food stop, particularly on weeknights and weekends.
• Visitors often hear about Alon’s from locals as a place to experience European-style pastries without leaving Atlanta.

For anyone exploring Atlanta’s food halls and markets, Alon’s stands out as a hybrid space—not a full grocery store, not just a café, but a compact destination for quality baked goods, prepared foods, and upscale pantry items.

Quick Reference: What to Expect at Alon’s Bakery & Market

For Atlanta residents and visitors alike, Alon’s Bakery & Market is most useful when you know what you want from it—a quick coffee, a full dinner to-go, or a showpiece cake—and plan your visit around peak hours, parking, and advance ordering when needed.