97 Estoria in Atlanta: What to Know About This Cabbagetown Staple for International Flavors
97 Estoria is one of those Atlanta spots that doesn’t fit neatly into a single box. On the surface it’s a neighborhood bar in Cabbagetown, but the menu and crowd give it a more global, eclectic feel than your typical pub.
If you live in Atlanta, are staying nearby in Inman Park or Old Fourth Ward, or you’re just planning an evening around the BeltLine, 97 Estoria can be a relaxed way to dip into international-style bar food without anything feeling pretentious.
Where 97 Estoria Fits in Atlanta’s Restaurant Scene
Atlanta has a huge range of international cuisine options—Buford Highway, Westside, Midtown, and Decatur all have standout restaurants. 97 Estoria sits in a different niche:
- It’s primarily a bar, but with a food menu that pulls from multiple cuisines.
- You’ll see Tex-Mex, American, and global comfort food side by side.
- The vibe is more Cabbagetown dive bar than white-tablecloth restaurant.
If you’re looking for a relaxed place to grab a drink with pub food that has some international twists, 97 Estoria fits that lane well.
Location, Parking, and Getting There
Neighborhood: Cabbagetown (just southeast of downtown Atlanta)
Typical nearby landmarks: Krog Street Tunnel, Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail, Carroll Street restaurants
Many Atlanta locals pair a visit to 97 Estoria with:
- A walk or bike ride on the Eastside Trail
- Street art viewing at Krog Street Tunnel
- Exploring the narrow, historic streets of Cabbagetown
Getting There
- Driving: Cabbagetown streets are narrow; parking is often a mix of street parking and nearby neighborhood spots. Give yourself a few extra minutes to circle the block.
- Rideshare: Common choice, especially at night or on weekends.
- MARTA + walk/rideshare:
- Inman Park/Reynoldstown Station is the closest rail stop. From there, many people take a short rideshare or bike/scooter ride.
Atmosphere: Neighborhood Bar With a Global Edge
Walking into 97 Estoria, you’re likely to notice:
- A laid-back, lived-in interior with a classic neighborhood-bar feel
- A mix of locals, service industry workers, and visitors who’ve wandered over from the BeltLine or Krog Street
- An atmosphere that leans casual and unpolished, in a way many Atlantans find comfortable
This isn’t a spot for formal dining. It’s somewhere you:
- Meet friends for beer, cocktails, and hearty food
- Settle into a booth or bar stool for a few hours
- Take out-of-town guests who want to see a more local, off-the-mainstream Atlanta experience
Food: International-Influenced Bar Fare
The exact menu can change over time, but 97 Estoria has generally been known for bar food with international and Tex-Mex influences. It’s not a traditional “international restaurant,” but you’re likely to find:
Common Types of Dishes
Tex-Mex style items
- Tacos or taco-style specials
- Nachos and loaded chips
- Quesadillas or burrito-inspired plates
Global-leaning comfort food
- Sandwiches with flavor profiles pulled from different cuisines
- Spiced fries or tots with house sauces
- Hearty vegetarian options, depending on the season
Classic bar staples
- Burgers, wings, and fried appetizers
- Salads or bowls that combine fresh vegetables with globally inspired toppings
If you’re exploring international flavors in Atlanta, this is a good place to get approachable, bar-friendly versions of those influences, rather than ultra-traditional dishes.
Drinks: Beer, Cocktails, and a Neighborhood Bar Feel
As much as 97 Estoria is about food, it’s also known as a Cabbagetown bar first:
- Beer selection: Rotating drafts, domestics, and often craft options that appeal to locals
- Cocktails: Simple, straightforward mixed drinks rather than elaborate craft cocktails
- Non-alcoholic: Soft drinks and usually a few zero-proof options, depending on current offerings
For Atlanta residents who like to bar-hop around the Eastside Trail, 97 Estoria often sits in the same mental map as:
- Carroll Street bars and restaurants
- Krog Street Market
- Edgewood nightlife (a short drive away)
Who 97 Estoria Is Best For
97 Estoria tends to suit a specific type of Atlanta outing. It can be a strong fit if you:
- ✅ Want a casual, local bar that also serves international-influenced bar food
- ✅ Enjoy mixing beer and pub snacks with a bit of global flavor
- ✅ Are already exploring Cabbagetown, Inman Park, or the BeltLine
- ✅ Prefer unpolished, character-filled spaces over sleek, modern restaurants
It may be less ideal if you:
- ❌ Want a formal sit-down international dining experience
- ❌ Need a quiet, reserved environment for a business dinner
- ❌ Are looking for very specific regional cuisines in their traditional form (for that, most Atlantans head to corridors like Buford Highway, parts of Doraville, or Decatur)
Planning Your Visit: Practical Tips for Atlantans and Visitors
To make a visit to 97 Estoria smoother, especially if you’re planning around other Atlanta activities:
1. Time Your Visit
- Evenings and weekends tend to be busier, with more of a bar crowd.
- If you’re more focused on the food, some Atlantans prefer earlier in the evening when the atmosphere is a bit calmer.
2. Think About Transportation
Because Cabbagetown streets can be tight and parking inconsistent, many people:
- Use rideshare in and out of the neighborhood
- Pair the visit with a walk from nearby Inman Park, Reynoldstown, or the Eastside Trail
3. Combine It With Nearby Spots
You can easily build an international-themed day or evening around 97 Estoria:
- Start with a walk on the Eastside Trail, which connects to areas with plenty of global food options.
- Add dessert or snacks from another international spot near Krog Street Market or along Memorial Drive.
- End the night back at 97 Estoria for a nightcap.
How 97 Estoria Compares to Other International Food Options in Atlanta
It helps to think of 97 Estoria as part of a broader ecosystem of international choices in the city:
| Type of Experience | Where 97 Estoria Fits | Other Common Atlanta Options |
|---|---|---|
| Atmosphere | Casual neighborhood bar | Casual eateries to white-tablecloth spots |
| Food style | Bar food with international influences | Traditional regional cuisines and street-food style fare |
| Best for | Drinks + hearty global-leaning bar bites | Focused exploration of one country or region |
| Typical neighborhood feel | Historic, artsy Cabbagetown | Ranges from suburban plazas to urban corridors |
| Ideal diner | Locals, BeltLine explorers, laid-back groups | Diners seeking specific cuisines or formal meals |
If you’re new to Atlanta and want to see how locals eat and hang out, 97 Estoria gives you a snapshot of:
- How international flavors filter into everyday bar food
- What a non-touristy Cabbagetown evening can feel like
- How close Atlanta’s neighborhoods are to each other—Cabbagetown, Inman Park, Old Fourth Ward, and Reynoldstown all blend into one evening’s plans
Using 97 Estoria as a Starting Point for Exploring International Food in Atlanta
For someone building an international food itinerary, 97 Estoria can work as:
- A launch point: Start with drinks and bar snacks, then head to a more specialized restaurant elsewhere in the city.
- A middle stop: Grab a late lunch or early dinner before a show downtown or in Little Five Points.
- A final stop: End the evening with a low-key atmosphere after trying more traditional international restaurants earlier.
If you’re staying in Downtown, Old Fourth Ward, or along the BeltLine, it’s a convenient way to:
- Experience a local Atlanta neighborhood
- Get global-inspired bar food without leaving the core city
- See a side of Atlanta that’s more neighborhoody than touristy
For Atlanta residents and visitors alike, 97 Estoria isn’t the city’s most traditional international restaurant—but it is a longstanding Cabbagetown bar where international flavors show up in an easygoing, bar-food format. If that’s the kind of evening you’re after, it can be a very Atlanta way to eat and drink.