Pienanny in Atlanta: Where to Find Great International Pies and Savory Pastries

If you’re searching for “Pienanny” in Atlanta, you’re most likely looking for international-style pies, savory pastries, and comfort bakes from around the world—things like meat pies, hand pies, empanadas, samosas, Jamaican patties, or Eastern European pastries.

Atlanta has a surprisingly deep bench of spots where you can get that kind of global pie experience, even if the word “Pienanny” itself isn’t a standard local term. Think of it as a hunt for the best international pies in Atlanta—both sweet and savory.

This guide walks you through where to go, what to expect, and how to choose the right place based on neighborhood, cuisine type, and budget.

What “Pienanny” Really Means in an Atlanta Context

Locally, you won’t see “Pienanny” on many signs or menus. But if you’re in Atlanta and craving that international pie feast, you’re usually looking for:

• Savory meat pies and hand pies
• Stuffed pastries tied to specific cultures (Caribbean, Latin American, European, African, and more)
• Bakery-style pies and tarts with global flavors
• Street-food-style pockets you can eat on the go

Instead of searching for “Pienanny” literally, Atlantans typically look for:

• Caribbean bakeries
• Latin American bakeries and taquerias
• African, Middle Eastern, or Eastern European bakeries
• Upscale restaurants with global pie-inspired dishes

The sections below map that out in a way that’s actually useful if you live in or are visiting Atlanta.

Key Types of International “Pies” You’ll Find in Atlanta

To find your personal version of “Pienanny,” it helps to know what categories Atlanta does well.

1. Caribbean Patties and Coco Bread

Around Atlanta, Jamaican and broader Caribbean spots are some of the most common places to find flaky, handheld savory pies.

Typical items include:

• Jamaican beef patties – spicy ground beef in a crisp, golden pastry
• Chicken or veggie patties
• Coco bread – soft, slightly sweet bread often holding a patty like a sandwich

You’ll find these in:

• Caribbean takeout restaurants
• Small bakeries in strip centers
• Food courts or stalls in diverse neighborhoods

Neighborhoods where Caribbean patties are especially common:

• Stone Mountain / Clarkston area
• South DeKalb
• Parts of Southwest Atlanta

2. Latin American Empanadas and Savory Bakes

Empanadas function very much like hand pies and are widely available around metro Atlanta.

Common fillings:

• Beef with onions, olives, or potatoes
• Shredded chicken
• Cheese and spinach
• Sweet fillings like dulce de leche

You’ll see empanadas and similar bakes at:

• Argentinian, Colombian, Venezuelan, and Mexican restaurants
• Latin bakeries and panaderías
• Food trucks and weekend markets

Popular areas to look:

• Buford Highway corridor (Doraville, Chamblee, Brookhaven)
• Norcross and Duluth
• Parts of Marietta and Smyrna

3. European-Style Savory Pies and Pastries

If your idea of “Pienanny” leans more toward buttery pastry and classic comfort, Atlanta’s international bakeries can be a fit.

You may find:

• Meat or mushroom pies with European seasoning
• Savory quiches with cheese, vegetables, or ham
• Spanakopita-style spinach pies and other Mediterranean bakes
• British-style meat pies at some pubs or specialty shops

Look in:

• Intown neighborhoods like Midtown, Inman Park, and Virginia-Highland for bistros and bakeries
• Chamblee and Doraville for Eastern European and Mediterranean markets

4. Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, and African Stuffed Pastries

Many Middle Eastern and African pastries fit the “savory pie” category even if they’re not called pies.

You might find:

• Sambusas / samosas – triangular pastries stuffed with spiced meat or lentils
• Börek / burek – layered or rolled pastries often filled with cheese, meat, or spinach
• Fatayer – small pies filled with spinach, cheese, or meat

Good areas to explore:

• Decatur and Clarkston – known for East African, Middle Eastern, and refugee-owned bakeries
• Buford Highway – broad range of global bakeries and markets

5. Classic American Pies with a Global Twist

Some Atlantans think of “Pienanny” as a big, shared pie experience—not just hand pies. In that case, consider:

• Southern-style pie shops that incorporate:
  • Global ingredients (cardamom, matcha, tropical fruits)
  • International techniques (custards, tarts, galettes)
• Farmers markets and pop-ups where bakers experiment with flavors from their home countries

Areas with frequent pop-ups and specialty pie offerings:

• Poncey-Highland / Old Fourth Ward
• Grant Park
• West Midtown / Upper Westside

Check local market schedules and food hall lineups if you want to plan a “pie crawl.”

Where to Start Your International Pie Hunt in Atlanta

Below is a high-level map of where you’re most likely to find a good “Pienanny” style experience around metro Atlanta. This isn’t a ranked list, but a practical guide by area and style.

How to Choose the Right Spot for Your “Pienanny” Experience

When you’re in Atlanta and trying to decide where to go, consider these factors:

1. Are you craving a sit-down meal or grab-and-go?

• Grab-and-go:
  Look for Caribbean, Latin, or African takeout spots near you in Google Maps or other map apps using terms like:
  • “Jamaican patties”
  • “Empanadas”
  • “Samosa” or “sambusa”
• Sit-down:
  Check international restaurants that highlight baked specialties on the menu. Brunch-focused places sometimes offer quiche, pot pies, or global-inspired pastries.

2. How far are you willing to travel?

Atlanta traffic is real. If you’re:

• Intown (Midtown, Downtown, Inman Park, Grant Park):
  You’ll have better access to modern bakeries and creative pie menus.
• Northeast (Brookhaven, Chamblee, Doraville, Norcross, Duluth):
  You’re in a strong Latin American corridor with many empanada options and global bakeries.
• East / Southeast (Decatur, Clarkston, Stone Mountain):
  You’re close to Caribbean bakeries and African/Middle Eastern pastry shops.

3. Do you need something kid-friendly or group-friendly?

For an Atlanta “Pienanny” that feels like a family event or group tasting:

• Consider ordering a variety of pies and pastries from different places:
  • A box of empanadas from a Latin bakery
  • A dozen Jamaican patties from a Caribbean shop
  • A tray of sambusas from an East African cafe
• Many bakeries and small restaurants offer tray orders or catering if you call ahead—helpful if you’re hosting a party or office tasting.

Practical Tips for Ordering International Pies in Atlanta

A few things Atlantans often find helpful when trying new international spots:

1. Call Ahead for Large Orders

If you’re planning a true “Pienanny” party (tasting event, office lunch, game night):

• Call at least a day or two in advance
• Ask:
  • Which items hold up best for travel
  • Whether they offer warming instructions
  • If they can cut larger pies into smaller pieces for sampling

2. Check Halal, Kosher, or Vegetarian Needs

Atlanta is diverse, and many international bakeries and restaurants:

• Offer halal meat
• Have vegetarian or vegan pie options (spinach pies, cheese pastries, veggie empanadas)
• Occasionally offer gluten-conscious or alternative-flour options

If dietary needs matter, call the restaurant or bakery directly and ask specific questions about ingredients and preparation.

3. Use Farmers Markets and Food Halls as “Sampler Hubs”

If you’re visiting Atlanta or don’t know where to begin:

• Food halls and urban markets often host multiple international vendors in one place.
• Weekend farmers markets (like those around Grant Park, Decatur, or other intown neighborhoods) sometimes feature home-style bakers offering pies and pastries influenced by their cultural background.

This can be a simple way to try several “Pienanny-style” foods in a single outing.

Helpful Atlanta-Based Contacts and Resources

While there’s no single “Pienanny office,” you can use a few local resources to discover new international pie spots:

• City of Atlanta Office of International Affairs
  55 Trinity Ave SW
  Atlanta, GA 30303
  This office focuses on global engagement and can sometimes point you toward cultural festivals or events where international foods, including pies and pastries, are featured.

• DeKalb County and City Event Calendars
  Many international food festivals, night markets, and cultural celebrations in DeKalb County, especially near Clarkston and Decatur, include vendors selling traditional pies, patties, and pastries.

• Local Visitor Centers
  Physical visitor centers in Downtown or Midtown can provide printed guides and maps that include areas like Buford Highway, often highlighting its multicultural food scene where you’ll find many “Pienanny-worthy” options.

How to Plan Your Own Atlanta “Pienanny” Day

If you want to turn this into a dedicated food outing:

1. Pick One Area
   Choose Buford Highway, Clarkston, Stone Mountain, or an intown neighborhood to keep driving time reasonable.

2. Choose 2–3 Spots
   Mix:

   • One Caribbean or Latin spot
   • One African or Middle Eastern bakery or cafe
   • One modern bakery or pie shop

3. Share and Compare

   • Order small portions or multiple fillings to share.
   • Note what you like: flaky crust vs. dense, spicy vs. mild, meat vs. veggie.

4. Save Favorites for Future Orders
   Once you find a place you like, ask:

   • Do they offer party trays?
   • How much notice do they need for large orders?

This approach works well for locals planning parties, people new to Atlanta learning the food scene, and visitors who want a focused, memorable food experience.

If you think of “Pienanny” as a celebration of pies, patties, and stuffed pastries from around the world, Atlanta is a strong city to explore. By focusing on specific neighborhoods and knowing the right terms—patties, empanadas, sambusas, meat pies—you can easily build your own international pie adventure without leaving metro Atlanta.