Folk Art Restaurant in Inman Park: A Local’s Guide to This Atlanta Favorite
If you spend any time around Inman Park in Atlanta, you’ll hear people mention Folk Art Restaurant. It’s one of those neighborhood spots that works just as well for a lazy weekend brunch as it does for a casual weekday lunch before exploring the BeltLine.
This guide walks through what Folk Art is known for, what to expect when you go, and how to fit a visit into a day in Inman Park or nearby Old Fourth Ward.
Where Folk Art Restaurant Fits in Atlanta’s Food Scene
Folk Art is best known as a Southern-style diner with a creative twist. It’s casual, often busy, and popular with both locals and visitors who are:
- Exploring Inman Park and the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail
- Coming from Krog Street Market or the Studioplex / Edgewood area
- Looking for a hearty brunch or lunch near downtown and Midtown
You’ll usually see a mix of:
- Neighborhood regulars grabbing breakfast
- Families on weekends
- BeltLine walkers and cyclists stopping in for a meal
- Visitors pairing a meal here with a walk to Krog Street Tunnel or the Freedom Park Trail
Location, Parking, and How to Get There
Folk Art’s Inman Park location places it in an easily walkable, transit-friendly part of the city.
General area:
Inman Park, Atlanta, GA 30307
Near the intersection of Highland Avenue NE and Elizabeth Street NE
Getting there from around Atlanta
From Downtown / Midtown:
Drive east via Freedom Parkway or North Avenue toward Inman Park. Expect a 10–15 minute drive outside of heavy rush hour.By MARTA:
- Take the Blue or Green Line to Inman Park/Reynoldstown Station.
- From the station, it’s about a 15–20 minute walk through neighborhood streets, or a short rideshare trip.
From the BeltLine Eastside Trail:
- Exit near Elizabeth Street NE or Highland Avenue NE and walk a few blocks into Inman Park.
- Many people plan Folk Art as a BeltLine brunch stop.
Parking tips
Parking in Inman Park can be tight, especially on weekends:
- Expect a mix of street parking on surrounding residential streets.
- Watch carefully for permit-only or time-limited signs; Inman Park is a residential neighborhood with some restrictions.
- On busy Saturdays and Sundays, build in a 10–15 minute buffer to find parking and walk.
If you prefer not to drive, rideshare or MARTA plus a short walk are common choices.
What Folk Art Restaurant Is Known For
A creative Southern-style menu
Folk Art is especially associated with:
- Brunch-friendly plates – eggs, waffles, biscuits, and hashes
- Southern comfort dishes with twists like specialty sandwiches, burgers, and hearty sides
- A balance of classic diner items and more inventive combinations
You’ll often see:
- Fried chicken paired with waffles or biscuits
- Generous portions of potatoes or grits
- Sandwiches that are easy to grab before walking the neighborhood
It’s not a fine-dining spot. Think casual, filling, and relaxed, with a bit of personality.
Atmosphere and vibe
Inside, expect:
- A diner-meets-eclectic-art feel, with creative décor
- A generally lively room, especially during peak brunch hours
- A mix of bar seating, tables, and sometimes a waitlist during prime times
The crowd tends to skew:
- Younger adults and couples
- Neighborhood residents
- Groups doing an Inman Park + Krog Street Market day out
If you prefer quieter times, weekdays or late-morning/early-afternoon on non-holiday weeks are often less busy than Saturday and Sunday brunch rush.
When to Go: Hours, Wait Times, and Peak Periods
Hours can change, but the general pattern is:
- Daytime-focused service, with breakfast, brunch, and lunch at the center
- Strong emphasis on weekend brunch
For the most common experience:
- 🕒 Peak times:
- Late morning to early afternoon on Saturdays and Sundays
- Expect potential wait times during prime brunch hours
- 🕒 Less crowded times:
- Weekdays after the early breakfast rush
- Later afternoons, when many people have already eaten and moved on
If you’re planning a visit from out of town and are on a schedule (for a flight, event, or game), aiming for an off-peak window helps you avoid unexpected delays.
How Folk Art Fits into an “Attractions” Day in Inman Park
Folk Art isn’t a tourist attraction in the museum sense, but in Atlanta it functions as a destination restaurant within an area that many people explore as an attraction in itself.
Pairing Folk Art with nearby things to do
You can easily build out a half-day or full day around a meal here:
1. BeltLine + Brunch Combo
- Start with a walk, run, or bike ride on the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail
- Stop at Folk Art for brunch or lunch
- Continue on to Ponce City Market, Old Fourth Ward Park, or Krog Street Market
2. Inman Park + Krog Street
- Eat at Folk Art in Inman Park
- Walk through the historic Inman Park neighborhood to see the Victorian homes and leafy streets
- Head toward Krog Street Market for shopping or a snack
- Check out Krog Street Tunnel for its ever-changing street art
3. Neighborhood Stroll from Midtown or Old Fourth Ward
- If you’re staying in Midtown or near Ponce City Market, take a rideshare or BeltLine walk down to Inman Park
- Make Folk Art your midday anchor before visiting nearby bars, green spaces, or markets
What to Expect: Service, Seating, and Accessibility
Service style
Folk Art operates like a sit-down diner/restaurant:
- Guests are usually seated by a host during busy times
- Servers take your order at the table
- Expect a casual, neighborhood feel rather than formal service
Seating and space
Depending on the current layout, you may find:
- Tables for couples and small groups
- Bar or counter seating for solo diners or pairs
- A lively, sometimes crowded room at peak hours
If you’re visiting with a larger group, consider:
- Arriving earlier than peak times
- Being ready to wait a bit if your group is larger than 4–6 people
Accessibility considerations
Atlanta restaurants vary widely in accessibility. Before going, many locals and visitors:
- Confirm how entry doors, steps, or ramps are set up
- Ask about restroom accessibility if needed
- Check if there’s bar seating only or mixed seating with standard tables
Because layouts and policies can change, it’s best to call the restaurant directly if you have specific mobility or seating needs.
Quick Snapshot: Planning a Visit to Folk Art – Inman Park
| Aspect | What to Know for Atlanta Visitors and Locals |
|---|---|
| Neighborhood | Inman Park, on the east side of Atlanta |
| Best For | Brunch, breakfast, and casual lunch near the BeltLine |
| Typical Vibe | Lively, casual, neighborhood-focused |
| Crowd | Locals, BeltLine users, nearby residents, visitors exploring Inman Park |
| Transit Options | MARTA Inman Park/Reynoldstown Station + walk or rideshare |
| Driving/Parking | Street parking; allow extra time on weekends |
| Good To Pair With | BeltLine Eastside Trail, Krog Street Market, Inman Park strolls |
| Group-Friendly | Yes, but large groups may face waits at peak times |
Practical Tips for Atlantans and Visitors
A few Atlanta-specific details can make your visit smoother:
Plan around traffic:
On weekends, traffic around Freedom Parkway, Moreland Avenue, and DeKalb Avenue can slow down. Extra time helps if you have a reservation elsewhere afterward.Check for neighborhood events:
During big neighborhood days like Inman Park Festival (typically in spring), area restaurants—including Folk Art—may be much busier than usual, and parking becomes harder to find.Build in walk time:
Part of the appeal of Folk Art’s Inman Park location is how walkable it is. Many Atlantans plan to park once, eat, and then walk to nearby parks, the BeltLine, or Krog Street Market.Consider weather:
On nice-weather weekends, BeltLine traffic increases, which often translates into longer waits at nearby restaurants like Folk Art. On rainy weekdays, you may find it easier to get a seat.
Is Folk Art in Inman Park Worth Adding to Your Atlanta Plans?
For locals, Folk Art tends to be the kind of place you go when you want:
- A reliable brunch spot without needing to cross the whole city
- A stop after a BeltLine walk or bike ride
- A casual restaurant to show visiting friends a piece of Atlanta’s east-side food scene
For visitors, it fits well into any itinerary that includes:
- Time on the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail
- Exploring Inman Park, Krog Street Market, or Old Fourth Ward
- Seeing a different side of Atlanta than just downtown hotels or major attractions
If you’re already planning to spend time on the east side—Inman Park, Old Fourth Ward, or along the BeltLine—adding a meal at Folk Art Restaurant in Inman Park is an easy way to experience a local-favorite spot that feels very much like Atlanta.
