The Atlanta BeltLine just keeps exploding with new places to eat and drink. A retro lounge above a plant shop. An Argentinian bakery inside Kroger. Tacos served out of a shipping container. If you blinked, you might have missed these BeltLine restaurant openings in the past few months. But the cherry trees are already blooming, you're probably sneezing, and you know the BeltLine will be buzzing soon with spring. So here are some places to check out before the crowds come, including one that's blowing up on TikTok.
Tucked away at the bottom of the giant office towers known as Fourth Ward Offices, 3 Parks Wine is technically not a restaurant but is a great place to sample new wines. You can choose your region and get three tasting-size pours. Owned by Sarah Pierre, the original shop in Glenwood Park has racked up "best of" awards from Wine Enthusiast and Atlanta Magazine. The BeltLine location has two long tables for tastings and events inside, or you can bring your own nibbles and make a picnic of it on their ample patio facing Historic Fourth Ward Park. Tip: Buy some gourmet cheese from Kroger and head down the stairs.
One of the spoils of travel is empanadas - everyday fare for Latin countries like Argentina. And once you've had them, you'll look for any chance to eat them again. Which is why we're glad to see that Belen de la Cruz, already with locations sprinkled around the metro, has opened behind the former sushi counter at Kroger on the BeltLine. These empanadas are the real thing, and you don't have to pack a bag to get them. (Although maybe you want to). Tip: Our favorite is the beef.
Some of us will take good tacos anywhere we can get 'em. A food truck, a grocery across from a prison, even a shipping container. The owners of Das BBQ have gone Tex-Mex, and set up shop on the lower plaza of the Fourth Ward office towers. Street tacos are all about the meat, and these are made with Das BBQ's smoked brisket, chicken and sausage. Their hours aren't posted, so you might have to get it when you get it. And when you do, there's plenty of seating on the plaza, even some swings to share a romantic moment with your Taylor or Travis.
On the other side of Historic Fourth Ward Park, Finca to Filter coffee shop has opened on the ground floor of Iris O4W apartments, sharing space with the leasing office. Not sure how Iris residents feel about this, but it makes a great coworking space for the rest of us, for the price of a coffee rather than those crazy WeWork rates. You can slide into community booths with 5 other people, or if you're lucky, get a small table to yourself. There's even a printer if you need a paper trail. It's also super pup-friendly, offering puppa-ccinos and a doggie bed under the window counter.
This gorgeous 1960s-inspired lounge above The Victorian plant shop is blowing up on TikTok, and it's easy to see why. Their tiled interior, quirky seating areas inside and out - oh and an entire plant shop downstairs - make this watering hole cozy and lush. Located just off the BeltLine in the Fourth Ward office park, you can enter through the plant shop or take the outside ramp. This place may be the next hot spot.
Want to try new restaurants? Join a Food and Street Art Tour on the Atlanta BeltLine. You will get a sampling of the diverse cuisines that make Atlanta a foodie town. Along the way, uncover secrets behind the vibrant street art, including ties to Hollywood. Come see for yourself how the BeltLine is completely transforming Atlanta, and find hidden gems you might not discover by walking the BeltLine on your own. Book early for spring!
An Atlanta native, Nicole Gustin is the Founder and CEO of BiteLines Atlanta Food Tours, which offers walking food tours on the Atlanta BeltLine, and a one-of-a-kind restaurant crawl for dogs. She considers the BeltLine her backyard, and is excited to see how Atlanta is reinventing itself. To sample some of Atlanta's best restaurants and street art, join us on our unforgettable Food Tour on the Atlanta BeltLine. Or bring your fur baby on Barks & Bites: Doggie Crawl on the BeltLine. Follow on TikTok, Facebook and Instagram @bitelinesatl.