Lain and Amelia

Good Places to Eat and Drink

Lunch, Dinner, and Beers

Brick Store Pub — 125 East Court Square — Map

Our favorite local beer emporium is also one of the greatest beer bars in the world. Don’t believe us? Ask Beer Advocate. Reasonably priced. Great for: People who enjoy beer, people who enjoy food, people who enjoy things that Lain and Amelia love, people who cannot believe a beer this good cost this little.

Leon’s Full Service – 131 East Ponce de Leon Avenue — Map

Where fancy (yet affordable) cocktails, a seasonal menu, and excellent beer converge to enjoy one of the best patios in town. A little more expensive than Brick Store, but not by much. Great for: vegetarians, meat eaters, people who enjoy watching their bartender make a cocktail, bocce players, sun lovers.

Taqueria del Sol — 359 West Ponce de Leon Avenue — Map

Lain and Amelia eat here at least once a week, and not just because we live next door. Mexican with a Southern twist (see: fried chicken tacos). Super affordable, odd hours (don't even try to go on Sunday). Great for: People who like cheese, people who like margaritas.

Farm Burger — 410 West Ponce de Leon Avenue — Map

If Amelia were not marrying Lain, she would be marrying Farm Burger's #4 chicken burger and they would be very happy together. Grass-fed beef burgers, plus outstanding chicken and vegetarian patties. Build your own or go with one of their eight set options–don’t neglect the sides. Great for: Amelia, people who want to eat Amelia’s favorite food, people who like delicious things.

Cakes & Ale — 155 Sycamore Street — Map

Cakes & Ale has been named one of Bon Appetit’s Ten Best New Restaurant—twice (the second inclusion is explained by the bakery, new in 2012). You should trust them. Lunch and brunch in the bakery aren't expensive, but dinner is fancier (though still not pricy compared to, say, the same dinner in Chicago). Great for: vegetarians, discerning palates, people who are snootier than we are on the reg.

The Marlay — 426 W. Ponce de Leon Avenue — Map

Our local-est bar, The Marlay is an Irish pub with great food, a swell beer selection, and a wonderful patio. Lain has been known to say “All I want to eat is the BLT at the Marlay.” Amelia wants you to know they serve their (delicious) fries/chips with bleu cheese sauce. Great for: patio sittin’, beer drinkin’, nice place enjoyin’.

No. 246 — 129 E. Ponce de Leon Avenue — Map

Delicious Italian food served in one of the best spaces in Decatur. Three dollar signs, eight smiley faces! There’s ping pong in the back yard, if you like competition with your meal. Great for: A nice dinner, amazing pasta, fancy drinks.

Twain’s Billiards and Tap — 211 E. Trinity Place — Map

Twain’s has great bar food, billiards, table shuffleboard which is probably called something else, darts, beer brewed on site, and a full bar. Great for: larger groups of people who enjoy bars.

Victory Sandwich — 340 Church Street — Map

Fancy lil’ sandwiches, great drinks (there’s a Jack and Coke slushie, you guys), wonderful service and ping pong. We’ll see you there Friday night. Great for: people who like what Amelia and Lain like.

Sapori di Napoli — 314 Church Street — Map

Neapolitan pizza. It's great. Great for: pizza.

Breakfast and Brunch

Thumbs Up Diner — 174 W. Ponce de Leon Avenue — Map

Think of all the things you like about a breakfast place. Congrats – they apply here! Delicious, inexpensive, an extensive menu, good service. Great for: people who carry cash (it’s cash only, but there’s an ATM about 20 feet away), people who like the most important meal of the day, diner lovers.

Pastries a Go Go — 235 Ponce de Leon Place — Map

Not just pastries! I repeat: way more than just pastries. A solid, full breakfast menu that Lain and Amelia regularly ignore in favor of their biscuit sandwiches. Great for: people who like biscuits, people who love biscuits, people who enjoy other foods.

Places to See While You're Here

The Wren's Nest — 1050 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd, Atlanta, GA 30310 — Map

The historic home of Joel Chandler Harris, author of the Brer Rabbit stories. Also, where Lain and Amelia worked for several years. We may arrange a special tour for family and friends – more on that soon. Either way, worthy of your time and support! Five blocks from the West End MARTA stop.

Dad's Garage Theatre — 280 Elizabeth Street, Atlanta, GA 30307 — Map

Where Amy spends her days raising money, laughing, and then asking people to be quiet. It’s great. The theatre specializes in improv and other comedy and is truly the best spot for both in Atlanta, as voted by the people, not just Lain and Amelia. Shows Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights at 8pm and 10:30pm. Five blocks from the Inman Park MARTA stop.

Historic Oakland Cemetery — 248 Oakland Avenue SE, Atlanta, GA 30312 — Map

Home of Amelia’s favorite Atlanta festival and thousands of dead people (hi, Margaret Mitchell!), Oakland Cemetery is amazing. Guided tours with topics like “Murder and Mayhem,” “The Civil War at Oakland,” and Amelia’s personal favorite, “Dying in 19th Century Atlanta,” run most days. Enjoy food or a drink across the street at Six Feet Under, which has a nice rooftop patio. Three blocks from the King Memorial MARTA stop.

The Cyclorama — 800 Cherokee Avenue SE, Atlanta, GA 30312 — Map

It’s only the largest painting-slash-diorama in the world, featuring historically accurate scenes from the Battle of Atlanta and, you know, Clark Gable (added in the 1940s). It is so bizarre and so kitschy and so fascinating and AMELIA LOVES IT. There’s also a Civil War museum on the second floor, if you’re into that sort of thing.

Eastside BeltLine Trail — runs 2.5 miles North-South, between Irwin Street and Piedmont Park — Map

The BeltLine is a series of abandoned railroad lines that form a ring around the core of Atlanta. Slowly but surely, it's being turned into a 22-mile corridor of parks, trails, and transit. The Eastside trail has just been completed, has beautiful views of the skyline, and is super great.

Michael C. Carlos Museum — 571 S. Kilgo Circle NE, Atlanta, GA 30322 — Map

The Carlos Museum is in the heart of Emory's campus just north of Decatur, and is the sleeper of Atlanta museums. The Carlos is the premier ancient art museum in the southeast, and is really well executed.

The Carter Center — 441 Freedom Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30307 — Map

The Carter Center and Library isn't far from Decatur and is easily accessible from the BeltLine. Jimmy and Rosalyn live there, and sometimes their bikes get stolen. Please don't steal their bikes.

High Museum of Art — 1280 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta, GA 30309 — Map

We’ve got a fancy museum in the heart of Midtown. It’s neat, and like a cousin of the Art Institute of Chicago’s modern wing. Across the street from Arts Center MARTA stop.

Fernbank Museum of Natural History — 767 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30307 — Map

Lain broke ground on this museum when he was five while wearing a seersucker suit and saddleshoes. I think I've said enough. The building is also designed by Graham Gund, the architect who designed much of Kenyon's campus.

MLK National Historic Site and The King Center — 450 Auburn Avenue NE, Atlanta, GA 30312 — Map

The historic home of Martin Luther King Jr. Tours are conducted by the National Park Service, and the houses on the street have been preserved as they were when he lived there.

Piedmont Park — between 10th street, Piedmont Avenue, and Monroe Drive — Map

Atlanta’s version of Central Park, Piedmont Park is a swell spot for a stroll, especially if you enjoy rollerbladers. Beautiful skyline views and, you know, free. 

The Georgia Aquarium — 225 Baker Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30313 — Map

Do you like Aquariums? This is one of them. Specifically, the world’s largest. Expect some crowds, y’all. A few blocks north of the CNN/Dome station, straight through Centennial Olympic Park (remember the 1996 Olympics? Atlanta does.)