Atlanta: Changing the Farm-to-Table Narrative

Atlanta: Changing the Farm-to-Table Narrative

The concept of farm-to-table is not new in Atlanta, but the character of our farms has evolved. 

For years, Atlantans arrived early at farmers markets to snatch up the harvest of family-owned farms located on the outskirts of the city. Chefs made connections with farmers to provide their restaurants with the same fruits, vegetables, meats and dairy products. 

Today, Atlanta’s produce still comes from these family farms and also is found in reclaimed spaces between apartments and in urban gardens. Several nonprofit groups have collaborated to bring gardens closer to city residents, giving them a way to grow food to serve on their own tables.   

Farming is a part of Atlanta’s culinary culture, evidenced through the 8Arm restaurant team creating jam from the bounty of Pinewood Springs Farm and through chef Steven Satterfield of Miller Union fashioning seasonal masterpieces from the yields of small farms. 

Here are a few of the places where Atlanta residents and chefs turn for locally grown food.  

Rodgers Greens and Roots Farm

Located in Douglasville, Ga., with 64 acres bordering the Chattahoochee River, the Rodgers Greens and Roots Farm takes advantage of rich river soil. The farm grows arugula, winter squash, turmeric, watermelon radishes and dozens more certified organic varieties. Sample the harvest at restaurants such as Miller Union, C. Ellet’s steak house, Longleaf Restaurant and JCT. Kitchen or hit the Peachtree Road Farmers Market. 

Mena’s Farm 

Northwest Atlanta is home to this family-operated farm where organic veggies are hand-picked and brought to market. Both the Grove Park Market and Grant Park Farmers Market have hosted Filomena Andrade, originally from Cape Verde in West Africa, selling sweet potatoes, cut flower bouquets, squash and sweet carrots.

Atlanta Harvest

EliYahu Ysrael of Atlanta Harvest aims to connect growers with consumers. The family grows its own produce as well as crops from other farmers. In the on-site nursery, fruit and vegetable plants are started so that individuals can plant home gardens. Atlanta Harvest has booths at Avondale Estates Farmers Market and Decatur Farmers Market, and its food also turns up at restaurants such as Rathbun’s, Arnette’s Chop Shop, Miller Union, Haven Restaurant & Bar, and No. 246. The recent move to Ellenwood, Ga., gives Atlanta Harvest an opportunity to expand and help even more farmers thrive. 

Grant Park Farmers Market 

Atlantans plan their meals around the products provided by a rotating cast of vendors. Visit Local Lands and Snapfinger Farm to find freshly baked bread from Just Bakery of Atlanta and jams from Squirrel Brand Goods. Currently, the market is located at The Beacon Atlanta with an added bonus: Eventide Brewery is in the same center, perfect for a post-shopping cold one.

Peachtree Road Farmers Market

The Cathedral of St. Philip in Buckhead hosts this market, one of the largest producer-only farmers markets in Georgia. More than 50 weekly vendors include Georgia Grinders nut butters, Appalachia Mushrooms, Banner Butter and Green Ola Acres. Activities include chef demonstrations and pop-ups, live music and tastings from local breweries. 

Freewheel Farm

Stroll around the Summerhill neighborhood barely south of Downtown, and you’ll find one of three farm sites devoted to Freewheel’s mission. This urban farm uses different sites to bring more than 50 types of vegetables, mushrooms, herbs and specialty cut flowers to the Grant Park Farmers Market and select Atlanta restaurants. A partnership with 2wholesomewavega assures that no one is turned away from good food for lack of funds. 

Freedom Farmers Market

Rain, snow or even the summer heat doesn’t deter this year-round market. Located in the parking lot of The Carter Center, the market offers flavored iced teas, fresh eggs, bourbon bacon pecans from Grown Wild, and purslane greens and fresh zinnias from Little Fox Farm. 

Greenleaf Community Farms

Three-foot sidewalk paths, small tracts of land between buildings and on the sides of hills are viable options for farming, thanks to Greenleaf and its mission to grow healthy food for communities. Check out Greenleaf’s work at the East Side Crossing Farm in the Edgewood neighborhood (veggies and fresh eggs) and Fairway on the Westside with four fields, fruit trees and a kids’ farm. 

Serenbe Farms

The community of Serenbe, located south of the city, is the brainchild of Steve and Marie Lupo Nygren, both heavily connected with the Atlanta food scene. This idyllic, sustainable community includes a 25-acre organic farm, a farmers market, three restaurants, stores and homes. Serenbe Farms provides more than 300 kinds of veggies and fruits to each restaurant-Blue Eyed Daisy Bakeshop, The Farmhouse and The Hill-and the farmers market pushes these gems out to individuals and families. 

Pinewood Springs Farm 

Located in Stockbridge, Ga., Pinewood Springs yields apples and pears from 150-year-old trees, mixed mustard greens, eggplant and okra and many more vegetables found at several farmers markets around Atlanta. Pinewood nourishes the soil with enriching cover crops like buckwheat, rye, peas and wheat grass. The farm partners with chefs and restaurants to process its farm-harvested goodies into salsas and jams. 

Fairywood Thicket Farm

This family-run farm started as a school science experiment involving elderberry bushes on the farm property, which ultimately created the award-winning jams and jellies that are found throughout the city. Restaurant clients include Souper Jenny and The Whitley, as well as the Monastery of the Holy Spirit in Conyers. 

Woodsong Farm

In Chattahoochee Hills, Woodsong offers pasture-raised eggs, meats and rich, creamy milk from happy cows. The farm stand is open every Thursday on the property, where owners invite the public to see farm life firsthand. If you can’t get there Thursday, many markets around Atlanta host the Woodsong family. 

Food Well Alliance

Food Well combined resources to build community gardens and urban farms around Atlanta. The goal? To equip individuals and local governments with the resources they need to build healthier communities. The alliance gives advice on farming tools, composting, supplies and even financing.

Community, Conversation and Coffee

Community, Conversation and Coffee

We might not solve the world’s problems over a cup of coffee, but we can come close.

Much of Atlanta’s diverse culture starts in its neighborhoods, each with a different personality. Coffeehouses and tea shops cultivate a community vibe and provide a place to gather. From civil rights leaders sharing strategies in a diner to neighbors poring over ideas on a restaurant patio, the ritual of coffee and dialogue is timeless.

Whether your coffee break is to simply take a breather or plan the next revolution, Atlanta has options to fuel your fire.

PERC Atlanta 

Sometimes, one coffee drink isn’t enough to carry you through the day and that’s why PERC offers flights. Try the One & One featuring a single espresso and a single macchiato. Stay wired with seasonal drinks such as the Bobby Jones-wild espresso, old school Coke and lemon peel. Friendly service, bagels made in-house and the Big Fat Grilled Pimento Cheese Sandwich complement the coffee, served in the Kirkwood neighborhood. 

Status: Outdoor seating, takeout

Dancing Goats Coffee Bar 

With locations in Ponce City Market, Decatur and more, this coffee bar powered by Batdorf & Bronson Coffee Roasters produces strong beverages to combat whatever the day throws.  The signature Dancing Goats blend is best for espresso and pour-overs, joining specialty lattes and cappuccino on the menu board. The Ponce City Market patio is a local favorite for people-watching, possibly with a canine companion.  

Status: Outdoor seating, takeout 

Chrome Yellow Trading Co. 

Coffee, hand pies and doughnuts make the world spin a little brighter, or you can at least pretend that it does at Chrome Yellow in the Old Fourth Ward. From the freshly brewed espresso to a maple oat latte, cups of comfort are delivered with a smile by husband and wife duo Kyle and Kelly Taylor. Pick up a bag of the Neighborhood blend, which supports charities such as The Giving Kitchen. 

Status: Delivery, curbside pickup 

Spiller Park Coffee

Atlanta chef Hugh Atcheson and partner Dale Donchey opened Spiller Park as a nod to the place where Atlanta’s minor league baseball team played for almost six decades. From the Hot Cup of Joe to specialty drinks like the Tumeric Tonic Latte, the options are complemented with killer toasts topped with jam, Lil Moo farmhouse cheese, nut butter and fruit. Check out locations in Ponce City Market and Toco Hills.

Status: Takeout, outdoor seating 

BRASH Coffee Roasters

The Westside flagship store fashioned out of repurposed shipping containers is a favorite spot for many locals. High-quality, single origin selections from El Salvador and Colombia are folded into vanilla lattes and drip coffees for guests to grab on the run or savor on the patio. Other locations are found at Atlanta History Center and in Midtown. 

Status: Delivery, takeout

Blue Donkey Coffee

Blue Donkey, a local, small batch coffee roaster, churns out Arabica beans to create craft iced coffee drinks. Try the Blue Donkey Original, simply laced with natural milk from Southern Swiss Dairy and 100% natural cane sugar. For an extra jolt, the Tear Jerker is made with twice the coffee-per-brew ratio. Hit one of the locations at Emory University, Georgia Tech or Grant Park.

Status: Varies by location

East Pole Coffee Co.

East Pole’s baristas create freshly brewed lattes, drip coffee and cortados inside the shop’s modern, sleek design with relaxed seating and a patio. Located in Armour Yards,  East Pole has been active in fighting racial injustice by matching donations to local nonprofits Atlanta Solidarity Fund, The King Center and The Partnership for Southern Equity. 

Status: Delivery, takeout

Momo Cafe

Classic drip coffee and cappuccinos are on the menu at this Midtown café but lean in closer and you’ll discover Matcha and Hoji Cha blends or even the refreshing flavor sensation of Iced Lemon Coffee Soda. Soft serve ice cream-black sesame and affogato-beckons for those who need a little more flavor in their life.

Status: Delivery, takeout, outdoor seating

Taproom Coffee

This coffee and craft beer bar serves all the major drink groups with a chill vibe. Partnering roaster East Pole Coffee Co. and Atlanta craft breweries combine to serve brews throughout the day and into the evening.  Located in the Kirkwood neighborhood, the community shop also features sweet pastries from H&F Bread Co. and Ratio Bakeshop.  

Status: Takeout, curbside pickup 

Dr. Bombay’s Underwater Tea Party 

Tall bookshelves tower over clusters of framed artwork and comfortable tables at this spot in Candler Park. Meet for quiet conversations over a cup of loose-leaf tea or indulge in high tea with an all-vegetarian array of sandwiches and sweet morsels. Dr. Bombay’s is the home of The Learning Tea, which provides university scholarships to impoverished young women in India.

Status: Takeout, curbside pickup 

Hemlock Salon & Apothecary

A different sort of coffee awaits in this oasis of holistic wellness services. Locals gather at this Krog Street destination for salon services and then head to the accompanying medicinal tea bar. Rasa Koffee, an herbal coffee alternative, gives a natural energy boost. Try a refreshing Dirty Mint tea or down the Euphoria wellness shot for optimal calming. 

Status: To-go orders only 

Just Add Honey

Linger for tea on the Eastside Atlanta Beltline where customers choose from 40 different blends of loose-leaf teas. No tea bags here. Opt for a Honey Lavender Latte or customize your beverage with rose petals and ginger. The TEAm of Brandi and Jermail Shelton operates both this full-service cafe and another location at The Municipal Market (Sweet Auburn Curb Market). 

Status: Outdoor seating, delivery, takeout 

Refuge Coffee Co.

Expect friendly service, crafted lattes and steaming espresso at Refuge. Behind every smile is a story, as Refuge started as a training program for resettled refugees in Clarkston, Ga. These individuals shine at this location and a new Refuge shop in the Sweet Auburn District. Order the Honey Bee Latte or Casablanca Twist tea and take time to meet this phenomenal team.

Status: Outdoor seating, takeout and delivery 

Victory Coffee + Calamity 

From the makers of favorite Victory Sandwich Bar comes this retro hip coffee bar serving not only interesting coffee drinks but also the touted “gas station” biscuits. Sample the Colada, a long poured shot of Bustelo with sugar, or a sparkling Americano, a double espresso shot topped with Topo Chico sparkling water over ice. 

Status: Takeout 

Portrait Coffee 

Look for Portrait’s new West End location opening in fall 2020, where the team will offer freshly roasted coffee and socially conscious culture. In the meantime, check out Portrait’s coffee soft serve and Aunt Viv Cold Brew Float at Big Softie in Summerhill and order a bag of Costa Rica Tarrazu online before it sells out. 

Status: Online, until store opens 

Dusé Coffee

This community-based company fights mental illness in Atlanta by using coffee as a platform for change. Visionary Iyasu Dusé created Dusé Coffee after watching a close family member battle mental illness and now uses this nonprofit to provide counseling and professional services to those in need. Support his mission by ordering coffees, online, such as the Community blend offering notes of brown sugar and cherries. 

Status:  Online orders 

The Chai Box

The Marietta, Ga-based Chai Box was designed to introduce the aromas and tastes of the popular tea to Atlantans. Creator Monica Sunny grew up in an Indian household, where chai was second nature. She now crafts her chai concentrate in small batches and offers custom blends and spices. The Parsi Dream blend introduces flavors of lemongrass, ginger and mint, while Sweet Monsoon features a tropical sensation of mangoes and coconut. Star Provisions, KarmaFarm and Savi Provisions carry these coveted blends.  

Status: Online orders

Atlanta’s Bar Scene

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The Latest and Greatest Restaurants in Atlanta

The Latest and Greatest Restaurants in Atlanta

Come see why these eateries have been getting so much buzz

There are always good things coming in a city like Atlanta. It seems like every day a new restaurant is opening up and serving its unique take on our regional favorites or bringing us traditional dishes from far away countries. Here are some new kids on the block you won’t want to miss.

Botanico Kitchen & Bar

Bringing traditional Mexican cooking paired with innovative new techniques, Botanico brings tropical and refreshing flavors from the Puebla and Oaxaca regions of Mexico to Bucktown. Chow down on ceviche tostados and costras de asada — marinated sirloin steak wrapped in a cheese shell—in the restaurant’s greenhouse-like space with a living plant wall on the year-round patio.

Sometimeatarian

This vegan fusion food truck is for all of us sometimeatarians — those of us who want to be conscious of our health, but sometimes it’s just too hard to resist the temptation of something genuinely bad for you. That’s where Chef Key comes into the equation, using her 12 years of culinary experience to create menus based on what’s available from local farmers to make wonderfully flavorful foods for the skeptics who say they could never go vegan.

Snackboxe Bistro

Serving up Lao street food to the hungry foodies of ATL, Snackbox Bistro is more than just sticky rice. After a trip to Laos, owners Vanh and Thip were inspired to bring their passion for Lao culture and food to life. The Atlanta couple began creating menus and brainstorming new recipes and techniques, and have now opened their restaurant to introduce the community near and far to the international cuisine people have been missing: Lao food!

Gunshow

A totally different restaurant concept, Gunshow is definitely something to see to believe. Here, you won’t sit down and get a menu handed to you while a waiter gets your drink order; that’s too old-fashioned. Instead, the chefs walk around the dining room — which really is more of an extension of the kitchen—presenting the small plates they’ve prepared to diners who can pick and choose what they’d like. You’ll never have the same experience twice here!

BoccaLupo

Specializing in handmade pasta dishes made with seasonality in mind, BoccaLupo is a bustling must taste in Inman Park. Chef Bruce Logue brings his years of culinary experience and knowledge gained while working under chef Mario Batali to making elevated modern Italian-American cooking to his casual eatery. Find dishes to soothe your soul like extra-wide pappardelle with Bolognese gravy that’s been simmered for four hours.

O4W Pizza

Chef Anthony Spina doesn’t cut corners in his pizza place. Growing up in New Jersey, Anthony learned the pizza business by making it side-by-side with his uncle. Anthony believes that simplicity yields the most delicious results, and his restaurant is no different. You won’t find fancy toppings or gimmicks to get you in the door — the mouthwatering pizza does all the talking here. We recommend ordering one of the square grandma pizzas that made O4W Pizza famous.

Meet Chef Carla Fears

Meet Chef Linton Hopkins

Be an ATL Mixologist at home

Love Drug

Mixologist: Kellie Thorn Pink Peppercorn and Grapefruit Cordial 500 grams fresh grapefruit juice strained1 cup pink peppercorns500 grams organic sugar6 whole grapefruits for zesting2 whole limes for zesting In a saucepan toast peppercorns, then use a muddler to crack them.

Kudzu Julep

Mixologist: Tim Faulkner 3 oz bourbon1/2 oz kudzu syrup1 1/2 tsp castor sugar3-4 sprigs fresh mint Fill julep cup (or rocks glass) with crushed ice.

You never can tell Hank from Pank

Mixologist: Taylor Blackgrave ½ tsp Ramazzotti Amaro1.5 Cocchi di Torino1.5 Roku Gin Stir to chill, strain into a Nick and Nora glass.

Bread & Circuses

Mixologist: Holli Medley .5 oz César Florido Fino Cruz del Mar.75 oz Tempus Fugit Kina L’aéro D’or.5 oz georgia peach syrup.5 oz lemonsalt Shake up.

El Volcán

Mixologist: Brent Elbon 2 oz mezcal (modérate smoke).75 oz lime juice.50 oz cynar.25 yellow chartreuse.25 agavebarspoon of fresh serrano pepperTajin chile salt Combine in glass over ice, transfer to glass with 1/2 rim of Tajin.

What a wonderful mule

Mixologist: Taylor Blackgrave 2 dash vanilla tincture1 oz sour OJ.5 oz simple.5 oz ginger syrup1.5 oz vodkatop 1.5 oz soda Shake to chill, strain into Collins glass.

Smooth Operator

Mixologist: Kellie Thorn Hazelnut infused avua amburana 25 grams of hazelnuts1 750ml bottle avua amburana cachaca Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Smooth Operator

Smooth Operator

Mixologist: Kellie Thorn

Hazelnut infused avua amburana

25 grams of hazelnuts
1 750ml bottle avua amburana cachaca

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Lay hazelnuts evenly on the sheet pan and toast until golden in color. Allow to cool.

In a jar, combine Cachaca and hazelnuts and allow to infuse overnight. Strain the next day and bottle Cachaca. The hazelnuts can be dehydrated, ground up, and used for baking.

Smooth Operator

.75 oz hazelnut infused Avua Amburana
.75 oz Great King Street blended scotch
.75 oz Gonzalez Byass la Copa sweet vermouth
.75 oz Gonzalez Byass Cristina medium sherry
.25 oz Tempus Fugit Creme de Cacao
3 dashes angostura bitters

Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass add ice and stir. Strain up into a Nick and Nora. Express orange peel. Finish with orange peel garnish.

What a Wonderful Mule

What a Wonderful Mule

Mixologist: Taylor Blackgrave

2 dash vanilla tincture
1 oz sour OJ
.5 oz simple
.5 oz ginger syrup
1.5 oz vodka
top 1.5 oz soda

Shake to chill, strain into Collins glass. Garnish with orange candy wedge.

El Volcán

El Volcán

Mixologist: Brent Elbon

2 oz mezcal (modérate smoke)
.75 oz lime juice
.50 oz cynar
.25 yellow chartreuse
.25 agave
barspoon of fresh serrano pepper
Tajin chile salt

Combine in glass over ice, transfer to glass with 1/2 rim of Tajin.