Ultimate Guide to Eastside Atlanta
Last Updated May 27, 2026
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Few parts of Atlanta pack as much into a single stretch of the city as the Eastside. The neighborhoods here — Old Fourth Ward, Inman Park, Grant Park, Little Five Points and East Atlanta Village — each bring something different to the table, but they share the same tree-lined, community-driven character that makes this part of the city so easy to visit. The Atlanta Beltline’s Eastside Trail is the best way to move between them, connecting some of the city’s best restaurants, breweries, rooftop bars and local shops along the way. Visit the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park and the Carter Center, and enjoy world-class food halls and a street art scene that turns an ordinary walk into something worth slowing down for. See many of the highlights below, with much more to explore.
Where to Stay in Eastside Atlanta
Atlanta’s Eastside offers some of the most well-located hotels in the city for visitors who want to be in the middle of everything. The area has a great mix of boutique hotels and stylish accommodations, many of which sit right along the Atlanta Beltline’s Eastside Trail — meaning you can walk or bike to restaurants, bars and green spaces without ever needing to call a rideshare. Hotel Clermont, FORTH Hotel and the Wylie Hotel are strong picks, each offering its own personality while keeping you close to the action. It’s the kind of walkable, neighborhood-feel experience that’s genuinely hard to find in other parts of the city.
What To Do in Eastside Atlanta
Little Five Points
Little Five Points has always marched to the beat of its own drum. The neighborhood — L5P to locals — is home to vintage apparel shops, tattoo parlors, record stores and even a 30-foot skull outside one of its most beloved burger joints. The neighborhood takes its name from the intersection of Moreland and Euclid avenues, a nod to its bigger Downtown counterpart, Five Points. At one time, five streets intersected here. Start at Junkman’s Daughter or Clothing Warehouse for vintage and one-of-a-kind fashion finds, then flip through the vinyl selection at Wax ‘N’ Facts or Criminal Records. Check the calendar at the Variety Playhouse — a beloved venue in a converted 1940s cinema that hosts everyone from local acts to national touring artists. And if you happen to be in town in October, the Little Five Points Halloween Parade is an Atlanta tradition worth planning your trip around.
Grant Park and the Zoo Atlanta
Zoo Atlanta and Grant Park make for a natural pairing, and a full day out on their own. The zoo, which dates back to 1889, sits within the historic 130-acre Grant Park and is home to more than 1,000 animals representing more than 200 species — including one of the largest gorilla populations in North America. Once you’ve made friends with all the animals, the park itself is worth exploring. A restored Civil War fort in the park’s southeastern corner sits more than 1,000 feet high and offers a surprisingly great view of the Downtown skyline. The surrounding Grant Park neighborhood is equally charming, lined with beautiful 19th century Victorian homes that give you a real sense of the city’s history. If you’re visiting on a Sunday, time your trip around the Grant Park Farmers Market, a favorite among local chefs and foodies. And when you’re ready to wind down, the park’s generous tree canopy makes it a perfect spot to spread out and have a picnic.
Where: 800 Cherokee Ave. SE
Freedom Park Farmer’s Market
Yes, a farmer’s market can absolutely be a tourist destination — especially this one. The Freedom Farmers Market is held on the grounds of the Carter Center, just a short walk from the Beltline and the Inman Park and Old Fourth Ward neighborhoods, make it an easy and rewarding add-on to any morning in the area. The market runs year-round and has a little bit of everything: fresh produce, grass-fed meats, local cheeses, farm fresh eggs, handmade baked goods, preserves and good coffee. Each week features live music and a local chef serving hot prepared food, and monthly events put a seasonal fruit or vegetable in the spotlight with chef demos to match. Come early — lines start forming around 8:30 a.m., and the best stuff goes fast. Hop on the Freedom PATH trail right from the market and make your way back to the Beltline’s Eastside Trail to keep the morning going.
Atlanta Beltline Eastside Trail
The Eastside Trail is the most popular stretch of the Atlanta Beltline, and once you spend some time on it, you’ll understand why. It was the first section to open and remains the most developed, with easy access to Ponce City Market, Krog Street Market and neighborhoods like Cabbagetown, Inman Park and Old Fourth Ward. The best way to take it all in is on a bike — cruise along and watch the neighborhoods shift around you as you go.
Along the way, you’ll pass the Atlanta Beltline Art installations, the largest temporary public art exhibit in the country, featuring murals, sculptures and photography by local artists along the trail — don’t miss the ones on Wylie Street. If you’re traveling with a dog, this stretch is very pet-friendly, and plenty of the restaurants and bars along the route have dog-friendly patios. History Fourth Ward Skate Park is right on the trail — Atlanta’s first public skate park and a great spot to watch riders of all skill levels do their thing. On a sunny day, it feels like half of Atlanta is out there soaking it up, so be ready for the crowds. If you see a colorful umbrella, that’s the King of Pops—grab a delicious pop to cool off.
Ponce City Market
Sitting right on the Atlanta Beltline’s Eastside Trail, Ponce City Market is a worthy anchor for any day spent exploring the Eastside. The sprawling 2.1 million-square-foot building started its life as a Sears, Roebuck & Co. store and warehouse back in 1926, later became Atlanta’s City Hall East and has since been transformed into one of the most popular mixed-use destinations in the city.
The central food court is the heart of the action, with more than 20 restaurants and food stalls covering just about every craving. The shopping is equally good, with a mix of locally owned boutiques alongside well-known names like Williams-Sonoma and Posman Books. Once you’ve eaten and browsed, make your way up to the roof — Skyline Park is a rooftop amusement park with miniature golf, carnival games, a three-story slide and some of the best views of the Atlanta skyline you’ll find anywhere in the city. It sits right on the BeltLine’s Eastside Trail, making it easy to fold into a longer afternoon of exploring.
Where: 675 Ponce De Leon Ave. NE
Oakland Cemetery
Oakland Cemetery is one of those Atlanta landmarks that surprises just about everyone who visits for the first time. Founded in 1850 and renamed in 1872 after the oak and magnolia trees that fill its grounds, this 88-acre historic site in the Grant Park neighborhood is Atlanta’s third largest public green space — and one of its most quietly beautiful. More than 70,000 people are buried here, including Margaret Mitchell, golf legend Bobby Jones and former Atlanta mayor Maynard Jackson, alongside Civil War soldiers, 27 former Atlanta mayors and six former governors. But Oakland is far more than a cemetery. The grounds double as a sculpture gallery, botanical garden and peaceful public park, with impressive monuments spanning Victorian, Greek Revival, Gothic and Egyptian Revival architecture. It’s open dawn to dusk every day of the year, and you can explore at your own pace with a self-guided tour map or mobile app. If you’re visiting on a weekend, the guided walking tours are well worth your time and offer a much richer look at the history and stories behind the grounds.
Where: 248 Oakland Ave. SE
Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park
No trip to Atlanta is complete without spending time at the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park. The park is accessible in Inman Park from the Atlanta Eastside Trail. The park is free, open to all ages and covers nearly 35 acres of landmarks, monuments and exhibits that trace the life and legacy of one of the most important figures in American history. Walk through Dr. King’s childhood home, a two-story Queen Anne house where he lived his first 12 years, visit Ebenezer Baptist Church where he once preached and pay your respects at the tomb where he and his wife, Coretta Scott King, rest beside an eternal flame.
The King Center rounds out the experience with preserved writings, audio and video from Dr. King’s nonviolent ministry. The birth home is currently closed for renovations and expected to reopen in summer 2026. When it does, guided tours are free but limited to 15 people, and tickets are first-come, first-served at the Visitor Center. Give yourself plenty of time here. It’s a place that deserves more than a quick stop.
Where: 450 Auburn Ave. NE
Fernbank Museum of Natural History
Fernbank Museum of Natural History is a little further out near Candler Park, but it’s well worth the detour — especially on a hot Atlanta day when you want something substantial to do indoors. The museum covers a lot of ground, from ancient fossils and prehistoric artifacts to cultural exhibits and Georgia’s geography through time. The crown jewel of the permanent collection is Giants of the Mesozoic, which puts you face-to-face with some of the largest dinosaurs ever discovered, including the massive Argentinosaurus and a 47-foot-long Giganotosaurus. When you’re ready to get outside, the museum backs up to 75 acres of old-growth Piedmont forest with two miles of trails — a surprisingly peaceful escape right in the middle of the city. Check the museum’s website before you go, since there’s usually a rotating schedule of traveling exhibits
Where: 767 Clifton Road NE
What To Eat in Eastside Atlanta
Krog Street Market food hall
Housed in a restored 1920s warehouse in Inman Park, the Krog Street Market is a lively mix of local shops and some genuinely great food. It sits right on the Atlanta Beltline’s Eastside Trail, making it a natural pit stop. For breakfast, The Little Tart Bakeshop is a solid start. Lunch is a tough call between Yalla! for modern Middle Eastern, Gu’s Dumplings for Szechuan dumplings, and Fred’s Meat & Bread for a juicy burger. If you’re staying into the evening, Ticonderoga Club is the move for cocktails.
Where: 99 Krog St. NE
Wrecking Bar
Wrecking Bar Brewpub is one of Little Five Points’ most unexpected gems. The stunning columned Victorian building on Moreland Avenue has lived many lives, and today it’s home to one of Atlanta’s best brewpubs. Head downstairs to the cozy stone-walled basement where the bar and restaurant are tucked away, order a flight of house-brewed beers and settle in. The food is the biggest surprise — locally sourced with dishes like creamy mushroom risotto and duck breast sitting comfortably alongside sandwiches and cheese plates.
Where: 292 Moreland Ave. NE
Gigi’s Italian Kitchen & Restaurant
Gigi’s is the kind of neighborhood Italian restaurant that’s easy to fall in love with on the first visit. Tucked into Candler Park, this cozy bistro sets the mood immediately — checkered tablecloths, flickering candles, wooden chairs and family photos that make the whole place feel like someone’s home. The menu rotates regularly based on what’s coming in from local farms, so the food always feels fresh. Housemade pastas are the backbone of the menu, and the tiramisu is one of the best in the city.
Where: 1660 McLendon Ave.
Ria’s Bluebird
Ria’s Bluebird sits directly across from historic Oakland Cemetery and has been a neighborhood staple since 2000. The buttermilk pancakes have a well-earned reputation as some of the best in Atlanta. The Bluebird Burrito — packed with roasted potatoes, white cheddar, scrambled eggs and beans — is another strong contender. Weekend waits are common, but the coffee keeps coming while you hold out for a table.
Where: 421 Memorial Drive SE
Colette Bread and Bakeshop
If you’re walking through Poncey-Highland and catch the smell of fresh bread, just follow it — it’ll lead you straight to Colette. This small but mighty bakery turns out an ever-changing selection of pastries that lean heavily on fresh fruits and vegetables in the best possible way. The giant sour cream cinnamon roll is a non-negotiable if it’s available, and the brioche tarts overflowing with housemade strawberry filling are hard to pass up. Come early and come hungry — the good stuff goes fast.
Where: 636 North Highland Ave.
Tio Lucho’s
Tio Lucho’s in Poncey-Highland started as a pop-up built around a single sandwich — the Pollo Anticuchero Sanguche — and the demand for that juicy chicken thigh sandwich was enough to turn it into one of the most exciting Peruvian restaurants in Atlanta. The menu draws from the chef’s coastal Peruvian roots, so seafood is the move here: the snapper ceviche, Tiradito and Pulpo Anticuchero are standouts.
Where: 675 North Highland Ave. NE
Argosy
East Atlanta Village has its share of laid-back bars and restaurants, and Argosy sits comfortably among the best of them. The craft beer list is long, and it pairs well with the wood-fired pizzas and the plancha burger that most people order. After dinner, EAV is worth wandering — East Atlanta Comics, Black Cat Records and Bookish are all close by.
Where: 70 Flat Shoals Ave. SE
Gaja
Gaja Korean Bar is deliberately easy to miss — there’s a small sign above a back entrance in a brick teal building. Inside, concrete walls, mustard yellow neon lights and Korean noir film posters set the tone for one of East Atlanta Village’s coziest spots. The menu is Korean small plates, almost all less than $15, and built for sharing. The beef bulgogi — thinly shaved, sweet and impossibly tender ribeye — is a must, and the soy garlic Korean fried chicken with its sticky brown sugar glaze is hard to stop eating. Come with a group, order a round of makgeolli, and work your way through the menu.
Originally Published May 24, 2026
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