Atlanta’s Trendy Neighborhoods

If you’re looking to move to Atlanta, you’ve probably already realized that it’s a huge city. But never fear! We’re here to help you unravel all the secrets of living in ATL. As for best Atlanta neighborhoods, you’re going to want to be ITP or OTP, meaning Inside or Outside the Perimeter (of the city), marked by highway 285. For young professionals new to town, we’re going to stick with ITP neighborhoods. Rent prices may be a bit on the higher end, but you’ll be close to work and play. Where should you live in Atlanta? Here’s our top picks for the best and most trendy Atlanta neighborhoods.

Atlanta’s 8 trendiest neighborhoods

1. Brookhaven
2. Buckhead
3. Cabbagetown
4. East Atlanta Village
5. Midtown
6. Old Fourth Ward
7. Poncey-Highland
8. Virginia-Highland

Read on for more details of each!

Brookhaven

If you’ve been out of college for a minute and you’re looking for a nice area to start settling into your adult life (IE: not partying until 1am, then getting up for work at 6:30am), Brookhaven is where you want to be. With plenty of housing options, ranging from affordable apartments to historic homes, and easy access to the Brookhaven MARTA (public transit) station, Brookhaven is a strong candidate for the best neighborhood in Atlanta. Oh, and don’t forget Buford Highway, packed with excellent restaurants—especially if you enjoy Mexican, Vietnamese, and Korean food.

Brookhaven favorites for eats:

• Secreto Southern Kitchen – Enjoy classic southern cuisine and hospitality
• Pure Taqueria – Serving house-made tortillas and a chill atmosphere
• Urban Wok – Fresh and casual Asian fusion

Brookhaven favorites for drinks:

• The Righteous Room – Classic dive bar vibes
• The Rusty Nail – Local bar and grill with a comfortable atmosphere and Thursday trivia nights
• Olde Blind Dog Irish Pub– Craft beer and live music every Saturday night

Buckhead

If there’s one Atlanta neighborhood you’ve probably heard of, it’s Buckhead. It’s been the place for young professionals for decades, thanks to its lively nightlife, posh apartment buildings, and central location. It’s also expansive and includes lots of smaller neighborhoods within it.

If you’re looking for a quieter, calmer part of the area, Peachtree Park should be your focus. Buckhead is also home to some excellent date night spots, Atlanta’s tech village, and some of the best happy hours in the city. Needless to say, it has a little something for everyone, making it one of the best neighborhoods in Atlanta.

Buckhead favorites for eats:

• South City Kitchen – Sophisticated southern cuisine nestled among the high-rises of Buckhead
• Bones Restaurant – Recognized as the best steakhouse in Atlanta
• King + Duke – Literary themed restaurant serving locally sourced dishes

Buckhead favorites for drinks:

• Whiskey Blue – Rooftop bar with one of the best views in Atlanta
• Supply & Demand – Low-key and upscale industrial lounge
• Buckhead Saloon – Party atmosphere with dancing, pool tables, and patio seating

Cabbagetown

We know the name doesn’t sound cool, but Cabbagetown is where to live if you want to embrace your artsy, musical side. Living in this Atlanta neighborhood means living in mural-covered, restored warehouses, with access to art galleries within walking distance, and laid-back restaurants like Six Feet Under Pub & Fish House in your neighborhood.

Did we mention there’s a famous cemetery here, too? Oakland Cemetery, the burial site of Gone with the Wind author Margaret Mitchell, is actually Atlanta’s oldest park; stroll through it for a glimpse of its beautiful gardens, sculptures, and architecture. What once was an industrial part of town, Cabbagetown is now a hip place to be. 

Cabbagetown favorites for eats:

• Agave Restaurant – Southwestern small plates and entrees
• Petit Chou – Laid-back atmosphere with and one of the best destinations for brunch
• JenChan’s – Comforting Chinese, fusion, and even pizza too

Cabbagetown favorite for drinks:

• Manny’s Grant Park – Game day spot, with special events every month
• Full Commission – Amazing house cocktails and an extensive wine list
• Tin Lizzy’s Cantina – Fresh and tasty margaritas and cocktails

East Atlanta Village

East Atlanta Village (EAV) is an affordable, up-and-coming area with a funky, eclectic vibe. It’s not so different from Cabbagetown in the sense that it’s a haven for artists, musicians, and great food, but EAV is more of a hipster haven and is home to some of Atlanta’s best-kept secrets. There are plenty of music venues, street fairs, tattoo parlors, and even a drive-in theatre! It doesn’t get much more hipster than that.

EAV favorites for eats:

• Argosy – Wood oven pizza, and home of the Plancha Burger
• Banshee – Upscale food, with a focus on seasonality
• EAV Thai and Sushi – A Thai fusion menu housed in a trendy atmosphere

EAV favorites for drinks:

• Octopus Bar – Hip late night hangout spot with a wide selection of cocktails and eats
• 529 Bar – Alternative bar with live music six nights a week
• TEN ATL – Great drinks, and feel good live music

Midtown

As you might have guessed, Midtown is located in the middle of Atlanta. It’s young, fun, and everything is within walking distance of your apartment—if you like the city vibe, this is where you’ll want to be. If a lively nightlife is important to you, Midtown is a no-brainer. Rent prices tend to be higher here, but the neighborhood’s restaurants, shopping, and entertainment options balance it out. Parents in town? Take them to Piedmont Park, where there’s always something going on. As far as Atlanta neighborhoods go, this one has it all.

Midtown favorites for eats:

• Ecco Midtown – Modern European cuisine
• E Ramen + – Homemade ramen with amazing selections including the award winning pork and lobster ramen
• Pasta Da Pulcinella – Pastas & other Italian favorites in a romantic setting

Midtown favorites for drinks:

• Foxtrot Liquor Bar – Craft cocktails in a British-inspired setting
• Virtue Rooftop – Rooftop bar with the best view of Midtown
• McCray’s Tavern Midtown – American classic tavern with a modern vibe

Old Fourth Ward

Sandwiched between Midtown and Cabbagetown, the Old Fourth Ward is rapidly becoming known as Atlanta’s biggest comeback story. The once ignored area has been revitalized by new construction and massive development plans, including new green spaces, a food truck festival, and a growing art scene. It’s also a quick trip to downtown or any of the other neighboring hoods, and it’s right along the Atlanta BeltLine. It’s also the perfect neighborhood for recent grads, thanks to all of its entertainment, dining, and shopping options. 

Old Fourth Ward favorites for eats:

• A Mano – Neighborhood bistro serving handmade pasta and seasonal dishes
• Ladybird Grove & Mess Hall – Hip new American restaurant with outdoor seating and weekly live music
• Buena Vida Tapas & Sol – Spanish tapas in a trendy atmosphere

Old Forth Ward favorites for drinks:

• Bantam Pub – Small, stylish pub for drinks and music
• Venkman’s – Tacos, drinks, and live music performances
• Lingering Shade Social Club – Bistro style bar with an amazing patio

Poncey-Highland

You might not be able to afford to live in Poncey-Highland when you first move to town, but it’ll be on your dream list. Ponce City Market—filled with food stalls, fresh produce, and craft goods—is in its backyard, after all. With an amazing location that straddles the city center and the eastern neighborhoods, plus a mix of history, art, music, food, there’s not much you’ll be longing for if you live here.

Poncey-Highland favorites for eats:

• Rina – Israeli platters including hummus and sabich
• Babette’s Cafe – Upscale European fare in a converted cottage.
• Lady Ha – Relatively new to ATL, you’ll find amazing Vietnamese street food and bubble tea

Poncey-Highland favorites for drinks:

• The Local – Drinks, arcade games, and karaoke
• Friends on Ponce – LGBTQ+ bar and nightclub with drinks, dancing, and drag performances
• BeetleCat – Oyster and cocktail bar

Virginia-Highland

Do you like to spend your free time eating at great restaurants and shopping at boutiques? If you said yes, then Virginia-Highland (“VaHi”) is the place for you. Just north of Poncey-Highland and east of Midtown, VaHi feels more like a neighborhood and less like the city, with walkable streets, lots of green spaces, plenty of great food, cheap eats, and fancy dinner spots. There’s a reason locals think it’s one of the best neighborhoods in Atlanta.

Virginia-Highland favorites for eats:

• Murphy’s Restaurant – Upscale comfort food in a cozy setting
• Truva – Mediterranean cuisine prepared by Turkish-born chef.
• Highland Tap – Known for their steaks, burgers, and martinis

Virginia-Highland favorites for drinks:

• Limerick Junction Pub– Casual Irish pub with nightly live music
• Dark Horse Tavern – Live bands, dancing, and karaoke
• Blind Willie’s – Top rated blues bar with drinks and live music

Fun facts about Atlanta

• Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport is the busiest airport in the world
• Atlanta is recognized as the most heavily forested urban area in the country with one 100,000 shade trees
• Atlanta is home to the world’s largest drive-in restaurant, The Varsity
• Atlanta continues to grow in popularity with production companies, with new films and tv shows being filmed in Georgia more each year

Frequently asked questions

No matter which Atlanta neighborhood you decide to call home, you’ll be greeted with many options for dining, nightlife and entertainment. With live music and southern hospitality, living in Atlanta is a great option for young professionals and families alike. If you’re moving to Atlanta, you can’t go wrong with one of our selections for the trendiest places to live.