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Dining /

Where to eat & drink
on Carroll Street.

Tommy Williams
Tommy Williams 7 min read
Carroll Street in Cabbagetown Atlanta with outdoor cafe seating and string lights
Content

Cabbagetown isn't a food destination in the way that Inman Park or Midtown are. It doesn't have a restaurant row or a food hall. What it has is something more personal: a handful of beloved local spots that feel like extensions of the neighborhood itself. Dining in Cabbagetown is about community, not cuisine — though you'll find both.

Carroll Street is the center of gravity, but the neighborhood's dining options extend to the surrounding blocks and into adjacent Reynoldstown and Grant Park. Here's what you should know.

Carroll Street Cafe

Carroll Street Cafe is Cabbagetown's living room. This French-inspired cafe has been a fixture on Carroll Street for years, serving coffee, pastries, sandwiches, and light meals from a sidewalk-front space that feels more like a friend's kitchen than a restaurant.

The patio is the real draw. A handful of tables on the sidewalk look out over Carroll Street's colorful houses — it's one of the most charming dining settings in Atlanta. On weekend mornings, the cafe fills with neighbors catching up over lattes, dog walkers taking a break, and visitors who stumbled onto Cabbagetown and can't believe what they've found.

The menu leans French and simple: croissants, quiche, fresh salads, espresso drinks. Nothing trendy, nothing overwrought. It's the kind of food that tastes better because of where you're eating it.

208 Carroll St SE · Carroll Street Cafe

Little's Food Store

Little's Food Store is a Cabbagetown institution — a corner market that has served the neighborhood since the 1920s. Originally a general store for mill workers, Little's has evolved into a beloved neighborhood hangout that serves sandwiches, craft beer, and wine alongside the basics.

The interior is tiny and packed with character — exposed brick, vintage signs, a cooler full of local beers. The sandwiches are solid, the vibe is unpretentious, and the sense of history is real. Little's is where you go to grab a six-pack before sitting on your porch, or to eat a quick lunch while talking to the person behind the counter about what's happening in the neighborhood.

It's not a restaurant — it's a general store that happens to serve good food. And that's exactly what makes it perfect for Cabbagetown.

198 Carroll St SE · Little's Food Store

What Cabbagetown Doesn't Have (And Why That's OK)

Let's be honest: Cabbagetown's dining scene is limited by the neighborhood's size. There are no full-service dinner restaurants, no cocktail bars, and no late-night kitchens within the neighborhood's borders. If you want a sit-down dinner, a craft cocktail, or a late-night taco, you'll need to walk or drive to a neighboring area.

But here's the thing: the neighboring areas are excellent. Cabbagetown's location puts you within easy reach of some of Atlanta's best dining neighborhoods, and that proximity is part of the appeal. You get the quiet, residential character of Cabbagetown with the dining options of the broader east side just minutes away.

Nearby: Reynoldstown, Grant Park & the BeltLine

Walk a few blocks north into Reynoldstown and you'll find more dining options, including coffee spots and casual eateries along Lake Avenue and the surrounding streets. The BeltLine Eastside Trail, accessible from Cabbagetown's northern edge, connects you to a growing number of restaurants and bars along the corridor.

Head south into Grant Park and you'll find neighborhood restaurants along Memorial Drive and Cherokee Avenue — a mix of casual spots, breweries, and newer additions to Atlanta's dining scene.

For a bigger night out, walk or bike north on the BeltLine to Ponce City Market — Atlanta's premier food hall, with dozens of vendors, bars, and a rooftop amusement park. It's less than a mile from Cabbagetown's northern edge, and it's the closest thing to a dining district in the immediate area.

Inman Park and Old Fourth Ward are also nearby, with established restaurant scenes along Highland Avenue, Edgewood Avenue, and the BeltLine corridor. Cabbagetown residents have easy access to Atlanta's best dining — they just have to leave the neighborhood to get it.

Tips for Dining in and Around Cabbagetown

Start with Carroll Street Cafe. It's the neighborhood's social hub, and it sets the tone for everything else. Go on a weekend morning, sit on the patio, and let the neighborhood come to you.

Grab provisions at Little's. If you're visiting or new to the neighborhood, Little's is the place to get a sandwich, a drink, and a sense of Cabbagetown's personality.

Use the BeltLine as your dining corridor. The trail connects Cabbagetown to a growing number of food and drink options — from Ponce City Market to Reynoldstown to Old Fourth Ward. It's the most pleasant way to get from here to there.

Check out Grant Park's Memorial Drive corridor. It's a short walk or bike ride south, and it's become one of Atlanta's most interesting dining streets — breweries, casual restaurants, and some of the best tacos in the city.

Embrace the simplicity. Cabbagetown isn't trying to be a food destination, and that's part of its charm. The dining scene is small but genuine, and it reflects the neighborhood's character: unpretentious, local, and real.

About the Author

Tommy Williams

Tommy Williams

Tom Will Sell Atlanta · Intown Atlanta Expert

Tommy knows every coffee shop, corner store, and hidden gem in Cabbagetown and the surrounding east side neighborhoods. He's happy to share his favorites with anyone considering a move to the area.