Atlanta can be an overwhelming place to visit, especially the first time you go. You likely know that Ponce City Market is a must-see spot, walking the Beltline is another thing to check off, and that the international cuisine on Buford Highway can transport you around the world from a single stretch of road.

But as a city made up of smaller, interconnected neighborhoods, one of the best ways to explore Atlanta is through a single pocket. And one of the most exciting corners of the city, particularly for food lovers, is Summerhill, an area rich in history undergoing a renaissance that visitors would be remiss to overlook.

Located just south of downtown, Summerhill, established in 1865, is one of the oldest parts of the city. The earliest residents of the neighborhood were freed slaves and Jewish immigrants, and it was once the most prosperous African American neighborhood in Atlanta. Georgia Avenue, which runs through the heart of the area, was a commerce center, filled with stores and restaurants from the 1920s through 1950s, but the development of the Downtown Connector (I-75/85) emptied out the neighborhood.

Atlanta Intown reported that, "The construction of the Downtown Connector... had caused a mass exodus from Summerhill and surrounding neighborhoods as wrecking balls and bulldozers cleared what was once a prosperous and lively part of the Southside." The publication noted that only a few thousand residents remained in Summerhill before the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

The city then built the Centennial Olympic Stadium in the neighborhood, which hosted the opening and closing ceremonies, as well as track and field events. This development promised growth, which unfortunately never materialized. The stadium became Turner Field, home of Atlanta Braves baseball for almost two decades before the team relocated to the suburbs, and made Cobb County their new home. The stadium was then acquired by Georgia State University for its football team.

For a while, the neighborhood was mostly parking lots, and considered a food desert up until 2023, when a Publix finally opened in the area. This, coupled with up-and-coming chefs opening new restaurants and local retailers moving into the area, once again mostly concentrated on Georgia Avenue, has contributed to the incredible rebirth of Summerhill as one of the most vibrant parts of the city.

Anywhere along Georgia Avenue is a great bet, but we’ve also included favorites located beyond this one busy street.

When Anthony Bourdain pronounces that a croissant is "very good," you know the baker's onto something. Owner Sarah O'Brien proudly displays his endorsement (and iconic photo) from the Summerhill outpost of her Atlanta bakery. Bourdain actually visited the original location in nearby Grant Park, but you're in good hands at any of her locations.

The benne seed-studded cookies make a great afternoon pick-me-up, but if you swing by early in the day, when the case is at its fullest, you'll have the best selection of pastries. The menu rotates regularly but staples, like a buttery croissant, are always available. There's also sugar-dusted morning buns, quiche, and seasonal fruit galettes with ultra-tender crusts.

littletartatl.com, 68 Georgia Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30312

Next door is O'Brien's sister concept, Big Sofie, which swirls soft serve in both classic and off-beat flavors, including dairy-free options. The ice cream shop also has custom hard shells, such as the bright orange passionfruit dip, and a litany of crunchy toppings like cornflake streusel, honeycomb, and of course, sprinkles.

How Crispy Express may sound like a restaurant name generated by AI, but we promise this place is not only real, but real delicious. It specializes in crispy fried chicken, emphasis on the crispy part. Your choice of white or dark meat is freshly fried to order and then sauced in a variety of tasty combinations. You can opt for wings or nuggets, but the sandwich section of the menu is where you should set your focus.

The Lemon Pepper Wet sandwich comes dripping in buffalo sauce and lemon pepper seasoning—an ode to the famous Atlanta wing flavor, but the Honey Boi, which smothers the chicken in a garlic-honey butter, and pairs it with a sesame slaw, sweet pickles, and a lime mayo on a "good bun," (their words, and very accurate) is a standout. The pro move is to order it spicy, for a hot honey meets Nashville-fried chicken effect.

howcrispy.com, 71 Georgia Ave SE Unit B, Atlanta, GA 30312

This walk-in only spot specializes in Thai cooking. Leave the car on Georgia Avenue and take a 10 minute stroll through the neighborhood to the restaurant, passing historic homes on the way. Offerings change daily (check their Instagram for menu updates), but generally you'll find gorgeous salads bursting with bright Thai flavors and seasonal Georgia produce, vibrant noodle dishes, and fresh seafood. If the crispy rice salad is available, don't hesitate to order it.

For those wondering, “Talat” means market in Thai, which cheekily means the business translates to 'market market'. It's a humor that permeates through to the food, and the casual but fun dining room that's decked out in eclectic art and a colorful wall-spanning mural. The chefs, Rod Lassiter and Parnass Savang, received a nomination for Best Chef Southeast by the James Beard Awards last year, and one bite in, you'll know it was well-deserved.

talatmarketatl.com, 112 Ormond Street SE, Atlanta, GA 30315

This casual brewery offers a variety of German and Czech-style beers on draft, as well as cocktails, wine, and non-alcoholic options. There's a full menu of German and Belgium-inspired bites, like pork schnitzel sliders, brats, and pretzels. Dogs are welcome on the rooftop and biergarten, and there's a regular slate of events , from trivia to live music, to enjoy.

halfwaycrooks.beer, 60 Georgia Avenue SE, Atlanta, GA 30312

Redacted Basement Drink Parlor is the newest addition to the neighborhood, and the first proper bar. Located under Georgia Avenue, you'll find the entrance around the side of the building on Reed Street. The menu is a mix of classics, like a daiquiri or paper plane, but also creative originals like the Froot Loop Milk Punch, complete with a cereal garnish. As for food, they only offer a charcuterie board, but allow guests to bring in outside food. Grab something on Georgia Avenue to-go, then pop down to the basement for something to wash it down.

redactedbdp.com, 63 Georgia Avenue SE, Atlanta, GA 30312

Go beyond food and explore all of the neighborhood has to offer.

Self-described as a “no crap” space, this shop is filled with a thoughtful selection of products, from Spicewalla spices and the latest fiction releases, to speciality wines and high-quality yarns. There's a pet section too, and sometimes a shop dog to greet you—regulars' pups are also a fixture, like Luna, who visits every day. The business offers custom letterpress stationery (hence the name), and you'll see a gorgeous antique press right as you enter the shop.

www.pressshopatl.com, 72 Georgia Avenue SE Suite 300, Atlanta, GA 30312

If you have some downtime, stop in for a facial at this local salon. The Alchemist, a service for all skin types, was named the best facial in the city by Atlanta magazine, but there's many great options tailored to specific skin needs. You can also get a great blowout, perhaps before heading to dinner at Talat Market or Southern National.

aviarybeauty.com, 72 Georgia Avenue SE Suite 400, Atlanta, GA 30312

If you're looking for a family-friendly activity, fuel up on food on Georgia Avenue, then take a walk east to Grant Park, the oldest surviving city park in Atlanta, and home to Zoo Atlanta, known for its giant pandas. It's best to buy tickets and plan an itinerary in advance (for example, to book one of the giraffe feedings). If you're traveling during the holidays, there are animal-themed light displays that kids and adults both love.

zooatlanta.org, 800 Cherokee Avenue SE, Atlanta, GA 30315

You have a few options on how to travel to Summerhill.

The area is just a short drive from your downtown or midtown hotel. Once you arrive, you can easily abandon your car for the afternoon or evening, and explore Summerhill on foot. Part of visiting (or living in) Atlanta is dealing with parking, however.

There is some street parking along Georgia Avenue (be sure to check time limits), which will put you near most of our recommendations. There's also a convenient lot on the corner of Georgia Avenue and Fraser Street marked with a "Feeling Good in Summerhill" sign, if you find yourself circling the block.

MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) runs public transit for the city of Atlanta. You can use the service a few different ways to get to Summerhill, but first, download the MARTA 'On the Go' app for schedules and real-time service updates. To purchase fares directly on your phone and use contactless readers on the bus or at stations, download the Breeze Mobile 2.0 app.

: Catch the 55 bus from the Five Points Station, or use the 832 bus from the West End Station. (A new MARTA Rapid Summerhill Line is also expected to debut this summer.)

: Get off at the Georgia State Station. Exit on Capitol Avenue/Hank Aaron Drive and walk one mile south. This is a 20 minute walk, but you will stroll past The Georgia Capitol and the Atlanta Olympic Cauldron Tower on the way. You can use ride-sharing services like Uber or Lyft from the station too, or rent an e-scooter to quickly zip down Capitol Avenue from companies like Lime, Bird, or Spin (see here for more details on e-scooter rentals), they don't come with helmets, however.