The counters in Atlanta worth queuing for: bread, pastry, and the morning ritual.
Bakery counters in Atlanta worth queuing for: levain breads, laminated pastry, regional bakes and the morning ritual.
Linton Hopkins' Holeman and Finch Bread bakery in Buckhead, Atlanta runs naturally leavened sourdough, viennoiserie and a pastry programme attached to Restaurant Eugene.
Tip: Wholesale-leaning; the public retail counter runs Wed to Sat. Phone ahead for whole loaves on Friday and Saturday morning.
Worth the queue: Country sourdough loaf
Henri's Bakery in Buckhead, Atlanta has run since 1929 with French pastries, European cakes and the po'boy sandwich that became the cult lunch order.
Tip: The po'boy with daily-baked French roll is the order; cakes book ahead for celebrations. Counter ordering.
Worth the queue: Po'boy sandwich
Alon Balshan's bakery in Morningside, Atlanta opened 1992 and runs European-style breads, viennoiserie and a prepared-foods counter. Dunwoody satellite since 2007.
Tip: The almond croissant is the canonical morning order. Prepared-foods counter does Friday-night roast chicken and sides.
Worth the queue: Almond croissant
Highland Bakery on Highland Avenue in Atlanta opened 2005 with all-day brunch, scratch biscuits and a cult cinnamon roll. Multiple locations across the metro.
Tip: The cinnamon roll is the marquee item. No reservations; line builds 09:00 weekends. Old Fourth Ward location is the original.
Worth the queue: Cinnamon roll
Buttermilk Sky Pie Shop in Buckhead, Atlanta runs Southern pies daily: pecan, sweet potato, key lime and the cult I Love You Pie (sweet potato custard topped with cinnamon).
Tip: Reserve whole pies 48 hours ahead for Thanksgiving and Christmas. The signature 'I Love You Pie' is the year-round favourite.
Worth the queue: I Love You Pie (sweet potato custard)
Sarah Dodge's Little Tart Bakeshop in Atlanta opened 2010 and runs a French-leaning pastry programme with bostocks, kouign-amann and naturally leavened bread.
Tip: Krog Street Market and Decatur sister stalls run the same morning bake. The bostock with bitter orange marmalade is the move.
Worth the queue: Bostock
The General Muir at Emory Point in Atlanta opened 2013 with hand-rolled, kettle-boiled New York bagels and a full Jewish deli menu under chef Todd Ginsberg.
Tip: Bagels often sell out by 13:00. Reuben and pastrami sandwiches anchor the lunch counter. Buckhead sister location runs same hours.
Worth the queue: Everything bagel with lox
Kamal Grant's Sublime Doughnuts in West Midtown, Atlanta opened 2008 with hand-fried, filled doughnuts. Crowned best doughnut in America by Travel and Leisure in 2014.
Tip: Open until 21:00 daily. The A-Town Cream is the canonical order; rotating seasonal flavours change weekly.
Worth the queue: A-Town Cream Doughnut
Revolution Doughnuts in Decatur, Atlanta runs scratch-fried doughnuts with both traditional and vegan options. Counter ordering since 2012.
Tip: The vegan brown butter glaze is the cult order. Sells out by 12:00 weekends. Cash and card.
Worth the queue: Brown butter glazed doughnut
Le Petit Marche in Kirkwood, Atlanta runs a French-leaning bakery and brunch counter with pastries and breakfast sandwiches since 2010. Neighbourhood gem.
Tip: Cash and card. The croissant breakfast sandwich is the cult order. No reservations; line builds Saturday by 09:00.
Worth the queue: Croissant breakfast sandwich
Peak food season in Atlanta is year-round.
Local dining hours: lunch around 12:30, dinner from 19:30.
service is typically included; small extra is welcome but not expected.
Ask the next local you meet what they would order. Atlanta rewards trust.