$$$$
BakeryEuropean breads, pastries, prepared foodsMorningside
Alon Balshan's bakery in Morningside, Atlanta opened 1992 and runs European-style breads, viennoiserie and a prepared-foods counter. Booking recommended.
Worth the queueAlmond croissant
TipThe almond croissant is the canonical morning order. Prepared-foods counter does Friday-night roast chicken and sides.
$$$$
BakeryHundred-layer doughnuts and croissant-doughnut hybridsOld Fourth WardWalk-in only
Five Daughters Bakery at Ponce City Market in Atlanta runs the Hundred Layer Doughnut, a three-day fusion of croissant and doughnut with 144 buttery layers.
Worth the queueHundred Layer Doughnut
TipTop items often sell out by mid-morning Saturday. The classic Hundred Layer Doughnut is the marquee order; rotating seasonal fillings change weekly.
$$$$
BakerySouthern piesBuckheadWalk-in only
Southern Baked Pie Company in Buckhead, Atlanta runs Amanda Wilbanks's Gainesville-born pie line from a chic Peachtree counter: caramel pecan.
Worth the queueCaramel pecan pie and original buttermilk pie
TipReserve whole pies 48 hours ahead for Thanksgiving and Christmas. The caramel pecan and original buttermilk are the year-round picks.
$$$$
BakerySourdough and French pastriesGrant ParkWalk-in only
Sarah Dodge's Little Tart Bakeshop in Atlanta opened 2010 and runs a French-leaning pastry programme with bostocks, kouign-amann and naturally leavened bread.
Worth the queueBostock
TipKrog Street Market and Decatur sister stalls run the same morning bake. The bostock with bitter orange marmalade is the move.
$$$$
BakeryNew York-style bagels and Jewish deliEmory
The General Muir at Emory Point in Atlanta opened 2013 with hand-rolled, kettle-boiled New York bagels and a full Jewish deli menu under chef Todd Ginsberg.
Worth the queueEverything bagel with lox
TipBagels often sell out by 13:00. Reuben and pastrami sandwiches anchor the lunch counter. Buckhead sister location runs same hours.
$$$$
BakeryFilled doughnuts and creative flavoursWest MidtownWalk-in only
Kamal Grant's Sublime Doughnuts in West Midtown, Atlanta opened 2008 with hand-fried, filled doughnuts. Open daily 06:00-22:00. At 535 10th St NW.
Worth the queueA-Town Cream Doughnut
TipOpen until 22:00 daily. The A-Town Cream is the canonical order; rotating seasonal flavours change weekly.