buckheadMon-Sat 07:00-18:00Walk-in onlyEuropean pastries, cakes, sandwiches
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
morningsideMon-Sat 09:00-19:00, Sun 10:00-17:00European breads, pastries, prepared foods
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
virginia-highlandDaily 07:00-15:00Walk-in onlyAll-day brunch, cinnamon rolls, biscuits
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
buckheadMon-Sat 11:00-19:00Walk-in onlySouthern pies
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)
grant-parkWed-Sun 08:00-15:00Walk-in onlySourdough and French pastries
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
emoryDaily 07:00-15:00New York-style bagels and Jewish deli
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