kirkwoodTue-Sun 08:00-15:00Walk-in onlyBreakfast pastries and brunch
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
buckheadWed-Sat 09:00-15:00Naturally leavened sourdough and viennoiserie
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
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)