My favorite area in Atlanta is Inman Park so I am there a lot! There are so many places that I love to go that I had to feature them as my next Neighborhood Spotlight. I’m highlighting 3 of my top spots and providing the scoop on some others because the area is packed with great places to eat and drink!
BeetleCat
I like this place so much I had New Year’s Eve dinner here! BeetleCat serves the freshest seafood in town, has a cool upstairs/downstairs setup and a rockstar drink program. They do an Oyster Happy Hour Monday-Friday, where you can get an awesome deal on their oysters and other raw seafood items like their peel & eat shrimp. The oysters were fresh and made even more delicious with their Oyster Backs! They offer 3 of these: a “Cool Cucumber,” “Hot Shot,” and “Oh Snap” – they are the perfect pairing to go along with your oysters.
On my most recent visit, I enjoyed some happy hour items as well as the award winning (yes, serious gold star) Lobster Roll and a couple of new items. This was my first time having the Lobster Roll and wow was it good! The lobster is so incredibly fresh and is loaded on to a perfectly toasted bun and served with homemade chips…this one went to the top of my list of favorite things! I also tried the Kale Salad (topped with fresh strawberries, pickled red onion and feta cheese) and the Salt & Pepper Squid – both were excellent. Brunch is in effect as well because…yes, they have donuts!
One of the best features of BeetleCat is the fact there are 2 levels with completely different vibes. The upstairs is bright and chic, with lots of windows, while downstairs (“The Den”) makes you feel like you have walked into a really cool basement from the 70’s. I’ve been known to shake my groove thing downstairs on a Saturday night when they have DJs. It is also possible I may have enjoyed some late night grub down there from their special Late Night Menu (11pm-2am). They also have amazing patios on each floor to check out the crowd Inman Park.
Did someone say cocktails?
I also have to mention that Beetlecat is one of my favorites because their cocktail game is very strong. Their drink “The Salty Dog” (ruby red vodka, grapefruit, grapefruit bitters, pink Himalayan sea salt) is my favorite thing to drink on a nice day siting outside on the patio. “The Mary Pickford” (pineapple, pomegranate, grenadine, maraschino liqueur, rum) is another one that I enjoy and it pairs perfectly with a seafood dinner.
I think of BeetleCat as a great place to go for so many occasions but some of the best times I’ve had in Inman Park have been with dinner upstairs followed by drinks and live music in the Den. Whenever you go, prepare to have so much fun and enjoy some amazing food and drinks!
Little Spirit
Whenever I’m in Inman Park, I always stop by Little Spirit for a drink. Only open since June of 2018, this little bar has become loved by many. The atmosphere is fun and the craft cocktails are the best! They have some great ones to choose from or if you are not sure what you want, just chat with the great bartenders and they will mix up something yummy for you. Stop by the next time you’re in the area and make sure to grab a photo with Biggie and Tupac on the back wall.
Il Localino
Now on to my favorite Italian restaurant in the city, Il Localino. The owners Giovanni and Gale know what they are doing, as is evident by the fact they will be celebrating 20 years in business this October. This didn’t happen by accident. Food, fun, and hospitality are the not-so-secret ingredients! They are serving fresh and authentic Italian dishes and they are doing it with such class. I’m talking fresh to the point where the arugula is delivered every other day. Let’s talk about some pasta though – made fresh and comfort on a plate.
On my last visit, I was able to enjoy four of them, including an incredible Lobster Ravioli in a champagne cream sauce, Rigatoni Bolognese, Jumbo Shrimp Fra Diavolo with a spicy red sauce, and their legendary Pappardelle Sinatra.
The “Sinatra” was made for Frank back in the day, when Giovanni owned a restaurant in Miami beach. Frank Sinatra would come up after a show to get something in his stomach before hitting the town. He didn’t want anything too heavy so this dish was perfect because the pasta is made with egg whites, making it a little less heavy.
The care and attention they give their food is only topped by what they do for their guests. A warm greeting when you enter and amazing service throughout the meal. They care about the little details here, all the way down to pristine white table cloths and fresh cut roses on the tables, and 20-year balsamic vinegar gracing the olive oil for your bread. The ingredients from the Tiramisu are from Italy because anything less just isn’t good enough. Hopefully, you get to meet Gale when you go because she could not be a more gracious hostess and most of their staff has been with them for over ten years. It creates warm family atmosphere.
Looking good Il Localino!
One of my favorite aspects of Il Localino is the amazing décor. They have 3,000 beautiful lanterns hanging from the ceiling to give the otherwise old-school Italian feel some modern fun. They change out the lanterns and décor every season and for holidays to keep things new. This restaurant is the perfect mix of romantic, fun, and classic. The restaurant is also much bigger than it looks when you first walk in. There are two other rooms in the back, which are often booked for private events so if you have a special celebratory dinner coming up, you should check it out.
Chef Giovanni has served many celebrities and photos are displayed on their walls from over the years. Il Localino is such a special place, I was already a fan of the food but after meeting the owners and staff and learning their history I am now a forever customer. Go for date night, take your parents, celebrate an occasion with loved ones or show your out-of-town guests a fun night but just go and enjoy…and then go again. It is delicioso!
Other Favorites
It is almost unfair how many good places there are in Inman Park. If you want a fun and casual spot to hang out in, check out Hampton & Hudson. Great food, awesome bar, and as an official partner of Atlanta United, a great place to watch a game.
If you want something a little more European, then head over to Barcelona Inman Park for yummy Spanish tapas, lots of wine, and one of the best patios in Atlanta to check out the scene.
And to finish the trip around the world, fun Korean BBQ is in full effect at Char. This place has a major bar scene and DJs on the weekends so you can grill and chill!
Inman Park Restaurant Week!
If you want to check out some of the places, take advantage of Inman Park Restaurant Week, which is running from March 25-31. There are discounted menus so it is a great way to explore the neighborhood.