This story of Southern grubbin’ originally appeared on RAD AND HUNGRY.
Atlanta is the New South. If Savannah is dripping in Spanish moss and New Orleans repping colonial architecture and jazz heritage, Atlanta is a global glass tower on a hill.
The city is booming and looking ahead. Whether it be for the film industry or finance, it’s attracting people from all over. We felt a little lost in all this newness – like when a billboard for the Pencil Factory made our hearts race but turned out to be converted condos. Ponce City Market’s huge Art Deco sign is dope as hell, but the historic building houses an overwhelming mall with chain stores and a trendy cafeteria. Nothing rare to unearth – it’s just not our jam.
We wanted a local grub spot and found it just a few blocks down the street. The rad street art mural out front was the first good sign. Inside, 8ARM only got more inviting. A bright orange and white cafe led into an open dining room dotted with plants, and then to an outdoor patio and bar housed in a container. Turns out the building was an old scooter garage!
8ARM felt like your cool kid friend was cooking for you. Sippin’ coffee, scopin’ out the designy vintage touches while a hip crowd trickled in. A snake and wolf mural with a Latin phrase dominated the sunny room – something from Aesop’s fables.
The menu rocked some brunch classics, but didn’t play too safe. Lamb cheek for breakfast with lemongrass and carrots? Hell yes. Everyone said the biscuits were a MUST, but to our dismay – sold out. Craving the pastries in the glass case was as close as we got.
We could have got down at 8ARM all day, moving from morning cafe to cocktails on the patio. Instead, we walked off our grits at nearby Paris on Ponce (antique market) and the BeltLine (rail line converted to a pedestrian path). Next time we’re in Atlanta though, those biscuits are top of the list.
Jessica Mlinaric founded Urban Explorer in 2010 to inspire curious travelers by highlighting history, culture, and hidden gems in Chicago and beyond. She is the author of ‘Secret Chicago’ and ‘Chicago Scavenger.’ Jessica has visited 20+ countries and 30+ U.S. states. She has more than 16 years of experience as a marketing strategist and works as a freelance writer and photographer.
