I'm kicking off one of my most requested content categories — travel guides — with the city I know best (and call home!): Atlanta. It's a place where you feel like you’re in the midst of a sweet collection of neighborhoods, all while having access the entertainment, fine dining, and culture that a major metropolitan city has to offer.
If I left off a favorite of yours, tell me — I'm always taking notes!
The Lauren Letter will always be free. But if this space has become something you look forward to—a small ritual in your week, a source of inspiration, a reminder to approach life with more intention—you now have the option to support it.
The Atlanta Look
Atlanta women dress with confidence that borders on architecture — think bold color and print! You'll spot local names like Sid & Ann Mashburn and Abbey Glass all over the city, layered in with staples from Veronica Beard, Hunter Bell, and Cara Cara. And pack layers no matter the season: Hotlanta earns its nickname the moment you step outside, but the AC pumping inside everywhere you go runs cold enough to counter it twice over!
Getting There
Fly into Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) — the world’s busiest airport, so connections are easy from nearly anywhere. Buckhead and Midtown run about 25-30 minutes by car with normal traffic, longer during rush hour. While public transport on MARTA is available (and great for heading to Mercedes-Benz Stadium or State Farm Arena), the city is generally not walkable, so plan on renting a car or utilizing rideshare!
Where to Stay
The St. Regis Atlanta — Buckhead’s crown jewel, with a piazza pool that feels lifted from a Mediterranean villa. Featuring my favorite spa in the city, a Michelin-starred restaurant, a moody little bar, and proper afternoon tea, all under one roof.
Four Seasons Atlanta — Midtown’s polished escape, home to the feminine, decadent Bar Margot and Brasserie Margot. Steps from the buzz, while feeling a world away from it.
Forth Hotel — Part social club, part fitness club, part hotel, all in Old Fourth Ward — with some of the best skyline views in the city!
Loews Atlanta — A dependable, well-located Midtown choice.
AC Hotel Atlanta Midtown — My parents’ pick when they’re after something more economical without sacrificing location.
Where to Eat
Coffee & Breakfast
Waffle House — The Atlanta classic!
THE CHASTAIN — Start with a walk around Chastain park, followed by a pastry (I love their gluten-free chive biscuit), a coffee, and a seat by the Adirondack fire pits.
PERC Coffee — A Virginia-Highland fixture with excellent crafted coffee drinks and quick bites.
Le Bon Nosh — For an elevated start to your morning in one of Atlanta’s most beautifully appointed dining spaces.
BRASH Coffee Roasters — A charming stop near the Atlanta History Center, perfect for pairing culture with a good cappuccino.
Lunch
Alon’s — A French-style market with grab-and-go sandwiches, salads, and sides.
Brasserie Margot — For the most decadent girls’ brunch, or a boozy late-afternoon lunch that melts into dinner.
Henri’s — A Buckhead staple for sandwiches, though I’d argue the shortbread cookies are the real headline!
Yeppa & Co. — Buckhead Village’s best patio for an Aperol spritz and convivial conversation.
Superica — My favorite Mexican in the city, with locations sprinkled everywhere!
Dinner
Le Bilboquet — My favorite, full stop. Sneak onto the patio, order the cajun chicken and a glass of bubbles, and let the people-watching do the rest.
Bones — The classic that stands above Atlanta’s very crowded field of excellent steakhouses.
Little Sparrow — Ford Fry’s French venture. The food is wonderful, but it’s the personal, detailed service that keeps pulling us back.
Murphy’s — Elevated-yet-easy eats in the heart of Virginia-Highland with a drink and wine list to match; you’ll feel like a regular by dessert.
Yebo Beach Haus — Tucked into Andrews Square, South African fare built for a group and a good time — do not skip the frozen espresso martini!
Where to Sip
The St. Regis Bar — Cozy and dark inside, buzzy and bright on the patio; my forever go-to for catching up with girlfriends or easing into dinner.
Bar Blanc — Little Sparrow’s chic, slightly moodier sister bar.
The Garden Room — A girlfriends’ favorite — like wandering into the most glamorous greenhouse imaginable, cocktail in hand!
Le Colonial — The menu is lovely, but the bar tucked in back is the real destination; the lychee martini is non-negotiable.
Bar Margot — Midtown, glamorous, and an elevated craft cocktail hub.
Where to Shop
Women
Monkee’s of Peachtree Battle — Located within a go-to shopping center stop, I can always depend on finding at least one unplanned purchase within Monkee’s curated selections.
Poppy’s of Atlanta — Andrews Square’s boldest, brightest edit.
W.Port — A beautifully, tightly curated boutique.
Tootsies — Where to find the latest from favorite luxury designers and event dressing.
La Librairie — A hidden gem tucked inside the Interiors Market antique storefront, with consignment pieces from houses like Chanel. Perfect for treasure-hunting!
Men
Onward Reserve — Founded in Athens, Georgia, and a men’s go-to for everything from casual wear to sport coats and accessories.
Miller Collective — Andrews Square’s curated edit of men’s casual staples like Johnnie-O, plus home goods worth a detour.
Sid Mashburn — Atlanta’s own designer for sharp men’s essentials.
The London Trading Company — Elevated British outdoor leisurewear collection from the likes of Barbour and Purdey.
Peter Millar — A menswear favorite, with a full storefront at Avalon.
Children
Baby Braithwaite — Heirloom-quality baby gifts and clothing.
Little Buckhead Blue — A darling Beaufort Bonnet signature store.
W.Port Little — The mini version of the next-door grown-up favorite.
The Children’s Shop — An Atlanta institution.
Emilia George — Your destination for cult-favorite children’s goods.
Home & Gifts
Lucy’s Market — A true emporium of the best gifts, seasonal home décor, and gourmet market finds.
Weezie — The loveliest monogrammed linens, towels, and home accessories.
Means Carney Home — A beautifully edited shop for home goods, art, and gifting.
Gregg Irby Gallery — A premier contemporary fine art gallery where you can discover the work of both established and emerging artists.
Boxwoods — Classic charm for the garden and home.
What to See
Buckhead Village District — My favorite shopping and dining hub in the city!
High Museum of Art — Atlanta’s home for fine art, and worth a slow, unhurried wander.
SCAD Museum of Fashion & Film — Rotating exhibits with real intrigue, including past showcases on André Leon Talley and Dior.
National Center for Civil and Human Rights — Just beside the World of Coca-Cola and Georgia Aquarium sits an essential, moving viewing in the city that helped lead the movement.
Atlanta Botanical Garden — The installations are stunning year-round, but Cocktails in the Garden turns a warm evening into a true event.
Excursions
The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee — Only ninety minutes away, this escape is like summer camp for adults!
Barnsley Resort — An hour into North Georgia for farm-to-table dining, outdoor recreation, and the most comfortable hospitality.
Athens, Georgia — While most will say The Classic City is best taken in on a gameday, the music, dining, and shopping is worth the drive any time of year!
Avalon — Just outside the city proper, the luxury shopping and dining make the short drive more than worth it for the outing.
North Georgia Wineries — Book a bus and take in the views (and a few glasses!).
P.S. I promise to always keep The Lauren Letter free as my little exercise of trying to make the world a bit more beautiful. If, in return, you could considering giving this post a “like” or share with a friend, it would just mean the world to me.
What a great addition!