Pride: Plenty of options for dining near Piedmont Park

I know the gym queens are gasping so here are other ideas.  For something cheap and healthy, stroll to casual Willy’s on the Piedmont and 12th side of Piedmont Park. I get the chicken burrito with no rice and add sour cream inside the burrito plus extra cilantro, then I go nuts on the tomatillo green salsa and fresh chunky guacamole. For $8 it’s a huge, cheap, filling burrito at Piedmont and you can take your kids or drunk friends to sober them up.

For a diverse restaurant selection where the locals go, stroll a couple of blocks on the Monroe side of the park and cross the street to the Midtown Promenade and Landmark Theater, where there’s a large variety of affordable places.

At Mellow Mushroom I always get the pizza with sliced meatballs and pesto, with a Greek salad. Their avocado and tofu sub is terrific for vegetarians. There’s also FROGS Cantina for flavorful Tex Mex fare and Metro Fresh will have their stellar Sunday brunch with scratch made healthy food.

Apres Diam café is a European chic coffee and wine bar featuring inventive salads, sandwiches and tapas like the warm, bubbly tomato sauce with herbed goat cheese and a toasty baguette for sopping. I love any kind of ethnocentric cuisine so for something different try Vietnamese Nam, Royal Orchid Thai and Desi Spice for Indian cuisine.

Right to next to Blakes on 10th Street is Gilbert’s, with Mediterranean fare. I’m fond of their gyro and a side of smoky eggplant spread. Across the street is the Flying Biscuit for Atlanta’s splendid biscuit and brunch or comforting turkey meatloaf on scratch mashed potatoes. Next door is budget friendly Jason’s Deli and I really like the large salad bar, their enormous Rueben, or the light California club with turkey, sprouts and guacamole on a crispy croissant.

I personally will stroll a little further to Joe’s on Juniper Street for the best patio where all the gay locals will be. Less crowded might be the hidden Amsterdam Avenue District off Monroe, featuring LGBT –friendly bars and restaurants like Loca Luna for Spanish tapas. Meander to Peachtree Street to beat the crowds and visit the nice patio at Tap or impress your out-of-town friends and drive to their sister restaurant Two Urban Licks.

If you want nearby higher end fare try Nickiemoto’s pan Asian and sushi across from Blake’s, One Midtown Kitchen, or Zocalo for upscale Latin but be warned these places will be very crowded. While waiting for a table stroll through the LGBT Store Outwrite Bookstore & Coffeehouse next to Blake’s.

Google search all the places I mentioned plus the key words Restaurant Atlanta for hours, menus and location. Happy Pride!

 

Top photo: Already had your fill of festival food? Luckily there are plenty of restaurants in walking distance from Piedmont Park. They will also make great stops if you are looking for more than popcorn during the Out on Film Festival. (Stock image)