Atlanta’s cafe scene spans a range of formats from European-inspired coffeehouses that serve as neighborhood social hubs to French-influenced bistro cafes that combine fresh pastries with natural wine programs, neighborhood cafes embedded in specific Atlanta communities, and concept cafes that add distinct cultural identities to the standard cafe format. Cafe Intermezzo, established in 1979, brings a European coffeehouse tradition to Atlanta that its founder Brian Olson experienced during travel in Germany, creating a “third place” environment outside home and work where Atlanta residents can gather at a slower pace. Le Bon Nosh in Buckhead, opened in 2021 by Chef Forough Vakili, combines a French-influenced menu with a market and wine bar in a concept that bridges the cafe and bistro categories. Chrome Yellow Trading Co. on Edgewood Avenue serves as a specialty coffee and food cafe where chef Jarrett Stieber’s food menu elevates the typical cafe offering.
When evaluating a cafe in Atlanta, the balance between coffee quality, food quality, and atmosphere determines whether the establishment functions as a genuine third-place community hub or merely as a coffee transaction point. A strong cafe should produce consistent, technically sound espresso and filter coffee as the beverage foundation, with pastries and food items that are made fresh daily rather than from commercial frozen product. The physical environment should encourage lingering rather than quick turnover, with seating that allows for conversation and work, appropriate ambient noise levels, and a staff culture that welcomes extended stays rather than pressuring rapid table clearing. Cafes that serve a specific neighborhood function have a community dimension that exceeds the food and beverage program alone, and the regulars who anchor a neighborhood cafe’s identity are part of what makes it worth visiting.
Top Cafe Companies in Atlanta
1. Cafe Intermezzo
Address: 1065 Peachtree St NE, Suite 2, Atlanta, GA 30309 (Midtown); multiple Atlanta locations
Phone: (404) 355-0411
Website: https://www.cafeintermezzo.com
Founded: 1979
Services:
- European-style espresso drinks and specialty coffee
- Signature pastry and dessert case
- Full cafe and dessert menu
- Cocktails, wine, and spirits
- Validated parking available
- Late evening and night hours extending past standard cafe close
About: Cafe Intermezzo was founded in 1979 based on founder Brian Olson’s vision of bringing the European coffeehouse tradition he encountered in Germany to Atlanta, creating a gathering space that operates as a genuine third place between home and work. The restaurant’s signature pastry case, dim lighting, soft music, and European-influenced atmosphere have built a loyal following across four decades of Atlanta dining that has remained relevant through multiple city changes. The cafe’s willingness to stay open into the late evening, combined with its cocktail and spirits program alongside the coffee and dessert menu, makes Cafe Intermezzo a destination at hours when other cafes have closed. The Midtown location on Peachtree Street serves a dense residential and hotel population and has become an institution for both Atlanta residents and visitors seeking a relaxed late evening environment.
2. Le Bon Nosh
Address: 65 Irby Ave NW, Suite 103, Atlanta, GA 30305
Phone: (404) 835-2007
Website: https://www.lebonnosh.com
Founded: 2021
Services:
- French-influenced cafe, restaurant, and market
- Freshly baked pastries and breakfast preparations
- Natural wine program and wine bar
- Specialty coffee from Intelligentsia
- Market retail including specialty food products
- Buckhead neighborhood location
About: Le Bon Nosh was opened in 2021 by Founder and Chef Forough Vakili in Buckhead’s Irby building, creating a French-influenced cafe and market rooted in the belief that good food builds community and nourishes more than just the body. The concept bridges the cafe, restaurant, and wine bar categories, serving freshly baked pastries and breakfast preparations alongside Intelligentsia Coffee in the morning and transitioning to a wine-forward social environment in the afternoon and evening. The market component allows Le Bon Nosh to extend the food and beverage experience into retail specialty food products that guests can bring home. The French bistro-inspired interior creates an atmosphere that has made Le Bon Nosh one of Atlanta’s most photographed cafe interiors since its 2021 opening.
3. Chrome Yellow Trading Co.
Address: 501 Edgewood Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30312
Phone: (470) 355-1340
Website: https://www.chrome-yellow.com
Hours: Monday-Friday 7 AM-5 PM, Saturday-Sunday 8 AM-5 PM
Services:
- In-house specialty coffee roasting
- Food menu by Chef Jarrett Stieber
- Breakfast empanadas and cafe food program
- Industrial-style former garage interior
- Single-origin rotating espresso selections
- Old Fourth Ward neighborhood cafe atmosphere
About: Chrome Yellow Trading Co. occupies a former industrial garage on Edgewood Avenue in the Old Fourth Ward, combining in-house specialty coffee roasting with a cafe food program developed by Chef Jarrett Stieber that elevates the typical cafe food offering well beyond pastry cases and packaged snacks. The industrial-converted interior, with its fiddle-leaf fig plants, subway tile, whitewashed brick, and vintage elements, has made Chrome Yellow one of the most visually distinctive cafe environments in Atlanta. Rated 4.7 out of 5 by local diners and named one of Atlanta’s coolest coffee shops by Atlanta Magazine, the cafe serves as a daily gathering place for the Old Fourth Ward’s creative and professional community. The combination of roasting transparency, food quality, and neighborhood character makes Chrome Yellow a complete cafe experience rather than simply a coffee stop.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What distinguishes a cafe from a coffee shop in Atlanta?
A: While the terms are often used interchangeably, a cafe in the fuller sense typically offers a more complete food menu alongside its coffee program, operates with a sit-down atmosphere oriented toward longer stays, and may incorporate elements like wine, light meals, or pastries that extend the visit beyond a quick coffee. A coffee shop may be more focused on the beverage program with minimal food. Cafe Intermezzo’s European coffeehouse model with its pastry case, spirits program, and late hours represents the most complete cafe format in Atlanta. Le Bon Nosh adds a wine bar and restaurant dimension. Chrome Yellow combines a specialty roastery with a chef-driven food program. All three operate differently from a standard quick-service coffee shop.
Q: What are the most popular items to order at Atlanta cafes?
A: At Cafe Intermezzo, the European-style espresso drinks, signature pastry selections, and desserts are the core orders, with cocktails and spirits extending the visit into the evening. At Le Bon Nosh, the freshly baked pastries, breakfast sandwiches, and Intelligentsia Coffee are morning anchors, with the natural wine program taking over in the afternoon. At Chrome Yellow, the rotating single-origin espresso and in-house roast filter coffees are the primary draw, alongside breakfast empanadas and the chef-developed food menu.
Q: What does a cafe visit typically cost in Atlanta?
A: At Cafe Intermezzo, espresso drinks are $5-$8, dessert and pastry selections are $7-$14, and cocktails and spirits add $12-$16. At Le Bon Nosh, pastries are $5-$9, breakfast plates are $14-$18, and wine by the glass runs $12-$18. At Chrome Yellow, specialty coffee drinks are $5-$8 and food items from the Chef Stieber menu are $8-$16. A complete cafe experience at any of Atlanta’s top cafe operations runs $15-$30 per person for coffee and food, or $25-$45 per person when wine or cocktails are included.
Conclusion
Atlanta’s cafe scene is defined by Cafe Intermezzo’s 1979-founded European coffeehouse tradition in Midtown, Le Bon Nosh’s French-influenced cafe, restaurant, and wine bar in Buckhead, and Chrome Yellow Trading Co.’s specialty roasting and chef-driven food program in the Old Fourth Ward. Each represents a distinct dimension of Atlanta’s rich cafe culture. Contact these establishments directly for hours, private event availability, and catering inquiries.