Virginia-Highland, Atlanta
Virginia-Highland is a residential and business district in Atlanta, Georgia. The neighborhood is bounded by North Highland Avenue on the West, 15th Street on the North, North Avenue on the East, and North Avenue on the South. The neighborhood is an eclectic mix of residential buildings, commercial businesses, and parks, and the area is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
It is a historically walkable and transit-oriented neighborhood, which is sometimes referred to as the “Emerald Necklace” for its collection of architecturally significant buildings.
Located in the heart of Midtown, Virginia-Highland is a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly neighborhood that offers a range of shopping and dining options, as well as a full range of performing arts venues. Virginia-Highland is also home to one of Atlanta’s most vibrant art scenes, providing more than 100 galleries and shops, as well as 16 art-oriented pubs, cafes, and restaurants.
Eleftheria’s is inspiring newly-minted restaurateurs. Owner Eleftheria Papachristou, herself a restaurateur, moved to Virginia-Highland over a decade ago, but it was a decade before she opened a restaurant in the area. Now that she has, Papachristou’s food stands on its own, but she doesn’t overlook the importance of comfortable, well-designed space. Her restaurant is an elegant, white-on-white dining room in a converted house.
A special commendation for a restaurant with a food and wine menu that’s so extensive, that it took former owner and chef David Tracy a year to research and create. It’s one of those restaurants where the plates are more about the ingredients and the technique than their names. It’s also one of those restaurants where the chef is aware of the historical context that motivated some of the dishes he puts on the menu.
Best Bar is a local favorite. With a great selection of drinks and food, it’s the perfect place to stop by after work to unwind after a busy day. If you’re in the Virginia-Highland neighborhood of Atlanta, Georgia, be sure to check out the Virginia-Highland Walks. The free walking tours of the neighborhood take you through the history of the neighborhood and show you how the neighborhood has changed throughout the years. It’s a fun way to spend a few hours.
Local shops are opening up in Virginia-Highland and Atlanta, including a handful of polish boutiques and a new Handy Café. The best places to go out in Atlanta aren’t downtown, but instead in Virginia-Highland, where you can move, dine, and stay at the same time.
Little Free Libraries have popped up all over – from San Francisco to St. Louis to Baltimore – and they do not just book exchanges. These mini bookstalls also offer free activities and an opportunity to meet new people.