Decatur food guide: dining on the square, six miles from Atlanta

Decatur is its own small city, about six miles east of downtown Atlanta, with a compact center around a courthouse square. Locals and visitors choose it because everything is within walking distance: restaurants, bars, a bookstore, a library and a train station. In a metro area that is mostly car-oriented, that is unusual, and it makes Decatur one of the easiest places in Georgia to spend an evening.

How do you get to Decatur?

MARTA, Atlanta's rail system, has a station on Church Street in Decatur, a short walk from the square. The trip from downtown Atlanta takes about 15 minutes. That makes it possible to have dinner and a drink without driving, which is unusual in the area. Parking around the square is in decks and on the street, and it fills on weekend nights, so rail is often easier. If you do drive, check the posted time limits, because the city enforces them. The restaurants are all within reach of the MARTA station.

What are the main restaurants on the square?

The square holds a dense cluster of restaurants. A long-running beer tavern serves Southern-style pub food, and tapas, pizza and Southern kitchens cluster around it. The square is also home to bakeries and coffee shops where locals meet for breakfast.

Where do you go for a casual or inexpensive meal?

Casual options near the square include taquerias, sushi counters and sandwich shops. For breakfast, look for biscuits and brunch plates at the bakeries and cafes around the square. For dessert, ask a local which ice cream shop is the current favorite. Lunch is a good time to visit, as lines are shorter. Weekday lunch also brings workers from the county courthouse and nearby offices, so the busiest hour is noon to 1 p.m., and a table at 11:30 is easy.

Do you need reservations?

For dinner on Friday and Saturday, yes at the most popular restaurants, or come early. The square fills with people on weekend evenings and during events. Many restaurants hold some tables for walk-ins. Sunday brunch lines can be long; join a waitlist and walk around the square, where there are bookstores and shops. Weeknights are much easier.

What events change the mood?

Decatur hosts festivals through the year, including a beer festival and a book festival. Events close streets around the square and bring large crowds, so plan to arrive early, and take the train.

What about families, groups and dietary needs?

Decatur is a family-oriented city, with playgrounds and parks near the square, and many restaurants have patios and children's menus. Groups of six or more should call ahead. Some restaurants cannot seat large parties at the bar or on the patio, so ask for a table when you call. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are common, and servers are used to questions. Say so when you order if you have an allergy.

How does Decatur compare to Atlanta's other districts? It is quieter and more compact than the Westside or Midtown, and more walkable than most of the city. It is also more expensive than Buford Highway for a comparable meal. Combining a stop in Decatur with a visit to East Atlanta, Oakhurst or Kirkwood, nearby neighborhoods with their own restaurants, makes a good evening. For international food, head to Buford Highway.

What should you know about tax, tips and alcohol?

Georgia charges sales tax on meals, and DeKalb County has its own rate, so check the receipt. Tip 18 to 20 percent. Decatur has a number of bars and beer-focused restaurants, and Georgia local rules govern Sunday alcohol hours, so confirm when a restaurant starts serving on Sundays.

What is Decatur's history and why does it matter to the food?

Decatur was founded in 1823 and is the seat of DeKalb County, and its courthouse still anchors the square. Because the city kept its walkable core while Atlanta grew around it, independent restaurants found affordable ground floors and a loyal local crowd. The city has a reputation for good public schools and a civic culture that supports small business, and it hosts regular community events on the square. That mix of residents who eat out often and a steady stream of visitors from the courts and nearby Agnes Scott College explains why a town of this size has so many restaurants. It also means the places are used to regulars, so the service is often personal.

A good first visit to Decatur is a relaxed walk. Park once, stroll around the square and the streets that lead off it, and read the menus posted at the doors before you choose. Weekday lunch is the easiest time to get a table, and weekend brunch and dinner are the busiest. Many places offer outdoor seating in mild weather, which is useful if you have children or a dog. Call ahead on a Sunday or a holiday weekend, when hours shift.

How do you remember a Decatur dinner on the square?

Mosey is a food app for finding, rating and sharing places to eat. A walkable square means you can eat three times in an evening, and rating each plate by name keeps the night from blurring. Rate the pub food, the dessert and the coffee as separate dishes, tag who you ate with so friends can add their own view, and keep a list called Decatur by train for the next visit. Local Champion is earned in a city by rating five places, answering three Top 3 questions and making a list, and a small walkable town is a good place to begin.

More guides to read next:

• Cambridge and Somerville food guide: eating by the square
• Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket: seafood shacks and seasonal food
• Massachusetts food day trips: Worcester diners, Springfield and Salem

More in the US food guides and the ranked lists of places.

Before you catch the train home, get the Mosey app and rate the best thing you ate on the square.