SPOTLIGHT neighborhood Virginia-Highland

By Lindsay Oberst

Apedestrian-friendly neighborhood just east of Midtown’s Piedmont Park, Atlanta’s VirginiaHighland area attracts a mix of young professionals and families who stroll its tree-lined sidewalks, enjoying a charming array of casual restaurants, friendly watering holes and trendy shops.

Housing

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Virginia-Highland is known for its bungalows, Tudors and homes from the early 1900s. The median home price is $839,500, up 29.2% from the last year, but the current homes for sale go as low as the high $300s. Apartment communities include the Grace Apartment Homes Highland (470-8238966), which features one- and two-bedroom units that include expansive kitchens with a breakfast bar in some homes.

Opening in April, The Roycraft condos (404-777-4786) offer one-, two-, and threebedroom and penthouse Craftsman-style homes priced from the $400s to $1.2 million and located on the BeltLine.

Culinary Treats

Some of the city’s best food can be found here. Murphy’s (404-872-0904) is a popular destination for weekend brunch. Kinship Butcher Sundry (404-343-4374), which houses Academy Coffee, offers the finest cuts of meat in the area and also serves breakfast and lunch sandwiches. Pielands Sub & Slice sells round and square pizzas whole and by the slice, plus subs and salads.

Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar (404-

THE INSIDE TRACK:

Virginia-Highland has been voted Best

Overall Neighborhood by readers of Creative Loafing three times, and was named Favorite Neighborhood Overall by Atlanta Magazine.

876-7249), the oldest continuously licensed tavern in the city, is a neighborhood institution praised for its modern comfort food. Want dessert? Try Paolo’s Gelato (404-607-0055) for homemade gelato, marzipan and other treats.

Local Treasures

The area is known for its diverse shopping. Dakota J’s (404-870-0690) showcases women’s clothing, accessories and jewelry. Bridge Boutique (470-355-3929) specializes in women’s clothing plus furniture, gifts and candles and beauty and wellness products.

Or me Park is a small gem of greenspace dotted with play areas for kids. Academy Coffee (academycoffeeatl.com) serves teas and coffees, the latter of which it sources from the top roasters stateside and abroad.

Arts and Entertainment

The neighborhood’s annual Summerfest (vahisummerfest.org) is an arts and music festival staged each June. Blind Willie’s (404-8732583) is home to some of the city’s finest blues artists. Limerick Junction (404-874-7147) is the city’s oldest Irish pub and a haven for local musicians. For live rock-band karaoke, head to the 10 High Club, which is located below Dark Horse Tavern (404-873-3607). N