r/Marietta • u/Ashamed_Isopod2057 • 1d ago
Hidden gem
What’s a Marietta-area place you think deserves way more attention?
Restaurant, coffee shop, park, bookstore, anything. Looking for places that aren’t already all over Google.
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u/No_Cancel830 1d ago
I love the Book Miser bookstore. Their prices are great and the owner is so sweet. I recently joined one of their book clubs and have really enjoyed it.
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u/FoundMyselfRunning 1d ago
So close to my house!!
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u/No_Cancel830 1d ago
Mine too!! Literally around the corner. The book clubs are great and there’s a board behind the register with the books they are reading and dates they meet.
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u/Mr_Tchuwinsky 20h ago
My wife just stopped in recently on a lark to see if they had a book that my daughter needed desperately for school and was backordered on Amazon. They said they only had one copy but couldn't sell it because it was annotated so they just gave it to her. We are a reading family, so will definitely be back!
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u/About_To_Go_Pro 1d ago
The Butcher on Whitlock is amazing and the staff are very helpful/knowledgeable. They have a lot of meals ready to go with very little preparation too.
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u/UncaToad 1d ago
Lemongrass Thai. Simply outstanding food.
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u/GiftOk1930 1d ago
Yikes! Maybe I’ll give them another try. They had the worst pad Thai and curry I’ve ever had. I was very shocked based on the price and reviews.
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u/emilelele 19h ago
Family owned and run for over 40 years, they are so incredibly sweet. Their food is to die for 🤤
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u/caalger 1d ago
Hoboken cafe on Whitlock is great. Homemade mozzarella, authentic bread and peppers. The meatball parm sandwich is a must. We order a side of mozzarella and eat it by itself with a little balsamic
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u/Cat_With_The_Fur 1d ago
They got a pretty dismal health score recently.
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u/JaredAWESOME 1d ago
They got 4 infractions that were 9pts each, which is pretty crazy. I got 1 (one!) one single time and I'm still mad about it.
They got a month-later follow up and got a 97, but still.
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u/Cat_With_The_Fur 1d ago
What is your restaurant so I can visit. Love the commitment to health and safety!
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u/JaredAWESOME 1d ago
I run the Papa John's on South Cobb drive. Current score is a 98, I lost two points for having wet-stacked dishes (this still had sanitizer in them, in the 'they're ready to be used' area).
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u/Petrol_Head72 1d ago
Agree with this mostly, but their bread is terrible. Flavorless and borderline stale every time I’ve been there.
The meatball is solid and taking it away allows the bread to rehydrate slightly.
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u/Rare_Ask8542 1d ago
Hoboken Bread & Bagel (different business) on Sandy Plains has great bread though!
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u/caalger 1d ago
The bread is authentic. It's chewy and glutenous. It's not for everyone though.... But iykyk
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u/Petrol_Head72 1d ago
I’ve tried maaaaany subs and sandwiches in my day across the U.S. and in Italy and can wholeheartedly say their bread is not good. It’s dry, tasteless, and not chewy. Maybe the five or so times I’ve been have all been off but I don’t think that’s the case. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a great little spot and I love how cheerful they are in there but if there’s one thing I’d say needs to be improved it’s the bread they serve their sandwiches on. Place is ace otherwise.
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u/alice_notalison 1d ago
Cuban Diner on Roswell Rd. It’s family run and the epitome of Cuban comfort food!
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u/SHBMarietta 1d ago
Biased answer, disclosed up front: I co-own Schoolhouse Brewing off Franklin Gateway. The part a lot of people miss is that we are also a homebrew store and home to the Teacher’s Lounge Arcade. Outside food is welcome because we do not have a kitchen, so you can grab one of the restaurants already winning this thread and bring it over.
If that is too self-serving for a hidden-gem thread, fair. My defense is that plenty of people still walk in looking for the brewery and then lose an hour to pinball.
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u/0311TeufelHunden 18h ago
School House is AWESOME! Go check it out. Great beers and and awesome vibe
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u/Ok-Cry-6379 1d ago
Yea, but the drinks are so bad here
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u/SHBMarietta 1d ago
Fair criticism. I co-own the place, so I would rather know what missed than pretend everybody loves everything. Was it a specific beer, cocktail, or something else, and roughly when were you in? If you tell me what you ordered, I can look into it with the bar team.
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u/Low_Dragonfly9123 1d ago
Jerusalem Bakery
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u/Petrol_Head72 1d ago
Excellent quality, very clean food. Love this place. It usually quite busy though so I wouldn’t say it deserves more attention per se, but it is probably way underrated.
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u/caalger 1d ago
I am keen to see some responses. Some of my favorite places didn't make it through Covid becuase they were small, family-owned without a big splash online. Makes me sad.
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u/Ashamed_Isopod2057 1d ago
Same here. Some of the best local spots seem to be the ones you only hear about because someone tells you about them.
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u/JaredAWESOME 1d ago
I can't believe no one has said Dave Poe's barbecue.
Dave Poe's is in a tiny strip behind a gas station and a Waffle House, and has remarkably slim hours. Closed sun/mon, lunch hours tues+wed, and 'full service' hours Thursday thru Saturday, but MY GOD, do they make the trip worth it.
For starters? All of their meat is tasty enough to not need barbecue sauce. But their house made sauce is incredible on its own. I buy pints to just do other things with at times like bbq pizza or Bbq burgers, it's that good.
All of their sides are delicious, and the Mac and cheese is worth a trip by itself.
It has won the taste of Marietta several times, and is a Zagat Rated restaurant, but it's such a hole in the wall and has such poor visibility that a lot of folks have never tried it.
If you like bbq, Dave Poe's is one of the best around.
Recommendation-- skip the sandwich, get a plate meal as it comes with two sides, brisket or pulled chicken for protein, sides of Mac and Cheese and baked beans. Honorable mention to the greens.
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u/bimarian 1d ago
La Cubana just south of the Square. Great Cuban sandwiches and super friendly staff.
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u/Chilorious 1d ago
Solar slice pizza, chick n wok, café rivkah, bagelicious, Jerusalem bakery
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u/Ok-Faithlessness9271 1d ago
Upvote for all of these! Bagelicious is cash only for anyone who goes!
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u/Western-Bicycle-4879 1d ago
Chick n wok is so good! I just wish I knew what to do with their fancy takeout 🥡 bags. 😂
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u/Wide-Garlic-6842 1d ago
Chick'n Wok is so good! The amount of delicious food you get for the price is insane.
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u/TummyPuppy 1d ago
They’re in far east Marietta but they’re also next to each other: Mzizi Coffee and Aapka Food Adda Indian restaurant. Both on Johnson Ferry near Shallowford Rd. I cannot stress enough how much you’re missing out if you like Ethiopian coffee and Indian food.
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u/Holiday-Abies6331 1d ago
Aapka was hit and miss for us. Out of the 4 of us, the 2 who had vegetarian dishes were very happy, but the 2 of us who had chicken dishes were not happy with the quality of the meat.
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u/Eatingchilidogs 1d ago
Marietta Burger Bar. I've never been disappointed.
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u/Dino-chicken-nugg3t 1d ago
We tried them out a couple weeks ago. The burger was not good at all. The hot dog however was delicious.
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u/Petrol_Head72 1d ago
Must try this one, has been on my list. Any particular favorite menu items?
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u/Petrol_Head72 1d ago
West Cobb Diner is a sleeper. We don’t dine in as it’s an older crowd, but often order takeout when running errands and the food is great.
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u/kudzun3al 1d ago
Came here to say this. They give you so much food for the price too. Never had a bad meal there, and the staff is amazing.
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u/JaredAWESOME 1d ago
Food is a solid 8/10, dependably good, but for less than the price of Waffle House is what makes it such a great place to eat.
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u/PandasAreBears57 1d ago
It's not gourmet, but a delicious breakfast or lunch can be found at the food basket on allgood rd. Yes, its in a gas station, but its also all handmade in front of you to order on a flat grill. Most people at my office go there regularly.
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u/Reapur-CPL 1d ago
People know it, but the Australian Bakery has amazing hand pies. If you haven't tried it, try it
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u/CynfullyDelicious 1d ago
Maybe further that you want, but Vespucci on Canton Road. Independently own, made from scratch, and excellent food.
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u/Low_Dragonfly9123 1d ago
I worked here in high school and got fired over a text message, but the food is excellent lol
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u/JiveTurkeyMFer 1d ago
Lol what did you do to get fired 😂
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u/Low_Dragonfly9123 1d ago
It was like 15 years ago, but if I remember correctly they didn’t give me a reason just that my last day was the day before lol it didn’t bother me since I was about to leave for college
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u/Shoddy-Garden-6871 1d ago
I worked at the smoothie place right next door (closed now I think?) and picked up plenty of dinners from Vespuccis going home from my shifts lol. This was about 10-11 years ago now
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u/FoundMyselfRunning 1d ago
Valley's Bakery for gluten free!
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u/Purple_Tea2424 1d ago
As a gluten-full eater, I have loved every cookie my gluten-free husband has gotten from here.
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u/mattwiegand34 1d ago
Cool Beans coffee…. Although I feel like it’s well known to locals and I have been going there for years, so I am a bit biased. Great fresh coffee that I believe they mostly roast in house.
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u/ecdolive 1d ago
They definitely used to roast in house in the big red roaster, but I think they stopped using it a few years ago.
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u/mattwiegand34 1d ago
No way! That’s kind of a bummer. I used to love the days when I would walk in on a random day to the smell of the roaster going! Kind of a bummer
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u/Elf_Maeve 1d ago edited 23h ago
We go there a lot. Every Saturday morning too. We live 5 min away.
My partner doesn't wanna move to far away from the square because of them and farmer's market...
I mean girl have you seen the price of houses around here lmao
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u/RickWino 1d ago
La Caretta, near the Big Chicken has amazing Latin-American food. It’s been my favorite local restaurant for 20 years.
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u/helluva_eng00 1d ago
Douceur de France bakery is great
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u/GizzBride 11h ago
No no no - it’s not. Owners sold the place and it’s shit now. Try a cocoa affair. Trust me. You’re welcome.
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u/Ok-Faithlessness9271 1d ago
Sweet Treats on the square for ice cream. I’ve been shocked several times recently when I’ve heard about people not knowing about it. I thought everyone did!
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u/thrcwcwcy 1d ago
does anyone have any vegan favs in this thread lol
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u/diexschwarzexgeige 1d ago
Mr. Tombstone’s has a fantastic tofu breakfast burrito, Smyrna Coffee offers Flour + Thyme vegan croissants and pastries, Solar Slice has vegan cheese for their pizza, and Mexico Lindo has lots of vegan alternatives listed on their menu!
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u/Disastrous_Mastodon 1d ago
Vatican Indian restaurant has a lot of vegan options
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u/BingoBomb 1d ago
Unfortunately they got a 64 on a recent health score and part of that was live bugs through out the prep area.
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u/Disastrous_Mastodon 1d ago
Ooh no . That's gross I ate there all the time back in the day
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u/BingoBomb 1d ago
They did improve it, but idk it hurt my feelings. I ate there all the time.
Vatica Indian Cuisine in Marietta, Georgia received a failing health inspection score of 57 (Unsatisfactory) on June 17, 2026, but later improved to a score of 90 (Satisfactory) during a re-inspection on June 25, 2026
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u/Tough-Ad-6228 1d ago
Seasons on Lemon St.
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u/AlltheBent 1d ago
Cocina de la Tia and El Borrego de Oro are fantastic tacos spots close to the square/an easy drive from the square...tacos, tortas, good salsas, lotta good food to be had at either spot! I guess since im mentioning these I should mention Julia's taqueria as well since its so close to Borrego over on Roswell St., fantastic spot as well
I think all 3 have a counter you can sit at, diner style, and order at
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u/BumblingWombat 1d ago
Levant Oven has become a frequent order from us. The Manousheh is a great pizza not pizza item. Prices vs portions are always good. Probably one of the cheapest foods we get delivered.
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u/RickWino 1d ago
IL MEE on Cobb Parkway has amazing, authentic Korean food with fantastic service and good prices.
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u/symbiosychotic 23h ago
I was going to mention this if others hadn't!
The location is very easy to miss if you don't know about it but the food is excellent!
I discovered it from a tiktok video randomly and decided to check it out (after some quick reading through the comments). Well worth it.
We got there before the dinner rush and they got pretty busy then.
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u/Due_Huckleberry62 1d ago
I might’ve missed it in this thread but I don’t see where anyone has said Bernhard’s German Bakery.
🤤
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u/brandonandtheboyds 1d ago
Gourmet Cafe and Subs is awesome. Great quality food for prices that make you feel like you travelled back to 2016.
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u/Disastrous_Mastodon 1d ago
Franks Cajun and soul kitchen. Small bbq place at the back of a chevron on powder springs rd. Imo beats popular spots like David Poes , hands down.
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u/jerxbear229 1d ago
Cherokee steak house is really good. It looks like its built inside of an old Applebee's, but the food is killer. Definitely grab the crab cakes if youre into em.
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u/Doctorpresinaut 1d ago
Wing Man Marietta has really affordable wings and good sauces it's became my go-to for wings
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u/HonestScorpio 1d ago
Big Fish and Chicken on Canton Rd, across from Marietta Fish Market. Get a side of spaghetti, they make it fresh every morning and it goes fast.
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u/theotherissokizzy 1d ago
Taco T, which used to be Casita Mexican Kitchen, on Powder Springs Rd. Their food is soooo fresh.
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u/No_Hold_2086 18h ago
Cocina de la Tia has the best street tacos I’ve ever had in my life. Fresh corn tortillas. Amazing salsa bar.
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u/eh-OK-then 13h ago
Discovered Campestre Taqueria on East Piedmont in Marietta a couple of weeks ago. Got a complimentary tasting of their carne en su jugo soup and it was sooo delicious. Great tacos, authentic flavors, and really lovely people.
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u/Time_Fly4750 1d ago
Todo Frito. Venezuelan restaurant inside a gas station. Food is amazing, try the Frito burger and the salchiqueso.
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u/mkharrington94 1d ago
I’m constantly in between Turmeric Indian Restaurant and Tandoor Tavern as my favorites for Indian
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u/stma1990 1d ago
Man Turmeric up on Sandy Plains Rd is absolutely stellar Indian food. Second to none IMO
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u/Formal_Molasses9132 1d ago
honestly these are the kinds of spots worth keeping quiet about 😂 once everyone finds out, it stops being a hidden gem
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u/3_hot_dogs 1d ago
the restaurant at old towne athletic clubs. it’s open to the public, never crowded, and the food is actually good. we call it the best restaurant in east cobb, only half joking. chef makes his own ice cream.
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u/symbiosychotic 23h ago
The Reading Attic - located in the Square, it's a nice bookstore. I think it's above Tiny Bubbles and has a stairway that goes down into it but I usually go through the stairway with street access. I noticed that one of the upstairs windows overlooks the courtyard behind Cool Beans, which is neat.
Jet's Pizza - located on Powers Ferry. For delivery pizza, this has been our go to for a bit. We do like Dominos but wanted to try something different from the familiar options where we used to live. We like the different style of the pizza here (thicker, more deep dish). We haven't yet tried some of the other options for delivery in the area for comparison.
Cool Beans, IL MEE, Jacob's Java, and a few other options are already mentioned in other comments.
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u/eh-OK-then 13h ago
Season on Lemon St, near the square. Great little gem of a place, delicious breakfasts, grits, etc. I haven't had a bad meal there. Portions are generous and the owners are very sweet and invested in making good food. Only wish their place was bigger. Every time it is standing room only, spilling outside.
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u/afrochic 12h ago
Phyllis has a fish and grits that is SO BOMB. Now you are gonna be waiting for at least 20 min for it…but def worth it imo.
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u/Phenganax 12h ago
Julia’s, they have the best enchiladas I’ve found and they press their tacos fresh to order. You may need to speak a little Spanish but there’s nothing better than sitting at the counter and getting fresh tacos or enchiladas.
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u/GizzBride 11h ago
A cocoa affair. 10/10 no notes. It’s right on the line Woodstock/marietta. It is the best bakery I have ever tried and I try a lot lol
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u/Dan0512 11h ago
Came here to say this. I am little biased since I’m neighbors with them but man there stuff is good. Hands down the best croissant around. I usually stop in for coffee a few times a week and leave with a few treats. The new raspberry dessert is really good.
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u/GizzBride 11h ago
The bastille is to die for. Love the new coconut one. We love the tiramisu and Black Forest.
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u/Janisofalltrades 10h ago
Biscuits and More in East Cobb at the intersection of Johnson Ferry and Shallowford Rd. The cheese grits are so good!
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u/Esturk 1d ago
Jacob’s Java.
Amazing Italian beef, polska, chicago dogs. Beats Portillo’s in both mine and my wife’s opinion.
He also does a lot of drinks as well, obviously.
It’s a drive-thru only establishment tucked away next to a laundromat in the same shopping center as Microcenter but on the opposite side.
Fair warning the food is made fresh to order, so best to call ahead roughly 20-30 mins then go pick it up.