I’ve kvetched before about Atlanta’s paltry selection of proper coffee shops, particularly in areas I want to frequent. Since last writing, I have stopped going to Outwrite due to several encounters with phenomenally rude/incompetent staff and management, in addition to a growing impatience with searching endlessly for parking to drink expensive, crappy coffee in the name of people-watching.

I’ve also discovered Inman Perk, a real gem in a not-quite-there mixed-use-type development on Highland Ave. The coffee’s good, as are the pastries, and there’s plenty of seating inside. Free wifi and a large library of random books to borrow add to the appeal. I even got enough stamps on my ‘frequent flier’ card to splurge on a large coffee frap, which was like a Frappacino but a bit milkier, and not quite as super-sweet. Works for me! The foot traffic outside Inman Perk is hit-or-miss…a fair number of shirtless joggers provide eye candy, and the occasional mess pouring itself out of Fritti or Parish can entertain, but Highland is no Riverwalk. On the upside, you can get your drinks to go and then sit in the nearby park, which has a manmade lake complete with frogs, koi and yuppies with puppies.

Surprisingly, the sidewalk traffic is actually a touch more amusing at Drip, a small (somewhat unfortunately named) coffee shop in the severely under-developed planned development at Glenwood. The sidewalk seating is limited to a few metal tables and chairs which reach backside-searing temperatures in the afternoon sun, but does look out onto the development’s bocce court and surroundings, often occupied by the out-spill of surrounding bars and dubious Mexican restaurant. I’ve seen wedding photo shoots, apparent guerrilla cookouts, and various mid-day drunks arguing the rules of a game they’ve clearly never seen before. I’ve also see drab lunch-breaking yuppies yammering on crackberries, and spent time on my own laptop taking advantage of the free wifi. The coffee at Drip is good – the French press quite so – but expensive. The $2 iced tea, on the other hand, comes with free refills. The food I’ve had has been good, but also pricey – I recall an $8 or so sandwich, and a $5 pastry thingey. They also have Morelli’s ice cream, which I do know to be delicious.

Advantage? Drip, because I can walk to it. I’d probably spend more time at Inman Perk if it was local, but its actual advantages are outweighed by my desire to not drive more than absolutely necessary. Especially when I haven’t had any coffee.

– MAW

Drip
928 Garrett St SE Ste B
Atlanta, GA, 30316-6834

Inman Perk
240 North Highland Ave.
Suite H
Atlanta, GA 30307