The buck stops here: Your neighborhood guide to North Buckhead

Located at the top of the City of Atlanta’s boundaries, North Buckhead is a posh, largely residential neighborhood nestled between Roswell Road, Peachtree Dunwoody Road and the Lenox area to the south. The region is a short drive to some of Buckhead’s most iconic landmarks such as Chastain Park, Lenox Mall, and the Atlanta History Center, but doesn’t lack great food, fun activities, and easy access to the city via MARTA or GA 400.

Centered around the old Creek trail that became Peachtree and Roswell Roads, many of North Buckhead’s historical remnants can be found in and around Nancy Creek. The creek was likely named for the wife of John Evans, one of the early prominent settlers in the area, and later became the site of a Civil War skirmish. North Buckhead became part of the city of Atlanta in the early 1950s, and while its namesake neighborhood to the south became a commercial icon, North Buckhead is largely still the tree-filled oasis it was so many years ago.

What can I do for fun in North Buckhead?

Build memories with your kids at Legoland Discovery Center. Give your inner Lego fan the afternoon of their dreams. Tucked away on the third floor of the Phipps Plaza mall, Legoland Discovery Center fits a pirate ship, a 4D theater, a VR racing experience, and a miniature Atlanta into its (non-brick) walls. You may even be able to meet and work with a master builder at special events. For older kids and kids at heart, this is also the place to go to buy exclusive Lego sets you can’t find in other stores. (Children under 3 get in free.)

Escape boredom at Breakout Games. One of the premiere escape rooms in Atlanta, Breakout Games has a wide variety of puzzles and themed missions to solve. While many escape rooms may offer mysterious mansions and bank heists, only Breakout will cuff you to a chair and make you figure your way out, or drop you and your friends into the middle of a giant game of officially-licensed Clue. The only thing left to figure out is when you’re going!

Get in tune with nature at the Blue Heron Nature Preserve. While North Buckhead has plenty of greenery in its neighborhoods, not much is public. Stroll through this urban oasis with 300 acres of greenspace — with its mix of wetlands, open parklands, and walking trails— instead. The Preserve is open from dawn to dusk and has an on-site art gallery as well.

Where are the best places to eat and drink in North Buckhead?

Nan Thai Buckhead

Nan Thai in Buckhead is the ultimate destination for those craving a taste of Thailand wrapped in pure elegance. Known for its luxurious ambiance and impeccable service, Nan Thai captures the heart of Bangkok’s vibrant food scene while offering a Buckhead twist.

Location: 3050 Peachtree Rd; Hours: Monday through Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; re-opens from 5-10 p.m.; Saturday, 5-11 p.m.; Sundays, closed; Website: nanthai.com

Alma Cocina

This Downtown Mexican fine dining spot opened a brand-new Buckhead location after the pandemic, so now Northside residents and businesses can enjoy its contemporary takes on Mexican cuisine. Sample from six seasonal salsas and guacamoles with friends, or pick from their small plates, tacos, and tortas for a lunch meeting. (We recommend the chicken tinga tacos, plantains, and esquites). Dinner diners can look forward to the same chips and small plates but with meatier main dishes such as chicken mole with plantains, vegetarian paella, and a zesty steak.

Location: 3280 Peachtree Road NE, #100; Hours: Lunch: Monday through Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Bar Hours: 3-6 p.m.; Dinner: Monday through Saturday, 5-10 p.m.; Website: alma-atlanta.com

Little Alley Steak

Listed on Forbes’ Best Steakhouses in America list, Little Alley Steak is a spacious upscale venue for a carnivore’s date night. Offering wet and dry-aged steaks with an array of saucy enhancements, oysters, and other meat cuts across land and sea, this steakhouse has it all. Browse their extensive liquor selection at the bar, listen to live music, or dine on the outdoor terrace perfect for fall nights.

Location: 3500 Lenox Road NE, # 100; Hours: Sunday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Saturday, 4-11 p.m.; Website: littlealleysteak.com

Zakia

Named for the owner’s grandmother, travel to the Middle East with this new Lebanese restaurant at the corner of Lenox Road and Piedmont. Enjoy dishes inspired by family recipes but updated for modern sensibilities. Start off choosing from appetizers such as baba ganoush, grape leaves stuffed with lamb and rice, pitas and hummus, or shrimp. Then move on to the main dishes, ranging from kebabs you may expect (kafta and chicken tawook) to seafood you might not expect, like Chilean sea bass spiced with Lebanese flavors.

Location: 3699 Lenox Road NE, Suite 3; Hours: Lunch: weekdays, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Dinner: Monday through Thursday, 5-10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 5-11 p.m.; Website: zakiarestaurant.com

Postino Buckhead

If all these restaurants have too much food and fancy vibes for you, try Postino. An all-day wine bar and snack café located in a former Blockbuster Video, Postino serves wines across the color spectrum by the glass or bottle. They’ve also got a few craft beers on tap if that’s more your speed, as well as shareable plates like charcuterie boards, bruschetta with twelve sweet and savory spread options, and desserts. Kick off a weekend with friends inside the moody lounge, or head outside to their covered patio.

Location: 3655 Roswell Rd NE, Suite 300; Hours: Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m. to midnight; Saturday, 10 a.m. to midnight; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Weekend brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Website: postinowinecafe.com