Best of Atlanta 2016

This charming new Decatur nook is stacked high with local and regional goods like stationery from Paper Raven Co., porcelain vases from Honeycomb Studio, and handmade ties and pocket squares from Admiral Row.

Founded by (Yep) two cousins with Maine roots, this food truck franchise dishes out all kinds of fresh-caught treats: lobster rolls, lobster tacos, lobster quesadillas.

This Cumming boutique offers a fresh take on rustic chic, from barn doors to tables that crank up and down with iron gears.

This year Ann Huff and Meg Harrington celebrated the fifth anniversary of their home furnishings shop (and 10th anniversary of their nearby contemporary art gallery) by moving into a new, even airier and brighter 5,000-square-foot store on Roswell Road.

Donald Glover’s passion project won our hearts for offering a nuanced portrait of life in Atlanta and showcasing corners of the city not usually seen on screen, like J.R. Crickets or the county jail—all while still being laugh-out-loud funny

This creative agency offers wardrobe, hair and makeup, set and prop design, and art direction for some of the city’s chicest photo shoots. Its docket ranges from luxury fashion (Dior) and local designers (Abbey Glass) to chefs (Miller Union’s Steven Satterfield).

The locally owned Fig & Flower offers only nontoxic brands (like RMS Beauty and Alima Pure) in a luxe but inviting Poncey-Highland shop, where employees help customers tailor cosmetics for skin type and tone.

Kristen Bach opened the first location of her quirky-classic kids shop in Athens in 2010, and last year partnered with her sister, Kim, on a Decatur outpost.

The gleaming Regional Theatre Tony Award in the lobby speaks volumes about the Alliance’s stature as a creative incubator for hits like Bring It On and Sister Act, and Tony winners The Color Purple and Aida.

It's that time of year again, when we bring you our guide to the best the city has to offer. After months of research, our team of testers arrived at the winners featured here, which include everything from the friendliest bike repair shop to the coziest first date to the toughtest new workout.