Patio Brunch at Buena Vida

Buena Vida is a tapas restaurant between the Beltline and O4W © Anna Lanfreschi

Buena Vida is a tapas restaurant between the Beltline and O4W © Anna Lanfreschi

Not many things can compete with eating brunch on a lovely patio on a sunny Sunday. Buena Vida in Old Fourth Ward is the perfect restaurant to do just that.

Buena Vida’s beautiful outdoor patio © Anna Lanfreschi

Buena Vida’s beautiful outdoor patio © Anna Lanfreschi

Buena Vida’s interior is gorgeous © Anna Lanfreschi

Buena Vida’s interior is gorgeous © Anna Lanfreschi

The Spanish tapas restaurant is located right off the Beltline, and its expansive outdoor patio overlooks the Historic Old Fourth Ward Park.

There’s lots of the shade and the tables are well-spaced for social distancing. (The interior is also beautifully designed, but I’m waiting for a Covid vaccine before dining indoors). The whole place has calming, beachy vibes that make you want to reach for a refreshing cocktail and nosh on delicious small plates.

And Buena Vida’s brunch menu is chock-full of them. Think patatas bravas, pan con tomate, and croquetas – these tapas dishes are a great way to start your meal. But the menu also features more traditional brunch entrées with a Spanish twist, such as flan French toast, gambas and grits, or steak & huevos. Both sections of the menu have several clearly marked vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free items, should that be up your alley.  

Seasonal brunch salad topped with a poached egg; the Valencia spritz at Buena Vida ©Anna Lanfreschi

Seasonal brunch salad topped with a poached egg; the Valencia spritz at Buena Vida ©Anna Lanfreschi

If you’d like to start with a cocktail, try the Valencia Spritz – it is delectable and not too sweet. There are also more classic brunch drinks, like bloody Mary and mimosa.

Brunch is served on Saturdays and Sundays, 11 am – 4 pm. Buena Vida also serves dinner (obviously) 5-10 pm Tuesday through Saturday, and until 9 pm on Sundays. And their dinner menu is certainly worth checking out, but now that the weather is finally starting to cooperate, I’m all about enjoying the great outdoors by drinking on a dreamy patio!

Regardless of when you go, be sure to make a reservation for Buena Vida on Resy. And let me know what you think of this restaurant – send me a DM on Instagram. I hope you enjoy!

Anna Lanfreschi is a digital content creator and strategist based in Atlanta. She posts about food and travel on her blog, AnnaFeasts, and on Instagram @AnnaFeasts

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Event Recap: 3rd Annual Fire in the Fourth Festival

This past Saturday, May 20, 2017, thousands of revelers attended the third annual Fire in the Fourth festival in the heart of the Old Fourth Ward. Hailing the historic Great Atlanta Fire of 1917, which burned over 50 city blocks in the Old Fourth Ward, this year's fête celebrated with a never-before-seen interactive installation of the 100-year history of Boulevard, one of the best seen performances by Circus Combustus, and a diverse offering of live, local musicians, dancers, visuals artists, food, drinks and much more. Known as a resilient community, Saturday’s rain was no obstacle for the festival as attendees ducked inside local businesses on Edgewood and Auburn Avenues to mix and mingle before The Seed and Feed Marching Abominable band brought back the party back to the streets and bonafide New Orleans-style brass band, Wasted Potential Brass Band, hit the main stage, getting the entire crowd to dance. A free festival that’s open to all ages, all proceeds from Fire in the Fourth benefit the Old Fourth Ward Business Association’s beautification and public safety initiatives. For the full list of attractions or additional information, visit www.fireinthe4th.com. [Photos courtesy CWPR]

Mark your calendars for year four! The date for the 4th annual Fire in the Fourth festival will be on Saturday May 19, 2018.

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