On the Main: Stone Mountain Village

Every small town has a Main Street. The street is often unique and preserved with the towns history, making for a great place to visit, relax and learn. More than ever these little pieces of history are being transformed into thriving hip communities causing growth in popularity. Stone Mountain Village will soon join the ranks of these blossoming neighborhoods that hold some wonderful hidden gems.

Located right outside the South Woods Gate at Stone Mountain Park and Hwy 78, Stone Mountain Village has great potential to become the next must visit Main Street. Often a pass through, Stone Mountain Village is creating a space of its own. The Village has well-established businesses and restaurants such as The Village Corner German Restaurant & Bakery, opened since 1974 and the Stone Mountain Manor Inn and Events. Continuing to expand there are hidden gems everywhere in Stone Mountain Village. As recently as 2020, the City of Stone Mountain Downtown Development Authority approved a Downtown Master Plan. The Master Plan hints at what’s to come. New shops and restaurants coming is sure to grow the Village popularity even more.

Arriving in Stone Mountain Village, you may not notice just how many restaurants and shops are already in the village. Signage seems to be the main issue here but like all hidden gems you will have to do a little digging. So park the car and walk around this peaceful community. Venture out and peak into windows, you will probably meet the local business owners. A few of the businesses have been in the town for well over thirty years.

Here’s a list of Stone Mountain Village’s Hidden Gems:

Gilly Brew Bar || 5329 Mimosa Dr, Stone Mountain, GA 30083 || Website

This is one of the best hidden gems Stone Mountain Village has! Located in what was once the house of Stone Mountain’s first mayor and built by slaves in the 1830s, Gilly Brew Bar – a black owned business has a distinguish history. Including being a Confederate hospital during the Civil War, and a hotel all before becoming a restaurant. As it’s website is quick to point out Gilly Brew Bar “Is not a Coffee Shop”, it is much more. Firstly, Gilly offers a relax vibe focusing on complex elixirs, teas and yes, coffee! Secondly, the Brew Bar is two stories, offering a full porch with many rooms to tuck away in for privacy. Although my go to is the Ice Mocha Latte, I am going to go back soon to try the Silk Sonic – a Tea Tonic Elixir. Don’t forget to try the bake goods offered by Apple Butter Bakery while visiting.

Weekly: Monday – Thursday, 9a – 5p Weekends: Friday – Sunday, 9a – 7p

Outrun Brewing Company || 5368 E Mountain St, Stone Mountain, GA 30083 || Website

Named after the Outrun Sega arcade game, Outrun Brewing Company is a craft brewery that offers a variety of beer flavors that you may not find any where else. Opening July 2020, Outrun Brewing Company specializes in having a constant rotation of specialty beer flavors and once they are sold out the flavor is gone. Therefore, if you have a favorite flavor, either stock up or go back often. Outrun does not offer any food selection outside of quick snacks such as chips. However, Friday-Sunday there are food trucks available. Also, Thursday night are trivia nights!

Weekly: Thursday, 5p – 10p Weekends: Friday, 5p – 11p – Saturday, 12p – 11p Sunday, 12p – 8p

Pizza!

In this small area of main street there are three pizza locations. Only having eaten at two of the three it’s not fair to state who has the best pizza, that will come later!

Pi-Bytes || 937 Main St, Stone Mountain, GA 30083 || Website

Driving down Main St., black-owned Pi-Bytes is easy to spot by its neon green building and the Fireman statue standing outside. Business owner and firefighter Darrell Sprattling founded Pi-Bytes in 2014. Business is steady and the pizza is delicious. Pi-Bytes offers pizza by the slice or by the whole with dessert options that change daily. In addition, Pi-Bytes focuses on Italian cuisine as they offer lasagna and calzones as well.

Weekly: Monday – Thursday, 11a – 6p Weekends: Friday – Saturday, 11a – sold out

Dolo’s Pizza Co. || 5329 Mimosa Dr, Stone Mountain, GA 30083 || Menu

Just looking at the menu of Dolo’s Pizza Co., you’ll quickly find that they offer pizza combinations that you have never tried before. Located inside the Gilly’s Brew Bar, Dolo’s pizza is unique, offering pizza with a Jamaican-Carribean flare the line for the pizza doesn’t stop. Dolo’s also offers standard pizza options, but it is highly recommended that you live a little and try something new.

Weekly: Wednesday – Thursday, 10a – 4p Weekends: Friday – Saturday, 10a – 4p

Stoned Pizza Kitchen || 965 Main St, Stone Mountain, GA 30083 || Website

Stoned Pizza Kitchen is more than pizza. Though pizza is the main focus, Stoned Pizza Kitchen serves wings and also has a bar for drinks and cocktails. The pizza is great and asking other customers that tried the wings they were pleased as well. Please note that while visiting Stone Pizza Kitchen they are currently understaffed therefore, orders may take longer than usual to process. This did not take away from the quality of food or the service.

Weekly: Monday – Thursday, 11a – 10p Weekends: Friday – Saturday, 11a – 11p Sunday, 11a – 9p

Café and Restaurants

Sweet Potato Cafe || 5377 Manor Dr, Stone Mountain, GA 30083 || Website

Offering Farm To Table Cuisine, Sweet Potato Café is known for it’s homemade biscuits and cobbler as well as it’s Sunday brunch buffet. Meals are prepared with the daily harvest which means the food is always fresh. The fried green tomatoes are delicious and I have yet to have something on the menu that was not good.

Weekly: Wednesday – Thursday 12p – 7p Weekends: Friday – Saturday 12p – 7p, Sunday 11a – 3p

Sarah’s Kitchen || 5407 E Mountain St, Stone Mountain, GA 30083 || Website

If after reading the reviews on Google hasn’t made you want to stop at Sarah’s Kitchen, I don’t know what will. Sarah’s Kitchen is a Soul Food Restaurant that is located down the street/around the corner from the Main Street. There is currently no menu online but looking on the website you will find they have a lot to offer. Their daily menu may include macaroni and cheese, collard greens, black eyed peas, pork chops, turkey wings and much more. In other words, if you are looking for some good home cooking Sarah has it!

Weekly: Monday – Wednesday 12:30p – 5p Weekends: Sun:12:30p – 5p

Wells Cargo Cafe || 953 Main St, Stone Mountain, GA 30083 || Menu

Tucked away on the Main St., Wells Cargo Cafe can be hard to locate. The signage for the restaurant is barely visibly, however if you see the huge PEACE sign you are at the right spot. The Cafe has been at this location for over 30 years and keeps the crowds coming. The menu items vary from filet mignon, burgers and salads. I have yet to actually eat at Wells Cargo Cafe, but the staff was friendly and answered the questions I had in regards to the restaurant.

Weekly: Wednesday – Thursday, 5:30p – 9p Weekends: Friday – Saturday, 5:30p – 9p

Lounge and Bars

Stone Mountain Public House || 947 Main St, Stone Mountain, GA 30083 || Website

Stone Mountain Public House is the Cigar and Piano Bar that Stone Mountain Village needed. A place to relax and enjoy the music of pianist David Reeb. The Cigar and Piano Bar is a semi-private membership club, that is open to the general public. The membership includes special privileges such as member-only seating, reservations and much more. Don’t worry about the smoke. Stone Mountain Public House currently has three Austin Air smoke eaters and three Nikken Air Systems. Also, cigarette and vape smoking are only allowed at select seating on the patio, never indoors. Be sure to call ahead to make sure the pianist is there the night you plan to visit!

Weekly: Wednesday – Thursday, 5p – 7p Weekends: Friday, 5p – 7p

Opening Soon! Cherokee Rose BBQ Bar & Kitchen || 975 Main Street, Stone Mountain, GA ||

Coming Soon! Mailroom Lounge || 5379 E Mountain St, Stone Mountain, GA, 30083 || Website

Much like the rest of Atlanta, Stone Mountain Village has a lot to offer. So explore often and try new places like Just Add Honey, located on the Atlanta Beltline. Keep adding to your list of Hidden Gems in Georgia!