Tag Archive for: atlanta beltline

ATLANTA SUMMER HALAL FOOD FESTIVAL EXPANDSTO TWO DAYS + MOVES TO ATLANTA BELTLINE – NOW JULY 18TH AND 19TH

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 6/3/26

2026 Festival Sets Up at Historic Old Fourth Ward Skatepark July 18-19 | Tickets On Sale Now
 

WHAT:
Atlanta Summer Halal Food Festival

WHEN:
Saturday, July 18 + Sunday, July 19 | 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.

WHERE:
Historic Old Fourth Ward Skatepark Eastside Trail BeltLine

TICKETS:
Tickets are available here. Ticket options include Saturday or Sunday General Admission ($15), 2-Day General Admission ($25), Saturday or Sunday Family Packs ($50), and 2-Day Family Packs ($85). Children ages 7 and under receive free entry.

INFO:
Please visit the festival website here and @atlsummerhalalfoodfest on Instagram.

Following a highly successful debut in 2025, the Atlanta Summer Halal Food Festival returns this summer with a brand-new location and expanded two-day format. Taking place Saturday, July 18, and Sunday, July 19 at the Historic Old Fourth Ward Skatepark Eastside Trail BeltLine, the second annual festival will once again bring together halal cuisine, culture, entertainment, and community for an inclusive weekend celebration in the heart of Atlanta.
 
Hosted by the Atlanta Muslim Festival Collective (AMFC), the organization behind Atlanta’s growing lineup of halal food and cultural festivals including the Atlanta Ramadan Food Festival and Atlanta Halal Fall Festival, the Atlanta Summer Halal Food Festival has quickly become one of the city’s most anticipated multicultural food events. Following strong attendance and community support during its inaugural year, the festival’s expansion reflects AMFC’s continued mission to create large-scale cultural experiences that celebrate diversity, connection, and small businesses throughout metro Atlanta.
 
Located along one of Atlanta’s premier trails with easy access, ample nearby parking, and walkable connectivity to surrounding neighborhoods and businesses, the Historic Old Fourth Ward Skatepark Eastside Trail BeltLine offers an energetic backdrop for the festival experience. Guests can expect a lively outdoor atmosphere featuring an extensive lineup of halal food vendors from across the Southeast, artisan merchants, family-friendly activities, live entertainment, cultural experiences, and more throughout the weekend.
 
“We were truly overwhelmed by the response to our first Atlanta Summer Halal Food Festival and the incredible support from both Muslim and non-Muslim communities across metro Atlanta,” said Hasnain Lakhani, Founder of the Atlanta Muslim Festival Collective, Atlanta restaurateur, and entrepreneur. “Expanding to two days and moving to the BeltLine allows us to continue growing the experience in an even more accessible and vibrant location while creating additional opportunities for small businesses, food vendors, and community partners to participate. Our goal has always been to create welcoming events where everyone can gather, discover incredible food, and celebrate the diversity that makes Atlanta so special.”
 
A longtime metro Atlanta entrepreneur and business owner, Lakhani has helped launch and operate multiple restaurants, hospitality, and community-centered ventures throughout the region. Through AMFC, he has focused on creating large-scale events that not only spotlight halal cuisine and Muslim culture but also provide meaningful opportunities for local entrepreneurs, small businesses, and first-time vendors to connect with new audiences and grow their brands.
 
Festival attendees will once again have the opportunity to explore a wide variety of halal cuisine ranging from global street foods and authentic cultural dishes to desserts, specialty beverages, and modern halal culinary concepts. Like kosher or plant-based cuisine, halal food is something anyone can enjoy, and the festival remains committed to creating an environment that is educational, welcoming, and inclusive for guests of all backgrounds.
 
In addition to food offerings, the Atlanta Summer Halal Food Festival will feature a live DJ, family-friendly games and activities, park access, a dedicated kids’ area, complimentary water stations, photo opportunities, and a vibrant artisan market showcasing local businesses, handmade goods, clothing, art, jewelry, fragrances, and more.

Tickets are now available here. Guests will receive a special festival passport allowing attendees to collect global cuisine stamps inspired by the different countries and cultures represented throughout the festival. Tickets also include customized paper hand fans and RFID wristbands featuring scannable QR codes linked to a complimentary digital photo gallery, serving as both a practical keepsake and memorable souvenir from the event. Final ticket prices will include taxes and fees.
 
The Atlanta Summer Halal Food Festival is proudly supported by community partners, including HUM TV, Cravova, Zakat Foundation of America, and Islamic Relief USA, organizations committed to humanitarian relief, charitable engagement, and strengthening local communities.
 
Additional event programming, vendor announcements, sponsors, and entertainment details will be announced in the coming weeks. The Atlanta Summer Halal Food Festival is a rain-or-shine event unless severe weather conditions require cancellation. For more information on the event, please visit the website here.

Bazati Atlanta

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 4/20/23

The moment you step in the delightful Pan-Latin restaurant Bazati on the Atlanta Beltline you’re immersed in vintage French decor, marble, luxurious lighting, and a beautiful bar area with leather seats and lounge area! Upstairs is Estrello Rooftop with more pastel, light Latin vibes, vibrant patio, and mezcal behind the bar. This one-two punch of Latin dining is exquisite! Everything is elevated from their sensational cocktails like the floral Houdini, decadent decaf Tequila me Softy espresso martini, and the all-new tangy Wren’s Nest. Then, phenomenal small plates from their loaded charcuterie board, creamy polenta, or their bright Strawberry Maple salad. Their entrees are sure to wow with their earthy Double Stuffed Ravioli, flavorful Brazilian Picanha, and our favorite, the juicy Pork Osso Bucco. Let’s take a trip. 

We will kick it off with the trio of cocktails we tried: Houdini, Tequila me Softly, and Wren’s Nest. The Houdini will disappear before your eyes as it is herbaceous, floral up front and balanced with bright and tangy on the back. So good! If you’re looking for a new cocktail to try, go for the Wren’s Nest that will be on their spring menu. It is boozy bourbon that starts warm and ends tangy and bright, slightly sweet watermelon shrub and a hint of ginger. It’s complete. The favorite cocktail of the night was the DECAF Tequila me Softly espresso martini. Decadent and dark chocolate, bitter and creamy, this is sure to please all those coffee lovers out there. You couldn’t tell it was decaf at all and no jitters! We will be back for more! 

On to the small plates that John and I shared from the charcuterie board, crispy polenta, and Strawberry Maple Salad. Starting with the loaded Charcuterie board that is stuffed with three meats with different flavor profiles, an array of cheese from soft to hard, salty, crispy almonds, sweet honeycomb, mixed berries, and crackers. After that we got the Crispy Polenta, which is our favorite of the small plates with a gamut of flavors from creamy to buttery to tangy to earthy and bright. The polenta bed itself is creamy and buttery with a crispy top, then it is topped with creamy and sharp cheese. A dollop of olive tempade gives it a slight earthiness to finish out the bite. Love. For our salad, we got the Strawberry Maple, which starts earthy and crunchy with the lettuce, and then is sweet from the maple, tangy from the strawberry. It is finished off with crunchy almonds and sharp blue cheese.  

In between the small plates and our entrees, we were treated to the seriously divine Double Stuffed Ravioli. Holy Truffle! Tender Handmade in-house ravioli stuffed with earthy mushroom and enveloped in a sea of creamy, truffle-forward sauce that will definitely WOW you. This is a must try dish bursting with flavor!  

Of the entrees, we got the phenomenal Pork Osso Bucco that is meat heaven with tender, fall off the bone pork, perfectly seasoned and surrounded by a moat of rich, savory jus and stuffed with eggplant, celery, and other root vegetables. It was the favorite dish of the day! John got the Brazilian Picanha that is flavorful and well-seasoned meat topped with a bright chimichurri, bright onions, and paired with crunchy fries. On the side we got two very good sides, one being the baby carrots and the other seasonal fiddle heads. The baby carrots are super sweet and candied and laid on a bed of creamy and sharp Greek yogurt. It is sweet and creamy and sharp, a winning combo. Then, fiddle heads are something neither of us had ever had before. They’re naturally foraged tops of ferns that have not blossomed yet. They taste a lot like asparagus but have a flowery, fluttery texture up front with a good crunch on the end. They’re amazing! These are cooked with butter and oil and really taste fresh and light!  

Finally, we got a pair of delicious desserts, the Tres Leches cake and the Tiramisu. The Tres Leches is super moist and mellow with a delightful light frosting, topped with fruit. The tiramisu is seriously rich and creamy, dark chocolate notes, boozy, drenched lady fingers with so much flavor. We’d recommend you stay for dessert.  

LINGERING SHADE INTRODUCES UNPLUGGED WEDNESDAYS ON THE BELTLINE

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 3/7/22

Kicks-off Wednesday, March 16!

In celebration of National Unplugged Day on March 4, Lingering shade, Atlanta’s go-to cocktail bar located on the beltline, is pleased to introduce Unplugged Wednesdays. Kicking off on March 16th, Unplugged Wednesdays present an opportunity for guests to disconnect from technology, focusing on the present moment, along with spending quality time with friends and loved ones.

“Now more than ever, it’s incredibly important to prioritize wellness and authentic connections with colleagues, friends and family,” said Spencer Patton, General Manager of Lingering Shade. “While the concept seems foreign in today’s time, I believe that stepping away from cell phones, even for a short amount of time, will be refreshing and beneficial to our guests.”

Unplugged Wednesdays will take place every third Wednesday of the month. Upon entering Lingering Shade, guests will check in and hand their cell phones over to staff, who will store them safely until departure. Each week during Unplugged Wednesdays, Lingering Shade will debut an off-the-menu specialty cocktail for $9, starting with the Kir Royale on March 16th. Perfect for celebrating great company and conversation, the Kir Royale is a champagne-based cocktail with crème de cassis. In addition to specialty cocktails and an extensive selection of beer, wine and liquors, bar-goers can enjoy a variety of delectable shareable items such as Pimento Cheese Crab Dip, Caramelized Vidalia Onion Dip or Pigs in A Blanket. Lastly, pups will not be left out on Unplugged Wednesdays, and can enjoy the homemade Lingering Shade Dog Biscuit. Lingering Shade Social Club is the most enchanting place on the Beltline for small snacks, superior cocktails, local brews and an impressive wine list.

Lingering Shade celebrated four years of serving up unforgettable patio cocktails in February of this year. This must-visit destination is located on Irwin Street, near Krog Street Market and overlooks Atlanta BeltLine’s Eastside Trail.

Lingering Shade does not accept reservations, and is first come, first served. Parties of 20 or more require an event reservation and deposit. For more information, please visit
lingeringshade.com or call email: info@lingeringshade.com.