European-style café illy is now open at Atlantic Station, the brand’s 18 location in the U.S., its first ever in Georgia, and its first full-service restaurant in the U.S.
The café offers authentic and thoughtfully sourced Italian coffee, full-service breakfast, lunch and dinner and made-in-house pastries by 2022 James Beard Award Finalist and Café Claudia pastry chef Claudia Victoria Martínez.
The franchise is operated by Asad Babwari and Aamir Ali, who have expertise in restaurants across Atlanta.
“We are excited for illy to officially be a part of the Atlantic Station community and to have the opportunity to provide Atlanta with a traditional European-style café experience,” Babwari said in a press release. “With Atlantic Station’s location in the heart of Atlanta and its reputation as a cultural connector, we knew it was the ideal site for illy entry into the market.”
The beverage menu features a variety of coffee, espresso and tea options, including seasonal caffé lattes, drip coffee, cappuccino and Nitro cold brew made with illy’s proprietary “Blade” machine. Breakfast options include traditional Italian pastries and breakfast plates. A full-service menu is offered for lunch and dinner, featuring Italian-style sandwiches, fresh-baked flatbreads and authentic pasta.
The café also offers a rotating assortment of locally made sweets, including tiramisu made with illy espresso, macarons, lemon bars, fudge brownies and fruit tarts. An adult beverage program and Aperitivo (Italian Happy Hour) menu will follow in 2024.
The storefront will also offer retail items for purchase, such as illy’s acclaimed espresso machines, whole-bean coffee and additional coffee accessories.
Founded in 1933 by Francesco Illy, the illy family brand reshaped its governance structure into a Certified B-Corporation in 2021, making it the first Italian coffee company to obtain this certification.
With more than 160 locations across 34 countries, illy began expansion in the U.S. in 2019. The brand is located primarily in airports, museums and premier shopping destinations.
The Atlantic Station cafe is located at 264 19th Street NW. It is open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
Atlantic Station is a 138-acre neighborhood in Midtown known for having its own zip code, 30363. It is home to nearly 8 million square feet of mixed-use development.
