Cafe Alsace

"This small cafe offers a quiet, romantic escape from Decatur’s busy dining scene. The menu offers traditional French and Alsatian dishes (northeastern France) such as quiche, spaetzle (egg noodles), choucroute garnie (sauerkraut, sausages, potatoes), and sandwiches like the mauricettes made with pretzel bread. The wine list is a lovely mix of both French and Alsatian bottles with affordable price points." - Eater Staff

"For more than 25 years, this Decatur staple has been serving up hearty French cuisine with an Alpine twist. A cozy dining room replete with white tablecloths and vintage cookware hanging on the walls sets the scene for an immersive taste of France’s Alsace region in the form of mushroom-packed spaetzle, boeuf bourguignon, and tarte tatin. Seating is limited and reservations are recommended for parties of four or more." - Sarah Bisacca

"Fawn joins Koval’s restaurants the Deer and the Dove and B-Side, taking over the former Sweet Seed Salad space next door to Cafe Alsace and bringing downtown Decatur its first wine and amaro bar." - Beth McKibben

"As the name implies, Cafe Alsace serves both traditional French and Alsatian cuisine — the latter coming from a region in northeastern France bordering Germany and Switzerland along the Rhine River blending the cultures, languages, and foods of the three countries together. (Think cassoulets, boeuf bourguignon, creamy egg noodle-laden spaetzle, tarte flambee, and coq au Riesling.) The wine list here is a lovely mix of French and Alsatian vintages. It’s no secret to longtime patrons of Cafe Alsace that the restaurant is doing more to promote the food and hospitality of this unique region of France than most French restaurants in Atlanta. And owner and Alsatian native Benedicte Ulsas Cooper, who often works the dining room of the tiny three-decade-old restaurant, is the greatest ambassador of Alsace and its cuisine." - Eater Staff

"This little French restaurant in the heart of downtown Decatur is darling, and a gem I am glad to see survived the worst months of the pandemic. For longtime patrons like myself, Cafe Alsace is doing more to promote the food and hospitality of this unique region of France from an unassuming space on East Ponce than most French restaurants in Atlanta. And owner and Alsatian native Benedicte Ulsas Cooper is the region’s greatest ambassador, who often works the tiny dining room of the nearly three-decade-old restaurant, greeting regulars like they’re family. Cafe Alsace must and should be cherished. Located in northeastern France bordering Germany and Switzerland along the Rhine River, the region of Alsace blends the cultures, languages, and foods of the three countries together. (Think cassoulets, boeuf bourguignon, creamy egg noodle-laden spaetzle, tarte flambee, and coq au Riesling.) A rich stew of beans, pork sausages, and duck, the cassoulet is a particular winter favorite of mine at Cafe Alsace, which can easily be shared between two or three people, especially when ordering multiple dishes. If you’ve never tried spaetzle, order it at Cafe Alsace. Cooper serves spaetzle two ways: noodles baked with mushrooms, spinach, cream, and cheese or baked with chunks of ham, onions, cream, and cheese. She learned to make the traditional Alsatian dish from her grandmother, which Cooper now serves at Cafe Alsace surrounded by family photos and mementos of Alsace hanging on the walls. Lunch is also served throughout the week, and is equally as popular as dinner, so be prepared to wait. The restaurant only seats around 25 people." - Beth McKibben