Dunwoody, Georgia, is directly north of Atlanta. It is full of big city offerings, but with way less traffic than its southern counterpart. It is also a place where the community really comes together and works on being the best they can.
During a weekend getaway to Dunwoody, my friend Liz of Eat, Move, Make and I found some pretty cool things to get into and had a fantastic getaway. I couldn’t wait to share it with you! Between amazing shopping, delicious food, and a day of pampering and relaxation at a day spa, you’ll easily see why I think you’ll love a girls’ weekend in Dunwoody, Georgia.
Shopping
Being so close to the metropolitan hub of Atlanta, it should come as no surprise that Dunwoody is also full of great retail stores and adorable boutique shops. The Perimeter Mall houses over 150 stores and has all of your top picks such as Anthropologie, J. Jill, Apple, and Nordstrom. I have never seen a bigger Macy’s store than the one at this mall. Budget shoppers or those looking to save some money, can visit the Nordstrom Rack across the street.
Two of our favorite local shops were The Enchanted Forest and Under the Pecan Tree. In both, you will find unique jewelry, baby gifts, collegiate sports memorabilia and clothing, home decor, ladies accessories, and plenty of seasonal merchandise. Whether you want to pick up a Georgia t-shirt, local cookbook, trendy pottery, or fun earrings, you can find them here.
Eating Breakfast and Lunch in Dunwoody
For a tasty breakfast and fuel to start your day, stop in First Watch or Another Broken Egg Cafe, both great options for breakfast sandwiches, pancakes, and specialty items. For lunch, head over to Alon’s Bakery or Novo Cucina for a delicious meal and glass of vino or sweet tea since you are in the South.
At Alon’s Bakery & Market, try the daily special (Fridays are fish tacos), Thai Chicken, or French Connection Salad. If you like Mediterranean food, Alon’s Tabouleh and Hummus are the best I’ve ever had! You can also choose from dozens of grab and go items.
Alon’s Bakery is the award-winning powerhouse of Dunwoody, catering all over town and even providing some of the top name stores in the country with their delicious macarons. I recommend the pistachio and black cherry ones. If macarons are not your thing, select the Midnight Cake, their signature layered chocolate cake with white icing that is out of this world! It is a girls’ weekend, calories don’t count!
Novo Cucina, Dunwoody’s best Italian eatery, makes really good hand-tossed Artisanal pizza so that is a nice lunch option. I went with the Arancini risotto balls and a Caesar salad, both perfect choices. The marinara sauce is so good here that you will definitely want to order something that is made with it.
For dessert, Liz and I tried the Affogato, which comes with your choice of gelato flavors. We went with Malted Milk. Perfect! FYI, if you see people putting their plates on the floor at Novo Cucina to photograph it, they probably just want a pretty picture like we did. The restaurant is beautiful and the floor was too good to be passed up. Instagram gold right there!
Dinner and Drinks in Dunwoody
Eclipse Di Luna is perfect for a girls’ getaway with small plate tapas and tantalizing drinks. The small plates Liz and I tried were Fall Vegetables and Tomato Casserole (with goat cheese), Roasted Colorful Cauliflower (with Marcona almonds and balsamic), and Primavera Arroz.
Though I’m not a vegetarian or practice the lifestyle, all of our dishes happened to be vegetarian–and they were fabulous! The rice dish featured sautéed Basmati rice with roasted Crimini mushrooms, spinach, peas, Patty Pan squash and a drizzle of paprika chili oil. It was so good! We loved the ambiance and the colorful decor, too. Eclipse Di Luna’s service was great and the food was all enjoyable. This would be my go-to place in Dunwoody if I lived here.
Drinks…
Fancy a glass of vino? You can probably find any and every wine you love at Vino Venue. Not only is it a full-service restaurant, but also a place for cooking classes and an amazing wine selection. This is a beautiful wine bar with self-serve machines (enomatic wine dispensing system) that pours your wine upon using a gift card (available at the restaurant) to pay with. Pick the type (32 kinds to be exact) and size of wine you want (ranging from a 1 ounce tasting to a 5-ounce glass). Flights are a great way to try multiple wines without having to pay for a full glass.
For dinner at Vino Venue, Liz and I enjoyed our wine paired with a lovely charcuterie board, gourmet burger, adult grilled cheese, and premium desserts. Desserts vary but we had a decadent lavender creme brûlée and blackberry shortcake.
Or Dessert?
Located in the Park Place Shopping Center, Cafe Intermezzo is a 19th-century Vienna-inspired cafe with a romantic vibe, full menu, stellar desserts, and a huge offering of coffee and teas. They offer a full food menu, but we came just for the desserts and after-dinner drinks. You’ll have to peep inside at the counters to see the 30-50 fresh desserts to choose from.
The selection process at Cafe Intermezzo was difficult, but we chose the Almond Tiramisu which was sheer heaven! It differs from classic tiramisu by replacing almond liquor with the coffee and toasted almonds on the top instead of cocoa. It was a real treat and not too sweet or heavy. To drink, I had a white hot chocolate, served with homemade Schlag (whipped cream) and Liz had a classic cocktail.
Beer enthusiasts will appreciate the 40 craft beers on tap at Moondog Growlers, with selections from around the country, just as I did. This taproom offers a huge amount of selections from all over the country as well as plenty of local options. Kick back and watch your favorite sporting event (did I mention I’m a huge football fan?) and hang out with the friendly beer crowd at this happening place. While the beer selections can change often, the ones I was digging on my trip were Atlanta Brewing Company Goseanna and Torched Hop Raspberry Lucy.
Dunwoody’s Culture
Liz and I were in town over the weekend, so we headed over to Brook Run for the local Dunwoody Farmers’ Market. Vendors change week to week but on my visit I found delicious cookies at Pastry Shells, fresh produce, great hot food at Ponytail Paris, and a cool tree branch where you can grow your own mushrooms! Because our weather was shabby, the participants were low, but can be up to 40 vendors.
A really fun activity Liz and I got involved with was Painting With A Twist. If you aren’t familiar with the latest fun and artistic trend, Painting With a Twist (PWAT) is a business that offers classes where an instructor shows you step by step how to paint a picture to take home with you. Granted, bringing your own food and drinks are part of the fun and attraction, but the main jist is to have fun, make new friends, and share some laughs.
During our visit to Dunwoody, PWAT’s artist Holly led an off-site class at Moondog Growlers. Besides Liz and I, there were six other guests in the class. We painted a fall pumpkin seasonal piece which was a whole lot of fun. Plus, it made a great souvenir from our girls’ weekend.
At the 1867 historic house on Ashford Dunwoody Road, we visited the Spruill Gallery, a local art gallery showcasing beautiful treasures. Artworks ranged from pictures to pottery, jewelry to fiber arts, and then some. I found some darling handpainted wall art that I wanted for my new grandbaby and some handmade cards to send to friends. Be sure to take the obligatory selfie at the #EverythingwillbeOK mural on the outbuilding on the property.
Relaxing
Treat yourself at the Woodhouse Day Spa. Known as a luxury chain of day spas, originating in Texas, this impressive venue will wow you as soon as you step foot in the door. After check-in, Liz and I were given a tour of the spa, provided a plush robe and slippers, and shown to the beautiful relaxation room. The elegant room held several tranquil seating areas with chairs and lounges, a gourmet selection of snacks and teas, as well as fruit flavored waters. The Woodhouse Day Spa had a fantastic vibe and we instantly made friends with some ladies having their own girls’ day out.
I opted for a 50-minute hot-stone massage, which also had a hint of deep tissue to work out some muscle kinks. My technician had skilled hands and kneaded my body in all the right places. The heated bed was pure bliss and I found it hard to leave my nice cocoon after my treatment. Professionalism and privacy in spas are always appreciated and the Woodhouse Day Spa had an incredible staff. Even in such an upscale environment, they made sure to treat every guest the same and with genuine friendliness and care.
Where to Stay in Dunwoody
I’m pleased to say that the Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Atlanta Perimeter Dunwoody provided excellent accommodations for Liz and I during our travels. We were granted a quick check-in, greeted by a friendly staff member, and the property was stylish and clean.
The Hampton Inn’s lobby has a great flow with seating areas off to the side and a small convenience store onsite. Breakfast and Wi-Fi are included, as well as complimentary transportation shuttle services to the local malls and attractions. If you notice that the breakfast bar has biscuits and gravy, then it’s your lucky day! There is also a noteworthy 24-hour fitness center on the first floor and a whirlpool that looked incredibly inviting.
Our room was spacious and had every modern convenience needed. It was beautifully decorated and I especially loved the fabric of the curtains and headboard, and the embellished look and feel of the wall coverings. I slept like a baby in one of the two queen beds that were adorned with stark white textured coverlets and good quality sheets.
The bathroom was huge and had a great shower and Neutrogena toiletries. To reiterate, I really enjoyed staying here and the property was within walking distance to many Dunwoody attractions and shops. The hotel also offers free shuttle service within a few miles of the hotel.
Dunwoody: A Girls’s Getaway Thumbs Up
Liz and I had a blast in Dunwoody. It is an amazing town with plenty to do and lots of ways to have fun for your girls’ weekend! Wouldn’t it be an awesome place to take your girlfriends for a much-needed break?
Thanks to the Dunwoody CVB for hosting my trip. As with all of my articles, options and reviews are 100% mine and unbiased.
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