Home of the Braves: Your city guide to Smyrna

Best known by intown Atlanta as “the place the Braves moved to” and to locals as the “Jonquil City,” the suburb of Smyrna sits in the southeastern corner of Cobb County. Incorporated in 1872, its most famous early resident was Samuel Taylor, who moved to the area in the 1880s. Thanks to a gift from his son, the Taylors planted and gifted scores of jonquil flowers, and the area was soon awash in the yellow flower. So much so that jonquils adorn the city logo and there’s an annual festival named after them.

As the metro area grew throughout the 1970s and 1980s, and suburban sprawl expanded the city, a central gathering place was built by city leaders that is now Downtown Smyrna’s Village Green, complete with a library, community center, and green space where events like the Jonquil Festival take place. Today, Smyrna is a growing city anchored by the central Village Green, the Cumberland business district to the east, and a collection of diverse neighborhoods and parks throughout.

What can I do for fun in Smyrna?

Get your groove on at The Coca-Cola Roxy. Not a baseball fan? Prefer a good rock song to the National Anthem? The Battery has something for you, too. This concert venue hosts some of the biggest acts across music and comedy in a two-tier industrial auditorium. Upcoming artists include James Blake, Sylvan Esso, Lil Uzi Vert, and comedian Anthony Jeselnik. See the full schedule and get tickets here.

Bike the Silver Comet Trail. The Silver Comet Trail winds over 60 miles from Cobb County west into Alabama, and the start of the trail begins in Smyrna. Since it’s largely a paved trail, this path is perfect for biking and running, but may not be the path of choice for nature walkers. (Tree lovers should check out the nearby Palisades Trails or Cochran Shoals Trail.)

Shop fresh at Nam Dae Mun. Buford Highway isn’t the only place with Asian produce markets. Nam Dae Mun has two Smyrna locations, both with large selections of unique produce, a fish market, and grocery staples from Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

Where are the best places to eat and drink in Smyrna?

Rev Coffee

Start your day off with this acclaimed small-batch coffee roaster. With blends from all around brewed on-site, Rev Coffee’s cozy atmosphere and quality brews provide the perfect place to work on that side project or just get your daily caffeine boost. Grab a freshly-made breakfast sandwich or cinnamon roll while you’re here, and browse the rotating selection of local art for sale.

Location: 1680-B Spring Rd SE, Smyrna; Hours: Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Website: revcoffee.com

Muss and Turner’s

This Smyrna staple proudly claims to “put people first,” and the years of acclaim bear it out. Muss and Turner’s is a deli and full-service bistro that works with high-quality, seasonal ingredients to serve you some of the suburb’s best sandwiches for lunch. Check out the Thanksgiving-inspired “Gobbler” or the “PBLT” with pork belly and heirloom tomatoes. Dinner service is more traditional, with small plates, charcuterie boards, and main courses like trout and steak.

Location: 1675 Cumberland Parkway SE, Suite 309, Smyrna; Hours: Monday to Thursday: 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday: 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., weekend brunch: 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; Website: mussandturners.com

MTH Pizza

The owners of Muss and Turner’s also own this “Smyrna style” pizza place down the block. With the same creative spirit they brought to their sandwiches, enjoy such combinations as the spicy “Hell Boy” and the peachy, cheesy, “That’s A Peach Hon” baked on high-protein flour dough. If the pizza isn’t enough, grab some cheesy garlic bread or their crispy wings.

Location: 1675 Cumberland Pkwy SE Suite 415, Smyrna; Hours: Monday to Thursday, 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday to Sunday, noon to 9 p.m.; Website: mthpizza.com

Tacos la Villa

Birria tacos — with their crispy shells and bright red consome dip — are all the rage these days, and you would be hard-pressed to top the ones that Tacos la Villa serves. Get it as a taco or a pizza birria. Fans of regular tacos, fear not! Though small, this taqueria has flavor to spare, with a wide range of meats to choose from, from al pastor to lengua to chorizo. Pair with some chips and guacamole and wash it down with a Jarritos soda.

Location: 2415 Cobb Parkway SE, Smyrna; Hours: 10:30 a.m. to 8:45 p.m. every day; Website: tacoslavillasmyrna.com

Ph’east

Who knew some of the best Asian food in Smyrna would be tucked away next to Truist Park? This hawker food hall has a little of everything: boba, beer, and sushi burritos. Metro faves like Kung Fu Tea and 26 Thai are here, as well as warm bowls of ramen from Lifting Noodles Ramen. Fish fans should check out the sushi burritos and poke bowls from Atlanta’s Poke Burri. (Stay tuned for special menu items like sushi donuts!) Fantasia serves classic Chinese dishes from the team that operates Buford Highway favorite Bo Bo Garden.

Location: 925 Battery Ave SE Ste. 1100 (inside The Battery); Hours: Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to midnight; Website: pheastatl.com