There’s parking onsite and on the street at Summerhill’s Talat Market (just don’t block anybody’s driveway, OK?). Not paying to park means you’ll have more coins to order the bulk of things from the small, constantly changing menu. And you should, since Talat’s Thai dishes are better than anywhere else—like their vibrant, spicy green curry soup, fried octopus in fiery XO sauce, and a tropical margarita made with fresh pineapple and lime.

Even after the expansion, Gigi’s Italian Kitchen in Candler Park is still on the cozy side. So you’ll have far more difficulty securing a last-minute reservation at this top-rated Italian spot than you would finding a parking spot in the big free lot behind the building. Obey the signs, clear your car of valuables, and settle in for creamy pasta primavera and a front-row view of the always entertaining open kitchen.

You might have to walk a short block or two, but you can always find street parking near EAV's Banshee—a casually cool American fine dining spot on our guide to the 25 best restaurants in Atlanta. Our tip: park across the street from the taco spot (you’ll know it when you see it). Just know your embarrassing parallel parking job will long be forgotten once you’re enjoying the fry bread with pepperoni butter, which we fully support ordering by the tub.

We love Community Q in Decatur for their smoky pulled pork and chicken piled high on texas toast, incredibly tender ribs, molasses-rich baked beans, crunchy slaw, and tangy pickled beets. We could go on and on. But it’s important to stop and mention our appreciation for the easy parking—with plenty of shopping center spaces to pull into when the BBQ jones hits.

Pata Negra has a sultry all-black dining room that sets the mood for a date night. So come here to sip mezcal cocktails and share an order of enchiladas doused in a spicy crema. While you’re both pretending to be the kind of couple who always ignores their phones, rest easy because the parking is validated for a whole five hours. A big deal in Buckhead, where a free spot is harder to find than a stretch of I-285 without construction.

Fellini’s on Ponce has been an Atlanta staple for decades, thanks to three things—affordable New York-style slices, a sunny street-facing patio with a massive old fountain, and the free parking. The lot’s surprisingly spacious, so finding a spot is never a hassle. That leaves more time to soak up the sun and devour a dependably good, big cheesy slice for around $3.

Even if there was a dragon-guarded moat around this beloved dive bar in O4W, we’d find a way to show up for their drums and flats. Luckily for us, we only have to find our way to the back lot, where we can throw our sedans in park and run toward the smell of lemon pepper. You can also parallel park on the sides of the building. Free parking and crispy, smoky wings will forever be an unbeatable combo.

The dungeon-like smelly maze that is Colony Square’s underground lot is a little easier to bear because parking is validated for two hours with a receipt from one of Politan Row's many restaurants. That means you can dig into a superior veggie sandwich from Zaddy’s, or keep it sweet at Fit For A Cookie without worrying about paying an extra $30 for parking when you pull out of the dark lot back into the light of Peachtree Street.

This casual sandwich and cocktail spot off Ponce has a funky parking lot with no marked lines and a “park anywhere you fit” attitude. Park at an angle (as most folks usually do), near the sides (get creative), but just not in the dead center (like we saw that van do one time). After, head inside for our favorite combo: a classic chicken salad paired with the Speedboat—a sweet and fizzy vodka cocktail with a shark gummy at the bottom of the glass.

Pollo Primo is an EAV favorite for a number of reasons. The chicken-centric Mexican restaurant has its own lot with distinct lines (bless them). They also have a pleasant patio, where you can keep an eye on your vehicle while you tear into a juicy chicken thigh with so much seasoning it’s nearly black, so you know the flavors are jumping in the best way. And you can roll up with friends, family, or your korfball team to share a whole chicken meal for $35.

For a real wallet win, the down-home Southern meals at Eats on Ponce will run you less than most city parking decks. You can snag a meat (get the spicy jerk chicken) and two sides (like rice and tender collards) for under $12. Their free parking lot stretches from the side of the building all the way to the back. It’s a one-way that’s pretty tight, so you actually need to pay attention to ensure your mirrors don’t accidentally side-swipe a parked car.