Bar ANA is the Latest Local Gem

Coffee shop by day, bar by night, Bar ANA is a new addition to Atlanta’s dining scene, having opened in late November 2025 near Ponce City Market.

The concept was brought to life by co-owners Artie De Los Santos and Claudia Martínez, who also serves as the restaurant’s executive pastry chef. The two set out to create a space centered around hospitality, culture, and desserts.

“Bar ANA really started with a shared idea between myself and Chef Claudia Martínez,” De Los Santos said. “We both come from cultures where hospitality is second nature, where people gather around food, music, and conversation.”

Martínez, a James Beard semifinalist pastry chef, leads the culinary direction of the menu, while De Los Santos brings experience from the beverage and experiential side of hospitality. Together, they saw an opportunity to create a concept that highlights desserts as a central part of the dining experience.

“When we started talking about what we wanted to create, we realized there was an opportunity to center dessert the same way many bars center savory food,” De Los Santos said. “Instead of desserts being an afterthought, they could be the star of the experience.”

The restaurant draws heavily on Afro-Latin cultural influences, blending desserts, cocktails, coffee, and music into one cohesive experience.

Another defining feature of Bar ANA is how the space evolves throughout the day. During the morning and early afternoon hours, the space operates as a coffee shop through its Recuerdos coffee program before transitioning into a cocktail and dessert bar in the evening. According to De Los Santos, the concept reflects traditions found throughout the Caribbean and Latin America.

“In many Caribbean and Latin American cultures, spaces evolve throughout the day,” he said. “In the morning, it’s coffee and conversation, and by evening it becomes music, drinks, and community.”

Recuerdos, the daytime coffee program, draws inspiration from Mexican coffee culture and focuses on a relaxed neighborhood atmosphere centered around coffee and pastries. As evening approaches, the lighting shifts, the music changes, and the cocktail and dessert program becomes the focus.

The space itself feels cozy and intimate, slightly tucked away from the busier areas surrounding Ponce City Market. There is also a waiting or overflow area where guests can order drinks while waiting to be seated in the full-service section. On select evenings, the area transforms into a DJ station.

De Los Santos describes the atmosphere as “warm, soulful, and a little sexy,” with music often blending reggae, R&B, salsa, hip-hop, reggaeton, and Afro-beats throughout the night.

Located just steps from Ponce City Market, Bar ANA serves as a convenient stop for those looking to begin an evening out or end the night with dessert and drinks.

The cocktail menu is carefully curated, with drinks designed to complement the dessert offerings. Many of the cocktails lean into flavors that pair naturally with pastries, such as citrus, florals, spice, and tropical notes.

Two of Bar ANA’s signature cocktails are the ANA Daiquiri and the Guava Gin and Tonic.

The ANA Daiquiri is made with Caribbean rum, tamarind, apricot, lime, and orange flower water. The drink is sweet but balanced, with subtle spice and citrus flavors that keep it from tasting overly sugary. It is served in a distinctive flower-shaped glass that adds a memorable visual presentation.

The Guava Gin and Tonic is another refreshing option. Made with guava gin, granada-vallet, and tonic water, the guava flavor is light rather than overly sweet and adds a subtle tropical note.

Another cocktail on the menu is the Callisto, made with gin, vermouth, parfait amour, and absinthe, offering a slightly more herbal and complex flavor profile.

Bar ANA also offers wine, beer, and several non-alcoholic beverage options. The food menu is intentionally limited but thoughtfully curated, with snacks designed to pair well with both the drinks and desserts.

One standout item is the mushroom spinach tart, topped with parmesan and dressed greens. The tart is savory and rich, making it a satisfying option alongside cocktails.

The cheese and charcuterie board can also be ordered as a “cheese-only” board for guests looking for a kosher-style option. The board features blue and goat cheeses served with toasted focaccia bread, honey, guava jam, and cornichons.

The guava jam stands out as a highlight, particularly when paired with the goat cheese and honey. The combination of sweet, savory, and slightly tangy flavors works well together.

Other snack options include marinated olives and bread service with whipped butter and seasonal jam. Bar snacks are also served alongside the drinks, including a mix of plantains and dark and milk chocolate-covered espresso beans.

Dessert is the centerpiece of the Bar ANA experience. One of the restaurant’s most talked-about desserts is the guava glazed donuts. These donuts are topped with pink peppercorn streusel and served with cream cheese ice cream. The dish is one of Chef Martínez’s signature creations, which she previously served while working at Miller Union.

Another popular dessert is the Vanilla Pavlova topped with chantilly cream and macerated strawberries and served with a side of passion fruit hibiscus sorbet. The pavlova melts in the mouth, and its sweetness pairs well with the tartness of the sorbet. Originally introduced as a Valentine’s Day special, the dessert became so popular that it was added to the regular menu.

Other desserts include the Mini Mango, covered in white chocolate and topped with coconut crunch; a vanilla bean almond cake with milk chocolate ganache, brown butter mousse, and citrus; the quesillo shortbread tart served with pear sorbet and caramel popcorn; and a rotating ice cream or sorbet of the day.

For first-time visitors, De Los Santos recommends pairing a cocktail with dessert, particularly the Guava Gin and Tonic with the guava glazed donuts.

Bar ANA is open Thursday through Monday. The bar opens at 6 p.m. and closes at midnight, with extended hours until 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. The Recuerdos coffee program operates from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Bar ANA is located at 939 Ponce De Leon Ave. NE in Atlanta. Free parking is available behind the restaurant in a shared lot with El Ponce. For more information, visit Bar ANA’s website or call 470-763-9626.