ATLANTA - The term "gastropub" was coined in the UK in the 90s, marrying the terms "gastronomy" and "pub" (or "publick house" for you completists). The idea was geared toward freshening traditional pub food and creating cuisine that was more adventurist and creative, but that was not unattainable.

In Atlanta, gastropubs have surfaced and crafted a niche for themselves that have attracted some of the world's elite chefs. New gastropubs are showing up with regularity across the area, but if you want to cut your teeth, here's a selection of some of Atlanta's gastropubs.

The Glenwood Neighborhood Pub on Glenwood Avenue in East Atlanta Village features hummus and Reuben eggrolls on its appetizers menu. The entrees include a hand-cut ribeye or New York strip to die for and their weekend brunch has what they call a "Waffle A La Monte Cristo" with black forest ham and Swiss cheese. For desserts? Tempura-battered, deep fried Oreos with vanilla ice cream. 1263 Glenwood Avenue, 404-748-1984. http://www.glenwoodatlanta.com/

Tap: A Gastropub is at the corner of 14th and Peachtree, across the street from Colony Square. Chef Nick McCormick is a graduate of Chicago's Le Cordon Bleu and has crafted a menu that includes Buffalo-fried calamari and hot boiled peanuts on the appetizer menu. Looking for more? Try a black bean burger with avocado mayo and Gruyere cheese, or perhaps red wine braised beef. Dinner time brings pan fried chicken or steak frites. Grab some red velvet pancakes and roasted grapefruit for Sunday Brunch. Dessert includes locally-produced High Road Craft Ice Cream. Tap has 35 beers and two wines on tap that you can enjoy inside or out on the patio. 1180 Peachtree St., NE, 404-347-2220. http://www.tapat1180.com/home.php

Though some would argue about the designation, Marlow's Tavern is a gastropub - one with 10 locations around Metro Atlanta, and now one in Orlando. Truffled Parmesan fries or a shrimp & crab "nacho" plate start your feast, before a segue into shrimp & grits or their house-made black bean burger. For dessert? Try a classic crème brulee. Alpharetta, Cumming, Duluth, Dunwoody, East Cobb, Emory Point, Kennesaw, Midtown, Northlake or Vinings in Metro Atlanta. http://www.marlowstavern.com/

Cypress Street Pint & Plate is celebrating their fifth anniversary in their off-the-beaten-path location in Midtown. You can visit their website to see what brews are available on tap or by the bottle this month, then partake in barbeque egg rolls or fried truffle mushrooms to whet your appetite. A freshly-made chicken pot pie or perhaps a ½ pound burger between two Sublime Doughnuts could be next on your plate. Close it out with a grilled Sublime Doughnut or perhaps an ice cream sandwich made with a chocolate chip cookie and malted milk chocolate stout ice cream. At the corner of 6th and Cypress Streets in Midtown (817 W. Peachtree Street), 404-815-9243. http://www.cypressbar.com/

Proof and Provision can be a bit hard to find for the uninitiated. From the front of the Georgian Terrace Hotel at Peachtree & Ponce, walk down the Ponce de Leon Avenue side of the building. About half-way down the block, you'll see the door with the stylized "P" above it. Once you step in, you're greeted by the hideaway that is Proof and Provision. Barrel-aged cocktails are on the menu, with a flair for drinks outside the mainstream, thanks to resident Mixologist Nate Shuman. Executive Chef Zeb Stevenson has crafted a menu that will attract you as well - starting with deviled eggs, hardwood-smoked almonds and fantastic meat and cheese plates as appetizers, and proceeding to an onion soup that the menu describes as more onion than soup. Try a griddled prosciutto sandwich or an English breakfast of crumpets and black pudding, if you will. In the Georgian Terrace Hotel, 659 Peachtree Street, NW, 404-897-5045. http://www.proofandprovision.com/

The Family Dog is a neighborhood joint in Atlanta's Morningside neighborhood with locally sourced food and a relaxed atmosphere with a 40-foot-long bar. Self-described "bar grub" includes "Hell in a Bucket" popcorn, crispy Brussel sprouts and "hot dog sliders." Their salads are admittedly "healthy or not so healthy" - your choice. Specials include weekly "Fat Tuesday" 50 cent oysters along with po'boys and a New Orleans menu. You can stop in on Saturdays for Jose's smoked brisket sandwich. Looking for a little more? Executive chef and owner Ron Eyester has located The Family Dog's sister restaurant Rosebud right across the street. 1402 North Highland Avenue, 404-249-0180. http://www.thefamilydogatlanta.com/

A list of Atlanta gastropubs is definitely not complete without Holeman & Finch. Locally sourced food and a dynamite menu capped off by their world-famous burger. Only 24 are produced each night, right at 10 p.m. That's it. 24. Miss it, and you've missed a treat. The buns are made in-house, and the ketchup, mustard and pickles are all homemade. The burger is not listed on the menu, but those that know, know. The rest of the menu includes some fantastic fare, from the griddled souse to the bacon-caramel popcorn as starters. Hand-chopped steak tartare and griddled pork belly highlight just some of the rest of their menu. Finish up with sticky toffee pudding or a coke float with celery root sherbet. 2277 Peachtree Road, Suite B, 404-948-1175. http://www.holeman-finch.com/