Atlanta’s dining scene has long been shaped by Black chefs, families, and innovators whose restaurants have become cultural anchors as much as culinary standouts.
Whether you crave soul food with history behind it, brunch with flair, or modern global fusion done right, these 10 Black-owned establishments continue to set the tone for what dining in the city truly feels like.
Busy Bee’s Cafe
Few restaurants embody Atlanta’s legacy like Busy Bee’s. Founded in the late 1940s and embraced by icons such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., this AUC-adjacent classic has been lovingly operated by the Gates family for decades.
Its compact dining room and winding weekend lines have become part of the charm, a testament to the loyalty it inspires. But once that plate hits the table, everything else fades into the background. Their seasoned fried chicken, crispy fish, and soulful sides remain unmatched.
Busy Bee’s isn’t just a meal; it’s a rite of passage when traveling to the A.
Toast on Lenox
This Black and woman-owned brunch destination has quickly become one of Buckhead’s most vibrant hotspots. Chef Virgil Harper’s all-day breakfast creations are the reason you’ll see a steady stream of cars turning in from Lenox Road, but the energy doesn’t stop with the food.
Inside, guests sip watermelon frosé beneath a statement-making décor that begs for a photo op. The French toast alone, from strawberry shortcake drizzles to decadent bananas Foster, is reason enough to book your next brunch date. And don’t be surprised if you catch a celebrity tucking into Mississippi-style catfish at the next table.
At Toast on Lenox, everyone’s here for a good time.
Breakfast at Barney’s
Barney’s hasn’t been around long, but it’s already set a new standard for luxury brunch in Atlanta. Steps from Georgia State University, the restaurant pairs velvet seating, marble finishes, and emerald-green interiors with a menu that leans boldly indulgent.
Their “Soul Rolls,” filled with mac and cheese, greens, and yams, are a crowd favorite, but the signature pancakes topped with fruit, flowers, and edible gold remain the star attraction. For those seeking the full show, the “Mansa Musa” tower blends lobster, fried chicken, grits, and Veuve into one unforgettable feast.
Whether Babyface is playing through the speakers or Lil Baby is providing the soundtrack, Breakfast at Barney’s always feels like a celebration.
The Bando
Part museum, part wing haven, The Bando delivers an experience unlike anything else in the city.
Designed to resemble an abandoned trap house filled with 90s/2000s artifacts, the space taps into Atlanta nostalgia while reimagining how a restaurant can tell a story. And while guests come for the atmosphere, they stay for the wings, especially the powdered-sugar, kissed “crack wings” that keep The Bando in constant rotation among locals.
Atlanta Breakfast Club
Just look at the line outside on any Saturday morning, and you’ll know Atlanta Breakfast Club has earned its reputation. Chef Anthony Sanders has crafted a downtown staple where comfort classics shine, especially the chicken and waffles that draw both tourists and lifelong ATLiens through the door.
It’s the kind of place where the food hits the way breakfast should, and once you’ve been, you’ll understand why the crowds don’t mind the wait.
Blendz N Friendz
In a city known for indulgence, Blendz N Friendz brings a refreshing, plant-forward twist. This vegan smoothie and bowl shop builds its creations on açaí and dragon fruit bases piled high with fresh fruit, nutrients, and vibrant toppings.
Light, energizing, and colorful, it’s a go-to stop whether you’re resetting after a long week or fueling up before the next one.
Sublime Doughnuts
Open around the clock and beloved across generations, Sublime Doughnuts has become a staple of Atlanta’s sweet scene. Founded by pastry visionary Kamal Grant, the shop takes donuts into entirely new territory, think s’mores stuffed with toasted marshmallow, strawberry cream rings, and the cult-favorite Buttercup.
With locations near Georgia Tech, inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and beyond, Sublime proves that dessert can be both playful and artfully crafted.
Southern Fire Kitchen
Buford Highway is home to countless hidden gems, and Southern Fire Kitchen stands proudly among them. This soul food spot delivers hearty Southern comfort without the hefty price tag.
Expect the essentials: creamy mac and cheese, seasoned yams, tender fried chicken, but don’t leave without ordering the fried lobster bites, which might be the best-kept secret on the menu.
Apt 4B
Launched in 2020 and immediately embraced by the city, Apt 4B brings nightlife energy into a dining space made for discovery. With a DJ booth by the entrance and walls lined with vinyl classics, it channels the warmth of a living room kickback and the pulse of a Buckhead hot spot.
Owner Sim Walker (also behind Ms. Icey’s Kitchen & Bar) curates a menu blending Caribbean flavors with Southern roots: oxtail hummus, tamarind-glazed short rib, and other inventive dishes that keep the restaurant buzzing night after night.
Bomb Biscuit
Once a beloved pop-up, Bomb Biscuit now has a permanent home where its reputation continues to soar. The cozy Highland Avenue space feels like a neighborhood meeting point, casual, inviting, and always busy.
Their buttermilk biscuits are impossibly airy, the fried chicken is seasoned to perfection, and the waffles strike the ideal balance between crisp and soft. Golden potatoes mixed with peppers and onions round out nearly every plate.
Whether you’re dining in or grabbing something from their busy take-out window, Bomb Biscuit always delivers.
