50 Outstanding Black-Owned Restaurants in Atlanta
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on February 6, 2020 and last updated November 20, 2024.
One of the things that makes Atlanta a Great American City is our Black history and culture. And dining at locally-owned, minority-owned businesses is a great (and delicious) way to support Atlanta’s fabric. Here are some of the best Black-owned bars restaurants in Atlanta! Restaurants listed below in no particular order.
1. D’juan’s Bistro
3300 Cobb Pkwy SE Ste 104 Atlanta, GA 30339
The food is great, the service is great, and the prices are reasonable at this spot, so what’s not to love?! D’juan’s Bistro is a comfy, casual spot with great cajun and soul food eats. The crab cake eggrolls and charbroiled oysters are incredible!
2. Gocha’s Breakfast Bar
3695 Cascade Rd, Atlanta, GA 30331
Gocha Hawkin’s is serving up so much brunch realness, plus lots of vegan friendly dishes! Expect affordably priced Southern favorites like shrimp ‘n grits and biscuits that are “better than yo momma’s.” Find this joint on Cascade Rd!
3. Dat Fire Jerk Chicken
226 Northside Dr SW, Atlanta, GA 30313
Right outside Mercedes Benz Stadium in a small, colorful shack is a helluva meal. Get some real delicious Jamaican cuisine right at this spot–amazing jerk chicken with a homemade jerk sauce you’ll want to drizzle straight into your mouth. Gotta pair it with some perfectly sweet plantains. Try the jerk chicken cheese fries!
4. Capers
1635 Old 41 Hwy NW Ste 403 Kennesaw, GA 30152
This family-owned spot is cooking everything up with flavor. Whether you indulge in the seafood or dig into their lamb, you’re going to make your tastebuds happy. The service is always excellent and the dining room is spacious, but reservations are recommended for weekend nights.
5. Roc South Cuisine
3009 Buford Hwy NE, Atlanta, GA 30329
This Buford Highway spot has all the good stuff. Collard greens, mac and cheese, oxtails, catfish, and grits. You’ll love the grown and sexy vibes and blue velvet touches throughout. It’s elevated soul food right on Buford Highway!
6. Pit Boss BBQ
800 Doug Davis Dr, Atlanta, GA 30354
Pit Boss BBQ is a total dive, hole-in-the-wall, line-out-the-door gem in Hapeville. Atlanta airport area folks have known for years that this is the place you want to go if you want phenomenal barbecue. Their smoked wings are truly some of the best we’ve tasted!
7. Just Add Honey Tea Shop
684 John Wesley Dobbs Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30312
For a break from the hustle and bustle of the Beltline, step into the peaceful, quiet, and cute-as-a-button Just Add Honey tea shop, owned by Brandi and Jermail Shelton. They have the coziest of seating and an ample selection of teas that make this place a wonderful spot to catch up with a friend or get some reading done.
8. Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks
6035 Peachtree Rd Suite C-107, Atlanta, GA 30360
57 Forsyth St NW, Atlanta, GA 30303
You’d be hard-pressed to find an Atlanta restaurant with more of a cult following than Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks. Derrick Hayes used to drive all the way to Philadelphia just for that authentic cheesesteak taste, and he has perfected the sandwich and is now slinging some of Atlanta’s, if not the world’s, best. He first opened up in a Shell gas station, where lines would stretch on and on from his hungry fans before he set up shop at his Downtown Atlanta location before further expanding with a Dunwoody location and food truck. Wear stretchy pants, and try the cheesesteak egg rolls!
9. Tassili’s Raw Reality Cafe
1059 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd, Atlanta, GA 30310
How does chef/owner Tassili Ma’at make raw vegan so delicious? We have no idea, but her giant kale wraps (we love the Punany Wrap especially!), curried plantains, and Carob Climax Brownies have all the flavor you could ever want. Find this woman-owned, Black-owned restaurant in the historic West End.
10. Hippin Hops Brewery
1308 Glenwood Ave SE. Atlanta, GA
Hippin Hops Brewery is Georgia’s first African-American owned brewery, and they are truly making a name for themselves with both creative pours and food that’s far from basic. For sour beer fans, their “So Peachy” sour beer is a delight and for seafood fans, their New Orleans themed menu is going to rock your world. They also have just opened a second location in East Lake, so pretty soon you’ll be able to enjoy Hippin Hops anywhere!
11. Busy Bee Cafe
810 M.L.K. Jr Dr SW, Atlanta, GA 30314
A true Atlanta institution! Busy Bee was founded in 1947 at the height of the segregation era by self-taught cook, Lucy Jackson and is still Black-owned today by restaurateur Tracy Gates. Find this gem on Memorial Drive, just a short drive from Mercedes-Benz stadium. Order up some candied yams and finish your meal with their “ol’ fashioned banana puddin’.”
12. Gilly Brew Bar
5329 Mimosa Dr, Stone Mountain, GA 30083
This cute-as-a-button coffee shop is temporarily closed for renovations, but it’s one worth keeping your eye one. It’s in Stone Mountain and serves up creative drinks while capturing some Southern historic charm. The light-filled interiors of this two-hundred year old, pre-Civil War house has been lovingly renovated and restored by owner Daniel Brown. There’s a wraparound patio with hammocks upstairs, making this place the perfect place to relax in fair weather. As for the menu, everything they serve is reasonably priced and their specials include their housemade “elixirs” that are much more creative than your usual latte.
13. Chef Rob’s Caribbean Cafe
5920 Roswell Rd #117, Atlanta, GA 30328
Chef Rob is the sauce king! Take a trip to the North Buckhead / Sandy Springs area to try his fall-off-the-bone oxtails and show-stopping grilled shrimp skewers. It’s the ultimate comfort food. Or catch his food truck roaming around town!
14. Slutty Vegan ATL
1542 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd, SW, Atlanta, GA 30310
164 N. McDonough St, Jonesboro, GA 30236
476 Edgewood Ave, SE, Atlanta, GA 30312
2045 Pleasant Hill Rd, Duluth, GA 30096
351 Ferst Dr, NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
350 Spelman Ln SW, Atlanta, GA 30314
755 Battery Ave, SE, Atlanta, GA 30339
Everyone all over Atlanta and beyond has heard about Black-owned Slutty Vegan. And the hype is real! This isn’t your bland kale salad, carrot juice type of vegan spot—it’s cheat day, cheesy, tasty, craveworthy vegan food you’ll dream about all week long. Pinky Cole was serving impossible burgers way before they were cool, and just one taste of her creation and you’ll see why the lines are so long and pretty much every ATL celeb has been spotted here.
15. K & K Soul Food
881 Donald Lee Hollowell Pkwy NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
Pull up to the counter to order up some deliciousness on a plate. This no frills spot is serving up delicious soul food at breakfast, lunch, and dinner–and has been for over 40 years. Try the cheese grits, gorge on fried chicken, and dig into some cornbread at K&K Soul Food.
16. Not As Famous Cookie
1080 Windy Hill Rd SE Suite 300, Smyrna, GA 30080
We love any excuse to indulge in a warm, ooey gooey cookie! Ashley Carlton is the owner of this food truck turned gourmet bake shop, serving up cookie shakes, cookie skillets, ice cream cookie sandwiches, and more. And everything is made using the secret recipes that his father came up with 40 years ago. No preservatives to be found anywhere, and only real butter, fine chocolates, and premium sugar are used in this spot’s gourmet treats. You can find their food truck roaming around town or at their brick and mortar location at 1080 Windy Hill Rd SE, #300 in Smyrna, GA!
17. The Real Milk & Honey
3719 Main St College Park, GA 30337
Head to College Park for a brunch you’ll always remember. You’ll love the over-the-top presentation and heaping portions with Southern delights like a southern fried lobster and grits and smothered chicken and biscuits. Best part? Brunch is served on weekdays and weekend evenings too, because they understand it’s all too hard to make it out of bed before 3pm on the weekends. Thank y’all!
18. Paschal’s
180 Northside Dr SW, Atlanta, GA 30313
Paschal’s, nestled in Castleberry Hills, has been an Atlanta staple for soul food for over six decades. The prices are super reasonable, and the fried chicken hits the spot every time. The takeout system makes it easy to order all time.
19. Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours
1133 Huff Rd NW, Atlanta, GA, 30318
Seafood macaroni and cheese, Jack Daniels honey pecan wings, and a fried apple pie are just some of the menu highlights at this excellent Blandtown/Westside spot from Chef Deborah VanTrece. It’s soul food and Southern food, but more upscale and very creative. Get twisted with their house-infused moonshine flight!
20. Local Green Atlanta
19 Joseph E. Lowery Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30314
You don’t have to eat unhealthy to eat well. Local Green Atlanta is serving food that’s as healthy as it is delicious. And for owner Zak Wallace, it’s part of a mission to bring food that’s both nutrient-rich and affordable to food deserts in Atlanta. You can enjoy their mostly plant-based menu in Vine City.
21. Garden Parc
792 Cascade Ave SW, Atlanta, GA 30310
Hello, brunch realness! This West End brunch spot and Instagram dream is all about the experience. They have all your brunch favorites served in a tableside buffet/all you can eat format for a two-hour window, plus an hour of complimentary mimosas. The experience comes in a little pricier at $60 per person without tax and tip, but it’s the ultimate thing to do when you’re in the mood to treat yourself!
22. Ms. Icey’s Kitchen & Bar
1371 Clairmont Rd, Atlanta, GA 30033
For some Caribbean flavor, head to Ms. Icey’s Kitchen & Bar in Decatur. Start your meal with skillet cornbread, order the strip club wings, and try the jerk lamb chops for a taste bud explosion!
23. Virgil’s Gullah Kitchen & Bar
3721 Main St, College Park, GA 30337
Another College Park gem right beside the Real Milk & Honey, Virgil’s Gullah Kitchen & Bar is a place to enjoy Gullah Geechee flavor and family recipes passed down from generation to generation. Expect scrumptious rice dishes, “bussin’ cornmuffins” and an “afta church plate” that’ll have you coming back again and again. Honestly, salivating just thinking about it. The vibes here are also fantastic, and it’s perfect for brunch as well! They also are now open in Conyers and West Midtown.
24. Sublime Donuts
535 10th St, NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
2566 Briarcliff Rd, NE, Suite 107, Atlanta, GA 30318
1 AMB Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
This 24-hour Atlanta mainstay and its over-the-top donuts have been satisfying sweet tooths for years. Founded by Kamal Grant, Sublime makes gourmet, artisan donut flavors like s’mores, Buttercup, and strawberry cream (the BEST). Find them by Georgia Tech, in the Mercedes-Benz stadium, and in North Druid Hills!
25. Urban Grind
962 Marietta St NW Atlanta, GA 30318
This cozy, shabby-chic coffeehouse in West Midtown is a great study spot with tasty blended frappucino-like drinks, but they also get extra kudos for all of their community event offerings that give local artists, musicians and comedians a chance to be heard. Head to Urban Grind on Thursday evenings for open mic poetry.
26. B&L Wings
800 Forrest St NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
This pick-up and delivery only spot has wings that are so good, they were listed as the favorite meal in ALL of 2019 by not one, not two, but THREE Atlanta Eats staffers. Innovative flavors, ranch-fried okra, and a wet lemon pepper sauce that’ll surely satisfy alllll your tastebuds. See why our editor OJ and production assistant Matt love them so much on their episode of Lunch Wars! And follow them on Instagram to get your fix.
27. Cafe Bourbon Street
680 Murphy Ave SW, Atlanta, GA 30310
There’s a cajun food truck with a line that stretches on and on most weekends. And the reason why is pretty simple: beignets. Jambalaya egg rolls. Bourbon ranch fries. Cajun Shrimp baskets. And the portions are generous, too. Check them out on Instagram for their schedule and go see what the hype is all about!
28. Toast on Lenox
2770 Lenox Rd Suite B-1 Atlanta, GA 30324
Hey there, brunch realness! The folks behind this Buckhead brunch spot really know what they’re doing. Just listen to this menu, y’all: lobster waffles. Honey fried chicken. Cajun seafood dip. Salmon croquette. Bananas foster french toast. Are you salivating yet?! Be sure to make a reservation! They also are now open in Midtown.
29. Just Brunch
1950 Satellite Blvd Suite 400, Duluth, GA 30097
Chef Keith Kash has done it again with Just Brunch, which if you ask us is just awesome. Find a mix of flavors with everything from a healthier açai bowl to a lobster and shrimp grilled cheese to bananas foster french toast to a Korean fried chicken cornbread waffle stack. And did we mention the interiors are absolutely beautiful?! Be sure to check out his other restaurant ventures, Who’s Got Soul cafe and Who’s Got Soul Southern Grill.
30. The Corner Grille
3823 Main St, Atlanta, GA 30337
The Corner Grille is a neighborhood favorite in College Park serving a blend of Creole and American flavors. On the weekends, they serve brunch and offer meals like shrimp and grits, omelets, chicken and waffles, and beignets. For lunch and dinner, you’ve got options from a shrimp po boy and the cajun chicken sandwich to a lovely lamb shank or cajun seafood pasta. Everything here is loaded with flavor, and the plates are hearty portions! If you’ve been craving a filling meal that is seasoned to perfection, check out The Corner Grille.
31. Atlanta Breakfast Club
249 Ivan Allen Jr Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
Chef Anthony Sanders’ Atlanta Breakfast Club has been a staple of Downtown Atlanta for years. Don’t believe us? Just look at the line out the door any weekend morning. One bite of their chicken and waffles, and you’ll be in love.
32. Breakfast At Barney’s
349 Decatur St SE Unit A1, Atlanta, GA 30312
A newcomer to the Atlanta dining scene, Breakfast At Barney’s is providing a delicious and creative brunch menu in the most beautiful of atmospheres. It’s the perfect place to have brunch and get boozy. Want to get a little fancy? Try their 14 karat gold topped pancakes. Want to get REALLY fancy? Try their $1,000 “Mansa Musa” tower that’s a combo of the 14 karat gold pancakes, the yard bird platter, fried lobster and grits, 1 bottle of Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Brut, and serves up to four guests.
33. Slim & Husky’s
581 Metropolitan Pkwy SW, Atlanta, GA 30310
“Pizza Rules Everything Around Me” is the mantra for this pizza spot with Nashville roots. This nationally acclaimed pizza chain incorporates fresh ingredients plus a love of hip-hop into every pie they make. Slim & Husky’s was started by a group of three, old college roommates: Clinton Gray, Derrick Moore, and Emanuel Reed. Here’s a secret for your next visit: be sure to order up the cinnamon rolls. Any flavor is AWESOME, but get the Halle Berry one just because she’s amazing. It’s all delicious.
34. Zaddy’s
1197 Peachtree St NE, Ste 150, Atlanta, GA 30361
For #bigbreadbigmeat, head to Zaddy’s. This elevated deli specializes in XXL sandwiches. Find it in Politan Row in Colony Square. Try the PMC Smoked Turkey or the Cajun Lemon Pepper Tuna.
35. Desta Ethiopian Kitchen
2250 Marietta Blvd, NW, Suite 206, Atlanta, GA 30318
3086 Briarcliff Rd, NE, Atlanta, GA 30329
Ask anyone where to get amazing Ethiopian food and 9 times out of 10, they’ll say Desta. Owners and Ethiopian immigrants Ash Nega and Titi Demise have been serving Ethiopian staples for years. The meat tibs and injira are phenomenal, and their perfectly spiced vegetable platter will convert even the most hardcore carnivore. It was even named one of the best meals we ate all year in 2019, by our Atlanta Eats pastry chef, Jon.
36. Plant Based Pizzeria
730 Barnett St NE, Atlanta, GA 30306
The vegan dining scene in Atlanta is heating up, and much of it is thanks to the talented Black chefs and entrepreneurs in our city. If you want to really fall into a food coma, try their cheese burger pizza with vegan cheese, tater tots, beyond meat, and more. Um. Wow!
37. Black Bear Tavern
1931 Peachtree Rd, NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
Atlanta has always been a City on the rise, with folks all over the country packing up and heading down to the Empire State of the South. That’s what owner Timmy Phillip did and why his Black Bear Tavern is an oasis for Chicago expats living in ATL. They’ve got every Cub, Bulls, Bears and Blackhawk game on, but if you’re not a fan of the Windy City sports team, you’ll find plenty to love on the menu. Next time you’re in Brookwood Village, or driving up on Peachtree, stop by and enjoy the company of Second City’s own.
38. The James Room
661 Auburn Ave NE STE 280, Atlanta, GA 30312
This cocktail lounge is a vibe. Step into a chic but unassuming Parisian cafe, walk through a door, and you’ll find a hidden speakeasy in the back. With live music on Tuesdays and R&B nights on Wednesdays, The James Room is a place for grown and sexy people who want to have a fun and upbeat night without hitting the club. The bartenders know what they’re doing, too. Try the Lost in Translation for an excellent Japanese whisky based drink, or the Espresso En Noir for a sexy take on the espresso martini.
39. My Fair Sweets
1728 Campbellton Rd SW, Atlanta, GA 30311
This boutique bakery will fulfill all your candy fever dreams! Kandace Hunter is the self-taught brains and talent behind this operation, and she’s been baking her fabulous cakes for 11 years! Her cakes are almost too pretty to eat… almost.
40. Tom, Dick & Hank
3807 Main St, Atlanta, GA 30337
This hole-in-the-wall spot over in College Park and Downtown strives to make every visit feel like the family reunion BBQs of your childhood. Try their “barbecue with a soul” twist meals of turkey ribs, cornbread, and mac and cheese. Food coma = achieved.
41. Mustard Seed BBQ
6000 Lynmark Way, #101-102 South Fulton, Georgia 30213
Talk about BBQ. This veteran owned restaurant is absolutely a trip worth making. Mustard Seed BBQ is an underrated spot in Fairburn and the Atlanta airport is serving up some BBQ realness. Their BBQ sauces have a mustard base, and even if you think mustard isn’t your thing, trust us, it’s phenomenal. Make the trip today!
42. Southern Fire Kitchen
3375 Buford Hwy NE Ste 1050 Atlanta, GA 30329
Buford Highway has all the good spots, and now there’s an excellent, reasonably priced soul food and Southern spot you can enjoy. Think mac & cheese, fried chicken, yams. Get the fried lobster bites!
43. The Breakfast Boys
3387 Main St College Park, GA 30337
Brunch is the most important meal of the day and The Breakfast Boys sure know how to do it right! The atmosphere is top notch with a vibrant color scheme and fun decorations throughout. The menu is also over-the-top with items like chicken and pancakes, lobster mac & cheese, and “the sweet chick” which is a breakfast sandwich on a croissant loaded with swiss cheese, chicken sausage, a fried egg, and the house jam with your choice of watermelon, breakfast potatoes, grits, or a salad on the side. Everything on this menu is so filling and so flavorful! However, it doesn’t stop there. No brunch is complete without a boozy drink so try the peach kiss or French connection with your meal.
44. Plantbaed Cafe
4338 Paces Ferry Rd SE Suite 108, Atlanta, GA 30339
The vegan movement in black culture is strong, and Plantbaed Cafe is blending those two worlds beautifully, with dishes like their Fried Mushrooms and Waffles and their Garbanzo G Burger. And if you like those, you can get Plantbaed regularly, with Meal Prep and other offerings on their website.
45. The Bando
3050 M.L.K. Jr Dr SW suite M, Atlanta, GA 30311
The Bando has to be one of the most unique restaurants in Atlanta, with some of the best wings! They really thought outside of the box that’s one part culture museum and one part wing spot. The museum has artifacts and memorabilia from the 90s and is made to look like an abandoned house, and you can complete your visit by trying their powdered sugar dusted “crack wings.”
46. Apt 4B
2293 Peachtree Rd Unit B, Atlanta, GA 30309
Apt 4b is serving up all the flavors of the Caribbean but with a unique twist! This funky Buckhead spot is headed by Chef Dayana Joseph, the Haitan-born creative mastermind behind inventive fare like oxtail hummus, tamarind glazed short ribs, and oxtail bucatini. We gotta give kudos to her for taking our Caribbean favorites and remixing them into something new and just as delicious! Apt 4b also has a great atmosphere and fantastic cocktails, so make this upscale spot your next girl’s night or date night destination!
47. Fin & Feathers
1136 Crescent Ave, NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
345 Edgewood Ave, SE, Atlanta, GA 30312
6340 GA-85, Riverdale, GA 30274
It’s a vibe. For “Nu American” Soul in a sexy environment in the heart of Edgewood, try Fin & Feathers. You’re going to have trouble figuring out if your food, your cocktail, or the music is better.
48. The Beverley
790 Glenwood Ave SE Ste 260 Atlanta, GA 30316
This comfy sports bar is a casual and fun hangout spot, with a great brunch menu, too. Try their jerk chicken eggrolls!
49. Bankhead Seafood
1651 Donald Lee Hollowell Pkwy NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
The beloved institution that won’t ever die! Bankhead Seafood is back thanks to T.I. and Killer Mike. Get the fried seafood favorites you love in an upgraded building with a full bar and rotating cocktails, wine and beer.
50. Barrio ATL
2310 Cascade Rd Atlanta, GA 30311
Check Out Other Delicious Black-Owned Restaurants from Cities Across America on American-Eats.com
- Black-Owned Restaurants in Chicago
- Black-Owned Restaurants in Dallas
- Black-Owned Restaurants in Philadelphia
- Black-Owned Restaurants in San Diego
- Black-Owned Restaurants in Washington, DC
- Black-Owned Restaurants Across America
Use our map below to find Black-owned restaurants in Atlanta near you!
These aren’t just popsicles! Enjoy handcrafted gelato, yogurt, and sorbet served on a stick. This Alpharetta spot is family-owned and operated by Jamaal and Charel Palmer. Indulge your sweet tooth with their creamy, signature hot chocolates, mouthwatering waffle pops, and decadent gelato shakes!
Gocha Hawkin’s is serving up lots of vegan friendly dishes. Expect affordably priced Southern favorites like shrimp ‘n grits and biscuits that are “better than yo momma’s.” Find this joint on Cascade Rd!
Right outside Mercedes Benz Stadium in a small, colorful shack is a helluva meal. Get some real delicious Jamaican cuisine right at this spot–amazing jerk chicken with a homemade jerk sauce you’ll want to drizzle straight into your mouth. Gotta pair it with some perfectly sweet plantains. Try the jerk chicken cheese fries!
This College Park joint is a great family spot with an amazing brisket sandwich, perfectly smoked wings, and jaw-dropping giant dino beef ribs! It’s all cooked low and slow, Texas-style with a bit of Louisiana influence make this a black-owned restaurant in Atlanta not to be missed.
This Buford Highway spot has all the good stuff. Collard greens, mac and cheese, oxtails, catfish, and grits. It’s soul food right on Buford Highway!
We just discovered Black-owned Pit Boss BBQ, a total dive, hole-in-the-wall, line-out-the-door gem in Hapeville, but airport area folks have known for years that this is the place you want to go if you want phenomenal barbecue. Their smoked wings are truly some of the best we’ve tasted!
For a break from the hustle and bustle of the Beltline, step into the peaceful, quiet, and cute-as-a-button Just Add Honey tea shop, owned by Brandi and Jermail Shelton. They have the coziest of seating and an ample selection of teas that make this place a wonderful spot to catch up with a friend or get some reading done.
You’d be hard-pressed to find an Atlanta restaurant with more of a cult following than Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks. Derrick Hayes used to drive all the way to Philadelphia just for that authentic cheesesteak taste, and he has perfected the sandwich and is now slinging some of Atlanta’s, if not the world’s, best. He first opened up in a Shell gas station, where lines would stretch on and on from his hungry fans before he set up shop at his Downtown Atlanta location. Wear stretchy pants, and try the cheesesteak egg rolls!
How does chef/owner Tassili Ma’at make raw vegan so delicious? We have no idea, but her giant kale wraps (we love the Punany Wrap especially!), curried plantains, and Carob Climax Brownies have all the flavor you could ever want. Find this woman-owned, Black-owned restaurant in the historic West End.
GAS Food Truck is serving up creative and BLAZIN’ cannabis-themed eats all over town. Started by vegan couple Kelli Marshall and Jef Flemming who wanted to bring some more tasty and delicious vegan options to Atlanta, GAS Food Truck serves up a “How High” New York-style chopped cheese that we literally dream about. The bread. The cheese. Need it now! You can find GAS Food Truck at vegan festivals all around town and posted up in Decatur. Follow them on Instagram to see where they’ll be next.
A true Atlanta institution! Busy Bee was founded in 1947 at the height of the segregation era by self-taught cook, Lucy Jackson and is still Black-owned today by restaurateur Tracy Gates. Find this gem on Memorial Drive, just a short drive from Mercedes-Benz stadium. Order up some candied yams and finish your meal with their “ol’ fashioned banana puddin’.”
Support Black-owned businesses in the most delicious of ways with Ms. Ann Price’s famous ghetto burger, a perfectly delicious and saucy mess that’s sure to leave you in the best kind of post-gluttony haze. It’s been named the best burger in America by the Wall Street Journal. Ms. Ann Price passed away a few years ago, but her legacy lives on through her sister Josephine Culver who has taken over operations.
Chef Rob is the sauce king! Take a trip to North Buckhead/ Sandy Springs area to try his fall-off-the-bone oxtails and show-stopping grilled shrimp skewers. It’s the ultimate comfort food. Or catch his food truck roaming around town!
Everyone all over Atlanta and beyond has heard about Black-owned Slutty Vegan. And the hype is real! This isn’t your bland kale salad, carrot juice type of vegan spot—it’s cheat day, cheesy, tasty, craveworthy vegan food you’ll dream about all week long. Pinky Cole was serving impossible burgers way before they were cool, and just one taste of her creation and you’ll see why the lines are so long and pretty much every ATL celeb has been spotted here.
Pull up to the counter to order up some deliciousness on a plate. This no frills spot is serving up delicious soul food at breakfast, lunch, and dinner–and has been for over 40 years. Try the cheese grits, gorge on fried chicken, and dig into some cornbread at K&K Soul Food.
We love any excuse to indulge in a warm, ooey gooey cookie! Ashley Carlton has been the owner of this truck for 5 years, serving up gourmet cookie shakes, cookie skillets, ice cream cookie sandwiches, and more. And everything is made using the secret recipes that his father came up with 40 years ago. No preservatives to be found anywhere, and only real butter, fine chocolates, and premium sugar are used in this truck’s gourmet treats. You can find this food truck at their brick and mortar location at 1080 Windy Hill Rd SE, #300 in Smyrna, GA!
Head to College Park for a brunch you’ll always remember. You’ll love the over-the-top presentation and heaping portions with Southern delights like a southern fried lobster and grits and smothered chicken and biscuits. Best part? Brunch is served on weekdays and weekend evenings too, because they understand it’s all too hard to make it out of bed before 3pm on the weekends. Thank y’all!
Le Petit Marche is a Kirkwood staple! You know it’s good because lines are almost always out the door. Their griddle cakes are something to be remembered, but if you want real decadence, order up their French Toast sandwich, stuffed with scrambled eggs and bacon. Yummm.
Seafood macaroni and cheese, Jack Daniels honey pecan wings, and a fried apple pie are just some of the menu highlights at this excellent Blandtown/Westside spot from Chef Deborah VanTrece. It’s soul food and Southern food, but more upscale and very creative. Get twisted with their house-infused moonshine flight!
You don’t have to eat unhealthy to eat well. Local Green Atlanta is serving food that’s as healthy as it is delicious. And for owner Zak Wallace, it’s part of a mission to bring food that’s both nutrient-rich and affordable to food deserts in Atlanta. You can enjoy their mostly plant-based menu in Vine City at 19 Joseph E. Lowery Blvd NW.
“The Real Atlanta Housewives” star Kandi Burruss-Tucker opened up this venture in East Point/Castleberry/State Farm Arena. You’ll love the patio, the bar offerings, and the good-old fashioned southern food at this hot spot.
For some Caribbean flavor, head to Ms. Icey’s Kitchen & Bar in Decatur. Start your meal with skillet cornbread, order the strip club wings, and try the jerk lamb chops for a taste bud explosion!
Another College Park gem right beside the Real Milk & Honey, Virgil’s Gullah Kitchen & Bar is a place to enjoy Gullah Geechee flavor and family recipes passed down from generation to generation. Expect scrumptious rice dishes, “bussin’ cornmuffins” and an “afta church plate” that’ll have you coming back again and again. Honestly, salivating just thinking about it.
This 24-hour Atlanta mainstay and its over-the-top donuts have been satisfying sweet tooths for years. Founded by Kamal Grant, Sublime makes gourmet, artisan donut flavors like s’mores, Buttercup, and strawberry cream (the BEST). Find them by Georgia Tech, in the Mercedes-Benz stadium, and even in Bangkok, Thailand!
This cozy, shabby-chic coffeehouse in West Midtown is a great study spot with tasty blended frappucino-like drinks, but they also get extra kudos for all of their community event offerings that give local artists, musicians and comedians a chance to be heard. Head to Urban Grind on Thursday evenings for open mic poetry, Wednesday evenings for open mic music, and Tuesday evenings for open mic comedy.
This pick-up only spot has wings that are so good, they were listed as the favorite meal in ALL of 2019 by not one, not two, but THREE Atlanta Eats staffers. Innovative flavors, ranch-fried okra, and a wet lemon pepper sauce that’ll surely satisfy alllll your tastebuds. See why our editor OJ and production assistant Matt love them so much on their episode of Lunch Wars! And follow them on Instagram to get your fix.
There’s a cajun food truck setting up shop at popular food truck park Triton Yards with a line that stretches on and on most weekends. And the reason why is pretty simple: beignets. Jambalaya egg rolls. Bourbon ranch fries. Cajun Shrimp baskets. And the portions are generous, too. Check them out on Instagram for their schedule and go see what the hype is all about!
An iconic staple in Atlanta, Bankhead Seafood was family-owned and operated for more than 50 years. They recently shuttered their doors in 2018 and were immediately scooped up for purchase by Killer Mike and T.I. to save this Atlanta favorite. Their brick and mortar location is still being renovated but you can find their food truck all over town, including regularly posted up at Triton Yards and Greenbrier Mall!
Turkey wings. Candied yams. Peach cobbler. Who’s Got Soul has it all! You’ll come back again and again for their catfish feast and affordably priced eats, just like your mom used to make it. Locations in Lawrenceville, Decatur, and Duluth.
Jamrock never disappoints when we need some amazing jerk chicken, stat. Their jerk has a bit of a hint of extra, dry spice, and we crave it always. It’s the perfect takeout or delivery option when you need something savory. One of our collection of favorite black-owned restaurants in Atlanta that are available on Uber Eats!
Chef Anthony Sanders’ Atlanta Breakfast Club has been a staple of Downtown Atlanta for years. Don’t believe us? Just look at the line out the door any weekend morning. One bite of their chicken and waffles, and you’ll be in love.
A newcomer to the Atlanta dining scene, Breakfast At Barney’s is providing a delicious and creative brunch menu in the most beautiful of atmospheres. It’s the perfect place to have brunch and get boozy. Want to get a little fancy? Try their 14 karat gold topped pancakes. Want to get REALLY fancy? Try their $1,000 “Mansa Musa” tower that’s a combo of the 14 karat gold pancakes, the yard bird platter, fried lobster and grits, 1 bottle of Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Brut, and serves up to four guests.
“Pizza Rules Everything Around Me” is the mantra for this pizza spot with Nashville roots. This nationally acclaimed pizza chain incorporates fresh ingredients plus a love of hip-hop into every pie they make. Slim & Husky’s was started by a group of three, old college roommates: Clinton Gray, Derrick Moore, and Emanuel Reed. Here’s a secret for your next visit: be sure to order up the cinnamon rolls. Any flavor is AWESOME, but get the Halle Berry one just because she’s amazing. It’s all delicious.
This new restaurant and tavern in Roswell, GA had the bad luck of opening up this past February right before the pandemic hit, but we have faith that Nate and his team are going to make it because their food is TRULY phenomenal and they’re already a staple in the Roswell community. Their patio is open at this time, and they’re also offering super affordable $15 “Soul Food Sundays and Mondays” serving alllll the good stuff.
Ask anyone where to get amazing Ethiopian food and 9 times out of 10, they’ll say Desta. Owners and Ethiopian immigrants Ash Nega and Titi Demise have been serving Ethiopian staples for years. The meat tibs and injira are phenomenal, and their perfectly spiced vegetable platter will convert even the most hardcore carnivore. It was even named one of the best meals we ate all year in 2019, by our Atlanta Eats pastry chef, Jon.
The vegan dining scene in Atlanta is heating up, and much of it is thanks to the talented Black chefs and entrepreneurs in our city. If you want to really fall into a food coma, try their cheese burger pizza with vegan cheese, tater tots, beyond meat, and more. Um. Wow!
Order online. Fill yourself up with delicious lobster bites, fried oreos, Thai wings. Annnd repeat. The Fill Up Station over on Greenbriar Parkway will bust diets left and right, and we’re not mad about it at all. That’s what spandex was made for.
Krab Queenz is another new, Black-owned restaurant in the ATL dining scene, and you can try their seafood boils, poh boys, and fried crab legs via UberEats and support this local business today. Originally started by comedian Kwaylon Rogers in Houston, Texas, Krab Queenz in Atlanta has diners raving about their heaping platter portions and giant candy infused drinks! Find them downtown.
This hole-in-the-wall spot over in Downtown strives to make every visit feel like the family reunion BBQs of your childhood. Try their “barbecue with a soul” twist meals of turkey ribs, cornbread, and mac and cheese. Food coma = achieved.
Y’all didn’t know the southside had good food??? Ray’s Southern Foods in Forest Park is a total hidden gem serving up all-star BBQ and southern food . And they’re doing affordable family meals with menu items like catfish nuggets, smoked chicken, and beef brisket with heaping sides. It’s a steal!
Viva La Vegan is the type of spot that creates meals that will have you SHOCKED that they’re vegan. Diners rave about their shrimp po boys, their one-of-a-kind dill fries, and their buffalo cauliflower sub!
After all the soul food and Carribean food you try from this list of black-owned restaurants in Atlanta, you’re gonna want a refreshing juice. So get your refreshing smoothies, juices, acai bowls, and plant-based burgers from Juiceheads ATL and a support an Atlanta Black-owned restaurant!
It’s a vibe. For “Nu American” Soul in a sexy environment in the heart of Edgewood, try Fin & Feathers. You’re going to have trouble figuring out if your food, your cocktail, or the music is better.
We’re always down for Ethiopian, and this Cheshire Bridge Rd spot is *seriously* underrated. No, the ambiance isn’t fancy, but the food is phenomenal and this is one of our favorite black-owned restaurants in Atlanta that we highly recommend you visit. Try their one-of-a-kind honey wine for a delicious end to your meal.
For a restaurant, bar, and escape room all mixed in one, head to owner Joy Christina’s extra creative venture in Edgewood! You’re gonna love the geechee influenced cuisine from their South Carolina chefs and craft cocktails. Joy writes on her website that she “was inspired to create this space after feeling bored while hanging with friends at a bar who were so deeply absorbed in their cellphones. This concept forces customers to put down their electronics and engage with one another.” Definitely making this place a spot to visit–once you feel safe doing so.
