Now in its 10th annual campaign in Atlanta, Black Restaurant Week returns for two weeks of celebrating and supporting African American-owned restaurants, food trucks, sweets vendors, and culinary businesses. It’s a prime opportunity to discover and enjoy the vibrant flavors of African American, African, and Caribbean cuisine across metro Atlanta.
Black Restaurant Week is dedicated to supporting and promoting Atlanta’s African-American owned restaurants, food businesses and farms.
Black Restaurant Week Atlanta 2026: Everything You Need To Know
Black Restaurant Week in Atlanta, running from August 3 to August 17, 2025, is the 9th annual campaign celebrating African American, African, and Caribbean cuisine. The 2025 event introduces a Bites and Birdies Golf Invitational at Canongate 1 Golf Club and features specials like free appetizers with entrees at some locations.
When Is Black Restaurant Week In Atlanta?
This year in Atlanta, Black Restaurant Week runs from Sunday, August 3 through Sunday, August 17, 2025.
Here are some events you won’t want to miss:
Black Restaurant Week 2026: Kickoff and Key Events
- Throughout August 2–16, 2026: Dining Specials: Various participating restaurants, food trucks, and vendors across metro Atlanta will offer curated specials, promotions (such as discounted items, free add-ons with entrees, or featured dishes). Over the years, participation has grown to dozens of businesses — check the official site for the full, updated list.
- Kickoff and Preview Events: Expect a “First Taste” style launch (historically at spots like The Corner Grille) to preview offerings. Details for 2026 will be posted on the official website closer to the date.
- Bites and Birdies Golf Invitational: The popular golf event, which debuted in 2025 at Canongate 1 Golf Club in Sharpsburg, combines culinary tastings with golf to support Black-owned businesses and the Feed the Soul Foundation. Watch for 2026 confirmation and registration details.
- Curated Dinners, Happy Hours, and Themed Nights: Partnerships (e.g., with brands like Stella Artois in past years) often bring special dinners, happy hours, and unique experiences like Dinner and Skate Night at locations such as Marquis Restaurant & Lounge. Exact 2026 dates and venues will be announced on the official calendar.
The focus remains on dining and direct support rather than panels or workshops — eat at participating spots and spread the word.
Black Restaurant Week takes its goal of creating experiences that will cater to a diverse culture of tastemakers, professionals and area foodies seriously. Gone this year are the panels and food workshops, it’s all about support. That’s why the goal is just to eat at participating restaurants and spread the word.
What began in Houston seven years ago has expanded in major U.S. markets like Atlanta, New York, Washington D.C. and Chicago.
“We’re in the trenches with the owners and operators, which is why we created our Feed the Soul Foundation Restaurant Business Development Fund,” states Falayn Ferrell, Black Restaurant Week, LLC’s Operations Managing Partner. “We understand they need ‘more than just a week’ of support to thrive in such a competitive industry. Through the support of our corporate partners, the foundation is able to provide funding and business development to create sustainability for minority-owned culinary businesses.”
Black Restaurant Week: Participating Atlanta Restaurants
The official list is updated annually and features a wide range of spots. Recent and returning participants often include:
- Virgil’s Gullah Kitchen and Bar (West Midtown, Conyers) — Gullah-Geechee and Lowcountry favorites.
- Black Coffee Company — Creative sandwiches, beverages, and event enhancements.
- Marquis Restaurant & Lounge (Cascade Skating Rink) — Caribbean and dining + skating experiences.
- Busy Bee Cafe (Vine City) — Classic soul food.
- Ray’s Southern Foods, Southern National, Apt 4B, Auburn Angel, and many more.
- Additional 2026 spots (from early listings): Oreatha’s At The Point, The Breakfast Boys, Johnny’s Chicken & Waffles, Omni Coffee & Eggs, Whisk Breakfast & Brunch, and others offering soul food, barbecue, Caribbean, Creole, and fusion cuisine.
For the complete, current list of participants, specials, and locations, visit the official Black Restaurant Week site: blackrestaurantweeks.com/atlanta-black-restaurant-week.
Final Word
Black-owned restaurants contribute significantly to Atlanta’s economy, particularly in neighborhoods like Vine City, Summerhill, and Cascade.
Events like Black Restaurant Week boost revenue for these businesses, which often face challenges like rising food and labor costs or limited access to capital. By drawing diners, these restaurants create jobs and stimulate local economies, supporting Black entrepreneurs and their communities.
Atlanta has a rich African American heritage, often described as a hub for Black culture in the U.S.
Black restaurants preserve and showcase culinary traditions from African American, African, and Caribbean communities, offering dishes like soul food, Gullah-Geechee cuisine, continental food and Caribbean-inspired fare. Establishments like Busy Bee Cafe and Virgil’s Gullah Kitchen and Bar serve as cultural anchors, passing down recipes and traditions that reflect resilience, creativity, and history.
More Food Coverage from AtlantaFi.com:
