Now in its 18th rotation, Black Restaurant Week is back in Atlanta, Georgia, for the next couple of weeks. It’s the perfect time to experience some of the city’s food businesses owned by African-Americans.
Black Restaurant Week is dedicated to supporting and promoting Atlanta’s African-American owned restaurants, food businesses and farms.
Black Restaurant Week Atlanta 2025: 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:
August 3, 2025: Kickoff Event – “First Taste” Preview
- Location: The Corner Grille
- Details: A launch event to mark the start of Black Restaurant Week, featuring a tasting preview of offerings from participating Black-owned restaurants. This sets the tone for the two-week celebration.
Throughout August 3–17, 2025: Dining Specials
- Locations: Various participating restaurants across metro Atlanta
- Details: Over 40 Black-owned restaurants, food trucks, and sweets vendors offer special menus and promotions, such as free appetizers with entree purchases at select locations like Virgil’s Gullah Kitchen and Bar. Diners can visit these establishments anytime during the two weeks to support and enjoy curated dishes. No tickets are required.
August 9, 2025: Bites and Birdies Golf Invitational
- Location: Canongate 1 Golf Club, Sharpsburg
- Details: An inaugural golf event introduced for 2025, combining culinary experiences with a golf tournament to spotlight Black-owned businesses and foster community engagement. Specific details on timing and participation are not provided but can be found on the official website.
Various Dates: Curated Dinners and Happy Hours
- Locations: Citywide at participating restaurants
- Details: Black Restaurant Week, in partnership with Stella Artois, hosts curated dinners and happy hours throughout the two-week period. Specific dates and venues are not listed in the sources but are promoted on the official website.
Date TBD: Dinner and Skate Night
- Location: Marquis Restaurant & Lounge at Cascade Skating Rink
- Details: A special event combining dining with a skating experience, designed to engage the community and highlight Black culinary professionals. Exact date and details are not specified but will be listed on the official website
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
- Virgil’s Gullah Kitchen and Bar (West Midtown and Conyers): Offering one of 15 appetizers (e.g., Gullah egg rolls or bussin’ corn muffins) free with an entree purchase. Known for Geechee and Lowcountry cuisine, featuring dishes like the Afta Church Plate (fried chicken wings, collard greens, macaroni and cheese).
- Black Coffee Company: Featuring specials like The ATL (avocado spread, arugula, tomatoes, onions on sourdough toast) and the Brown Skin Girl beverage. They’re enhancing the event with a DJ, staff training, and new promotional graphics.
- Ray’s Southern Foods (Forest Park): Participating with Southern-style dishes.
- Southern National (Summerhill): Showcasing Southern cuisine.
- Marquis Restaurant and Lounge (Cascade Skating Rink): Offering dining experiences.
- Auburn Angel (Downtown): Featuring culinary specials.
- Busy Bee Cafe (Vine City): Known for classic soul food.
- Apt 4B (Caribbean-inspired): Offering Southern dishes with Caribbean flavors.
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.
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