The Busy Bee Cafe, a beloved Atlanta institution known for its legendary fried chicken and other soul food staples, is expanding once again. The restaurant has announced plans to open its third location in downtown Atlanta’s bustling Centennial Yards development.
The new outpost will be located at The Mitchell residential tower, 125 Ted Turner Drive SW.
Busy Bee Opening at Centennial Yards
Unlike the traditional sit-down experiences at its other spots, this location will feature a quick-service format paired with a full bar program, making it ideal for the fast-paced downtown crowd.
This marks the latest chapter in Busy Bee’s growth. Founded in 1947 by self-taught cook Lucy Jackson on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, the cafe has long been a cornerstone of Atlanta’s culinary and cultural scene.
It earned the prestigious James Beard America’s Classics Award in 2022 and has hosted everyone from civil rights leaders to celebrities.
Owner Tracy Gates has carefully stewarded the restaurant’s legacy since taking over in the late 1980s.
The original location remains a go-to for soul food classics, while a second full-service spot opened earlier this year in Atlantic Station, complete with patio seating and an expanded menu.
The Centennial Yards location promises to bring Busy Bee’s signature flavors — think crispy fried chicken, collard greens, and peach cobbler — to the heart of downtown, with the added convenience of quick service and cocktails.
No opening date has been announced yet, but the move is poised to energize the growing Centennial Yards neighborhood.
Stay tuned for updates as this exciting expansion buzzes closer to reality!
Final Bite
Busy Bee is one of the best black restaurants in Atlanta, and there are plenty others. If you like barbecue, see our list of the Best Atlanta BBQ Restaurants.
As for eateries below I-20, these Southside Atlanta restaurants have developed quite a following.
The craze hasn’t escaped metro Atlanta’s food and drink scene, which has seen a bar explosion in recent years.
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