Category: Atlanta

Did someone say something about delicious food and cool atmospheres for brunch? It’s time to check out some of the best black-owned brunch spots in Atlanta, Georgia.

No matter if you’re into one of those all-day breakfast spots, or brunch-centric weekend restaurants, Georgia’s largest city has what you need. Many of the best brunch spots in Atlanta also happen to be owned by celebrities.

Here Are The Best Black-Owned Brunch Restaurants In Atlanta

As you browse through our curated list of black brunch spots, you’ll notice a trend of high-end dishes like salmon and grits, lobster tail eggs and honey biscuits — all that good stuff!

Breakfast At Barney’s

349 Decatur St. SE Unit A1, Atlanta, GA 30312| (404) 549-6042

Here’s what one reviewer says about Breakfast At Barney’s. “Cute trendy spot. I loved the different wallpapers and I would definitely take this design in my own place. The fresh flowers on the table add class. Our waitress was super nice and then I had the summer spritz. I can’t remember the name of it and then we ordered the fried green tomatoes, the yard bird and the shrimp and grits. Between my boyfriend and I we did finish all of it, but that was the goal. It was delicious and would recommend.”

Toast On Lenox

2770 Lenox Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30324 |  (404) 748-4594

Here’s what one reviewer says about Toast on Lenox. “Marquis was an AMAZING waiter! This was our first time here, and it was amazing. We have reservations tomorrow morning to go back! We ordered the blackened salmon and shrimp and the GA honey hot chicken with greens and candied yams and Mac n cheese. We drank sweet tea and it was nap inducing and delish!”

Esco Restaurant & Tapas

327 Peters St. SW, Atlanta, GA 30313 404-941-7907

Esco Restaurant & Tapas Bar is owned by rapper and entrepreneur 2 Chainz and is known for its lavish brunch.

Here is what one reviewer says about Esco Tapas Bar. “Came in for Brunch, loved the atmosphere, food, plus the Service was A1. For Brunch I had 2 entress… Peach Cobbler French Toast, Eggs, grits, turkey sausage, plus hashbrowns. Enjoyed Unlimited Mimosas while the Atmosphere was Lit, the Bartender possibly popped about 10 bottles of Champagne bubbly with Music and other guests rolling. Definitely a Go To Spot!”

Frost Bistro

281 Peters St. SW, Atlanta, GA. 30313 |  (404) 963-5495

Gocha’s Breakfast Bar

Atlanta Locations:

• 695 Cascade Rd SW STE 440 Atlanta, GA 30331 | (678) 927-9166
• 834 Glynn St S suite 244,248, Fayetteville, GA 30214 | (770) 629-7443

Gocha Hawkins has a hit on her hands with Gocha’s Breakfast Bar in the Cascade area of Atlanta. There’s also another one in Fayetteville.

Here’s what one reviewer says about the brunch. “In town for the weekend and needed some breakfast and Gotcha’s was everything we needed to sum up our trip. We had the Grit cakes, pancakes, salmon, salmon croquettes and the shrimp skillet. Everythign was cooked to perfection and we will surely be back when we stop in town again ! Thanks Mija your service was impeccable, great menu recommendations and you were attentive and friendly !”

Johnny’s Chicken And Waffles

3725 Main Street, College Park, GA 30337

Atlanta celebrities Ne-Yo and wife, Chef Crystal Smith, along with reality TV star Karlie Redd have teamed for College Park: Johnny’s Chicken & Waffles. Another location opened on Crescent Avenue in Midtown.

Here’s what one reviewer says about the spot. “The best waffles I have ever had. I ordered the grits with lobster & shrimp. The food was delicious & the service was superb. The waiter whose name escapes me & was from Brooklyn was the nicest waiter I’ve experienced. The chef also came out & greeted us & made a fresh batch of grits when the first was a little salty. The grits were delicious. I absolutely recommend this restaurant & the grits with Lobster. I will be back when I’m in town.”

See what’s on the menu at Johny’s Chicken and Waffles.

The Breakfast Boys

 3387 Main St, Atlanta, GA 30337 | (470) 312-2108

Atlanta restaurateur Lorenzo Wyche recently opened The Breakfast Boys, an all-day breakfast spot in College Park. The eatery is a partnership between Wyche and the proprietors of Virgil’s Gullah Kitchen, Juan and Gee Smalls.

Blaze Seafood & Steak

3752 Cascade Rd Ste 110, Atlanta, GA 30331 | (404) 907-4700

Atlanta reality TV star couple and entrepreneurs Todd Tucker and Kandi Burruss of “Real Housewives of Atlanta” fame already have a hit with their Old Lady Gang restaurants. Now, they’ve opened Blaze Steak & Seafood, an upscale restaurant in Cascade.

Learn more about Blaze Steak & Seafood.

Here’s what one reviewer says about Blaze Steak & Seafood: “COVID-19 measures are in place. The decor inside is on point. Bar is huge and great selection of liquor and wine. Great menu selections as well. I had the seafood omelette and we had a peach mimosa carafe. This is the soft opening so a few kinks have to be worked out. I will say that customer service is pretty good as well.”

The Real Milk & Honey Restaurant

3719 Main St, College Park, GA 30337 | (404) 458-2883

Here’s what one reviewer says about The Real Milk & Honey. “Once we arrived, we were greeted… Well looked at by a young lady near the door. I guest she was the hostess. She wasn’t that friendly…. She escorted us to our table and we sat down. Our waitress was really nice. The honey butter biscuits were absolutely amazing!! I got the steak and eggs. The steak was a bit chewy. However everything else was great. My daughter got the cookies and cream waffle with eggs and bacon. She enjoyed her meal. They also have great coffee and the mimosas are decent. This was our first visit but I would definitely try this restaurant again.”

Final Bite

Atlanta  continues to be a place with plentiful things to do, see and eat!  If you like that part of town, don’t sleep on College Park either.

Downtown Atlanta is a pretty large area, and so getting from one point to another can be a challenge.
The good news is that when you consider the historic landmarks, cool restaurants and other venues, it’s well worth exploring. But how do you get around?

We’re going to show you how you can get around downtown Atlanta (actually this works for Midtown, too).

How To Get Around Downtown Atlanta

If you’re driving into downtown Atlanta, you’re going to have to pay for parking. Here’s where you can park and how much it costs and for how long.

Getting around downtown Atlanta is fairly easy, thanks to various transportation options:

MARTA

MARTA offers both bus and rail services. The rail system has several stations downtown, including Peachtree Center, Five Points (a central hub), and Civic Center. The trains can take you to key areas, including the airport, Midtown, and Buckhead.

You may also wish to take MARTA. Rail prices are $2.50 for a one-way trip. Here are fare prices for trains and buses.

Streetcar

The Atlanta Streetcar runs a 2.7-mile loop through downtown, connecting major attractions like Centennial Olympic Park, the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park, and Georgia State University.

Walking

Downtown Atlanta is pedestrian-friendly with wide sidewalks and plenty of crosswalks. Popular attractions like the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, and State Farm Arena are within walking distance of each other.

Scooters and Bikes

E-scooters and bikes from companies like Lime and Bird are available for short trips. They’re a quick option for navigating crowded areas.

There are some rules you need to know before you ride. Lime and Bird are the two most prevalent scooters you’ll along downtown and Midtown streets.

Taxis and Rideshares

Taxis and rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are widely available in downtown Atlanta and offer a convenient way to get around.

Uber & Lyft: If you want to take advantage of a ridesharing service, you can do that too. Here are the peak times for ridesharing in Atlanta:

Weekdays

• Morning Commute Hours, 6am-9am

• Evening Commute Hours, 4pm-8pm

Weeknights

• Before and after sporting events and concerts.
• Late night, 11pm-3am

Atlanta Shuttle Services

Some hotels and attractions offer free or paid shuttle services that circulate within downtown or nearby neighborhoods.

You can also get around by using the Atlanta Streetcar. Call 404-848-5000 for help with the latest schedule updates or you can click here to login the Mobility Reservation System.

Driving/Parking

If you’re driving, there are multiple parking decks and lots, though traffic can be heavy during peak hours. Apps like ParkMobile can help you find parking spots.

Tuk Tuks

Tuk Tuks are small electric vehicles that provide a unique and eco-friendly way to explore downtown. They usually operate on a tip basis.

Explore Atlanta at your own pace

First, to find all the good things happening in the city this week, all you have to do is take a look at downtown Atlanta. That’s where some of the best restaurants are as well as where the visitors, namely tourists, are. Centennial Park is often has something cool going on! Check out these events in Atlanta today and this week and this weekend

Here are more articles from AtlantaFi.com you might like:

• Best places to eat in West Midtown
• Feeling adventurous? Here are some outdoorsy things to do in ATL

Atlanta Restaurateur extraordinaire Pinky Cole-Hayes recently announced that she has taken over The Boujee Southerner, a black-owned vegan restaurant that recently closed its doors.

Cole-Hayes, the owner of Slutty Vegan and Bar Vegan, has plans to turn the restaurant into her second Bar Vegan location.

“When I heard about everything that they [The Boujee Southerner] were going through, I felt the need to step in,” says Cole-Hayes. “Their foundation is built on being a completely plant-based Southern Fusion concept that provides comfort food, which is right up our alley.” 

In March 2024, The Boujee Southerner, owned by Tara Gilbert, announced it was reducing its hours of operation to Friday through Sunday after one year in business. Eight days later, the business shared that it had closed.

 Gilbert, who has been a raw vegan for several years, will now serve as Executive Chef at Bar Vegan Lawrenceville. This is a full-circle moment as Gilbert looked to Cole-Hayes for inspiration when becoming a vegan and opening her restaurant.

“This is a part of my Restaurant Takeover initiative, where Slutty Vegan or Bar Vegan will take over the lease for existing restaurants that are looking to increase their foot traffic and awareness to the public,” adds Cole-Hayes. “It’s all about collaboration and empowering one another.”

Food featured on the menu includes General Tso Chik’n, White Spaghetti, maple glazed brussels sprouts, loaded steak fries, corn ribs, jerk kabobs and Lemon Pepper Chik’n salad.

“With the menu, we plan to make it leaner, healthier and sexier,” says Gilbert. “We plan to make the food extremely yummy but also appealing to the eyes – so get prepared to snap your photos for social media,” she adds. 

Bar Vegan Lawrenceville is officially opened for business.

Cole’s current business portfolio includes 12 Slutty Vegan locations across Georgia, New York, Alabama and Texas, a cookbook and Slutty Vegan products on metro Atlanta Target shelves. In 2022, Cole raised a $25 million Series A funding round for Slutty Vegan that at the time valued her business at $100 million, according to Forbes.

Final Word

We were there when Cole-Hayes opened her first brick-and-mortar Slutty Vegan in the Westview neighborhood of Atlanta in 2019. Since then, she’s been on an amazing expansion plan.

Slutty Vegan is one of the best black restaurants in Atlanta, and there are several more. 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.

Got an event or know of something opening in and around Atlanta? Holla: CJ@AtlantaFi.com. See what’s poppin’ in the ATL! Subscribe to our  news alerts here, follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Here Are The Best New Restaurants In Atlanta

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• The Best Black-Owned Coffee Shops In Atlanta
• How To Support Black Farmers In Atlanta

Hometown legendary rapper Antwan “Big Boi” Patton will take the stage at the College Football Hall of Fame for the 10th anniversary Celebration and Kickoff Game Football Fest.

The event is set for Saturday, August 23, 2024 and features a free concert from Big Boi, one half of the famous musical duo Outkast.

Football Fest: What To Know Before You Go

Football Fest runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with the Big Boi concert kicking off at 4:30 p.m. Join us for a day of entertainment. Enjoy live DJs, the Home Depot GameDay Bus, local team mascots, cheerleaders, inflatables, prize giveaways, and more.

The event is free as part of “Coca-Cola Free Admission Day” and provides the perfect opportunity to see Big Boi perform, along with the unveiling of new exhibits, clinics with Atlanta Falcons players and cheerleaders, the famed Home Depot GameDay Bus, inflatables, prize giveaways, and much more, all free-of-charge.

Where is The College Football Hall of Fame?

The College Football Hall of Fame is located in downtown Atlanta at 250 Marietta St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313. Here’s a map to help you find it.

Final Word

If you’re in the vicinity of downtown Atlanta, make sure you grab a bite at one of the top downtown restaurants. You’ll also find plenty to do there every Atlanta weekend.

More from AtlantaFi.com:

• Best Restaurants on the Beltline
• Things To Do in Atlanta for Couples
• Feeling adventurous? Here are some outdoorsy things to do in ATL

If you want to eat fancy, most of us will go for the shrimp and grits. Let’s just get that out of the way. Atlanta, Georgia has several great restaurants that can prepare the dish to perfection with various twists.

But let’s focus on shrimp and grits, which is a Southern delicacy. Grits has long been one of Georgia’s iconic dishes. The addition of the shrimp is likely an addition from that came much later.

6 Restaurants With The Best Shrimp And Grits In Atlanta

This article is going to show you some of the best restaurants in Atlanta that serve shrimp and grits.

Restaurant Holmes

50 S Main St, Alpharetta, GA 30009 | (678) 691-8320

Here’s what one customer says about Restaurant Holmes. “The salmon dish was so delicious and presented beautifully. The wine we chose from Paso Robles “If You See Kay” was very good also. Wonderful sitting outside and waiter was really nice and attentive. Great job and highly recommend. Compliments to the chef!”

Flying Biscuit Cafe

1001 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30309 |  (404) 874-8887

Here is what one reviewer says about the Flying Biscuit: “The grits here are amazing (and I usually don’t like grits) but they are the best thing that we had. The jelly is great tasting also but unfortunately the biscuits are hard and dry and I only used some of it to get the jelly in my mouth. The restaurant could use a thorough cleaning. Be aware that they do require masks and one of the staff was telling customers to get a mask on. That took a star off for me.”

Louisiana Bistreaux

Atlanta Locations:

• 1375 Virginia Ave, East Point, GA 30344 | (404) 574-6210
• 1496 Church St, Decatur, GA 30030 |  (404) 963-1463
• 3312 Piedmont Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30305 | (404) 941-9545

Here is what one reviewer says about Louisiana Bixtreaux’s shrimp and grits:”A good place for a yummy meal! The chargrilled oysters are fantastic! I would also recommend the “Red fish ponch” and the shrimp and grits!”

South City Kitchen

Atlanta Locations:

• 3350 Peachtree Rd #175, Atlanta, GA 30326 | (404) 815-6677
• 1144 Crescent Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30309 | (404) 873-7358
• 1675 Cumberland Pkwy SE, Smyrna, GA 30080 | (770) 435-0700
• 9000 Avalon Way, Alpharetta, GA 30009 | (678) 722-3602

Here is what one reviewer says about South City Kitchen: “If your looking for a great bowl of Shrimp & Grits on a cold rainy day or a sunny day you will not be disappointed at South City Kitchen- Best I have had- Comes with homemade Biscuits & Cornbread- Sweet tea to drink – Makes my mouth water just thinking about it- The help is ready to serve you with a smile- Go by and see them today- Your tummy will thank you!!”

Sweet Auburn Seafood

171 Auburn Ave NE P, Atlanta, GA 30303 |  (678) 974-5019

Here is what one reviewer says about Sweet Auburn Seafood: “The brunch at Sweet Auburn is great. I know that every place that offers brunch usually has shrimp and grits on the menu, but the shrimp and grits at Sweet Auburn is probably better than all of those places you’ve tried. Give it a try. You wont be disappointed. The service is good. Bottomless mimosas are available. Music is playing. Pretty nice spot.”

Old Lady Gang Southern Cuisine

177 Peters St SW, Atlanta, GA 30313 |  (404) 748-9689

Buckhead Diner

Atlanta is having a restaurant renaissance. Hot chicken is the rage in Atlanta’s dining scene right now. But so are chicken and waffles.

Fast-casual is also the dining trend du jour around metro Atlanta restaurants. The concept involves mixing the quick accessibility of fast food with the casual dining experience. Food in Atlanta is also adapting to the various tastes of the migrants that come here to live.

Read more: 15+ Essential Soul Food Restaurants In Atlanta

The city has some good restaurants in each quadrant of the city: East, West, North, South. All you need to do is think about what you have a taste for. Italian? Soul food? Tex-Mex? Atlanta has it all.

For the latest in metro Atlanta’s food and drink scene, stay with Atlantafi.com.

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• Best date night restaurants you have to try right now

Music superstar Usher says he’s had to postpone the Atlanta dates of his Past, Present and Future tour due to injury.

“Earlier this week, I suffered an injury to my neck while rehearsing to provide my fans with the greatest USHER show of all time,” the singer said in a statement.

“My hope was that with physical therapy and medical treatment, I would be able to overcome the injury and be ready for opening night,” Usher posted on social media. “Unfortunately the injury has not healed yet and my doctors have instructed me not to perform any shows this week. The good news is that the doctors are saying that with appropriate rest and treatment, I should be ready to commence the tour in Washington DC on August 20th.”

The Atlanta dates have already been reached for:

• Monday, Dec. 9 – Get tickets
• Tuesday, Dec. 10 – Get tickets
• Thursday, Dec. 12 – Get tickets

See the complete dates of Usher’s tour.

Usher is one of the biggest music stars in the world right now. Who would think that a 20-year music vet would have his biggest year in 2024? That’s Usher, baby. Peace up, A-Town down.

There are so many Atlanta events popping off every week it’s hard to keep up with it all. That’s why I suggest you subscribe to AtlantaFi.com to get all the freshest gatherings, Atlanta happenings, parties and more delivered to your inbox.

Things to do in Atlanta on a weekly basis can range from going golfing mid-week to checking out the latest restaurant openings. At AtlantaFi.com, we curate the city for you!

Read more AtlantaFi.com stories:

• 10 trap artists that are taking the genre beyond ATL
• 10+ Atlanta-based web series you probably would like
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Festival season continues in Atlanta this weekend with Funk Fest ATL. Keep reading to find out what to expect for a jamming good time.

The two-day event is one of the best festivals in Atlanta.

What Is Funk Fest?

Funk Fest is an outdoor musical festival celebrating its 25th anniversary with events in Atlanta, Orlando, Florida, Louisville, and Kentucky.

Funk Fest ATL is set for Saturday August 10 and Sunday, August 11, 2024 at Wolfcreek Amphitheater in South Fulton, Georgia.

Who’s Performing for Funk Fest 2024 in Atlanta?

Performing at Funk Fest ATL is Erikah Badu, Big Boi, Goodie Mob, Stokely and the Isley Brothers.

Where Is Wolfcreek Amphitheater?

Wolfcreek Amphitheater is located at 3025 Merk Rd, South Fulton, Georgia 30349. Here is a map to help you find it.

Atlanta is for tourists, but it’s also for locals. If you want to explore Georgia’s largest city, do it on your terms and check out the fun, cool and new things happening in Atlanta this weekend and even on the weekday. You can start downtown, and get it crackin’ in Buckhead. Check out the newest Atlanta restaurants, beautiful parks and unexplored spots you’ve only heard about. AtlantaFi your experience!

Here are more articles from AtlantaFi.com:

• Check Out These Hidden Gems In Atlanta
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• Awesome Atlanta Food Specials You Don’t Know About

Days after Vice President Kamala Harris appeared in Atlanta at the Georgia State University Convocation Center, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and his Vice Presidential nominee JD Vance held a rally at the same venue.

Trump, speaking to the crowd, said that he would “overfund the police, if we have to,” in a bid to underscore the contrast between himself and Harris.

He also vowed that under his second administration, police would get “federal immunity.”

He also made sure a few Atlanta-based Georgia officials felt his wrath. He singled out Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensberger for thwarting his efforts to “find” more than 11,000 votes to overturn the 2020 election.

On Gov. Brian Kemp, Trump credited himself with getting him elected.

“He’s a disloyal guy, and he’s a very average governor. Little Brian. Little Brian Kemp. Bad guy,” Trump said.

Kemp also responded to a comment made by Kemp’s wife, who said that Trump had not “earned” her vote.

On social media, Kemp responded to Trump, saying: “My focus is on winning this November and saving our country from Kamala Harris and the Democrats – not engaging in petty personal insults, attacking fellow Republicans, or dwelling on the past. You should do the same, Mr. President, and leave my family out of it.“

You should do the same, Mr. President, and leave my family out of it.

He also went in on Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and former boyfriend Nathan “Loverboy Wade,” as Trump called him.

Saturday’s rally follows Trump’s disastrous performance at a National Association of Black Journalists event earlier in the week in Chicago.

Seconds after being introduced, he said, “You don’t even say hello, how are you? Are you with ABC? Because I think they’re a fake news network. … I love the black population of this country. I’ve done so much for the black population.”

On Saturday, commentators speculated before the event that Trump would use the opportunity to mend his words — and fences with African-American voters still on the fence.

Supporters posted on social media to show crowds of people in the 19,000-seat arena. From videos posted on social media, the venue did not appear packed.

One of the more surreal moments came when Georgia Lt. Gov. Burt Jones said Harris’ pantomime as a black person was akin to Milli Vanilli.

From the looks of the crowd behind him, not everyone was impressed.

Before Trump spoke, supporters, including local Blexit Director Michaela Montgomery, railed against Harris’ appeal to black Americans.

”They don’t want to talk policy, they just want to talk propaganda to steal your vote,” she said.

Just last week, Harris made her sixth visit to Georgia this year, including four weeks ago when she met with former Migos rapper Quavo to talk about how to quell gun violence.

Now she’s coming again, this time with her pick for vice president.

Rap star Megan Thee Stallion performed a free rally on Tuesday, July 30 for Vice President Kamala Harris.

The rapper announced the performance on Instagram but didn’t give much details, other than that the event is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

This will be Harris’ sixth visit to Georgia this year, including three weeks ago when she met with former Migos rapper Quavo to talk about how to quell gun violence.

Megan Thee Stallion was also in Atlanta earlier this year for The Hot Girl Summer Tour. One of the concert’s two performances was canceled then rescheduled due to the city’s water issues, including a boil water advisory.

After a series that of water main breaks were fixed, Megan added an extra performance in Atlanta to please her fans.