In 1959, Paschal’s Restaurant & Coffee Shop opened at 830 Hunter Street. The new facilities were financed with a $75,000 loan from Citizens Trust Bank in conjunction with Atlanta Life Insurance Company. This was one of the largest loans made by the bank at that time, according to the restaurant’s website.
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Black0owned restaurants are continuously popping up in Atlanta — and the food is good. Do you want to know where to go?
This article will show you the very best black restaurants with top menu items in Atlanta.
Many of these eateries are owned by seasoned restaurateurs who have helmed some of the finest kitchens in America. Other restaurants are from well-known celebrities you’ve seen on the screen or heard on the radio.
Let’s take a culinary tour of Atlanta’s black restaurants.
Here Are The Best Black-Owned Restaurants In Atlanta
Aside from restaurateurs, some of these eateries are owned by celebrities. Let’s take a look at the best black restaurants in Atlanta.
3 Parks Wine Shops
880 Glenwood Ave, St. C Atlanta, GA 30316 (678) 349-7070
Located in the bottom of the Enso Building, just down from The Shed at Glenwood, 3 Parks Wine Shops has become a favorite neighborhood wine shop for Atlanta’s Grant Park area. Owner and Managing Partner Sarah Pierre has made sure 3 Parks Wine Shops is Atlanta’s destination for wine tastings, wine clubs and other special events.
9 Mile Station
675 Ponce de Leon Ave NE Atlanta, Georgia 30308
Entrepreneur Kelvin Slater and wife Mandy have a hit on their hands with 9 Mile Station. Described as an “elevated beer garden,” 9 Mile Station is located on the rooftop of Ponce City Market in Midtown Atlanta.
Menu favorites include Spring Linguine, Georgia Trout and Braised Pork Shank.
Applewhite’s Eatery
2620 Max Cleland Blvd, Lithonia, GA 30058 | (770) 482-5114
Here’s what one reviewer says about Applewhite’s Eatery: “I stop in to pick up a quick dinner on a Friday evening and was pleasantly surprised. It’s a cozy little shop.They offer many different dishes like burgers, beef, and turkey. They also have jerky chicken, barbecue chicken, pulled pork, and sides like french fries, Mac & cheese, etc. I order a honey barbecue chicken with Mac & cheese and it was very good. The food was hot and the serving size was adequate. The couple who run the place were very nice and service was quick. I will be returning to try out other dishes and desserts and would recommend to others.”
Top dishes on the menu: Fried Chicken, Pulled Pork and Mac N’ Cheese.
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Bankhead Seafood
1651 Donald Lee Hollowell Pkwy NW, Atlanta, GA 30318 | (404) 794-6904
Bankhead Seafood has been bought and re-imagined by two of Atlanta’s favorite sons, rappers and businessmen, Killer Mike and T.I.
They’re operating as a food truck for now, but will reopen soon, according to the new owners.
Blaze Steak & Seafood
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.”
Busy Bee
810 M.L.K. Jr Dr SW, Atlanta, GA 30314 | (404) 525-9212
The Martin Luther King Boulevard staple has survived lean times in the 1990s and enjoyed a resurgence as gentrification combined with a loyal following from Atlanta University Center students — and a James Beard award — has kept the doors open for years.
Owner Tracy Gates started as an employee at Busy Bee Cafe in 1987. Since then the eatery in the shadow of Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium has attracted college students, celebrities and dignitaries from around the world.
Read more: Here are the best soul food restaurants in Atlanta
Choice dishes include the Baked Chicken & Corn bread Dressing … a quarter of chicken smothered in its own gravy and served with cranberry sauce. And don’t sleep on the Pork Chops: Two 6 oz. chops marinated, hand breaded and fried in peanut oil to a crisp golden brown.
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BQE Restaurant & Lounge
262 Edgewood Ave. NE, Atlanta, 404-996-6159
BQE Restaurant & Lounge just outside downtown Atlanta has quickly become a happening dining spot on the weekends. Owner and CEO Kenya Amos is a native of New York but knew that the downhome Southern palates of Atlantans would be perfect for a restaurant.
Menu favorites at BQE Restaurant & Lounge include the BQE Farmer’s Omelette, Crab Cake Hash and the Red Velvet Chicken & Waffle.
Che Butter Jonez
757 Cleveland Ave SW Suite E, Atlanta, GA 30315 | (404) 919-4061
Here’s what one customer says about Che Butter Jonez: “I gave it my own stars!! My first stop after landing in Atlanta! I read about it, saw the pictures and had to get there! The lamb burger was phenomenal!! The customer service was genuine! So down to earth. The music and smells from the back gave it such a vibe! This was well worth it! Awesome job!!”
Chicken+Beer
Concourse D, Gate D5, Atlanta, GA 30337
Travelers at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport love them some Chicken+Beer. Co-owned by Jackmont Hospitality and rapper, actor and businessman Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Chicken+Beer is helmed by Executive Chef Josh Lee with help from Culinary Director Chef Todd Richards.
Favorite menu items include Salmon, Croquette Sliders, Shrimp and Grits, Three Whole Wings and lots of beer.
Daddy D’z BBQ Joynt
2139, 264 Memorial Dr SE, Atlanta, GA 30312, (404) 222-0206
One of the most prominent barbecue restaurants in Atlanta is Daddy D’z BBQ Joynt in Midtown. The Memorial Drive eatery has been a favorite of nearby lawmakers at the Georgia Capitol as well as a neighborhood standby. With standout dishes like ribs and beef brisket, don’t get lost in the sauce at Daddy D’z.
Debbie’s Delights
1235 Chattahoocee Ave. NW Atlanta, GA 30138 | (404) 644-5040
Here’s what one reviewer says about Debbie’s Delights: “On a road trip and stopped in to have a bite to eat. It’s a small quaint little place. The coffee tasted wonderful. We had the chicken & waffles, shrimp and grits, and a vegetable omelette. One of the kids had a waffle. All were delicious! The chicken was perfectly cooked, not greasy, and the seasoning was delicious. The shrimp and grits were amazing and taste great. The omelette was delicious. The portions were good and prices are reasonable. The owner came out and tuned the TV to a show for the kids. She brought a chair out for the baby in carseat. They also have board games and big Jenga blocks. We enjoyed our meal very much.”
Delilah’s Everyday Soul
1235 Chattahoochee BLVD, Atlanta, GA 30318
Delilah’s Everyday Soul opened in November 2021 in the newly christened Chattahoochee Food Works development on Atlanta’s West Side.
Desta Ethiopian Kitchen
Atlanta Locations:
- 3086 Briarcliff Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30329 | (404) 929-0011
- Westsude: 250 Marietta Blvd NW Suite 206, Atlanta, GA 30318 | (404) 929-0015
- Emory: 1520 avenue place ne B1 #140, Atlanta, GA 30329 (Temporarily Closed)
Here’s what one customer says about Desta Ethiopian Kitchen. “Surprisingly diverse and trendy restaurant! The demographics of this place was endless and wide ranging. You’ll have to see for yourself! Just know, There is a “place” at the table for everyone- literally! Get there before 6pm or make a reservation online to avoid the wait.”
Escobar Restaurant & Tapas
327 Peters St. SW, Atlanta, GA 30313 404-941-7907
Escobar Restaurant & Tapas Bar is owned by rapper and entrepreneur 2 Chainz. The 3,000-square foot space situated in the Castleberry Hill neighborhood near downtown Atlanta is helmed by Executive Chef DePhon Robinson. Decadent dishes such like lobster and jumbo shrimp dot the menu.
Fin & Feathers
360 Edgewood Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30312 | (678) 705-5757
Here’s what one reviewer says about Fin & Feathers. “We got takeout to celebrate getting our marriage license today and Dante (I think, hard to hear over the phone and noise) took great care making sure we didn’t have any cross contamination that would endanger my partner. Folks were very sweet and helpful, and I think it’s impressive to make takeout a positive customer service interactions. All of the food was delicious but we especially liked the fried pickles!”
Frost Bistro
281 Peters St. SW, Atlanta, GA. 30313 | (404) 963-5495
Music and reaiity TV stars Kirk and Rasheeda Frost own Frost Bistro, an Atlanta restaurant in Castleberry Hill. Kirk and Rasheeda’s restaurant offers a hip alternative to the stuffy eateries scattered around downtown Atlanta. Here are more details about the restaurant.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
Leave it to a celebrity hairstylist to serve up exactly what the masses need. Gocha Hawkins, known for styling the coifs of mega-personalities like Beyonce, Nicki Minaj, Kandi Burruss and other stars, opened Gocha’s Breakfast Bar in January 2019 in the Cascade area of Atlanta.
Gocha’s Breakfast Bar is located at inside the Publix Shopping Center on Cascade and Fairburn Road. The hours are Monday – Friday 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. Menu faves are Gocha’s Impossible Burger With Parmesan Truffle Fries. There’s also Gocha’s Krunch-Tastic French Toast, and “Better Than Yo Momma” Buttermilk Pancakes.
Grant Park Coffeehouse
753 Cherokee Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30315 (404) 856-0433
Not just a coffee shop, Grant Park Coffeehouse serves delicious desserts and sandwiches as well. Rahel Belfield, owner of Grant Park Coffeehouse, has opened two locations.
Grips Good Eats & Sweets
1747 Metropolitan Pkwy SW, Atlanta, GA 30315 | (770) 870-9050
Here’s what one reviewer says about Grips Good Eats & Sweets: “The food portion was pleasing and has that home cooked taste n flavor.. I ordered the breakfast sandwich (sausage patties, sausage link) all was delicious..”
Harold’s Chicken & Ice Bar
349 Edgewood Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30312
In one of the most lively and revitalized districts in all of Atlanta, Harold’s Chicken & Ice Bar stands out for its outstanding eats. This Atlanta outpost of a Chicago eatery is become known as a popular sports bar as well.
What’s on the menu at Harold’s Chicken & Ice Bar? Fried Chicken, lots of it. There’s also catfish, shrimp, perch and gizzards.
Healthfull Essence
875 York Ave SW, Atlanta, GA 30310 | (404) 806-0830
This vegan/vegetarian restaurant offers excellent raw and cooked food along with an expansive catering menu.
What to order: The Caribbean food, including fish cakes, plantains and more get rave reviews.
Here’s what one reviewer says about Healthfull Essence: “Oh my goodness! I’m not even vegan but the macaroni and un-cheese was delicious! Everything was delicious too be honest especially the greens. I definitely have to visit Atlanta again to get some more of this.”
Jamrock
Atlanta Locations:
- 381 Moreland Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30316 | (404) 594-3307
- 111 M.L.K. Jr Dr SW, Atlanta, GA 30303 | (404) 577-4622
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1232 Metropolitan Pkwy SW, Atlanta, GA 30310 | (678) 973-25326523 GA-85, Riverdale, GA 30274 | (470) 278-2848265 Jonesboro Rd, Jonesboro, GA 30236 | (678) 519-3952
This Jamaican restaurant encompasses everything we love about Caribbean cuisine: flavorful dishes, warm and inviting hospitality along with authentic Jamrock roots, mon! The counter-serve restaurant is small on dining space, but you can still get you a carryout of Jamaican jerk chicken, curry goat & other favorites.
Owing to its popularity, Jamrock Jamaican restaurant has three Atlanta locations: 111 M.L.K. Jr Dr SW, 381 Moreland Ave SE and 1232 Metropolitan Pkwy SW, Atlanta, GA 30310.
Jayida Ché Herbal Tea Spot
566 Fayetteville Rd SE, Atlanta, GA 30316 | (404) 348-0656
Jayida Ché Herbal Tea Spot in Atlanta is a modest tea spot that is big on serving you tea that does a body good. Owners Aleathia Saleem and Mariyah Sabir make sure Jayida’s specializes in sourcing organic, fair trade, and local ingredients to curate a tea blend that soothes your soul.
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 up to open a new restaurant in College Park: Johnny’s Chicken & Waffles. The eatery opened its doors in December 2020, AtlantaFi.com has learned.
See what’s on the menu at Johny’s Chicken and Waffles.
Just Add Honey Tea Company
If you want to know who has cornered the market on intown tea, check out the Just Add Tea Company. The family-run business has two locations, at 209 Edgewood Ave NE, Atlanta and 684 John Wesley Dobbs. At the new spot, just off the Beltline Eastside Trail, owners Brandi and Jermail Shelton are set to solidify their hold on ATL tea and its accessories.
What’s on the menu at the Just Add Honey Tea Co? Herbal teas, black teas, fruit teas and all types of teas!
K & K Soul Food
881 Donald Lee Hollowell Pkwy NW, Atlanta, 404-685-1073
The original Bankhead Restaurant has been cooking home-style meals for the southwest Atlanta community since the 1960s. Now called K&K Soul Food, the eatery, which has been owned for the same family for 40 years, continues to be a standout spot for cafeteria-style soul food. Today the restaurant is run by Kimario Smith, who took over for his mother and grandmother. With its famed Pork Chop plate and Steak plate both priced at $6.99, K&K Soul Food is one of the cheapest — and best — square meals you can find in Atlanta.
One K & K Soul Food reviewer on Facebook said this: “Good SoulFood. Taste like somebody’s Auntie definitely in the kitchen.”
Kemper’s Cafe
1955 Metropolitan Pkwy SW, Atlanta, GA 30315
Photo credit: Atlantafi.com[/caption]Kemper’s Cafe has revitalized the Metropolitan Parkway food options with its Caribbean + soul food-inspired dishes.
The menu has plenty of island favorites such as Curry Chicken, Oxtails and BBQ Jerk Chicken.
Le Petit Marché
1984 Hosea L Williams Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30317
Le Petit Marché owner Marchet Sparks[/caption]Le Petit Marché or The Little Market began in 2008 offering Atlantans fresh breads, locally sourced foods and soups and salads. After enduring some tough times, Le Petit Marché has become a bustling gourmet market for the Kirkwood community and many in East Atlanta.
Owner Marchet Sparks has made the venture a family affair. Visit Le Petit Marché and you’ll likely be greeted by “Pop” Sparks. You can also catch a glimpse of Mom in the back making a batch of your favorite soup.
Lickety Split Southern Kitchen & Bar
1155 Virginia Ave Suite F, Hapeville, GA 30354
Lickety Split is a soul food restaurant that serves traditional, homecooked southern food with a heaping helping of hospitality. It opened in late April 2019, but is making some sizable rumblings already.
The family owned and operated restaurant offers happy hour as well as brunch on the weekends. Delivery and catering services are also available. See more.
Local Green Atlanta
19 Joseph E. Lowery Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30314 (770) 883-8291
Local Green Atlanta started as a food truck but opened a brick-and-mortar restaurant after starring as a pop-ups in Monday Night Brewing. You can find owner Zachary Wallace serving delicious vegan and pescatarian fast food options at his eatery near Martin Luther King Boulevard and Joseph Lowery in Vine City.
Lov’n It Live
2796 E Point St, East Point, GA 30344, 404-765-9220
If you’re looking for good eats between Hartsfield Airport and downtown Atlanta, Lov’n It Live has want you need. Specializing in organic and vegan cuisine, the East Point restaurant is located at 2796 East Point Street about 10 minutes from Atlanta.
What’s on Lov’n It Live’s menu? You must try the Nubian Salad, Collard Rolls and BBQ Sage Wraps.
Mango’s Caribbean Restaurant
180 Auburn Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA, 404-698-3992
Matthew “True” Nelson was well known around Atlanta as a famed reggae club promoter. These days, Nelson, known in musical circles as Krushmore, is making culinary hits these days. He owns Mangos Caribbean Restaurant on Auburn Avenue next to the Royal Peacock, which he controls as well. As Mango’s jerk chicken grows in popularity, Nelson’s food empire is holding down he West End.
Historically, those with the best food have struggled to stay afloat, either due to business mistakes are trying to survive on bare-bones budgets. That being said, there are a few joints still keeping the soul food flame alive.
Soul food is a Southern tradition. Not every restaurant is worthy of the religion. Only those that adhere to the time-tested and working class code associated with the soulful dishes and recipes can rightfully hold the crown and be befitted with the moniker.
Are you ready to get down and eat? Here are some of the best soul food restaurants in Atlanta.
Marguerites Jerk Bistro
1039 Grant St SE, Atlanta, GA 30315 | (404) 941-9733
“I came here on a whim and the first thing I have to say is… WOW,” says one reviewer. “I came right at closing and the owner, who was a sweetheart, was nice enough to take my order just before shutting the door. I got the oxtail meal, and the person with me got the jerk wing meal, sub rice for fries.”Milk & Honey
5495 Cascade Road, Suite 100, Atlanta, 404-968-9266
Featuring the triumphant dishes of Chef Sammy Davis, winner of the Food Network’s hit show “Chopped,” and helmed by co-owner Monique Rose Simms, Milk & Honey at Cascade has a hit on their hands.
With signature dishes such as Rotisserie Chicken, Chef B.G.’s Turkey Meatloaf and more, this all-day brunch spot has become a must-dine for Atlantans and visitors in the know.
My Potato Factory
1521 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd SW, Atlanta, GA 30310 | (404) 343-1946
Here’s what one reviewer says about My Potato Factory: “WOW! After searching high and low and during disappointed, I decided to try this restaurant’s sweet potato pie. I was NOT disappointed as this was heavenly, worth the drive and every penny spent!
I discussed with the staff while picking up and was told if I did not like it, I could get my money back. That already made me feel like I was as in the right place.
Happy to have found this restaurant. EXTREMELY PLEASED!”
Ms. Icey’s Kitchen & Bar
1371 Clairmont Rd, Decatur, GA 30033
A relatively new soul food spot in Decatur comes from owner and restaurateur Sim Walker, whose New York City rearing comes through in the vibe. Ms. Icey’s, named after Walker’s grandmother, is Decatur’s best-kept secret even though it has quickly become a culturally hip gathering place for those in the know. When cornbread comes in an iron skillet, and oxtails do as well, you know you’re in a foodie’s dream. Not only are many of the dishes a nod to Southern and soul food culture, but the drinks are mostly handcrafted, giving the place an organic life. The sweet potato waffles are to die for.
Negril Village Atlanta
800 Forrest St NW, Atlanta, GA 30318 | (404) 464-7159
Situated in the on North Avenue in Midtown Atlanta, Negril Village is a well-known Caribbean restaurant that caters to intown city dwellers who crave island fare. Negril Village Atlanta is owned by Sim Walker, the mastermind behind Ms. Icey’s Kitchen & Bar in Decatur. Negril Village is located in a renovated 1907 firehouse. The eatery offers a full bar & Sunday brunch.
Nouveau Bar & Grill
3775 Main St, College Park, GA 30337 | (404) 343-6785
103 W Mill St, Jonesboro, GA 30236 | 770) 766-8425
Nouveau Bar & Grill owner Ebony Austin has a lot of things in the works when it comes to the eatery. Not only are other metro Atlanta locations on the horizon, but in Florida as well.
Here’s what one customer says about Nouveau Bar & Grill in College Park. “The restaurant is nice. I’m only rating 4 stars for now because I haven’t tried everything on their menu. However the lamb meal that I had as well as the spinach dip was good. I would go back. Apparently the most popular item is the seafood and grits so I’ll try that next time.”
Old Lady Gang Southern Cuisine
177 Peters St. SW, Atlanta | 404-692-4407
3650 Marketplace Blvd Suite 950, East Point, GA 30344
via Instagram[/caption]Known as the Kandi Burruss-Tucker spot, Old Lady Gang Southern Cuisine has quickly taken its position as both a sophisticated and downhome Southern food spot in downtown Atlanta. Yes, it is owned by Burruss-Tucker and husband Todd Tucker, but it pays homage to Kandi’s aunts, Joyce Jones, aunts Bertha Jones & Nora Wilcox, who make up the “Old Lady Gang.”
Favorites on the menu of Old Lady Gang, which also has a location in State Farm Arena, include Momma Joyce’s House Punch, Aunt Bertha’s Fried Chicken and Aunt Nora’s Fried Catfish Strip.
Paschal’s
180 Northside Dr SW #B, Atlanta, GA 30313
Intl Airport, Concourse B, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta, N Terminal Rd Suite T120, Atlanta, GA 30320
Known as the kitchen of the civil rights movement, Paschals has had the most continuous success of any soul food joint in the city.
Founded by the Paschal brothers, James and Robert in 1947, this CastleberryHill eatery has long enjoyed strong support from Atlanta’s black community. Since 1947, James and Robert Paschal, The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., Ralph David Abernathy and Hosea Williams all planned protests in the back room while collard greens and corn bread baked only feet away from them. Today, Elby Marshall Slack is the only original member of the staff still there. Paschal’s has morphed into a mid-upscale eatery with a cosmopolitan clientele. But it still has some of the meanest soul food in the ATL. Best dishes include Gulf shrimp, chicken and Andouille as well as the Caribbean Fish Tacos.
Peach Cobbler Cafe
2221 Peachtree Rd NW Suite G, Atlanta, GA 30309 | (404) 351-0450
Here’s what one reviewer says about the Peach Cobbler Cafe. “1st time customer because of the radio commercial. I am completely satisfied! The food was EXCELLENT! Customer service good and ample parking in good location. We got the fried salmon OMG!…Fried shrimp NEVER had them that good, meatloaf I NEVER eat others meatloaf, and son got 1/2 slab rib. The mac&cheese, collards, and corn muffin was better than mine. Thank you, it feels good to spend my money on good food obviously made with love. Oh, the peach cobbler and red velvet cake was really good and not that sweet.”
Ponce Sports Lounge
3924 E Ponce De Leon Ave Clarkston, GA 30021
Ponce Sports Lounge has hookah, live music and pool tables, but the chef-prepared food is the best in all of Clarkston. Although it is not a restaurant, you can order food up until 3 a.m. on the weekends.
Purple Corkscrew Wine Shop & Tasting Room
32 N. Avondale Rd Avondale Estates, GA 30002
Since it opened in 2016, owner Steffini Bethea has made sure that the Purple Corkscrew & Tasting Room educates its patrons. LIke fine wine, Purple Corkscrew gets better with time.Bethea has assembled an all-star staff that knows all things wine, including a wine manager, wine consultants and a certified Sommelier.Q Time Restaurant
1120 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd, Atlanta, GA 30310
Among the best of the Styrofoam plate eateries, Q Time Restaurant continues to impress. Run by the Crenshaw family after patriarch Fred Crenshaw threw his Alabama upbringing into his food, this West End gem remains a best-kept secret to those outside the community. Q Time sits in a strip mall a short distance from Willie Watkins Funeral Home, The Wrens Nest and even the Atlanta University Center. Q Time is known for its succulent turkey wings, collard greens and meatloaf.
Soul: Food And Culture
99 Krog St NE, Atlanta, GA 30307 | (678) 795-3158
Atlanta Chefs Todd Richards and Joshua Lee have teamed up again aside from their Lake & Oak Neighborhood BBQ to bring us Soul: Food and Culture inside Krog Street Market.
The new restaurant replaces Richards Southern Fried, which was sunset when the pandemic began.
Roc South Cuisine & Cocktail
3009 Buford Hwy NE, Atlanta, GA 30329 | (404) 481-5915
Chef Virgil Harper mans the kitchen at Roc South Cuisine, one of the best eateries in Brookhaven.
Here’s what one reviewer says about Roc South Cuisine: “A nice place for a socially distant meeting on the patio. Food was good comfort. Young vibe the day I went. Staff Covid-19 compliant with masks and wiping down tables. Can’t remember if they had cute disposable plates though.”
Rosie’s Coffee Cafe
2330 Sylvan Road, Atlanta, 404-684-1111
48 Northside Dr SW, Atlanta, GA 30313
819 Bankhead Hwy, Carrollton, Ga. 30117
Rosie’s Cafe opened in a quaint structure in 2017 on Sylvan Road in southwest Atlanta. Named after Alabama native Rosie Gail, the restaurant’s owners have created not one but two lasting tributes to her love. Its newest location on Northside Drive caters to fans streaming out of Mercedes-Benz Stadium in downtown Atlanta.
Menu favorites at Rosie’s include the the shrimp & grits, salmon croquettes and perch po’ boy.
879 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd SW, Atlanta, GA 30310
One of the West End’s most famous restaurants, Soul Vegetarian is just what the name implies, vegetarian, but don’t get it twisted. This is some of the best whole food in the city. Fave joints include the Garvey Burger, made from seasoned wheat gluten topped with special “Mierah” mushroom and onion sauce.
Sublime Doughnuts
535 10th St NW, Atlanta, GA 30318 (404) 897-1801
2566 Briarcliff Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30329 (404) 315-6899
If you’ve got a sweet tooth, Sublime Doughnuts has become the perfect place. With two locations in Atlanta, Sublime has become quite popular with celebrities and politicians. Owner Kamal Grant comes with big credentials. In 2004, he graduated from the Culinary Institute of America.
Since then he’s given Atlantans a sugar rush with such favorites as Fresh Strawberry N Cream, Orange Star, Dirty D, A-Town Cream and Smores doughnuts.
Suite Food Lounge
375 Luckie St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
Sure this place is a nightclub with a private rooftop and dance floor, but it has a serious full-scale kitchen. it is named Suite Food Lounge after all. Since 2013, sibling owners Terry Clark and Tory Thomas have made Suite Food Lounge a top and happening spot for Atlanta events.
What’s on the menu at Suite Food Lounge? How about Smoked Gouda Shrimp & Grits, Whole Red Snapper and Fried Airline Chicken, to name a few dishes.
Tassili’s Raw Reality Café
1059 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd, Atlanta, GA 30310
In southwest Atlanta, Tassili’s Raw Reality Café is a healthy food option in a sea of bad choices and junk food. Owned by Master Raw Chef Tassili Ma’at, this eatery subscribes to a dining experience full of nutrient-rich delectables that give your body life. Come for the food, stay for the Egyptian Yoga classes.
On the menu you’ll find “That Ish Wrap,” and some of the most beautiful and artfully crafted veggie wraps around.
The Breakfast Boys
3387 Main St, Atlanta, GA 30337 | (470) 312-2108
Lonzo Wyche pictured with celebrity Rolonda Rochelle at The Breakfast Boys. Source: Instagram[/caption]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.
Here’s what one customer says about The Breakfast Boys:”My experience here was great with TESHA as my server. The general manager was helpful and very accommodating as well. The food and ambiance here are amazing and I am happy to be spending my money with this brand new black owned business! The brunch food was so [good]. I had the catfish, shrimp and grits that has chicken sausage in it too! I will definitely be back again and again!”The Consulate
10 10th St NW, Atlanta, GA 30309
Interior designer Douglas Hines and his wife Mei Lin, a chef with global influences, teamed up to open The Consulate in 2016 in Midtown. Before that, the Atlanta power couple opened Honey Bubble Tea in Poncey-Highland.
If you want to experience different cultures through food, this couple has you covered. They plan to open as many as eight restaurants across the city.
The Corner Grille
3823 Main St, College Park, GA 30337 | (404) 767-1135
2341 Marietta Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30318 | (404) 891-5159
Located on College Park’s main street, The Corner Grille is a welcome respite to airport travelers and locals looking for some casual American food. But the eatery with the handsome brick exterior also features some Cajun-inspired dishes. It’s clearly evident that owners Julian and Annette have some Louisiana in their background!What’s on the menu at The Corner Grille in College Park? Try the Seafood Gumbo, Cajun Pasta and for sweets, the Beignets are excellent.Triple Jays Pizza
1020 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30309 | (678) 712-8400
Here’s what one reviewer says about Triple Jays Pizza: “Everything was great! The Detroit style deep dish pepperoni pizza was literally the best pizza I’ve ever eaten. Really good wings too! Friendly staff and a fun environment! Can’t wait to sit outside this spring! There is even a fire place!”
Two Dough Girls
Two Dough Girls is a baked-to-order bakery based in Atlanta. All you have to do is have a craving and place your minimum $30 order. You can get many kinds of desserts and even some vegan versions.
You can find Two Dough Girls goods at Just Add Honey (209 Edgewood Ave and 684 John Wesley Dobbs) and Cafe CAFÉ Ulu at 2036 Sylvan Rd (Sylvan Plaza) Atlanta 30310.
Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours
1133 Huff Rd NW #D, Atlanta, GA 30318
This relatively new eatery has quickly stolen the hearts of soul food lovers in the city. Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours is run by Executive Chef and Owner Deborah VanTrece has become a culinary force in Atlanta. She also runs her own catering company Catering by VanTrece. Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours has become known as an eatery that offers creative versions of Southern classics such as Jack Daniels Pecan Honey Chicken Wings and Sweet Tea Baby Back Ribs. Their Blue Plate Specials are great.
The Spice House
2247 Cascade Road SW, Atlanta, 470-575-5999
375 14th St NW, Atlanta, GA 30318 | (404) 289-0116
2591 Piedmont Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30324 | (404) 343-0086
The Spice House is a Caribbean-inspired restaurant owned by chef Leno Joseph. The Haitian eatery is located in one of the most visible area’s of Cascade. saw the need to do the exact same thing in the restaurant business.
Top menu items include Caribbean crab cakes, turkey in Creole sauce and Jerk stuffed burgers.
The Slutty Vegan
Westview 1542 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd SW. Atlanta, GA 30310. Old Fourth Ward 76 Edgewood Ave SE. Atlanta, GA 30312 Clayton County 164 N McDonough St. Jonesboro, GA 30236. Gwinnett County 2131 Pleasant Hill Road Duluth, Ga. 30096 Athens-Clarke County 700 Baxter Ste. 800, Athens, Ga. 30605 Georgia Tech 351 Ferst Dr. NW Atlanta, Ga. 30313 
Who says meat-based restaurants have all the fun? The Slutty Vegan restaurant, originally a food truck, had its grand opening for its brick-and-mortar location on Sunday, January 13, 2019 in Atlanta. Since then it’s been packing in the customers. See what’s on the menu & more.
This Is It! BBQ & Seafood
3430 Creek Pointe Ave, East Point, GA 30344
3620 Camp Creek Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30331
6045 Old National Hwy, College Park, GA 30349
2776 Cumberland Blvd SE, Smyrna, GA 30080
4065 Memorial Dr, Decatur, GA 30032
1497 Mt Zion Rd, Morrow, GA 30260
This is It is the quintessential soul food joint in the heart of the South. Began by Butch Anthony and family, This Is It boasts a decades long tradition secured by a tight family, This Is It has expanded throughout metro Atlanta to become the premiere soul food brand in Georgia. If you’re in the mood for neck bones, this are the best in the country, bar none.
Tom, Dick & Hank
3807 East Main Street, College Park, GA 30337
191 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd SW, Atlanta, GA 30312
Hank Johnson is the proprietor of Tom, Dick & Hank, a fusion barbecue joint that has commandeered area taste buds near its original location on Ralph David Abernathy across from Georgia State University Stadium. A second location in College Park is sure to elicit the same feelings.
Top dishes at Tom, Dick & Hank include Beef Brisket Sandwich, BBQ dry rubbed wings and fried whiting.
Urban Grind Coffeehouse
962 Marietta St NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
Urban Grind is not just a hip Atlanta coffeehouse, they’re doing it for the culture. This West Midtown coffee shop regularly hosts film screenings, poetry slams & other arty events. Of course, you get killer coffee, desserts and free Wi-Fi.
Virgil’s Gullah Kitchen & Bar
3721 Main St, College Park, GA 30337 | (404) 228-4897
822 Marietta St NW, Atlanta, GA 30318 | (404) 228-4897
Virgil’s is on the main strip of College Park, where you can get authentic Gullah-inspired seafood dishes and desserts.
Walter’s Soul Food Cafe
394 Cleveland Ave SW, Atlanta, GA 30315 (404) 761-0001
This small restaurant is big on soul food and hospitality, but all of southwest Atlanta already know that. If you want fried chicken, collard greens and turnips, cornbread and the rest of the fixin’s, they give you a generous helping.
What’s on the menu at Walter’s Soul Food Cafe? Pork chops, brisket, Salisbury steak and more.
Who’s Got Soul Southern Cafe
3818 Covington Hwy, Decatur, GA 30032 | (404) 289-0116
1098 Herrington Rd #1098, Lawrenceville, GA 30044 | (770) 995-6544
Here’s what one reviewer says about Who’s Got Soul Southern Cafe: “My favorite soul food spot thus far in the area. Great prices and the food is always insanely good. The lines are long (sometimes) but that’s a good sign of course. I always get the oxtails and bbq rib tips. My favorite sides are the macaroni and cheese, collards, yams, and potato salad. Oh, the turkey wings and pork chops smothered in gravy is good as well. The peach punch is also pretty good and not too sweet. It’s also, my parents favorite go to when they are in town. I highly recommend…keep on keeping on!”
The southwest Atlanta restaurant’s menu includes The 640, which is two waffle cones, your choice of meat, veggie patty and eggs. Another fave is West Endians, grilled flat bread, shredded Cajun turkey, Chipotle Spread, tomato, spinach and purple onion.
656 Sports Bar & Grille
656 Pryor St SW, Atlanta, GA 30312
656 Sports Bar and Grille is situated in a prime spot for incoming traffic to downtown Atlanta. It’s also a great place to watch the game. 656 Sports Bar and Grille is located in downtown Atlanta, minutes from Georgia State University Stadium.
Here’s what one reviewer says about 656 Sports Bar & Grille: “My waitress Augustina had great customer service. Had some good hookah. The nachos were pretty good. Menu was diverse and ambiance was pretty decent for a sports bar. Chill spot overall. Would definitely attend again.”
Next: Best Black-Owned Coffee Shops In Atlanta
If you want to expand your palate a bit, check out our guide to the best new Atlanta restaurants to try in 2019. Bon apetit!
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.
Read more: Another Whole Foods is popping up in Midtown -
This type of weather calls for a new hairstyle. If you enjoy rocking it short, there are many awesome ways to style your short hairdo.
Are you a short hair lover? Join the club! These days, you can cut your hair short with the best of them.
This article will show you the best short hairstyles for black women as well as how to style your hair.
Pixie Cut
A pixie cut is a short hairstyle where the hair is cropped close to the head, often with shorter sides and slightly longer on top. It’s versatile and can be styled in various ways to suit different face shapes.
Pixie Cut Wigs for Sale:
TWA (Teeny Weeny Afro)
This is a very short hairstyle where the hair is cut very close to the scalp, creating a natural and low-maintenance look. It celebrates natural hair texture and can be styled with defining products or worn as is.
Afro Wigs
Short Bob
A classic bob haircut where the hair is cut short to medium length, typically ending around the jawline. Bobs can be styled straight, curly, or with added layers for texture.
Short Bob Wigs for Sale
Finger Waves
This is a retro hairstyle that involves creating S-shaped waves in short hair, often using gel or mousse to define the waves. It’s a glamorous option for special occasions.
Buzz Cut
A buzz cut is a very short hairstyle where the hair is cut uniformly short all over the head. It’s bold, edgy, and requires minimal styling.
Cornrows with Short Hair
Cornrows can be styled on short hair, creating intricate patterns close to the scalp. This protective style can be worn alone or with added hair accessories.
Curly Afro
Embrace natural curls with a short afro hairstyle. Regular moisturizing and styling products can define curls and keep the hair healthy.
How To Style Short Black Hair
Depending on how short you want your hair, you have so many options that are all equally fly. You could style it with a wave brush on the top and around the taper or a long comb.
If you have longer coifs and want your hairstyle to stay in place, you may want to use some firm hold spritz or something similar.
What Hairstyle Should I Get?
The best hairstyle you can get is one that accentuates your face. But you don’t have to get too concerned about that because if you have strong features, you can definitely pick a style that works.
Here are some popular short hairstyles:
- Corn Rows
- Finger Waves
- Twist Outs
- Bantu Knots
- Flat Twists
- Buzz Cut
So many people think a short hairstyle means the “Halle Berry cut,” but there’s way more to it than that, depending on if your hair is straight, curly or somewhere in between.
You can also go with shoulder-length coifs or a bob look that’s tighter around the crown.
What Faces Look Good With Short Hair?
When it comes to short hair, an oval-shaped face usually can rock the most styles. All of us have an oval face, by the way, but some are more oval than others.
You may feel that your face shape is more round than usual, and that’s OK too.
Obviously, if you have features that are especially peculiar, like huge lips or big cheeks, you may want to experiment with different styles for looks that bring out those features or hid them.
How Can I Style My Short Black Hair?
contrary to popular belief, styling is one of the most unique things you can do. You first want to comb out your hair. Go in the direction that it was wrapped, so that it doesn’t break.
Get your curling iron and curl your hair starting from the back. Be careful not to burn yourself!
You can moisturize your hair along the way, so that you can add fullness to your head. Here are some top hair moisturizers for black women.
Maui Moisture Smooth & Repair + Vanilla Bean Anti-Frizz Hair Butter
Aunt Jackie’s Curl La La, Lightweight Curl Defining Custard
Carol’s Daughter Mimosa Hair Honey Shine Pomade
You’ll also need a tool comb or feather comb. With the comb, you can lift your hair in spots that need it.You can also take a hard brush and brush your hair along the sides and back to go along with the pattern or grain of your hair.
Halle Berry Short Hair
The most iconic short hairstyle is the Halle Berry cut. This style is really a pixie cut. Hairstylist LaKeisha Michelle has a great tutorial on the Halle Berry style.
The Toni Braxton Look
Back when she first came out on the scene Atlanta R&B artist Toni Braxton rocked a “Betty Boop” haircut. This short hairstyle was done with a curling iron and some holding spray.
Youtuber DivaStyleSalonTX has a great tutorial on Toni Braxton’s short hairstyle.
Nia Long Short Hairstyle
In the 1990s, Hollywood actress Nia Long captivated young hearts and minds with her short coifs.
Here’s tutorial of the Nia Long hairstyle from Tyler Simon.
The Atlanta hair industry is one of the largest in the Southeast, with more than 8 million people getting groomed each month.
But you can do it yourself. All you need are some quality shears and some high-performance clippers to get the job done. Check out our Beauty Page for other ways to get shaped up.
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There’s nothing better than a cheap apartment in Atlanta, except a cheap apartment in Atlanta with a pool.
This article will show you some of the best Atlanta apartments with pools where you can relax after a long day’s work or have some weekend fun.
Cortland at The Battery Apartments
900 Battery Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30339 | 877-390-2984
Not only does Cortland at The Battery have an awesome pool, but the complex is near SunTrust Park. That means all the sports, shops, restaurants and live music, and entertainment you could ever want is at your doorstep.Vireo at Piedmont Park
The Vireo at Piedmont Park is a a 21-story apartment complex in the heart of Midtown Atlanta. In addition to the stellar pool, The Vireo has
- Modern fitness center with outdoor terrace
- Rooftop grilling station & covered lounge area
- Outdoor fireplace & 2 fire pits
- Rooftop park lounge with games
- Beautifully landscaped courtyard and more
Allure Apartments at Brookwood
40 Peachtree Valley Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
The Allure Apartments offer one, two, and three-bedroom spaces for rent in one of the most thriving areas of Atlanta. The apartments have feature different types of floorplans, gourmet kitchens, custom cabinetry, private balconies/patios, and an awesome pool.
Post Peachtree Hills Apartments
350 Peachtree Hills Ave. NE Atlanta, GA 30305
Post Peachtree Hills is located in a quickly-changing area of Buckhead with new townhomes being built a quarter of a mile away. But you can get away from the bustling sound of progress by relaxing in the Post Peachtree Hills pool.
Post Midtown Atlanta Apartments
33 11th St. NE Atlanta, GA 30309
Post Midtown Atlanta Apartments also has a really great pool that can take your mind off the worries of the day. Located in the center of Midtown, this Post property is above par for the area.
Skyhouse Midtown Apartments
1080 W Peachtree St, Atlanta, GA 30309
Skyhouse Midtown gives you amenities in the sky, including a rooftop Resort-Inspired Poolside Lounge, sky gym, skycafe and other nice touches to enjoy the downtown Atlanta skyline.
Nine15 Midtown Apartments
915 West Peachtree St. NW / Atlanta, GA 30309
NIne15 Midtown Apartments have some of the best amenities in Atlanta. In addition to being on its way to getting LEED certified, the apartments feature a plush pool, Quartz countertops in the kitchen, beautiful wood-style flooring and tailored carpet in the bedrooms.
W Hotel Midtown
188 14th Street NE Atlanta, GA 30361
One of the best rooftop pools in the city can be found at the W Hotel Midtown. The outdoor bar and scenery make this a must-visit destination for pool lovers.
Icon Apartments Midtown
22 14th St NW, Atlanta, GA 30309
Icon has an 11th floor pool terrace with clear edge spa, barbecue grills, games area, Al fresco dining space, poolside cabanas, and more right there in MIdtown near 14th Street.
Mezzo Apartments
2171 Peachtreet St NW, Atlanta, GA 30309
Mezzo Apartments is situated amidst the hustle and bustle of downtown Atlanta and offers a relaxing respite from the busy city center. The pool at Mezzo is a needed creature comfort.
Last Words
Georgia’s largest city has plenty of nice apartments to choose from. But you don’t want to just settle for anything. Take your time and research each property you have your eye on.
For more buying tips, Read Our Apartment Guide.
Up next: How to rent an apartment in Atlanta
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Trying to book a hotel but you notice that the prices are out of this world? It’s time to use your smartphone to get cheaper lodging.
Instead of overpaying for an expensive stay, there are still some ways you may be able to snag a last-minute hotel stay for cheap.
Last-Minute Hotel Bookings: There’s An App For That
Before you spend any money on the first hotel you see online, take a few minutes to download a few of the best apps for last-minute bookings. In this article, we’ll tell all about the top apps for cheap lodgings.
The good news is that there are several free apps that show you hotel discounts on unsold rooms in five-star hotels, resorts and even little boutique hotels.
Let’s take a look at these travel apps, which all have at least 4-star reviews.
Last Minute Hotels Booking App
Last Minute Hotels Booking App, as you can tell by the name, another one that shows you cheap books for the current week. It’s available via Android or iOS. and works as a browser extension for your Chrome or Windows app.
Here’s what one user says about the app: “What a great app it is! This app is very smooth to browse and it gives exact and current hotel deals. I had booked a hotel last night through this app. Through this app you will easily find the best hotel in your nearby and within your budget too. Moreover, this app includes exclusive discounts and promotions on hotels that usually not found on other websites. And thanks to the developers also for such a excellent interface.”
One:Night
One:Night is an app that allows you to find last-minute books and check in at 3 p.m. the same day. Download it for iOS and Android.
Here’s what one reviewer says about One:Night: “If you’re into being very spontaneous while traveling & aren’t on a budget, this app is definitely for you! Not great for price-checking or being picky by any means, but is certainly good for those looking for something adventurous on a random night to spice things up.”
HotelTonight
The HotelTonight app is a great way to save money and time on hotel lodgings. Available for iOS and Android, HotelTonight shows you deals for tonight, tomorrow and this week all at the tap of a button.
Here’s what one reviewer says about HotelTonight: “Like it so far. I was referred this app by a Delta flight attendant. I like that it shows me boutique and basic hotels in the same feed. I get a nice selection of hotels. I always check Google to see if I’m getting a good deal and it appears as though I am. I recently booked a last minute stay a really cute hotel in ATL. The prices do fluctuate so I didnt book too far in advance. Although the check in process wasn’t as smooth as other bookings, it all worked out.”
What Is The Best Time To Book A Hotel?
According to NerdWallet, hotel rates were about 13% less expensive when booked 15 days before compared to four months before. Booking last-minute can save travelers an average of $30 per night, the site says.
When Is The Cheapest Day To Book A Hotel?
Although your travel plans may dictate when you need to book your hotel, the Travel Pricing Outlook from Airlines Reporting Corporation and Expedia site that travelers typically get the cheapest hotel rates on Friday nights.
Of course, you can always search for room specials to see if you can get a lower rate.
Final Word
Remember to visit TripAdvisor to read reviews about the places you want to stay. You’ll get candid reviews from real customers who spend money staying there
Always pay for your hotel with a credit card. That way, you have a track record of your transaction. If you pay with cash, there’s a chance that the front desk clerk could be tempted to take the money and run!
To save money, look for the cheapest flights from Atlanta that are on sale. To keep costs down, use these travel hacks to save money and time.
To Atlanta is one of the most convenient places to travel to and from. A large part of that is because Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport is so accessible.
Not only is it the world’s busiest airport, but it’s state-of-the-art in every way. If you’re interested in traveling around Atlanta via car or even on scooter, here’s what to know.
More Articles Like This:
Traveling Soon? Check Out Our International Checklist
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There are few things as exciting as traveling abroad to a foreign country. If that’s in your plans, you’ll want to learn how to do it the right way.
In this article, we’re going to go over everything you need, from the smallest items to the must-have things for your trip.
At the bottom, we’ll also give you a FREE printable essential packing list for all your travel needs. But first, you need to know about general COVID protocols outside of the United States: In most cases, you no longer have to complete a multi-day quarantine after traveling to a destination.
Now let’s go over five things you need to do before your trip.
1. Make Sure Your Passport Is Current
Photo credit: Nicole Honeywill / Sincerely Media / Unsplash The most important thing you’ll need before you leave the country is a valid passport. Contrary to belief, many people think that if their passport expiration date is good at the time of their departure, they’re safe — but that’s not true. Your passport needs to be current for your whole trip, but not only that: The U.S. Department of State recommends that your passport be good for six months after your trip. That way, if something happens, say, you get injured and need to be hospitalized for some time, your stay in the country will remain legal. Here’s where to renew your passport in Atlanta.
2. Call Your Financial Institution
Photo credit: Dane Deaner / Unsplash The second thing you need to do is let your bank know that you’re going out of town. This way, they won’t view any credit card charges or withdrawals in another country as suspicious. Here are the customer service numbers for some major banks:
- Wells Fargo: 1 (800) 869-3557
- JP Morgan Chase: 1 (800) 935-9935
- Citibank: 1 (800) 374-9700
- PNC Bank: 1 (888) 762-2265
- Bank of America: 1 (800) 432-1000
3. Withdraw Some Cash
It’s hard to know how much money you’re going to need for your trip because it’s going to be based on how many days you’ll be there as well as what you’ll do. No matter what the amount, you’re going to need to carry some hard cash so don’t forget to withdraw some before you leave the United States. If you wait to get cash in a foreign country you’re going to unnecessarily subject yourself to some expensive fees. Better yet, get yourself a Charles Schwab account, where all withdrawal fees or free or reimbursed. Here’s how to avoid overdraft fees from your checking account.4. Complete These Home To-Dos
Photo credit: Trung Thanh / Unsplash Around the house you’ll want to take care of some important things while you’re away. Don’t forget to:
- Water the plants
- Turn off the air conditioner or heater
- Turn the porch light on
- Make arrangements for someone to feed your animals
- Set your email to auto-respond
5. Get Travel Insurance
Photo credit: Court Cook / Unsplash If you’re going out of town for a lengthy period, it may make sense to get some travel insurance. The reason why this is important is because it’s a good chance your own medical insurance doesn’t cover out-of-the-country trips. Go to InsureMyTrip.com to compare prices on some of the best policies out there. Now let’s get into the many things you need for an international trip before you leave: Here’s why you need travel insurance right now.
International Travel: Here Is Your Ultimate Pack List
COSMETICS & TOILETRIES CLOTHES & APPAREL ELECTRONICS Toothbrush / Toothpaste / Dental Floss Shoes / Sandals / Flip-Flops Cell Phone / Tablets / Laptops Deodorant / Shampoo / Soap Socks / Underwear / T-Shirts / Panties / Bras Batteries / Adapter Brush Set / Comb Pack Dress Shirts / Casual Shirts Memory Card / Pre-Paid SIM Card Lotion / Gel /Moisturizer Jeans / Shorts / Dresses / Skirts Guidebooks / Maps / E-Books Shaving Razor / Makeup Supplies Jackets / Sweaters Headphones / Ear Buds Don’t Forget The Sunscreen
Protection from the sun is vital when you’re on the beach or just out in the summer heat. You don’t want to get skin cancer or start peeling just from being out and about. Here are some sunscreens that are great for your face.
Safe sea SPF50+ 3.4 oz. Tube Sunscreen – Jellyfish and Sea Lice Protective Lotion
Banana Boat Sport Ultra Reef SafeSun Bum Original SPF 70 Sunscreen Lotion | Vegan and Reef FriendlyReef Safe Sunscreen SPF 30+ All NaturalThinksport SPF 50+ Mineral Sunscreen – SafeGet A Travel Bag That Works For You
Buy
There are good travel bags and there are bag travel bags. You’ll want one that fits the size of carry-on and checked bags. Here are some good ones:
- Women’s Pink Weekender Travel Bag
- Plambag Canvas Duffle Bag
- Samsonite Checked Medium Bag
- Puma Men’s Contender Duffle Bag
- Rockland 19 inch Tote Bag
A Good Camera Is A Must
Buy
If you think that a regular schmegular cell phone will do the job, you’re only partially right. A Pixel 4 or iPhone 11 will give you some great upclose shots, but if you want panoramic shots and photos that show depth, you’ll need a professional camera. Here are some of our favorite travel cameras:
- Digital Vlogging Camera 24 MP Ultra HD
- Canon PowerShot ELPH 90
- Panasonic Lumix FZ80 4K Digital Camera
- Nikon CoolPix B500 Digital Camera
- Sony Alpha A6000 Mirrorless Digital Camera
Last Words
Don’t let the travel season get away from you without thinking seriously about taking a trip abroad.
So you’re thinking about taking a trip abroad. First of all, congratulations! Before you spend any money, you should look into saving as much as you can.
No matter where you go, you’ll want to save money on your trip. If you haven’t purchased your plane tickets yet, here’s how to save money on your next trip.
No matter if you’re traveling out of Atlanta or another international airport, these travel trips will save you money. Now are you ready for your FREE digital gift?FREE DOWNLOAD: PACKING LIST (PDF)
Travel hacks and other tips can help you save big when you’re leaving from Hartsfield. Learn more by sticking to AtlantaFi.com.Read more from AtlantaFi.com: -
Are you ready for Atlanta’s new food hall? Halidom, which means sanctuary in Greek, is opening its doors in East Atlanta this week.
When Is Halidom Opening?
Halidom is having a soft opening May 20-22, 2024. The establishment will use that time to train the staff properly while giving you some tasty dishes you’ll no doubt fall in love with. Halidom’s official opening is May 24.
Halidom comes to us from entrepreneur Hal Blackman, founder of IST Management Services, a tech firm. If you haven’t noticed, the restaurant business has pivoted hard into technology since the pandemic, and that’s good news for food and drink lovers.
The food hall, spread out over two acres just off Moreland Avenue, has more than 300 seats, 11 stalls, and a bar. Its hours of operation are:
- Monday – Thursday 11:00am to 9:00pm
- Friday – Saturday 11:00am to 10:00pm
- Sunday 11:00am to 8:00pm
The food hall has positioned itself as an active partner in the Atlanta foodie’s daily life, hosting a slate of events like Soulful Mondays, Tequila Tuesdays, Wine Down Wednesdays and Brunch La Rose on Sundays.
What Restaurants Are At Halidom?
- Luze Mexicano Cucino
- Mad Dad Phillys cheesesteaks
- Press Waffle Co.
- Locale Island Eats
- Luco’s Brooklyln Pizza
- Mango Indian Grill
- Wasabi Sushi & Ramen
- The French Fry Specialist
- Deallo’s Seafood
- Grind Time Coffee Co.
- Just Dogs ATL
- Bar La Rose
Where Is Halidom Located?
Halidom is located at 1341 Moreland Ave SE Suite 2000, Atlanta, GA 30316. Here’s a map to help you find it.
Final Word
The culinary excellence of Southern food is only part of the reason why Atlanta restaurants are having a moment. New entries into the restaurant entry, including steakhouses, seafood and fast-casual, represent a growing segment of the new Atlanta restaurants
Stay with AtlantaFi.com to learn more about Atlanta food halls and what’s next.
Here are the best new restaurants in Atlanta
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The Atlanta Braves are already one of the best teams in Major League Baseball this year. If you can’t go to the games, you can cheer them on by watching them on a big screen TV at your local bar.
Atlanta’s bar scene has greatly grown over the past few years. We’re going to show you some of the best Atlanta bars to watch the Braes win! You can watch the Braves game today or any other day, sign up for FuboTV and watch for free.
Here Are The Best Atlanta Bars To Watch Braves
These watering holes as well as bars, taverns and food halls have some of the best food as well, so you can enjoy these bowl match-ups.
Your 3rd Spot
400 Chattahoochee Row NW, Atlanta, GA 30318 | (770) 230-3033
Photo credit: Your 3rd Spot Here’s what one customer says about Your 3rd Spot. “Hands down the BEST customer service I have experienced! Jessica, our event planner was always on top of everything and accommodated all of my requests for my daughter and son in laws event. Our server for the night I believe her name was Sabrina (sorry!) she was phenomenal, everyone always had a drink, checked on us through out the evening and always with a smile!
“The food: WOW, just wow. I can not say enough about the food here. Friends and family raved about it the next day.”Box Car
1000 White St SW, Atlanta, GA 30310, (470) 788-8171
Box Car is a Hop City concept that sits right off the Beltline in Atlanta’s West End neighborhood. The place can be electric during big game nights, so come early.
Hawkers Asian Street Fare
661 Auburn Ave NE Suite 180, Atlanta, GA 30312, (470) 809-1586
Speaking about the Beltine line: Hawkers has become a go-to place for sports events in Midtown. Add to the equation the Asian street food, and you’ve got a winner.
Fado Irish Pub
933 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, (404) 260-7910
Fado Irish Pub is place to be to watch the game and down a Guinness pint at the same time. The Midtown location as well as one at The Shops at Buckhead.
Dantanna’s
3400 Around Lenox Rd #304, Atlanta, GA 30326, (404) 760-8873
Dantanna’s restaurant features an upscale spot to watch the game and enjoy some top-notch food. Located in Buckhead, Dantanna’s has an extensive menu with spirited drinks and a rowdy atmosphere — perfect for watching the games!
STATS Brewpub
300 Marietta St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313, (404) 885-1472
The go-to sports bar in downtown Atlanta, STATS is a short walk from the Omni, CNN Center and College Football Hall of Fame. Inside the brewpub, customers can try their hand at tabletop beer taps and exquisite food with screens all around to watch the games.One Google reviewer says: “This place was incredible! Service was excellent, food was amazing! There were so many delicious looking things on the menu that my waitress had to help me out with a recommendation. I’m glad I listened to her, the BBQ Brisket Burger was out of this world. The fries were really good too. And then she talked me into getting the key lime pie, it was every bit as good as everything else was. I will definitely go back whenever I’m in Atlanta again.”Hooters in downtown Atlanta
209 Peachtree St. NE Atlanta, Ga 30303
Located in the heart of downtown Atlanta, Hooters is especially designed for big sports games. Because of its high-profile location, this downtown Atlanta Hooters regularly gets Atlanta fans as well as that of the opposing teams.The U Bar
3515 Camp Creek Pkwy #50-70, East Point, GA 30344 |(404) 349-2301
The premiere sports bar at Camp Creek, the U Bar features cool music, wings specials in a club environment that is packed on the weekends.One Google reviewer says: “Pretty lit. Moreso a place to socialize, eat and watch games. Music was good . You can dance but Its not a club. Hoped this helped. Oh and 10 for women 20 for me. I heard they have good wings.”Popular party spot with sports, DJs & dancing, with drink specials & a full menu for dining.The Tavern
3560 Camp Creek Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30344 | (404) 349-9285
The Tavern, known as Camp Creek’s OTHER sports bar, has events almost every weekday night, including karaoke, drink specials and more.One Google reviewer says: “The lemon pepper and hot mixed wings are AMAZING. I also enjoy their karaoke nights which are live and many patrons participate so it makes me feel okay because I can’t sing to save my life. I’d definitely recommend checking them out on Wednesday night and enjoy the atmosphere.”Hudson Grille
942 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309 | (404) 892-0892
Hudson Grille has three locations in Atlanta, one downtown, one in Midtown and the other one in Brookhaven. Huge TV screens at every turn and good food make this one of the best Atlanta sports bars to enjoy the game.One Google reviewer says: “Food is always great along with service and overall atmosphere. I personally come here frequently during football season because it is home to Raven Nation South, located in the upstairs area of the bar. I love the sports atmosphere that Hudson Grill provides.”Yard House
261 19th St NW #1100, Atlanta, GA (404) 815-8990
Thanks to an awesome Midtown location (there’s another one at The Battery next to SunTrust Park) and above-average beverage program, Yard House at Atlantic Station has a devoted following among sports fans. The stylish sports bar’s patio is a great people-watching spot and the burgers, steaks and tacos on the menu make this place a must-visit to watch the NFL playoffs.One Google reviewer explains why this is one of the best sports bars in Atlanta: “Happening place with excellent food! You just can’t go wrong with Yard House. We visit Atlanta every year at Christmas time, and Yard House has become a family tradition. The menu is extensive and everything we’ve tried has been delicious! They have an excellent Happy Hour … that includes a HUGE selection of 1/2 price appetizers. I think we have literally ordered everything on the happy hour menu! You can’t beat the price!”
Topgolf
1600 Ellsworth Industrial Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30318, (404) 475-4000
Topgolf caters not to the golf fan so much, but the sports fan. With flat-screen TVs at every station, you can swing clubs or sit back and enjoy your game when you want it. Inside at the bar, you can see multiple screens from several vantage points while you eat and drink.Here’s why one Google reviewer says this is one of the best sports bars in Atlanta:: “This is a really fun place for all age groups. If golf is not your thing, they also offer table tennis or ping pong upstairs and pool tables downstairs. The putting area is spacious. Of course it is outdoors, but they offer large heat lamps directly over the seating area. There are two levels to the seating area. The first is a high bar with chairs. The second is a u-shaped outdoor sofa with a center table. All food and drink orders can be placed from your bay. For each game, each player gets 20 chances to “put the ball in the hole”. You can take all 20 swings in a row or rotate players as you’d like. If you aren’t interested in playing any of the game options, you can also dine in or have a round at the bar. Enjoy!”
Taco Mac
933 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, (678) 904-7211
With eight locations in Atlanta, including in Midtown on Peachtree and in Dunwoody, Taco Mac is a sports fan’s favorite place to watch the NBA playoffs or any sports event. Featuring the most expansive beer menu of any Atlanta sports bar, Taco Mac is the perfect place to enjoy a craft beer, malt, ale or IPA with your buffalo wings.One Google reviewer says: “Fast and delicious food. Live music on Friday night. Very personable servers. Really great fajitas. They are very open to accommodate changes to menu. One of my favorite places to eat.”Read more: 5 essential soul food spots in Atlanta
If you’re a health nut and want more local healthy food choices, perhaps you’ll be interested in our Guide to Local Farmers Markets.
More Food Coverage:
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With the making of a new Hulu documentary about Freaknik, the roving street party is getting more attention than it has in 30 years.
Freaknik — Freaknik (/ˈfriːknɪk/; originally Freaknic) is a 1980s-90s era annual spring break party for black college students that grew into one of the largest rolling street parties in America.
The documentary is set to be released in the coming weeks, but there’s a lot to unpack.
Freaknik: How It Began
This article will provide an unofficial history of Freaknik, the famous and infamous rolling party that snared Atlanta traffic and turned highways into parking lots and dance floors.
The origins of what would become Freaknik can be traced to 1983, when dance clubs made up of students from the Atlanta University Center began throwing parties. This was the height of the pop-locking craze and a few years after aspiring filmmaker Spike Lee had left the AU Center’s Morehouse College.
One group in particular, the D.C. Metro Club, conceived of a party coinciding with spring break in April. It’s name was “Freaknic,” a play on the words “freak” and “picnic.”
Party flyer from the early 1980s.
The president of the D.C. Metro Club, Schuyla Goodson, is credited with coming up with the term “Freaknik” on the grounds of Spelman College.
There is some debate over where the inaugural Freaknic was held, but many say it was at John A. White Park near the AU Center.
The first “Freaknic” party was attended by around 150 people and became an annual event, but the D.C. Metro Club got in trouble with Spelman College. Then-President Johnetta B. Cole banned the group for the legal risk that Freaknic posed as the parties grew larger and larger.
Through the late 1980s, AU Center officials tried to sanitize the event, renaming it “Black College Spring Break,” with an obvious appeal to HBCUs in the MEAC, SWAC and various small black colleges and universities scattered around the South.
As the number of visitors to Atlanta began to swell each year, the behavior of the attendees began to worsen. As does everything in the South, the discussion began to take on racial undertones and then overtones.
“Most of the white establishment wanted Freaknik to end pronto,” said Fred Richard, a Grambling State University alumni, who now lives in suburban Atlanta after going to grad school at Clark. “We partied so hard in Atlanta because we didn’t want to go to Daytona Beach; we wanted to have fun here like they were doing in Florida.”
Race Becomes A Factor
Atlanta’s African-American lawmakers, all the way from council-men and -women to others in high positions around the city’s mayor, tried to balance their obligations to keep law and order by extending a welcome mat to the party-goers, which were overwhelmingly black.
But news broadcasts would often lead with the arrests and images of rowdy behavior from the crowds of students in town for the raucous weekend. Resentment from residents in Atlanta’s top neighborhoods slowly began to boil as negative news reports about Freaknik began to circulate.
The issue was illustrated best by then-Councilwoman Carolyn Long Banks, who told the Times, “There is a fear of the congregating of more than one or two black people in any given area. It has become a racial issue for some of the neighborhoods. These kids are the black cream of the crop, and if they are not treated well, there is little hope for the rest of us.”
In the early 1990s, the AU Center dance clubs, fraternities and sororities all tried to milquetoast the “Freaknik” name — downplay it and rebrand it “Freedom Fest was one attempt) — but it was too late. College officials, engaged in feeble attempts to refocus the then-highly sexualized party weekend, tried bonding it to a job fair, step shows and other collegiate events, but to no avail.
Music And More Began To Change
In 1990 and 1991, Freaknik was still just another black spring break function, the likes of which students at Winston-Salem and Norfolk, Virginia, were used to.But by the end of 1991, a wave of misogyny would sweep through rap and hip-hop music. Instead of the conscious, pro-black vibes that came to characterize much of the popular music, the tunes turned to darker themes, often fueled by weed smoke.“The music definitely played a role in how people started acting,” Wilson said. “Instead of bumping Public Enemy or listening to some words by Sistah Soulja, gangsta rap exploded. Everybody was on that NWA, West Coast, all that stuff.”But it wasn’t just gangsta rap. Florida’s Miami bass, New York’s lyrical hip-hop and the South’s own SouthernPlayalistic vibes were all contributing. You can’t have a party without the music.Another culprit was the mob mentality: A common scene for Freaknik was to see a jam -packed street with people on the hoods of the cars and loud music. Women would be dancing on the cars or next to one and they would be surrounded by ogling and touchy-feely men with video cameras.“In a lot of ways, what set Freaknik off in the early 1990s was the videotape footage. Like the videotape beating of Rodney King that set off riots, when people from all these different cities came back home and showed their friends the video footage of Freaknik, it exploded.”
According to media estimates, about 100,000 people attended Freaknik in 1993. The next year, that numbered had doubled to 200,000 although arrests were cut in half.As Olympics Neared, Atlanta Wrestled With Its Image
At the crux of many civic debates, was this question: What kind of city was Atlanta trying to be? A party city or one that was brand-safe for big business?
“You have to understand,” said Tony Robinson, a barber from Atlanta, who went to Clark Atlanta in the late 1980s. “In the early 1990s, Atlanta was in the midst of remaking itself for the Olympics.”
In 1994 and 1995, the city was being flooded with new money and was trying to put on its best face. But this rolling black street party would churn through every year and make national headlines for all the wrong reasons.
A New York Times article from that time says, “Young people showing off their late-model luxury cars in caravans tied up major arteries for about five miles north of downtown. But the police managed to channel most of the impromptu motorcades out of residential areas. Mayor Campbell acknowledged that “there were no streets which could contain the cars and the young people’s determination to stay in their cars and to see and be seen.”When visitors began to pour into Lenox Square, the mall of Atlanta’s wealthy, the affluent residents began to complain about the traffic outside the structure. Instead of a place to shop, the weekend brought thousands of people-watchers and rowdy behavior.Atlanta’s City Council and Mayor Bill Campbell, who was elected in 1994, began to get criticized for allowing the city to be overrun with “hoodlums” and party-goers who would go inside stores to gaze but wouldn’t shop.
Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell in 1996.
Tug Of War: Atlanta Politics Meets Freaknik
The city’s white business leaders began to push for an all-out ban on Freaknik, putting tremendous pressure on Atlanta’s black leadership, which was starting to feel the heat.In front of the microphones, Atlanta’s black leaders were politically correct when asked questions about Freaknik and public safety.“We welcome anybody coming to this event who is law-abiding,” said Atlanta Police Chief Beverly Harvard. “We will not tolerate the violation of this city.”
Privately many of them wondered how long they could last as political piñatas.
“If our event goes poorly as a result of the Freaknik crowd, it would seriously jeopardize my ability to come back,” Campbell said in March 1995, one month before the event. “So Atlanta does have a lot riding on the success of this.”
Freaknik: Business and Residential Resistance
One neighborhood, Inman Park, even sued the city to keep it off-limits from visitors. Spurred by Atlanta’s business elite, the City of Atlanta began to turn against Freaknik at least to some degree. Some Atlanta students said race was a major factor.Quoted by the Washington Post at the time, Samuel Bell Jr., who was student body president at Clark Atlanta University, said, “These students are, supposedly, the future leaders of our nation, and what are they saying, that we’re going to loot and pillage the village? It’s an atrocity.”The city responded by denying permits to party organizers and offering underwhelming support to the few activities that happened to be sponsored. Police officers blocked entry into whole neighborhoods and made some streets one ways around the AU Center.“Remember, this wasn’t Miami. This wasn’t Jacksonville or even Galveston, where there’s a beach. Atlanta is all asphault,” said Robinson. “Half of the city — and you know which half — just couldn’t understand what all these black people were doing down here.”Inside City Hall, leaders tried to soften the mayor’s stance, saying that the students should be welcomed by the city, but that their energy should be channeled into a more positive direction.C.T. Martin, an elder statesman on the city council, said then, “I understand the mayor’s predicament, but this is the home of Martin Luther King and six black institutions of higher learning, and we owe it to the parents of these young people to cradle their children while they are here.”Atlanta Turns On Freaknik
“There is nothing for people to do,” Lori Dodson, a Spelman student at the time, told the Times. “We had events scheduled but we had to cancel them because of the city.”While there was sporadic violence connected to the event each year, Atlanta officials touted the success of letting students flock to the city, but kept them driving in circles by routing them to the highways and away from prestigious areas. Faced with no where to go, many revelers congregated in parking lots and just partied in their cars and on the streets.To save face, Atlanta officials stopped providing the press with crowd estimates, which would only fuel the naysayers. Still, the police would shut down around 200 blocks of city streets to curtail cruisers during the three-day weekend.“They tried to stop it before it got started,” Corey Griffin, a reveler from Dalton, Georgia, told the Times at the time. “I think it’s nice to come down here and spend some money. But I felt I was unwanted.”Soon Campbell and city officials made it ther mission to deny any permit associated with the words “Freaknik” or “Freaknic.”As the 1990s closed, Freaknik became a shadow of itself and all but died out except for the occasional brash party promoter.“Few issues in the city of Atlanta have been as divisive in the last 10 years,″ Campbell told the Associated Press in 1998. “It is a very difficult weekend even under the best of circumstances.″“In Atlanta, Freaknik became a curse word,” said Monica Wilson, who traveled to the annual party each year from 1993 to 1996 as a student at Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.With no public safety support, sponsors or organizers, Freaknik, seen as a headless monster, began to unravel and die out.Final Word
What began as a party for collegians quickly morphed into a weekend of unabashed street partying. Among the city’s business leaders, the sentiment was that Atlanta was built for a lot of things, but it wasn’t built for that.Crowds particularly gathered around city landmarks like Underground Atlanta, Piedmont Park, Old National Highway, the AU Center and Peachtree Street, the city’s main vein.All but dead, now the name “Freaknik” still pops up every now and then, but it’s in reference to its heyday, circa 1994 and ’95. It is the party that time forgot. -
If you like to nerd out on the scientific things in life, then you’ll love the Atlanta Science Festival. The event, presented by Delta Air Lines, is one of the best festivals in Atlanta.
When Is The Atlanta Science Festival?
The Atlanta Science Festival takes place March 9 – 23 this year and promises to be a science-filled adventure.
Here’s what’s in store if you decide to attend the festival.
GEORGIA TECH SCIENCE & ENGINEERING DAY
Saturday, 03/09/2024 – 10:00am to 2:00pm
Kickoff the 2024 Atlanta Science Festival with Georgia Tech!
Whether you’re interested in robotics, brains, biology, space, art, nanotechnology, paper, computer science, wearables, bioengineering, chemical engineering, or systems engineering, there will be activities for you!
Visit campus for hands-on STEAM activities, exhibits, demonstrations, opportunities to meet student researchers, learn about the research, and so much more happening at Tech.ANIMALS IN MOTION: BIOMECHANICS DAY AT ZOO ATLANTA
Saturday, 03/09/2024 – 11:00am to 12:00pm
Ever wonder how orangutans swing, or how an elephant trunk works? Join us at Zoo Atlanta to celebrate the diversity of animals on Earth and the incredible ways they move. With help from biomechanics experts at Georgia Tech, guests can participate in live demonstrations and presentations sure to generate excitement about biomechanics and applications in Bio-inspired Design.
ATLANTA FERMENTATION FESTIVAL
Sunday, 03/10/2024 – 12:00pm to 7:00pm
For the love of fermentation! Fermentation Fest in conjunction with Atlanta Science Festival is a family event providing education, hands-on fun, and a diverse experience for all ages.
TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 2024
ADVENTURE LAB AT MASON MILL
Tuesday, 03/12/2024 – 7:00am to 7:00pm
You are invited on a secret adventure on the trails of Mason Mill Park. The Adventure Lab app will guide you to special natural and historic sites in the forest. Using your phone’s GPS technology and your brain, locate the secret destinations, learn about nature, and answer a question to prove you were there.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 2024
ADVENTURE LAB AT MASON MILL
Wednesday, 03/13/2024 – 7:00am to 7:00pm
You are invited on a secret adventure on the trails of Mason Mill Park. The Adventure Lab app will guide you to special natural and historic sites in the forest. Using your phone’s GPS technology and your brain, locate the secret destinations, learn about nature and more.
Those are just some of the things you’ll learn at the Atlanta Science Festival. Check out the full schedule.
Final Word
The Festival is brought to you by Science ATL and community partners, with generous support from presenting sponsor Delta Air Lines, founding partners Emory University, Georgia Tech, and the Metro Atlanta Chamber, as well as other sponsors like NCR Foundation, UPS, Lenz Marketing, Cox Enterprises, Kennesaw State University, Lockheed Martin, Mercer University, and many more.
Atlanta has a thriving cultural, food, sports and music scene, with venues like the Tabernacle and the Fox Theatre hosting concerts and shows throughout the year. The city is also home to the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and the Atlanta Opera, offering world-class performances for music lovers.
Atlanta has a lot of cool things to do and places to eat, including some of the top soul food joints and remarkable Thai food spots. Explore the city.
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Atlanta’s history is full of treasures that are still with us in one form or another. One of the more astonishing relics from the Jim Crow era is The Negro Travelers’ Green Book: The Guide to Travel and Vacations.
The Green Book was an important part of American-American safety during a period of oppression, racism and discrimination.
The book was first published in 1954 by New York City’s Victor Hugo Green, an African-American who was a mailman and travel writer based in Harlem.
In this article we’re going to look at the most famous Atlanta locations mentioned in The Green Book.
Here Are All The Green Book Locations In Atlanta
Atlanta played a pivotal role in Green Book locations for hotels, restaurants, beauty salons and barber shops.
This list is not an exhaustive one showing all of the Atlanta locations. For that, we recommend you buy the literal Green Book to benefit its publisher. Here it is below:
Not unsurprisingly, many of these sites were located in the Sweet Auburn district. This area was a black section of the city just east of downtown that thrived amid Jim Crow.
Hotel Royal
214 Auburn Ave NE Atlanta, Ga
This hotel located in the Citizens Trust Bank building was originally called the McKay Hotel, but was changed in 1949 to Hotel Royal.One year later, Carrie Cunningham, a former circus performer, bought the Top Hat Club and renamed it Royal Peacock. Under the control of “Mama” Cunningham, it became a top-tier music venue on the “Chitlin Circuit.”Cunningham’s daughter Delois Scott said this about the famed Auburn Avenue institution: ““In some of the articles that have been written about the Royal Peacock, it has been likened to the Apollo, but the Peacock was the Peacock, and the Apollo was the Apollo, in my estimation. Everybody calls the Royal Peacock the ‘incubator’ for artists. When Little Richard first started playing here, he was an unknown. When Ray Charles was first starting out and unknown, he played here. James Brown, unknown. Gladys Knight and Pips, unknown. Nat King Cole played here before he even started singing. He was just playing piano in the Nat King Cole Trio — I have the picture, from those days before he sang.”The Royal Peacock would become a top venue for live performances in the South. The likes of Etta James and more would stop by to hone their skills on their rise to stardom.‘Mack Hotel’
548 Bedford Place, Atlanta, Ga. 30312
Bedford Place no longer exists. It is now Central Park Place and lofts and apartment complexes dot the landscape. This street is in the heart of Midtown Atlanta’s Old Fourth Ward.Bedford Place used to be a longtime residential area for blacks under the poverty line. Nearby, there are still some pockets of disenfranchisement that exist.‘Shaw Hotel’
245 Auburn Avenue, Atlanta, Ga.
Photo credit: Google Maps From its address, this building appears to be part of a block of buildings constructed by black millionaire entrepreneur and former slave Alonzo Herndon, the founder of the Atlanta Life Insurance Company.In the Green Book, the listing says “Shaw” for reasons not apparent. I have not been able to find a “Shaw Hotel” in any historical information.Butler Street YMCA
22 Jesse Hill Jr Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30303
Photo credit: aaregistry.com The Butler Street YMCA was known as the “Black City Hall” for much of its existence. In addition to being a meeting place for the city’s black leaders, The Y had some mean basketball going on inside.So much so that a Butler Street YMCA team often scheduled against collegians, according to the Black Fives Foundation, a historical group.Butler Street was later renamed in honor of civil rights activist and businessman Jesse Hill, who actually lived at the YMCA for a time.Waluhaje Hotel Apartments
Photo credit: Google Maps The Waluhaje Hotel Apartments were constructed by Atlanta developer Walter H. “Chief” Aiken in the early 1950s.
The name Waluhaje originated came from combining the first two letters of the names of Aikens (Walter), his wife (Lucy), and two of her siblings (Hazel and Jefferson), according to AtlantaTimeMachine.com.This building now serves as home offices for the Atlanta Job Corps.Suttons restaurant
Photo credit: Google Maps Suttons was a restaurant known across the country as a place African-Americans could get a good home-cooked meal.It was owned by one Scottie Sutton, who was affectionately called “Ma” Sutton.Here’s an account from the book, “Living Atlanta: An Oral History of the City, 1914-1948” by Clifford M. Kuhn on Ma Sutton told by one Horace Sinclair:“They called her Ma Sutton,” recalls Sinclair. “Everybody all over the country would come to Atlanta and go get a decent meal at Ma Sutton’s. She would really set the table. You’d get everything on the table just like you would be at home, serve yourself. You’d have meats and vegetables of all kinds, light rolls, cornbread, coffee, milk or tea. She’d even put preserves on the table, all that stuff.”Paschals Bros restaurant
180 Northside Dr SW #B, Atlanta, GA 3031
837 Hunter St. Atlanta, Ga.
Photo credit: Google Maps The most famous black restaurant in Atlanta, Paschals traces its roots back to 1947. That’s when brothers James and Robert Paschal opened their first location at 831 West Hunter Street.Paschals became an unofficial meeting place for the civil rights movement.Today Paschals is located on Northside Drive in Castleberry Hill section of downtown Atlanta. The famed eatery is one of the best black-owned restaurants in Atlanta.‘The Blackeret’
848 Mayson Turner Rd, Atlanta Ga. 30314
The Blackeret was a tavern located on Mayson Turner Road not far from black Atlanta’s educational center of colleges and universities.
Poro Beauty Parlor
250 Auburn Avenue, Atlanta, Ga. 30303
Photo credit: Google Maps The Poro Beauty Parlor sprang up at 250 Auburn Avenue when Ella Martin moved o Atlanta in 1930.
Martin was a representative of the Poro Beauty College founded by black cosmetics pioneer Annie Malone out of St. Louis, according to the book “Historical Roots of the Urban Crisis: Blacks in the Industrial City 1900-1950.”
None other than Madame C.J. Walker began her career in beauty products as a selling agent for Malone’s Poro business. Walker would go on to build her own hair care empire within the African-American community and the world.
Walker’s impact on the U.S. hair care industry is undebatable. Right off Auburn Avenue, the Madam CJ Walker Museum sits at 54 Hilliard St NE, Atlanta, GA 30312.
Atlanta Daily World
145 Auburn Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30303
Photo credit: Google Maps The Atlanta Daily World, the city’s oldest black newspaper, has a long and rich history of documenting the plight of African-Americans and the world around them. This was also a place of unrequited truth for blacks traveling through town looking for some news.
The newspaper was founded August 5, 1928 by William Alexander Scott II, a 26-year-old wonderkid with keen business sense.
Headquartered on Auburn Avenue, Scott would go on to circulate The Chattanooga Tribune, The Memphis World, and The Chattanooga Tribune, establishing the first chain of African American newspapers.
Final Thought
Auburn Avenue has been overshadowed lately by other streets with headline-grabbing development, but it holds a special place in the hearts of native Atlantans.
If you have a chance to visit, patronize one of the businesses on Auburn Avenue. Stop in and take a look at The Apex Museum or other historical places there.
And don’t forget to read the book below.
In the 1950s, Auburn Avenue was once known as “the richest Negro street in the world.” The moniker “Sweet Auburn” was purportedly coined by John Wesley Dobbs, the grandfather of the city’s first black mayor Maynard Jackson.
The rest, as they say, is history.
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