Brian Nagele
Atlanta’s brunch scene is a delightful fusion of flavors and traditions, and the city’s best brunch restaurant is the place where mornings are transformed into culinary adventures. These restaurants offer a delicious exploration of the world of mid-morning cuisine, where traditional fare and creative creations coexist peacefully. Atlanta’s mid-morning dining establishments have a wide variety to offer, whether your craving is for fluffy stacks of pancakes drenched in maple syrup, perfectly poached eggs benedict, or savory Southern biscuits and gravy. The atmosphere is just as inviting, featuring cozy nooks for a leisurely meal, colorful patios for alfresco dining, and elegant areas that turn mid-morning meals into special occasions. Come along as we discover Atlanta’s best places to eat in the morning, where every bite is a taste of delight and mornings are meant to be savored.
Cultivate Food and Coffee
1952 Howell Mill Rd NW Suite 200, Atlanta, GA 30318
404-600-2964
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Cultivate Food and Coffee is known for its positive and welcoming atmosphere. No less important than that, the coffee shop turned restaurant is also known for its delightful breakfasts and strong coffee. Cultivate strives to give back to the community and is a great place to stay and hang out or study once you’re done eating. Cultivate has amazing breakfasts, including a chicken biscuit with fried chicken, homemade pimento cheese, and peach pepper jelly. Every aspect of the meal is made in-house or locally sourced. If you’re craving coffee as well, the golden turmeric and honey latte is an amazing pair with any breakfast on the menu.
Atlanta Breakfast Club
249 Ivan Allen Jr Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
470-428-3825
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The Atlanta Breakfast Club is the epitome of morning soul food. Owned by Good Food & Company, Atlanta Breakfast Club offers the best of southern breakfast: chicken and waffles, homemade grits, and anything you can imagine on a biscuit! I highly recommend the fried chicken and waffles breakfast – it’s delicious. Located right across from the Georgia Aquarium and the Coca-Cola museum, the ABC is the perfect place to stop with kids before a day out. It serves breakfast and lunch, but the specialty items are brunch foods. If you are looking for an Atlanta brunch place that serves all the southern favorites, Atlanta Breakfast Club is an ideal way to start your day!
Bread & Butterfly
290 Elizabeth St NE F, Atlanta, GA 30307
678-515-4536
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For a chic, classy little European cafe, look no further than Bread & Butterfly. Near the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library on the northeast corner of the city, it’s the perfect spot for a light breakfast. The restaurant is open for breakfast through late lunch. They offer a special pre-dinner service called L’apero, two hours of hors d’oeuvres, and half-price wine. For brunch, however, Bread & Butterfly makes exceptional food. The highlights are baked goods and coffee drinks. Their croissants and croissant sandwiches will make you think you’re in a French street cafe, and the ambiance only adds to this feeling.
Canoe
4199 Paces Ferry Rd SE, Atlanta, GA 30339
770-432-2663
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While several of these restaurants are in downtown Atlanta, Canoe offers an experience that’s a bit less urban. It sits on the Chattahoochee River on the outskirts of Atlanta proper. The grounds and atmosphere add to the simple elegance of the Canoe. This place is so resplendent, it’s also featured in our article on the best Atlanta restaurants overall! However, the real appeal of this restaurant is the food. Head chef Matthew Basford is the winner of several cooking awards from his native Australia and was a large part of Canoe’s recent induction into the Nation’s Restaurant News Hall of Fame. Anything on the menu is great, but I highly recommend the smoked salmon eggs benedict (with citrus hollandaise!).
Buttermilk Kitchen
4225 Roswell Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30342
678-732-3274
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Suzanne Vizethanne, the founder and chef of Buttermilk Kitchen, created this restaurant with one goal: to feed people locally and sustainably. Buttermilk Kitchen does this to perfection – from the homemade jams to the waffles, everything here is delicious. I especially recommend their grit bowls – instead of just regular grits and cheese, Buttermilk adds poached eggs, vegetables, and even eggs in some of their bowls. If grits aren’t your thing, the biscuit basket is the way to go – three different kinds of biscuits with homemade jams and butter. In addition to their regular menu, Buttermilk has both a vegan and gluten-free menu to cater to dietary restrictions.
Flying Biscuit Cafe
1655 McLendon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307
404-687-8888
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The Flying Biscuit Cafe has garnered several awards, including the Best of Atlanta award from three separate companies. It’s been around for over 25 years and continues to garner praise in both of its Atlanta locations. The restaurant also offers catering services, so you can bring the biscuits and grits to your events. The Flying Biscuit Cafe specializes in one thing: biscuits. The biscuits and gravy is served with eggs and house-made potatoes. However, the other menu items are also worth trying; you can’t miss the shrimp and grits combo or the salmon scramble!
Corner Bakery Cafe
3368 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30326
404-816-5100
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The Corner Bakery in North Atlanta is a great place to stop on your way in or out of town. If you’re not planning on staying in the center of the city, this little cafe is a great place to have breakfast before exploring the parks around the city. The Corner Bakery provides customers with classic American breakfast fare. Whether you want an egg scramble, a breakfast panini, or yogurt and granola, Corner Bakery has something for everyone. The restaurant also offers larger family platters and serves lunch as well (if you’re getting lunch, try the bacon and tomato mac and cheese).
Ticonderoga Club
99 Krog St NE W, Atlanta, GA 30307
404-458-4534
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The Ticonderoga Club is a legendary Atlantean restaurant located inside another Atlanta landmark. Krog Street Market is a historic building, has housed everything from a stove factory to Tyler Perry’s Atlanta studio. One of its most popular vendors is the Ticonderoga Club, which is open for reservations every day of the week except Sunday. Ticonderoga features seafood and pub classics (their steak is to die for), accompanied by some of the best-mixed drinks in Atlanta. Since the pandemic, Ticonderoga has started offering a Ticon-to-go Club with on-the-go drinks and meals for takeout. This restaurant is known for dinner, but their brunch menu is also fantastic!
Home Grown
968 Memorial Dr. SE, Atlanta, GA 30316
404-222-0455
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Home Grown prides itself on being straight from the backyard. Like the name, the restaurant is down to earth and easy to enjoy! The founders’ dream was to create a unique breakfast place that was completely sustainable and community-friendly, but also affordable. With Home Grown, they’ve truly accomplished that – the restaurant is amazing and inexpensive. Because Home Grown locally sources all of its ingredients, the menu rotates throughout the year. Far from being a downside, this practice only means that you can go back endlessly and always find something delicious to eat. Whenever you go, you’re guaranteed a fun and creative breakfast with lots of fresh veggies!
Murphy’s
997 Virginia Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30306
404-872-0904
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Tom Murphy’s restaurant specializes in dinner and brunch. The restaurant has the feel of a city favorite with the prices of a suburb. Brunch offerings include crab cake benedict, chilaquiles, quiches, and more. I especially recommend the mushroom, tomato, and goat cheese quiche – it’s delicious. Brunch is only available on Saturdays and Sundays at Murphy’s, but it’s worth the wait! During the week, they offer lunch and dinner (if you’re hungry, the steak is amazing, and the french fries are worth an extra order). Murphy’s is currently open for dine-in, but reservations are required. The patio is also lovely on a summer or fall day!
South City Kitchen
1144 Crescent Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
404-873-7358
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South City Kitchen is right in midtown Atlanta, making it central to most of Atlanta’s larger attractions. However, South City Kitchen is an attraction of its own right – if you’re near on a Saturday or Sunday, you won’t want to miss this amazing brunch location. South City’s brunch menu (only available on the weekends) includes classics such as grits, waffles, and frittatas. It’s the specialties that stand out, though! The she-crab soup and fried green tomatoes are a great way to start a meal. If you’re a mimosa fan, the mango mimosa is delicious. But for a different cocktail, try the bloody mary – it’s spicier than any you’ve had before!
The General Muir
1540 Avenue Pl B-230, Atlanta, GA 30329
678-927-9131
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If you’re looking for a more New York approach to brunch, General Muir is a great option. It’s a classic deli-style restaurant, complete with sandwiches, subs, and brunch food. General Muir is the name of the ship that brought the restaurant’s co-owners grandparents to America over sixty years ago, and the food lives up to that legacy. General Muir has two locations, one in Atlanta and one in Sandy Springs, Georgia. The Atlanta location has a bakery attached, and it’s worth visiting for a loaf of their rye bread. If you’re going for brunch, I can’t get over the pecan-crusted french toast (with spiced honey butter and bananas!).
Thumbs Up Diner
573 Edgewood Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30312
404-223-0690
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The Thumbs Up Diner has seven locations, three of which are in Atlanta proper. Their headquarters, however, is located right downtown Atlanta in the historic district. It serves classic breakfast and brunch options with skillets, hash browns, and waffles and is worth a stop if you’re in downtown Atlanta! For classic diner food in a great location, you can’t go wrong with the Thumbs Up Diner. I love the build your breakfast for its versatility, as well as the fried catfish and grits for the fact that it’s fried catfish and grits. Thumbs Up is part of historic Atlanta, and rightfully so!
Folk Art
465 North Highland Avenue Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30307
404-537-4492
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Folk Art is another restaurant that lives up to its name. There is local art on every wall, and the whole restaurant feels like it’s a part art gallery, part home. Folk Arts is known for original flavors and hearty meals – the restaurant has been featured on Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives and remains a local favorite. There are lots of restaurants that serve chicken and waffles. However, Folk Art’s might just be the best. Their twist on this southern classic involves a peach and whiskey compote and is absolutely to die for. If you’re going for lunch, you must try a burger. You might have to wait a bit if you’re at the original restaurant, but it’s worth it!
Ria’s Bluebird
421 Memorial Dr. SE, Atlanta, GA 30312
404-521-3737
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Ria’s Bluebird is an adorable little brunch and lunch place not too far from the Atlanta Zoo and Grant Park. The restaurant is a local favorite for very good reason. Ria’s Bluebird has weekly specials that are always good, no matter what they are. Ria’s Bluebird is only open on the weekends but makes it up with their incredible breakfast (and lunch) options. If you’re vegan or vegetarian, the tofu scramble is amazing. It has spicy tofu, black beans, grilled tomatoes, broccoli, pickled onion, and vegan pesto. However, if you prefer meat, I can’t recommend the brisket breakfast enough!
West Egg Cafe
1100 Howell Mill Rd, Atlanta, GA 30318
404-872-3973
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Inspired by the famous West Egg from F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, The West Egg Cafe lives up to its name in sumptuous fare and classy setting. It serves classic southern comfort food in a chic and modern setting. Complete with bar stools, a coffee bar, and daily specials, the West Egg Cafe has earned its place on this list and in Atlanta. West Egg offers traditional Southern food such as biscuits and gravy or shrimp and grits. Their biscuits are incredible, and it’s possible to build your own biscuit meal from the menu. They currently offer contactless options for dine-in and amazing coffee and mimosas (although, sadly, the mimosas do not have unlimited refills).
Highland Bakery
655 Highland Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30312
404-586-0772
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Most of the brunch places on this list started as breakfast or lunch restaurants and grew to focus on brunch. Highland Bakery, on the other hand, has always focused on the sweeter side of mornings. They serve breakfast and lunch all day, and the baked goods are extra delicious when they’re fresh out of the oven. In addition to muffins, cupcakes, and some amazing sweet potato pancakes, Highland Bakery makes incredible fried chicken, which they add to almost everything. The fried chicken eggs benedict, fried chicken biscuit sandwich, and (of course) fried chicken and waffles are all excellent choices for breakfast at Highland.
The Nook at Piedmont Park
1144 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
404-745-9222
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If you’re looking for a place with a lot of character and multiple awards, look no further than the Nook in Midtown. The Nook’s bloody mary has been awarded “best bloody mary in Atlanta” by the Huffington Post and Thrillist, and it doesn’t disappoint. In addition to the food, the atmosphere of the restaurant has received accolades – the Nook boasts “Midtown’s Best Patio!” While the Nook only offers brunch on Saturdays and Sundays, you won’t want to miss out on the weekday specials as well! They have Trivia Wednesday, Taco Tuesday, and half-price wine Monday (and in my opinion, all of those are worth attending). The weekly cocktails are equally amazing.
Egg Harbor Cafe
1820 Peachtree Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30309
470-225-1901
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Egg Harbor Cafe is a small chain with three locations throughout the United States. If you’re in Atlanta, you’re lucky enough to be near the only Egg Harbor in the south! The restaurant focuses on classic brunch specialties, such as eggs benedict, french toast, and other favorites. Egg Harbor is the perfect brunch place if you have dietary needs or are just trying to eat healthily. In addition to their array of gluten-free options, Egg Harbor promises that nothing on the table has high-fructose corn syrup. The seasonal menus are phenomenal, and we only wish they had the wild mushroom toast year-round!
Sun in My Belly
2161 College Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30317
404-370-1088
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Sun in My Belly is yet another aptly named Atlanta restaurant. The fresh, light foods offered there really do feel like a ray of sunshine. Sun in My Belly has recently downsized its menu (and its prices), but this doesn’t mean that it’s any less delicious. If you’re looking for local gourmet food, head over to College Avenue and get some sun in your belly. Highlights from the menu include a scrambled egg panini with hook cheddar and honey-glazed bacon and the Croque madame, a delightful ham and provolone sandwich on brioche. However, if you’re not into breakfast foods, the lunch options are just as enticing (try the curry chicken salad sandwich).
Babs Midtown
814 Juniper St NE #3, Atlanta, GA 30308
404-541-0888
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Babs Midtown is exactly where you might imagine it to be: midtown Atlanta. Not far from Fox Theatre and the Georgia Institute of Technology, Babs sits right in the heart of midtown. The fresh, local food varies, but the quality of service doesn’t! Famous for the coffee and relaxed, pet-friendly atmosphere (you can bring dogs), Babs offers an array of breakfast and lunch options. They specialize in a la carte options, and the menu changes daily. Babs has a little bit of everything: a homey atmosphere, a central location, upscale food, and dogs!
Gocha’s Breakfast Bar
3695 Cascade Rd, Atlanta, GA 30331
678-927-9166
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Hungry for breakfast, but don’t eat bacon? Gocha’s Breakfast Bar is one of the finest brunch places to specialize in vegetarian, vegan, and pescatarian meals. The only meat on hand is chicken and seafood (and eggs if you count them). Gocha’s serves breakfast and lunch all week long. Their fish and shrimp and grits are amazing, but don’t pass by the jalapeno fish and grits either! If you’re vegan, you can’t go to Gocha’s and not try the sweet potato impossible nachos. Covered in cashew queso and impossible meat, they are quite literally impossible to resist! The salmon benedict is also a delicious choice.
Breakfast At Barney’s
349 Decatur St SE Unit A1, Atlanta, GA 30312
404-549-6042
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Barney’s not only serves a good breakfast, but it also serves it in style. If you are looking for a classy, upscale brunch restaurant, Breakfast at Barney’s is the place for you. Whether you need breakfast for co-workers, a bachelorette party, or just a meal out with friends, the wide variety of food offered at Barney’s is sure to suit. Although it’s one of the more expensive restaurants on this list, Breakfast at Barney’s is worth every penny. Try the Salmon Croquette with Eggs or the 24 Karat Gold Pancakes (made with edible gold). The drinks are also amazing, from their freshly-pressed watermelon juice to the build-your-own smoothies.
The Breakfast Boys
3387 Main St, College Park, GA 30337
470-312-2108
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The Breakfast Boys is a must-stop if you love drinking with your brunch. They offer multiple different kinds of morning (and not-so-morning) cocktails with their food. The restaurant is in College Park and just minutes away from the airport – grab a bit and a drink on your way out of town! The Breakfast Boys do everything well and just a little bit differently. Want chicken and waffles? They have it, but it’s jerk chicken and sweet potato waffles. Are you craving a mimosa? You got it – be prepared for a passion fruit mimosa. Need some coffee to pick you up? Try the peach cobbler latte. We’re not kidding – it’s all new and exciting, and it’s all delicious.
Why Trust Us?
When it comes to local restaurant recommendations, we pride ourselves on being a reliable and trustworthy resource. Our suggestions are not just based on our personal experiences, ensuring a more authentic and well-rounded perspective, but also on extensive online research. We diligently searched the internet and reviewed 6 credible sites and blogs, including Atlantaeats.com and Atlantanmagazine.com.
We compiled all the findings in one location and sorted them by the frequency of mentions to ensure you receive top-notch recommendations. We strive to present you with a curated list of establishments that truly stand out, allowing you to enjoy the best dining experiences possible.
Interested in the sources we consulted? Check out the list of all 6 sites we referenced below this paragraph, offering transparency and an opportunity for our readers to explore further. Our commitment is to deliver trustworthy and unparalleled recommendations, helping you make informed decisions on your culinary journeys.
https://www.atlantaeats.com/blog/brunches-atlanta-neighborhood/
https://atlantanmagazine.com/10-Best-Brunch-Spots-in-Atlanta
https://www.thrillist.com/drink/atlanta/best-brunch-in-atlanta
https://atlanta.eater.com/maps/best-new-brunch-atlanta
https://www.theinfatuation.com/atlanta/guides/best-brunch-atlanta
https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/where-to-go-for-the-best-brunch-in-metro-atlanta