Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and in Atlanta, it can also be the most delicious. The South is famous for its hearty breakfast dishes, such as biscuits and gravy, shrimp and grits, and chicken and waffles, all of which were great for farmers who needed the energy for a hard day;s work. But even if you’re not in for a long workday, you can still fuel yourself for a walk around downtown Atlanta at one of these many breakfast and brunch spots.
There are hundreds of diners, restaurants, and cafes to choose from, but these are our picks for the best places to go for breakfast in Atlanta.
| Restaurant | Menu Link | Price Point |
| Ria’s Bluebird | Menu | $ |
| Highland Bakery | Menu | $$ |
| The General Muir | Menu (Emory Point) | $$ |
| Atlanta Breakfast Club | Menu | $ |
| West Egg Cafe | Menu | $$ |
| Buttermilk Kitchen | Menu | $$ |
| Thumbs Up Diner | Menu (Midtown) | $ |
| Home Grown GA | Menu | $ |
| Waffle House | Breakfast Menu | $ |
| Java Jive | Menu | $ |
| Joy Cafe | Menu | $$ |
| Flying Biscuit Cafe | Menu | $$ |
Ria’s Bluebird
Ria’s Bluebird, located in Grant Park, is an all-day brunch spot with a myriad of creative menu items. Ria’s provides many hearty and filling dishes, such as biscuits and gravy and the Bluebird Burrito, which is full of eggs and skillet potatoes. Alongside the traditional breakfast menu items, they also serve several dishes suitable for vegan and vegetarian diners, including a tofu scramble and a tempeh Reuben.
If you decide to try out this popular spot, we recommend arriving early. Ria’s Bluebird is popular amongst locals and tourists alike, so there is often a crowd, especially on the weekends. However, trying out this local favorite is totally worth the wait. And if you’re looking for other things to do in Atlanta on the weekend, check out this recent article on our site.
Highland Bakery
With several locations all over the city, including one in Old Fourth Ward, this bakery serves all-day breakfast alongside their delicious lunch options. Their sweet potato pancakes are some of the best in town, and the peanut butter French toast is a creative twist on a classic favorite. If you’re looking for something more on the savory side, their build your own breakfast sandwich menu is a great choice, as is the salmon benedict.
From the lunch menu, you can order a fried chicken sandwich for a taste of southern indulgence or try a caprese salad for a lighter meal. No matter what you order, be sure to grab some coffee and pastries while you’re there. They are a bakery, after all, and the muffins are incredible!
The General Muir
This traditional Jewish deli is a great place for any meal of the day, but their weekend brunch is especially popular. You can order a classic brunch option like an open-faced bagel or an omelet, or you can break the mold and order some Matzo ball soup or fish and potatoes. If you have a sweet tooth, the pecan-crusted French toast is a perfect choice. For drinks, they have a myriad of cocktails to choose from, including a killer Bloody Mary.
The General Muir has one location in Emory Point and another in Sandy Springs, so you can stop into Highland Bakery even if you’d rather stay outside the perimeter than brave the morning traffic!
Atlanta Breakfast Club
Atlanta Breakfast Club is located in midtown Atlanta on Ivan Allen Jr Blvd NW, just a short walk from the Georgia Aquarium. Though their menu is small, each dish is well thought out and expertly crafted. If it’s your first time in Atlanta, this restaurant is a good place to get a taste of some of the great food you can find in the city.
Atlanta Breakfast Club is best known locally for their breakfast tacos. A perfect blend of savory and sweet, these tacos are built on a French toast battered tortilla and contain eggs, bacon, and maple syrup. Shrimp and grits is a staple at any Atlanta breakfast spot, but Atlanta Breakfast Club serves it with a smoked pepper gravy on top of their creamy grits, giving the dish a unique flavor. Be sure to try the peach cobbler French toast! It’s one of the best dishes available there, even if it is more of a dessert than a breakfast.
West Egg Cafe
The West Egg Cafe is located, per the name, in West Atlanta near the Goat Farm Arts Center. If you’re a bit of a late riser, the West Egg Cafe serves breakfast all day, so you can enjoy a tasty brunch there any time from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. The portion sizes at this brunch spot are extremely generous, so it’s a great value for the price when compared to some other restaurants in the area.
The West Egg Cafe has a menu full of traditional southern fare with some creative tweaks, like their roasted garlic grits. If you’re looking for a delicious breakfast that satisfies your sweet tooth, the sour cream pancakes are a great choice as well, served with a side of spiced honey butter. When the weather is nice, you can ask to be seated at their covered patio to start your morning with a bit of fresh air. Check out the West Egg Cafe sometime – you won’t regret it!
Buttermilk Kitchen
Buttermilk Kitchen is located in Buckhead, just a few miles away from Chastain Park. Their build your own breakfast menu style is perfect whether you’re a picky eater or an adventurous one, and it’s a great way to try a little bit of everything. You can choose to get chicken and waffles with a side of grits and breakfast potatoes, or you can try out the folded egg frittata with chicken sausage and garlic spinach for a lighter start to your day. This is another very popular breakfast and brunch spot, so try to get there early to avoid a wait!
If you fall in love with their food but don’t live close by, you can always browse through their online shop to pick up some pantry staples, such as red pepper jelly or biscuit mix, to get some of the signature flavors of Buttermilk Kitchen at home.
Thumbs Up Diner
Thumbs Up Diner is the perfect place to get a delicious, no-frills breakfast. Originally a downtown Atlanta staple, this diner now has six locations all over the city (and some outside of it!). The atmosphere is that of an old-school diner, and the management and staff do a wonderful job of fostering a friendly, community-based environment. The fried fish and grits is a delicious spin on an old classic, and the Greek scramble is a good choice for the summer months.
The restaurant has a massive menu, and they serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner all day every day, so whether you’re in the mood for a burger or a stack of pancakes, they’ve got you covered. Just make sure to note that Thumbs Up Diner is a cash-only establishment, so they’re currently unable to take cards or Apple pay!
Home Grown GA Restaurant
Home Grown GA is one of Atlanta’s more unique breakfast spots. With all locally grown produce and fresh ingredients, this restaurant serves a menu of seasonal dishes as well as permanent menu items. Some of the produce is even grown in the backyard of the restaurant itself, and patrons can walk through the gardens to see exactly where their food is coming from. The prices are also hard to beat in the perimeter, with most dishes falling within the $10-$15 range.
Their claim to fame, the Comfy Chicken Biscuit, puts a new spin on the classic biscuits and gravy, and it’s hearty enough to keep you full throughout a day of sightseeing. For something sweet, you can try the Wafflebon, a cinnamon waffle with a decadent cream cheese icing on top. Whatever you choose to order from Home Grown GA, you will be able to enjoy a little taste of farm-fresh Georgia produce. Don’t forget to try their fresh-squeezed orange juice!
Waffle House
Waffle House is a staple all over the South, but it holds a special place in the hearts of many Georgians. There are over a hundred Waffle House locations in Atlanta, and for good reason: this chain is open 24/7, has good food for a great price, and has down-to-earth and friendly employees. Adults love the convenience, and kids love the chance to see their food being made right in front of them thanks to the open kitchen.
Waffle House is also one of the quickest dine-in breakfast options you’ll find in the city, and your food will usually come out in less than ten minutes, even when it’s busy. It’s certainly no fine dining experience, but whether you’re an Atlanta native or you’re brand new to the South, everyone should enjoy a meal at Waffle House at least once. They serve breakfast and lunch all day and all night, so drop in whenever you’d like!
Java Jive
If you’re looking for authentic, inexpensive eats, this mom & pop diner is worth a visit. The bright blue building located on Ponce de Leon Ave NE is hard to miss, and the fast-paced, retro diner atmosphere is sure to impress the whole family.
The Santa Fe scramble is a delicious mix of eggs, cheese, and chorizo if you’re in the mood for something spicy. Their sweet breakfast options, such as the gingerbread waffle served with homemade lemon curd, are all delicious as well. They also have a daily selection of pies to choose from if you want to bring something home for dessert.
Java Jive is another cash-only establishment, but if you forget, they have an ATM right out front. This restaurant is within walking distance of several popular hotels, so it’s a very convenient spot if you’re just visiting.
Joy Cafe
Joy Cafe is located in Midtown, and they offer one of the most coveted weekend brunches in the city thanks to their fun menu options and intriguing decor. The cafe’s website describes their food as traditional southern fare with a creative twist,which you’ll be able to see the moment you open the menu. Alongside the classic pancakes and biscuits, you will find avocado toast with beetroot hummus. You can even order Chilaquiles, a dish similar to huevos rancheros with tortilla chips added to it. Joy Cafe also has several gluten-free options, making it a great choice for groups with members who have dietary restrictions.
Flying Biscuit Cafe
The Flying Biscuit Cafe is a regional chain with several locations both inside and outside of the perimeter. All locations have an all-day breakfast menu, with options ranging from a full breakfast to simpler dishes, such as the Piedmont Omelet and the Southern Scramble.
Most locations also have a comprehensive vegan/vegetarian section, so the Flying Biscuit Cafe is a great choice if you’re trying to cut down on eating meat. The chain also serves a myriad of lunch and brunch options, such as a fried green tomato BLT and a wonderful chicken quesadilla.
Make Your Own
If you want to enjoy breakfast in the comfort of your own home but don’t want to shell out for takeout or delivery, you can always make your breakfast at home. It isn’t as difficult as it seems, even if you want to be more adventurous than your usual bacon and eggs! Check out these videos below for some recipes by amazing cooks and chefs!
Shrimp and Grits Recipe Smokin’ & Grillin’ with AB YouTube Channel
Huevos Rancheros Recipe Cooking con Claudia Youtube Channel
Also, I recommend checking out this simple biscuit recipe Five-Ingredient Biscuits and Gravy – Kenji Lopez-Alt YouTube Channel or Gordon Ramsay’s 4 Deliciousl Breakfast Recipes | Gordon Ramsay – YouTube.
You can also find tons of great breakfast cookbooks on Amazon, such as The Breakfast Bible by Kate McMillan, Big Bad Breakfast by John Currence, or Brunch at Bobby’s by Chef Bobby Flay. Honestly, for about about ninety-percent of my hot breakfasts, I use a Lodge Cast Iron like this one. You can also find these and other cook books or supplies at most local stores.
Conclusion to Best Breakfast in Atlanta
Whether you’re going all-out for a fancy brunch with mimosas, or you’re keeping it down to earth with an old-school diner, or stick-to-your-ribs southern fare, Atlanta has some of the best breakfast options to choose from. Bon Appetit!
