Single, dating, married, pregnant, or mom of 3? Brunch is the universal cure for what to do on a Saturday morning. I don't care if you spent Friday night at a bar with friends or snuggled up in bed by 8 pm, as soon as your eyes open on Saturday, you want eggs, companionship, and a bloody mary (depending on the night before's activities). I've listed a few of our all time family favorite brunch spots, but I've also gotten a ton of input from my readers. The result is the most comprehensive list of Atlanta Brunch spots I've ever seen. I suggest saving it for the next time you wake up groggy with no idea where to find an egg sandwich and hot cup of coffee. :)
I start the list with places I've been hundreds of times... tried and true joints that I'll totally vouch for everyday. Many of them are fast and kid friendly (you'll see Waffle House at the top of the list). After that you'll see places that readers suggested again and again that intrigue me. The menus look great, and I've added them to the top of my "To Try" lists. I'm so excited to have this knowledge at my fingertips, and I'm so happy to share it with you guys! Enjoy, and please let me know if I've missed something!
Looking forward to the weekend!
Blayne and Jimmy's Favorites
Location: Various
What to order: Waffle, hash browns, patty melt
There's no other restaurant that better encapsulates the South and home to me than Waffle House. When I went to Boston University for college, it was true culture shock to discover there wasn't a WaHo or Chick Fil A on every corner. In 2002 there was one Chick Fil A in the city (in the Harvard dining hall), and I would make the trek at least once a month for a number one. Unfortunately, there was no substitute for Waffle House. When I got really desperate, my boyfriend at the time would borrow a car and take me to iHop, but it was always a huge let down and just made my cravings for WaHo more legit.
I was so grateful when I switched to UGA to be near the steadfast WaHo in Five Points. It was a location I was very familiar with because my grandparents lived in Five Points. Growing up, our trips to visit them usually catered around my grandfather's low cholesterol diet, and he liked Waffle House because they knew him and would cook him egg whites. My brother and I were always happy to go and order chocolate chip waffles and OJ. Of course, once I was a student at UGA, my visits were less often brunch-related, and more often "post bar, let me eat something so I am slightly less hungover tomorrow" visits (open 24/7).
These days we go to the Waffle House next to our house on Saturday mornings. They love Oliver, offer very quick food/service, and don't mind a huge mess on the floor, which are all things I value at this point in my life.
If you haven't seen this Sean Brock and Anthony Bourdain ode to Waffle House, you need to watch it now. You're welcome.
Location: 421 Memorial Drive 30312
What to order: Brisket Breakfast
My brother actually told me about Ria's Bluebird. It's a little bit of a trek from our house, so when we go it's a special occasion. We love to take out of town guests here to give them a real taste of Atlanta. As a special treat you can walk through Oakland Cemetery while you wait, and there are unlimited coffee refills as well, which I always appreciate on a cold day.
Location: 1100 Howell Mill Rd, Atlanta, GA 30318
What to order: Blue Plate, Fried Green Tomato Wrap
West Egg is ALWAYS good and always a treat. I've gone for birthday lunches and catch up with friends lunches. My most famous visit was the weekend I met Jimmy's sister Mimi for the first time. :)
The restaurant design is hip and modern, the food is excellent, and they even have a photo booth. For those of you who don't have time for a full brunch, they offer a bakery and coffee area as well. After brunch you can stroll the fabulous shops on the West Side and make a day out of it.
Location: 1284 West Paces Ferry Road 30327
What to order: The Tofu Scramble is my favorite brunch item I've ever eaten in my life. The eggs and home fries are also amazing.
I don't know the right words to express my love for OK Cafe. It's always on the very top of my list, but brunch there is extra special. In high school my Bible study would meet every so often at OK Cafe, and those were always my favorite days! As I said above, the tofu Scramble is the best brunch item I've ever had. During the time when OK Cafe wasn't open, I tried unsuccessfully to recreate it. OK Cafe is an Atlanta classic.
Locations: 2321 Cheshire Bridge Road 30324
What to order: Spanish Omellet and Corned Beef Hash
We grew up going to the Original Pancake House on Saturday Mornings. They have such good orange juice, and it's a wonderful family gathering place. It's an Atlanta institution. :)
Locations: 1820 Peachtree St NW and 5920 Roswell Rd NE
What to order: everything is great :)
Egg harbor is a recent addition to our brunch rotation. The main thing I love about it is that it's super kid friendly. They bring Oliver a snack as soon as we sit down, which we really appreciate. They also offer unlimited coffee while you wait, which is good for any new parent. The food is always consistent and tasty.
Location: 1531 Dekalb Ave.
What to order: Cinnamon rolls and Gluten Free Pancakes
I discovered Radial Cafe during my last pregnancy when I HAD to have gluten free pancakes. A google search unearthed this gem, and we headed across town. I loved the bottomless coffee, allergy friendly and vegan items, and friendly service. A subsequent trip revealed the extraordinary cinnamon rolls... I mean... I didn't even think I wanted them and ate the entire plate.
Location: 4225 Roswell Road 30342
What to order: Hot Chocolate Pancakes and Fried Egg BLT
I love how close Buttermilk Cafe is to my office, and I think it's a hidden gem lunch spot. I've heard the wait is very long for weekend brunches, but everyone swears it's worth it. I went for lunch today for a little refresher, and it really is very very good. You can see my menu choices below.
Location: 997 Virginia Ave. 30306
What to Order: Southwest Frittata, Crab Cake Benedict, or Chilaquiles
Funny little fact about Jimmy... He did some internet dating before he met me (shocking, I know), and he would always take his first dates to Murphy's. There were a few reasons for this. The first was that he could walk from his house so he didn't have to deal with parking his car. The second was that he knew the menu inside and out so he never got overwhelmed. He's known for getting overwhelmed when presented with too many choices, and a bunch of menu items freaks him out a bit. Now, I'm not sure if he went on a ton of brunch first dates (that's awkward), but he swears it is the best in the city. As you know, we did not go to Murphy's on our first date, but he did take me there a few times. It's actually the place where he introduced me to the concept of brunch dessert (see the carrot cake offered on the menu below), which is fairly life-changing. If you are looking for a leisurely brunch with really good food, this is your spot.
Reader Favorites
I polled my readers for suggestions, and I heard these names over and over again! I can't wait to try them! (listed in alphabetical order)
Location: 2974 Grandview Avenue 30305
Although I have not tried the brunch, I've had dinner there many times and can vouch for the quality and tastiness! I'll have to try this ASAP.
Additional Reader Recommendations
57th Fighter Group - 3829 Clairmont Road - Try the Sunday Buffet Brunch! It's insane. Sit outside and watch the planes take off and land when the weather is nice. Also try the Beer Cheese Soup.
Atkins Park - Multiple Locations - Try the Fried Green Tomatoes Benedict
Basil's - 2985 Grandview Ave - "Voted best deck in Atlanta"
Bellwoods Social House - 1000 Marietta Street - The best huervos rancheros
Brezza Cucina - Ponce City Market - Readers recommend the smoked salmon crostini
Blue Ridge Grill - 1261 West Paces Ferry Road
Buckhead Diner - 3073 Piedmont Road 30305 - Order Crab cakes or white chocolate french toast
Canoe - 4199 West Paces Ferry Road
Canton House - 4825 Buford Highway - Brunch Dim Sum - Get there early because it's packed!
El Azteca - Buckhead location - Several readers suggested and swear it's great!
Flying Biscuit - Multiple Locations
Haven - 1441 Dresden Drive
Horseradish Grill - 4320 Powers Ferry Road
Joy Cafe - 316 Pharr Road
Kaleidoscope - 1410 Dresden Dr. 30319 - Great for bottomless Mimosas
King and Duke - 3060 Peachtree Road - order: biscuits with local honey with prosciutto, French toast, breakfast burger, salmon cakes, steak and eggs, cinnamon rolls
Le Bilboquet - 3035 Peachtree Road
Local Three - 3290 Northside parkway
Lips - 3011 Buford Highway - Drag Brunch that I have to try!!!
The Nook on Piedmont Park - 1144 Piedmont Ave
Portofino - 3199 Pace Ferry Place - try the new bloody mary!
R. Thomas - 1812 Peachtree Street - 30309
Ritz Carlton - Location: 3434 Peachtree Road 30326
South City Kitchen - 1144 Crescent Ave - A new Buckhead location will be opening soon
Thumbs Up Diner - 6 Atlanta Locations
Treehouse - 7 Kings Circle
Venkman's - 740 Ralph McGill Blvd
Wahoo Decatur Grill - 1042 West College Ave 30030
OTP Favorites
Cinco Location: (click here - multiple) - get the buffet - AMAZING
JR's Loghouse - Norcross - (great biscuit and hash browns)
Mamie's Kitchen Biscuits - Covington - (Biscuits)
Ray's on the River - Sandy Springs
Happy Brunching!
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