As the home of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and with a population of more than 32% in the city, Atlanta has long been known as a Black mecca. It’s the place to go for Black culture, Black food, Black history, and Black love. Those who visit the city can learn about Atlanta’s Black history at places like Ebenezer Baptist Church, where Martin Luther King, Jr. (and his father) were preachers. Or, they can visit South-View Cemetery, a Black cemetery where leaders like John Lewis and baseball player Hank Aaron are buried, along with a few Tuskegee Airmen. There is so much history and culture and that is ever present in the rich, flavorful food on offer in the Mecca.
Black Restaurant Week is more than just a week; celebrating Black-owned businesses is important to do all year-round, especially when restaurants are still recovering from pandemic-induced closures and staffing shortages.
Caribbean Comfort Food: Spice House
Multiple Locations
Website | Instagram | Facebook | 470-355-4976
Spice House is an adventurous tour around the islands. The menu envelopes you into the riveting flavors and spices of Haiti, Jamaica, Trinidad, and the Bahamas. This eatery is a treasure located in the beautiful Cascade Heights community. The service is superlative with a focus on giving each guest an amazing fine dining experience. Stop by for the signature Crabcakes, stay for Spice House Oxtails.
Breakfast Bar: Gocha's Breakfast Bar
3695 Cascade Rd, Atlanta, GA 30331
Black Restaurant Week Listing | Website | Instagram | Facebook | (678) 927-9166
Breakfast takes on a whole new meaning with the honey biscuits, amazing grits, and candied bacon. This is the brunch nirvana right on your doorstep. A great place where guests can stop by for a delicious Sunday brunch experience. There is a pleasant, chill vibe that balances against the restaurant’s classy decorum. Besides the mimosas, the martinis are a “must try”. You’ll return again and again for this unforgettable breakfast experience.
Restaurant and Food Truck: Flavor Rich
1175 Buford Hwy NE, Suwanee, GA 30024
Black Restaurant Week Listing |Website | Instagram | Facebook | (678) 926-3653 (Restaurant) | (678) 678-3717 (Truck)
Passion, purpose, and creating an unforgettable culinary experience. For those that find themselves dining at Flavor Rich Restaurant, you will be pleasantly surprised by the flavor tones and the joy that emanates from every single dish. You’ll find yourself spoiled for choice with the dynamic menu. And nothing is better sinking yourself into the Duck Fat or Parmesan Truffle Fries and the myriad of sauces. The menu is a work of art and the experience is worth repeating.
Multiple Locations
Black Restaurant Week Listing |Website | Instagram | Facebook | (404) 549-2226
Just about a 15-minute drive from the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park is Fireside Restaurant, a mainly takeout spot for Jamaican food like oxtails, jerk chicken, and curry goat. The Black-owned restaurant is a great spot for to-go breakfast, lunch, and dinner and is open late (until 11 p.m.) most of the week, too. They also offer large-format catering where guests can order food, dessert, and drinks for a party.
Fried Wings: Harold's Chicken & Ice Bar
349 Edgewood Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30312
Website | Instagram | Facebook | (404) 577-0001565
For soul food in Atlanta, stop by Harold’s Chicken & Ice Bar, which is located in downtown Atlanta and is just a few blocks away from the birth home of Martin Luther King, Jr. The restaurant is an offshoot of Chicago’s Harold’s Chicken Shack but offers a sit-down bar aspect in addition to the delicious menu of fried chicken. The menu consists of fried chicken, fried fish platters, chicken buckets, and more.
Best Southern Fusion: Ms. Icey's Kitchen & Bar
1371 Clairmont Rd, Atlanta, GA 30033
Website | Instagram | Facebook | (404) 963-7871
A night out on the town and then return for brunch, Ms. Icey’s Kitchen & Bar is a joyful adventure into the fusion of Caribbean cuisine and Soulfood. This restaurant gives you the hospitality of your Grandma’s kitchen, while challenging your pallet with incredible dishes such as the salt fish mixup, blueberry cornbread, jerked pork, and of course don’t forget the mac’ and cheese. To put this restaurant over the top they have great customer service, cool drinks, and offer up a live DJ later on in the evening.
Live Jazz Restaurant: Paschal's
180 Northside Dr SW, Atlanta, GA 30313
Black Restaurant Week Listing | Website | Instagram | Facebook | (404) 835-0833
Near midtown, you’ll find Paschal’s Restaurant, a historic eatery that has been around for more than 60 years. The soul food restaurant offers something that many other spots don’t — live jazz throughout the year, where folks can dine and groove along to the sounds of horns, piano, and jazz singers. Over the years, celebrities and figures like Aretha Franklin, Maynard Jackson, and Al Gore have frequented Paschal’s Restaurant for its soul food and, particularly, its beloved fried chicken.
Southern Fried Chicken: Busy Bee Cafe
810 M.L.K Jr Dr SW, Atlanta, GA 30314
Website | Instagram | Facebook | 404 525-9212
Just this year, Busy Bee Cafe won a James Beard Classics Award for its reliable and delicious soul food. The restaurant was opened in 1947 by Lucy Jackson, a Black woman and self-taught cook. Since its early days, the restaurant has changed hands a few times but remains a place for great soul food in Atlanta with popular menu items like fried chicken, chicken and waffles, fried catfish, mac and cheese, and more. It’s also a spot frequented by Clark University students as it’s just a few blocks from the campus.
Global Fusion Soul Food: Twisted Soul Cookhouse and Pours
1133 Huff NW Rd #D, Atlanta, GA 30318
Black Restaurant Week Listing | Website | Instagram | Facebook | 404-350-5500
Not far from downtown Atlanta, Twisted Soul Cookhouse and Pours serves soul food with a creative twist (as the name suggests). The menu is inspired by chef Deborah VanTrece’s world travels over the past 25 years, which is why you’ll find flavors from other countries and parts of the world at this Black-owned soul food establishment. Chimichurri wings are a favorite global option during brunch, and during dinner, the pickle-brined fried chicken sandwich remains a favorite.
American & West African Restaurant: ACE Atlanta
4300 Buford Highway Suite 217 & 218, Atlanta, GA 30345
Black Restaurant Week Listing | Website | Instagram | Facebook | 404-968-9060
From Sweet Chili Salmon Bites to Egusi, Ace Atlanta is “Atlanta’s Favorite Playground” and place to be for amazing American and West African cuisine. This is the place to be if you want to vibe with a beautiful ambiance, great music, unique cocktails and delicious food. They also have fun themed nights like Karaoke Game Day Wednesdays and Dinner & Vibe Thursdays.
Author: Black Restaurant Week
Content Team
