13 Impressive Breakfast Spots in Atlanta to Try in 2024

While the city of Atlanta may be best known for its peaches, barbecue, sweet tea and Southern soul foods, breakfast in Atlanta is just as unique and inviting as the city itself.

According to the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau, approximately 57 million visitors find themselves waking up in The Big Peach each year, eager to explore the city’s rich history, live music scene and iconic restaurants. 

As the Southern sun greets you on a beautiful morning here, you might hungrily ask, “Where can I find the best breakfast in Atlanta? What are some of Atlanta’s famous breakfast foods?”

If you’re searching for the best breakfast near Atlanta airport, a date-worthy breakfast in Atlanta downtown or a local Black-owned breakfast in Atlanta, we’ve got you covered with this list of impressive breakfast restaurants to start your day on the sunny side up. 

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Cook Breakfast With Local Atlanta Chefs

Looking for a breakfast in Atlanta that goes above and beyond your standard restaurant experience? One of the best ways to explore delicious Atlantan breakfast mainstays is to sign up for cooking classes in Atlanta.

In a cooking class, you’ll discover all the flavors and culinary techniques that make Atlanta’s food scene so special, and you’ll gain some practical skills for cooking up your own decadent Atlanta-inspired breakfast foods any time you’d like. 

You might want to also take a few photography classes in Atlanta so that you can capture all your best cooking moments and dishes and share your epic creations online. 

13 Best Breakfast Spots in Atlanta

1. Atlanta Breakfast Club

As the name might imply, Atlanta Breakfast Club, or ABC, is one of the most popular spots for breakfast in Atlanta downtown, located just across the road from the Georgia Aquarium.

This casual restaurant specializes in some of the best Atlanta food, including crispy fried chicken and waffles, peach cobbler french toast and breakfast tacos.

This bustling breakfast joint attracts troves of visitors with the best breakfast in downtown Atlanta, so plan ahead or be prepared to wait for a table. 

2. Gocha’s Breakfast Bar

When it comes to finding the best breakfast in Atlanta, Black-owned businesses are some of the brightest shining stars. Opened in 2018 by the innovative Black restauranter Gocha Hawkins, Gocha’s Breakfast Bar serves some of the best breakfast near Atlanta airport, with two locations in the Fayetteville and Cascade neighborhoods.

This restaurant offers unique and tempting options like the southwest salmon burrito, Gocha’s krunch-tastic French toast and the black bean energy bowl. 

3. Le Petit Marché

Open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Le Petit Marché is a great place for late sleepers to enjoy breakfast in Atlanta. This charming restaurant in the Kirkwood neighborhood has an antique farmhouse vibe that will make you feel like you’re waking up to pancakes and eggs at Grandma’s cottage.

Some of their delicious breakfast and brunch food ideas include the French toast breakfast sandwich, classic avocado toast and “the grit stack” with Gulf shrimp and bacon, as well as some delightful boozy brunch beverages. 

4. Toast on Lenox

Another popular Black-owned breakfast in Atlanta, Toast on Lenox was opened in 2021 by chef Virgil Harper, who dreamed of bringing an incredible Southern-inspired brunch spot to the Buckhead Community.

Since then, the restaurant has been fulfilling foodie’s dreams with some of the best breakfasts in Atlanta, offering scrumptious dishes like lobster sweet potato waffles, beef short rib breakfast skillet and fried catfish and grits. Kick off your weekend with one of their fresh cocktails or a wellness shot, too. 

5. Home Grown

Located in the Reynoldstown neighborhood, Home Grown has a charming cottage-like exterior that alludes to the delicious homestyle dishes served inside.

Local growers and the restaurant’s own organic garden supply ingredients for their meals, such as Donnie’s breakfast with home fries, peppers and onions or vegetarian biscuits & gravy with sauteéd spinach and mushrooms.

If you’re looking for a great place to enjoy breakfast in Atlanta outdoors, Home Grown has you covered with their outdoor picnic tables. 

6. Ria’s Bluebird

While every local Atlantan may have their own favorites, Ria’s Bluebird undoubtedly serves the best pancake breakfast in Atlanta – and possibly the best in the world, according to The New York Times.

Although she passed away in 2013, beloved owner Ria Pell’s memory lives on here through her remarkable recipes and the many dedicated patrons who frequent this bustling restaurant.

Besides their famous buttermilk pancakes, Ria’s Bluebird also offers savory breakfast foods like tofu scramble or shrimp and grits. 

7. The Breakfast Boys

If you’re looking for the best breakfast near Atlanta airport, you won’t want to miss out on The Breakfast Boys. Whether you’re flying out, flying in or just hungry, The Breakfast Boys has you covered with soul food favorites like catfish grits and eggs, jerk chicken and sweet potato waffles and boozy honeysuckle lemonade.

In addition to delicious foods, The Breakfast Boys also has a colorful and eccentric atmosphere, making it the perfect place to snap an Instagram-able breakfast in Atlanta. 

8. Thumbs Up Diner

Thumbs Up Diner brings the classic breakfast diner experiences into the modern era with crowd-pleasing recipes and a retro-inspired atmosphere.

Breakfast here is served all day, so no matter what time you wake up, you can enjoy filling favorites like banana nut french toast, turkey bacon, breakfast sandwiches and waffles.

Thumbs Up Diner has multiple locations throughout the city, so there’s no excuse not to visit for some of the best breakfast in Atlanta. 

9. Buttermilk Kitchen

Befitting its name, Buttermilk Kitchen strives to offer a wholesome, filling and soul-soothing breakfast in Atlanta. Located near East Chastain Park, Buttermilk Kitchen sources its ingredients locally as much as possible and features many foods and beverages that support other nearby businesses.

Some of their tasty menu choices include shareable cinnamon rolls, buttermilk pancakes and the popular chicken biscuit sandwich. 

10. Breakfast at Barney’s 

If you’re looking to support the community and enjoy a delicious breakfast downtown, Black-owned restaurant Breakfast at Barney’s is a great place for breakfast date ideas in Atlanta.

Opened by two friends with a passion for great food and community culture, this classy yet casual restaurant serves some of the best breakfast downtown Atlanta has to offer.

There’s no wrong time to wake up to Breakfast at Barney’s, with all-day breakfast options like New York steak & eggs, edible gold pancakes, salmon croquettes and blissful brunch cocktails.

11. T’s Brunch Bar

Finding the best breakfast in Midtown, Atlanta used to be more challenging, but luckily, entrepreneur Teneshia Murray noticed a gap in the market and launched T’s Brunch Bar, located on Peachtree Street.

T’s Brunch Bar focuses on decadent brunch foods with a Southern flair, perfect for brunch party ideas and the best breakfast in Midtown, Atlanta.

Stop in for tempting options like Bankhead oxtails and grits or Georgia peach cobbler french toast, paired with T’s rum punch, Irish coffee or a Crown blackberry mojito. 

12. Folk Art Restaurant

This staple restaurant is best known for their Southern diner-inspired dishes which are cooked to be especially flavorful, balanced and photogenic. Folk Art Restaurant has two locations serving all-day breakfast in Atlanta, one in Inman Park and one in Decatur.

Some of their irresistible breakfast and brunch options include sweet potato beignets, huevos rancheros and “The Randy,” apple bacon dipped in pancake batter and deep-fried to perfection. 

13. R. Thomas Deluxe Grill

A consistently popular spot for breakfast in Atlanta, R. Thomas Deluxe Grill was opened in 1985 by Richard Thomas, who jokes that he “lost the keys” to the business on opening day, resulting in 24/7 hours — and all-day breakfast.

R. Thomas Deluxe Grill truly offers something for everyone, from their carnivore and vegetarian-friendly menus to the eclectic décor and disco-patio-garden atmosphere.

Start your day with an authentic chai or yerba maté and a savory sausage queen omelet or sweet French toast with powdered sugar and bananas. 

If this list of awesome breakfast spots in Atlanta made your tummy rumble, don’t forget to set your alarm bright and early tomorrow morning – or head in for a 24/7 diner treat!

Whether you prefer a hearty steak and eggs, homestyle shrimp and grits or indulgent peach pancakes and brunch cocktails, there’s no wrong way to start your day with a delicious breakfast in Atlanta. 

For even more fun things to do in Atlanta, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!