For many of us zooming around the city, the best breakfast in Atlanta might be a simple (yet delicious) cup of coffee and a bagel. But for those of us who adhere to the importance of the morning meal, a more substantial breakfast is necessary to fuel up for the day.
Whether you’re heading to work or gearing up for a day exploring the best local attractions and things to do in Atlanta, these breakfast spots will get you going. From diner fare like omelettes and hash browns to delicate French pastries and nutritious grain bowls, Atlanta breakfast restaurants offer a full range of options. Stick to something healthy or indulge in a sweet fruity danish with your caffeine kick.
For weekend mornings (or late mornings), hit up one of the best brunches in Atlanta for a longer, more leisurely meal. Bottomless mimosas and stacks of pancakes are the best way to fuel up for (or recover from) a night out at Atlanta’s best clubs and bars – but to start the day right with a filling morning meal that’s way better than a bowl of cereal, these tasty breakfasts in Atlanta should be on your list of must-trys.
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The quintessential Atlanta breakfast spot is set in an old house, a relaxing place to start the day… if you time it right. Beware: if you dare visit on a weekend, you’ll have to wait for quite some time – but it’ll be worth it if only for a taste of one of Suzanne Vizethann’s fluffy biscuits (best enjoyed with fried chicken and red pepper jelly). You might want to keep it local instead: if so, try the market scramble with that week’s produce, fresh eggs and a side.
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There’s always an insane wait at Westside’s West Egg – it's been one of the best breakfast spots in the city for more than a decade. Grab a cup of coffee from the to-go counter while you wait, then take your time deciding between standouts like sour cream pancakes with spiced honey butter or short rib hash with poached eggs, mushrooms, caramelized onions and skillet potatoes.
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Emory Point’s deli with a Southern twist gets swamped on the weekend for brunch, but it’s downright peaceful for a weekday breakfast. The space fills with sunlight and the menu is loaded with deli favorites. Take the edge off with a cup of coffee roasted by Batdorf & Bronson and chow down on one of the open-faced bagel sandwiches like the Avenue D with cream cheese, lox and roe. Whatever you do, don’t leave without a black-and-white cookie.
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Home Grown may seem like a retro diner, but take a peek at the garden in the back and you’ll start to think otherwise – it’s organic and packed with produce that they use in the kitchen. The best dish, though, has nothing to do with veggies; The comfy chicken biscuit is a ridiculously fluffy treat topped with fried chicken and sausage gravy. Even on weekdays, you can expect to wait a the Reynoldstown joint, but browsing the thrift shop in the back of the restaurant makes the time go by quickly.
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Canvas’ adjacent sibling, Doughnut Dollies, gets most of the glory for its artisanal doughnuts, but the cafe upstairs is a mainstay of the Marietta community. Classic fare reigns supreme and you can’t go wrong with one of the build-your-own omelettes or the huevos rancheros. The farro grain bowl with veggies and poached eggs is a delightfully light alternative, which will leave more room to indulge in a doughnut on your way out.
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Little Tart's standalone shop in the Summerhill neighborhood is adorable, replete with floral wallpaper and Instagrammable fodder. It’s not just about darling aesthetic, though, as the pastries and breakfast items are to equally pretty and to-die -for. There’s a tight menu of breakfast offerings that include waffles and granola and yogurt; but just give into temptation and order one of their French pastries, like the seasonal galette or blueberry-almond danish.
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Anne Quatrano relocated Star Provisions further into the Westside in 2017 and the space still has that shiny, new feel to it. The market-meets-cafe is charming and, if you’re not in a rush (it runs a bit slow), is a lovely spot to start the day. If you’re looking to keep it light, order the granola with seasonal, locally-sourced fruit over yogurt or chia pudding with honey. Indulge in the sausage biscuit with strawberry preserve if you’re in the mood for something heartier.
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Muchacho is straight out of retro California, located in the back of a Reynoldstown historic train depot, adjacent to its sister restaurant Golden Eagle. Although the grain bowls and toasts are great, it’s all about the breakfast tacos here, which can be hard to find in Atlanta. But Muchacho’s comes to the rescue with delicious varieties that include the migas with eggs, chips, cheese and black beans and the reggae with eggs, potatoes and pico. The space is small so, if you want a guaranteed seat, visit on a day during which you can make use of the patio, which has plenty of seating.
Downtown can be tough when it comes to dining but, thankfully, there’s Atlanta Breakfast Club to help with morning hunger pangs. It’s also the place to go to when you want an over-the-top-breakfast that’s going to make your taste buds happy. The peach cobbler French toast with vanilla butter and the Gulf shrimp and grits with chicken sausage and smoked pepper gravy are definite winners.
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People went crazy for this Westside spot when it opened because it was such a refreshing change from the usual fast-casual fare. Upbeet’s specialties are health-conscious grain and salad bowls, but their breakfast is delightful, too. There are several toasts to choose from but the standout is the “labne long time” with pesto and tomatoes. They also make surprisingly filling smoothie bowls.
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After selling out of bagels at farmers’ markets and coffee shops around town, Emerald City Bagels opened a brick-and-mortar shop in East Atlanta Village in 2018. The bagels are kettle-boiled with a crusty exterior and the right amount of chew on the inside. Top yours with cream cheese (the garlic herb is excellent) and you’ll be good to go. You should plan on taking it to-go unless you’re lucky enough to grab a seat in the small space.
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You’ll find Julianna’s tucked in among Inman Park’s craftsman homes. The exterior of the eatery is undeniably charming with ivy climbing up the wall, while the space inside is cozy and warm. Here, try the Hungarian crepes (palatschinke). Similar to French crepes, they’re prepared thin and served with sweet and savory fillings. You can’t go wrong with the farmer special (eggs, peppers, Hungarian sausage) or the zserbo (apricot butter, walnuts, cocoa and chocolate syrup), either.
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R. Thomas has been a Buckhead institution for decades, with breakfast as the star. The menu is filled with pretty typical fare for a diner, with items like omelettes and eggs Benedict available, but there are a couple of unique orders as well: try the breakfast stew with corn chowder packed with quinoa, vegetables and dulse (seaweed flakes).
If the Silver Skillet looks like a vintage time capsule, that’s because it is. The Westside greasy spoon has been around since the 1950s and not much has changed since then. You’re here to dine at an Atlanta institution that’s appeared in many films and TV shows (like The Founder and Remember the Titans) and eat a diner-style breakfast. Stick to the classics like the southern breakfast with fried pork chops, eggs, biscuits and gravy.
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Yes, Waffle House is a chain but it’s Atlanta’s chain. Where else can you go any time of the day or night and know that you can order hash browns smothered and covered? For the uninitiated, that’s hash browns that have been topped with sautéed onions (smothered) and melted American cheese (covered). If you’re feeling extra, order those hash browns scattered, too (meaning: spread out across the grill making them nice and crispy).
Start at Centennial Olympic Park, built for the 1996 summer Olympics, and then move onto the Atlanta Beltline, a still-unfinished former railway loop turned paved path that boasts 2,000 acres of park and more. The best part? All these double as fun things to do with kids in tow as well.
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