Lar and I have been talking about doing mini city guides for Atlanta and Edinburgh since we like to (window) shop and eat so much. This post is my first attempt with a list of my favorite places to eat brunch in Atlanta. There’s something so comforting about a weekend brunch. Maybe I just like the idea of waking up late and driving some place where someone will make me pancakes and eggs with an endless supply of coffee. Whatever the case, when I’m in a brunch kind of mood, here’s where I go:
Sun in My Belly – This one is probably my all-time favorite brunch spot because it’s within walking distance of my house, has Anthropologie-like decor and offers the most amazing honey-glazed bacon. I always get the Kirkwood Breakfast, but the french toast, the lox and bagels, the homemade granola with fresh fruit, and everything else on the menu is brunch perfection.
Gato Bizco Cafe – Located across the street from the original and very popular Flying Biscuit Cafe (see below), Gato is like a hipster’s Waffle House minus the greasiness. I’ve never had anything bad here and love the small footprint – there’s only a handful of booths and a small counter.
Home Grown – Get the biscuits and gravy (unless you’re vegan/vegetarian)!! It’ll be the best $3 brunch you’ve ever had. If you’ve never had biscuits and gravy, shame on you! What are you doing up north? Come down and try Home Grown’s and then you’ll really know what biscuits and gravy is supposed to taste like.
Ria’s Bluebird – Plenty of vegetarian dishes here. I love the huevos rancheros, but I’ve heard the beef brisket is to die for. Like all the places listed in the post, expect a wait on the weekend. I usually go in the summer, so I can drink my cup of coffee out front while waiting for a table.
Rise-N-Dine (pictured in this post) – Right by Emory University (so expect to see lots of Uggs and North Face), but very down to earth. The first time I came here I immediately fell in love with the vintage decor and oilcloth fabric on the tables. Also, they serve Nutella pancakes. Enough said.
Radial Cafe – Dining here is like giving a big ol’ bear hug to the local community. The food is all locally sourced and almost everything that leaves your table is composted.
Flying Biscuit Cafe – With locations all over the Atlanta area now, Flying Biscuit has become pretty suburbanized so I would recommend going to the original location in Candler Park for a little more flair. The biscuits are still some of the best around and you can’t go wrong with the organic oatmeal pancakes or a side of the creamy, buttery grits.
Waffle House – Sorry WH haters, I have to put this on my list. I probably eat here more often after a late night than at brunch, but it needs to be included because sometimes Waffle House’s cheese ‘n eggs are the only thing that will hit the spot. I usually go to the one in Avondale Estates because the service is consistently friendly and it’s located a block away from the Waffle House Museum – yes, that’s a real thing!!
Keep in mind this is by no means a complete list. There are plenty of other wonderful dining establishments that serve brunch in Atlanta that I just haven’t frequented enough to be a fair judge. The latest issue of Atlanta Magazine has a much more thorough, unbiased list (every place I listed is on the east or south side of the city).
Troy and I went to Rise N Dine on Saturday for brunch. We split the Polish omelet and homemade chicken sausage biscuit. It was freezing this weekend – at least by Atlanta standards – so all I wanted was warm, comfort food.
Outfit details: H&M turtle neck • dad’s sweater • Target belt • Eugenia Kim knitted headband
Any brunch fans out there? What are your favorite brunch spots in your hometown? Any Denver readers? Troy and I will be going to Denver in April and need some brunch suggestions.
PS: Congrats to Marian for winning the Sinless Cocktails contest! I used Randomize.org to choose a winner. Thank you to everyone who entered! Marian, I’ll be sending your email to the owners of Sinless and they’ll be getting in touch with you.
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Dear Lar,
As I was writing this, I was trying to think of all of the places I like to each brunch in Edinburgh. There’s the German bakery of course and there was that cute French bakery we went to last August near your old flat in Morningside. I’ll get the oatmeal at Chocolate Soup any day and a bagel at Elephants and Bagels, but surely there’s other brunch/breakfast-y places. Or is brunch not as big in the UK? I always figured that if there were elevenses then surely there’s brunch, right?
I can’t believe I got to talk to you twice this weekend on Skype! So glad you and Matt had fun in Glasgow and actually found some sun. I can’t wait to see your post on your weekend adventure!
xoxo, Cath
geez you’re making me hungry! i LOVE LOVE LOVE brunch. yummmmmmmmmmmmmm
Have you found your favorite brunch spots in NYC? I bet there are too many to count!
omg cath.it’s almost overwhelming here. we haven’t done brunch TOO many times since we have been back.but i have some old favorites from the last time we lived here.
Cath, this list scares me. I mean, it’s delicious, but it made me realize, I never get to eat brunch with you anymore. I’ve only been to half those places with you, and that was two years ago – gahhh. I don’t like it.
What I would give to have a Flying biscuit and grits with you right at this very moment. Or cheesey eggs and raisin toast from WaHo. Huge, huge sigh.
And you are right. Brunch is just starting to be a thing here. Sundays are usually dominated by the Sunday roast rather than a large brunch. That said, things are a-changing, but slowly in Edinburgh. Falko (German Bakery) is still my favorite place to go for brunch/brekkie. Sadly, there aren’t any more chocolate soups.
Miss you and brunch like MAD!!!
LOVE YOU
Lar
Ah, a Sunday roast sounds so lovely too! I think a perfect Sunday would start with a Sunday brunch and end with a later-than-usual roast. And then you could roll yourself to bed!
We should have do a few more brunches when you were in town. At least we did make it to SIMB and WH.
I wish that we could meet up at Falko everyday for a cuppa and a chat. Doesn’t that sound so wonderful?!?!
love, cath
Have to second SIMB – Also have rarely ever eaten anything there besides the kirkwood breakfast! I do prefer to do a weekday breakfast there when I have time, though. Weekends at SIMB can be crazy!
Hi Cath –
I’m a relatively new (ATL) reader of your blog. I love this brunch list! It’s one of my favorite meals to eat out, but I’ve only been to a few on your list. I’d add Le Petit Marche to your list to try – it’s also in Kirkwood (like SIMB) – and it’s within walking distance of my house (dangerously close, really!).
Cheers!
Love this!! Was planning on writing a post on my fav NOLA brunch spots this week too! Next time I am in ATL one of these is DEF happening.
Omgoodness I loveeeee rise in dine! Have you tried their sweet potato pancakes? So good!
Shameless plug: If you get a chance could you watch this short movie my friends made for campus movie fest? If we have the most views we get to go to Hollywood!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwtSOxWlOAQ&list=LLhvgKpLTIj-rX19TdM49izQ
I haven’t had the sweet potato pancakes yet, but I’m so ordering that next time around!
Just watched the video – so heartbreaking! And so well done! You’ve got some talented friends.
great list! 🙂 haven’t been to a lot of those since we used to live OTP, but i’ll have to put them on my list for sure.
My tummy is growling now! You picked some great spots, and I agree about the Flying Biscuit in Candler Park–that’s the only one I consider the “real” Flying Biscuit. To your list I would add West Egg on Howell Mill.
Oh my, this post makes me miss ATL so much. There are so many wonderful brunch spots in the A! I also can’t begin to express how much I miss Waffle House. New England needs to get with it! Also, did you know the Avondale Estates WH is the 1,000th WH built? I used to (and still do, actually) think it was the best one in the city because of it, but also they have a great staff. When my bf graduated from GSU we went to there to eat and take his grad photos.
Thank you so much for posting this!
I love Rise N Dine. Haven’t been there in a while, so I may just have to take a trip there soon. Have you checked out General Muir yet? Good stuff. 🙂
Great list!!! I’m not a brunch person, but do enjoy the ‘bottomless’ beverages that are offered 😉
I also live close to SIMB but have somehow not been there for brunch! I’ll definitely have to add it to the list. Agree that Flying Biscuit and Home Grown are musts. Cameron is so right about Le Petit Marchet. It’s tasty and a great business to have in the neighborhood. I also really like Atkins Park in the Highlands. They always have a really good version of eggs benedict.
Hi Guys! I love your list! I’ve only been to a few spots and love all the new recommendations. Personally, I’m partial to SIMB but will second Cameron’s recommendation of La Petite Marche. It’s wonderful!!