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13 Terrific Black-Owned Soul Food Spots Around ATL

Editor’s Note: This article was first published October 9, 2020 and last updated February 8, 2024.

Nourish your soul with some phenomenal soul food that tastes just like your mama made it. Get cozy with some delicious soul food from some of Atlanta’s most outstanding chefs and restaurateurs! Restaurants listed below in alphabetical order. 

1. Big Daddy’s Kitchen

Multiple Locations

For excellent oxtails, perfectly sweet yams, and delicious turkey wings, Big Daddy’s Kitchen is just the place. With locations in College Park, Decatur, and on Campbellton Rd. in Southwest Atlanta!

2. Busy Bee Cafe

A true Atlanta institution! Busy Bee was founded in 1947 at the height of the segregation era by self-taught cook, Lucy Jackson and is still Black-owned today by restaurateur Tracy Gates. Find this gem on Memorial Drive, just a short drive from Mercedes-Benz stadium. Order up some candied yams and finish your meal with their “ol’ fashioned banana puddin’.”

3. Delilah’s Everyday Soul

1235 Chattahoochee Ave NW, Atlanta, GA 30318

This soul food spot at the Chattahoochee Food Works specializes in fried chicken, and boy do they do it well! Dig into their fried chicken po boy, their chicken & waffle, mac and cheese, cornbread, and collard greens. 

4. K&K Soul Food

881 Donald Lee Hollowell Pkwy NW, Atlanta, GA 30318

Pull up to the counter to order up some deliciousness on a plate. This no frills spot is serving up delicious soul food at breakfast, lunch, and dinner–and has been for over 40 years. Try the cheese grits, gorge on fried chicken , and dig into some cornbread at K&K Soul Food. Available for delivery on Grubhub! 

5. Old Lady Gang Southern Cuisine

177 Peters St SW, Atlanta, GA 30313

No scrubs to be found, only great eats at Old Lady Gang. “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” star, businesswoman, and “The Masked Singer” winner Kandi Burruss  grew up in a family where cooking was a HUGE part of growing up. She opened up Old Lady Gang to share the family recipes she grew up with to Atlanta diners. Expect *lots* of butter and amazing fried catfish!

6. Paschal’s

180 Northside Dr SW, Atlanta, GA 30313

Paschal’s, nestled in Castleberry Hills, has been an Atlanta staple for soul food for over six decades. The prices are super reasonable, and the fried chicken hits the spot every time. The takeout system makes it easy to order all time.

7. R C’s Southern Cooking

1516 Roswell Rd Marietta, GA 30062

Dig into a fried porkchop, some collard greens, fresh fried whiting, turkey wings, and banana pudding at this no frills Southern spot in Marietta. Come hungry! 

8. Roc South Cuisine

3009 Buford Hwy NE, Brookhaven, GA 30329

This  Buford Highwa y spot has all the good stuff. Collard greens, mac and cheese, oxtails, catfish, and grits. Plus the vibes are unbeatable, especially at brunch! It’s soul food right on Buford Highway!

9. Soul Vegetarian

Giving up the soul food you might have grown up with is difficult, but thanks to Soul Vegetarian , you can still get the same tastes from your childhood even if you’ve gone vegetarian. The portions are super generous, and the vegan mac and cheese and cornbread is delicious! Locations on Highland Avenue and Ralph David Abernathy Blvd.

10. SoulBox

1017 Fair St Atlanta, GA 30314

11. Southern Fire Kitchen

3375 Buford Hwy NE Unit 1050. Brookhaven, GA 30329

Buford Highway has all the good spots, and now there’s an excellent, reasonably priced soul food and Southern spot you can enjoy. Think mac & cheese, fried chicken, yams. Get the fried lobster bites! 

12. Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours

Fried green tomatoes, bourbon caramel wings, and a bread basket with sweet potato biscuit and southern style corn bread are just some of the menu highlights at this excellent Blandtown/ Westside spot from Chef Deborah VanTrece. It’s soul food and Southern food, but a bit more upscale and very creative. The fried chicken plate is a crowd pleaser and may very well be our favorite in all of Atlanta, with a GENEROUS portion of chicken, tasty collard greens, and a helping of three cheese mac and cheese, too. 

13. Who’s Got Soul

Turkey wings. Candied yams. Peach cobbler. Who’s Got Soul has it all! You’ll come back again and again for their catfish feast and affordably priced eats , just like your mom used to make it. This Chef Keith Kash spot never misses. Locations in Lawrenceville , Decatur , and Duluth .

For more Black-owned restaurants, check out our 50 Outstanding Black Owned Restaurants Blog Post !

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Nourish your soul with some phenomenal soul food that tastes just like your mama made it. Get cozy with some delicious soul food from some of Atlanta’s most outstanding chefs and restaurateurs!

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18 Outstanding Soul Food Restaurants Around Atlanta

From fried whiting and baked jerk turkey wings to smoked salmon croquette sandwiches and Salisbury steak swimming in a pan of gravy

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What’s the difference between soul food and Southern food? The phrase “soul food” was first coined in the 1960s, seemingly meant to describe the honest-to-goodness, comforting foods often prepared at home by African American Southerners, with many dishes rooted in survival and the African diaspora. This food is soothing, good for the spirit, and just one category of fare falling under the broader umbrella of “Southern” food. Atlanta has no shortage of great restaurants that identify cuisine served on the menu as soul food. Here are a few restaurants to try around town.

Don’t see a favorite soul food restaurant listed? Email Eater Atlanta with suggestions to check out for the next update via the tipline .

More maps: Southern restaurants and meat-and-threes

Frank's Cajun and Soul Kitchen

Located behind a Chevron at the corner of Bellemeade Drive and Powder Springs Road, Frank’s serves up everything from catfish po’boys and saucy barbecue smoked ribs to fried tilapia and hearty bowls of red beans and rice with sides of collard greens and mac and cheese all from a takeout window.

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Big Daddy's Kitchen

Atlanta native Marcus “Big Daddy” Sabir grew up on the Westside. He worked in butchery for a supermarket in his neighborhood before branching out on his own with a food stand in the grocery’s parking lot decades ago. From there, Sabir grew to have multiple locations, including a cafe on Riverdale Road, a deli on Old National, and now two cafeterias — one in Decatur and one on Campbellton Road. The SWATS (Southwest Atlanta, too strong) location, even for its size and deep parking lot, is easy to miss due to sprawl in the surrounding area. But, pull up and walk inside for a hearty meal featuring meat, two sides, and a muffin. Standouts include the savory beef tips, baked jerk turkey wings, smothered pork chops, and the juicy pot roast. Big Daddy’s is generous with the side portions, too, like pinto beans, yellow rice, steamed cabbage, okra, and yam soufflé. Make sure to peruse the cake selection, such as caramel, red velvet, lemon cream, and Snickers.

The Beautiful Restaurant

The Beautiful has been hiding in plain sight in Southwest Atlanta for over 40 years, and somewhat flamboyantly with its multiple street signs, floral surroundings, and fenced-in patio area with Halloween-colored umbrellas. The secret to this restaurant’s success isn’t just from the shout-out it received on Goodie Mob’s debut album Soul Food, the food is beloved because it always looks and tastes like it was prepared for Sunday morning. Waiting warmly behind the cafeteria’s counter, fill that plate with beef ribs, ham hocks, neck bones, and meatloaf or baked or fried fish options, from catfish to croaker. Make sure to load up on sides like turnip greens and cornbread dressing and banana pudding for dessert. Breakfast here includes a platter with two eggs, grits, hash browns, toast or biscuits, and a meat or fish protein of choice.

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Deliah’s Everyday Soul @ Chattahoochee Food Works

This soul food spot at Chattahoochee Food Works comes with Oprah’s seal of approval on its mac and cheese. Owned by Philadelphia chef and cookbook author Delilah Winder, her eponymous food stall serves crispy fried chicken as platters, sandwiches topped with bread and butter pickles, po’boys with creole mayo and Merlin’s Magic seasoning, and even a chicken BLT. Plates come served with collards, cornbread, and the aforementioned mac and cheese. Make sure to also order Deliah’s fried green tomatoes and a strawberry lemonade. A second location is opening at Politan Row at Ashford Lane in Dunwoody.

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Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours

This is where the South’s most beloved dishes meet chef and owner Deborah VanTrece and chef de cuisine Robert Butts. VanTrece and Butts push the boundaries of soul food at the lounge-y Westside restaurant with dishes mole sous vide short ribs, a smoked salmon croquette sandwich, cornmeal-crusted catfish goujonnette, and crispy confit duck with chevre scallion Johnny cakes. The menu here is vast and strikes that difficult balance between casual and fine dining with ease. VanTrece opened Serenidad in 2022, a restaurant dedicated to Latin soul food dishes in Cascade Heights. Michelin listed Twisted Soul as a  recommended restaurant  to try on its Atlanta dining guide.

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Q - Time Restaurant

Sometimes folks can taste soul food just by looking at it, and that’s the case with the sauce-swimming turkey wing at Q-Time. It’s roasted to a gorgeous golden brown and savory to the bone, with plenty of meat, even if opting for the single order instead of two, which comes with two sides and a cornbread muffin. Opt for vegetables that are historically stewed, such as the collards, turnips, or cabbage Don’t skip the mac and cheese, which is baked to an almost perfect consistency. Oxtails, three-bone pork rib plates, honey barbecue wings, and the Salisbury steak are other dishes to consider ordering from Q-Time.

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Soulbox-Soulfood

Open at its new location in Ashview Heights, just west of Atlanta University Center, Soulbox is described as a Southern-Afro soul food restaurant. Regulars to its previous location on Oak Street, and now on Fair Street, swear by the smothered fried pork chops served with yellow saffron rice, smoked fried turkey wings, and fall-off-the-bone baby back ribs. Entrees come with cornbread cakes and a choice of two sides, including collards, creamy mac and cheese, and cornbread dressing. Make sure to also order some strawberry lemonade and peach cobbler for dessert.

Soul Vegetarian Restaurant

Long before the vegan wave hit Atlanta, Soul Vegetarian established itself as the reigning champion of meat-free Southern comfort food — particularly within Atlanta’s historically African-American communities. It also helped expand awareness of just how flavorful a strictly meat-free diet can be, and has particularly dispelled the notion that a plate of soul food must be cooked into grayscale and can’t be full of vibrant, colorful bites. The deep-green romaine and electric red julienned beets used in the eggless salad are solid proof. Try the crisp-fried or saucy barbecue tofu here or the exclusive “kalebone” meat substitute, which is a gluten-heavy protein used in lieu of country fried steak. There’s also a location on North Highland.

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K & K Soul Food

Any Bankhead restaurant that’s been around prior to Bankhead Highway’s renaming to Donald Lee Hollowell has earned the right to call itself a landmark. Aside from the fact that K & K has existed for more than 40 years, the restaurant can probably also thank its remarkable variety of menu items for the community’s continued patronage. Just look at the biscuits, which can be filled with red sausage links, pork chops, chicken or beef sausage, country-fried steak, or straight-up fatback. The restaurant does have vegetable plates, too. However, this is where to come for meats like beef liver or chicken gizzards as well as stewed beef or fried whiting. The humble deep-Westside restaurant, with its brick-tiled floors and 3-D mural, includes a few booths.

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Busy Bee Cafe

There’s a reason Busy Bee Cafe continues to dominate the Southern food conversation in Atlanta after seven decades — it’s that good. The dining room fills immediately after the doors open for lunch, and folks pour into “Atlanta’s soul food kitchen” for some of the best fried chicken likely within a 100-mile radius. People also love the tender collards, which the restaurant now prepares with smoked turkey rather than pork. Make sure to also indulge in the cornbread, baked mac and cheese, yams, cobblers, or sweet potato pie, while gazing upon bronze-framed photos of Civil Rights icons , celebrities, and world leaders — all who have eaten at Busy Bee over the years. The restaurant earned a James Beard award in 2022 and was named a bib gourmand by Michelin in 2023.

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The location has changed more than once from when brothers James and Robert Paschal founded the iconic restaurant. Its history is inseparable from the Civil Rights era in Atlanta due to the restaurant and its owners’ willingness to post bond for and provide free meals to jailed protestors. Now located at the corner of Northside Drive, Paschal’s continues to welcome new generations of diners for bowls of gumbo, battered catfish fingers, fried green tomato slices, St. Louis pork ribs, and Paschal’s original recipe fried chicken. There’s even caramel-drizzled bread pudding served up in a martini glass for dessert here. Paschal’s includes a location at Hartsfield-Jackson airport.

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Walter's Soul Food Cafe

The large, illuminated blue and yellow letters above the door help locate Walter’s from the street when exiting I-75 in south Atlanta. The hand-painted sign version on the window welcomes people inside for a hot plate. Grab a red tray and slide it down the rails for Salisbury steak swimming in a pan of gravy, crispy whole wings, smoked ribs, brisket, oxtails, and baked barbecue chicken. Grab peach cobbler for dessert.

Old Lady Gang Southern Cuisine

It’s nothing new for celebrities to own restaurants, especially in Atlanta. Many try and fail. This isn’t the case for Real Housewives of Atlanta cast member Kandi Burruss-Tucker, whose mother and aunts run Old Lady Gang, a “southern eatery” in Castleberry Hill. Begin with a sweet and sour “Momma Joyce’s” house coconut rum punch with banana liqueur, pineapple, and lime. Next, dig into the shrimp and grits (the appetizer version uses garlic cream; the entree is vodka cream), the balsamic-glazed ribeye, or the crème Anglaise French toast, which comes with whole battered chicken wings. OLG now has an East Point location and a stand inside State Farm Arena.

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Auntie Vee’s Kitchen

After closing in Alpharetta recently, soul food spot Auntie Vee’s Kitchen is on the move as a food truck while owner Navena Moore prepares to reopen the restaurant in Berkeley Park at the Forrest Street Eatery facility. For now, folks can catch the food truck popping up around town at festivals and other locations. Auntie Vee’s is where soul food classics and Caribbean flavors merge in savory dishes like jerk chicken fried rice, a variety of rice bowls, and an oxtail dinner that comes with a choice of sides like peas and rice, grits, fried cabbage, or cornbread. Moore’s delicious takes on baked mac and cheese are worth seeking out. This includes the Kamal’ee tossed with tri-colored peppers and chopped jerk chicken topped with tortilla chips and house jerk sauce and the hot lemon pepper chicken mac and cheese bowl. The sweet potato cream cheese pie is a must for dessert. Halal.

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Metro Deli & Soul Food

Regulars to this Sweet Auburn Curb Market soul food stall know what’s up, and have for years. Metro Deli continues to be one of the market’s staple food stalls, serving up breakfast and meat-and-two plates, starting early in the morning. Load up cafeteria style with baked spaghetti and ribs and fried chicken with sides of collards, mac and cheese, and dirty rice. Grab some banana pudding or peach cobbler for dessert. Lunch specials at Metro Deli include one meat, two sides, and cornbread for just under $10. The stall also serves wraps and sandwiches perfect for lunch on the go.

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This soul food stall  inside Krog Street Market is backed by chef Todd Richards. And the dishes served on this menu are inspired by Richards’ award-winning cookbook “ Soul: A Chef’s Culinary Evolution in 150 Recipes ”, including a hot fried catfish sandwich, chicken or catfish and waffles, wings, and four fried chicken sandwiches. Make sure to grab a side of smoked chicken collards, too. Order salmon croquettes for brunch on the weekend. 

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Roc South Cuisine

Roc South became an instant success when it opened on Buford Highway in 2019. The honey lemon pepper wings here are great, but it’s the jasmine rice seafood gumbo, which also includes chicken and beef sausage, that steals the appetizer show. Diners at Roc South justifiably rave about the whole fried snapper and the lamb chop. The “southern fried”, hot-honey-glazed chicken stands out as a prime example of how to treat plated institutions of soul food with modern reverence through its beautifully stacked presentation.

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Ms. Iceys Kitchen & Bar

Sim Walker didn’t come to Atlanta from New York City to play games with cuisine from the African diaspora. He’s been on a successful run with Negril Village in Midtown on North Avenue, and APT 4B on Peachtree. But it’s the food prepared at Ms. Icey’s (the Decatur restaurant named for his grandmother) that soothes the creative soul. There’s a recognizable twist of Caribbean flavor in many of the dishes here, from the coconut curry vegetable entree and the jerk lamb leg with sauteed kale to the turmeric-roasted branzino and the roasted half chicken brined in Red Stripe beer. Expect a little modern-day shenanigans on the menu, too, including the Thai chili “strip club wings”. Sip proper cognac cocktails at Ms. Icey’s, like the hibiscus sidecar mixed with lemon and orange liqueur. Yes, it’s on the rocks.

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The 12 Best Soul Food Restaurants In Atlanta

photo credit: Amy Sinclair

DeMarco Williams

December 14, 2023

There are some rules you must understand if you’re to fully appreciate Atlanta’s rich soul food scene. For starters, macaroni and cheese is a vegetable. Next, if you order fried fish, you already know that’s a 10- to 15-minute wait. And lastly, the more crust the merrier when it comes to a proper peach cobbler serving. Need a refresher with these laws? No problem. The following comfort food institutions are happy to share their down-home cooking skills.

photo credit: Mhandy Gerard

Paschal's Restaurant

With black-and-white images of Civil Rights pillars like Coretta Scott King towering over the tables and the O’Jays’ “For the Love of Money” coming through the speakers, you think you know what’s in store at this ATL classic—a soul-soothing scene filled with catfish, candied yams, and cornbread. And that’s exactly wh—wait a second, is that Snoop Dogg you hear now? And hold up, is that really a robot dropping off the plates? Yep and yep. Thankfully, this mix of trendy and traditional works because the food is so damn tasty.

Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours

Upper Westside

We can imagine the chef / owner walking a pan of ingredients into her kitchen one day, slipping on something and watching stuff go all over the place. Collard green leaves flew in one direction. Garlic flakes headed in another. Chimichurri floated onto everything. What was left wasn’t so much a mess as it was a new, elevated take on soul that makes for a tremendous night out. While everything pops with flavor, your tastebuds will fall hardest for the apricot cilantro chili salmon rolls, oxtails, and seafood pot pie.

Big Daddy's Cafe

Sometimes you have to work for what you want. That rings especially true in this tight, Caribbean-tinged take-out spot where long lines and fantastic curry chicken are always on the menu. Honestly, some of the slowness is patrons having a hard time looking at the daily options because of oddly angled windows into the kitchen. To alleviate delays at the cash register, have your “beef tips, rice, green beans, and black-eyed peas” order ready. Say it confidently, and you might get a half-smirk from the check-out clerk. Might.

The Beautiful Restaurant

For a restaurant to get shouted out on Goodie Mob’s 1995 classic song “Soul Food,” it must have been on point. For that same place to still be relevant 25-plus years later, it must be timeless. Yep, Cascade’s all-day-dining cathedral is all of the above. Nary a person—not Cee-Lo Green, not your aunt Jean, nobody—will ever categorize the food here as “overly seasoned” (in fact, we’ve always thought the mac and cheese could use a smidge more butter), but they will say the beef ribs are consistent, the pancakes are divine, and the dining room is always immaculate.

photo credit: @bitesndbevsmedia Amisha Nair

K&K Soul Food

The line of city workers and MARTA bus drivers snaking inside this Westside favorite can be intimidating, but we assure you the wait is worth it. For breakfast, the cafeteria-style lineup of down-home essentials includes beef links, thick-cut bacon and pancakes—all done with equal parts lard and love. As for the meat and two you get at lunch, you’ll choose from meaty turkey wings, spot-on collards, and fried chicken that * whispers * might be better than your granny’s.

photo credit: Amisha Nair for Bites and Bev Media

With 12 outposts in the metro area, This Is It appears to be on a mission to keep Atlanta full. And we’d like to thank them for their service. At every address (be it one of their dine-in restaurants or a to-go-only stop), you can get smoked meats, seasoned sides and hot-out-the-grease whiting. At the popular Camp Creek location, you’ll also find a bright dining room and a small banquet area. The extra space will come in handy as you preside over an order that loosely resembles last year’s Thanksgiving spread.

The Busy Bee Cafe

A place can be considered a classic eatery based off its tenure, its taste or, in the case of this award-winning ATL icon, a delicious combination of the two. All of that said, the slights you’ve heard about Busy Bee are correct. The (closed-until-further-notice) dining room is too tight. The Saturday takeout line does stretch to Conyers. Yes, your bill will run $50 for two people. Still, no matter how many times we’ve complained under our breath—we’re well over 100 visits by now—we’ve never left unhappy. The best soul food restaurant in the city has its challenges, yes, but cooking excellent fried chicken, fish, and sides isn’t on that list.

Soul Vegetarian

This may be an exaggeration, but we don’t think a thing has changed about this 100-percent vegan spot in the West End since the ‘80s. The not-so-great news is that the dining room could use a facelift. The good part, however, is that the daily selection of alternative proteins (seitan, vital wheat gluten) and healthy sides (renowned vegan mac and cheese) is as fresh as ever. Soul Veg’s smoothie bar is still open next door, too, which is great, considering your craving for the Strawberry Redemption (strawberries, papaya juice, mango, orange juice, and sweetener) is stronger now than it ever was.

Peach Cobbler Café

Don’t let the name fool you—Peach Cobbler Cafe shouldn’t be dismissed as another dessert shop. Does your average bakery serve ribs, fried chicken, collards, and cobbler? Nope, didn’t think so. When hunger comes on hard and fast and a basic sandwich won’t cut it, this Buckhead soul food cafe saves the day with super satisfying, stick-to-your-bones homestyle food served quickly. The entrees, like their oxtails with dark brown gravy or tender ribs drenched with barbecue sauce, will run you a pretty penny (around $16 to $28). But you’ll be happy, and you’ll be full.

Walter's Soul Food

Sitting in a small strip mall on Cleveland Avenue, Walter’s patrons sometimes contend with other businesses’ customers for parking. The tussle outside proves worth it, though, because the restaurant’s assortment of meats (turkey wings, ribs, salisbury steak) and traditional sides is consistently good. Order the barbecue chicken, yams, and greens for a soul-soothing meal that reminds you of home. Who cares that you had to park in front of the barber shop to get to it?

A1 Soul Food

Folks who frequent this MLK Drive mainstay know that you either come with patience or you don’t come at all. We usually see lines 25 deep at 3:45 in the afternoon. The reason no one ever storms off before their turn is because they know that when they finally make their way to the front and see the pork chops, fried chicken, and gravy-soaked liver, their sacrifice wouldn’t have been in vain. But even with the tasty meats, the best thing about A1 might be its sides. The yams melt in your mouth. The mac and cheese is baked to perfection. If it wasn’t for the 30-minute wait, you’d be tempted to order seconds.

Q-Time Restaurant

Three or four hair and nail shops share the same tiny West End plaza with Q-Time. This means two things—parking is going to be tight and many of the patrons are going to look right. Of course, any concerns about appearances are forgotten all about once the barbecue sauce starts dribbling down your chin—BBQ? Q-Time? Get it?—or the crust from the famous peach cobbler crumbles onto your lap. The baked chicken is another winner on the daily menu. Just be careful with that gravy. Might be a pain getting it out of your shirt.

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20 Of The Absolute Best Soul Restaurants For 2024

Soul food has gotten a bad rap from health nuts who have questioned its nutritional value, but there’s a thing such as good-for-you soul food here in Atlanta.

When you envision soul food, you might think of some slamming ole  fried chicken or potato salad, but as you’re about to see, the cuisine accounts for a well-rounded palate.

So where is the top-notch classic soul food? This article will show you all the great soul food restaurants in Atlanta.

Where To Find The Best Soul Food in Atlanta

Historically, those new Atlanta restaurants that get all of the attention have been on the North and West side.

Here we’ll look at some hidden culinary treasures that serve the best soul food in the area. Many of them have struggled to stay afloat, either due to the COVID-19 pandemic are trying to survive on bare-bones budgets. That being said, there are a few joints still keeping the soul food flame alive.

Are you ready to get down and eat? Here are some of the best soul food restaurants in Atlanta.

The Top 15 Best Soul Food Restaurants In Atlanta

1.  anna’s bbq.

Anna’s BBQ  is the place to go if you want smoked meats and traditional BBQ beef and pork. The eatery is owned by Alexander Coates, Lakesia Phelps and her family in Kirkwood on Atlanta’s eastside.

Favorite dishes at Anna’s BBQ include Turkey or Beef burger topped with coleslaw, an onion ring, and  Anna’s BBQ  Sauce, served with Frites.

2.  Busy Bee

810 M.L.K. Jr Dr SW, Atlanta, GA 30314

The Martin Luther King Boulevard staple has survived lean times in the 1990s and enjoyed a resurgence as gentrification combined with a loyal following from Atlanta University Center students has kept the doors open for years. Choice dishes include the  Baked Chicken & Corn bread Dressing … a quarter of chicken smothered in its own gravy and served with cranberry sauce. And don’t sleep on the Pork Chops: Two 6 oz. chops marinated, hand breaded and fried in peanut oil to a crisp golden brown.

3.  Carrie Bo’s

568 Macon St McDonough, GA 30253

Carrie Bo’s offers what it calls “Soul Food Fusion,” and it is delicious! Located in McDonough, the eatery has some of the fresh takeout dishes you can get, including fried fish, hot wings and barbeque!

4.  Debbie’s Delights

  4495 Jonesboro Rd, Forest Park, GA 30297 |  (314) 330-2672

Here’s what one reviewer says about Debbie’s Delights: “On a road trip and stopped in to have a bite to eat. It’s a small quaint little place. The coffee tasted wonderful. We had the chicken & waffles, shrimp and grits, and a vegetable omelette. One of the kids had a waffle. All were delicious! The chicken was perfectly cooked, not greasy, and the seasoning was delicious. The shrimp and grits were amazing and taste great. The omelette was delicious. The portions were good and prices are reasonable. The owner came out and tuned the TV to a show for the kids. She brought a chair out for the baby in carseat. They also have board games and big Jenga blocks. We enjoyed our meal very much.”

5.  K&K Soul Food

6.  Lickety Split Southern Kitchen & Bar

1155 Virginia Ave Suite F, Hapeville, GA 30354

Lickety Split is a soul food restaurant that serves traditional, homecooked southern food with a heaping helping of hospitality. It opened in late April 2019, but is making some sizable rumblings already.

The family owned and operated restaurant offers happy hour as well as brunch on the weekends.  Delivery  and  catering  services are also available. See more.

7.  Soul Vegetarian

879 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd SW, Atlanta, GA 30310

One of the West End’s most famous restaurants, Soul Vegetarian is just what the name implies, vegetarian, but don’t get it twisted. This is some of the best whole food in the  city. Fave joints include the Garvey Burger, made from seasoned wheat gluten topped with special “Mierah” mushroom and onion sauce.

8.  Soul Vegetarian 2

652 North Highland Avenue Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30306 |   (404) 875-0145

Like its cousin on the southside, Soul Vegetarian 2 offers expertly-cooked 100% vegan dishes. Soul Vegetarian 2 is among the Atlanta restaurants that offers curbside pickup.

9.  Paschal’s

180 Northside Dr SW #B, Atlanta, GA 30313

Intl Airport, Concourse B, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta, N Terminal Rd Suite T120, Atlanta, GA 30320

Known as the kitchen of the civil rights movement, Paschals has had the most continuous success of any soul food joint in the city. The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., Ralph David Abernathy and Hosea Williams all planned protests in the back room while collard greens and corn bread baked only feet away from them. Today, Paschal’s has morphed into a mid-upscale eatery with a cosmopolitan clientele. But it still has some of the meanest soul food in the ATL. Best dishes include Gulf shrimp, chicken and Andouille as well as the Caribbean Fish Tacos.

10.  Ms. Icey’s Kitchen & Bar

1371 Clairmont Rd, Decatur, GA 30033

The newest soul food spot in Decatur comes from owner and restaurateur Sim Walker, whose New York City rearing comes through in the vibe. Ms. Icey’s, named after Walker’s grandmother, is Decatur’s best-kept secret even though it has quickly become a culturally hip gathering place for those in the know. When cornbread comes in an iron skillet, and oxtails do as well, you know you’re in a foodie’s dream. Not only are many of the dishes a nod to Southern and soul food culture, but the drinks are mostly handcrafted, giving the place an organic life. The sweet potato waffles are to die for.

11.  Old Lady Gang Southern Cuisine

Atlanta Locations:

• 177 Peters St. SW, Atlanta | 404-692-4407
• 3650 Marketplace Blvd Suite 950, East Point, GA 30344
• Inside Mercedes Benz Stadium

Known as the Kandi Burruss-Tucker spot, Old Lady Gang Southern Cuisine has quickly taken its position as both a sophisticated and downhome Southern food spot in downtown Atlanta. Yes, it is owned by Burruss-Tucker and husband Todd Tucker, but it pays homage to Kandi’s aunts, Joyce Jones, aunts Bertha Jones & Nora Wilcox, who make up the “Old Lady Gang.”

Favorites on the menu of Old Lady Gang, which also has a location in State Farm Arena, include Momma Joyce’s House Punch, Aunt Bertha’s Fried Chicken and Aunt Nora’s Fried Catfish Strip.

12. Peach Cobbler Cafe

 2221 Peachtree Rd NW Suite G  Atlanta, GA 30309 | 404-351-0450

Here’s what one reviewer says about the Peach Cobbler Cafe: “What a great find! It’s a perfect date night location. The space is well decorated. The food is chef driven and nails everything from taste, freshness, ingredient variety, to presentation. The drinks are well crafted and delicious. Complete with professional and polite staff that is also fun, prompt, and I am definitely going back.”

13. Soul Delicious Grill & Buffet

1375 Mount Zion Rd, Morrow, GA, GA 30260 | (678) 604-7195

Soul Delicious Grill & Buffet is located in a modest strip mall south of the city, but the food is big-time. If you enjoy smothered chicken with all the fixin’s, this is your place.

14. The Real Milk & Honey

3719 Main St, College Park, GA 30337 | (404) 458-5500

Want some great seafood and Southern goodness? The Real Milk and Honey is one of the best restaurants in College Park. They have day parties on the weekend, so plan accordingly.

15. Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours

1133 Huff Rd NW #D, Atlanta, GA 30318

This relatively new eatery has quickly stolen the hearts of soul food lovers in the city. Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours is run by Executive Chef and Owner Deborah VanTrece has become a culinary force in Atlanta. She also runs her own catering company Catering by VanTrece. Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours has become known as an eatery that offers creative versions of Southern classics such as Jack Daniels Pecan Honey Chicken Wings and Sweet Tea Baby Back Ribs. Their Blue Plate Specials are great.

16. Q’s Restaurant

1599 White Way, Atlanta, GA 30344 | (404) 767-9894

Located in downtown East Point, Q’s Restaurant is an old faithful spot where you can get neckbones, rib tips and two sides at lunchtime for an affordable price. Q’s Restaurant typically is only open for lunch, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

17. Q Time Restaurant

1120 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd, Atlanta, GA 30310

Among the best of the Styrofoam plate eateries, Q Time Restaurant continues to impress and they are reopening soon! This West End gem sits in a strip mall a short distance from Willie Watkins Funeral Home, The Wrens Nest and even the Atlanta University Center. Q Time is known for its succulent turkey wings, collard greens and meatloaf.

18. This Is It! BBQ & Seafood

• 3523 Camp Creek Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30344
• 3620 Camp Creek Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30331
• 6045 Old National Hwy, College Park, GA 30349
• 2776 Cumberland Blvd SE, Smyrna, GA 30080
• 4065 Memorial Dr, Decatur, GA 30032
• 1497 Mt Zion Rd, Morrow, GA 30260

This is It is the quintessential soul food joint in the heart of the South. Boasting a decades long tradition secured by a tight family, This Is It has expanded throughout metro Atlanta to become the premiere soul food brand in Georgia. If you’re in the mood for neck bones, this are the best in the country, bar none.

If you want to expand your palate a bit, check out our guide to the best new Atlanta restaurants to try right now . Bon apetite!

19.  Walter’s Soul Food Cafe

394 Cleveland Ave SW, Atlanta, GA 30315 | (404) 761-0001

Walter’s Seafood is a mainstay in southwest Atlanta. The cafe is ideal for takeout and offers all the Southern dishes you love.

20. Who’s Got Soul Southern Cafe

3818 Covington Hwy, Decatur, GA 30032 | (404) 289-0116

Who’s Got Soul is one of the best soul food restaurants in Decatur. They offer no pork seasonings, no canned vegetables, or no MSG is served as well. If you’re ever in the Covington Highway area, stop by — Southern Café.

The best dishes in the Southern kitchen have typically revolved around greasy meats, starches and heavily sugared desserts, but Atlanta’s top soul restaurants turn that stereotype on its head.

How To Cook Soul Food

Soul food takes certain ingredients for it to be great. Here is what you need to cook some real soul food:

• Collard Greens
• Black Eye Peas

Soul food is a Southern tradition. Not every restaurant is worthy of the religion. Only those that adhere to the time-tested and working class code associated with the soulful dishes and recipes can rightfully hold the crown and be befitted with the moniker.

What Is The Best Soul Food In Atlanta?

Atlanta has many restaurants that are categorized as “soul food.,  but are they really? A better description for some of these eateries though, would be Southern food, because many restaurants below the Mason-Dixon line feature some of the same dishes.

When you think of Southern food, though, you’re talking about as many as 11 states and the way different subcultures prepare their food.

If we add that little distinction, great restaurants such as Mary Mac’s Tea Room on Ponce de Leon Avenue and The Colonnade on Cheshire Bridge Road clearly are two of the best.

Of course, how those dishes are prepared is what really differentiates one from the other.

What Celebrities Have Restaurants In Atlanta?

Atlanta has many celebrities that have opened up restaurants. Rapper and actor Ludacris was the force behind Chicken+Beer at the airport. Love & Hip Hop’s Kirk and Rasheeda Frost gave us Frost Bistro .

See some of the other black celebrity restaurants here .

If you’re a health nut and want more local healthy food choices, perhaps you’ll be interested in our Guide to Local Farmers Markets.

We also have special coverage of Black Farmers In Atlanta as well as How To Keto In Atlanta .

More Food Coverage:

Here Are The Best New Restaurants In Atlanta

• How To Apply For Atlanta’s Senior Food Program
• Where To Eat In Atlanta
• Best Restaurants On The Atlanta Beltline Right Now

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Taste of soul atlanta.

Taste of Soul Atlanta (TOSA) is a two-day, citywide food, music, and cultural festival anchored in West Downtown Atlanta across from the Mercedes Benz Stadium. TOSA is the largest Soul + R&B music concert in America with 100+ music performances over two days. Enjoy the best Soul Food in the the south and experience flavors you've never imagined; everything from Fried Chicken, Fried Crab Legs, Smothered Pork Chops, Ribs, Grilled Chicken, Fried Catfish, Mac N Cheese, Candied Yams, Yellow Rice, Corn Bread & Much More. The Soul in the City Headliners Concert offers ticketed (premium) tables, individual and lawn chair seating. The Festival's Open Concert is FREE.

All Upcoming Occurrences

Nearby hotels.

Signia by Hilton Atlanta - 3.29 Miles

Fairfield Inn & Suites Atlanta Downtown - 3.3 Miles

Glenn Hotel, Autograph Collection - 3.45 Miles

Omni Atlanta Hotel at Centennial Park - 3.47 Miles

Nearby restaurants

Bullpen Rib House - 2.54 Miles

Chick-fil-A Vine City - 2.67 Miles

Metro Diner & Bar - 2.91 Miles

Sweet Georgia's Juke Joint - 2.98 Miles

• Atlanta Food Tours

Food Tasting Tours in Atlanta - Taste & Learn About Our Southern Food, Cocktails, and Restaurants

Atlanta Food & Cocktail Tour

Tour price: $109.99 adults & $89.99 non-drinkers, departure location.

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Private food tour group sizes 10-100.

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Soul II Soul Tour

Kem + ledisi with special guest musiq soulchild.

• Date Feb 4 , 2023
• Event Starts 8:00 PM
• On Sale On Sale Now

Event Details

KEM & LEDISI ANNOUNCE THE SOUL II SOUL TOUR COMING TO state farm arena on Saturday, Feb. 4

Featuring Special Guest Musiq Soulchild Tickets On Sale Starting Friday, Oct. 28 at 10 a.m. Local Time

ATLANTA (October 24, 2022) – R&B legends, Kem and Ledisi, announce “The Soul II Soul Tour” is coming to the award-winning State Farm Arena in Atlanta on Saturday, Feb. 4 . The Grammy ® Award-recognized artists will take the stage with special guest Musiq Soulchild at 8 p.m. Tickets go on sale to the general public Friday, Oct. 28 at 10 a.m. Pre-sale tickets go on sale Wednesday, Oct. 26 at 10 a.m. local time. For tickets to the show at the award-winning State Farm Arena on Saturday, Feb. 4, visit Ticketmaster.com .

Three-time GRAMMY®-nominated and Multi-Platinum singer and songwriter KEM ascended from the deep grasp of addiction and homelessness on the streets of Detroit to find himself among the legendary icons etched atop Motown’s marquee of music history. KEM’s redemptive, hook-laden music – a deft fusion of rhythm & blues, soul, and jazz – sparkles beneath his distinctively transfixing vocals. Treasured as one of the redefining voices of contemporary music, he has been compared to renowned artists such as Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, and Marvin Gaye.

Blessed as a natural born storyteller KEM perfected his vocal gifts across an emotional palette of pain by stepping fully into his power and giving rise to the purest expressions of his truth.

Perfecting songs that would revitalize his spirit as he bounced between homeless shelters and drug rehab centers proved to be the golden thread that would guide him through the darkest valleys of despair to sobriety on his birthday in 1995 — a milestone moment where KEM’s inner strength and dramatic depth propelled him toward his destined future as one of music’s most important and cherished voices.

2021 Grammy winner, Ledisi is a twelve-time Grammy nominated powerhouse vocalist with a career spanning almost two decades. Since arriving on the scene in the late 1990’s, she's garnered three Soul Train Music awards, an NAACP Theater Award, and six NAACP Image Award nominations.  Most recently, Ledisi received two LA Alliance Ovation Award nominations one for Best Featured Actress in a Musical. Born in New Orleans and raised in Oakland, CA, Ledisi has wowed fans with her unparalleled vocals ever since she burst onto the scene.  She has truly earned a place in the pantheon of the greatest singers of her generation. Ledisi is a favorite of The Obamas and a long list of icons including the late-Prince, Patti LaBelle, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan and so many more.  She has headlined two nationally sold-out tours, performed alongside Dave Matthews, Kelly Clarkson, Vince Gill and Maxwell as well as jazz greats Herbie Hancock and Patti Austin.

The Soul II Soul Tour is produced by North American Entertainment Group Inc., one of the leading independent promoters of entertainment tours and live events in the United States.  

TICKETS: Tickets on sale starting Friday, Oct. 28 at 10 a.m. local time.

Suite Rentals

Take your concert experience to the next level with all-inclusive food and beverage, amazing views, A-list amenities, and your own private party zone for you and your crew!  

BOOK ONLINE NOW  

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Parking: Buy Now & Save!

Enjoy all these awesome benefits when you plan ahead and purchase your parking in advance through ParkMobile.

State Farm Arena offers multiple parking options tailored to your needs:

• STATE FARM DRIVE:  The best parking, just steps from the entrance
• DIAMOND DECK:  VIP parking with exclusive Player/Artist entrance
• SAPPHIRE DECK:  Prime location across the street
• RUBY LOT:  Easy & convenient Arena access  

RESERVE NOW

Plan Your Visit

From how to get here, to finding your seat, to getting something to eat and drink, click here to plan your visit to State Farm Arena. 

≤ 14” x 14” x 6"  

State Farm Arena has a strict bag policy in place to ensure safety for all attendees.

Please note that bags larger than 14" x 14" x 6", including briefcases, purses, luggage, and diaper bags, are not allowed in the arena. Additionally, backpacks and hard-sided bags of any kind are prohibited. However, you are welcome to bring in single-compartment drawstring bags and fashion backpacks or purses that are smaller than 14" x 14" x 6".

Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our venue secure.

Cashless Enviroment

State Farm Arena is a cashless environment. Card payment will be required at all ticket, food & beverage, and retail locations. No cash payments will be accepted.

Omni Hotel Guests

Staying at the Omni Hotel?

To access the Omni Hotel’s North and South towers, exit through Gate 7 and walk west on Andrew Young International Blvd NW towards Marietta St NW. The Omni Hotel will be on your left.

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Atlanta Food Tour - Secret Food Tours

We are extremely passionate about our local food, our city, and its history. We love to share the best Southern food and its unique culture. When you join Secret Food Tours: Atlanta, you'll try delicious food and drinks that are inspired by the southern heritage new and old, specifically from the Atlanta Midtown region. Plus, we'll show you how to find the best shops, restaurants, live entertainment, and provide other great local tips to make your time here truly memorable.

As local Atlantans, we are extremely passionate about our local cuisine, its history and its unique culture. You'll try amazing food and drink inspired by the Southern heritage

At Secret Food Tours: Atlanta, we're extremely passionate about our city and all the amazing cuisine within it. Our tours will introduce you to our unique culture and its focus on quality Southern cuisine with influences from past and present. We'll focus specifically on Atlanta Midtown, where you'll find some of the best restaurants in the city.

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Historic Market Food Tour + Biscuit Class

This is the ultimate Atlanta food experience and you won’t want to miss it. In just two hours , you will try 9 delicious tastings from 5 vendors in Atlanta’s oldest market and become Southern cooks with a hands-on Atlanta cooking class .

You’ll learn fascinating Atlanta history and get a close look at Southern cooking and Georgia’s most famous foods, including peaches, collards, and pecans. And, you will love learning how to make the perfect Southern biscuit in our Atlanta cooking class.

Beat the heat and the rain in this indoor food experience through Atlanta’s most historic market, rated one of the top 10 markets in the country by USA Today.

This tour is perfect for the entire family, with limited walking, enough delicious food for a hearty lunch, and a hands-on experience. Bring everyone from kids to grandparents on this tour!

And, at only two hours, you can squeeze this in before or after a trip to the Georgia Aquarium. The Market is located directly on the Atlanta Streetcar line, conveniently located between Centennial Olympic Park and the Martin Luther King Jr. Historic District.

Take advantage of our exclusive restaurant partners to get a taste of the best food in the city. You won’t have to worry because Unexpected Atlanta is the #1 rated tour company in the city of Atlanta with more than 2,400 reviews and 8 years in business.

Food Tastings Include:

Panbury’s Meat Pies

Jikssa Ethiopian Cuisine

Metro Deli Soul Food

Southern Buttermilk Biscuits

Miss D’s Pralines and Popcorn

*Tastings may be subject to change.

Tour Details

$70 adults and children age 4 and up.

Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 11:00 am; most Saturdays at 12:30 pm

What’s included:

9 food tastings from 5 vendors (enough for lunch); a hands-on Southern biscuit class; an awesome and informative guide; take-home recipe card

Food restrictions:

Due to the nature of classic Southern biscuits, we don’t recommend making dairy-free or gluten-free biscuits for the class. However, we can accommodate food restrictions and allergies on this tour and class as long as we know about them in advance.

Booking deadline:

9:00 a.m. on the day of the tour

10 people maximum; for private tour inquries with larger groups, please inquire here.

What to wear:

Comfortable clothes and comfortable shoes

What to bring:

Cash for gratuities for your guide and souvenirs

Weather conditions:

Tour takes place rain or shine. It’s almost entirely indoors.

0.2 miles, almost entirely indoors!

Parking is an additional cost for this experience. We recommend utilizing public transportation because the Atlanta Streetcar ($1 per ride) stops directly in front of the Curb Market.

Meeting point:

Just outside the Sweet Auburn Curb Market. Details provided once tickets are purchased.

Highlights Include:

• Insider’s look at four of the Municipal Market’s best restaurants, with a variety of cuisines
• Entertaining and informative stories of Atlanta’s oldest market
• Mouth-watering tastes with a focus on hyper-local ingredients and minority owned businesses
• Hands-on Southern biscuit making class with local jam
• Discovering the history of biscuits and bread-making
• Perfect for the entire family and only 2 hours long

Looking for a foodie gift? Try an Atlanta food tour or Atlanta cooking class.

Frequently asked questions about atlanta food tours, about the food, what exactly is a food tour.

Our food tours of Atlanta combine history, delicious food, and street art. It mashes together a great meal with sightseeing and history.

This cooking class and market tour is a completely unique experience!

Do you offer vegetarian options?

Yes, we can accommodate vegetarian guests for the Curb Market Tour + Biscuit Class. Simply note your food restriction in the booking notes.

Do you offer gluten-free options?

What are the menu items (spoilers).

Don’t read this if you want to be surprised!

Generally, our tastings include the following (subject to change):

• Jikssa Ethiopian: Gomen and injera bread
• Metro Deli Soul Food: Hoecakes, collards, yams
• Panbury’s: Steak and Stout meat pie
• Cooking class: Buttermilk biscuit and Emily G’s peach marmalade
• Miss D’s: Pecan praline

For vegetarians, tastings may be (subject to change):

• Panbury’s: Spinach and feta pie
• Cooking class: Buttermilk biscuit, Emily G’s peach marmalade

Does this Atlanta food tour include an urban food hall?

Yes! The Historic Market Tour + Biscuit Cooking Class takes place completely indoors in the Sweet Auburn/Municipal Market, Atlanta’s oldest urban food hall and market.

How much food is on an Atlanta food tour?

The food provided is enough for a hearty lunch or brunch.

Can I change the food options during the Atlanta food tours?

All food is pre-ordered so you may not change options during the tour.

I have a severe food allergy.

Please let us know about severe food allergies.  Our guides also carry Benadryl but do not carry epi-pens.

Can my children participate in this tour?

Yes! Children love this fun experience, which gives them a true taste of Southern cooking. We generally recommend that children be at least 5 years old in order to fully participate in the Atlanta cooking class.

Is there a tour minimum?

Yes, Unexpected Atlanta reserves the right to cancel tours at any time if the 2 person minimum has not been met. In this event Unexpected Atlanta will reach out to guests to resolve issues with any affected reservations.

What type of history is included on the food tours of Atlanta?

The Historic Market Tour + Biscuit Cooking Class covers the history of bread, from 1600s to the 1900s, plus the history of the Curb Market and how it relates to Atlanta.

Is the cooking class messy?

Not at all! There’s a bit of flour and butter to handle, but most guests find that no flour ends up on their clothing, and it’s easy to brush off. If you are concerned, we have aprons available for guests.

I am interested in the Civil Rights Movement. Is that on this tour?

We mention the Civil Rights Movement briefly. But, if you want to learn about Martin Luther King Jr. or the Civil Rights Movement, we recommend our  King Historic District Tour.

How close is the Atlanta food tour to other attractions?

The Municipal Market is very close to many downtown attractions and is along the Atlanta Streetcar Route. It is an easy trip on the Streetcar to the World of Coke, Georgia Aquarium, National Center for Civil and Human Rights, the Eastside Beltline Trail, and the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Park.

I am interested in a private tour or experience for a corporate event.

Wonderful! Contact us here.  We will help you organize your private tours.

How long is the walk?

0.2 miles, almost all indoors! You will be standing for at least an hour.

Are the Atlanta food tours wheelchair accessible?

The tour is not ADA accessible. If you are a wheelchair user, we’ll do our best to accomodate you. Please let us know if you will be bringing a wheelchair.

Will the food tours of Atlanta run in the rain?

Aboslutely! This tour is held completely indoors.

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