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You can’t start your day without a good breakfast. If you are wondering where to find the best breakfast in Atlanta, Georgia you are in the right place!

What’s the difference between breakfast and brunch? There is a big difference! Breakfast places in Atlanta are often open everyday of the week, whereas brunch spots may only serve their brunch foods during the weekend. Breakfast usually sticks to the eggs, bacon, and pancakes staples. Brunch typically has some more lunch type offerings and often alcoholic drinks. Brunch items often are a little more inventive. This means there is a different vibe between the two and brunch can have more of a social gathering feel.

Okay okay, I admit many places work well for both breakfast and brunch or even serve different menus for both. Honestly most breakfast restaurants in Atlanta are great for brunch too. So because there is a lot of overlap, make sure to also check out my awesome list of brunch places in Atlanta.

For the best breakfast in Atlanta, whether you are looking for weekday breakfast or a weekend outing, you can’t go wrong with the following Atlanta breakfast restaurants.

Where to Eat the Best Breakfast in Atlanta

Home Grown

968 Memorial Dr SE (Reynoldstown) & 412 Churst St (Decatur) 

Home Grown is the type of place you would think you would find in rural Georgia, instead it is in the heart of Atlanta. Located in Reynoldstown, not too far from downtown Atlanta, Home Grown has a down home feel. While owner and chef Kevin Clark originally worked in fine dining, Home Grown is a nod back to his roots. All the comfort food menu items are made from local ingredients. There is even a garden out back!

I love the flavorful, fried chicken with a hint of heat. Whether you order the comfy chicken biscuit or the chicken and waffles you need to make sure chicken is included in your order! When I go back I have my eyes on the comfy waffle, a newer addition to the menu that combines the comfy chicken biscuit and the chicken and waffles. For any vegetarians out there, don’t worry the produce from the garden doesn’t go to waste and there are vegetable centric dishes for you.

The community feel and great service make Home Grown one of the best go to breakfast spots in Atlanta for locals and visitors alike.

Ria’s Bluebird

421 Memorial Dr SE (Grant Park)

 The NY Times rates Ria’s pancakes as the best in the world. I don’t know if I would quite go that far, but they are some of the best that I have had. They are pretty huge, so you probably only need two, especially if you are ordering a side. I do have to say they are cooked to perfection. I hate when they are too doughy and nobody likes a burnt pancake either. Not to mention it is currently only $5.75 for two pancakes!

Ria’s Bluebird is one of the best Atlanta breakfast spots not just because of their pancakes. The other menu options are great too. The seasoned potatoes are a delicious side. Plus they always have delicious specials. One day they had a sausage and gravy biscuit special. I could taste that the sausage was truly homemade and not your typical skinny sausage patty. 

Atlanta Breakfast Club

249 Ivan Allen Jr Blvd NW (Downtown) 

Many Atlanta breakfast places serve chicken and waffles. It’s so hard to choose the best chicken and waffles in Atlanta, but Atlanta Breakfast Club’s version is at the top of my list. It is one of my favorite breakfast items, but when it is done right with a thick and fluffy waffle and perfectly seasoned fried chicken I am a happy girl. This tasty combination and the peach cobbler french toast are the dishes to order here.

You can expect a long wait at many of the breakfast spots in Atlanta, but expect even longer waits here. Put your name on the Yelp waiting list hours before you want to eat. The Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca Cola and other top city attractions are right across the street. Use the Atlanta City Pass and your wait will fly by as you check out one of these cool places. 

Their current covid procedures leave a bit to be desired. Not to mention the $3 per bottle of water is the only way to receive water. Prices are otherwise on par with other similar spots. Luckily the food is so good that you will soon forget any downfalls. 

Flying Biscuit

1655 McLendon Ave NE (Candler Park) & Additional Locations 

When I visited Atlanta for the first time I was told the best breakfast in Atlanta was at Flying Biscuit Cafe. Their original location in Candler Park has been around for almost 30 years now. Since that time other locations in Atlanta and the south have popped up. Each location retains the southern, yet eclectic charm of the original. Spot the hand painted “flying biscuits” on the walls.

Southern and comfort foods from pancakes to omelets fill the menu. One of their most popular menu items is their award winning creamy dreamy grits. I don’t even like grits and I finished my entire dish of grits! Of course the signature biscuits with cranberry apple butter are a big hit as well. With how fast they are eaten the biscuits seem like they truly are flying away!

If you aren’t sold yet, the big portions and reasonable prices will seal the deal. The ‘high flyer’ will fill you up with a lot of Flying Biscuit’s best breakfast staples for only $10.99!

Snooze an AM Eatery

980 Howell Mill Rd (West Midtown) & 4600 Roswell Rd (Buckhead) 

Snooze is one of the best Atlanta breakfast restaurants. You’ll find classic breakfast items here with a bit of a twist. They make a variety of egg and omelet dishes. The corned beef hash with toast and eggs had the perfect flavor combination. French toast, Benedict’s, pancakes, and breakfast tacos are also on the menu. Seasonal specialities, such as pumpkin pancakes in fall, are also available. 

There are several varieties of mimosas, bloody mary’s and other boozy drinks to go along with your breakfast. Of course there are juices and coffee drinks as well.

Snooze is perfectly named because both Atlanta locations are open until 2:30pm during the week and 4pm on the weekends. You can sleep in and hit the snooze many times without having to worry about missing breakfast. Put your name on the Yelp waitlist ahead of time to reserve your table inside or outside on the patio.

Highland Bakery

655 Highland Ave NE (Old Fourth Ward) & Additional Locations 

Looking for the most affordable breakfast places in Atlanta? Highland Bakery is your answer seven days a week. Their breakfast items are served every day until closing time. Omelets and breakfast sandwiches are all under $10. Most of their bigger entrees are under $15. Those with a smaller appetite will be happy to know that you can order half orders of some of the dishes. 

Whatever you are craving you can find it on the menu. You need to try the sweet potato pancakes and the cilantro corn pancakes. The cilantro corn pancakes are known as the hobo breakfast for a reason. Not only are they delicious, but they will also fill you up.

If you have a sweet tooth you can grab a house made baked good after your meal…..or for your meal! Some of their mouthwatering entrees like the peanut butter french toast are basically eating a dessert for brunch.

Now there are locations all around the city. The first one in a historic building in Old Fourth Ward was originally home to a bakery of the same name in the 1930s. Indoor seating and outdoor seating in the converted parking lot is available.

Thumbs Up Diner

573 Edgewood Ave SE (Old Fourth Ward) & Additional Locations

Thumbs Up Diner is another one of the best Atlanta breakfast spots with a casual, community atmosphere, and good comfort food. The prices are great here too, but they are cash only.  

All your favorite classic and southern breakfast items are on the menu. You can build your own breakfast plate and order most items like pancakes, grits, eggs, bacon and more a la carte.  You can order bigger breakfast originals like steak and eggs or shrimp and grits. The Low Country Heap with potatoes, cheese, shrimp, chicken sausage, veggies and eggs is one of the most popular breakfast orders. It’s served with their delicious biscuits. 

It is one of the only places in Atlanta that serve chicken and waffles with eggs included. Both the waffle and eggs were delicious. The chicken strips were good, but wouldn’t be my first choice for chicken in Atlanta. The waffle can also come with smoked chicken wings instead. 

Like all the best Atlanta breakfast restaurants the waits can be long. They have a yelp waitlist which makes the long waits a little more tolerable. Check out Thumb’s Up mural on the side of the diner while you wait. It is one of the many cool murals you can find around the city. 

Donuts

Is your idea of the perfect breakfast a delicious donut or two? You’re in luck. There are so many great donut places around the city. If you want to start your day off with a delicious sweet treat check out one of the best donut shops in Atlanta.

Waking up in the morning just got a little easier now that you know where to find the best Atlanta breakfast places! Don’t forget to read my post on the best brunch places in Atlanta for more ideas! 

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• Brunch Places
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