Updated June 23rd, 2026

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I’m a firm believer in ‘variety is the spice of life’, but if there is one thing I order time after time, it is chicken and waffles.  

Many people are fans of this perfect combo of sweet and savory, but few know the origins. You were going to say it was a Southern dish, right? You would think it doesn’t get more Southern than fried chicken! In reality, years ago Southerners would have claimed they had never had the dish until eating it in a big city like NYC on the East Coast or Los Angeles on the West Coast.

Some believe it did begin in the South with African Americans who ate pancakes and fried chicken. Others point to the Pennsylvania Dutch who ate waffles with chicken and gravy on top. It’s quite different from the versions that are now popular, but it may have planted the seed.

New York City, specifically Harlem restaurants, could be who we need to thank. In the 1930s they started serving the dish at jazz and supper clubs. I don’t know what the truth is, but I will always fondly remember Harlem as where I had my first chicken and waffles. Everyone back in my home state of Wisconsin thought I was crazy. The joke is on them, isn’t it though!?

Enough history! We may not agree how it originated, but we can all agree that there isn’t a better combination! That doesn’t mean all chicken and waffles are created equal. I have been eating my way around the city and trying a lot of Atlanta restaurants to find out who really has the best chicken and waffles in Atlanta, Georgia.

The Best Chicken and Waffles in Atlanta

Atlanta Breakfast Club

249 Ivan Allen Jr Blvd NW (Downtown)

Picking the best chicken and waffles in Atlanta is a pretty hard job. As you will see there are different aspects I liked better about each place. Atlanta Breakfast Club is a top choice for both the chicken and the waffle. The chicken is well seasoned and the waffle is nice and thick and the perfect texture.

The service and set-up at Atlanta Breakfast Club on the other hand left a bit to be desired. The servers are good, but the wait list system not so much. I’m not the only one who loves the food there. On weekends especially it is very busy and the wait takes hours. One time I put my name on the Yelp wait list at 10am and we were not seated until 2:30pm. We were notified around 2:15pm that our table was ready, but then were standing in a crowded lobby for at least 15 minutes before they actually had a table ready.

They do not give water in a cup and only sell bottles of water.The chicken and waffles are worth it though. It is a handy restaurant to include in your 3 day Atlanta itinerary if you are checking out all the main attractions in Atlanta. It is located across the street from the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca Cola, and more. Put your name on the waitlist early and visit one of the attractions while you wait.

Home Grown

 968 Memorial Dr SE (Reynoldstown) 

Home Grown serves Southern comfort food. It a great neighborhood spot that is one of the best Atlanta breakfast places overall. Located only a couple of blocks east of the BeltLine trail. It is a the perfect stop when you are out walking around in Atlanta.

The inside has a retro-country diner feel. During COVID they converted a portion of their parking lot into outdoor dining with five tables. There can be a bit of a wait for both indoor and outdoor tables, but it is usually under 30 minutes.

While the chicken and waffle are both good, the chicken is the real winner. I love the flavor and texture of the chicken. They don’t skimp on the chicken either with only a few wings like other restaurants. The waffle is a little thinner than some places, but I still found it very good and the meal quite filling. An orange slice on the side is a nice touch too.

Home Grown is one of my favorite chicken and waffle places in Atlanta for the food, atmosphere, service and prices.

Silver Skillet

200 14th St NW (Home Park)

This is another one of the top breakfast places in Atlanta when you want a classic Southern breakfast. The retro diner has been featured in countless films and publications. It is where to go when you want good food and don’t care about a trendy atmosphere, live music, or variations of traditional dishes. If you prefer an old fashioned milkshake over a boozy brunch, then head to Silver Skillet. Considering they have been around since 1956, they know what they are doing!

I asked the waitress for their specialties and she said the country ham, one of the omelets, and the chicken and waffles. When I heard the latter, I knew that was the option for me. They look pretty simple in the picture, but as my mom always says “keep it simple, stupid”. Both the waffle and chicken were great. Plus, in traditional diner style the food came out quickly.

Breakfast at Barney’s

349 Decatur St. SE Unit A1 (Sweet Auburn) 

From casual, retro diners to upscale brunch spots, Atlanta has a chicken and waffles spot for everyone. Breakfast at Barney’s is the place to go for the best chicken and waffles in Atlanta with a bougie vibe. The green velvet and gold decor elevate the brunch experience. It’s the type of place where people dress up for brunch. There are private rooms available here for larger parties.

The yard bird with three chicken wings and a pecan sage waffle were excellent. The dish is topped with fresh berries and powdered sugar. Note that the syrup and butter are already put on as well. When I had a few bites left the waitress tried to take my plate. I hung on for dear life as I wasn’t going to let those last delicious bits go to waste!

I’m happy to report that the restaurant now takes reservations. Lucky for you that you don’t need to wait in line for 30 minutes and put your name down just to wait another 2.5 hours to have a table ready! Although Yelp reviews do mention that even with reservations there can be a wait until you get a table.

The Breakfast Boys

3387 Main St (College Park)

They say a picture is worth a 1,000 words. I don’t think the picture makes it look like the prettiest meal, but don’t let that fool you. The Breakfast Boys has some of the tastiest chicken and waffles in Atlanta. Well technically the best in College Park and not in Atlanta. The Southern brunch spot is easily accessible from downtown Atlanta and the airport. 

Both the waffle and the chicken were spot on. The jerk chicken wings had a great, flavorful coating. The coating had some spice, but not too intense. Chicken can be hit or miss, but this one is far from dry. The sweet potato waffle had a great flavor as well. It was a little different than your traditional waffle, but nothing too crazy. The dish is a little more expensive here compared to other places, but I really can’t find anything wrong with it.

Unlike some places with chicken and waffles in Atlanta, Breakfast Boys is serving up the classic all day, every day! 

Buttermilk Kitchen

4225 Roswell Rd NE (Buckhead)

Buttermilk Kitchen, in Buckhead, is one of the best brunch spots in Atlanta. It’s also known as a top choice for chicken and waffles in Atlanta. The chicken was truly finger licking good. Sometimes with a big piece of chicken the meat can become a bit dry. This wasn’t the case here at all. The waffle was perfect as well.

It’s nothing new, but it is a busy restaurant. Make reservations ahead of time. Despite the number of people eating here every weekend, the staff are quite efficient.

There are a few different locations to park, depending on the day of the week. Make sure to check the sign at the front of the restaurant.

Augie’s Breakfast Bar

1220 Caroline St NE A-100 (Edgewood)

Augie’s was named for musician Augie Johnson. Called Augie’s Cafe it was originally located in the historic neighborhood of Westview. Although there was both a location change to Edgewood and a name change to Augie’s Breakfast Bar, the restaurant is still serving up their New American Southern dishes.

All the menu items are named after retro songs. I had to try Augie’s just for the “Never Can Say Goodbye”. You know this dish was the chicken and waffles, as who would ever want to say good bye to them? I try to order different dishes, but I always go back to chicken and waffles in Atlanta.

I wasn’t disappointed with Augie’s version. I told my friends that the waffle tasted like cake and to me that was a good thing! It was so scrumptious and the syrup was tasty too. While the fried chicken wings were very good as well, there wasn’t a whole lot of chicken. I would have liked a bit more chicken. The menu does say 3 wings or a single breast. I wasn’t asked, but maybe the thighs would give you a bit more meat?

I’m happy to report that the “Never Can Say Goodbye” is just as good at the Edgewood location. The only change is the dish is presented slightly differently which is a shame as wasn’t it pretty before? I also asked the waitress and after being utterly confused she said the three wings was more chicken than the single breast. The fresh fruit that comes with the chicken and waffles is an added bonus as well. 

Bantam & Biddy

1544 Piedmont Ave NE #301 (Piedmont Heights) & ATL Airport Concourse C 

When I saw that Bantam & Biddy served cheddar and bacon waffles I knew I needed to check them out. You can either order a cheddar or a bacon and cheddar waffle. I was debating if the up-charge for the bacon waffle was worth it. I’ll get right to the point, it was! I was prepared for little flecks of bacon, but there were actually pieces of bacon you could taste. It definitely won my vote for the top waffle in the city. They also have a banana bread waffle.

Bantam & Biddy specializes in chicken so you would expect the best, wouldn’t you? While I was surprised that chicken tenders instead of wings came on the waffle I found them quite good. Other people found them a little underwhelming. I wouldn’t say the chicken was my first choice out of all the chicken I have had, but I would happily have it again!

Their covered patio at the Piedmont Heights location makes for nice outdoor dining and they are only a couple of blocks away from Piedmont Park. The waffle especially is very filling so it’s a good idea to take a walk afterwards!

South City Kitchen

ITP Locations: 1144 Crescent Ave NE (Midtown) & 3350 Peachtree Rd NE Ste 175 (Buckhead)

If Bantam and Biddy has the best waffles, then South City Kitchen has the best chicken. Forget the chicken strips or boneless chicken that many other places serve to accompany their waffles. At South City Kitchen the waffle is served with true fried chicken on top. I couldn’t get enough of the chicken, but the malted waffle didn’t impress me. The malt powder in the waffle has a distinct taste that I wasn’t too nuts about. According to the menu it looks like they have a buttermilk waffle now. Maybe I wasn’t the only one who wasn’t crazy about the malted waffle!

At the current price of $26 it is on the higher end of the price range and one of the most expensive on this list. The chicken was definitely worth the higher price range. I would be willing to try SCK again for the buttermilk waffle. The complimentary basket of cornbread and biscuits are a nice bonus as well.

South City Kitchen has four locations, with the two ITP locations marked on the map above. The Midtown restaurant is located in an old house which adds a little more Southern charm to the dining experience.

Whiskey Bird

1409 N Highland Ave NE (Morningside)

Most of the chicken and waffle places in Atlanta serve a traditional Southern version of the dish. You’re in the South so you need to try the classic style. If you’re also a fan of Asian cuisines, don’t miss the Whiskey Bird’s take on chicken and waffles. 

They serve Hong Kong chicken and waffles. The Asian component comes from the waffle. Common in Hong Kong, the waffle is a bubble waffle. It has a sweeter, more eggy taste. As for the chicken, it’s a traditional fried chicken that is found at many Southern restaurants in Atlanta. Fresh mango and strawberries finish off the delectable pairing. All the pieces came together to make the perfect meal! 

Whiskey Bird provides an ideal atmosphere to enjoy your meal as well. The outdoor patio is nice as it’s located at the back of the restaurant and doesn’t face a noisy street. It’s also covered which works well for both sunny days and unexpected rain showers.

 

 

Chicken and waffles may not be a Southern dish and didn’t originate in Atlanta, but I think some of the best chicken and waffles can be found in Atlanta. If I helped you find the best Atlanta chicken and waffles please consider supporting me by Buying Me a Coffee.

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