Biscuits Popular in Atlanta, Georgia: Where to Find the Best Southern Biscuits in the City

Atlanta takes biscuits seriously. Whether you live in the city, commute in from the suburbs, or you’re visiting for a weekend, you’ll quickly notice that biscuits are part of everyday life here—from biscuit-focused breakfast spots to classic meat-and-three restaurants and hotel brunches.

This guide walks you through the most popular styles of biscuits in Atlanta, where locals tend to find them, and how to navigate the city’s biscuit scene like you already live here.

Why Biscuits Matter in Atlanta

In Atlanta, biscuits are more than a side item. They often:

• Anchor weekday breakfast on the go (commuter-friendly biscuit sandwiches).
• Act as a comfort-food staple at Southern restaurants.
• Show up at Sunday brunch, often with fried chicken or gravy.
• Serve as a familiar choice for visitors looking for “real Southern food.”

Because Atlanta pulls influences from rural Georgia, the Deep South, and a modern food scene, you’ll find everything from old-school buttermilk biscuits to creative biscuits topped with hot honey, pimento cheese, or smoked meats.

Popular Types of Biscuits in Atlanta

1. Classic Buttermilk Biscuits

The classic buttermilk biscuit is the backbone of Atlanta’s biscuit culture.

Common traits:

• Flaky and tall with visible layers.
• Lightly crisp on the edges, soft in the center.
• Made with buttermilk, butter or shortening, and soft wheat flour.

You’ll see these at:

• Traditional Southern diners.
• Meat-and-three restaurants.
• Many breakfast chains and local bakeries around metro Atlanta.

Typical ways Atlantans eat them:

• Plain with butter and jam.
• Split and loaded with sausage, egg, and cheese.
• On the side with eggs, grits, and bacon.

2. Cathead Biscuits

“Cathead biscuits” are extra-large biscuits—about the size of a cat’s head, which is how they got the name.

In Atlanta, these appeal to people who:

• Want a hearty, filling breakfast.
• Enjoy rustic, less perfectly shaped biscuits.
• Prefer a biscuit large enough to hold fried chicken or multiple fillings.

These biscuits usually have:

• A soft, pillowy interior.
• A more rustic look, sometimes baked close together in a cast-iron skillet.
• A flavor that works well with gravy or big sandwich fillings.

3. Biscuit Sandwiches (Grab-and-Go Favorites)

For busy Atlantans, biscuit sandwiches are a weekday staple, especially near:

• Downtown Atlanta and Midtown (office workers).
• Buckhead and popular commuting routes.
• Transit-accessible areas near MARTA stations.

Popular fillings:

• Sausage, egg, and cheese
• Bacon, egg, and cheese
• Fried chicken with pickles or hot sauce
• Country ham or smoked meats in some Southern spots

These sandwiches are often available:

• Early in the morning for commuters.
• Through late breakfast or early lunch at casual spots.

4. Biscuits with Gravy

Biscuits and gravy are widely available around Atlanta, especially at breakfast and brunch–focused places.

Common styles:

• Sausage gravy: Creamy white gravy with crumbled sausage.
• Sawmill or country gravy: Thick, peppery white gravy.
• Occasionally, red-eye gravy (ham drippings and coffee) at more traditional Southern restaurants.

You’ll most often see biscuits and gravy:

• On weekend brunch menus across the city.
• At diners, meat-and-three restaurants, and some hotel restaurants near Downtown and Midtown.

5. Fried Chicken Biscuits

The fried chicken biscuit is especially popular in Atlanta, combining two things the city is known for: fried chicken and biscuits.

Typical versions:

• Buttermilk fried chicken breast on a biscuit.
• Topped with honey, hot honey, or spicy sauce.
• Sometimes paired with pimento cheese, slaw, or pickles.

You’ll find these:

• At chicken-focused eateries.
• On brunch menus in Inman Park, Old Fourth Ward, West Midtown, and Buckhead.
• At some cafes that specialize in “Southern comfort with a twist.”

6. Sweet Biscuits and Specialty Flavors

Alongside the traditional savory options, Atlanta also has:

• Cinnamon or sugar-dusted biscuits
• Cheddar or cheese-and-herb biscuits
• Biscuits with jalapeño, rosemary, or garlic
• Seasonal biscuit specials (e.g., berry preserves, apple butter, or pumpkin spice in cooler months)

These show up most often at:

• Bakeries and brunch spots in neighborhoods like Virginia-Highland, Grant Park, and Decatur.
• Restaurants that experiment with Southern flavors and modern plating.

Where Atlantans Commonly Enjoy Biscuits

Below is a simple overview of where biscuits typically fit into Atlanta’s dining routine. This is not a ranked list of brands, but a way to understand how locals usually get their biscuit fix.

Neighborhood Guide: How Biscuit Culture Varies Across Atlanta

Downtown & Midtown

If you’re staying near Downtown Atlanta, the Georgia State Capitol, or Midtown offices:

• Morning menus usually feature biscuit sandwiches aimed at workers and students.
• Larger hotels and brunch spots often serve biscuits with gravy or biscuits alongside full breakfast plates.
• You’ll typically see more classic styles with a few modern twists.

Good for:

• Visitors staying near attractions like the Georgia Aquarium or World of Coca-Cola.
• Locals who work in the city center and need fast breakfast options.

Buckhead & North Atlanta

In and around Buckhead and North Atlanta corridors:

• Brunch culture is strong, so you’re more likely to see elevated biscuit dishes on weekends.
• Popular items include fried chicken biscuits, biscuits topped with smoked meats, or biscuits served with artisanal jams.
• Weekday mornings still offer many traditional biscuit sandwiches for commuters.

Good for:

• People staying near Lenox Square or Phipps Plaza.
• Residents who enjoy sit-down brunch with creative biscuit options.

Eastside Neighborhoods (Inman Park, Old Fourth Ward, Decatur)

On Atlanta’s eastside:

• You’ll often find more experimental biscuit flavors and locally sourced ingredients.
• Brunch spots near the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail might feature biscuits with:
  • House-made jams
  • Seasonal produce
  • Spicy sauces or global twists
• Traditional biscuits are still available, but there’s often more variety.

Good for:

• Locals who like modern takes on Southern food.
• Visitors exploring the BeltLine and nearby neighborhoods.

West Midtown & Westside

West Midtown and nearby areas have:

• A mix of industrial-style eateries and modern Southern restaurants.
• Menus that showcase buttermilk biscuits with smoked meats, eggs, and rich gravies.
• Occasional biscuit specials tied to local events or seasonal themes.

Good for:

• Brunch outings with groups.
• People who want hearty, flavorful dishes with a Southern base.

Suburbs and Greater Metro Atlanta

Across metro Atlanta—Cobb, DeKalb, Gwinnett, Clayton, and beyond:

• You’ll find many family diners and chain restaurants that serve biscuits all day.
• Biscuit sandwiches are a go-to for early commuters and families.
• Weekend buffets at some suburban restaurants may include fresh-baked biscuits as a standard item.

Good for:

• Residents who want reliable, familiar biscuit options close to home.
• Travelers driving through metro Atlanta on interstates like I-75, I-85, and I-285.

How to Order Biscuits Like a Local in Atlanta

To make the most of Atlanta’s biscuit scene, it helps to know a few practical tips.

1. Go Early for the Best Biscuits

In many Atlanta spots, biscuits are best:

• Early in the morning, when they’re freshest.
• On weekends, when restaurants may prepare larger batches for brunch.

If you arrive closer to lunch:

• Some places may run low or switch from breakfast to lunch menus.
• Biscuit sandwiches might still be available, but specialty biscuit dishes can sell out.

2. Know the Common Add-Ons

When you order biscuits, you might be asked if you want:

• Butter and jelly (grape, strawberry, or local jams).
• Cheese or extra cheese on sandwich-style biscuits.
• Additional protein like bacon or extra sausage.
• Gravy on the side or smothered directly over the biscuits.

You can usually customize:

• Egg style (scrambled vs. fried on a sandwich).
• Spice levels (especially with hot chicken or hot honey biscuits).

3. Ask About House Specialties

Many Atlanta restaurants have a “house biscuit” or signature biscuit dish. It might be:

• A fried chicken biscuit with a specific spice blend.
• A biscuit with a unique gravy recipe.
• A biscuit topped with a regional ingredient like pimento cheese.

If you’re unsure what to try, asking for the house or most popular biscuit is a reliable way to land on something locals order often.

4. Consider Dietary Needs

While traditional biscuits rely on wheat flour and dairy, some Atlanta establishments offer alternatives:

• Gluten-conscious or limited-gluten options at certain bakeries.
• Vegetarian-friendly combos (e.g., egg and cheese biscuits, biscuits with plant-based sides).
• Lighter sides like fresh fruit instead of heavy gravies.

Availability varies by restaurant, so:

• Call ahead if you have strict dietary needs.
• Ask staff about ingredient details if you’re concerned about allergens.

Finding Biscuits Near Key Atlanta Landmarks

If you’re planning activities and want biscuits nearby, here’s how locals often plan it:

• Near Downtown attractions (Centennial Olympic Park, State Farm Arena, Georgia World Congress Center):
  Look for morning cafés and hotel breakfast restaurants that serve classic biscuit plates and sandwiches.

• Around college campuses like Georgia State University or Georgia Tech:
  Expect quick-service spots with biscuit sandwiches that appeal to students and staff.

• Near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport:
  Airport and nearby hotel areas usually offer fast, familiar biscuit options for travelers with early flights or layovers.

• Along the Atlanta BeltLine:
  Brunch-focused restaurants often feature creative biscuit dishes, especially on weekends, appealing to walkers, cyclists, and families.

Practical Tips for Enjoying Biscuits in Atlanta

Here are a few simple pointers to get the best experience:

• Check hours first: Many biscuit-heavy menus are breakfast and brunch only, and some smaller spots close after lunch.
• Plan for crowds on weekends: Popular brunch restaurants in neighborhoods like Inman Park, Midtown, and Virginia-Highland can have waits—especially for biscuit-focused dishes.
• Try a mix of classic and modern: If you’re visiting, it can be worth trying both a no-frills buttermilk biscuit and a more inventive fried chicken or specialty biscuit to see the range Atlanta offers.
• Take it to go if needed: Many locals grab biscuits and eat them at parks like Piedmont Park or along the BeltLine, especially on nice-weather days.

Atlanta’s biscuit scene combines deep Southern roots with a creative, urban food culture. Whether you want a simple biscuit with butter, a towering cathead biscuit covered in gravy, or a spicy fried chicken biscuit with hot honey, you can find it somewhere across the city and its neighborhoods. If you’re in or around Atlanta, biscuits are one of the easiest—and most satisfying—ways to taste how the city does comfort food.