Best Brunches in Atlanta: Where to Go and What to Expect

Brunch in Atlanta is more than a late breakfast — it’s a weekly ritual, a way to explore international cuisine without leaving the city, and one of the easiest ways to get to know Atlanta’s neighborhoods. Whether you live here or you’re visiting for a weekend, you’ll find everything from Southern-meets-Latin fusion to French cafés, modern Israeli plates, and global street food–inspired menus.

This guide focuses on brunch in Atlanta with an international twist: what it’s like, where to look, how to plan, and how to get around the city while you eat your way through it.

How Brunch Works in Atlanta

Before you start making reservations, it helps to understand how brunch tends to work here.

Typical brunch days and times

Most Atlanta restaurants that serve brunch offer it on:

• Saturday and Sunday
• Roughly 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
• Some spots extend to 4:00 p.m. or later, especially in intown neighborhoods

A few cafés and diners serve all-day brunch-style menus during the week, but full brunch service with cocktails and specialty dishes is mostly a weekend thing.

Reservation vs. walk-in

In busy areas like Midtown, Buckhead, Inman Park, West Midtown, and along the BeltLine, brunch can get crowded.

• Reservations are strongly recommended for popular places, especially:

  • Late morning slots (around 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.)
  • Large groups (4+ people)
  • Holiday weekends or big event weekends (football games, festivals, conventions)

• Walk-ins are more realistic if:

  • You’re okay eating earlier (before 10:30 a.m.) or later (after 1:30 p.m.)
  • You’re trying smaller neighborhood spots outside the busiest cores

If you’re short on time, many Atlantans look for restaurants that accept call-ahead seating or waitlist apps to cut down on standing around.

Neighborhood Guide to International Brunch in Atlanta

Different parts of Atlanta offer different brunch personalities. Here’s how to think about them if you’re specifically interested in international cuisine.

Midtown & Arts Center area

Midtown is where you’ll find a dense cluster of trendy, globally influenced brunch spots within walking distance of MARTA rail stations like Midtown and Arts Center.

Expect:

• European-style cafés with French, Italian, or Mediterranean menus
• Upscale hotel restaurants offering globally inspired brunch buffets
• Modern restaurants fusing Southern and international flavors (e.g., shrimp and grits alongside shakshuka or arepas)

Midtown works well if:

• You’re staying at a Peachtree Street hotel and want to walk to brunch
• You’re pairing brunch with a visit to the High Museum of Art, Atlanta Symphony Hall, or Piedmont Park

Buckhead & Buckhead Village

Buckhead’s brunch scene leans polished and upscale, with a mix of American, European, and Latin influences.

You’ll typically find:

• Hotel and high-rise restaurants with refined, globally inspired menus
• European-style bakeries with French pastries and brunch plates
• Latin American or Mexican restaurants offering weekend brunch with regional dishes and cocktails

Buckhead is a good choice if:

• You prefer tablecloth-style brunch or special-occasion meals
• You’re near Lenox Square or Phipps Plaza and want something close

MARTA’s Buckhead, Lenox, and Lindbergh Center stations can help you reach this area without driving.

Inman Park, Old Fourth Ward & the BeltLine

The Eastside BeltLine corridor — especially Inman Park and Old Fourth Ward — is one of Atlanta’s most popular areas for casual but creative brunch.

What to expect:

• Global fusion menus: Korean-inspired wings, Middle Eastern plates, Latin brunch items
• Cafés serving Spanish, French, and pan-European dishes
• Patios and rooftops perfect for lingering over coffee or cocktails

This area is particularly good if:

• You want to combine brunch with a walk along the BeltLine
• You like small-plate, shareable brunch with international twists
• You prefer a lively, walkable environment

Parking can be tight here; street parking and paid decks are common, and rideshare is widely used on weekend mornings.

West Midtown & Howell Mill

West Midtown has transformed into a hub of modern, industrial-style restaurants with globally influenced menus.

Here you’ll often see:

• Brunch offerings with Mediterranean, Italian, or pan-Asian touches
• Food halls or mixed-use developments where you can try multiple international vendors in one place
• Trend-forward brunch spots popular with young professionals

West Midtown works well if:

• You’re staying near Georgia Tech or the Westside Provisions District
• You want to explore more contemporary, design-focused restaurants

Driving and rideshare are easiest here; sidewalks exist but distances between clusters of restaurants can be longer than in Midtown or Inman Park.

Buford Highway: The Global Brunch Corridor

While Buford Highway is best known for lunch and dinner, it’s also one of the best places in metro Atlanta for international breakfast and brunch-style meals, especially if you’re flexible about timing and what “brunch” means.

Along Buford Highway (primarily in Brookhaven, Chamblee, and Doraville), you’ll find:

• Mexican and Central American restaurants serving hearty late-morning plates
• Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, and Taiwanese spots that open before noon
• Bakeries and cafés with Latin American, Asian, or Middle Eastern breads and pastries

This area is ideal if:

• You care more about authentic global food than traditional brunch cocktails
• You’re up for driving a bit north from central Atlanta
• You like exploring strip-mall restaurants and bakeries

Types of International Brunch You’ll Find in Atlanta

Atlanta’s brunch menus borrow from cuisines all over the world. Here are some of the most common international styles you’ll see around the city.

Latin American & Mexican–influenced brunch

Common dishes include:

• Chilaquiles, breakfast tacos, and huevos rancheros
• Latin-style steak and eggs, plantains, and black beans
• Brunch cocktails with tequila, mezcal, or tropical juices

You’ll see these options:

• Intown in neighborhoods like Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, and Inman Park
• Along Buford Highway and in pockets of Southwest Atlanta and Marietta Street corridor

Mediterranean & Middle Eastern brunch

Expect lighter, bright-flavored plates such as:

• Shakshuka (eggs poached in spiced tomato sauce)
• Hummus, labneh, pita, and grain bowls
• Salads and egg dishes with feta, olives, herbs, and olive oil

These show up in:

• Modern Mediterranean restaurants around Midtown, Inman Park, and West Midtown
• Some health-focused cafés and European-style spots across the city

European-style cafés and bakeries

Atlanta has a steady number of restaurants and bakeries drawing inspiration from French, Italian, and broader European traditions.

You’ll commonly see:

• Croissants, brioche, quiche, tartines, and crepes
• Espresso drinks, café au lait, and house-made pastries
• Simple egg dishes with European cheeses and cured meats

Look for these in:

• Midtown, Inman Park, Virginia-Highland, and Decatur
• Certain Buckhead hotels and mixed-use developments

Asian-inspired brunch and breakfast

Traditional “brunch” isn’t always a formal category on Asian menus, but in Atlanta, you can find late-morning meals that function just like brunch.

Possible options:

• Dim sum–style meals at Chinese restaurants that open early
• Korean cafés and bakeries with pastries, buns, and coffee
• Noodle soups, rice dishes, and bao that work as a satisfying brunch

Most concentrated in:

• Buford Highway (Brookhaven, Chamblee, Doraville)
• Parts of Duluth and Gwinnett County if you’re willing to drive further north

What to Expect for Price, Wait Times, and Vibe

Here’s a general idea of how brunch typically feels and what you might spend in Atlanta.

Typical price ranges

Most international-style brunches in central Atlanta fall into these ranges (per person, before tip):

• Budget-friendly cafés & diners:

  • Around $10–$18 for a main dish, coffee or tea extra
  • Common in neighborhoods slightly farther from the core or along Buford Highway

• Mid-range restaurants & trendy brunch spots:

  • Around $18–$28 for brunch entrées
  • Cocktails usually $10–$16

• Upscale and hotel brunch:

  • Can start around $25+ for mains or fixed-price options
  • Full buffets or special brunch events may cost more

Wait times and crowds

In busy seasons (spring and fall, when patio weather is ideal), waits can be:

• 20–45 minutes at popular Midtown, Inman Park, Buckhead, or BeltLine spots if you arrive between 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
• Shorter if you:
  • Arrive before 10:30 a.m.
  • Sit at the bar instead of waiting for a table
  • Choose neighborhoods outside the core (Grant Park, Kirkwood, West End, etc.)

Many Atlantans use waitlist apps or call ahead to see current wait times before heading out.

Atmosphere: casual, trendy, or special-occasion

• Casual local cafés
  • Relaxed, often kid-friendly
  • Great for weekday or low-key weekend brunch
• Trendy BeltLine and Midtown spots
  • Lively, with music, cocktails, and crowds
  • Common for group outings and celebrations
• Upscale Buckhead and hotel brunches
  • Refined, sometimes dressier
  • Popular for birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays

Planning Your Atlanta Brunch: Practical Tips

A little planning goes a long way, especially on busy weekends.

Choosing a brunch spot

Think about:

1. Location

   • Are you staying near Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, or the airport?
   • Do you want to walk from your hotel, or is driving/rideshare fine?

2. Cuisine

   • Craving Latin, Mediterranean, European café, or Asian-inspired dishes?
   • Open to fusion, or do you prefer classic, region-specific menus?

3. Group size & occasion

   • For groups larger than 4, look for:
     • Locations that take reservations
     • Indoor and outdoor seating (for more flexibility)
   • For special occasions, consider Buckhead or Midtown hotel restaurants that are used to hosting celebrations.

4. Parking & transit

   • Intown neighborhoods sometimes have limited street parking; plan for pay lots or decks.
   • MARTA can be a good choice if you’re near a station:
     • Midtown & Arts Center for Midtown brunch
     • Inman Park/Reynoldstown for some Eastside locations
     • Buckhead/Lenox for Buckhead brunch

Getting around Atlanta for brunch

Atlanta is spread out, so your transportation plan matters:

• Driving & parking

  • Most brunch-goers still drive or use rideshare.
  • Be prepared for paid parking lots or decks in denser areas.

• Public transit

  • MARTA rail connects Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead directly.
  • From stations, you may still walk or use rideshare for the last mile to many restaurants.

• Walking-friendly areas

  • Midtown, sections of Inman Park/Old Fourth Ward, and parts of Buckhead Village are the most walkable areas for hopping between brunch, shops, and parks.

Dietary Preferences and International Brunch

Many Atlanta restaurants are accustomed to accommodating dietary preferences. When you’re looking at international brunch spots, you’ll often see:

• Vegetarian options

  • Mediterranean mezze, egg dishes, salads, and grain bowls
  • Latin plates with beans, plantains, and eggs
  • European cafés with cheese-based dishes and pastries

• Vegan or dairy-light options

  • Some Mediterranean and Middle Eastern spots offer naturally dairy-light plates
  • Many modern intown restaurants mark vegan options clearly on their menus

• Gluten-conscious choices

  • Brunch dishes built around eggs, vegetables, meats, and potatoes
  • Some places use alternative grains or offer gluten-free breads; you may need to ask staff directly

If you have strict dietary needs, calling ahead or reviewing menus in advance is common practice in Atlanta, especially for international restaurants where traditional recipes might use unexpected ingredients like wheat-based soy sauce, butter, or specific oils.

Using Local Resources to Discover Brunch

If you’re new to Atlanta or just want to see what’s near you:

• City visitor centers

  • The Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB) provides visitor information on neighborhoods and dining districts.
  • You can find information desks in major visitor areas like Downtown near major attractions.

• Neighborhood names to search

  • For international-style brunch, useful search terms include:
    • “Midtown Atlanta brunch,” “Inman Park brunch,” “Buckhead brunch”
    • “Buford Highway breakfast” or “Buford Highway brunch” for global options

• Hotels and concierges

  • If you’re staying in larger hotels in Downtown, Midtown, or Buckhead, front-desk staff or concierges are often familiar with:
    • Nearby brunch options
    • Which restaurants are better for groups vs. quieter meals
    • Restaurants with international menus that guests have enjoyed

Quick Snapshot: Picking an Atlanta Brunch Style

Atlanta’s brunch scene is built for exploring: you can start with Latin flavors one weekend, try a Mediterranean feast the next, then spend a Sunday on Buford Highway eating your way through global breakfast dishes. With a bit of planning around neighborhood, cuisine, and transportation, it’s easy to find a brunch that fits your schedule, your budget, and your taste for international food — all without leaving the Atlanta area.