Buttermilk Kitchen in Atlanta: What to Know Before You Go

If you’re looking for Southern comfort food and modern brunch in Atlanta, Buttermilk Kitchen is one of the most talked–about spots in the city. Known for its from-scratch approach and cozy, neighborhood feel, it draws regulars from Buckhead, Brookhaven, and well beyond the Perimeter.

This guide walks you through what to expect, how to plan your visit, and how Buttermilk Kitchen fits into Atlanta’s Southern and soul food scene.

Where Buttermilk Kitchen Is and How to Get There

Location:
Buttermilk Kitchen
4225 Roswell Rd NE
Atlanta, GA 30342

The restaurant is in North Buckhead, on Roswell Road near the Chastain Park area. It’s easily reachable from:

• Buckhead Village: about a 10–15 minute drive, depending on traffic
• Sandy Springs: typically under 15 minutes via Roswell Road
• Midtown: usually 20–25 minutes, more during brunch rush

Public transit access is limited; most people drive or rideshare. If you’re visiting Atlanta and staying near Midtown or Downtown, plan extra time for traffic along Peachtree and Roswell Roads, especially on weekends.

Parking Tips

Parking in this part of Roswell Road can be tight during peak times. Common experiences include:

• On-site or adjacent parking that fills quickly on weekends
• Spillover into nearby side streets or shared lots, where allowed
• Many locals choosing rideshare to avoid circling for a spot

If you’re heading there during prime brunch hours (roughly 9 a.m.–1 p.m. on weekends), planning ahead for parking can make the visit smoother.

The Buttermilk Kitchen Experience: Southern Brunch, Atlanta-Style

Buttermilk Kitchen is best known for breakfast and brunch with Southern roots. It isn’t a heavy soul-food meat-and-three in the traditional sense; instead, it blends Southern staples, farm-inspired cooking, and updated comfort dishes.

Atmosphere

Inside, you can expect:

• A casual, homey feel with a modern farmhouse vibe
• A mix of counter seating, small tables, and larger tables for groups
• A generally busy, lively environment on weekends, quieter on weekdays

Locals often treat it as:

• A special-occasion brunch spot
• A place to bring out-of-town guests for a “taste of Atlanta”
• A breakfast meeting option if you’re near North Buckhead or Chastain Park

What’s on the Menu: Southern and Soul Food Touches

Menu details can change, but there are patterns that regulars and visitors tend to see.

Breakfast and Brunch Highlights

Expect a mix of classic Southern dishes and creative twists, such as:

• Fried chicken and waffles or biscuits – often cited as a must-try for those wanting a Southern-style brunch
• Buttermilk pancakes or waffles – leaning into the name and style of the restaurant
• Biscuits and gravy – a staple for Southern breakfast fans
• Shrimp and grits – a dish many Atlantans look for when judging a brunch spot
• Egg-based dishes – omelets, scrambles, and bowls with local or seasonal ingredients

There are also usually lighter or more modern options, like:

• Yogurt or grain bowls
• Salads with Southern twists
• Seasonal vegetable sides

If you’re exploring Atlanta’s Southern food scene, Buttermilk Kitchen gives a brunch-forward interpretation of regional flavors rather than an all-day soul food meat-and-three format.

Vegetarian and Other Dietary Considerations

While the menu is rooted in traditional Southern ingredients (like buttermilk, butter, fried chicken, and pork), diners commonly find:

• Vegetarian-friendly items (such as veggie scrambles, pancakes, salads, and sides)
• Opportunities to build a meal from sides if you don’t eat meat

If you have allergies or specific dietary needs, many guests find it helpful to:

• Check the menu in advance
• Ask the staff which dishes can be modified

Southern food can be rich, so if you’re planning a full day of walking around Piedmont Park, the BeltLine, or the Georgia Aquarium, you may want to balance heavier dishes with lighter sides or shared plates.

When to Go: Hours, Wait Times, and Strategy

Buttermilk Kitchen is known for busy weekend brunch lines, especially on Saturdays and Sundays.

Typical Patterns Atlantans Notice

• Weekdays:

  • Mornings are generally more relaxed.
  • Some locals use weekday mornings for quieter brunch meetings or breakfast before work.

• Weekends:

  • Expect prime-time waits from mid–morning through early afternoon.
  • Many diners aim for opening time or later afternoon to avoid the heaviest crowd.

✳️ Local tip: If you’re in town for a short visit and want Buttermilk Kitchen on a Saturday or Sunday, treating it as a destination meal (planning around it rather than squeezing it in) tends to work better.

Price Range and What to Expect on the Check

Buttermilk Kitchen is generally in the mid-range for Atlanta brunch:

• Individual breakfast or brunch entrées typically fall into a moderate price range for a sit-down meal in Buckhead.
• Add-ons (coffee, juice, extra sides) can bring the total higher, especially for groups.

For planning:

• Many locals view it as a step up from a casual diner in terms of price and from-scratch cooking.
• It’s often chosen for weekend plans, hosting visitors, or special mornings out, not necessarily as an everyday stop for budget-conscious diners.

Buttermilk Kitchen vs. Traditional Soul Food Spots in Atlanta

Since Buttermilk Kitchen falls under “Southern and Soul Food”, it helps to understand how it compares to other Atlanta staples:

How It Fits the Category

• Emphasis on Southern ingredients: biscuits, fried chicken, grits, buttermilk pancakes
• Focus on breakfast and brunch rather than full-day or late-night service
• Atmosphere is bright, brunchy, and contemporary, rather than old-school cafeteria or buffet style

How It Differs from Classic Soul Food Joints

Many long-standing soul food restaurants in Atlanta emphasize:

• Meat-and-three plates (e.g., fried chicken with collard greens, mac and cheese, and cornbread)
• Larger lunch and dinner focus
• A more traditional, sometimes cafeteria-like setup

Buttermilk Kitchen leans more into:

• Daytime brunch culture
• A chef-driven spin on familiar regional flavors
• A smaller, more curated menu

If you’re planning a Southern food tour of Atlanta, Buttermilk Kitchen can serve as your brunch stop, with other restaurants covering more traditional soul food lunch or dinner experiences.

Planning a Visit from Different Parts of Atlanta

If You Live ITP (Inside the Perimeter)

For residents in Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, Inman Park, or Grant Park:

• Weekend traffic heading north can be significant; plan travel times accordingly.
• Many people either:
  • Go early, then continue on to Chastain Park, Buckhead shopping, or the Blue Heron Nature Preserve, or
  • Make it a late-morning outing combined with errands in Buckhead or Sandy Springs.

If You Live OTP (Outside the Perimeter)

From Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, Roswell, or East Cobb:

• Buttermilk Kitchen is often easier to reach than intown brunch spots, thanks to its location on Roswell Road.
• Locals in these areas may treat it as their “intown” brunch choice without going deep into Midtown or Downtown.

If You’re Visiting Atlanta

If you’re staying near popular visitor areas like Downtown, Midtown, or near the stadiums, you can:

• Take a rideshare straight up Peachtree to Roswell Road
• Factor in extra drive time on weekend mornings
• Consider combining Buttermilk Kitchen with a visit to:
  • Chastain Park (walks, playgrounds, amphitheater area)
  • Buckhead Village (shopping and people-watching)

Quick Reference: Buttermilk Kitchen at a Glance

Is Buttermilk Kitchen Worth a Stop on Your Atlanta Food List?

For many Atlantans and visitors, Buttermilk Kitchen is a go-to option for a Southern-influenced brunch in a neighborhood setting. If your goal is to experience:

• Fluffy biscuits, fried chicken, and grits in a modern setting
• A brunch spot that feels distinctly tied to Atlanta’s Buckhead and Chastain area
• A sit-down breakfast experience rather than a quick grab-and-go

then it fits well into a local or visitor’s Atlanta food itinerary, especially if you plan ahead for weekend crowds and transportation.