Brunch: the most important meal of the day. Because it technically counts as two meals, you can eat as much as you want without judgment. Plus, drinking in the morning isn’t a problem if it’s brunch…right? Right. Atlanta has some really killer brunch options—but with so many restaurants to chose from, who knows where to go? Lucky for you, I’m here to sort out the riff raff with some of my personal favs.
Rise –n- Dine:
A must-mention, not only because it’s so close to campus, but also because the food here really is insane. Located in Emory Village, this is the only walkable brunch option on the list from campus. Do get here early though, because the place really fills up on weekends. Rise and Dine is whimsical and happy on the inside: the perfect way the start your day. The wait staff is probably made up of some of the friendliest people in town, so you’ll feel right at home.
Must try:
Polish Omelet: It’s filled with pierogies!! Need I say more?
Pangea: For the health-conscious brunch-goer, this dish is crazy delicious. Hummus and feta cheese for brunch…yes please!
Rosebud:
Unlike Rise-n-Dine, Rosebud is not specifically a brunch place, but they do a mean brunch on weekends. BUT, just in case you weren’t able to make it on Sunday morning because Saturday night was a little rougher than you thought, fret not because they have MONDAY NIGHT BRUNCH. This is a true gift to the world. Rosebud is in Virginia Highlands, so it’s not too far from campus and the atmosphere is really quaint. If you do choose to go on the weekend though, there’s a farmer’s market right next door that’s worth checking out while you’re in the area. This place is a little more upscale than the other restaurants on the list, so it’s the perfect place to take a date, or it’s also great for a girlfriends’ day out. See their menu here.
Must try:
Grilled Beef Shortrib and Grits
The Flying Biscuit:
If you haven’t already been, The Flying Biscuit is an Atlanta staple, and a must-go before you leave Emory. They have a couple different locations around the city; my favorite is the one in Midtown by Piedmont Park so you can take a walk afterwards. They’re famous for their “creamy dreamy grits” and for good reason. Even if you’re not a fan of grits, The Flying Biscuit can make you a believer. And fun fact: Emily Saliers of the Indigo Girls (also an Emory alum) helped found it in 1993. See their menu here.
Home Grown:
This is my personal favorite and, even though I’m a little biased, I think most would agree that Home Grown brings a really unique take on the Atlanta brunch scene. They’re located off Memorial Drive, so it’s not super close to campus, but it’s definitely worth coming out. It’s a very inconspicuous-looking place—kind of a hole in the wall—but you’ll know you’re there just by the excess of cars parked outside. The inside is very humble, not fancy, but they have super funky paintings all around the place, all by local artists. The food here is everything you could ever hope for in a southern breakfast: it’s indulgent, fattening, and insanely delicious. A little quirky compared to the others on this list, Home Grown is rare gem. See their menu here.
Must try:
Comfy Chicken Biscuit: An open-faced chicken biscuit with sausage gravy over the top. This is hands down the best chicken biscuit on Earth.
Kevin’s Breakfast: Chili, on top of eggs, on top of grits. Lose. Your. Mind.