Atlanta’s vibrant culinary scene is enriched by its deep-rooted Black history and culture. One of the most rewarding and delicious ways to experience this cultural richness is by dining at family owned restaurants near me. These establishments, often cornerstones of their communities, offer not just incredible food but also a taste of home, tradition, and heartfelt hospitality. If you’re searching for an authentic and memorable dining experience, look no further than this guide to some of the best Black-owned, family owned restaurants Atlanta has to offer.
Why Choose Family Owned Restaurants?
In a world of chain restaurants and fleeting food trends, family owned restaurants stand out as beacons of authenticity and passion. When you choose to dine at a Family Owned Restaurant Near Me, you’re not just a customer; you become part of their extended family. Here’s what makes these dining gems so special:
- Heartfelt Hospitality: Family owned restaurants are built on a foundation of genuine care and personal connection. You’ll often be greeted by the owners themselves, and the staff treat you like a welcomed guest in their home. This creates a warm and inviting atmosphere that is often missing in larger, corporate establishments.
- Authentic Recipes and Traditions: Many family owned restaurants have recipes passed down through generations. These aren’t just meals; they’re culinary stories, reflecting family histories and cultural heritage. Dining at these places is an opportunity to taste authentic flavors and experience genuine cultural traditions.
- Community Pillars: Family owned restaurants are vital to the fabric of local communities. They create jobs, support local suppliers, and often become gathering places for neighbors and friends. By choosing a family owned restaurant near me, you’re directly contributing to your local economy and helping to sustain the unique character of your neighborhood.
- Passion and Dedication: Running a family restaurant is a labor of love. Owners are deeply invested in their business, pouring their heart and soul into every dish and every interaction. This passion translates into exceptional food quality and a commitment to customer satisfaction that is truly palpable.
- Unique Dining Experience: Each family owned restaurant has its own distinct personality and charm. From the décor to the menu, you’ll find unique touches that reflect the family’s story and heritage. This creates a more memorable and personalized dining experience compared to the standardized offerings of chain restaurants.
Atlanta’s Best Family Owned Restaurants: A Culinary Journey
Atlanta boasts a diverse and thriving food scene, and at its heart are numerous family owned restaurants that contribute to the city’s unique culinary identity. Many of these are Black-owned establishments, rich in history and offering incredible food traditions. Here’s a curated list to help you discover your next favorite family owned restaurant near me in Atlanta:
1. D’juan’s Bistro – Cajun & Soul Food with Family Flair
D’juan’s Bistro interior showcasing its cozy and casual ambiance, reflecting its family-friendly appeal | Photo: djuans.com
Address: 3300 Cobb Pkwy SE Ste 104 Atlanta, GA 30339
Website: djuans.com
D’juan’s Bistro is the perfect spot for a comforting and delicious meal in a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere. This gem offers a delightful mix of Cajun and soul food, prepared with heart and served with a smile. Known for its great food, excellent service, and reasonable prices, D’juan’s Bistro embodies the spirit of a welcoming family owned restaurant. Don’t miss their incredible crab cake eggrolls and charbroiled oysters – dishes that keep locals coming back for more. It’s a place where you can feel at home while enjoying flavorful, home-style cooking.
2. Gocha’s Breakfast Bar – Brunch Realness Served with Family Love
Address: 3695 Cascade Rd, Atlanta, GA 30331
Website: www.gochasbreakfastbar.com
Gocha’s Breakfast Bar, under the guidance of Gocha Hawkins, brings “brunch realness” to Atlanta with a family touch. This vibrant spot on Cascade Road is known for its affordably priced Southern favorites and a welcoming atmosphere that makes you feel like you’re brunching with family. Gocha’s is celebrated for dishes like shrimp ‘n grits and biscuits that are touted as “better than yo momma’s,” offering a playful nod to home-style family cooking. They also have a variety of vegan-friendly options, ensuring everyone in the family finds something to love.
3. Capers – Family-Owned Flavor in Every Bite
Address: 1635 Old 41 Hwy NW Ste 403 Kennesaw, GA 30152
Website: www.capersonmain.com
Capers is a true family owned restaurant that prides itself on cooking everything with incredible flavor. This Kennesaw spot offers a diverse menu, from fresh seafood to succulent lamb dishes, all prepared with a focus on quality and taste. The excellent service and spacious dining room make it ideal for family dinners and gatherings. While reservations are recommended for weekend nights due to its popularity among local families, the warm, inviting atmosphere and delicious food make it worth planning ahead.
4. Pit Boss BBQ – A Family Secret in BBQ Perfection
Address: 800 Doug Davis Dr, Atlanta, GA 30354
Website: pitboss-bbq.com
Pit Boss BBQ is a beloved, no-frills, family owned gem in Hapeville that has been serving phenomenal barbecue for years. Known for its long lines (a testament to its popularity!) and generous portions, Pit Boss BBQ offers a taste of authentic, home-smoked barbecue that’s hard to beat. Their smoked wings are particularly famous, considered by many to be among the best in Atlanta. It’s the kind of place where the recipes feel like closely guarded family secrets, passed down to create BBQ perfection.
5. Just Add Honey Tea Shop – A Family’s Brew of Tranquility
D’juan’s Bistro interior showcasing its cozy and casual ambiance, reflecting its family-friendly appeal | Photo: djuans.com
Address: 684 John Wesley Dobbs Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30312
Instagram: instagram.com/justaddhoney/
Owned by Brandi and Jermail Shelton, Just Add Honey Tea Shop is a family owned haven of peace and tranquility, offering a delightful escape from the city bustle. This charming tea shop provides a cozy setting with comfortable seating and an extensive selection of teas, making it a wonderful spot for families to relax and connect. Whether you’re catching up with a friend or enjoying a quiet moment with a book, Just Add Honey offers a warm, family-like atmosphere that enhances the tea-drinking experience.
6. Busy Bee Cafe – An Atlanta Institution with a Family Legacy
Address: 810 M.L.K. Jr Dr SW, Atlanta, GA 30314
Website: www.thebusybeecafe.com
Busy Bee Cafe stands as a true Atlanta institution, with a rich family history dating back to 1947. Founded by self-taught cook Lucy Jackson during the segregation era and still Black-owned today by restaurateur Tracy Gates, Busy Bee Cafe is a testament to family legacy and culinary tradition. This gem, located near Mercedes-Benz stadium, offers classic soul food dishes like candied yams and “ol’ fashioned banana puddin’,” served with the warmth and hospitality of a family kitchen. Dining here is not just a meal; it’s experiencing a piece of Atlanta’s history and family heritage.
7. K & K Soul Food – 40 Years of Family Cooking Tradition
Address: 881 Donald Lee Hollowell Pkwy NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
Facebook: facebook.com/pages/category/Southern-Restaurant/KK-Soul-Food-160341633994688/
For over 40 years, K & K Soul Food has been serving delicious, no-frills soul food in Atlanta, embodying the essence of a long-standing family owned restaurant. This counter-service spot offers a comforting menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, featuring favorites like cheese grits, fried chicken, and cornbread. K&K Soul Food is where you go for reliable, delicious meals cooked with family tradition and served with genuine Southern hospitality.
8. Not As Famous Cookie – A Father’s Recipe, a Family’s Success
Not As Famous Cookie Sandwich showcasing its classic vanilla ice cream and warm cookies, reflecting its family-inspired desserts | Photo: Courtesy of Not As Famous Cookie
Address: 1080 Windy Hill Rd SE Suite 300, Smyrna, GA 30080
Instagram: instagram.com/notasfamous/
Not As Famous Cookie is a gourmet bake shop that started as a food truck and blossomed into a brick-and-mortar success, all thanks to family recipes. Owner Ashley Carlton uses secret recipes created by his father 40 years ago to make their popular cookie shakes, cookie skillets, and ice cream cookie sandwiches. Using only real butter, fine chocolates, and premium sugar, this family owned business delivers gourmet treats with a homemade touch, free of preservatives and full of flavor.
9. Paschal’s – A Soul Food Staple with a Family Legacy of Over 60 Years
Paschal’s Fried Chicken showcasing its perfectly golden and crispy texture, a testament to its long-standing family recipe | Photo: Instagram/paschalsrestaurant
Address: 180 Northside Dr SW, Atlanta, GA 30313
Website: www.atlantaeats.com/blog/black-owned-atl-paschals/
Paschal’s, nestled in Castleberry Hills, has been an Atlanta soul food staple for over six decades, representing a lasting family legacy in the restaurant industry. Known for its super reasonable prices and consistently satisfying fried chicken, Paschal’s offers a taste of classic soul food that has comforted generations. The efficient takeout system makes it easy to enjoy their family-favorite recipes anytime, bringing home the taste of tradition and family cooking.
10. Sublime Donuts – Sweet Family Creations, 24/7
Sublime Donuts showcasing a colorful assortment of gourmet donuts, reflecting its creative and family-driven approach to baking | Photo: sublimedoughnuts.com
Addresses:
- 535 10th St, NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
- 2566 Briarcliff Rd, NE, Suite 107, Atlanta, GA 30318
- 1 AMB Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
Website: www.sublimedoughnuts.com
Founded by Kamal Grant, Sublime Donuts is a 24-hour Atlanta mainstay that has been satisfying sweet cravings with its over-the-top, gourmet donuts for years. This family owned business creates artisan donut flavors like s’mores, Buttercup, and strawberry cream, offering a delightful range of sweet treats made with creativity and care. Whether you visit their locations near Georgia Tech, in the Mercedes-Benz stadium, or even in Bangkok, Thailand, you’re experiencing the delicious outcome of a family’s passion for baking.
11. Tom, Dick & Hank – Family Reunion BBQ Vibes
Address: 3807 Main St, Atlanta, GA 30337
Website: tomdickandhank.com
Tom, Dick & Hank strives to make every visit feel like the joyous family reunion BBQs of your childhood. This College Park spot, also with a Downtown location, offers “barbecue with a soul” twist meals, including turkey ribs, cornbread, and mac and cheese, designed to evoke the warmth and comfort of family gatherings. Dining here is about more than just BBQ; it’s about experiencing the feeling of family and home through delicious, soul-infused food.
12. Popbar – Family-Owned Sweetness on a Stick
Various Locations – See Website for Details
Website: www.popbar.com
Popbar, with a location in Alpharetta, is family-owned and operated by Jamaal and Charel Palmer, bringing handcrafted gelato, yogurt, and sorbet served on a stick to Atlanta. This delightful spot offers a range of creamy treats, including signature hot chocolates, waffle pops, and gelato shakes, perfect for families looking for a sweet outing. Popbar is all about indulging in delicious, family-friendly desserts made with care and creativity.
More Family Owned Restaurant Gems to Explore:
While the above list highlights restaurants explicitly mentioned as family-owned in the original article or easily identifiable as such, many other Black-owned restaurants in Atlanta share the values and spirit of family businesses. Exploring restaurants like:
- Scotch Bonet Jerk Chicken: While information about family ownership is not explicitly stated, many food trucks and smaller eateries operate as family businesses, offering authentic Jamaican cuisine.
- Roc South Cuisine: Offering elevated soul food, it may be family run, emphasizing the home-style cooking often found in family restaurants.
- Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks: Started by Derrick Hayes with a passion for authentic Philly cheesesteaks, this could be considered a family legacy in the making.
- Tassili’s Raw Reality Cafe: Owned by Chef Tassili Ma’at, this woman-owned, Black-owned restaurant in the West End has the personal touch often found in family establishments.
- Hippin Hops Brewery: Georgia’s first African-American owned brewery, family could be involved in the operations, contributing to its unique and community-focused vibe.
- Gilly Brew Bar: A charming coffee shop in a renovated pre-Civil War house, the personal touch of owner Daniel Brown might reflect a family-oriented approach.
- Chef Rob’s Caribbean Cafe: Chef Rob’s personal touch and focus on comfort food suggest a family-style approach to Caribbean cuisine.
- Slutty Vegan ATL: While a larger brand now, Pinky Cole’s initial vision and hands-on approach reflect the dedication often seen in family-started businesses.
- The Real Milk & Honey: Known for brunch and Southern delights, it could have family-oriented operations, focusing on generous portions and hospitality.
- Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours: Chef Deborah VanTrece’s restaurant, offering soul and Southern food with a creative twist, may have family-inspired recipes and a welcoming atmosphere.
- Local Green Atlanta: Zak Wallace’s mission to bring healthy, affordable food to food deserts may be driven by family and community values.
- Ms. Icey’s Kitchen & Bar: Offering Caribbean flavors, it may have a family-inspired menu and a focus on creating a welcoming environment.
- Virgil’s Gullah Kitchen & Bar: Serving Gullah Geechee flavor and family recipes, it explicitly highlights its family heritage and culinary traditions.
- Urban Grind: A cozy coffeehouse with a community focus, it may embody the welcoming spirit of a family-run business.
- Cafe Bourbon Street: Offering Cajun cuisine with generous portions, it might have a family-style approach to cooking and hospitality.
- Toast on Lenox: Known for brunch and Southern cuisine, it could have family-inspired recipes and a focus on creating a comfortable dining experience.
- Just Brunch: Chef Keith Kash’s restaurant, offering a mix of brunch flavors, may have a family-oriented approach to hospitality and menu creation.
- The Corner Grille: Serving Creole and American flavors, it could be a family-run neighborhood favorite, emphasizing hearty portions and flavorful dishes.
- Atlanta Breakfast Club: Chef Anthony Sanders’ staple, known for chicken and waffles, might have a family-driven approach to Southern breakfast and brunch classics.
- Breakfast At Barney’s: While newer, it provides a delicious and creative brunch menu in a beautiful atmosphere, potentially reflecting family values in its service and offerings.
- Delilah’s Everyday Soul: Offering soul food magic, it may have family recipes and a focus on comforting, home-style cooking.
- Desta Ethiopian Kitchen: Owned by Ethiopian immigrants Ash Nega and Titi Demise, it brings authentic Ethiopian flavors and family traditions to Atlanta.
- Plant Based Pizzeria: Contributing to Atlanta’s vegan scene, it may have a family-driven passion for plant-based cuisine and community health.
- The James Room: A cocktail lounge with a chic vibe, it may have family involvement in creating its unique atmosphere and hospitality.
- Che Butter Jonez: Chef Malik Rhasaan’s spot, offering delicious and simple food, might embody the personal touch of a family-run eatery.
- Flavor Rich Restaurant: Co-owned by Christopher Fletcher and Angelica Finley, who met at the Ritz-Carlton, it combines elegant plating with delicious flavors, potentially reflecting a family-like partnership.
- Southern Fire Kitchen: Offering reasonably priced soul food and Southern cuisine, it may have a family-oriented approach to comfort food classics.
- The Breakfast Boys: Known for brunch and over-the-top dishes, it might have a family-driven focus on creating a fun and vibrant dining experience.
- Plantbaed Cafe: Blending veganism and Black culture, it may have family values driving its mission for healthy and culturally relevant food.
- The Bando: A unique wing spot with a cultural museum, it could be a family venture, reflecting creativity and community engagement.
- Apt 4B: Chef Dayana Joseph’s Caribbean restaurant with a twist, offering inventive fare and a great atmosphere, may have family influences in its culinary creativity and hospitality.
- Fin & Feathers: Offering “Nu American” Soul in a sexy environment, it might have family involvement in creating its unique vibe and menu.
- The Beverley: A comfy sports bar with a brunch menu, it could be a family-run neighborhood spot, emphasizing casual dining and a welcoming atmosphere.
- Bankhead Seafood: Reopened by T.I. and Killer Mike, aiming to revive a beloved institution, it may seek to restore its family-oriented legacy within the community.
- Barrio ATL: A lively restaurant with Mexican Soul food, it could have a family-driven approach to creating a diverse and welcoming dining experience.
- Zaddy’s: An elevated deli specializing in XXL sandwiches, it could be a family venture bringing unique culinary concepts to Atlanta.
- Black Bear Tavern: Catering to Chicago expats, it offers a niche and community feel, potentially reflecting family-like values in its service and atmosphere.
- Garden Parc: A brunch spot focused on the experience, it may have family involvement in creating its unique and Instagrammable dining environment.
- Ms. Icey’s Kitchen & Bar (Decatur): The Decatur location extends the Caribbean flavors and welcoming atmosphere, possibly with family management and operations.
- Virgil’s Gullah Kitchen & Bar (Conyers & West Midtown): Expansion to new locations may involve family members, extending the reach of their family recipes and Gullah Geechee traditions.
- Sublime Donuts (Briarcliff Rd & Mercedes-Benz Stadium): Multiple locations might be managed by family members, ensuring consistent quality and family brand across different sites.
- Toast on Lenox (Midtown & Buckhead): Expansion to new locations may involve family, ensuring consistent quality and family brand across different sites.
- Fin & Feathers (Edgewood & Riverdale): Multiple locations might be managed by family members, ensuring consistent quality and family brand across different sites.
- Delilah’s Everyday Soul (Dunwoody & Peachtree St): Expansion to new locations may involve family members, extending the reach of their family recipes and soul food traditions.
This list is just the beginning of your exploration into Atlanta’s family owned restaurant scene. Use online search engines with keywords like “family owned restaurants near me” along with specific cuisines or neighborhoods to discover even more hidden gems.
Supporting Family Owned Restaurants: A Delicious Choice
Choosing to dine at a family owned restaurant near me is more than just a meal; it’s an investment in community, culture, and authentic culinary experiences. You’re supporting local families, helping preserve traditions, and enjoying food made with passion and heart. So next time you’re looking for a place to eat, consider searching for “family owned restaurants near me” and discover the rich tapestry of flavors and stories that Atlanta’s family restaurants have to offer. Your taste buds – and your community – will thank you.
Use the map below to explore more Black-owned restaurants in Atlanta and potentially find more family owned gems in your vicinity!
(Map/Embed of Restaurant Locations – Consider embedding a Google Map with pins for the restaurants listed, if feasible within markdown, or suggest adding one in a real web environment)
Explore and Support Family Owned Restaurants Today!
