Atlanta Black-Owned Gems You Need to Know & Support (Always)
Because showing love to Black-owned businesses isn’t a trend — it’s a thread. One that connects us, uplifts our communities, & celebrates the culture that built this city.
If there’s one thing ATL does best, it’s show up for each other. From family-owned restaurants to boundary-pushing galleries, this city is shaped by the legacy, creativity, and hustle of Black entrepreneurs, artists, & visionaries.
This isn’t just a guide to spend your money. It’s a love letter — to the flavors, spaces, & people that keep ATL alive & always evolving.
Updated January 31st, 2026
🤓 TL;DR?
Support Black-owned.
Eat good. Shop local. Stay curious.
Atlanta wouldn’t be Atlanta without these spots — so keep showing up.
— Messy Jesi @ Nerdy Retreat
A Creator-Curated Tribute: Why We Love ATL
As creators, we’re inspired by more than just aesthetics. We’re moved by the heart & hustle behind the scenes — the chefs reimagining food, the curators preserving Black artistry, the entrepreneurs creating spaces we didn’t know we needed, but now can’t live without.
So, I asked a few incredible voices in the city to help build this list. Because Atlanta isn’t just where we live. It’s what fuels us, grounds us, & reminds why we keep showing up.
Here’s what we had to say — & the Black-owned gems that stay in our rotation.
Tam Flowers
📱 @tamliestylepalette_
My Go-To Black-Owned Spots:
Mai Açaii - It’s Black History Month, so why not celebrate by showing support to more locally owned and Black-owned businesses, both in and outside of metro Atlanta. I recently stumbled across a Black-owned spot that serves matcha, açaí bowls, smoothies, and juices—and let me just say, it was a good find. Everything on the menu is 100% vegan, made with all-natural ingredients, and completely gluten-free, which is always a plus. This is a place I’d add to my list of must-try spots.
Of course, I had to try the matcha. I went with the crème brûlée matcha, and baby… it did not disappoint. The matcha was really rich and smooth with just the right amount of sweetness. Not overly sweet like some places where you can barely even taste the matcha. You can actually taste the quality, which I appreciate.
They also offer a make-your-own açaí bowl, which is always a win in my book. I chose açaí instead of coconut (another soft-serve option they offer) and loaded it up with chia seeds, strawberries, blueberries, granola, and cacao nibs, then finished it off with a drizzle of almond butter. Simple, fresh, and filling.
Overall, the vibes were good, the ingredients were clean, and the flavors were on point. If you’re looking to support Black-owned businesses while treating yourself to something healthy and delicious, this spot is definitely worth checking out. Trust me you won’t regret it. 💚🍵
Nadorasky - Atlanta permanent jewlery studio.
Eyetopia Med Spa - Beauty salow offering various services, like eyelash extensions, facials, waxing & more.
Monica Thorpe
📱 @thewkndnomad
Why I Love Atlanta:
As an ATL native, I’ve seen the city change so much. I'm so happy to see how there are more black restaurateurs and artists/creatives. The city has shown so much love and I can’t wait to see how ATL looks in about 2-3 years from now.
Despite what you may have heard, ATL has some dope food/ drink and fun things to explore. The same vibe you would get in Buckhead in the early 2000’s, you can get on the Southside now. I love it and I'm here for it!
My Go-To Black-Owned Spots:
Breakfast Boys - My favorite spot in College Park! I've never had bad service and the food was always great. Parking may suck as it's in the middle of a neighborhood and school zone but it's worth the hassle.
My favorite dish is the Salmon Hash. The salmon is well seasoned and cooked to perfection! No complaints here! Just make sure to get there early because it gets packed fast and to go orders fly out the door!
Pro Tip: Not to mention it's a hop and a skip from the Airport, so definitely a good go to spot before your flight out.
LIT Essentials (Live with Intention and Thrive) - This is for my wellness guys and gals! Perfect for diy aromatherapy classes such as making soap, bath bombs and body butters. Located in the Grant Park area, it's ideal for solo dolo dates, girls nights and date nights with your significant other. I've done two classes and have purchased soaps that I truly love. This family owned business is very welcoming and is a must visit to open up your creative side!
Dolo’s - I don't care what anyone says or tries to feed me! Dolo’s hands down has the best pizza in the city! Yes, they have some pretty good competition but they’re still #1 in my heart!!
Owned by Alyson Williams and chef Yusef Walker, Dolo’s NYC style pizza mixed with the best Caribbean ingredients is how they transformed pizza in ATL. The fact that owner Yusef Walker taught himself how to bake and created The Matey(my fave) which has jerk chicken, blue cheese and honey, shows you how beyond delicious and fulfilling Dolo’s is. I'm not even a huge fan of chicken on pizza but Dolo’s changed my mind!
Pro tip: They also have pizza making classes so you can get the entire Dolo’s experience. It's definitely worth attending as it's a blast!
Gardy Banks
📱 @dudelovesfoodatl
Why I Love Atlanta:
I love Atlanta, I feel like it’s the perfect balance of big city hustle and southern-country vibes. It’s a bustling place with plenty of opportunities for different niches to thrive.
Lowkey, I think Atlanta is the national hub for cultural storytelling. You can find so many different artists using different mediums to tell their story. Food, music, sports, art, film—the list goes on.
There’s also a sense of duality that I don’t think can be found elsewhere. What other city is this full of historical significance while also balancing modern day shenanigans?
My Go-To Black-Owned Spots:
1. Twisted Soul Cookhouse and Pours - Elevated Soul Food by Chef Deborah Vance. Their Hoison Oxtail is one of my favorite dishes ever.
2. Busy Bee Cafe - Hands down the best fried chicken in the city—I don’t think anything else on their menu is very good, but I absolutely love the chicken and I’ve never heard anyone else say otherwise.
3. Marcus Bar and Grille - The BEST brunch buffet in the city. The Edgewood location is not the OG, but damn was it a refreshing add to that street. Amazing food, incredible service and the vibes are top tier.
Pro tip: Book the back room for a special event and thank me later 🙏🏽
Dominique Hazzard
📱@foodgoddessatl
Why I Love Atlanta:
As a kid growing up in Savannah, GA, Atlanta was always a frequent vacation spot, which in turn became a second home. I often say that I partially grew up lol.
Atlanta is soo rich in culture. There’s inclusivity here, no matter your walk of life, skin tone, or background. Atlanta is like a warm hug that embraces you, no questions asked. The food scene? It’s a melting pot of culinary royalty. There’s a restaurant for every taste bud and occasion. My palate has grown here the most so I will F.I.L.A (Forever, I Love Atlanta).
My Go-To Black-Owned Spots:
The Wing Suite - From the moment The Wing Suite hit the scene, I knew they were going to be a hit! Their Piping Peach wings are right up my alley, sweet, spicy, and sauced up. They are my go to wing spot near home. My order is a 10 piece Piping Peach with Salt n Vinegar Fries and a lemonade, with RANCH on the side.
Flavor Rich - Flavor Rich is one of them ones! This is an amazing brunch spot and you literally can’t go wrong with anything on their menu!
Mood Cafe - I really have to highlight this black woman owned coffee shop. From the moment you walk in, you are met with such great energy. It’s like going to your family’s crib to have coffee. They serve coffee, matcha, and breakfast and you can work from there. Such a dope spot.
Jesi Hooper
📱 @nerdy.reatreat
Why I Love Atlanta:
Atlanta just feels like home — there’s community, creativity, & always a new food spot to obsess over. The storytelling behind the plates feels personal, rooted, real. Oh & there’s always something happening that makes you pause & say, “Yea… only in ATL.”
I grew up in South Carolina, where the city was the destination. Atlanta meant the 1996 Olympics, volleyball tournaments, & weekend trips that always felt like a special treat.
P.S. I still have regrets about never making it to Warped Tour or more shows at the old Masquerade in my teen years.
But even then, ATL was the soundtrack of growing up — my iPod was stacked with Southern hip-hop + Trap mixes on repeat. Now that I live here, I see just how much culture shaped this city — & how much this city continues to shape culture.
We’re not trying to be NYC. We’re not trying to be LA. We’re Atlanta… we’ve got our own flavor, always.
My Go-To Black-Owned Spots:
It’s a tie (ugh, don’t make me choose): Portrait Coffee & Refij Aesthetics
At this point, Portrait Coffee is a full-blown addiction. As a caffeine fiend, this is my daily go-to. If I’m not physically in the shop, I’m at home rotating their beans like it’s a ritual.
… & then there’s Michelle (owner) at Refij Aesthetics. She keeps my skin glowing (facials, wax, the works) & actually knows how to treat sensitive skin. Highly recommend!
Bonus: They’re both close to home & small biz owned. Support feels good when it’s also this good.
The Bando - Always crispy wings, hella hilarious marketing, & a deep commitment to the community… they can’t be beat! !
P.S. I still miss the Y2K art inside — IYKYK. But I am excited about what’s next.
The Trap Music Museum - I went with BraveNu x MODA class collab in 2023 & got to hear directly from the curator. What a treat! The way she spoke about adapting art through culture stuck with me. Oh, & listen… the Women’s USC / Nike installation had me fan-girl mode.
🗺️ Ready to Explore?
Now that you’ve heard from a few creators who live the Atlanta experience, let’s get into the goods.
This isn’t just a list — it’s your curated guide to Black-owned excellence across ATL. Whether you’re here for a cup of something warm, a dinner that feeds your soul, or a place to spend your coins intentionally, this guide’s for you.
💾 Save it.
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💵 Support what makes ATL so powerful.
☕️ BUT FIRST COFFEE
Start strong… always!
East
Black Coffee Atlanta (Lakewood on Jonesboro Rd)
Coffee Was Black (Now at Sweet Auburn, Residency inside Haugabrooks Art Gallery & Events)
Just Add Honey (Between Old Fourth Ward + Inman Park)
Condesa Coffee (Old Fourth Ward)
West
Portrait Coffee (Historic West End) - Top-notch roasters & seasonal lattes.
Afrö Café (Historic West End)
Black Coffee ATL (Adair Park)
Cafe Bartique (Cascade)
404 Grounds (Westview, inside The Ke’nekt Cooperative)
Urban Grind (Pittsburgh Yards Containers)
404 Coffee (Pittsburgh)
OTP
Mood Cafe - Great WFH atmosphere
Gilly Brew Bar (Stone Mountain)
Photo by Tam Flowers
Photo by Tam Flowers
✨ FOOD & BEVIE FAVES
Flavors that slap.
The Breakfast Boys - Brunch game strong.
Yay Beignet
Dolo’s - Bonus: pizza making classes.
Twisted Soul Cookhouse
Busy Bee Café - ATL sould foo royalty.
Marcus Bar & Grill
The Wing Suite
Flavor Rich
The Bando - Crispy AF wings & top-tier service.
Phew Pies - (Pop-up) Daddy of the lemon pepper wet!
Jerk King - (Pop-up) Don’t sleep on this pop-up.
Cafe Bourbon Street - Brick + Mortar & food truck.
Ruki’s - Now a brick + mortar inside Terminal South in Peoplestown.
Che Butter Jonez
Delilah’s Everyday Soul
The Beautiful
Slutty Vegan / Voagies (Vegan)
Other Go-To’s: Q-Time, Paschal’s, Virgil’s Gullah Kitchen, Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks, Mrs. Conducks, Desta Ethiopian, Tom, Dick & Hank, The Corner Grille, Southern National, Pours, Oretheas, Pit Boss BBQ, Tassili’s, Fowl Play, The Real Milk & Honey, Fin & Feathers, Bread & Butterfly, Auburn Angel, Sauce Queen.
🍻BARS, BREWS, & BEVIES
Sip slow or turn up. Your call.
Our Bar - Community-first vibes.
3 Parks Wine - For your wine downs.
The James Room
Breweries
Atlantatucky
Hippin Hops Brewery
🍩 SWEETS & TREATS
Aiskrimu Ice Cream Bar (V)
GOAP | The Creamy Spot (V)
Sublime Doughnuts - Iconic. Even had them at my wedding.
🥕 FARMS
Fresh, local, & Black-owned
Caribe United Farm - my go-to at Grant Park Farmers Market for eggs & pork.
Patchwork City Farms
Atlanta Harvest
🖼️ ART & BEYOND
Galleries / Museums
Castleberry Hill gallery round-up: Peter Street Station, City of Ink, Old Rabbit Gallery, Nina & Baldwin
Black Art in America
ADAMA
Trap Music Museum
CBrooks Art Gallery
Haugabrooks Gallery & Event Space
ZuCot Gallery
Hammonds House - A Black-founded + Black-focused art museum, but owned by Fulton Co.
Beyond
Atlanta Influences Everything
Southern Fried Queer Pride (SFQP)
House of Alxndr
ScrapATL (Located inside CreateATL & Tucker)
Art In the Paint
Ballethnic Dance Company
🛍️ SHOP
Your new favorite finds.
Bookshops
Impossible Moon Bookshop (Hapeville)
Brave + Kind Bookshop
For Keeps Books
Village Books
44th & 3rd Bookseller
Hills & Hamlets Bookshop (Serenbe)
The Vibrary (Stone Mountain)
Small Shops & Makers
Crates ATL
The Beehive
The Village PCM
Nourish Bloom (Cascade & Trilith)
Capricorn Killjoy
Sincerely Fearless
Duality Clique
Vertical Activewear
Anwuli Eyewear
✨ Beauty
Refij Aesthetics
🌿 Plants & More
Pink Pothos
Nourish + Botanica
Other
Cascade Roller Skating Rink
🔥 CHEFIE CREW & MORE CLUBS
For the foodies & crafters who want more.
Stolen Goods (Chef Maximilian Hines)
Heritage Supper Club
The New South
The Atlanta Craft Club
🌟 CELEBRITY-OWNED
Chicken + Beer - Ludacris
Bankhead Seafood - T.I. + Killer Mike
Marcus bar & grill - Marcus Samuelsson
Escobar - 2 Chainz
💎 OTP GEMS
Outside the perimeter, but worth the drive.
• Aunite Kim’s
• ChéRené Macarons
• Over the Top Street Eatz - Newnan
• Fuel Coffee Bar - Newnan / Fayetteville
