The Brunch Diaries: Retro Feels, Diner Plates, & a Side of Atlanta Nostalgia
There’s something about diner mugs, checkered floors, & that first bite of a buttery biscuit that just hits different.
If you grew up on Sunday pancakes or fell in love with Atlanta through its nostalgic charm — this blog is for you.
The Brunch Diaries isn’t about bloody maria’s (okay, maybe a few). It’s about the stories, the regulars, the retro plates, & the spots that feel like stepping into a Southern time capsule… with a little flair.
Whether you’re brunching like a local or chasing those slow-sippin’ morning vibes, here’s where to find ATL’s coziest, quirkiest, & most memory-soaked brunch spots.
🥞 Diner Vibes & Breakfast Classics
For those who crave chrome counters, jukebox booths, & hashbrowns done right.
Home Grown GA (Reynoldstown)
This is the Southern breakfast spot of your dreams — thrift store vibes, hand-painted art, & the best Comfy Chicken Biscuit in the city. Get there early, then stroll through the backyard garden.
Michelin rated
Silver Skillet (Midtown)
A retro ATL staple serving up Southern comfort since 1956 — think skillet breakfasts, lemon icebox pie, & diner vibes so legit they’ve landed in movies. Come for the country ham & grits, stay for the nostalgia.
Thumbs Up Diner (Multiple Locations)
Funky, casual, & always packed. Their grits bowls are top-tier, and the walls are full of local art. Come hungry, leave happy.
Majestic Diner (Poncey-Highland)
Open since 1929 & still going strong. The neon sign says it all: this is classic Atlanta diner energy. Pro tip: sit at the counter + order the corned beef hash.
Landmark Diner (Downtown)
Open 24/7 & giving classic neon diner energy, Landmark is your go-to for late-night waffles, cheesecake, & that vintage booth charm that never misses.
Marietta Diner (Marietta)
Open 24/7 with neon lights since the 90’s. This iconic retro diner serves up everything from gyros to gravy-smothered biscuits — it’s a late-night legend for a reason. It also just might be my husbands childhood memories taking him back.
Gone but not forgotten: Java Jive
🍽️ Cozy Retro Cafés
Cafés with a side of vintage wallpaper, charming mismatched mugs, & feel-good plates.
OK Cafe (Buckhead)
A longtime ATL favorite serving up blue-plate specials, vintage energy, & biscuits that might just change your life. I’m a sucker for the red leather booths & wood accents.
Atlanta Breakfast Club (Downtown)
A brunch hotspot with Southern staples that hit every time. Think chicken & waffles, peach cobbler French toast, & a wait that’s always worth it.
Follower picks: Busy Bee (Vine City) 🖤 Black owned.
🌀 Atlanta Brunch with a Side of Nostalgia
Spots that may not look like a diner, but serve soft, throwback energy with every pour-over.
L5P Diner (Little 5 Points)
This funky, no-frills diner serves Southern breakfast staples with a side of punk-rock energy — perfect for post-concert eats or hungover hash browns. I adore the artwork inside by Yoyo Ferro.
Ria’s Bluebird (Grant Park)
A beloved Atlanta brunch classic, Ria’s serves legendary buttermilk pancakes, cozy vibes, & comfort food with a cool, creative twist. All in a laid-back, mural-covered corner of Grant Park. P.S. Don’t miss Ria’s Baby Bird (a pop-up) at Boggs Social in West End.
Sun in My Belly (Kirkwood)
A cozy café-meets-brunch-dream with mismatched plates, seasonal dishes, & a touch of vintage whimsy. Yes! Perfect for slow mornings & pretty lattes.
Petit Chou (Cabbagetown)
Not retro in décor, but absolutely retro in vibe. This Queer-owned French-Southern café is beloved for its soft egg dishes, biscuit bennies, and mid-century modern interiors. Cozy chaos in the best way.
🏳️🌈 LGBTQ-owned
Rising Son (Avondale Estates)
Southern roots meet modern brunch at this soulful spot dishing out hot biscuits, seasonal veggies, & a rotating chalkboard menu that always hits.
🍳 Honroable Atlanta Mentions
Spots that may not look like a diner, but serve soft, throwback energy with every pour-over.
Poco Loco (Kirkwood)
Delicious not notes. Hot take: Go on a Sunday when Dank’s Deli pops up inside. Grab a sammie, snag an coffee, & don’t skip their sister spot Comunidád Taqueria in Old Fourth Ward for something spicier, or luch. Pro tip: Enid coffee inside is a must.
🩷 Latina owned
Folk Art (Inman Park & Hapeville)
Not quite a diner, but it’s giving vintage soul & shrimp & grits dreams. The retro vibes hit different, & the chicken & waffles are never a bad call.
Follower Picks: Bread & Butterfly (Inman park) 🖤 Black owned, Alon’s Bakery, B-Side Decatur, Breakfast Boys.
💫 Still feeling nostalgic?
Tap into the full Atlanta throwback experience with these cozy-curated guides:
• 🎥 Atlanta’s Movie Theaters That Take Us Back
• 📚 20+ Must-Visit Bookstores & Comic Shops
• 🎨 Atlanta Art Galleries & Creative Corners
• 🎵 Dig Into ATL’s Record Store Scene
• 🛍️ Where ATL Creators Shop Vintage