DiscoverAtlanta.com homepage
Loading

2 Days in Black-Owned Atlanta

2 Day Itinerary for Exploring Black-Owned Atlanta

There is a reason Atlanta is heralded as an epicenter of Black excellence and the Black Cultural Capital of America. Atlanta has produced legends, pioneered movements and become a burgeoning city brimming with opportunities for Black entrepreneurs and creatives. The history, food and culture are all woven into the fabric of America. From Southern charms to soulful cuisines, Atlanta is a city easy to love. If you have only 48 hours to spend in ATL, this guide will take you on a journey through Black-owned Atlanta, bridging old Atlanta — its history and legacy — to new Atlanta, bustling and booming.

Day 1

Omni Coffee and Eggs

Start your morning in the historic Castleberry Hill neighborhood with a trip to Omni Coffee and Eggs. This charming cafe makes guests feel like royalty with a menu rich in flavor and decor perfect for photos. Don’t be surprised if you receive a royal greeting from the staff dressed in Victorian-inspired attire. Sit on the throne and stay in character while you await a delicious meal. What’s on the menu? Try the signature Omni Bowl or the soul-satisfying biscuits and gravy. If you’re leaning to your sweeter side the French toast goes perfectly with the peach cobbler latte.

Where: 261 Peters St. SW

Le Petit Marche

The French toast sandwich is a must-try. (Photo by Chris Watkins)

Head back west to the historic Kirkwood neighborhood and pop into Le Petit Marche where you will be served up a hefty helping of deliciousness. “The Little Market” is known for its all-day brunch fare and the sandwiches are not to be missed. The cute, quaint space will draw you in, but it’s the impeccable food, sprinkled with a dash of Southern charm, that creates a recipe of palatable perfection. Even the journals at each table, inscribed with heart-warming words from past patrons, add to the “something special” factor of Le Petit Marche.

Where: 1984 Hosea L. Williams Drive NE

National Center for Civil and Human Rights

civilrights_31
Live through history with a visit to the National Center for Civil and Human Rights (Photo courtesy of The National Center for Civil and Human Rights)

As the birthplace of icons and the heart of the Civil Rights Movement, Atlanta is the fitting home of the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. The experience will live with you long after your time in Atlanta. From the moment you step through the corridor beneath the “colored” or “whites” signs indicative of the Jim Crow era, you will soon realize this is not just a museum of objects and writings on the wall; it is an immersive experience transporting you to bygone days of a harried past with hopes for a better future.

Everything about this experience is intentional. Pay attention to the way the lights are dimmed in some areas, representing a darker, bleaker period in time; or the way they are brighter when journeying through times of hope and redemption. Sit at the lunch counter, place the headset over your ears, close your eyes, listen to the angry sounds and words that fill your mind, notice the change in the pace of your heartbeat. Feel what it must have felt like for the lunch counter protestors during the Civil Rights Movement. The exhibitions here are chilling, moving and inspirational. You will need at least two hours to make your way through the entire museum. Don’t rush it. Take it all in, and when you’re finished you can fully digest it all over lunch.

Where: 100 Ivan Allen Jr. Blvd. NW

Busy Bee Cafe

Enjoy food that touches the soul. (Photo courtesy of the Busy Bee Cafe)

You can’t come to Atlanta and not have some down-home Southern cooking. We can save the soul food restaurants full of fancy and frills for another day. Today, we’re heading to Busy Bee Cafe, a no-frills eatery that satiates the soul and has been patronized by the likes of Martin Luther King Jr., President Obama, Jay Z and Kobe Bryant. It is the only establishment in the Westside neighborhood that was around during segregation and still remains today. It’s where civil rights leaders would dine and hold strategy sessions. The history runs deep.

Busy Bee has a nostalgic feeling — like Sunday dinner at Grandma’s. Photos line the walls, chatter and laughter fill the space and the food is cooked with love. It’s why people come back again and again and lines often wrap around the building.

Currently, Busy Bee is open only for takeout, pick up and curbside service. Make sure to order on your way there, and then head over to Centennial Olympic Park to enjoy.

So, what should you try on the menu? EVERYTHING! From the pork chops to shrimp and catfish, you can’t go wrong with anything. However, an absolute must-try is the fried chicken. Busy Bee has, arguably, the best fried chicken in Atlanta. It’s the right amount of crisp and seasoned to perfection. Add on some fixins such as Southern favorites like mac and cheese, collard greens and cornbread and you’ll understand why Busy Bee has stood the test of time, and why it will be at the top of your “to-do” list every time you visit Atlanta.

Where: 810 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive SW

Historic West End

Atlanta Murals - Greetings from the West End
Take in art and history in the history West End. (Photo by Chris Watkins and Art by Victor Ving)

The historic West End neighborhood has several must-hit spots. Learn about the city’s first Black millionaire at Herndon Home and gaze at art from visual artists of African descent at Hammonds House Museum. The Atlanta University Center is the oldest and largest contiguous consortium of African American higher education institutions in the United States and includes Clark Atlanta University, Spelman College, Morehouse College and Morehouse School of Medicine. Linger in the intriguing 44th & 3rd Bookseller and rest your feet at the James Beard Award-winning Busy Bee Cafe, a no-frills eatery that satiates the soul.

Check Out the Street Art Scene

Krog Street Tunnel
Drive through the art in Krog Street Tunnel.

Resist the urge to slip into a food coma after Busy Bee, and, instead, “walk it off” while exploring Atlanta’s Black street art scene and getting those Insta-worthy shots of the city. Start off in historic Old Fourth Ward at Jackson Street Bridge, located just a few blocks from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birth home. This bridge offers the iconic view of Atlanta’s skyline and is perfect for sunrise or sunset photos.

Make your way over to Krog Street Tunnel and Cabbagetown, about a four-minute drive away, for some fun photo ops with artwork by Black artists such as Choze, who reminds us of the late John Lewis’ infamous quote, “Get in good trouble, necessary trouble,” or incredible muralists such as Ashley Dopson who recently completed Atlanta’s 1,000th mural, “Fish are Jumping.” If you are not all photo’d out by this point, the eclectic neighborhood of Little Five Points beckons for you to strike a pose in front of ATLiens and hip-hop legends, Outkast. The sounds of “Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik, Hey Ya!, So Fresh, So Clean” or a gamut of other hits will undoubtedly run through your mind, transcending you to some other point in time. Ahh, the memories.

Want some guidance? Check out Black Girl Magic Tours to get a unique glimpse into some of these murals and more.

Where: Jackson Street Bridge, 433 Freedom Park Trail; Krog Street Tunnel, 1 Krog St. NE; Little Five Points, 1111 Euclid Ave. NE

Tom Dick and Hank

Great food and better vibes. (Photo courtesy of Tom Dick and Hank)

Rest up before the last stop of the evening at Tom, Dick and Hank. You’ll no longer be able to catch a Braves game just down the street at the historic Turner Field, but you can still get some of the best smoked wings in the city, not to mention the Food Network-worthy turkey ribs. Wood-paneled walls and rustic interiors lead the way to a laid-back vibe where you can enjoy a few brews and finger lickin’ good barbecue. Catch a game on the flat screens or drink in views of the bustling city below from the rooftop patio.

Where: 191 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd. SW

Day 2

BQE Restaurant and Lounge

History and nostalgia of old Atlanta was the theme for day 1. For day 2, we’re switching it up a bit and exploring new Atlanta. The first stop is brunch at BQE Restaurant and Lounge serving up breakfast, lunch and dinner Thursday through Sunday. But, the real treat is the weekend brunches happening Saturday and Sunday with a live DJ, bottomless bellinis and a menu where you’re tempted to try one of everything. From red velvet chicken and waffles to Gouda shrimp and grits or the Edgewood breakfast, you will be absolutely spoiled with choices. The energy of BQE moves you as soon as you walk through the door. The vibes reverberating throughout are more than just an effect of the music, it’s the culmination of people simply having a good time over good food and drinks. Before long, you’ll even find yourself doing your own little happy dance, whether from the music, food, energy or all of the above.

Where: 262 Edgewood Ave. NE

Breakfast at Barney’s

Another solid option to kick off Day 2 is Breakfast at Barney’s. From the 24 Karat Gold Pancakes with 24K edible gold flakes and bourbon apple cider syrup to the Emperor’s Breakfast, not to mention the Yard Bird with three fried chicken wings and a sage waffle, this eatery serves decadent comfort food to a deserving crowd.

Where: 349 Decatur St. SE

Shop Black Owned

Take your pick at The Village Retail (Photo courtesy of The Village Retail)

The Village Retail at Ponce City Market is all about spotlighting local, Black-owned small businesses that specialize in merchandise such as conscious apparel, all-natural products, home goods and beauty products. If you want to support small Black-owned businesses in Atlanta, this is a one-stop-shop for just that.

Where: 675 Ponce de Leon Ave. NE

Slutty Vegan

Slultty Vegan serves delicious food for both vegans and non-vegans. (Photo courtesy of Slutty Vegan)

After your little shops-capade you should consider indulging in another type of adventure. If you’ve never had a Ménage à Trois or Hollywood Hooker, you’ve got to try one in Atlanta. Don’t worry, this saucy rendezvous is not what you think; these are menu items at the wildly popular vegan restaurants in Atlanta, known as Slutty Vegan. Growing from a mobile stand that garnered a two-hour wait time for vegan burgers, to seven brick and mortar locations in just five years, Slutty Vegan must be doing something right. You can get these plant-based patties loaded with cheese, bacon, shrimp and, of course, the signature Slut sauce; and, the best part about it — it’s all vegan (even the Hawaiian bun. So, no need for the walk of shame after your, um, One-Night Stand (another tasty menu item).

Where: 1542 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd. SW

Indulge a Little

Speaking of indulging, treat yourself to an afternoon snack at Indulge Gourmet Popcorn. The smell of decadence that greets you at the door will have you salivating before you even get to the counter to make your selections. You’ll have signature options such as white cheddar jalapeno, chocolate and caramel with pecans or white chocolate popcorn, but you cannot leave without trying the flavor of the week. Earl Grey vanilla bean cake, banana pudding, strawberry lemonade and lavender rose elixir are just a few of the tantalizing flavors you’ll find on the revolving weekly menu. This isn’t your average popcorn and you just may find yourself circling back to indulge before your 48 hours in the city are up.

Where: 99 Krog St. NE

The Black Hair Experience

Share a midday smile with a trip to the Black Hair Experience. Affectionately known as the Black Girl Magic Playground, this interactive selfie-museum pays homage to textured hair while creating a fun, Instagrammable space for shaping new memories. Bask in the nostalgia of hair products that nurtured your childhood tresses while celebrating the beauty of the Black hair experience. From Blue Magic and hair bows to relaxers and wash ’n’ go hairstyles, come center yourself in the story that bonds an entire diaspora despite its many unique expressions. Whether you’ve pre-purchased a single ticket or booked a private event, the Black Hair Experience is ready to welcome you and all the magic of your hair memories.

Where: 1540 Avenue Place

Enjoy the Suite Life

For your last night in Atlanta, enjoy a night on the town and incredible food, at Suite Food Lounge. This swanky two-story restaurant and lounge is one of Atlanta’s largest Black-owned restaurants. Get a taste of American cuisine with a Southern twist of menu options such as fried lobster tail with mac and cheese, the Suite Surf ‘N Turf, the Suite Heat fried chicken dinner and an array of other flavorful fares.

Some nights you’ll dance to the DJ’s beat, while on other nights your cheeks will hurt from laughter during various comedy shows.

Where: 375 Luckie St. NW

Cafe Circa Restaurant & Bar

Add the perfect punctuation to your time in Atlanta with a nightcap at Cafe Circa. Here you’ll find a quaint bar tucked away on the burgeoning bar and nightlife scene of Edgewood Avenue. Cafe Circa offers a contrast of two worlds. On the first level, low-lighting and jazz music set a sophisticated ambiance for a mellow evening with good conversation over hand-crafted cocktails. Meanwhile upstairs, you’ll feel the boom of the bass on the rooftop for a livelier scene, with a live DJ, hookahs and a frenetic feel. Two different vibes, one building and an exceptional way to end the night in Atlanta.

Touring Atlanta is a soul-quenching experience that leaves the mind, heart and soul (and belly) full of enjoyment. Take a day, a weekend or a week to explore and let our past and our future sink in.

Where: 464 Edgewood Ave. SE

Looking to add live music to your itinerary? Check out these Black-owned Restaurants with Live Music in Atlanta.

Additional edits have been made by Aubree Dumas.

Discover More

Get to know Atlanta, and discover the best things to do around the city.