The Busy Bee
Soul food restaurant · Atlanta ·
Award-winning soul food institution serving legendary fried chicken
Award-winning soul food institution serving legendary fried chicken
"Already a historic Atlanta restaurant, this latest Busy Bee Cafe outpost is slated to become the third location, following the second at Atlantic Station. The new restaurant will occupy nearly 3,000 square feet in the Mitchell residential tower at Centennial Yards, anchoring part of the massive $5 billion redevelopment of Downtown’s Gulch." - Henna Bakshi
"I value The Busy Bee as an Atlanta institution since 1947—this small, photo-lined spot with tile floors, booths and a counter has long delivered old‑fashioned Southern soul food; the fried chicken is crispy and juicy, daily specials and generous sides like tangy-sweet beans keep regulars coming back, and peach or blackberry cobbler make for the perfect classic finish (it also has notable historical connections, including visits from Martin Luther King Jr.)." - The MICHELIN Guide
"In Atlanta, The Busy Bee is noted as a Southern restaurant included on the MICHELIN Guide's inaugural American South Bib Gourmand list." - The MICHELIN Guide
"If your goal is to take down some Southern soul food while in Atlanta, then Busy Bee Cafe in the West End should be a required stop. Though they’re only offering takeout for the moment, there’s some heavy history happening in the walls here. Opened in 1947, this place is famous for its best-in-the-city crispy fried chicken, greens, pork chops, and other soul food staples that have fed famous patrons from Martin Luther King Jr. to former President Barack Obama. Since it’s near the Atlanta University Center, drive by to see the Spelman, Morehouse, and Clark campuses before your visit. Or check out the Mercedes-Benz complex just a few blocks down." - nina reeder, juli horsford, jacinta howard
"Yes, Busy Bee has been around for decades, and yes, it’s still the best place for straightforward soul food. Even though the West End diner is takeout-only now—with the same fascinating mix of people waiting semi-patiently in line—the juicy fried chicken remains an Atlanta legend, fried in a light batter that’s more seasoning than bread. The perfectly crisp catfish and pork chops are still the standard in the city, and so are the candied yams with just the right amount of sweet and the crispy fried okra that isn’t too chewy." - nina reeder, jacinta howard, juli horsford
