Busy Bee Cafe
Soul food restaurant · Atlanta ·
James Beard award-winning soul food with iconic fried chicken
James Beard award-winning soul food with iconic fried chicken
"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
"There’s a reason Busy Bee Cafe continues to dominate the Southern food conversation in Atlanta after seven decades — it’s that good. The dining room fills immediately after the doors open for lunch, and folks pour into “Atlanta’s soul food kitchen” for some of the best fried chicken likely within a 100-mile radius. People also love the tender collards, which the restaurant now prepares with smoked turkey rather than pork. Make sure to also indulge in the cornbread, baked mac and cheese, yams, cobblers, or sweet potato pie, while gazing upon bronze-framed photos of Civil Rights icons, celebrities, and world leaders — all who have eaten at Busy Bee over the years. The restaurant earned a James Beard award in 2022 and was named a bib gourmand by Michelin in 2024." - Mike Jordan