Marcus Bar & Grille

"With the garage windows raised, the soulful Atlanta vibes of Marcus Bar & Grille spill out into the sidewalk patio. Plants, albums of Atlanta-based artists, and roller skates cover nearly every corner of the Old Fourth Ward showstopper, and party tunes ensure the subtle tapping of feet throughout—’80s and ’90s R&B dance music will always be spellbinding. For brunch or dinner, we usually grab a seat under a shady umbrella, share a few cocktails with friends, and dig through the Southern menu, which has some decent dishes like the seafood-packed pasta and cornbread waffle." - nina reeder, demarco williams, juli horsford, jacinta howard

"Even if you don’t get the urge to pry one of the pastel roller skates off the wall and take a spin around the massive dining room, the ’90s R&B, energetic staff, and tasty Southern food at Marcus Bar & Grille make it the kind of spot that can easily have you dancing in your seat. Decked out with mustard yellow walls, vinyl records of Atlanta artists, and even a pillow featuring TLC’s Left Eye behind the bar, the Edgewood Avenue restaurant is a place where you might run into the homies or a random family member while you’re out with a group or on a date. If you do come with a group, we recommend the family-style platters of crackly-skinned fried chicken on a plump waffle, savory-sweet cornbread served in a skillet with a dollop of honey butter, and earthy slow-cooked greens. Even with these and other hits, there are some dishes that can be skipped, like the underseasoned B&G Wagyu Smashburger with two wagyu patties, cheddar cheese, garlic aioli, and onion jam in a thick bun. On weekends, it’s all about the miles-long brunch buffet ($38 per person and $18 for kids 6-13). There, you’ll find things not on the weekday à la carte menu, like hearty shrimp gumbo with chorizo, cinnamon-spiced warm stewed peaches, and tender baked salmon bites. The restaurant is quiet enough in the early morning for chats between ever-present tables of college friends or the after-church crowd. As the day goes on, the space gets more animated as more people pour in, especially during the dinner buffet, Sunday Supper & Spins, which features a live DJ. Food Rundown photo credit: Amy Sinclair Fried Chicken The skin on this chicken is super crispy while the inside is moist and juicy—just as it should be. This is one of the must-get items here. Skillet Cornbread While the cornbread isn’t dessert-sweet, it does have a hint of sugar that mixes nicely with the savory notes. photo credit: Jacinta Howard B&G Waygu Smashburger Two wagyu patties come with melty sharp cheddar cheese and onion jam between bouncy buns. It’s fine, but there are better things, like the fried chicken, on the menu. Slow-Cooked Greens Slightly smoky and savory, the greens are tender without being too soft. Shrimp Gumbo With Chorizo Served during the brunch buffet, the gumbo has a rich base that’s a little smoky and spicy from the chorizo. Berbere Grilled Shrimp The shrimp is plump with a sweet-spicy kick and comes with red tortilla chips, avocado, cucumber, apples, and tomatoes. It’s a solid, shareable dish if you’re into chips, but just know it only comes with four pieces of shrimp." - Jacinta Howard

"Marcus Samuelsson’s Atlanta restaurant is open on Thanksgiving Day with a special holiday menu including slow-cooked collard greens, mashed potatoes, catfish dressing, fried chicken, candied yams, and more. $60 a person, $30 for children, and those under five eat for free." - Eater Staff

"Celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson’s Sunday Supper & Spins offers a Southern buffet for $48 a person." - Su-Jit Lin

"His restaurant in Old Fourth Ward, Marcus Bar & Grille, opened in March 2023, and the chef says Atlanta “had been on [his] radar for a long time as a world-class metropolis of Black culture.” This Wednesday, February 21, Marcus Bar & Grille will welcome chefs from Charleston, South Carolina, for one of the first Heinz Black Kitchen Initiative Open Kitchen pop-ups." - Denise K. James