This unpretentious local gem serves up nostalgic Southern classics like tender fried chicken and sweet potato soufflé, all with a side of warm hospitality.
"At The Colonnade in Morningside, Atlanta’s second-oldest restaurant, you’ll find quintessential Southern fried chicken with thick breading and juicy meat. It’s so well-seasoned that your table hot sauce might get mad and run away to where it'll feel better appreciated. Each order comes with four big pieces and two sides (go for the collard greens and sweet potatoes). And the bar makes a decent dirty martini—an iconic chicken and cocktail pairing every Southerner should enjoy at least once." - jacinta howard
"Even if you ignored all the “since 1927” signs, the old-school charm of Colonnade will hit the moment you step into the massive dining room. The Cheshire Bridge institution (and Atlanta’s second-oldest restaurant) is usually buzzing with neighborhood locals gathering over crackly fried chicken and lunchtime martinis served in thick vintage glasses. Maybe there’s something about well-seasoned Southern meals like family-style servings of tender roast beef with savory collard greens that puts everyone in a friendly mood—so this is the kind of place to expect some conversation." - demarco williams, nina reeder, juli horsford, jacinta howard
"This Cheshire Bridge Road institution opened back in 1927. A monumental feat for any restaurant. The Colonnade has a loyal following among the over 60 crowd, but continually attracts new generations seeking down home, Southern comfort food (and strong martinis.) Come for classics like turkey and dressing, chicken fried steak, and fried chicken. However, regulars swear by its brunch and the bloody marys, too." - Missy Frederick, Beth McKibben
"You don’t even have to notice the very prominent “since 1927” signs around the place. You can feel the "old-school" the moment you step into the massive dining room at the Colonnade, Atlanta’s second-oldest restaurant. The dreary wood-trimmed walls and oddly patterned carpet look like they haven’t changed since the days when Hank Aaron first donned a Braves jersey. And the Cheshire Bridge institution is usually buzzing with neighborhood locals who probably remember seeing Hank Aaron play. But nobody’s coming here just for the nostalgic decor. They come for well-seasoned Southern meals. That includes family-style servings of tender roast beef, savory collard greens, lunchtime martinis in old-school thick glasses, and, most importantly, the crackly Southern-fried chicken plate (it even made our guide). This is the kind of place where time slows down, and the food takes center stage. photo credit: Connor Franklin Leland photo credit: Connor Franklin Leland photo credit: Connor Franklin Leland photo credit: Connor Franklin Leland photo credit: Connor Franklin Leland Food Rundown photo credit: Connor Franklin Leland Fried Chicken This is quintessential Southern fried chicken with thick, well-seasoned crackly breading and juicy meat. You get four big pieces of chicken with this order. Roast Beef One of the must-orders on the menu, the roast beef is hearty and melt-in-your-mouth tender. Black Eyed Peas Skip these. They're bland—like they are boiled in salt water with little else to flavor them. Collard Greens Savory and smoky, the greens pair well with your crispy chicken. Sweet Potatoes These get the job done—sweet and creamy without overdoing it with sugar or spices." - Jacinta Howard
"This is an Atlanta classic, where the food is pure Southern comfort and the people-watching is some of the best in town. Opened in 1927, the Colonnade has a loyal following among the over-60 crowd but continually attracts a new generation of regulars seeking down home, Southern comfort food (and strong martinis.) Diners come for the turkey and dressing, chicken fried steak, and fried chicken and numerous vegetable side offerings, but restaurant regulars swear by its brunch and the bloody marys, too." - Sarra Sedghi
