Two Days in Black-owned Atlanta

There is a reason Atlanta is heralded as an epicenter of Black excellence. It is the place that has produced legends, pioneered movements and has become a burgeoning city brimming with opportunities for Black entrepreneurs and creatives. If you only have 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, giving you a taste of both worlds.

JULIE YARBROUGH Spelman College

DAY 1

Gilly Brew Bar

Kick start your day with a cup of brew from Gilly Brew Bar on Peters Street. Find sensational seasonal drinks and forever staples such as the Chaider, a masala chai infused with apple cider, or crafted lattes infused with fresh herbs.

Le Petit Marche

Head to the historic Kirkwood neighborhood and pop into Le Petit Marche, known for its all-day brunch fare and can’t-miss sandwiches. 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.

CHRIS WATKINS Busy Bee Cafe

National Center For Civil and Human Rights

Though not technically Black owned, the enthralling 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.

Historic West End

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 Awardwinning Busy Bee Cafe, a no-frills eatery that satiates the soul.

Make your way over to Krog Street Tunnel and Cabbagetown for some fun photo ops with artwork by Black artists such as Choze or incredible muralists such as Ashley Dopson who completed Atlanta’s 1,000th mural, “Fish Are Jumpin’ and The Cotton is High.” The eclectic neighborhood of Little Five Points beckons for you to strike a pose in front of ATLiens and hip-hop legends, OutKast.

Tom, Dick and Hank

Rest up before the last stop of the evening at Tom, Dick and Hank where you can get some of the best smoked wings in the city. 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.

OutKast mural in Little Five Points

DAY 2

Breakfast at Barney’s

From the 24 Karat Gold Pancakes with 24K edible gold flakes and bourbon apple cider syrup to the Emperors 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.

Shop Black Owned

Village Market at Ponce City Market is all about spotlighting local, Blackowned 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.

Slutty Vegan

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 around the city known as Slutty Vegan. You can get these plantbased patties loaded with cheese, bacon and, of course, the signature Slut sauce.

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.

Pin & Proper

Try your hand at Pinfall, where cornhole meets bowling meets football. The object of the game is to knock down all your bowling pins with a football before your opponent does.

Cafe Circa Restaurant & Bar

Add the perfect punctuation to your time in Atlanta with a nightcap at Cafe Circa, tucked away on Edgewood Avenue. On the first level, low-lighting and jazz music sets a sophisticated ambience and upstairs, you’ll find a livelier scene. Two different vibes in one building is an exceptional way to end the night in Atlanta.

ACVB MARKETING | MELISSA MCALPINE Slutty Vegan