12 Georgia Soul Food Spots That Bring Sunday Dinner Flavor Any Day Of The Week
Nothing beats the comforting warmth of a Sunday dinner at grandma’s house, where the aroma of crispy fried chicken, tender collard greens, and creamy mac and cheese fills the air and makes everyone feel at home.
In Georgia, soul food is more than just a meal—it’s a living tradition, a celebration of heritage, family, and flavors lovingly passed down through generations.
Fortunately, you don’t have to wait until Sunday to enjoy these mouthwatering classics. Across the Peach State, soul food restaurants serve up plates that taste like home, offering Southern comfort and hospitality any day of the week.
1. The Busy Bee Café: Atlanta’s Soul Food Cornerstone Since 1947
Walking into The Busy Bee feels like stepping into my grandmother’s kitchen. The sizzle of chicken hitting hot oil and the unmistakable aroma of slow-cooked collards transport me straight back to childhood Sundays.
Founded by Lucy Jackson, this Atlanta institution has fed everyone from civil rights leaders to presidents. Their fried chicken—crispy outside, juicy inside—remains undefeated after 75+ years.
What keeps me coming back? The perfect balance of nostalgia and consistency. Every plate comes with a side of history, served by staff who treat you like family the moment you walk through the door.
2. Paschal’s: Where Civil Rights History Meets Legendary Chicken
Heavenly fried chicken with a secret recipe dating back to 1947 anchors the menu at this Atlanta landmark. Brothers Robert and James Paschal created more than a restaurant—they built a meeting place where civil rights leaders gathered to plan movements over plates of soul-warming food.
My first bite of their chicken revealed why Martin Luther King Jr. was a regular. The perfectly seasoned crust shatters with each bite, revealing juicy meat that simply can’t be replicated.
Beyond chicken, their salmon croquettes and peach cobbler deserve special mention. The restaurant’s walls, lined with historical photos, serve a side of important Black history with every meal.
3. Weaver D’s Delicious Fine Foods: Athens’ ‘Automatic for the People’ Experience
Bright green exterior walls welcome hungry visitors to this Athens treasure made famous when R.E.M. borrowed owner Dexter Weaver’s catchphrase “Automatic for the People” for their album title. One step inside and I’m enveloped by the mouthwatering scent of soul food magic.
Mr. Weaver himself might still be calling out orders from behind the counter. His squash casserole changed my understanding of what vegetables could taste like—buttery, creamy, and absolutely divine.
The fried chicken possesses that perfect crunch-to-juiciness ratio, while the mac and cheese has that stretchy, gooey quality that only comes from generations of perfecting the craft.
4. H&H Restaurant: Macon’s Musical Soul Food Connection
Mama Louise Hudson created more than just a restaurant when she opened H&H in 1959—she accidentally birthed a rock and roll legend. When she fed the hungry, unknown Allman Brothers Band on credit during their early struggling days, she cemented a friendship that would last decades.
The chicken and dumplings here transported me to flavor heaven. Tender chunks of chicken swim in a velvety broth alongside pillowy dumplings that practically melt on contact.
What makes H&H special isn’t just the food—it’s the beautiful collision of Southern music history and soul food tradition. The walls covered in memorabilia tell stories of Macon’s rich musical heritage while you feast on some of Georgia’s most authentic Southern cooking.
5. Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours: Modern Soul With Chef Deborah VanTrece’s Flair
Chef Deborah VanTrece flips soul food traditions upside down at her West Midtown Atlanta hotspot. My taste buds did a happy dance when I first experienced her cast-iron fried chicken alongside internationally-inspired sides that honor soul food’s global roots.
Unlike traditional spots, Twisted Soul pairs its magnificent food with craft cocktails that complement rather than compete with the bold flavors. The buttermilk-brined chicken delivers that satisfying crunch before revealing perfectly moist meat seasoned with Chef VanTrece’s secret spice blend.
The restaurant’s bright, airy space with modern artwork creates an atmosphere that’s both sophisticated and welcoming. This isn’t your grandma’s soul food joint—it’s soul food that respects tradition while boldly stepping into the future.
6. Magic Soul Food: Savannah’s Hidden Treasure of Authentic Flavors
Tucked away from Savannah’s tourist paths, Magic Soul Food serves plates that make locals line up before opening time. My first encounter with their oxtails left me speechless—fall-off-the-bone tender and swimming in a rich gravy that demanded to be sopped up with cornbread.
The modest exterior belies the extraordinary flavors waiting inside. Run by the Johnson family for three generations, Magic maintains recipes that haven’t changed since grandma Pearlie Mae started cooking for neighbors in the 1960s.
Don’t miss their smothered pork chops, a masterclass in slow-cooking. The meat becomes fork-tender while absorbing the flavors of onions, bell peppers, and secret seasonings that the Johnsons guard more closely than family heirlooms.
7. Lickety Split Southern Kitchen & Bar: Soul Food With Augusta Charm
Butter beans simmered with smoked turkey necks changed my life at Lickety Split. Located in Augusta, this gem combines the speed of casual dining with the slow-cooked goodness of traditional soul food.
Owner Cassandra Wilson greets regulars by name, remembering their usual orders and family stories. The restaurant’s signature shrimp and grits features plump coastal Georgia shrimp atop creamy stone-ground grits that would make any grandma proud.
What separates Lickety Split from the pack is their commitment to freshness. Vegetables come from local farms, many harvested the same morning they hit your plate. Their banana pudding—topped with perfectly golden meringue instead of whipped cream—proves they don’t take shortcuts when it comes to Southern classics.
8. Soul Food & Culture: Columbus’ Celebration of Heritage Through Food
Soul Food & Culture doesn’t just serve meals—it delivers edible history lessons. Owner Marcus Jones left a corporate career to preserve his grandmother’s recipes, creating this Columbus eatery where each dish comes with a story.
Their turkey wings stopped me in my tracks. Slow-braised until tender, then smothered in a savory gravy with notes of sage and black pepper, they represent generations of family gatherings. The walls feature photographs and artifacts chronicling African American culinary contributions.
Monthly special events highlight different aspects of soul food history—from Sea Island Gullah influences to Great Migration adaptations. While enjoying their perfect macaroni and cheese (with the essential crispy top layer), I learned how this dish evolved from Thomas Jefferson’s French-trained chef James Hemings.
9. Delilah’s Everyday Soul: Farm-to-Table Soul Food in Roswell
Fresh collard greens from nearby farms arrive at Delilah’s kitchen door each morning. Chef Delilah Johnson transforms them into silky, flavorful perfection using smoked turkey instead of traditional ham hocks—a healthier twist that sacrifices none of the soulful taste.
Located in historic Roswell, this charming converted cottage serves soul food with a focus on locally-sourced ingredients. Their fried catfish, sourced from Georgia fish farms, comes encased in a cornmeal crust that provides the perfect textural contrast to the flaky white fish.
What impressed me most was Delilah’s commitment to accommodating dietary needs without compromising flavor. Their gluten-free fried chicken maintains that essential crunch while allowing more folks to experience soul food joy. Sunday’s sweet potato cheesecake alone justifies the drive from Atlanta.
10. Peach Cobbler Café: Dessert-Inspired Soul Food Heaven
Buttery, flaky crust covering bubbling peaches scented with cinnamon and nutmeg—Peach Cobbler Café started with this signature dessert before expanding into a full-service soul food destination. With multiple locations around Atlanta, they’ve built their reputation on consistency and quality.
Their smothered chicken defies gravity with meat that practically falls from the bone. Bathed in a savory gravy punctuated with bell peppers and onions, it demands a side of rice to capture every drop of flavor.
Family recipes drive the menu here, passed down through four generations of the Williams family. What began as a dessert shop now offers a complete soul food experience while maintaining their dessert prowess. Pro tip: Their peach cobbler à la mode, with house-made cinnamon ice cream, deserves its own special trip.
11. This Is It: BBQ Meets Soul Food in Multiple Georgia Locations
Smoky ribs with meat that slides cleanly off the bone represent just one highlight at This Is It. This Georgia mini-chain successfully marries traditional soul food with proper Southern barbecue techniques.
Founded by the Anthony family in 1951, their slow-smoked meats benefit from generations of pitmaster knowledge. The Brunswick stew, a Georgia specialty, contains a harmonious blend of pulled pork, corn, lima beans, and tomatoes in a slightly sweet sauce that’s been simmering for hours.
What keeps me returning is their consistent execution across all locations. Whether visiting their original Reynoldstown spot or newer suburban outposts, the quality never wavers. Their sweet potato soufflé topped with brown sugar and pecans bridges the gap between side dish and dessert in the most delightful way.
12. The Beautiful Restaurant: Atlanta’s Soul Food Institution Since 1979
Gospel music plays softly in the background as platters of crispy fried chicken, candied yams, and collard greens emerge from The Beautiful Restaurant’s kitchen. This Atlanta institution has been feeding souls and bodies since 1979 in their unassuming Cascade Road location.
Their oxtail dinner arrives swimming in a rich gravy that speaks of hours of patient simmering. Each bite delivers that perfect balance of savory depth and subtle sweetness that defines properly prepared oxtails.
What makes The Beautiful truly special is their adherence to tradition. Nothing gets modernized or “elevated” here—just honest cooking using time-tested methods. Their salmon croquettes, crispy outside and moist inside, transport me directly to childhood Sunday mornings when my grandmother would prepare this special breakfast treat.