BRUNCH BUCKET LIST
5 of our favorite spots for the beloved midmorning meal
STORY: Jennifer Bradley Franklin
Atlanta has practically elevated brunch— that liminal period between breakfast and lunch—to an art form. It’s the magical meal where it’s appropriate (required even) to linger as long as possible, enjoying friends, food and maybe a cocktail or two. Here are five of the city’s best places to get your fix.
PARK 75
Brunch at the Four Seasons is as lavish as you would expect, filling the entire mezzanine level of Midtown’s only five-star hotel. Since it’s a buffet, you can choose your own culinary adventure. Go the breakfast route with made-to-order omelettes, fluffy biscuits with sausage gravy and still-steaming waffles. Or stick to savories from a seafood tower piled high with shrimp, stone crab claws and oysters on the half shell or cuts from the prime rib carving station. Be sure to save room for dessert: Pastry chef Lasheeda Perry’s creations are as delicious as they are gorgeous.
fourseasons.com/atlanta/dining/ restaurants/park_75
TINY LOU’S
Whether you stay at the Hotel Clermont or just want to experience brunch at Atlanta’s most buzzed-about new hotel, this sub-lobby eatery is worth a visit. On Saturdays and Sundays, chef Jeb Aldrich turns out a rather extraordinary croque madame, waffles with duck confit and ice wine maple syrup, and French toast with balsamic apples, among other specialties.
BEETLECAT
If you thought doughnuts were only for drive-thrus, think again. We suggest making your own shareable doughnut sampler at this Inman Park spot with flavors such as The Irishman (spiked with Irish cream, espresso and a whiskey glaze), The Buford Highway (dipped in salted caramel and sprinkled with pork floss), The King (topped with banana, bacon and peanut butter) and El Churro (sprinkled with cinnamon sugar and served with honey butter dipping sauce) before moving onto the menu’s other savory pursuits.
MURPHY’S
This Virginia-Highland restaurant, located on the corner of the two streets that gave the neighborhood its name, has had a loyal following since it opened in 1980. Weekend brunch is a convivial affair, with favorites such as corned beef hash, hazelnut-crusted French toast and shrimp over cheddar grits with tomato pepper jam. Peruse the on-site wine shop for a bottle to take home while you’re there.
murphys-atlanta-restaurant.com
9 MILE STATION
The view alone from this alfresco dining room perched on the rooftop of Ponce City Market is enough to earn it a place on our list, but the food matches the soaring skyline. Ride the freight elevator up (there’s free access with reservations at the restaurant, which requires a deposit) and settle in for yummy dishes such as a sticky bun with bourbon icing, eggs Benedict with a pretzel croissant and merguez sausage hash.
