Beyond the city’s modern restaurants and international cuisine, Atlanta’s diners preserve decades of local cooking traditions.
These establishments serve as morning meeting spots for business leaders, film crews, and longtime residents, offering consistent food in settings that span generations.
Majestic Diner
Operating since 1929, Majestic features original neon signage and chrome fixtures.
Their breakfast service runs 24 hours, with hash browns prepared six different ways.
The kitchen makes biscuits hourly using White Lily flour and local buttermilk.
Their chicken biscuit includes hand-breaded chicken and house-made pepper gravy.
Weekend regulars include third-generation customers who occupy the same booths their grandparents frequented.
Silver Skillet
Established in 1956, Silver Skillet maintains its original counter and vinyl booths.
Their country ham ages for 12 months, and their red-eye gravy recipe remains unchanged since opening day.
The kitchen prepares grits from scratch throughout the morning, using stone-ground corn from a North Georgia mill.
Their breakfast platters include house-made pork sausage, and their pecan waffles use Georgia pecans.
Landmark Diner
This 24-hour establishment combines traditional diner fare with Greek influences.
Their kitchen produces fresh cornbread every two hours.
The menu includes hand-breaded chicken fried steak and house-cured corned beef hash.
Their signature breakfast features thick-cut bacon from a local smokehouse.
Film industry crews gather here during late-night shoots, ordering from the extensive breakfast menu.
Home Grown
Though newer than some competitors, Home Grown maintains traditional diner standards.
Their comfy chicken biscuit draws daily lines, using chicken breaded to order.
The kitchen makes pimento cheese fresh daily, and their grits come loaded with local cheddar.
Regular customers include local politicians and news crews. Their coffee service features beans from Atlanta roasters.
OK Cafe
Operating since 1987, OK Cafe serves classic Southern diner food.
Their breakfast potatoes include four preparation styles, and their biscuit recipe comes from the owner’s grandmother.
The kitchen makes three varieties of gravy daily, including traditional sawmill gravy.
Their blue plate specials rotate through traditional Southern recipes.
Morning regulars include business executives who conduct informal meetings at the counter.
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