Atlanta’s Legendary Soul Food Restaurant Features Hip-Hop Icons and Acclaimed Cuisine

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Atlanta's Legendary Soul Food Restaurant Features Hip-Hop Icons and Acclaimed Cuisine

For some travelers, food is the primary reason to visit a new city, state, or country. If you’ve never been to Atlanta, Georgia, there are tons of spectacular food options that are well worth a trip. For example, there’s the world’s largest drive-in diner with mouthwatering chili dogs, The Varsity. However, if you want something a bit more authentic and award-winning, Busy Bee Cafe should be at the top of your list.



While the cafe has made headlines recently for winning the James Beard Award in 2022, it has been an Atlanta landmark since its opening in 1947. In fact, one could argue that the Busy Bee is as integral to Atlanta’s history and the Civil Rights movement as luminaries like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (who ate at the cafe).

But even if history and an iconic status aren’t interesting, the food at the Busy Bee is sublime, especially if you love traditional soul food. From chicken and waffles to fried catfish and candied yams, each dish is a testament to the restaurant’s staying power. Put on a bib and let’s dig into the Busy Bee Cafe.



A brief overview of the Busy Bee Cafe in Atlanta

The front of the Busy Bee Cafe

It’s fitting that the Busy Bee Cafe sits alongside Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. When the restaurant opened in 1947, black-owned businesses were only allowed to exist on two streets in the city. The Bee’s success drew in Civil Rights activists like King, who particularly enjoyed the ham hocks, according to witnesses. Over time, Busy Bee has attracted all kinds of celebrities, from rapper Ludacris to Senator Bernie Sanders. The walls are also covered with photos of the various luminaries who have eaten there. 

Busy Bee was founded by a self-taught cook named Lucy Jackson. Her passion for food helped put the restaurant on the map until she sold it in the ’70s. For a time, the new owners struggled to retain the Bee’s authentic menu, but that all changed when the Gates family bought it in 1981. Since 1987, Tracey Gates has been the head chef, helping take Busy Bee to greater heights.

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Thanks to Gates’ cooking, the Bee has received various awards and accolades over the years. The most notable was the James Beard America’s Classics Awards, as the restaurant was the first in Atlanta to receive this honor. Then, Michelin gave Busy Bee the Bib Gourmand Award in 2023 and 2024. Also in 2023, Busy Bee was inducted into the Atlanta Hospitality Hall of Fame.

Adding the Busy Bee Cafe to your next Atlanta vacation

Fried chicken and waffles on a plate with syrup

Dave Pennells

By Dave Pennells

Dave Pennells, MS, has contributed his expertise as a career consultant and training specialist across various fields for over 15 years. At City University of Seattle, he offers personal career counseling and conducts workshops focused on practical job search techniques, resume creation, and interview skills. With a Master of Science in Counseling, Pennells specializes in career consulting, conducting career assessments, guiding career transitions, and providing outplacement services. Her professional experience spans multiple sectors, including banking, retail, airlines, non-profit organizations, and the aerospace industry. Additionally, since 2001, he has been actively involved with the Career Development Association of Australia.