Atlanta knows its chicken and waffles, and when the craving hits for that crispy, golden, sweet-and-savory combination, there’s no shortage of places to get your fix. But not all chicken and waffles are created equal—and that’s what makes exploring the city’s versions so much fun. You’ll find everything from crispy wings and juicy tenders to boneless fried chicken and jerk-spiced takes that go well beyond the classic. Some stick to tradition, others get creative, but the best part is finding the combination that hits just right.
Here are the Atlanta chicken and waffles spots worth putting on your list.
Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours
Chef Deborah VanTrece is one of Atlanta’s most accomplished chefs, so you know anything coming out of her kitchen is going to be legit. Her Twisted Chicken & Waffles puts a spin on the Southern classic, with crispy, buttermilk-fried chicken alongside a vanilla bean waffle, cardamom butter and bourbon maple syrup. The waffles are light with subtle sweetness, and cardamom butter with bourbon maple syrup takes the whole dish up a notch. 1133 Huff Rd. NW, Atlanta, twistedsoulatl.com
Breakfast at Barneys
Breakfast at Barneys has been bringing the brunch vibes to Downtown Atlanta since 2020, and the Yardbird is a solid reason to add it to your list. You get three whole fried chicken wings with a pecan sage butter waffle, fresh strawberries and blueberries, powdered sugar and homemade bourbon apple cider syrup. The waffle is buttery, and the fruit and syrup bring that sweet balance you want from a good chicken and waffle pairing. It’s a popular breakfast spot for a reason. 349 Decatur St. SE, Atlanta, breakfastatbarneys.com
South City Kitchen
South City Kitchen knows its way around Southern classics, and the chicken and waffles served at brunch are no exception. The bone-in fried chicken is crispy and well-seasoned, served alongside a fluffy buttermilk waffle with Vermont maple syrup. No need to overcomplicate a classic. Add a cold sweet tea and, just like that, you’re transported. 1144 Crescent Ave. NE, Atlanta, southcitykitchen.com
Atlanta Breakfast Club
Atlanta Breakfast Club is a Downtown breakfast staple, and if you’re coming for chicken and waffles, you’ve got options. The Classic keeps things simple with crispy fried chicken, a light Belgian-style waffle, and vanilla butter, but the Georgia Peach is the move if you want to have a little fun. Topped with warm peach cobbler and buttery shortbread crumble, it’s an indulgent alternative. There’s also the Dirty Bird with black pepper gravy if you’re leaning savory. Come hungry because these portions are generous. 249 Ivan Allen Jr. Blvd. NW, Atlanta
Busy Bee Cafe
If you want your chicken and waffles with a little Atlanta history on the side, Busy Bee Cafe is the move. This longtime West End institution has been serving Southern comfort food for generations, and the chicken and waffles are a standout.. Expect crispy fried chicken wings with golden waffles that are available all day, so no need to wait for brunch. Add a few of Busy Bee’s classic sides and make it a proper Atlanta meal. 810 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. SW, Atlanta, thebusybeecafe.com
Bomb Biscuit Atlanta
A Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand recognized restaurant since 2023, chef Erika Council’s Bomb Biscuit may be known for its biscuits, but don’t sleep on the maple butter chicken and waffles. A buttermilk waffle is topped with a crispy boneless fried chicken thigh and a generous drizzle of maple butter syrup. Come for the biscuits, but save room for this one—you’ll be glad you did. 519 Memorial Dr. SE, Ste. B2, Atlanta, bombbiscuitatl.com
Bantam + Biddy
This Ansley Park chicken-themed favorite keeps an all-day menu. Fried chicken is their specialty, you can expect a solid chicken and waffles combo. The Fried Chicken & Cheddar Waffle comes with crispy fried chicken, a savory cheddar waffle and honey butter, plus homemade bourbon-pecan syrup. If you’re feeling adventurous, try the banana bread waffle with pecans and ripe banana, then add three fried chicken tenders for your own chicken-and-waffle situation. They score major bonus points because the waffles can also be made gluten-free. 1544 Piedmont Ave. NE, Ste. 301, Atlanta, bantamandbiddy.com
Home Grown
Sometimes you’re at Home Grown for one of its many Southern comfort food favorites and suddenly you’ve got a chicken and waffles craving. That’s where this dish comes in. The boneless fried chicken is crispy and served over a simple golden waffle. It’s casual, unfussy and very much in line with Home Grown’s laid-back neighborhood diner vibe. 968 Memorial Dr. SE, Atlanta, homegrownga.com
Buttermilk Kitchen
Buttermilk Kitchen is all about from-scratch Southern breakfast, so chicken and waffles feel right at home here. The fried chicken breast comes with a large buttermilk waffle, maple syrup and powdered sugar, with the option to swap in a rye whiskey syrup for even more flavor. They take their time here, and it shows. 4225 Roswell Rd. NE, Atlanta, buttermilkkitchen.com
Breakfast Boys
Located in College Park near the airport, Breakfast Boys brings plenty of personality to the breakfast and brunch scene. Their jerk chicken and sweet potato waffles have been a menu staple since the restaurant opened, and for good reason. The crispy, jerk-rubbed half chicken brings plenty of spice and flavor, while the fluffy sweet potato waffle comes topped with sage butter and apple cider syrup. If you like your chicken and waffles with a little more personality, this is go-to. 3387 Main St., College Park, eatatbreakfastboys.com
Toast on Lenox
Toast on Lenox takes chicken and waffles in a more indulgent direction. Fried chicken wings come stacked over a fluffy waffle with vanilla cream and caramel rum sauce drizzled over the top. It’s rich and sweet, but if you want to switch things up, the Lobster Sweet Potato Waffle is the standout. The delicately spiced waffle comes topped with a fried lobster tail, salted caramel praline sauce and vanilla cream. Toast on Lenox is a popular brunch stop, and the occasional line proves that people are willing to wait for it. 2770 Lenox Rd. NE, Atlanta, toastonlenoxatl.com
Silver Skillet
For a taste of old-school Atlanta, head to Silver Skillet. This iconic Midtown diner has been serving classic American comfort food since 1956. Three crispy, boneless pieces of fried chicken come alongside a traditional golden Belgian waffle for a straightforward plate that doesn’t need much else. If you’re craving chicken and waffles the old-fashioned way, this is the kind of place that reminds you why the classic still works. 200 14th St. NW, Atlanta, thesilverskillet.com
