10 Best Brunch Places in Atlanta

Alright, back up a little. What should we know about this place?
Downtown Decatur is full of hidden gems, and one of the brightest is the Italian-inspired No. 246. Even though it’s part of chef and restaurateur Ford Fry’s ever-growing Atlanta restaurant empire, it couldn’t feel less corporate—or more lived in. The all-black brick storefront is easy to walk by, but don’t: Once you’re inside, the 100-seat dining room feels pleasant and cozy, with reclaimed wood floors, white Venetian stucco walls, zinc-top tables with bistro chairs, oversized ceiling fans, and a black granite bar. If the weather’s nice, the back porch and outdoor garden make a perfect brunch spot. Kids—and adults—can burn off some energy at the outdoor ping pong table.

Sounds like a cool spot for a Sunday morning meal. Who else was there?
Because Decatur residents make full use of their many great neighborhood restaurants, the dining room and garden are full of locals on any given Sunday. People love to camp out here and enjoy long, leisurely brunches.

That sounds pretty terrific. And for food, what are we eating?
Dinner at No. 246 is great—homemade pasta, wood-fired pizza, cured meat, and salads, all made with local vegetables. Brunch feels like a natural extension, since many of the most popular dishes, including the black spaghetti with Gulf shrimp and the Margherita pizza, are repeated on Sunday mornings. An Italian sausage–and-olive frittata, fried chicken and biscuits with sausage gravy, and a croissant stuffed with bacon, cheddar, and a farm egg round out the menu. Though they’re somewhat hidden in the list of shared starter plates, do yourself a favor and order the ricotta fritters to finish the meal. They will arrive at your table still steaming, tossed in super-fine sugar, and served with seasonal jam and local honey. Donuts would be envious.

Was the service decent, too?
The staff at No. 246 is at the top of their game; most have been at the restaurant for years. Servers will answer all of your questions, no matter how detailed.

__Great. So, at the end of the day, why come here?
If you have any excuse to visit to No. 246 for brunch, seize it. If you've got kids in tow, sit outside—it's big enough that you won't disturb other guests if anyone has a meltdown. Inside, meanwhile, is perfect for a romantic meal or brunch with the in-laws.