A Decade of Delicious Impact: Atlanta Black Restaurant Week Turns 10

If you love great food and you love your community, this week is for you. Atlanta Black Restaurant Week is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, running from August 2 through August 16, 2026 — and there has never been a better time to eat good while doing good.

Founded in Houston in 2016 by entrepreneur Warren Luckett — now an Atlanta resident — Black Restaurant Week has grown from a single-city dining event into a national movement spanning 17 regions across the U.S. and Canada. Over that decade, the initiative has supported more than 5,000 culinary professionals and generated millions of dollars in economic impact for businesses that have historically lacked access to traditional marketing and advertising budgets.

Why This Campaign Matters More Than Ever

The numbers don't lie. According to the Atlanta Regional Commission, just 10.7% of businesses in metro Atlanta are Black-owned — a figure that has decreased from 11.3% in 2022. In a city that calls itself the Black Mecca, that downward trend is a wake-up call.

Black Restaurant Week co-founder Falayn Ferrell has been direct about what's at stake: "It's super important to really drive dollars to local restaurants. A lot of them are really feeling the crunch now between food costs and some of the labor shortages."

These restaurants aren't just serving meals — they're anchoring neighborhoods, providing employment, and keeping culture alive. When a Black-owned restaurant closes, the community loses a gathering place, a job source, and often an irreplaceable piece of cultural heritage.

Who's Celebrating: Featured Restaurants

This year's Atlanta edition features an impressive lineup of participating restaurants across the metro area and surrounding communities including Marietta, Decatur, Stone Mountain, and Conyers. Among the standouts:

• Marcus Bar & Grille — Chef Gary Caldwell's Edgewood Avenue restaurant kicked off Black Restaurant Week with a Gary & Friends collaborative dinner featuring chef Robert Butts of Auburn Angel downtown.
• Oreatha's at the Point — A beloved community staple known for its soulful, chef-driven Southern cuisine.
• Pepper's Hotdogs — A fan favorite bringing bold flavors and community energy.
• Perfect Seasoning Jamaican Cuisine — Authentic Caribbean flavors representing Atlanta's rich cultural diversity.
• Dave's Sports Bar and Grill in Hapeville — Co-owned by Pilar Newsom-Jones and her husband, who are grateful for the spotlight the campaign provides. "We wanted everybody to feel welcome walking in the doors. And I can say God has been really good to us for standing on that," said Newsom-Jones.

Giving Back: The Feed the Soul Foundation

What sets Atlanta Black Restaurant Week apart isn't just the food — it's the legacy-building purpose behind it. The Feed the Soul Foundation, Black Restaurant Week's nonprofit arm, has awarded an incredible $85,000 in scholarships to students at HBCUs and Hispanic-Serving Institutions pursuing careers in hospitality, culinary arts, and business.

The 2026 programming adds an exciting new layer with the inaugural Bites & Birdies Golf Tournament, merging culinary culture with community networking in a whole new way.

Atlanta Is the Crown Jewel

While Black Restaurant Week operates in 17 regions nationally, Atlanta holds a special place. Co-founder Falayn Ferrell has made no secret of it — Atlanta is by far their most popular campaign, giving restaurants advertising and visibility they simply couldn't afford on their own. "The diversity of the local market is also really strong, which makes this so fun for people to support," Ferrell said.

Your Call to Action: Eat Before August 16!

You have until August 16 to participate in one of Atlanta's most important culinary traditions — and that deadline is coming fast. Here's what you can do right now:

• Visit the Black Restaurant Week website to find the full list of participating restaurants across metro Atlanta.
• Plan at least two or three meals at participating spots before the 16th.
• Bring friends and family — make it an experience, not just a meal.
• Post your dining experience on social media and tag the restaurant and Black Restaurant Week to amplify their reach.
• Continue supporting these businesses year-round — the best thing you can do after Black Restaurant Week ends is to come back in September.

The Stakes Are Real — And So Is the Joy

In a city with 13,000+ Black-owned businesses, we have an obligation and a privilege to support the culinary artists, entrepreneurs, and community builders who feed us. Atlanta Black Restaurant Week is a celebration, yes — but it's also a call to economic action.

When you dine at a Black-owned restaurant this week, you're not just getting a great meal. You're investing in a family's dream, a neighborhood's anchor, and Atlanta's future. Don't wait. The table is set, the food is ready, and Atlanta's Black culinary community is waiting to welcome you.

Share this article with your friends and family and let's make sure every Black-owned restaurant in Atlanta feels the love before August 16!