You’ve probably heard the name Marcus Samuelsson. He’s the guy who won Top Chef Masters, cooked for Obama, and basically turned Harlem’s food scene upside down with Red Rooster. So, when he announced he was moving into the old Adele’s space at Marcus Bar & Grille Edgewood Avenue Southeast Atlanta GA, people were skeptical. Atlanta has seen plenty of "celebrity" outposts fizzle out because they lacked soul. They felt like carbon copies.
But this place is different.
Honestly, it feels like it belongs in the Old Fourth Ward. It doesn't have that stiff, corporate "celebrity chef" vibe. Instead, you walk in and see roller skates on the walls and a massive wood-fired hearth that smells like actual hickory. It's loud. It’s funky. It’s exactly what Edgewood needed.
Why the Location at 525 Edgewood Avenue Southeast Matters
The restaurant sits at a crossroads of history. You're in the neighborhood where Dr. King was born. You've got the graffiti-laden, gritty energy of Edgewood bars on one side and the polished growth of the BeltLine nearby. Samuelsson reportedly turned down a spot in Buckhead because he wanted to be in a historic African American community. That’s not just PR fluff—you feel it in the room.
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The design is a wild mix of industrial bones and retro warmth. There’s a private room called The Vinyl Room that looks like a 70s recording studio. If you're lucky, you’ll catch the "Supper & Spins" sessions where DJs play actual records while people pass around plates of fried chicken. It’s one of the few places in the city where a 25-year-old on a date and a 60-year-old neighborhood legend feel equally at home.
The Menu: Is It Just More Fried Chicken?
People love to complain that Atlanta has too many Southern fusion spots. "Do we really need more deviled eggs?" Yes. Yes, we do—if they’re the A-Town Deviled Eggs here. They’re seasoned with berbere, an Ethiopian spice blend that nods to Samuelsson’s heritage. They’re topped with crispy chicken cracklings. They’re $13, and they’re worth it.
The wood-fired grill is the star of the kitchen. You can see the flames from almost anywhere in the dining room.
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The Edgewood Brisket is the heavy hitter here. It’s house-smoked and served with these "smashed" potatoes that are crispy on the outside and creamy inside. It’s $35, which isn't cheap, but the portion size is significant. If you’re coming with a group, skip the individual entrees and go for "The Cookout." It’s a massive $85 platter with jerk chicken, ribs, and brisket that basically feeds three people.
Things You Shouldn't Overlook
- M’s Cornbread: It’s made with red cornmeal and served with whipped honey butter. It’s cake-like but savory.
- Jollof Arancini: A weirdly perfect mashup of West African flavors and Italian technique.
- The Wagyu Smashburger: Sometimes you just want a burger. This one has onion jam and roasted garlic aioli. It’s $28, which is definitely "boutique burger" pricing, but the quality of the beef is noticeable.
- Miso-Glazed Salmon: This is the sleeper hit. It’s served with crab fried rice and a red curry. It feels out of place on a Southern-leaning menu until you actually taste it.
The Sunday Brunch Scene
If you want to see the restaurant at its peak energy, go for the Sunday Brunch Buffet. It’s $65 per adult, which might give you sticker shock initially. But then you see the spread. We’re talking cornbread waffles, shrimp gumbo with chorizo, biscuits with chicken sausage gravy, and warm stewed peaches.
It’s not a quiet brunch. There’s usually a DJ. There are people in their Sunday best and people in hoodies. The "After Ebenezer" cocktail—made with rosé, peach schnapps, and honey-nutmeg syrup—is basically the official drink of a Sunday morning in the O4W.
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The Logistics: Parking and Reservations
Let’s talk about the annoying part: Edgewood Avenue. Parking is a nightmare. There is a free lot about a block away, but it fills up fast. Valet is available, and honestly, it’s probably the move if you’re arriving after 7:00 PM.
The restaurant is closed on Mondays. From Tuesday to Thursday, they close at 10:00 PM, and they stretch it to 11:00 PM on Fridays and Saturdays. They do take reservations on Resy, and you’ll need them for weekend dinner or brunch.
Actionable Tips for Your Visit
If you're planning to head to Marcus Bar & Grille Edgewood Avenue Southeast Atlanta GA, here is how to do it right:
- Go for Happy Hour: Tuesday through Thursday from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. You can get the deviled eggs and brisket sliders for about $10-$11. It’s the best way to test the waters without committing to a $100 dinner.
- The Secret Side: Order the Crispy Brussels with Hot Honey. They’re better than the mac and cheese. There, I said it.
- Watch the Spices: The berbere spice shows up in a lot of dishes. It’s not "blow your head off" hot, but it has a lingering warmth. If you’re sensitive to heat, ask the server which dishes are the mildest.
- Walk the Neighborhood: After dinner, walk down to the Krog Street Tunnel or grab a drink at one of the dive bars nearby. It helps you appreciate why the restaurant’s "funky" aesthetic actually fits the neighborhood.
Whether you're there for the celebrity name or just a solid plate of ribs, the place delivers. It’s a rare example of a big-name chef actually doing the work to integrate into Atlanta's culture rather than just trying to sell it back to us.