You pull into the parking lot on Cheshire Bridge Road and honestly, it feels like a time warp. There is no sleek glass facade. No valet stand with a twenty-something in a vest. Just a low-slung building that has seen the city of Atlanta transform around it since 1948. The Colonnade restaurant in Atlanta isn't just a place to eat; it is a survivor. It’s a place where the "gay 20s" and the "blue hair 80s" have shared space for decades, long before "inclusion" was a marketing buzzword. It’s glorious. It’s beige. And the fried chicken will probably change your life.
Most people come for the food, but they stay because the vibe is utterly un-replicable. You’ve got local drag icons sitting next to grandmotherly types who haven’t missed a Wednesday night dinner in forty years. It’s a Southern crossroads.
What Actually Makes The Colonnade Restaurant in Atlanta Different
Atlanta is a city that loves to tear things down. We love new shiny belts, new glass towers, and new "concepts" that charge $18 for a side of kale. The Colonnade doesn't do "concepts." It does history. When you walk in, the first thing you notice is the wood paneling. It’s dark. It smells like yeast rolls and old-school hospitality. This isn't a trendy "farm-to-table" spot where the server tells you the name of the cow you're eating. Here, the servers have been there for twenty years and they call you "honey" without it being ironic.
The menu is a sprawling, chaotic list of Southern comfort.
Let's talk about the fried chicken. It is, quite simply, the benchmark. It isn't spicy or "Nashville-style" or drizzled in hot honey. It’s just perfectly seasoned, pressure-fried, and crisp. If you order it, be prepared to wait. They cook it to order. It takes about twenty minutes, which gives you plenty of time to work your way through a martini that is basically a chilled glass of gin with a whisper of vermouth. They don't skim on the pours here.
The Mystery of the Pot Liquor
If you grew up in the South, you know. If you didn't, the menu might confuse you. You’ll see things like "pot liquor" or "tomato aspic." The latter is a polarizing, red jello-like substance that feels like a relic from a 1954 housewife's manual. Some people swear by it. Others look at it with genuine fear. But that’s the charm. The Colonnade isn't trying to please everyone. It is preserving a specific type of mid-century Southern dining that is dying out.
The vegetables aren't just sides. They are the stars. We are talking about squash souffle that tastes like a hug. We are talking about black-eyed peas that have been simmering since the Eisenhower administration. It’s heavy. It’s salt-forward. It’s exactly what your arteries don't want but your soul desperately needs.
Why the "Gays and Grannies" Reputation is Real
You cannot talk about the Colonnade restaurant in Atlanta without talking about its clientele. For years, the unofficial nickname has been "Gays and Grannies." This isn't an exaggeration. In the 70s and 80s, when much of the city was less than welcoming, The Colonnade was a safe harbor. It became a legendary spot for the LGBTQ+ community, particularly those living in the surrounding Morningside and Cheshire Bridge areas.
👉 See also: Dave's Hot Chicken Waco: Why Everyone is Obsessing Over This Specific Spot
It created this bizarre, beautiful ecosystem. On any given Sunday after church, you’d have the traditional crowd in their Sunday best sitting at the table next to a group of guys who just left a drag brunch. Everyone got along. Everyone was there for the yeast rolls.
This social fabric is what saved the restaurant during the pandemic. When things got dire in 2020, the community stepped up. A GoFundMe was started because people couldn't imagine an Atlanta without this place. They raised over $100,000 in a matter of days. That doesn't happen for a chain. It happens for a landmark.
Dealing with the "Old School" Quirks
Look, if you want a fast meal, go to Chick-fil-A. The Colonnade is slow. It’s a process.
- You walk in and wait in a lobby that feels like a doctor’s office from 1978.
- You’ll probably be asked to pay in cash or check for a long time—though they finally dragged themselves into the 21st century and started accepting cards a few years back.
- The lighting is dim.
- The acoustics are loud.
It’s noisy because people are actually talking. Not looking at their phones. Just eating and talking. It’s a rare thing to find in 2026.
The Menu Hits (and the Misses)
Don't go there expecting a light salad. I mean, they have them, but why would you do that to yourself?
The Fried Chicken: Get the dark meat. It stays juicier. The skin is thin and crackles like parchment paper. It isn't greasy. It’s a miracle of engineering.
The Yeast Rolls: They bring these out early. They are warm. They are fluffy. If you don't put a pat of butter on them immediately, you are doing it wrong.
✨ Don't miss: Dating for 5 Years: Why the Five-Year Itch is Real (and How to Fix It)
The Turkey and Dressing: This isn't just for Thanksgiving. It’s on the menu all the time. It’s real roasted turkey, not that deli-sliced nonsense. The dressing is savory and moist, covered in a gravy that could probably fix a broken heart.
The Salmon Croquettes: A lot of people sleep on these. They shouldn't. They’re crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, served just like your grandmother used to make on a Friday night.
However, be warned about the "Vegetable Plate." In some restaurants, this is a healthy option. At the Colonnade, a vegetable plate usually involves four things that have all been cooked with ham hocks or butter. You will leave feeling like you need a nap. A very long nap.
A Lesson in Atlanta History
The restaurant was originally on Peachtree, then moved to its current location on Cheshire Bridge in the early 1960s. Think about that for a second. This place has survived the civil rights movement, the rise of the suburbs, the 1996 Olympics, the tech boom, and the gentrification of the entire East Side.
The owners, Jodi Stallings and her family, have kept the flame alive despite rising property taxes and the changing landscape of the neighborhood. Cheshire Bridge itself is undergoing a massive transformation. Older buildings are being razed for luxury apartments. But The Colonnade stands there, stubbornly beige, refusing to change its recipe for corn muffins.
There is a certain honesty in that.
In a world of "optimized" dining experiences, The Colonnade is messy. The carpet might have a stain. The service might be brusque if it’s a busy Saturday night. But it is authentic. It is one of the few places left where you can see the "Old Atlanta" that hasn't been scrubbed clean for Instagram.
🔗 Read more: Creative and Meaningful Will You Be My Maid of Honour Ideas That Actually Feel Personal
Navigating the Crowds
If you show up at 6:00 PM on a Saturday, you’re going to wait. There’s no way around it. They don't do reservations for small groups. You stand in that lobby, you look at the old photos on the wall, and you wait your turn.
The bar is a great place to hang out while you wait. It’s small and tucked away. The drinks are stiff and remarkably cheap compared to Midtown prices. It’s the kind of bar where the bartender knows the regulars' names and exactly how much ice they like in their bourbon.
How to Eat Like a Local at The Colonnade
First-timers always make the same mistake: they fill up on the rolls.
Don't do it. Eat one roll. Save the rest for the gravy on your main plate.
Also, ask about the specials. They usually have something seasonal that isn't on the printed menu. If they have the fried okra, get it. It’s not the frozen slimy stuff; it’s sliced thin and fried until it's basically vegetable popcorn.
Lastly, bring your appetite and leave your pretension at the door. If you walk in complaining about the lack of gluten-free options or the fact that they don't have oat milk for your coffee, you’ve missed the point of the place entirely.
The Colonnade is a celebration of the "un-cool." It’s a celebration of butter, salt, and staying power. It’s the kind of place where you can take your parents, your kids, or your first date, and everyone will find something to love, even if it’s just the fact that such a place still exists in a city that is moving way too fast.
What to Do Next
If you’re planning a visit to the Colonnade restaurant in Atlanta, here is your blueprint for the perfect experience:
- Go on a Weeknight: Tuesday or Wednesday is your best bet to avoid the massive crowds.
- Order the Fried Chicken: It’s non-negotiable for your first visit. Remember it takes 20 minutes to cook.
- Check the Hours: They aren't open 24/7. They usually have a break between lunch and dinner, so check their current schedule before you drive over.
- Park Carefully: The parking lot is tight and can be a bit of a nightmare during peak hours. If you see a spot, take it immediately.
- Explore Cheshire Bridge: After dinner, take a drive down the rest of the street. It’s one of the last "gritty" parts of the city with a lot of character and history.
Don't wait for a special occasion. Places like this are treasures, and they only stay open if we keep showing up. Go for the chicken, stay for the people-watching, and enjoy a slice of Atlanta history that hasn't been polished into oblivion.