Best Brunch in Atlanta | Whiskey Bird — Virginia Highland
Brunch at Whiskey Bird in Atlanta
Whiskey Bird serves brunch every Friday (lunch only), Saturday and Sunday from 10:30am to 2:30pm at 1409 North Highland Avenue in Atlanta's Virginia Highland neighborhood. Our brunch menu is Pacific Rim inspired with dishes like the Bao Benedict, Hong Kong chicken and bubble waffles, and spicy tuna "toast" on crispy hash browns, plus frozen cocktails, mimosas, shaken coffees and more.
Brunch is more than just the food
We all know a great Atlanta brunch is about more than what's on the plate. It's the whole morning. Where you are, who you're with, what you're drinking, and how you feel when you leave. That's something we think about a lot at Whiskey Bird.
Our brunch started because we wanted to create the kind of Saturday and Sunday morning we'd want for ourselves. Not rushed. Not loud for the sake of being loud. Just really good food, a great drink in your hand, and a spot where you actually want to hang out for a while. Whether you come with your group of six or grab a table for two and bring the dog along, the idea is the same: slow down and enjoy your weekend.
Atlanta has a lot of amazing brunch spots and we are lucky to be in a city that takes brunch as seriously as we do. What makes ours a little different is the food. You won't find a traditional eggs and bacon lineup here. Our menu pulls from the Pacific Rim cities that inspired Whiskey Bird in the first place: Tokyo, Hong Kong, Baja, and the coastal towns of Southeast Asia. That means bold flavors, fresh ingredients, and some creative takes on the classics that keep people coming back weekend after weekend.
What to order
After a long week of work it is perfectly normal to be a little indecisive about what you want to eat. We get it. Here are some of our most popular brunch dishes to point you in the right direction:
Bao Benedict - Our take on the classic. A toasted bao bun with two poached eggs, smoked gouda fondue, and crunchy potatoes. This is the dish people text their friends about after they leave.
Hong Kong Chicken and Bubble Waffles - A Hong Kong style bubble waffle topped with fried chicken and fresh fruit. Sweet, savory, crispy, and a little unexpected. It just works.
Spicy Tuna "Toast" - Crispy fried hash brown "toasts" topped with chopped ahi tuna, avocado, jalapeno, WB sauce, sushi sauce, nori, and sesame seeds with a side of greens. If you're the person in the group who always orders something a little different, this is yours.
Hanger Steak Breakfast Burrito - California style breakfast burrito with grilled hanger steak, crunchy potatoes, spicy aioli, and guacamole all wrapped in a jumbo flour tortilla. Bring your appetite.
WB Smash Burger - Two smashed patties stacked with cheddar cheese, special sauce, and pickles on a brioche bun. Not your typical brunch order, but that's exactly why people love it. Add a fried egg, bacon, or avocado if you're feeling it.
Okonomiyaki Loaded Japanese Street Fries - These are the must-order for the table. If you've been here before, you already know. If you haven't, just trust us on this one.
Avocado Toast - Grilled bread, smashed citrus avocado, tomato, radish, everything bagel seasoning, and sunflower seeds with the option to add seared ahi tuna, grilled chicken, or a fried egg.
WB Signature Chopped Salad - A classic since day 1. Our chopped salad has been a brunch, lunch, and dinner staple since we opened, and we think it is one of the best salads in Atlanta. Loaded with vegetables and dressed in a tangy champagne vinaigrette,best salads in Atlanta, a perfect light but satisfying option.
We also have a full range of entree salads, tacos, and sides. See our full brunch menu here.
Brunch drinks
Brunch is one of the few times we often order not one but two or three drinks at the same time. Coffee and a cocktail? Absolutely. A mimosa and a shaken iced coffee? No one's judging. This is why it is so important to us to have a great variety of drinks to choose from.
In addition to the classics, our guests regularly enjoy:
Perc Hot Coffee - We proudly serve Perc Coffee, a GA roaster with a shop right down the road in Virginia Highland.
Shaken Iced Coffees - Our shaken coffees are freshly made and have become one of the most popular drinks at brunch. Cool, smooth, and the perfect way to start the morning.
Thai Basil Paloma - Tequila, grapefruit, Thai basil, house sour mix. This one is a WB original and it's a good reason to skip the mimosa for once.
Nola Cold Brew Cocktail - Bourbon, hoodoo chicory, cold brew. For those mornings when you want your coffee and your cocktail in the same glass.
Frose - Rose, passionfruit liqueur. Light, cold, and perfect when Atlanta decides it's summer in April.
Mimosas - Because some things don't need a creative twist. We've got you covered.
Hibiscus Raspberry Limeade - Lime, hibiscus, raspberry, sparkling water. A great non-alcoholic option that doesn't feel like an afterthought.
Where you'll be sitting
One of the best things about brunching at Whiskey Bird is that you get to choose your vibe. We have three distinct spaces, and they all feel a little different depending on the day and your mood.
Our dining room has Pacific coastal vibes with murals by Atlanta artist Christina Kwan covering the walls. It's bright, it's colorful, and the open kitchen means you can watch everything come together.
The covered front patio faces North Highland Avenue and is perfect for people watching on a Saturday morning. It's the kind of spot where you sit down planning to stay an hour and end up lingering through your second round of drinks.
The enclosed, heated back patio overlooks the treetops and is the quieter option. In the cooler months it's heated so you can enjoy outdoor seating year round. Both patios are dog friendly, which in this neighborhood is a pretty big deal.
On a busy Sunday morning, the scene at Whiskey Bird is exactly what a neighborhood brunch should look like. Folks are clutching glasses of wine or shaken coffees, waiting for their table, catching up with friends, enjoying a conversation in the sun. Have they dined at Whiskey Bird before? Usually yes. And they'll be back again.
Brunch hours and reservations
Brunch is served Friday (lunch only), Saturday and Sunday from 10:30am to 2:30pm. We stay open between brunch and dinner on Friday, Saturday and Sunday with a limited menu, and happy hour runs from 3:00 to 5:30pm on those days. So if you want to turn brunch into an afternoon, we're here for it.
Reservations are strongly recommended, especially for Saturday and Sunday brunch. That said, we always keep tables available for walk-ins. You can book through OpenTable or give us a call at (404) 500-0575.
We're located at 1409 North Highland Avenue NE, Atlanta, GA 30306 in Morningside Village, just a short walk from the shops and coffee spots in Virginia Highland. We have a surface parking lot across the street and behind the restaurant, which makes getting here a lot easier than most Atlanta brunch spots.
After you eat, take a walk through the neighborhood. Some of our personal favorites are Virginia Highland Books, Perc Coffee, and Green Flamingo. Being this close to Virginia Highland, Piedmont Park, and the BeltLine, it's easy to turn brunch into a whole morning or afternoon.
Frequently asked questions about brunch at Whiskey Bird
What time does brunch start at Whiskey Bird?
Brunch is served at 10:30am on Fridays (lunch only), Saturdays, and Sundays. Last seating is at 2:30pm.
Do I need a reservation for brunch?
Reservations are strongly recommended, especially on weekends. We do keep tables available for walk-ins, but on a nice Saturday or Sunday you'll want to book ahead.
Is the patio open for brunch?
Yes. Both our covered front patio and our enclosed, heated back patio are open for brunch.
Is Whiskey Bird dog friendly?
Yes, dogs are welcome on both of our patios.
Does Whiskey Bird have vegetarian or vegan brunch options?
Yes. We have several vegetarian dishes and vegan options on the brunch menu. Just ask your server and they can walk you through the options.
Where is Whiskey Bird located?
1409 North Highland Avenue NE in Atlanta's Virginia Highland / Morningside neighborhood. We are about 2 miles north of Ponce City Market, just off the Virginia Highland stretch of North Highland Avenue.
Is there parking?
Yes. We have a surface parking lot across the street and behind the restaurant.
Can I host a large brunch party at Whiskey Bird?
Absolutely. We can accommodate groups in our private Canopy Room (up to 16 guests) or on our Back Patio (up to 30 guests). Contact us for details.