Celebrity-owned restaurants you need to know about – Atlanta

Before Atlanta earned the title of “Hollywood of the South” and opened the door to Marvel characters emigrating into the multiverse, its celebrity scene was largely homegrown (or based), so the city's support for celebs is a kind of show of affection for its more successful cousins.

A rapper who writes lyrics like “dripping sauce” and “cooking in the kitchen” can take that goal literally and open a restaurant. We're rooting for it. A former NFL MVP can turn his initial P into ownership. We're rooting for it. And a reality TV star who's not quite sure what he did before he got famous can now be a real-life restaurateur. Book a table for two. It's hard to pick favorites in the family, but that's our job, so here are our favorite celebrity-owned restaurants in Atlanta.

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Celebrity: Quavo

A club above a gas station is an odd choice, even for Atlanta, but perhaps “Motorsport” rapper Quavo stuck to the theme of his restaurant and sports bar, V12. The downtown space's floor-to-ceiling windows offer less glamorous views of The Varsity across the street, a stark contrast to the opulent, chandelier-lined, velvet-draped interior. Expect nights of loud music, ube daiquiris, and celebrity sightings, and the menu of American fare, like lamb chops with strawberry wine sauce, is better than you'd expect for a club atmosphere.

Celebrity: 2 Chainz

This 2 Chainz-backed vegan pizzeria in Little Five Points has a small menu of pizzas and salads, but ignore the menu above the ordering counter and order the weekly special, presumably inspired by what the chef finds interesting at the farmers' market. The crust here is excellent, but the regular pies are unremarkable, so they're always a better choice, and Verdura's fresh ingredients, like meaty mushrooms and vibrant vegetables, bring some much-needed flavor to counter the slimy texture of processed fake cheese.

Celebrity: Lil Baby

Lil Baby's seafood restaurant on MLK excels in every way: a takeout shop packed with hungry locals out front, a dining room wallpapered with pictures of the Atlanta skyline and music celebrities, and a hookah lounge downstairs. Inconsistent service makes it a bit hesitant, but a reasonably priced menu of steamed shrimp (well-seasoned shrimp) and fried seafood (golden whiting) saves the day. Still, snow crab drenched in jerk batter is the star of the show, an explosion of flavor.

Celebrity: Robert De Niro

Robert De Niro, the only celebrity on the list based outside of Atlanta, probably knew that his Nobu chain on Phipps would attract celebrity company/party/colony (what's the name of that celebrity group, btw?). Other A-Z list celebs dine on $30 sashimi, $50 small plates, and sleek interiors with a mix of textures like wood and onyx. Once you've identified the celebs, like the one who walked in with Jermaine Dupri or the guy in the corner trying to look inconspicuous in his fur coat and giant Dior sunglasses, order the iconic sweet miso-grilled cod that barely requires a bite. Skip the sushi and get the most out of your meal (and your money) by sticking to the most flavorful hot and cold dishes near the top of the menu.

Celebrity: Cam Newton

There's a lot going on at Castleberry Hill Fellaship. You'll notice a stylish bar, a cigar room, a hotel-like area with walls decorated with books, and a members-only club on the second floor. But would you expect anything less from eccentric NFL quarterback Cam Newton (who also owns Smokey Stallion)? Somehow, though, it's the food that brings it all together. An interesting take on the daily wings (best with a hint of heat from the 404 sauce) and grilled salmon (a respectable cut atop flavorful wild rice, carrots, and broccoli) were some of the best dining choices we've had recently. All this, plus great cocktails and the occasional star (Hold on, is that Judge Mattis?) And I can see why this place is crowded.

Celebrities: Candy Burruss (and Mama Joyce)

If you want to feel like you're part of Mama Joyce, Aunt Nora, and Aunt Bertha's family, head to Old Lady Gang. It's hard not to feel like family when a plate of juicy grilled chicken smothered in thick brown gravy is brought to your table. This Castleberry Hill spot also serves up Southern classics like hot cornbread topped with brown sugar and shrimp and grits with vodka sauce, which is so good you should add it to every dish. BlazeIt's not uncommon to see OLG members circulating the casual dining room asking how your food tastes, offering playful “bravos” before returning to their merrily consumed meals and humming along to the establishment's R&B-heavy playlist.

Celebrity: Ludacris

Ludacris Chicken and beer Back in 2003, he probably never would have guessed that phrase would be more prominent in food debates than album debates 20 years later. One of the tastiest spots at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, Chicken + Beer in Concourse D, pays tribute to its co-owner's prolific past with CD plaques and murals, but fortunately for travelers, its main focus is on bar staples, Southern staples (catfish, ribs), and great beer. Try the three plump wings with a spicy Hot Lanta sauce that will tickle your fancy long after you've finished your IPA. We're still dreaming about the fluffy maple butter biscuits that come on the side. This dish is so good you'll want a second serving, but you'll have to literally “roll out” of Luda's by then.

Celebrities: Karlie Redd and Ne-Yo

Open until 11pm (1am on Fridays and Saturdays), Johnny's in College Park is the perfect place to grab a good meal and some fun after a late-night flight when other places near the airport are closed. With loud hip-hop blasting from the speakers and strong cocktails like the triple-rum Brunch Punch, there's always a group here celebrating something. Ignore the over-the-top compliments touted on the menu: “best mac & cheese” and “world famous chicken”; it doesn't live up to that standard for all-day brunch spots. But we'll admit that the soul food combinations, like crispy fried chicken and flavored waffles, or seasoned seafood and grits, are above average. There's no celebrity vibe at this no-frills diner, but you're likely to spot reality TV stars from time to time, especially Ne-Yo and co-owner Karlie Redd.

Celebrities: T.I.

If long physical screening lines and $40 self-parking lots are your thing, head to TI's Trap City Cafe off Northside Drive on the weekends. You might want to reserve a table for Wednesday comedy night, when you can smoke hookah and yell in a more subdued atmosphere. If you're there then, you can grab a table near the dimly lit makeshift stage, sip a $19 cocktail, and peruse the silly-named dishes (think shorty low lamb chops). Jokes aside, the black salmon sliders are tangy and excellent, with a touch of sophistication, and the chicken egg rolls will have you coming back for more.

Celebrity: Emily Salies

Launched in 1993 with an investment from Indigo Girls bandmate Emily Salyers, this brunch staple is now available throughout the Southeast, but it's still very much loved by locals, who flock to their favorite Flying Biscuit restaurants for the signature creamy grits, oatmeal pancakes, and of course, sugar-dusted biscuits. Don't miss the apple butter, which pairs so well with the doughy biscuits. There's something for everyone here, whether you're a carnivore or vegan, looking for a light meal or something indulgent enough to put you in hibernation for the rest of the weekend (check out the queso-glazed fried chicken and chorizo ​​hash). Plus, breakfast at this casual, flamboyantly colorful joint is the perfect way to kick off your weekend.

Celebrities: Love & Hip Hop: AtlantaRasheeda Frost

With its security at the door, '90s R&B and faux marble tables, Frost Bistro feels like any other Peters Street restaurant. Love & Hip Hop: AtlantaRasheeda and Kirk Frost of try to up the brunch spot game with their patio and cabana, but serving oxtail with plastic forks misses the message. To their credit, though, the charred salmon sandwich with turkey bacon and melted cheese is a hit, though it's not enough to ignore the waiter taking a hookah break in the booth next to you.

Celebrity: 2 Chainz

Park near Peters Street, and with SUVs double-parked and narrow one-way streets all around, you'll want to reach for the painkillers. Grammy-winning rapper 2 Chainz's Esco tries to make it worth the trouble, but it's ultimately disappointing. No matter how friendly the waitress is or how well the bartender behind you sings Fantasia's “When I See U,” it all matters when tough calamari and bland mac and cheese egg rolls are brought to your table. The Cajun salmon and garlic mashed potatoes are pretty good, but I haven't had such soft broccoli since daycare. And if you're looking to save money, sipping a $15 cocktail out of a plastic cup won't cure your headache.