Changing the landscape of Southern cuisine and the Atlanta restaurant scene doesn’t happen overnight – it happens when an iconic bungalow serves sophisticated spin on Southern classics for over two decades.
South City Kitchen Midtown operates at 1144 Crescent Avenue where cooking becomes “love made visible” through buttermilk fried chicken, shrimp and grits, and complimentary cornbread with housemade apple butter.
Opened in 1993 in the heart of Midtown Atlanta, this family-owned spot expanded to Buckhead, Vinings, and Avalon locations while maintaining the original bungalow’s refined Southern hospitality with a modern twist.
What Makes South City Kitchen Special
The pan-fried chicken livers at $16.10 showcase how Southern classics get elevated through sophisticated preparation without losing soul food authenticity.
South City Kitchen operates with a “humble sophistication” philosophy where Springer Mountain fried chicken arrives crispy yet juicy without heavy thick batter drowning quality meat.
The complimentary hot homemade cornbread with housemade apple butter creates Southern hospitality moments before meals even begin, setting tone for refined comfort food experience.
The Story Behind the Restaurant
South City Kitchen launched in 1993 at an iconic Midtown bungalow when founders believed cooking becomes love made visible through Southern classics with refined touches.
The restaurant changed Atlanta’s Southern cuisine landscape by serving soul food with sophisticated spin – buttermilk fried chicken, shrimp and grits, Sunday brunch done right without pretension.
The expansion to four Atlanta locations (Midtown, Buckhead, Vinings, Avalon) validated the approach while maintaining the original bungalow’s warmth, hospitality, and refined Southern cooking philosophy.
Food Highlights
- Pan-Fried Chicken Livers: At $16.10, these chicken livers showcase Southern classic elevated through sophisticated preparation. The liver treatment demonstrates a refined approach to soul food. 🍗
- Springer Mountain Fried Chicken: This fried chicken stays crispy yet juicy without heavy thick batter overwhelming quality Springer Mountain Farm chicken. The preparation respects ingredient quality. 🍗
- Smoky Grilled Pork Chop: At $40.25, this pork chop demonstrates elevated Southern approach to traditional proteins. The smoking technique adds depth. 🥩
- She Crab Soup: Traditional Charleston soup gets refined treatment showing Lowcountry influence. The crab preparation stays authentic to Southern roots. 🦀
- Shrimp and Grits: Described as the best shrimp and grits with crispy ham bits creating highlight. The Lowcountry classic gets proper execution. 🍤
- Complimentary Cornbread: Hot homemade cornbread with housemade apple butter arrives before meals. The Southern hospitality moment sets the dining tone. 🌽
Atmosphere
South City Kitchen Midtown sits at 1144 Crescent Avenue in an iconic bungalow, where moderate noise and loft space create a warm atmosphere for families, groups, and celebrations.
The restaurant offers outdoor seating with dogs allowed while operating split service – weekday lunch 11am-2:30pm, dinner 4-9pm, weekend brunch 10am-3pm.
Parking proves challenging with limited street spots and paid lots nearby, though reservations help manage crowds at popular brunch and dinner services.
Bottom Line
Visit South City Kitchen because opening in 1993 and changing Atlanta’s Southern cuisine landscape means refined hospitality and sophisticated Southern classics genuinely delivered two decades later.
The pan-fried chicken livers and Springer Mountain fried chicken demonstrate how humble sophistication philosophy creates soul food with refined touches without losing authenticity.
The iconic Midtown bungalow since 1993, four Atlanta locations, complimentary housemade cornbread with apple butter, and commitment to “cooking as love made visible” prove this Crescent Avenue spot serves exceptional Southern dining worth the following.
Address: South City Kitchen Midtown 1144 Crescent Avenue NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
📞 (404) 873-7358
🕐 Mon-Fri: 11:00 AM – 2:30 PM, 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM | Sat-Sun: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Since 1993 | Iconic bungalow | 4 Atlanta locations | Complimentary cornbread | Private dining loft | Southern hospitality