Been searching for a new favorite breakfast place in Atlanta...pretty sure I've found it. My barometer for the quality of a breakfast place is their eggs Benedict. Generally speaking, if the eggs Benedict is solid, everything else usually falls into place. When I tasted their EB, I knew I was onto something amazing. Everything here is made with love. From the chorizo gravy, to the biscuits that are the size of a futon at IKEA, down to the perfect cup of coffee, this place has it all.
(5)
Olivia N.
THE FOOD HERE IS WONDERFUL!!! :))) If you go on the weekend, order the shrimp and grits! On the weekday, get the grilled cheese with tomato soup!
(5)
Jai R.
The wait is long... I can't lie that my curiously and patience were at an ultimate high for me to endure what was said to be a "15-20" to be about 45 minutes of waiting. But look I gave them all their stars so that says something right! Very friendly service, even with being lied to about the wait time, neat place, and amazing brunch food. I want to say again... amazing brunch food. I ordered the Crab Cake Benedict and my beau ordered the Steak and Egg Tacos. Now every Sunday he wants to make sure we wake up early to beat the crowd.
(5)
Tiff H.
Joy Cafe is a sweet, quaint little place tucked in a plaza on Pharr. It's close to my office: close enough to go there for lunch, but far enough where I have an excuse to drive there and not walk. We walked in at the end of lunch time, for my second lunch that day... We were seated at our table of our choosing, and settled in to choose from the menu. The server was very helpful, and being as indecisive as I was, even offered me a sample of the soup of the day, which I really appreciated! I ordered the soup of the day instead of the popular soups on the lunch menu. There was a spicy chicken and rice soup (I can't remember the exact name of it, embarrassingly enough). The sample was really good! Spicy and hearty, full of chicken and rice and green onions sprinkled on top. The bread that came with it was soft and easy for dipping in the soup. We also ordered iced coffees which was free refills! The only place I've gotten free iced coffee refills is Starbucks, and that's only if you have a Gold membership. The server also offered us free coffees to go, it was great! Right before we left, I made a spur of the moment decision to buy a cupcake. After some careful consideration.. I chose a red velvet cupcake. You could choose to customize it with a selection of frosting options which is pretty cool! Nothing too special about it, but I can't say it was a bad cupcake, it was moist and rich, just how I like it! I hope I have a chance to make it out again for a full meal. The hours of the restaurant are a little convenient but maybe I can make a lunch adventure out again soon!
(5)
Rebecca C.
The BEST place for brunch in Atlanta. Hands down. Joy does a great job making you feel welcome - love the atmosphere, the staff, and the bonus pastry plate. The tomato soup it's the best I've ever had, my friends and I never fail to order it. Be sure to get there early for brunch though, can have long lines.
(5)
John B.
Absolutely outstanding and huge serving of biscuits and gravy sprinkled with chorizo sausage plus scrambled eggs for $10 off the Sunday brunch menu!
(5)
Ricky T.
Cute atmosphere, great prices, and yet the quality of food is impeccable. Further, the portion sizes are very reasonable. But this place is a bit small, and parking is an absolute nightmare during peak lunch hours, at least if you want a free parking spot. There is a paid parking garage close by. Overall, I'm very impressed and will definitely come back!
(5)
Christina K.
Forgive me for the ultra late review! So, I have been wanting to go to Joy Cafe for awhile now, but something always came up to stop that from happening. Rewind 2 months ago and I find myself there with Hoa G. for lunch finally! We were lucky to make it there before the lunch rush because the line that formed was a bit crazy. The cafe is a small shop in an unassuming strip mall. Take heed from their website, please go there early as they do get packed! I ordered the meatloaf sandwich w/o cheese and it was wonderful! The meatloaf is a combo of ground beef and chuck so it was moist and hearty. I had to hold back from biting my fingers while devouring this sandwich. The service is good although it can be a bit spotty and rushed because of the lunch crowd. The salads that were coming from the kitchen were H-U-G-E and looked so fresh and yummy that I was tempted to add one to my lunch as well. Thanks to Scoutmob for directing me here, I'll be back!
If you're in Atlanta and are looking for a breakfast spot, you've found Heaven! This place is amazing!! Period! Great service, great food, great atmosphere! Had the crab cakes Benedict and a side of fresh fruit pancakes! I'm out of adjectives, definitely worth it!
(5)
Lindsay S.
Love this place! Food is always good, so is the service. I have never had a less than stellar experience. Also, best tomato soup EVER. My office orders from Joy's several days a week and we are always very happy! Amazing cookies too!!
(5)
Michael K.
I never heard of this place nor even noticed it despite driving through Pharr Rd multiple times day and night. This place is AWESOME! It's a small restaurant with very limited seating but definitely one of the places to go if you're in Atlanta. Plus, there is a decent size parking lot in front of the restaurant and parking available around the corner of the plaza it's located in. Food is great and everything is clearly made from scratch. I got extra sausages for my Biscuits with Gravy (menu said it was grandmother's recipe so I had to give it a try). The sausages were the same round size as any other place however, an inch thick. The biscuits on the plate were two giant fluffy mountains covered in gravy and bits of sausage with eggs and an orange slice and some grapes. That definitely filled me up and only cost $9. You get your money's worth. No doubt. The wait wasn't bad. Told 20 mins. Waited about 10-15. The staff is very friendly and upbeat. They're very kind and the place even had coffee setup outside for people waiting free of charge. That to me shows they care about their customers. My go to breakfast place in Buckhead was Another Broken Egg (great place to go as well), however, I gotta say Joy is my new #1 place! Coffee was good too I might add!
(5)
Kevin C.
Sold breakfast and friendly service. It's small so get there early for brunch.
(3)
Lauren H.
We found this little gem nestled in the heart of Buckhead one Sunday morning after church. The line was not super long (just a few groups in front of us - 20 min wait) and we got to stand outside while we waited and drink some coffee in the sunshine (no complaints here!). The meal started out with a basket of pastries. The cinnamon rolls were nothing special, but the blueberry muffin was excellent. I was dining with the family, so we all tried each other's dishes. I got the steak and egg tacos which were AWESOME! There was enough steak on each and it tasted great with the perfectly cooked eggs and chimichuri sauce. My husband got the breakfast burrito, which was also excellent (but I still think the steak and egg tacos were better). Other people in our group got the waffle with berries (very good) and the Sun dried tomato/Feta omelette (excellent - you could really taste the sun dried tomato!). The inside of this restaurant is nothing fancy - but the staff was very nice and the food was quite yummy, so we will definitely be back!
(4)
Katie N.
Joy cafe is a small, southern, home cooking good time. Every thing is made from scratch, including the English muffins! Big, flaky melt-in-your-mouth biscuits, thick cut bacon, perfectly made grits. This place is an all around winner. Joy does it right!!
(5)
Kevin L.
Joy's cafe has a great menu selection and one of my favorite places for Sunday brunch. There is normally a little wait but it goes by fast and the food is well worth it. They have great service and start you out right away with some complimentary blue berry muffins, which are out of this world. I have had their steak and egg tacos, eggs Benedict, pancakes and eggs & bacon, none of which you can go wrong with. The food is top quality and you will not leave hungry. They also have a great lunch menu. I would highly suggest trying Joy's out if you have a chance.
(5)
Elise P.
The wait was long. When we got into eat finally, we were served our coffee and I noticed a hair on the rim of one of the cups. They replaced the coffee. Then they brought us the sticky buns and one again, there was a hair on the plate of the sticky buns. We alerted the wait staff and once again they apologized. Then we for our food. We found a hair in the middle of an omelet we ordered. Management came over and offered a new omelet which was appreciated;however, instead of aplolgizing they asserted that this could not have happened as everyone in the kitchen wears a hat. She was very defensive. Finally, they brought us slices of cake to make amends for their being hair in all of our food, which was great but no one at our table eats cake. Additionally, after finding three hairs in your food, the last thing you want is more of their food. Overall, I was very disappointed with the food and the service.
(2)
Ruth H.
Cute little brunch place in Buckhead, and I do mean LITTLE! Be aware, there will be a wait for brunch and there is no place inside to stand, so make sure the weather is allows for waiting outside before you make an attempt to fight the crowd. Nevertheless, the food was worth the wait! The meal started out with little pieces of complimentary banana bread, muffins, and cinnamon rolls that were just a hint of the deliciousness that was about to follow. Our table for steak tacos, breakfast burrito, and the biscuits with gravy. Everyone enjoyed their dish. Plus, the waitress brought HOMEMADE hot sauce that went perfectly with the meal. I don't know how they get the eggs so fluffy! The potatoes tastes great but were a little soggy. Will definitely add this place to my list of brunch places.
(5)
Carrie Neal W.
What a nice lunch!! My dear Artist Friend and I had planned lunch, to catch up after more than a minute, and he's always good with the Scoutmob, etc type deals. He was nice enough to pick me up at my parents' place in Brookhaven and as we tried to think of some place "different" we could go, he suggested Joy Cafe on Pharr. I hadn't been but something sounded familiar about the place (turns out, they were at Taste Of Buckhead, the annual shin-dig that Buckhead Business Association puts on and of which J is a member and ring-leader) and the menu, etc looked good. Indeed, a lovely little spot. There were a lot of things on the menu that tempted me, but we both settled on sandwich and salad 1/2 and 1/2 combos - he got the spinach salad and Cueban sammy (he quite enjoyed) and I went with the Caesar and Tuscany sammy (prosciutto, fresh mozz, tomato and arugula with an aioli, on ciabatta) - delicious! A little iced tea and a nice server, and we were happy campers. I also had a minute to chat with the owners (Joy and Jon) who were very pleasant and hospitable. Definitely more of a "girly" place (my friend said he'd definitely not return unless accompanied by a lady, though he liked it a lot - he was, honestly, one of the three males, total there who were not employees!) but me likey. Maybe I'll return soon with a girlfriend or my mom!
(4)
Alaina M.
They have a LONG wait and I wish that store next door was open to shop around while we were waiting.. Their grits were hands down the best I've had. I also ordered the breakfast burrito - and added their salsa to it - it was so delicious.
(4)
Addy C.
Honestly I'd give them 3 stars for the food and service but bumping to 4 because I love their story, the local and housemade ingredients, and I like supporting small business. I probably expected too much after reading everyone's reviews, and adding to the high expectations was the long wait outside. The food was good but to me it was just as good as other neighboring breakfast restaurants, and not worth the over 30 minute wait. The space is small so I'd recommend coming during non-peak meal times. Service is very friendly but not necessarily attentive - for my 1st visit I'd attribute it to the busyness of brunch hour, but during my 2nd visit the service was slow even though it wasn't a busy time. COMPLIMENTARY MUFFINS (during brunch) Their baked goods were yummy - blueberry muffins, chocolate chip muffins, and a cinnamon apple roll. Loved the muffins but the roll was too sweet for me. CRABCAKE BENEDICT - $14 Two Maryland crabcakes topped by slow poached egg, Hollandaise sauce, and sitting on housemade English muffins. Crabcakes were salty, the eggs were good, and the muffin was just ok. Also came w/ a side of seasonal fresh fruit (melons, apples, berries). I was disappointed, and this was also one of the pricier entrees. LOX & LOX OF OMELET - $12 Funny entree name. NYC style filled omelet w/ smoked salmon & red onions, and served w/ capers and bagel w/ cream cheese. I just had a bite of Nancy R's omelet but the eggs were so good and fluffy -- I definitely recommend this dish. OVEN TURKEY GRILLED SANDWICH - $8.50 I didn't try this but the sandwich looked good, and Gina C absolutely loved it. I did try her Potato Salad and thought it was bland. JOY'S REUBEN - $11.50 This was another raved about entree and luckily I agreed. House cured pastrami topped w/ melted Gruyere, sauerkraut, and housemade thousand island dressing on marble rye. Pricey sandwich but portion was huge so I got two meals out of it, and my leftovers actually tasted better when reheated. Also comes w/ a side and I picked the Mediterranean Pasta Salad which I liked - sundried tomatoes, olives, carrots, peppers, feta, red wine vinaigrette. COBB SALAD - $10 My friend liked her salad esp. the bleu cheese dressing - I didn't think it looked like anything special. GRILLED CHEESE - $4 Although there are no kid options listed on the menu, they do offer Grilled Cheese and Quesadillas. COOKIES & MILK PIE One of the best desserts I've ever had. Loved the cream part, and the chunks of chocolate cookies. If this is on the dessert menu, do not pass this up. CHOCOLATE ON CHOCOLATE CUPCAKE I thought it was just ok but the others in my group loved it. Next time I'd like to try their Croque Monsieur. And I would go back just for the Cookies & Milk Pie. FYI - free parking for Joy Cafe customers.
(4)
Courtney M.
This place has amazing food and great service! Food: My first visit I had the chicken burger. The meat was cooked perfectly. The jalapeños gave it an awesome flavor. It was actually my first time having a ground chicken burger...I liked it so much that I went to the grocery and purchased ground chicken that evening (My homemade burger didn't come out quite the same though)! I also recommend the Belgian waffles. The omlettes are awesome too! You really can't go wrong here. I'm looking forward to trying the shrimp and grits. Atmosphere: Small, hole-in-the-wall type place. Great for brunch/lunch on a regular day, but not large enough to accommodate big groups. Service: Great
(5)
Sooji K.
i love joy cafe. it's so effortless and simple, that it's hard to say anything bad. some people might think "what's the big deal?" but it's always been such a consistently good experience for me that i always find myself returning. it's definitely a mom and pop shop, so the space is small and it can get a bit tight when the place gets packed. the ambience is clean and since one of the sides of the restaurant is all windows, you get plenty of light in the restaurant. i've actually only come here for brunch so i can't speak for their lunch offerings. their waffle and the eggs benedict are definitely my favorites here! also, they serve a small breakfast pastry sampler (mini oat/blueberry muffins + mini cinnamon rolls) before your meal arrives and it's soooo delicious. they're open at 930am on saturdays and no matter how early i come (even before doors open) there's ALWAYS a line. i think that, in itself, says a lot about the place. service is always friendly and prompt. definitely one of my favorite places for brunch in atlanta!
(5)
Tuong Vi P.
I stopped by with some friends for brunch yesterday. We all enjoyed our food and liked the ambiance of Joy Cafe for a nice chat. I got there around 11 am and saw a sign in front of the money eater for the parking lot that indicated that Joy Cafe patrons got complimentary parking. I confirmed this with the hostess/kind woman who was at the door and promptly texted my pals, to clear up any confusion they may have had. She walked me over to a table and I was relieved to see that the place was getting just steady traffic with a table or two open. "Phew, I beat the church crowd," I thought to myself. A tall gentleman came over to my table to ask how many I was waiting for (to which I responded, "2 more") and what I wanted to drink. Because of my money-saving and calorie-counting tendencies, I stuck with a water with a wedge of lemon (say what you want). Once everyone arrived, our server checked on us about 2 times before we decided. After our order was in, he came back with a plate of sweet rolls and blueberry muffins--to our surprise! I guess I didn't read enough reviews and was happily taken aback. I got the sun-dried tomato, spinach, and feta omelet with wheat (buttered, which I hadn't thought about and had forgotten to ask for it dry) toast and grits. My brunch buddies got salmon Eggs Benedict and the crabcake sandwich. Both enjoyed their dishes. Honestly, my meal was very good but not mind-blowing. The omelet was generously sized (probably a 3-egg omelet) with fresh-tasting spinach and feta and sun-dried tomatoes that were well hydrated and just tangy enough to make the fluffy egg mound interesting. The grits were creamy and not heavy and toast was completely standard fare. But the service was good and the not-too-loud atmosphere allowed me to enjoy my company. By the time we left, there was a line of people waiting for tables. This says enough about Joy Cafe serving consistently good comfort food. Next time, I need to try pancakes, Belgian waffles, and some of the desserts. So for me, there is definitely a next time!
(4)
Tuarise S.
Once again absolutely love this place. Visited this place again today, nothing but great things to say. Great food, great atmosphere, great service. Thanks again... Tomato soup the best ever!!!!
(5)
Dess B.
One of THE worst breakfast experiences I've ever had. Period. No exaggeration. First of all, I was asked to "scrunch in" with my chair (with no possible way of doing so) so the server could get by. Seriously? Who told you to put the tables so close together that your customers have to suffer? I ordered a simple veggie omelet. Sorry to say that the mushrooms were out of a can, the spinach was from frozen, and the sun-dried tomatoes were quite tough. I'm an avid cook so I know this for sure. The biscuit that came with it was "OK". My date's dish was also a pure disappointment. He complained that it didn't seem fresh but I don't know details. That was enough for me. Too many great breakfast/brunch spots in Atlanta to waste time on this one ever again.
(1)
S. J.
Fantastic breakfast! I had the crab cake eggs Benedict and wow! Services was great too!
Wow. This place is incredible. And inexpensive. This is going to become a regular stop for breakfast. I highly recommend the tomato soup with focaccia (just absolutely mind blowing), biscuit with homemade preserves (I ate the leftover jam with a spoon... it was that good), and breakfast burrito with the spicy creamy sauce (super fluffy eggs, cheddar cheese, sour cream sauce, and chorizo). Also had a reuben which was good but couldn't stand up to the absolutely amazing big flavors of the other dishes we had. The chef came out and talked to us at the end of our meal and was obviously really passionate about all of his creations, and the older woman hostessing was sweet and personable. The space is small, bright, and crowded, and the food is incredible. A must go to, although not the best spot for more than a couple of people on weekends.
(5)
Cameron C.
I'm new to the area and found the diamond in the rough. Superb customer service and even better food. If you want to try something different, go with the steak tacos. Unbelievably tasty.
(5)
Jenna C.
This is hands down my favorite restaurant in Atlanta. Known for their breakfast/brunch, but dinner & dessert are spectacular too. I would say the chicken burger and tomato soup are definite staples. The first time i tried Joy Cafe with a friend we were slightly apprehensive with it being such a small establishment in a strip mall. Theyve grown to be quite popular now, so sometimes the wait can be long. But the mom&pop owned, friendly service all add to the charm. I think if they moved to a bigger place some of that might be lost. The owner usually makes it around to the tables, and if its your first time you usually get a free cupcake. Make sure not to skip out- the chocolate is absolutely divine.
(5)
Stevie H.
I could eat here everyday! the food is alway fresh, the pastries are to die for, and the staff is always friendly.
(5)
AJ C.
Delicious! Shrimp and grits was amazing and the waffle was also fantastic. Presentation on both was 10/10.
(5)
Jasmine L.
Went there for brunch on Saturday. The wait time was a little long but I'm guessing it was like that Because the place is small and didn't have many tables. The customer service was great there which I value very much. The good was decent I can't really say anything was special about it. I had an omelette with grits and cheese, and wheat toast. I enjoyed it.
(3)
Ellie H.
Great place for a casual Sunday brunch or a quick weekday lunch. My omelette was delicious, and every plate passing me looked just as delectable! They even gave us some free cinnamon rolls and croissants on the house. Great, friendly service!
(4)
Lori H.
I want to find everyone that gave this place a good review and marry every single one of you. This place, is by far, the best breakfast I ever had in my life. I made sure to get there early, since it was a Saturday and word was that it gets busy very quickly. So I showed up about when they opened and there was no wait. I can't start my morning without coffee. I didn't need any special flavored lattes, just some coffee, sugar and cream, and that's exactly what I got. It was pretty good too, and freshly made. AND we also got complimentary pastries, blueberry muffins and cinnamon rolls. So soft, warm and fresh. I ordered the smoked salmon eggs benedict, and Ashley ordered the breakfast burrito. All I can say is WOW. I was really surprised at how fresh and flavorful and simply put together everything was. The salmon was extremely tender and bold with a great smokey flavor. It went together perfectly with the poached egg and hollandaise sauce. You can tell the chef put his very best effort into this, and he even came out the kitchen to ask what I thought. Nothing less than perfect. That breakfast burrito is on point. The chorizo, eggs, and avocado pico de gallo made my mouth water when I bit into it. It was really bursting with flavor. And the hash-browns are fresh, and yummy. As far as the service goes, everyone that works there is fantastic. So professional, attentive and easygoing. Our waiter was so sweet, our coffee cups were never empty, and the owner even came over to bring our food. The icing on the cake was I couldn't believe how affordable everything was. Do yourself a favor, go here. Amazing food, amazing service, amazing prices. I might move to Atlanta just so I can come here everyday.
(5)
Asma A.
This place is great for breakfast/brunch... I ordered the salmon omelette and it was great! they also gave some blueberry muffins and cinnabons on the house-- also very good! Definitely try this place! there was a line outside the door when we went, but the wait wasnt too bad, we waited for 15 minutes on a saturday morning around 12pm
(4)
Taylor A.
Fantastic brunch place that gets this midtown guy to come to Buckhead. There was a short wait on a Saturday that probably gets insane on Sundays after church. Recommend getting there early so you don't have to wait. Our Russian waitress was lovely and attentive. We never had to wait for anything from her. We both had the steak tacos which were out of this world delicious. Tender steak, eggs, and some sort of green sauce that rocked. Lots of other dishes I saw looked amazing as well. Can't wait to go back to try the eggs benedict. It looked awesome. The biscuit I had was huge but sadly really really dense. Butter to the rescue. Add reasonable prices to the mix and you have a brunch winner!
(4)
Christopher B.
If you're going on a sunday get there early or you will have a little bit of a wait. Food was very good, although it took a long time to get to the table, they had to make more english muffins, however their eggs benedict was excellent as well as their pancakes. Dying to try that cookies and cream pie we to bought home for tonight!
(4)
Ashaleigh R.
It was an underwhelming experience. I'm not sure if I would go again.
(2)
Rebecca O.
Oh shiiiittt, one of the best sandwiches I've ever tasted. I got the croque monsieur (more aptly named crunk monster). I'm not even sure what all was in it, but my mouth waters just thinking about how good it was. I'm so lucky because I work within walking distance of this quaint little cafe. Even during a week day lunch, the restaurant was almost full. There's about 30-35 seats in the place, so I imagine the weekends can be difficult to get a seat. The service was also excellent. Very attentive and friendly. Even the manager was walking around and serving tables, asking how the food was, etc. Prices are going to range you about $8-12 per person (for lunch). They do have free wifi but it has a password on it. When I went, the password was madewithlove
(5)
Richard R.
Places like Joy Cafe are why Yelp is such a great resource. We were visiting family in Atlanta and we decided to go out for breakfast after Mass on Sunday. I pulled out my iPhone, did a search on Yelp and found Joy Cafe just down the street from us. So, we headed on over. What a treat this place was. It's kind of a nondescript place in a row of shops. But, if you are interested in good food and can do without fancy decor, Joy Cafe is the place. There was a bit of a wait to get a seat, but the mgmt had thoughtfully set up a little table outside the door with complimentary coffee. This was my first indication that this place was unique - the coffee was outstanding. I would seriously come to Joy Cafe just for the coffee. But the food was just as good. I had a dried red tomato, feta cheese and spinach omelet that was delicious. I don't recall what the others in our party had, but everyone raved about their meal. Next time we're in town visiting, we'll be coming back to Joy Cafe.
(4)
Tia M.
Food was amazing! Definitely coming back!!! Best pancakes I've ever had!!! Steak & eggs were delicious too. Highly recommend the place. Very busy on the weekends though so heads up.
(5)
Joy W.
Well, obviously anything with the name Joy is a good thing :) Joy Cafe, I like to think, is named after me. Okay, that's wishful thinking, but it is named after a woman named Joy who's cafe churns out good home-made quality dishes. I've been here on two occasions, once with a friend for brunch and another time with a group of 6 for dinner. For brunch, I ordered their famous Crab Cake Benedict which was like a taste of warm heaven in my mouth. I'd definitely order it again! The side of fresh fruit makes me feel less guilty about having consumed a bunch of melted butter in the form of delicious hollandaise sauce. For dinner, I ordered their Shrimp N Grits which was flavorful, especially with the rosemary herbs. The portions were huge, and I had a hard time finishing everything. The texture of the grits are a bit thicker than usual, but I attribute that to the home cooked dishes at Joy Cafe. I heard their desserts were good too. Plus! They have a Scoutmob :) Unfortunately, I think their dinner operations are currently closed while they obtain a beer and wine license so they can allow BYOB. But they're still open for brunch and lunch until 6pm. [37 of 100]
(4)
Sydney G.
I think this is in my top 3 best breakfasts in Atlanta. I LOVED the chicken burger, it was SO GOOD. I got cheesy hashbrowns for my side, and they were on point. You can tell that they're fresh cut. We also got the biscuits and gravy to split, and we basically liked the plate clean. Not a huge fan of the ratatouille sandwich, but that's more a matter of personal preference than anything that they did wrong.
(5)
Morgan C.
My mom & I went on a Sunday for brunch. VERY CROWDED! they had water outside, which was nice since it was very hot. it's a very small restaurant & very busy. very loud too. when seated the service was prompt. the blueberry muffins were very dry & not much taste to them. the cinnamon rolls were decent. I ordered the vegetable omelet, very good! but enormous! I could only eat half. it came with a biscuit & they ran out.. not sure how you run out of something that is a signature of your restaurant. my mom ordered the waffle & said it was good. overall it was decent. not my favorite brunch spot in Atlanta but it wasn't bad. also if it's summertime be prepared to be hot, even if you sit inside... they don't have fans or anything.
(3)
Happy Eater B.
Yum. Yum, yum, yum. We had an amazing breakfast at the Joy Cafe! This is a simple diner environment with stellar food and terrific service. The humbleness of the cafe only accentuates the beauty of the food. The homemade chorizo sausage was mouthwateringly good. For that reason alone, I'd particularly recommend the breakfast burritos for breakfast. The pancakes were as good as pancakes can be - light, fluffy, exceptional presentation, tons of berries, and really good maple syrup. The side of thick cut bacon was perfectly cooked and had excellent bacony flavor. Our waitress was wonderful. She was on top of everything without ever being in the way. Others assisted from time to time without any sense of being inconvenienced by our table. Overall, in this neighborhood, surely this is the place to go for breakfast.
(5)
Angela H.
Man, don't you hate it when you're at a restaurant with someone you don't know too well and you feel awkward about taking pictures of your food? Well right now, I'm regretting not doing so as I usually like do... =( The two of us decided to grab lunch at Joy Cafe around 1 pm on a Friday. The person I went with had been there before and told me that the food was good but pricier than similar options nearby. For example, the sandwiches are a little pricier than similar sandwiches elsewhere. When we walked in, we were seated immediately and handed the menus. I don't believe they had any lunch specials - just the regular menu. I have to agree I was surprised at the prices for some of the specialty sandwiches, many of which were over $10! However, I was relieved to see that the back of the menu had deli sandwich options that were cheaper. I decided to order the Chicken Salad Sandwich and noticed that they had two chicken salad options for the sandwich - Joy's traditional Southern Chicken Salad or Apple Walnut Chicken Salad. After asking the server to describe what's in the southern chicken salad and hearing the word "mustard" (not a fan of it in sandwiches), I quickly chose the Apple Walnut Chicken Salad Sandwich. The server also told me the bread options I could choose from, and I chose ciabatta. All sandwiches come with a piece of fruit and a side of your choice. The options for sides include pasta salad, potato salad, tomato cucumber and onion salad, mixed green salad, and dirty chips. I chose the pasta salad, which turned out to be an excellent decision! Our food didn't take very long to be served, which was a pleasant surprise! * Apple Walnut Chicken Salad Sandwich ($7.99) - I was very pleased with the size of the sandwich! It was pretty large and, thankfully, cut in half. I really enjoyed the soft, fresh ciabatta bread, loved the big chunks of chicken, and savored the pieces of apples and walnuts! However, I was only able to eat half of it because it filled me up! But I was happy that I could enjoy leftovers later. =) * Pasta Salad (Side item I chose for my sandwich) - Per the menu description, this is a "Mediterranean pasta salad with sun dried tomatoes, olives, carrots, peppers, feta cheese with a red wine vinaigrette." The pasta in the salad was bowtie pasta, and although it was softer than I normally like (I would have preferred it to be al dente), the combination of the various ingredients made it so delicious! I'm not really a fan of feta cheese, but it was perfect in the pasta salad and I would definitely order this side again! Overall, Joy Cafe and Bakery gets 4 stars for their fresh, delicious sandwiches and friendly service! Although our server initially brought just one check for us, we asked if we could get separate checks. Instead of bringing us new checks, however, she wrote our totals separately on the same check, which was fine. I appreciated that she accommodated our request. I'm sure I will return to Joy Cafe, and I will probably order the Apple Walnut Chicken Salad Sandwich and pasta salad again because I enjoyed it that much! Next time, I will be sure to take a picture... =) [Review 143 of 366]
(4)
Kali S.
Love this little cafe. Friendly people and great service! It's a pretty small spot, but that doesn't stop the people from flowing in. Almost everything on the menu is a hit. The biscuits are a must try. Parking is easy, as the cafe is in a small strip mall right off of Pharr. One of the best parts of our dining experience was Joy's husband coming over to have a personal chat with us. He was a very nice guy and I wish him and his wife all the best on their business! Great experience and will surely return.
(5)
Karen R.
This place is FABULOUS. I've taken all my out of town guests here; most recently I took my mom and she described this as the best breakfast she ever had! The food is fresh, flavorful, and superb quality. I ordered an omelet last time and it was stuffed with delicious fresh vegetables - and big enough that I took half of it home! I've also ordered from the lunch menu, which is amazing as well. I got the chicken salad sandwich - the only disappointing part was that I was too full to finish the whole thing! Bonus - they give you complimentary pastries while you wait for your food. You absolutely cannot beat the value that you get here. It can be a little cramped inside, but the service is quick and the staff is friendly so this really wasn't an issue for me. I absolutely recommend this place to anyone!!
So good. Small, cozy atmosphere. Blueberry muffins were amazing. Will be back. There was a wait, so get there early.
(4)
Mike B.
I decided to stop through here for brunch one Saturday to see what all the hype was about. At the time it was ranked pretty high by the yelp nation. In my honest opinion the food was average at best. It was nothing to write home about. The highlight of the meal were the the muffins. I had the crab cake Benedict as my meal and it was just ok not the experience I was looking for.
(3)
Liz K.
Cute little place located in a very odd shopping center (for brunch, that is.) I kind of had trouble finding the place because the sign doesn't pop out or anything. Food- overall good. Typical brunch items such as eggs Benedict, waffles, bacon this and that. They give you these superrrr amazing cinnamon rolls and muffins prior to your meal you just can't help but indulge in it. Great, yummy start. I got to try a few items because my friends and I all ordered different things. Eggs Benedict with smoked salmon- Just good enough. I had the sauce on the side and had a side of hash browns added. The hash browns were too burnt/crispy for my liking. My friend had the sausage biscuit with gravy and the eggs were slightly too salty. Crab cake Benedict was amazing. We all shared this and that to get a taste of each. Freshly squeezed orange juice was so refreshing but I couldn't do another glass for 3 bucks. Great service. Small yet cute place. The outdoor seating is very small and cramped.
(4)
Susan G.
Well worth the 30 min wait. Joy herself introduced herself and seated us. The cinnamon rolls were AMAZING!!!! We had a party of 6, almost everyone ordered something different and not one of us were disappointed with our order. Will definitely be returning soon!
(5)
Jennifer P.
The best grilled cheese and tomato soup ever!!! Great combo for the winter. Brunching menu is good as well. Waffle with fresh berries, yum.
(5)
Therealladyof L.
5 star because this place really gives priority to dogs. They are dog-loving people. The food is excellent esp their shrimp & grits. A big serving. Do not order too much or you'l have to leave with a box. Will be back.
(5)
Karly G.
What a darling little place and I mean very little! Christina K wanted to go here for ages and we finally made our way there for lunch yesterday. I didn't give them 5 stars because the wait was fairly long. They were busy during lunch and it's not their fault, but it was still a long wait for drinks, then to take our order and then waiting for the order. I guess you shouldn't come here super starving... Anyways, I had to order the Croque Monsieur but replaced the tempting ham with turkey instead and potato salad as a side. I also ordered their daily lunch special - Meatloaf sandwich sans cheddar cheese. The waitress/owner must not have heard me so it came out with cheese. I wanted to eat it so bad but my baby is intolerance for dairy so I had to return it. Luckily I was able to trade half the sandwich with Christina so I was very please. The cheese really does make that sandwich so much better! My croque monsieur was perfect. It has enough turkey, enough cheese and the honey mustard was absolutely addicting. Both sandwiches were absolutely amazing and the portion is generous. I had a food coma when I got home - knocked out completely. I also got a slice of the tiramisu and I couldn't stop eating it... although the cake must have been there for at least 2 days, because the lady finger was stale. However, the actual tiramisu itself was divine and a generous portion! I'll definitely come back since the parking is fairly accessible. I hate some parking in Buckhead... and thanks to Scoutmob for the awesome discount!
(4)
Tashia Z.
Absolutely delicious! Met a friend for brunch this past Sunday at the height of brunch time. The place was packed, but a table for 2 only took 10 minutes. We had a very attentive and knowledgeable server. The food was phenomenal and the prices were very reasonable. Those were the best buttermilk pancakes I've ever had in a restaurant. This will be a regular brunch spot.
(5)
Susan U.
I've been here for brunch, lunch & dinner and all the food has been amazing each time! For brunch the break burrito is delicious! The chorizo is the right amount of spicy and the cream tomatillo salsa is amazing. The salmon benedict is also spot on! For lunch I absolutely love the portabello sandwich. The mushrooms are so yummy & sweet & the chicken soup is so soul comforting it's not even funny. Lastly, dinner- oh. my. god. Get the shrimp & grits! The grits are soooo creamy and the shrimp are perfectly cooked and buttery. NOMS. And if those items aren't enough....get the fleur de sel or the chocolate cupcakes. Heavenly BLISS.
(5)
Tonya C.
So I always see line at this place on the weekends so since I live in walking distance I thought what the heck, let me see what all the fuss is about. There were already 3 cars with people waiting for the restaurant to open at 930. Once restaurant opens, they tell us we can choose our seat. It is definitely tight and quaint inside. I immediately went for the table in the corner against the wall. Waiter brought water and a complimentary muffin and cinnabun which were deelish! I ordered the egg benedict with the smoked salmon. Everything on the menu looked appetizing but I will have to come back and try something different another time (Yes, I will be coming back) Food came out quickly. I thought the egg would be a bit more running. It looked a boiled egg on top of the muffin but not boiled all the way thru. The salmon was good and cold (as the stated it would be on the menu) the fruit salad was good as well. Overall experience was pretty good.
(5)
Lorna B.
This cafe is located in the space that once housed "Cafe at Pharr" and it seemed that they made few renovations. Seating is limited and cramped and the menu felt familiar. I had a chicken salad plate that was delicious yet similar to the fare that was served by the previous tenant and for anyone who had eaten at the former establishment know what I mean. My lunch companions all enjoyed their meals and there was not a clean plate left on the table. Chocolate cake was moist and delicious.
(3)
Andrea P.
Had lunch here today for the first time and it was delicious!! Everything is made fresh from scratch and the quality really comes across in the flavor. As one of my friends that was with me said, "This meal tastes so good that I don't want it to end!". I enjoyed the Portobello Mushroom sandwich with the tomato cucumber salad as my side. My friends had the tomato soup, cobb salad, roast beef sandwich, and pasta salad (even the pasta is made from scratch!). Everyone raved about their choices. The service was also good and the prices were extremely reasonable. It was a full house for lunch. Can't wait to try their brunch!
The turkey panini here is incredible. The chicken burger and pancakes are also highlights. If you're coming for brunch, get there by 1:30. This is my go to for a great, reasonably priced, quality brunch. Yay joy cafe!
This place is very...cozy as other people have pointed out. Be prepared to get very up close and personal with strangers in this small place. Service is really great. The food was amazing. I had a grilled cheese with tomato soup. I don't know what kind of cheddar that was, but it was fantastic. The iced mocha I had was also pretty spectacular. Not very inexpensive but not terribly expensive either. I could do without the paying-for-parking part though. Menu is pretty diverse, I think anyone could find something they like here. I also sampled my fiance's steak taco and it was good. I was glad the sauce came on the side.
(4)
C W.
Shrimp & Grits were excellent again. Jessica is a great server. Boy's mother is the hostess and she is awesome. She checks on everyone and she's made me laugh more than once but she doesn't linger to the point of being annoying. Great cafe!
(5)
Ann R.
Came in for brunch before going sightseeing. We had the oven roasted sandwich, Portobello sandwich and new York croissant ham sandwich. All were good. We also had red velvet cupcake, very moist and key lime pie was light and delicious.
(4)
Vince T.
Super awesome meal and super awesome service!! Friendly people and friendly vibes! Food is delicious just a little hot inside especially in the summer. Where some cool clothes! Delicious blueberry muffins on crack!!! Get some if you can you won't regret!
(4)
Nancy R.
You may have to wait, but it's worth the wait. It's a small place with a couple of tables for outside seating, so you'll have to wait outside in the parking lot. Luckily we came when it was nice outside so the half hour wait wasn't too bad. FOOD: We started with the complimentary breads - 2 types of muffin and a cinnamon roll. With coffee, these were a delightful start! For brunch I had the Lox and Lox of Omelet which is NYC style filled with smoked salmon and red onions, served with capers & bagel & cream cheese. The omelet was light and fluffy, filled with lox and onions. The side of toasted bagel with a fresh slice of lettuce, tomato, red onion, and capers accompanied the omelet well. I also got a side of hash browns, which are just cubed potatoes. Overall, it was a meal with plenty of tasty food to fill you with warm service!
(4)
Christopher E.
Joy Cafe's Brilliant Tag line is - Made with Love, Served with Joy. I promise you can taste the love in every single bite. The thing I love about this place is it is big enough to find a seat but not so big they compromise quality. I think a few places in ATLANTA could learn a lot from this lesson. I've only had the Steak Tacos (on Brunch Day - come early they do run out) and the Mushroom Grilled Cheese with a cup of Joy's Famous Tomato Soup, but both were spot on and priced extremely reasonably for the Buckhead area. I love staring at everyone's food because everything that comes out of that kitchen looks DELISH. The owners are very present and it shows! Great Food. Great Service. Great Space. This is what living in a big city is all about! #MyNewFavoriteLunchBrunchSpot
(5)
Christopher P.
Very good breakfast. Great portions. Good prices.
(4)
Dawn B.
Excellent Food, small place, service was good yet quirky. I love those big ass biscuits they serve. I never curse in a review but there is no other way to explain them. They are huge!
(5)
Sunira M.
Went in for a late lunch on Saturday. The place was really cute but it was packed! I had a feeling it was because of the scoutmob for $10 off lunch. I ordered the cobb salad and my friends ordered a benedict and a panini. The service was fast and the food was excellent. I would definitely return!
(5)
Shirley Z.
I have not visited since my last review. However I would like everyone to know that the owner reached out to me and was very kind and apologetic for my previous experience. Even though my impression of the food remains the same but i have faith that this place is going to do just fine after all. Jon B., the owner was very open to suggestions and took the time to address my concerns. I can tell the love and passion he has for this cafe and I wish him the best. (I've already noticed that change in street signage!! Kudos guys!)
(3)
Jarz R.
In one sentence? The food was so good, I was stuffed, but looking at my plate still made my mouth water. We came hungry, everything on the menu looked great, so we ordered a feast. I can't remember all of what we\ordered at the moment, and since the dinner menu is offline right now, I'll have to come back to this review. What I DO remember: Greek salad: Amazing. So flavorful, and they did not skimp on the good stuff. Big enough that it the two of us could split it for a starter salad Orange Dreamcicle Cheesecake: It was like Joy found a way to distill an orgasm, kittens, and ecstasy into a silky soft ribbon my mouth. I don't think I need to go any further. Oh, and Joy and her husband came out to ask us how our meal was. They were simply darling.
(5)
Lauren P.
Joyful, joyful, we adore thee, Joy Cafe! This place is just what Buckhead needed: a cool sandwich shop which serves super sweet tea, crave-worthy salads, fabulous desserts plus brunch from 9:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. on the weekends. One of my gripes with Souper Jenny (which I also adore) is the lack of brunch on Saturday. Sure they have Cafe Jonah but I always wanted tomato soup AND grits on the weekends. Can't a girl have her cake and eat it too? Well at Joy Cafe, I did just that. I ordered tomato basil soup, grits with cheese, plus a side salad for my brunch. My sorority sister dining with me ordered her two eggs any style. The biscuit which came out with her brunch was massive! And the bacon was some of the best I've had in Atlanta. We later learned that everything is made from scratch. The biscuits are a family recipe Joy's made since she was 6. All the meats are cured and brined in-house so there's neither Boarshead nor preservatives to be found. Since the joint is less than a year old, Joy herself can be found at her spot 7-days a week. She was so nice to stop by our table, and her husband John is working there right along side her. They even let us sample a chocolate cupcake for dessert. It was absolutely to die for with two kinds of French chocolate! I also brought my husband home a slice of key lime pie which lasted maybe about 90 seconds once I walked through the front door. In total for two girls to brunch with drinks, tax and tip came out to $30. Albeit for Buckhead that's in the usual range but I'm even more willing to pay $3 for a cupcake to help support this local family business. So if y'all are looking for an awesome spot for lunch, dinner or bunch on the weekends, and want to know your food is made from scratch by Joy herself, check out Joy Cafe and Bakery. This place is truly heaven on earth in Buckhead.
(5)
Alex C.
I got the steak and egg tacos. It was pretty good, but the short coming was the lime marinade on the steak. It was simply overpowering, I actually used the salsa to dilute the lime-y-ness. Some of the other stuff I saw looked pretty good and lime-steak aside, the meal was pretty good. Portion size is good, the eggs weren't overcooked and the hashbrowns were good as well.
(3)
Julie S.
I give the food 4.5 stars-- it is SO good but what really blows you away is the cupcakes. Try special chocolate one they are known for you will not be disappointed! I had brunch of grilled cheese and tomato soup on a rainy day and it was amazing. We waited to be seated but it was worth the wait- the food was exceptional, the hardest part was deciding what to order!
(5)
Sean W.
I ordered the tomato caprese grilled cheese (added bacon) and it was... DAMN! Actually said that after the first bite literally melted in my mouth. Kept cursing throughout the entire meal. It's just... SO... good. My friend had the Greek salad and said it was quite good, and that the side of potato salad was a bit bland. I'll be returning soon for that grilled cheese, though. The basil pesto was just fantastic as well. One of the best GC sandwiches I've ever had. Oh, and the cookies are REALLY good, too. Very thick, moist and soft. One tastes like a freshly-made brownie. Wow...
(4)
Mychael W.
Joy Cafe never lets me down! I've been several times since my first visit in February. I just got back and had the reuben and the fleur de sel chocolate cake. Both are some of the best I've had. The reuben was hot, flavorful, and juicy. The cake is AMAZING! It's sweet, chocolaty, moist, and delicious! If you haven't been, I suggest you go right now!
(5)
Renee C.
Grilled cheese rocks in this place! And the service is just as great! Quick and pleasant service.
(5)
Chris L.
We tried Joy Cafe tonight and were very pleasantly surprised at the quality of the food and service. It's apparently been a popular breakfast and lunch spot in Buckhead for awhile, but it has only recently begun serving dinner. It's website says that the chefs strive to make as much as possible fresh in house, including baking breads and pastries daily. Our bread basket was filled with terrific, moist focaccia. My wife had the shrimp and grits, a favorite of hers, and said they were the best grits she's ever had. I tried them myself and they were creamy and delicious. The shrimp were large and perfectly cooked and reminded us of New Orleans BBQ shrimp. I had the beef brisket and pork shoulder meatloaf, which was also excellent--you can't do meatloaf much better or more flavorfully. It was cooked nicely and stuffed with tasty chunks of green peppers and onions. The mashed potatoes were great, too. We had a three-layer chocolate cake for dessert. The display case was full of lots of great looking house-made desserts, but the cake was a show stopper. It was iced with ganache and covered in sliced almonds, and included sea salt caramel between the layers. The cake was wonderfully moist and we loved it. The owner/chef came out to ask about our meal and was very friendly, and our server was attentive and took care of the details. Our experience was great and we liked it so much that we're planning to return for brunch this weekend. I recommend this little gem highly.
(5)
Aaron T.
This place delivers service that makes you smile and flavors that are absolutely unique and on point. The complementary muffins set the tone for one of the greatest brunch experiences I've ever had. It's a small place and seats are hard to come by. I was lucky and was seated in less than 5 minutes. I'll be back!
(4)
Laxsamee L.
Wonderful family restaurant. Many homemade items. On the house mini blueberry muffins are to die for. Unbelievable shrimp and grits. Crab Benedict had a perfect eggs.
(5)
Korey M.
Top 3 brunches in the city. Everything on the menu is fantastically made. Well worth the wait.
(5)
Alex P.
Not quite sure what all the buzz is about with this place on yelp. The atmosphere looks like somebody's kitchen and really crowded, really nothing nice about it. The food? Very mediocre, I would lean towards the side of disappointing. Had their crab cake sandwich, not worth it.
(2)
Gregg B.
I went on yelp as i passed through Buckhead- and i thank all the yelpers that brought me here!!! this place is a GEM! fantastic soups- the basil tomato was the best I ever had. The Joy Ruben was off the hook. The Cobb salad was awesome. The server staff was incredible and the 100 year old recipe cupcakes was too die for. I love this place!!!!!
(5)
Chataun D.
Brunch was absolutely delicious! Five stars, two thumbs up, all that plus more. The waffle with fresh berries was just delightful. The biscuit and gravy dish was perfectly seasoned. And, the home made blueberry muffins were the best I've ever had. Lovely family owned spot. I will definitely be back!
(5)
Jen R.
My company actually worked with Joy Cafe for a group order/catering and they were very accommodating, especially since we a lot of people have dietary restrictions here! Food was great and everyone's order was spot on. We are about a group of 15. I heard they have great breakfast on Sundays from colleagues and everyone was right! I love how they bring you a little plate of pastries/goodies before your meal. I have heard lines can get bad, I was lucky when I went (just two people) to only wait about 15 minutes or so but I am sure that could affect the experience. Overall I would definitely would recommend!
(5)
EJ S.
For my first four years in Atlanta, I was convinced the city was devoid of delicious brunch options. And then I found JOY. Everything from scratch, including the most amazing biscuits of your life and the fabulous gratis cinnamon rolls and mini muffins. Joy and Jon are the most delightful hosts, greeting their patrons by name. And the food -- WOW. From the fluffy eggs overflowing from the deliciously perfect steak tacos to the outrageous smoked in house salmon and the tomato bisque of my dreams. And a review of Joy Cafe wouldn't be complete without a shout out for the most ridiculous dessert in the history of all things sweet and magical! Her cookies and milk pie is nothing short of angel wings sandwiched between layers of cookie perfection. Most favorite brunch spot in America!
(5)
Stacye B.
Everything I've tried here has been delicious. I've been here a few times and will definitely return. The wait can be long at times, but it's totally worth it.
(4)
Marcus O.
i'm a fan of their mission, not of their food. the mission you say? it's to prepare everything from scratch that can be prepared from scratch. the draw of that statement alone made my stomach churn even more... should you visit, when you get your plate of pastries, devour them. they were the best thing we had. i had the grilled cheese and tomato soup. it was decent, but nothing that would shame my mom. i don't understand what's famous about the soup. not any better than la madeleine. the breakfast sandwich on a biscuit with home fries -- another story. it was burnt. the home fries were cooked to the point of crunchy all the way through. it was the consistency of super hard croutons. the cheese on the biscuit was like concrete. the biscuit itself -- dark, burnt. how this plate made it out of their kitchen's quality control is beyond me. when we asked for different home fries, the service was very courteous and prompt. however, the home fries they brought out were clearly cooked in old grease. yum. i'm sure it had to do with how busy the restaurant was -- though that's really no excuse. the biscuits and gravy plate -- good but not good enough to go back.
(2)
Rick L.
We loved it! Especially when the owner comes around and makes sure everyone has gotten what they want. Lovely place!
(5)
Gigi A.
Amazing food and very friendly service. Loved their grits, and I usually absolutely hate grits. The waitress brought out some complimentary mufins and goodies to munch on while we waited. Very yummy blueberry corn muffins. Great, delicious food and pretty cheap for the quality and location of this place. Will definitely come back next time I'm in the area. Reminded me of a french breakfast place :)
(5)
Jack C.
Great omelet and pancakes very fluffy. We enjoyed most of the food but didnt like to pay 3 dollars for 2 pieces of burnt bacon. They need to expand the restaurant felt packed in like a sardine.
(4)
Don B.
I cannot wait to come back to this place ! At first I was a bit turned off because it is a very small place and we had to wait a while. It seemed super chaotic and crowded but once we were seated everything was excellent. They started us off with 2 little blueberry muffins and a cinnamon type pastry. Very delicious. I ordered the eggs, cheese grits, bacon and biscuit. My friend got the fruit, yogurt and granola and a side of home fries. Apparently everything is super fresh and they do it on their own. They make their own granola and cure their own bacon. Definitely has a premium quality to it. We were very pleased with the portions...my biscuit was probably the biggest biscuit I have ever seen at an establishment. Service was ok but I understand the staff was running around like CRAZY. So don't feel offended if you have to flag down your waiter for something because I am sure they are doing the best they can. I was super impressed when I asked for some strawberry spread for my biscuit and the manager came out with a huge explanation for how they ran out and gave me some store bought stuff. I did not care, but apparently the make their own jam and due to high demand ran out. All they had was kiwi and that wasn't even quite 'done' yet. He was very apologetic, but I explained that I was fine, all I expected was a packet of processed Welch's or something. Definitely will return and can't wait to try some of their lunch options.
(5)
Angela L.
My friend and I went for Saturday brunch around 10:30am and were seated right away. This was the perfect time to go because by 11am, there was a cluster of people near the door waiting for tables. The crowded people and busy servers weaving through tables reminded me of brunch in NYC. The place is quaint and absolutely adorable--with minty/sea green walls and cool wall decor. Our server surprised up with complimentary chocolate chip muffins and a cinnamon roll for an appetizer. Not sure if that is typical of Joy, but I won't question free pastries. The menu had a variety of essential brunch staples to choose from like eggs benedict (personal fav), waffles, pancakes, and omelettes, but no entree seemed overwhelming. I, of course, ordered the eggs benedict with canadian bacon, and it came with a side of seasonal fruit. I didn't expect the egg white to be as runny as the yolk, but it worked for me. The english muffin was toasted to perfection, and the bacon was delicious as well. My friend ordered the sun-dried tomato, spinach, feta omelette, and really liked it. All in all, Joy served heartier food than I had expected. It's nice to leave a restaurant with a happy tummy. I will definitely go back again to try their homemade granola!
(4)
Kellie N.
This adorable little spot gets packed but worth the wait. I love sitting outside and enjoying brunch here. Great food, fun staff and perfect area of town. The most adorable wait staff and the owners are amazing. One of my new go-to brunch spots to go to and bring friends.
(4)
Jie Y.
nothing to complain everything is so nice but only for a simple breakfast or coffee break.
(5)
George P.
My new favorite breakfast place!! It is amazing. The place looks like a hole in the wall. The inside looks like a hospital, very, very plain...However the food is amazingly good. I had Great Grandma's Biscuits and Gravy. It was pretty amazing!! My girl had an omelet and what made it so good was the fresh ingredients and how fluffy the eggs were. The icing on the cake was a double layer of the best tasting coffee I have had at a breakfast spot as well as amuse-bouche of pastries they offer as a free appetizer! This place blows doors off of the standard well known Highland Bakery, Rita's Bluebird and The overrated Flying Biscuit( I do love the Highland Bakery though!)
(5)
Yordanos T.
Cozy little breaktfast/ brunch spot in an inconspicuous strip mall. The crab benedict with a side of fruit was delicisous... fruit was fresh and sweet and the crab and home made muffin were great. They bought out a plate of sweets for the table with coffee so we were partially stuffed by the time our meal came out. The owener/ chef came out to our table to ask about our dining experience... very classy and appreciated! As we were leaving, he came back with the a moist and decadent cupcake with amazing icing. A perfect end to a great meal! Will defintely be back next time I am in the ATL.
(4)
Starfish_Coffee M.
A miserable rainy Saturday was not going to keep me from my quarterly pancake binge so I made it over to Joy Cafe for the first time. Easy parking and I can sit wherever I want (always a plus for me). First they brought this plate of pastries and the glazed danish looking thing had to be laced with cocaine...INCREDIBLE! The mini-muffin thing was okay but it had more of a scone like texture and I prefer my muffins fluffy. Food came fast but they piled all this crap on top of my pancakes (berries, bananas, etc) that I didn't ask for or expect. I don't like anything interferring with the piles of butter and cups of syrup on my pancakes so I had some dis-assembling to do. It doesn't get 4 stars until some of the service kinks get worked out like my major pet peeve....HOT WATER AND LEMON SHOULD BE SERVED IN A CUP....NOT A GLASS...ARGGGHHHHH!! I had the trainee waitrees i guess so she was a little slow or maybe it was whatever she was texting in between serving that slowed her down but this place is well worth the visit and reasonably priced. I'm thinking they will soon replace Corner Cafe as the go-to place for brunch.
(3)
Adolfo T.
Awesome breakfast loved the crab cakes Benedict with fresh fruit! Also try there buttermilk pancakes.
(5)
Heather P.
Great spot for brunch! We brought my in-laws here who were visiting after a so-so breakfast the previous day at Flying Biscuit. All the food here tasted fresh and homemade. Everyone ordered something different and agreed it was the best meal of the weekend. The breakfast sandwich on a biscuit was amazing! The portions were huge- a side of fruit that came with the eggs Benedict was enough for a full snack later in the day! I bet this place gets busy as the morning progresses, we arrived at 9:45 and were the 2nd table. By the time we left the church crowd arrived (including a priest!) and filled up.
(5)
Lindsay K.
This place is tucked away in a strip mall - pretty small in size - don't come with a big party and expect to be seated quickly. Probably 20-25 total at a single seating. The folks who work here are sweet - and efficient. Before the food came out, they offered us mini blueberry muffins and some really tasty iced baked good. Delish. My husband and I ordered the 2 eggs with sausage and the crab cake benedicts. Neither were cooked well - especially the poached eggs and the hash browns. There was a severe lack of seasoning on all the dishes. Given how many other breakfast/brunch places there are in ATL, I will not be coming back. But if I did, I would stick with baked goods, as those are clearly their strength.
(3)
Brian L.
We finally visited this wonderful place on a rainy Sunday. The breakfast burrito was creative and excellent, especially the salsa. The poached eggs on the Eggs Benedict were perfectly done. Everything was perfect. Oh btw, the waiter is very handsome. :)
(5)
Michelle J.
This is a cozy (read tiny) local cafe perfect for brunch or lunch. I visited for the second time last weekend and it was just as good as I remembered. During our first visit, I ordered a croque monsieur and tomato bisque. WOW were both delicious! It was my first time eating croque monsieur, so I can't speak to its quality as a CM specifically. I do know a thing or two about tomato bisque, and it was one of the best I've had. During my second visit, I was looking for something light and fresh, so I decided to go with the spinach salad. The salad is served with strawberries, candied walnuts, feta cheese, croutons and house made balsamic vinaigrette. I added grilled chicken to it, which absolutely made the salad. This Is seriously the best salad I've had in Atlanta. In fact, writing about it now is making me crave it... Those I went to Joy with also loved what they got, although my husband - a Cuban sandwich connoisseur - said their Cuban sandwich was mediocre. The service is another notable thing about Joy. The tiny restaurant usually has about two servers, and they make you feel comfortable and attended to. They're the kind of servers you'd hope every local cafe would have. The best time to go to Joy is usually past the rush of weekday lunch and weekend brunch. That way, you won't have to wait for a table and you won't feel confined when seated.
(4)
Nakata H.
I was excited to come here based on yelps high rating so we were okay to wait for 30 min for the table. I really wanted to like this place but sad to say... Food was just okay. We had to wait long time for our food to come out, my veggie omelet was a little greasy for my taste. pancake was not all that special. My husband's Ham and Cheese Omelet was too salty. Maybe it was on their off day. The portion was generous and the service was good.
(3)
J. C. L.
Brunch with girls. Ordered the egg Benedict with salmon. Delish. Love the free starter desserts!!
(5)
David C.
Astounding brunch on the weekends. Eggs Benedict were great. The Berry Belgian waffle was fantastic. Fresh, warm, chewy waffle, with deliciously fresh berries and banana. The applewood smoked bacon was terrific, as well, though 2 slices for 3 bucks seems a bit of a rip-off. At least 3 slices, dudes. And the hash browns were nice and crunchy with or without cheese added - very, very good. I wish they served breakfast all week.
(5)
Shaunte K.
I don't know why this place has such a hight rating. Definitely not one if the best places I've been for brunch while visiting Atlanta. The service was great but the food was average.
(3)
Bill V.
Great brunch. Steak and egg tacos. Biscuits and gravy. Sometimes there's a wait, but it moves pretty fast.
(5)
Jhoshua C.
Place was pretty darn good, they give you free pastry treats when you walk in service was the best part. I got the breakfast burrito which was good, nothing special though. If you dont get pancakes get at least a side of them, they are AMAZING. My friend got the eggs Benedict, it was incredibly delicious. Good menu and they make their food flexible for vegetarians like myself. Over all amazing experience!
(4)
Arika S.
Really great brunch spot. The crab eggs benedict was amazing, and the service was really great. The layout isn't awesome inside, and it's pretty small. The food is great though, and they offer muffins and honey buns before the meal for free. Definitely worth a try!
(4)
Gypsy A.
My boyfriend and I went there for a late breakfast one day. The wait time was extremely long, but we had read good reviews on it, and we wanted to give it a shot. When all was said done the food was good, but not fantastic. They did, however, bring out cute rolls before our meal that were just fantastic.
(3)
Tanya E.
Part 1: This is going to be a strange review. Its a 2 parter because for this first part, I havent actually eaten there yet but I walked in because they are next to my fav nail salon Posh Nails. I was greeted by the warmest and friendliest woman, who by the way offered my granddaughter a free cupcake and even gave her- her choice of flavors. In the list was chocolate red velvet and vanilla. She told me about their brunches and gave me take home menus. After hearing abou the brunch I deceided I would try it tomorrow (saturday) since a friend and had made plans to meet for breakfast so perfect timing. So stay tuned for part 2 the aftermath. by the way that friendly woman who greeted me was Joy herself, owner/chef. On initial impression, friendliness and menu 5 stars. I will write another after eating there tomorrow morning.
(5)
JH P.
Loved this little place! Came here with a friend for a late Saturday brunch. It's located in a strip center on Pharr Road and easy to miss. There is a parking lot but we got lucky and was able to find a spot. We were able to get a table right away. Service was very friendly. The breakfast pastries that come to your table are not a mistake - they're complimentary! So enjoy them!! I ordered a chicken salad sandwich and I found it to be very tasty. It was unfortunate the Belgian waffle maker was broken that day. Food served to other tables looked really tasty. Can't wait to go back!
(4)
Lisa C.
Love places like joy cafe and bakery! Usually I have to dream up such a place like this but here the owner cares about the experience of everyone who comes in. Dropped in once to grab something quick to drink and snack on and go. Ordered a Perrier and red velvet cake mmmmmm! I know it was indulgent but you couldn't possibly understand how satisfying it was! The ambiance is casual and comfortable and it's a perfect spot to have an early business dinner - I ordered the shrimp and grits and it was very very good. I like the chef he came out to check on the food and I had to give him my compliments!! The dining experience was wonderful, if you are looking for a great place to have a dinner date or business dinner, this is a great find!
(5)
Christopher R.
Once again, Yelp saves the day! We needed a diner for Breakfast in Buckhead and you all pointed us to Joys Cafe. It was worth the 1.3 mile stroll from our hotel. It was very busy on a Saturday morning but worth the wait. The urn of coffee for those who chose to wait outside was a nice touch. Small seating area, you are right next to your neighbors- think a cafe in Paris. The thick cut bacon is broken glass good ie you would crawl through broken glass to get some ;) their pastry plate was enough to make me bend my low carb diet ;) they also have a bakery counter for carry outs cupcakes etc a must try if in that part of Atlanta
(5)
Gus E.
Great service. Chicken burger suggested if u go. Good price. Tomato soup is excellente also.
(5)
Jake C.
Food was fantastic. Ambiance was good enough. Service wasn't very good though. The waitress didn't mess anything up, everything just took forever. 5-10 minutes for first attention, 10 more min for first waters, 30 more minutes for food, 20 more min for check. It was Saturday brunch and not only were they busy, but we were fine taking it slow and relaxing. That being said, I'd rather have excellent service and then voluntarily take it slow on my own accord. I'd go back though. I'm hoping the service was an abnormality because the food was great and there are so many other rave reviews.
(4)
Max M.
OMG! Talk about spectacular service and faultless perfect food! I wrote an earlier review in which i complained about the temperature of the soup. Altho i gave them compliments otherwise, the owners graciously apologized for the error and offered me a comp'd meal the next time i came in. I was scared that since i came in for brunch that they wouldn't honor it, but no no, they didn't give me any bureaucratic bull..., they honored the deal, no problem. First point. I made the wise decision to order the steak and egg tacos and it was heaven on a plate. The texture and seasoning of the steak accompanied by perfectly cooked eggs and cheese on flour tortillas... it was amazing! And they served me three tacos! Again, i had an unwarranted fear... the fear that they would only serve two tacos for that meal, but no, they serve three! There's definitely no skimping with point! It was so delicious and filling! Second point... score! I also shared a waffle with a friend of mine. For once, a restaurant gets a waffle just right. It was perfectly crunchy and not soggy at all... and by some miracle it remained so thruout the meal! How'd they do that! The fresh fruit on top of it was to die for. Just perfection. Third point! While we were eating the lady owner of the restaurant (Joy herself) came out and introduced herself to us and apologized for the prior disappointment I experienced and offered a big plate of four delicious desserts! Ok, that's like 7 points now! Touch down! Later on, the guy owner of the restaurant (Joy's husband) also came out and greeted us. They treated me and my friends like royalty! It was weird... but in the best way possible! I didn't deserve it all! You can't beat a place that cares enough to make up for the dissatisfaction of their customers and actively, even extremely, taking the steps to remedy it. This is the kind of place that I would no doubt return to, even if the food weren't too good... but fortunately, IT IS REALLY GOOD! And you could tell that people agreed with me because that place was PACKED on Sunday! Please run, don't walk to this place... It is truly an Atlanta treasure!
(5)
Keith K.
Awwwweesome !!! Cute spot, great staff ,even better breakfast!! Since this was my first visit ,it is customary to try the Chocolate cupcake (family recipe) which was hand delivered by the owner / chef. Overall a great breakfast eatery! A must do when in Atlanta
(5)
Ben-Sheryl B.
I ate here today for the first time with my wife and this place was delicious! While waiting for our breakfast, they brought out pastries to tide us over. A delicious cinnamon pastry and two mini blueberry muffins. My wife, the muffin expert, claimed the blueberry muffins to be one of the best she's ever had. I ordered the steak and egg tacos with hash browns. The steak was tender and the eggs were cheesy. The sauce on the side was great as well. My wife ordered the breakfast sandwich on a biscuit with eggs, cheese and bacon. It was HUGE. And amazing. We ordered a red velvet cupcake (for myself) and a chocolate cupcake (for my wife) to go and ate them this evening. Rich! Perfect to be washed down with a nice glass of milk. Overall, this place was absolutely great and the owners really deserve a lot of credit here. The menu is the perfect size to not overwhelm you. We both cannot wait to try the rest of the menu. This is definitely a new favorite we will be frequenting!
(5)
Kijean D.
Good was amazing! They give little pastries complimentary from the kitchen while you wait for their order. A beautiful small restaurant where everyone truly seems to enjoy being there. The brunch was really good and even though there lots of people waiting to get in they were able to seat as quickly. The pancakes were amazing. Must try the sage and Ginger sausage !
(4)
Allison J.
Staff is so nice and the food is great, especially the iced coffee!
(5)
Emma B.
We went in a Wednesday expecting to eat brunch but we learned brunch is only served on the weekend. As a result we tried their lunch which was great. I chose the 1/2 Combo (the Ruben which was full of meat & tomato soup). My husband had a chicken club and he enjoyed that too. The service was great and the owner made sure his guest was happy. I def want to stop by again go their brunch.
(4)
Addie S.
A friend and I decided to try Joy Cafe for lunch because neither of us had gone yet and the location was very convenient. It's a cute, brightly decorated restaurant perfect for lunch. We arrived and it was relatively empty, but it soon filled with mostly ladies lunching. My friend and I both got 1/2 soup and 1/2 a sandwich. I had the croque monsieur, she had the ratatouille sandwich (the waitress said it's a favorite) and we both had the soup du jour, tomato basil. We both thought the soup was phenominal and enjoyed our sandwiches as well. The service was a little bit slow, but I assumed it was because they are still new and it was prime lunch hour. I will definitely go back and hope they add tomato basil soup to the regular menu!
(4)
Nestor R.
Excellent food!
(4)
Katie C.
My husband and I went here for lunch and ordered the Ruben & the Cuban with Potato soup & caesar salad; All was wonderful! The Service was very good. The Baked Potato Soup was the best I have ever had. The sandwiches were unique; not your typical turkey with avocado. Portion sizes are very large! You could easily share a sandwich. I will be coming back here!
(4)
Kirsten P.
Friendly staff, incredible food, and reasonably priced. I drive an hour and a half to come here and it's totally worth it! Try the grits. Best I've ever had. Everything is locally sourced, the meat is smoked and ground at the cafe, and it's absolutely incredible!
(5)
Claire S.
This is my favorite brunch spot in Atlanta! Everything that I have had here has been wonderful. The pancakes are the best. The breakfast burrito is so yummy. The eggs benedict are perfectly runny. The cinnamon roll/muffin treats passed out at the beginning are scrumptious. Though this place is always crowded, the servers are attentive and quick. I hesitate to write a review because I'm worried that this place will get even more popular and I won't be able to squeeze into the quaint restaurant without waiting super long. Try this place! Every other breakfast place in Atlanta has disappointed me at least once, but not Joy Cafe!
(5)
Sara S.
Ashley Bates is the pastry chef at Joy and is exceptional and very talented. If you need about ten very fancy and specifically decorated cakes and several dozen fancy cupcakes in four or five days, she's your girl!! I needed cakes for a photo shoot and she was totally reliable. The cakes were of various configurations: sheet cakes, two layer, three layer and theme cakes. All were beautifully executed with great care. We had lunch catered by Joy Cafe one day: quality ingredients, tasty and abundant! The restaurant staff even made at special trip to our photo shoot location to deliver a forgotten vegan meal, gratis. Great people to get acquainted with and tasty tasty food!
(5)
Barry M.
Wonderful, trendy cafe. If not for Yelp I would have never given it a look. Great food, large portions, reasonable prices. Very friendly staff, good coffee.
(5)
Angie S.
Woooow, what can I say this place has awwwwwesome breakfast. So much food that I was able to have breakfast the next morning with my leftovers. Eveything taste like homemade from scratch.
(5)
Lauren O.
The food at Joy Cafe is fantastic! Went here for Sunday brunch and absolutely loved it. I had the vegetable omelette with a biscuit-- to die for! The biscuit was fantastic and massive-- definitely a sight to see when you're there. My only complaint is the space is rather tight and I felt as if I was not only having brunch with who I came with but also the people we sat next to because they were so close. However, the fantastic food and welcoming staff were well worth it. Joy Cafe is a buckhead must!
(4)
Gayle B.
We have been coming here at least twice a month for Sunday brunch. Always get the same thing...eggs benedict with salmon. It has always been wonderful...except this past Sunday. Our food was ice cold. We had already waited for a table for 1/2 hour so when the waitress graciously asked us if we wanted it warmed, we declined. The eggs were almost raw. I would have needed a straw to eat them. The waitress was very nice and took one meal off the check. That night, we were sick. Common denominator: the eggs. I think Joy's is a prime example of how the kitchen falls apart when it is so crowded, as it was on Sunday. Also, a kitchen worker ran out and got in her car, so they were one person short. The hostess was frazzled too. Something was going on...I think I will wait a few months when/if the crowds thin out a little. Next time I go, it will be during off-hours.
(2)
Buzz B.
$8-10 for a sandwich made with home roasted meat - home made bread - served with fresh salad and fruit... well i must be sitting on a oil mine cause i don't think that is overpriced. Grandpa is that you writing reviews on Yelp? remember the good ol days when homemade sandwiches only cost a nickel! remember when people who cooked you food for lunch were dressed in 3 piece suits and not aprons with - UGH! - disgusting flour on them! remember when you went into a small business establishment and the nice lady behind the counter wasn't diddling your pickle because they misunderstood your order and didn't just start giving you everything for free. my my the times have changed. now people are expected to pay for quality food - at least at market value. chefs wear flour covered aprons instead of perfectly pressed suits. its craziness! can't we get back to the good ol days when food was free - service was 5 star everywhere and dumbasses with a Groupon & a highly misguided sense of entitlement weren't enabled to write public critiques of local businesses? this place is good - i literally have no complaints. for a quick, fresh, tasty and AFFORDABLE lunch - 5 stars.
(5)
Kristin S.
Only got take-out, but from what we had, this place is all thumbs up. My daughter and I split the croque monsiuer and the oven roasted turkey (with brie, hello!). So they got the bread mixed up on the two. It was still delicious. My sister in law had the cuban sandwich and she LOVED it as well. Comes with a little side salad, fruit or chips. I had the cucumber tomato salad and it was slightly sweet and lovely. I also ordered 2 desserts to go. I tasted the blueberry cheesecake, not bad at all. And some sort of chocolate cake, which was absolutely WONDERFUL. It had some sort of caramelly stuff in it. Both desserts probably would have been better but I was so damn full from my sandwich. This place is a winner! I must warn you, not cheap, rather on the spendy side, but quality ingredients, so worth it. Also, don't be in any hurry to pick up, even though you call in 45 minutes prior.
(4)
Betsi W.
Wanted to try a new brunch place and found a winner here! The place feels like you're eating with family and the food is so delicious! I had smoked salmon eggs benedict and it was so tasty. This place is nice and down to earth but still in the middle of Buckhead. Very friendly staff and I'd highly recommend!
(5)
Denis H.
Found the Yelp reviews to be right on. Cute atmosphere, friendly family environment with happy attentive service. We had a ten minute wait but they had coffee outside for waiting guests. Food was prompt and excellent. We had the omelette with spinach, sundried tomatoes and feta with a biscuit and grits. No shortage of filling in the omelette! Our other meal was the Belgian waffle with local fruit and a side of bacon. What a delightful end to our weekend in Atlanta.
(4)
Tecia D.
Deeeeelicious !!!!!
(5)
Leslie W.
Just discovered this little cafe tucked away in a strip mall on Pharr Road. They have a great selection of fresh salads and sandwiches and some amazing soups! Their loaded baked potato soup is so good that I don't even care how much dairy they put in it! They will also have a couple of daily specials like tacos or a pasta dish in case you need something more substantial. And if you need to skip the fresh and healthy, try one of their huge and super yummy cookies. I like the snicker doodle best, and not just because I like food words that sound dirty. They are seriously delicious. The three star review is because they are still new and need to work out a few kinks. When I went in, they were understaffed and the pastry chef was serving people in her flour-caked chef's coat. I understand she was helping but it was a little um, off-putting. I'm sure that once things are straightened out, this place will be jumping so go now before you have to wait for a seat!
(3)
Nev L.
We gave this place a try today based on the pictures and reviews. We had the ham and cheddar omelet and the pancakes. My omelet was ok, but the ginger and sage sausage was terrible. First, the color of the sausage doesn't appear fully cooked and then the taste of the ginger didn't go well with the sage. I sent the sausage back to cook a little longer, but the waitress returned with the same pinkish color saying because its made fresh that's the way it looks. Yeah, ok. My husband didn't care for his pancakes at all and the hash browns were served lukewarm.
(3)
Sonya N.
Had breakfast here for the first time this morning after reading Yelp reviews. Everyone is right. Very cute, charming place. Everyone was so nice. I got there a little bit before 10am and very quickly there was a wait. I'm looking forward to going back and trying more dishes.
(4)
Brian F.
Great casual spot if you are in the neighborhood.
(4)
Helen K.
Hands down, BEST meal I've had in quite some time! Thanks Scoutmob!! A friend and I visited this place for the first time today for lunch. We each had the chicken burger (special of the day--ground chicken with spinach and feta mixed in, perfect crisp bacon, lettuce, tomato, with a divine spicy mayo and jalapeno aioli sauce), and I had mine with a side of tomato, cucumber, onion salad. It was just delicious!! Though the portion size was generous, we also each ordered dessert too--she had a red velvet cupcake and I had the orange creamsicle cheesecake. Wow! Just perfect. This is easily one of my new favorite places to go in Buckhead.
(5)
Gloria R.
TERRIBLE!! Waited ten minutes... for what? We sat there for over 10 mins before we even got greeted for our drink order. We ordered drinks and food at the same time since everything was so slow already. Got my food 45 mins after ordering. It was two scrambled eggs and bacon. The bacon was so chewy (yuk!!) And my food was COLD! Not to mention whom I was with ordered a waffle and their food came out ten mins after mine. And the waffle was still uncooked! Terrible terrible. I don't understand why this place had a wait nor all the rave reviews. I will never go back!
(1)
Phillip C.
I like Joy Cafe. Quality is great. I didn't give it 5 because it didn't wow me but I would/will go back. It's your typical breakfast fare.
(4)
J S.
Fabulous food that will not disappoint! We've eaten here several times for lunch and it has become one of our favorite restaurants. Soups and sandwiches are fresh and delicious. Both the tomato soup and potato soups are incredible. Portions are very generous, you won't be leaving hungry. Downsides: seating area is small, meaning there may be a wait for a table. Also, parking lot is cramped and busy, may have difficulty finding a spot.
(5)
H. H.
Really good coffee, better than Starbucks. Friendly service. The presentation was good, but the entree for breakfast was almost cold. They use way too much salt. If you subtract the excess salt, I'd give four stars.
(3)
Vanitha S.
This was an incredible little brunch spot. As soon as we sat down I immediately liked the style in here...felt kind of Victorian in a way with the white decor. We were visited a few times by the owner as he said hi and checked in on us. The menu took forever to read and decide as there were a lot of options to choose from. I ordered a veggie omelet with egg whites, hash browns and wheat toast. First of all, usually when I order egg white omelets, the flavor usually tells me how good the chef really is. It's very rare for a place to make an egg-white omelet taste similar to a normal omelet but Joy Cafe knocked it out of the park. It wasn't oily but was bursting with flavor and fresh veggies including sundried tomatoes. Yum. The hash browns were nice and crisp, not oily at all. The bread tasted like bakery bread that came with homemade jam. To top it off, when we received our order, the plates were mixed up. The owner apologized profusely and later the waitress came over with 2 containers of baked pastries for us to take home. WOW so generous! Then my friend and I split a chocolate cupcake for dessert and the reviews are so true, folks. These cupcakes will render you speechless for at least a few minutes, so make sure not to order one on your first date. The chocolate was so soft that it was melting onto my fork. The cream cheese frosting was so smooth and light...not heavy at all which is a pet peeve of mine. This must be a best kept secret because at noon on a Sunday we didn't have a wait at all even though my friend made a reservation. Another bonus point-they take reservations where most brunch places won't. Not a doubt that we'll be back.
(5)
Rochelle B.
This place sucks. Its like "hey here is our menu but we dont have any of the items.on our menu on it"
(2)
Bob G.
We ate here today on a Scoutmob. We each got the turkey sandwich (which was pressed like a Cuban sandwich) and the wifey got tomato basil soup and I got chicken noodle. She was raving about the tomato basil which is saying something as she tries it almost everywhere that has it. She said it was close to the best. The homemade chicken noodle soup was really flavorful but it was a tad salty for me. I must be overly sensitive to salt because a woman came in to get a "to go" order of it and they told her she got the last cup (I must have got the 2nd to last). We both raved over the turkey sandwich. They say they cook their meats in house which may have been the difference -- wifey wrapped up the other half of hers and was secretly munching on it in my new car, despite my prohibition on eating in the new car. It was amazing. I would have given it 5 stars except for my personal preference on the soup. Definitely will go into the heavy rotation as a lunch stop.
(4)
Beonna H.
Just what you want for Sunday morning breakfast!!
(5)
Tori P.
Been to this place twice now. Once when they first opened and today for lunch. The place is clean and welcoming. The staff always says hi to me and other guests coming and going. The first time I had the turkey sandwich and potato salad. The sandwich was huge and full of flavor. I could tell the potato salad was homemade. It was a great first experience Today for lunch I had the special which was a chicken quesadilla. When this thing came out I thought wow for once here is a place where the price matches the proportion! It was huge! It took up more then half my plate. Not only that but it was stuffed with chicken. I defiantly got more then my moneys worth. Since I was full from the quesadilla I took a chocolate cupcake home. A few hours later I tried it. Honestly had to be the most moist cupcake I have ever had. It also was a bit larger then an average cupcake. The cake was delicious and moist. The icing was a little thick but still very very tasty. The place was busy today but the wait staff still made me feel welcome and not once did I feel that I was "forgotten" because it was busy. I will go to Joys cafe every chance I get. I highly recommend it. Cannot wait to go back!
(5)
Ryan G.
What a f@#$&in find. I happened to move to a nearby condo and walk past Joys Cafe on an almost daily basis and today I just to eat lunch there on a whim. WTF. The service here is just outstanding and the food is effing delicious. I had a chicken burger with chipotle mayo and effin christ it was delicious. Ill be back that is for sure. I am sure glad I chose to stop by I think I just found my new fav locale cafe.
(5)
Gregory D.
Awesome staff, great food, nice atmosphere, good prices. I appreciated how they brought us muffins and a cinnamon bun while waiting for the food. Nice touch of good customer service. Didn't wait long for a table for Sunday brunch either. A must try.
(4)
Chris B.
My wife and I went for a late lunch and had the Reuben with pasta salad and a Caesar salad. All the food was excellent especially the homemade pastrami.
(4)
susan h.
This is a great place for any meal. Everything is really fresh and the owners are really nice. Joy cafe can do no wrong in my book.
(5)
Taleshia N.
Great Food! Enjoy looking forward to coming back every chance we get!!!
(5)
Laura N.
this place is poppin! perfect for a sunday morning...or any morning. pet friendly as well! never been a big breakfast person but this place has me changing my mind. i got the sausage and gravy and it was glorious. friend got the chicekn burger(really good)the complimentary pastries were scrumptious as well. Support this cafe , great food and great people! its pretty busy there too so come early or call ahead
(5)
Chelly V.
I've been using yelp for quite some time to help make dinner decisions and never felt compelled to write a review until now. To get to the point, Joy Cafe was an excellent experience for me and my boyfriend! We visited this place Friday night after finding it on Scoutmob, and were pleasantly greeted with excellent service, delicious food, and the most genuinely friendly owner I've ever met at a restaurant! Let me sum up our experience: First off, as someone who strives to eat clean but still loves to eat out, my favorite thing about this place is that everything is homemade (sauces, bread, pastas) & they dont use ANY preservatives! We visited on a Friday night about an hour before closing time (which is 9pm). The restauarant must be more popular for breakfast because we were seated immediately and had a few seats to choose from in the compact little cafe. Our waitress, Valentina was very friendly and appropriately attentive. We chose the smoked salmon appetizer, which was hands down the best smoked salmon ive ever had. My boyfriend ordered a cup of tomato soup, which taste very fresh, homemade, and was delicious! For entrees we chose the shrimp and grits and the enchiladas. They were both great! The enchiladas has a fresh, healthy twist to them and come with a delicious homemade sauce and a side of well seasoned rice. The portion was also very wealthy. The shrimp in the shrimp and grits were nice sized, fresh, and you guessed it...delicious! The grits were a tad thick for my liking but also very tasty! Oh wait, how could I forget that the waiter brought out hommade foccacia (sp) bread as we waited for out meal, which was very soft, flavorful, and awesome as well! As we finished our meal, one of the owners, Joy came to our table to ask about our experience. She was very friendly and genuine, and even offered us a great story about her journey to opening up a restaurant. She was so inspiring and very likable! Needless to say, we'll be returning and bringing some friends with us!
(5)
Laura C.
My party had Belgian waffles, pancakes, biscuits and gravy and eggs Benedict. Everyone loved their breakfast. Would definetly recommend and come back.
(5)
Kelsey M.
LOVE THIS PLACE! First of all, the food is amazing! And everyone there is so darn nice. It can get a little crowded on Sunday, but it is totally worth it! Everything is made there, so you know it's fresh! They even smoke their own bacon! The owners are super nice too. We had the breakfast burrito and the steak and egg tacos. Both were delicious! Their buiscuts are also amazing!
(5)
Laina E.
If I could add a star for the cupcake I just ate, I would. Devil's food doesn't even begin to describe how BAD ASS this chocolate cupcake is. Go to Joy's NOW before I eat everything and there's nothing left for you!
(5)
E R.
Great first experience over a Sunday lunch. Small cafe with about 8-10 tables. A few dogs enjoyed a small table outside with their owners. Service was friendly and prompt. Manager/owner even brought the cute doggies little water bowls! Food was delicious. My cuban sandwich and cucumber, tomato, onion salad were quite yummy. Husband loved his turkey Reuben. Will definitely come back!
(5)
Tony S.
TIP: ask for chef's homemade hot sauce for your breakfast burrito. It's got a wonderful flavor with the right amount of heat. Perfect brunch spot with very little wait time unless you have more than 4 people. Chef is super nice as were the entire staff. A new favorite for my future Atlanta visits.
(5)
Luke T.
Worth the wait and definitely a place to take your friends from out of town. We arrives around noon to find the place packed and folks milling about outside. We waited around 30 minutes but the line was moving fast. They don't have too many tables but the staff does a great job with speedy service and turns the tables around very quickly. So , do not get discouraged when there is a line as they do a great job in getting folks seated. We had their signature biscuits and gravy and their benedict on crab cake. We knew it was good and it lived up to our expectations. They are very good and we know it was made from scratch. Prices are more than fair. They pour good coffee too. This restaurant serves good, delicious food. Simple food , but very well done. They employ a lot of folks here and the result is very prompt and fast service. Everyone is super cheerful and happy as well.
I would've really given this place 5 stars if they served mimosas. When I think of brunch I definitely think of booze and so this saddened me quite a bit. Other than that (and the 45 minute wait) it was all groovy. Our waitress seemed to be in her own little world half the time and we had to flag her down on a couple of instances but who cares when the food is that good? I had the french toast and my boyfriend had the steak tacos and eggs. My french toast was great but those tacos were insanely good and I was suffering from that food envy real thick. Would like to return some day and have that. I like the small little quaint space too and the fact it's close to other bars and stuff. Perfect to grab a mimosa afterward ;)
(4)
Melissa P.
My husband and I enjoyed lunch at the Joy Cafe on a Friday afternoon. it's a quaint little spot hidden in a small strip of stores in Buckhead. It's a small space that probably seats about 40-50 people. They've got a couple of tables outside on the sidewalk if you'd like to eat al fresco. Parking is a bit of an issue during peak times but you can park in a near by public parking garage and walk over. We got lucky and found a spot store front! The staff is very friendly and attentive. The lunch menu offers typical cafe-sytle items with a gourmet twist. Items such as salads, soups, cold and hot sandwiches, pies, cookies, cake slices, and home made ice creams. I ordered the half&half combo. I had half of the Croque Monsieur sandwich which had ham, gruyere cheese, dijon mustard pressed into a perfectly, toasted, panini. I had this with a cup of Joy's tomato soup. The soup was creamy and a tad sweet. It was delicious and surprisingly filling! I was hoping I'd have room for dessert. My husband ordered the chicken burger. The patty is made from house-ground chicken, spinach & feta. It has thick slices of crispy bacon, provolone, jalapeno aioli & chipotle mayo. He also had a cup of tomato soup. The chicken burger was delicious! We were stuffed so had to take dessert to go. I ordered a slice of their home made cinnamon roll cake. It's kept refrigerated so it's a little dry but so delicious. It's like a mini bundt cake that tastes like a cinnamon roll. It's topped with a glorious cream cheese frosting. Delightful! My husband ordered their white chocolate chip ice cream. He loved it. It was a bit pricey. 8 oz for $4.50 but he felt it was worth it :) Our final lunch bill with everything above, an iced tea and a sprite came out to $35. I personally feel like it's a bit too expensive for lunch but I will say it is delicious and satisfying. They're being featured on the foodnetwork's Diners, Drive-ins and Dives!
(4)
Dave M.
I felt this place was just OK but nothing special. The portions were definitely slim. The Hot Roast Beef ($9) while good had like 2 slices of petite roast beef. I got the cucumber salad side. It was like eating sliced pickles. Definitely can get a meatier roast beef at other places for less the price. The 1/2 Tuscany and 1/2 Sandwich ($11) was definitely overpriced. I guess the mozzarella caused it to be expensive but yikes. Again, the food wasn't bad but you pay a lot for little. The service was friendly. The workers greeted us upon entry and served us promptly. The place isn't huge. It'll seat maybe 30-35 but the parking is much tighter so get there early. They have some desserts but I didn't look at those. Overall, this place isn't horrible to try but it's not worth it for me.
Joy Cafe is a great lunch/brunch place if you can stand the wait. For me, coming on a Saturday between 12:30 and 1pm, for a table for 2, meant a 20 minute wait. Here's what I ate: Steak and Egg Tacos: Delicious. Steak is juicy and tender, the eggs are fluffy and the peppery ranch sauce on the side is delicious. I would order this again. Cuban Sandwich: This was ok. Not sure what prompted me to order this, but I probably wouldn't get it again. It's a decent sandwich and better than let's say Jason's Deli, but doesn't hold a candle to Havana's Cubans. I ordered potato salad as a side and it was unique: it's like a cold mashed potato with dill in it. Tomato Soup: This is their signature soup and I like it. It's got a nice texture and it's on the sweet side, but I think it is so for dipping a grilled cheese sandwich or bread, at least that salt will counter it. Biscuit: Holy crap...that's a huge biscuit. It's definitely a lot for one person and it's so good with some kind of jam/jelly which we had to request. I suspect even the strawberry jam is made in-house and it was so good on the biscuit that it was like eating a dessert. In short, the menu is simple but everything is decent and made in-house. I would love to come back for another biscuit or to try other items on their menu. It's a casual place for brunch that I wouldn't recommend for large groups. The private parking lot gets fully easily, so you may have to do the paid parking just adjacent to the shopping center.
(4)
Tristyn B.
This is the happiest accident I've stumbled upon in a while! Ok so before I tell the story I'm going to need you all to promise not to judge me: I ended up here because I was "following" a guy with a Starbucks cup. On the night of July 3rd I dropped my phone and shattered my screen to the point where it was unresponsive. I'd done some research (thanks Yelp!) and found a phone repair shop. Got there the next morning, and because it was earlier than I preferred, I needed some coffee. What's that? A guy walking past with a Starbucks logo in his hand.....? So yes, I left the repair shop and followed this young man, unbeknownst to him. I only intended to stalk him as long as it took to locate the nearest Starbucks, but instead he turned into this gem of a restaurant! (Incidentally, yes.. I did tell him I'd followed him there.) It was fated, I'm sure. I checked out the menu, unsure if I wanted real breakfast or not. The husband (the place is owned and operated by husband/wife chef team! How cool is that?!?!?!) greeted me at the front and was SO sweet and amazing that I just had to have a seat and experience what they had to offer. My server was really nice and helped to clarify a couple things so I could narrow down my decision... I went with the smoked Salmon Benedict. It was divine. I'm in love! They add a little extra sweetness not only with their sunny dispositions but also because they give you a small plate of muffins and cinnamon rolls before your meal. That's how I decided on the benedict. A lot of savory, a little sweet... that's a good balance right? The portions are plentiful to the point that I could only finish half my food. Because of what I'd ordered I couldn't very well expect it to hold up for later so I begrudgingly left it on the plate. Although I try to steer away from giving 5 stars for a one-time visit... I'm completely sold on this place. Thanks Starbucks guy!
(5)
Nicole S.
My mom came to visit, so of course I had to bring her to Joy Cafe!! Of course, she loved it as much as I do. This time I went for lunch. We shared two sandwiches and soup: Tomato soup- SOOOO amazing. Thick, but not too thick, texture. Lots of flavor with a little bit of sweetness. It came with really good bread too. Chicken burger- one of their signature dishes. Very different than something I've had before. The two different sauces on top had great flavor and made the burger moist. Brisket Reuben- brisket and sauerkraut, plenty of meat on the sandwich, bread was toasted perfectly. We got potato salad and pasta salad with the sandwiches. Good size portions and Just lots of flavor. Both salads were served cold. Highly recommend everything we got.
(5)
Ronnie J.
We decided to try this place and i'm glad we did. Despite the long line and the limited parking breakfast was excellent. Friendly staff & clean. Great options on the menu and i decided to get the shrimp & grits. I get shrimp & grits the majority of the time when it's offered. But JOY'S CAFE is my new favorite!!! The shrimp & grits are amaaaazing i would definitely recommend this dish. It's kind of heavy, made with cream but very tasty. 2 THUMB UP!!
(5)
Anthony N.
First time there. The restaurant was packed. But the wait wasn't too long. Our waitress was very nice and attentive. Very fast to refill our drinks and checked on us often. We were there during the last part of the day and the chef John came out to make sure patrons were enjoying their meal. The salmon Benedict was very good. Perfectly poached egg. Salmon is smoked in house. The English muffin is also good. I ordered the hash browns extra crispy with cheddar and probably the best chopped potato style hash browns I've ever had. Bacon is meaty. Little sweetness to it. Crisp and hot. Biscuit and sawmill gravy is delicious. Very hearty. Filling. The soft scramble eggs are just how my wife likes them. We were happy and very stuffed. Just as we paid the bill. Chef John asked us to stick around. That's when he gave us a complimentary slice of his cookies and milk pie. It was delicious. Not two sweet. Nice crumble. Right amount of chocolate. Delicious. Thanks joy cafe for a great dining experience. Looking forward to coming back
(5)
Jessica H.
I had the shrimp & grits, and it was very good! If I see this on the menu, I will get it wherever I go-- but this was the best I've ever had. The food is also very aesthetic that it's so hard to eat! They don't hold back on ingredients (like the berries that topped my mom's waffles), so it's definitely worth the price. I don't live in the area, but I would go out of my way to dine here.
(5)
Gloria K.
This is probably one of my favorite brunch spots in Atlanta. This time I got the ham & cheese omlette and my husband got the steak & eggs taco. Both dishes were delicious. The portions are very generous and they even hand out complimentary baked yummies for customers. Although in Buckhead, it's a convenient location away from the usual Buckhead traffic with plenty parking available. The only complaint I have is that the wait time can be long and that I feel crammed when seated. Get there early, folks!
(4)
Shirley W.
Joy Cafe truly lives up to its name; I've been here four times already, and I still remember the first time so clearly! From the service, to the food, to the decor, the entire restaurant leaves you feeling comfortable and satisfied. This is definitely my favorite brunch place around Atlanta right now, and I always leave with a light feeling of bliss drifting through me. The inside seems simple with its scattered white tables, and might even seem a bit crowded at first sight due to its smaller venue for its enormous popularity, but after being seated, the atmosphere around you starts to feel cozy, inviting, and quite homey. It's rustic and warm with the perfect blend of simplicity, and definitely captures that "morning brunch" ambience spot-on, especially on a sunny day! Food - brunch is WONDERFUL. Brunch is so wonderful that I tend to associate the idea of brunch with "joy cafe," because I think this is where my love for brunch really sky-rocketed. I love how you get fresh, warm muffins/cinnamon rolls (or banana bread, because they sometimes run out) while you wait for your meal. I remember getting Eggs Benedict for my first meal, and while I was initially mildly disappointed at the smaller serving size in comparison to those of my friends (because I never had Eggs Benedict and I didn't know what it looked like), it was really filling and delicious! Of course, I ate mine. And then some of each of my friends' meals...as always. If you want to get Eggs Benedict but you're afraid that you'll still be hungry, you can always switch out the side of fruit for hash browns, which I did the second time around. Their hash browns are amazing! I would recommend their hashbrowns, Eggs Benedict, and omelettes. For the large serving size, I think everything's really reasonably-priced. Usually after a meal here, I'm good for nearly the entire day. No kidding. On a side note, I had lunch here once because they only serve brunch on the weekends. Lunch is also delicious, but the serving sizes are smaller and there was nothing too memorable about my lunch experience. I think if you're coming here for the first time, definitely come for brunch. The service is stellar, and the sincerity of the workers adds to the atmosphere. I admire how the workers are able to maintain such an air of genuine care for your meal and whole experience even when it tends to get very crowded, with people in line outside and the place completely filled inside. I think there are only a few workers who regularly work there, and everyone is really kind and attentive! I've experienced maybe a few forgetful incidents here and there, but the place is rather small and workers pass by so often it's not so big of a deal. After all, they're usually really busy. The main reason why I knocked off a star is the consistently long wait time that I have to prepare for every time I go. Even though I've waited from 20 minutes to nearly an hour, the food and experience is so worth it that I know I'll be coming back (and eventually finish the whole brunch menu, perhaps). I realize that the sometimes excessively-long wait time only testifies to their popularity and how good the food and experience is. After all, there's a reason a line of other hungry people are outside waiting with me...through rain, through sun, we've been through it all!
(4)
Thomas P.
I don't know what all the hype is about Joy Cafe; maybe I ordered the wrong items or just caught them on an "off-day," but I was not very pleased with my food after having such high expectations based on Joy Cafe's 4 1/2 star overall rating. I ordered the Joy Cafe Pastrami Reuben Sandwich with my side choice of the tomato cucumber salad and a Belgian Waffle topped with fruit. To their credit...the Reuben was the best item I tasted. They house cure their pastrami from scratch and make their own sauerkraut, which made a big difference in it's overall flavor. They stacked enough meat on the bread and it was moist and juicy; I can honestly I thoroughly enjoyed it. However, this is where my experience gets thrown off. They served me a mushy cucumber tomato salad that looked like the cucumbers and tomatoes have been sitting around for at least 3 days. The cucumbers had a dingy color to them and the tomatoes tasted like they were left over from a pico de gallo they previously prepared. I could only eat about 5 cucumber slices...very disappointed because the Reuben tasted delicious. Next, the Belgian waffle was undercooked in my opinion and was served with overripe, mushy bananas...something I do not like at all. The blueberries and strawberries were good and the maple syrup and whipped cream helped me to get it down. Overall, this place was just average. There have been 3 other brunch spots in Atlanta that I would prefer over the Joy Cafe.
(3)
Madison J.
Yum!!! I have had this place bookmarked for a while now and finally came to try!! So good! Everything is fresh and full of flavor. The strawberry pancakes were full of strawberries inside. The butter/whip cream on the side is amazing!! Joy, the owner, is very friendly and makes a point to come say hello! Will be back soon for more!
(5)
Sandra B.
Updating my last review, since I do find myself craving Joy's for both brunch and lunch. Which deserves more than my previous rating of 3 stars. Waiting is inevitable. Just accept it and factor at least 30 minutes into your schedule. Eggs Benedict is a-okay! I'm always excited when a brunch place offers it on their menu. Grilled cheese + tomato bisque soup. Amazing. MUST TRY.
(4)
Sarah B.
I had the shrimp and grits and it tastes phenomenal! I've been to Charleston where shrimp and grits are supposed to be a staple, but Joy's is far better. The venue is very small and quaint. Get there early or be prepared to wait. My server was friendly, but not very attentive. Note, the restaurant is located in a shopping strip so don't go too fast or you'll pass it. Overall everything met my expectations and I will return.
(4)
Christina A.
This is one of my favorite breakfast/brunch spots. Nothing pretentious, just tastes like good ole' home cooking. I had their belgian waffle topped with berries, and it was perfect. Generous portion of berries caught me by surprise as many brunch places scatter a small amount of berries with waffles or pancakes. Be prepared for a long wait on weekends. However, they do set out some complimentary coffee outside to make it more endurable.
(5)
Michelle T.
Oh what a Joy!! I love brunch and what I love better is a place that has so many tasty options I want to go back to try them! And, what I did order was good? And the service was excellent? Yep its on my got-to brunch spots list. Very causal spot with a nice wait if you go during prime brunch time. I am sure if this place served liquor it would be worse. I had the breakfast burrito and it was awesome! I also had their in house sage and ginger sausage. It was good, but not mind blowing. They ran out of has browns, which are really home fries in my book. But were able to substitute without and additional charges. The Waffle is yummy with lots of fresh fruit. I saw ordered of the Egg Benedict on other peoples tables and they look delicious!! I cannot wait to try them out!! I was so hungry so thankfully they start you off with blueberry muffins and a cinnamon rolls. Yummy!!! Jessica was our server and she was wonderful! Very attentive and friendly! It was a great experience and some good food.
(4)
Jordan O.
Delicious, best meal I had in all of Atlanta and all I ordered were cheese grits. I ended up eating some of the other offerings off of my wife's plate and loved everything except the granola with yogurt which just wasn't sweet enough for me.
(4)
Lisa W.
We stopped by for a late breakfast one Saturday. Our party of four ordered a breakfast burrito, salmon eggs Benedict and eggs/sausage/hash brown/biscuit. We all enjoyed our food and would happily return. They had a wait for a table that was much shorter than initially predicted. And the space is small so just know you'll hear the next tables' conversation.
(4)
Michelle L.
5/5, can confirm lunch items are equally as amazing (and hefty in portions) as the brunch! The lunch portions on the weekend menu (pretty much the whole right side) are available after 11am, so since we were finally seated pretty close to noon I decided to try out one of their sandwiches. I ordered the chicken salad sandwich (southern style, not the apple-walnut variety), on ciabatta bread with the garden salad as my side with citrus vinaigrette. All were amazing, seriously. The chicken salad was spot on-- chunks of chicken with bits of celery and the perfect amount of mayo and whatever else (magic??). Garden salad was very fresh and delicious--slices of carrots, slivers of red onion, fancy greens, etc, but the citrus vinaigrette really took that salad to the next level-- light, lovely, slightly sweet, and not at all greasy. All for $8... A super steal, methinks, especially since I could only finish half the sandwich and boxed it for later! Only downside: 48-minute wait, upon arriving and putting our names down at approximately 10:50am this Sunday. Phew... But I will say this is probably one of the ONLY places in Atlanta that I'm willing to wait that long.
(5)
MD W.
The is the most stressful place I've eaten at in a very long time... Food was pretty good, but it's uncomfortably overcrowded!!! More and more people keep coming in... I wanted breakfast based on the picture, but quickly found out they are from the weekend brunch... I would probably give this place 4stars, because the food was good!!! Since I don't live in the area, I would not come back just to get a sandwich/salad to-go... This was suppose to be my relaxation lunch, but I feel like I'm driving on Interstate 75 in the middle of rush hour traffic!
(3)
Cindy T.
Came here for Sunday brunch and to catch up with a girlfriend this past weekend around 1pm. There was already a line outside the door and the wait was about 45 minutes. Pretty typical wait time for Sunday brunch in Atlanta. They had coffee outside for waiting patrons which is a nice gesture. The space is definitely small where you are literally sitting next to the next table. Not recommended if you care for a lot of personal space. One downside of being so close to your neighbors was how loud it got. My friend and I were seated across from one another and sometimes I found it hard to hear her above the noise. There were only about 4 more tables outside on the sidewalk. It didn't look exactly comfortable to sit outside since you were on the sidewalk in run-down parking lot with other patrons waiting in line behind you trying to get a table. Started with complimentary blueberry muffins and cinnamon buns. The muffins were delicious. The cinnamon buns were a little on the hard side. We both ended up ordering the eggs benedict with smoked salmon and fresh fruit. It was delicious. The eggs were cooked to perfect yolk-y goodness and the smoked salmon was so good. My usually gluttonous appetite couldn't even finish my meal. Portions were definitely satisfying. I also tried the peach tea which was good, but a tad too sweet for my personal taste. I had to ask for it to be mixed with half unsweet. Service was prompt and friendly. Our waitress was busy but she always made sure our drinks were full and we had everything we needed. No complaints. This is one of those places I can imagine enjoying a lot more if it wasn't so crowded. The ambiance just wasn't there for me. And I find it really aggravating to not be able to really have a conversation with my company. The food all looked so delicious and perfectly presented. I would definitely have to come back when they are less busy to try more of the menu.
(3)
Victoria A.
Absolutely loved this place!!!! Yes it was crowed but it was worth the wait!! Pancakes melted in ur mouth, their Secret hot sauce, EVERYTHING!!! I wish I knew this place when I was living in Ga. I definitely encourage you to go!
(5)
Cory M.
I had to try the restaurant after reading the reviews. Wait was about 40min for 4 of us. The server was very polite! Amazing food and well worth the wait! Ordered the shrimp grits, crab cake benedict, and pancakes. All items are recommended.
(5)
Wendy R.
Wonderful brunch spot. Very busy but still nice place. Friendly staff and quick service!
(5)
Brea A.
If it weren't for the tight space this place would have 5 stars! The service was wonderful and quick and the food was amazing!!! I had the biscuit and sawmill gravy with a side of homemade hot sauce, I couldn't get enough of this dish!! My mom had the pancakes (mind you she is a pancake connoisseur)she said they were the tastiest and fluffiest pancakes she has ever had! It was also nice to have complimentary muffins and coffee cakes while we waited for our meal. This place is a must try if visiting Atlanta
(4)
Angela M.
The best, fluffiest eggs that I've ever had! Arriving at 12:30 on a Sunday, there were still plenty of spots in the lot, and a promised 15-20 minute wait for our party of 7.5 (baby in the car seat, not really eating). There are a few tables outside, and that's where everyone waits since there's no space for extra people outside. They had a table with a water jug and a few glasses for those waiting in the Atlatna August heat - nice touch. The staff was very hospitable, especially the hostess who keeps things moving right along. Everything on the menu sounded delicious. We made jokes about ordering the left half of the menu versus the right half. I opted for the steak and egg tacos with tomatillo crema, while J got the Rueben, and Charlie got the pancakes. We also got an order of biscuit with gravy for the table to share. The biscuits are huge (the size of my baby's head, and he's in the 95th percentile) and somewhat cake-like. The gravy with chorizo was tasty and smooth. As our entrees came out, so did plates with cinnamon rolls and blueberry muffins - really great little bites of sweetness. My steak and egg tacos, of which I only got eat one in person, since the little guy reached his time in the car seat limit, were SO good - fluffy eggs, flavorful steak, fresh pico, and creamy-tangy tomatillo sauce. The rosemary potatoes were cut into chunks about the size of large shoe-string fries, so they had a good texture variety of crispness and creaminess, not to mention strong rosemary flavor. The bite I got of J's reuben was hot and juicy and crisp and just plain great. Even eating my tacos and potatoes from the to-go-container when we got home, they were quite tasty and fluffy. Definite gem! Can't wait to go back!
(4)
G S.
Amazingly delicious, Will be back for sure!! Shrimp and Grits and the Biscuit is a must have. Be ready to wait but I promise the food is worth every minute of wait time
(5)
Ashley L.
The bestie and I have made a pact to taste Atlanta through brunch. Of course Joys Cafe was on the list! We sat outside, it was a lovely day. Although they were busy we were seated in 15 minutes. Food was delicious, loved the mini muffins. The staff was promp, informative and friendly. Joys Cafe is now amongst the go to places I tell people about when in Atlanta.
(5)
Tatiana H.
This is the place to go if you're hungry & you expect the amount of food you actually ordered. They definitely do not skimp around in that kitchen. The sun-dried tomato omelet & pancakes were superb + a free pastry sampler? Service was attentive, fast, but didn't seem rushed, and our waitress did everything with a smile. They also have outdoor seating.
(5)
A-V H.
Brunch is my favorite meal! and there is no better place to have it. Glad we found this place on Yelp. Got excited with the options and ordered more than my group could handle. Cant wait to try this spot again.
(5)
Karen L.
Decided to take a friend out for her birthday and I'm glad we came here! It's located in a small plaza off Pharr Rd. Parking may be difficult during peak hours. Luckily it was a little late in the afternoon so we didn't have any trouble and we got a table once we got in. The space inside isn't too big so seating can be a bit tight, but it has a nice homey feeling when you walk in. On one side of the wall, there's a chalkboard that displays their daily special sandwich and/or soup their serving and on the other side is a decor of butterflies. We went in during brunch/lunch hours, but we were only given the lunch menu (at the time, I didn't know what time they stopped serving brunch so I didn't want to ask for a brunch menu in case they already stopped serving). I was a bit sad because I was looking forward to their omelets. But their lunch menu consisted of a number of sandwiches, deli-style sandwiches, a number of different grilled cheeses, and specialty salads. The also have a half and half combo where you can get half of any of their sandwiches and half a specialty salad or soup OR half a specialty salad and a soup. My friend ordered the half and half combo with their hot roast beef sandwich and gumbo, which was their soup of the day. And I ordered their sandwich of the day, crab cake sandwich (served with lettuce, onion, and tomatoe slices with remoulade sauce), with their mediterranean pasta salad. I was able to try the gumbo, which was very decadent. I would definitely go back for it! My crab cake sandwich came out and as I was putting it together and getting ready to take a bite, the crab cake patty started falling apart. It was very difficult to eat and I had to resort to eating my sandwich with a fork and knife. But the patty was cooked to a good crisp and I got the remoulade on the side so I could add in how much ever I wanted. I usually don't mind the taste of sourness, but the mediterranean salad was a little too sour for me. And for dessert, we ordered their cookies and milk pie. One slice was enough for the two of us since we were quite full from our meal, but this was the icing on the cake. It wasn't too sweet and the milk mixed in very well with the cream and chunks of cookie pieces. Besides the crumbling crab cake patty and tight seating, I would go back to try other items on their breakfast or brunch menu!
(3)
Jennifer W.
This place doesn't have the curb appeal that some places have, but give it a try! The food is unique, always fresh and always delicious! Small seating area, so not sure about bringing the gang. Didn't see any high chairs either. The staff is always extremely helpful and friendly!
(4)
Harry H.
Slice of cookies & milk pie/cake to go set me back $4.86 and finally provided a tasty dessert from friendly staff at an Atlanta spot.
(4)
Heather T.
Definitely a solid brunch joint. Worth the 45 minute wait? No. Worth the prices? Maybe everything in Atlanta is significantly overpriced, but the food just didn't live up to the price tag. Nothing special about this place, though the food was good. I had the breakfast sandwich on a biscuit--the biscuit was excellent. The granola was eh, and I make way better waffles at home.
(3)
Justin B.
Best food I've had during my current ATL trip. Showed up right at 9:30 AM Saturday morning to walk in and take the last table open for the initial seating, and from a food perspective I was not disappointed. The staff brought out a small dish of assorted muffins and pastries...all were very tasty and warm and fresh. Then my order of biscuits and gravy came out; since the menu highlighted that this one comes from someone's great-grandmother's recipe and had chorizo, that was all I needed to see that this one knocked it out of the park, save for a slightly-too-crispy biscuit that I partially discarded. Although I didn't taste it, a friend's son was given a cupcake by the staff and that looked incredible. My only knock here is the service time; we walked in at 9:30 and had ordered by 9:45, max. Why did we not get our food until 10:30? We ordered eggs benedict, chocolate chip pancakes, and the biscuits and gravy...in a 30-seat restaurant, what's the hold-up? A couple of parties who were seated after us did get their food before ours, so I'm just hoping they misplaced our order, but given that we had a two-year-old in the building slow service is very easy to pick out. Come to the restaurant ready to order or move quickly to get that done so that there is not a long delay. Prices were fair and the food quality was excellent, so I'll come back the next time I'm in town.
(4)
Kelly M.
Joy Cafe is one of my favorite neighborhood spots. The food has never failed to impress and food comify me. They are known for their weekend brunch so prepare to wait (it will be worth it because COMPLIMENTARY CINNAMON BUNS). You can't really go wrong with any of their breakfast items. Their traditional eggs benedict is one of the best I've ever had. Their egg skills are eggcelent. Breakfast burrito is fantastic. Waffles and pancakes are a sweet treat fa sho. Spinach salad is also a favorite of mine. Get some baked goods to-go and thank me later.
(4)
Sebastian M.
Same experience as last time as far as the food. It was delicious. I had the berry Belgian waffle and my wife had the breakfast burrito. She liked the burriti but thought the steak and egg tacos from our last visit were better. The hostess was also a lot more organized and friendly which is why I gave 5 stars. It was also less crowded though so that may play a part. The service was slow again though. Overall, a good brunch again!
(5)
Reggie E.
Great little quaint brunch spot tucked away in Buckhead. Came here on a Sunday at about 10:30 and the wait was about 40 min till we got seated. The place was packed and the sweet lady out front was trying the best she could to help everyone on the list. Once inside service was very mediocre and somewhat slow BUT...... You come to restaurants for the food and the food here was the star! You start with an assortment of pastries that are delicious and it only gets better from there. I had the steak tacos which were great and my girlfriend got the tomato soup and California grilled cheese that she raved about. Overall it was a long wait but it was well worth it!!
(4)
Brandee R.
Why is there only five stars allowed? Thanks Yelp for recommending this place. The homemade pop tart was amazing! Quite possibly the best thing ever!
(5)
Karen B.
"Made with love, served with joy," is what the staffs' tshirts say and it's definitely true. Don't overlook this hidden gem, just because it's tucked away in a strip mall away from the main drag of Buckhead. We had a short wait, less than 5 minutes for Saturday brunch. They say their specialty is the shrimp and grits and the steak and egg tacos, but hubby and I both opted for the crab cake Benedict. Crab cakes were crisp and nicely spiced, poached eggs were poked perfectly. They came with a side of mixed fruit. I would have preferred aside if hash browns or home fried, but didn't think to ask for a substitution. We were also pleased with the complimentary "treats", an appetizer plate of Mimi cinnamon rolls and oat blueberry muffins.
(5)
Jason W.
From the looks of the restaurant from the outside, you wouldn't think much of it. However, one taste will change your mind. The unsweetened peach teach was subtlety sweet but I couldn't get enough. The food is fresh and delivered fast. It's a must to visit if staying in Buckhead. It's a 4.5 but I rounded up (no mimosas).
(5)
Laura W.
Joy Cafe is absolutely one of our favorite places for brunch. The food is amazing. High quality but simple presentation. The breakfast sandwich is our go to. Huge biscuit with melted cheddar, eggs and bacon. Yum. I also love the chocolate chip pancakes! Fruit and homemade whipped cream on top! We've also come for lunch a lot and it's amazing for that too. The Tuscany is my favorite sandwich. My husband loves the "chicken salad" salad. But you really can't go wrong with anything! My only minor complaint is that it doesn't open until 9:30AM for brunch. Our other brunch spots open earlier so sometimes we have to skip Joy if we're out and about earlier than that. Oh and they used to be open for dinner. They stopped doing that but now that they have such a steady brunch and lunch business I wish they'd start again! John's homemade burger during dinner was to die for.
(5)
Sarah H.
Really great place for brunch. Expect a wait though if you go on a Sunday. One thing I loved about this place is they give you a sampler plate of patties before your meal which was really tasty. I got the bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit and it was massive! I've never seen a biscuit so massive. Really enjoyed my experience here and would go back
(5)
Steve W.
We went to Joy Cafe' today for brunch (Easter Sunday). This is one of those places where the attention to detail, love and the pride of ownership and staff really shines through in the quality of the food and service. Fresh squeezed orange juice, house smoked salmon, freshly baked goods, friendly attentive service. Plenty of gluten free and vegetarian options. The owner (Joy) and her mother and husband are all very hands on and it shows! We will definitely be back!
(5)
E F.
Lovely owners and staff. Trying very very hard and aiming to please but food (at lunch) disappointing and space too small for demand. Menu and vibe super-appealing. Smiling Joy at the front of the house - hustling, greeting and checking on customers (as was her husband). However, food at lunch didn't deliver. Croque Monsieur served closed faced and too dry. Stuffed potato soup was tasty but served lukewarm (hot in spots so clearly microwaved). Other chicken panini also dry and accompanying tossed salad with dried out/old looking carrot and celery pieces. So crowded that the feeling of "moving customers" existed so check dropped without asking about dessert. We then requested ice cream and brought to us to go???? We asked to eat it in house and although tasty, freshness questionable as it was frozen like a rock. I overheard the owners talking about seeking a larger space which is a must (if they also figure out having the kitchen and operations support such). It's so crowded (with people waiting hovering over people eating) and there's a little of the "chicken running around with head cut off" feeling from the staff trying to serve everyone properly and quickly. Additionally, the space (old Cafe at Pharr) and furniture/fixtures are a bit tired (stains on drop ceiling, etc.) I think we'll try breakfast next time as it appears to be their strength. I love supporting small businesses and these owners clearly deserve it -- just need some tweaks.
(3)
Katherine S.
The food here was amazing. They give you a free "appetizer" plate of mini pastries before your meal. I had the best eggs Benedict I've ever had on a homemade English muffin. Service was a little slow, but we came at a busy time- Sunday lunch. Decor is very minimal, nothing fancy. Also tables are very close together, so it was loud. Would give five stars for food, knocked a star off for service/atmosphere.
(4)
Alexandra D.
Was not a huge fan. Cute place, lovely menu, but very understaffed. The eggs Benedict was overpriced and under-delivered. We did however, enjoy the complimentary muffins. I will definitely try it out again and have been back, however, we were never particularly impressed. When I'm paying $40 for breakfast, I expect the best!
(3)
Phong T.
Neat and cozy cafe in a plaza off Pharr Road in Buckhead. Olive pastel green walls with decor of butterflies. Very well lit from natural lighting. Service was great! Food was great! I had lunch with a friend here and we both ordered a sandwich and soup. I ordered the Oven Roasted Turkey and Tomato Soup. The sandwich was DELICIOUS. Perfect crunch, texture, taste, thickness, whatever! So good.
(4)
Jon B.
Went to Joy Cafe today for breakfast and was practically denied service for being one person. I received attitude for requesting seating for one. I was "told maybe I can squeeze you in". I left and went to flying biscuits I have never been treated so rude and I will never return.
(1)
Lilly Y.
I'm glad we ditched our breakfast reservations and took our chances at Joy Cafe. It was so good and worth everything required to get there! We got there around 9:25 on a Sunday morning, and there was already a considerable line forming outside the door. I'm glad we got there when we did because once they did open the door, every table inside was full. They had a few small tables outside but they also filled up fast. It is a small place inside a strip mall, and feels like a diner. They don't have a hostess stand or take reservations, but do have their own parking lot! Waiting probably wouldn't take very long because they bring the food out fast and turn tables pretty quickly. Be sure to get there early! Everything we ordered had generous portions. I opted for the two egg platter: scrambled eggs, ginger and sage sausage, fruit (instead of grits without an up-charge. This isn't advertised on the menu, but they'll let you do it if you ask) and a massive biscuit. Be sure to ask for the homemade jam- goes great with the biscuit. Everything was good, but my eggs were a little runny, but the server brought out another set and they were cooked well. I also didn't finish my biscuit and brought it home with a side of the jam. It was good leftover! I didn't care too much for the sausage, but wanted to give it a try. Next time I'll opt for bacon! My boyfriend opted for the steak and egg tacos and he loved them. But he thought 3 tacos was a little too much, and ended up eating the inside of the taco and leaving the tortilla behind. I tried a bite and they were really good, but not something I'd order myself. They came with a lime sauce (tomatillo, we think) that really enhanced the flavor. His dish came with the potatoes, which were homemade and tasty, but were a little too soggy for his liking. No crispy texture like you'd get at other places. His parents opted for the Eggs Benedict and enjoyed them. They came with fruit cups on the side: fresh strawberries, red grapes, blueberries and pineapple. After we finished eating, my boyfriend's mom said this is probably her new favorite place in Atlanta. When she comes back in town, we will probably come back here for some early morning grub. Before your food comes out, they bring an appetizer with two small cinnamon rolls and two small muffins (not sure what kind but they have nuts), all homemade. Helps hold you over while enjoying coffee until the food hits the table. And they'll bring more out if you ask. While we were dining, we got a look at other dishes. The biscuits and gravy looked really unappetizing to me: tons of brown gravy over two huge biscuits (when I say massive, I mean one biscuit here is equal to 2-3 regular biscuits). I'm not a huge fan of gravy to begin with, so I probably won't order that. The breakfast burrito is also huge and could easily serve two. The Belgian waffle looked good: topped with fresh fruit and powdered sugar. I'll definitely be back, and I'll be more adventurous with my breakfast choices next time!
(5)
Leo I.
Joy Cafe is conveniently located in Buckhead, exclusively for Brunch. The menu consists of an optimal variety of meals, making one susceptible of being ambivalent due to all of the impeccable selections to choose from. Literally everything is gratifying on the menu. The place can be a bit jam-packed at all times, but it's undeniably worth the wait. I hope that they expand in the future because this place is surely a gold-mine!
Cute little local cafe and great for breakfast. Shrimp and grits sounded awesome. They have a lot of specialty fun menu items. Bacon was cooked crispy and perfect. Grits could be a little creamier. Great Friendly service.
(4)
Tilia M.
Woo, that was close! I was starting to think that I'd tried all the brunch/breakfast places around this place. I guess the fact that I never go to Buckhead may be cutting me off from a large portion. Love this place. Its a scrappy little spot, but the food is spot on. I had the crab cake and my sig had the Ruben. I ate most of it (I'm a sucker for sour kraut and rye.) Nothing fancy about the place, but the food was really great, and the plates at the tables around us looked awesome as well. Their pancakes are like, the size of manhole covers, by the way. I must try. Gotta try the shrimp and grits too, as the girl next to me caught me staring at her plate a few times. It looked super yummy. They only sell breakfast and brunch on the weekend though, thats the one drawback, though, if you only find yourself eating out that time of day on the weekend, it may not be an issue for you.
(4)
Valentina R.
Love this spot!! Everything is made from scratch, from the pastries to the English muffins. can't go wrong with anything you choose to order !
(5)
Jack H.
This is an excellent lunch spot for soup and salad or a hot sandwich. The place is tiny, but it's worth the wait. One of the best Reuben sandwiches in town. Order the tomato basil soup and the housemade chips! Service is diligent.
(4)
Thomas Z.
Ordered shrimp and grits and crab burger. Both were good but portions were small. Be prepared to order a second helping of another dish!
(4)
Terrence G.
Shaun, our server, made this meal fantastic. Biscuits and Gravy, Shrimp and Grits, Crab Cake Benedict, Cobb Salad, and Chicken Salad between Llona, Antonio, Lati, and myself followed by Ice Cream and Mud Pie. The atmosphere is fantastic and definitely our new spot for brunch!!
(5)
Ebony W.
The food and as just okay here. The wait for the food was too long. The grits were good but that's about it!
(3)
350Z P.
When in Georgia, this is the place to be when you're seeking a great or late start to the day. They serves some of the best breakfast options and lunch dishes ever. As you may come to expect from my recommendations, everything is made from scratch with real and whole ingredients. You taste the difference with each and every bite! It's the perfect marriage between Southern favorites with a European twist. They specialize in Sandwiches and their Shrimp and Grits with Louisiana BBQ Sauce, but they also have plenty more to choose from such as their Steak and Egg Tacos, Tomato Soups, Southern Grill Cheese, Triple Decker Peanut Butter Bar, Peach Buttermilk Cake, Fruit Tarts, Chicken Burgers, Eggs Benedict, Breakfast Burrito and don't miss out on the complimentary Cinnamon Rolls or Blueberry Muffins!
(5)
Aseel K.
I wanted to try this place after checking the reviews on yelp. It is spot on! Fresh and tasty food with a wonderful service and friendly staff! I shared 4 dishes with my brother and sister, all 4 were so good! I am definitely coming back, soon. :)
(5)
Thomas P.
This place is great! I had the chicken burger with a cup of tomato soup and it was delicious.
(5)
andrew a.
Reuben: awesome Spinach salad: great (dressing was a little sweet) Classic grilled cheese: awesome Tuscany sandwich: ok, but a little too sweet Chips: delish Tomato soup: good, but a little sweet Coffee: delish Service: impeccable Decor: simple. Butterfly frames really beautiful.
(5)
Ravi B.
I was looking for a brunch place so I was disappointed that I got there today and they said they only do brunch on weekends. That's ok though. I made the best of it. The food, atmosphere, and friendliness more than made up for it! Parking was free, probably because all the other stores were closed. I got half and half. Chicken salad sandwich was super flavorful and the cobb salad was the most amazing I've ever had! Definitely want to come back here for brunch. Oh and they're dog friendly!
(4)
Christine U.
Came here on a weekday for lunch (thought they had brunch but was sad to find out that only happens on the weekend...). It was crowded at all and our waitress was nice and also pretty. We both got the chicken burger and it was AWESOME! The chicken is mixed with spinach and chunks of feta and its topped with bacon and some great sauces. I ate every bite. I also got the fruit cup with it and it was one of the best fruit cups ive ever gotten at a restaurant. Blackberries blueberries strawberries oranges pineapple and super sweet grapes. Honestly no complaints at all. Definitely wanna go back for brunch! (Update 11/18) We've been back here many times for weekend brunch and it's just as good (although small and super busy so be prepared to wait for a while). My favorite is still the chicken burger although the breakfast burrito is a close second! My friends have gotten pancakes and steak tacos and loved them too!
(5)
Rafaella W.
My favorite place now!!! Everything is so fresh and yummy!!! I am addictive to the pop tarts and cinnamon rolls. It's a small place but very comfy!!! Love it
(5)
Anne H.
As I've stated before, I'm picky about restaurant breakfast food. I mean, let's get real-- breakfast/brunch is probably the cheapest meal to make so if I'm going to make an effort to go somewhere and shell out good money, it better be worth it. And this place is! My sweetie and I got here about 11AM on a Sunday morning and the place was already packed. However, it was just a short wait and we were inside. The interior of this place was nothing to write home about-- sparse furnishings, too many tables for the small space, and no waiting area. However, everything they lack in style & design they make up for in food quality and service. We got an order of biscuits & gravy and their steak & egg tacos. Though I am partial to the tacos (that's what I ordered,) both dishes were great. We also loved the complimentary mini blueberry muffins and cinnamon rolls they brought to the table. What a lovely meal and excellent service to boot. Joy Cafe has earned a spot on my favorites of Atlanta list, for sure.
(4)
Walt B.
Ok. So my wife said she wanted to go here. I read the reviews on Yelp and figured, "why not?" We just left this place and all I can say is "WHO KNEW?!" This place is incredible! The service is great and the food is unbelievably good. I'm a foodie and I had never heard of this place in Buckhead. It's a small little cafe that opens at 9:30 on weekends. It fills up FAST. If you find yourself waiting, just know that it's worth the wait. First, they bring a cinnamon roll and mini blueberry muffin for each person at the table. The roll was good but the mini muffins are blissful. I ordered the steak tacos... Perfection! The hashbrowns were a good compliment to the meal. My wife ordered the breakfast burrito. It was huge! She enjoyed it but could not finish it. We shared a waffle that was also delicious. The atmosphere was quaint and inviting. The staff was extremely nice. They kept the coffee coming and remained accommodating for anything we needed. I never saw this coming. What a great dining experience. I hope this review has added value to your decision to try this restaurant. If it's only half as good as I thought it was, then it's totally worth the visit.
A friend and I just experienced this place today for the first time. Really solid food, but the service was even better. I mean really top notch! I ordered a biscuit and the shrimp and grits and my friend ordered the chicken burger. She said that she really enjoyed her dish. Like other yelpers mentioned that there is usually a wait and today was no different and it is very small. We waited for about an hour for a table, but it was worth the wait.
YOUR TONGUE WILL THANK YOU. My favorite cafe in Atlanta. All their dishes are delicious. You can actually taste their motto "made with love." Seriously, this is the best lunch spot. Try their chicken burger, any grilled cheese, the tomato soup...oh, the tomato soup! They also have a stellar mini bakery. I love them. I have never been disappointed. Always leave satisfied and happy. The ambiance is soothing and beachy. Enjoy! :)
(5)
Agata R.
One of the top brunch spots in town. To start, they bring you a gooey cinnamon bun and mini muffins. Every time I tell myself I'm just going to have a bite of each to save room for breakfast, and every time I gobble them both up! The breakfast burrito is my favorite, and hands down the best to be had in Atlanta - it's stuffed with eggs, chorizo, and fresh avocados, and comes with pico and a delicious tomatillo cream sauce. The pancakes are super fluffy and topped with a generous portion of berries. The coffee is nice and strong. And finally, I love the kind elderly lady who seats you, I want her to be my grandma!
(5)
Jeff G.
Really enjoyed our first visit here. Everything we had was fresh and delicious. Loved loved loved the cookies and milk pie! We will definitely be back!
(5)
Rob D.
Very good. My wife and I found this gem on yelp and it didn't disappoint. We had the 'famous' pastrami Reuben which was delicious. They make there own pastrami and you could tell. Didn't have a ton of pastrami false, but I like that. Wife had the shrimp and grits and they were amazing. We waited about 10 minutes because it was packed and the owner apologized. No need to apologize, the place is well worth the wait. Will be driving down from Alpharetta Saturday morning to get breakfast again. Fantastic.
(5)
Pam P.
Some of the best food I've ever had! Everything taste like it was made from scratch! Haven't tried anything here that wasn't good! You have to try their crab cake sandwich, the cobb salad or the shrimp and grits! Oh and their tomato soup is delish!
(5)
Daniel B.
Joy Cafe and Bakery is a small, "mom and pop" type, American cafe and bakery located in Buckhead. It's in a strip mall on Pharr Rd. flanked on either side by the Atlanta Fish Market, Aqua Bistro, and Taka Sushi. The cafe is cute and cozy. Brunch is a popular option. Lunch and dinner are served as well. A limited selection of from-scratch baked goodies are available inside a glass display case (e.g. cakes, tiramisu). The restaurant is named after the wife of the husband-wife owner-chef duo. The restaurant interior consists of a single, almost-office-space-like room. Decor is simple and minimalist -- white walls, white curtains, white paper tablecloth, etc. Atmosphere is intimate and casual. Sidewalk patio seating is available. The brunch menu is filled with items like pancakes, waffles, and eggs in different forms (e.g. omelets, eggs Benedict). Soups and sandwiches are the specialty at lunchtime. Dinner consists of various house specialties like shrimp and grits, chicken enchiladas, steak frites, and house-ground meatloaf. The menu can change often. I visited for dinner where the price for starters/salads were in the $7-10 range, entrees in the $10-18 range, and sides $3.50 apiece. Check out my photos to see a sampling of the dinner menu. The owner-chef was accommodating. The salads (Greek, spinach, Caesar) looked good, but I only wanted a side portion. I asked the server if a side salad was available and she said no. However (and I didn't ask for this), the server asked the chef if he could make a smaller portion of one of their salads and charge me as if it were a side. It wasn't a problem. Well that was nice of them! I had the Caesar salad which came with garlic croutons, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, romaine lettuce, and Caesar dressing. The salad was light and refreshing. The lettuce was crisp and the dressing and shredded cheese were tossed and mixed together well. Salmon Pan Poele ($18) was my entree. It looked and tasted great. The presentation was superb. The plate consisted of sauteed salmon, garlic spinach, portobello mushrooms, asparagus, and a citrus beurre blanc (white butter) sauce. The mushrooms and asparagus were overlayed in a crossing pattern with spinach in the middle and the salmon fillet placed on top. I was asked how I wanted my salmon cooked (that doesn't happen all the time) and I chose medium (recommended). The fish was fresh, tender, and flavorful, as were the other ingredients in the dish. The beurre blanc sauce helps. The entree was filling and relatively healthy. I also tried a side of the Brussels sprouts. These came with bacon bits and puffed rice along with a side of Vietnamese fish sauce (nuoc mam) and Sriracha spicy sauce. The server and the chef delivered the dishes. The chef described the sauces as "nuoc mam" and Sriracha. I guess "nuoc mam" sounds more exotic and appetizing than "fish sauce." The Brussels sprouts portion was generous. The sprouts were roasted and the exteriors crispy. Complimentary bread and olive oil are given to each table. The bread was made from scratch and baked in-house. It was super soft and fluffy. It also had a lot of flavor baked in. I couldn't put my finger on it, but there were definitely some seasonings or perhaps cheese in the bread. It was tasty. The group I ate with enjoyed all of their dishes, from the shrimp and grits to the chicken burger. Generally, the dishes felt homemade with personal touches. As mentioned previously with the salmon, nice presentation. Our server was friendly and the chef came out to check on us along with every other table in the restaurant. Parking is free inside the strip mall's parking lot as long as you are going to Joy's. Otherwise, it costs money. The parking lot has an attendant.
(4)
J H.
Two Limey's in town - as Joy delightfully christened us! We waited over an hour to sample the Brunch and it was worth the wait. We both had the eggs with bacon & home fries. The food was delicious but it was the little home made extras that really made the difference. The cinnamon pastries were delicious, you really must try the home made hot sauce too. But the home made Jam - Blood Orange & Chianti. Wow. I have to try making that.
(5)
Mallory F.
I'm so glad I stumbled upon this little gem of a cafe. They serve complimentary muffins/bread, and the service is pretty quick. The only thing I would have to complain about is the lack of space. It's very cramped, but the food and staff are so great. That one TINY complaint would never stop me from returning. Fresh food, a nice variety of brunch/lunch choices, and a friendly staff. We met the owners husband while ooh-ing and ahh-ing the impressive cookie pie that was on display. He was so nice, and even gave us a slice on the house to try!! Lawd it was delicious.
(5)
Titi O.
Atlantians' reviews cannot be trusted!!! Time and time again they failed me. Today was an epic FAIL!!! Just ate here. The biscuit was the worst. Horrible biscuit; tasted like they have half-baked it and then soaked it in eggs. The pancake was regular. Nothing special than bisquick. The bacon was not that great. Too crunchy with no taste. The hash browns were bland, no amount of seasoning could resuscitate it. What a waste of calories and money!!!
(1)
Zoe Y.
The Egg Benedict is good. But the restaurant is a little bit tiny and crowded for me. I refer some place that is more cozy. Anyway, the food and service are great!
(4)
Jeff W.
I had a great experience at Joy Cafe. Arrived here on a beautiful Sunday morning in Atlanta. The place was packed and there was a wait. A slight chill in the air but since it was sunny we elected to sit outside - which was perfect! The service was great and the food savory and delicious! Looking forward to returning!
(5)
Miss C.
Great service, fresh food, joyful atmosphere. They offered each dad a cupcake today, on the house, sweet! Will definitely become a regular :)
(5)
Evan T.
Me, my wife and daugther went here for breakfast about two weeks ago. It was a little hard to find being in a strip with other businesses, but I'm glad we stumbled on it. We were a little worried at first because they had a large group that was meeting inside so we decided to set outside. The menu wasn't that large but what they had was great. I ordered the blueberry pancakes and they were the best I have ever had. The staff as well as the manager made sure we were well taken care of and treated us as if we had been regulars there for years. I will def. be going back when I am back in the Atlanta area. I suggest this place to all.
(5)
Judy L.
I dined here with three other friends for Sunday brunch today. Joy Cafe is located in a small shopping strip with complimentary parking for patrons. However, keep in mind that the lot will fill up quickly because it's a small lot and Joy Cafe is really busy. We waited in the line that was forming outside of the cafe for about 10-15 minutes before we realized that we had to go to the front of the line to a nice elderly woman to tell her how many in our party and a name. Because of this, two groups that came after us, were able to get seated before us. Complimentary iced water with oranges is is placed on a table outside in a dispenser for all those that are waiting -- which is very nice of them to do so. We waited for about 45 minutes before we got seated. We arrived at the restaurant at 11:30am on a Sunday morning. We asked to get seated inside and boy, I probably should have suggested to sit outside. It's pretty packed inside. The tables are all really close to each other. The space is too small of the growing popularity of the restaurant -- but I guess that adds to it's charm? There are three to four tables for outdoor seating outside of the restaurant. There's complimentary wifi -- the password --- MadeWithLove I ordered the traditional chicken salad on toasted marble rye bread with a side of pasta salad and sweet peach tea. My friend also ordered Joy's Big Berry Belgian Waffle for us to try out. Our orders came out quickly. I thought the chicken salad was pretty standard. You do get a lot of food for what you pay. My sandwich was overflowing with chicken salad! Thank you! The pasta salad was a disappointment for me. The pasta to veggies ratio was off. There were more olives, bell peppers, and other veggies than the bow tie pasta. The bow tie pasta was also broken up to pieces as if they had stirred/mixed the pasta salad too much. Next time I'll just go with the grits since I hear good things about it. My Belgium waffle is good. It's a must order for those who love waffles and fruit. They are very generous on the portion of fruits that they put on top of the waffle. It was very good and very pretty to look at as well. The service was just okay. I felt like you should probably know to refill drinks without someone having to ask especially in a small sized restaurant. I had to grab another server to ask for a refill. When we got our waffle, they forgot to give us syrup. We didn't get it until our server came by to ask how we were and noticed no syrup and quickly grabbed it. Other than these little things, service was okay. Overall, this first visit was okay. I would like to try other items on their menu and possibly come on a less busier time or day. I'll make sure to update my review of the restaurant when I do get a chance to try it again.
(3)
Jordan W.
Worth every second of a wait. I got the breakfast burrito and it was the best chorizo of my life. And I'm no stranger to chorizo. Also the tomatillo sauce was blessed by Jesus himself. Ask for sue, she's a fiesty one but if you're on her good side you're as good as golden.
(5)
S R.
*** BE MENTALLY PREPARED FOR LONG WAITING TIMES ON WEEKENDS *** Fist things first, be prepared to wait long time on weekends, and I mean very long time. I have been to this place once, and that was the first time I waited for seating outside a cafe for more than an hour for Sunday brunch. I am not sure whether the good was worth waiting or not, but the food was really good. Great pancakes, great omelettes and great sandwich selections. When I went we ordered two specialty sandwiches, but some how the person who served us food, gave us a wrong order, but later they brought our original order, by then we were already half way through our brunch. They were extremely sorry and wanted us to have our correct orders too, but portions are so big, we were already very full, so we skipped that part. Food is very good, and fresh. If you are one of those people who does not mind waiting for a great meal, this is a must go place.
(4)
Michael S.
The breakfast burrito here is off the charts. Need to get back here again to try some other dishes. Highly recommend
(5)
Tatum C.
***UPDATE: I understand from the owners that they're currently working on moving to a new location. YAY!!! The food is fantastic, but I have a serious problem with a business that is consistently packed and would rather their loyal customers suffer than to expand. Every time I've been to this place, customers are waiting outside. When you finally do get seated, you have to climb over other customers to get to your table. There is only seating for about 20 people inside the restaurant, and really there should only be seating for about 10 people, but they cram them in like sardines. My mom had to put her butt on some guy's shoulder to slide out of her chair to leave. Plus it was hot as heck waiting outside and hot as heck inside as well because again, you are packed in like sardines. So if you want Joy Cafe, I recommend ordering it to go. The biscuits & gravy, grilled cheese with tomato soup and cookies & milk pie are all fantastic. Hopefully Joy Cafe will make the right decision by their customers and move to a bigger location soon.
(4)
Natalie S.
THIS PLACE WAS SO GOOD! Came here for Saturday brunch with my boyfriend while in the area. Its a small place in an older strip mall in Buckhead. It was pretty busy and we had to wait about 10 minutes for a seat (not back for Atlanta brunch time though). They give you a little plate of pastries when you sit down which is a nice touch-- and curves your hunger if you've been waiting a while. For our main plates: Shrimp and Grits: Really creamy grits and 5 large shrimp-- filling and more than most places give you. Biscuits and Gravy: two biscuits smothered in sausage gravy and served with really fluffy scrambled eggs (This was my favorite of the two dishes) Only feedback I have is you can't order a mimosa or bloody here and that its pretty cramped inside... you are sitting VERY close to the people beside you.
(4)
Maitreyee R.
After a late Friday night all you want is to get some good brunch without waiting too long. What did I know when I casually yelped for a good brunch place close to home, that we would be seated within minutes of arriving in spite of being a busy Saturday morning! Quaint little brunch place with a homely feel and amazing food. The menu is interesting and I decided to get the chicken burger, which a few other yelpers had recommended. My burger was delicious with side of perfect cheddar potatoes! Also tried the crab cakes with egg benedict which were good too but it was very hard to steer me away from my burger. Will definitely be going back to try the rest of menu which had a lot of interesting things.
(4)
Yasmin B.
They have the best shrimp and grits, I've had in Atlanta!! Great food overall and very good service. I am giving them a star less because the place is a little congested, they should find a bigger place.
(4)
Linda C.
Now, I am not a big fan of tomato but I was sick and tired of ordering loaded potato soup everywhere I go, so I just decided to try their famous tomato soup. Needless to say, it was WONDERFUL!! Nothing like I've tasted before, very unique. The sandwich that I ordered (forgot the name) was also delicious, and I feel like I can't go anywhere else to get it.
(4)
Angel B.
Chicken burger is where it's at!!!! Can't wait to come back and try the breakfast on Saturday and Sunday. Loved our waitress also :)
(5)
Emily L.
Joys is small, and always a wait when I go. But it is well worth the wait! I have been to Joys a few times now and is always amazing! Everytime I have got the breakfast burrito which is incredible! I literally crave it when deciding where to go for brunch! It has fresh Avacado and pico. Everything else on the menu looks awesome! Next I will banch out and try their granola.. cant go wrong! Great brunch spot and highly recommend!
(5)
Lucia L.
Ayyyy I don't think I can eloquently express how delicious the food at this tiny restaurant is. The portobello mushroom sandwich is the most amazing thing that I have ever tasted!
(5)
Alicia S.
This was one of the best brunch places I've been to.. I had the Belgian waffle and my bf had the burrito! My waffle was refreshing with fruits and delicious... His burrito was DELICIOUS! I would def come back again! Ps it's in a strip mall and there is a wait but we'll worth it!! And u get a complimentary side of dessert
(5)
Helen K.
Easy to miss the signage but a great brunch spot~ Their breakfast burrito was the best that i've had and this is from someone who usually don't crave or seek breakfast food. Would absolutely go back to try more!
(4)
Paige N.
My boyfriend was feeling in a brunch-y mood last weekend, so we hopped on Yelp to see what was nearby and specializing in brunch. When Joy Cafe popped up, I was impressed with its reviews and we decided to give it a go. Good thing we got there a little earlier than anticipated. I expected to have a wait, but this little place was packed to the gills and people were spilling out onto the sidewalk in droves. A very harried looking lady (Joy herself, perhaps?) took our name and we waited along with the rest of the crowd. Although I've driven past Joy Cafe many a times on Pharr Rd, I never noticed it in the little strip mall next to Aqua Bistro and caddy corner from the Atlanta Fish Market. It's really unobtrusive - I mean, I got my eyebrows waxed more than once at Posh Nail Salon just a few spaces over from Joy and never realized what it was. The inside is a totally nondescript white, diner-type restaurant except for a pastry case toward the back where you can pick up to-go orders. It's clean looking, if small and cramped when there's a good crowd. The groups of people waiting for a table in the tiny restaurant, which probably seats forty at most, obviously knew what's up though. And they were right. Once we got a table and looked at the very attractive brunch menu filled with pancakes, waffles, omelettes, bagels, grits and more, I could see what all the fuss was about. Not knowing how large the portions might be, we threw caution to the wind and I ordered the Greek omelette with spinach, sun dried tomato and feta, hashbrowns and a biscuit, and my boyfriend got pancakes with a side of bacon. While we were waiting for our order they brought out a little plate of cinnamon roles and blueberry muffins to slake our appetites - very nice touch, in my opinion. And when the plates came out - holy cow! That was a lot of food! It has been a long time since I've seen an omelette that large and fluffy (it was gigantic), a homemade biscuit which almost matched it in size and a generous portion of homemade hashbrowns to accompany them. My boyfriend's pancakes and bacon were of equally generous portions - 3 dinner plate-sized fluffy pancakes with syrup and 3 think slices of bacon. I made it through half the omelette, a portion of biscuit and half of a pancake before admitting defeat. He had a pancake and then some, most of the other half of the omelette, bacon and a bite of the big biscuit before also surrendering. It was way too much food for us, even with large Sunday-brunch appetites. When we rolled ourselves out the door complaining of food comas an hour and a half later, the steady flow of people eating and waiting for tables hadn't ebbed a bit. Joy Cafe was really good, but the next time we go, we're definitely going to pare down the order a bit - that was just way too much in one sitting. Nice job Joy - food coma induced!
(4)
Maret M.
This is my first 5-star if that says anything. This place is well worth the 30-45 minute wait on a Sunday. They provide lime-infused water outside while you wait too which is a nice. I almost exclusively get the veggie omelet, but the group I went with tried other dishes such as the steak tacos, breakfast burrito, and the sawmill biscuits and gravy. Everyone left VERY full and satisfied (warning: portions are large). This is definitely one of the best brunch spots in ATL! If you're a brunch enthusiast like myself, definitely add it to your rotation!
(5)
Josh N.
Wait staff was excellent!(Valentina). The food was equally impressive. I couldn't ask for a better breakfast as presentation, fresh ingredients and the excellent service are well worth remembering as we will certainly return!
(5)
Corey B.
What a wonderful place! Went with a friend tonight and had a great time. I had the stake-frite and my friend had the shrimp and grits. The stake-frite was good, but not amazing. The shrimp and grits was incredible. I'm not a grits person and I loved them. After the meal, Joy surprised us with a chocolate cupcake that was really light and very very good! Can't wait to go back!
(5)
Allison W.
I had high hopes for this place when it opened. The NY deli that was in the same strip has closed, and it was a great place for lunch. It is so close to my office and it's hard to drive by, but I do now and here is why. 1: A bit pricey for what you get. Other restaurants near by that offer similar items are much cheaper. The Tuscany sandwich is really good, but usually lacking on the amount of meat and a few dollars more than the other 2 places around the area that offer a similar sandwich. Yeah, Proscuitto isn't cheap...but really folks! 2. Quality varies. The first time I had the Tomato soup I was in love, the second time it was edible at best and totally lacking flavor. Sometimes your sandwich has a decent amount of meat on it, sometimes half the bread will be lacking meat all together. It's a crap shoot! 3. The service and wait times are horrible. My final straw was waiting for 30 minutes when a man, who came off as a manager asked me what I was doing. When I told him I had been waiting 30 minutes for a to go order I called in he questioned me. The girl running the cashier assured him I had, he didn't apologize to me at all. However, he was extremely ugly to the cashier and then when he brought me my sandwich he was rude to me. That's when I told them I wouldn't be back. It was not the first time I waited an extreme amount of time for an order I placed by phone in advance. They tell you 10 minutes, I leave 10 minutes later, and then have to wait 20-30 minutes with MAYBE 5 tables in the place seated. Nope! I've gotten no joy from Joy Cafe!
(2)
K.R. B.
Food is delicious and fresh! Had the eggs Benedict which was awesome. Servers are super friendly. We will be back.
(5)
L W.
One of the best breakfasts I've had in Atlanta. Great food and staff.
(4)
Jenna M.
Joy Cafe is wonderful! It is very quaint and unassuming but the menu is fabulous! Even the simpliest of dishes are flavorful and well constructed. We went for dinner and were shocked at the extensive menu. We also liked how everything possible is made in-house, so no surprise ingredients. It was really nice how the owner came out to chat with us towards the end of dinner and ask us how our meal was. Can't wait to go back and possibly try some bakery items!
(5)
Susan C.
Went for brunch after church and were a large group. we didn't have to wait too long to get seated and place our order but then it really slowed down. it was 20 minutes until we were served and then the egg n my Benedict opened and was nearly raw. it was sent back and I waited another 10 minutes to get my lunch. It was brought out by a very snippy chef dripping with attitude and an explanation about how the Japanese got it right and the French screwed it up. the food was decent but not worth the drama.
(3)
Ann T.
My husband and I ate here for the first time a few weeks ago at the suggestion of my neighbor. What a gem! Both the food and the service were great, and we will definitely be returning soon to try out more dishes.
(5)
Heather S.
The food was tasty, the staff was super friendly, and the prices were reasonable. We went there for brunch and it was excellent!! :)
(5)
M S.
I really like the owner and the staff, it's a cute place, and the lunch and dessert we had there were delicious. My only complaint, and it's a big one, is that the restaurant is messy. One of our eating utensils wasn't clean, and the place was just - I don't know - untidy. There was stuff laying our that you shouldn't see when you're eating: cleaning supplies and mops, junk stuffed into cabinets, and an old cake behind an open glass case, under the counter where you pay, near your feet. And everybody had on dirty aprons. They were cute aprons, but they were dirty, flour and food-stained from cooks wiping their hands on the front. In their defense, they are new and just recently opened. They have all the makings of a great little cafe, but they really need someone to organize, clean and get them looking like professionals. Their appearance gives the impression that they are just working like crazy but can't get it all done, which is understandable for a new business, but an enjoyable dining experience usually happens in a clean setting. It doesn't need to be an expensive, fancy or even a beautiful setting, but it needs to be clean and neat. If the front of the store looks messy, what must the back of the store where they cook the food look like? I will try this place again and change my rating if they clean up their act. The food really was good, especially the dessert!
(5)
Becky T.
Awesome...awesome...awesome... we enjoyed the service, the unexpected treats (mini blueberry muffins and cinnamon roll), the food, and the general atmosphere of the restaurant. Keep up the great work!
(5)
Martha W.
Great little spot. Great owners, very clean, and fresh food. The cupcakes are to die for.
(5)
Mark W.
This bistro on Pharr Road is on the small side -- even with its out door seating, it probably maxes out around 30 people. But, what you'll notice is that all the seats are full and everyone's smiling. That's because the food is delicious, the menu has something for everyone, and the service is truly friendly. Joy Cafe is the project of owners Joy and John and you can tell this is an act of love for them. Everything is made fresh and in-house -- breads are baked, soups are simmered, cupcakes are frosted all on site. My wife and I both had sandwiches with salad and fruit, but we sampled the cookies and cupcakes for dessert. All were excellent and I think we'll be regulars there.
(5)
Simmy W.
A friend recently led me into this amazing, warm, enterprising atmosphere, with seasonally fresh and delicious menu options, and friendly and attentive waitstaff. Generous portions were served at a decent price along with the tastiest tomato basil cream soup I have ever had!!! While it is clear that this is a newly established business, the overall environment is vibrant and a welcome addition to Buckhead as a breakfast, brunch, and lunch spot.
(5)
Mychael W.
Joy Cafe never lets me down! I've been several times since my first visit in February. I just got back and had the reuben and the fleur de sel chocolate cake. Both are some of the best I've had. The reuben was hot, flavorful, and juicy. The cake is AMAZING! It's sweet, chocolaty, moist, and delicious! If you haven't been, I suggest you go right now!
(5)
Renee C.
Grilled cheese rocks in this place! And the service is just as great! Quick and pleasant service.
(5)
Chris L.
We tried Joy Cafe tonight and were very pleasantly surprised at the quality of the food and service. It's apparently been a popular breakfast and lunch spot in Buckhead for awhile, but it has only recently begun serving dinner. It's website says that the chefs strive to make as much as possible fresh in house, including baking breads and pastries daily. Our bread basket was filled with terrific, moist focaccia. My wife had the shrimp and grits, a favorite of hers, and said they were the best grits she's ever had. I tried them myself and they were creamy and delicious. The shrimp were large and perfectly cooked and reminded us of New Orleans BBQ shrimp. I had the beef brisket and pork shoulder meatloaf, which was also excellent--you can't do meatloaf much better or more flavorfully. It was cooked nicely and stuffed with tasty chunks of green peppers and onions. The mashed potatoes were great, too. We had a three-layer chocolate cake for dessert. The display case was full of lots of great looking house-made desserts, but the cake was a show stopper. It was iced with ganache and covered in sliced almonds, and included sea salt caramel between the layers. The cake was wonderfully moist and we loved it. The owner/chef came out to ask about our meal and was very friendly, and our server was attentive and took care of the details. Our experience was great and we liked it so much that we're planning to return for brunch this weekend. I recommend this little gem highly.
(5)
Aaron T.
This place delivers service that makes you smile and flavors that are absolutely unique and on point. The complementary muffins set the tone for one of the greatest brunch experiences I've ever had. It's a small place and seats are hard to come by. I was lucky and was seated in less than 5 minutes. I'll be back!
(4)
Laxsamee L.
Wonderful family restaurant. Many homemade items. On the house mini blueberry muffins are to die for. Unbelievable shrimp and grits. Crab Benedict had a perfect eggs.
(5)
Korey M.
Top 3 brunches in the city. Everything on the menu is fantastically made. Well worth the wait.
(5)
Alex P.
Not quite sure what all the buzz is about with this place on yelp. The atmosphere looks like somebody's kitchen and really crowded, really nothing nice about it. The food? Very mediocre, I would lean towards the side of disappointing. Had their crab cake sandwich, not worth it.
(2)
Gregg B.
I went on yelp as i passed through Buckhead- and i thank all the yelpers that brought me here!!! this place is a GEM! fantastic soups- the basil tomato was the best I ever had. The Joy Ruben was off the hook. The Cobb salad was awesome. The server staff was incredible and the 100 year old recipe cupcakes was too die for. I love this place!!!!!
(5)
Chataun D.
Brunch was absolutely delicious! Five stars, two thumbs up, all that plus more. The waffle with fresh berries was just delightful. The biscuit and gravy dish was perfectly seasoned. And, the home made blueberry muffins were the best I've ever had. Lovely family owned spot. I will definitely be back!
(5)
Jen R.
My company actually worked with Joy Cafe for a group order/catering and they were very accommodating, especially since we a lot of people have dietary restrictions here! Food was great and everyone's order was spot on. We are about a group of 15. I heard they have great breakfast on Sundays from colleagues and everyone was right! I love how they bring you a little plate of pastries/goodies before your meal. I have heard lines can get bad, I was lucky when I went (just two people) to only wait about 15 minutes or so but I am sure that could affect the experience. Overall I would definitely would recommend!
(5)
EJ S.
For my first four years in Atlanta, I was convinced the city was devoid of delicious brunch options. And then I found JOY. Everything from scratch, including the most amazing biscuits of your life and the fabulous gratis cinnamon rolls and mini muffins. Joy and Jon are the most delightful hosts, greeting their patrons by name. And the food -- WOW. From the fluffy eggs overflowing from the deliciously perfect steak tacos to the outrageous smoked in house salmon and the tomato bisque of my dreams. And a review of Joy Cafe wouldn't be complete without a shout out for the most ridiculous dessert in the history of all things sweet and magical! Her cookies and milk pie is nothing short of angel wings sandwiched between layers of cookie perfection. Most favorite brunch spot in America!
(5)
Stacye B.
Everything I've tried here has been delicious. I've been here a few times and will definitely return. The wait can be long at times, but it's totally worth it.
(4)
Marcus O.
i'm a fan of their mission, not of their food. the mission you say? it's to prepare everything from scratch that can be prepared from scratch. the draw of that statement alone made my stomach churn even more... should you visit, when you get your plate of pastries, devour them. they were the best thing we had. i had the grilled cheese and tomato soup. it was decent, but nothing that would shame my mom. i don't understand what's famous about the soup. not any better than la madeleine. the breakfast sandwich on a biscuit with home fries -- another story. it was burnt. the home fries were cooked to the point of crunchy all the way through. it was the consistency of super hard croutons. the cheese on the biscuit was like concrete. the biscuit itself -- dark, burnt. how this plate made it out of their kitchen's quality control is beyond me. when we asked for different home fries, the service was very courteous and prompt. however, the home fries they brought out were clearly cooked in old grease. yum. i'm sure it had to do with how busy the restaurant was -- though that's really no excuse. the biscuits and gravy plate -- good but not good enough to go back.
(2)
Rick L.
We loved it! Especially when the owner comes around and makes sure everyone has gotten what they want. Lovely place!
(5)
Gigi A.
Amazing food and very friendly service. Loved their grits, and I usually absolutely hate grits. The waitress brought out some complimentary mufins and goodies to munch on while we waited. Very yummy blueberry corn muffins. Great, delicious food and pretty cheap for the quality and location of this place. Will definitely come back next time I'm in the area. Reminded me of a french breakfast place :)
(5)
Josh N.
Wait staff was excellent!(Valentina). The food was equally impressive. I couldn't ask for a better breakfast as presentation, fresh ingredients and the excellent service are well worth remembering as we will certainly return!
(5)
Miss C.
Great service, fresh food, joyful atmosphere. They offered each dad a cupcake today, on the house, sweet! Will definitely become a regular :)
(5)
Evan T.
Me, my wife and daugther went here for breakfast about two weeks ago. It was a little hard to find being in a strip with other businesses, but I'm glad we stumbled on it. We were a little worried at first because they had a large group that was meeting inside so we decided to set outside. The menu wasn't that large but what they had was great. I ordered the blueberry pancakes and they were the best I have ever had. The staff as well as the manager made sure we were well taken care of and treated us as if we had been regulars there for years. I will def. be going back when I am back in the Atlanta area. I suggest this place to all.
(5)
Corey B.
What a wonderful place! Went with a friend tonight and had a great time. I had the stake-frite and my friend had the shrimp and grits. The stake-frite was good, but not amazing. The shrimp and grits was incredible. I'm not a grits person and I loved them. After the meal, Joy surprised us with a chocolate cupcake that was really light and very very good! Can't wait to go back!
(5)
Allison W.
I had high hopes for this place when it opened. The NY deli that was in the same strip has closed, and it was a great place for lunch. It is so close to my office and it's hard to drive by, but I do now and here is why. 1: A bit pricey for what you get. Other restaurants near by that offer similar items are much cheaper. The Tuscany sandwich is really good, but usually lacking on the amount of meat and a few dollars more than the other 2 places around the area that offer a similar sandwich. Yeah, Proscuitto isn't cheap...but really folks! 2. Quality varies. The first time I had the Tomato soup I was in love, the second time it was edible at best and totally lacking flavor. Sometimes your sandwich has a decent amount of meat on it, sometimes half the bread will be lacking meat all together. It's a crap shoot! 3. The service and wait times are horrible. My final straw was waiting for 30 minutes when a man, who came off as a manager asked me what I was doing. When I told him I had been waiting 30 minutes for a to go order I called in he questioned me. The girl running the cashier assured him I had, he didn't apologize to me at all. However, he was extremely ugly to the cashier and then when he brought me my sandwich he was rude to me. That's when I told them I wouldn't be back. It was not the first time I waited an extreme amount of time for an order I placed by phone in advance. They tell you 10 minutes, I leave 10 minutes later, and then have to wait 20-30 minutes with MAYBE 5 tables in the place seated. Nope! I've gotten no joy from Joy Cafe!
(2)
K.R. B.
Food is delicious and fresh! Had the eggs Benedict which was awesome. Servers are super friendly. We will be back.
(5)
L W.
One of the best breakfasts I've had in Atlanta. Great food and staff.
(4)
Jenna M.
Joy Cafe is wonderful! It is very quaint and unassuming but the menu is fabulous! Even the simpliest of dishes are flavorful and well constructed. We went for dinner and were shocked at the extensive menu. We also liked how everything possible is made in-house, so no surprise ingredients. It was really nice how the owner came out to chat with us towards the end of dinner and ask us how our meal was. Can't wait to go back and possibly try some bakery items!
(5)
Susan C.
Went for brunch after church and were a large group. we didn't have to wait too long to get seated and place our order but then it really slowed down. it was 20 minutes until we were served and then the egg n my Benedict opened and was nearly raw. it was sent back and I waited another 10 minutes to get my lunch. It was brought out by a very snippy chef dripping with attitude and an explanation about how the Japanese got it right and the French screwed it up. the food was decent but not worth the drama.
(3)
Ann T.
My husband and I ate here for the first time a few weeks ago at the suggestion of my neighbor. What a gem! Both the food and the service were great, and we will definitely be returning soon to try out more dishes.
(5)
Heather S.
The food was tasty, the staff was super friendly, and the prices were reasonable. We went there for brunch and it was excellent!! :)
(5)
M S.
I really like the owner and the staff, it's a cute place, and the lunch and dessert we had there were delicious. My only complaint, and it's a big one, is that the restaurant is messy. One of our eating utensils wasn't clean, and the place was just - I don't know - untidy. There was stuff laying our that you shouldn't see when you're eating: cleaning supplies and mops, junk stuffed into cabinets, and an old cake behind an open glass case, under the counter where you pay, near your feet. And everybody had on dirty aprons. They were cute aprons, but they were dirty, flour and food-stained from cooks wiping their hands on the front. In their defense, they are new and just recently opened. They have all the makings of a great little cafe, but they really need someone to organize, clean and get them looking like professionals. Their appearance gives the impression that they are just working like crazy but can't get it all done, which is understandable for a new business, but an enjoyable dining experience usually happens in a clean setting. It doesn't need to be an expensive, fancy or even a beautiful setting, but it needs to be clean and neat. If the front of the store looks messy, what must the back of the store where they cook the food look like? I will try this place again and change my rating if they clean up their act. The food really was good, especially the dessert!
(5)
Becky T.
Awesome...awesome...awesome... we enjoyed the service, the unexpected treats (mini blueberry muffins and cinnamon roll), the food, and the general atmosphere of the restaurant. Keep up the great work!
(5)
Martha W.
Great little spot. Great owners, very clean, and fresh food. The cupcakes are to die for.
(5)
Mark W.
This bistro on Pharr Road is on the small side -- even with its out door seating, it probably maxes out around 30 people. But, what you'll notice is that all the seats are full and everyone's smiling. That's because the food is delicious, the menu has something for everyone, and the service is truly friendly. Joy Cafe is the project of owners Joy and John and you can tell this is an act of love for them. Everything is made fresh and in-house -- breads are baked, soups are simmered, cupcakes are frosted all on site. My wife and I both had sandwiches with salad and fruit, but we sampled the cookies and cupcakes for dessert. All were excellent and I think we'll be regulars there.
(5)
Simmy W.
A friend recently led me into this amazing, warm, enterprising atmosphere, with seasonally fresh and delicious menu options, and friendly and attentive waitstaff. Generous portions were served at a decent price along with the tastiest tomato basil cream soup I have ever had!!! While it is clear that this is a newly established business, the overall environment is vibrant and a welcome addition to Buckhead as a breakfast, brunch, and lunch spot.
(5)
Tecia D.
Deeeeelicious !!!!!
(5)
Leslie W.
Just discovered this little cafe tucked away in a strip mall on Pharr Road. They have a great selection of fresh salads and sandwiches and some amazing soups! Their loaded baked potato soup is so good that I don't even care how much dairy they put in it! They will also have a couple of daily specials like tacos or a pasta dish in case you need something more substantial. And if you need to skip the fresh and healthy, try one of their huge and super yummy cookies. I like the snicker doodle best, and not just because I like food words that sound dirty. They are seriously delicious. The three star review is because they are still new and need to work out a few kinks. When I went in, they were understaffed and the pastry chef was serving people in her flour-caked chef's coat. I understand she was helping but it was a little um, off-putting. I'm sure that once things are straightened out, this place will be jumping so go now before you have to wait for a seat!
(3)
Nev L.
We gave this place a try today based on the pictures and reviews. We had the ham and cheddar omelet and the pancakes. My omelet was ok, but the ginger and sage sausage was terrible. First, the color of the sausage doesn't appear fully cooked and then the taste of the ginger didn't go well with the sage. I sent the sausage back to cook a little longer, but the waitress returned with the same pinkish color saying because its made fresh that's the way it looks. Yeah, ok. My husband didn't care for his pancakes at all and the hash browns were served lukewarm.
(3)
Sonya N.
Had breakfast here for the first time this morning after reading Yelp reviews. Everyone is right. Very cute, charming place. Everyone was so nice. I got there a little bit before 10am and very quickly there was a wait. I'm looking forward to going back and trying more dishes.
(4)
Brian F.
Great casual spot if you are in the neighborhood.
(4)
Helen K.
Hands down, BEST meal I've had in quite some time! Thanks Scoutmob!! A friend and I visited this place for the first time today for lunch. We each had the chicken burger (special of the day--ground chicken with spinach and feta mixed in, perfect crisp bacon, lettuce, tomato, with a divine spicy mayo and jalapeno aioli sauce), and I had mine with a side of tomato, cucumber, onion salad. It was just delicious!! Though the portion size was generous, we also each ordered dessert too--she had a red velvet cupcake and I had the orange creamsicle cheesecake. Wow! Just perfect. This is easily one of my new favorite places to go in Buckhead.
(5)
Gloria R.
TERRIBLE!! Waited ten minutes... for what? We sat there for over 10 mins before we even got greeted for our drink order. We ordered drinks and food at the same time since everything was so slow already. Got my food 45 mins after ordering. It was two scrambled eggs and bacon. The bacon was so chewy (yuk!!) And my food was COLD! Not to mention whom I was with ordered a waffle and their food came out ten mins after mine. And the waffle was still uncooked! Terrible terrible. I don't understand why this place had a wait nor all the rave reviews. I will never go back!
(1)
Phillip C.
I like Joy Cafe. Quality is great. I didn't give it 5 because it didn't wow me but I would/will go back. It's your typical breakfast fare.
(4)
J S.
Fabulous food that will not disappoint! We've eaten here several times for lunch and it has become one of our favorite restaurants. Soups and sandwiches are fresh and delicious. Both the tomato soup and potato soups are incredible. Portions are very generous, you won't be leaving hungry. Downsides: seating area is small, meaning there may be a wait for a table. Also, parking lot is cramped and busy, may have difficulty finding a spot.
(5)
H. H.
Really good coffee, better than Starbucks. Friendly service. The presentation was good, but the entree for breakfast was almost cold. They use way too much salt. If you subtract the excess salt, I'd give four stars.
(3)
Vanitha S.
This was an incredible little brunch spot. As soon as we sat down I immediately liked the style in here...felt kind of Victorian in a way with the white decor. We were visited a few times by the owner as he said hi and checked in on us. The menu took forever to read and decide as there were a lot of options to choose from. I ordered a veggie omelet with egg whites, hash browns and wheat toast. First of all, usually when I order egg white omelets, the flavor usually tells me how good the chef really is. It's very rare for a place to make an egg-white omelet taste similar to a normal omelet but Joy Cafe knocked it out of the park. It wasn't oily but was bursting with flavor and fresh veggies including sundried tomatoes. Yum. The hash browns were nice and crisp, not oily at all. The bread tasted like bakery bread that came with homemade jam. To top it off, when we received our order, the plates were mixed up. The owner apologized profusely and later the waitress came over with 2 containers of baked pastries for us to take home. WOW so generous! Then my friend and I split a chocolate cupcake for dessert and the reviews are so true, folks. These cupcakes will render you speechless for at least a few minutes, so make sure not to order one on your first date. The chocolate was so soft that it was melting onto my fork. The cream cheese frosting was so smooth and light...not heavy at all which is a pet peeve of mine. This must be a best kept secret because at noon on a Sunday we didn't have a wait at all even though my friend made a reservation. Another bonus point-they take reservations where most brunch places won't. Not a doubt that we'll be back.
(5)
Rochelle B.
This place sucks. Its like "hey here is our menu but we dont have any of the items.on our menu on it"
(2)
susan h.
This is a great place for any meal. Everything is really fresh and the owners are really nice. Joy cafe can do no wrong in my book.
(5)
Taleshia N.
Great Food! Enjoy looking forward to coming back every chance we get!!!
(5)
Bob G.
We ate here today on a Scoutmob. We each got the turkey sandwich (which was pressed like a Cuban sandwich) and the wifey got tomato basil soup and I got chicken noodle. She was raving about the tomato basil which is saying something as she tries it almost everywhere that has it. She said it was close to the best. The homemade chicken noodle soup was really flavorful but it was a tad salty for me. I must be overly sensitive to salt because a woman came in to get a "to go" order of it and they told her she got the last cup (I must have got the 2nd to last). We both raved over the turkey sandwich. They say they cook their meats in house which may have been the difference -- wifey wrapped up the other half of hers and was secretly munching on it in my new car, despite my prohibition on eating in the new car. It was amazing. I would have given it 5 stars except for my personal preference on the soup. Definitely will go into the heavy rotation as a lunch stop.
(4)
Beonna H.
Just what you want for Sunday morning breakfast!!
(5)
Tori P.
Been to this place twice now. Once when they first opened and today for lunch. The place is clean and welcoming. The staff always says hi to me and other guests coming and going. The first time I had the turkey sandwich and potato salad. The sandwich was huge and full of flavor. I could tell the potato salad was homemade. It was a great first experience Today for lunch I had the special which was a chicken quesadilla. When this thing came out I thought wow for once here is a place where the price matches the proportion! It was huge! It took up more then half my plate. Not only that but it was stuffed with chicken. I defiantly got more then my moneys worth. Since I was full from the quesadilla I took a chocolate cupcake home. A few hours later I tried it. Honestly had to be the most moist cupcake I have ever had. It also was a bit larger then an average cupcake. The cake was delicious and moist. The icing was a little thick but still very very tasty. The place was busy today but the wait staff still made me feel welcome and not once did I feel that I was "forgotten" because it was busy. I will go to Joys cafe every chance I get. I highly recommend it. Cannot wait to go back!
(5)
Ryan G.
What a f@#$&in find. I happened to move to a nearby condo and walk past Joys Cafe on an almost daily basis and today I just to eat lunch there on a whim. WTF. The service here is just outstanding and the food is effing delicious. I had a chicken burger with chipotle mayo and effin christ it was delicious. Ill be back that is for sure. I am sure glad I chose to stop by I think I just found my new fav locale cafe.
(5)
Gregory D.
Awesome staff, great food, nice atmosphere, good prices. I appreciated how they brought us muffins and a cinnamon bun while waiting for the food. Nice touch of good customer service. Didn't wait long for a table for Sunday brunch either. A must try.
(4)
Chris B.
My wife and I went for a late lunch and had the Reuben with pasta salad and a Caesar salad. All the food was excellent especially the homemade pastrami.
(4)
Laura N.
this place is poppin! perfect for a sunday morning...or any morning. pet friendly as well! never been a big breakfast person but this place has me changing my mind. i got the sausage and gravy and it was glorious. friend got the chicekn burger(really good)the complimentary pastries were scrumptious as well. Support this cafe , great food and great people! its pretty busy there too so come early or call ahead
(5)
Chelly V.
I've been using yelp for quite some time to help make dinner decisions and never felt compelled to write a review until now. To get to the point, Joy Cafe was an excellent experience for me and my boyfriend! We visited this place Friday night after finding it on Scoutmob, and were pleasantly greeted with excellent service, delicious food, and the most genuinely friendly owner I've ever met at a restaurant! Let me sum up our experience: First off, as someone who strives to eat clean but still loves to eat out, my favorite thing about this place is that everything is homemade (sauces, bread, pastas) & they dont use ANY preservatives! We visited on a Friday night about an hour before closing time (which is 9pm). The restauarant must be more popular for breakfast because we were seated immediately and had a few seats to choose from in the compact little cafe. Our waitress, Valentina was very friendly and appropriately attentive. We chose the smoked salmon appetizer, which was hands down the best smoked salmon ive ever had. My boyfriend ordered a cup of tomato soup, which taste very fresh, homemade, and was delicious! For entrees we chose the shrimp and grits and the enchiladas. They were both great! The enchiladas has a fresh, healthy twist to them and come with a delicious homemade sauce and a side of well seasoned rice. The portion was also very wealthy. The shrimp in the shrimp and grits were nice sized, fresh, and you guessed it...delicious! The grits were a tad thick for my liking but also very tasty! Oh wait, how could I forget that the waiter brought out hommade foccacia (sp) bread as we waited for out meal, which was very soft, flavorful, and awesome as well! As we finished our meal, one of the owners, Joy came to our table to ask about our experience. She was very friendly and genuine, and even offered us a great story about her journey to opening up a restaurant. She was so inspiring and very likable! Needless to say, we'll be returning and bringing some friends with us!
(5)
Laura C.
My party had Belgian waffles, pancakes, biscuits and gravy and eggs Benedict. Everyone loved their breakfast. Would definetly recommend and come back.
(5)
Kelsey M.
LOVE THIS PLACE! First of all, the food is amazing! And everyone there is so darn nice. It can get a little crowded on Sunday, but it is totally worth it! Everything is made there, so you know it's fresh! They even smoke their own bacon! The owners are super nice too. We had the breakfast burrito and the steak and egg tacos. Both were delicious! Their buiscuts are also amazing!
(5)
Laina E.
If I could add a star for the cupcake I just ate, I would. Devil's food doesn't even begin to describe how BAD ASS this chocolate cupcake is. Go to Joy's NOW before I eat everything and there's nothing left for you!
(5)
E R.
Great first experience over a Sunday lunch. Small cafe with about 8-10 tables. A few dogs enjoyed a small table outside with their owners. Service was friendly and prompt. Manager/owner even brought the cute doggies little water bowls! Food was delicious. My cuban sandwich and cucumber, tomato, onion salad were quite yummy. Husband loved his turkey Reuben. Will definitely come back!
(5)
Jack C.
Great omelet and pancakes very fluffy. We enjoyed most of the food but didnt like to pay 3 dollars for 2 pieces of burnt bacon. They need to expand the restaurant felt packed in like a sardine.
(4)
Don B.
I cannot wait to come back to this place ! At first I was a bit turned off because it is a very small place and we had to wait a while. It seemed super chaotic and crowded but once we were seated everything was excellent. They started us off with 2 little blueberry muffins and a cinnamon type pastry. Very delicious. I ordered the eggs, cheese grits, bacon and biscuit. My friend got the fruit, yogurt and granola and a side of home fries. Apparently everything is super fresh and they do it on their own. They make their own granola and cure their own bacon. Definitely has a premium quality to it. We were very pleased with the portions...my biscuit was probably the biggest biscuit I have ever seen at an establishment. Service was ok but I understand the staff was running around like CRAZY. So don't feel offended if you have to flag down your waiter for something because I am sure they are doing the best they can. I was super impressed when I asked for some strawberry spread for my biscuit and the manager came out with a huge explanation for how they ran out and gave me some store bought stuff. I did not care, but apparently the make their own jam and due to high demand ran out. All they had was kiwi and that wasn't even quite 'done' yet. He was very apologetic, but I explained that I was fine, all I expected was a packet of processed Welch's or something. Definitely will return and can't wait to try some of their lunch options.
(5)
Angela L.
My friend and I went for Saturday brunch around 10:30am and were seated right away. This was the perfect time to go because by 11am, there was a cluster of people near the door waiting for tables. The crowded people and busy servers weaving through tables reminded me of brunch in NYC. The place is quaint and absolutely adorable--with minty/sea green walls and cool wall decor. Our server surprised up with complimentary chocolate chip muffins and a cinnamon roll for an appetizer. Not sure if that is typical of Joy, but I won't question free pastries. The menu had a variety of essential brunch staples to choose from like eggs benedict (personal fav), waffles, pancakes, and omelettes, but no entree seemed overwhelming. I, of course, ordered the eggs benedict with canadian bacon, and it came with a side of seasonal fruit. I didn't expect the egg white to be as runny as the yolk, but it worked for me. The english muffin was toasted to perfection, and the bacon was delicious as well. My friend ordered the sun-dried tomato, spinach, feta omelette, and really liked it. All in all, Joy served heartier food than I had expected. It's nice to leave a restaurant with a happy tummy. I will definitely go back again to try their homemade granola!
(4)
Kellie N.
This adorable little spot gets packed but worth the wait. I love sitting outside and enjoying brunch here. Great food, fun staff and perfect area of town. The most adorable wait staff and the owners are amazing. One of my new go-to brunch spots to go to and bring friends.
(4)
Jie Y.
nothing to complain everything is so nice but only for a simple breakfast or coffee break.
(5)
George P.
My new favorite breakfast place!! It is amazing. The place looks like a hole in the wall. The inside looks like a hospital, very, very plain...However the food is amazingly good. I had Great Grandma's Biscuits and Gravy. It was pretty amazing!! My girl had an omelet and what made it so good was the fresh ingredients and how fluffy the eggs were. The icing on the cake was a double layer of the best tasting coffee I have had at a breakfast spot as well as amuse-bouche of pastries they offer as a free appetizer! This place blows doors off of the standard well known Highland Bakery, Rita's Bluebird and The overrated Flying Biscuit( I do love the Highland Bakery though!)
(5)
Starfish_Coffee M.
A miserable rainy Saturday was not going to keep me from my quarterly pancake binge so I made it over to Joy Cafe for the first time. Easy parking and I can sit wherever I want (always a plus for me). First they brought this plate of pastries and the glazed danish looking thing had to be laced with cocaine...INCREDIBLE! The mini-muffin thing was okay but it had more of a scone like texture and I prefer my muffins fluffy. Food came fast but they piled all this crap on top of my pancakes (berries, bananas, etc) that I didn't ask for or expect. I don't like anything interferring with the piles of butter and cups of syrup on my pancakes so I had some dis-assembling to do. It doesn't get 4 stars until some of the service kinks get worked out like my major pet peeve....HOT WATER AND LEMON SHOULD BE SERVED IN A CUP....NOT A GLASS...ARGGGHHHHH!! I had the trainee waitrees i guess so she was a little slow or maybe it was whatever she was texting in between serving that slowed her down but this place is well worth the visit and reasonably priced. I'm thinking they will soon replace Corner Cafe as the go-to place for brunch.
(3)
Adolfo T.
Awesome breakfast loved the crab cakes Benedict with fresh fruit! Also try there buttermilk pancakes.
(5)
Heather P.
Great spot for brunch! We brought my in-laws here who were visiting after a so-so breakfast the previous day at Flying Biscuit. All the food here tasted fresh and homemade. Everyone ordered something different and agreed it was the best meal of the weekend. The breakfast sandwich on a biscuit was amazing! The portions were huge- a side of fruit that came with the eggs Benedict was enough for a full snack later in the day! I bet this place gets busy as the morning progresses, we arrived at 9:45 and were the 2nd table. By the time we left the church crowd arrived (including a priest!) and filled up.
(5)
Lindsay K.
This place is tucked away in a strip mall - pretty small in size - don't come with a big party and expect to be seated quickly. Probably 20-25 total at a single seating. The folks who work here are sweet - and efficient. Before the food came out, they offered us mini blueberry muffins and some really tasty iced baked good. Delish. My husband and I ordered the 2 eggs with sausage and the crab cake benedicts. Neither were cooked well - especially the poached eggs and the hash browns. There was a severe lack of seasoning on all the dishes. Given how many other breakfast/brunch places there are in ATL, I will not be coming back. But if I did, I would stick with baked goods, as those are clearly their strength.
(3)
Brian L.
We finally visited this wonderful place on a rainy Sunday. The breakfast burrito was creative and excellent, especially the salsa. The poached eggs on the Eggs Benedict were perfectly done. Everything was perfect. Oh btw, the waiter is very handsome. :)
(5)
Michelle J.
This is a cozy (read tiny) local cafe perfect for brunch or lunch. I visited for the second time last weekend and it was just as good as I remembered. During our first visit, I ordered a croque monsieur and tomato bisque. WOW were both delicious! It was my first time eating croque monsieur, so I can't speak to its quality as a CM specifically. I do know a thing or two about tomato bisque, and it was one of the best I've had. During my second visit, I was looking for something light and fresh, so I decided to go with the spinach salad. The salad is served with strawberries, candied walnuts, feta cheese, croutons and house made balsamic vinaigrette. I added grilled chicken to it, which absolutely made the salad. This Is seriously the best salad I've had in Atlanta. In fact, writing about it now is making me crave it... Those I went to Joy with also loved what they got, although my husband - a Cuban sandwich connoisseur - said their Cuban sandwich was mediocre. The service is another notable thing about Joy. The tiny restaurant usually has about two servers, and they make you feel comfortable and attended to. They're the kind of servers you'd hope every local cafe would have. The best time to go to Joy is usually past the rush of weekday lunch and weekend brunch. That way, you won't have to wait for a table and you won't feel confined when seated.
(4)
Nakata H.
I was excited to come here based on yelps high rating so we were okay to wait for 30 min for the table. I really wanted to like this place but sad to say... Food was just okay. We had to wait long time for our food to come out, my veggie omelet was a little greasy for my taste. pancake was not all that special. My husband's Ham and Cheese Omelet was too salty. Maybe it was on their off day. The portion was generous and the service was good.
(3)
J. C. L.
Brunch with girls. Ordered the egg Benedict with salmon. Delish. Love the free starter desserts!!
(5)
David C.
Astounding brunch on the weekends. Eggs Benedict were great. The Berry Belgian waffle was fantastic. Fresh, warm, chewy waffle, with deliciously fresh berries and banana. The applewood smoked bacon was terrific, as well, though 2 slices for 3 bucks seems a bit of a rip-off. At least 3 slices, dudes. And the hash browns were nice and crunchy with or without cheese added - very, very good. I wish they served breakfast all week.
(5)
Shaunte K.
I don't know why this place has such a hight rating. Definitely not one if the best places I've been for brunch while visiting Atlanta. The service was great but the food was average.
(3)
Bill V.
Great brunch. Steak and egg tacos. Biscuits and gravy. Sometimes there's a wait, but it moves pretty fast.
(5)
Yordanos T.
Cozy little breaktfast/ brunch spot in an inconspicuous strip mall. The crab benedict with a side of fruit was delicisous... fruit was fresh and sweet and the crab and home made muffin were great. They bought out a plate of sweets for the table with coffee so we were partially stuffed by the time our meal came out. The owener/ chef came out to our table to ask about our dining experience... very classy and appreciated! As we were leaving, he came back with the a moist and decadent cupcake with amazing icing. A perfect end to a great meal! Will defintely be back next time I am in the ATL.
(4)
Jhoshua C.
Place was pretty darn good, they give you free pastry treats when you walk in service was the best part. I got the breakfast burrito which was good, nothing special though. If you dont get pancakes get at least a side of them, they are AMAZING. My friend got the eggs Benedict, it was incredibly delicious. Good menu and they make their food flexible for vegetarians like myself. Over all amazing experience!
(4)
Arika S.
Really great brunch spot. The crab eggs benedict was amazing, and the service was really great. The layout isn't awesome inside, and it's pretty small. The food is great though, and they offer muffins and honey buns before the meal for free. Definitely worth a try!
(4)
Gypsy A.
My boyfriend and I went there for a late breakfast one day. The wait time was extremely long, but we had read good reviews on it, and we wanted to give it a shot. When all was said done the food was good, but not fantastic. They did, however, bring out cute rolls before our meal that were just fantastic.
(3)
Jake C.
Food was fantastic. Ambiance was good enough. Service wasn't very good though. The waitress didn't mess anything up, everything just took forever. 5-10 minutes for first attention, 10 more min for first waters, 30 more minutes for food, 20 more min for check. It was Saturday brunch and not only were they busy, but we were fine taking it slow and relaxing. That being said, I'd rather have excellent service and then voluntarily take it slow on my own accord. I'd go back though. I'm hoping the service was an abnormality because the food was great and there are so many other rave reviews.
(4)
Tanya E.
Part 1: This is going to be a strange review. Its a 2 parter because for this first part, I havent actually eaten there yet but I walked in because they are next to my fav nail salon Posh Nails. I was greeted by the warmest and friendliest woman, who by the way offered my granddaughter a free cupcake and even gave her- her choice of flavors. In the list was chocolate red velvet and vanilla. She told me about their brunches and gave me take home menus. After hearing abou the brunch I deceided I would try it tomorrow (saturday) since a friend and had made plans to meet for breakfast so perfect timing. So stay tuned for part 2 the aftermath. by the way that friendly woman who greeted me was Joy herself, owner/chef. On initial impression, friendliness and menu 5 stars. I will write another after eating there tomorrow morning.
(5)
JH P.
Loved this little place! Came here with a friend for a late Saturday brunch. It's located in a strip center on Pharr Road and easy to miss. There is a parking lot but we got lucky and was able to find a spot. We were able to get a table right away. Service was very friendly. The breakfast pastries that come to your table are not a mistake - they're complimentary! So enjoy them!! I ordered a chicken salad sandwich and I found it to be very tasty. It was unfortunate the Belgian waffle maker was broken that day. Food served to other tables looked really tasty. Can't wait to go back!
(4)
Lisa C.
Love places like joy cafe and bakery! Usually I have to dream up such a place like this but here the owner cares about the experience of everyone who comes in. Dropped in once to grab something quick to drink and snack on and go. Ordered a Perrier and red velvet cake mmmmmm! I know it was indulgent but you couldn't possibly understand how satisfying it was! The ambiance is casual and comfortable and it's a perfect spot to have an early business dinner - I ordered the shrimp and grits and it was very very good. I like the chef he came out to check on the food and I had to give him my compliments!! The dining experience was wonderful, if you are looking for a great place to have a dinner date or business dinner, this is a great find!
(5)
Christopher R.
Once again, Yelp saves the day! We needed a diner for Breakfast in Buckhead and you all pointed us to Joys Cafe. It was worth the 1.3 mile stroll from our hotel. It was very busy on a Saturday morning but worth the wait. The urn of coffee for those who chose to wait outside was a nice touch. Small seating area, you are right next to your neighbors- think a cafe in Paris. The thick cut bacon is broken glass good ie you would crawl through broken glass to get some ;) their pastry plate was enough to make me bend my low carb diet ;) they also have a bakery counter for carry outs cupcakes etc a must try if in that part of Atlanta
(5)
Gus E.
Great service. Chicken burger suggested if u go. Good price. Tomato soup is excellente also.
(5)
Max M.
OMG! Talk about spectacular service and faultless perfect food! I wrote an earlier review in which i complained about the temperature of the soup. Altho i gave them compliments otherwise, the owners graciously apologized for the error and offered me a comp'd meal the next time i came in. I was scared that since i came in for brunch that they wouldn't honor it, but no no, they didn't give me any bureaucratic bull..., they honored the deal, no problem. First point. I made the wise decision to order the steak and egg tacos and it was heaven on a plate. The texture and seasoning of the steak accompanied by perfectly cooked eggs and cheese on flour tortillas... it was amazing! And they served me three tacos! Again, i had an unwarranted fear... the fear that they would only serve two tacos for that meal, but no, they serve three! There's definitely no skimping with point! It was so delicious and filling! Second point... score! I also shared a waffle with a friend of mine. For once, a restaurant gets a waffle just right. It was perfectly crunchy and not soggy at all... and by some miracle it remained so thruout the meal! How'd they do that! The fresh fruit on top of it was to die for. Just perfection. Third point! While we were eating the lady owner of the restaurant (Joy herself) came out and introduced herself to us and apologized for the prior disappointment I experienced and offered a big plate of four delicious desserts! Ok, that's like 7 points now! Touch down! Later on, the guy owner of the restaurant (Joy's husband) also came out and greeted us. They treated me and my friends like royalty! It was weird... but in the best way possible! I didn't deserve it all! You can't beat a place that cares enough to make up for the dissatisfaction of their customers and actively, even extremely, taking the steps to remedy it. This is the kind of place that I would no doubt return to, even if the food weren't too good... but fortunately, IT IS REALLY GOOD! And you could tell that people agreed with me because that place was PACKED on Sunday! Please run, don't walk to this place... It is truly an Atlanta treasure!
(5)
Keith K.
Awwwweesome !!! Cute spot, great staff ,even better breakfast!! Since this was my first visit ,it is customary to try the Chocolate cupcake (family recipe) which was hand delivered by the owner / chef. Overall a great breakfast eatery! A must do when in Atlanta
(5)
Ben-Sheryl B.
I ate here today for the first time with my wife and this place was delicious! While waiting for our breakfast, they brought out pastries to tide us over. A delicious cinnamon pastry and two mini blueberry muffins. My wife, the muffin expert, claimed the blueberry muffins to be one of the best she's ever had. I ordered the steak and egg tacos with hash browns. The steak was tender and the eggs were cheesy. The sauce on the side was great as well. My wife ordered the breakfast sandwich on a biscuit with eggs, cheese and bacon. It was HUGE. And amazing. We ordered a red velvet cupcake (for myself) and a chocolate cupcake (for my wife) to go and ate them this evening. Rich! Perfect to be washed down with a nice glass of milk. Overall, this place was absolutely great and the owners really deserve a lot of credit here. The menu is the perfect size to not overwhelm you. We both cannot wait to try the rest of the menu. This is definitely a new favorite we will be frequenting!
(5)
Kijean D.
Good was amazing! They give little pastries complimentary from the kitchen while you wait for their order. A beautiful small restaurant where everyone truly seems to enjoy being there. The brunch was really good and even though there lots of people waiting to get in they were able to seat as quickly. The pancakes were amazing. Must try the sage and Ginger sausage !
(4)
Allison J.
Staff is so nice and the food is great, especially the iced coffee!
(5)
Emma B.
We went in a Wednesday expecting to eat brunch but we learned brunch is only served on the weekend. As a result we tried their lunch which was great. I chose the 1/2 Combo (the Ruben which was full of meat & tomato soup). My husband had a chicken club and he enjoyed that too. The service was great and the owner made sure his guest was happy. I def want to stop by again go their brunch.
(4)
Addie S.
A friend and I decided to try Joy Cafe for lunch because neither of us had gone yet and the location was very convenient. It's a cute, brightly decorated restaurant perfect for lunch. We arrived and it was relatively empty, but it soon filled with mostly ladies lunching. My friend and I both got 1/2 soup and 1/2 a sandwich. I had the croque monsieur, she had the ratatouille sandwich (the waitress said it's a favorite) and we both had the soup du jour, tomato basil. We both thought the soup was phenominal and enjoyed our sandwiches as well. The service was a little bit slow, but I assumed it was because they are still new and it was prime lunch hour. I will definitely go back and hope they add tomato basil soup to the regular menu!
(4)
Nestor R.
Excellent food!
(4)
Katie C.
My husband and I went here for lunch and ordered the Ruben & the Cuban with Potato soup & caesar salad; All was wonderful! The Service was very good. The Baked Potato Soup was the best I have ever had. The sandwiches were unique; not your typical turkey with avocado. Portion sizes are very large! You could easily share a sandwich. I will be coming back here!
(4)
Kirsten P.
Friendly staff, incredible food, and reasonably priced. I drive an hour and a half to come here and it's totally worth it! Try the grits. Best I've ever had. Everything is locally sourced, the meat is smoked and ground at the cafe, and it's absolutely incredible!
(5)
Claire S.
This is my favorite brunch spot in Atlanta! Everything that I have had here has been wonderful. The pancakes are the best. The breakfast burrito is so yummy. The eggs benedict are perfectly runny. The cinnamon roll/muffin treats passed out at the beginning are scrumptious. Though this place is always crowded, the servers are attentive and quick. I hesitate to write a review because I'm worried that this place will get even more popular and I won't be able to squeeze into the quaint restaurant without waiting super long. Try this place! Every other breakfast place in Atlanta has disappointed me at least once, but not Joy Cafe!
(5)
Sara S.
Ashley Bates is the pastry chef at Joy and is exceptional and very talented. If you need about ten very fancy and specifically decorated cakes and several dozen fancy cupcakes in four or five days, she's your girl!! I needed cakes for a photo shoot and she was totally reliable. The cakes were of various configurations: sheet cakes, two layer, three layer and theme cakes. All were beautifully executed with great care. We had lunch catered by Joy Cafe one day: quality ingredients, tasty and abundant! The restaurant staff even made at special trip to our photo shoot location to deliver a forgotten vegan meal, gratis. Great people to get acquainted with and tasty tasty food!
(5)
Barry M.
Wonderful, trendy cafe. If not for Yelp I would have never given it a look. Great food, large portions, reasonable prices. Very friendly staff, good coffee.
(5)
Angie S.
Woooow, what can I say this place has awwwwwesome breakfast. So much food that I was able to have breakfast the next morning with my leftovers. Eveything taste like homemade from scratch.
(5)
Lauren O.
The food at Joy Cafe is fantastic! Went here for Sunday brunch and absolutely loved it. I had the vegetable omelette with a biscuit-- to die for! The biscuit was fantastic and massive-- definitely a sight to see when you're there. My only complaint is the space is rather tight and I felt as if I was not only having brunch with who I came with but also the people we sat next to because they were so close. However, the fantastic food and welcoming staff were well worth it. Joy Cafe is a buckhead must!
(4)
Gayle B.
We have been coming here at least twice a month for Sunday brunch. Always get the same thing...eggs benedict with salmon. It has always been wonderful...except this past Sunday. Our food was ice cold. We had already waited for a table for 1/2 hour so when the waitress graciously asked us if we wanted it warmed, we declined. The eggs were almost raw. I would have needed a straw to eat them. The waitress was very nice and took one meal off the check. That night, we were sick. Common denominator: the eggs. I think Joy's is a prime example of how the kitchen falls apart when it is so crowded, as it was on Sunday. Also, a kitchen worker ran out and got in her car, so they were one person short. The hostess was frazzled too. Something was going on...I think I will wait a few months when/if the crowds thin out a little. Next time I go, it will be during off-hours.
(2)
Buzz B.
$8-10 for a sandwich made with home roasted meat - home made bread - served with fresh salad and fruit... well i must be sitting on a oil mine cause i don't think that is overpriced. Grandpa is that you writing reviews on Yelp? remember the good ol days when homemade sandwiches only cost a nickel! remember when people who cooked you food for lunch were dressed in 3 piece suits and not aprons with - UGH! - disgusting flour on them! remember when you went into a small business establishment and the nice lady behind the counter wasn't diddling your pickle because they misunderstood your order and didn't just start giving you everything for free. my my the times have changed. now people are expected to pay for quality food - at least at market value. chefs wear flour covered aprons instead of perfectly pressed suits. its craziness! can't we get back to the good ol days when food was free - service was 5 star everywhere and dumbasses with a Groupon & a highly misguided sense of entitlement weren't enabled to write public critiques of local businesses? this place is good - i literally have no complaints. for a quick, fresh, tasty and AFFORDABLE lunch - 5 stars.
(5)
Kristin S.
Only got take-out, but from what we had, this place is all thumbs up. My daughter and I split the croque monsiuer and the oven roasted turkey (with brie, hello!). So they got the bread mixed up on the two. It was still delicious. My sister in law had the cuban sandwich and she LOVED it as well. Comes with a little side salad, fruit or chips. I had the cucumber tomato salad and it was slightly sweet and lovely. I also ordered 2 desserts to go. I tasted the blueberry cheesecake, not bad at all. And some sort of chocolate cake, which was absolutely WONDERFUL. It had some sort of caramelly stuff in it. Both desserts probably would have been better but I was so damn full from my sandwich. This place is a winner! I must warn you, not cheap, rather on the spendy side, but quality ingredients, so worth it. Also, don't be in any hurry to pick up, even though you call in 45 minutes prior.
(4)
Betsi W.
Wanted to try a new brunch place and found a winner here! The place feels like you're eating with family and the food is so delicious! I had smoked salmon eggs benedict and it was so tasty. This place is nice and down to earth but still in the middle of Buckhead. Very friendly staff and I'd highly recommend!
(5)
Denis H.
Found the Yelp reviews to be right on. Cute atmosphere, friendly family environment with happy attentive service. We had a ten minute wait but they had coffee outside for waiting guests. Food was prompt and excellent. We had the omelette with spinach, sundried tomatoes and feta with a biscuit and grits. No shortage of filling in the omelette! Our other meal was the Belgian waffle with local fruit and a side of bacon. What a delightful end to our weekend in Atlanta.
(4)
Lori H.
I want to find everyone that gave this place a good review and marry every single one of you. This place, is by far, the best breakfast I ever had in my life. I made sure to get there early, since it was a Saturday and word was that it gets busy very quickly. So I showed up about when they opened and there was no wait. I can't start my morning without coffee. I didn't need any special flavored lattes, just some coffee, sugar and cream, and that's exactly what I got. It was pretty good too, and freshly made. AND we also got complimentary pastries, blueberry muffins and cinnamon rolls. So soft, warm and fresh. I ordered the smoked salmon eggs benedict, and Ashley ordered the breakfast burrito. All I can say is WOW. I was really surprised at how fresh and flavorful and simply put together everything was. The salmon was extremely tender and bold with a great smokey flavor. It went together perfectly with the poached egg and hollandaise sauce. You can tell the chef put his very best effort into this, and he even came out the kitchen to ask what I thought. Nothing less than perfect. That breakfast burrito is on point. The chorizo, eggs, and avocado pico de gallo made my mouth water when I bit into it. It was really bursting with flavor. And the hash-browns are fresh, and yummy. As far as the service goes, everyone that works there is fantastic. So professional, attentive and easygoing. Our waiter was so sweet, our coffee cups were never empty, and the owner even came over to bring our food. The icing on the cake was I couldn't believe how affordable everything was. Do yourself a favor, go here. Amazing food, amazing service, amazing prices. I might move to Atlanta just so I can come here everyday.
(5)
Lindsay S.
Love this place! Food is always good, so is the service. I have never had a less than stellar experience. Also, best tomato soup EVER. My office orders from Joy's several days a week and we are always very happy! Amazing cookies too!!
(5)
Kevin L.
Joy's cafe has a great menu selection and one of my favorite places for Sunday brunch. There is normally a little wait but it goes by fast and the food is well worth it. They have great service and start you out right away with some complimentary blue berry muffins, which are out of this world. I have had their steak and egg tacos, eggs Benedict, pancakes and eggs & bacon, none of which you can go wrong with. The food is top quality and you will not leave hungry. They also have a great lunch menu. I would highly suggest trying Joy's out if you have a chance.
(5)
Asma A.
This place is great for breakfast/brunch... I ordered the salmon omelette and it was great! they also gave some blueberry muffins and cinnabons on the house-- also very good! Definitely try this place! there was a line outside the door when we went, but the wait wasnt too bad, we waited for 15 minutes on a saturday morning around 12pm
(4)
Taylor A.
Fantastic brunch place that gets this midtown guy to come to Buckhead. There was a short wait on a Saturday that probably gets insane on Sundays after church. Recommend getting there early so you don't have to wait. Our Russian waitress was lovely and attentive. We never had to wait for anything from her. We both had the steak tacos which were out of this world delicious. Tender steak, eggs, and some sort of green sauce that rocked. Lots of other dishes I saw looked amazing as well. Can't wait to go back to try the eggs benedict. It looked awesome. The biscuit I had was huge but sadly really really dense. Butter to the rescue. Add reasonable prices to the mix and you have a brunch winner!
(4)
Christopher B.
If you're going on a sunday get there early or you will have a little bit of a wait. Food was very good, although it took a long time to get to the table, they had to make more english muffins, however their eggs benedict was excellent as well as their pancakes. Dying to try that cookies and cream pie we to bought home for tonight!
(4)
Ashaleigh R.
It was an underwhelming experience. I'm not sure if I would go again.
(2)
Rebecca O.
Oh shiiiittt, one of the best sandwiches I've ever tasted. I got the croque monsieur (more aptly named crunk monster). I'm not even sure what all was in it, but my mouth waters just thinking about how good it was. I'm so lucky because I work within walking distance of this quaint little cafe. Even during a week day lunch, the restaurant was almost full. There's about 30-35 seats in the place, so I imagine the weekends can be difficult to get a seat. The service was also excellent. Very attentive and friendly. Even the manager was walking around and serving tables, asking how the food was, etc. Prices are going to range you about $8-12 per person (for lunch). They do have free wifi but it has a password on it. When I went, the password was madewithlove
(5)
Richard R.
Places like Joy Cafe are why Yelp is such a great resource. We were visiting family in Atlanta and we decided to go out for breakfast after Mass on Sunday. I pulled out my iPhone, did a search on Yelp and found Joy Cafe just down the street from us. So, we headed on over. What a treat this place was. It's kind of a nondescript place in a row of shops. But, if you are interested in good food and can do without fancy decor, Joy Cafe is the place. There was a bit of a wait to get a seat, but the mgmt had thoughtfully set up a little table outside the door with complimentary coffee. This was my first indication that this place was unique - the coffee was outstanding. I would seriously come to Joy Cafe just for the coffee. But the food was just as good. I had a dried red tomato, feta cheese and spinach omelet that was delicious. I don't recall what the others in our party had, but everyone raved about their meal. Next time we're in town visiting, we'll be coming back to Joy Cafe.
(4)
Tia M.
Food was amazing! Definitely coming back!!! Best pancakes I've ever had!!! Steak & eggs were delicious too. Highly recommend the place. Very busy on the weekends though so heads up.
(5)
Joy W.
Well, obviously anything with the name Joy is a good thing :) Joy Cafe, I like to think, is named after me. Okay, that's wishful thinking, but it is named after a woman named Joy who's cafe churns out good home-made quality dishes. I've been here on two occasions, once with a friend for brunch and another time with a group of 6 for dinner. For brunch, I ordered their famous Crab Cake Benedict which was like a taste of warm heaven in my mouth. I'd definitely order it again! The side of fresh fruit makes me feel less guilty about having consumed a bunch of melted butter in the form of delicious hollandaise sauce. For dinner, I ordered their Shrimp N Grits which was flavorful, especially with the rosemary herbs. The portions were huge, and I had a hard time finishing everything. The texture of the grits are a bit thicker than usual, but I attribute that to the home cooked dishes at Joy Cafe. I heard their desserts were good too. Plus! They have a Scoutmob :) Unfortunately, I think their dinner operations are currently closed while they obtain a beer and wine license so they can allow BYOB. But they're still open for brunch and lunch until 6pm. [37 of 100]
(4)
Morgan C.
My mom & I went on a Sunday for brunch. VERY CROWDED! they had water outside, which was nice since it was very hot. it's a very small restaurant & very busy. very loud too. when seated the service was prompt. the blueberry muffins were very dry & not much taste to them. the cinnamon rolls were decent. I ordered the vegetable omelet, very good! but enormous! I could only eat half. it came with a biscuit & they ran out.. not sure how you run out of something that is a signature of your restaurant. my mom ordered the waffle & said it was good. overall it was decent. not my favorite brunch spot in Atlanta but it wasn't bad. also if it's summertime be prepared to be hot, even if you sit inside... they don't have fans or anything.
(3)
Happy Eater B.
Yum. Yum, yum, yum. We had an amazing breakfast at the Joy Cafe! This is a simple diner environment with stellar food and terrific service. The humbleness of the cafe only accentuates the beauty of the food. The homemade chorizo sausage was mouthwateringly good. For that reason alone, I'd particularly recommend the breakfast burritos for breakfast. The pancakes were as good as pancakes can be - light, fluffy, exceptional presentation, tons of berries, and really good maple syrup. The side of thick cut bacon was perfectly cooked and had excellent bacony flavor. Our waitress was wonderful. She was on top of everything without ever being in the way. Others assisted from time to time without any sense of being inconvenienced by our table. Overall, in this neighborhood, surely this is the place to go for breakfast.
(5)
Tashia Z.
Absolutely delicious! Met a friend for brunch this past Sunday at the height of brunch time. The place was packed, but a table for 2 only took 10 minutes. We had a very attentive and knowledgeable server. The food was phenomenal and the prices were very reasonable. Those were the best buttermilk pancakes I've ever had in a restaurant. This will be a regular brunch spot.
(5)
Angela H.
Man, don't you hate it when you're at a restaurant with someone you don't know too well and you feel awkward about taking pictures of your food? Well right now, I'm regretting not doing so as I usually like do... =( The two of us decided to grab lunch at Joy Cafe around 1 pm on a Friday. The person I went with had been there before and told me that the food was good but pricier than similar options nearby. For example, the sandwiches are a little pricier than similar sandwiches elsewhere. When we walked in, we were seated immediately and handed the menus. I don't believe they had any lunch specials - just the regular menu. I have to agree I was surprised at the prices for some of the specialty sandwiches, many of which were over $10! However, I was relieved to see that the back of the menu had deli sandwich options that were cheaper. I decided to order the Chicken Salad Sandwich and noticed that they had two chicken salad options for the sandwich - Joy's traditional Southern Chicken Salad or Apple Walnut Chicken Salad. After asking the server to describe what's in the southern chicken salad and hearing the word "mustard" (not a fan of it in sandwiches), I quickly chose the Apple Walnut Chicken Salad Sandwich. The server also told me the bread options I could choose from, and I chose ciabatta. All sandwiches come with a piece of fruit and a side of your choice. The options for sides include pasta salad, potato salad, tomato cucumber and onion salad, mixed green salad, and dirty chips. I chose the pasta salad, which turned out to be an excellent decision! Our food didn't take very long to be served, which was a pleasant surprise! * Apple Walnut Chicken Salad Sandwich ($7.99) - I was very pleased with the size of the sandwich! It was pretty large and, thankfully, cut in half. I really enjoyed the soft, fresh ciabatta bread, loved the big chunks of chicken, and savored the pieces of apples and walnuts! However, I was only able to eat half of it because it filled me up! But I was happy that I could enjoy leftovers later. =) * Pasta Salad (Side item I chose for my sandwich) - Per the menu description, this is a "Mediterranean pasta salad with sun dried tomatoes, olives, carrots, peppers, feta cheese with a red wine vinaigrette." The pasta in the salad was bowtie pasta, and although it was softer than I normally like (I would have preferred it to be al dente), the combination of the various ingredients made it so delicious! I'm not really a fan of feta cheese, but it was perfect in the pasta salad and I would definitely order this side again! Overall, Joy Cafe and Bakery gets 4 stars for their fresh, delicious sandwiches and friendly service! Although our server initially brought just one check for us, we asked if we could get separate checks. Instead of bringing us new checks, however, she wrote our totals separately on the same check, which was fine. I appreciated that she accommodated our request. I'm sure I will return to Joy Cafe, and I will probably order the Apple Walnut Chicken Salad Sandwich and pasta salad again because I enjoyed it that much! Next time, I will be sure to take a picture... =) [Review 143 of 366]
(4)
Kali S.
Love this little cafe. Friendly people and great service! It's a pretty small spot, but that doesn't stop the people from flowing in. Almost everything on the menu is a hit. The biscuits are a must try. Parking is easy, as the cafe is in a small strip mall right off of Pharr. One of the best parts of our dining experience was Joy's husband coming over to have a personal chat with us. He was a very nice guy and I wish him and his wife all the best on their business! Great experience and will surely return.
(5)
Karen R.
This place is FABULOUS. I've taken all my out of town guests here; most recently I took my mom and she described this as the best breakfast she ever had! The food is fresh, flavorful, and superb quality. I ordered an omelet last time and it was stuffed with delicious fresh vegetables - and big enough that I took half of it home! I've also ordered from the lunch menu, which is amazing as well. I got the chicken salad sandwich - the only disappointing part was that I was too full to finish the whole thing! Bonus - they give you complimentary pastries while you wait for your food. You absolutely cannot beat the value that you get here. It can be a little cramped inside, but the service is quick and the staff is friendly so this really wasn't an issue for me. I absolutely recommend this place to anyone!!
So good. Small, cozy atmosphere. Blueberry muffins were amazing. Will be back. There was a wait, so get there early.
(4)
Mike B.
I decided to stop through here for brunch one Saturday to see what all the hype was about. At the time it was ranked pretty high by the yelp nation. In my honest opinion the food was average at best. It was nothing to write home about. The highlight of the meal were the the muffins. I had the crab cake Benedict as my meal and it was just ok not the experience I was looking for.
(3)
Liz K.
Cute little place located in a very odd shopping center (for brunch, that is.) I kind of had trouble finding the place because the sign doesn't pop out or anything. Food- overall good. Typical brunch items such as eggs Benedict, waffles, bacon this and that. They give you these superrrr amazing cinnamon rolls and muffins prior to your meal you just can't help but indulge in it. Great, yummy start. I got to try a few items because my friends and I all ordered different things. Eggs Benedict with smoked salmon- Just good enough. I had the sauce on the side and had a side of hash browns added. The hash browns were too burnt/crispy for my liking. My friend had the sausage biscuit with gravy and the eggs were slightly too salty. Crab cake Benedict was amazing. We all shared this and that to get a taste of each. Freshly squeezed orange juice was so refreshing but I couldn't do another glass for 3 bucks. Great service. Small yet cute place. The outdoor seating is very small and cramped.
(4)
Susan G.
Well worth the 30 min wait. Joy herself introduced herself and seated us. The cinnamon rolls were AMAZING!!!! We had a party of 6, almost everyone ordered something different and not one of us were disappointed with our order. Will definitely be returning soon!
(5)
Jennifer P.
The best grilled cheese and tomato soup ever!!! Great combo for the winter. Brunching menu is good as well. Waffle with fresh berries, yum.
(5)
Therealladyof L.
5 star because this place really gives priority to dogs. They are dog-loving people. The food is excellent esp their shrimp & grits. A big serving. Do not order too much or you'l have to leave with a box. Will be back.
(5)
Karly G.
What a darling little place and I mean very little! Christina K wanted to go here for ages and we finally made our way there for lunch yesterday. I didn't give them 5 stars because the wait was fairly long. They were busy during lunch and it's not their fault, but it was still a long wait for drinks, then to take our order and then waiting for the order. I guess you shouldn't come here super starving... Anyways, I had to order the Croque Monsieur but replaced the tempting ham with turkey instead and potato salad as a side. I also ordered their daily lunch special - Meatloaf sandwich sans cheddar cheese. The waitress/owner must not have heard me so it came out with cheese. I wanted to eat it so bad but my baby is intolerance for dairy so I had to return it. Luckily I was able to trade half the sandwich with Christina so I was very please. The cheese really does make that sandwich so much better! My croque monsieur was perfect. It has enough turkey, enough cheese and the honey mustard was absolutely addicting. Both sandwiches were absolutely amazing and the portion is generous. I had a food coma when I got home - knocked out completely. I also got a slice of the tiramisu and I couldn't stop eating it... although the cake must have been there for at least 2 days, because the lady finger was stale. However, the actual tiramisu itself was divine and a generous portion! I'll definitely come back since the parking is fairly accessible. I hate some parking in Buckhead... and thanks to Scoutmob for the awesome discount!
(4)
Tonya C.
So I always see line at this place on the weekends so since I live in walking distance I thought what the heck, let me see what all the fuss is about. There were already 3 cars with people waiting for the restaurant to open at 930. Once restaurant opens, they tell us we can choose our seat. It is definitely tight and quaint inside. I immediately went for the table in the corner against the wall. Waiter brought water and a complimentary muffin and cinnabun which were deelish! I ordered the egg benedict with the smoked salmon. Everything on the menu looked appetizing but I will have to come back and try something different another time (Yes, I will be coming back) Food came out quickly. I thought the egg would be a bit more running. It looked a boiled egg on top of the muffin but not boiled all the way thru. The salmon was good and cold (as the stated it would be on the menu) the fruit salad was good as well. Overall experience was pretty good.
(5)
Lorna B.
This cafe is located in the space that once housed "Cafe at Pharr" and it seemed that they made few renovations. Seating is limited and cramped and the menu felt familiar. I had a chicken salad plate that was delicious yet similar to the fare that was served by the previous tenant and for anyone who had eaten at the former establishment know what I mean. My lunch companions all enjoyed their meals and there was not a clean plate left on the table. Chocolate cake was moist and delicious.
The turkey panini here is incredible. The chicken burger and pancakes are also highlights. If you're coming for brunch, get there by 1:30. This is my go to for a great, reasonably priced, quality brunch. Yay joy cafe!
Super awesome meal and super awesome service!! Friendly people and friendly vibes! Food is delicious just a little hot inside especially in the summer. Where some cool clothes! Delicious blueberry muffins on crack!!! Get some if you can you won't regret!
(4)
Nancy R.
You may have to wait, but it's worth the wait. It's a small place with a couple of tables for outside seating, so you'll have to wait outside in the parking lot. Luckily we came when it was nice outside so the half hour wait wasn't too bad. FOOD: We started with the complimentary breads - 2 types of muffin and a cinnamon roll. With coffee, these were a delightful start! For brunch I had the Lox and Lox of Omelet which is NYC style filled with smoked salmon and red onions, served with capers & bagel & cream cheese. The omelet was light and fluffy, filled with lox and onions. The side of toasted bagel with a fresh slice of lettuce, tomato, red onion, and capers accompanied the omelet well. I also got a side of hash browns, which are just cubed potatoes. Overall, it was a meal with plenty of tasty food to fill you with warm service!
(4)
Christopher E.
Joy Cafe's Brilliant Tag line is - Made with Love, Served with Joy. I promise you can taste the love in every single bite. The thing I love about this place is it is big enough to find a seat but not so big they compromise quality. I think a few places in ATLANTA could learn a lot from this lesson. I've only had the Steak Tacos (on Brunch Day - come early they do run out) and the Mushroom Grilled Cheese with a cup of Joy's Famous Tomato Soup, but both were spot on and priced extremely reasonably for the Buckhead area. I love staring at everyone's food because everything that comes out of that kitchen looks DELISH. The owners are very present and it shows! Great Food. Great Service. Great Space. This is what living in a big city is all about! #MyNewFavoriteLunchBrunchSpot
(5)
Christopher P.
Very good breakfast. Great portions. Good prices.
(4)
Dawn B.
Excellent Food, small place, service was good yet quirky. I love those big ass biscuits they serve. I never curse in a review but there is no other way to explain them. They are huge!
(5)
Sunira M.
Went in for a late lunch on Saturday. The place was really cute but it was packed! I had a feeling it was because of the scoutmob for $10 off lunch. I ordered the cobb salad and my friends ordered a benedict and a panini. The service was fast and the food was excellent. I would definitely return!
(5)
Shirley Z.
I have not visited since my last review. However I would like everyone to know that the owner reached out to me and was very kind and apologetic for my previous experience. Even though my impression of the food remains the same but i have faith that this place is going to do just fine after all. Jon B., the owner was very open to suggestions and took the time to address my concerns. I can tell the love and passion he has for this cafe and I wish him the best. (I've already noticed that change in street signage!! Kudos guys!)
(3)
Jarz R.
In one sentence? The food was so good, I was stuffed, but looking at my plate still made my mouth water. We came hungry, everything on the menu looked great, so we ordered a feast. I can't remember all of what we\ordered at the moment, and since the dinner menu is offline right now, I'll have to come back to this review. What I DO remember: Greek salad: Amazing. So flavorful, and they did not skimp on the good stuff. Big enough that it the two of us could split it for a starter salad Orange Dreamcicle Cheesecake: It was like Joy found a way to distill an orgasm, kittens, and ecstasy into a silky soft ribbon my mouth. I don't think I need to go any further. Oh, and Joy and her husband came out to ask us how our meal was. They were simply darling.
(5)
Lauren P.
Joyful, joyful, we adore thee, Joy Cafe! This place is just what Buckhead needed: a cool sandwich shop which serves super sweet tea, crave-worthy salads, fabulous desserts plus brunch from 9:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. on the weekends. One of my gripes with Souper Jenny (which I also adore) is the lack of brunch on Saturday. Sure they have Cafe Jonah but I always wanted tomato soup AND grits on the weekends. Can't a girl have her cake and eat it too? Well at Joy Cafe, I did just that. I ordered tomato basil soup, grits with cheese, plus a side salad for my brunch. My sorority sister dining with me ordered her two eggs any style. The biscuit which came out with her brunch was massive! And the bacon was some of the best I've had in Atlanta. We later learned that everything is made from scratch. The biscuits are a family recipe Joy's made since she was 6. All the meats are cured and brined in-house so there's neither Boarshead nor preservatives to be found. Since the joint is less than a year old, Joy herself can be found at her spot 7-days a week. She was so nice to stop by our table, and her husband John is working there right along side her. They even let us sample a chocolate cupcake for dessert. It was absolutely to die for with two kinds of French chocolate! I also brought my husband home a slice of key lime pie which lasted maybe about 90 seconds once I walked through the front door. In total for two girls to brunch with drinks, tax and tip came out to $30. Albeit for Buckhead that's in the usual range but I'm even more willing to pay $3 for a cupcake to help support this local family business. So if y'all are looking for an awesome spot for lunch, dinner or bunch on the weekends, and want to know your food is made from scratch by Joy herself, check out Joy Cafe and Bakery. This place is truly heaven on earth in Buckhead.
(5)
Alex C.
I got the steak and egg tacos. It was pretty good, but the short coming was the lime marinade on the steak. It was simply overpowering, I actually used the salsa to dilute the lime-y-ness. Some of the other stuff I saw looked pretty good and lime-steak aside, the meal was pretty good. Portion size is good, the eggs weren't overcooked and the hashbrowns were good as well.
(3)
Julie S.
I give the food 4.5 stars-- it is SO good but what really blows you away is the cupcakes. Try special chocolate one they are known for you will not be disappointed! I had brunch of grilled cheese and tomato soup on a rainy day and it was amazing. We waited to be seated but it was worth the wait- the food was exceptional, the hardest part was deciding what to order!
(5)
Sean W.
I ordered the tomato caprese grilled cheese (added bacon) and it was... DAMN! Actually said that after the first bite literally melted in my mouth. Kept cursing throughout the entire meal. It's just... SO... good. My friend had the Greek salad and said it was quite good, and that the side of potato salad was a bit bland. I'll be returning soon for that grilled cheese, though. The basil pesto was just fantastic as well. One of the best GC sandwiches I've ever had. Oh, and the cookies are REALLY good, too. Very thick, moist and soft. One tastes like a freshly-made brownie. Wow...
(4)
J H.
Two Limey's in town - as Joy delightfully christened us! We waited over an hour to sample the Brunch and it was worth the wait. We both had the eggs with bacon & home fries. The food was delicious but it was the little home made extras that really made the difference. The cinnamon pastries were delicious, you really must try the home made hot sauce too. But the home made Jam - Blood Orange & Chianti. Wow. I have to try making that.
(5)
Tony S.
TIP: ask for chef's homemade hot sauce for your breakfast burrito. It's got a wonderful flavor with the right amount of heat. Perfect brunch spot with very little wait time unless you have more than 4 people. Chef is super nice as were the entire staff. A new favorite for my future Atlanta visits.
(5)
Luke T.
Worth the wait and definitely a place to take your friends from out of town. We arrives around noon to find the place packed and folks milling about outside. We waited around 30 minutes but the line was moving fast. They don't have too many tables but the staff does a great job with speedy service and turns the tables around very quickly. So , do not get discouraged when there is a line as they do a great job in getting folks seated. We had their signature biscuits and gravy and their benedict on crab cake. We knew it was good and it lived up to our expectations. They are very good and we know it was made from scratch. Prices are more than fair. They pour good coffee too. This restaurant serves good, delicious food. Simple food , but very well done. They employ a lot of folks here and the result is very prompt and fast service. Everyone is super cheerful and happy as well.
I would've really given this place 5 stars if they served mimosas. When I think of brunch I definitely think of booze and so this saddened me quite a bit. Other than that (and the 45 minute wait) it was all groovy. Our waitress seemed to be in her own little world half the time and we had to flag her down on a couple of instances but who cares when the food is that good? I had the french toast and my boyfriend had the steak tacos and eggs. My french toast was great but those tacos were insanely good and I was suffering from that food envy real thick. Would like to return some day and have that. I like the small little quaint space too and the fact it's close to other bars and stuff. Perfect to grab a mimosa afterward ;)
(4)
Melissa P.
My husband and I enjoyed lunch at the Joy Cafe on a Friday afternoon. it's a quaint little spot hidden in a small strip of stores in Buckhead. It's a small space that probably seats about 40-50 people. They've got a couple of tables outside on the sidewalk if you'd like to eat al fresco. Parking is a bit of an issue during peak times but you can park in a near by public parking garage and walk over. We got lucky and found a spot store front! The staff is very friendly and attentive. The lunch menu offers typical cafe-sytle items with a gourmet twist. Items such as salads, soups, cold and hot sandwiches, pies, cookies, cake slices, and home made ice creams. I ordered the half&half combo. I had half of the Croque Monsieur sandwich which had ham, gruyere cheese, dijon mustard pressed into a perfectly, toasted, panini. I had this with a cup of Joy's tomato soup. The soup was creamy and a tad sweet. It was delicious and surprisingly filling! I was hoping I'd have room for dessert. My husband ordered the chicken burger. The patty is made from house-ground chicken, spinach & feta. It has thick slices of crispy bacon, provolone, jalapeno aioli & chipotle mayo. He also had a cup of tomato soup. The chicken burger was delicious! We were stuffed so had to take dessert to go. I ordered a slice of their home made cinnamon roll cake. It's kept refrigerated so it's a little dry but so delicious. It's like a mini bundt cake that tastes like a cinnamon roll. It's topped with a glorious cream cheese frosting. Delightful! My husband ordered their white chocolate chip ice cream. He loved it. It was a bit pricey. 8 oz for $4.50 but he felt it was worth it :) Our final lunch bill with everything above, an iced tea and a sprite came out to $35. I personally feel like it's a bit too expensive for lunch but I will say it is delicious and satisfying. They're being featured on the foodnetwork's Diners, Drive-ins and Dives!
(4)
Dave M.
I felt this place was just OK but nothing special. The portions were definitely slim. The Hot Roast Beef ($9) while good had like 2 slices of petite roast beef. I got the cucumber salad side. It was like eating sliced pickles. Definitely can get a meatier roast beef at other places for less the price. The 1/2 Tuscany and 1/2 Sandwich ($11) was definitely overpriced. I guess the mozzarella caused it to be expensive but yikes. Again, the food wasn't bad but you pay a lot for little. The service was friendly. The workers greeted us upon entry and served us promptly. The place isn't huge. It'll seat maybe 30-35 but the parking is much tighter so get there early. They have some desserts but I didn't look at those. Overall, this place isn't horrible to try but it's not worth it for me.
Joy Cafe is a great lunch/brunch place if you can stand the wait. For me, coming on a Saturday between 12:30 and 1pm, for a table for 2, meant a 20 minute wait. Here's what I ate: Steak and Egg Tacos: Delicious. Steak is juicy and tender, the eggs are fluffy and the peppery ranch sauce on the side is delicious. I would order this again. Cuban Sandwich: This was ok. Not sure what prompted me to order this, but I probably wouldn't get it again. It's a decent sandwich and better than let's say Jason's Deli, but doesn't hold a candle to Havana's Cubans. I ordered potato salad as a side and it was unique: it's like a cold mashed potato with dill in it. Tomato Soup: This is their signature soup and I like it. It's got a nice texture and it's on the sweet side, but I think it is so for dipping a grilled cheese sandwich or bread, at least that salt will counter it. Biscuit: Holy crap...that's a huge biscuit. It's definitely a lot for one person and it's so good with some kind of jam/jelly which we had to request. I suspect even the strawberry jam is made in-house and it was so good on the biscuit that it was like eating a dessert. In short, the menu is simple but everything is decent and made in-house. I would love to come back for another biscuit or to try other items on their menu. It's a casual place for brunch that I wouldn't recommend for large groups. The private parking lot gets fully easily, so you may have to do the paid parking just adjacent to the shopping center.
(4)
Tristyn B.
This is the happiest accident I've stumbled upon in a while! Ok so before I tell the story I'm going to need you all to promise not to judge me: I ended up here because I was "following" a guy with a Starbucks cup. On the night of July 3rd I dropped my phone and shattered my screen to the point where it was unresponsive. I'd done some research (thanks Yelp!) and found a phone repair shop. Got there the next morning, and because it was earlier than I preferred, I needed some coffee. What's that? A guy walking past with a Starbucks logo in his hand.....? So yes, I left the repair shop and followed this young man, unbeknownst to him. I only intended to stalk him as long as it took to locate the nearest Starbucks, but instead he turned into this gem of a restaurant! (Incidentally, yes.. I did tell him I'd followed him there.) It was fated, I'm sure. I checked out the menu, unsure if I wanted real breakfast or not. The husband (the place is owned and operated by husband/wife chef team! How cool is that?!?!?!) greeted me at the front and was SO sweet and amazing that I just had to have a seat and experience what they had to offer. My server was really nice and helped to clarify a couple things so I could narrow down my decision... I went with the smoked Salmon Benedict. It was divine. I'm in love! They add a little extra sweetness not only with their sunny dispositions but also because they give you a small plate of muffins and cinnamon rolls before your meal. That's how I decided on the benedict. A lot of savory, a little sweet... that's a good balance right? The portions are plentiful to the point that I could only finish half my food. Because of what I'd ordered I couldn't very well expect it to hold up for later so I begrudgingly left it on the plate. Although I try to steer away from giving 5 stars for a one-time visit... I'm completely sold on this place. Thanks Starbucks guy!
(5)
Nicole S.
My mom came to visit, so of course I had to bring her to Joy Cafe!! Of course, she loved it as much as I do. This time I went for lunch. We shared two sandwiches and soup: Tomato soup- SOOOO amazing. Thick, but not too thick, texture. Lots of flavor with a little bit of sweetness. It came with really good bread too. Chicken burger- one of their signature dishes. Very different than something I've had before. The two different sauces on top had great flavor and made the burger moist. Brisket Reuben- brisket and sauerkraut, plenty of meat on the sandwich, bread was toasted perfectly. We got potato salad and pasta salad with the sandwiches. Good size portions and Just lots of flavor. Both salads were served cold. Highly recommend everything we got.
(5)
Ronnie J.
We decided to try this place and i'm glad we did. Despite the long line and the limited parking breakfast was excellent. Friendly staff & clean. Great options on the menu and i decided to get the shrimp & grits. I get shrimp & grits the majority of the time when it's offered. But JOY'S CAFE is my new favorite!!! The shrimp & grits are amaaaazing i would definitely recommend this dish. It's kind of heavy, made with cream but very tasty. 2 THUMB UP!!
(5)
Anthony N.
First time there. The restaurant was packed. But the wait wasn't too long. Our waitress was very nice and attentive. Very fast to refill our drinks and checked on us often. We were there during the last part of the day and the chef John came out to make sure patrons were enjoying their meal. The salmon Benedict was very good. Perfectly poached egg. Salmon is smoked in house. The English muffin is also good. I ordered the hash browns extra crispy with cheddar and probably the best chopped potato style hash browns I've ever had. Bacon is meaty. Little sweetness to it. Crisp and hot. Biscuit and sawmill gravy is delicious. Very hearty. Filling. The soft scramble eggs are just how my wife likes them. We were happy and very stuffed. Just as we paid the bill. Chef John asked us to stick around. That's when he gave us a complimentary slice of his cookies and milk pie. It was delicious. Not two sweet. Nice crumble. Right amount of chocolate. Delicious. Thanks joy cafe for a great dining experience. Looking forward to coming back
(5)
Jessica H.
I had the shrimp & grits, and it was very good! If I see this on the menu, I will get it wherever I go-- but this was the best I've ever had. The food is also very aesthetic that it's so hard to eat! They don't hold back on ingredients (like the berries that topped my mom's waffles), so it's definitely worth the price. I don't live in the area, but I would go out of my way to dine here.
(5)
Gloria K.
This is probably one of my favorite brunch spots in Atlanta. This time I got the ham & cheese omlette and my husband got the steak & eggs taco. Both dishes were delicious. The portions are very generous and they even hand out complimentary baked yummies for customers. Although in Buckhead, it's a convenient location away from the usual Buckhead traffic with plenty parking available. The only complaint I have is that the wait time can be long and that I feel crammed when seated. Get there early, folks!
(4)
Shirley W.
Joy Cafe truly lives up to its name; I've been here four times already, and I still remember the first time so clearly! From the service, to the food, to the decor, the entire restaurant leaves you feeling comfortable and satisfied. This is definitely my favorite brunch place around Atlanta right now, and I always leave with a light feeling of bliss drifting through me. The inside seems simple with its scattered white tables, and might even seem a bit crowded at first sight due to its smaller venue for its enormous popularity, but after being seated, the atmosphere around you starts to feel cozy, inviting, and quite homey. It's rustic and warm with the perfect blend of simplicity, and definitely captures that "morning brunch" ambience spot-on, especially on a sunny day! Food - brunch is WONDERFUL. Brunch is so wonderful that I tend to associate the idea of brunch with "joy cafe," because I think this is where my love for brunch really sky-rocketed. I love how you get fresh, warm muffins/cinnamon rolls (or banana bread, because they sometimes run out) while you wait for your meal. I remember getting Eggs Benedict for my first meal, and while I was initially mildly disappointed at the smaller serving size in comparison to those of my friends (because I never had Eggs Benedict and I didn't know what it looked like), it was really filling and delicious! Of course, I ate mine. And then some of each of my friends' meals...as always. If you want to get Eggs Benedict but you're afraid that you'll still be hungry, you can always switch out the side of fruit for hash browns, which I did the second time around. Their hash browns are amazing! I would recommend their hashbrowns, Eggs Benedict, and omelettes. For the large serving size, I think everything's really reasonably-priced. Usually after a meal here, I'm good for nearly the entire day. No kidding. On a side note, I had lunch here once because they only serve brunch on the weekends. Lunch is also delicious, but the serving sizes are smaller and there was nothing too memorable about my lunch experience. I think if you're coming here for the first time, definitely come for brunch. The service is stellar, and the sincerity of the workers adds to the atmosphere. I admire how the workers are able to maintain such an air of genuine care for your meal and whole experience even when it tends to get very crowded, with people in line outside and the place completely filled inside. I think there are only a few workers who regularly work there, and everyone is really kind and attentive! I've experienced maybe a few forgetful incidents here and there, but the place is rather small and workers pass by so often it's not so big of a deal. After all, they're usually really busy. The main reason why I knocked off a star is the consistently long wait time that I have to prepare for every time I go. Even though I've waited from 20 minutes to nearly an hour, the food and experience is so worth it that I know I'll be coming back (and eventually finish the whole brunch menu, perhaps). I realize that the sometimes excessively-long wait time only testifies to their popularity and how good the food and experience is. After all, there's a reason a line of other hungry people are outside waiting with me...through rain, through sun, we've been through it all!
(4)
Thomas P.
I don't know what all the hype is about Joy Cafe; maybe I ordered the wrong items or just caught them on an "off-day," but I was not very pleased with my food after having such high expectations based on Joy Cafe's 4 1/2 star overall rating. I ordered the Joy Cafe Pastrami Reuben Sandwich with my side choice of the tomato cucumber salad and a Belgian Waffle topped with fruit. To their credit...the Reuben was the best item I tasted. They house cure their pastrami from scratch and make their own sauerkraut, which made a big difference in it's overall flavor. They stacked enough meat on the bread and it was moist and juicy; I can honestly I thoroughly enjoyed it. However, this is where my experience gets thrown off. They served me a mushy cucumber tomato salad that looked like the cucumbers and tomatoes have been sitting around for at least 3 days. The cucumbers had a dingy color to them and the tomatoes tasted like they were left over from a pico de gallo they previously prepared. I could only eat about 5 cucumber slices...very disappointed because the Reuben tasted delicious. Next, the Belgian waffle was undercooked in my opinion and was served with overripe, mushy bananas...something I do not like at all. The blueberries and strawberries were good and the maple syrup and whipped cream helped me to get it down. Overall, this place was just average. There have been 3 other brunch spots in Atlanta that I would prefer over the Joy Cafe.
(3)
Madison J.
Yum!!! I have had this place bookmarked for a while now and finally came to try!! So good! Everything is fresh and full of flavor. The strawberry pancakes were full of strawberries inside. The butter/whip cream on the side is amazing!! Joy, the owner, is very friendly and makes a point to come say hello! Will be back soon for more!
(5)
Sandra B.
Updating my last review, since I do find myself craving Joy's for both brunch and lunch. Which deserves more than my previous rating of 3 stars. Waiting is inevitable. Just accept it and factor at least 30 minutes into your schedule. Eggs Benedict is a-okay! I'm always excited when a brunch place offers it on their menu. Grilled cheese + tomato bisque soup. Amazing. MUST TRY.
(4)
Sarah B.
I had the shrimp and grits and it tastes phenomenal! I've been to Charleston where shrimp and grits are supposed to be a staple, but Joy's is far better. The venue is very small and quaint. Get there early or be prepared to wait. My server was friendly, but not very attentive. Note, the restaurant is located in a shopping strip so don't go too fast or you'll pass it. Overall everything met my expectations and I will return.
(4)
Christina A.
This is one of my favorite breakfast/brunch spots. Nothing pretentious, just tastes like good ole' home cooking. I had their belgian waffle topped with berries, and it was perfect. Generous portion of berries caught me by surprise as many brunch places scatter a small amount of berries with waffles or pancakes. Be prepared for a long wait on weekends. However, they do set out some complimentary coffee outside to make it more endurable.
(5)
Michelle T.
Oh what a Joy!! I love brunch and what I love better is a place that has so many tasty options I want to go back to try them! And, what I did order was good? And the service was excellent? Yep its on my got-to brunch spots list. Very causal spot with a nice wait if you go during prime brunch time. I am sure if this place served liquor it would be worse. I had the breakfast burrito and it was awesome! I also had their in house sage and ginger sausage. It was good, but not mind blowing. They ran out of has browns, which are really home fries in my book. But were able to substitute without and additional charges. The Waffle is yummy with lots of fresh fruit. I saw ordered of the Egg Benedict on other peoples tables and they look delicious!! I cannot wait to try them out!! I was so hungry so thankfully they start you off with blueberry muffins and a cinnamon rolls. Yummy!!! Jessica was our server and she was wonderful! Very attentive and friendly! It was a great experience and some good food.
(4)
Jordan O.
Delicious, best meal I had in all of Atlanta and all I ordered were cheese grits. I ended up eating some of the other offerings off of my wife's plate and loved everything except the granola with yogurt which just wasn't sweet enough for me.
(4)
Lisa W.
We stopped by for a late breakfast one Saturday. Our party of four ordered a breakfast burrito, salmon eggs Benedict and eggs/sausage/hash brown/biscuit. We all enjoyed our food and would happily return. They had a wait for a table that was much shorter than initially predicted. And the space is small so just know you'll hear the next tables' conversation.
(4)
Michelle L.
5/5, can confirm lunch items are equally as amazing (and hefty in portions) as the brunch! The lunch portions on the weekend menu (pretty much the whole right side) are available after 11am, so since we were finally seated pretty close to noon I decided to try out one of their sandwiches. I ordered the chicken salad sandwich (southern style, not the apple-walnut variety), on ciabatta bread with the garden salad as my side with citrus vinaigrette. All were amazing, seriously. The chicken salad was spot on-- chunks of chicken with bits of celery and the perfect amount of mayo and whatever else (magic??). Garden salad was very fresh and delicious--slices of carrots, slivers of red onion, fancy greens, etc, but the citrus vinaigrette really took that salad to the next level-- light, lovely, slightly sweet, and not at all greasy. All for $8... A super steal, methinks, especially since I could only finish half the sandwich and boxed it for later! Only downside: 48-minute wait, upon arriving and putting our names down at approximately 10:50am this Sunday. Phew... But I will say this is probably one of the ONLY places in Atlanta that I'm willing to wait that long.
(5)
MD W.
The is the most stressful place I've eaten at in a very long time... Food was pretty good, but it's uncomfortably overcrowded!!! More and more people keep coming in... I wanted breakfast based on the picture, but quickly found out they are from the weekend brunch... I would probably give this place 4stars, because the food was good!!! Since I don't live in the area, I would not come back just to get a sandwich/salad to-go... This was suppose to be my relaxation lunch, but I feel like I'm driving on Interstate 75 in the middle of rush hour traffic!
(3)
Cindy T.
Came here for Sunday brunch and to catch up with a girlfriend this past weekend around 1pm. There was already a line outside the door and the wait was about 45 minutes. Pretty typical wait time for Sunday brunch in Atlanta. They had coffee outside for waiting patrons which is a nice gesture. The space is definitely small where you are literally sitting next to the next table. Not recommended if you care for a lot of personal space. One downside of being so close to your neighbors was how loud it got. My friend and I were seated across from one another and sometimes I found it hard to hear her above the noise. There were only about 4 more tables outside on the sidewalk. It didn't look exactly comfortable to sit outside since you were on the sidewalk in run-down parking lot with other patrons waiting in line behind you trying to get a table. Started with complimentary blueberry muffins and cinnamon buns. The muffins were delicious. The cinnamon buns were a little on the hard side. We both ended up ordering the eggs benedict with smoked salmon and fresh fruit. It was delicious. The eggs were cooked to perfect yolk-y goodness and the smoked salmon was so good. My usually gluttonous appetite couldn't even finish my meal. Portions were definitely satisfying. I also tried the peach tea which was good, but a tad too sweet for my personal taste. I had to ask for it to be mixed with half unsweet. Service was prompt and friendly. Our waitress was busy but she always made sure our drinks were full and we had everything we needed. No complaints. This is one of those places I can imagine enjoying a lot more if it wasn't so crowded. The ambiance just wasn't there for me. And I find it really aggravating to not be able to really have a conversation with my company. The food all looked so delicious and perfectly presented. I would definitely have to come back when they are less busy to try more of the menu.
(3)
Victoria A.
Absolutely loved this place!!!! Yes it was crowed but it was worth the wait!! Pancakes melted in ur mouth, their Secret hot sauce, EVERYTHING!!! I wish I knew this place when I was living in Ga. I definitely encourage you to go!
(5)
Cory M.
I had to try the restaurant after reading the reviews. Wait was about 40min for 4 of us. The server was very polite! Amazing food and well worth the wait! Ordered the shrimp grits, crab cake benedict, and pancakes. All items are recommended.
(5)
Wendy R.
Wonderful brunch spot. Very busy but still nice place. Friendly staff and quick service!
(5)
Brea A.
If it weren't for the tight space this place would have 5 stars! The service was wonderful and quick and the food was amazing!!! I had the biscuit and sawmill gravy with a side of homemade hot sauce, I couldn't get enough of this dish!! My mom had the pancakes (mind you she is a pancake connoisseur)she said they were the tastiest and fluffiest pancakes she has ever had! It was also nice to have complimentary muffins and coffee cakes while we waited for our meal. This place is a must try if visiting Atlanta
(4)
Angela M.
The best, fluffiest eggs that I've ever had! Arriving at 12:30 on a Sunday, there were still plenty of spots in the lot, and a promised 15-20 minute wait for our party of 7.5 (baby in the car seat, not really eating). There are a few tables outside, and that's where everyone waits since there's no space for extra people outside. They had a table with a water jug and a few glasses for those waiting in the Atlatna August heat - nice touch. The staff was very hospitable, especially the hostess who keeps things moving right along. Everything on the menu sounded delicious. We made jokes about ordering the left half of the menu versus the right half. I opted for the steak and egg tacos with tomatillo crema, while J got the Rueben, and Charlie got the pancakes. We also got an order of biscuit with gravy for the table to share. The biscuits are huge (the size of my baby's head, and he's in the 95th percentile) and somewhat cake-like. The gravy with chorizo was tasty and smooth. As our entrees came out, so did plates with cinnamon rolls and blueberry muffins - really great little bites of sweetness. My steak and egg tacos, of which I only got eat one in person, since the little guy reached his time in the car seat limit, were SO good - fluffy eggs, flavorful steak, fresh pico, and creamy-tangy tomatillo sauce. The rosemary potatoes were cut into chunks about the size of large shoe-string fries, so they had a good texture variety of crispness and creaminess, not to mention strong rosemary flavor. The bite I got of J's reuben was hot and juicy and crisp and just plain great. Even eating my tacos and potatoes from the to-go-container when we got home, they were quite tasty and fluffy. Definite gem! Can't wait to go back!
(4)
G S.
Amazingly delicious, Will be back for sure!! Shrimp and Grits and the Biscuit is a must have. Be ready to wait but I promise the food is worth every minute of wait time
(5)
Ashley L.
The bestie and I have made a pact to taste Atlanta through brunch. Of course Joys Cafe was on the list! We sat outside, it was a lovely day. Although they were busy we were seated in 15 minutes. Food was delicious, loved the mini muffins. The staff was promp, informative and friendly. Joys Cafe is now amongst the go to places I tell people about when in Atlanta.
(5)
Tatiana H.
This is the place to go if you're hungry & you expect the amount of food you actually ordered. They definitely do not skimp around in that kitchen. The sun-dried tomato omelet & pancakes were superb + a free pastry sampler? Service was attentive, fast, but didn't seem rushed, and our waitress did everything with a smile. They also have outdoor seating.
(5)
A-V H.
Brunch is my favorite meal! and there is no better place to have it. Glad we found this place on Yelp. Got excited with the options and ordered more than my group could handle. Cant wait to try this spot again.
(5)
Karen L.
Decided to take a friend out for her birthday and I'm glad we came here! It's located in a small plaza off Pharr Rd. Parking may be difficult during peak hours. Luckily it was a little late in the afternoon so we didn't have any trouble and we got a table once we got in. The space inside isn't too big so seating can be a bit tight, but it has a nice homey feeling when you walk in. On one side of the wall, there's a chalkboard that displays their daily special sandwich and/or soup their serving and on the other side is a decor of butterflies. We went in during brunch/lunch hours, but we were only given the lunch menu (at the time, I didn't know what time they stopped serving brunch so I didn't want to ask for a brunch menu in case they already stopped serving). I was a bit sad because I was looking forward to their omelets. But their lunch menu consisted of a number of sandwiches, deli-style sandwiches, a number of different grilled cheeses, and specialty salads. The also have a half and half combo where you can get half of any of their sandwiches and half a specialty salad or soup OR half a specialty salad and a soup. My friend ordered the half and half combo with their hot roast beef sandwich and gumbo, which was their soup of the day. And I ordered their sandwich of the day, crab cake sandwich (served with lettuce, onion, and tomatoe slices with remoulade sauce), with their mediterranean pasta salad. I was able to try the gumbo, which was very decadent. I would definitely go back for it! My crab cake sandwich came out and as I was putting it together and getting ready to take a bite, the crab cake patty started falling apart. It was very difficult to eat and I had to resort to eating my sandwich with a fork and knife. But the patty was cooked to a good crisp and I got the remoulade on the side so I could add in how much ever I wanted. I usually don't mind the taste of sourness, but the mediterranean salad was a little too sour for me. And for dessert, we ordered their cookies and milk pie. One slice was enough for the two of us since we were quite full from our meal, but this was the icing on the cake. It wasn't too sweet and the milk mixed in very well with the cream and chunks of cookie pieces. Besides the crumbling crab cake patty and tight seating, I would go back to try other items on their breakfast or brunch menu!
(3)
Jennifer W.
This place doesn't have the curb appeal that some places have, but give it a try! The food is unique, always fresh and always delicious! Small seating area, so not sure about bringing the gang. Didn't see any high chairs either. The staff is always extremely helpful and friendly!
(4)
Harry H.
Slice of cookies & milk pie/cake to go set me back $4.86 and finally provided a tasty dessert from friendly staff at an Atlanta spot.
(4)
Heather T.
Definitely a solid brunch joint. Worth the 45 minute wait? No. Worth the prices? Maybe everything in Atlanta is significantly overpriced, but the food just didn't live up to the price tag. Nothing special about this place, though the food was good. I had the breakfast sandwich on a biscuit--the biscuit was excellent. The granola was eh, and I make way better waffles at home.
(3)
Justin B.
Best food I've had during my current ATL trip. Showed up right at 9:30 AM Saturday morning to walk in and take the last table open for the initial seating, and from a food perspective I was not disappointed. The staff brought out a small dish of assorted muffins and pastries...all were very tasty and warm and fresh. Then my order of biscuits and gravy came out; since the menu highlighted that this one comes from someone's great-grandmother's recipe and had chorizo, that was all I needed to see that this one knocked it out of the park, save for a slightly-too-crispy biscuit that I partially discarded. Although I didn't taste it, a friend's son was given a cupcake by the staff and that looked incredible. My only knock here is the service time; we walked in at 9:30 and had ordered by 9:45, max. Why did we not get our food until 10:30? We ordered eggs benedict, chocolate chip pancakes, and the biscuits and gravy...in a 30-seat restaurant, what's the hold-up? A couple of parties who were seated after us did get their food before ours, so I'm just hoping they misplaced our order, but given that we had a two-year-old in the building slow service is very easy to pick out. Come to the restaurant ready to order or move quickly to get that done so that there is not a long delay. Prices were fair and the food quality was excellent, so I'll come back the next time I'm in town.
(4)
Kelly M.
Joy Cafe is one of my favorite neighborhood spots. The food has never failed to impress and food comify me. They are known for their weekend brunch so prepare to wait (it will be worth it because COMPLIMENTARY CINNAMON BUNS). You can't really go wrong with any of their breakfast items. Their traditional eggs benedict is one of the best I've ever had. Their egg skills are eggcelent. Breakfast burrito is fantastic. Waffles and pancakes are a sweet treat fa sho. Spinach salad is also a favorite of mine. Get some baked goods to-go and thank me later.
(4)
Sebastian M.
Same experience as last time as far as the food. It was delicious. I had the berry Belgian waffle and my wife had the breakfast burrito. She liked the burriti but thought the steak and egg tacos from our last visit were better. The hostess was also a lot more organized and friendly which is why I gave 5 stars. It was also less crowded though so that may play a part. The service was slow again though. Overall, a good brunch again!
(5)
Reggie E.
Great little quaint brunch spot tucked away in Buckhead. Came here on a Sunday at about 10:30 and the wait was about 40 min till we got seated. The place was packed and the sweet lady out front was trying the best she could to help everyone on the list. Once inside service was very mediocre and somewhat slow BUT...... You come to restaurants for the food and the food here was the star! You start with an assortment of pastries that are delicious and it only gets better from there. I had the steak tacos which were great and my girlfriend got the tomato soup and California grilled cheese that she raved about. Overall it was a long wait but it was well worth it!!
(4)
Brandee R.
Why is there only five stars allowed? Thanks Yelp for recommending this place. The homemade pop tart was amazing! Quite possibly the best thing ever!
(5)
Karen B.
"Made with love, served with joy," is what the staffs' tshirts say and it's definitely true. Don't overlook this hidden gem, just because it's tucked away in a strip mall away from the main drag of Buckhead. We had a short wait, less than 5 minutes for Saturday brunch. They say their specialty is the shrimp and grits and the steak and egg tacos, but hubby and I both opted for the crab cake Benedict. Crab cakes were crisp and nicely spiced, poached eggs were poked perfectly. They came with a side of mixed fruit. I would have preferred aside if hash browns or home fried, but didn't think to ask for a substitution. We were also pleased with the complimentary "treats", an appetizer plate of Mimi cinnamon rolls and oat blueberry muffins.
(5)
Jason W.
From the looks of the restaurant from the outside, you wouldn't think much of it. However, one taste will change your mind. The unsweetened peach teach was subtlety sweet but I couldn't get enough. The food is fresh and delivered fast. It's a must to visit if staying in Buckhead. It's a 4.5 but I rounded up (no mimosas).
(5)
Laura W.
Joy Cafe is absolutely one of our favorite places for brunch. The food is amazing. High quality but simple presentation. The breakfast sandwich is our go to. Huge biscuit with melted cheddar, eggs and bacon. Yum. I also love the chocolate chip pancakes! Fruit and homemade whipped cream on top! We've also come for lunch a lot and it's amazing for that too. The Tuscany is my favorite sandwich. My husband loves the "chicken salad" salad. But you really can't go wrong with anything! My only minor complaint is that it doesn't open until 9:30AM for brunch. Our other brunch spots open earlier so sometimes we have to skip Joy if we're out and about earlier than that. Oh and they used to be open for dinner. They stopped doing that but now that they have such a steady brunch and lunch business I wish they'd start again! John's homemade burger during dinner was to die for.
(5)
Sarah H.
Really great place for brunch. Expect a wait though if you go on a Sunday. One thing I loved about this place is they give you a sampler plate of patties before your meal which was really tasty. I got the bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit and it was massive! I've never seen a biscuit so massive. Really enjoyed my experience here and would go back
(5)
Steve W.
We went to Joy Cafe' today for brunch (Easter Sunday). This is one of those places where the attention to detail, love and the pride of ownership and staff really shines through in the quality of the food and service. Fresh squeezed orange juice, house smoked salmon, freshly baked goods, friendly attentive service. Plenty of gluten free and vegetarian options. The owner (Joy) and her mother and husband are all very hands on and it shows! We will definitely be back!
(5)
E F.
Lovely owners and staff. Trying very very hard and aiming to please but food (at lunch) disappointing and space too small for demand. Menu and vibe super-appealing. Smiling Joy at the front of the house - hustling, greeting and checking on customers (as was her husband). However, food at lunch didn't deliver. Croque Monsieur served closed faced and too dry. Stuffed potato soup was tasty but served lukewarm (hot in spots so clearly microwaved). Other chicken panini also dry and accompanying tossed salad with dried out/old looking carrot and celery pieces. So crowded that the feeling of "moving customers" existed so check dropped without asking about dessert. We then requested ice cream and brought to us to go???? We asked to eat it in house and although tasty, freshness questionable as it was frozen like a rock. I overheard the owners talking about seeking a larger space which is a must (if they also figure out having the kitchen and operations support such). It's so crowded (with people waiting hovering over people eating) and there's a little of the "chicken running around with head cut off" feeling from the staff trying to serve everyone properly and quickly. Additionally, the space (old Cafe at Pharr) and furniture/fixtures are a bit tired (stains on drop ceiling, etc.) I think we'll try breakfast next time as it appears to be their strength. I love supporting small businesses and these owners clearly deserve it -- just need some tweaks.
(3)
Katherine S.
The food here was amazing. They give you a free "appetizer" plate of mini pastries before your meal. I had the best eggs Benedict I've ever had on a homemade English muffin. Service was a little slow, but we came at a busy time- Sunday lunch. Decor is very minimal, nothing fancy. Also tables are very close together, so it was loud. Would give five stars for food, knocked a star off for service/atmosphere.
(4)
Alexandra D.
Was not a huge fan. Cute place, lovely menu, but very understaffed. The eggs Benedict was overpriced and under-delivered. We did however, enjoy the complimentary muffins. I will definitely try it out again and have been back, however, we were never particularly impressed. When I'm paying $40 for breakfast, I expect the best!
(3)
Phong T.
Neat and cozy cafe in a plaza off Pharr Road in Buckhead. Olive pastel green walls with decor of butterflies. Very well lit from natural lighting. Service was great! Food was great! I had lunch with a friend here and we both ordered a sandwich and soup. I ordered the Oven Roasted Turkey and Tomato Soup. The sandwich was DELICIOUS. Perfect crunch, texture, taste, thickness, whatever! So good.
(4)
Jon B.
Went to Joy Cafe today for breakfast and was practically denied service for being one person. I received attitude for requesting seating for one. I was "told maybe I can squeeze you in". I left and went to flying biscuits I have never been treated so rude and I will never return.
(1)
Lilly Y.
I'm glad we ditched our breakfast reservations and took our chances at Joy Cafe. It was so good and worth everything required to get there! We got there around 9:25 on a Sunday morning, and there was already a considerable line forming outside the door. I'm glad we got there when we did because once they did open the door, every table inside was full. They had a few small tables outside but they also filled up fast. It is a small place inside a strip mall, and feels like a diner. They don't have a hostess stand or take reservations, but do have their own parking lot! Waiting probably wouldn't take very long because they bring the food out fast and turn tables pretty quickly. Be sure to get there early! Everything we ordered had generous portions. I opted for the two egg platter: scrambled eggs, ginger and sage sausage, fruit (instead of grits without an up-charge. This isn't advertised on the menu, but they'll let you do it if you ask) and a massive biscuit. Be sure to ask for the homemade jam- goes great with the biscuit. Everything was good, but my eggs were a little runny, but the server brought out another set and they were cooked well. I also didn't finish my biscuit and brought it home with a side of the jam. It was good leftover! I didn't care too much for the sausage, but wanted to give it a try. Next time I'll opt for bacon! My boyfriend opted for the steak and egg tacos and he loved them. But he thought 3 tacos was a little too much, and ended up eating the inside of the taco and leaving the tortilla behind. I tried a bite and they were really good, but not something I'd order myself. They came with a lime sauce (tomatillo, we think) that really enhanced the flavor. His dish came with the potatoes, which were homemade and tasty, but were a little too soggy for his liking. No crispy texture like you'd get at other places. His parents opted for the Eggs Benedict and enjoyed them. They came with fruit cups on the side: fresh strawberries, red grapes, blueberries and pineapple. After we finished eating, my boyfriend's mom said this is probably her new favorite place in Atlanta. When she comes back in town, we will probably come back here for some early morning grub. Before your food comes out, they bring an appetizer with two small cinnamon rolls and two small muffins (not sure what kind but they have nuts), all homemade. Helps hold you over while enjoying coffee until the food hits the table. And they'll bring more out if you ask. While we were dining, we got a look at other dishes. The biscuits and gravy looked really unappetizing to me: tons of brown gravy over two huge biscuits (when I say massive, I mean one biscuit here is equal to 2-3 regular biscuits). I'm not a huge fan of gravy to begin with, so I probably won't order that. The breakfast burrito is also huge and could easily serve two. The Belgian waffle looked good: topped with fresh fruit and powdered sugar. I'll definitely be back, and I'll be more adventurous with my breakfast choices next time!
(5)
Leo I.
Joy Cafe is conveniently located in Buckhead, exclusively for Brunch. The menu consists of an optimal variety of meals, making one susceptible of being ambivalent due to all of the impeccable selections to choose from. Literally everything is gratifying on the menu. The place can be a bit jam-packed at all times, but it's undeniably worth the wait. I hope that they expand in the future because this place is surely a gold-mine!
Cute little local cafe and great for breakfast. Shrimp and grits sounded awesome. They have a lot of specialty fun menu items. Bacon was cooked crispy and perfect. Grits could be a little creamier. Great Friendly service.
(4)
Tilia M.
Woo, that was close! I was starting to think that I'd tried all the brunch/breakfast places around this place. I guess the fact that I never go to Buckhead may be cutting me off from a large portion. Love this place. Its a scrappy little spot, but the food is spot on. I had the crab cake and my sig had the Ruben. I ate most of it (I'm a sucker for sour kraut and rye.) Nothing fancy about the place, but the food was really great, and the plates at the tables around us looked awesome as well. Their pancakes are like, the size of manhole covers, by the way. I must try. Gotta try the shrimp and grits too, as the girl next to me caught me staring at her plate a few times. It looked super yummy. They only sell breakfast and brunch on the weekend though, thats the one drawback, though, if you only find yourself eating out that time of day on the weekend, it may not be an issue for you.
(4)
Valentina R.
Love this spot!! Everything is made from scratch, from the pastries to the English muffins. can't go wrong with anything you choose to order !
(5)
Jack H.
This is an excellent lunch spot for soup and salad or a hot sandwich. The place is tiny, but it's worth the wait. One of the best Reuben sandwiches in town. Order the tomato basil soup and the housemade chips! Service is diligent.
(4)
Thomas Z.
Ordered shrimp and grits and crab burger. Both were good but portions were small. Be prepared to order a second helping of another dish!
(4)
Terrence G.
Shaun, our server, made this meal fantastic. Biscuits and Gravy, Shrimp and Grits, Crab Cake Benedict, Cobb Salad, and Chicken Salad between Llona, Antonio, Lati, and myself followed by Ice Cream and Mud Pie. The atmosphere is fantastic and definitely our new spot for brunch!!
(5)
Ebony W.
The food and as just okay here. The wait for the food was too long. The grits were good but that's about it!
(3)
350Z P.
When in Georgia, this is the place to be when you're seeking a great or late start to the day. They serves some of the best breakfast options and lunch dishes ever. As you may come to expect from my recommendations, everything is made from scratch with real and whole ingredients. You taste the difference with each and every bite! It's the perfect marriage between Southern favorites with a European twist. They specialize in Sandwiches and their Shrimp and Grits with Louisiana BBQ Sauce, but they also have plenty more to choose from such as their Steak and Egg Tacos, Tomato Soups, Southern Grill Cheese, Triple Decker Peanut Butter Bar, Peach Buttermilk Cake, Fruit Tarts, Chicken Burgers, Eggs Benedict, Breakfast Burrito and don't miss out on the complimentary Cinnamon Rolls or Blueberry Muffins!
(5)
Aseel K.
I wanted to try this place after checking the reviews on yelp. It is spot on! Fresh and tasty food with a wonderful service and friendly staff! I shared 4 dishes with my brother and sister, all 4 were so good! I am definitely coming back, soon. :)
(5)
Thomas P.
This place is great! I had the chicken burger with a cup of tomato soup and it was delicious.
(5)
andrew a.
Reuben: awesome Spinach salad: great (dressing was a little sweet) Classic grilled cheese: awesome Tuscany sandwich: ok, but a little too sweet Chips: delish Tomato soup: good, but a little sweet Coffee: delish Service: impeccable Decor: simple. Butterfly frames really beautiful.
(5)
Ravi B.
I was looking for a brunch place so I was disappointed that I got there today and they said they only do brunch on weekends. That's ok though. I made the best of it. The food, atmosphere, and friendliness more than made up for it! Parking was free, probably because all the other stores were closed. I got half and half. Chicken salad sandwich was super flavorful and the cobb salad was the most amazing I've ever had! Definitely want to come back here for brunch. Oh and they're dog friendly!
(4)
Christine U.
Came here on a weekday for lunch (thought they had brunch but was sad to find out that only happens on the weekend...). It was crowded at all and our waitress was nice and also pretty. We both got the chicken burger and it was AWESOME! The chicken is mixed with spinach and chunks of feta and its topped with bacon and some great sauces. I ate every bite. I also got the fruit cup with it and it was one of the best fruit cups ive ever gotten at a restaurant. Blackberries blueberries strawberries oranges pineapple and super sweet grapes. Honestly no complaints at all. Definitely wanna go back for brunch! (Update 11/18) We've been back here many times for weekend brunch and it's just as good (although small and super busy so be prepared to wait for a while). My favorite is still the chicken burger although the breakfast burrito is a close second! My friends have gotten pancakes and steak tacos and loved them too!
(5)
Rafaella W.
My favorite place now!!! Everything is so fresh and yummy!!! I am addictive to the pop tarts and cinnamon rolls. It's a small place but very comfy!!! Love it
(5)
Anne H.
As I've stated before, I'm picky about restaurant breakfast food. I mean, let's get real-- breakfast/brunch is probably the cheapest meal to make so if I'm going to make an effort to go somewhere and shell out good money, it better be worth it. And this place is! My sweetie and I got here about 11AM on a Sunday morning and the place was already packed. However, it was just a short wait and we were inside. The interior of this place was nothing to write home about-- sparse furnishings, too many tables for the small space, and no waiting area. However, everything they lack in style & design they make up for in food quality and service. We got an order of biscuits & gravy and their steak & egg tacos. Though I am partial to the tacos (that's what I ordered,) both dishes were great. We also loved the complimentary mini blueberry muffins and cinnamon rolls they brought to the table. What a lovely meal and excellent service to boot. Joy Cafe has earned a spot on my favorites of Atlanta list, for sure.
(4)
Walt B.
Ok. So my wife said she wanted to go here. I read the reviews on Yelp and figured, "why not?" We just left this place and all I can say is "WHO KNEW?!" This place is incredible! The service is great and the food is unbelievably good. I'm a foodie and I had never heard of this place in Buckhead. It's a small little cafe that opens at 9:30 on weekends. It fills up FAST. If you find yourself waiting, just know that it's worth the wait. First, they bring a cinnamon roll and mini blueberry muffin for each person at the table. The roll was good but the mini muffins are blissful. I ordered the steak tacos... Perfection! The hashbrowns were a good compliment to the meal. My wife ordered the breakfast burrito. It was huge! She enjoyed it but could not finish it. We shared a waffle that was also delicious. The atmosphere was quaint and inviting. The staff was extremely nice. They kept the coffee coming and remained accommodating for anything we needed. I never saw this coming. What a great dining experience. I hope this review has added value to your decision to try this restaurant. If it's only half as good as I thought it was, then it's totally worth the visit.
A friend and I just experienced this place today for the first time. Really solid food, but the service was even better. I mean really top notch! I ordered a biscuit and the shrimp and grits and my friend ordered the chicken burger. She said that she really enjoyed her dish. Like other yelpers mentioned that there is usually a wait and today was no different and it is very small. We waited for about an hour for a table, but it was worth the wait.
YOUR TONGUE WILL THANK YOU. My favorite cafe in Atlanta. All their dishes are delicious. You can actually taste their motto "made with love." Seriously, this is the best lunch spot. Try their chicken burger, any grilled cheese, the tomato soup...oh, the tomato soup! They also have a stellar mini bakery. I love them. I have never been disappointed. Always leave satisfied and happy. The ambiance is soothing and beachy. Enjoy! :)
(5)
Agata R.
One of the top brunch spots in town. To start, they bring you a gooey cinnamon bun and mini muffins. Every time I tell myself I'm just going to have a bite of each to save room for breakfast, and every time I gobble them both up! The breakfast burrito is my favorite, and hands down the best to be had in Atlanta - it's stuffed with eggs, chorizo, and fresh avocados, and comes with pico and a delicious tomatillo cream sauce. The pancakes are super fluffy and topped with a generous portion of berries. The coffee is nice and strong. And finally, I love the kind elderly lady who seats you, I want her to be my grandma!
(5)
Jeff G.
Really enjoyed our first visit here. Everything we had was fresh and delicious. Loved loved loved the cookies and milk pie! We will definitely be back!
(5)
Rob D.
Very good. My wife and I found this gem on yelp and it didn't disappoint. We had the 'famous' pastrami Reuben which was delicious. They make there own pastrami and you could tell. Didn't have a ton of pastrami false, but I like that. Wife had the shrimp and grits and they were amazing. We waited about 10 minutes because it was packed and the owner apologized. No need to apologize, the place is well worth the wait. Will be driving down from Alpharetta Saturday morning to get breakfast again. Fantastic.
(5)
Pam P.
Some of the best food I've ever had! Everything taste like it was made from scratch! Haven't tried anything here that wasn't good! You have to try their crab cake sandwich, the cobb salad or the shrimp and grits! Oh and their tomato soup is delish!
(5)
Daniel B.
Joy Cafe and Bakery is a small, "mom and pop" type, American cafe and bakery located in Buckhead. It's in a strip mall on Pharr Rd. flanked on either side by the Atlanta Fish Market, Aqua Bistro, and Taka Sushi. The cafe is cute and cozy. Brunch is a popular option. Lunch and dinner are served as well. A limited selection of from-scratch baked goodies are available inside a glass display case (e.g. cakes, tiramisu). The restaurant is named after the wife of the husband-wife owner-chef duo. The restaurant interior consists of a single, almost-office-space-like room. Decor is simple and minimalist -- white walls, white curtains, white paper tablecloth, etc. Atmosphere is intimate and casual. Sidewalk patio seating is available. The brunch menu is filled with items like pancakes, waffles, and eggs in different forms (e.g. omelets, eggs Benedict). Soups and sandwiches are the specialty at lunchtime. Dinner consists of various house specialties like shrimp and grits, chicken enchiladas, steak frites, and house-ground meatloaf. The menu can change often. I visited for dinner where the price for starters/salads were in the $7-10 range, entrees in the $10-18 range, and sides $3.50 apiece. Check out my photos to see a sampling of the dinner menu. The owner-chef was accommodating. The salads (Greek, spinach, Caesar) looked good, but I only wanted a side portion. I asked the server if a side salad was available and she said no. However (and I didn't ask for this), the server asked the chef if he could make a smaller portion of one of their salads and charge me as if it were a side. It wasn't a problem. Well that was nice of them! I had the Caesar salad which came with garlic croutons, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, romaine lettuce, and Caesar dressing. The salad was light and refreshing. The lettuce was crisp and the dressing and shredded cheese were tossed and mixed together well. Salmon Pan Poele ($18) was my entree. It looked and tasted great. The presentation was superb. The plate consisted of sauteed salmon, garlic spinach, portobello mushrooms, asparagus, and a citrus beurre blanc (white butter) sauce. The mushrooms and asparagus were overlayed in a crossing pattern with spinach in the middle and the salmon fillet placed on top. I was asked how I wanted my salmon cooked (that doesn't happen all the time) and I chose medium (recommended). The fish was fresh, tender, and flavorful, as were the other ingredients in the dish. The beurre blanc sauce helps. The entree was filling and relatively healthy. I also tried a side of the Brussels sprouts. These came with bacon bits and puffed rice along with a side of Vietnamese fish sauce (nuoc mam) and Sriracha spicy sauce. The server and the chef delivered the dishes. The chef described the sauces as "nuoc mam" and Sriracha. I guess "nuoc mam" sounds more exotic and appetizing than "fish sauce." The Brussels sprouts portion was generous. The sprouts were roasted and the exteriors crispy. Complimentary bread and olive oil are given to each table. The bread was made from scratch and baked in-house. It was super soft and fluffy. It also had a lot of flavor baked in. I couldn't put my finger on it, but there were definitely some seasonings or perhaps cheese in the bread. It was tasty. The group I ate with enjoyed all of their dishes, from the shrimp and grits to the chicken burger. Generally, the dishes felt homemade with personal touches. As mentioned previously with the salmon, nice presentation. Our server was friendly and the chef came out to check on us along with every other table in the restaurant. Parking is free inside the strip mall's parking lot as long as you are going to Joy's. Otherwise, it costs money. The parking lot has an attendant.
(4)
Mallory F.
I'm so glad I stumbled upon this little gem of a cafe. They serve complimentary muffins/bread, and the service is pretty quick. The only thing I would have to complain about is the lack of space. It's very cramped, but the food and staff are so great. That one TINY complaint would never stop me from returning. Fresh food, a nice variety of brunch/lunch choices, and a friendly staff. We met the owners husband while ooh-ing and ahh-ing the impressive cookie pie that was on display. He was so nice, and even gave us a slice on the house to try!! Lawd it was delicious.
(5)
Titi O.
Atlantians' reviews cannot be trusted!!! Time and time again they failed me. Today was an epic FAIL!!! Just ate here. The biscuit was the worst. Horrible biscuit; tasted like they have half-baked it and then soaked it in eggs. The pancake was regular. Nothing special than bisquick. The bacon was not that great. Too crunchy with no taste. The hash browns were bland, no amount of seasoning could resuscitate it. What a waste of calories and money!!!
(1)
Zoe Y.
The Egg Benedict is good. But the restaurant is a little bit tiny and crowded for me. I refer some place that is more cozy. Anyway, the food and service are great!
(4)
S R.
*** BE MENTALLY PREPARED FOR LONG WAITING TIMES ON WEEKENDS *** Fist things first, be prepared to wait long time on weekends, and I mean very long time. I have been to this place once, and that was the first time I waited for seating outside a cafe for more than an hour for Sunday brunch. I am not sure whether the good was worth waiting or not, but the food was really good. Great pancakes, great omelettes and great sandwich selections. When I went we ordered two specialty sandwiches, but some how the person who served us food, gave us a wrong order, but later they brought our original order, by then we were already half way through our brunch. They were extremely sorry and wanted us to have our correct orders too, but portions are so big, we were already very full, so we skipped that part. Food is very good, and fresh. If you are one of those people who does not mind waiting for a great meal, this is a must go place.
(4)
Michael S.
The breakfast burrito here is off the charts. Need to get back here again to try some other dishes. Highly recommend
(5)
Angel B.
Chicken burger is where it's at!!!! Can't wait to come back and try the breakfast on Saturday and Sunday. Loved our waitress also :)
(5)
Emily L.
Joys is small, and always a wait when I go. But it is well worth the wait! I have been to Joys a few times now and is always amazing! Everytime I have got the breakfast burrito which is incredible! I literally crave it when deciding where to go for brunch! It has fresh Avacado and pico. Everything else on the menu looks awesome! Next I will banch out and try their granola.. cant go wrong! Great brunch spot and highly recommend!
(5)
Lucia L.
Ayyyy I don't think I can eloquently express how delicious the food at this tiny restaurant is. The portobello mushroom sandwich is the most amazing thing that I have ever tasted!
(5)
Judy L.
I dined here with three other friends for Sunday brunch today. Joy Cafe is located in a small shopping strip with complimentary parking for patrons. However, keep in mind that the lot will fill up quickly because it's a small lot and Joy Cafe is really busy. We waited in the line that was forming outside of the cafe for about 10-15 minutes before we realized that we had to go to the front of the line to a nice elderly woman to tell her how many in our party and a name. Because of this, two groups that came after us, were able to get seated before us. Complimentary iced water with oranges is is placed on a table outside in a dispenser for all those that are waiting -- which is very nice of them to do so. We waited for about 45 minutes before we got seated. We arrived at the restaurant at 11:30am on a Sunday morning. We asked to get seated inside and boy, I probably should have suggested to sit outside. It's pretty packed inside. The tables are all really close to each other. The space is too small of the growing popularity of the restaurant -- but I guess that adds to it's charm? There are three to four tables for outdoor seating outside of the restaurant. There's complimentary wifi -- the password --- MadeWithLove I ordered the traditional chicken salad on toasted marble rye bread with a side of pasta salad and sweet peach tea. My friend also ordered Joy's Big Berry Belgian Waffle for us to try out. Our orders came out quickly. I thought the chicken salad was pretty standard. You do get a lot of food for what you pay. My sandwich was overflowing with chicken salad! Thank you! The pasta salad was a disappointment for me. The pasta to veggies ratio was off. There were more olives, bell peppers, and other veggies than the bow tie pasta. The bow tie pasta was also broken up to pieces as if they had stirred/mixed the pasta salad too much. Next time I'll just go with the grits since I hear good things about it. My Belgium waffle is good. It's a must order for those who love waffles and fruit. They are very generous on the portion of fruits that they put on top of the waffle. It was very good and very pretty to look at as well. The service was just okay. I felt like you should probably know to refill drinks without someone having to ask especially in a small sized restaurant. I had to grab another server to ask for a refill. When we got our waffle, they forgot to give us syrup. We didn't get it until our server came by to ask how we were and noticed no syrup and quickly grabbed it. Other than these little things, service was okay. Overall, this first visit was okay. I would like to try other items on their menu and possibly come on a less busier time or day. I'll make sure to update my review of the restaurant when I do get a chance to try it again.
(3)
Jordan W.
Worth every second of a wait. I got the breakfast burrito and it was the best chorizo of my life. And I'm no stranger to chorizo. Also the tomatillo sauce was blessed by Jesus himself. Ask for sue, she's a fiesty one but if you're on her good side you're as good as golden.
(5)
Tatum C.
***UPDATE: I understand from the owners that they're currently working on moving to a new location. YAY!!! The food is fantastic, but I have a serious problem with a business that is consistently packed and would rather their loyal customers suffer than to expand. Every time I've been to this place, customers are waiting outside. When you finally do get seated, you have to climb over other customers to get to your table. There is only seating for about 20 people inside the restaurant, and really there should only be seating for about 10 people, but they cram them in like sardines. My mom had to put her butt on some guy's shoulder to slide out of her chair to leave. Plus it was hot as heck waiting outside and hot as heck inside as well because again, you are packed in like sardines. So if you want Joy Cafe, I recommend ordering it to go. The biscuits & gravy, grilled cheese with tomato soup and cookies & milk pie are all fantastic. Hopefully Joy Cafe will make the right decision by their customers and move to a bigger location soon.
(4)
Natalie S.
THIS PLACE WAS SO GOOD! Came here for Saturday brunch with my boyfriend while in the area. Its a small place in an older strip mall in Buckhead. It was pretty busy and we had to wait about 10 minutes for a seat (not back for Atlanta brunch time though). They give you a little plate of pastries when you sit down which is a nice touch-- and curves your hunger if you've been waiting a while. For our main plates: Shrimp and Grits: Really creamy grits and 5 large shrimp-- filling and more than most places give you. Biscuits and Gravy: two biscuits smothered in sausage gravy and served with really fluffy scrambled eggs (This was my favorite of the two dishes) Only feedback I have is you can't order a mimosa or bloody here and that its pretty cramped inside... you are sitting VERY close to the people beside you.
(4)
Maitreyee R.
After a late Friday night all you want is to get some good brunch without waiting too long. What did I know when I casually yelped for a good brunch place close to home, that we would be seated within minutes of arriving in spite of being a busy Saturday morning! Quaint little brunch place with a homely feel and amazing food. The menu is interesting and I decided to get the chicken burger, which a few other yelpers had recommended. My burger was delicious with side of perfect cheddar potatoes! Also tried the crab cakes with egg benedict which were good too but it was very hard to steer me away from my burger. Will definitely be going back to try the rest of menu which had a lot of interesting things.
(4)
Yasmin B.
They have the best shrimp and grits, I've had in Atlanta!! Great food overall and very good service. I am giving them a star less because the place is a little congested, they should find a bigger place.
(4)
Linda C.
Now, I am not a big fan of tomato but I was sick and tired of ordering loaded potato soup everywhere I go, so I just decided to try their famous tomato soup. Needless to say, it was WONDERFUL!! Nothing like I've tasted before, very unique. The sandwich that I ordered (forgot the name) was also delicious, and I feel like I can't go anywhere else to get it.
(4)
Alicia S.
This was one of the best brunch places I've been to.. I had the Belgian waffle and my bf had the burrito! My waffle was refreshing with fruits and delicious... His burrito was DELICIOUS! I would def come back again! Ps it's in a strip mall and there is a wait but we'll worth it!! And u get a complimentary side of dessert
(5)
Helen K.
Easy to miss the signage but a great brunch spot~ Their breakfast burrito was the best that i've had and this is from someone who usually don't crave or seek breakfast food. Would absolutely go back to try more!
(4)
Jeff W.
I had a great experience at Joy Cafe. Arrived here on a beautiful Sunday morning in Atlanta. The place was packed and there was a wait. A slight chill in the air but since it was sunny we elected to sit outside - which was perfect! The service was great and the food savory and delicious! Looking forward to returning!
(5)
Rebecca R.
Been searching for a new favorite breakfast place in Atlanta...pretty sure I've found it. My barometer for the quality of a breakfast place is their eggs Benedict. Generally speaking, if the eggs Benedict is solid, everything else usually falls into place. When I tasted their EB, I knew I was onto something amazing. Everything here is made with love. From the chorizo gravy, to the biscuits that are the size of a futon at IKEA, down to the perfect cup of coffee, this place has it all.
(5)
Olivia N.
THE FOOD HERE IS WONDERFUL!!! :))) If you go on the weekend, order the shrimp and grits! On the weekday, get the grilled cheese with tomato soup!
(5)
Jai R.
The wait is long... I can't lie that my curiously and patience were at an ultimate high for me to endure what was said to be a "15-20" to be about 45 minutes of waiting. But look I gave them all their stars so that says something right! Very friendly service, even with being lied to about the wait time, neat place, and amazing brunch food. I want to say again... amazing brunch food. I ordered the Crab Cake Benedict and my beau ordered the Steak and Egg Tacos. Now every Sunday he wants to make sure we wake up early to beat the crowd.
(5)
John B.
Absolutely outstanding and huge serving of biscuits and gravy sprinkled with chorizo sausage plus scrambled eggs for $10 off the Sunday brunch menu!
(5)
Ricky T.
Cute atmosphere, great prices, and yet the quality of food is impeccable. Further, the portion sizes are very reasonable. But this place is a bit small, and parking is an absolute nightmare during peak lunch hours, at least if you want a free parking spot. There is a paid parking garage close by. Overall, I'm very impressed and will definitely come back!
(5)
Paige N.
My boyfriend was feeling in a brunch-y mood last weekend, so we hopped on Yelp to see what was nearby and specializing in brunch. When Joy Cafe popped up, I was impressed with its reviews and we decided to give it a go. Good thing we got there a little earlier than anticipated. I expected to have a wait, but this little place was packed to the gills and people were spilling out onto the sidewalk in droves. A very harried looking lady (Joy herself, perhaps?) took our name and we waited along with the rest of the crowd. Although I've driven past Joy Cafe many a times on Pharr Rd, I never noticed it in the little strip mall next to Aqua Bistro and caddy corner from the Atlanta Fish Market. It's really unobtrusive - I mean, I got my eyebrows waxed more than once at Posh Nail Salon just a few spaces over from Joy and never realized what it was. The inside is a totally nondescript white, diner-type restaurant except for a pastry case toward the back where you can pick up to-go orders. It's clean looking, if small and cramped when there's a good crowd. The groups of people waiting for a table in the tiny restaurant, which probably seats forty at most, obviously knew what's up though. And they were right. Once we got a table and looked at the very attractive brunch menu filled with pancakes, waffles, omelettes, bagels, grits and more, I could see what all the fuss was about. Not knowing how large the portions might be, we threw caution to the wind and I ordered the Greek omelette with spinach, sun dried tomato and feta, hashbrowns and a biscuit, and my boyfriend got pancakes with a side of bacon. While we were waiting for our order they brought out a little plate of cinnamon roles and blueberry muffins to slake our appetites - very nice touch, in my opinion. And when the plates came out - holy cow! That was a lot of food! It has been a long time since I've seen an omelette that large and fluffy (it was gigantic), a homemade biscuit which almost matched it in size and a generous portion of homemade hashbrowns to accompany them. My boyfriend's pancakes and bacon were of equally generous portions - 3 dinner plate-sized fluffy pancakes with syrup and 3 think slices of bacon. I made it through half the omelette, a portion of biscuit and half of a pancake before admitting defeat. He had a pancake and then some, most of the other half of the omelette, bacon and a bite of the big biscuit before also surrendering. It was way too much food for us, even with large Sunday-brunch appetites. When we rolled ourselves out the door complaining of food comas an hour and a half later, the steady flow of people eating and waiting for tables hadn't ebbed a bit. Joy Cafe was really good, but the next time we go, we're definitely going to pare down the order a bit - that was just way too much in one sitting. Nice job Joy - food coma induced!
(4)
Maret M.
This is my first 5-star if that says anything. This place is well worth the 30-45 minute wait on a Sunday. They provide lime-infused water outside while you wait too which is a nice. I almost exclusively get the veggie omelet, but the group I went with tried other dishes such as the steak tacos, breakfast burrito, and the sawmill biscuits and gravy. Everyone left VERY full and satisfied (warning: portions are large). This is definitely one of the best brunch spots in ATL! If you're a brunch enthusiast like myself, definitely add it to your rotation!
(5)
Tiff H.
Joy Cafe is a sweet, quaint little place tucked in a plaza on Pharr. It's close to my office: close enough to go there for lunch, but far enough where I have an excuse to drive there and not walk. We walked in at the end of lunch time, for my second lunch that day... We were seated at our table of our choosing, and settled in to choose from the menu. The server was very helpful, and being as indecisive as I was, even offered me a sample of the soup of the day, which I really appreciated! I ordered the soup of the day instead of the popular soups on the lunch menu. There was a spicy chicken and rice soup (I can't remember the exact name of it, embarrassingly enough). The sample was really good! Spicy and hearty, full of chicken and rice and green onions sprinkled on top. The bread that came with it was soft and easy for dipping in the soup. We also ordered iced coffees which was free refills! The only place I've gotten free iced coffee refills is Starbucks, and that's only if you have a Gold membership. The server also offered us free coffees to go, it was great! Right before we left, I made a spur of the moment decision to buy a cupcake. After some careful consideration.. I chose a red velvet cupcake. You could choose to customize it with a selection of frosting options which is pretty cool! Nothing too special about it, but I can't say it was a bad cupcake, it was moist and rich, just how I like it! I hope I have a chance to make it out again for a full meal. The hours of the restaurant are a little convenient but maybe I can make a lunch adventure out again soon!
(5)
Rebecca C.
The BEST place for brunch in Atlanta. Hands down. Joy does a great job making you feel welcome - love the atmosphere, the staff, and the bonus pastry plate. The tomato soup it's the best I've ever had, my friends and I never fail to order it. Be sure to get there early for brunch though, can have long lines.
(5)
Jasmine L.
Went there for brunch on Saturday. The wait time was a little long but I'm guessing it was like that Because the place is small and didn't have many tables. The customer service was great there which I value very much. The good was decent I can't really say anything was special about it. I had an omelette with grits and cheese, and wheat toast. I enjoyed it.
(3)
Ellie H.
Great place for a casual Sunday brunch or a quick weekday lunch. My omelette was delicious, and every plate passing me looked just as delectable! They even gave us some free cinnamon rolls and croissants on the house. Great, friendly service!
(4)
Sydney G.
I think this is in my top 3 best breakfasts in Atlanta. I LOVED the chicken burger, it was SO GOOD. I got cheesy hashbrowns for my side, and they were on point. You can tell that they're fresh cut. We also got the biscuits and gravy to split, and we basically liked the plate clean. Not a huge fan of the ratatouille sandwich, but that's more a matter of personal preference than anything that they did wrong.
If you're in Atlanta and are looking for a breakfast spot, you've found Heaven! This place is amazing!! Period! Great service, great food, great atmosphere! Had the crab cakes Benedict and a side of fresh fruit pancakes! I'm out of adjectives, definitely worth it!
(5)
Andrea P.
Had lunch here today for the first time and it was delicious!! Everything is made fresh from scratch and the quality really comes across in the flavor. As one of my friends that was with me said, "This meal tastes so good that I don't want it to end!". I enjoyed the Portobello Mushroom sandwich with the tomato cucumber salad as my side. My friends had the tomato soup, cobb salad, roast beef sandwich, and pasta salad (even the pasta is made from scratch!). Everyone raved about their choices. The service was also good and the prices were extremely reasonable. It was a full house for lunch. Can't wait to try their brunch!
(5)
Michael K.
I never heard of this place nor even noticed it despite driving through Pharr Rd multiple times day and night. This place is AWESOME! It's a small restaurant with very limited seating but definitely one of the places to go if you're in Atlanta. Plus, there is a decent size parking lot in front of the restaurant and parking available around the corner of the plaza it's located in. Food is great and everything is clearly made from scratch. I got extra sausages for my Biscuits with Gravy (menu said it was grandmother's recipe so I had to give it a try). The sausages were the same round size as any other place however, an inch thick. The biscuits on the plate were two giant fluffy mountains covered in gravy and bits of sausage with eggs and an orange slice and some grapes. That definitely filled me up and only cost $9. You get your money's worth. No doubt. The wait wasn't bad. Told 20 mins. Waited about 10-15. The staff is very friendly and upbeat. They're very kind and the place even had coffee setup outside for people waiting free of charge. That to me shows they care about their customers. My go to breakfast place in Buckhead was Another Broken Egg (great place to go as well), however, I gotta say Joy is my new #1 place! Coffee was good too I might add!
(5)
Kevin C.
Sold breakfast and friendly service. It's small so get there early for brunch.
(3)
Lauren H.
We found this little gem nestled in the heart of Buckhead one Sunday morning after church. The line was not super long (just a few groups in front of us - 20 min wait) and we got to stand outside while we waited and drink some coffee in the sunshine (no complaints here!). The meal started out with a basket of pastries. The cinnamon rolls were nothing special, but the blueberry muffin was excellent. I was dining with the family, so we all tried each other's dishes. I got the steak and egg tacos which were AWESOME! There was enough steak on each and it tasted great with the perfectly cooked eggs and chimichuri sauce. My husband got the breakfast burrito, which was also excellent (but I still think the steak and egg tacos were better). Other people in our group got the waffle with berries (very good) and the Sun dried tomato/Feta omelette (excellent - you could really taste the sun dried tomato!). The inside of this restaurant is nothing fancy - but the staff was very nice and the food was quite yummy, so we will definitely be back!
(4)
Katie N.
Joy cafe is a small, southern, home cooking good time. Every thing is made from scratch, including the English muffins! Big, flaky melt-in-your-mouth biscuits, thick cut bacon, perfectly made grits. This place is an all around winner. Joy does it right!!
(5)
Susan U.
I've been here for brunch, lunch & dinner and all the food has been amazing each time! For brunch the break burrito is delicious! The chorizo is the right amount of spicy and the cream tomatillo salsa is amazing. The salmon benedict is also spot on! For lunch I absolutely love the portabello sandwich. The mushrooms are so yummy & sweet & the chicken soup is so soul comforting it's not even funny. Lastly, dinner- oh. my. god. Get the shrimp & grits! The grits are soooo creamy and the shrimp are perfectly cooked and buttery. NOMS. And if those items aren't enough....get the fleur de sel or the chocolate cupcakes. Heavenly BLISS.
(5)
Elise P.
The wait was long. When we got into eat finally, we were served our coffee and I noticed a hair on the rim of one of the cups. They replaced the coffee. Then they brought us the sticky buns and one again, there was a hair on the plate of the sticky buns. We alerted the wait staff and once again they apologized. Then we for our food. We found a hair in the middle of an omelet we ordered. Management came over and offered a new omelet which was appreciated;however, instead of aplolgizing they asserted that this could not have happened as everyone in the kitchen wears a hat. She was very defensive. Finally, they brought us slices of cake to make amends for their being hair in all of our food, which was great but no one at our table eats cake. Additionally, after finding three hairs in your food, the last thing you want is more of their food. Overall, I was very disappointed with the food and the service.
(2)
Ruth H.
Cute little brunch place in Buckhead, and I do mean LITTLE! Be aware, there will be a wait for brunch and there is no place inside to stand, so make sure the weather is allows for waiting outside before you make an attempt to fight the crowd. Nevertheless, the food was worth the wait! The meal started out with little pieces of complimentary banana bread, muffins, and cinnamon rolls that were just a hint of the deliciousness that was about to follow. Our table for steak tacos, breakfast burrito, and the biscuits with gravy. Everyone enjoyed their dish. Plus, the waitress brought HOMEMADE hot sauce that went perfectly with the meal. I don't know how they get the eggs so fluffy! The potatoes tastes great but were a little soggy. Will definitely add this place to my list of brunch places.
(5)
Carrie Neal W.
What a nice lunch!! My dear Artist Friend and I had planned lunch, to catch up after more than a minute, and he's always good with the Scoutmob, etc type deals. He was nice enough to pick me up at my parents' place in Brookhaven and as we tried to think of some place "different" we could go, he suggested Joy Cafe on Pharr. I hadn't been but something sounded familiar about the place (turns out, they were at Taste Of Buckhead, the annual shin-dig that Buckhead Business Association puts on and of which J is a member and ring-leader) and the menu, etc looked good. Indeed, a lovely little spot. There were a lot of things on the menu that tempted me, but we both settled on sandwich and salad 1/2 and 1/2 combos - he got the spinach salad and Cueban sammy (he quite enjoyed) and I went with the Caesar and Tuscany sammy (prosciutto, fresh mozz, tomato and arugula with an aioli, on ciabatta) - delicious! A little iced tea and a nice server, and we were happy campers. I also had a minute to chat with the owners (Joy and Jon) who were very pleasant and hospitable. Definitely more of a "girly" place (my friend said he'd definitely not return unless accompanied by a lady, though he liked it a lot - he was, honestly, one of the three males, total there who were not employees!) but me likey. Maybe I'll return soon with a girlfriend or my mom!
(4)
Alaina M.
They have a LONG wait and I wish that store next door was open to shop around while we were waiting.. Their grits were hands down the best I've had. I also ordered the breakfast burrito - and added their salsa to it - it was so delicious.
(4)
Addy C.
Honestly I'd give them 3 stars for the food and service but bumping to 4 because I love their story, the local and housemade ingredients, and I like supporting small business. I probably expected too much after reading everyone's reviews, and adding to the high expectations was the long wait outside. The food was good but to me it was just as good as other neighboring breakfast restaurants, and not worth the over 30 minute wait. The space is small so I'd recommend coming during non-peak meal times. Service is very friendly but not necessarily attentive - for my 1st visit I'd attribute it to the busyness of brunch hour, but during my 2nd visit the service was slow even though it wasn't a busy time. COMPLIMENTARY MUFFINS (during brunch) Their baked goods were yummy - blueberry muffins, chocolate chip muffins, and a cinnamon apple roll. Loved the muffins but the roll was too sweet for me. CRABCAKE BENEDICT - $14 Two Maryland crabcakes topped by slow poached egg, Hollandaise sauce, and sitting on housemade English muffins. Crabcakes were salty, the eggs were good, and the muffin was just ok. Also came w/ a side of seasonal fresh fruit (melons, apples, berries). I was disappointed, and this was also one of the pricier entrees. LOX & LOX OF OMELET - $12 Funny entree name. NYC style filled omelet w/ smoked salmon & red onions, and served w/ capers and bagel w/ cream cheese. I just had a bite of Nancy R's omelet but the eggs were so good and fluffy -- I definitely recommend this dish. OVEN TURKEY GRILLED SANDWICH - $8.50 I didn't try this but the sandwich looked good, and Gina C absolutely loved it. I did try her Potato Salad and thought it was bland. JOY'S REUBEN - $11.50 This was another raved about entree and luckily I agreed. House cured pastrami topped w/ melted Gruyere, sauerkraut, and housemade thousand island dressing on marble rye. Pricey sandwich but portion was huge so I got two meals out of it, and my leftovers actually tasted better when reheated. Also comes w/ a side and I picked the Mediterranean Pasta Salad which I liked - sundried tomatoes, olives, carrots, peppers, feta, red wine vinaigrette. COBB SALAD - $10 My friend liked her salad esp. the bleu cheese dressing - I didn't think it looked like anything special. GRILLED CHEESE - $4 Although there are no kid options listed on the menu, they do offer Grilled Cheese and Quesadillas. COOKIES & MILK PIE One of the best desserts I've ever had. Loved the cream part, and the chunks of chocolate cookies. If this is on the dessert menu, do not pass this up. CHOCOLATE ON CHOCOLATE CUPCAKE I thought it was just ok but the others in my group loved it. Next time I'd like to try their Croque Monsieur. And I would go back just for the Cookies & Milk Pie. FYI - free parking for Joy Cafe customers.
(4)
Courtney M.
This place has amazing food and great service! Food: My first visit I had the chicken burger. The meat was cooked perfectly. The jalapeños gave it an awesome flavor. It was actually my first time having a ground chicken burger...I liked it so much that I went to the grocery and purchased ground chicken that evening (My homemade burger didn't come out quite the same though)! I also recommend the Belgian waffles. The omlettes are awesome too! You really can't go wrong here. I'm looking forward to trying the shrimp and grits. Atmosphere: Small, hole-in-the-wall type place. Great for brunch/lunch on a regular day, but not large enough to accommodate big groups. Service: Great
(5)
Christina K.
Forgive me for the ultra late review! So, I have been wanting to go to Joy Cafe for awhile now, but something always came up to stop that from happening. Rewind 2 months ago and I find myself there with Hoa G. for lunch finally! We were lucky to make it there before the lunch rush because the line that formed was a bit crazy. The cafe is a small shop in an unassuming strip mall. Take heed from their website, please go there early as they do get packed! I ordered the meatloaf sandwich w/o cheese and it was wonderful! The meatloaf is a combo of ground beef and chuck so it was moist and hearty. I had to hold back from biting my fingers while devouring this sandwich. The service is good although it can be a bit spotty and rushed because of the lunch crowd. The salads that were coming from the kitchen were H-U-G-E and looked so fresh and yummy that I was tempted to add one to my lunch as well. Thanks to Scoutmob for directing me here, I'll be back!
(4)
Sooji K.
i love joy cafe. it's so effortless and simple, that it's hard to say anything bad. some people might think "what's the big deal?" but it's always been such a consistently good experience for me that i always find myself returning. it's definitely a mom and pop shop, so the space is small and it can get a bit tight when the place gets packed. the ambience is clean and since one of the sides of the restaurant is all windows, you get plenty of light in the restaurant. i've actually only come here for brunch so i can't speak for their lunch offerings. their waffle and the eggs benedict are definitely my favorites here! also, they serve a small breakfast pastry sampler (mini oat/blueberry muffins + mini cinnamon rolls) before your meal arrives and it's soooo delicious. they're open at 930am on saturdays and no matter how early i come (even before doors open) there's ALWAYS a line. i think that, in itself, says a lot about the place. service is always friendly and prompt. definitely one of my favorite places for brunch in atlanta!
(5)
Kristin K.
This place is very...cozy as other people have pointed out. Be prepared to get very up close and personal with strangers in this small place. Service is really great. The food was amazing. I had a grilled cheese with tomato soup. I don't know what kind of cheddar that was, but it was fantastic. The iced mocha I had was also pretty spectacular. Not very inexpensive but not terribly expensive either. I could do without the paying-for-parking part though. Menu is pretty diverse, I think anyone could find something they like here. I also sampled my fiance's steak taco and it was good. I was glad the sauce came on the side.
(4)
C W.
Shrimp & Grits were excellent again. Jessica is a great server. Boy's mother is the hostess and she is awesome. She checks on everyone and she's made me laugh more than once but she doesn't linger to the point of being annoying. Great cafe!
(5)
Ann R.
Came in for brunch before going sightseeing. We had the oven roasted sandwich, Portobello sandwich and new York croissant ham sandwich. All were good. We also had red velvet cupcake, very moist and key lime pie was light and delicious.
(4)
Tuong Vi P.
I stopped by with some friends for brunch yesterday. We all enjoyed our food and liked the ambiance of Joy Cafe for a nice chat. I got there around 11 am and saw a sign in front of the money eater for the parking lot that indicated that Joy Cafe patrons got complimentary parking. I confirmed this with the hostess/kind woman who was at the door and promptly texted my pals, to clear up any confusion they may have had. She walked me over to a table and I was relieved to see that the place was getting just steady traffic with a table or two open. "Phew, I beat the church crowd," I thought to myself. A tall gentleman came over to my table to ask how many I was waiting for (to which I responded, "2 more") and what I wanted to drink. Because of my money-saving and calorie-counting tendencies, I stuck with a water with a wedge of lemon (say what you want). Once everyone arrived, our server checked on us about 2 times before we decided. After our order was in, he came back with a plate of sweet rolls and blueberry muffins--to our surprise! I guess I didn't read enough reviews and was happily taken aback. I got the sun-dried tomato, spinach, and feta omelet with wheat (buttered, which I hadn't thought about and had forgotten to ask for it dry) toast and grits. My brunch buddies got salmon Eggs Benedict and the crabcake sandwich. Both enjoyed their dishes. Honestly, my meal was very good but not mind-blowing. The omelet was generously sized (probably a 3-egg omelet) with fresh-tasting spinach and feta and sun-dried tomatoes that were well hydrated and just tangy enough to make the fluffy egg mound interesting. The grits were creamy and not heavy and toast was completely standard fare. But the service was good and the not-too-loud atmosphere allowed me to enjoy my company. By the time we left, there was a line of people waiting for tables. This says enough about Joy Cafe serving consistently good comfort food. Next time, I need to try pancakes, Belgian waffles, and some of the desserts. So for me, there is definitely a next time!
(4)
Tuarise S.
Once again absolutely love this place. Visited this place again today, nothing but great things to say. Great food, great atmosphere, great service. Thanks again... Tomato soup the best ever!!!!
(5)
Dess B.
One of THE worst breakfast experiences I've ever had. Period. No exaggeration. First of all, I was asked to "scrunch in" with my chair (with no possible way of doing so) so the server could get by. Seriously? Who told you to put the tables so close together that your customers have to suffer? I ordered a simple veggie omelet. Sorry to say that the mushrooms were out of a can, the spinach was from frozen, and the sun-dried tomatoes were quite tough. I'm an avid cook so I know this for sure. The biscuit that came with it was "OK". My date's dish was also a pure disappointment. He complained that it didn't seem fresh but I don't know details. That was enough for me. Too many great breakfast/brunch spots in Atlanta to waste time on this one ever again.
(1)
S. J.
Fantastic breakfast! I had the crab cake eggs Benedict and wow! Services was great too!
Wow. This place is incredible. And inexpensive. This is going to become a regular stop for breakfast. I highly recommend the tomato soup with focaccia (just absolutely mind blowing), biscuit with homemade preserves (I ate the leftover jam with a spoon... it was that good), and breakfast burrito with the spicy creamy sauce (super fluffy eggs, cheddar cheese, sour cream sauce, and chorizo). Also had a reuben which was good but couldn't stand up to the absolutely amazing big flavors of the other dishes we had. The chef came out and talked to us at the end of our meal and was obviously really passionate about all of his creations, and the older woman hostessing was sweet and personable. The space is small, bright, and crowded, and the food is incredible. A must go to, although not the best spot for more than a couple of people on weekends.
(5)
Cameron C.
I'm new to the area and found the diamond in the rough. Superb customer service and even better food. If you want to try something different, go with the steak tacos. Unbelievably tasty.
(5)
Jenna C.
This is hands down my favorite restaurant in Atlanta. Known for their breakfast/brunch, but dinner & dessert are spectacular too. I would say the chicken burger and tomato soup are definite staples. The first time i tried Joy Cafe with a friend we were slightly apprehensive with it being such a small establishment in a strip mall. Theyve grown to be quite popular now, so sometimes the wait can be long. But the mom&pop owned, friendly service all add to the charm. I think if they moved to a bigger place some of that might be lost. The owner usually makes it around to the tables, and if its your first time you usually get a free cupcake. Make sure not to skip out- the chocolate is absolutely divine.
(5)
Stevie H.
I could eat here everyday! the food is alway fresh, the pastries are to die for, and the staff is always friendly.
(5)
AJ C.
Delicious! Shrimp and grits was amazing and the waffle was also fantastic. Presentation on both was 10/10.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Brunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : No Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Dogs Allowed : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Rebecca R.
Been searching for a new favorite breakfast place in Atlanta...pretty sure I've found it. My barometer for the quality of a breakfast place is their eggs Benedict. Generally speaking, if the eggs Benedict is solid, everything else usually falls into place. When I tasted their EB, I knew I was onto something amazing. Everything here is made with love. From the chorizo gravy, to the biscuits that are the size of a futon at IKEA, down to the perfect cup of coffee, this place has it all.
(5)Olivia N.
THE FOOD HERE IS WONDERFUL!!! :))) If you go on the weekend, order the shrimp and grits! On the weekday, get the grilled cheese with tomato soup!
(5)Jai R.
The wait is long... I can't lie that my curiously and patience were at an ultimate high for me to endure what was said to be a "15-20" to be about 45 minutes of waiting. But look I gave them all their stars so that says something right! Very friendly service, even with being lied to about the wait time, neat place, and amazing brunch food. I want to say again... amazing brunch food. I ordered the Crab Cake Benedict and my beau ordered the Steak and Egg Tacos. Now every Sunday he wants to make sure we wake up early to beat the crowd.
(5)Tiff H.
Joy Cafe is a sweet, quaint little place tucked in a plaza on Pharr. It's close to my office: close enough to go there for lunch, but far enough where I have an excuse to drive there and not walk. We walked in at the end of lunch time, for my second lunch that day... We were seated at our table of our choosing, and settled in to choose from the menu. The server was very helpful, and being as indecisive as I was, even offered me a sample of the soup of the day, which I really appreciated! I ordered the soup of the day instead of the popular soups on the lunch menu. There was a spicy chicken and rice soup (I can't remember the exact name of it, embarrassingly enough). The sample was really good! Spicy and hearty, full of chicken and rice and green onions sprinkled on top. The bread that came with it was soft and easy for dipping in the soup. We also ordered iced coffees which was free refills! The only place I've gotten free iced coffee refills is Starbucks, and that's only if you have a Gold membership. The server also offered us free coffees to go, it was great! Right before we left, I made a spur of the moment decision to buy a cupcake. After some careful consideration.. I chose a red velvet cupcake. You could choose to customize it with a selection of frosting options which is pretty cool! Nothing too special about it, but I can't say it was a bad cupcake, it was moist and rich, just how I like it! I hope I have a chance to make it out again for a full meal. The hours of the restaurant are a little convenient but maybe I can make a lunch adventure out again soon!
(5)Rebecca C.
The BEST place for brunch in Atlanta. Hands down. Joy does a great job making you feel welcome - love the atmosphere, the staff, and the bonus pastry plate. The tomato soup it's the best I've ever had, my friends and I never fail to order it. Be sure to get there early for brunch though, can have long lines.
(5)John B.
Absolutely outstanding and huge serving of biscuits and gravy sprinkled with chorizo sausage plus scrambled eggs for $10 off the Sunday brunch menu!
(5)Ricky T.
Cute atmosphere, great prices, and yet the quality of food is impeccable. Further, the portion sizes are very reasonable. But this place is a bit small, and parking is an absolute nightmare during peak lunch hours, at least if you want a free parking spot. There is a paid parking garage close by. Overall, I'm very impressed and will definitely come back!
(5)Christina K.
Forgive me for the ultra late review! So, I have been wanting to go to Joy Cafe for awhile now, but something always came up to stop that from happening. Rewind 2 months ago and I find myself there with Hoa G. for lunch finally! We were lucky to make it there before the lunch rush because the line that formed was a bit crazy. The cafe is a small shop in an unassuming strip mall. Take heed from their website, please go there early as they do get packed! I ordered the meatloaf sandwich w/o cheese and it was wonderful! The meatloaf is a combo of ground beef and chuck so it was moist and hearty. I had to hold back from biting my fingers while devouring this sandwich. The service is good although it can be a bit spotty and rushed because of the lunch crowd. The salads that were coming from the kitchen were H-U-G-E and looked so fresh and yummy that I was tempted to add one to my lunch as well. Thanks to Scoutmob for directing me here, I'll be back!
(4)Kendra M.
Me, my husband and our 16 month-old daughter visited Joy Café for the first time on Sunday, November 2. We arrived around 9:20 AM and there were already at least eight people waiting at the door for them to open. They opened the doors at 9:30 and we were behind 12 to 14 people and were able to seat ourselves immediately. It was a little bit like musical chairs as we all looked around trying to get a table. Since it was our first visit, we were not sure where we should sit. We ended up at a table basically in the middle of the room and it worked out for us. The Joy Café has around 14 tables which seat two or three people. Some tables can be pushed together. Is very small and often people walking between tables will hit you or bump you accidentally. There was just enough room for a highchair for our daughter. Servers came out immediately and started taking orders. It took ours a few minutes to get to us. That was fine because we wanted some time to look at the menu. We placed drink orders and our meal order together. Server promised he would bring back our drinks along with a "treat." When he returned with drinks (my decaf coffee was good) and two small cinnamon rolls and two small blueberry muffins we were very happy. Our daughter was the happiest. She had a taste of the blueberry muffin and kept asking for "mo." Tables around us started getting food and we were one of the last to receive our order. We enjoyed watching all the different plates come out. We can't wait to try more from the menu. I ordered the two eggs breakfast along with a biscuit, grits, and bacon. My husband ordered the crabcake eggs Benedict along with one pancake. We are both very satisfied with our choices and enjoyed everything. The biscuit was my favorite part of the meal. It was huge! It was hard on the outside and soft on the inside. I would have liked some butter, jam or jelly to go with it but I didn't ask for any. I ate about one fourth of it and brought the rest home. It was huge. I am not exaggerating. I will definitely go back to Joy Café to try more of the dishes. I would only go with one other person, maybe two. This is not a place for groups at all. The waitstaff was kind and attentive. The food was delicious. Just when you think Atlanta has seen it all when it comes to breakfast/brunch places here comes this place that does it very simply and very well. I'm giving it four stars because it was very simple good food but at the same time it did not blow me away.
(4)Obee O.
If you're in Atlanta and are looking for a breakfast spot, you've found Heaven! This place is amazing!! Period! Great service, great food, great atmosphere! Had the crab cakes Benedict and a side of fresh fruit pancakes! I'm out of adjectives, definitely worth it!
(5)Lindsay S.
Love this place! Food is always good, so is the service. I have never had a less than stellar experience. Also, best tomato soup EVER. My office orders from Joy's several days a week and we are always very happy! Amazing cookies too!!
(5)Michael K.
I never heard of this place nor even noticed it despite driving through Pharr Rd multiple times day and night. This place is AWESOME! It's a small restaurant with very limited seating but definitely one of the places to go if you're in Atlanta. Plus, there is a decent size parking lot in front of the restaurant and parking available around the corner of the plaza it's located in. Food is great and everything is clearly made from scratch. I got extra sausages for my Biscuits with Gravy (menu said it was grandmother's recipe so I had to give it a try). The sausages were the same round size as any other place however, an inch thick. The biscuits on the plate were two giant fluffy mountains covered in gravy and bits of sausage with eggs and an orange slice and some grapes. That definitely filled me up and only cost $9. You get your money's worth. No doubt. The wait wasn't bad. Told 20 mins. Waited about 10-15. The staff is very friendly and upbeat. They're very kind and the place even had coffee setup outside for people waiting free of charge. That to me shows they care about their customers. My go to breakfast place in Buckhead was Another Broken Egg (great place to go as well), however, I gotta say Joy is my new #1 place! Coffee was good too I might add!
(5)Kevin C.
Sold breakfast and friendly service. It's small so get there early for brunch.
(3)Lauren H.
We found this little gem nestled in the heart of Buckhead one Sunday morning after church. The line was not super long (just a few groups in front of us - 20 min wait) and we got to stand outside while we waited and drink some coffee in the sunshine (no complaints here!). The meal started out with a basket of pastries. The cinnamon rolls were nothing special, but the blueberry muffin was excellent. I was dining with the family, so we all tried each other's dishes. I got the steak and egg tacos which were AWESOME! There was enough steak on each and it tasted great with the perfectly cooked eggs and chimichuri sauce. My husband got the breakfast burrito, which was also excellent (but I still think the steak and egg tacos were better). Other people in our group got the waffle with berries (very good) and the Sun dried tomato/Feta omelette (excellent - you could really taste the sun dried tomato!). The inside of this restaurant is nothing fancy - but the staff was very nice and the food was quite yummy, so we will definitely be back!
(4)Katie N.
Joy cafe is a small, southern, home cooking good time. Every thing is made from scratch, including the English muffins! Big, flaky melt-in-your-mouth biscuits, thick cut bacon, perfectly made grits. This place is an all around winner. Joy does it right!!
(5)Kevin L.
Joy's cafe has a great menu selection and one of my favorite places for Sunday brunch. There is normally a little wait but it goes by fast and the food is well worth it. They have great service and start you out right away with some complimentary blue berry muffins, which are out of this world. I have had their steak and egg tacos, eggs Benedict, pancakes and eggs & bacon, none of which you can go wrong with. The food is top quality and you will not leave hungry. They also have a great lunch menu. I would highly suggest trying Joy's out if you have a chance.
(5)Elise P.
The wait was long. When we got into eat finally, we were served our coffee and I noticed a hair on the rim of one of the cups. They replaced the coffee. Then they brought us the sticky buns and one again, there was a hair on the plate of the sticky buns. We alerted the wait staff and once again they apologized. Then we for our food. We found a hair in the middle of an omelet we ordered. Management came over and offered a new omelet which was appreciated;however, instead of aplolgizing they asserted that this could not have happened as everyone in the kitchen wears a hat. She was very defensive. Finally, they brought us slices of cake to make amends for their being hair in all of our food, which was great but no one at our table eats cake. Additionally, after finding three hairs in your food, the last thing you want is more of their food. Overall, I was very disappointed with the food and the service.
(2)Ruth H.
Cute little brunch place in Buckhead, and I do mean LITTLE! Be aware, there will be a wait for brunch and there is no place inside to stand, so make sure the weather is allows for waiting outside before you make an attempt to fight the crowd. Nevertheless, the food was worth the wait! The meal started out with little pieces of complimentary banana bread, muffins, and cinnamon rolls that were just a hint of the deliciousness that was about to follow. Our table for steak tacos, breakfast burrito, and the biscuits with gravy. Everyone enjoyed their dish. Plus, the waitress brought HOMEMADE hot sauce that went perfectly with the meal. I don't know how they get the eggs so fluffy! The potatoes tastes great but were a little soggy. Will definitely add this place to my list of brunch places.
(5)Carrie Neal W.
What a nice lunch!! My dear Artist Friend and I had planned lunch, to catch up after more than a minute, and he's always good with the Scoutmob, etc type deals. He was nice enough to pick me up at my parents' place in Brookhaven and as we tried to think of some place "different" we could go, he suggested Joy Cafe on Pharr. I hadn't been but something sounded familiar about the place (turns out, they were at Taste Of Buckhead, the annual shin-dig that Buckhead Business Association puts on and of which J is a member and ring-leader) and the menu, etc looked good. Indeed, a lovely little spot. There were a lot of things on the menu that tempted me, but we both settled on sandwich and salad 1/2 and 1/2 combos - he got the spinach salad and Cueban sammy (he quite enjoyed) and I went with the Caesar and Tuscany sammy (prosciutto, fresh mozz, tomato and arugula with an aioli, on ciabatta) - delicious! A little iced tea and a nice server, and we were happy campers. I also had a minute to chat with the owners (Joy and Jon) who were very pleasant and hospitable. Definitely more of a "girly" place (my friend said he'd definitely not return unless accompanied by a lady, though he liked it a lot - he was, honestly, one of the three males, total there who were not employees!) but me likey. Maybe I'll return soon with a girlfriend or my mom!
(4)Alaina M.
They have a LONG wait and I wish that store next door was open to shop around while we were waiting.. Their grits were hands down the best I've had. I also ordered the breakfast burrito - and added their salsa to it - it was so delicious.
(4)Addy C.
Honestly I'd give them 3 stars for the food and service but bumping to 4 because I love their story, the local and housemade ingredients, and I like supporting small business. I probably expected too much after reading everyone's reviews, and adding to the high expectations was the long wait outside. The food was good but to me it was just as good as other neighboring breakfast restaurants, and not worth the over 30 minute wait. The space is small so I'd recommend coming during non-peak meal times. Service is very friendly but not necessarily attentive - for my 1st visit I'd attribute it to the busyness of brunch hour, but during my 2nd visit the service was slow even though it wasn't a busy time. COMPLIMENTARY MUFFINS (during brunch) Their baked goods were yummy - blueberry muffins, chocolate chip muffins, and a cinnamon apple roll. Loved the muffins but the roll was too sweet for me. CRABCAKE BENEDICT - $14 Two Maryland crabcakes topped by slow poached egg, Hollandaise sauce, and sitting on housemade English muffins. Crabcakes were salty, the eggs were good, and the muffin was just ok. Also came w/ a side of seasonal fresh fruit (melons, apples, berries). I was disappointed, and this was also one of the pricier entrees. LOX & LOX OF OMELET - $12 Funny entree name. NYC style filled omelet w/ smoked salmon & red onions, and served w/ capers and bagel w/ cream cheese. I just had a bite of Nancy R's omelet but the eggs were so good and fluffy -- I definitely recommend this dish. OVEN TURKEY GRILLED SANDWICH - $8.50 I didn't try this but the sandwich looked good, and Gina C absolutely loved it. I did try her Potato Salad and thought it was bland. JOY'S REUBEN - $11.50 This was another raved about entree and luckily I agreed. House cured pastrami topped w/ melted Gruyere, sauerkraut, and housemade thousand island dressing on marble rye. Pricey sandwich but portion was huge so I got two meals out of it, and my leftovers actually tasted better when reheated. Also comes w/ a side and I picked the Mediterranean Pasta Salad which I liked - sundried tomatoes, olives, carrots, peppers, feta, red wine vinaigrette. COBB SALAD - $10 My friend liked her salad esp. the bleu cheese dressing - I didn't think it looked like anything special. GRILLED CHEESE - $4 Although there are no kid options listed on the menu, they do offer Grilled Cheese and Quesadillas. COOKIES & MILK PIE One of the best desserts I've ever had. Loved the cream part, and the chunks of chocolate cookies. If this is on the dessert menu, do not pass this up. CHOCOLATE ON CHOCOLATE CUPCAKE I thought it was just ok but the others in my group loved it. Next time I'd like to try their Croque Monsieur. And I would go back just for the Cookies & Milk Pie. FYI - free parking for Joy Cafe customers.
(4)Courtney M.
This place has amazing food and great service! Food: My first visit I had the chicken burger. The meat was cooked perfectly. The jalapeños gave it an awesome flavor. It was actually my first time having a ground chicken burger...I liked it so much that I went to the grocery and purchased ground chicken that evening (My homemade burger didn't come out quite the same though)! I also recommend the Belgian waffles. The omlettes are awesome too! You really can't go wrong here. I'm looking forward to trying the shrimp and grits. Atmosphere: Small, hole-in-the-wall type place. Great for brunch/lunch on a regular day, but not large enough to accommodate big groups. Service: Great
(5)Sooji K.
i love joy cafe. it's so effortless and simple, that it's hard to say anything bad. some people might think "what's the big deal?" but it's always been such a consistently good experience for me that i always find myself returning. it's definitely a mom and pop shop, so the space is small and it can get a bit tight when the place gets packed. the ambience is clean and since one of the sides of the restaurant is all windows, you get plenty of light in the restaurant. i've actually only come here for brunch so i can't speak for their lunch offerings. their waffle and the eggs benedict are definitely my favorites here! also, they serve a small breakfast pastry sampler (mini oat/blueberry muffins + mini cinnamon rolls) before your meal arrives and it's soooo delicious. they're open at 930am on saturdays and no matter how early i come (even before doors open) there's ALWAYS a line. i think that, in itself, says a lot about the place. service is always friendly and prompt. definitely one of my favorite places for brunch in atlanta!
(5)Tuong Vi P.
I stopped by with some friends for brunch yesterday. We all enjoyed our food and liked the ambiance of Joy Cafe for a nice chat. I got there around 11 am and saw a sign in front of the money eater for the parking lot that indicated that Joy Cafe patrons got complimentary parking. I confirmed this with the hostess/kind woman who was at the door and promptly texted my pals, to clear up any confusion they may have had. She walked me over to a table and I was relieved to see that the place was getting just steady traffic with a table or two open. "Phew, I beat the church crowd," I thought to myself. A tall gentleman came over to my table to ask how many I was waiting for (to which I responded, "2 more") and what I wanted to drink. Because of my money-saving and calorie-counting tendencies, I stuck with a water with a wedge of lemon (say what you want). Once everyone arrived, our server checked on us about 2 times before we decided. After our order was in, he came back with a plate of sweet rolls and blueberry muffins--to our surprise! I guess I didn't read enough reviews and was happily taken aback. I got the sun-dried tomato, spinach, and feta omelet with wheat (buttered, which I hadn't thought about and had forgotten to ask for it dry) toast and grits. My brunch buddies got salmon Eggs Benedict and the crabcake sandwich. Both enjoyed their dishes. Honestly, my meal was very good but not mind-blowing. The omelet was generously sized (probably a 3-egg omelet) with fresh-tasting spinach and feta and sun-dried tomatoes that were well hydrated and just tangy enough to make the fluffy egg mound interesting. The grits were creamy and not heavy and toast was completely standard fare. But the service was good and the not-too-loud atmosphere allowed me to enjoy my company. By the time we left, there was a line of people waiting for tables. This says enough about Joy Cafe serving consistently good comfort food. Next time, I need to try pancakes, Belgian waffles, and some of the desserts. So for me, there is definitely a next time!
(4)Tuarise S.
Once again absolutely love this place. Visited this place again today, nothing but great things to say. Great food, great atmosphere, great service. Thanks again... Tomato soup the best ever!!!!
(5)Dess B.
One of THE worst breakfast experiences I've ever had. Period. No exaggeration. First of all, I was asked to "scrunch in" with my chair (with no possible way of doing so) so the server could get by. Seriously? Who told you to put the tables so close together that your customers have to suffer? I ordered a simple veggie omelet. Sorry to say that the mushrooms were out of a can, the spinach was from frozen, and the sun-dried tomatoes were quite tough. I'm an avid cook so I know this for sure. The biscuit that came with it was "OK". My date's dish was also a pure disappointment. He complained that it didn't seem fresh but I don't know details. That was enough for me. Too many great breakfast/brunch spots in Atlanta to waste time on this one ever again.
(1)S. J.
Fantastic breakfast! I had the crab cake eggs Benedict and wow! Services was great too!
(4)Sue M.
Excellent choice for Brunch! We arrived sometime near 11:00 am and waited just 5 or 10 minutes to be seated. The place was packed and the staff seemed a little flustered due to the full house. We got off to a slow start but things got back on track quickly. Besides, they are all so nice, it's hard to even be annoyed at them for anything. I had the Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict (served with a side of fresh fruit) and my daughter had a side of cheese grits and bacon. The eggs were cooked just the way I like them, the hollandaise sauce was tasty and the smoked salmon was...perfect! I saw the waffle topped with fresh berries pass by and made a mental note to try that on my next visit. Now...for the pièce de résistance...the CRACK PIE!!! Someone sitting nearby told me it looked like something called Chess pie but either way, it was freakin amazing! A graham crackery crust (but not too graham crackery), the filling was like biting into creamy, buttery, caramely heaven!!! I'm still thinking about this pie 3 days later. I guess that's why they call it "crack" pie!
(4)David L.
Wow. This place is incredible. And inexpensive. This is going to become a regular stop for breakfast. I highly recommend the tomato soup with focaccia (just absolutely mind blowing), biscuit with homemade preserves (I ate the leftover jam with a spoon... it was that good), and breakfast burrito with the spicy creamy sauce (super fluffy eggs, cheddar cheese, sour cream sauce, and chorizo). Also had a reuben which was good but couldn't stand up to the absolutely amazing big flavors of the other dishes we had. The chef came out and talked to us at the end of our meal and was obviously really passionate about all of his creations, and the older woman hostessing was sweet and personable. The space is small, bright, and crowded, and the food is incredible. A must go to, although not the best spot for more than a couple of people on weekends.
(5)Cameron C.
I'm new to the area and found the diamond in the rough. Superb customer service and even better food. If you want to try something different, go with the steak tacos. Unbelievably tasty.
(5)Jenna C.
This is hands down my favorite restaurant in Atlanta. Known for their breakfast/brunch, but dinner & dessert are spectacular too. I would say the chicken burger and tomato soup are definite staples. The first time i tried Joy Cafe with a friend we were slightly apprehensive with it being such a small establishment in a strip mall. Theyve grown to be quite popular now, so sometimes the wait can be long. But the mom&pop owned, friendly service all add to the charm. I think if they moved to a bigger place some of that might be lost. The owner usually makes it around to the tables, and if its your first time you usually get a free cupcake. Make sure not to skip out- the chocolate is absolutely divine.
(5)Stevie H.
I could eat here everyday! the food is alway fresh, the pastries are to die for, and the staff is always friendly.
(5)AJ C.
Delicious! Shrimp and grits was amazing and the waffle was also fantastic. Presentation on both was 10/10.
(5)Jasmine L.
Went there for brunch on Saturday. The wait time was a little long but I'm guessing it was like that Because the place is small and didn't have many tables. The customer service was great there which I value very much. The good was decent I can't really say anything was special about it. I had an omelette with grits and cheese, and wheat toast. I enjoyed it.
(3)Ellie H.
Great place for a casual Sunday brunch or a quick weekday lunch. My omelette was delicious, and every plate passing me looked just as delectable! They even gave us some free cinnamon rolls and croissants on the house. Great, friendly service!
(4)Lori H.
I want to find everyone that gave this place a good review and marry every single one of you. This place, is by far, the best breakfast I ever had in my life. I made sure to get there early, since it was a Saturday and word was that it gets busy very quickly. So I showed up about when they opened and there was no wait. I can't start my morning without coffee. I didn't need any special flavored lattes, just some coffee, sugar and cream, and that's exactly what I got. It was pretty good too, and freshly made. AND we also got complimentary pastries, blueberry muffins and cinnamon rolls. So soft, warm and fresh. I ordered the smoked salmon eggs benedict, and Ashley ordered the breakfast burrito. All I can say is WOW. I was really surprised at how fresh and flavorful and simply put together everything was. The salmon was extremely tender and bold with a great smokey flavor. It went together perfectly with the poached egg and hollandaise sauce. You can tell the chef put his very best effort into this, and he even came out the kitchen to ask what I thought. Nothing less than perfect. That breakfast burrito is on point. The chorizo, eggs, and avocado pico de gallo made my mouth water when I bit into it. It was really bursting with flavor. And the hash-browns are fresh, and yummy. As far as the service goes, everyone that works there is fantastic. So professional, attentive and easygoing. Our waiter was so sweet, our coffee cups were never empty, and the owner even came over to bring our food. The icing on the cake was I couldn't believe how affordable everything was. Do yourself a favor, go here. Amazing food, amazing service, amazing prices. I might move to Atlanta just so I can come here everyday.
(5)Asma A.
This place is great for breakfast/brunch... I ordered the salmon omelette and it was great! they also gave some blueberry muffins and cinnabons on the house-- also very good! Definitely try this place! there was a line outside the door when we went, but the wait wasnt too bad, we waited for 15 minutes on a saturday morning around 12pm
(4)Taylor A.
Fantastic brunch place that gets this midtown guy to come to Buckhead. There was a short wait on a Saturday that probably gets insane on Sundays after church. Recommend getting there early so you don't have to wait. Our Russian waitress was lovely and attentive. We never had to wait for anything from her. We both had the steak tacos which were out of this world delicious. Tender steak, eggs, and some sort of green sauce that rocked. Lots of other dishes I saw looked amazing as well. Can't wait to go back to try the eggs benedict. It looked awesome. The biscuit I had was huge but sadly really really dense. Butter to the rescue. Add reasonable prices to the mix and you have a brunch winner!
(4)Christopher B.
If you're going on a sunday get there early or you will have a little bit of a wait. Food was very good, although it took a long time to get to the table, they had to make more english muffins, however their eggs benedict was excellent as well as their pancakes. Dying to try that cookies and cream pie we to bought home for tonight!
(4)Ashaleigh R.
It was an underwhelming experience. I'm not sure if I would go again.
(2)Rebecca O.
Oh shiiiittt, one of the best sandwiches I've ever tasted. I got the croque monsieur (more aptly named crunk monster). I'm not even sure what all was in it, but my mouth waters just thinking about how good it was. I'm so lucky because I work within walking distance of this quaint little cafe. Even during a week day lunch, the restaurant was almost full. There's about 30-35 seats in the place, so I imagine the weekends can be difficult to get a seat. The service was also excellent. Very attentive and friendly. Even the manager was walking around and serving tables, asking how the food was, etc. Prices are going to range you about $8-12 per person (for lunch). They do have free wifi but it has a password on it. When I went, the password was madewithlove
(5)Richard R.
Places like Joy Cafe are why Yelp is such a great resource. We were visiting family in Atlanta and we decided to go out for breakfast after Mass on Sunday. I pulled out my iPhone, did a search on Yelp and found Joy Cafe just down the street from us. So, we headed on over. What a treat this place was. It's kind of a nondescript place in a row of shops. But, if you are interested in good food and can do without fancy decor, Joy Cafe is the place. There was a bit of a wait to get a seat, but the mgmt had thoughtfully set up a little table outside the door with complimentary coffee. This was my first indication that this place was unique - the coffee was outstanding. I would seriously come to Joy Cafe just for the coffee. But the food was just as good. I had a dried red tomato, feta cheese and spinach omelet that was delicious. I don't recall what the others in our party had, but everyone raved about their meal. Next time we're in town visiting, we'll be coming back to Joy Cafe.
(4)Tia M.
Food was amazing! Definitely coming back!!! Best pancakes I've ever had!!! Steak & eggs were delicious too. Highly recommend the place. Very busy on the weekends though so heads up.
(5)Joy W.
Well, obviously anything with the name Joy is a good thing :) Joy Cafe, I like to think, is named after me. Okay, that's wishful thinking, but it is named after a woman named Joy who's cafe churns out good home-made quality dishes. I've been here on two occasions, once with a friend for brunch and another time with a group of 6 for dinner. For brunch, I ordered their famous Crab Cake Benedict which was like a taste of warm heaven in my mouth. I'd definitely order it again! The side of fresh fruit makes me feel less guilty about having consumed a bunch of melted butter in the form of delicious hollandaise sauce. For dinner, I ordered their Shrimp N Grits which was flavorful, especially with the rosemary herbs. The portions were huge, and I had a hard time finishing everything. The texture of the grits are a bit thicker than usual, but I attribute that to the home cooked dishes at Joy Cafe. I heard their desserts were good too. Plus! They have a Scoutmob :) Unfortunately, I think their dinner operations are currently closed while they obtain a beer and wine license so they can allow BYOB. But they're still open for brunch and lunch until 6pm. [37 of 100]
(4)Sydney G.
I think this is in my top 3 best breakfasts in Atlanta. I LOVED the chicken burger, it was SO GOOD. I got cheesy hashbrowns for my side, and they were on point. You can tell that they're fresh cut. We also got the biscuits and gravy to split, and we basically liked the plate clean. Not a huge fan of the ratatouille sandwich, but that's more a matter of personal preference than anything that they did wrong.
(5)Morgan C.
My mom & I went on a Sunday for brunch. VERY CROWDED! they had water outside, which was nice since it was very hot. it's a very small restaurant & very busy. very loud too. when seated the service was prompt. the blueberry muffins were very dry & not much taste to them. the cinnamon rolls were decent. I ordered the vegetable omelet, very good! but enormous! I could only eat half. it came with a biscuit & they ran out.. not sure how you run out of something that is a signature of your restaurant. my mom ordered the waffle & said it was good. overall it was decent. not my favorite brunch spot in Atlanta but it wasn't bad. also if it's summertime be prepared to be hot, even if you sit inside... they don't have fans or anything.
(3)Happy Eater B.
Yum. Yum, yum, yum. We had an amazing breakfast at the Joy Cafe! This is a simple diner environment with stellar food and terrific service. The humbleness of the cafe only accentuates the beauty of the food. The homemade chorizo sausage was mouthwateringly good. For that reason alone, I'd particularly recommend the breakfast burritos for breakfast. The pancakes were as good as pancakes can be - light, fluffy, exceptional presentation, tons of berries, and really good maple syrup. The side of thick cut bacon was perfectly cooked and had excellent bacony flavor. Our waitress was wonderful. She was on top of everything without ever being in the way. Others assisted from time to time without any sense of being inconvenienced by our table. Overall, in this neighborhood, surely this is the place to go for breakfast.
(5)Angela H.
Man, don't you hate it when you're at a restaurant with someone you don't know too well and you feel awkward about taking pictures of your food? Well right now, I'm regretting not doing so as I usually like do... =( The two of us decided to grab lunch at Joy Cafe around 1 pm on a Friday. The person I went with had been there before and told me that the food was good but pricier than similar options nearby. For example, the sandwiches are a little pricier than similar sandwiches elsewhere. When we walked in, we were seated immediately and handed the menus. I don't believe they had any lunch specials - just the regular menu. I have to agree I was surprised at the prices for some of the specialty sandwiches, many of which were over $10! However, I was relieved to see that the back of the menu had deli sandwich options that were cheaper. I decided to order the Chicken Salad Sandwich and noticed that they had two chicken salad options for the sandwich - Joy's traditional Southern Chicken Salad or Apple Walnut Chicken Salad. After asking the server to describe what's in the southern chicken salad and hearing the word "mustard" (not a fan of it in sandwiches), I quickly chose the Apple Walnut Chicken Salad Sandwich. The server also told me the bread options I could choose from, and I chose ciabatta. All sandwiches come with a piece of fruit and a side of your choice. The options for sides include pasta salad, potato salad, tomato cucumber and onion salad, mixed green salad, and dirty chips. I chose the pasta salad, which turned out to be an excellent decision! Our food didn't take very long to be served, which was a pleasant surprise! * Apple Walnut Chicken Salad Sandwich ($7.99) - I was very pleased with the size of the sandwich! It was pretty large and, thankfully, cut in half. I really enjoyed the soft, fresh ciabatta bread, loved the big chunks of chicken, and savored the pieces of apples and walnuts! However, I was only able to eat half of it because it filled me up! But I was happy that I could enjoy leftovers later. =) * Pasta Salad (Side item I chose for my sandwich) - Per the menu description, this is a "Mediterranean pasta salad with sun dried tomatoes, olives, carrots, peppers, feta cheese with a red wine vinaigrette." The pasta in the salad was bowtie pasta, and although it was softer than I normally like (I would have preferred it to be al dente), the combination of the various ingredients made it so delicious! I'm not really a fan of feta cheese, but it was perfect in the pasta salad and I would definitely order this side again! Overall, Joy Cafe and Bakery gets 4 stars for their fresh, delicious sandwiches and friendly service! Although our server initially brought just one check for us, we asked if we could get separate checks. Instead of bringing us new checks, however, she wrote our totals separately on the same check, which was fine. I appreciated that she accommodated our request. I'm sure I will return to Joy Cafe, and I will probably order the Apple Walnut Chicken Salad Sandwich and pasta salad again because I enjoyed it that much! Next time, I will be sure to take a picture... =) [Review 143 of 366]
(4)Kali S.
Love this little cafe. Friendly people and great service! It's a pretty small spot, but that doesn't stop the people from flowing in. Almost everything on the menu is a hit. The biscuits are a must try. Parking is easy, as the cafe is in a small strip mall right off of Pharr. One of the best parts of our dining experience was Joy's husband coming over to have a personal chat with us. He was a very nice guy and I wish him and his wife all the best on their business! Great experience and will surely return.
(5)Karen R.
This place is FABULOUS. I've taken all my out of town guests here; most recently I took my mom and she described this as the best breakfast she ever had! The food is fresh, flavorful, and superb quality. I ordered an omelet last time and it was stuffed with delicious fresh vegetables - and big enough that I took half of it home! I've also ordered from the lunch menu, which is amazing as well. I got the chicken salad sandwich - the only disappointing part was that I was too full to finish the whole thing! Bonus - they give you complimentary pastries while you wait for your food. You absolutely cannot beat the value that you get here. It can be a little cramped inside, but the service is quick and the staff is friendly so this really wasn't an issue for me. I absolutely recommend this place to anyone!!
(5)The Geman Car Guru - Michael U.
Massive sized portions as they should be :)
(5)Andrew W.
Joy Café in Buckhead was an excellent setting for Sunday brunch. Though seating was very limited (perhaps 20 tables or so), our wait was only about five minutes. Once seated, we were quickly greeted by our waitress who took our drink orders and presented us with complimentary baked goods - a plate with a cinnamon roll and two chocolate chip muffins. They were delicious and set a very pleasant tone for our brunch coming up. My wife ordered the pancakes with fresh strawberries and I ordered the breakfast burrito. Interestingly enough, they actually give you the option to either have your fruit cooked into the pancake or to have the fruit as a topping over the pancake. Nifty. Our food arrived perhaps 5-10 minutes later, looking very fresh and appetizing. There were three plate-sized pancakes topped with fresh strawberries, a small condiment cup with butter, and maple syrup. My breakfast burrito was loaded with chorizo (Mexican sausage), egg, cheddar, avocado, sour cream, and pico de gallo wrapped in a flour tortilla. All of the ingredients tasted extraordinarily fresh and were proportioned just right. Very tasty. My burrito also came with hash browns on the side with a tomatillo-citrus like condiment which was okay, though I wasn't exactly sure what to do with it. Overall, an excellent Sunday brunch worth having.
(4)Sak L.
So good. Small, cozy atmosphere. Blueberry muffins were amazing. Will be back. There was a wait, so get there early.
(4)Mike B.
I decided to stop through here for brunch one Saturday to see what all the hype was about. At the time it was ranked pretty high by the yelp nation. In my honest opinion the food was average at best. It was nothing to write home about. The highlight of the meal were the the muffins. I had the crab cake Benedict as my meal and it was just ok not the experience I was looking for.
(3)Liz K.
Cute little place located in a very odd shopping center (for brunch, that is.) I kind of had trouble finding the place because the sign doesn't pop out or anything. Food- overall good. Typical brunch items such as eggs Benedict, waffles, bacon this and that. They give you these superrrr amazing cinnamon rolls and muffins prior to your meal you just can't help but indulge in it. Great, yummy start. I got to try a few items because my friends and I all ordered different things. Eggs Benedict with smoked salmon- Just good enough. I had the sauce on the side and had a side of hash browns added. The hash browns were too burnt/crispy for my liking. My friend had the sausage biscuit with gravy and the eggs were slightly too salty. Crab cake Benedict was amazing. We all shared this and that to get a taste of each. Freshly squeezed orange juice was so refreshing but I couldn't do another glass for 3 bucks. Great service. Small yet cute place. The outdoor seating is very small and cramped.
(4)Susan G.
Well worth the 30 min wait. Joy herself introduced herself and seated us. The cinnamon rolls were AMAZING!!!! We had a party of 6, almost everyone ordered something different and not one of us were disappointed with our order. Will definitely be returning soon!
(5)Jennifer P.
The best grilled cheese and tomato soup ever!!! Great combo for the winter. Brunching menu is good as well. Waffle with fresh berries, yum.
(5)Therealladyof L.
5 star because this place really gives priority to dogs. They are dog-loving people. The food is excellent esp their shrimp & grits. A big serving. Do not order too much or you'l have to leave with a box. Will be back.
(5)Karly G.
What a darling little place and I mean very little! Christina K wanted to go here for ages and we finally made our way there for lunch yesterday. I didn't give them 5 stars because the wait was fairly long. They were busy during lunch and it's not their fault, but it was still a long wait for drinks, then to take our order and then waiting for the order. I guess you shouldn't come here super starving... Anyways, I had to order the Croque Monsieur but replaced the tempting ham with turkey instead and potato salad as a side. I also ordered their daily lunch special - Meatloaf sandwich sans cheddar cheese. The waitress/owner must not have heard me so it came out with cheese. I wanted to eat it so bad but my baby is intolerance for dairy so I had to return it. Luckily I was able to trade half the sandwich with Christina so I was very please. The cheese really does make that sandwich so much better! My croque monsieur was perfect. It has enough turkey, enough cheese and the honey mustard was absolutely addicting. Both sandwiches were absolutely amazing and the portion is generous. I had a food coma when I got home - knocked out completely. I also got a slice of the tiramisu and I couldn't stop eating it... although the cake must have been there for at least 2 days, because the lady finger was stale. However, the actual tiramisu itself was divine and a generous portion! I'll definitely come back since the parking is fairly accessible. I hate some parking in Buckhead... and thanks to Scoutmob for the awesome discount!
(4)Tashia Z.
Absolutely delicious! Met a friend for brunch this past Sunday at the height of brunch time. The place was packed, but a table for 2 only took 10 minutes. We had a very attentive and knowledgeable server. The food was phenomenal and the prices were very reasonable. Those were the best buttermilk pancakes I've ever had in a restaurant. This will be a regular brunch spot.
(5)Susan U.
I've been here for brunch, lunch & dinner and all the food has been amazing each time! For brunch the break burrito is delicious! The chorizo is the right amount of spicy and the cream tomatillo salsa is amazing. The salmon benedict is also spot on! For lunch I absolutely love the portabello sandwich. The mushrooms are so yummy & sweet & the chicken soup is so soul comforting it's not even funny. Lastly, dinner- oh. my. god. Get the shrimp & grits! The grits are soooo creamy and the shrimp are perfectly cooked and buttery. NOMS. And if those items aren't enough....get the fleur de sel or the chocolate cupcakes. Heavenly BLISS.
(5)Tonya C.
So I always see line at this place on the weekends so since I live in walking distance I thought what the heck, let me see what all the fuss is about. There were already 3 cars with people waiting for the restaurant to open at 930. Once restaurant opens, they tell us we can choose our seat. It is definitely tight and quaint inside. I immediately went for the table in the corner against the wall. Waiter brought water and a complimentary muffin and cinnabun which were deelish! I ordered the egg benedict with the smoked salmon. Everything on the menu looked appetizing but I will have to come back and try something different another time (Yes, I will be coming back) Food came out quickly. I thought the egg would be a bit more running. It looked a boiled egg on top of the muffin but not boiled all the way thru. The salmon was good and cold (as the stated it would be on the menu) the fruit salad was good as well. Overall experience was pretty good.
(5)Lorna B.
This cafe is located in the space that once housed "Cafe at Pharr" and it seemed that they made few renovations. Seating is limited and cramped and the menu felt familiar. I had a chicken salad plate that was delicious yet similar to the fare that was served by the previous tenant and for anyone who had eaten at the former establishment know what I mean. My lunch companions all enjoyed their meals and there was not a clean plate left on the table. Chocolate cake was moist and delicious.
(3)Andrea P.
Had lunch here today for the first time and it was delicious!! Everything is made fresh from scratch and the quality really comes across in the flavor. As one of my friends that was with me said, "This meal tastes so good that I don't want it to end!". I enjoyed the Portobello Mushroom sandwich with the tomato cucumber salad as my side. My friends had the tomato soup, cobb salad, roast beef sandwich, and pasta salad (even the pasta is made from scratch!). Everyone raved about their choices. The service was also good and the prices were extremely reasonable. It was a full house for lunch. Can't wait to try their brunch!
(5)Pratik S.
I picked up lunch from Joy Café recently. A few friends had recommended it to me so I decided to stop in and place a to-go order. I went in at 11:45 on a weekday and it was packed. This was before the ScoutMob deal was issued so I am sure it is even more packed now. I'd highly recommend making a reservation or getting there as early or late for lunch. The inside space is a little small, but they did a good job getting as many tables as they could inside the space. I also really like their concept of making everything they can from scratch. I ordered the special of the day, Crab Cake Sandwich, and the Ruben. Both were excellent and I don't think I could pick a favorite between the two. The bread was great and the house cured pastrami on the Ruben was delicious. The crab cake had plenty of meat and not too much filler. Not what you would expect for the price. Their potato salad was really good too. I will definitely be back as they are on ScoutMob now...but even if they weren't I would still be back.
(4)Amy W.
The turkey panini here is incredible. The chicken burger and pancakes are also highlights. If you're coming for brunch, get there by 1:30. This is my go to for a great, reasonably priced, quality brunch. Yay joy cafe!
(5)Reed B.
We recently had breakfast at the Joy Café and we loved it. It's one of the best breakfasts I've ever had at a restaurant. Looks can be deceiving as this gem is tucked in the middle of a little shopping center, but it's quaint and cheerful inside. The service is personable and the food is spectacular. Who doesn't love complimentary blueberry muffins and cinnamon rolls while you wait for your breakfast? I loved the coffee and my breakfast burrito was divine. You have to check this place out if you are in Atlanta!
(5)Kristin K.
This place is very...cozy as other people have pointed out. Be prepared to get very up close and personal with strangers in this small place. Service is really great. The food was amazing. I had a grilled cheese with tomato soup. I don't know what kind of cheddar that was, but it was fantastic. The iced mocha I had was also pretty spectacular. Not very inexpensive but not terribly expensive either. I could do without the paying-for-parking part though. Menu is pretty diverse, I think anyone could find something they like here. I also sampled my fiance's steak taco and it was good. I was glad the sauce came on the side.
(4)C W.
Shrimp & Grits were excellent again. Jessica is a great server. Boy's mother is the hostess and she is awesome. She checks on everyone and she's made me laugh more than once but she doesn't linger to the point of being annoying. Great cafe!
(5)Ann R.
Came in for brunch before going sightseeing. We had the oven roasted sandwich, Portobello sandwich and new York croissant ham sandwich. All were good. We also had red velvet cupcake, very moist and key lime pie was light and delicious.
(4)Vince T.
Super awesome meal and super awesome service!! Friendly people and friendly vibes! Food is delicious just a little hot inside especially in the summer. Where some cool clothes! Delicious blueberry muffins on crack!!! Get some if you can you won't regret!
(4)Nancy R.
You may have to wait, but it's worth the wait. It's a small place with a couple of tables for outside seating, so you'll have to wait outside in the parking lot. Luckily we came when it was nice outside so the half hour wait wasn't too bad. FOOD: We started with the complimentary breads - 2 types of muffin and a cinnamon roll. With coffee, these were a delightful start! For brunch I had the Lox and Lox of Omelet which is NYC style filled with smoked salmon and red onions, served with capers & bagel & cream cheese. The omelet was light and fluffy, filled with lox and onions. The side of toasted bagel with a fresh slice of lettuce, tomato, red onion, and capers accompanied the omelet well. I also got a side of hash browns, which are just cubed potatoes. Overall, it was a meal with plenty of tasty food to fill you with warm service!
(4)Christopher E.
Joy Cafe's Brilliant Tag line is - Made with Love, Served with Joy. I promise you can taste the love in every single bite. The thing I love about this place is it is big enough to find a seat but not so big they compromise quality. I think a few places in ATLANTA could learn a lot from this lesson. I've only had the Steak Tacos (on Brunch Day - come early they do run out) and the Mushroom Grilled Cheese with a cup of Joy's Famous Tomato Soup, but both were spot on and priced extremely reasonably for the Buckhead area. I love staring at everyone's food because everything that comes out of that kitchen looks DELISH. The owners are very present and it shows! Great Food. Great Service. Great Space. This is what living in a big city is all about! #MyNewFavoriteLunchBrunchSpot
(5)Christopher P.
Very good breakfast. Great portions. Good prices.
(4)Dawn B.
Excellent Food, small place, service was good yet quirky. I love those big ass biscuits they serve. I never curse in a review but there is no other way to explain them. They are huge!
(5)Sunira M.
Went in for a late lunch on Saturday. The place was really cute but it was packed! I had a feeling it was because of the scoutmob for $10 off lunch. I ordered the cobb salad and my friends ordered a benedict and a panini. The service was fast and the food was excellent. I would definitely return!
(5)Shirley Z.
I have not visited since my last review. However I would like everyone to know that the owner reached out to me and was very kind and apologetic for my previous experience. Even though my impression of the food remains the same but i have faith that this place is going to do just fine after all. Jon B., the owner was very open to suggestions and took the time to address my concerns. I can tell the love and passion he has for this cafe and I wish him the best. (I've already noticed that change in street signage!! Kudos guys!)
(3)Jarz R.
In one sentence? The food was so good, I was stuffed, but looking at my plate still made my mouth water. We came hungry, everything on the menu looked great, so we ordered a feast. I can't remember all of what we\ordered at the moment, and since the dinner menu is offline right now, I'll have to come back to this review. What I DO remember: Greek salad: Amazing. So flavorful, and they did not skimp on the good stuff. Big enough that it the two of us could split it for a starter salad Orange Dreamcicle Cheesecake: It was like Joy found a way to distill an orgasm, kittens, and ecstasy into a silky soft ribbon my mouth. I don't think I need to go any further. Oh, and Joy and her husband came out to ask us how our meal was. They were simply darling.
(5)Lauren P.
Joyful, joyful, we adore thee, Joy Cafe! This place is just what Buckhead needed: a cool sandwich shop which serves super sweet tea, crave-worthy salads, fabulous desserts plus brunch from 9:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. on the weekends. One of my gripes with Souper Jenny (which I also adore) is the lack of brunch on Saturday. Sure they have Cafe Jonah but I always wanted tomato soup AND grits on the weekends. Can't a girl have her cake and eat it too? Well at Joy Cafe, I did just that. I ordered tomato basil soup, grits with cheese, plus a side salad for my brunch. My sorority sister dining with me ordered her two eggs any style. The biscuit which came out with her brunch was massive! And the bacon was some of the best I've had in Atlanta. We later learned that everything is made from scratch. The biscuits are a family recipe Joy's made since she was 6. All the meats are cured and brined in-house so there's neither Boarshead nor preservatives to be found. Since the joint is less than a year old, Joy herself can be found at her spot 7-days a week. She was so nice to stop by our table, and her husband John is working there right along side her. They even let us sample a chocolate cupcake for dessert. It was absolutely to die for with two kinds of French chocolate! I also brought my husband home a slice of key lime pie which lasted maybe about 90 seconds once I walked through the front door. In total for two girls to brunch with drinks, tax and tip came out to $30. Albeit for Buckhead that's in the usual range but I'm even more willing to pay $3 for a cupcake to help support this local family business. So if y'all are looking for an awesome spot for lunch, dinner or bunch on the weekends, and want to know your food is made from scratch by Joy herself, check out Joy Cafe and Bakery. This place is truly heaven on earth in Buckhead.
(5)Alex C.
I got the steak and egg tacos. It was pretty good, but the short coming was the lime marinade on the steak. It was simply overpowering, I actually used the salsa to dilute the lime-y-ness. Some of the other stuff I saw looked pretty good and lime-steak aside, the meal was pretty good. Portion size is good, the eggs weren't overcooked and the hashbrowns were good as well.
(3)Julie S.
I give the food 4.5 stars-- it is SO good but what really blows you away is the cupcakes. Try special chocolate one they are known for you will not be disappointed! I had brunch of grilled cheese and tomato soup on a rainy day and it was amazing. We waited to be seated but it was worth the wait- the food was exceptional, the hardest part was deciding what to order!
(5)Sean W.
I ordered the tomato caprese grilled cheese (added bacon) and it was... DAMN! Actually said that after the first bite literally melted in my mouth. Kept cursing throughout the entire meal. It's just... SO... good. My friend had the Greek salad and said it was quite good, and that the side of potato salad was a bit bland. I'll be returning soon for that grilled cheese, though. The basil pesto was just fantastic as well. One of the best GC sandwiches I've ever had. Oh, and the cookies are REALLY good, too. Very thick, moist and soft. One tastes like a freshly-made brownie. Wow...
(4)Mychael W.
Joy Cafe never lets me down! I've been several times since my first visit in February. I just got back and had the reuben and the fleur de sel chocolate cake. Both are some of the best I've had. The reuben was hot, flavorful, and juicy. The cake is AMAZING! It's sweet, chocolaty, moist, and delicious! If you haven't been, I suggest you go right now!
(5)Renee C.
Grilled cheese rocks in this place! And the service is just as great! Quick and pleasant service.
(5)Chris L.
We tried Joy Cafe tonight and were very pleasantly surprised at the quality of the food and service. It's apparently been a popular breakfast and lunch spot in Buckhead for awhile, but it has only recently begun serving dinner. It's website says that the chefs strive to make as much as possible fresh in house, including baking breads and pastries daily. Our bread basket was filled with terrific, moist focaccia. My wife had the shrimp and grits, a favorite of hers, and said they were the best grits she's ever had. I tried them myself and they were creamy and delicious. The shrimp were large and perfectly cooked and reminded us of New Orleans BBQ shrimp. I had the beef brisket and pork shoulder meatloaf, which was also excellent--you can't do meatloaf much better or more flavorfully. It was cooked nicely and stuffed with tasty chunks of green peppers and onions. The mashed potatoes were great, too. We had a three-layer chocolate cake for dessert. The display case was full of lots of great looking house-made desserts, but the cake was a show stopper. It was iced with ganache and covered in sliced almonds, and included sea salt caramel between the layers. The cake was wonderfully moist and we loved it. The owner/chef came out to ask about our meal and was very friendly, and our server was attentive and took care of the details. Our experience was great and we liked it so much that we're planning to return for brunch this weekend. I recommend this little gem highly.
(5)Aaron T.
This place delivers service that makes you smile and flavors that are absolutely unique and on point. The complementary muffins set the tone for one of the greatest brunch experiences I've ever had. It's a small place and seats are hard to come by. I was lucky and was seated in less than 5 minutes. I'll be back!
(4)Laxsamee L.
Wonderful family restaurant. Many homemade items. On the house mini blueberry muffins are to die for. Unbelievable shrimp and grits. Crab Benedict had a perfect eggs.
(5)Korey M.
Top 3 brunches in the city. Everything on the menu is fantastically made. Well worth the wait.
(5)Alex P.
Not quite sure what all the buzz is about with this place on yelp. The atmosphere looks like somebody's kitchen and really crowded, really nothing nice about it. The food? Very mediocre, I would lean towards the side of disappointing. Had their crab cake sandwich, not worth it.
(2)Gregg B.
I went on yelp as i passed through Buckhead- and i thank all the yelpers that brought me here!!! this place is a GEM! fantastic soups- the basil tomato was the best I ever had. The Joy Ruben was off the hook. The Cobb salad was awesome. The server staff was incredible and the 100 year old recipe cupcakes was too die for. I love this place!!!!!
(5)Chataun D.
Brunch was absolutely delicious! Five stars, two thumbs up, all that plus more. The waffle with fresh berries was just delightful. The biscuit and gravy dish was perfectly seasoned. And, the home made blueberry muffins were the best I've ever had. Lovely family owned spot. I will definitely be back!
(5)Jen R.
My company actually worked with Joy Cafe for a group order/catering and they were very accommodating, especially since we a lot of people have dietary restrictions here! Food was great and everyone's order was spot on. We are about a group of 15. I heard they have great breakfast on Sundays from colleagues and everyone was right! I love how they bring you a little plate of pastries/goodies before your meal. I have heard lines can get bad, I was lucky when I went (just two people) to only wait about 15 minutes or so but I am sure that could affect the experience. Overall I would definitely would recommend!
(5)EJ S.
For my first four years in Atlanta, I was convinced the city was devoid of delicious brunch options. And then I found JOY. Everything from scratch, including the most amazing biscuits of your life and the fabulous gratis cinnamon rolls and mini muffins. Joy and Jon are the most delightful hosts, greeting their patrons by name. And the food -- WOW. From the fluffy eggs overflowing from the deliciously perfect steak tacos to the outrageous smoked in house salmon and the tomato bisque of my dreams. And a review of Joy Cafe wouldn't be complete without a shout out for the most ridiculous dessert in the history of all things sweet and magical! Her cookies and milk pie is nothing short of angel wings sandwiched between layers of cookie perfection. Most favorite brunch spot in America!
(5)Stacye B.
Everything I've tried here has been delicious. I've been here a few times and will definitely return. The wait can be long at times, but it's totally worth it.
(4)Marcus O.
i'm a fan of their mission, not of their food. the mission you say? it's to prepare everything from scratch that can be prepared from scratch. the draw of that statement alone made my stomach churn even more... should you visit, when you get your plate of pastries, devour them. they were the best thing we had. i had the grilled cheese and tomato soup. it was decent, but nothing that would shame my mom. i don't understand what's famous about the soup. not any better than la madeleine. the breakfast sandwich on a biscuit with home fries -- another story. it was burnt. the home fries were cooked to the point of crunchy all the way through. it was the consistency of super hard croutons. the cheese on the biscuit was like concrete. the biscuit itself -- dark, burnt. how this plate made it out of their kitchen's quality control is beyond me. when we asked for different home fries, the service was very courteous and prompt. however, the home fries they brought out were clearly cooked in old grease. yum. i'm sure it had to do with how busy the restaurant was -- though that's really no excuse. the biscuits and gravy plate -- good but not good enough to go back.
(2)Rick L.
We loved it! Especially when the owner comes around and makes sure everyone has gotten what they want. Lovely place!
(5)Gigi A.
Amazing food and very friendly service. Loved their grits, and I usually absolutely hate grits. The waitress brought out some complimentary mufins and goodies to munch on while we waited. Very yummy blueberry corn muffins. Great, delicious food and pretty cheap for the quality and location of this place. Will definitely come back next time I'm in the area. Reminded me of a french breakfast place :)
(5)Jack C.
Great omelet and pancakes very fluffy. We enjoyed most of the food but didnt like to pay 3 dollars for 2 pieces of burnt bacon. They need to expand the restaurant felt packed in like a sardine.
(4)Don B.
I cannot wait to come back to this place ! At first I was a bit turned off because it is a very small place and we had to wait a while. It seemed super chaotic and crowded but once we were seated everything was excellent. They started us off with 2 little blueberry muffins and a cinnamon type pastry. Very delicious. I ordered the eggs, cheese grits, bacon and biscuit. My friend got the fruit, yogurt and granola and a side of home fries. Apparently everything is super fresh and they do it on their own. They make their own granola and cure their own bacon. Definitely has a premium quality to it. We were very pleased with the portions...my biscuit was probably the biggest biscuit I have ever seen at an establishment. Service was ok but I understand the staff was running around like CRAZY. So don't feel offended if you have to flag down your waiter for something because I am sure they are doing the best they can. I was super impressed when I asked for some strawberry spread for my biscuit and the manager came out with a huge explanation for how they ran out and gave me some store bought stuff. I did not care, but apparently the make their own jam and due to high demand ran out. All they had was kiwi and that wasn't even quite 'done' yet. He was very apologetic, but I explained that I was fine, all I expected was a packet of processed Welch's or something. Definitely will return and can't wait to try some of their lunch options.
(5)Angela L.
My friend and I went for Saturday brunch around 10:30am and were seated right away. This was the perfect time to go because by 11am, there was a cluster of people near the door waiting for tables. The crowded people and busy servers weaving through tables reminded me of brunch in NYC. The place is quaint and absolutely adorable--with minty/sea green walls and cool wall decor. Our server surprised up with complimentary chocolate chip muffins and a cinnamon roll for an appetizer. Not sure if that is typical of Joy, but I won't question free pastries. The menu had a variety of essential brunch staples to choose from like eggs benedict (personal fav), waffles, pancakes, and omelettes, but no entree seemed overwhelming. I, of course, ordered the eggs benedict with canadian bacon, and it came with a side of seasonal fruit. I didn't expect the egg white to be as runny as the yolk, but it worked for me. The english muffin was toasted to perfection, and the bacon was delicious as well. My friend ordered the sun-dried tomato, spinach, feta omelette, and really liked it. All in all, Joy served heartier food than I had expected. It's nice to leave a restaurant with a happy tummy. I will definitely go back again to try their homemade granola!
(4)Kellie N.
This adorable little spot gets packed but worth the wait. I love sitting outside and enjoying brunch here. Great food, fun staff and perfect area of town. The most adorable wait staff and the owners are amazing. One of my new go-to brunch spots to go to and bring friends.
(4)Jie Y.
nothing to complain everything is so nice but only for a simple breakfast or coffee break.
(5)George P.
My new favorite breakfast place!! It is amazing. The place looks like a hole in the wall. The inside looks like a hospital, very, very plain...However the food is amazingly good. I had Great Grandma's Biscuits and Gravy. It was pretty amazing!! My girl had an omelet and what made it so good was the fresh ingredients and how fluffy the eggs were. The icing on the cake was a double layer of the best tasting coffee I have had at a breakfast spot as well as amuse-bouche of pastries they offer as a free appetizer! This place blows doors off of the standard well known Highland Bakery, Rita's Bluebird and The overrated Flying Biscuit( I do love the Highland Bakery though!)
(5)Yordanos T.
Cozy little breaktfast/ brunch spot in an inconspicuous strip mall. The crab benedict with a side of fruit was delicisous... fruit was fresh and sweet and the crab and home made muffin were great. They bought out a plate of sweets for the table with coffee so we were partially stuffed by the time our meal came out. The owener/ chef came out to our table to ask about our dining experience... very classy and appreciated! As we were leaving, he came back with the a moist and decadent cupcake with amazing icing. A perfect end to a great meal! Will defintely be back next time I am in the ATL.
(4)Starfish_Coffee M.
A miserable rainy Saturday was not going to keep me from my quarterly pancake binge so I made it over to Joy Cafe for the first time. Easy parking and I can sit wherever I want (always a plus for me). First they brought this plate of pastries and the glazed danish looking thing had to be laced with cocaine...INCREDIBLE! The mini-muffin thing was okay but it had more of a scone like texture and I prefer my muffins fluffy. Food came fast but they piled all this crap on top of my pancakes (berries, bananas, etc) that I didn't ask for or expect. I don't like anything interferring with the piles of butter and cups of syrup on my pancakes so I had some dis-assembling to do. It doesn't get 4 stars until some of the service kinks get worked out like my major pet peeve....HOT WATER AND LEMON SHOULD BE SERVED IN A CUP....NOT A GLASS...ARGGGHHHHH!! I had the trainee waitrees i guess so she was a little slow or maybe it was whatever she was texting in between serving that slowed her down but this place is well worth the visit and reasonably priced. I'm thinking they will soon replace Corner Cafe as the go-to place for brunch.
(3)Adolfo T.
Awesome breakfast loved the crab cakes Benedict with fresh fruit! Also try there buttermilk pancakes.
(5)Heather P.
Great spot for brunch! We brought my in-laws here who were visiting after a so-so breakfast the previous day at Flying Biscuit. All the food here tasted fresh and homemade. Everyone ordered something different and agreed it was the best meal of the weekend. The breakfast sandwich on a biscuit was amazing! The portions were huge- a side of fruit that came with the eggs Benedict was enough for a full snack later in the day! I bet this place gets busy as the morning progresses, we arrived at 9:45 and were the 2nd table. By the time we left the church crowd arrived (including a priest!) and filled up.
(5)Lindsay K.
This place is tucked away in a strip mall - pretty small in size - don't come with a big party and expect to be seated quickly. Probably 20-25 total at a single seating. The folks who work here are sweet - and efficient. Before the food came out, they offered us mini blueberry muffins and some really tasty iced baked good. Delish. My husband and I ordered the 2 eggs with sausage and the crab cake benedicts. Neither were cooked well - especially the poached eggs and the hash browns. There was a severe lack of seasoning on all the dishes. Given how many other breakfast/brunch places there are in ATL, I will not be coming back. But if I did, I would stick with baked goods, as those are clearly their strength.
(3)Brian L.
We finally visited this wonderful place on a rainy Sunday. The breakfast burrito was creative and excellent, especially the salsa. The poached eggs on the Eggs Benedict were perfectly done. Everything was perfect. Oh btw, the waiter is very handsome. :)
(5)Michelle J.
This is a cozy (read tiny) local cafe perfect for brunch or lunch. I visited for the second time last weekend and it was just as good as I remembered. During our first visit, I ordered a croque monsieur and tomato bisque. WOW were both delicious! It was my first time eating croque monsieur, so I can't speak to its quality as a CM specifically. I do know a thing or two about tomato bisque, and it was one of the best I've had. During my second visit, I was looking for something light and fresh, so I decided to go with the spinach salad. The salad is served with strawberries, candied walnuts, feta cheese, croutons and house made balsamic vinaigrette. I added grilled chicken to it, which absolutely made the salad. This Is seriously the best salad I've had in Atlanta. In fact, writing about it now is making me crave it... Those I went to Joy with also loved what they got, although my husband - a Cuban sandwich connoisseur - said their Cuban sandwich was mediocre. The service is another notable thing about Joy. The tiny restaurant usually has about two servers, and they make you feel comfortable and attended to. They're the kind of servers you'd hope every local cafe would have. The best time to go to Joy is usually past the rush of weekday lunch and weekend brunch. That way, you won't have to wait for a table and you won't feel confined when seated.
(4)Nakata H.
I was excited to come here based on yelps high rating so we were okay to wait for 30 min for the table. I really wanted to like this place but sad to say... Food was just okay. We had to wait long time for our food to come out, my veggie omelet was a little greasy for my taste. pancake was not all that special. My husband's Ham and Cheese Omelet was too salty. Maybe it was on their off day. The portion was generous and the service was good.
(3)J. C. L.
Brunch with girls. Ordered the egg Benedict with salmon. Delish. Love the free starter desserts!!
(5)David C.
Astounding brunch on the weekends. Eggs Benedict were great. The Berry Belgian waffle was fantastic. Fresh, warm, chewy waffle, with deliciously fresh berries and banana. The applewood smoked bacon was terrific, as well, though 2 slices for 3 bucks seems a bit of a rip-off. At least 3 slices, dudes. And the hash browns were nice and crunchy with or without cheese added - very, very good. I wish they served breakfast all week.
(5)Shaunte K.
I don't know why this place has such a hight rating. Definitely not one if the best places I've been for brunch while visiting Atlanta. The service was great but the food was average.
(3)Bill V.
Great brunch. Steak and egg tacos. Biscuits and gravy. Sometimes there's a wait, but it moves pretty fast.
(5)Jhoshua C.
Place was pretty darn good, they give you free pastry treats when you walk in service was the best part. I got the breakfast burrito which was good, nothing special though. If you dont get pancakes get at least a side of them, they are AMAZING. My friend got the eggs Benedict, it was incredibly delicious. Good menu and they make their food flexible for vegetarians like myself. Over all amazing experience!
(4)Arika S.
Really great brunch spot. The crab eggs benedict was amazing, and the service was really great. The layout isn't awesome inside, and it's pretty small. The food is great though, and they offer muffins and honey buns before the meal for free. Definitely worth a try!
(4)Gypsy A.
My boyfriend and I went there for a late breakfast one day. The wait time was extremely long, but we had read good reviews on it, and we wanted to give it a shot. When all was said done the food was good, but not fantastic. They did, however, bring out cute rolls before our meal that were just fantastic.
(3)Tanya E.
Part 1: This is going to be a strange review. Its a 2 parter because for this first part, I havent actually eaten there yet but I walked in because they are next to my fav nail salon Posh Nails. I was greeted by the warmest and friendliest woman, who by the way offered my granddaughter a free cupcake and even gave her- her choice of flavors. In the list was chocolate red velvet and vanilla. She told me about their brunches and gave me take home menus. After hearing abou the brunch I deceided I would try it tomorrow (saturday) since a friend and had made plans to meet for breakfast so perfect timing. So stay tuned for part 2 the aftermath. by the way that friendly woman who greeted me was Joy herself, owner/chef. On initial impression, friendliness and menu 5 stars. I will write another after eating there tomorrow morning.
(5)JH P.
Loved this little place! Came here with a friend for a late Saturday brunch. It's located in a strip center on Pharr Road and easy to miss. There is a parking lot but we got lucky and was able to find a spot. We were able to get a table right away. Service was very friendly. The breakfast pastries that come to your table are not a mistake - they're complimentary! So enjoy them!! I ordered a chicken salad sandwich and I found it to be very tasty. It was unfortunate the Belgian waffle maker was broken that day. Food served to other tables looked really tasty. Can't wait to go back!
(4)Lisa C.
Love places like joy cafe and bakery! Usually I have to dream up such a place like this but here the owner cares about the experience of everyone who comes in. Dropped in once to grab something quick to drink and snack on and go. Ordered a Perrier and red velvet cake mmmmmm! I know it was indulgent but you couldn't possibly understand how satisfying it was! The ambiance is casual and comfortable and it's a perfect spot to have an early business dinner - I ordered the shrimp and grits and it was very very good. I like the chef he came out to check on the food and I had to give him my compliments!! The dining experience was wonderful, if you are looking for a great place to have a dinner date or business dinner, this is a great find!
(5)Christopher R.
Once again, Yelp saves the day! We needed a diner for Breakfast in Buckhead and you all pointed us to Joys Cafe. It was worth the 1.3 mile stroll from our hotel. It was very busy on a Saturday morning but worth the wait. The urn of coffee for those who chose to wait outside was a nice touch. Small seating area, you are right next to your neighbors- think a cafe in Paris. The thick cut bacon is broken glass good ie you would crawl through broken glass to get some ;) their pastry plate was enough to make me bend my low carb diet ;) they also have a bakery counter for carry outs cupcakes etc a must try if in that part of Atlanta
(5)Gus E.
Great service. Chicken burger suggested if u go. Good price. Tomato soup is excellente also.
(5)Jake C.
Food was fantastic. Ambiance was good enough. Service wasn't very good though. The waitress didn't mess anything up, everything just took forever. 5-10 minutes for first attention, 10 more min for first waters, 30 more minutes for food, 20 more min for check. It was Saturday brunch and not only were they busy, but we were fine taking it slow and relaxing. That being said, I'd rather have excellent service and then voluntarily take it slow on my own accord. I'd go back though. I'm hoping the service was an abnormality because the food was great and there are so many other rave reviews.
(4)Max M.
OMG! Talk about spectacular service and faultless perfect food! I wrote an earlier review in which i complained about the temperature of the soup. Altho i gave them compliments otherwise, the owners graciously apologized for the error and offered me a comp'd meal the next time i came in. I was scared that since i came in for brunch that they wouldn't honor it, but no no, they didn't give me any bureaucratic bull..., they honored the deal, no problem. First point. I made the wise decision to order the steak and egg tacos and it was heaven on a plate. The texture and seasoning of the steak accompanied by perfectly cooked eggs and cheese on flour tortillas... it was amazing! And they served me three tacos! Again, i had an unwarranted fear... the fear that they would only serve two tacos for that meal, but no, they serve three! There's definitely no skimping with point! It was so delicious and filling! Second point... score! I also shared a waffle with a friend of mine. For once, a restaurant gets a waffle just right. It was perfectly crunchy and not soggy at all... and by some miracle it remained so thruout the meal! How'd they do that! The fresh fruit on top of it was to die for. Just perfection. Third point! While we were eating the lady owner of the restaurant (Joy herself) came out and introduced herself to us and apologized for the prior disappointment I experienced and offered a big plate of four delicious desserts! Ok, that's like 7 points now! Touch down! Later on, the guy owner of the restaurant (Joy's husband) also came out and greeted us. They treated me and my friends like royalty! It was weird... but in the best way possible! I didn't deserve it all! You can't beat a place that cares enough to make up for the dissatisfaction of their customers and actively, even extremely, taking the steps to remedy it. This is the kind of place that I would no doubt return to, even if the food weren't too good... but fortunately, IT IS REALLY GOOD! And you could tell that people agreed with me because that place was PACKED on Sunday! Please run, don't walk to this place... It is truly an Atlanta treasure!
(5)Keith K.
Awwwweesome !!! Cute spot, great staff ,even better breakfast!! Since this was my first visit ,it is customary to try the Chocolate cupcake (family recipe) which was hand delivered by the owner / chef. Overall a great breakfast eatery! A must do when in Atlanta
(5)Ben-Sheryl B.
I ate here today for the first time with my wife and this place was delicious! While waiting for our breakfast, they brought out pastries to tide us over. A delicious cinnamon pastry and two mini blueberry muffins. My wife, the muffin expert, claimed the blueberry muffins to be one of the best she's ever had. I ordered the steak and egg tacos with hash browns. The steak was tender and the eggs were cheesy. The sauce on the side was great as well. My wife ordered the breakfast sandwich on a biscuit with eggs, cheese and bacon. It was HUGE. And amazing. We ordered a red velvet cupcake (for myself) and a chocolate cupcake (for my wife) to go and ate them this evening. Rich! Perfect to be washed down with a nice glass of milk. Overall, this place was absolutely great and the owners really deserve a lot of credit here. The menu is the perfect size to not overwhelm you. We both cannot wait to try the rest of the menu. This is definitely a new favorite we will be frequenting!
(5)Kijean D.
Good was amazing! They give little pastries complimentary from the kitchen while you wait for their order. A beautiful small restaurant where everyone truly seems to enjoy being there. The brunch was really good and even though there lots of people waiting to get in they were able to seat as quickly. The pancakes were amazing. Must try the sage and Ginger sausage !
(4)Allison J.
Staff is so nice and the food is great, especially the iced coffee!
(5)Emma B.
We went in a Wednesday expecting to eat brunch but we learned brunch is only served on the weekend. As a result we tried their lunch which was great. I chose the 1/2 Combo (the Ruben which was full of meat & tomato soup). My husband had a chicken club and he enjoyed that too. The service was great and the owner made sure his guest was happy. I def want to stop by again go their brunch.
(4)Addie S.
A friend and I decided to try Joy Cafe for lunch because neither of us had gone yet and the location was very convenient. It's a cute, brightly decorated restaurant perfect for lunch. We arrived and it was relatively empty, but it soon filled with mostly ladies lunching. My friend and I both got 1/2 soup and 1/2 a sandwich. I had the croque monsieur, she had the ratatouille sandwich (the waitress said it's a favorite) and we both had the soup du jour, tomato basil. We both thought the soup was phenominal and enjoyed our sandwiches as well. The service was a little bit slow, but I assumed it was because they are still new and it was prime lunch hour. I will definitely go back and hope they add tomato basil soup to the regular menu!
(4)Nestor R.
Excellent food!
(4)Katie C.
My husband and I went here for lunch and ordered the Ruben & the Cuban with Potato soup & caesar salad; All was wonderful! The Service was very good. The Baked Potato Soup was the best I have ever had. The sandwiches were unique; not your typical turkey with avocado. Portion sizes are very large! You could easily share a sandwich. I will be coming back here!
(4)Kirsten P.
Friendly staff, incredible food, and reasonably priced. I drive an hour and a half to come here and it's totally worth it! Try the grits. Best I've ever had. Everything is locally sourced, the meat is smoked and ground at the cafe, and it's absolutely incredible!
(5)Claire S.
This is my favorite brunch spot in Atlanta! Everything that I have had here has been wonderful. The pancakes are the best. The breakfast burrito is so yummy. The eggs benedict are perfectly runny. The cinnamon roll/muffin treats passed out at the beginning are scrumptious. Though this place is always crowded, the servers are attentive and quick. I hesitate to write a review because I'm worried that this place will get even more popular and I won't be able to squeeze into the quaint restaurant without waiting super long. Try this place! Every other breakfast place in Atlanta has disappointed me at least once, but not Joy Cafe!
(5)Sara S.
Ashley Bates is the pastry chef at Joy and is exceptional and very talented. If you need about ten very fancy and specifically decorated cakes and several dozen fancy cupcakes in four or five days, she's your girl!! I needed cakes for a photo shoot and she was totally reliable. The cakes were of various configurations: sheet cakes, two layer, three layer and theme cakes. All were beautifully executed with great care. We had lunch catered by Joy Cafe one day: quality ingredients, tasty and abundant! The restaurant staff even made at special trip to our photo shoot location to deliver a forgotten vegan meal, gratis. Great people to get acquainted with and tasty tasty food!
(5)Barry M.
Wonderful, trendy cafe. If not for Yelp I would have never given it a look. Great food, large portions, reasonable prices. Very friendly staff, good coffee.
(5)Angie S.
Woooow, what can I say this place has awwwwwesome breakfast. So much food that I was able to have breakfast the next morning with my leftovers. Eveything taste like homemade from scratch.
(5)Lauren O.
The food at Joy Cafe is fantastic! Went here for Sunday brunch and absolutely loved it. I had the vegetable omelette with a biscuit-- to die for! The biscuit was fantastic and massive-- definitely a sight to see when you're there. My only complaint is the space is rather tight and I felt as if I was not only having brunch with who I came with but also the people we sat next to because they were so close. However, the fantastic food and welcoming staff were well worth it. Joy Cafe is a buckhead must!
(4)Gayle B.
We have been coming here at least twice a month for Sunday brunch. Always get the same thing...eggs benedict with salmon. It has always been wonderful...except this past Sunday. Our food was ice cold. We had already waited for a table for 1/2 hour so when the waitress graciously asked us if we wanted it warmed, we declined. The eggs were almost raw. I would have needed a straw to eat them. The waitress was very nice and took one meal off the check. That night, we were sick. Common denominator: the eggs. I think Joy's is a prime example of how the kitchen falls apart when it is so crowded, as it was on Sunday. Also, a kitchen worker ran out and got in her car, so they were one person short. The hostess was frazzled too. Something was going on...I think I will wait a few months when/if the crowds thin out a little. Next time I go, it will be during off-hours.
(2)Buzz B.
$8-10 for a sandwich made with home roasted meat - home made bread - served with fresh salad and fruit... well i must be sitting on a oil mine cause i don't think that is overpriced. Grandpa is that you writing reviews on Yelp? remember the good ol days when homemade sandwiches only cost a nickel! remember when people who cooked you food for lunch were dressed in 3 piece suits and not aprons with - UGH! - disgusting flour on them! remember when you went into a small business establishment and the nice lady behind the counter wasn't diddling your pickle because they misunderstood your order and didn't just start giving you everything for free. my my the times have changed. now people are expected to pay for quality food - at least at market value. chefs wear flour covered aprons instead of perfectly pressed suits. its craziness! can't we get back to the good ol days when food was free - service was 5 star everywhere and dumbasses with a Groupon & a highly misguided sense of entitlement weren't enabled to write public critiques of local businesses? this place is good - i literally have no complaints. for a quick, fresh, tasty and AFFORDABLE lunch - 5 stars.
(5)Kristin S.
Only got take-out, but from what we had, this place is all thumbs up. My daughter and I split the croque monsiuer and the oven roasted turkey (with brie, hello!). So they got the bread mixed up on the two. It was still delicious. My sister in law had the cuban sandwich and she LOVED it as well. Comes with a little side salad, fruit or chips. I had the cucumber tomato salad and it was slightly sweet and lovely. I also ordered 2 desserts to go. I tasted the blueberry cheesecake, not bad at all. And some sort of chocolate cake, which was absolutely WONDERFUL. It had some sort of caramelly stuff in it. Both desserts probably would have been better but I was so damn full from my sandwich. This place is a winner! I must warn you, not cheap, rather on the spendy side, but quality ingredients, so worth it. Also, don't be in any hurry to pick up, even though you call in 45 minutes prior.
(4)Betsi W.
Wanted to try a new brunch place and found a winner here! The place feels like you're eating with family and the food is so delicious! I had smoked salmon eggs benedict and it was so tasty. This place is nice and down to earth but still in the middle of Buckhead. Very friendly staff and I'd highly recommend!
(5)Denis H.
Found the Yelp reviews to be right on. Cute atmosphere, friendly family environment with happy attentive service. We had a ten minute wait but they had coffee outside for waiting guests. Food was prompt and excellent. We had the omelette with spinach, sundried tomatoes and feta with a biscuit and grits. No shortage of filling in the omelette! Our other meal was the Belgian waffle with local fruit and a side of bacon. What a delightful end to our weekend in Atlanta.
(4)Tecia D.
Deeeeelicious !!!!!
(5)Leslie W.
Just discovered this little cafe tucked away in a strip mall on Pharr Road. They have a great selection of fresh salads and sandwiches and some amazing soups! Their loaded baked potato soup is so good that I don't even care how much dairy they put in it! They will also have a couple of daily specials like tacos or a pasta dish in case you need something more substantial. And if you need to skip the fresh and healthy, try one of their huge and super yummy cookies. I like the snicker doodle best, and not just because I like food words that sound dirty. They are seriously delicious. The three star review is because they are still new and need to work out a few kinks. When I went in, they were understaffed and the pastry chef was serving people in her flour-caked chef's coat. I understand she was helping but it was a little um, off-putting. I'm sure that once things are straightened out, this place will be jumping so go now before you have to wait for a seat!
(3)Nev L.
We gave this place a try today based on the pictures and reviews. We had the ham and cheddar omelet and the pancakes. My omelet was ok, but the ginger and sage sausage was terrible. First, the color of the sausage doesn't appear fully cooked and then the taste of the ginger didn't go well with the sage. I sent the sausage back to cook a little longer, but the waitress returned with the same pinkish color saying because its made fresh that's the way it looks. Yeah, ok. My husband didn't care for his pancakes at all and the hash browns were served lukewarm.
(3)Sonya N.
Had breakfast here for the first time this morning after reading Yelp reviews. Everyone is right. Very cute, charming place. Everyone was so nice. I got there a little bit before 10am and very quickly there was a wait. I'm looking forward to going back and trying more dishes.
(4)Brian F.
Great casual spot if you are in the neighborhood.
(4)Helen K.
Hands down, BEST meal I've had in quite some time! Thanks Scoutmob!! A friend and I visited this place for the first time today for lunch. We each had the chicken burger (special of the day--ground chicken with spinach and feta mixed in, perfect crisp bacon, lettuce, tomato, with a divine spicy mayo and jalapeno aioli sauce), and I had mine with a side of tomato, cucumber, onion salad. It was just delicious!! Though the portion size was generous, we also each ordered dessert too--she had a red velvet cupcake and I had the orange creamsicle cheesecake. Wow! Just perfect. This is easily one of my new favorite places to go in Buckhead.
(5)Gloria R.
TERRIBLE!! Waited ten minutes... for what? We sat there for over 10 mins before we even got greeted for our drink order. We ordered drinks and food at the same time since everything was so slow already. Got my food 45 mins after ordering. It was two scrambled eggs and bacon. The bacon was so chewy (yuk!!) And my food was COLD! Not to mention whom I was with ordered a waffle and their food came out ten mins after mine. And the waffle was still uncooked! Terrible terrible. I don't understand why this place had a wait nor all the rave reviews. I will never go back!
(1)Phillip C.
I like Joy Cafe. Quality is great. I didn't give it 5 because it didn't wow me but I would/will go back. It's your typical breakfast fare.
(4)J S.
Fabulous food that will not disappoint! We've eaten here several times for lunch and it has become one of our favorite restaurants. Soups and sandwiches are fresh and delicious. Both the tomato soup and potato soups are incredible. Portions are very generous, you won't be leaving hungry. Downsides: seating area is small, meaning there may be a wait for a table. Also, parking lot is cramped and busy, may have difficulty finding a spot.
(5)H. H.
Really good coffee, better than Starbucks. Friendly service. The presentation was good, but the entree for breakfast was almost cold. They use way too much salt. If you subtract the excess salt, I'd give four stars.
(3)Vanitha S.
This was an incredible little brunch spot. As soon as we sat down I immediately liked the style in here...felt kind of Victorian in a way with the white decor. We were visited a few times by the owner as he said hi and checked in on us. The menu took forever to read and decide as there were a lot of options to choose from. I ordered a veggie omelet with egg whites, hash browns and wheat toast. First of all, usually when I order egg white omelets, the flavor usually tells me how good the chef really is. It's very rare for a place to make an egg-white omelet taste similar to a normal omelet but Joy Cafe knocked it out of the park. It wasn't oily but was bursting with flavor and fresh veggies including sundried tomatoes. Yum. The hash browns were nice and crisp, not oily at all. The bread tasted like bakery bread that came with homemade jam. To top it off, when we received our order, the plates were mixed up. The owner apologized profusely and later the waitress came over with 2 containers of baked pastries for us to take home. WOW so generous! Then my friend and I split a chocolate cupcake for dessert and the reviews are so true, folks. These cupcakes will render you speechless for at least a few minutes, so make sure not to order one on your first date. The chocolate was so soft that it was melting onto my fork. The cream cheese frosting was so smooth and light...not heavy at all which is a pet peeve of mine. This must be a best kept secret because at noon on a Sunday we didn't have a wait at all even though my friend made a reservation. Another bonus point-they take reservations where most brunch places won't. Not a doubt that we'll be back.
(5)Rochelle B.
This place sucks. Its like "hey here is our menu but we dont have any of the items.on our menu on it"
(2)Bob G.
We ate here today on a Scoutmob. We each got the turkey sandwich (which was pressed like a Cuban sandwich) and the wifey got tomato basil soup and I got chicken noodle. She was raving about the tomato basil which is saying something as she tries it almost everywhere that has it. She said it was close to the best. The homemade chicken noodle soup was really flavorful but it was a tad salty for me. I must be overly sensitive to salt because a woman came in to get a "to go" order of it and they told her she got the last cup (I must have got the 2nd to last). We both raved over the turkey sandwich. They say they cook their meats in house which may have been the difference -- wifey wrapped up the other half of hers and was secretly munching on it in my new car, despite my prohibition on eating in the new car. It was amazing. I would have given it 5 stars except for my personal preference on the soup. Definitely will go into the heavy rotation as a lunch stop.
(4)Beonna H.
Just what you want for Sunday morning breakfast!!
(5)Tori P.
Been to this place twice now. Once when they first opened and today for lunch. The place is clean and welcoming. The staff always says hi to me and other guests coming and going. The first time I had the turkey sandwich and potato salad. The sandwich was huge and full of flavor. I could tell the potato salad was homemade. It was a great first experience Today for lunch I had the special which was a chicken quesadilla. When this thing came out I thought wow for once here is a place where the price matches the proportion! It was huge! It took up more then half my plate. Not only that but it was stuffed with chicken. I defiantly got more then my moneys worth. Since I was full from the quesadilla I took a chocolate cupcake home. A few hours later I tried it. Honestly had to be the most moist cupcake I have ever had. It also was a bit larger then an average cupcake. The cake was delicious and moist. The icing was a little thick but still very very tasty. The place was busy today but the wait staff still made me feel welcome and not once did I feel that I was "forgotten" because it was busy. I will go to Joys cafe every chance I get. I highly recommend it. Cannot wait to go back!
(5)Ryan G.
What a f@#$&in find. I happened to move to a nearby condo and walk past Joys Cafe on an almost daily basis and today I just to eat lunch there on a whim. WTF. The service here is just outstanding and the food is effing delicious. I had a chicken burger with chipotle mayo and effin christ it was delicious. Ill be back that is for sure. I am sure glad I chose to stop by I think I just found my new fav locale cafe.
(5)Gregory D.
Awesome staff, great food, nice atmosphere, good prices. I appreciated how they brought us muffins and a cinnamon bun while waiting for the food. Nice touch of good customer service. Didn't wait long for a table for Sunday brunch either. A must try.
(4)Chris B.
My wife and I went for a late lunch and had the Reuben with pasta salad and a Caesar salad. All the food was excellent especially the homemade pastrami.
(4)susan h.
This is a great place for any meal. Everything is really fresh and the owners are really nice. Joy cafe can do no wrong in my book.
(5)Taleshia N.
Great Food! Enjoy looking forward to coming back every chance we get!!!
(5)Laura N.
this place is poppin! perfect for a sunday morning...or any morning. pet friendly as well! never been a big breakfast person but this place has me changing my mind. i got the sausage and gravy and it was glorious. friend got the chicekn burger(really good)the complimentary pastries were scrumptious as well. Support this cafe , great food and great people! its pretty busy there too so come early or call ahead
(5)Chelly V.
I've been using yelp for quite some time to help make dinner decisions and never felt compelled to write a review until now. To get to the point, Joy Cafe was an excellent experience for me and my boyfriend! We visited this place Friday night after finding it on Scoutmob, and were pleasantly greeted with excellent service, delicious food, and the most genuinely friendly owner I've ever met at a restaurant! Let me sum up our experience: First off, as someone who strives to eat clean but still loves to eat out, my favorite thing about this place is that everything is homemade (sauces, bread, pastas) & they dont use ANY preservatives! We visited on a Friday night about an hour before closing time (which is 9pm). The restauarant must be more popular for breakfast because we were seated immediately and had a few seats to choose from in the compact little cafe. Our waitress, Valentina was very friendly and appropriately attentive. We chose the smoked salmon appetizer, which was hands down the best smoked salmon ive ever had. My boyfriend ordered a cup of tomato soup, which taste very fresh, homemade, and was delicious! For entrees we chose the shrimp and grits and the enchiladas. They were both great! The enchiladas has a fresh, healthy twist to them and come with a delicious homemade sauce and a side of well seasoned rice. The portion was also very wealthy. The shrimp in the shrimp and grits were nice sized, fresh, and you guessed it...delicious! The grits were a tad thick for my liking but also very tasty! Oh wait, how could I forget that the waiter brought out hommade foccacia (sp) bread as we waited for out meal, which was very soft, flavorful, and awesome as well! As we finished our meal, one of the owners, Joy came to our table to ask about our experience. She was very friendly and genuine, and even offered us a great story about her journey to opening up a restaurant. She was so inspiring and very likable! Needless to say, we'll be returning and bringing some friends with us!
(5)Laura C.
My party had Belgian waffles, pancakes, biscuits and gravy and eggs Benedict. Everyone loved their breakfast. Would definetly recommend and come back.
(5)Kelsey M.
LOVE THIS PLACE! First of all, the food is amazing! And everyone there is so darn nice. It can get a little crowded on Sunday, but it is totally worth it! Everything is made there, so you know it's fresh! They even smoke their own bacon! The owners are super nice too. We had the breakfast burrito and the steak and egg tacos. Both were delicious! Their buiscuts are also amazing!
(5)Laina E.
If I could add a star for the cupcake I just ate, I would. Devil's food doesn't even begin to describe how BAD ASS this chocolate cupcake is. Go to Joy's NOW before I eat everything and there's nothing left for you!
(5)E R.
Great first experience over a Sunday lunch. Small cafe with about 8-10 tables. A few dogs enjoyed a small table outside with their owners. Service was friendly and prompt. Manager/owner even brought the cute doggies little water bowls! Food was delicious. My cuban sandwich and cucumber, tomato, onion salad were quite yummy. Husband loved his turkey Reuben. Will definitely come back!
(5)Tony S.
TIP: ask for chef's homemade hot sauce for your breakfast burrito. It's got a wonderful flavor with the right amount of heat. Perfect brunch spot with very little wait time unless you have more than 4 people. Chef is super nice as were the entire staff. A new favorite for my future Atlanta visits.
(5)Luke T.
Worth the wait and definitely a place to take your friends from out of town. We arrives around noon to find the place packed and folks milling about outside. We waited around 30 minutes but the line was moving fast. They don't have too many tables but the staff does a great job with speedy service and turns the tables around very quickly. So , do not get discouraged when there is a line as they do a great job in getting folks seated. We had their signature biscuits and gravy and their benedict on crab cake. We knew it was good and it lived up to our expectations. They are very good and we know it was made from scratch. Prices are more than fair. They pour good coffee too. This restaurant serves good, delicious food. Simple food , but very well done. They employ a lot of folks here and the result is very prompt and fast service. Everyone is super cheerful and happy as well.
(4)Tom M.
It's doesn't get in better than pastries from Joy Café. I needed something to thank our employees for all their hard work. Joy and her team made homemade Oreos, Blueberry and Blackberry Pop tarts, cupcakes and cookies the size of the my head. Our employees went crazy - smiles all around. Thank you, Joy!
(5)Joanna R.
I would've really given this place 5 stars if they served mimosas. When I think of brunch I definitely think of booze and so this saddened me quite a bit. Other than that (and the 45 minute wait) it was all groovy. Our waitress seemed to be in her own little world half the time and we had to flag her down on a couple of instances but who cares when the food is that good? I had the french toast and my boyfriend had the steak tacos and eggs. My french toast was great but those tacos were insanely good and I was suffering from that food envy real thick. Would like to return some day and have that. I like the small little quaint space too and the fact it's close to other bars and stuff. Perfect to grab a mimosa afterward ;)
(4)Melissa P.
My husband and I enjoyed lunch at the Joy Cafe on a Friday afternoon. it's a quaint little spot hidden in a small strip of stores in Buckhead. It's a small space that probably seats about 40-50 people. They've got a couple of tables outside on the sidewalk if you'd like to eat al fresco. Parking is a bit of an issue during peak times but you can park in a near by public parking garage and walk over. We got lucky and found a spot store front! The staff is very friendly and attentive. The lunch menu offers typical cafe-sytle items with a gourmet twist. Items such as salads, soups, cold and hot sandwiches, pies, cookies, cake slices, and home made ice creams. I ordered the half&half combo. I had half of the Croque Monsieur sandwich which had ham, gruyere cheese, dijon mustard pressed into a perfectly, toasted, panini. I had this with a cup of Joy's tomato soup. The soup was creamy and a tad sweet. It was delicious and surprisingly filling! I was hoping I'd have room for dessert. My husband ordered the chicken burger. The patty is made from house-ground chicken, spinach & feta. It has thick slices of crispy bacon, provolone, jalapeno aioli & chipotle mayo. He also had a cup of tomato soup. The chicken burger was delicious! We were stuffed so had to take dessert to go. I ordered a slice of their home made cinnamon roll cake. It's kept refrigerated so it's a little dry but so delicious. It's like a mini bundt cake that tastes like a cinnamon roll. It's topped with a glorious cream cheese frosting. Delightful! My husband ordered their white chocolate chip ice cream. He loved it. It was a bit pricey. 8 oz for $4.50 but he felt it was worth it :) Our final lunch bill with everything above, an iced tea and a sprite came out to $35. I personally feel like it's a bit too expensive for lunch but I will say it is delicious and satisfying. They're being featured on the foodnetwork's Diners, Drive-ins and Dives!
(4)Dave M.
I felt this place was just OK but nothing special. The portions were definitely slim. The Hot Roast Beef ($9) while good had like 2 slices of petite roast beef. I got the cucumber salad side. It was like eating sliced pickles. Definitely can get a meatier roast beef at other places for less the price. The 1/2 Tuscany and 1/2 Sandwich ($11) was definitely overpriced. I guess the mozzarella caused it to be expensive but yikes. Again, the food wasn't bad but you pay a lot for little. The service was friendly. The workers greeted us upon entry and served us promptly. The place isn't huge. It'll seat maybe 30-35 but the parking is much tighter so get there early. They have some desserts but I didn't look at those. Overall, this place isn't horrible to try but it's not worth it for me.
(3)Daniel B.
Joy Café is the best breakfast/brunch restaurant if ever had. Everything is of quality. The shrimp and grits are awesome, the biscuits are better than grandma's, and customer service is A-1. These guys and gals have set the bar. I plan trips to Atlanta specifically to eat here lol...
(5)Carolina M.
Joy Cafe is a great lunch/brunch place if you can stand the wait. For me, coming on a Saturday between 12:30 and 1pm, for a table for 2, meant a 20 minute wait. Here's what I ate: Steak and Egg Tacos: Delicious. Steak is juicy and tender, the eggs are fluffy and the peppery ranch sauce on the side is delicious. I would order this again. Cuban Sandwich: This was ok. Not sure what prompted me to order this, but I probably wouldn't get it again. It's a decent sandwich and better than let's say Jason's Deli, but doesn't hold a candle to Havana's Cubans. I ordered potato salad as a side and it was unique: it's like a cold mashed potato with dill in it. Tomato Soup: This is their signature soup and I like it. It's got a nice texture and it's on the sweet side, but I think it is so for dipping a grilled cheese sandwich or bread, at least that salt will counter it. Biscuit: Holy crap...that's a huge biscuit. It's definitely a lot for one person and it's so good with some kind of jam/jelly which we had to request. I suspect even the strawberry jam is made in-house and it was so good on the biscuit that it was like eating a dessert. In short, the menu is simple but everything is decent and made in-house. I would love to come back for another biscuit or to try other items on their menu. It's a casual place for brunch that I wouldn't recommend for large groups. The private parking lot gets fully easily, so you may have to do the paid parking just adjacent to the shopping center.
(4)Tristyn B.
This is the happiest accident I've stumbled upon in a while! Ok so before I tell the story I'm going to need you all to promise not to judge me: I ended up here because I was "following" a guy with a Starbucks cup. On the night of July 3rd I dropped my phone and shattered my screen to the point where it was unresponsive. I'd done some research (thanks Yelp!) and found a phone repair shop. Got there the next morning, and because it was earlier than I preferred, I needed some coffee. What's that? A guy walking past with a Starbucks logo in his hand.....? So yes, I left the repair shop and followed this young man, unbeknownst to him. I only intended to stalk him as long as it took to locate the nearest Starbucks, but instead he turned into this gem of a restaurant! (Incidentally, yes.. I did tell him I'd followed him there.) It was fated, I'm sure. I checked out the menu, unsure if I wanted real breakfast or not. The husband (the place is owned and operated by husband/wife chef team! How cool is that?!?!?!) greeted me at the front and was SO sweet and amazing that I just had to have a seat and experience what they had to offer. My server was really nice and helped to clarify a couple things so I could narrow down my decision... I went with the smoked Salmon Benedict. It was divine. I'm in love! They add a little extra sweetness not only with their sunny dispositions but also because they give you a small plate of muffins and cinnamon rolls before your meal. That's how I decided on the benedict. A lot of savory, a little sweet... that's a good balance right? The portions are plentiful to the point that I could only finish half my food. Because of what I'd ordered I couldn't very well expect it to hold up for later so I begrudgingly left it on the plate. Although I try to steer away from giving 5 stars for a one-time visit... I'm completely sold on this place. Thanks Starbucks guy!
(5)Nicole S.
My mom came to visit, so of course I had to bring her to Joy Cafe!! Of course, she loved it as much as I do. This time I went for lunch. We shared two sandwiches and soup: Tomato soup- SOOOO amazing. Thick, but not too thick, texture. Lots of flavor with a little bit of sweetness. It came with really good bread too. Chicken burger- one of their signature dishes. Very different than something I've had before. The two different sauces on top had great flavor and made the burger moist. Brisket Reuben- brisket and sauerkraut, plenty of meat on the sandwich, bread was toasted perfectly. We got potato salad and pasta salad with the sandwiches. Good size portions and Just lots of flavor. Both salads were served cold. Highly recommend everything we got.
(5)Ronnie J.
We decided to try this place and i'm glad we did. Despite the long line and the limited parking breakfast was excellent. Friendly staff & clean. Great options on the menu and i decided to get the shrimp & grits. I get shrimp & grits the majority of the time when it's offered. But JOY'S CAFE is my new favorite!!! The shrimp & grits are amaaaazing i would definitely recommend this dish. It's kind of heavy, made with cream but very tasty. 2 THUMB UP!!
(5)Anthony N.
First time there. The restaurant was packed. But the wait wasn't too long. Our waitress was very nice and attentive. Very fast to refill our drinks and checked on us often. We were there during the last part of the day and the chef John came out to make sure patrons were enjoying their meal. The salmon Benedict was very good. Perfectly poached egg. Salmon is smoked in house. The English muffin is also good. I ordered the hash browns extra crispy with cheddar and probably the best chopped potato style hash browns I've ever had. Bacon is meaty. Little sweetness to it. Crisp and hot. Biscuit and sawmill gravy is delicious. Very hearty. Filling. The soft scramble eggs are just how my wife likes them. We were happy and very stuffed. Just as we paid the bill. Chef John asked us to stick around. That's when he gave us a complimentary slice of his cookies and milk pie. It was delicious. Not two sweet. Nice crumble. Right amount of chocolate. Delicious. Thanks joy cafe for a great dining experience. Looking forward to coming back
(5)Jessica H.
I had the shrimp & grits, and it was very good! If I see this on the menu, I will get it wherever I go-- but this was the best I've ever had. The food is also very aesthetic that it's so hard to eat! They don't hold back on ingredients (like the berries that topped my mom's waffles), so it's definitely worth the price. I don't live in the area, but I would go out of my way to dine here.
(5)Gloria K.
This is probably one of my favorite brunch spots in Atlanta. This time I got the ham & cheese omlette and my husband got the steak & eggs taco. Both dishes were delicious. The portions are very generous and they even hand out complimentary baked yummies for customers. Although in Buckhead, it's a convenient location away from the usual Buckhead traffic with plenty parking available. The only complaint I have is that the wait time can be long and that I feel crammed when seated. Get there early, folks!
(4)Shirley W.
Joy Cafe truly lives up to its name; I've been here four times already, and I still remember the first time so clearly! From the service, to the food, to the decor, the entire restaurant leaves you feeling comfortable and satisfied. This is definitely my favorite brunch place around Atlanta right now, and I always leave with a light feeling of bliss drifting through me. The inside seems simple with its scattered white tables, and might even seem a bit crowded at first sight due to its smaller venue for its enormous popularity, but after being seated, the atmosphere around you starts to feel cozy, inviting, and quite homey. It's rustic and warm with the perfect blend of simplicity, and definitely captures that "morning brunch" ambience spot-on, especially on a sunny day! Food - brunch is WONDERFUL. Brunch is so wonderful that I tend to associate the idea of brunch with "joy cafe," because I think this is where my love for brunch really sky-rocketed. I love how you get fresh, warm muffins/cinnamon rolls (or banana bread, because they sometimes run out) while you wait for your meal. I remember getting Eggs Benedict for my first meal, and while I was initially mildly disappointed at the smaller serving size in comparison to those of my friends (because I never had Eggs Benedict and I didn't know what it looked like), it was really filling and delicious! Of course, I ate mine. And then some of each of my friends' meals...as always. If you want to get Eggs Benedict but you're afraid that you'll still be hungry, you can always switch out the side of fruit for hash browns, which I did the second time around. Their hash browns are amazing! I would recommend their hashbrowns, Eggs Benedict, and omelettes. For the large serving size, I think everything's really reasonably-priced. Usually after a meal here, I'm good for nearly the entire day. No kidding. On a side note, I had lunch here once because they only serve brunch on the weekends. Lunch is also delicious, but the serving sizes are smaller and there was nothing too memorable about my lunch experience. I think if you're coming here for the first time, definitely come for brunch. The service is stellar, and the sincerity of the workers adds to the atmosphere. I admire how the workers are able to maintain such an air of genuine care for your meal and whole experience even when it tends to get very crowded, with people in line outside and the place completely filled inside. I think there are only a few workers who regularly work there, and everyone is really kind and attentive! I've experienced maybe a few forgetful incidents here and there, but the place is rather small and workers pass by so often it's not so big of a deal. After all, they're usually really busy. The main reason why I knocked off a star is the consistently long wait time that I have to prepare for every time I go. Even though I've waited from 20 minutes to nearly an hour, the food and experience is so worth it that I know I'll be coming back (and eventually finish the whole brunch menu, perhaps). I realize that the sometimes excessively-long wait time only testifies to their popularity and how good the food and experience is. After all, there's a reason a line of other hungry people are outside waiting with me...through rain, through sun, we've been through it all!
(4)Thomas P.
I don't know what all the hype is about Joy Cafe; maybe I ordered the wrong items or just caught them on an "off-day," but I was not very pleased with my food after having such high expectations based on Joy Cafe's 4 1/2 star overall rating. I ordered the Joy Cafe Pastrami Reuben Sandwich with my side choice of the tomato cucumber salad and a Belgian Waffle topped with fruit. To their credit...the Reuben was the best item I tasted. They house cure their pastrami from scratch and make their own sauerkraut, which made a big difference in it's overall flavor. They stacked enough meat on the bread and it was moist and juicy; I can honestly I thoroughly enjoyed it. However, this is where my experience gets thrown off. They served me a mushy cucumber tomato salad that looked like the cucumbers and tomatoes have been sitting around for at least 3 days. The cucumbers had a dingy color to them and the tomatoes tasted like they were left over from a pico de gallo they previously prepared. I could only eat about 5 cucumber slices...very disappointed because the Reuben tasted delicious. Next, the Belgian waffle was undercooked in my opinion and was served with overripe, mushy bananas...something I do not like at all. The blueberries and strawberries were good and the maple syrup and whipped cream helped me to get it down. Overall, this place was just average. There have been 3 other brunch spots in Atlanta that I would prefer over the Joy Cafe.
(3)Madison J.
Yum!!! I have had this place bookmarked for a while now and finally came to try!! So good! Everything is fresh and full of flavor. The strawberry pancakes were full of strawberries inside. The butter/whip cream on the side is amazing!! Joy, the owner, is very friendly and makes a point to come say hello! Will be back soon for more!
(5)Sandra B.
Updating my last review, since I do find myself craving Joy's for both brunch and lunch. Which deserves more than my previous rating of 3 stars. Waiting is inevitable. Just accept it and factor at least 30 minutes into your schedule. Eggs Benedict is a-okay! I'm always excited when a brunch place offers it on their menu. Grilled cheese + tomato bisque soup. Amazing. MUST TRY.
(4)Sarah B.
I had the shrimp and grits and it tastes phenomenal! I've been to Charleston where shrimp and grits are supposed to be a staple, but Joy's is far better. The venue is very small and quaint. Get there early or be prepared to wait. My server was friendly, but not very attentive. Note, the restaurant is located in a shopping strip so don't go too fast or you'll pass it. Overall everything met my expectations and I will return.
(4)Christina A.
This is one of my favorite breakfast/brunch spots. Nothing pretentious, just tastes like good ole' home cooking. I had their belgian waffle topped with berries, and it was perfect. Generous portion of berries caught me by surprise as many brunch places scatter a small amount of berries with waffles or pancakes. Be prepared for a long wait on weekends. However, they do set out some complimentary coffee outside to make it more endurable.
(5)Michelle T.
Oh what a Joy!! I love brunch and what I love better is a place that has so many tasty options I want to go back to try them! And, what I did order was good? And the service was excellent? Yep its on my got-to brunch spots list. Very causal spot with a nice wait if you go during prime brunch time. I am sure if this place served liquor it would be worse. I had the breakfast burrito and it was awesome! I also had their in house sage and ginger sausage. It was good, but not mind blowing. They ran out of has browns, which are really home fries in my book. But were able to substitute without and additional charges. The Waffle is yummy with lots of fresh fruit. I saw ordered of the Egg Benedict on other peoples tables and they look delicious!! I cannot wait to try them out!! I was so hungry so thankfully they start you off with blueberry muffins and a cinnamon rolls. Yummy!!! Jessica was our server and she was wonderful! Very attentive and friendly! It was a great experience and some good food.
(4)Jordan O.
Delicious, best meal I had in all of Atlanta and all I ordered were cheese grits. I ended up eating some of the other offerings off of my wife's plate and loved everything except the granola with yogurt which just wasn't sweet enough for me.
(4)Lisa W.
We stopped by for a late breakfast one Saturday. Our party of four ordered a breakfast burrito, salmon eggs Benedict and eggs/sausage/hash brown/biscuit. We all enjoyed our food and would happily return. They had a wait for a table that was much shorter than initially predicted. And the space is small so just know you'll hear the next tables' conversation.
(4)Michelle L.
5/5, can confirm lunch items are equally as amazing (and hefty in portions) as the brunch! The lunch portions on the weekend menu (pretty much the whole right side) are available after 11am, so since we were finally seated pretty close to noon I decided to try out one of their sandwiches. I ordered the chicken salad sandwich (southern style, not the apple-walnut variety), on ciabatta bread with the garden salad as my side with citrus vinaigrette. All were amazing, seriously. The chicken salad was spot on-- chunks of chicken with bits of celery and the perfect amount of mayo and whatever else (magic??). Garden salad was very fresh and delicious--slices of carrots, slivers of red onion, fancy greens, etc, but the citrus vinaigrette really took that salad to the next level-- light, lovely, slightly sweet, and not at all greasy. All for $8... A super steal, methinks, especially since I could only finish half the sandwich and boxed it for later! Only downside: 48-minute wait, upon arriving and putting our names down at approximately 10:50am this Sunday. Phew... But I will say this is probably one of the ONLY places in Atlanta that I'm willing to wait that long.
(5)MD W.
The is the most stressful place I've eaten at in a very long time... Food was pretty good, but it's uncomfortably overcrowded!!! More and more people keep coming in... I wanted breakfast based on the picture, but quickly found out they are from the weekend brunch... I would probably give this place 4stars, because the food was good!!! Since I don't live in the area, I would not come back just to get a sandwich/salad to-go... This was suppose to be my relaxation lunch, but I feel like I'm driving on Interstate 75 in the middle of rush hour traffic!
(3)Cindy T.
Came here for Sunday brunch and to catch up with a girlfriend this past weekend around 1pm. There was already a line outside the door and the wait was about 45 minutes. Pretty typical wait time for Sunday brunch in Atlanta. They had coffee outside for waiting patrons which is a nice gesture. The space is definitely small where you are literally sitting next to the next table. Not recommended if you care for a lot of personal space. One downside of being so close to your neighbors was how loud it got. My friend and I were seated across from one another and sometimes I found it hard to hear her above the noise. There were only about 4 more tables outside on the sidewalk. It didn't look exactly comfortable to sit outside since you were on the sidewalk in run-down parking lot with other patrons waiting in line behind you trying to get a table. Started with complimentary blueberry muffins and cinnamon buns. The muffins were delicious. The cinnamon buns were a little on the hard side. We both ended up ordering the eggs benedict with smoked salmon and fresh fruit. It was delicious. The eggs were cooked to perfect yolk-y goodness and the smoked salmon was so good. My usually gluttonous appetite couldn't even finish my meal. Portions were definitely satisfying. I also tried the peach tea which was good, but a tad too sweet for my personal taste. I had to ask for it to be mixed with half unsweet. Service was prompt and friendly. Our waitress was busy but she always made sure our drinks were full and we had everything we needed. No complaints. This is one of those places I can imagine enjoying a lot more if it wasn't so crowded. The ambiance just wasn't there for me. And I find it really aggravating to not be able to really have a conversation with my company. The food all looked so delicious and perfectly presented. I would definitely have to come back when they are less busy to try more of the menu.
(3)Victoria A.
Absolutely loved this place!!!! Yes it was crowed but it was worth the wait!! Pancakes melted in ur mouth, their Secret hot sauce, EVERYTHING!!! I wish I knew this place when I was living in Ga. I definitely encourage you to go!
(5)Cory M.
I had to try the restaurant after reading the reviews. Wait was about 40min for 4 of us. The server was very polite! Amazing food and well worth the wait! Ordered the shrimp grits, crab cake benedict, and pancakes. All items are recommended.
(5)Wendy R.
Wonderful brunch spot. Very busy but still nice place. Friendly staff and quick service!
(5)Brea A.
If it weren't for the tight space this place would have 5 stars! The service was wonderful and quick and the food was amazing!!! I had the biscuit and sawmill gravy with a side of homemade hot sauce, I couldn't get enough of this dish!! My mom had the pancakes (mind you she is a pancake connoisseur)she said they were the tastiest and fluffiest pancakes she has ever had! It was also nice to have complimentary muffins and coffee cakes while we waited for our meal. This place is a must try if visiting Atlanta
(4)Angela M.
The best, fluffiest eggs that I've ever had! Arriving at 12:30 on a Sunday, there were still plenty of spots in the lot, and a promised 15-20 minute wait for our party of 7.5 (baby in the car seat, not really eating). There are a few tables outside, and that's where everyone waits since there's no space for extra people outside. They had a table with a water jug and a few glasses for those waiting in the Atlatna August heat - nice touch. The staff was very hospitable, especially the hostess who keeps things moving right along. Everything on the menu sounded delicious. We made jokes about ordering the left half of the menu versus the right half. I opted for the steak and egg tacos with tomatillo crema, while J got the Rueben, and Charlie got the pancakes. We also got an order of biscuit with gravy for the table to share. The biscuits are huge (the size of my baby's head, and he's in the 95th percentile) and somewhat cake-like. The gravy with chorizo was tasty and smooth. As our entrees came out, so did plates with cinnamon rolls and blueberry muffins - really great little bites of sweetness. My steak and egg tacos, of which I only got eat one in person, since the little guy reached his time in the car seat limit, were SO good - fluffy eggs, flavorful steak, fresh pico, and creamy-tangy tomatillo sauce. The rosemary potatoes were cut into chunks about the size of large shoe-string fries, so they had a good texture variety of crispness and creaminess, not to mention strong rosemary flavor. The bite I got of J's reuben was hot and juicy and crisp and just plain great. Even eating my tacos and potatoes from the to-go-container when we got home, they were quite tasty and fluffy. Definite gem! Can't wait to go back!
(4)G S.
Amazingly delicious, Will be back for sure!! Shrimp and Grits and the Biscuit is a must have. Be ready to wait but I promise the food is worth every minute of wait time
(5)Ashley L.
The bestie and I have made a pact to taste Atlanta through brunch. Of course Joys Cafe was on the list! We sat outside, it was a lovely day. Although they were busy we were seated in 15 minutes. Food was delicious, loved the mini muffins. The staff was promp, informative and friendly. Joys Cafe is now amongst the go to places I tell people about when in Atlanta.
(5)Tatiana H.
This is the place to go if you're hungry & you expect the amount of food you actually ordered. They definitely do not skimp around in that kitchen. The sun-dried tomato omelet & pancakes were superb + a free pastry sampler? Service was attentive, fast, but didn't seem rushed, and our waitress did everything with a smile. They also have outdoor seating.
(5)A-V H.
Brunch is my favorite meal! and there is no better place to have it. Glad we found this place on Yelp. Got excited with the options and ordered more than my group could handle. Cant wait to try this spot again.
(5)Karen L.
Decided to take a friend out for her birthday and I'm glad we came here! It's located in a small plaza off Pharr Rd. Parking may be difficult during peak hours. Luckily it was a little late in the afternoon so we didn't have any trouble and we got a table once we got in. The space inside isn't too big so seating can be a bit tight, but it has a nice homey feeling when you walk in. On one side of the wall, there's a chalkboard that displays their daily special sandwich and/or soup their serving and on the other side is a decor of butterflies. We went in during brunch/lunch hours, but we were only given the lunch menu (at the time, I didn't know what time they stopped serving brunch so I didn't want to ask for a brunch menu in case they already stopped serving). I was a bit sad because I was looking forward to their omelets. But their lunch menu consisted of a number of sandwiches, deli-style sandwiches, a number of different grilled cheeses, and specialty salads. The also have a half and half combo where you can get half of any of their sandwiches and half a specialty salad or soup OR half a specialty salad and a soup. My friend ordered the half and half combo with their hot roast beef sandwich and gumbo, which was their soup of the day. And I ordered their sandwich of the day, crab cake sandwich (served with lettuce, onion, and tomatoe slices with remoulade sauce), with their mediterranean pasta salad. I was able to try the gumbo, which was very decadent. I would definitely go back for it! My crab cake sandwich came out and as I was putting it together and getting ready to take a bite, the crab cake patty started falling apart. It was very difficult to eat and I had to resort to eating my sandwich with a fork and knife. But the patty was cooked to a good crisp and I got the remoulade on the side so I could add in how much ever I wanted. I usually don't mind the taste of sourness, but the mediterranean salad was a little too sour for me. And for dessert, we ordered their cookies and milk pie. One slice was enough for the two of us since we were quite full from our meal, but this was the icing on the cake. It wasn't too sweet and the milk mixed in very well with the cream and chunks of cookie pieces. Besides the crumbling crab cake patty and tight seating, I would go back to try other items on their breakfast or brunch menu!
(3)Jennifer W.
This place doesn't have the curb appeal that some places have, but give it a try! The food is unique, always fresh and always delicious! Small seating area, so not sure about bringing the gang. Didn't see any high chairs either. The staff is always extremely helpful and friendly!
(4)Harry H.
Slice of cookies & milk pie/cake to go set me back $4.86 and finally provided a tasty dessert from friendly staff at an Atlanta spot.
(4)Heather T.
Definitely a solid brunch joint. Worth the 45 minute wait? No. Worth the prices? Maybe everything in Atlanta is significantly overpriced, but the food just didn't live up to the price tag. Nothing special about this place, though the food was good. I had the breakfast sandwich on a biscuit--the biscuit was excellent. The granola was eh, and I make way better waffles at home.
(3)Justin B.
Best food I've had during my current ATL trip. Showed up right at 9:30 AM Saturday morning to walk in and take the last table open for the initial seating, and from a food perspective I was not disappointed. The staff brought out a small dish of assorted muffins and pastries...all were very tasty and warm and fresh. Then my order of biscuits and gravy came out; since the menu highlighted that this one comes from someone's great-grandmother's recipe and had chorizo, that was all I needed to see that this one knocked it out of the park, save for a slightly-too-crispy biscuit that I partially discarded. Although I didn't taste it, a friend's son was given a cupcake by the staff and that looked incredible. My only knock here is the service time; we walked in at 9:30 and had ordered by 9:45, max. Why did we not get our food until 10:30? We ordered eggs benedict, chocolate chip pancakes, and the biscuits and gravy...in a 30-seat restaurant, what's the hold-up? A couple of parties who were seated after us did get their food before ours, so I'm just hoping they misplaced our order, but given that we had a two-year-old in the building slow service is very easy to pick out. Come to the restaurant ready to order or move quickly to get that done so that there is not a long delay. Prices were fair and the food quality was excellent, so I'll come back the next time I'm in town.
(4)Kelly M.
Joy Cafe is one of my favorite neighborhood spots. The food has never failed to impress and food comify me. They are known for their weekend brunch so prepare to wait (it will be worth it because COMPLIMENTARY CINNAMON BUNS). You can't really go wrong with any of their breakfast items. Their traditional eggs benedict is one of the best I've ever had. Their egg skills are eggcelent. Breakfast burrito is fantastic. Waffles and pancakes are a sweet treat fa sho. Spinach salad is also a favorite of mine. Get some baked goods to-go and thank me later.
(4)Sebastian M.
Same experience as last time as far as the food. It was delicious. I had the berry Belgian waffle and my wife had the breakfast burrito. She liked the burriti but thought the steak and egg tacos from our last visit were better. The hostess was also a lot more organized and friendly which is why I gave 5 stars. It was also less crowded though so that may play a part. The service was slow again though. Overall, a good brunch again!
(5)Reggie E.
Great little quaint brunch spot tucked away in Buckhead. Came here on a Sunday at about 10:30 and the wait was about 40 min till we got seated. The place was packed and the sweet lady out front was trying the best she could to help everyone on the list. Once inside service was very mediocre and somewhat slow BUT...... You come to restaurants for the food and the food here was the star! You start with an assortment of pastries that are delicious and it only gets better from there. I had the steak tacos which were great and my girlfriend got the tomato soup and California grilled cheese that she raved about. Overall it was a long wait but it was well worth it!!
(4)Brandee R.
Why is there only five stars allowed? Thanks Yelp for recommending this place. The homemade pop tart was amazing! Quite possibly the best thing ever!
(5)Karen B.
"Made with love, served with joy," is what the staffs' tshirts say and it's definitely true. Don't overlook this hidden gem, just because it's tucked away in a strip mall away from the main drag of Buckhead. We had a short wait, less than 5 minutes for Saturday brunch. They say their specialty is the shrimp and grits and the steak and egg tacos, but hubby and I both opted for the crab cake Benedict. Crab cakes were crisp and nicely spiced, poached eggs were poked perfectly. They came with a side of mixed fruit. I would have preferred aside if hash browns or home fried, but didn't think to ask for a substitution. We were also pleased with the complimentary "treats", an appetizer plate of Mimi cinnamon rolls and oat blueberry muffins.
(5)Jason W.
From the looks of the restaurant from the outside, you wouldn't think much of it. However, one taste will change your mind. The unsweetened peach teach was subtlety sweet but I couldn't get enough. The food is fresh and delivered fast. It's a must to visit if staying in Buckhead. It's a 4.5 but I rounded up (no mimosas).
(5)Laura W.
Joy Cafe is absolutely one of our favorite places for brunch. The food is amazing. High quality but simple presentation. The breakfast sandwich is our go to. Huge biscuit with melted cheddar, eggs and bacon. Yum. I also love the chocolate chip pancakes! Fruit and homemade whipped cream on top! We've also come for lunch a lot and it's amazing for that too. The Tuscany is my favorite sandwich. My husband loves the "chicken salad" salad. But you really can't go wrong with anything! My only minor complaint is that it doesn't open until 9:30AM for brunch. Our other brunch spots open earlier so sometimes we have to skip Joy if we're out and about earlier than that. Oh and they used to be open for dinner. They stopped doing that but now that they have such a steady brunch and lunch business I wish they'd start again! John's homemade burger during dinner was to die for.
(5)Sarah H.
Really great place for brunch. Expect a wait though if you go on a Sunday. One thing I loved about this place is they give you a sampler plate of patties before your meal which was really tasty. I got the bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit and it was massive! I've never seen a biscuit so massive. Really enjoyed my experience here and would go back
(5)Steve W.
We went to Joy Cafe' today for brunch (Easter Sunday). This is one of those places where the attention to detail, love and the pride of ownership and staff really shines through in the quality of the food and service. Fresh squeezed orange juice, house smoked salmon, freshly baked goods, friendly attentive service. Plenty of gluten free and vegetarian options. The owner (Joy) and her mother and husband are all very hands on and it shows! We will definitely be back!
(5)E F.
Lovely owners and staff. Trying very very hard and aiming to please but food (at lunch) disappointing and space too small for demand. Menu and vibe super-appealing. Smiling Joy at the front of the house - hustling, greeting and checking on customers (as was her husband). However, food at lunch didn't deliver. Croque Monsieur served closed faced and too dry. Stuffed potato soup was tasty but served lukewarm (hot in spots so clearly microwaved). Other chicken panini also dry and accompanying tossed salad with dried out/old looking carrot and celery pieces. So crowded that the feeling of "moving customers" existed so check dropped without asking about dessert. We then requested ice cream and brought to us to go???? We asked to eat it in house and although tasty, freshness questionable as it was frozen like a rock. I overheard the owners talking about seeking a larger space which is a must (if they also figure out having the kitchen and operations support such). It's so crowded (with people waiting hovering over people eating) and there's a little of the "chicken running around with head cut off" feeling from the staff trying to serve everyone properly and quickly. Additionally, the space (old Cafe at Pharr) and furniture/fixtures are a bit tired (stains on drop ceiling, etc.) I think we'll try breakfast next time as it appears to be their strength. I love supporting small businesses and these owners clearly deserve it -- just need some tweaks.
(3)Katherine S.
The food here was amazing. They give you a free "appetizer" plate of mini pastries before your meal. I had the best eggs Benedict I've ever had on a homemade English muffin. Service was a little slow, but we came at a busy time- Sunday lunch. Decor is very minimal, nothing fancy. Also tables are very close together, so it was loud. Would give five stars for food, knocked a star off for service/atmosphere.
(4)Alexandra D.
Was not a huge fan. Cute place, lovely menu, but very understaffed. The eggs Benedict was overpriced and under-delivered. We did however, enjoy the complimentary muffins. I will definitely try it out again and have been back, however, we were never particularly impressed. When I'm paying $40 for breakfast, I expect the best!
(3)Phong T.
Neat and cozy cafe in a plaza off Pharr Road in Buckhead. Olive pastel green walls with decor of butterflies. Very well lit from natural lighting. Service was great! Food was great! I had lunch with a friend here and we both ordered a sandwich and soup. I ordered the Oven Roasted Turkey and Tomato Soup. The sandwich was DELICIOUS. Perfect crunch, texture, taste, thickness, whatever! So good.
(4)Jon B.
Went to Joy Cafe today for breakfast and was practically denied service for being one person. I received attitude for requesting seating for one. I was "told maybe I can squeeze you in". I left and went to flying biscuits I have never been treated so rude and I will never return.
(1)Lilly Y.
I'm glad we ditched our breakfast reservations and took our chances at Joy Cafe. It was so good and worth everything required to get there! We got there around 9:25 on a Sunday morning, and there was already a considerable line forming outside the door. I'm glad we got there when we did because once they did open the door, every table inside was full. They had a few small tables outside but they also filled up fast. It is a small place inside a strip mall, and feels like a diner. They don't have a hostess stand or take reservations, but do have their own parking lot! Waiting probably wouldn't take very long because they bring the food out fast and turn tables pretty quickly. Be sure to get there early! Everything we ordered had generous portions. I opted for the two egg platter: scrambled eggs, ginger and sage sausage, fruit (instead of grits without an up-charge. This isn't advertised on the menu, but they'll let you do it if you ask) and a massive biscuit. Be sure to ask for the homemade jam- goes great with the biscuit. Everything was good, but my eggs were a little runny, but the server brought out another set and they were cooked well. I also didn't finish my biscuit and brought it home with a side of the jam. It was good leftover! I didn't care too much for the sausage, but wanted to give it a try. Next time I'll opt for bacon! My boyfriend opted for the steak and egg tacos and he loved them. But he thought 3 tacos was a little too much, and ended up eating the inside of the taco and leaving the tortilla behind. I tried a bite and they were really good, but not something I'd order myself. They came with a lime sauce (tomatillo, we think) that really enhanced the flavor. His dish came with the potatoes, which were homemade and tasty, but were a little too soggy for his liking. No crispy texture like you'd get at other places. His parents opted for the Eggs Benedict and enjoyed them. They came with fruit cups on the side: fresh strawberries, red grapes, blueberries and pineapple. After we finished eating, my boyfriend's mom said this is probably her new favorite place in Atlanta. When she comes back in town, we will probably come back here for some early morning grub. Before your food comes out, they bring an appetizer with two small cinnamon rolls and two small muffins (not sure what kind but they have nuts), all homemade. Helps hold you over while enjoying coffee until the food hits the table. And they'll bring more out if you ask. While we were dining, we got a look at other dishes. The biscuits and gravy looked really unappetizing to me: tons of brown gravy over two huge biscuits (when I say massive, I mean one biscuit here is equal to 2-3 regular biscuits). I'm not a huge fan of gravy to begin with, so I probably won't order that. The breakfast burrito is also huge and could easily serve two. The Belgian waffle looked good: topped with fresh fruit and powdered sugar. I'll definitely be back, and I'll be more adventurous with my breakfast choices next time!
(5)Leo I.
Joy Cafe is conveniently located in Buckhead, exclusively for Brunch. The menu consists of an optimal variety of meals, making one susceptible of being ambivalent due to all of the impeccable selections to choose from. Literally everything is gratifying on the menu. The place can be a bit jam-packed at all times, but it's undeniably worth the wait. I hope that they expand in the future because this place is surely a gold-mine!
(5)Chamberlaine B.
Finding bang for your buck in Buckhead is not an easy feat. But Joy Café serves up good quality home cooking style food that will fill you up and not break the bank. Finishing the whole plate of food is a triumph alone. I've only ever ordered from their brunch menu, and although I'm sure their lunch/dinner options are just as good, these folks are badass breakfast makers! You want pancakes or biscuits and sausage the way mom used to make? They got it... only better. If you're feeling more adventurous, try the crab cake eggs benedict or the shrimp and grits (you may have to ask for the latter- it is not on the menu). The only thing missing is a good bloody mary. The service is fine- friendly- but the place can get crowded on weekend mornings and they don't take reservations.
(4)Diana P.
Cute little local cafe and great for breakfast. Shrimp and grits sounded awesome. They have a lot of specialty fun menu items. Bacon was cooked crispy and perfect. Grits could be a little creamier. Great Friendly service.
(4)Tilia M.
Woo, that was close! I was starting to think that I'd tried all the brunch/breakfast places around this place. I guess the fact that I never go to Buckhead may be cutting me off from a large portion. Love this place. Its a scrappy little spot, but the food is spot on. I had the crab cake and my sig had the Ruben. I ate most of it (I'm a sucker for sour kraut and rye.) Nothing fancy about the place, but the food was really great, and the plates at the tables around us looked awesome as well. Their pancakes are like, the size of manhole covers, by the way. I must try. Gotta try the shrimp and grits too, as the girl next to me caught me staring at her plate a few times. It looked super yummy. They only sell breakfast and brunch on the weekend though, thats the one drawback, though, if you only find yourself eating out that time of day on the weekend, it may not be an issue for you.
(4)Valentina R.
Love this spot!! Everything is made from scratch, from the pastries to the English muffins. can't go wrong with anything you choose to order !
(5)Jack H.
This is an excellent lunch spot for soup and salad or a hot sandwich. The place is tiny, but it's worth the wait. One of the best Reuben sandwiches in town. Order the tomato basil soup and the housemade chips! Service is diligent.
(4)Thomas Z.
Ordered shrimp and grits and crab burger. Both were good but portions were small. Be prepared to order a second helping of another dish!
(4)Terrence G.
Shaun, our server, made this meal fantastic. Biscuits and Gravy, Shrimp and Grits, Crab Cake Benedict, Cobb Salad, and Chicken Salad between Llona, Antonio, Lati, and myself followed by Ice Cream and Mud Pie. The atmosphere is fantastic and definitely our new spot for brunch!!
(5)Ebony W.
The food and as just okay here. The wait for the food was too long. The grits were good but that's about it!
(3)350Z P.
When in Georgia, this is the place to be when you're seeking a great or late start to the day. They serves some of the best breakfast options and lunch dishes ever. As you may come to expect from my recommendations, everything is made from scratch with real and whole ingredients. You taste the difference with each and every bite! It's the perfect marriage between Southern favorites with a European twist. They specialize in Sandwiches and their Shrimp and Grits with Louisiana BBQ Sauce, but they also have plenty more to choose from such as their Steak and Egg Tacos, Tomato Soups, Southern Grill Cheese, Triple Decker Peanut Butter Bar, Peach Buttermilk Cake, Fruit Tarts, Chicken Burgers, Eggs Benedict, Breakfast Burrito and don't miss out on the complimentary Cinnamon Rolls or Blueberry Muffins!
(5)Aseel K.
I wanted to try this place after checking the reviews on yelp. It is spot on! Fresh and tasty food with a wonderful service and friendly staff! I shared 4 dishes with my brother and sister, all 4 were so good! I am definitely coming back, soon. :)
(5)Thomas P.
This place is great! I had the chicken burger with a cup of tomato soup and it was delicious.
(5)andrew a.
Reuben: awesome Spinach salad: great (dressing was a little sweet) Classic grilled cheese: awesome Tuscany sandwich: ok, but a little too sweet Chips: delish Tomato soup: good, but a little sweet Coffee: delish Service: impeccable Decor: simple. Butterfly frames really beautiful.
(5)Ravi B.
I was looking for a brunch place so I was disappointed that I got there today and they said they only do brunch on weekends. That's ok though. I made the best of it. The food, atmosphere, and friendliness more than made up for it! Parking was free, probably because all the other stores were closed. I got half and half. Chicken salad sandwich was super flavorful and the cobb salad was the most amazing I've ever had! Definitely want to come back here for brunch. Oh and they're dog friendly!
(4)Christine U.
Came here on a weekday for lunch (thought they had brunch but was sad to find out that only happens on the weekend...). It was crowded at all and our waitress was nice and also pretty. We both got the chicken burger and it was AWESOME! The chicken is mixed with spinach and chunks of feta and its topped with bacon and some great sauces. I ate every bite. I also got the fruit cup with it and it was one of the best fruit cups ive ever gotten at a restaurant. Blackberries blueberries strawberries oranges pineapple and super sweet grapes. Honestly no complaints at all. Definitely wanna go back for brunch! (Update 11/18) We've been back here many times for weekend brunch and it's just as good (although small and super busy so be prepared to wait for a while). My favorite is still the chicken burger although the breakfast burrito is a close second! My friends have gotten pancakes and steak tacos and loved them too!
(5)Rafaella W.
My favorite place now!!! Everything is so fresh and yummy!!! I am addictive to the pop tarts and cinnamon rolls. It's a small place but very comfy!!! Love it
(5)Anne H.
As I've stated before, I'm picky about restaurant breakfast food. I mean, let's get real-- breakfast/brunch is probably the cheapest meal to make so if I'm going to make an effort to go somewhere and shell out good money, it better be worth it. And this place is! My sweetie and I got here about 11AM on a Sunday morning and the place was already packed. However, it was just a short wait and we were inside. The interior of this place was nothing to write home about-- sparse furnishings, too many tables for the small space, and no waiting area. However, everything they lack in style & design they make up for in food quality and service. We got an order of biscuits & gravy and their steak & egg tacos. Though I am partial to the tacos (that's what I ordered,) both dishes were great. We also loved the complimentary mini blueberry muffins and cinnamon rolls they brought to the table. What a lovely meal and excellent service to boot. Joy Cafe has earned a spot on my favorites of Atlanta list, for sure.
(4)Walt B.
Ok. So my wife said she wanted to go here. I read the reviews on Yelp and figured, "why not?" We just left this place and all I can say is "WHO KNEW?!" This place is incredible! The service is great and the food is unbelievably good. I'm a foodie and I had never heard of this place in Buckhead. It's a small little cafe that opens at 9:30 on weekends. It fills up FAST. If you find yourself waiting, just know that it's worth the wait. First, they bring a cinnamon roll and mini blueberry muffin for each person at the table. The roll was good but the mini muffins are blissful. I ordered the steak tacos... Perfection! The hashbrowns were a good compliment to the meal. My wife ordered the breakfast burrito. It was huge! She enjoyed it but could not finish it. We shared a waffle that was also delicious. The atmosphere was quaint and inviting. The staff was extremely nice. They kept the coffee coming and remained accommodating for anything we needed. I never saw this coming. What a great dining experience. I hope this review has added value to your decision to try this restaurant. If it's only half as good as I thought it was, then it's totally worth the visit.
(5)Natalie O.
I stumbled on Joy Café while trying to find a good lunch place over the weekend. Their menu has plenty of options and they all looked delicious. Each table gets a plate of warm cinnamon rolls before the meals come out that are so good! Although it took a while to get seated, it was definitely worth the wait.
(5)Ashley W.
A friend and I just experienced this place today for the first time. Really solid food, but the service was even better. I mean really top notch! I ordered a biscuit and the shrimp and grits and my friend ordered the chicken burger. She said that she really enjoyed her dish. Like other yelpers mentioned that there is usually a wait and today was no different and it is very small. We waited for about an hour for a table, but it was worth the wait.
(5)B W.
When I walked I instantly said I'll never come here again. It's too small and I don't want people's butt in my face while I eat.....Then they put those cinnamon rolls down as I waited for my food. I don't care how good these cinnamon rolls are the food won't be good enough for me to come to this cramped space they call a café....then my food came out. Child, let me tell you. I cannot stress how cramped the space is in here, but once you put that food in your mouth you'll see why the little lady with the clipboard that I assume is Joy has so many names on there. Because of this delicious ass food. No lie. I had the pancakes with strawberries, figured I couldn't go wrong with that as about 4 tables had that. With bacon and potatoes, I felt very carb-a-licious today. My friend had the waffle with cheese grits and bacon. Everything hands down was delicious, seriously. I see why this place is so crowded, no matter how intimate it is in there.
(5)Yasmeen M.
YOUR TONGUE WILL THANK YOU. My favorite cafe in Atlanta. All their dishes are delicious. You can actually taste their motto "made with love." Seriously, this is the best lunch spot. Try their chicken burger, any grilled cheese, the tomato soup...oh, the tomato soup! They also have a stellar mini bakery. I love them. I have never been disappointed. Always leave satisfied and happy. The ambiance is soothing and beachy. Enjoy! :)
(5)Agata R.
One of the top brunch spots in town. To start, they bring you a gooey cinnamon bun and mini muffins. Every time I tell myself I'm just going to have a bite of each to save room for breakfast, and every time I gobble them both up! The breakfast burrito is my favorite, and hands down the best to be had in Atlanta - it's stuffed with eggs, chorizo, and fresh avocados, and comes with pico and a delicious tomatillo cream sauce. The pancakes are super fluffy and topped with a generous portion of berries. The coffee is nice and strong. And finally, I love the kind elderly lady who seats you, I want her to be my grandma!
(5)Jeff G.
Really enjoyed our first visit here. Everything we had was fresh and delicious. Loved loved loved the cookies and milk pie! We will definitely be back!
(5)Rob D.
Very good. My wife and I found this gem on yelp and it didn't disappoint. We had the 'famous' pastrami Reuben which was delicious. They make there own pastrami and you could tell. Didn't have a ton of pastrami false, but I like that. Wife had the shrimp and grits and they were amazing. We waited about 10 minutes because it was packed and the owner apologized. No need to apologize, the place is well worth the wait. Will be driving down from Alpharetta Saturday morning to get breakfast again. Fantastic.
(5)Pam P.
Some of the best food I've ever had! Everything taste like it was made from scratch! Haven't tried anything here that wasn't good! You have to try their crab cake sandwich, the cobb salad or the shrimp and grits! Oh and their tomato soup is delish!
(5)Daniel B.
Joy Cafe and Bakery is a small, "mom and pop" type, American cafe and bakery located in Buckhead. It's in a strip mall on Pharr Rd. flanked on either side by the Atlanta Fish Market, Aqua Bistro, and Taka Sushi. The cafe is cute and cozy. Brunch is a popular option. Lunch and dinner are served as well. A limited selection of from-scratch baked goodies are available inside a glass display case (e.g. cakes, tiramisu). The restaurant is named after the wife of the husband-wife owner-chef duo. The restaurant interior consists of a single, almost-office-space-like room. Decor is simple and minimalist -- white walls, white curtains, white paper tablecloth, etc. Atmosphere is intimate and casual. Sidewalk patio seating is available. The brunch menu is filled with items like pancakes, waffles, and eggs in different forms (e.g. omelets, eggs Benedict). Soups and sandwiches are the specialty at lunchtime. Dinner consists of various house specialties like shrimp and grits, chicken enchiladas, steak frites, and house-ground meatloaf. The menu can change often. I visited for dinner where the price for starters/salads were in the $7-10 range, entrees in the $10-18 range, and sides $3.50 apiece. Check out my photos to see a sampling of the dinner menu. The owner-chef was accommodating. The salads (Greek, spinach, Caesar) looked good, but I only wanted a side portion. I asked the server if a side salad was available and she said no. However (and I didn't ask for this), the server asked the chef if he could make a smaller portion of one of their salads and charge me as if it were a side. It wasn't a problem. Well that was nice of them! I had the Caesar salad which came with garlic croutons, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, romaine lettuce, and Caesar dressing. The salad was light and refreshing. The lettuce was crisp and the dressing and shredded cheese were tossed and mixed together well. Salmon Pan Poele ($18) was my entree. It looked and tasted great. The presentation was superb. The plate consisted of sauteed salmon, garlic spinach, portobello mushrooms, asparagus, and a citrus beurre blanc (white butter) sauce. The mushrooms and asparagus were overlayed in a crossing pattern with spinach in the middle and the salmon fillet placed on top. I was asked how I wanted my salmon cooked (that doesn't happen all the time) and I chose medium (recommended). The fish was fresh, tender, and flavorful, as were the other ingredients in the dish. The beurre blanc sauce helps. The entree was filling and relatively healthy. I also tried a side of the Brussels sprouts. These came with bacon bits and puffed rice along with a side of Vietnamese fish sauce (nuoc mam) and Sriracha spicy sauce. The server and the chef delivered the dishes. The chef described the sauces as "nuoc mam" and Sriracha. I guess "nuoc mam" sounds more exotic and appetizing than "fish sauce." The Brussels sprouts portion was generous. The sprouts were roasted and the exteriors crispy. Complimentary bread and olive oil are given to each table. The bread was made from scratch and baked in-house. It was super soft and fluffy. It also had a lot of flavor baked in. I couldn't put my finger on it, but there were definitely some seasonings or perhaps cheese in the bread. It was tasty. The group I ate with enjoyed all of their dishes, from the shrimp and grits to the chicken burger. Generally, the dishes felt homemade with personal touches. As mentioned previously with the salmon, nice presentation. Our server was friendly and the chef came out to check on us along with every other table in the restaurant. Parking is free inside the strip mall's parking lot as long as you are going to Joy's. Otherwise, it costs money. The parking lot has an attendant.
(4)J H.
Two Limey's in town - as Joy delightfully christened us! We waited over an hour to sample the Brunch and it was worth the wait. We both had the eggs with bacon & home fries. The food was delicious but it was the little home made extras that really made the difference. The cinnamon pastries were delicious, you really must try the home made hot sauce too. But the home made Jam - Blood Orange & Chianti. Wow. I have to try making that.
(5)Mallory F.
I'm so glad I stumbled upon this little gem of a cafe. They serve complimentary muffins/bread, and the service is pretty quick. The only thing I would have to complain about is the lack of space. It's very cramped, but the food and staff are so great. That one TINY complaint would never stop me from returning. Fresh food, a nice variety of brunch/lunch choices, and a friendly staff. We met the owners husband while ooh-ing and ahh-ing the impressive cookie pie that was on display. He was so nice, and even gave us a slice on the house to try!! Lawd it was delicious.
(5)Titi O.
Atlantians' reviews cannot be trusted!!! Time and time again they failed me. Today was an epic FAIL!!! Just ate here. The biscuit was the worst. Horrible biscuit; tasted like they have half-baked it and then soaked it in eggs. The pancake was regular. Nothing special than bisquick. The bacon was not that great. Too crunchy with no taste. The hash browns were bland, no amount of seasoning could resuscitate it. What a waste of calories and money!!!
(1)Zoe Y.
The Egg Benedict is good. But the restaurant is a little bit tiny and crowded for me. I refer some place that is more cozy. Anyway, the food and service are great!
(4)Jeff W.
I had a great experience at Joy Cafe. Arrived here on a beautiful Sunday morning in Atlanta. The place was packed and there was a wait. A slight chill in the air but since it was sunny we elected to sit outside - which was perfect! The service was great and the food savory and delicious! Looking forward to returning!
(5)Miss C.
Great service, fresh food, joyful atmosphere. They offered each dad a cupcake today, on the house, sweet! Will definitely become a regular :)
(5)Evan T.
Me, my wife and daugther went here for breakfast about two weeks ago. It was a little hard to find being in a strip with other businesses, but I'm glad we stumbled on it. We were a little worried at first because they had a large group that was meeting inside so we decided to set outside. The menu wasn't that large but what they had was great. I ordered the blueberry pancakes and they were the best I have ever had. The staff as well as the manager made sure we were well taken care of and treated us as if we had been regulars there for years. I will def. be going back when I am back in the Atlanta area. I suggest this place to all.
(5)Judy L.
I dined here with three other friends for Sunday brunch today. Joy Cafe is located in a small shopping strip with complimentary parking for patrons. However, keep in mind that the lot will fill up quickly because it's a small lot and Joy Cafe is really busy. We waited in the line that was forming outside of the cafe for about 10-15 minutes before we realized that we had to go to the front of the line to a nice elderly woman to tell her how many in our party and a name. Because of this, two groups that came after us, were able to get seated before us. Complimentary iced water with oranges is is placed on a table outside in a dispenser for all those that are waiting -- which is very nice of them to do so. We waited for about 45 minutes before we got seated. We arrived at the restaurant at 11:30am on a Sunday morning. We asked to get seated inside and boy, I probably should have suggested to sit outside. It's pretty packed inside. The tables are all really close to each other. The space is too small of the growing popularity of the restaurant -- but I guess that adds to it's charm? There are three to four tables for outdoor seating outside of the restaurant. There's complimentary wifi -- the password --- MadeWithLove I ordered the traditional chicken salad on toasted marble rye bread with a side of pasta salad and sweet peach tea. My friend also ordered Joy's Big Berry Belgian Waffle for us to try out. Our orders came out quickly. I thought the chicken salad was pretty standard. You do get a lot of food for what you pay. My sandwich was overflowing with chicken salad! Thank you! The pasta salad was a disappointment for me. The pasta to veggies ratio was off. There were more olives, bell peppers, and other veggies than the bow tie pasta. The bow tie pasta was also broken up to pieces as if they had stirred/mixed the pasta salad too much. Next time I'll just go with the grits since I hear good things about it. My Belgium waffle is good. It's a must order for those who love waffles and fruit. They are very generous on the portion of fruits that they put on top of the waffle. It was very good and very pretty to look at as well. The service was just okay. I felt like you should probably know to refill drinks without someone having to ask especially in a small sized restaurant. I had to grab another server to ask for a refill. When we got our waffle, they forgot to give us syrup. We didn't get it until our server came by to ask how we were and noticed no syrup and quickly grabbed it. Other than these little things, service was okay. Overall, this first visit was okay. I would like to try other items on their menu and possibly come on a less busier time or day. I'll make sure to update my review of the restaurant when I do get a chance to try it again.
(3)Jordan W.
Worth every second of a wait. I got the breakfast burrito and it was the best chorizo of my life. And I'm no stranger to chorizo. Also the tomatillo sauce was blessed by Jesus himself. Ask for sue, she's a fiesty one but if you're on her good side you're as good as golden.
(5)S R.
*** BE MENTALLY PREPARED FOR LONG WAITING TIMES ON WEEKENDS *** Fist things first, be prepared to wait long time on weekends, and I mean very long time. I have been to this place once, and that was the first time I waited for seating outside a cafe for more than an hour for Sunday brunch. I am not sure whether the good was worth waiting or not, but the food was really good. Great pancakes, great omelettes and great sandwich selections. When I went we ordered two specialty sandwiches, but some how the person who served us food, gave us a wrong order, but later they brought our original order, by then we were already half way through our brunch. They were extremely sorry and wanted us to have our correct orders too, but portions are so big, we were already very full, so we skipped that part. Food is very good, and fresh. If you are one of those people who does not mind waiting for a great meal, this is a must go place.
(4)Michael S.
The breakfast burrito here is off the charts. Need to get back here again to try some other dishes. Highly recommend
(5)Tatum C.
***UPDATE: I understand from the owners that they're currently working on moving to a new location. YAY!!! The food is fantastic, but I have a serious problem with a business that is consistently packed and would rather their loyal customers suffer than to expand. Every time I've been to this place, customers are waiting outside. When you finally do get seated, you have to climb over other customers to get to your table. There is only seating for about 20 people inside the restaurant, and really there should only be seating for about 10 people, but they cram them in like sardines. My mom had to put her butt on some guy's shoulder to slide out of her chair to leave. Plus it was hot as heck waiting outside and hot as heck inside as well because again, you are packed in like sardines. So if you want Joy Cafe, I recommend ordering it to go. The biscuits & gravy, grilled cheese with tomato soup and cookies & milk pie are all fantastic. Hopefully Joy Cafe will make the right decision by their customers and move to a bigger location soon.
(4)Natalie S.
THIS PLACE WAS SO GOOD! Came here for Saturday brunch with my boyfriend while in the area. Its a small place in an older strip mall in Buckhead. It was pretty busy and we had to wait about 10 minutes for a seat (not back for Atlanta brunch time though). They give you a little plate of pastries when you sit down which is a nice touch-- and curves your hunger if you've been waiting a while. For our main plates: Shrimp and Grits: Really creamy grits and 5 large shrimp-- filling and more than most places give you. Biscuits and Gravy: two biscuits smothered in sausage gravy and served with really fluffy scrambled eggs (This was my favorite of the two dishes) Only feedback I have is you can't order a mimosa or bloody here and that its pretty cramped inside... you are sitting VERY close to the people beside you.
(4)Maitreyee R.
After a late Friday night all you want is to get some good brunch without waiting too long. What did I know when I casually yelped for a good brunch place close to home, that we would be seated within minutes of arriving in spite of being a busy Saturday morning! Quaint little brunch place with a homely feel and amazing food. The menu is interesting and I decided to get the chicken burger, which a few other yelpers had recommended. My burger was delicious with side of perfect cheddar potatoes! Also tried the crab cakes with egg benedict which were good too but it was very hard to steer me away from my burger. Will definitely be going back to try the rest of menu which had a lot of interesting things.
(4)Yasmin B.
They have the best shrimp and grits, I've had in Atlanta!! Great food overall and very good service. I am giving them a star less because the place is a little congested, they should find a bigger place.
(4)Linda C.
Now, I am not a big fan of tomato but I was sick and tired of ordering loaded potato soup everywhere I go, so I just decided to try their famous tomato soup. Needless to say, it was WONDERFUL!! Nothing like I've tasted before, very unique. The sandwich that I ordered (forgot the name) was also delicious, and I feel like I can't go anywhere else to get it.
(4)Angel B.
Chicken burger is where it's at!!!! Can't wait to come back and try the breakfast on Saturday and Sunday. Loved our waitress also :)
(5)Emily L.
Joys is small, and always a wait when I go. But it is well worth the wait! I have been to Joys a few times now and is always amazing! Everytime I have got the breakfast burrito which is incredible! I literally crave it when deciding where to go for brunch! It has fresh Avacado and pico. Everything else on the menu looks awesome! Next I will banch out and try their granola.. cant go wrong! Great brunch spot and highly recommend!
(5)Lucia L.
Ayyyy I don't think I can eloquently express how delicious the food at this tiny restaurant is. The portobello mushroom sandwich is the most amazing thing that I have ever tasted!
(5)Alicia S.
This was one of the best brunch places I've been to.. I had the Belgian waffle and my bf had the burrito! My waffle was refreshing with fruits and delicious... His burrito was DELICIOUS! I would def come back again! Ps it's in a strip mall and there is a wait but we'll worth it!! And u get a complimentary side of dessert
(5)Helen K.
Easy to miss the signage but a great brunch spot~ Their breakfast burrito was the best that i've had and this is from someone who usually don't crave or seek breakfast food. Would absolutely go back to try more!
(4)Paige N.
My boyfriend was feeling in a brunch-y mood last weekend, so we hopped on Yelp to see what was nearby and specializing in brunch. When Joy Cafe popped up, I was impressed with its reviews and we decided to give it a go. Good thing we got there a little earlier than anticipated. I expected to have a wait, but this little place was packed to the gills and people were spilling out onto the sidewalk in droves. A very harried looking lady (Joy herself, perhaps?) took our name and we waited along with the rest of the crowd. Although I've driven past Joy Cafe many a times on Pharr Rd, I never noticed it in the little strip mall next to Aqua Bistro and caddy corner from the Atlanta Fish Market. It's really unobtrusive - I mean, I got my eyebrows waxed more than once at Posh Nail Salon just a few spaces over from Joy and never realized what it was. The inside is a totally nondescript white, diner-type restaurant except for a pastry case toward the back where you can pick up to-go orders. It's clean looking, if small and cramped when there's a good crowd. The groups of people waiting for a table in the tiny restaurant, which probably seats forty at most, obviously knew what's up though. And they were right. Once we got a table and looked at the very attractive brunch menu filled with pancakes, waffles, omelettes, bagels, grits and more, I could see what all the fuss was about. Not knowing how large the portions might be, we threw caution to the wind and I ordered the Greek omelette with spinach, sun dried tomato and feta, hashbrowns and a biscuit, and my boyfriend got pancakes with a side of bacon. While we were waiting for our order they brought out a little plate of cinnamon roles and blueberry muffins to slake our appetites - very nice touch, in my opinion. And when the plates came out - holy cow! That was a lot of food! It has been a long time since I've seen an omelette that large and fluffy (it was gigantic), a homemade biscuit which almost matched it in size and a generous portion of homemade hashbrowns to accompany them. My boyfriend's pancakes and bacon were of equally generous portions - 3 dinner plate-sized fluffy pancakes with syrup and 3 think slices of bacon. I made it through half the omelette, a portion of biscuit and half of a pancake before admitting defeat. He had a pancake and then some, most of the other half of the omelette, bacon and a bite of the big biscuit before also surrendering. It was way too much food for us, even with large Sunday-brunch appetites. When we rolled ourselves out the door complaining of food comas an hour and a half later, the steady flow of people eating and waiting for tables hadn't ebbed a bit. Joy Cafe was really good, but the next time we go, we're definitely going to pare down the order a bit - that was just way too much in one sitting. Nice job Joy - food coma induced!
(4)Maret M.
This is my first 5-star if that says anything. This place is well worth the 30-45 minute wait on a Sunday. They provide lime-infused water outside while you wait too which is a nice. I almost exclusively get the veggie omelet, but the group I went with tried other dishes such as the steak tacos, breakfast burrito, and the sawmill biscuits and gravy. Everyone left VERY full and satisfied (warning: portions are large). This is definitely one of the best brunch spots in ATL! If you're a brunch enthusiast like myself, definitely add it to your rotation!
(5)Josh N.
Wait staff was excellent!(Valentina). The food was equally impressive. I couldn't ask for a better breakfast as presentation, fresh ingredients and the excellent service are well worth remembering as we will certainly return!
(5)Corey B.
What a wonderful place! Went with a friend tonight and had a great time. I had the stake-frite and my friend had the shrimp and grits. The stake-frite was good, but not amazing. The shrimp and grits was incredible. I'm not a grits person and I loved them. After the meal, Joy surprised us with a chocolate cupcake that was really light and very very good! Can't wait to go back!
(5)Allison W.
I had high hopes for this place when it opened. The NY deli that was in the same strip has closed, and it was a great place for lunch. It is so close to my office and it's hard to drive by, but I do now and here is why. 1: A bit pricey for what you get. Other restaurants near by that offer similar items are much cheaper. The Tuscany sandwich is really good, but usually lacking on the amount of meat and a few dollars more than the other 2 places around the area that offer a similar sandwich. Yeah, Proscuitto isn't cheap...but really folks! 2. Quality varies. The first time I had the Tomato soup I was in love, the second time it was edible at best and totally lacking flavor. Sometimes your sandwich has a decent amount of meat on it, sometimes half the bread will be lacking meat all together. It's a crap shoot! 3. The service and wait times are horrible. My final straw was waiting for 30 minutes when a man, who came off as a manager asked me what I was doing. When I told him I had been waiting 30 minutes for a to go order I called in he questioned me. The girl running the cashier assured him I had, he didn't apologize to me at all. However, he was extremely ugly to the cashier and then when he brought me my sandwich he was rude to me. That's when I told them I wouldn't be back. It was not the first time I waited an extreme amount of time for an order I placed by phone in advance. They tell you 10 minutes, I leave 10 minutes later, and then have to wait 20-30 minutes with MAYBE 5 tables in the place seated. Nope! I've gotten no joy from Joy Cafe!
(2)K.R. B.
Food is delicious and fresh! Had the eggs Benedict which was awesome. Servers are super friendly. We will be back.
(5)L W.
One of the best breakfasts I've had in Atlanta. Great food and staff.
(4)Jenna M.
Joy Cafe is wonderful! It is very quaint and unassuming but the menu is fabulous! Even the simpliest of dishes are flavorful and well constructed. We went for dinner and were shocked at the extensive menu. We also liked how everything possible is made in-house, so no surprise ingredients. It was really nice how the owner came out to chat with us towards the end of dinner and ask us how our meal was. Can't wait to go back and possibly try some bakery items!
(5)Susan C.
Went for brunch after church and were a large group. we didn't have to wait too long to get seated and place our order but then it really slowed down. it was 20 minutes until we were served and then the egg n my Benedict opened and was nearly raw. it was sent back and I waited another 10 minutes to get my lunch. It was brought out by a very snippy chef dripping with attitude and an explanation about how the Japanese got it right and the French screwed it up. the food was decent but not worth the drama.
(3)Ann T.
My husband and I ate here for the first time a few weeks ago at the suggestion of my neighbor. What a gem! Both the food and the service were great, and we will definitely be returning soon to try out more dishes.
(5)Heather S.
The food was tasty, the staff was super friendly, and the prices were reasonable. We went there for brunch and it was excellent!! :)
(5)M S.
I really like the owner and the staff, it's a cute place, and the lunch and dessert we had there were delicious. My only complaint, and it's a big one, is that the restaurant is messy. One of our eating utensils wasn't clean, and the place was just - I don't know - untidy. There was stuff laying our that you shouldn't see when you're eating: cleaning supplies and mops, junk stuffed into cabinets, and an old cake behind an open glass case, under the counter where you pay, near your feet. And everybody had on dirty aprons. They were cute aprons, but they were dirty, flour and food-stained from cooks wiping their hands on the front. In their defense, they are new and just recently opened. They have all the makings of a great little cafe, but they really need someone to organize, clean and get them looking like professionals. Their appearance gives the impression that they are just working like crazy but can't get it all done, which is understandable for a new business, but an enjoyable dining experience usually happens in a clean setting. It doesn't need to be an expensive, fancy or even a beautiful setting, but it needs to be clean and neat. If the front of the store looks messy, what must the back of the store where they cook the food look like? I will try this place again and change my rating if they clean up their act. The food really was good, especially the dessert!
(5)Becky T.
Awesome...awesome...awesome... we enjoyed the service, the unexpected treats (mini blueberry muffins and cinnamon roll), the food, and the general atmosphere of the restaurant. Keep up the great work!
(5)Martha W.
Great little spot. Great owners, very clean, and fresh food. The cupcakes are to die for.
(5)Mark W.
This bistro on Pharr Road is on the small side -- even with its out door seating, it probably maxes out around 30 people. But, what you'll notice is that all the seats are full and everyone's smiling. That's because the food is delicious, the menu has something for everyone, and the service is truly friendly. Joy Cafe is the project of owners Joy and John and you can tell this is an act of love for them. Everything is made fresh and in-house -- breads are baked, soups are simmered, cupcakes are frosted all on site. My wife and I both had sandwiches with salad and fruit, but we sampled the cookies and cupcakes for dessert. All were excellent and I think we'll be regulars there.
(5)Simmy W.
A friend recently led me into this amazing, warm, enterprising atmosphere, with seasonally fresh and delicious menu options, and friendly and attentive waitstaff. Generous portions were served at a decent price along with the tastiest tomato basil cream soup I have ever had!!! While it is clear that this is a newly established business, the overall environment is vibrant and a welcome addition to Buckhead as a breakfast, brunch, and lunch spot.
(5)Mychael W.
Joy Cafe never lets me down! I've been several times since my first visit in February. I just got back and had the reuben and the fleur de sel chocolate cake. Both are some of the best I've had. The reuben was hot, flavorful, and juicy. The cake is AMAZING! It's sweet, chocolaty, moist, and delicious! If you haven't been, I suggest you go right now!
(5)Renee C.
Grilled cheese rocks in this place! And the service is just as great! Quick and pleasant service.
(5)Chris L.
We tried Joy Cafe tonight and were very pleasantly surprised at the quality of the food and service. It's apparently been a popular breakfast and lunch spot in Buckhead for awhile, but it has only recently begun serving dinner. It's website says that the chefs strive to make as much as possible fresh in house, including baking breads and pastries daily. Our bread basket was filled with terrific, moist focaccia. My wife had the shrimp and grits, a favorite of hers, and said they were the best grits she's ever had. I tried them myself and they were creamy and delicious. The shrimp were large and perfectly cooked and reminded us of New Orleans BBQ shrimp. I had the beef brisket and pork shoulder meatloaf, which was also excellent--you can't do meatloaf much better or more flavorfully. It was cooked nicely and stuffed with tasty chunks of green peppers and onions. The mashed potatoes were great, too. We had a three-layer chocolate cake for dessert. The display case was full of lots of great looking house-made desserts, but the cake was a show stopper. It was iced with ganache and covered in sliced almonds, and included sea salt caramel between the layers. The cake was wonderfully moist and we loved it. The owner/chef came out to ask about our meal and was very friendly, and our server was attentive and took care of the details. Our experience was great and we liked it so much that we're planning to return for brunch this weekend. I recommend this little gem highly.
(5)Aaron T.
This place delivers service that makes you smile and flavors that are absolutely unique and on point. The complementary muffins set the tone for one of the greatest brunch experiences I've ever had. It's a small place and seats are hard to come by. I was lucky and was seated in less than 5 minutes. I'll be back!
(4)Laxsamee L.
Wonderful family restaurant. Many homemade items. On the house mini blueberry muffins are to die for. Unbelievable shrimp and grits. Crab Benedict had a perfect eggs.
(5)Korey M.
Top 3 brunches in the city. Everything on the menu is fantastically made. Well worth the wait.
(5)Alex P.
Not quite sure what all the buzz is about with this place on yelp. The atmosphere looks like somebody's kitchen and really crowded, really nothing nice about it. The food? Very mediocre, I would lean towards the side of disappointing. Had their crab cake sandwich, not worth it.
(2)Gregg B.
I went on yelp as i passed through Buckhead- and i thank all the yelpers that brought me here!!! this place is a GEM! fantastic soups- the basil tomato was the best I ever had. The Joy Ruben was off the hook. The Cobb salad was awesome. The server staff was incredible and the 100 year old recipe cupcakes was too die for. I love this place!!!!!
(5)Chataun D.
Brunch was absolutely delicious! Five stars, two thumbs up, all that plus more. The waffle with fresh berries was just delightful. The biscuit and gravy dish was perfectly seasoned. And, the home made blueberry muffins were the best I've ever had. Lovely family owned spot. I will definitely be back!
(5)Jen R.
My company actually worked with Joy Cafe for a group order/catering and they were very accommodating, especially since we a lot of people have dietary restrictions here! Food was great and everyone's order was spot on. We are about a group of 15. I heard they have great breakfast on Sundays from colleagues and everyone was right! I love how they bring you a little plate of pastries/goodies before your meal. I have heard lines can get bad, I was lucky when I went (just two people) to only wait about 15 minutes or so but I am sure that could affect the experience. Overall I would definitely would recommend!
(5)EJ S.
For my first four years in Atlanta, I was convinced the city was devoid of delicious brunch options. And then I found JOY. Everything from scratch, including the most amazing biscuits of your life and the fabulous gratis cinnamon rolls and mini muffins. Joy and Jon are the most delightful hosts, greeting their patrons by name. And the food -- WOW. From the fluffy eggs overflowing from the deliciously perfect steak tacos to the outrageous smoked in house salmon and the tomato bisque of my dreams. And a review of Joy Cafe wouldn't be complete without a shout out for the most ridiculous dessert in the history of all things sweet and magical! Her cookies and milk pie is nothing short of angel wings sandwiched between layers of cookie perfection. Most favorite brunch spot in America!
(5)Stacye B.
Everything I've tried here has been delicious. I've been here a few times and will definitely return. The wait can be long at times, but it's totally worth it.
(4)Marcus O.
i'm a fan of their mission, not of their food. the mission you say? it's to prepare everything from scratch that can be prepared from scratch. the draw of that statement alone made my stomach churn even more... should you visit, when you get your plate of pastries, devour them. they were the best thing we had. i had the grilled cheese and tomato soup. it was decent, but nothing that would shame my mom. i don't understand what's famous about the soup. not any better than la madeleine. the breakfast sandwich on a biscuit with home fries -- another story. it was burnt. the home fries were cooked to the point of crunchy all the way through. it was the consistency of super hard croutons. the cheese on the biscuit was like concrete. the biscuit itself -- dark, burnt. how this plate made it out of their kitchen's quality control is beyond me. when we asked for different home fries, the service was very courteous and prompt. however, the home fries they brought out were clearly cooked in old grease. yum. i'm sure it had to do with how busy the restaurant was -- though that's really no excuse. the biscuits and gravy plate -- good but not good enough to go back.
(2)Rick L.
We loved it! Especially when the owner comes around and makes sure everyone has gotten what they want. Lovely place!
(5)Gigi A.
Amazing food and very friendly service. Loved their grits, and I usually absolutely hate grits. The waitress brought out some complimentary mufins and goodies to munch on while we waited. Very yummy blueberry corn muffins. Great, delicious food and pretty cheap for the quality and location of this place. Will definitely come back next time I'm in the area. Reminded me of a french breakfast place :)
(5)Josh N.
Wait staff was excellent!(Valentina). The food was equally impressive. I couldn't ask for a better breakfast as presentation, fresh ingredients and the excellent service are well worth remembering as we will certainly return!
(5)Miss C.
Great service, fresh food, joyful atmosphere. They offered each dad a cupcake today, on the house, sweet! Will definitely become a regular :)
(5)Evan T.
Me, my wife and daugther went here for breakfast about two weeks ago. It was a little hard to find being in a strip with other businesses, but I'm glad we stumbled on it. We were a little worried at first because they had a large group that was meeting inside so we decided to set outside. The menu wasn't that large but what they had was great. I ordered the blueberry pancakes and they were the best I have ever had. The staff as well as the manager made sure we were well taken care of and treated us as if we had been regulars there for years. I will def. be going back when I am back in the Atlanta area. I suggest this place to all.
(5)Corey B.
What a wonderful place! Went with a friend tonight and had a great time. I had the stake-frite and my friend had the shrimp and grits. The stake-frite was good, but not amazing. The shrimp and grits was incredible. I'm not a grits person and I loved them. After the meal, Joy surprised us with a chocolate cupcake that was really light and very very good! Can't wait to go back!
(5)Allison W.
I had high hopes for this place when it opened. The NY deli that was in the same strip has closed, and it was a great place for lunch. It is so close to my office and it's hard to drive by, but I do now and here is why. 1: A bit pricey for what you get. Other restaurants near by that offer similar items are much cheaper. The Tuscany sandwich is really good, but usually lacking on the amount of meat and a few dollars more than the other 2 places around the area that offer a similar sandwich. Yeah, Proscuitto isn't cheap...but really folks! 2. Quality varies. The first time I had the Tomato soup I was in love, the second time it was edible at best and totally lacking flavor. Sometimes your sandwich has a decent amount of meat on it, sometimes half the bread will be lacking meat all together. It's a crap shoot! 3. The service and wait times are horrible. My final straw was waiting for 30 minutes when a man, who came off as a manager asked me what I was doing. When I told him I had been waiting 30 minutes for a to go order I called in he questioned me. The girl running the cashier assured him I had, he didn't apologize to me at all. However, he was extremely ugly to the cashier and then when he brought me my sandwich he was rude to me. That's when I told them I wouldn't be back. It was not the first time I waited an extreme amount of time for an order I placed by phone in advance. They tell you 10 minutes, I leave 10 minutes later, and then have to wait 20-30 minutes with MAYBE 5 tables in the place seated. Nope! I've gotten no joy from Joy Cafe!
(2)K.R. B.
Food is delicious and fresh! Had the eggs Benedict which was awesome. Servers are super friendly. We will be back.
(5)L W.
One of the best breakfasts I've had in Atlanta. Great food and staff.
(4)Jenna M.
Joy Cafe is wonderful! It is very quaint and unassuming but the menu is fabulous! Even the simpliest of dishes are flavorful and well constructed. We went for dinner and were shocked at the extensive menu. We also liked how everything possible is made in-house, so no surprise ingredients. It was really nice how the owner came out to chat with us towards the end of dinner and ask us how our meal was. Can't wait to go back and possibly try some bakery items!
(5)Susan C.
Went for brunch after church and were a large group. we didn't have to wait too long to get seated and place our order but then it really slowed down. it was 20 minutes until we were served and then the egg n my Benedict opened and was nearly raw. it was sent back and I waited another 10 minutes to get my lunch. It was brought out by a very snippy chef dripping with attitude and an explanation about how the Japanese got it right and the French screwed it up. the food was decent but not worth the drama.
(3)Ann T.
My husband and I ate here for the first time a few weeks ago at the suggestion of my neighbor. What a gem! Both the food and the service were great, and we will definitely be returning soon to try out more dishes.
(5)Heather S.
The food was tasty, the staff was super friendly, and the prices were reasonable. We went there for brunch and it was excellent!! :)
(5)M S.
I really like the owner and the staff, it's a cute place, and the lunch and dessert we had there were delicious. My only complaint, and it's a big one, is that the restaurant is messy. One of our eating utensils wasn't clean, and the place was just - I don't know - untidy. There was stuff laying our that you shouldn't see when you're eating: cleaning supplies and mops, junk stuffed into cabinets, and an old cake behind an open glass case, under the counter where you pay, near your feet. And everybody had on dirty aprons. They were cute aprons, but they were dirty, flour and food-stained from cooks wiping their hands on the front. In their defense, they are new and just recently opened. They have all the makings of a great little cafe, but they really need someone to organize, clean and get them looking like professionals. Their appearance gives the impression that they are just working like crazy but can't get it all done, which is understandable for a new business, but an enjoyable dining experience usually happens in a clean setting. It doesn't need to be an expensive, fancy or even a beautiful setting, but it needs to be clean and neat. If the front of the store looks messy, what must the back of the store where they cook the food look like? I will try this place again and change my rating if they clean up their act. The food really was good, especially the dessert!
(5)Becky T.
Awesome...awesome...awesome... we enjoyed the service, the unexpected treats (mini blueberry muffins and cinnamon roll), the food, and the general atmosphere of the restaurant. Keep up the great work!
(5)Martha W.
Great little spot. Great owners, very clean, and fresh food. The cupcakes are to die for.
(5)Mark W.
This bistro on Pharr Road is on the small side -- even with its out door seating, it probably maxes out around 30 people. But, what you'll notice is that all the seats are full and everyone's smiling. That's because the food is delicious, the menu has something for everyone, and the service is truly friendly. Joy Cafe is the project of owners Joy and John and you can tell this is an act of love for them. Everything is made fresh and in-house -- breads are baked, soups are simmered, cupcakes are frosted all on site. My wife and I both had sandwiches with salad and fruit, but we sampled the cookies and cupcakes for dessert. All were excellent and I think we'll be regulars there.
(5)Simmy W.
A friend recently led me into this amazing, warm, enterprising atmosphere, with seasonally fresh and delicious menu options, and friendly and attentive waitstaff. Generous portions were served at a decent price along with the tastiest tomato basil cream soup I have ever had!!! While it is clear that this is a newly established business, the overall environment is vibrant and a welcome addition to Buckhead as a breakfast, brunch, and lunch spot.
(5)Tecia D.
Deeeeelicious !!!!!
(5)Leslie W.
Just discovered this little cafe tucked away in a strip mall on Pharr Road. They have a great selection of fresh salads and sandwiches and some amazing soups! Their loaded baked potato soup is so good that I don't even care how much dairy they put in it! They will also have a couple of daily specials like tacos or a pasta dish in case you need something more substantial. And if you need to skip the fresh and healthy, try one of their huge and super yummy cookies. I like the snicker doodle best, and not just because I like food words that sound dirty. They are seriously delicious. The three star review is because they are still new and need to work out a few kinks. When I went in, they were understaffed and the pastry chef was serving people in her flour-caked chef's coat. I understand she was helping but it was a little um, off-putting. I'm sure that once things are straightened out, this place will be jumping so go now before you have to wait for a seat!
(3)Nev L.
We gave this place a try today based on the pictures and reviews. We had the ham and cheddar omelet and the pancakes. My omelet was ok, but the ginger and sage sausage was terrible. First, the color of the sausage doesn't appear fully cooked and then the taste of the ginger didn't go well with the sage. I sent the sausage back to cook a little longer, but the waitress returned with the same pinkish color saying because its made fresh that's the way it looks. Yeah, ok. My husband didn't care for his pancakes at all and the hash browns were served lukewarm.
(3)Sonya N.
Had breakfast here for the first time this morning after reading Yelp reviews. Everyone is right. Very cute, charming place. Everyone was so nice. I got there a little bit before 10am and very quickly there was a wait. I'm looking forward to going back and trying more dishes.
(4)Brian F.
Great casual spot if you are in the neighborhood.
(4)Helen K.
Hands down, BEST meal I've had in quite some time! Thanks Scoutmob!! A friend and I visited this place for the first time today for lunch. We each had the chicken burger (special of the day--ground chicken with spinach and feta mixed in, perfect crisp bacon, lettuce, tomato, with a divine spicy mayo and jalapeno aioli sauce), and I had mine with a side of tomato, cucumber, onion salad. It was just delicious!! Though the portion size was generous, we also each ordered dessert too--she had a red velvet cupcake and I had the orange creamsicle cheesecake. Wow! Just perfect. This is easily one of my new favorite places to go in Buckhead.
(5)Gloria R.
TERRIBLE!! Waited ten minutes... for what? We sat there for over 10 mins before we even got greeted for our drink order. We ordered drinks and food at the same time since everything was so slow already. Got my food 45 mins after ordering. It was two scrambled eggs and bacon. The bacon was so chewy (yuk!!) And my food was COLD! Not to mention whom I was with ordered a waffle and their food came out ten mins after mine. And the waffle was still uncooked! Terrible terrible. I don't understand why this place had a wait nor all the rave reviews. I will never go back!
(1)Phillip C.
I like Joy Cafe. Quality is great. I didn't give it 5 because it didn't wow me but I would/will go back. It's your typical breakfast fare.
(4)J S.
Fabulous food that will not disappoint! We've eaten here several times for lunch and it has become one of our favorite restaurants. Soups and sandwiches are fresh and delicious. Both the tomato soup and potato soups are incredible. Portions are very generous, you won't be leaving hungry. Downsides: seating area is small, meaning there may be a wait for a table. Also, parking lot is cramped and busy, may have difficulty finding a spot.
(5)H. H.
Really good coffee, better than Starbucks. Friendly service. The presentation was good, but the entree for breakfast was almost cold. They use way too much salt. If you subtract the excess salt, I'd give four stars.
(3)Vanitha S.
This was an incredible little brunch spot. As soon as we sat down I immediately liked the style in here...felt kind of Victorian in a way with the white decor. We were visited a few times by the owner as he said hi and checked in on us. The menu took forever to read and decide as there were a lot of options to choose from. I ordered a veggie omelet with egg whites, hash browns and wheat toast. First of all, usually when I order egg white omelets, the flavor usually tells me how good the chef really is. It's very rare for a place to make an egg-white omelet taste similar to a normal omelet but Joy Cafe knocked it out of the park. It wasn't oily but was bursting with flavor and fresh veggies including sundried tomatoes. Yum. The hash browns were nice and crisp, not oily at all. The bread tasted like bakery bread that came with homemade jam. To top it off, when we received our order, the plates were mixed up. The owner apologized profusely and later the waitress came over with 2 containers of baked pastries for us to take home. WOW so generous! Then my friend and I split a chocolate cupcake for dessert and the reviews are so true, folks. These cupcakes will render you speechless for at least a few minutes, so make sure not to order one on your first date. The chocolate was so soft that it was melting onto my fork. The cream cheese frosting was so smooth and light...not heavy at all which is a pet peeve of mine. This must be a best kept secret because at noon on a Sunday we didn't have a wait at all even though my friend made a reservation. Another bonus point-they take reservations where most brunch places won't. Not a doubt that we'll be back.
(5)Rochelle B.
This place sucks. Its like "hey here is our menu but we dont have any of the items.on our menu on it"
(2)susan h.
This is a great place for any meal. Everything is really fresh and the owners are really nice. Joy cafe can do no wrong in my book.
(5)Taleshia N.
Great Food! Enjoy looking forward to coming back every chance we get!!!
(5)Bob G.
We ate here today on a Scoutmob. We each got the turkey sandwich (which was pressed like a Cuban sandwich) and the wifey got tomato basil soup and I got chicken noodle. She was raving about the tomato basil which is saying something as she tries it almost everywhere that has it. She said it was close to the best. The homemade chicken noodle soup was really flavorful but it was a tad salty for me. I must be overly sensitive to salt because a woman came in to get a "to go" order of it and they told her she got the last cup (I must have got the 2nd to last). We both raved over the turkey sandwich. They say they cook their meats in house which may have been the difference -- wifey wrapped up the other half of hers and was secretly munching on it in my new car, despite my prohibition on eating in the new car. It was amazing. I would have given it 5 stars except for my personal preference on the soup. Definitely will go into the heavy rotation as a lunch stop.
(4)Beonna H.
Just what you want for Sunday morning breakfast!!
(5)Tori P.
Been to this place twice now. Once when they first opened and today for lunch. The place is clean and welcoming. The staff always says hi to me and other guests coming and going. The first time I had the turkey sandwich and potato salad. The sandwich was huge and full of flavor. I could tell the potato salad was homemade. It was a great first experience Today for lunch I had the special which was a chicken quesadilla. When this thing came out I thought wow for once here is a place where the price matches the proportion! It was huge! It took up more then half my plate. Not only that but it was stuffed with chicken. I defiantly got more then my moneys worth. Since I was full from the quesadilla I took a chocolate cupcake home. A few hours later I tried it. Honestly had to be the most moist cupcake I have ever had. It also was a bit larger then an average cupcake. The cake was delicious and moist. The icing was a little thick but still very very tasty. The place was busy today but the wait staff still made me feel welcome and not once did I feel that I was "forgotten" because it was busy. I will go to Joys cafe every chance I get. I highly recommend it. Cannot wait to go back!
(5)Ryan G.
What a f@#$&in find. I happened to move to a nearby condo and walk past Joys Cafe on an almost daily basis and today I just to eat lunch there on a whim. WTF. The service here is just outstanding and the food is effing delicious. I had a chicken burger with chipotle mayo and effin christ it was delicious. Ill be back that is for sure. I am sure glad I chose to stop by I think I just found my new fav locale cafe.
(5)Gregory D.
Awesome staff, great food, nice atmosphere, good prices. I appreciated how they brought us muffins and a cinnamon bun while waiting for the food. Nice touch of good customer service. Didn't wait long for a table for Sunday brunch either. A must try.
(4)Chris B.
My wife and I went for a late lunch and had the Reuben with pasta salad and a Caesar salad. All the food was excellent especially the homemade pastrami.
(4)Laura N.
this place is poppin! perfect for a sunday morning...or any morning. pet friendly as well! never been a big breakfast person but this place has me changing my mind. i got the sausage and gravy and it was glorious. friend got the chicekn burger(really good)the complimentary pastries were scrumptious as well. Support this cafe , great food and great people! its pretty busy there too so come early or call ahead
(5)Chelly V.
I've been using yelp for quite some time to help make dinner decisions and never felt compelled to write a review until now. To get to the point, Joy Cafe was an excellent experience for me and my boyfriend! We visited this place Friday night after finding it on Scoutmob, and were pleasantly greeted with excellent service, delicious food, and the most genuinely friendly owner I've ever met at a restaurant! Let me sum up our experience: First off, as someone who strives to eat clean but still loves to eat out, my favorite thing about this place is that everything is homemade (sauces, bread, pastas) & they dont use ANY preservatives! We visited on a Friday night about an hour before closing time (which is 9pm). The restauarant must be more popular for breakfast because we were seated immediately and had a few seats to choose from in the compact little cafe. Our waitress, Valentina was very friendly and appropriately attentive. We chose the smoked salmon appetizer, which was hands down the best smoked salmon ive ever had. My boyfriend ordered a cup of tomato soup, which taste very fresh, homemade, and was delicious! For entrees we chose the shrimp and grits and the enchiladas. They were both great! The enchiladas has a fresh, healthy twist to them and come with a delicious homemade sauce and a side of well seasoned rice. The portion was also very wealthy. The shrimp in the shrimp and grits were nice sized, fresh, and you guessed it...delicious! The grits were a tad thick for my liking but also very tasty! Oh wait, how could I forget that the waiter brought out hommade foccacia (sp) bread as we waited for out meal, which was very soft, flavorful, and awesome as well! As we finished our meal, one of the owners, Joy came to our table to ask about our experience. She was very friendly and genuine, and even offered us a great story about her journey to opening up a restaurant. She was so inspiring and very likable! Needless to say, we'll be returning and bringing some friends with us!
(5)Laura C.
My party had Belgian waffles, pancakes, biscuits and gravy and eggs Benedict. Everyone loved their breakfast. Would definetly recommend and come back.
(5)Kelsey M.
LOVE THIS PLACE! First of all, the food is amazing! And everyone there is so darn nice. It can get a little crowded on Sunday, but it is totally worth it! Everything is made there, so you know it's fresh! They even smoke their own bacon! The owners are super nice too. We had the breakfast burrito and the steak and egg tacos. Both were delicious! Their buiscuts are also amazing!
(5)Laina E.
If I could add a star for the cupcake I just ate, I would. Devil's food doesn't even begin to describe how BAD ASS this chocolate cupcake is. Go to Joy's NOW before I eat everything and there's nothing left for you!
(5)E R.
Great first experience over a Sunday lunch. Small cafe with about 8-10 tables. A few dogs enjoyed a small table outside with their owners. Service was friendly and prompt. Manager/owner even brought the cute doggies little water bowls! Food was delicious. My cuban sandwich and cucumber, tomato, onion salad were quite yummy. Husband loved his turkey Reuben. Will definitely come back!
(5)Jack C.
Great omelet and pancakes very fluffy. We enjoyed most of the food but didnt like to pay 3 dollars for 2 pieces of burnt bacon. They need to expand the restaurant felt packed in like a sardine.
(4)Don B.
I cannot wait to come back to this place ! At first I was a bit turned off because it is a very small place and we had to wait a while. It seemed super chaotic and crowded but once we were seated everything was excellent. They started us off with 2 little blueberry muffins and a cinnamon type pastry. Very delicious. I ordered the eggs, cheese grits, bacon and biscuit. My friend got the fruit, yogurt and granola and a side of home fries. Apparently everything is super fresh and they do it on their own. They make their own granola and cure their own bacon. Definitely has a premium quality to it. We were very pleased with the portions...my biscuit was probably the biggest biscuit I have ever seen at an establishment. Service was ok but I understand the staff was running around like CRAZY. So don't feel offended if you have to flag down your waiter for something because I am sure they are doing the best they can. I was super impressed when I asked for some strawberry spread for my biscuit and the manager came out with a huge explanation for how they ran out and gave me some store bought stuff. I did not care, but apparently the make their own jam and due to high demand ran out. All they had was kiwi and that wasn't even quite 'done' yet. He was very apologetic, but I explained that I was fine, all I expected was a packet of processed Welch's or something. Definitely will return and can't wait to try some of their lunch options.
(5)Angela L.
My friend and I went for Saturday brunch around 10:30am and were seated right away. This was the perfect time to go because by 11am, there was a cluster of people near the door waiting for tables. The crowded people and busy servers weaving through tables reminded me of brunch in NYC. The place is quaint and absolutely adorable--with minty/sea green walls and cool wall decor. Our server surprised up with complimentary chocolate chip muffins and a cinnamon roll for an appetizer. Not sure if that is typical of Joy, but I won't question free pastries. The menu had a variety of essential brunch staples to choose from like eggs benedict (personal fav), waffles, pancakes, and omelettes, but no entree seemed overwhelming. I, of course, ordered the eggs benedict with canadian bacon, and it came with a side of seasonal fruit. I didn't expect the egg white to be as runny as the yolk, but it worked for me. The english muffin was toasted to perfection, and the bacon was delicious as well. My friend ordered the sun-dried tomato, spinach, feta omelette, and really liked it. All in all, Joy served heartier food than I had expected. It's nice to leave a restaurant with a happy tummy. I will definitely go back again to try their homemade granola!
(4)Kellie N.
This adorable little spot gets packed but worth the wait. I love sitting outside and enjoying brunch here. Great food, fun staff and perfect area of town. The most adorable wait staff and the owners are amazing. One of my new go-to brunch spots to go to and bring friends.
(4)Jie Y.
nothing to complain everything is so nice but only for a simple breakfast or coffee break.
(5)George P.
My new favorite breakfast place!! It is amazing. The place looks like a hole in the wall. The inside looks like a hospital, very, very plain...However the food is amazingly good. I had Great Grandma's Biscuits and Gravy. It was pretty amazing!! My girl had an omelet and what made it so good was the fresh ingredients and how fluffy the eggs were. The icing on the cake was a double layer of the best tasting coffee I have had at a breakfast spot as well as amuse-bouche of pastries they offer as a free appetizer! This place blows doors off of the standard well known Highland Bakery, Rita's Bluebird and The overrated Flying Biscuit( I do love the Highland Bakery though!)
(5)Starfish_Coffee M.
A miserable rainy Saturday was not going to keep me from my quarterly pancake binge so I made it over to Joy Cafe for the first time. Easy parking and I can sit wherever I want (always a plus for me). First they brought this plate of pastries and the glazed danish looking thing had to be laced with cocaine...INCREDIBLE! The mini-muffin thing was okay but it had more of a scone like texture and I prefer my muffins fluffy. Food came fast but they piled all this crap on top of my pancakes (berries, bananas, etc) that I didn't ask for or expect. I don't like anything interferring with the piles of butter and cups of syrup on my pancakes so I had some dis-assembling to do. It doesn't get 4 stars until some of the service kinks get worked out like my major pet peeve....HOT WATER AND LEMON SHOULD BE SERVED IN A CUP....NOT A GLASS...ARGGGHHHHH!! I had the trainee waitrees i guess so she was a little slow or maybe it was whatever she was texting in between serving that slowed her down but this place is well worth the visit and reasonably priced. I'm thinking they will soon replace Corner Cafe as the go-to place for brunch.
(3)Adolfo T.
Awesome breakfast loved the crab cakes Benedict with fresh fruit! Also try there buttermilk pancakes.
(5)Heather P.
Great spot for brunch! We brought my in-laws here who were visiting after a so-so breakfast the previous day at Flying Biscuit. All the food here tasted fresh and homemade. Everyone ordered something different and agreed it was the best meal of the weekend. The breakfast sandwich on a biscuit was amazing! The portions were huge- a side of fruit that came with the eggs Benedict was enough for a full snack later in the day! I bet this place gets busy as the morning progresses, we arrived at 9:45 and were the 2nd table. By the time we left the church crowd arrived (including a priest!) and filled up.
(5)Lindsay K.
This place is tucked away in a strip mall - pretty small in size - don't come with a big party and expect to be seated quickly. Probably 20-25 total at a single seating. The folks who work here are sweet - and efficient. Before the food came out, they offered us mini blueberry muffins and some really tasty iced baked good. Delish. My husband and I ordered the 2 eggs with sausage and the crab cake benedicts. Neither were cooked well - especially the poached eggs and the hash browns. There was a severe lack of seasoning on all the dishes. Given how many other breakfast/brunch places there are in ATL, I will not be coming back. But if I did, I would stick with baked goods, as those are clearly their strength.
(3)Brian L.
We finally visited this wonderful place on a rainy Sunday. The breakfast burrito was creative and excellent, especially the salsa. The poached eggs on the Eggs Benedict were perfectly done. Everything was perfect. Oh btw, the waiter is very handsome. :)
(5)Michelle J.
This is a cozy (read tiny) local cafe perfect for brunch or lunch. I visited for the second time last weekend and it was just as good as I remembered. During our first visit, I ordered a croque monsieur and tomato bisque. WOW were both delicious! It was my first time eating croque monsieur, so I can't speak to its quality as a CM specifically. I do know a thing or two about tomato bisque, and it was one of the best I've had. During my second visit, I was looking for something light and fresh, so I decided to go with the spinach salad. The salad is served with strawberries, candied walnuts, feta cheese, croutons and house made balsamic vinaigrette. I added grilled chicken to it, which absolutely made the salad. This Is seriously the best salad I've had in Atlanta. In fact, writing about it now is making me crave it... Those I went to Joy with also loved what they got, although my husband - a Cuban sandwich connoisseur - said their Cuban sandwich was mediocre. The service is another notable thing about Joy. The tiny restaurant usually has about two servers, and they make you feel comfortable and attended to. They're the kind of servers you'd hope every local cafe would have. The best time to go to Joy is usually past the rush of weekday lunch and weekend brunch. That way, you won't have to wait for a table and you won't feel confined when seated.
(4)Nakata H.
I was excited to come here based on yelps high rating so we were okay to wait for 30 min for the table. I really wanted to like this place but sad to say... Food was just okay. We had to wait long time for our food to come out, my veggie omelet was a little greasy for my taste. pancake was not all that special. My husband's Ham and Cheese Omelet was too salty. Maybe it was on their off day. The portion was generous and the service was good.
(3)J. C. L.
Brunch with girls. Ordered the egg Benedict with salmon. Delish. Love the free starter desserts!!
(5)David C.
Astounding brunch on the weekends. Eggs Benedict were great. The Berry Belgian waffle was fantastic. Fresh, warm, chewy waffle, with deliciously fresh berries and banana. The applewood smoked bacon was terrific, as well, though 2 slices for 3 bucks seems a bit of a rip-off. At least 3 slices, dudes. And the hash browns were nice and crunchy with or without cheese added - very, very good. I wish they served breakfast all week.
(5)Shaunte K.
I don't know why this place has such a hight rating. Definitely not one if the best places I've been for brunch while visiting Atlanta. The service was great but the food was average.
(3)Bill V.
Great brunch. Steak and egg tacos. Biscuits and gravy. Sometimes there's a wait, but it moves pretty fast.
(5)Yordanos T.
Cozy little breaktfast/ brunch spot in an inconspicuous strip mall. The crab benedict with a side of fruit was delicisous... fruit was fresh and sweet and the crab and home made muffin were great. They bought out a plate of sweets for the table with coffee so we were partially stuffed by the time our meal came out. The owener/ chef came out to our table to ask about our dining experience... very classy and appreciated! As we were leaving, he came back with the a moist and decadent cupcake with amazing icing. A perfect end to a great meal! Will defintely be back next time I am in the ATL.
(4)Jhoshua C.
Place was pretty darn good, they give you free pastry treats when you walk in service was the best part. I got the breakfast burrito which was good, nothing special though. If you dont get pancakes get at least a side of them, they are AMAZING. My friend got the eggs Benedict, it was incredibly delicious. Good menu and they make their food flexible for vegetarians like myself. Over all amazing experience!
(4)Arika S.
Really great brunch spot. The crab eggs benedict was amazing, and the service was really great. The layout isn't awesome inside, and it's pretty small. The food is great though, and they offer muffins and honey buns before the meal for free. Definitely worth a try!
(4)Gypsy A.
My boyfriend and I went there for a late breakfast one day. The wait time was extremely long, but we had read good reviews on it, and we wanted to give it a shot. When all was said done the food was good, but not fantastic. They did, however, bring out cute rolls before our meal that were just fantastic.
(3)Jake C.
Food was fantastic. Ambiance was good enough. Service wasn't very good though. The waitress didn't mess anything up, everything just took forever. 5-10 minutes for first attention, 10 more min for first waters, 30 more minutes for food, 20 more min for check. It was Saturday brunch and not only were they busy, but we were fine taking it slow and relaxing. That being said, I'd rather have excellent service and then voluntarily take it slow on my own accord. I'd go back though. I'm hoping the service was an abnormality because the food was great and there are so many other rave reviews.
(4)Tanya E.
Part 1: This is going to be a strange review. Its a 2 parter because for this first part, I havent actually eaten there yet but I walked in because they are next to my fav nail salon Posh Nails. I was greeted by the warmest and friendliest woman, who by the way offered my granddaughter a free cupcake and even gave her- her choice of flavors. In the list was chocolate red velvet and vanilla. She told me about their brunches and gave me take home menus. After hearing abou the brunch I deceided I would try it tomorrow (saturday) since a friend and had made plans to meet for breakfast so perfect timing. So stay tuned for part 2 the aftermath. by the way that friendly woman who greeted me was Joy herself, owner/chef. On initial impression, friendliness and menu 5 stars. I will write another after eating there tomorrow morning.
(5)JH P.
Loved this little place! Came here with a friend for a late Saturday brunch. It's located in a strip center on Pharr Road and easy to miss. There is a parking lot but we got lucky and was able to find a spot. We were able to get a table right away. Service was very friendly. The breakfast pastries that come to your table are not a mistake - they're complimentary! So enjoy them!! I ordered a chicken salad sandwich and I found it to be very tasty. It was unfortunate the Belgian waffle maker was broken that day. Food served to other tables looked really tasty. Can't wait to go back!
(4)Lisa C.
Love places like joy cafe and bakery! Usually I have to dream up such a place like this but here the owner cares about the experience of everyone who comes in. Dropped in once to grab something quick to drink and snack on and go. Ordered a Perrier and red velvet cake mmmmmm! I know it was indulgent but you couldn't possibly understand how satisfying it was! The ambiance is casual and comfortable and it's a perfect spot to have an early business dinner - I ordered the shrimp and grits and it was very very good. I like the chef he came out to check on the food and I had to give him my compliments!! The dining experience was wonderful, if you are looking for a great place to have a dinner date or business dinner, this is a great find!
(5)Christopher R.
Once again, Yelp saves the day! We needed a diner for Breakfast in Buckhead and you all pointed us to Joys Cafe. It was worth the 1.3 mile stroll from our hotel. It was very busy on a Saturday morning but worth the wait. The urn of coffee for those who chose to wait outside was a nice touch. Small seating area, you are right next to your neighbors- think a cafe in Paris. The thick cut bacon is broken glass good ie you would crawl through broken glass to get some ;) their pastry plate was enough to make me bend my low carb diet ;) they also have a bakery counter for carry outs cupcakes etc a must try if in that part of Atlanta
(5)Gus E.
Great service. Chicken burger suggested if u go. Good price. Tomato soup is excellente also.
(5)Max M.
OMG! Talk about spectacular service and faultless perfect food! I wrote an earlier review in which i complained about the temperature of the soup. Altho i gave them compliments otherwise, the owners graciously apologized for the error and offered me a comp'd meal the next time i came in. I was scared that since i came in for brunch that they wouldn't honor it, but no no, they didn't give me any bureaucratic bull..., they honored the deal, no problem. First point. I made the wise decision to order the steak and egg tacos and it was heaven on a plate. The texture and seasoning of the steak accompanied by perfectly cooked eggs and cheese on flour tortillas... it was amazing! And they served me three tacos! Again, i had an unwarranted fear... the fear that they would only serve two tacos for that meal, but no, they serve three! There's definitely no skimping with point! It was so delicious and filling! Second point... score! I also shared a waffle with a friend of mine. For once, a restaurant gets a waffle just right. It was perfectly crunchy and not soggy at all... and by some miracle it remained so thruout the meal! How'd they do that! The fresh fruit on top of it was to die for. Just perfection. Third point! While we were eating the lady owner of the restaurant (Joy herself) came out and introduced herself to us and apologized for the prior disappointment I experienced and offered a big plate of four delicious desserts! Ok, that's like 7 points now! Touch down! Later on, the guy owner of the restaurant (Joy's husband) also came out and greeted us. They treated me and my friends like royalty! It was weird... but in the best way possible! I didn't deserve it all! You can't beat a place that cares enough to make up for the dissatisfaction of their customers and actively, even extremely, taking the steps to remedy it. This is the kind of place that I would no doubt return to, even if the food weren't too good... but fortunately, IT IS REALLY GOOD! And you could tell that people agreed with me because that place was PACKED on Sunday! Please run, don't walk to this place... It is truly an Atlanta treasure!
(5)Keith K.
Awwwweesome !!! Cute spot, great staff ,even better breakfast!! Since this was my first visit ,it is customary to try the Chocolate cupcake (family recipe) which was hand delivered by the owner / chef. Overall a great breakfast eatery! A must do when in Atlanta
(5)Ben-Sheryl B.
I ate here today for the first time with my wife and this place was delicious! While waiting for our breakfast, they brought out pastries to tide us over. A delicious cinnamon pastry and two mini blueberry muffins. My wife, the muffin expert, claimed the blueberry muffins to be one of the best she's ever had. I ordered the steak and egg tacos with hash browns. The steak was tender and the eggs were cheesy. The sauce on the side was great as well. My wife ordered the breakfast sandwich on a biscuit with eggs, cheese and bacon. It was HUGE. And amazing. We ordered a red velvet cupcake (for myself) and a chocolate cupcake (for my wife) to go and ate them this evening. Rich! Perfect to be washed down with a nice glass of milk. Overall, this place was absolutely great and the owners really deserve a lot of credit here. The menu is the perfect size to not overwhelm you. We both cannot wait to try the rest of the menu. This is definitely a new favorite we will be frequenting!
(5)Kijean D.
Good was amazing! They give little pastries complimentary from the kitchen while you wait for their order. A beautiful small restaurant where everyone truly seems to enjoy being there. The brunch was really good and even though there lots of people waiting to get in they were able to seat as quickly. The pancakes were amazing. Must try the sage and Ginger sausage !
(4)Allison J.
Staff is so nice and the food is great, especially the iced coffee!
(5)Emma B.
We went in a Wednesday expecting to eat brunch but we learned brunch is only served on the weekend. As a result we tried their lunch which was great. I chose the 1/2 Combo (the Ruben which was full of meat & tomato soup). My husband had a chicken club and he enjoyed that too. The service was great and the owner made sure his guest was happy. I def want to stop by again go their brunch.
(4)Addie S.
A friend and I decided to try Joy Cafe for lunch because neither of us had gone yet and the location was very convenient. It's a cute, brightly decorated restaurant perfect for lunch. We arrived and it was relatively empty, but it soon filled with mostly ladies lunching. My friend and I both got 1/2 soup and 1/2 a sandwich. I had the croque monsieur, she had the ratatouille sandwich (the waitress said it's a favorite) and we both had the soup du jour, tomato basil. We both thought the soup was phenominal and enjoyed our sandwiches as well. The service was a little bit slow, but I assumed it was because they are still new and it was prime lunch hour. I will definitely go back and hope they add tomato basil soup to the regular menu!
(4)Nestor R.
Excellent food!
(4)Katie C.
My husband and I went here for lunch and ordered the Ruben & the Cuban with Potato soup & caesar salad; All was wonderful! The Service was very good. The Baked Potato Soup was the best I have ever had. The sandwiches were unique; not your typical turkey with avocado. Portion sizes are very large! You could easily share a sandwich. I will be coming back here!
(4)Kirsten P.
Friendly staff, incredible food, and reasonably priced. I drive an hour and a half to come here and it's totally worth it! Try the grits. Best I've ever had. Everything is locally sourced, the meat is smoked and ground at the cafe, and it's absolutely incredible!
(5)Claire S.
This is my favorite brunch spot in Atlanta! Everything that I have had here has been wonderful. The pancakes are the best. The breakfast burrito is so yummy. The eggs benedict are perfectly runny. The cinnamon roll/muffin treats passed out at the beginning are scrumptious. Though this place is always crowded, the servers are attentive and quick. I hesitate to write a review because I'm worried that this place will get even more popular and I won't be able to squeeze into the quaint restaurant without waiting super long. Try this place! Every other breakfast place in Atlanta has disappointed me at least once, but not Joy Cafe!
(5)Sara S.
Ashley Bates is the pastry chef at Joy and is exceptional and very talented. If you need about ten very fancy and specifically decorated cakes and several dozen fancy cupcakes in four or five days, she's your girl!! I needed cakes for a photo shoot and she was totally reliable. The cakes were of various configurations: sheet cakes, two layer, three layer and theme cakes. All were beautifully executed with great care. We had lunch catered by Joy Cafe one day: quality ingredients, tasty and abundant! The restaurant staff even made at special trip to our photo shoot location to deliver a forgotten vegan meal, gratis. Great people to get acquainted with and tasty tasty food!
(5)Barry M.
Wonderful, trendy cafe. If not for Yelp I would have never given it a look. Great food, large portions, reasonable prices. Very friendly staff, good coffee.
(5)Angie S.
Woooow, what can I say this place has awwwwwesome breakfast. So much food that I was able to have breakfast the next morning with my leftovers. Eveything taste like homemade from scratch.
(5)Lauren O.
The food at Joy Cafe is fantastic! Went here for Sunday brunch and absolutely loved it. I had the vegetable omelette with a biscuit-- to die for! The biscuit was fantastic and massive-- definitely a sight to see when you're there. My only complaint is the space is rather tight and I felt as if I was not only having brunch with who I came with but also the people we sat next to because they were so close. However, the fantastic food and welcoming staff were well worth it. Joy Cafe is a buckhead must!
(4)Gayle B.
We have been coming here at least twice a month for Sunday brunch. Always get the same thing...eggs benedict with salmon. It has always been wonderful...except this past Sunday. Our food was ice cold. We had already waited for a table for 1/2 hour so when the waitress graciously asked us if we wanted it warmed, we declined. The eggs were almost raw. I would have needed a straw to eat them. The waitress was very nice and took one meal off the check. That night, we were sick. Common denominator: the eggs. I think Joy's is a prime example of how the kitchen falls apart when it is so crowded, as it was on Sunday. Also, a kitchen worker ran out and got in her car, so they were one person short. The hostess was frazzled too. Something was going on...I think I will wait a few months when/if the crowds thin out a little. Next time I go, it will be during off-hours.
(2)Buzz B.
$8-10 for a sandwich made with home roasted meat - home made bread - served with fresh salad and fruit... well i must be sitting on a oil mine cause i don't think that is overpriced. Grandpa is that you writing reviews on Yelp? remember the good ol days when homemade sandwiches only cost a nickel! remember when people who cooked you food for lunch were dressed in 3 piece suits and not aprons with - UGH! - disgusting flour on them! remember when you went into a small business establishment and the nice lady behind the counter wasn't diddling your pickle because they misunderstood your order and didn't just start giving you everything for free. my my the times have changed. now people are expected to pay for quality food - at least at market value. chefs wear flour covered aprons instead of perfectly pressed suits. its craziness! can't we get back to the good ol days when food was free - service was 5 star everywhere and dumbasses with a Groupon & a highly misguided sense of entitlement weren't enabled to write public critiques of local businesses? this place is good - i literally have no complaints. for a quick, fresh, tasty and AFFORDABLE lunch - 5 stars.
(5)Kristin S.
Only got take-out, but from what we had, this place is all thumbs up. My daughter and I split the croque monsiuer and the oven roasted turkey (with brie, hello!). So they got the bread mixed up on the two. It was still delicious. My sister in law had the cuban sandwich and she LOVED it as well. Comes with a little side salad, fruit or chips. I had the cucumber tomato salad and it was slightly sweet and lovely. I also ordered 2 desserts to go. I tasted the blueberry cheesecake, not bad at all. And some sort of chocolate cake, which was absolutely WONDERFUL. It had some sort of caramelly stuff in it. Both desserts probably would have been better but I was so damn full from my sandwich. This place is a winner! I must warn you, not cheap, rather on the spendy side, but quality ingredients, so worth it. Also, don't be in any hurry to pick up, even though you call in 45 minutes prior.
(4)Betsi W.
Wanted to try a new brunch place and found a winner here! The place feels like you're eating with family and the food is so delicious! I had smoked salmon eggs benedict and it was so tasty. This place is nice and down to earth but still in the middle of Buckhead. Very friendly staff and I'd highly recommend!
(5)Denis H.
Found the Yelp reviews to be right on. Cute atmosphere, friendly family environment with happy attentive service. We had a ten minute wait but they had coffee outside for waiting guests. Food was prompt and excellent. We had the omelette with spinach, sundried tomatoes and feta with a biscuit and grits. No shortage of filling in the omelette! Our other meal was the Belgian waffle with local fruit and a side of bacon. What a delightful end to our weekend in Atlanta.
(4)Lori H.
I want to find everyone that gave this place a good review and marry every single one of you. This place, is by far, the best breakfast I ever had in my life. I made sure to get there early, since it was a Saturday and word was that it gets busy very quickly. So I showed up about when they opened and there was no wait. I can't start my morning without coffee. I didn't need any special flavored lattes, just some coffee, sugar and cream, and that's exactly what I got. It was pretty good too, and freshly made. AND we also got complimentary pastries, blueberry muffins and cinnamon rolls. So soft, warm and fresh. I ordered the smoked salmon eggs benedict, and Ashley ordered the breakfast burrito. All I can say is WOW. I was really surprised at how fresh and flavorful and simply put together everything was. The salmon was extremely tender and bold with a great smokey flavor. It went together perfectly with the poached egg and hollandaise sauce. You can tell the chef put his very best effort into this, and he even came out the kitchen to ask what I thought. Nothing less than perfect. That breakfast burrito is on point. The chorizo, eggs, and avocado pico de gallo made my mouth water when I bit into it. It was really bursting with flavor. And the hash-browns are fresh, and yummy. As far as the service goes, everyone that works there is fantastic. So professional, attentive and easygoing. Our waiter was so sweet, our coffee cups were never empty, and the owner even came over to bring our food. The icing on the cake was I couldn't believe how affordable everything was. Do yourself a favor, go here. Amazing food, amazing service, amazing prices. I might move to Atlanta just so I can come here everyday.
(5)Lindsay S.
Love this place! Food is always good, so is the service. I have never had a less than stellar experience. Also, best tomato soup EVER. My office orders from Joy's several days a week and we are always very happy! Amazing cookies too!!
(5)Kevin L.
Joy's cafe has a great menu selection and one of my favorite places for Sunday brunch. There is normally a little wait but it goes by fast and the food is well worth it. They have great service and start you out right away with some complimentary blue berry muffins, which are out of this world. I have had their steak and egg tacos, eggs Benedict, pancakes and eggs & bacon, none of which you can go wrong with. The food is top quality and you will not leave hungry. They also have a great lunch menu. I would highly suggest trying Joy's out if you have a chance.
(5)Asma A.
This place is great for breakfast/brunch... I ordered the salmon omelette and it was great! they also gave some blueberry muffins and cinnabons on the house-- also very good! Definitely try this place! there was a line outside the door when we went, but the wait wasnt too bad, we waited for 15 minutes on a saturday morning around 12pm
(4)Taylor A.
Fantastic brunch place that gets this midtown guy to come to Buckhead. There was a short wait on a Saturday that probably gets insane on Sundays after church. Recommend getting there early so you don't have to wait. Our Russian waitress was lovely and attentive. We never had to wait for anything from her. We both had the steak tacos which were out of this world delicious. Tender steak, eggs, and some sort of green sauce that rocked. Lots of other dishes I saw looked amazing as well. Can't wait to go back to try the eggs benedict. It looked awesome. The biscuit I had was huge but sadly really really dense. Butter to the rescue. Add reasonable prices to the mix and you have a brunch winner!
(4)Christopher B.
If you're going on a sunday get there early or you will have a little bit of a wait. Food was very good, although it took a long time to get to the table, they had to make more english muffins, however their eggs benedict was excellent as well as their pancakes. Dying to try that cookies and cream pie we to bought home for tonight!
(4)Ashaleigh R.
It was an underwhelming experience. I'm not sure if I would go again.
(2)Rebecca O.
Oh shiiiittt, one of the best sandwiches I've ever tasted. I got the croque monsieur (more aptly named crunk monster). I'm not even sure what all was in it, but my mouth waters just thinking about how good it was. I'm so lucky because I work within walking distance of this quaint little cafe. Even during a week day lunch, the restaurant was almost full. There's about 30-35 seats in the place, so I imagine the weekends can be difficult to get a seat. The service was also excellent. Very attentive and friendly. Even the manager was walking around and serving tables, asking how the food was, etc. Prices are going to range you about $8-12 per person (for lunch). They do have free wifi but it has a password on it. When I went, the password was madewithlove
(5)Richard R.
Places like Joy Cafe are why Yelp is such a great resource. We were visiting family in Atlanta and we decided to go out for breakfast after Mass on Sunday. I pulled out my iPhone, did a search on Yelp and found Joy Cafe just down the street from us. So, we headed on over. What a treat this place was. It's kind of a nondescript place in a row of shops. But, if you are interested in good food and can do without fancy decor, Joy Cafe is the place. There was a bit of a wait to get a seat, but the mgmt had thoughtfully set up a little table outside the door with complimentary coffee. This was my first indication that this place was unique - the coffee was outstanding. I would seriously come to Joy Cafe just for the coffee. But the food was just as good. I had a dried red tomato, feta cheese and spinach omelet that was delicious. I don't recall what the others in our party had, but everyone raved about their meal. Next time we're in town visiting, we'll be coming back to Joy Cafe.
(4)Tia M.
Food was amazing! Definitely coming back!!! Best pancakes I've ever had!!! Steak & eggs were delicious too. Highly recommend the place. Very busy on the weekends though so heads up.
(5)Joy W.
Well, obviously anything with the name Joy is a good thing :) Joy Cafe, I like to think, is named after me. Okay, that's wishful thinking, but it is named after a woman named Joy who's cafe churns out good home-made quality dishes. I've been here on two occasions, once with a friend for brunch and another time with a group of 6 for dinner. For brunch, I ordered their famous Crab Cake Benedict which was like a taste of warm heaven in my mouth. I'd definitely order it again! The side of fresh fruit makes me feel less guilty about having consumed a bunch of melted butter in the form of delicious hollandaise sauce. For dinner, I ordered their Shrimp N Grits which was flavorful, especially with the rosemary herbs. The portions were huge, and I had a hard time finishing everything. The texture of the grits are a bit thicker than usual, but I attribute that to the home cooked dishes at Joy Cafe. I heard their desserts were good too. Plus! They have a Scoutmob :) Unfortunately, I think their dinner operations are currently closed while they obtain a beer and wine license so they can allow BYOB. But they're still open for brunch and lunch until 6pm. [37 of 100]
(4)Morgan C.
My mom & I went on a Sunday for brunch. VERY CROWDED! they had water outside, which was nice since it was very hot. it's a very small restaurant & very busy. very loud too. when seated the service was prompt. the blueberry muffins were very dry & not much taste to them. the cinnamon rolls were decent. I ordered the vegetable omelet, very good! but enormous! I could only eat half. it came with a biscuit & they ran out.. not sure how you run out of something that is a signature of your restaurant. my mom ordered the waffle & said it was good. overall it was decent. not my favorite brunch spot in Atlanta but it wasn't bad. also if it's summertime be prepared to be hot, even if you sit inside... they don't have fans or anything.
(3)Happy Eater B.
Yum. Yum, yum, yum. We had an amazing breakfast at the Joy Cafe! This is a simple diner environment with stellar food and terrific service. The humbleness of the cafe only accentuates the beauty of the food. The homemade chorizo sausage was mouthwateringly good. For that reason alone, I'd particularly recommend the breakfast burritos for breakfast. The pancakes were as good as pancakes can be - light, fluffy, exceptional presentation, tons of berries, and really good maple syrup. The side of thick cut bacon was perfectly cooked and had excellent bacony flavor. Our waitress was wonderful. She was on top of everything without ever being in the way. Others assisted from time to time without any sense of being inconvenienced by our table. Overall, in this neighborhood, surely this is the place to go for breakfast.
(5)Tashia Z.
Absolutely delicious! Met a friend for brunch this past Sunday at the height of brunch time. The place was packed, but a table for 2 only took 10 minutes. We had a very attentive and knowledgeable server. The food was phenomenal and the prices were very reasonable. Those were the best buttermilk pancakes I've ever had in a restaurant. This will be a regular brunch spot.
(5)Angela H.
Man, don't you hate it when you're at a restaurant with someone you don't know too well and you feel awkward about taking pictures of your food? Well right now, I'm regretting not doing so as I usually like do... =( The two of us decided to grab lunch at Joy Cafe around 1 pm on a Friday. The person I went with had been there before and told me that the food was good but pricier than similar options nearby. For example, the sandwiches are a little pricier than similar sandwiches elsewhere. When we walked in, we were seated immediately and handed the menus. I don't believe they had any lunch specials - just the regular menu. I have to agree I was surprised at the prices for some of the specialty sandwiches, many of which were over $10! However, I was relieved to see that the back of the menu had deli sandwich options that were cheaper. I decided to order the Chicken Salad Sandwich and noticed that they had two chicken salad options for the sandwich - Joy's traditional Southern Chicken Salad or Apple Walnut Chicken Salad. After asking the server to describe what's in the southern chicken salad and hearing the word "mustard" (not a fan of it in sandwiches), I quickly chose the Apple Walnut Chicken Salad Sandwich. The server also told me the bread options I could choose from, and I chose ciabatta. All sandwiches come with a piece of fruit and a side of your choice. The options for sides include pasta salad, potato salad, tomato cucumber and onion salad, mixed green salad, and dirty chips. I chose the pasta salad, which turned out to be an excellent decision! Our food didn't take very long to be served, which was a pleasant surprise! * Apple Walnut Chicken Salad Sandwich ($7.99) - I was very pleased with the size of the sandwich! It was pretty large and, thankfully, cut in half. I really enjoyed the soft, fresh ciabatta bread, loved the big chunks of chicken, and savored the pieces of apples and walnuts! However, I was only able to eat half of it because it filled me up! But I was happy that I could enjoy leftovers later. =) * Pasta Salad (Side item I chose for my sandwich) - Per the menu description, this is a "Mediterranean pasta salad with sun dried tomatoes, olives, carrots, peppers, feta cheese with a red wine vinaigrette." The pasta in the salad was bowtie pasta, and although it was softer than I normally like (I would have preferred it to be al dente), the combination of the various ingredients made it so delicious! I'm not really a fan of feta cheese, but it was perfect in the pasta salad and I would definitely order this side again! Overall, Joy Cafe and Bakery gets 4 stars for their fresh, delicious sandwiches and friendly service! Although our server initially brought just one check for us, we asked if we could get separate checks. Instead of bringing us new checks, however, she wrote our totals separately on the same check, which was fine. I appreciated that she accommodated our request. I'm sure I will return to Joy Cafe, and I will probably order the Apple Walnut Chicken Salad Sandwich and pasta salad again because I enjoyed it that much! Next time, I will be sure to take a picture... =) [Review 143 of 366]
(4)Kali S.
Love this little cafe. Friendly people and great service! It's a pretty small spot, but that doesn't stop the people from flowing in. Almost everything on the menu is a hit. The biscuits are a must try. Parking is easy, as the cafe is in a small strip mall right off of Pharr. One of the best parts of our dining experience was Joy's husband coming over to have a personal chat with us. He was a very nice guy and I wish him and his wife all the best on their business! Great experience and will surely return.
(5)Karen R.
This place is FABULOUS. I've taken all my out of town guests here; most recently I took my mom and she described this as the best breakfast she ever had! The food is fresh, flavorful, and superb quality. I ordered an omelet last time and it was stuffed with delicious fresh vegetables - and big enough that I took half of it home! I've also ordered from the lunch menu, which is amazing as well. I got the chicken salad sandwich - the only disappointing part was that I was too full to finish the whole thing! Bonus - they give you complimentary pastries while you wait for your food. You absolutely cannot beat the value that you get here. It can be a little cramped inside, but the service is quick and the staff is friendly so this really wasn't an issue for me. I absolutely recommend this place to anyone!!
(5)The Geman Car Guru - Michael U.
Massive sized portions as they should be :)
(5)Andrew W.
Joy Café in Buckhead was an excellent setting for Sunday brunch. Though seating was very limited (perhaps 20 tables or so), our wait was only about five minutes. Once seated, we were quickly greeted by our waitress who took our drink orders and presented us with complimentary baked goods - a plate with a cinnamon roll and two chocolate chip muffins. They were delicious and set a very pleasant tone for our brunch coming up. My wife ordered the pancakes with fresh strawberries and I ordered the breakfast burrito. Interestingly enough, they actually give you the option to either have your fruit cooked into the pancake or to have the fruit as a topping over the pancake. Nifty. Our food arrived perhaps 5-10 minutes later, looking very fresh and appetizing. There were three plate-sized pancakes topped with fresh strawberries, a small condiment cup with butter, and maple syrup. My breakfast burrito was loaded with chorizo (Mexican sausage), egg, cheddar, avocado, sour cream, and pico de gallo wrapped in a flour tortilla. All of the ingredients tasted extraordinarily fresh and were proportioned just right. Very tasty. My burrito also came with hash browns on the side with a tomatillo-citrus like condiment which was okay, though I wasn't exactly sure what to do with it. Overall, an excellent Sunday brunch worth having.
(4)Sak L.
So good. Small, cozy atmosphere. Blueberry muffins were amazing. Will be back. There was a wait, so get there early.
(4)Mike B.
I decided to stop through here for brunch one Saturday to see what all the hype was about. At the time it was ranked pretty high by the yelp nation. In my honest opinion the food was average at best. It was nothing to write home about. The highlight of the meal were the the muffins. I had the crab cake Benedict as my meal and it was just ok not the experience I was looking for.
(3)Liz K.
Cute little place located in a very odd shopping center (for brunch, that is.) I kind of had trouble finding the place because the sign doesn't pop out or anything. Food- overall good. Typical brunch items such as eggs Benedict, waffles, bacon this and that. They give you these superrrr amazing cinnamon rolls and muffins prior to your meal you just can't help but indulge in it. Great, yummy start. I got to try a few items because my friends and I all ordered different things. Eggs Benedict with smoked salmon- Just good enough. I had the sauce on the side and had a side of hash browns added. The hash browns were too burnt/crispy for my liking. My friend had the sausage biscuit with gravy and the eggs were slightly too salty. Crab cake Benedict was amazing. We all shared this and that to get a taste of each. Freshly squeezed orange juice was so refreshing but I couldn't do another glass for 3 bucks. Great service. Small yet cute place. The outdoor seating is very small and cramped.
(4)Susan G.
Well worth the 30 min wait. Joy herself introduced herself and seated us. The cinnamon rolls were AMAZING!!!! We had a party of 6, almost everyone ordered something different and not one of us were disappointed with our order. Will definitely be returning soon!
(5)Jennifer P.
The best grilled cheese and tomato soup ever!!! Great combo for the winter. Brunching menu is good as well. Waffle with fresh berries, yum.
(5)Therealladyof L.
5 star because this place really gives priority to dogs. They are dog-loving people. The food is excellent esp their shrimp & grits. A big serving. Do not order too much or you'l have to leave with a box. Will be back.
(5)Karly G.
What a darling little place and I mean very little! Christina K wanted to go here for ages and we finally made our way there for lunch yesterday. I didn't give them 5 stars because the wait was fairly long. They were busy during lunch and it's not their fault, but it was still a long wait for drinks, then to take our order and then waiting for the order. I guess you shouldn't come here super starving... Anyways, I had to order the Croque Monsieur but replaced the tempting ham with turkey instead and potato salad as a side. I also ordered their daily lunch special - Meatloaf sandwich sans cheddar cheese. The waitress/owner must not have heard me so it came out with cheese. I wanted to eat it so bad but my baby is intolerance for dairy so I had to return it. Luckily I was able to trade half the sandwich with Christina so I was very please. The cheese really does make that sandwich so much better! My croque monsieur was perfect. It has enough turkey, enough cheese and the honey mustard was absolutely addicting. Both sandwiches were absolutely amazing and the portion is generous. I had a food coma when I got home - knocked out completely. I also got a slice of the tiramisu and I couldn't stop eating it... although the cake must have been there for at least 2 days, because the lady finger was stale. However, the actual tiramisu itself was divine and a generous portion! I'll definitely come back since the parking is fairly accessible. I hate some parking in Buckhead... and thanks to Scoutmob for the awesome discount!
(4)Tonya C.
So I always see line at this place on the weekends so since I live in walking distance I thought what the heck, let me see what all the fuss is about. There were already 3 cars with people waiting for the restaurant to open at 930. Once restaurant opens, they tell us we can choose our seat. It is definitely tight and quaint inside. I immediately went for the table in the corner against the wall. Waiter brought water and a complimentary muffin and cinnabun which were deelish! I ordered the egg benedict with the smoked salmon. Everything on the menu looked appetizing but I will have to come back and try something different another time (Yes, I will be coming back) Food came out quickly. I thought the egg would be a bit more running. It looked a boiled egg on top of the muffin but not boiled all the way thru. The salmon was good and cold (as the stated it would be on the menu) the fruit salad was good as well. Overall experience was pretty good.
(5)Lorna B.
This cafe is located in the space that once housed "Cafe at Pharr" and it seemed that they made few renovations. Seating is limited and cramped and the menu felt familiar. I had a chicken salad plate that was delicious yet similar to the fare that was served by the previous tenant and for anyone who had eaten at the former establishment know what I mean. My lunch companions all enjoyed their meals and there was not a clean plate left on the table. Chocolate cake was moist and delicious.
(3)Pratik S.
I picked up lunch from Joy Café recently. A few friends had recommended it to me so I decided to stop in and place a to-go order. I went in at 11:45 on a weekday and it was packed. This was before the ScoutMob deal was issued so I am sure it is even more packed now. I'd highly recommend making a reservation or getting there as early or late for lunch. The inside space is a little small, but they did a good job getting as many tables as they could inside the space. I also really like their concept of making everything they can from scratch. I ordered the special of the day, Crab Cake Sandwich, and the Ruben. Both were excellent and I don't think I could pick a favorite between the two. The bread was great and the house cured pastrami on the Ruben was delicious. The crab cake had plenty of meat and not too much filler. Not what you would expect for the price. Their potato salad was really good too. I will definitely be back as they are on ScoutMob now...but even if they weren't I would still be back.
(4)Amy W.
The turkey panini here is incredible. The chicken burger and pancakes are also highlights. If you're coming for brunch, get there by 1:30. This is my go to for a great, reasonably priced, quality brunch. Yay joy cafe!
(5)Reed B.
We recently had breakfast at the Joy Café and we loved it. It's one of the best breakfasts I've ever had at a restaurant. Looks can be deceiving as this gem is tucked in the middle of a little shopping center, but it's quaint and cheerful inside. The service is personable and the food is spectacular. Who doesn't love complimentary blueberry muffins and cinnamon rolls while you wait for your breakfast? I loved the coffee and my breakfast burrito was divine. You have to check this place out if you are in Atlanta!
(5)Vince T.
Super awesome meal and super awesome service!! Friendly people and friendly vibes! Food is delicious just a little hot inside especially in the summer. Where some cool clothes! Delicious blueberry muffins on crack!!! Get some if you can you won't regret!
(4)Nancy R.
You may have to wait, but it's worth the wait. It's a small place with a couple of tables for outside seating, so you'll have to wait outside in the parking lot. Luckily we came when it was nice outside so the half hour wait wasn't too bad. FOOD: We started with the complimentary breads - 2 types of muffin and a cinnamon roll. With coffee, these were a delightful start! For brunch I had the Lox and Lox of Omelet which is NYC style filled with smoked salmon and red onions, served with capers & bagel & cream cheese. The omelet was light and fluffy, filled with lox and onions. The side of toasted bagel with a fresh slice of lettuce, tomato, red onion, and capers accompanied the omelet well. I also got a side of hash browns, which are just cubed potatoes. Overall, it was a meal with plenty of tasty food to fill you with warm service!
(4)Christopher E.
Joy Cafe's Brilliant Tag line is - Made with Love, Served with Joy. I promise you can taste the love in every single bite. The thing I love about this place is it is big enough to find a seat but not so big they compromise quality. I think a few places in ATLANTA could learn a lot from this lesson. I've only had the Steak Tacos (on Brunch Day - come early they do run out) and the Mushroom Grilled Cheese with a cup of Joy's Famous Tomato Soup, but both were spot on and priced extremely reasonably for the Buckhead area. I love staring at everyone's food because everything that comes out of that kitchen looks DELISH. The owners are very present and it shows! Great Food. Great Service. Great Space. This is what living in a big city is all about! #MyNewFavoriteLunchBrunchSpot
(5)Christopher P.
Very good breakfast. Great portions. Good prices.
(4)Dawn B.
Excellent Food, small place, service was good yet quirky. I love those big ass biscuits they serve. I never curse in a review but there is no other way to explain them. They are huge!
(5)Sunira M.
Went in for a late lunch on Saturday. The place was really cute but it was packed! I had a feeling it was because of the scoutmob for $10 off lunch. I ordered the cobb salad and my friends ordered a benedict and a panini. The service was fast and the food was excellent. I would definitely return!
(5)Shirley Z.
I have not visited since my last review. However I would like everyone to know that the owner reached out to me and was very kind and apologetic for my previous experience. Even though my impression of the food remains the same but i have faith that this place is going to do just fine after all. Jon B., the owner was very open to suggestions and took the time to address my concerns. I can tell the love and passion he has for this cafe and I wish him the best. (I've already noticed that change in street signage!! Kudos guys!)
(3)Jarz R.
In one sentence? The food was so good, I was stuffed, but looking at my plate still made my mouth water. We came hungry, everything on the menu looked great, so we ordered a feast. I can't remember all of what we\ordered at the moment, and since the dinner menu is offline right now, I'll have to come back to this review. What I DO remember: Greek salad: Amazing. So flavorful, and they did not skimp on the good stuff. Big enough that it the two of us could split it for a starter salad Orange Dreamcicle Cheesecake: It was like Joy found a way to distill an orgasm, kittens, and ecstasy into a silky soft ribbon my mouth. I don't think I need to go any further. Oh, and Joy and her husband came out to ask us how our meal was. They were simply darling.
(5)Lauren P.
Joyful, joyful, we adore thee, Joy Cafe! This place is just what Buckhead needed: a cool sandwich shop which serves super sweet tea, crave-worthy salads, fabulous desserts plus brunch from 9:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. on the weekends. One of my gripes with Souper Jenny (which I also adore) is the lack of brunch on Saturday. Sure they have Cafe Jonah but I always wanted tomato soup AND grits on the weekends. Can't a girl have her cake and eat it too? Well at Joy Cafe, I did just that. I ordered tomato basil soup, grits with cheese, plus a side salad for my brunch. My sorority sister dining with me ordered her two eggs any style. The biscuit which came out with her brunch was massive! And the bacon was some of the best I've had in Atlanta. We later learned that everything is made from scratch. The biscuits are a family recipe Joy's made since she was 6. All the meats are cured and brined in-house so there's neither Boarshead nor preservatives to be found. Since the joint is less than a year old, Joy herself can be found at her spot 7-days a week. She was so nice to stop by our table, and her husband John is working there right along side her. They even let us sample a chocolate cupcake for dessert. It was absolutely to die for with two kinds of French chocolate! I also brought my husband home a slice of key lime pie which lasted maybe about 90 seconds once I walked through the front door. In total for two girls to brunch with drinks, tax and tip came out to $30. Albeit for Buckhead that's in the usual range but I'm even more willing to pay $3 for a cupcake to help support this local family business. So if y'all are looking for an awesome spot for lunch, dinner or bunch on the weekends, and want to know your food is made from scratch by Joy herself, check out Joy Cafe and Bakery. This place is truly heaven on earth in Buckhead.
(5)Alex C.
I got the steak and egg tacos. It was pretty good, but the short coming was the lime marinade on the steak. It was simply overpowering, I actually used the salsa to dilute the lime-y-ness. Some of the other stuff I saw looked pretty good and lime-steak aside, the meal was pretty good. Portion size is good, the eggs weren't overcooked and the hashbrowns were good as well.
(3)Julie S.
I give the food 4.5 stars-- it is SO good but what really blows you away is the cupcakes. Try special chocolate one they are known for you will not be disappointed! I had brunch of grilled cheese and tomato soup on a rainy day and it was amazing. We waited to be seated but it was worth the wait- the food was exceptional, the hardest part was deciding what to order!
(5)Sean W.
I ordered the tomato caprese grilled cheese (added bacon) and it was... DAMN! Actually said that after the first bite literally melted in my mouth. Kept cursing throughout the entire meal. It's just... SO... good. My friend had the Greek salad and said it was quite good, and that the side of potato salad was a bit bland. I'll be returning soon for that grilled cheese, though. The basil pesto was just fantastic as well. One of the best GC sandwiches I've ever had. Oh, and the cookies are REALLY good, too. Very thick, moist and soft. One tastes like a freshly-made brownie. Wow...
(4)J H.
Two Limey's in town - as Joy delightfully christened us! We waited over an hour to sample the Brunch and it was worth the wait. We both had the eggs with bacon & home fries. The food was delicious but it was the little home made extras that really made the difference. The cinnamon pastries were delicious, you really must try the home made hot sauce too. But the home made Jam - Blood Orange & Chianti. Wow. I have to try making that.
(5)Tony S.
TIP: ask for chef's homemade hot sauce for your breakfast burrito. It's got a wonderful flavor with the right amount of heat. Perfect brunch spot with very little wait time unless you have more than 4 people. Chef is super nice as were the entire staff. A new favorite for my future Atlanta visits.
(5)Luke T.
Worth the wait and definitely a place to take your friends from out of town. We arrives around noon to find the place packed and folks milling about outside. We waited around 30 minutes but the line was moving fast. They don't have too many tables but the staff does a great job with speedy service and turns the tables around very quickly. So , do not get discouraged when there is a line as they do a great job in getting folks seated. We had their signature biscuits and gravy and their benedict on crab cake. We knew it was good and it lived up to our expectations. They are very good and we know it was made from scratch. Prices are more than fair. They pour good coffee too. This restaurant serves good, delicious food. Simple food , but very well done. They employ a lot of folks here and the result is very prompt and fast service. Everyone is super cheerful and happy as well.
(4)Tom M.
It's doesn't get in better than pastries from Joy Café. I needed something to thank our employees for all their hard work. Joy and her team made homemade Oreos, Blueberry and Blackberry Pop tarts, cupcakes and cookies the size of the my head. Our employees went crazy - smiles all around. Thank you, Joy!
(5)Joanna R.
I would've really given this place 5 stars if they served mimosas. When I think of brunch I definitely think of booze and so this saddened me quite a bit. Other than that (and the 45 minute wait) it was all groovy. Our waitress seemed to be in her own little world half the time and we had to flag her down on a couple of instances but who cares when the food is that good? I had the french toast and my boyfriend had the steak tacos and eggs. My french toast was great but those tacos were insanely good and I was suffering from that food envy real thick. Would like to return some day and have that. I like the small little quaint space too and the fact it's close to other bars and stuff. Perfect to grab a mimosa afterward ;)
(4)Melissa P.
My husband and I enjoyed lunch at the Joy Cafe on a Friday afternoon. it's a quaint little spot hidden in a small strip of stores in Buckhead. It's a small space that probably seats about 40-50 people. They've got a couple of tables outside on the sidewalk if you'd like to eat al fresco. Parking is a bit of an issue during peak times but you can park in a near by public parking garage and walk over. We got lucky and found a spot store front! The staff is very friendly and attentive. The lunch menu offers typical cafe-sytle items with a gourmet twist. Items such as salads, soups, cold and hot sandwiches, pies, cookies, cake slices, and home made ice creams. I ordered the half&half combo. I had half of the Croque Monsieur sandwich which had ham, gruyere cheese, dijon mustard pressed into a perfectly, toasted, panini. I had this with a cup of Joy's tomato soup. The soup was creamy and a tad sweet. It was delicious and surprisingly filling! I was hoping I'd have room for dessert. My husband ordered the chicken burger. The patty is made from house-ground chicken, spinach & feta. It has thick slices of crispy bacon, provolone, jalapeno aioli & chipotle mayo. He also had a cup of tomato soup. The chicken burger was delicious! We were stuffed so had to take dessert to go. I ordered a slice of their home made cinnamon roll cake. It's kept refrigerated so it's a little dry but so delicious. It's like a mini bundt cake that tastes like a cinnamon roll. It's topped with a glorious cream cheese frosting. Delightful! My husband ordered their white chocolate chip ice cream. He loved it. It was a bit pricey. 8 oz for $4.50 but he felt it was worth it :) Our final lunch bill with everything above, an iced tea and a sprite came out to $35. I personally feel like it's a bit too expensive for lunch but I will say it is delicious and satisfying. They're being featured on the foodnetwork's Diners, Drive-ins and Dives!
(4)Dave M.
I felt this place was just OK but nothing special. The portions were definitely slim. The Hot Roast Beef ($9) while good had like 2 slices of petite roast beef. I got the cucumber salad side. It was like eating sliced pickles. Definitely can get a meatier roast beef at other places for less the price. The 1/2 Tuscany and 1/2 Sandwich ($11) was definitely overpriced. I guess the mozzarella caused it to be expensive but yikes. Again, the food wasn't bad but you pay a lot for little. The service was friendly. The workers greeted us upon entry and served us promptly. The place isn't huge. It'll seat maybe 30-35 but the parking is much tighter so get there early. They have some desserts but I didn't look at those. Overall, this place isn't horrible to try but it's not worth it for me.
(3)Daniel B.
Joy Café is the best breakfast/brunch restaurant if ever had. Everything is of quality. The shrimp and grits are awesome, the biscuits are better than grandma's, and customer service is A-1. These guys and gals have set the bar. I plan trips to Atlanta specifically to eat here lol...
(5)Carolina M.
Joy Cafe is a great lunch/brunch place if you can stand the wait. For me, coming on a Saturday between 12:30 and 1pm, for a table for 2, meant a 20 minute wait. Here's what I ate: Steak and Egg Tacos: Delicious. Steak is juicy and tender, the eggs are fluffy and the peppery ranch sauce on the side is delicious. I would order this again. Cuban Sandwich: This was ok. Not sure what prompted me to order this, but I probably wouldn't get it again. It's a decent sandwich and better than let's say Jason's Deli, but doesn't hold a candle to Havana's Cubans. I ordered potato salad as a side and it was unique: it's like a cold mashed potato with dill in it. Tomato Soup: This is their signature soup and I like it. It's got a nice texture and it's on the sweet side, but I think it is so for dipping a grilled cheese sandwich or bread, at least that salt will counter it. Biscuit: Holy crap...that's a huge biscuit. It's definitely a lot for one person and it's so good with some kind of jam/jelly which we had to request. I suspect even the strawberry jam is made in-house and it was so good on the biscuit that it was like eating a dessert. In short, the menu is simple but everything is decent and made in-house. I would love to come back for another biscuit or to try other items on their menu. It's a casual place for brunch that I wouldn't recommend for large groups. The private parking lot gets fully easily, so you may have to do the paid parking just adjacent to the shopping center.
(4)Tristyn B.
This is the happiest accident I've stumbled upon in a while! Ok so before I tell the story I'm going to need you all to promise not to judge me: I ended up here because I was "following" a guy with a Starbucks cup. On the night of July 3rd I dropped my phone and shattered my screen to the point where it was unresponsive. I'd done some research (thanks Yelp!) and found a phone repair shop. Got there the next morning, and because it was earlier than I preferred, I needed some coffee. What's that? A guy walking past with a Starbucks logo in his hand.....? So yes, I left the repair shop and followed this young man, unbeknownst to him. I only intended to stalk him as long as it took to locate the nearest Starbucks, but instead he turned into this gem of a restaurant! (Incidentally, yes.. I did tell him I'd followed him there.) It was fated, I'm sure. I checked out the menu, unsure if I wanted real breakfast or not. The husband (the place is owned and operated by husband/wife chef team! How cool is that?!?!?!) greeted me at the front and was SO sweet and amazing that I just had to have a seat and experience what they had to offer. My server was really nice and helped to clarify a couple things so I could narrow down my decision... I went with the smoked Salmon Benedict. It was divine. I'm in love! They add a little extra sweetness not only with their sunny dispositions but also because they give you a small plate of muffins and cinnamon rolls before your meal. That's how I decided on the benedict. A lot of savory, a little sweet... that's a good balance right? The portions are plentiful to the point that I could only finish half my food. Because of what I'd ordered I couldn't very well expect it to hold up for later so I begrudgingly left it on the plate. Although I try to steer away from giving 5 stars for a one-time visit... I'm completely sold on this place. Thanks Starbucks guy!
(5)Nicole S.
My mom came to visit, so of course I had to bring her to Joy Cafe!! Of course, she loved it as much as I do. This time I went for lunch. We shared two sandwiches and soup: Tomato soup- SOOOO amazing. Thick, but not too thick, texture. Lots of flavor with a little bit of sweetness. It came with really good bread too. Chicken burger- one of their signature dishes. Very different than something I've had before. The two different sauces on top had great flavor and made the burger moist. Brisket Reuben- brisket and sauerkraut, plenty of meat on the sandwich, bread was toasted perfectly. We got potato salad and pasta salad with the sandwiches. Good size portions and Just lots of flavor. Both salads were served cold. Highly recommend everything we got.
(5)Ronnie J.
We decided to try this place and i'm glad we did. Despite the long line and the limited parking breakfast was excellent. Friendly staff & clean. Great options on the menu and i decided to get the shrimp & grits. I get shrimp & grits the majority of the time when it's offered. But JOY'S CAFE is my new favorite!!! The shrimp & grits are amaaaazing i would definitely recommend this dish. It's kind of heavy, made with cream but very tasty. 2 THUMB UP!!
(5)Anthony N.
First time there. The restaurant was packed. But the wait wasn't too long. Our waitress was very nice and attentive. Very fast to refill our drinks and checked on us often. We were there during the last part of the day and the chef John came out to make sure patrons were enjoying their meal. The salmon Benedict was very good. Perfectly poached egg. Salmon is smoked in house. The English muffin is also good. I ordered the hash browns extra crispy with cheddar and probably the best chopped potato style hash browns I've ever had. Bacon is meaty. Little sweetness to it. Crisp and hot. Biscuit and sawmill gravy is delicious. Very hearty. Filling. The soft scramble eggs are just how my wife likes them. We were happy and very stuffed. Just as we paid the bill. Chef John asked us to stick around. That's when he gave us a complimentary slice of his cookies and milk pie. It was delicious. Not two sweet. Nice crumble. Right amount of chocolate. Delicious. Thanks joy cafe for a great dining experience. Looking forward to coming back
(5)Jessica H.
I had the shrimp & grits, and it was very good! If I see this on the menu, I will get it wherever I go-- but this was the best I've ever had. The food is also very aesthetic that it's so hard to eat! They don't hold back on ingredients (like the berries that topped my mom's waffles), so it's definitely worth the price. I don't live in the area, but I would go out of my way to dine here.
(5)Gloria K.
This is probably one of my favorite brunch spots in Atlanta. This time I got the ham & cheese omlette and my husband got the steak & eggs taco. Both dishes were delicious. The portions are very generous and they even hand out complimentary baked yummies for customers. Although in Buckhead, it's a convenient location away from the usual Buckhead traffic with plenty parking available. The only complaint I have is that the wait time can be long and that I feel crammed when seated. Get there early, folks!
(4)Shirley W.
Joy Cafe truly lives up to its name; I've been here four times already, and I still remember the first time so clearly! From the service, to the food, to the decor, the entire restaurant leaves you feeling comfortable and satisfied. This is definitely my favorite brunch place around Atlanta right now, and I always leave with a light feeling of bliss drifting through me. The inside seems simple with its scattered white tables, and might even seem a bit crowded at first sight due to its smaller venue for its enormous popularity, but after being seated, the atmosphere around you starts to feel cozy, inviting, and quite homey. It's rustic and warm with the perfect blend of simplicity, and definitely captures that "morning brunch" ambience spot-on, especially on a sunny day! Food - brunch is WONDERFUL. Brunch is so wonderful that I tend to associate the idea of brunch with "joy cafe," because I think this is where my love for brunch really sky-rocketed. I love how you get fresh, warm muffins/cinnamon rolls (or banana bread, because they sometimes run out) while you wait for your meal. I remember getting Eggs Benedict for my first meal, and while I was initially mildly disappointed at the smaller serving size in comparison to those of my friends (because I never had Eggs Benedict and I didn't know what it looked like), it was really filling and delicious! Of course, I ate mine. And then some of each of my friends' meals...as always. If you want to get Eggs Benedict but you're afraid that you'll still be hungry, you can always switch out the side of fruit for hash browns, which I did the second time around. Their hash browns are amazing! I would recommend their hashbrowns, Eggs Benedict, and omelettes. For the large serving size, I think everything's really reasonably-priced. Usually after a meal here, I'm good for nearly the entire day. No kidding. On a side note, I had lunch here once because they only serve brunch on the weekends. Lunch is also delicious, but the serving sizes are smaller and there was nothing too memorable about my lunch experience. I think if you're coming here for the first time, definitely come for brunch. The service is stellar, and the sincerity of the workers adds to the atmosphere. I admire how the workers are able to maintain such an air of genuine care for your meal and whole experience even when it tends to get very crowded, with people in line outside and the place completely filled inside. I think there are only a few workers who regularly work there, and everyone is really kind and attentive! I've experienced maybe a few forgetful incidents here and there, but the place is rather small and workers pass by so often it's not so big of a deal. After all, they're usually really busy. The main reason why I knocked off a star is the consistently long wait time that I have to prepare for every time I go. Even though I've waited from 20 minutes to nearly an hour, the food and experience is so worth it that I know I'll be coming back (and eventually finish the whole brunch menu, perhaps). I realize that the sometimes excessively-long wait time only testifies to their popularity and how good the food and experience is. After all, there's a reason a line of other hungry people are outside waiting with me...through rain, through sun, we've been through it all!
(4)Thomas P.
I don't know what all the hype is about Joy Cafe; maybe I ordered the wrong items or just caught them on an "off-day," but I was not very pleased with my food after having such high expectations based on Joy Cafe's 4 1/2 star overall rating. I ordered the Joy Cafe Pastrami Reuben Sandwich with my side choice of the tomato cucumber salad and a Belgian Waffle topped with fruit. To their credit...the Reuben was the best item I tasted. They house cure their pastrami from scratch and make their own sauerkraut, which made a big difference in it's overall flavor. They stacked enough meat on the bread and it was moist and juicy; I can honestly I thoroughly enjoyed it. However, this is where my experience gets thrown off. They served me a mushy cucumber tomato salad that looked like the cucumbers and tomatoes have been sitting around for at least 3 days. The cucumbers had a dingy color to them and the tomatoes tasted like they were left over from a pico de gallo they previously prepared. I could only eat about 5 cucumber slices...very disappointed because the Reuben tasted delicious. Next, the Belgian waffle was undercooked in my opinion and was served with overripe, mushy bananas...something I do not like at all. The blueberries and strawberries were good and the maple syrup and whipped cream helped me to get it down. Overall, this place was just average. There have been 3 other brunch spots in Atlanta that I would prefer over the Joy Cafe.
(3)Madison J.
Yum!!! I have had this place bookmarked for a while now and finally came to try!! So good! Everything is fresh and full of flavor. The strawberry pancakes were full of strawberries inside. The butter/whip cream on the side is amazing!! Joy, the owner, is very friendly and makes a point to come say hello! Will be back soon for more!
(5)Sandra B.
Updating my last review, since I do find myself craving Joy's for both brunch and lunch. Which deserves more than my previous rating of 3 stars. Waiting is inevitable. Just accept it and factor at least 30 minutes into your schedule. Eggs Benedict is a-okay! I'm always excited when a brunch place offers it on their menu. Grilled cheese + tomato bisque soup. Amazing. MUST TRY.
(4)Sarah B.
I had the shrimp and grits and it tastes phenomenal! I've been to Charleston where shrimp and grits are supposed to be a staple, but Joy's is far better. The venue is very small and quaint. Get there early or be prepared to wait. My server was friendly, but not very attentive. Note, the restaurant is located in a shopping strip so don't go too fast or you'll pass it. Overall everything met my expectations and I will return.
(4)Christina A.
This is one of my favorite breakfast/brunch spots. Nothing pretentious, just tastes like good ole' home cooking. I had their belgian waffle topped with berries, and it was perfect. Generous portion of berries caught me by surprise as many brunch places scatter a small amount of berries with waffles or pancakes. Be prepared for a long wait on weekends. However, they do set out some complimentary coffee outside to make it more endurable.
(5)Michelle T.
Oh what a Joy!! I love brunch and what I love better is a place that has so many tasty options I want to go back to try them! And, what I did order was good? And the service was excellent? Yep its on my got-to brunch spots list. Very causal spot with a nice wait if you go during prime brunch time. I am sure if this place served liquor it would be worse. I had the breakfast burrito and it was awesome! I also had their in house sage and ginger sausage. It was good, but not mind blowing. They ran out of has browns, which are really home fries in my book. But were able to substitute without and additional charges. The Waffle is yummy with lots of fresh fruit. I saw ordered of the Egg Benedict on other peoples tables and they look delicious!! I cannot wait to try them out!! I was so hungry so thankfully they start you off with blueberry muffins and a cinnamon rolls. Yummy!!! Jessica was our server and she was wonderful! Very attentive and friendly! It was a great experience and some good food.
(4)Jordan O.
Delicious, best meal I had in all of Atlanta and all I ordered were cheese grits. I ended up eating some of the other offerings off of my wife's plate and loved everything except the granola with yogurt which just wasn't sweet enough for me.
(4)Lisa W.
We stopped by for a late breakfast one Saturday. Our party of four ordered a breakfast burrito, salmon eggs Benedict and eggs/sausage/hash brown/biscuit. We all enjoyed our food and would happily return. They had a wait for a table that was much shorter than initially predicted. And the space is small so just know you'll hear the next tables' conversation.
(4)Michelle L.
5/5, can confirm lunch items are equally as amazing (and hefty in portions) as the brunch! The lunch portions on the weekend menu (pretty much the whole right side) are available after 11am, so since we were finally seated pretty close to noon I decided to try out one of their sandwiches. I ordered the chicken salad sandwich (southern style, not the apple-walnut variety), on ciabatta bread with the garden salad as my side with citrus vinaigrette. All were amazing, seriously. The chicken salad was spot on-- chunks of chicken with bits of celery and the perfect amount of mayo and whatever else (magic??). Garden salad was very fresh and delicious--slices of carrots, slivers of red onion, fancy greens, etc, but the citrus vinaigrette really took that salad to the next level-- light, lovely, slightly sweet, and not at all greasy. All for $8... A super steal, methinks, especially since I could only finish half the sandwich and boxed it for later! Only downside: 48-minute wait, upon arriving and putting our names down at approximately 10:50am this Sunday. Phew... But I will say this is probably one of the ONLY places in Atlanta that I'm willing to wait that long.
(5)MD W.
The is the most stressful place I've eaten at in a very long time... Food was pretty good, but it's uncomfortably overcrowded!!! More and more people keep coming in... I wanted breakfast based on the picture, but quickly found out they are from the weekend brunch... I would probably give this place 4stars, because the food was good!!! Since I don't live in the area, I would not come back just to get a sandwich/salad to-go... This was suppose to be my relaxation lunch, but I feel like I'm driving on Interstate 75 in the middle of rush hour traffic!
(3)Cindy T.
Came here for Sunday brunch and to catch up with a girlfriend this past weekend around 1pm. There was already a line outside the door and the wait was about 45 minutes. Pretty typical wait time for Sunday brunch in Atlanta. They had coffee outside for waiting patrons which is a nice gesture. The space is definitely small where you are literally sitting next to the next table. Not recommended if you care for a lot of personal space. One downside of being so close to your neighbors was how loud it got. My friend and I were seated across from one another and sometimes I found it hard to hear her above the noise. There were only about 4 more tables outside on the sidewalk. It didn't look exactly comfortable to sit outside since you were on the sidewalk in run-down parking lot with other patrons waiting in line behind you trying to get a table. Started with complimentary blueberry muffins and cinnamon buns. The muffins were delicious. The cinnamon buns were a little on the hard side. We both ended up ordering the eggs benedict with smoked salmon and fresh fruit. It was delicious. The eggs were cooked to perfect yolk-y goodness and the smoked salmon was so good. My usually gluttonous appetite couldn't even finish my meal. Portions were definitely satisfying. I also tried the peach tea which was good, but a tad too sweet for my personal taste. I had to ask for it to be mixed with half unsweet. Service was prompt and friendly. Our waitress was busy but she always made sure our drinks were full and we had everything we needed. No complaints. This is one of those places I can imagine enjoying a lot more if it wasn't so crowded. The ambiance just wasn't there for me. And I find it really aggravating to not be able to really have a conversation with my company. The food all looked so delicious and perfectly presented. I would definitely have to come back when they are less busy to try more of the menu.
(3)Victoria A.
Absolutely loved this place!!!! Yes it was crowed but it was worth the wait!! Pancakes melted in ur mouth, their Secret hot sauce, EVERYTHING!!! I wish I knew this place when I was living in Ga. I definitely encourage you to go!
(5)Cory M.
I had to try the restaurant after reading the reviews. Wait was about 40min for 4 of us. The server was very polite! Amazing food and well worth the wait! Ordered the shrimp grits, crab cake benedict, and pancakes. All items are recommended.
(5)Wendy R.
Wonderful brunch spot. Very busy but still nice place. Friendly staff and quick service!
(5)Brea A.
If it weren't for the tight space this place would have 5 stars! The service was wonderful and quick and the food was amazing!!! I had the biscuit and sawmill gravy with a side of homemade hot sauce, I couldn't get enough of this dish!! My mom had the pancakes (mind you she is a pancake connoisseur)she said they were the tastiest and fluffiest pancakes she has ever had! It was also nice to have complimentary muffins and coffee cakes while we waited for our meal. This place is a must try if visiting Atlanta
(4)Angela M.
The best, fluffiest eggs that I've ever had! Arriving at 12:30 on a Sunday, there were still plenty of spots in the lot, and a promised 15-20 minute wait for our party of 7.5 (baby in the car seat, not really eating). There are a few tables outside, and that's where everyone waits since there's no space for extra people outside. They had a table with a water jug and a few glasses for those waiting in the Atlatna August heat - nice touch. The staff was very hospitable, especially the hostess who keeps things moving right along. Everything on the menu sounded delicious. We made jokes about ordering the left half of the menu versus the right half. I opted for the steak and egg tacos with tomatillo crema, while J got the Rueben, and Charlie got the pancakes. We also got an order of biscuit with gravy for the table to share. The biscuits are huge (the size of my baby's head, and he's in the 95th percentile) and somewhat cake-like. The gravy with chorizo was tasty and smooth. As our entrees came out, so did plates with cinnamon rolls and blueberry muffins - really great little bites of sweetness. My steak and egg tacos, of which I only got eat one in person, since the little guy reached his time in the car seat limit, were SO good - fluffy eggs, flavorful steak, fresh pico, and creamy-tangy tomatillo sauce. The rosemary potatoes were cut into chunks about the size of large shoe-string fries, so they had a good texture variety of crispness and creaminess, not to mention strong rosemary flavor. The bite I got of J's reuben was hot and juicy and crisp and just plain great. Even eating my tacos and potatoes from the to-go-container when we got home, they were quite tasty and fluffy. Definite gem! Can't wait to go back!
(4)G S.
Amazingly delicious, Will be back for sure!! Shrimp and Grits and the Biscuit is a must have. Be ready to wait but I promise the food is worth every minute of wait time
(5)Ashley L.
The bestie and I have made a pact to taste Atlanta through brunch. Of course Joys Cafe was on the list! We sat outside, it was a lovely day. Although they were busy we were seated in 15 minutes. Food was delicious, loved the mini muffins. The staff was promp, informative and friendly. Joys Cafe is now amongst the go to places I tell people about when in Atlanta.
(5)Tatiana H.
This is the place to go if you're hungry & you expect the amount of food you actually ordered. They definitely do not skimp around in that kitchen. The sun-dried tomato omelet & pancakes were superb + a free pastry sampler? Service was attentive, fast, but didn't seem rushed, and our waitress did everything with a smile. They also have outdoor seating.
(5)A-V H.
Brunch is my favorite meal! and there is no better place to have it. Glad we found this place on Yelp. Got excited with the options and ordered more than my group could handle. Cant wait to try this spot again.
(5)Karen L.
Decided to take a friend out for her birthday and I'm glad we came here! It's located in a small plaza off Pharr Rd. Parking may be difficult during peak hours. Luckily it was a little late in the afternoon so we didn't have any trouble and we got a table once we got in. The space inside isn't too big so seating can be a bit tight, but it has a nice homey feeling when you walk in. On one side of the wall, there's a chalkboard that displays their daily special sandwich and/or soup their serving and on the other side is a decor of butterflies. We went in during brunch/lunch hours, but we were only given the lunch menu (at the time, I didn't know what time they stopped serving brunch so I didn't want to ask for a brunch menu in case they already stopped serving). I was a bit sad because I was looking forward to their omelets. But their lunch menu consisted of a number of sandwiches, deli-style sandwiches, a number of different grilled cheeses, and specialty salads. The also have a half and half combo where you can get half of any of their sandwiches and half a specialty salad or soup OR half a specialty salad and a soup. My friend ordered the half and half combo with their hot roast beef sandwich and gumbo, which was their soup of the day. And I ordered their sandwich of the day, crab cake sandwich (served with lettuce, onion, and tomatoe slices with remoulade sauce), with their mediterranean pasta salad. I was able to try the gumbo, which was very decadent. I would definitely go back for it! My crab cake sandwich came out and as I was putting it together and getting ready to take a bite, the crab cake patty started falling apart. It was very difficult to eat and I had to resort to eating my sandwich with a fork and knife. But the patty was cooked to a good crisp and I got the remoulade on the side so I could add in how much ever I wanted. I usually don't mind the taste of sourness, but the mediterranean salad was a little too sour for me. And for dessert, we ordered their cookies and milk pie. One slice was enough for the two of us since we were quite full from our meal, but this was the icing on the cake. It wasn't too sweet and the milk mixed in very well with the cream and chunks of cookie pieces. Besides the crumbling crab cake patty and tight seating, I would go back to try other items on their breakfast or brunch menu!
(3)Jennifer W.
This place doesn't have the curb appeal that some places have, but give it a try! The food is unique, always fresh and always delicious! Small seating area, so not sure about bringing the gang. Didn't see any high chairs either. The staff is always extremely helpful and friendly!
(4)Harry H.
Slice of cookies & milk pie/cake to go set me back $4.86 and finally provided a tasty dessert from friendly staff at an Atlanta spot.
(4)Heather T.
Definitely a solid brunch joint. Worth the 45 minute wait? No. Worth the prices? Maybe everything in Atlanta is significantly overpriced, but the food just didn't live up to the price tag. Nothing special about this place, though the food was good. I had the breakfast sandwich on a biscuit--the biscuit was excellent. The granola was eh, and I make way better waffles at home.
(3)Justin B.
Best food I've had during my current ATL trip. Showed up right at 9:30 AM Saturday morning to walk in and take the last table open for the initial seating, and from a food perspective I was not disappointed. The staff brought out a small dish of assorted muffins and pastries...all were very tasty and warm and fresh. Then my order of biscuits and gravy came out; since the menu highlighted that this one comes from someone's great-grandmother's recipe and had chorizo, that was all I needed to see that this one knocked it out of the park, save for a slightly-too-crispy biscuit that I partially discarded. Although I didn't taste it, a friend's son was given a cupcake by the staff and that looked incredible. My only knock here is the service time; we walked in at 9:30 and had ordered by 9:45, max. Why did we not get our food until 10:30? We ordered eggs benedict, chocolate chip pancakes, and the biscuits and gravy...in a 30-seat restaurant, what's the hold-up? A couple of parties who were seated after us did get their food before ours, so I'm just hoping they misplaced our order, but given that we had a two-year-old in the building slow service is very easy to pick out. Come to the restaurant ready to order or move quickly to get that done so that there is not a long delay. Prices were fair and the food quality was excellent, so I'll come back the next time I'm in town.
(4)Kelly M.
Joy Cafe is one of my favorite neighborhood spots. The food has never failed to impress and food comify me. They are known for their weekend brunch so prepare to wait (it will be worth it because COMPLIMENTARY CINNAMON BUNS). You can't really go wrong with any of their breakfast items. Their traditional eggs benedict is one of the best I've ever had. Their egg skills are eggcelent. Breakfast burrito is fantastic. Waffles and pancakes are a sweet treat fa sho. Spinach salad is also a favorite of mine. Get some baked goods to-go and thank me later.
(4)Sebastian M.
Same experience as last time as far as the food. It was delicious. I had the berry Belgian waffle and my wife had the breakfast burrito. She liked the burriti but thought the steak and egg tacos from our last visit were better. The hostess was also a lot more organized and friendly which is why I gave 5 stars. It was also less crowded though so that may play a part. The service was slow again though. Overall, a good brunch again!
(5)Reggie E.
Great little quaint brunch spot tucked away in Buckhead. Came here on a Sunday at about 10:30 and the wait was about 40 min till we got seated. The place was packed and the sweet lady out front was trying the best she could to help everyone on the list. Once inside service was very mediocre and somewhat slow BUT...... You come to restaurants for the food and the food here was the star! You start with an assortment of pastries that are delicious and it only gets better from there. I had the steak tacos which were great and my girlfriend got the tomato soup and California grilled cheese that she raved about. Overall it was a long wait but it was well worth it!!
(4)Brandee R.
Why is there only five stars allowed? Thanks Yelp for recommending this place. The homemade pop tart was amazing! Quite possibly the best thing ever!
(5)Karen B.
"Made with love, served with joy," is what the staffs' tshirts say and it's definitely true. Don't overlook this hidden gem, just because it's tucked away in a strip mall away from the main drag of Buckhead. We had a short wait, less than 5 minutes for Saturday brunch. They say their specialty is the shrimp and grits and the steak and egg tacos, but hubby and I both opted for the crab cake Benedict. Crab cakes were crisp and nicely spiced, poached eggs were poked perfectly. They came with a side of mixed fruit. I would have preferred aside if hash browns or home fried, but didn't think to ask for a substitution. We were also pleased with the complimentary "treats", an appetizer plate of Mimi cinnamon rolls and oat blueberry muffins.
(5)Jason W.
From the looks of the restaurant from the outside, you wouldn't think much of it. However, one taste will change your mind. The unsweetened peach teach was subtlety sweet but I couldn't get enough. The food is fresh and delivered fast. It's a must to visit if staying in Buckhead. It's a 4.5 but I rounded up (no mimosas).
(5)Laura W.
Joy Cafe is absolutely one of our favorite places for brunch. The food is amazing. High quality but simple presentation. The breakfast sandwich is our go to. Huge biscuit with melted cheddar, eggs and bacon. Yum. I also love the chocolate chip pancakes! Fruit and homemade whipped cream on top! We've also come for lunch a lot and it's amazing for that too. The Tuscany is my favorite sandwich. My husband loves the "chicken salad" salad. But you really can't go wrong with anything! My only minor complaint is that it doesn't open until 9:30AM for brunch. Our other brunch spots open earlier so sometimes we have to skip Joy if we're out and about earlier than that. Oh and they used to be open for dinner. They stopped doing that but now that they have such a steady brunch and lunch business I wish they'd start again! John's homemade burger during dinner was to die for.
(5)Sarah H.
Really great place for brunch. Expect a wait though if you go on a Sunday. One thing I loved about this place is they give you a sampler plate of patties before your meal which was really tasty. I got the bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit and it was massive! I've never seen a biscuit so massive. Really enjoyed my experience here and would go back
(5)Steve W.
We went to Joy Cafe' today for brunch (Easter Sunday). This is one of those places where the attention to detail, love and the pride of ownership and staff really shines through in the quality of the food and service. Fresh squeezed orange juice, house smoked salmon, freshly baked goods, friendly attentive service. Plenty of gluten free and vegetarian options. The owner (Joy) and her mother and husband are all very hands on and it shows! We will definitely be back!
(5)E F.
Lovely owners and staff. Trying very very hard and aiming to please but food (at lunch) disappointing and space too small for demand. Menu and vibe super-appealing. Smiling Joy at the front of the house - hustling, greeting and checking on customers (as was her husband). However, food at lunch didn't deliver. Croque Monsieur served closed faced and too dry. Stuffed potato soup was tasty but served lukewarm (hot in spots so clearly microwaved). Other chicken panini also dry and accompanying tossed salad with dried out/old looking carrot and celery pieces. So crowded that the feeling of "moving customers" existed so check dropped without asking about dessert. We then requested ice cream and brought to us to go???? We asked to eat it in house and although tasty, freshness questionable as it was frozen like a rock. I overheard the owners talking about seeking a larger space which is a must (if they also figure out having the kitchen and operations support such). It's so crowded (with people waiting hovering over people eating) and there's a little of the "chicken running around with head cut off" feeling from the staff trying to serve everyone properly and quickly. Additionally, the space (old Cafe at Pharr) and furniture/fixtures are a bit tired (stains on drop ceiling, etc.) I think we'll try breakfast next time as it appears to be their strength. I love supporting small businesses and these owners clearly deserve it -- just need some tweaks.
(3)Katherine S.
The food here was amazing. They give you a free "appetizer" plate of mini pastries before your meal. I had the best eggs Benedict I've ever had on a homemade English muffin. Service was a little slow, but we came at a busy time- Sunday lunch. Decor is very minimal, nothing fancy. Also tables are very close together, so it was loud. Would give five stars for food, knocked a star off for service/atmosphere.
(4)Alexandra D.
Was not a huge fan. Cute place, lovely menu, but very understaffed. The eggs Benedict was overpriced and under-delivered. We did however, enjoy the complimentary muffins. I will definitely try it out again and have been back, however, we were never particularly impressed. When I'm paying $40 for breakfast, I expect the best!
(3)Phong T.
Neat and cozy cafe in a plaza off Pharr Road in Buckhead. Olive pastel green walls with decor of butterflies. Very well lit from natural lighting. Service was great! Food was great! I had lunch with a friend here and we both ordered a sandwich and soup. I ordered the Oven Roasted Turkey and Tomato Soup. The sandwich was DELICIOUS. Perfect crunch, texture, taste, thickness, whatever! So good.
(4)Jon B.
Went to Joy Cafe today for breakfast and was practically denied service for being one person. I received attitude for requesting seating for one. I was "told maybe I can squeeze you in". I left and went to flying biscuits I have never been treated so rude and I will never return.
(1)Lilly Y.
I'm glad we ditched our breakfast reservations and took our chances at Joy Cafe. It was so good and worth everything required to get there! We got there around 9:25 on a Sunday morning, and there was already a considerable line forming outside the door. I'm glad we got there when we did because once they did open the door, every table inside was full. They had a few small tables outside but they also filled up fast. It is a small place inside a strip mall, and feels like a diner. They don't have a hostess stand or take reservations, but do have their own parking lot! Waiting probably wouldn't take very long because they bring the food out fast and turn tables pretty quickly. Be sure to get there early! Everything we ordered had generous portions. I opted for the two egg platter: scrambled eggs, ginger and sage sausage, fruit (instead of grits without an up-charge. This isn't advertised on the menu, but they'll let you do it if you ask) and a massive biscuit. Be sure to ask for the homemade jam- goes great with the biscuit. Everything was good, but my eggs were a little runny, but the server brought out another set and they were cooked well. I also didn't finish my biscuit and brought it home with a side of the jam. It was good leftover! I didn't care too much for the sausage, but wanted to give it a try. Next time I'll opt for bacon! My boyfriend opted for the steak and egg tacos and he loved them. But he thought 3 tacos was a little too much, and ended up eating the inside of the taco and leaving the tortilla behind. I tried a bite and they were really good, but not something I'd order myself. They came with a lime sauce (tomatillo, we think) that really enhanced the flavor. His dish came with the potatoes, which were homemade and tasty, but were a little too soggy for his liking. No crispy texture like you'd get at other places. His parents opted for the Eggs Benedict and enjoyed them. They came with fruit cups on the side: fresh strawberries, red grapes, blueberries and pineapple. After we finished eating, my boyfriend's mom said this is probably her new favorite place in Atlanta. When she comes back in town, we will probably come back here for some early morning grub. Before your food comes out, they bring an appetizer with two small cinnamon rolls and two small muffins (not sure what kind but they have nuts), all homemade. Helps hold you over while enjoying coffee until the food hits the table. And they'll bring more out if you ask. While we were dining, we got a look at other dishes. The biscuits and gravy looked really unappetizing to me: tons of brown gravy over two huge biscuits (when I say massive, I mean one biscuit here is equal to 2-3 regular biscuits). I'm not a huge fan of gravy to begin with, so I probably won't order that. The breakfast burrito is also huge and could easily serve two. The Belgian waffle looked good: topped with fresh fruit and powdered sugar. I'll definitely be back, and I'll be more adventurous with my breakfast choices next time!
(5)Leo I.
Joy Cafe is conveniently located in Buckhead, exclusively for Brunch. The menu consists of an optimal variety of meals, making one susceptible of being ambivalent due to all of the impeccable selections to choose from. Literally everything is gratifying on the menu. The place can be a bit jam-packed at all times, but it's undeniably worth the wait. I hope that they expand in the future because this place is surely a gold-mine!
(5)Chamberlaine B.
Finding bang for your buck in Buckhead is not an easy feat. But Joy Café serves up good quality home cooking style food that will fill you up and not break the bank. Finishing the whole plate of food is a triumph alone. I've only ever ordered from their brunch menu, and although I'm sure their lunch/dinner options are just as good, these folks are badass breakfast makers! You want pancakes or biscuits and sausage the way mom used to make? They got it... only better. If you're feeling more adventurous, try the crab cake eggs benedict or the shrimp and grits (you may have to ask for the latter- it is not on the menu). The only thing missing is a good bloody mary. The service is fine- friendly- but the place can get crowded on weekend mornings and they don't take reservations.
(4)Diana P.
Cute little local cafe and great for breakfast. Shrimp and grits sounded awesome. They have a lot of specialty fun menu items. Bacon was cooked crispy and perfect. Grits could be a little creamier. Great Friendly service.
(4)Tilia M.
Woo, that was close! I was starting to think that I'd tried all the brunch/breakfast places around this place. I guess the fact that I never go to Buckhead may be cutting me off from a large portion. Love this place. Its a scrappy little spot, but the food is spot on. I had the crab cake and my sig had the Ruben. I ate most of it (I'm a sucker for sour kraut and rye.) Nothing fancy about the place, but the food was really great, and the plates at the tables around us looked awesome as well. Their pancakes are like, the size of manhole covers, by the way. I must try. Gotta try the shrimp and grits too, as the girl next to me caught me staring at her plate a few times. It looked super yummy. They only sell breakfast and brunch on the weekend though, thats the one drawback, though, if you only find yourself eating out that time of day on the weekend, it may not be an issue for you.
(4)Valentina R.
Love this spot!! Everything is made from scratch, from the pastries to the English muffins. can't go wrong with anything you choose to order !
(5)Jack H.
This is an excellent lunch spot for soup and salad or a hot sandwich. The place is tiny, but it's worth the wait. One of the best Reuben sandwiches in town. Order the tomato basil soup and the housemade chips! Service is diligent.
(4)Thomas Z.
Ordered shrimp and grits and crab burger. Both were good but portions were small. Be prepared to order a second helping of another dish!
(4)Terrence G.
Shaun, our server, made this meal fantastic. Biscuits and Gravy, Shrimp and Grits, Crab Cake Benedict, Cobb Salad, and Chicken Salad between Llona, Antonio, Lati, and myself followed by Ice Cream and Mud Pie. The atmosphere is fantastic and definitely our new spot for brunch!!
(5)Ebony W.
The food and as just okay here. The wait for the food was too long. The grits were good but that's about it!
(3)350Z P.
When in Georgia, this is the place to be when you're seeking a great or late start to the day. They serves some of the best breakfast options and lunch dishes ever. As you may come to expect from my recommendations, everything is made from scratch with real and whole ingredients. You taste the difference with each and every bite! It's the perfect marriage between Southern favorites with a European twist. They specialize in Sandwiches and their Shrimp and Grits with Louisiana BBQ Sauce, but they also have plenty more to choose from such as their Steak and Egg Tacos, Tomato Soups, Southern Grill Cheese, Triple Decker Peanut Butter Bar, Peach Buttermilk Cake, Fruit Tarts, Chicken Burgers, Eggs Benedict, Breakfast Burrito and don't miss out on the complimentary Cinnamon Rolls or Blueberry Muffins!
(5)Aseel K.
I wanted to try this place after checking the reviews on yelp. It is spot on! Fresh and tasty food with a wonderful service and friendly staff! I shared 4 dishes with my brother and sister, all 4 were so good! I am definitely coming back, soon. :)
(5)Thomas P.
This place is great! I had the chicken burger with a cup of tomato soup and it was delicious.
(5)andrew a.
Reuben: awesome Spinach salad: great (dressing was a little sweet) Classic grilled cheese: awesome Tuscany sandwich: ok, but a little too sweet Chips: delish Tomato soup: good, but a little sweet Coffee: delish Service: impeccable Decor: simple. Butterfly frames really beautiful.
(5)Ravi B.
I was looking for a brunch place so I was disappointed that I got there today and they said they only do brunch on weekends. That's ok though. I made the best of it. The food, atmosphere, and friendliness more than made up for it! Parking was free, probably because all the other stores were closed. I got half and half. Chicken salad sandwich was super flavorful and the cobb salad was the most amazing I've ever had! Definitely want to come back here for brunch. Oh and they're dog friendly!
(4)Christine U.
Came here on a weekday for lunch (thought they had brunch but was sad to find out that only happens on the weekend...). It was crowded at all and our waitress was nice and also pretty. We both got the chicken burger and it was AWESOME! The chicken is mixed with spinach and chunks of feta and its topped with bacon and some great sauces. I ate every bite. I also got the fruit cup with it and it was one of the best fruit cups ive ever gotten at a restaurant. Blackberries blueberries strawberries oranges pineapple and super sweet grapes. Honestly no complaints at all. Definitely wanna go back for brunch! (Update 11/18) We've been back here many times for weekend brunch and it's just as good (although small and super busy so be prepared to wait for a while). My favorite is still the chicken burger although the breakfast burrito is a close second! My friends have gotten pancakes and steak tacos and loved them too!
(5)Rafaella W.
My favorite place now!!! Everything is so fresh and yummy!!! I am addictive to the pop tarts and cinnamon rolls. It's a small place but very comfy!!! Love it
(5)Anne H.
As I've stated before, I'm picky about restaurant breakfast food. I mean, let's get real-- breakfast/brunch is probably the cheapest meal to make so if I'm going to make an effort to go somewhere and shell out good money, it better be worth it. And this place is! My sweetie and I got here about 11AM on a Sunday morning and the place was already packed. However, it was just a short wait and we were inside. The interior of this place was nothing to write home about-- sparse furnishings, too many tables for the small space, and no waiting area. However, everything they lack in style & design they make up for in food quality and service. We got an order of biscuits & gravy and their steak & egg tacos. Though I am partial to the tacos (that's what I ordered,) both dishes were great. We also loved the complimentary mini blueberry muffins and cinnamon rolls they brought to the table. What a lovely meal and excellent service to boot. Joy Cafe has earned a spot on my favorites of Atlanta list, for sure.
(4)Walt B.
Ok. So my wife said she wanted to go here. I read the reviews on Yelp and figured, "why not?" We just left this place and all I can say is "WHO KNEW?!" This place is incredible! The service is great and the food is unbelievably good. I'm a foodie and I had never heard of this place in Buckhead. It's a small little cafe that opens at 9:30 on weekends. It fills up FAST. If you find yourself waiting, just know that it's worth the wait. First, they bring a cinnamon roll and mini blueberry muffin for each person at the table. The roll was good but the mini muffins are blissful. I ordered the steak tacos... Perfection! The hashbrowns were a good compliment to the meal. My wife ordered the breakfast burrito. It was huge! She enjoyed it but could not finish it. We shared a waffle that was also delicious. The atmosphere was quaint and inviting. The staff was extremely nice. They kept the coffee coming and remained accommodating for anything we needed. I never saw this coming. What a great dining experience. I hope this review has added value to your decision to try this restaurant. If it's only half as good as I thought it was, then it's totally worth the visit.
(5)Natalie O.
I stumbled on Joy Café while trying to find a good lunch place over the weekend. Their menu has plenty of options and they all looked delicious. Each table gets a plate of warm cinnamon rolls before the meals come out that are so good! Although it took a while to get seated, it was definitely worth the wait.
(5)Ashley W.
A friend and I just experienced this place today for the first time. Really solid food, but the service was even better. I mean really top notch! I ordered a biscuit and the shrimp and grits and my friend ordered the chicken burger. She said that she really enjoyed her dish. Like other yelpers mentioned that there is usually a wait and today was no different and it is very small. We waited for about an hour for a table, but it was worth the wait.
(5)B W.
When I walked I instantly said I'll never come here again. It's too small and I don't want people's butt in my face while I eat.....Then they put those cinnamon rolls down as I waited for my food. I don't care how good these cinnamon rolls are the food won't be good enough for me to come to this cramped space they call a café....then my food came out. Child, let me tell you. I cannot stress how cramped the space is in here, but once you put that food in your mouth you'll see why the little lady with the clipboard that I assume is Joy has so many names on there. Because of this delicious ass food. No lie. I had the pancakes with strawberries, figured I couldn't go wrong with that as about 4 tables had that. With bacon and potatoes, I felt very carb-a-licious today. My friend had the waffle with cheese grits and bacon. Everything hands down was delicious, seriously. I see why this place is so crowded, no matter how intimate it is in there.
(5)Yasmeen M.
YOUR TONGUE WILL THANK YOU. My favorite cafe in Atlanta. All their dishes are delicious. You can actually taste their motto "made with love." Seriously, this is the best lunch spot. Try their chicken burger, any grilled cheese, the tomato soup...oh, the tomato soup! They also have a stellar mini bakery. I love them. I have never been disappointed. Always leave satisfied and happy. The ambiance is soothing and beachy. Enjoy! :)
(5)Agata R.
One of the top brunch spots in town. To start, they bring you a gooey cinnamon bun and mini muffins. Every time I tell myself I'm just going to have a bite of each to save room for breakfast, and every time I gobble them both up! The breakfast burrito is my favorite, and hands down the best to be had in Atlanta - it's stuffed with eggs, chorizo, and fresh avocados, and comes with pico and a delicious tomatillo cream sauce. The pancakes are super fluffy and topped with a generous portion of berries. The coffee is nice and strong. And finally, I love the kind elderly lady who seats you, I want her to be my grandma!
(5)Jeff G.
Really enjoyed our first visit here. Everything we had was fresh and delicious. Loved loved loved the cookies and milk pie! We will definitely be back!
(5)Rob D.
Very good. My wife and I found this gem on yelp and it didn't disappoint. We had the 'famous' pastrami Reuben which was delicious. They make there own pastrami and you could tell. Didn't have a ton of pastrami false, but I like that. Wife had the shrimp and grits and they were amazing. We waited about 10 minutes because it was packed and the owner apologized. No need to apologize, the place is well worth the wait. Will be driving down from Alpharetta Saturday morning to get breakfast again. Fantastic.
(5)Pam P.
Some of the best food I've ever had! Everything taste like it was made from scratch! Haven't tried anything here that wasn't good! You have to try their crab cake sandwich, the cobb salad or the shrimp and grits! Oh and their tomato soup is delish!
(5)Daniel B.
Joy Cafe and Bakery is a small, "mom and pop" type, American cafe and bakery located in Buckhead. It's in a strip mall on Pharr Rd. flanked on either side by the Atlanta Fish Market, Aqua Bistro, and Taka Sushi. The cafe is cute and cozy. Brunch is a popular option. Lunch and dinner are served as well. A limited selection of from-scratch baked goodies are available inside a glass display case (e.g. cakes, tiramisu). The restaurant is named after the wife of the husband-wife owner-chef duo. The restaurant interior consists of a single, almost-office-space-like room. Decor is simple and minimalist -- white walls, white curtains, white paper tablecloth, etc. Atmosphere is intimate and casual. Sidewalk patio seating is available. The brunch menu is filled with items like pancakes, waffles, and eggs in different forms (e.g. omelets, eggs Benedict). Soups and sandwiches are the specialty at lunchtime. Dinner consists of various house specialties like shrimp and grits, chicken enchiladas, steak frites, and house-ground meatloaf. The menu can change often. I visited for dinner where the price for starters/salads were in the $7-10 range, entrees in the $10-18 range, and sides $3.50 apiece. Check out my photos to see a sampling of the dinner menu. The owner-chef was accommodating. The salads (Greek, spinach, Caesar) looked good, but I only wanted a side portion. I asked the server if a side salad was available and she said no. However (and I didn't ask for this), the server asked the chef if he could make a smaller portion of one of their salads and charge me as if it were a side. It wasn't a problem. Well that was nice of them! I had the Caesar salad which came with garlic croutons, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, romaine lettuce, and Caesar dressing. The salad was light and refreshing. The lettuce was crisp and the dressing and shredded cheese were tossed and mixed together well. Salmon Pan Poele ($18) was my entree. It looked and tasted great. The presentation was superb. The plate consisted of sauteed salmon, garlic spinach, portobello mushrooms, asparagus, and a citrus beurre blanc (white butter) sauce. The mushrooms and asparagus were overlayed in a crossing pattern with spinach in the middle and the salmon fillet placed on top. I was asked how I wanted my salmon cooked (that doesn't happen all the time) and I chose medium (recommended). The fish was fresh, tender, and flavorful, as were the other ingredients in the dish. The beurre blanc sauce helps. The entree was filling and relatively healthy. I also tried a side of the Brussels sprouts. These came with bacon bits and puffed rice along with a side of Vietnamese fish sauce (nuoc mam) and Sriracha spicy sauce. The server and the chef delivered the dishes. The chef described the sauces as "nuoc mam" and Sriracha. I guess "nuoc mam" sounds more exotic and appetizing than "fish sauce." The Brussels sprouts portion was generous. The sprouts were roasted and the exteriors crispy. Complimentary bread and olive oil are given to each table. The bread was made from scratch and baked in-house. It was super soft and fluffy. It also had a lot of flavor baked in. I couldn't put my finger on it, but there were definitely some seasonings or perhaps cheese in the bread. It was tasty. The group I ate with enjoyed all of their dishes, from the shrimp and grits to the chicken burger. Generally, the dishes felt homemade with personal touches. As mentioned previously with the salmon, nice presentation. Our server was friendly and the chef came out to check on us along with every other table in the restaurant. Parking is free inside the strip mall's parking lot as long as you are going to Joy's. Otherwise, it costs money. The parking lot has an attendant.
(4)Mallory F.
I'm so glad I stumbled upon this little gem of a cafe. They serve complimentary muffins/bread, and the service is pretty quick. The only thing I would have to complain about is the lack of space. It's very cramped, but the food and staff are so great. That one TINY complaint would never stop me from returning. Fresh food, a nice variety of brunch/lunch choices, and a friendly staff. We met the owners husband while ooh-ing and ahh-ing the impressive cookie pie that was on display. He was so nice, and even gave us a slice on the house to try!! Lawd it was delicious.
(5)Titi O.
Atlantians' reviews cannot be trusted!!! Time and time again they failed me. Today was an epic FAIL!!! Just ate here. The biscuit was the worst. Horrible biscuit; tasted like they have half-baked it and then soaked it in eggs. The pancake was regular. Nothing special than bisquick. The bacon was not that great. Too crunchy with no taste. The hash browns were bland, no amount of seasoning could resuscitate it. What a waste of calories and money!!!
(1)Zoe Y.
The Egg Benedict is good. But the restaurant is a little bit tiny and crowded for me. I refer some place that is more cozy. Anyway, the food and service are great!
(4)S R.
*** BE MENTALLY PREPARED FOR LONG WAITING TIMES ON WEEKENDS *** Fist things first, be prepared to wait long time on weekends, and I mean very long time. I have been to this place once, and that was the first time I waited for seating outside a cafe for more than an hour for Sunday brunch. I am not sure whether the good was worth waiting or not, but the food was really good. Great pancakes, great omelettes and great sandwich selections. When I went we ordered two specialty sandwiches, but some how the person who served us food, gave us a wrong order, but later they brought our original order, by then we were already half way through our brunch. They were extremely sorry and wanted us to have our correct orders too, but portions are so big, we were already very full, so we skipped that part. Food is very good, and fresh. If you are one of those people who does not mind waiting for a great meal, this is a must go place.
(4)Michael S.
The breakfast burrito here is off the charts. Need to get back here again to try some other dishes. Highly recommend
(5)Angel B.
Chicken burger is where it's at!!!! Can't wait to come back and try the breakfast on Saturday and Sunday. Loved our waitress also :)
(5)Emily L.
Joys is small, and always a wait when I go. But it is well worth the wait! I have been to Joys a few times now and is always amazing! Everytime I have got the breakfast burrito which is incredible! I literally crave it when deciding where to go for brunch! It has fresh Avacado and pico. Everything else on the menu looks awesome! Next I will banch out and try their granola.. cant go wrong! Great brunch spot and highly recommend!
(5)Lucia L.
Ayyyy I don't think I can eloquently express how delicious the food at this tiny restaurant is. The portobello mushroom sandwich is the most amazing thing that I have ever tasted!
(5)Judy L.
I dined here with three other friends for Sunday brunch today. Joy Cafe is located in a small shopping strip with complimentary parking for patrons. However, keep in mind that the lot will fill up quickly because it's a small lot and Joy Cafe is really busy. We waited in the line that was forming outside of the cafe for about 10-15 minutes before we realized that we had to go to the front of the line to a nice elderly woman to tell her how many in our party and a name. Because of this, two groups that came after us, were able to get seated before us. Complimentary iced water with oranges is is placed on a table outside in a dispenser for all those that are waiting -- which is very nice of them to do so. We waited for about 45 minutes before we got seated. We arrived at the restaurant at 11:30am on a Sunday morning. We asked to get seated inside and boy, I probably should have suggested to sit outside. It's pretty packed inside. The tables are all really close to each other. The space is too small of the growing popularity of the restaurant -- but I guess that adds to it's charm? There are three to four tables for outdoor seating outside of the restaurant. There's complimentary wifi -- the password --- MadeWithLove I ordered the traditional chicken salad on toasted marble rye bread with a side of pasta salad and sweet peach tea. My friend also ordered Joy's Big Berry Belgian Waffle for us to try out. Our orders came out quickly. I thought the chicken salad was pretty standard. You do get a lot of food for what you pay. My sandwich was overflowing with chicken salad! Thank you! The pasta salad was a disappointment for me. The pasta to veggies ratio was off. There were more olives, bell peppers, and other veggies than the bow tie pasta. The bow tie pasta was also broken up to pieces as if they had stirred/mixed the pasta salad too much. Next time I'll just go with the grits since I hear good things about it. My Belgium waffle is good. It's a must order for those who love waffles and fruit. They are very generous on the portion of fruits that they put on top of the waffle. It was very good and very pretty to look at as well. The service was just okay. I felt like you should probably know to refill drinks without someone having to ask especially in a small sized restaurant. I had to grab another server to ask for a refill. When we got our waffle, they forgot to give us syrup. We didn't get it until our server came by to ask how we were and noticed no syrup and quickly grabbed it. Other than these little things, service was okay. Overall, this first visit was okay. I would like to try other items on their menu and possibly come on a less busier time or day. I'll make sure to update my review of the restaurant when I do get a chance to try it again.
(3)Jordan W.
Worth every second of a wait. I got the breakfast burrito and it was the best chorizo of my life. And I'm no stranger to chorizo. Also the tomatillo sauce was blessed by Jesus himself. Ask for sue, she's a fiesty one but if you're on her good side you're as good as golden.
(5)Tatum C.
***UPDATE: I understand from the owners that they're currently working on moving to a new location. YAY!!! The food is fantastic, but I have a serious problem with a business that is consistently packed and would rather their loyal customers suffer than to expand. Every time I've been to this place, customers are waiting outside. When you finally do get seated, you have to climb over other customers to get to your table. There is only seating for about 20 people inside the restaurant, and really there should only be seating for about 10 people, but they cram them in like sardines. My mom had to put her butt on some guy's shoulder to slide out of her chair to leave. Plus it was hot as heck waiting outside and hot as heck inside as well because again, you are packed in like sardines. So if you want Joy Cafe, I recommend ordering it to go. The biscuits & gravy, grilled cheese with tomato soup and cookies & milk pie are all fantastic. Hopefully Joy Cafe will make the right decision by their customers and move to a bigger location soon.
(4)Natalie S.
THIS PLACE WAS SO GOOD! Came here for Saturday brunch with my boyfriend while in the area. Its a small place in an older strip mall in Buckhead. It was pretty busy and we had to wait about 10 minutes for a seat (not back for Atlanta brunch time though). They give you a little plate of pastries when you sit down which is a nice touch-- and curves your hunger if you've been waiting a while. For our main plates: Shrimp and Grits: Really creamy grits and 5 large shrimp-- filling and more than most places give you. Biscuits and Gravy: two biscuits smothered in sausage gravy and served with really fluffy scrambled eggs (This was my favorite of the two dishes) Only feedback I have is you can't order a mimosa or bloody here and that its pretty cramped inside... you are sitting VERY close to the people beside you.
(4)Maitreyee R.
After a late Friday night all you want is to get some good brunch without waiting too long. What did I know when I casually yelped for a good brunch place close to home, that we would be seated within minutes of arriving in spite of being a busy Saturday morning! Quaint little brunch place with a homely feel and amazing food. The menu is interesting and I decided to get the chicken burger, which a few other yelpers had recommended. My burger was delicious with side of perfect cheddar potatoes! Also tried the crab cakes with egg benedict which were good too but it was very hard to steer me away from my burger. Will definitely be going back to try the rest of menu which had a lot of interesting things.
(4)Yasmin B.
They have the best shrimp and grits, I've had in Atlanta!! Great food overall and very good service. I am giving them a star less because the place is a little congested, they should find a bigger place.
(4)Linda C.
Now, I am not a big fan of tomato but I was sick and tired of ordering loaded potato soup everywhere I go, so I just decided to try their famous tomato soup. Needless to say, it was WONDERFUL!! Nothing like I've tasted before, very unique. The sandwich that I ordered (forgot the name) was also delicious, and I feel like I can't go anywhere else to get it.
(4)Alicia S.
This was one of the best brunch places I've been to.. I had the Belgian waffle and my bf had the burrito! My waffle was refreshing with fruits and delicious... His burrito was DELICIOUS! I would def come back again! Ps it's in a strip mall and there is a wait but we'll worth it!! And u get a complimentary side of dessert
(5)Helen K.
Easy to miss the signage but a great brunch spot~ Their breakfast burrito was the best that i've had and this is from someone who usually don't crave or seek breakfast food. Would absolutely go back to try more!
(4)Jeff W.
I had a great experience at Joy Cafe. Arrived here on a beautiful Sunday morning in Atlanta. The place was packed and there was a wait. A slight chill in the air but since it was sunny we elected to sit outside - which was perfect! The service was great and the food savory and delicious! Looking forward to returning!
(5)Rebecca R.
Been searching for a new favorite breakfast place in Atlanta...pretty sure I've found it. My barometer for the quality of a breakfast place is their eggs Benedict. Generally speaking, if the eggs Benedict is solid, everything else usually falls into place. When I tasted their EB, I knew I was onto something amazing. Everything here is made with love. From the chorizo gravy, to the biscuits that are the size of a futon at IKEA, down to the perfect cup of coffee, this place has it all.
(5)Olivia N.
THE FOOD HERE IS WONDERFUL!!! :))) If you go on the weekend, order the shrimp and grits! On the weekday, get the grilled cheese with tomato soup!
(5)Jai R.
The wait is long... I can't lie that my curiously and patience were at an ultimate high for me to endure what was said to be a "15-20" to be about 45 minutes of waiting. But look I gave them all their stars so that says something right! Very friendly service, even with being lied to about the wait time, neat place, and amazing brunch food. I want to say again... amazing brunch food. I ordered the Crab Cake Benedict and my beau ordered the Steak and Egg Tacos. Now every Sunday he wants to make sure we wake up early to beat the crowd.
(5)John B.
Absolutely outstanding and huge serving of biscuits and gravy sprinkled with chorizo sausage plus scrambled eggs for $10 off the Sunday brunch menu!
(5)Ricky T.
Cute atmosphere, great prices, and yet the quality of food is impeccable. Further, the portion sizes are very reasonable. But this place is a bit small, and parking is an absolute nightmare during peak lunch hours, at least if you want a free parking spot. There is a paid parking garage close by. Overall, I'm very impressed and will definitely come back!
(5)Paige N.
My boyfriend was feeling in a brunch-y mood last weekend, so we hopped on Yelp to see what was nearby and specializing in brunch. When Joy Cafe popped up, I was impressed with its reviews and we decided to give it a go. Good thing we got there a little earlier than anticipated. I expected to have a wait, but this little place was packed to the gills and people were spilling out onto the sidewalk in droves. A very harried looking lady (Joy herself, perhaps?) took our name and we waited along with the rest of the crowd. Although I've driven past Joy Cafe many a times on Pharr Rd, I never noticed it in the little strip mall next to Aqua Bistro and caddy corner from the Atlanta Fish Market. It's really unobtrusive - I mean, I got my eyebrows waxed more than once at Posh Nail Salon just a few spaces over from Joy and never realized what it was. The inside is a totally nondescript white, diner-type restaurant except for a pastry case toward the back where you can pick up to-go orders. It's clean looking, if small and cramped when there's a good crowd. The groups of people waiting for a table in the tiny restaurant, which probably seats forty at most, obviously knew what's up though. And they were right. Once we got a table and looked at the very attractive brunch menu filled with pancakes, waffles, omelettes, bagels, grits and more, I could see what all the fuss was about. Not knowing how large the portions might be, we threw caution to the wind and I ordered the Greek omelette with spinach, sun dried tomato and feta, hashbrowns and a biscuit, and my boyfriend got pancakes with a side of bacon. While we were waiting for our order they brought out a little plate of cinnamon roles and blueberry muffins to slake our appetites - very nice touch, in my opinion. And when the plates came out - holy cow! That was a lot of food! It has been a long time since I've seen an omelette that large and fluffy (it was gigantic), a homemade biscuit which almost matched it in size and a generous portion of homemade hashbrowns to accompany them. My boyfriend's pancakes and bacon were of equally generous portions - 3 dinner plate-sized fluffy pancakes with syrup and 3 think slices of bacon. I made it through half the omelette, a portion of biscuit and half of a pancake before admitting defeat. He had a pancake and then some, most of the other half of the omelette, bacon and a bite of the big biscuit before also surrendering. It was way too much food for us, even with large Sunday-brunch appetites. When we rolled ourselves out the door complaining of food comas an hour and a half later, the steady flow of people eating and waiting for tables hadn't ebbed a bit. Joy Cafe was really good, but the next time we go, we're definitely going to pare down the order a bit - that was just way too much in one sitting. Nice job Joy - food coma induced!
(4)Maret M.
This is my first 5-star if that says anything. This place is well worth the 30-45 minute wait on a Sunday. They provide lime-infused water outside while you wait too which is a nice. I almost exclusively get the veggie omelet, but the group I went with tried other dishes such as the steak tacos, breakfast burrito, and the sawmill biscuits and gravy. Everyone left VERY full and satisfied (warning: portions are large). This is definitely one of the best brunch spots in ATL! If you're a brunch enthusiast like myself, definitely add it to your rotation!
(5)Tiff H.
Joy Cafe is a sweet, quaint little place tucked in a plaza on Pharr. It's close to my office: close enough to go there for lunch, but far enough where I have an excuse to drive there and not walk. We walked in at the end of lunch time, for my second lunch that day... We were seated at our table of our choosing, and settled in to choose from the menu. The server was very helpful, and being as indecisive as I was, even offered me a sample of the soup of the day, which I really appreciated! I ordered the soup of the day instead of the popular soups on the lunch menu. There was a spicy chicken and rice soup (I can't remember the exact name of it, embarrassingly enough). The sample was really good! Spicy and hearty, full of chicken and rice and green onions sprinkled on top. The bread that came with it was soft and easy for dipping in the soup. We also ordered iced coffees which was free refills! The only place I've gotten free iced coffee refills is Starbucks, and that's only if you have a Gold membership. The server also offered us free coffees to go, it was great! Right before we left, I made a spur of the moment decision to buy a cupcake. After some careful consideration.. I chose a red velvet cupcake. You could choose to customize it with a selection of frosting options which is pretty cool! Nothing too special about it, but I can't say it was a bad cupcake, it was moist and rich, just how I like it! I hope I have a chance to make it out again for a full meal. The hours of the restaurant are a little convenient but maybe I can make a lunch adventure out again soon!
(5)Rebecca C.
The BEST place for brunch in Atlanta. Hands down. Joy does a great job making you feel welcome - love the atmosphere, the staff, and the bonus pastry plate. The tomato soup it's the best I've ever had, my friends and I never fail to order it. Be sure to get there early for brunch though, can have long lines.
(5)Jasmine L.
Went there for brunch on Saturday. The wait time was a little long but I'm guessing it was like that Because the place is small and didn't have many tables. The customer service was great there which I value very much. The good was decent I can't really say anything was special about it. I had an omelette with grits and cheese, and wheat toast. I enjoyed it.
(3)Ellie H.
Great place for a casual Sunday brunch or a quick weekday lunch. My omelette was delicious, and every plate passing me looked just as delectable! They even gave us some free cinnamon rolls and croissants on the house. Great, friendly service!
(4)Sydney G.
I think this is in my top 3 best breakfasts in Atlanta. I LOVED the chicken burger, it was SO GOOD. I got cheesy hashbrowns for my side, and they were on point. You can tell that they're fresh cut. We also got the biscuits and gravy to split, and we basically liked the plate clean. Not a huge fan of the ratatouille sandwich, but that's more a matter of personal preference than anything that they did wrong.
(5)Kendra M.
Me, my husband and our 16 month-old daughter visited Joy Café for the first time on Sunday, November 2. We arrived around 9:20 AM and there were already at least eight people waiting at the door for them to open. They opened the doors at 9:30 and we were behind 12 to 14 people and were able to seat ourselves immediately. It was a little bit like musical chairs as we all looked around trying to get a table. Since it was our first visit, we were not sure where we should sit. We ended up at a table basically in the middle of the room and it worked out for us. The Joy Café has around 14 tables which seat two or three people. Some tables can be pushed together. Is very small and often people walking between tables will hit you or bump you accidentally. There was just enough room for a highchair for our daughter. Servers came out immediately and started taking orders. It took ours a few minutes to get to us. That was fine because we wanted some time to look at the menu. We placed drink orders and our meal order together. Server promised he would bring back our drinks along with a "treat." When he returned with drinks (my decaf coffee was good) and two small cinnamon rolls and two small blueberry muffins we were very happy. Our daughter was the happiest. She had a taste of the blueberry muffin and kept asking for "mo." Tables around us started getting food and we were one of the last to receive our order. We enjoyed watching all the different plates come out. We can't wait to try more from the menu. I ordered the two eggs breakfast along with a biscuit, grits, and bacon. My husband ordered the crabcake eggs Benedict along with one pancake. We are both very satisfied with our choices and enjoyed everything. The biscuit was my favorite part of the meal. It was huge! It was hard on the outside and soft on the inside. I would have liked some butter, jam or jelly to go with it but I didn't ask for any. I ate about one fourth of it and brought the rest home. It was huge. I am not exaggerating. I will definitely go back to Joy Café to try more of the dishes. I would only go with one other person, maybe two. This is not a place for groups at all. The waitstaff was kind and attentive. The food was delicious. Just when you think Atlanta has seen it all when it comes to breakfast/brunch places here comes this place that does it very simply and very well. I'm giving it four stars because it was very simple good food but at the same time it did not blow me away.
(4)Obee O.
If you're in Atlanta and are looking for a breakfast spot, you've found Heaven! This place is amazing!! Period! Great service, great food, great atmosphere! Had the crab cakes Benedict and a side of fresh fruit pancakes! I'm out of adjectives, definitely worth it!
(5)Andrea P.
Had lunch here today for the first time and it was delicious!! Everything is made fresh from scratch and the quality really comes across in the flavor. As one of my friends that was with me said, "This meal tastes so good that I don't want it to end!". I enjoyed the Portobello Mushroom sandwich with the tomato cucumber salad as my side. My friends had the tomato soup, cobb salad, roast beef sandwich, and pasta salad (even the pasta is made from scratch!). Everyone raved about their choices. The service was also good and the prices were extremely reasonable. It was a full house for lunch. Can't wait to try their brunch!
(5)Michael K.
I never heard of this place nor even noticed it despite driving through Pharr Rd multiple times day and night. This place is AWESOME! It's a small restaurant with very limited seating but definitely one of the places to go if you're in Atlanta. Plus, there is a decent size parking lot in front of the restaurant and parking available around the corner of the plaza it's located in. Food is great and everything is clearly made from scratch. I got extra sausages for my Biscuits with Gravy (menu said it was grandmother's recipe so I had to give it a try). The sausages were the same round size as any other place however, an inch thick. The biscuits on the plate were two giant fluffy mountains covered in gravy and bits of sausage with eggs and an orange slice and some grapes. That definitely filled me up and only cost $9. You get your money's worth. No doubt. The wait wasn't bad. Told 20 mins. Waited about 10-15. The staff is very friendly and upbeat. They're very kind and the place even had coffee setup outside for people waiting free of charge. That to me shows they care about their customers. My go to breakfast place in Buckhead was Another Broken Egg (great place to go as well), however, I gotta say Joy is my new #1 place! Coffee was good too I might add!
(5)Kevin C.
Sold breakfast and friendly service. It's small so get there early for brunch.
(3)Lauren H.
We found this little gem nestled in the heart of Buckhead one Sunday morning after church. The line was not super long (just a few groups in front of us - 20 min wait) and we got to stand outside while we waited and drink some coffee in the sunshine (no complaints here!). The meal started out with a basket of pastries. The cinnamon rolls were nothing special, but the blueberry muffin was excellent. I was dining with the family, so we all tried each other's dishes. I got the steak and egg tacos which were AWESOME! There was enough steak on each and it tasted great with the perfectly cooked eggs and chimichuri sauce. My husband got the breakfast burrito, which was also excellent (but I still think the steak and egg tacos were better). Other people in our group got the waffle with berries (very good) and the Sun dried tomato/Feta omelette (excellent - you could really taste the sun dried tomato!). The inside of this restaurant is nothing fancy - but the staff was very nice and the food was quite yummy, so we will definitely be back!
(4)Katie N.
Joy cafe is a small, southern, home cooking good time. Every thing is made from scratch, including the English muffins! Big, flaky melt-in-your-mouth biscuits, thick cut bacon, perfectly made grits. This place is an all around winner. Joy does it right!!
(5)Susan U.
I've been here for brunch, lunch & dinner and all the food has been amazing each time! For brunch the break burrito is delicious! The chorizo is the right amount of spicy and the cream tomatillo salsa is amazing. The salmon benedict is also spot on! For lunch I absolutely love the portabello sandwich. The mushrooms are so yummy & sweet & the chicken soup is so soul comforting it's not even funny. Lastly, dinner- oh. my. god. Get the shrimp & grits! The grits are soooo creamy and the shrimp are perfectly cooked and buttery. NOMS. And if those items aren't enough....get the fleur de sel or the chocolate cupcakes. Heavenly BLISS.
(5)Elise P.
The wait was long. When we got into eat finally, we were served our coffee and I noticed a hair on the rim of one of the cups. They replaced the coffee. Then they brought us the sticky buns and one again, there was a hair on the plate of the sticky buns. We alerted the wait staff and once again they apologized. Then we for our food. We found a hair in the middle of an omelet we ordered. Management came over and offered a new omelet which was appreciated;however, instead of aplolgizing they asserted that this could not have happened as everyone in the kitchen wears a hat. She was very defensive. Finally, they brought us slices of cake to make amends for their being hair in all of our food, which was great but no one at our table eats cake. Additionally, after finding three hairs in your food, the last thing you want is more of their food. Overall, I was very disappointed with the food and the service.
(2)Ruth H.
Cute little brunch place in Buckhead, and I do mean LITTLE! Be aware, there will be a wait for brunch and there is no place inside to stand, so make sure the weather is allows for waiting outside before you make an attempt to fight the crowd. Nevertheless, the food was worth the wait! The meal started out with little pieces of complimentary banana bread, muffins, and cinnamon rolls that were just a hint of the deliciousness that was about to follow. Our table for steak tacos, breakfast burrito, and the biscuits with gravy. Everyone enjoyed their dish. Plus, the waitress brought HOMEMADE hot sauce that went perfectly with the meal. I don't know how they get the eggs so fluffy! The potatoes tastes great but were a little soggy. Will definitely add this place to my list of brunch places.
(5)Carrie Neal W.
What a nice lunch!! My dear Artist Friend and I had planned lunch, to catch up after more than a minute, and he's always good with the Scoutmob, etc type deals. He was nice enough to pick me up at my parents' place in Brookhaven and as we tried to think of some place "different" we could go, he suggested Joy Cafe on Pharr. I hadn't been but something sounded familiar about the place (turns out, they were at Taste Of Buckhead, the annual shin-dig that Buckhead Business Association puts on and of which J is a member and ring-leader) and the menu, etc looked good. Indeed, a lovely little spot. There were a lot of things on the menu that tempted me, but we both settled on sandwich and salad 1/2 and 1/2 combos - he got the spinach salad and Cueban sammy (he quite enjoyed) and I went with the Caesar and Tuscany sammy (prosciutto, fresh mozz, tomato and arugula with an aioli, on ciabatta) - delicious! A little iced tea and a nice server, and we were happy campers. I also had a minute to chat with the owners (Joy and Jon) who were very pleasant and hospitable. Definitely more of a "girly" place (my friend said he'd definitely not return unless accompanied by a lady, though he liked it a lot - he was, honestly, one of the three males, total there who were not employees!) but me likey. Maybe I'll return soon with a girlfriend or my mom!
(4)Alaina M.
They have a LONG wait and I wish that store next door was open to shop around while we were waiting.. Their grits were hands down the best I've had. I also ordered the breakfast burrito - and added their salsa to it - it was so delicious.
(4)Addy C.
Honestly I'd give them 3 stars for the food and service but bumping to 4 because I love their story, the local and housemade ingredients, and I like supporting small business. I probably expected too much after reading everyone's reviews, and adding to the high expectations was the long wait outside. The food was good but to me it was just as good as other neighboring breakfast restaurants, and not worth the over 30 minute wait. The space is small so I'd recommend coming during non-peak meal times. Service is very friendly but not necessarily attentive - for my 1st visit I'd attribute it to the busyness of brunch hour, but during my 2nd visit the service was slow even though it wasn't a busy time. COMPLIMENTARY MUFFINS (during brunch) Their baked goods were yummy - blueberry muffins, chocolate chip muffins, and a cinnamon apple roll. Loved the muffins but the roll was too sweet for me. CRABCAKE BENEDICT - $14 Two Maryland crabcakes topped by slow poached egg, Hollandaise sauce, and sitting on housemade English muffins. Crabcakes were salty, the eggs were good, and the muffin was just ok. Also came w/ a side of seasonal fresh fruit (melons, apples, berries). I was disappointed, and this was also one of the pricier entrees. LOX & LOX OF OMELET - $12 Funny entree name. NYC style filled omelet w/ smoked salmon & red onions, and served w/ capers and bagel w/ cream cheese. I just had a bite of Nancy R's omelet but the eggs were so good and fluffy -- I definitely recommend this dish. OVEN TURKEY GRILLED SANDWICH - $8.50 I didn't try this but the sandwich looked good, and Gina C absolutely loved it. I did try her Potato Salad and thought it was bland. JOY'S REUBEN - $11.50 This was another raved about entree and luckily I agreed. House cured pastrami topped w/ melted Gruyere, sauerkraut, and housemade thousand island dressing on marble rye. Pricey sandwich but portion was huge so I got two meals out of it, and my leftovers actually tasted better when reheated. Also comes w/ a side and I picked the Mediterranean Pasta Salad which I liked - sundried tomatoes, olives, carrots, peppers, feta, red wine vinaigrette. COBB SALAD - $10 My friend liked her salad esp. the bleu cheese dressing - I didn't think it looked like anything special. GRILLED CHEESE - $4 Although there are no kid options listed on the menu, they do offer Grilled Cheese and Quesadillas. COOKIES & MILK PIE One of the best desserts I've ever had. Loved the cream part, and the chunks of chocolate cookies. If this is on the dessert menu, do not pass this up. CHOCOLATE ON CHOCOLATE CUPCAKE I thought it was just ok but the others in my group loved it. Next time I'd like to try their Croque Monsieur. And I would go back just for the Cookies & Milk Pie. FYI - free parking for Joy Cafe customers.
(4)Courtney M.
This place has amazing food and great service! Food: My first visit I had the chicken burger. The meat was cooked perfectly. The jalapeños gave it an awesome flavor. It was actually my first time having a ground chicken burger...I liked it so much that I went to the grocery and purchased ground chicken that evening (My homemade burger didn't come out quite the same though)! I also recommend the Belgian waffles. The omlettes are awesome too! You really can't go wrong here. I'm looking forward to trying the shrimp and grits. Atmosphere: Small, hole-in-the-wall type place. Great for brunch/lunch on a regular day, but not large enough to accommodate big groups. Service: Great
(5)Christina K.
Forgive me for the ultra late review! So, I have been wanting to go to Joy Cafe for awhile now, but something always came up to stop that from happening. Rewind 2 months ago and I find myself there with Hoa G. for lunch finally! We were lucky to make it there before the lunch rush because the line that formed was a bit crazy. The cafe is a small shop in an unassuming strip mall. Take heed from their website, please go there early as they do get packed! I ordered the meatloaf sandwich w/o cheese and it was wonderful! The meatloaf is a combo of ground beef and chuck so it was moist and hearty. I had to hold back from biting my fingers while devouring this sandwich. The service is good although it can be a bit spotty and rushed because of the lunch crowd. The salads that were coming from the kitchen were H-U-G-E and looked so fresh and yummy that I was tempted to add one to my lunch as well. Thanks to Scoutmob for directing me here, I'll be back!
(4)Sooji K.
i love joy cafe. it's so effortless and simple, that it's hard to say anything bad. some people might think "what's the big deal?" but it's always been such a consistently good experience for me that i always find myself returning. it's definitely a mom and pop shop, so the space is small and it can get a bit tight when the place gets packed. the ambience is clean and since one of the sides of the restaurant is all windows, you get plenty of light in the restaurant. i've actually only come here for brunch so i can't speak for their lunch offerings. their waffle and the eggs benedict are definitely my favorites here! also, they serve a small breakfast pastry sampler (mini oat/blueberry muffins + mini cinnamon rolls) before your meal arrives and it's soooo delicious. they're open at 930am on saturdays and no matter how early i come (even before doors open) there's ALWAYS a line. i think that, in itself, says a lot about the place. service is always friendly and prompt. definitely one of my favorite places for brunch in atlanta!
(5)Kristin K.
This place is very...cozy as other people have pointed out. Be prepared to get very up close and personal with strangers in this small place. Service is really great. The food was amazing. I had a grilled cheese with tomato soup. I don't know what kind of cheddar that was, but it was fantastic. The iced mocha I had was also pretty spectacular. Not very inexpensive but not terribly expensive either. I could do without the paying-for-parking part though. Menu is pretty diverse, I think anyone could find something they like here. I also sampled my fiance's steak taco and it was good. I was glad the sauce came on the side.
(4)C W.
Shrimp & Grits were excellent again. Jessica is a great server. Boy's mother is the hostess and she is awesome. She checks on everyone and she's made me laugh more than once but she doesn't linger to the point of being annoying. Great cafe!
(5)Ann R.
Came in for brunch before going sightseeing. We had the oven roasted sandwich, Portobello sandwich and new York croissant ham sandwich. All were good. We also had red velvet cupcake, very moist and key lime pie was light and delicious.
(4)Tuong Vi P.
I stopped by with some friends for brunch yesterday. We all enjoyed our food and liked the ambiance of Joy Cafe for a nice chat. I got there around 11 am and saw a sign in front of the money eater for the parking lot that indicated that Joy Cafe patrons got complimentary parking. I confirmed this with the hostess/kind woman who was at the door and promptly texted my pals, to clear up any confusion they may have had. She walked me over to a table and I was relieved to see that the place was getting just steady traffic with a table or two open. "Phew, I beat the church crowd," I thought to myself. A tall gentleman came over to my table to ask how many I was waiting for (to which I responded, "2 more") and what I wanted to drink. Because of my money-saving and calorie-counting tendencies, I stuck with a water with a wedge of lemon (say what you want). Once everyone arrived, our server checked on us about 2 times before we decided. After our order was in, he came back with a plate of sweet rolls and blueberry muffins--to our surprise! I guess I didn't read enough reviews and was happily taken aback. I got the sun-dried tomato, spinach, and feta omelet with wheat (buttered, which I hadn't thought about and had forgotten to ask for it dry) toast and grits. My brunch buddies got salmon Eggs Benedict and the crabcake sandwich. Both enjoyed their dishes. Honestly, my meal was very good but not mind-blowing. The omelet was generously sized (probably a 3-egg omelet) with fresh-tasting spinach and feta and sun-dried tomatoes that were well hydrated and just tangy enough to make the fluffy egg mound interesting. The grits were creamy and not heavy and toast was completely standard fare. But the service was good and the not-too-loud atmosphere allowed me to enjoy my company. By the time we left, there was a line of people waiting for tables. This says enough about Joy Cafe serving consistently good comfort food. Next time, I need to try pancakes, Belgian waffles, and some of the desserts. So for me, there is definitely a next time!
(4)Tuarise S.
Once again absolutely love this place. Visited this place again today, nothing but great things to say. Great food, great atmosphere, great service. Thanks again... Tomato soup the best ever!!!!
(5)Dess B.
One of THE worst breakfast experiences I've ever had. Period. No exaggeration. First of all, I was asked to "scrunch in" with my chair (with no possible way of doing so) so the server could get by. Seriously? Who told you to put the tables so close together that your customers have to suffer? I ordered a simple veggie omelet. Sorry to say that the mushrooms were out of a can, the spinach was from frozen, and the sun-dried tomatoes were quite tough. I'm an avid cook so I know this for sure. The biscuit that came with it was "OK". My date's dish was also a pure disappointment. He complained that it didn't seem fresh but I don't know details. That was enough for me. Too many great breakfast/brunch spots in Atlanta to waste time on this one ever again.
(1)S. J.
Fantastic breakfast! I had the crab cake eggs Benedict and wow! Services was great too!
(4)Sue M.
Excellent choice for Brunch! We arrived sometime near 11:00 am and waited just 5 or 10 minutes to be seated. The place was packed and the staff seemed a little flustered due to the full house. We got off to a slow start but things got back on track quickly. Besides, they are all so nice, it's hard to even be annoyed at them for anything. I had the Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict (served with a side of fresh fruit) and my daughter had a side of cheese grits and bacon. The eggs were cooked just the way I like them, the hollandaise sauce was tasty and the smoked salmon was...perfect! I saw the waffle topped with fresh berries pass by and made a mental note to try that on my next visit. Now...for the pièce de résistance...the CRACK PIE!!! Someone sitting nearby told me it looked like something called Chess pie but either way, it was freakin amazing! A graham crackery crust (but not too graham crackery), the filling was like biting into creamy, buttery, caramely heaven!!! I'm still thinking about this pie 3 days later. I guess that's why they call it "crack" pie!
(4)David L.
Wow. This place is incredible. And inexpensive. This is going to become a regular stop for breakfast. I highly recommend the tomato soup with focaccia (just absolutely mind blowing), biscuit with homemade preserves (I ate the leftover jam with a spoon... it was that good), and breakfast burrito with the spicy creamy sauce (super fluffy eggs, cheddar cheese, sour cream sauce, and chorizo). Also had a reuben which was good but couldn't stand up to the absolutely amazing big flavors of the other dishes we had. The chef came out and talked to us at the end of our meal and was obviously really passionate about all of his creations, and the older woman hostessing was sweet and personable. The space is small, bright, and crowded, and the food is incredible. A must go to, although not the best spot for more than a couple of people on weekends.
(5)Cameron C.
I'm new to the area and found the diamond in the rough. Superb customer service and even better food. If you want to try something different, go with the steak tacos. Unbelievably tasty.
(5)Jenna C.
This is hands down my favorite restaurant in Atlanta. Known for their breakfast/brunch, but dinner & dessert are spectacular too. I would say the chicken burger and tomato soup are definite staples. The first time i tried Joy Cafe with a friend we were slightly apprehensive with it being such a small establishment in a strip mall. Theyve grown to be quite popular now, so sometimes the wait can be long. But the mom&pop owned, friendly service all add to the charm. I think if they moved to a bigger place some of that might be lost. The owner usually makes it around to the tables, and if its your first time you usually get a free cupcake. Make sure not to skip out- the chocolate is absolutely divine.
(5)Stevie H.
I could eat here everyday! the food is alway fresh, the pastries are to die for, and the staff is always friendly.
(5)AJ C.
Delicious! Shrimp and grits was amazing and the waffle was also fantastic. Presentation on both was 10/10.
(5)