The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Actress Zoe Renee’s favorite Atlanta restaurants
Actress Zoe Renee seems to be everywhere these days — she stars on the BET series “The Quad,” and will appear in the upcoming movies “Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase” and “Gully.”
She also co-stars in the movie “Jinn,” which won the special jury award for narrative feature at the SXSW Film Festival. She plays 17-year-old Summer, whose world is turned upside down when her mother, a popular meteorologist, abruptly converts to Islam and becomes a different person.
Renee was born and raised in Atlanta (and is the daughter of Speech from the 1990s rap group Arrested Development). She makes Atlanta her home, with her German shepherd/beagle mix Harlow, when she isn’t traveling for work, and she spends time working with charities, including We Movement and Days for Girls.
She recently weighed in via email on her favorite spots in metro Atlanta to grab a bite and hang out.
Favorite place for breakfast
I love bread! Highland Bakery has so many options. My favorite entree is the French toast. The soft, thick-cut toast gets me every time!
Highland Bakery, 655 Highland Ave. NE, Atlanta. 404-586-0772, highlandbakery.com. Also locations in downtown Atlanta, Midtown, Buckhead, Decatur and on the Emory University and Georgia Tech campuses.
Favorite place for a cup of coffee
I’ve been obsessed with the rise of renovating shipping containers into functional work-and-live spaces. Brash is exactly that! It’s a small shipping container that serves some of the most delicious drink in west Midtown. My favorite is the iced chai latte with soy milk.
Brash Coffee, 1168 Howell Mill Road, Atlanta. brashcoffee.com. Also a location in the Atlanta History Center in Buckhead.
Favorite place for lunch
Milk and Honey is a beautiful, homey spot. It’s my go-to when I’m missing home! My favorite dish is the crab hash.
Milk and Honey, 5495 Cascade Road SW, Atlanta. 404-968-9266, milkandhoneyatl.com.
Favorite place for happy hour
I just turned 21. I’m still figuring out what drinks I love and absolutely hate. But, the place that never fails is Joystick Gamebar in Edgewood — it’s a perfect place for games, drinks, and music! It also has a frosted coffee bourbon. It’s sweet, with a fun punch from the liquor — feels like the perfect intro to drinking cocktails.
Joystick Gamebar, 427 Edgewood Ave. SE, Atlanta. joystickgamebar.com.
Favorite place for dinner
Every time I step into Barcelona, I feel like I’m transported to a totally different, magical place. The menu is extremely shareable, and the perfect spot for a sweet low-key date! The octopus is my favorite. I’m a huge seafood lover, so I pair that with clams, always.
Barcelona Wine Bar, 240 N. Highland Ave. NE, Atlanta. barcelonawinebar.com. Also a location in west Midtown.
Favorite place for latenight food and drinks
I love games! The Painted Duck is always the place to go for me and my friends. The shrimp skewers and an ice cold ginger beer are my go-to snacks — they’re easy to hold and they taste delicious!
The Painted Duck, 976 Brady Ave. NW, Atlanta. 404-352-0048, thepaintedduckatl.com.