Murphy’s

Came here for the first time with Mom one evening. I had never been here but she had and said it was very good. We were brought some crispy sourdough bread when we arrived. We ordered the springer farms chicken and a side of their truffle mac n cheese. Normally I do not prefer chicken, but this one, as expected, was quite delicious. It was cooked to perfection, crispy on the outside, and tender and moist on the inside. Even though the mac was brought out a good 10 min after we received the other dish, it was still the highlight of the meal. It was gooey and had such a good, sharp flavor. The noodles were big noodles that caught the cheese perfectly. While I was told that Murphy’s is known for their brunch, I had a very good meal that evening. I will definitely be back to check out their brunch in the near future.

so delicious! I came here on a Sunday for brunch and we were seated very quickly (20 minutes which is good for Sunday brunch in Atlanta). I decided to order the chilaquiles & oh my goodness. AMAZING. the flavors in this dish are wonderful, the mix of everything goes well together & it’s very filling. I was hesitant to try something so different but it was well worth it. the bread that is brought to the table is very good as well. I would definitely recommend this place for brunch. the atmosphere is cute, the service is good & the food & prices are great. I will definitely be back!

First time at Murphy’s and in Virginia Highland! The food is absolutely delicious!!! The service is great and guess what? They have valet!!! We sat on the patio and it feels great out here! I will definitely be back!!!

I have loved Murphy’s since I discovered it on a visit prior to moving here, but I think the food has taken a bit of a dive. I’m relegating myself back to weekend brunch status and weekday visits for the wine downs — 20% off tastings & half-​off bottles… ;). Dessert is still a five-​star affair, the wait staff is always truly nice to me and the vibe is great.

Love eating here when I’m in ATL.
Since around ’09, I think.
Food is always great.
Dessert case is a problem.

The Eggs Virginia Highlands is on the Atlanta Convention and Visitor’s Bureau Signature 100 so I had to come try them! The dish is my 69^th off the list. Can’t front, it was just ok to me. It’s their little twist on Eggs Benedict, since it’s served on foccacia bread, but it wasn’t enough of a twist for me to be like holy crap this is awesome.
The main reason I am 4 starring instead of 3 starring is that I have been a couple times for dinner and really enjoyed it. It’s also a really cute brunch spot. You can sit on the patio when the weather is good, and they have valet parking. Pretty much everything in the highlands is good for brunch come to think of it!

Oh my God, this place is aahmazing. Great service, great food. I ate there this morning. Thinking about going back for dinner. Don’t judge me. The Parmesan crusted chicken was seasoned and cooked to juiciness perfection. It sits on top of this lemon sauce that will have you scrap the plate. Its topped with and egg made however you want and finished with the perfect little salad. I really enjoyed the potatoes as well. Nicely seasoned. The special complimentary rolls were biscuits and some honey lavender rolls. This place is really a must if you want a nice brunch experience. Please just go

I just had a wonderful lunch at Murphy’s today. I went to eat by myself, but from the moment I walked in, I was treated very hospitably with lots of smiles and genuine warmth from the staff.
I got a table on the patio because the weather was beautiful outside. Kristen was my server. She was attentive, friendly, and provided excellent recommendations. I was going back and forth between the Eggs San Francisco and the Parmesan Crusted Chicken Breast. She recommended the Parmesan Crusted Chicken Breast — and I am happy that she did.
The Parmesan Crusted Chicken Breast was truly fantastic. The chicken breast had a great texture. The parmesan crust was very flavorful and had the perfect amount of crunch to it. Even though there was a sunny-​side-​up egg on top, it maintained its crispness throughout the entire meal. Most importantly, the chicken itself tasted incredibly fresh and was juicy on the inside. Freshness is one of the most important qualities I look for when I am eating, and it was delicious.
Moving on from the chicken itself, the rest of the components of the dish were perfect. The lemon butter sauce that was drizzled on the plate, and around the chicken, was so good that I had to ask for more on the side. It was promptly brought out by another member of the staff. Good teamwork, Murphy’s. The sunny-​side-​up egg, arugula, and bacon that was on top of the chicken all went great together.
I usually am a fast eater, but the meal was so good that I wanted to slow down and enjoy it as long as I could, which is rare for me.
Since the lunch and atmosphere was so nice, I decided to go all out and get dessert. I ordered the Blackberry Lemon Tort (I’ll post a picture of it) and an Iced White Chocolate Latte. Long story short, the dessert and coffee drink were amazing together.
I have been to Murphy’s a few times now, and always have a good experience. Today’s experience was exceptionally good, so I decided to take the time to give them a good review.
I appreciate the friendliness of the staff, the quality and freshness of the food, and the overall dining experience whenever I come there. I’m sure I will be there again soon.

I was really looking forward to celebrating my best friend’s birthday with a Sunday brunch at Murphy’s. We had a fairly large party of 12, but still waited over an hour and a half for a table with nothing but continual «we’re getting close!» responses when inquiring about being seated. Many tables of 6 or more were seated in front of us when they arrived after our party. I understand the logistics of turnaround with smaller parties, but a wait of over 90 minutes with the entire party waiting to be seated is absurd.
We were finally seated at two different tables that were at odd angles from each other (after being assured we would be seated together) and were told that we would not be permitted to put our tables together. At this point, our party was hungry and frustrated.
A friend with a small child who was in pressing need of food stepped next door to Taco Mac and reported back that they had ample seating for our group. We left Murphy’s without even looking at the menu.
I wasted the better part of a gorgeous Sunday afternoon for absolutely nothing from this establishment. The only reason Murphy’s receives a grudging two stars from me is for their fantastic bloody Mary’s.

For a place that consistently has a wait for a table on weekends for brunch, I was rather underwhelmed by my two experiences there so far. Their signatures aren’t too thrilling to the taste buds. They made great home fries, with bell peppers and onions, but their breakfast options leave me wanting more.
I’ve had the mulligan (spelling?) and the Murphy eggs. The poached eggs ended up being hard boiled, and not entirely hot when set on the table. My gf had the sante fe, which was well crafted, but not entirely a taste bud journey.
I am a lover of bloody Mary’s. So naturally I always order one and compare them to other experiences. While the stick of celery is a nice snack, their drink is not all too flavorful, even after asking for a bit more pizazz in mine. Maybe I’ve just been spoiled by The Nook and Tupelo Honey Café…
Their service is hit or miss. They seem to continuously getting new hires who aren’t quite ready for brunch traffic. A veteran server would have certainly improved the experience. Having worked in the food industry myself, I’m always keenly aware of the small things (checking on my coffee level, whether I need more water, having ordered potatoes whether I would want ketchup, remembering to bring said theoretical ketchup to the table, having enough silverware for each diner, etc.) in spite of that, the staff is very friendly.
I think they have a great environment, patio and vibe for your social gatherings on the weekends and in the evenings but I don’t think it’s worth the wait if you’re looking for the best brunch in town.

Murphys has been a staple in Virginia highland for as long as I can remember and never disappoints. We had made a reservation and while we had to wait 20 mins to sit, it was worth it. The service and food were impeccable. I had one of the best buttery Chardonnays ever — it was the Stewart from Sonoma. We ordered two incredible starters — the calamari and a crab avocado dip. My friend and I had the special, which was the sole, a white delicate fish over a bed of greens and purred tomatoes. Others had shrimp and grits and the salmon. All were perfection! Wonderful experience

If you come way before 11 AM, you might get a chance at a table. No reservations are taken. And with a large group (like 6) seating, it can be on the longer end. A lot of tables freed up for seating for two, but the crowd of people coming in after 12 noon makes the wait to be up to 2 hours. Good thing the bf and I arrived around 11:30 AM and put our names in so the wait was only 45 mins to an hr for a party of 6.
My friend recommended the French toast, and it was surely delicious. Yes, sometimes French toast is boring as it comes, but this one was super good. The caramelized syrup with the banana gave it a nice touch. The bf’s burger was pretty tasty as well. Now coupled with the bread basket that finally came after a long wait, we were full until dinner time (and after a bike ride too).
Oh. The intriguing blueberry mimosa… It was a waste for me to try it. I honestly just recommend getting the regular mimosa since the there were only 3 blueberries in mine and the rest was a blueberry shot of vodka. That’s why there is a price difference. You’re basically paying for the extra shot and a few blueberries.
Parking sucks. Unless you want to valet the sucker, there’s no chance at getting a spot in the front of the restaurant as Murphy’s is positioned at a strange corner angle, and parking just isn’t available unless you valet it. Just find a nice cozy spot around the residential neighborhood that’s only 1 or 2 blocks away.

Having heard all the good things about Murphy’s for a long time, I had a high expectation. I am very sad to write, it didn’t match its reputation. It was just okay.
We didn’t wait too long to get seats in a Sunday brunch time today. Maybe a lot of people went to the little biscuit to try new things.
I ordered espresso and egg slum mulligan, which is most mentioned in Unilocal reviews. Well, well, well. Sometimes, I need to follow my heart. The egg slum mulligan had too much oil/​butter in it. A big con for me. potato hash was okay, poached eggs were decent, but the whole dish didn’t feel right for me, making me wonder whether they were top-​notch for brunch.
My friends’ shrimp and grits, and seared north Georgia trout were better than mine. Had I picked any of them, I would rate differently.
The service was professional, and a little busy.

My colleague and I stopped in here for a business lunch (he’s a local and had built up my expectations of the quality of their food before I arrived).
We were greeted by a very attentive waitress and informed about the menu being farm to table and explaining they design the menu based on current fresh produce.
I ordered the Chicken Parmesan which was a delicious large chicken breast that was breaded and deep fried over a light butter/​garlic sauce that had a hint of vinaigrette. The chicken was topped with a egg (fried sunny side up) and arugula and bacon pieces. The combination of flavors was fantastic and I ate until I could not eat anymore.
My colleague had to meatloaf and it looked delicious!
I would come back here anytime! Best meal in Atlanta!

Stopped into Murphy’s on a Friday night and had a great time!
We did make reservations, which I assume is a must if you don’t want to wait for a table.
The valet was full which was a bummer– luckily one of the other valet’s down the street let us park there. Thanks guys!
The restaurant itself felt intimate. It was well decorated and the staff was very friendly.
We were seated on the patio which would fluctuate between hot and cold which got pretty annoying.
The food was excellent, the wine was affordable and our server was of 5 star quality. Everything came out in a timely manner and each of us enjoyed our meal.
Menu highlights: three-​cheese flatbread, squash bowl, trout and the brisket. The flavors were well blended and the meats were cooked to perfection.
Side note: Kevin Spacey was eating at the bar which was pretty sweet.
I will definitely be back!

Oh Murphy’s — you may be my new favorite brunch place. I’ve come here twice now. The first time, it was a solid 4 stars. Good food, wonderful ambience, and okay service (our server was tidge rude and not too accepting of my toddler).
We returned today with my extended family in tow — and WOW! I got the chilaquiles and almost cried, they were SO good! They have an excellent selection, vegetarian friendly too. My family also loved their dishes — hazelnut crusted french toast, french onion soup, eggs T murphy, crab cake benedict, and the portabello frittata. As others have written, the bread basket is phenomenal.
Our server, Ted, was excellent as well. So based on other reviews and my own experience, I suspect that the quality of service is highly dependent on your server. Murphy’s — please get rid of the sucky ones. Because they drag down your reviews and the overall experience. But keep your great ones, like Ted — he’s awesome.
I really love this place, totally blown away by the great experience this time. Highly recommend you give it a try.

It happened: the last horse finally crossed the finish line. After being bookmarked for a few years, at last I was able to try the highly lauded brunch at Murphy’s. With valet parking for brunch and a 30 minute wait, would it be worth it? We were seated in the patio area, which was necessarily heated due to it being a frigid and blustery day, after spending the last several minutes perusing their limited and cramped wine shop.
Soon, a complimentary basket of biscuits and cornbread muffins arrived at the table with a trio of butter and preserves. Being the cold day that it was, I ordered a mug of hot chocolate. The cornbread muffins were particularly good. Sweet stuff! The hot chocolate, which included biscotti, was the perfect temperature to warm my bones without scalding my tongue. Very creamy. Delish.
I ordered the Southwest Frittata, although the Eggs Slum Mulligan was also whispering in my ear. This frittata included pork chorizo, potatoes, onions, peppers, pepper jack cheese, crisp tortilla strips, and sour cream. Satisfactory, but not mind-​blowing. The onions and peppers overpowered everything else on the frittata and there wasn’t enough chorizo, cheese, or even potatoes. Flash, but little substance. Perhaps the Eggs Slum Mulligan may have been the better choice?
My wife appeared to enjoy her Portobello Frittata more. Her frittata included Portobello mushrooms, goat cheese, sun-​dried tomatoes, and basil pesto. Our friend, visiting from out of town, went after the Smoked Maine Salmon & Bagel which included cream cheese, red onion, tomato, and capers. It didn’t get finished.
Murphy’s provided a decent, but ultimately overrated brunch experience. It had been reputed to be one of the best brunch experiences in town. Though it did the job, I wouldn’t roll out that many superlatives.

/TL;DR Family owned, independent restaurant with beautiful seating areas and excellent entrees. Hard not to enjoy this place. I think the atmosphere must lend to the popularity of this place.
Parking can be challenging as can the prices.
/​ATMOSPHERE Quite lovely. If you’re fortunate, you can get a table near one of the large floor-​to-​ceiling windows. In autumn, it’s a magnificent treat — which oddly enough pairs well with coffee and a muffin.
/​FOOD Very much enjoyed my Bloody Mary. That said, I think the almond muffin really stole the snow. Delicious. I mean, hell, I even ate the stump of the muffin for once.
I asked about the shrimp grits which I was assured was «baller.» It was baller. Had a bite of chorizo frittata. Must have played on the same winning team. It was baller, too.
/​SERVICE Attentive and friendly. My glass was in pristine mental health, having never known the feeling of being empty. ;)
HOW TO READ MY REVIEWS:
1 Star — Does not approach edible. Enter at your own risk.
2 Stars — If I’m in the area, I’d pick something else.
3 Stars — I would stop by if I happen to be in the area.
4 Stars — I would pick this place out of other places nearby.
5 Stars — I would go out of my way to dine here.

From contemporary yet wholesome ambiance to free bread basket to the perfect Virginia highland location, this place is hands down one of my favorite atlanta brunch spots.
Keep in mind that due to its popularity it does get very busy on the weekends but if you come early or late in the day your wait time isn’t bad. We were seated within 5 mins of our arrival but we got there at 2pm.
The Waldorf chicken salad sandwich is very fresh and perfect for a warm summer day.
As for eggs, the crab cake benedict and the eggs Virginia highland are both well done.
If it’s not cold try getting a table in their patio/​outside area. It’s perfect for people watching, something very few atlanta restaurants offer.
Besides the good food, I can’t emphasize enough how great their service is. That’s one reason this place is 5 star to me. Each time I’ve visited this place I’ve never been disappointed with the service. Even our last server was prompt & friendly.
One tip; don’t leave without getting their 1 $ cookie at the entrance. It’s for charity so your soul and body both feel happy. :)

I’ll tell you once I received the invite to this place for a friends birthday and viewed the menu, I wasn’t looking forward to coming here. Most times I find that places that are considered «classy casual» are way more hype (read:expensive) than they need to be but I actually ended up being pleased with the food and service that our party received. It has a nice layout, but is not the place to go if you want to be slightly loud. Maybe the bar area is louder than the dining room, but I kept feeling like I needed to lower my voice in the dining room.
I viewed the menu beforehand, and wasn’t impressed with the $ 20+ entrees and even less so with the $ 15+ salads. I understand that its all farm fresh etc, but I’m under the impression that should make it a little cheaper.
Our waitress, Sarah, was new and went over the 5 minute spill of the restaurant specials and all the other stuff I tuned out since I had made up my mind before going of what I was going to order. She was super nice and very knowledgeable of the restaurant in the short time she has worked there.
I went with the Oysters ($ 11), which technically is a shared plate item and mashed potatoes ($ 6) which is a side item and is not sold together as an entrée. That was the only thing on the entire menu that appealed to me, and both were fantastic. I received 6 oysters (which makes me wonder how this is a shared plate) and a nice amount of mashed potatoes.
Someone else in my party had the Spinach and Sausage meatloaf, she’d been here before and had that dish, and was familiar with it so, that was an easy selection for her and she was pleased with it this time also. Another person had the Roasted Mountain chicken, and I was quite impressed with the size of the chicken breast and she stated that it was flavored very well. Our server had described it as «African» flavored, and neither of us knew what that meant, but the person that had it said that it was like curry flavored, but not really curry tasting. I’m still lost. Another had the brisket which came with mashed potatoes and a vegetable mixture, she’d eaten it before I got done with my six oysters, so I have to give that a plus based on her.
Since it was two people in our party birthday, (mines and my friends) we asked about birthday desserts and was told that we could choose two, which we did. There was no mention at that time that it wasn’t complimentary, so I was surprised to see it at half price on my tab. I had the grilled pound cake and was not only mesmerize at how pretty it was displayed, but it was also VERY tasty. The amount of peaches I received on the dessert allowed me to give each person in our party at least 2 – 3 to taste. The other birthday person had the Mocha cake. It also was displayed beautifully, but was super rich in taste. Its like death by chocolate to the tenth power.
The winner of the evening was the cucumber martinis ($ 15), which are not on the menu, but Sarah asked the bartender to make me one and she did, and it was better than any other I’ve had this summer, so I suggested to her that she tells those in charge to put that on the menu.
The only complaint I have, was I asked for extra cucumbers, and she came back and said the bartender said she was out of cucumbers, which is probably unlikely since they have a drink on the menu that includes cucumbers (Green Machine) and when I initially asked about a cucumber flavored drink, both the waitress at the bar and Sarah suggested that particular drink to me, so I doubt they all of sudden ran out of cucumbers after two cucumber martinis. I would think if someone spent $ 30 on two drinks, they should be able to have all the cucumber garnish they like from a place that is «local farm supplied».
I wouldn’t make plans to go back, but would consider it if someone invite me.