FOOD & DININGPLACES TO VISITONLY ON WINNERSMAG.COM
A birthday drive to Austell led me to great food, beautiful hospitality and a faith-based business that understands how to make people feel welcome.
Let me tell you how a place I found on Facebook became the icing on the cake for my birthday celebration.
My mother, Brenda Williams, my sister Darlene Ray and I drove about 30 to 40 minutes to visit Cenacle Coffee & Bistro in Austell, Georgia. We were not completely sure that was where we would end up, so I was not prepared to take the full editorial spread of photographs I would normally want. But I made it work, because once I experienced the food, the people and the atmosphere, I knew I had to tell you about it.
And let me say this first: the name is Cenacle. By the time we left, I understood why people remember it.
This was more than a good meal. It was the kind of hospitality you can feel.
The Kind of Leadership I Notice
I had the opportunity to meet Malcolm Lewis, who owns Cenacle with his wife, Nedra. Malcolm made sure everything was okay, but what stood out to me went beyond how he treated the customers.
I watch everything. I notice how people speak when a room gets busy. I notice how leaders treat the people working beside them when the pressure is on. Even when things became tight and the restaurant was moving fast, Malcolm still gave direction without making the atmosphere heavy. He kept the staff on point, but he also made them laugh.
You could tell he cared about his employees. You could also tell they respected him and genuinely enjoyed being around him. That matters to me, because good leadership is not only revealed in how someone greets a guest. It shows up in how they treat people who work with them when nobody is making a speech about leadership.
Malcolm was personable, took pictures with me and kept a tight ship without losing the warmth that makes people want to come back. The staff was amazing too. Even people who were not assigned to serve our table were friendly. Nobody made you feel like kindness belonged to only one person’s job description.
Now Let’s Talk About That Food
Listen.
I ordered the red velvet waffles and fried chicken, and that chicken was something to write home about. It was seasoned, crispy and so good that I was already thinking about what I might order on my next visit before I had finished this one.
And those waffles? They practically melted in your mouth. You did not even need syrup. That is how you know the waffle is doing what it is supposed to do.
Coffee Worth Talking About—and a Sweet Birthday Surprise
And please do not let me leave out that coffee. It was some of the best coffee I have had. You know that stale, machine-made taste you sometimes get when you order a cup? This was nothing like that. They used coffee beans to make fresh coffee, and you could taste the difference. Rich, fresh and so good—it lived up to the coffee part of the name.
They even brought me a complimentary slice of cake. Imagine the flavor of a cinnamon roll, but in cake form. That is what it tasted like to me, and it was delicious. Between the coffee and that sweet little birthday gesture, they gave me another reason to smile.
And they did not stop at the cake. The owner and staff sang “Happy Birthday” to me, adding a personal touch that made the celebration even sweeter. I caught the moment on video so you can enjoy a little of that warmth with me.
A Mocktail That Still Felt Special
I have been looking for places that serve good mocktails—something pretty, festive and grown, just without the liquor. Cenacle had a wide selection of drinks that could be enjoyed alcohol-free, and I chose a virgin mimosa.
I believe it had peach and orange in it, or something close to that combination. Whatever was in that glass, it was delicious. It looked beautiful, tasted refreshing and still gave me the celebration experience I wanted.
The Women Who Made Us Feel Taken Care Of
The woman pictured standing beside me was the one who made our mocktails. She was not even our waitress, but that did not stop her from checking on us. It was quite busy, and while our waitress attended to another table, she came over to make sure we were okay and asked whether we needed anything else. She made sure we had everything we needed and that our drinks tasted good. That kind of attention says a lot about a place.
And the young woman in the selfie with me? That is Talia, our waitress. She was amazing—personable, fun and friendly. We laughed, enjoyed ourselves and just had a blast. She helped make the birthday brunch feel like a celebration, and I wanted to make sure she got her flowers right here.
Faith, Food and Community in the Same Room
Cenacle describes itself as a Christian-based business with a mission to share the love of God through food and service. That mission did not feel like words somebody placed on a website. I could see it in the atmosphere.
The restaurant also appears to understand that a neighborhood spot can become a community space. Cenacle hosts social and business events, networking opportunities and live music experiences. It feels like the kind of place where you can eat, laugh, meet somebody new, hold a conversation and enjoy good, clean fun without feeling rushed out of the door.
That is exactly the kind of faith-based business Winners Circle wants to spotlight. Faith should not only appear in a slogan. It should be visible in the way people are served, the way employees are treated and the way a business creates room for community.
Would I Go Back?
Absolutely.
The food was delicious. The atmosphere was full of life. The people were friendly. The leadership was visible. And by the time we left, I already knew there was more on that menu I needed to try.
So if you are ever in Austell—or if you do not mind taking a little drive for food that is worth it—put Cenacle Coffee & Bistro on your list.
Tell them Winners Circle sent you. And if you order those red velvet waffles, just know I already warned you: the syrup may end up sitting there untouched.