Metro Atlanta delivered some stellar restaurants in 2025, and the new year promises to bring more grand openings, rising chefs and highly anticipated restaurants. Here are nearly 20 spots The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's dining team is looking forward to trying next year.
Among the most anticipated openings: restaurateur Tracy Gates will open a second Busy Bee Cafe in Atlantic Station at the former Falcons and Atlanta United team store adjacent to Atlantic Green, offering 4,000 square feet of dine-in space and a full bar — a major expansion for the iconic Vine City soul food landmark. Chef Demetrius Brown of Bread & Butterfly will open Heritage in Summerhill, a brick-and-mortar version of his Afro-Caribbean supper club featuring seasonal tasting menus rooted in African, Caribbean and Afro-American culinary traditions. Castellucci Hospitality Group will bring Koshu Club to Buckhead, an elegant Showa-era Japanese supper club concept with sumibiyaki charcoal grilling and an extensive sake program.
South Downtown is poised for a wave of openings ahead of the 2026 World Cup games in Atlanta. Brewhouse Cafe will open a second location near Mercedes-Benz Stadium, while Bottle Rocket will relocate its sushi operation to historic Hotel Row. Other newcomers include Broad Street BBQ, Delilah's Everyday Soul, El Tesoro, Glide Pizza, Mule Train — from chefs Michael and Shyretha Sheats of the Plate Sale pop-up — and an unnamed breakfast-and-lunch counter from chef Todd Ginsberg and restaurateur Josh Kim.
Additional highlights include La Cueva, a cave-themed speakeasy behind a barbershop at Ponce City Market; Sargent, a wine-forward modern American restaurant opening in Old Fourth Ward from the team behind Lucian Books & Wine; Summerland Cafe, an upscale breakfast and lunch concept from Anne Quatrano at Upper West Market; and two more openings from the Pattharakositkul sisters — Terminal 26, a floating-market-inspired Thai restaurant, and Khao Thai Isan at Centennial Yards' The Mitchell in downtown Atlanta.
Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
