Metro Atlanta has seen a wave of new restaurant openings, bringing diverse dining options to the area. One of the highlights is Confab Kitchen & Bar, which celebrated its grand opening in the Parkside at Dresden development in Brookhaven on July 2. This American bistro-style restaurant, run by former Kaleidoscope owner Doug Gross, features a menu with items like sticky duck wings, mussels and frites, a classic burger, and a heritage pork chop. Confab is open for dinner nightly and offers weekend brunch, providing a cozy setting for both locals and visitors.
In addition to Confab, several other eateries have opened their doors in July. 7 Brew, a popular drive-thru coffee chain, expanded its presence in metro Atlanta with a new location in Mableton on July 26, providing quick caffeine fixes for commuters in the area. Another new arrival is Bar Pilar, a cocktail bar and lounge that opened on July 10 in the back of Alici in Midtown. The lounge aims to offer a relaxed environment for patrons looking to enjoy handcrafted cocktails amidst a vibrant atmosphere.
Frozen dessert lovers can rejoice as Berens Frozen Custard opened in downtown Lawrenceville on July 26. Owner Mark Berens shared that the grand opening was celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Meanwhile, Brainwave Pizza has now taken over the former Glide Pizza location at Inner Voice Brewing in Decatur, with the brewery expressing excitement about serving delicious pizza alongside their craft beers.
Coffee enthusiasts have a new place to visit, as Dutch Bros. Coffee opened a drive-thru location in Johns Creek on July 25, continuing the chain’s expansion in the area. Another local favorite is Lucky Goat Coffee, which recently opened its first Georgia store in Dunwoody, marking a significant expansion for the Tallahassee-based chain.
In Chamblee, The Harvey, a sports bar from the team behind Southbound, opened its doors on July 2, bringing a lively atmosphere for sports fans and food lovers alike. Additionally, La Bodega, a market and pupuseria from the team behind Buenos Dias Pupusas, opened on July 22, offering a unique dining experience for those craving authentic pupusas.
Las Brasas made a comeback in Decatur, reopening on July 18 after undergoing renovations, much to the delight of loyal customers. Similarly, two sister restaurants from STHRN Hospitality made their debut in mid-July at the Perimeter Summit development in Brookhaven: Little Gem, a café open on weekdays, and Pizza Stop, a food truck serving delicious lunch options.
In Marietta, Pho Hoa & Jazen Tea, a Vietnamese restaurant franchise, launched its first Georgia location on July 12, operated by local entrepreneur Leo Zheng, who aims to serve authentic Vietnamese cuisine. Pink Lotus opened in West Midtown, featuring lesser-known Thai dishes from various regions of Thailand and providing another unique culinary experience for diners.
Another significant opening was Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar, which launched in downtown Alpharetta on July 28, part of a chain with nearly 20 restaurants across the East Coast and Midwest. Their menu will cater to seafood lovers looking for fresh and delicious oysters. Social Capitol American Bistro, located in the Origin Hotel Atlanta in South Downtown, opened on July 21, offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a casual Southern menu, perfect for hotel guests and locals alike.
Finally, Upscale dining received a new addition with the launch of Truth Be Told Lounge in Roswell on July 23, introduced by chef Matt Marcus, who has an impressive background in the culinary world. The restaurant offers a refined dining experience, complementing the area’s growing restaurant scene.
However, not all news is positive in the metro Atlanta restaurant landscape. Citizens Culinary Market, a food hall at Phipps Plaza, has closed after just over two years in business, signaling the challenges faced by food halls in the current economic environment. In Inman Park, Julianna’s Coffee & Crepes has permanently closed due to nonpayment of rent, as noted on a sign posted at the establishment. Lazy Dog, a California-based chain, shut down its Peachtree Corners location on July 25 but remains operational in Alpharetta and Dunwoody.
Mascogo Tacos in Decatur will not reopen after an early July closure, with owner Craig Headspeth citing various challenges that led to the decision. He even started a GoFundMe page to assist his staff following the unexpected closure.
Souper Jenny, a local chain, is preparing to relocate its Brookhaven location to a new space in Chamblee later this year, while Simply Done Donuts in Duluth also closed on July 30, citing rising costs and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic as contributing factors to the decision.
As the restaurant scene continues to evolve in metro Atlanta, with a mix of new openings and some regrettable closures, food lovers in the area have much to explore across various cuisines and dining experiences.
image source from：ajc
