2015 was an eventful year, with plenty of exciting restaurant openings and just as many spots sadly closing their doors . But in the spirit of looking to the future, here are the restaurants set to open in 2016 that we can't wait to try.
Old Fourth Ward
Ama: After the planned June 2016 closing of Lusca in Buckhead, Angus Brown, along with Nhan Le, will turn his attention to this new venture in Paris on Ponce on the Beltline , which will feature wood-grilled seafood, burgers and vegetables. Find out where Angus Brown likes to eat.
Georgia Beer Garden: The team behind Joystick Game Bar are unveiling this Old Fourth Ward spot in early 2016. Expect beers from breweries around Georgia and Southern food with German flair.
Chef Mihoko Obunai, best known for her Ramen Freak pop-up at The Sound Table, announced she's teaming up with Concentrics to open ramen concept NEXTO in Old Fourth Ward this spring .
Ponce City Market
Boti: An authentic Indian street food concept from Meherwan Irani of Chai Pani, the menu will feature tandoori and regional specialty kebabs as well and retail offerings including custom spice blends, chutneys, pickles, to-go lunches and more.
Ton Ton: Chef-owner Guy Wong, who also helms Miso Izakaya and Le Fat , will offer Japanese ramen, yakitory and sushi, and noodles, rice and other Japanese ingredients will be available for purchase.
Biltong Bar: The latest spot from Justin Anthony, owner of South African-inspired concepts 10 Degrees South and Yebo , will feature all-natural beef jerky and other specialty jerky meats at a retail shop, while the counter-service restaurant will offer gourmet pies, salads, craft beer, cocktails and a full wine list. Anthony also recently opened Cape Dutch on Cheshire Bridge Road.
Marrakesh: The brainchild of the owners behind Fuego Mundo in Sandy Springs, one of Atlanta's only completely kosher restaurants, will offer regionally-inspired dishes including seasoned meat kebabs, hummus and tahini, a variety of regional spices, cheeses and fresh pita breads made daily.
Read about the culinary options opening at the new Atlanta Braves ballpark
Westside
Pauley's Crepe Bar: The Atlanta outpost of this popular Athens creperie is scheduled to open in January in the Westside neighborhood and is set to stay open until 2:30 a.m. on the weekends for the late night crowd.
Public School 404: The first southeast location of this gastropub will feature elevated twists on school kid favorites from brown bag fries to bacon cheddar tots with Sriracha ketchup to a lamb burger beefed up with tomato-cranberry jam, arugula and Brie this summer in The Brady.
Lobstah Hut or Lu Lu: They haven't settled on a name yet,'but Cafe at Pharr's Johnny Liu and WSB's Mark Arum are joining forces in 2016 to bring lobster rolls and other New England dishes to the Westside neighborhood.
Inman Park
Char Korean Bar & Grill: Richard Tang, who helped open Craft Izakaya in Krog Street Market , will take on Korean BBQ at this new Inman Quarter spot, set to open in January.
Revolution Donuts: The Decatur favorite, which focuses on using organic and local ingredients in its sweet treats, will open a second location in Inman Park in the spring.
Amer: The opening of this cocktail outpost from Brian Lewis, the founder of Bocado (recognized in the 2015 AJC fall dining guide for its stellar burgers ), has been delayed a few times, but its set to open in Inman Park in 2016 with a menu focusing on small plates and an extensive cocktail list.
Amara: The team behind the Midtown spot Tabla will offer up Indian fare across from Parish starting summer 2016.
Midtown
The Consulate: The owners of Honey Bubble Tea in Old 4th Ward will open this Midtown "global tapas" restaurant in April.
5Church: The third location of this sleek eatery (there are others in Charlotte and Charleston) will serve lunch, dinner and weekend brunch at 14th and Peachtree streets starting in early 2016.
Decatur
Brush Sushi Izakaya: Jason Liang, formerly of Craft Izakaya in Krog Street Market , will serve as the chef at this Decatur spot, which will feature izakaya dishes, sushi and Asian-inspired cocktails.
Comet Pub & Lanes: The Twain's Billiards & Brewpub team of Ethan Wurtzel, Uri Wurtzel and Ben Horgan is taking over Suburban Lanes bowling alley in Decatur and plans to reopen it in early 2016 with a menu featuring craft beers, custom cocktails and chef-driven fare, such as hand-tossed pizzas, burgers and shareable plates.
Sandy Springs
Taka Sushi and Passion: The sushi spot from owner Taka Moriuchi closed its Buckhead location in 2015, but is set to reopen in Sandy Springs in March. Find out which notable Atlanta chef chose Taka as their favorite sushi restaurant in Atlanta.
Jinya Ramen: The West Coast franchise is set to open its first southeast location in Sandy Springs in April with Yao Liu, formerly of Umi , at the helm in the kitchen.
Marietta
Drift Fish House and Oyster Bar: Doug Turbush, who also owns Seed Kitchen & Bar and Stem Wine Bar , will add this East Cobb seafood restaurant to his portfolio in February.
Peachtree Corners
Noble Fin: Jay Swift of 4th and Swift will open this restaurant focusing on seafood and steaks in Peachtree Corners this spring with his son, Jeb Aldrich, serving as chef de cuisine.
Opened in 2016
Old Fourth Ward
Urban Pl8: This paleo-friendly spot offering up healthy entrees, sandwiches and meals to go, was originally open from 2009 to 2014 on Huff Road in the Westside neighborhood. Betsy Pitts opened the second iteration in Krog Street Market on Jan. 2. Get a sneak peek of Urban Pl8 here.
Ponce City Market
The Mercury : This Mid-Century modern restaurant and bar from Brooks Cloud, Julian Goglia, and Mike Blydenstein, the group behind Decatur's The Pinewood , opened its doors on Jan. 12.
Emory Point
TGM Bread: Chef Todd Ginsberg opened this bakery next door to his hot Emory Point deli, The General Muir, on Jan. 4 . While it will primarily serve as a production facility, providing bread for The General Muir, Fred's Meat & Bread and Yalla at Krog Street Market , and sister restaurant West Egg Cafe, there will also be a small retail component. Read a profile of TGM Bread baker Rob Alexander here.
Downtown
JP Atlanta: The Midtown fine-dining restaurant opened Dec. 31 in the downtown Hotel Indigo with executive chef Julian Delgado, formerly of Chateau Elan, managing the kitchen . The restaurant offers breakfast, lunch, dinner and a late-night service at the bar.
Sandy Springs
Under the Cork Tree: The restaurant from the team behind Hammocks Trading Company started bringing Mediterranean-inspired dishes to The Prado in January.
Read the AJC Fall Dining Guide, Atlanta Around the Clock, here .
About the Author
