In 2014, when Southbound opened in a renovated factory on Peachtree Road, Buford Highway was still the best-known dining destination around Chamblee.
But more recently, the area has been experiencing a growth spurt, becoming an affordable and even hip place to live, with a spate of new apartments, easy access to MARTA, and icons like Whole Foods and Taqueria del Sol opening in the past couple of years.
Along downtown Chamblee’s historic “Antique Row,” you’ll still find vintage shops and long-running places like local ice-cream favorite the Frosty Caboose.
A new outpost of Gus' Fried Chicken, and relocated Himalayas Indian Restaurant offer more places to grab a bite. And close by on Peachtree Boulevard, Parkview on Peachtree is a mixed-use development that features a pair of exciting new restaurants.
From Antiques Row to Parkview on Peachtree, here’s a glimpse at five places to dine and drink in Chamblee:
Situated on Pierce Drive, in heart of downtown Chamblee, Hopstix is an Asian brewpub from award-winning homebrewer Andy Tan that combines elements of a sushi bar and a beer bar with the atmosphere and service of a chef-driven restaurant.
Drink: A recent beer list included Ju Hua, a light, Asian-style specialty ale brewed by Tan with chrysanthemum flowers instead of hops. But there are rice lagers, pale ales, IPAs, stouts and sour beers, too, plus guest taps, wine and clever house cocktails.
Andy Lasky opened Bluetop in a former taxi stand on Peachtree Road in Chamblee in 2017. Serving both lunch and dinner seven days a week, the family-friendly concept combines fast-casual service with a menu that's both quirky and comfy.
Recently opened by Chase Medlin, the former head brewer of Twain’s Brewpub & Billiards in Decatur, Contrast Artisan Ales is a small, seven-barrel “own-premise” brewery located on Peachtree Road in what was once a car repair shop.
Scene: The cozy taproom is often crowded with people clustered around the granite-topped bar and cafe tables with stools. A large mural and other works by Atlanta artists Jagua Martian and Austin Blue give the space a vivid Technicolor focal point.
Eat: There are "fancy lunchables" and other snacks for sale, and nitro cold brew coffee on tap. Plus you can buy bags of Contrast Coffee beans, along with T-shirts, caps and other logo merchandise.
Arguably Chamblee's most ambitious new restaurant, the Alden marks the return of Atlanta chef Jared Hucks, who cooked in great kitchens around the world before coming home to open this very intimate place at Parkview on Peachtree.
Eat: Among the expertly executed main dishes, you'll find Border Springs Farm rack of lamb with rosemary and mint jus. But smaller bites like the house focaccia with pimento cheese, and desserts like bourbon-banana pudding beckon, too.
5070 Peachtree Blvd., Chamblee. 678-395-6982, thealdenrestaurant.com.
Also recently open at Parkview on Peachtree, Fúdo is a contemporary Asian restaurant from husband and wife John and Grace Lee that offers a sizable menu of mostly shareable dishes, including small plates, tempura and sushi.
Eat: A team of sushi chefs turns out beautifully imagined and constructed sushi rolls and artfully towering sashimi platters. But do try some of the more unusual pan-Asian dishes, such as donburi rice bowls with the likes of short ribs, fried kimchi and arugula.
5070 Peachtree Blvd., Suite A-100, Chamblee. 678-691-7088, fudoatl.com.
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