Restaurant News

MAP: The more than 150 restaurants and bars that opened in metro Atlanta in 2020

JANUARY: Okiboru Tonkotsu Ramen, Chashu Wrap, Okiboru Truffle Chintan Ramen, Tebasaki, and Okiboru Buta Paitan with Gyokai Tsukemen. Photo credit- Mia Yakel.

A few of the offerings available at Sweet Octopus (Clockwise from bottom right): Empanadas from Empanada House, Sweet Empanadas from Empanada House, Village Classic from Lifting Noodles Ramen, Taro, Thai Tea and Brown Sugar Bubble Teas from Empanada House, Donut from Poke Burri, Dynamite Bowl from Poke Burri and Red Curry Chicken and Shrimp (Thai Food). CONTRIBUTED BY CHRIS HUNT PHOTOGRAPHY

FEBRUARY: Trout and Herb Rice from Persian Basket

Top row from left: New York Style Chicken Alfredo pizza, New York Style Cheese pizza. Bottom row from left: Detroit Style Pepperoni pizza, Lemon Pepper Wings, Fried Oreos at Triple Jay's Pizza. (Contributed by Chris Hunt Photography)

Shoyu Miso Ramen with vegetable broth, bean sprout, kale, bamboo shoots, fried onion, sweet corn, scallions, and shrimp topping.from Kin No Tori Ramen.

Fried Cauliflower Sope, huitlacoche, pico de gallo, cashew crema from Alma Cocina Buckhead.

Vegetarian General Tso's Chicken, plant-based chicken, spicy sweet soy at Roby Chow's. CONTRIBUTED BY CHRIS HUNT PHOTOGRAPHY

Young Beets, pistachio, mandarin orange, goat cheese at Carson's Kitchen. (Contributed by Chris Hunt Photography)

Sweet patatas bravas slathered with pork fat coffee chili oil, aioli and soft herbs at Little Bear. CONTRIBUTED BY CHRIS HUNT PHOTOGRAPHY

From top left: Cantina Bowl, Grilled Street Corn, Quesadillas (bottom left) Carne Asada, Al Pastor, Grilled Chicken, Fried Catfish and Fried Shrimp Tacos at Lazy Llama Cantina. CONTRIBUTED BY CHRIS HUNT PHOTOGRAPHY

MARCH: Cappelletti pasta with butternut squash, brown butter and vincotto at Grana. CONTRIBUTED BY CHRIS HUNT PHOTOGRAPHY

Sopa Seca Bowl, with shrimp and chicken meatballs, toasted pasta, dried shrimp-guajillo broth, peanuts and eggplant salsa molcajete at El Burro Pollo. CONTRIBUTED BY CHRIS HUNT PHOTOGRAPHY

APRIL: Talat Market’s geng deng is a red curry with asparagus, pineapple, spring onion and Thai basil. CONTRIBUTED BY WENDELL BROCK

MAY: A vegan sampler from Tigi’s in Stone Mountain: tofu, lentils in spicy berbere sauce, cabbage and brown lentils.
Courtesy of Wendell Brock

JUNE: A variety of hot dogs from the menu of Hot Dog Pete's.

Takeout from Aviva by Kameel in Midtown: Rosemary chicken with roasted potatoes and tabouleh. Left, a pita pocket with falafel and all the fixings (hummus, baba ghanoush, cabbage salad, Nazareth salad). In the back: Pita, baba ghanoush and mujadarra.
Wendell Brock for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The S&H Hot Chicken pizza from Slim & Husky's in Adair Park tastes authentic thanks to the chain's Nashville roots. CONTRIBUTED BY HENRI HOLLIS

Takeout from Hot Betty’s in Tucker: Fish and grits, corned beef brisket hash with poached eggs and breakfast tacos with chorizo, onion and hominy.
Wendell Brock for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The colorful Veggie Platter from Kategna includes a variety of legume and vegetable preparations, along with injera for scooping. LIGAYA FIGUERAS/LIGAYA.FIGUERAS@AJC.COM

JULY: A box of doughnuts from Hero Doughnuts & Buns: Top row, coconut, original glazed, strawberry glazed. Bottom row, cereal milk, pistachio and chocolate glazed.
Wendell Brock for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Co-founder and brewer Josh Miller behind the bar at the Outrun taproom in Stone Mountain.
Bob Townsend for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

A takeout feast from Delbar in Inman Park. Clockwise from top left: Omani prawns, heirloom salad; koobideh kebabs; lamb-neck shawarma; bread and sabzi; and sabzi polo with crispy tahdig.
Wendell Brock for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Oxtail bucatini from Apt 4B.

AUGUST: Pizza Jeans’ 18-inch whole red pie serves two to four. It’s essentially a classic Margherita. CONTRIBUTED BY WENDELL BROCK

Buena Gente Cuban Bakery makes its own sandwich bread for its pressed sandwiches such as the croqueta preparada (top two wedges) and the classic Cuban (bottom two).
Wendell Brock for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The Chanel Replica Roll from the One Sushi menu.

A takeout feast from BBQ Cafe in Decatur: Pulled pork with slaw and Brunswick stew; a meal-size bowl of stew with cornbread; and ribs with slaw and baked beans. In the middle are house-made bread and butters and the house sauce.
Wendell Brock for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

SEPTEMBER: Pizza from Holmes Slice. / Contributed by the Wilbert Group

Takeout from Chi Chi Vegan Taco Shop: Baja fish, Philly cheesesteak taco, and black bean luau tacos; Mexican corn on the cob. / Wendell Brock for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Takeout from Woodward & Park: Grilled broccoli, smoked chicken (in background), pierogis and the house burger with fries.
Wendell Brock for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Burger from the menu of Boone's. / Courtesy of Brandon Amato

A takeout spread from Vertigo Cafe: Clockwise from upper left: ziva with accompaniments; falafel; Greek salad; hummus and pita.
Wendell Brock for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

OCTOBER: Dishes from the menu of Brown Bag Seafood Co./ Courtesy of Brown Bag Seafood Co.

A takeout order of the crispy catfish sandwich (banh mi ca) from Vietvana Pho Noodle House in Duluth. CONTRIBUTED BY WENDELL BROCK

Pasta of the Day from Nick's Westside. / Courtesy of Premier Agency

The Asado Mixto platter from Elsewhere Brewing in Grant Park includes grilled chicken, chorizo, beef, and guava shrimp, with sauces and fries. /
Bob Townsend for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Mexican-style tacos on corn or flour tortillas with cilantro and hot sauces are popular at Cylantro’s in Roswell.
Bob Townsend for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

The Fussy Hussy from Slutty Vegan, which opened its third loacation in Old Fourth Ward in October, CONTRIBUTED BY MIA YAKEL

Takeout from Mukja Korean Fried Chicken in Midtown: A whole fried chicken with sauces and fries; pickled radish; and sides, left from the top: Korean slaw, macaroni and cheese with kimchi and bacon, and the Standard, a slaw with onion, corn and Thousand Island spiked with gochujang.
Wendell Brock for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

NOVEMBER: Dishes from the menu of The Chastain. / Photo by Heidi Harris

Dishes from the menu of Biltong Bar, open in Avalon. / Courtesy of Biltong Bar

A sampling of the bar food available at Alpharetta's "Taffer's Tavern." CR: Taffer's Tavern

Cupcakes from In My Fillings. / Courtesy of In My Feelings

DECEMBER: Chicken sandwiches from Scoville Hot Chicken / Courtesy of Scoville Hot Chicken

A seafood platter from the menu of Girl Diver. / Courtesy of Girl Diver

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JANUARY: Okiboru Tonkotsu Ramen, Chashu Wrap, Okiboru Truffle Chintan Ramen, Tebasaki, and Okiboru Buta Paitan with Gyokai Tsukemen. Photo credit- Mia Yakel.

By Yvonne Zusel

Updated Dec 29, 2020

In spite of the devastating impact of the coronavirus on the restaurant industry, more than 150 restaurants, bars, breweries and coffee shops made their metro Atlanta debuts in 2020.

Click on the points on the map below to read more about the new food and beverage concepts that opened this year.

Kin No Tori Ramen take out is packaged in separate containers and comes with instructions for reheating.
Courtesy of Bob Townsend

Kin No Tori Ramen take out is packaged in separate containers and comes with instructions for reheating. Courtesy of Bob Townsend

Atlanta Orders In

Metro Atlanta restaurant openings

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About the Author

Yvonne Zusel

Yvonne Zusel has been with the AJC since 2010. She worked on the digital news and food and dining teams before joining the arts & entertainment team.

Yvonne Zusel has been with the AJC since 2010. She worked on the digital news and food and dining teams before joining the arts & entertainment team.

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