Summer in the South usually means things slow down. (It’s so hot, right?) That’s not the case in the ATL food scene, though, and the city’s culinary entrepreneurs are working hard to open a seemingly never-ending flow of new restaurants, bakeries, cafes and more. Here are 10 spots to keep your eyes on over the coming summer months.
City Winery
Opening: June 3 Delayed, anticipated to open June 12
The music venue-slash-restaurant-slash-wine bar (pictured below) with existing locations in New York, Chicago and Nashville will open a space this summer in the Old Fourth Ward (adjacent to Ponce City Market’s Dancing Goats cafe). Chef Jeffrey McGar has been recruited to head up the ATL kitchen, bringing a Southern sensibility to the American fare.
650 North Ave.
5Church
Opening: Early summer
North Carolina’s popular New American restaurant 5Church will open in the Midtown Colony Square location vacated by Shout. The restaurant has brought on veteran chef RJ Cooper to return to and head the local outpost; the 2007 James Beard Award-winning chef comes with a long pedigree, working with chefs like Guenter Seeger, Eric Ripert and Gilbert Le Coze.
1197 Peachtree St NE
Richard’s Southern Fried
Opening: Early summer
A hot chicken stall from chef Todd Richards, the executive chef of White Oak Kitchen & Cocktails, will appear in Krog Street Market this spring, replicating the fried chicken he perfected while at The Shed at Glenwood. Expect regular, spicy and extra-spicy varieties (below).
99 Krog St. NE
Superica
Opening: Early summer
Ford Fry, who opened four ATL restaurants and one in Houston last year, will see a second installment of his Krog Street Market Tex-Mex spot, Superica, open in North Buckhead’s Buckhead Court shopping plaza. Are there more ATL restaurants in the works for the busy restaurateur? Nothing’s on the books yet, but you never know. Plus, Fry’s expanding with a Superica in Charleston as well.
3850 Roswell Rd.
Butcher & Brew
Opening: Late June
Alpharetta’s nouveau “Downtown” district is an admirable attempt at creating a heart in a sprawling suburb, and a number of worthwhile eateries populate the area. Butcher & Brew looks to be the newest venture worth the drive —it’s going to be an upscale sandwich and craft beer shop from the owners of South Main Kitchen, the successful New American eatery a few doors down.
3 S. Main St, Alpharetta; 678-691-4622
101 Steak
Opening: Late June
This new steakhouse concept comes courtesy of the Food 101 restaurant team (also behind spots likeThe Smoke Ring and Cibo e Beve). Taking the place of Social Vinings, the restaurant will sport a raw bar, leather booths and a traditional steakhouse vibe while keeping an eye on modern cocktail and food trends.
3621 Vinings Slope SE
Nine Mile Station
Opening: Late July
With most of Ponce City Market’s food hall filled out, attention now turns to the roof. Nine Mile Station’s the name of the beer garden that’ll sit atop the landmark building. Run by vets of Blue Moon Pizza, the space will offer panoramic views of the city. Plus, it’s located next to the upcoming miniature amusement park the building’s creating called Skyline Park.
675 Ponce de Leon Ave. NE
Georgia Beer Garden
Opening: Late summer (probably)
Aiming to create a “Southern take on a classic biergarten,” the team behind Joystick Gamer have had the Georgia Beer Garden in the works on Edgewood Avenue for a while. The Old Fourth Ward venue was originally planned for a 2015 opening, but has been pushed back frequently due to construction and permits.
420 Edgewood Ave SE; 404-525-3002
Nexto
Opening: Early August
Chef Mihoko Obunai (Ramen Freak, ex Repast, Southbound) settles into a place of her own after years of cooking in other kitchens. Nexto will be a ramen- and noodle-focused spot located next to theBeltline and Poncey-Highland’s Two Urban Licks.
By Christopher Hassiotis | May 31, 2016