Atlanta’s Newest Restaurant Openings, Now on Resy

Fans sighed when Jason Liang and John Chen closed Brush Sushi Izakaya in Decatur, but their reborn Brush Sushi (minus the izakaya menu) in Buckhead Village has everybody smiling. An elegant upgrade from the original, this one features omakase feasts with seductive sake or whisky pairings. 

Leave it to chef David Lee to reengineer plant-based cuisine for a high-energy, well-heeled crowd. From Coconut Grove to New York City, Planta has unleashed its meatless brilliance in the shape of a wild menu, where everything from sushi and brick-oven pizzas to “chick’n and waffle” is as good as “the real thing.” Don’t sleep on the cocktails — we like the special charcoal bourbon sour.

B.O.T actually stands for “Bar of Thailand,” and you’re going to want to get ready: This cheerful restaurant from the proprietors of Tum Pok Pok is making its mark with an irresistible menu of classic and innovative dishes — think chef’s specialties like pad Thai with lobster and marinated grilled chicken lettuce-leaf tacos.

You’ll love everything at this handsome Howell Mill offshoot of Ash Famili’s crowd-pleasing Sandy Springs original — the Persian and Middle Eastern spreads, the mezze and kabobs, and maybe most of all, the variations on classic tahdig rice, with its irresistible golden crust.

Food-lovers know Hero BoVino, inside Hop City Beer & Wine, for its meat counter, specialty foods, and serious sandwiches — but now proprietor Alex Sher and chef Chris McCord (ex-Gunshow) have upped the ante with this intimate weekends-only dining experience that combines a dinner party vibe with a dazzling contemporary tasting menu.

In an intimate atmosphere — dark wood finishes, soft lighting, starburst chandeliers — chef Sean Park (NoriFish) ups the omakase game by interweaving cuts of Japanese and American Wagyu beef with first-rate seafood on his eight-course tasting menus (with à la carte options available).

You’ll definitely want a table at this exuberantly colorful, high-energy Latin American hot spot from the owner of the 5Church restaurants. The fare ranges from tapas to ropa vieja to an occasional whole roast suckling pig, the bar program is agave-heavy, and the music is live — salsa included.

Part of Atlanta entrepreneur and one-time Real Housewives star Dennis McKinley’s ever-growing nightlife chain, Cru Decatur is all about fun — hookah pipes and CBDs, a menu of “Cru Tails,” premium bottle service, and a selection of small plates for when the hunger kicks in.

For something above and beyond the usual combination plates, come to this Mexican fusion venue in Cascade Heights, where the twin defining specialties are birria tacos and birria ramen, and the atmosphere is as cool as a frozen margarita.

This Dunwoody destination is a food hall like none you’ve seen before — a collection of nine full-scale restaurant stalls (tapas, Caribbean, Mexican, Southern, Italian, and more) with reservable seating, and what’s advertised as “the biggest bar in the state of Georgia.”

For innovative Italianate fare in Cascade Heights, look no further than this Mediterranean-bright spot from James Beard semifinalist Deborah VanTrece (of Oreatha’s at the Point). Pro tip for double-daters or groups: VanTrece will cook up a seven-course fixed-price family-style feast for four or more with advance notice.

Here’s a prize for Alpharetta: an airy, stylish 6,800-square-foot tribute to the elegant cuisine of Persia, complete with a vast tree-shaded patio and a menu of small plates, spreads, rice dishes, kabobs, and more. Come with a crowd and order the six-pound slow-braised leg of lamb if you know what’s good for you.

It was good news for Dunwoody when Niki Pattharakositkul opened this riotously colorful Perimeter Mall outpost of her growing mini-chain, bringing real-thing Thai food to the community, from soups and noodle dishes to curries and whole fish. Pro tip: Start your feast with a 26 Thai Platter, offering a choice of four shareable small plates.

This is one you’ll definitely want to add to your favorites list — a cheery, unpretentious place in downtown Lawrenceville, opened by three longtime friends who serve just the kinds of food you want to eat for breakfast, lunch, and brunch — don’t miss the weekend special of lobster and grits.

You’ll want to come back often to this easygoing upscale neighborhood steakhouse (the second of two locations), where the beef is Georgia-raised and the boss is Blaiss Nowak, who learned the steakhouse trade at his father’s iconic Hal’s in Buckhead.

Get ready for incredible Mexican food in beautiful surroundings (acres of natural wood, hanging basket lights, sea-blue concrete floors) at this tribute to the rich cuisine of Oaxaca from restaurant veterans Cesar Hernandez and Luis Damian.

Say hello to this festive New Orleans-flavored place in Milton’s Crabapple Market, from restaurant team Leonardo Moura and Jamie Adams of Il Giallo, G’s Pizza, and the original Lagarde in Chamblee. You’ll find almost any NOLA essential on the menu, from oysters and po’ boys to beignets.

Come with friends to this convivial establishment in Sandy Springs and crowd the table with eminently shareable plates and platters of Persian and Middle Eastern spreads, mezze, kabobs, and more. Don’t miss the variations on tahdig rice, a Persian classic known for its irresistible golden crust.

“Alici” may be the Italian word for anchovies, but the focus at this suave seafood-themed ristorante from Pat Pascarella (of Bastone and Grana) is on oysters — eight or nine varieties a day — and on a variety of fish with sauces ranging from lemon vinaigrette to caviar cream.

Come to this airy Howell Mill Road newcomer from Ron Hsu and Aaron Phillips (of Lazy Betty and Juniper Café fame) for pizza, savory pot pies, a range of vegetable specialties, and custom-made beers from some of the best area breweries.

Here’s a must for sushi-lovers: Atsushi “Art” Hayakawa’s little jewel box of a place, relocated from Buford Highway to the Star Metals district and downsized to just eight seats but still serving Hayakawa’s exquisite two-and-a-half hour omakase menu.

You’ll find any steakhouse (or chophouse) classic you could wish for at this Lawrenceville standout in the Richard Meier Towers from the owner of McCray’s Tavern — oysters, Caesar salad, shrimp cocktail, eight different steaks, creamed spinach, and more — all done just right.

It’s always Sunday morning six days a week into the late afternoon at this Duluth bright spot, where chef-owner Keith Kash (of the Who’s Got Soul restaurants) expands the definition of brunch.

Expect Korean comfort food alongside sushi and ramen at this sleek Peachtree Corners sibling to Yakitori Jinbei in Smyrna, opened by chef Jae Choi and cookbook author and TV personality G. Garvin. Essential dish: Choi’s famous Korean fried chicken.