Atlanta’s Newest Restaurant Openings, Now on Resy

Helmed by chef Terry Koval (who scored a James Beard Best Chef award at his standout The Deer and the Dove nearby), Fawn’s intimate space is the place to go deep on coastal wines, amaro-laced cocktails, and seasonal small plates — housemade charcuterie included.

The CRU chain of upscale lounges now has outposts in seven states, and this Atlanta Village branch is its fifth in the city. What’s the draw? Stylish hookah set-ups with plenty of unique shisha flavors offered, premium bottle service, a menu of specialty “Crutails,” and a selection of savory small plates like “Cru Cut” wings to keep the evening going.

This one’s pure, delicious fun: A Lego-themed Mediterranean restaurant in Marietta, featuring a menu with a Middle Eastern accent (don’t miss the signature Adana beef kebab), a bouquet of colorful cocktails, and non-stop hookah service (including, yes, Lego hookahs) with more than 30 flavors of shisha.

John Chen and Jason Liang of Brush Sushi fame closed Cuddlefish (their more casual but equally acclaimed Decatur venue) in 2023, but it wasn’t gone long, and now it’s back and even better. Expect first-rate nigiri and the defining specialty that is the range of hand rolls (with vegetarian options), including an-over-the-top combo using every kind of fish on the menu.

You can trust the experimental folks behind Bovino After Dark with an astrological-themed cocktail lounge. 7th House delivers a zodiac-inspired omakase experience, in which three riffs on classic drinks (with non-alcoholic variations available) are paired with an appropriate small plate.

Because this is Atlanta’s very first hand roll bar, courtesy of the team behind the much-loved Jak Omakase, right next door. Like its sister, the draw at this sleek rooftop spot is the bargain-priced five-course omakase menu, though they’ve also got flexible à la carte options — dont’ miss specialties like the “Big Mac,” which comes with Wagyu, uni, and caviar.

With its sleek contemporary look, its spacious patio, its ardently seasonal kaiseki-style menu, and its extensive collection of sakes (including some on tap), this Junction Krog District jewel from prolific restaurateur Alex Kinjo (Kinjo Room, MF Sushi, etc.) is an essential for lovers of Japanese cuisine.

Born in Manhattan but inspired by the iconic Barcelona market whose name it bears, Boqueria brings a fiesta’s worth of traditional tapas — from patatas bravas and pan con tomate to garlic shrimp and mussels with chorizo — to Colony Square. Pro tip: Be sure to order some hand-carved jamón ibérico, and you’ll see why it’s considered the world’s best ham.

Both upscale and surprisingly affordable, Jak Omakase is a destination for sushi in Duluth, where much of the impeccable seafood is imported from Japan (including premium o-toro and Hokkaido sea urchin). Go for the 12-course lunch ($58) or the 15-course dinner menu ($78).

Doubling down on the success of the original Lily in Alpharetta, this sibling in Milton’s Crabapple Market offers the same winning menu. Think an encyclopedia of sushi styles (nigiri, maki-mono, hand rolls, and more), binchotan grill dishes (try the miso-marinated lamb), and other Japanese delights.

From the team behind Momo Cafe and Brush Sushi, Lucky Star is the place to enjoy morning pastries and Taiwanese chicken sandwiches up front come lunch. But don’t miss the reservations-only bar in the back at night, serving innovative takes on classic cocktails and a unique “cocktail omakase” program, with appropriate bites on the side. 

You’ll want to come along for the ride at this stylish Adair Park sibling to West Midtown’s Omakase Table. At Ryokou, chef Paul Gutting takes diners on a tour of Japan with his modern kappo experience, where the tasting menu highlights ingredients and specialty dishes from different Japanese prefectures, with curated sake selections on the side.

“Irie” is a Jamaican term for contentment or well-being, and that’s exactly what you’ll feel at this vibrant spot in Peachtree Corners. Expect classics like jerk chicken, ackee and saltfish, and one decadent French toast with rum sauce, plus excellent cocktails to boot.

The owner of Kitty Dare in Inman Park scores again with this bright “new South” spot in Cascade Heights, named in honor of a late friend. The Latin-tinged Southern menu has lots to love (salmon adobo! Homemade churros!), but you’ll especially want to order Miss Nathalie’s shrimp pasta, inspired by its namesake lady.

You can trust veteran restaurateur Alex Kinjo with anything (he’s behind Yakitori Kona, Kinjo Room, and MF Sushi), and this elegant Thai destination (in partnership with the folks behind Osha Thai) is no exception. Stunning settings aside, you’ll be hard-pressed to choose between specialties like pad cha branzino, crab fried rice, and a number of grilled skewers, so plan to come back and often.

The showplace venue at the Forth Hotel & Club, Il Premio is the perfect spot for date night — or any other special occasion — with its opulent furnishings (glistening chandeliers, a vintage baby grand piano), its homemade pastas, its top-quality steaks and seafood, and one of the town’s best collections of Italian wine. 

At this stylishly comfortable West Midtown establishment, chef Karl Gorline (formerly in the kitchens at Watershed and Atlas) celebrates the varied cuisines of the Alps — which span eight European nations — using ingredients from the restaurant’s own farm, and the results should put the place at the summit of your must-visit list.

Here’s something different: the first American offshoot of the celebrated Bloom Bar in Accra, Ghana. Expect West African fare like jollof rice along with some of the Asian street food offerings so popular in the region. Added attractions: a wealth of vivid cocktails and non-stop West African music, both recorded and live. 

At this colorful Roswell restaurant, Chaouki “C.K.” Khoury and Marc Mansour delve deeply into Lebanon’s immensely flavorful cuisine, using both local ingredients and Lebanese imports, and fill out the menu with selected specialties from Greece, Italy, and other corners of the Mediterranean. 

You’re going to want to come back often to this downtown Newnan delight from Scott Smith (the man behind the Curious mini-chain) because the menu changes often, in deliciously unpredictable ways. Pro tip: Ramp up your brunch game with weekend options that might include avocado hummus and a venison frittata.

This Atlanta sibling of the decades-old Porterhouse in Athens offers the kind of steaks you dream about — hand-cut certified Angus ribeye, filet mignon, New York strip, and of course, its namesake: a 22-ounce porterhouse with wild mushroom ragout. (There’s seafood too, including the house signature that shouldn’t be overlooked: she-crab soup with sherry.)