There are a lot of new restaurants slated to debut in metro Atlanta in 2025. Here are a few that we’re particularly excited to see join the local dining scene.
Boom Boom Bao, Lime Tiger and Uwu Asian Dessert Co. Husband and wife Dinh Tran and Khanh Dang, who own several metro Atlanta locations of Vietvana Pho Noodle House, are set to go big this year at Ponce City Market with the opening of three new restaurants. Boom Boom Bao, a bao and dim sum place, will serve breakfast and lunch, featuring baozi (steamed Chinese sandwiches) and dumplings. Lime Tiger will offer a menu focused on Southeast Asian street food. And Uwu Asian Dessert Co. will focus on Japanese-inspired sweet treats and desserts, including pastries, egg waffles and bingsu (shaved ice), as well as milk teas and coffees. 675 Ponce de Leon Ave. NE, Atlanta.
Credit: Handout
Credit: Handout
Cafe Momentum. This nonprofit restaurant, employing Atlanta teenagers who have spent time in the juvenile justice system, has selected James Beard Award semifinalist Josh Lee to run its kitchen. Look for the menu to feature wild game and dry-aged meats, a deviled egg “experience,” vegan and vegetarian items (such as a butternut squash risotto with lion’s mane mushrooms) and vegetables, including coal-smoked broccolini. 200 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta. cafemomentum.org/atlanta
Crooked Can. This Florida-based brewery and food hall is due to open in the Grove at Towne Center development in Snellville. The taproom will feature 16 taps, with eight core beers and eight seasonally rotating brews, ciders and Georgia wines. And at least nine of the stalls will serve food, including pizza, barbecue, coffee and ice cream. 2342 Oak Road SW, Snellville. crookedcan.com
Credit: ANDREW CEBULKA
Credit: ANDREW CEBULKA
Lewis Barbecue. Pitmaster John Lewis is set to open his fourth restaurant — and his first in Georgia — this summer in Ansley Mall. The menu will offer Central Texas-style barbecue, including brisket, pork spareribs, pulled pork, turkey and hot guts sausage; such sides as potato salad, collard greens and fries cooked in tallow; snacks; desserts, including banana pudding; and a full bar. 1544 Piedmont Ave. NE, Atlanta. lewisbarbecue.com
Madeira Park. Steven Satterfield and Neal McCarthy of longtime Atlanta restaurant Miller Union are partnering with Tim Willard of the Dive Wine Bar pop-up to open this wine bar located on the ground floor of Otto’s Apartment Hotel. The bar will offer a curated list of wines, cocktails made with fortified wines and a variety of small plates. 644 N. Highland Ave. NE, Atlanta. madeiraparkatl.com
Millie’s Pizzeria. Luis Mendez of Bucatini Ristorante and Benton Bourgeois of Jojo’s Beloved Cocktail Lounge are collaborating on this Italian American restaurant and wine bar that will be located next to the forthcoming Politan Row food hall in the Forum Peachtree Corners development. You can expect pizzas, meatballs and a charcuterie program, along with salads and offerings for kids. 5133 Peachtree Parkway, Peachtree Corners. milliespizzeria.com
Credit: Handout
Credit: Handout
Portillo’s. The first Georgia location of the beloved Illinois-based chain is set to open during 2025 in Kennesaw. While the menu hasn’t been finalized (they vary from one location to another), guests can expect to find the hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches and chocolate cake that have garnered Portillo’s a following since the chain’s first restaurant opened in 1963. 790 Cobb Place Blvd. NW, Kennesaw. portillos.com
Some Luck. Parnass Savang and Rod Lassiter of Michelin-recommended Talat Market will open Thai bar Some Luck in the Poncey-Highland neighborhood later this year. Inspired by Thai street food, the menu likely will feature such dishes as hot and sour soups, boat noodles and fried pork ribs. The bar’s emphasis will be on beers — including local and Thai brews — and simple, stirred cocktails with Thai rums and other liquors. 644 N. Highland Ave. NE, Atlanta. instagram.com/someluckatl
Credit: Courtesy of Peter Ho
Credit: Courtesy of Peter Ho
Spring 2nd Branch. Brian So and Daniel Crawford had a banner year 2024, with their Marietta restaurant Spring awarded a Michelin star and Crawford the recipient of the Michelin Outstanding Service Award. This year will likely be another for the books with the opening of their second eatery, Spring 2nd Branch (formerly known as Bom). The restaurant, which has popped up at Spring over the past few months, will serve the traditional Korean dishes So grew up eating, including bossam (boiled pork belly wraps), jogaetang (clam stew) and gamjatang (spicy pork bone stew) along with a selection of beer and soju. 113 Church St., Marietta. spring2ndbranch.com
Tipsy Thaiger. This pop-up is planning to open a brick-and-mortar location in a historic building on Roswell Square. The restaurant will serve quick-style lunches with breakfast and lunch dishes typically found on the streets of Bangkok, and Thai-influenced small bites and cocktails during dinner. 605 Atlanta St., Roswell. tipsythaiger.com
Upper West Market. The team behind Upper West Market, set to open this summer, stresses that it is not a food hall. So, what is it? The two-story, 96,836-square-foot development will feature an open-air section with vendor stalls, office space, an event venue and indoor and outdoor seating. James Beard Award winner Anne Quatrano of Michelin-starred restaurant Bacchanalia will open Summerland Cafe there, while Hop City Beer & Wine, which has several metro Atlanta retail locations, will debut its first wine bar in the development. 1385 Collier Road, Atlanta. upperwestmarket.com
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