Where and what to eat in metro Atlanta | May 2023

ATLANTA - Here is the latest restaurant news from around metro Atlanta and sometimes beyond. If you'd like to submit an item to added to this list or a future list, send an email to joyce.lupiani@fox.com. This article was most recently updated May 19. 

Barks & Bites: Doggie Food Crawl on the BeltLine is happening from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 21. Three of Atlanta’s most dog-friendly restaurants – Brewdog, Envegan, and Butter & Cream – will prepare dishes especially for furry foodies, and there’s even a "Dog Brew" made for pups. Meanwhile, hoomans can enjoy small bites at each stop and toast a craft beer with their fur babies. There will also be giveaways from pet vendors and attendees can get a look inside Woofgang Bakery & Grooming. Advance tickets required. 

Dunkin will host Children's Healthcare of Atlanta representatives at its 5660 Roswell Road location in Sandy Springs from 8 to 9:30 a.m. May 22 to help raise awareness for Iced Coffee Day. Free Iced Coffee Day gift cards will be distributed in store and in the drive thru, reminding customers to come back May 23. $1 from every iced coffee sold on May 23 will be donated to the Dunkin' Joy in Childhood Foundation with 100% of the funds raised going towards local children's hospitals.  Proceeds from Dunkin' locations throughout Georgia will benefit Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and the Emory Proton Therapy Center to support kids battling illness in their local community.   

The new Dine Around the Mediterranean Summer Series at Hyatt Centric Buckhead Atlanta's pan-Mediterranean restaurant Three Arches kicks off with the Planeta Wine Dinner at 7 p.m. May 25. The five-course pairing experience is led by Rebecca Vosecky from Georgia Crown Distributors and Executive Chef Josh Hopkins will create a 5-course tasting menu to complement the carefully curated wines. Cost is $135 per person before tax and service charges. Each diner will also receive a keepsake recipe box. 

Lamb Shack, the popular ghost kitchen run out of Kyma in Buckhead, has extended its hours in response to the demand for high quality and casual Greek Food. New hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Additionally, Chef. Pano I. Karatossos' Lamb Shack will host surprise pop-up lunches starting in June. Upcoming special events include grand opening of the Champagne Patio with a Champagne Social at 6:30 p/m/. May 18. Tickets are $39 inclusive. Lamb Dinners are also back by popular demand. They will take place the last Sunday of every month at 6 p.m. starting May 21. The lamb will be on display for the final hour during a "Toast and Roast" in Kyma’s outdoor garden, over cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres. From there, guests will enjoy a menu of traditional Greek spreads, Kyma’s famous Grilled Octopus, Greek Salad and a tasting of Whole Roasted Lamb with Tzatiki, followed by a traditional Greek dessert of Loukoumades and Baklava. All courses will include wine pairings. Tickets are $160 inclusive. 

O'Charley's Restaurant + Bar has announced an all-new Smash Hit Burger lineup beginning May 22. Burgers include the Bacon Triple Smash Burger, Butter Me Up Burger, The Patty O'Melt, Slim Bob Burger, Swisshroom Burger and a cheeseburger and tender condo. O'Charley's is also donating $1 from every sale of their cobbler to The Folded Flag Foundation in support of Gold Star families for a limited time. 

Taziki's Mediterranean Grill has launched a new menu featuring spicy Harissa items, a chutney chicken sandwich, and the Mediterranean lamb burger. Guests can also now build their own feasts with choice of protein, side and salad. Their new kids section also offers several options for those 12 and under. 

Del Taco has announced the return of fan-favorite carnitas for a limited time. The slow-braised, shredded pork is now available to order in popular menu items including the Stuffed Quesadilla Taco, Epic Torta™, Combo Burrito, and Loaded Crinkle Cut Fries. 

Golden Corral is offering all-you-can-eat baby back ribs and crispy chicken tenders between May 22 and July 2. Sides include potato salad, coleslaw, macaroni and cheese and watermelon. The new summer offerings are available on weekdays after 4 p.m. Weekend hours may vary. Guests can enjoy this limited-time offer in-restaurant, for takeout, or have it delivered when ordered through the Golden Corral App or on the website.

The first food hall in Dunwoody – The Hall at Ashford – is scheduled to open May 26. Nine stalls will offer Japanese street food, Italian, tapas, Caribbean and Mediterranean, noodles, Mexican, southern food and America food. There will also be a larg bar that serves cocktails, wine and beer. 

National Anthem is now open inside the Omni Hotel at the Battery Atlanta. The menu features everything from loaded nachos to fish and chips to a double-stack burger and flat iron steak. It is owned by Chef Nick Bodovinus. 

RELATED: Burgers with Buck's visit to National Anthem

Gusto!, which is based in Atlanta, is opening its 12th location and 5th drive-thru in Tucker on May 15. The new shop will be led by Alex McGlashan and Erin Williams. Grand opening festivities include a free drive-thru event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 13. Guests must be in the drive-thru line by 1 p.m. to score a free meal and beverage, kids included!  

Chai Pani Decatur is hosting a five-course dinner to celebrate the release of Chef Reem Asssil's cookbook "Arabiyya: Recipes from the Life of an Arab in Diaspora" on May 10. All tickets include a welcome cocktail and copy of the cookbook. Cost is $119 per person. 

Aveline at Kimpton Shane Hotel in Midtown Atlanta is kicking off its patio season next week. Aveline under the stars is happening 6 to 9 p.m. May 12. There will be spring cocktails and festive bites from Hartley and Aveline's new spring menus. There will also be a live DJ. Yappy Hour is taking place 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. May 18 in partnership with Puppy United and PALS. There will be spring cocktails, delights and bites, and good vibes. 

Taste of Alpharetta on May 11 in downtown Alpharetta will feature local restaurants including Cattle Shed, Breakdown Burger, Curry Up Now, Eggroll Boyz, Foundation Social Eatery, Jinya Ramen Bar, Auntie Vee's, Restaurant Holmes and Smokejack BBQ. Tickets cost $1 each, with bites ranging in price from $2-$8. The event also features a kids zone and live music. 

Powder Springs third-annual seafood festival Bringing the Sea to the Springs is happening May 12-14. Vendors and festivities will be centered around Thurman Springs Park. There will be plenty of seafood (and other food to choose from), arts and crafts for sale, live music by local musicians and others, and fun things for the kids.  

Kura Sushi is opening a new location in Buford on May 13. The new restaurant features revolving sushi and robots that deliver drinks and condiments to guests in the restaurant. Special opening hours are 5 to 9 p.m. May 13 and noon to 9 p.m. May 14 and 15. All sushi plates will be $3.40 each during the opening celebration. 

Gocha's Tapas Bar in the Publix Shopping Center at Sandtown Crossing on Campbellton Road SW is opening on May 17. The kickoff event from 7 to 10 p.m. will be hosted by actress/producer Crystal Renee from BET's "Sistas." Gocha's Tapas Bar is the creation of influencer, restaurateur and head chef Gocha Hawkins. Menu highlights include grilled lamb chops, mini burgers, crispy fried green tomatoes with crab salad, smoked salmon chips, brushetta topped with marinated grilled shrimp, crispy fried shrimp, grilled street corn, mini salmon cakes, grilled steak skewers and a crazy lobster roll. 

Sankranti Indian Kitchen is now open on North Decatur Road near Emory University. The restaurant serves customizable curry bowls, kathi rolls, pulao, and traditional Indian appetizers for lunch and dinner daily. Meat, vegetarian, and vegan dishes are available to suit any palate. Guests who dine at the new Emory Village restaurant during its first three months in business will receive a 20 percent off coupon that can be used during a future visit. 

There's a new SONIC location in Sandy Springs at 5903 Roswell Road. The new Sandy Springs Drive-In will is open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 7 a.m. until 12 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Last fall, SONIC opened its LaGrange, Georgia, location and is planning to open locations in Cornelia, Blairsville and Fayetteville by early 2024. In total, SONIC will provide more than 200 jobs for the Atlanta community across the five locations. 

Livingston Restaurant & Bar is celebrating spring with a bold new menu from executive chef Steven Meese. The new menu includes appetizers such as smoked white asparagus soup with rich peekytoe crab and vibrant parsley oil and a salad of Bartlett pear poached in ponzu, mirin and star anise with wild greens, watermelon radish, goat cheese croquettes, and avocado lime vinaigrette or a main course of house-made spring pea ravioli inspired by the chef’s work in Italy served with creamy local chévre, earthy morel mushrooms, and Parmigiano foam or a special feature of White Oak Pastures short ribs that are first seared then slow-cooked sous vide for a mind-boggling 72 hours of controlled perfection, crusted with crispy panko and savory Dijon mustard and served with cipollini onions, fingerlings and heirloom carrots.

Stop by one of Cinnaholic’s three Atlanta-area locations (Edgewood, Dunwoody, Peachtree Corners) to try their spring limited time offerings, available through June 19. They include the Lemon Icebox Pie Roll, Coconut Cream Pie Roll and Lemonberry Coffee Cake. Cinnaholic also has great catering options for those hosting Mother’s Day brunch, graduation parties or other springtime celebrations. Each Cinnaholic cinnamon roll is 100% plant-based and free of dairy, lactose, eggs and cholesterol, providing a delicious treat for everyone.

Bomb Biscuit Atlanta, which started as a food stall, now has a full restaurant on Highland Avenue NE. Menu highlights include the Glori-Fried Chicken Biscuit, Big Country Ham Biscuit, Hot Honey Chicken Biscuit, It's All Gravy Biscuit, The Pimento Chick Biscuit, hash and eggs, chicken-n-waffles, and buttermilk biscuits. There are also vegan and gluten-free biscuits. 

A new food hall -- Citizens Market -- has opened at Phipps Plaza in Buckhead. Food offerings include Umami Burger, Krispy Rice, Sam's Crispy Chicken, Sa’Moto, EllaMia, Cicci di Carne, El Pollo Verde, and Soom Soom, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner seven days a week. There's also a full-serve indoor/outdoor bar that features local beers. 

Carmel is opening May 16 in Buckhead Village. It's the 6th restaurant from Baum and Oliva Restaurant Group to open since 2015. The idea behind Carmel is to give diners an experience that "encapsulates a general coastal atmosphere, rather than focusing on food from a single locality." 

Marlow's Tavern is celebrating spring with several new plates featuring lighter proteins such as fresh seafood and healthier preparations including curing, sautéing and roasting instead of frying. Menu highlights include salmon potato pancakes, Thia shrimp salad, Crab Louie, Infamous Fish Tacos, scallion-crusted trigger fish, Chocolate Pot de Crème and a warm berry crumble. 

Flavor Rich and Hen Mother Cookhouse in Suwanee have made it on Yelp's Top 100 Brunch Spots in the U.S. Flavor Rich (No. 8) is known for its decadent Peach Cobbler French Toast and Hen Mother Cookhouse (No. 51) is known for its mouthwatering Breakfast Egg Sandwich.  

Chef Zeb Stevenson has been named Culinary Director of Oliva Restaurant Group, which owns multiple restaurants in Atlanta. In his role as Culinary Director, Zeb lives out his lifelong focus of coupling creativity with craftsmanship. He oversees chefs helming the kitchens at Bellina Alimentari – an Italian market café and wine bar, Atrium – an enchanting culinary escape serving modern American menus with European influence, and modern Israeli restaurants Aziza, Falafel Nation and Rina.  He’s also been instrumental in setting up the kitchen for success at the group’s forthcoming Carmel – a new restaurant at Buckhead Village opening on May 16 that's inspired by Baum’s coastal upbringing and the shores of California and the Yucatan Peninsula.

An automated PizzaForno pizza machine is now open in Atlanta at 3861 Roswell Road in the Buckhead neighborhood. The machine can bake an artisan pizza in less than 3 minutes, 24 hours a day. Pizzas include pepperoni, BBQ chicken, four cheese blend, Hawaiian, Meat Lovers and Vegetarian. 

Fogon and Lions in Alpharetta is celebrating its first anniversary with a party on May 18. There will be pinatas, specialty cocktails, live entertainment and of course, birthday cake.  Chef Julio Delgado and his team are excited to showcase their appreciation for the unparalleled support from the Alpharetta community this past year. 

Tickets are now available for Colony Square's Taste on the Square on June 22. There will be food samples from participating CS restaurants, lime music from Party Nation, specialty cocktails (sponsored by Gray Whale Gin), live entertainment, and photo ops. Early bird tickets are $75 per person through May 31. Regular tickets are $95 per person through June 22 or until sold out. 

Gezzo's Cantina is now open on Marietta Boulevard NW. Menu highlights include fresh guacamole, ceviche, baja chicken eggrolls, loaded nachos, coconut curry rice bowl, jerk chicken rice bowl, carne asada, tempura fish, gulf shrimp, fajita burrito, teriyaki chicken burrito, surf & turf burrito, quesadillas and more. 

Shake Shack has unveiled a new veggie burger and non-dairy shake and frozen custard. The veggie burger is packed with mushrooms, sweet potatoes, carrots, farro and quinoa. It's topped with American cheese, crispy onions, pickles and ShackSauce. 

A new Italian restaurant in Buckhead Village will appeal to Formula One Fans. Yeppa and Co. features dishes from the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. Menu highlights meat and cheese boards; spaghetti, gnocchi, linguine and rigatoni; antipasti and antipasti skewers; chicken and veal shank; and desserts. 

A popular Inman Park restaurant, Delbar, is opening a new location in Alpharetta on May 10. It is replace Traditions Indian Cuisine on Old Milton Parkway. Menu highlights include adas polo (lentil rice dish made with tahdig), gheimeh bademjoon (lamb shank stew), Chilean sea bass spiced with saffron, and chinjeh (prime sirloin with saffron, onions, and yogurt marinade) during dinner. The restaurant will initially be open for dinner Tuesday through Saturday and will add lunch service and weekend brunch in the summer. 

Forza Storico on Howell Mill Road is taking its cocktail hour to new heights by offering a new weekly event -- Night in Rome. The weekly event will feature a live FJ from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. and select cocktails and wines. 

Gunshow, which is a dinner and a show all in one, is celebrating its 10th anniversary by announcing it has renewed its lease for another 10 years. The unique restaurant is designed to have minimal separation between guests and the kitchen. Freshly prepared dishes are presented to guests at their tables by the chefs that prepared them. Cocktails are prepared tableside on a rolling cart. The menu varies from day to day with a single dish staying on the menu for about three weeks before changing. The restaurant is open for dinner Thursday through Sunday from 6 to 9 p.m. 

Tyde Tate Kitchen now has a full-service restaurant on Mitchell Street SW. Menu highlights include shrimp rolls, sweet chili crispy tofu, steamed pork dumplings, basil chicken, chicken curry puffs, pad Thai, curry beef, Thai-style fried rice and more. 

 

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