Atlanta’s Most Exciting Fall Restaurant Openings

We’re looking ahead to fall for cooler temps, the return of football, and new dining possibilities in the city. A Canadian coffee chain, a seafood institution resurrected with celeb backing, and a new eat-and-play option lead the way for restaurant openings we’re totally psyched about.

THE SPOTS

Opening: October 2023

Any old, old ATLiens, who still remember when Red Lobster once sat on Campbellton Road, will rejoice in the return of another shrimp and sirloin meal to this southside neighborhood. The new establishment takes over the 6,000-square-foot Deja Vu Sports Bar and Lounge space.

photo credit: Andrew Thomas Lee

Opening: Fall 2023

Little Sparrow is the latest concept from Atlanta restaurant alchemist Ford Fry (Marcel, Little Rey, etc). It’s Fry’s much-anticipated replacement for his popular JCT Kitchen spot in West Midtown. Named after Edith Piaf, this French bistro will have staples like steak and halibut—plus an entire menu section devoted to frites and sauces. And we’ll have “ne regrette” about trying one of everything. 

Opening: Opening: Fall 2023

Bar Blanc (also from Ford Fry) will be an indoor/outdoor rooftop restaurant above Little Sparrow in West Midtown. With a more contemporary vibe than the aforementioned, this French spot will have a $49.50 prix fixe menu with salad, steak, and unlimited frites.

photo credit: Tim Hortons

Opening: Fall 2023

Atlanta’s first ever Tim Hortons will open in Midtown across from The Varsity later this year. The famous Canadian chain will offer their signature coffee, breakfast items, and fresh donuts, including our personal faves, the Timbits.

photo credit: Culinary Dropout

Opening: Fall 2023

The Culinary Dropout chain also opens its first Atlanta location this fall. Taking root in West Midtown, the restaurant (owned by the same group behind Flower Child) will offer classic bar food like burgers and housemade pretzels. Expect yard games, live music, and a new place to scream at the Falcons game.

photo credit: Butter + Scotch

Opening: Nov/Dec

Downtown gets this new two-level restaurant and bar—from the husband-and-wife team behind Che Butter Jonez, a tiny but mighty sandwich shop on Cleveland Ave. Butter + Scotch will feature lamb ragu, whole snapper, and other Afro-Caribbean- and Bermudian-tinged dishes.

Opening: Fall/Winter 2023

DelBar, our favorite Inman Park restaurant, is plotting two new locations across the city. The chic Middle Eastern restaurant will take over the King + Duke space in Buckhead and join West Midtown’s booming expansion with a spot in the new Star Metals building.  

Opening: Winter 2023

This new rum and agave bar was supposed to open last year at the Atlanta Dairies, but unspecified delays pushed its launch back to late 2023. We’re still mourning Wonderkid, the vibey ’70s era bar that closed at the Dairies last year, so we’re more than ready for El Malo and keeping our fingers crossed for heavy pours of rum. 

photo credit: DeMarco Williams

Opening: Winter 2023

This Northwest Atlanta institution famous for its long lines and hefty takeout trays of whole fried fish and fries hasn’t had a brick-and-mortar operation since 2018. With the backing of Killer Mike and T.I., that changes when a new building finally opens later this year on the old spot’s footprint.

Opening: Winter 2023

Summerhill is adding underground parlor, Redacted, to its growing roster off Georgia Ave. The cocktail list will be inspired by conspiracy theories to go along with their basement digs. We like a good theme, and as long as it’s more Area 51-type theories than election-denying vibes, we might have a new bar to put on our rotation.

Opening: Winter 2023

The team behind The Painted Pin and The Painted Duck are betting on the growing popularity of pickleball with their newest concept, The Painted Pickle. If you aren’t familiar with the game, think jumbo-sized ping pong on a shrunken tennis court with sport-specific jargon like “dink” and “the kitchen.” This latest gaming bar, located in Armour Yards between Buckhead and Midtown, will feature eight indoor courts and two patios alongside a full bar, and light eats including sushi, salads, and sandwiches. So yes, the Painted Pickle is set to provide dinks and drinks to Atlanta (we had to do it). 

Opening: 2024

Additionally, the Painted Duck team plans another “eatertainment” concept called Painted Park. The new Inman Park restaurant will have indoor/outdoor space, lawn games, and views of the busy Eastside BeltLine trail, which we all know is enough entertainment in itself.