The rest of 2017 is set to bring a spate of new restaurant openings, and our mouths are already watering. Here are the eateries that we can’t wait to see open their doors this year:
Ama:In 2016, Angus Brown and Nhan Le closed Lusca in Buckhead, opened 8Arm along Ponce de Leon Avenue, and started work on Ama inside Paris on Ponce, which is set to open this summer. Sadly, Brown died at the beginning of the year, but Le is pushing forward with plans for the 45-seat restaurant, which will be accessed from the Beltline and have a seafood-focused menu.
Anh's Kitchen:Fans of the now-shuttered Nam at Midtown Promenade will have reason to rejoice when this Vietnamese concept from Alex and Chris Kinjo — who owned Nam — opens at 855 Peachtree St. at the end of spring. Alex Kinjo also has two projects — MF Bar and District III —now open at the Avalon development in Alpharetta.
Bar Crema and Bar Americano:We're always interested to see what the team behind the Pinewood in Decatur and the Mercury at Ponce City Market has up its sleeve. This time, its these sister concepts going into the development at 56 E. Andrews Drive N.W. in Buckhead. Bar Americano is set to serve lunch and dinner, while the adjoining Bar Crema will serve takeaway items, desserts, gelato and coffee drinks, as well as classic cocktails and Italian aperitivos.
Bar Mercado:The newest concept from the Castellucci Hospitality Group, which owns Double Zero, the Iberian Pig and Cooks & Soldiers, will serve up a casual Spanish tapas concept inspired by the Market of San Miguel for the spot in Krog Street Market previously occupied by the Cockentrice. The restaurant is set to open in the spring.
The Canteen:Atlanta's food hall craze will continue in 2017 with this micro food hall project from the team behind the General Muir that will take the spot of the now-shuttered Spence at 75 Fifth St. N.W. at Tech Square. The Canteen will include outposts of Fred's Meat & Bread and Yalla, both of which also have locations in Krog Street Market, as well as a spinoff of the General Muir called TGM Bagel, which will serve bagels, coffee and breakfast items, and Square Bar, which will serve juices and smoothies in the morning and will transition to a full bar featuring beer, wine, frozen drinks and cocktails later in the day.
Coalition Food and Beverage:The team behind the popular Osteria Mattone and Table & Main will unveil its third concept in 2017 at Teasley Place at 50 Canton St., in Alpharetta. Chef Woolery "Woody" Back is set to deliver "progressive and signature interpretations of American wood-fired classics" including steaks, sandwiches and salads, as well as a full bar.
Hungry Ghost:The long-delayed spot from chef Calvin Phan of Poor Calvin's is set to open in 2017 at 345 Edgewood Ave. N.E., Atlanta. The Asian street food concept will reflect many of the offerings on the menu at Poor Calvin's, including lobster fried rice.
Mary Hoopa's House of Fried Chicken and Oysters:One Eared Stag chef-owner Robert Phalen plans to bring his restaurant specializing in fried chicken as well as oysters every which way to the Hosea + 2nd development in East Lake in 2017. Hosea + 2nd saw the openings this year of Greater Good BBQ and Poor Hendrix.
Noona: Michael Lo and George Yu, who own Taiyo Ramen in Decatur and Suzy Siu's Baos in Krog Street Market, have big plans for this "modern Korean" spot in the Parsons Alley development in Duluth, already home to O4W Pizza and the forthcoming Good Word Brew Pub from the Brick Store team. Noona, which means "older sister" in Korean, will focus on wood-fired grilling and will feature a raw bar program. Lo and Yu also plan to open Ramen Station at Larkin on Memorial this year.
Upbeet:Better Brands, which also owns the popular Yeah Burger restaurants, will open Upbeet at 1071 Howell Mill Road, Atlanta. The concept will allow customers to choose from a salad, grain bowl or protein plate, which they can customize as they move down the line. The restaurant will also feature a smoothie, superfood bowl and juice counter.
Photos: Best new restaurants in Atlanta
Photos: Best time-tested restaurants in Atlanta
