The Most Exciting New Atlanta Restaurants of 2022

As 2022 attracts to a detailed, and, as is custom, Eater surveyed Atlanta meals writers and restaurant critics in addition to surveyed readers on all the things from their favourite new restaurant or pop-up and greatest meal of the yr to what they hope to start out seeing on the Atlanta eating scene in 2023.

First up, we ask our specialists and Eater readers to share their favourite new restaurant to open or pop-up to launch in 2022. And there was lots to select from this yr, as near 200 eating places and bars opened in 2022 alone (and counting).

Verify again all through the week for extra Yr in Eater suggestions from Atlanta meals writers and Eater readers.

Sara Delgado, Eater Atlanta contributor

Positively Fishmonger. I like how targeted of an idea it’s, and the meals is nice, no frills or reservations required. I like when a restaurant opens and it’s utterly contemporary (no pun supposed) and provides one thing utterly new to the town.

Mike Jordan, Atlanta meals and tradition journalist and Southeast editor at Resy

My favourite new restaurant was Mujo. It’s not low cost, and sure I’m typically bougie, however that makes it no much less true IMO. Fishmonger was very, very shut behind it, and I used to be very a lot into So So Fed, however Mujo appears like one other assertion for the town, very similar to Lazy Betty in 2019. A family-owned restaurant group from the Atlanta space deciding that it was price doing one thing higher than all people else. And on this case, positive, it meant getting a sushi genius from…Kentucky! However one who’d mastered his craft in NYC and Tokyo, and had additionally fallen for our superior little huge Southern hub of a city. Once more, sure, it’s best to take $1,000 out of your checking account, take somebody you’re keen on (make SURE you’re keen on them), and plan for an unforgettable evening of omakase with nice music, unimaginable service, and excellent cocktails. I promise it’s price it.

Sam Worley, Atlanta journal deputy editor

Palms down Tio Lucho’s, and my fave new pop-up was Ba + Me. They’re utterly totally different (Peruvian and Vietnamese, respectively), however I believe I used to be drawn to the identical sorts of qualities in each: huge, superfresh flavors; trustworthy cooking; plenty of veggies and herbs. I by no means liked a quinoa salad until I ate the one at Tio Lucho’s.

Kris Martins, Eater Atlanta contributor

Tio Lucho’s. I like this distinctive highlight on Peruvian dishes and flavors that incorporate seasonal, regional elements. For me, this restaurant strikes that stability between offering context on a delicacies that’s newer to the town, whereas additionally making its menu an expression of Georgia. Plus, all the things’s filled with taste, from the intense and spicy tiradito to the hearty lomo saltado.

Jennifer Zyman, Atlanta restaurant critic and Meals & Wine journal senior commerce author

Mujo, arms down. It’s not solely one of the best omakase, but in addition one of the best sushi in Atlanta. The one ache is getting in for a reservation in case you miss the month-to-month drop. And it’s tremendous costly, which may be prohibitive for some.

Beth McKibben, editor of Eater Atlanta

I agree with all the eating places named above, however I’m going to throw two extra on the market: Gigi’s Italian Kitchen and Laotian pop-up So So Fed. I’ve mentioned it many occasions, the pop-up scene is the way forward for Atlanta eating and the place a number of the most enjoyable and dynamic meals is going on proper now anyplace within the metropolis or metro space. Gigi’s began life as a pop-up at Gato in Candler Park, and inside a yr constructed a following so fiercely loyal, Nicolas Stinson turned the keys to the area over to cooks Eric Brooks and Jacob Armando. I’m in love with the comforting Italian bistro dishes, tight wine record, and chill ambiance at Gigi’s. Neighborhood spots identical to this ought to be throughout Atlanta. As for So So Fed, I’ve been following Molli Voraotsady and her Laotian meals pop-up since its days on the Bookhouse Pub, Qommunity, and 8ARM (RIP), and now at Full Fee. I’m nonetheless interested by a current dinner the place I loved a bowl of purple curry laden with Thai eggplant, zucchini, and bamboo shoots and tender chunks of pork shoulder in a fantastically fragrant chili broth.

Eater readers surveyed

A number of readers who participated within the 2022 Yr in Eater eating survey listed new eating places Fishmonger, Tortuga y Chango, Tio Lucho’s, and pop-up Humble Mumble as their favorites to open this yr.