Despite the ability to reopen over a month ago, many Atlanta restaurant owners have chosen to take a more measured approach to opening their dining rooms again to the public. Some restaurants are reopening with takeout first, before slowing moving into dine-in service, while others are ramping up dining room service, starting with outdoor seating.
Here are a few restaurants to get excited about this week reopening for takeout or limited dine-in service soon around Atlanta. It should be noted, some restaurants are still only offering takeout or are featuring a limited menu in the dining room or on the patio. Be sure to check an individual restaurant’s hours online or on social media for updates.
JUNE 15
Marietta
Red Eyed Mule: The restaurant known for serving Alton Brown’s favorite burger — Jake’s Sloppy Slaw burger — and its biscuits is back open on Church Street Extension in Marietta. Expect staff to be wearing masks and gloves and the Red Eyed Mule to be enforcing social distancing. Outside seating has been increased, too. Takeout is still available.
Cheshire Bridge Road
Nino’s Italian Restaurant: The old school red sauce restaurant opened last week for both dine-in service and takeout. Nino’s is currently reservation only and limiting capacity in the dining room. Staff will be wearing masks and gloves, and patrons must have their temperature taken and sanitize their hands before being seated.
Westside
West Egg Cafe: The popular breakfast and brunch spot on Howell Mill Road reopens June 17 for limited dine-in service inside and on the patio. Reservations are required for Saturday and Sunday, and highly encouraged Wednesday through Friday. Dining will be limited to 45 minutes per table. West Egg Cafe is suspending tipping but adding 20 percent gratuity to each bill that will be distributed among non-management employees. Order online for takeout. Delivery available via DoorDash. Read more about the COVID-19 safety measures here.
Midtown
Empire State South: Chef Hugh Acheson’s midtown Atlanta restaurant reopened this week for patio dining. The dog friendly patio is reservation only for now and is open from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Empire State South requests patrons wear masks before being seated and when moving about the space. Takeout available. Read more about the patio, takeout, and COVID-19 safety measures here.
Ah Ma’s Taiwanese Kitchen: The Taiwanese restaurant located in the Midtown Promenade complex opens June 18 for limited dine-in service. Ah Ma’s is following the CDC’s recommendations for restaurants. Takeout is available. Call to order.
Momonoki: Located on 8th Street in Midtown, Momonoki reopens its dining room and patio on June 18 for limited dine-in service. All staff will be wearing masks and gloves. The restaurant is asking patrons to wear masks while not seated and eating, including while waiting for a table or using the restroom. Momo Cafe also reopens for limited dine-in service next door. Order online for takeout.
Downtown
Atlanta Breakfast Club: After doing a brisk takeout business for two months, the popular breakfast and lunch restaurant is back open for dine-in service on Ivan Allen in downtown Atlanta. Takeout is still available. Order online.
Westview
D Cafe and Catering: The Westview neighborhood cafe, owned by Devotis Lee, reopened this week along Ralph Abernathy Boulevard for limited dine-in service. D Cafe now features contactless payment, a countertop shield, spaced out seating for optimal social distancing, and provides hand sanitizer. All food is currently served via to-go containers.
Old Fourth Ward
Hazel Jane’s: The patio is back open for limited seating at the Eastside Beltline wine bar and cafe. People order, pay, and pick up food and wine at the window. Seating is first come, first served. Food is served in to-go containers. Patio currently open from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Takeout still available. Order takeout food or bottles of wine online for curbside pickup.
Inman Park
Lloyd’s: The Dekalb Avenue restaurant and lounge is currently only open for takeout during lunch and dinner. Order online for pickup. Lunch orders are picked up next door at Victory Coffee and Calamity. Dinner orders are picked up at LLoyd’s. Victory Sandwich Bar also reopened last week in Inman Park for limited outdoor dining in the parking lot.
Decatur
The Deer and the Dove: Chef Terry Koval’s Decatur restaurant opened this week for limited seating inside and on the sidewalk. Patrons are asked to limited their dining experience to one-and-a-half hours and to wear masks before being seating or when moving about the space. The restaurant now uses a contactless menu and payment system with a QR code scanned on a smart phone and Heartland Quest app. Reservations highly encouraged. Contactless, curbside service is still available. Order online.
JUNE 8
Chamblee
Chom Chom Vietnamese Kitchen/Mamak Vegan: Both restaurants have reopened for limited dine-in service at the new Magnum Plaza off of Chamblee Tucker Road. But look for a pop-up menu from sister restaurant Mamak featured at Chom Chom right now, including popular dishes like chow kway teow from the Buford Highway Malaysian restaurant. Chom Chom is also offering tiki drinks and cocktails on the patio, too. Takeout available.
Westside
Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours: The Huff Road restaurant, owned by chef Deborah VanTrece, continues offering a chicken-centric takeout menu from its newly minted to-go business, “A Different Kind of Chick” and “Fish Fry Fridays.” But, look for the restaurant to finally reopen its dining room on Friday, June 19 (Juneteenth). Dining at Twisted Soul will be reservation only for now, with the patio reserved for walk-ins. Takeout available.
Aziza: The Westside Provisions District restaurant has been open for takeout for two weeks and reopens its dining room to the public on Thursday, June 11. Reservations are highly encouraged. Takeout and curbside pickup are available at Aziza and neighboring Falafel Nation. Check out the restaurants’ hours of operation and COVID-19 guidelines here. Takeout available.
Redbird: Located across the bridge at Westside Provisions District, chef Zeb Stevenson’s restaurant reopens its dining room after three months on Tuesday, June 16. In addition to limited dine-in service, Redbird will also offer a takeout service called “Running with Redbird.” Reservations are highly encouraged.
Virginia-Highland
8ARM: The popular restaurant and bar debuted its new outdoor kitchen and bar called Sidepiece in the parking lot of the Ponce de Leon Avenue restaurant, after closing for dine-in service in March. Sidepiece and the patio bar at 8ARM offer counter-service food and drinks, takeout options, and expanded outdoor seating. The restaurant’s dining room remains closed for now, but 8ARM’s intimate wine bar will reopen soon for reservations. Read more about Sidepiece here.
Old Fourth Ward
My Abuelas Food: The restaurant in residence at Spindle Kitchen in the Studioplex complex has been running a brisk takeout business since closing for dine-in service three months ago. Chefs Luis Martinez and Monica Martinez are beginning to slowly reopen their popular Puerto Rican restaurant, serving dishes inspired by recipes from their grandmothers. The takeout menu continues to expand, and includes collaborations with Teppista ATL, Vegan X, and Pupuseria El Perreito. My Abuelas Food also shares its kitchen space with the mother and daughter team behind bakery business La Dolce Madness Baked Goods. Check out the takeout menu here, and follow My Abuelas Food on Instagram for updates on dine-in service.
Inman Park
BoccaLupo: After running a successful takeout business since closing in March, the highly regarded Inman Park restaurant returns to dine-in service this week on its covered patio. Limited seating is available, and reservations are required. BoccaLupo remains cashless. The restaurant’s weekly takeout service continues. Call 404-577-2332 after 3 p.m. to order. Closed Sunday and Monday. Follow on Instagram for daily updates.
Ticonderoga Club: The Krog Street Market tavern reopened this week for takeout after being closed for three months. Ticonderoga Club teased its forthcoming takeout menu with a Spiedie sandwich to-go special in early June. Now, with a new Ticon-To-Go Club menu in place, people can order lunch, dinner, and brunch on the weekend for social distancing picnics at the park. Think T-Club’s Yankee BEC, spiced pork torta, and Cobb salad. Follow on Instagram for daily updates and dine-in service reopening announcement.
Decatur
Ms. Icey’s Kitchen & Bar: Ms. Icey’s is back open for limited dine-in service on Clairmont Road, serving, lunch, dinner, and its very popular brunch on the weekends. For those who still aren’t comfortable dining out yet, Ms. Icey’s features a takeout menu that can be ordered online, too. Read the restaurant’s COVID-19 safety measures here. Follow on Instagram for updates.
Kimball House: While the dining room and bar remain closed, Kimball House has reopened its sprawling patio for dine-in service. Reservations are highly encouraged, and walk-ins will be seated on a first come, first served basis. With limited seating outdoors, the restaurant is asking people to keep their dining experiences to 90 minutes. Kimball House continues offering its takeout menu, which is announced each week on Instagram. Think shucked oysters on ice and oyster platters, crab cakes, and fried chicken or fish dinners to-go, with the option to order bottles of champagne and rose.
Stay home if sick. Check the Georgia Department of Public Health website for guidance and updates on the latest number of reported COVID-19 cases.