Here’s the Restaurant Taking Over King and Duke in Buckhead

It’s confirmed: Delbar Middle Eastern is set to replace King and Duke this winter. Ford Fry closes his Buckhead restaurant known for its wood-fired dishes Sunday, June 18, after ten years at One Buckhead Plaza on Peachtree Road.

Buckhead becomes the third location of chef Fares Kargar’s popular Persian and Middle Eastern restaurant, which will include lunch and dinner and weekend brunch and be open seven days a week.

Like the locations in Inman Park and Alpharetta, Delbar in Buckhead will feature a similar design, leaning into decor and other elements inspired by the Iranian countryside, home to Kargar’s grandmother. In addition to the main dining room and bar inside, look for the covered patio to feature its own bar with a separate drinks menu. The restaurant will include two private dining rooms, one on the mezzanine overlooking the main dining room.

Expect a mix of new and popular dishes at the Buckhead location, like hummus garnished with crispy chickpeas and sumac, Omani shrimp, sabzi polo with fenugreek basmati rice, and chinjeh (prime sirloin with saffron, onions, and yogurt marinade). Weekend brunch sees dishes like oyster mushroom peynirli pide with fried onions and kasseri cheese, fresh taftoun bread, and baklava with walnut, phyllo dough, pistachios, and orange blossom.

Cocktails in Buckhead will also tap into the flavors of the region, with many ingredients and spices imported from Iran. (Think barberries, cardamom, Persian dried lime, and sour cherries). Beyond cocktails, beer, and wine, Delbar will offer sharbats (cordial) and non-alcoholic drinks made using fresh fruits and flowers.

Kargar came to the United States in 2006, after leaving Iran when he was 17 years old to avoid the country’s compulsory military service requirement for men 18 years and older. After fleeing to Turkey, Kargar applied to come to the United States as a refugee in order to seek a college degree. The chef arrived in Atlanta a year later and went on to earn a degree in hospitality from Georgia State University.

After working in a number of Atlanta restaurants, including Rumi’s Kitchen in Sandy Springs, Kargar opened Delbar in 2020 in Inman Park, followed by Persian restaurant stall Bibi at Ponce City Market two years later. The long-awaited Alpharetta location just opened in May, taking over the former Traditions Indian Cuisine space on Old Milton Parkway.

3060 Peachtree Road, Atlanta. delbaratl.com.