A whole host of new restaurants opened in Atlanta this summer. Here’s a list, updated throughout the month, of the newest spots opening in August.

Usher’s mother, Jonnetta Patton, opens J’s Smokehouse in Doraville

Celebrity-owned restaurants are nothing new in Atlanta, and now Grammy Award-winning singer Usher’s mother is joining the fray. Culinary entrepreneur Jonnetta Patton has opened a barbecue restaurant and food truck called J’s Smokehouse in Doraville. 2 AugustEnjoy classics from Chef Greg Dennis such as smoked turkey legs, ribs and beef brisket as well as vegan pulled pork and hot dogs.

New Mexican and Korean restaurants open in Uptown Atlanta

The mixed-use complex between Buckhead and Midtown, Uptown, welcomes three restaurants this month. Taqueria El Gordo, known for its birria tacos (from the owners behind Birria El Gordo in Marietta), opens 3 Augustand Chef Vincent Jung’s Korean barbecue spot, Bene Korean, will also have a grand opening later this month. At Bene, expect appetizers like kimchi and seafood pancakes, Korean fried chicken wings and bulgogi cheese fries, as well as a full bar with a selection of Korean spirits.

White Windmill, a popular Korean bakery, and Latin American restaurant Madre Selva are also expected to open in the coming months. The new restaurants join 26 Thai Kitchen and Bar and Chow À La Carte at the Uptown Test Kitchen. Uptown is located next to the Lindbergh MARTA Station and near the BeltLine, PATH400 and the South Fork Trail.

Uptown Atlanta

Chamblee Tap and Market opens in historic downtown Chamblee

Friends Jeff Kimmel and David Heymann have teamed up to open Chamblee Tap and Market. 8 August inspired by their Beer Club Sundays meetings during the pandemic. There are 26 beers on tap – 20 of them dedicated to local and seasonal craft beers, national and international favorites and rare varieties – along with five wine taps and a cocktail selection. The taproom’s opening beer menu includes Good Word, Bold Monk, Maine, Bluejacket, Creature Comforts and favorites Sierra Nevada and Pacifico. Several food stands are slated to open in the space in the fall.

Brandon Amato

The Moonlight Rooftop Bar brings 70s vibes to the Forth Hotel

Moonlight, a 1970s-style rooftop cocktail lounge, opens on 8 August at the Forth Hotel, the BeltLine’s newest sleek addition in the Old Fourth Ward. It joins Mediterranean poolside restaurant Elektra, which opened last month. Moonlight will be on the 16th floor and will focus on cocktails, such as the Lucky Star made with vodka, gin, vermouth, brine and lemon bitters, and light bites such as deviled eggs, lobster rolls and caviar service.

Matthew Williams

Opening of the Granada Hotel in Midtown with a garden restaurant serving Spanish cuisine

Midtown’s newest hotel, Hotel Granada, opens its doors on 12 August Pom Court, a Spanish-style garden restaurant, is scheduled to open the same day. Chef Jaime Cubias (previously of The Optimist) will create an all-day menu of breakfast pastries, shared lunch and dinner snacks like grilled peaches and burrata, fried green tomatoes and deviled eggs, and heartier options like empanadas, vegetable wraps and smash burgers. The restaurant will be located between the indoor lobby and outdoor courtyard. A speakeasy cocktail bar is scheduled to open at the hotel in the fall.

Japanese pop-up shop from Cheffrey’s Kitchen takes over brick-and-mortar retail

Brick and Mortar at Pullman Yards has selected its first chef for launch 16.August. Chef Kiyoka Nishikawa of Japanese pop-up restaurant Cheffrey’s Kitchen is expected to serve a traditional seven-course kaiseki (Japanese fine dining) menu for $80 per person. There will be two tables of 20 guests each night. Reservations are available and required.

In addition to Nishikawa’s menu, Brick and Mortar will be 14 August helmed by Chef Alan Somphonephakdy, founder of Asian street food pop-up Salty Smiles. Expect dishes like corn and spring onion fritters with spicy honey, massaman curry potato spring rolls with green chutney sauce and a smash burger. No reservations are required for orders from the regular menu.

Austin-based Torchy’s Tacos opens 126th location in West Midtown

Mike Rypka’s Torchy’s Tacos, a popular taco shop in Austin, is set to open 23.August in West Midtown on Howell Mill Road. It will be the chain’s 126th location and the first in Georgia. The Trailer Park Taco is a best-seller made with fried chicken, green chiles, pico de gallo and cheese. The new location is hiring for all restaurant positions, including cashiers, bartenders, food runners, expo, prep, grill and dishwashers.

Nando’s PERi-PERi to open in High Street multi-purpose complex

South African restaurant chain Nando’s PERi-PERi will open its flagship store in Atlanta on 27.August on High Street, a mixed-use apartment complex, restaurant and shopping center in Dunwoody. Nando’s joins Puttshack, Velvet Taco and Cuddlefish in the area. The restaurant is known for its flame-grilled chicken and a 24-hour marinade of African bird’s eye chilies (peri peri or piri piri). You can choose the level of spiciness and order sandwiches, platters or bowls.

Nando’s PERi-PERi