Metro Atlanta’s restaurant community saw a rough wave of restaurant closures in 2025. While not as widespread as 2024, closures this year included a number of legacy restaurants, like Eats, Julianna’s, and the original J’s Mini Hot Pot.
Rising rent and operating costs, overdevelopment, and changes in ownership were common themes among this year’s restaurant closures. It’s also worth noting that some older restaurants were priced out of the original neighborhoods in which they opened.
Closures are listed in chronological order.
Humble Pie
The Interlock, Howell Mill Road
After two years at The Interlock, Lazy Betty chefs Ron Hsu and Aaron Phillips closed their neighborhood pizza restaurant. Humble Pie was one of West Midtown’s many closures over the past two years that may be linked to the neighborhood’s rapid overdevelopment and steep rents.
J’s Mini Hot Pot Deluxe
Chamblee
The original metro Atlanta location of J’s Mini Hot Pot closed in April after a 21-year run in Chamblee. The New York-based franchise was the first restaurant to serve Chinese-style hot pot in metro Atlanta when it opened in 2004. J’s Mini Hot Pot Deluxe was one of many Buford Highway mom-and-pop restaurants affected by the COVID-19 pandemic’s economic fallout, which included increasing rent prices inside Atlanta’s perimeter and the rising cost of ingredients. The J’s Mini team shifted focus to the Duluth location, renovated in 2023. Dish Korean Cuisine, another longtime restaurant in Chamblee, closed in November at the City Farmers Market complex on Buford Highway.
Related: Atlanta’s hot pot scene is booming. Here are six places to try
Bartaco
Marietta Street/Westside
Bartaco’s Marietta Street location on Atlanta’s west side closed in May after 11 years. But the taco chain’s locations in Buckhead, Inman Park, and Vinings remain open.
Bastone
Howell Mill Road, Westside
After three years in business at the corner of 8th Street and Howell Mill Road, Pat Pascarella closed his Italian restaurant, Bastone, in May. “We could have done many things differently, but didn’t,” Pascarella said in a now-inactive Instagram post. “You learn from your mistakes, and as much as I would like to tell you that this is my last mistake, I doubt that’s possible.” Pascarella also owns three locations of Grana, Alici Oyster Bar in Midtown, and The White Bull in Decatur.
Related: Small business and restaurant owners talk operating amidst challenges on Atlanta’s west side
Char Korean
Inman Park
Inman Quarter restaurant Char Korean Bar & Grill closed in May after nine years on North Highland Avenue. Char was one of the first restaurants to open in the Inman Park development. Owner Richard Tang (Girl Diver) said the weakening economy, tariffs, and neighborhood closures contributed to Char’s closure. A location of Mister 01 pizza will take over the space next year.
Taco Mac
Virginia-Highland
The original location of Taco Mac closed in May in Virginia-Highland after 46 years. This location, which was regarded as a neighborhood hangout spot, was part of an ownership sale in 2018.
“The closure reflects a thoughtful evolution of Taco Mac’s long-term strategy. As the company expands, it continues to invest in new markets, elevate guest experiences, and deliver on its promise of legendary hospitality and game day energy,” Taco Mac ownership said in a statement at the time.
Virginia-based Jack Brown’s Beer & Burger Joint will take over the space in 2026.
Julianna’s Coffee & Crepes
Inman Park
In July, cafe and creperie Julianna’s closed after 12 years on Lake Avenue in Inman Park, just one block east of Krog Street Market and the Beltline. The breakfast spot predated both extensive development and increasing prices in the neighborhood spurred on by the creation of the Eastside Beltline. The neighborhood is also home to Inman Quarter and several new developments and restaurants along the Eastside Trail.
Pig-N-Chik
Sandy Springs
The flagship location of barbecue restaurant Pig-N-Chik closed in August after 24 years in Sandy Springs. The owners told Atlanta News First at the time that they learned the landlord would not renew the restaurant’s lease. Pig-N-Chik in Sandy Springs threw a “Shut Er Down” party on the last day of service. Other locations on Peachtree Boulevard and Briarcliff Road remain open.
W.H. Stiles Fish Camp
Ponce City Market
W.H. Stiles Fish Camp closed in September after 10 years at Ponce City Market. Owned by Bacchanalia chef Anne Quatrano, the seafood restaurant and oyster bar was one of the original restaurant tenants at the food hall when it opened in 2015. Quatrano relocated its staff to Summerland, her upcoming Underwood Hills restaurant and market. Terminal 26, a Thai restaurant from Niki and Tanya Pattharakositkul (26 Thai, Pink Lotus, Blackjack Tapas Bar), will take over the space in spring 2026.
Eats
Ponce de Leon Avenue
In October, longtime Ponce de Leon Avenue meat-and-three restaurant Eats closed after 33 years. Owner, Bob Hatcher, cited the post-pandemic economy and multiple construction projects along this stretch of Ponce as reasons for the decision to close. Eats resided across from Ponce City Market, and one block west of the Eastside Beltline. Neighboring Ponce restaurants Java Jive and Bookhouse Pub closed at the end of 2024. Dugan’s relocated from its original location on Ponce to Northlake in 2023. Legacy Ponce restaurants Mary Mac’s Tea Room, The Majestic, and The Local, along with The Clermont Lounge, remain open.
JavaVino
Ponce-Highland
In mid-December, JavaVino shut its doors after 21 years in Poncey-Highland. JavaVino co-owner Heddy Kuhl told Rough Draft that JavaVino would transition into a wholesale coffee business, sourcing from the family’s coffee farm in Nicaragua. But JavaVino’s space will remain a neighborhood-driven cafe. At Arbeta, a European-inspired cafe catering to people working remotely from home, will take over the space by spring 2026, following a renovation.
Related: Home Grown owners purchase the building, securing the Southern diner’s future on Memorial
Daddy D’z Barbecue
Memorial Drive, Grant Park
Daddy D’z Barbecue will close after 35 years along Memorial Drive at the end of December. Owner Christianah Coker-Jackson told WSB-TV that the landlord is selling the property. But she’s scouting for a new location to reopen Daddy D’z in the future. Neighboring legacy restaurant Nick’s Food To Go remains open at the corner of Hill Street and MLK JR. Drive, while Ria’s Bluebird also remains open along Memorial Drive across from Oakland Cemetery. Last year, the Memorial Drive corridor lost another legacy restaurant, when the owners of Mi Barrio Mexican restaurant announced their retirement. Mi Barrio closed after 21 years in Grant Park. Nearby in Cabbagetown, Agave will close after 25 years on Boulevard at the end of January 2026.