It’s been a wild year on the Atlanta dining scene with scores of new restaurants opening around town, sad closures, and big news events, including a water main break that shut down part of the city and its restaurants for days. As we prepare to say goodbye to 2024, we’re looking back at the top 10 dining stories that captured the attention of Rough Draft readers this year.
10. Howell Mill breakfast and brunch institution West Egg Cafe closing
Our story on the closure of West Egg Cafe quickly shot up to number one earlier this month and hung around in the top spot for more than 36 hours. The breakfast institution has been a part of the Westside Provisions District community for nearly 21 years, often serving as a third place for weekday morning business meetings and feeding members of nearby fire and police stations grabbing breakfast and brunch between calls. Owners Ben and Jen Johnson and Shelly Sweet cited the end of the lease and year-over-year decline in dine-in business following the pandemic as reasons for the decision to close. West Egg Cafe closes for good on Dec. 29.
9. Surprise, Decatur! Smileys Burger Club opens
In a surprise move over the summer, the founders of smashburger pop-up Smileys Burger Club opened it as a restaurant three months earlier than expected. Located across from Kimball House on East Howard, Smileys Burger Club serves classic-style burgers topped with American cheese, house-made pickles, and a riff on Big Mac sauce. Burgers come served on Engleman’s potato buns with sides of seasoned fries or fried smiley faces (mashed potato croquettes) fried in canola oil and beef tallow. The takeout restaurant will eventually feature an all-weather patio in front, tripling the seating capacity outside.
8. Blue Ribbon Grill relocating, adding European-inspired sister restaurant
Tucker Reporter editor Cathy Cobbs got the scoop on the relocation of this comfort food destination. Blue Ribbon Grill, which has been in operation since 1985 under multiple owners, closed in February after Jennifer and Eric Greene found the rising rent and poor conditions at the building to be untenable. In April, the Greenes found a new space to house the Blue Ribbon Grill and their European-inspired restaurant and gift shop, Jenovelle Cafe & Market. Blue Ribbon Grill and Jenovelle Cafe & Market open Dec. 17 at North Hills Shopping Center. Look for Cathy’s story on the reopening of Blue Ribbon Grill and the debut of Jenovelle Cafe & Market on Rough Draft soon!
Related Story: The Best New Atlanta Restaurants of 2024
7. Here’s why DBA Barbecue is closing in Virginia-Highland
DBA Barbecue closed in February after 15 years in Virginia-Highland. The decision to close the popular barbecue restaurant wasn’t easy for owner Matt Coggin, but necessary. He traded running one big restaurant for operating two smaller locations in Buckhead and Clarkston. The closure of DBA in Virginia-Highland also allowed his mother to finally retire. Despite their dismay over the closure, well-wishers took to social media in support of Coggin and his family.
6. Steven Satterfield, Miller Union, and Dive Wine opening Poncey-Highland wine bar Madeira Park
This Rough Draft exclusive broke the news that James Beard award-winning chef Steven Satterfield would open a new wine bar in Poncey-Highland in 2024. Madeira Park, backed by Satterfield and his Miller Union partner, Neal McCarthy, and Dive Wine pop-up founder Tim Willard, takes over the cafe space at the former Highland Inn next door to Colette Bread, Big Softie, and The Zero Co. Thai bar Some Luck, from the owners of Talat Market, will also open next year just below Madeira Park in the former Highland Ballroom Lounge space.
Related Story: Talat Market chefs opening a Thai bar in the former Highland Ballroom Lounge
5. Longtime Brookhaven restaurant Kaleidoscope Bistro and Pub closing
Brookhaven was abuzz after the owners of Kaleidoscope Bistro and Pub – aka KPub – announced its closure after 14 years on Dresden Drive. People immediately took to social media to reflect on their favorite memories and dishes over the years. Many likened Kaleidoscope to Brookhaven’s version of “Cheers.” The restaurant was replaced in May by Porterhouse Grill and Bar. In June, Brookhaven reporter Logan C. Ritchie broke the news that Porterhouse was briefly shut down by Brookhaven Police for operating without a business license.
4. NFA Burger owner reveals expansion plans and names first COO to lead the charge
In September, Cathy Cobbs brought Rough Draft readers this NFA Burger exclusive on the new COO and expansion plans for the popular Dunwoody gas station burger restaurant. NFA Burger owner Billy Kramer plans to expand his award-winning burger business to four more Atlanta locations. As the new COO, Brett Crowder will help Kramer achieve those expansion goals, including opening a second location within the next year.
Related Story: NFA Burger regular Toni Williams doesn’t gatekeep her favorite Atlanta restaurants
3. Jolene Jolene will bring Atlanta its first women’s sports bar
Chelsea Fishman wants women’s sports to be taken more seriously. That’s why she founded women’s sports pop-up Jolene Jolene in 2023. Next year, however, Fishman will open Jolene Jolene as Atlanta’s first women’s sports bar. This story took on a life of its own when Rough Draft published it in August, generating hundreds of likes, comments, and shares on social media in support of Fishman’s endeavor. Named for her cat and a love for Dolly Parton, Fishman will reveal Jolene Jolene’s permanent location soon.
Related Story: Metro Atlanta’s OTP restaurants celebrate Michelin recognition
2. 2024 Michelin Guide to Atlanta drops
It should come as no surprise that Rough Draft readers were excited to learn which restaurants landed stars, Bib Gourmands, and other honors in the 2024 Atlanta Michelin Guide. Of the 57 restaurants recognized in this year’s guide, Staplehouse and Spring earned one star, while Atlas and Lazy Betty retained one star. Restaurants like Whoopsie’s and Superica were named new Bib Gourmands. Michelin also expanded the guide in 2024 to Metro Atlanta restaurants outside the perimeter, including Table & Main and Masterpiece. Opinions flew on social media regarding the restaurants included in the 2024 Michelin Guide to Atlanta, with people shouting out their picks for the 2025 guide.
1. Longtime regulars purchase The Colonnade, vowing to preserve its legacy
In another Rough Draft exclusive, readers and Atlantans far and wide were excited to learn two longtime regulars of The Colonnade would become its new owners. Jodi and David Stallings handed the keys over to Lewis Jeffries and Paul Donahue, who became the third owners of the Cheshire Bridge Road dining institution in its 97-year history. Jeffries and Donahue, who own Lingering Shade Social Club on Irwin Street, have been dining at The Colonnade for decades. Other than some minor improvements and needed updates, The Colonnade will remain virtually unchanged. Weekend lunch returned earlier this fall, as did The Colonnade’s annual Halloween costume party. The couple hope to eventually offer dinner at The Colonnade seven days a week.
