Michelin Guide 2026 ceremony moving to Nashville; more from Atlanta’s dining scene
It was an eventful week for the metro Atlanta restaurant scene, with the Michelin Guide announcing its next ceremony date, several popular restaurants extending their menus, a slew of new openings and more.
Music City will mint 2026 Michelin stars
Nashville will host this year’s Michelin Guide American South ceremony on Oct. 21, the French tire company announced this week.
The globally famous restaurant guidebook began rating restaurants in the metro Atlanta area in 2023 but expanded to cover a larger region dubbed the American South last year. The most recent guide rated restaurants from Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee and included the existing metro Atlanta guide.
Curiously, the American South guide did not include parts of Georgia outside of metro Atlanta, a quirk that has never been formally addressed by Michelin.
The first edition of the Michelin Guide American South was revealed last year at a ceremony in Greenville, S.C., home to Michelin’s North American headquarters. At the time, company representatives said the ceremony would move to different locations within the region each year. Nashville was named the next host city earlier this week.
“Last year marked a momentous year for the American South as we proudly introduced the very first U.S. regional selection of restaurants to travelers both near and far,” Gwendal Poullennec, international director of the Michelin Guide, said in a press statement. “As our anonymous Inspectors prepare the restaurant selection for 2026, Nashville stood out as a fitting backdrop for the ceremony thanks to its vibrant entertainment culture, local food influences and shining culinary talent.”
No further information was released about the next version of the Michelin Guide American South, including whether the rest of the state of Georgia would be considered by the company’s anonymous inspectors.
Flavor of Georgia crowns best local food products
The Flavor of Georgia contest hosted by UGA’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, a proving ground for food products made in the state, announced its 2026 winners Monday.
Papa Mountain, which makes baked goods in Augusta, was the competition’s overall winner with its Garlic and Herb Bread Rolls. Event attendees selected Ocmulgee Orchards’ Sugar Fried Pecans for the People’s Choice award.
Here’s the full list of winners in all 12 categories:
- Baked Goods: Garlic and Herb Bread Rolls by Papa Mountain in Augusta
- Barbecue Sauces and Seasonings: Crunchy Peanut Seasoning by PODI Life in Cumming
- Beverages: Caribbean Hibiscus by Caribbean Hibiscus in Decatur
- Cakes: Sweet Potato Cheesecake by Dorothy’s Desserts in Atlanta
- Condiments and Sauces: Summertime Blues by Atlanta Burns in Pine Lake
- Confections: The Complete Georgia Collection by Xocolatl Chocolate in Atlanta
- Dairy Products: Honey Peach Pecan Cream Cheese by Now Schmear This! in Austell
- Honey, Syrups, Jams and Jellies: Summer Berries and Wine Spread by Georgia Jams in Williamson
- Meats and Seafood: Piecasso: Chicken, Bacon, and Spinach Pie by Pouch Pies in Norcross
- Miscellaneous: Stone-Ground Grits by Artisan Milling Co. in Rome
- Pickled Vegetables, Relish and Salsas: The Green Tomatoes by [PICKLES] Evergreen and Market in Tucker
- Snack Foods: Sugar Fried Pecans by Ocmulgee Orchards in Hawkinsville
Established restaurants debut new service options
Several popular Atlanta restaurants introduced new service options this week.
Little Sparrow, the French-inspired restaurant from chef Ford Fry’s Rocket Farm Restaurants group, will begin serving weekend brunch April 11. Brunch will be available between 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday, serving trendy items like golden pancakes, Belgian waffles and salmon hollandaise.
1198 Howell Mill Road, Atlanta. 404-355-2252, littlesparrowatl.com
Blackjack Bar Tapas, the Thai restaurant and cocktail bar in Midtown, is now open for weekday lunch. New menu items include crispy salmon skin with squid ink noodles, beer-battered grouper and chips and a peanut noodle old fashioned cocktail.
1080 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta. 404-748-9675, blackjackbartapas.com
Nakato Japanese Restaurant in the Morningside-Lenox Park neighborhood introduced a new happy hour menu this week. Available Monday — Thursday from 4-6:30 p.m., Nakato will serve several beverage deals, including $6 Sapporo drafts and $10 cocktails. A small menu of shareable bar bites will be available, like tamari-cured quail eggs, avocado tuna dip and a $30 sushi board.
1776 Cheshire Bridge Road NE, Atlanta. 404-873-6582, nakatorestaurant.com
Restaurant openings
Three Taverns Ponce Brew Terminal will open Saturday at Ponce City Market, bringing a combination brewery, distillery and kitchen to the development. Food will be provided by DAS BBQ.
680 North Ave. NE, Atlanta. 404-600-3355, threetavernsbrewery.com
7 Brew, the rapidly expanding coffee franchise, opened a new location in Milton on Thursday.
12875 Hwy. 9, Milton. 479-358-9274, 7brew.com
Bite More, a fast-casual halal chain, held a grand opening at a new location in Duluth on Friday.
2148 Duluth Hwy., Duluth. 943-296-4518, bitemore.us
Spread Bagelry, a bagel chain opening in Buckhead, will hold its grand opening April 9.
47 Irby Ave. NW, Atlanta. spreadbagelry.com
Babygirl, a new restaurant from chef Hudson Rouse, who closed the popular breakfast destination Rising Son at the end of last month, will open April 11, the business announced on social media.
2371 Hosea L. Williams Drive SE, Atlanta. 404-549-9692, instagram.com/babygirl.atl
Smalls Sliders, a fast-casual chain, will open in Marietta on April 14, restaurant representatives told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
2355 Windy Hill Road SE, Marietta. 470-412-0388, smallssliders.com
New restaurant announcements
Blue Willow, a Chinese restaurant founded in New York, will open its second-ever location in Atlanta’s Inman Park neighborhood later this year. The restaurant, which focuses on cuisine from the Hunan region, will take over a space in the Inman Quarter building. Restaurant representatives have not shared a specific opening date.
Hundredfold, an American brasserie from James Beard Award-winning chef Timothy Hollingsworth, will open in the Battery in the fall, according to a news release. The restaurant, which will be managed by hospitality vendor Delaware North’s specialty arm, the Patina Group, will be located in Five Ballpark Center, the office building that is home to Truist Securities.
Some Luck, a Thai bar, will open this summer in the Poncey-Highland neighborhood, restaurant representatives told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The restaurant shared a “coming soon” message on social media this week.
About the Author
Henri Hollis is a restaurant critic and food reporter for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, where he covers Atlanta’s restaurants, chefs and dining culture. As part of the AJC’s Food & Dining team, he reviews new restaurants, reports on industry trends and explores metro Atlanta’s culinary scene through the neighborhoods and people that shape it.
