Georgia’s restaurant scene is adding everything from Roman cooking and Peruvian rotisserie chicken to Korean fried chicken, soul food and waffle sandwiches. Here are 13 new and coming-soon restaurants Business Debut recently reported on around the state.

Bibb County

Everything Wafflez — Macon

Address: 4634 Presidential Pkwy Suite L, Macon, GA 31206

Status: Targeting a September 1 opening.

What to expect: Everything Wafflez will be a counter-service breakfast and lunch restaurant built around creative waffle-based dishes. Customers will be able to dine inside or order through third-party delivery services including Uber Eats and DoorDash.

Menu highlights: Waffle sandwiches will headline the menu, joined by grits bowls such as catfish and grits and oxtail and grits. Smashburgers, hot dogs, salads and a breakfast burrito made with eggs, cheese and vegetables are also planned.

Who’s behind it: Tyrone and Takesha Grayson are opening their first restaurant together. The couple already has growth plans, including a possible Atlanta location and three additional restaurants in Georgia and Florida in 2027.

Read our full article.

Columbia County

Griffin's Steakhouse — Martinez

Address: 1040 West Lake Commons Drive Unit 6&7, Martinez, GA 30907

Status: Scheduled to open July 10.

What to expect: Griffin’s Steakhouse will be an upscale lunch and dinner restaurant occupying about 3,500 square feet. The dining room is expected to seat roughly 80 guests and will feature black tablecloths, gold accents and eventually outdoor seating.

Menu highlights: Lunch will focus on sandwiches, salads and appetizers. Dinner will shift toward a traditional steakhouse format with steaks at the center of the menu, accompanied by chicken, fish, pasta and appetizers.

Hours: Exact operating hours were not included in the original report.

Who’s behind it: Sisters Diane McCall and Paula McCall are opening the restaurant together. The Griffin’s name comes from their maiden name.

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Fayette County

Santa Maria — Fayetteville

Address: 715 Glynn St S, Fayetteville, GA 30214

Status: Targeting a late-July or early-August opening.

What to expect: Santa Maria is taking over the former Speedi Pig space and transforming it into an upscale Latin tapas restaurant. The dining room will accommodate about 131 guests, and patio seating is also in development.

Menu highlights: The restaurant will pull inspiration from Peruvian, Colombian, Venezuelan, Mexican and Andean cuisines. Seafood will be an important part of the menu, along with a raw bar, smoked meats and a craft cocktail program.

Hours: To be announced.

Who’s behind it: Owner-chef Mario Garcia grew up in Fayetteville and attended school locally. The Fayetteville restaurant will be Santa Maria’s second location following the original in Cumming.

Read our full article.

Fulton County

Pelicana Chicken — Atlanta

Address: 1540 Avenue Pl NE B260, Atlanta, GA 30329

Status: Targeting a September opening near Emory.

What to expect: Pelicana Chicken will bring the international Korean fried chicken franchise to a space near Emory University and the CDC. The restaurant is expected to seat about 60 to 70 guests between its indoor dining area and patio.

Menu highlights: Korean fried chicken and Pelicana’s signature sauces will anchor the menu, including yangnyeom-style chicken with sweet, spicy and tangy flavors. Franchisee John Suh also plans to serve tacos, salads, pizza, fried rice and several sides.

Hours: To be announced.

Who’s behind it: John Suh is the franchisee behind the Emory-area location. Pelicana originated in South Korea and has since expanded internationally, including dozens of restaurants across the United States.

Read our full article.

Nonna Lucia Italian — Johns Creek

Address: 11030 Medlock Bridge Rd Unit 160, Johns Creek, GA 30097

Status: Targeting a mid-August opening, dependent in part on final visa and travel logistics for the chef-partner.

What to expect: Nonna Lucia Italian will focus heavily on the food and hospitality traditions of Rome. The restaurant will have about 100 indoor seats, another 30 or so seats outdoors and an interior featuring Italian artwork, specialty lighting and rotating pieces from local artists.

Menu highlights: Roman classics will include carbonara, cacio e pepe and amatriciana. Oxtail alla vaccinara, osso buco, cacciatora, supplì, fried calamari and several versions of tiramisu are also planned.

Hours: To be announced.

Who’s behind it: Rome native Alexander Richards is opening Nonna Lucia with chef-partner Andrea Pitera, who is also from Rome. Richards has restaurant experience in Italy, Australia, England and the United States.

Read our full article.

Crazy Love Cafe — Sandy Springs

Address: 6065 Roswell Rd, Sandy Springs, GA 30328

Status: Targeting an opening around the beginning of August.

What to expect: Crazy Love Cafe will be a small coffee shop located inside an office building. While convenience for people working in the building will be the primary focus, the cafe will also be open to the general public.

Menu highlights: Expect a straightforward cafe lineup with lattes, espresso and drip coffee. Pastries, muffins and similar baked goods will provide the food options.

Hours: To be announced.

Who’s behind it: Neil Collins is a first-time owner launching the tenant-focused coffee concept.

Read our full article.

Glynn County

El Rey Tequilas Bar & Grill — Brunswick

Address: 36 Canal Road Plaza, Brunswick, GA 31525

Status: Targeting an opening during the first weeks of August while final permits and preparations are completed.

What to expect: El Rey Tequilas Bar & Grill is replacing The Hangout Grill with a full-service Mexican restaurant and sports-bar environment. The owners are largely retaining the existing layout while making changes to give the space a different identity.

Menu highlights: Traditional Mexican dishes and Tex-Mex selections will share the menu with American bar food such as burgers and wings. The bar will offer cocktails, beer and wine, including classics such as Old Fashioneds and Manhattans.

Hours: Tentative weekday hours are 11 a.m.–10:30 p.m. Weekend restaurant service may run until 11 p.m., with the bar potentially staying open later during special events.

Who’s behind it: Arturo Sanchez owns the restaurant with partner Luis Montalvo. The team is also considering weekend programming such as karaoke and salsa nights.

Read our full article.

Gordon County

Casa Brasa — Calhoun

Address: 214 N River St, Calhoun, GA 30701

Status: Targeting an opening during the third week of August.

What to expect: Casa Brasa will be a full-service Peruvian restaurant offering lunch and dinner, a bar and cocktails. Sunday breakfast is also part of the plan.

Menu highlights: Fish and steak will feature prominently, alongside Japanese influences that are part of Peru’s culinary culture. One of the restaurant’s signature offerings will be Peruvian-style rotisserie chicken prepared over charcoal using a specialized machine brought in from Peru.

Hours: Exact hours are still to be announced. The owners plan to serve lunch and dinner daily, with breakfast on Sundays.

Who’s behind it: Evelyn and Ysmel Cruz are opening their first restaurant. Evelyn Cruz said owning a restaurant has long been her husband’s goal.

Read our full article.

Gwinnett County

Killer Crust Pizza — Bethlehem

Address: 656 Exchange Cir Ste 500, Bethlehem, GA 30620

Status: Construction is underway, with an opening expected roughly two to two and a half months after the space was delivered.

What to expect: The second Killer Crust Pizza will occupy about 1,300 square feet in a former Jittery Joe’s. The shotgun-style space will have around seven tables, while carryout and third-party delivery will provide additional ordering options.

Menu highlights: New York-style pizza will be sold as 12- and 18-inch whole pies, while individual slices will come from oversized 22-inch pizzas. Salads, about eight sub sandwiches, calzones, cannolis and beer are also planned.

Hours: To be announced.

Who’s behind it: Owner Justin Kamishlian opened the first Killer Crust Pizza in Athens in May 2024. Bethlehem will become the brand’s second location.

Read our full article.

Bite Theory — Lilburn

Address: 4895 Stone Mountain Hwy Ste A, Lilburn, GA 30047

Status: Targeting an opening within one to two months, depending on inspections and remaining construction.

What to expect: Bite Theory will operate as a fast-food restaurant with a drive-thru, takeout service and a small dine-in section. Owner Obada Karaki is combining elements from two restaurant brands he already operates in the Midwest.

Menu highlights: Nashville-style fried chicken and seafood will be the primary focus. Wings, chicken tenders, catfish, perch and shrimp will be joined by rice bowls topped with chicken, shrimp, seafood or fish, plus lemonade and handmade desserts.

Hours: To be announced.

Who’s behind it: Obada Karaki also operates Shrimp Max in Michigan City, Indiana, and Sharks Fish and Chicken locations in Illinois.

Read our full article.

Mi Mexico — Snellville

Address: 3400 Centerville Hwy Suite H, Snellville, GA 30039

Status: The restaurant is working through licensing and permitting, with no firm opening date announced yet.

What to expect: Mi Mexico is preparing to open as an authentic taqueria in Snellville. The team hopes to begin serving as soon as the required licenses and permits are completed.

Menu highlights: Tacos, tortas and quesadillas will be among the core Mexican dishes available. Additional menu details have not yet been announced.

Hours: To be announced.

Who’s behind it: Omar Callejas is the owner behind the new taqueria.

Read our full article.

Noori Food Hall — Lilburn

Address: 4299 Lawrenceville Highway, Lilburn, GA 30047

Status: Targeting an opening roughly three months after the owners’ July 22 interview.

What to expect: The former Buffalo House is being redeveloped into a roughly 6,000-square-foot food hall with four distinct service windows. The concept will provide indoor seating for individuals and families, while outdoor hookah service is planned pending city approval.

Menu highlights: The food hall will offer a halal menu with a broad mix of choices. Plans include wings and burgers, pizza, shawarma, ice cream, bakery items, coffee, fresh juices and desserts.

Hours: To be announced.

Who’s behind it: Brothers Hameed Noori and Hamid Noori are developing the multi-concept food hall.

Read our full article.