6 Upcoming Atlanta-Area Restaurants [Feb 18, 2026]

Business Debut interviews upcoming business and restaurant owners across the Southeast. Here's who we spoke with recently in Atlanta.

Find out full write ups linked beneath each blurb.

Unkie’s Pizza + Bar — Brookhaven

Address: 3400 Clairmont Rd, Suite A, Brookhaven, GA 30319

Status: Two-phase rollout. Phase 1 is takeout-only, targeted to start very soon.

What to expect: Starts pop-up style with a limited number of pizzas per day, plus salads. Phase 2 is the grand opening with an indoor/outdoor bar, patio, and ~60 seats, plus a bigger menu.

Menu highlights: Thin, crispy-style pizza with a dough recipe developed over months. Phase 2 adds appetizers and sandwiches.

Hours: Targeting lunch + dinner; closed Mondays at the start. Long-term goal is seven days a week.

Who’s behind it: Co-owners Richard Gazaway and Michael Colombo.

Links: Business Debut | ToNeTo Atlanta | Instagram

Coastal 38 — Roswell

Address: 1570 Holcomb Bridge Rd, Ste. 365, Roswell, GA 30076

Status: Remodel is complete; remaining steps include CO, state alcohol license, and a health inspection. Soft launch is targeted for March 17 (St. Patrick’s Day) if approvals stay on track.

What to expect: An intentionally intimate, date-night-leaning dining room with about 40 seats. Dinner-only service and a full bar; no Sunday brunch planned.

Menu highlights: Classic seafood core (salmon, whitefish, fish and chips), plus rotating chef specials with international influences like paella and whole-fish preparations.

Hours: Planned 4–10 p.m. nightly; closed Mondays.

Who’s behind it: Owner Jerelyn Marsh.

Links: Business Debut | Coastal 38 Website | Facebook

Sagra — East Atlanta Village

Address: 535 Gresham Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30316

Status: Targeting a summer opening; construction is hoped to begin soon (no date announced).

What to expect: A neighborhood wine bar built as a community gathering space with ~50 seats across the bar and dining area. Plans also call for a small private tasting room and a small back patio.

Menu highlights: Italian-leaning bites inspired by Venice-style osteria snacks, plus a wine list that highlights Italian varietals without being Italy-only. Also planned: a full liquor bar, affordable-by-the-glass options, and splurge-worthy bottles.

Hours: Closed Tuesdays. Mon/Wed/Thu 5–10 p.m.; Fri 5 p.m.–midnight; Sat 1 p.m.–midnight; Sun 1–9 p.m.

Who’s behind it: Owner Eric Di Nardo.

Links: Business Debut

El Tesoro — West End + South Downtown

West End Address: 1036 White St SW, Atlanta, GA 30310
South Downtown Address: 171 Mitchell St SW, Atlanta, GA 30303

Status: West End is targeting March 9. South Downtown is aiming for late April.

What to expect: West End becomes a standalone El Tesoro (moving out of Wild Heaven’s Lee + White taproom) with more control over the whole operation and stronger event support. South Downtown lands in a historic building with a basement level planned for storage/offices plus a private dining room/overflow mezcal bar, and a large wraparound patio planned along Broad Street.

Menu highlights: Core menu stays, plus rotating regional Mexican specialties (including Baja-inspired ideas) and an effort to keep mole available more consistently. Specials will spotlight dishes brought forward by a kitchen team with roots across different regions of Mexico.

Hours: South Downtown is planned seven days a week with hours similar to the current operation (Mon–Thu 11 a.m.–10 p.m.; Fri 11 a.m.–11 p.m.; Sat 10 a.m.–11 p.m.; Sun 10 a.m.–10 p.m.). West End is expected to run similar hours.

Who’s behind it: Owners Alan Raines and Shan Holler.

Link: Business Debut

17th & State Restaurant and Bar — Atlanta

Address: Embassy Suites by Hilton Atlanta Midtown, 290 17th St NW, Atlanta, GA 30363

Status: Targeting an opening around February 27, 2026, pending final approvals.

What to expect: Modern Southern-leaning elevated dining with ~114 seats in the dining room plus 14 at the bar. It’s open to the public, with direct entry from 17th Street.

Menu highlights: Fried green tomatoes with bacon pepper jam + sweet chili sauce, mussels with grilled bread, flatbreads, steak burger, shrimp and grits, steak frites, pork chop, and steaks.

Hours: Seven days a week. Lunch + dinner five days; weekend brunch + dinner.

Who’s behind it: Owner Trimi Dauti.

Links: Business Debut

French Toast ATL — Cheshire Bridge

Address: 2263 Cheshire Bridge Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30324

Status: Targeting an opening in two to three months, with a lighter conversion (no major buildout).

What to expect: Full-service breakfast/brunch/lunch, mirroring the Marietta location in layout and menu, plus a bar. The brand positions itself as detail-driven, from food to service to the small touches.

Menu highlights: Sweet and savory crepes, breakfast bowls, po’ boy sandwiches, and more.

Hours: Expected to mirror Marietta; most days closing at 3 p.m., with weekends potentially to 5 p.m.

Who’s behind it: Co-owner Dolapo Erinkitola shared the news with Business Debut.

Links: Business Debut | French Toast ATL Locations | French Toast ATL Website