Openings
Raani Coffee will open Nov. 8 in the former Hodgepodge Coffeehouse space on Moreland Avenue in East Atlanta. Owned by Praveena Sundarraj, Raani includes a roastery and tasting room and serves pastries.
Beyond Juicery + Eatery will open a location on Peachtree Road in Buckhead on Nov. 8
Jamaican restaurant stall Perfect Seasoning opened at the Peacherie, the new micro food hall in Midtown. This is the second location for Dalisha Williams, who opened Perfect Seasoning at Chattahoochee Food Works last year.
Coming Attraction
A second location of Pink Lotus Thai restaurant will open next summer on North Main Street in downtown Alpharetta. Backed by the owners of 26 Thai Kitchen, Pink Lotus first opened on Brady Avenue on Atlanta’s west side earlier this year.
R. Thomas Sale Complete
R. Thomas Deluxe Grill was sold to the Teranga Group, the AJC reported. The local hospitality group operates restaurants and lounges in Atlanta and Charlotte. Owner Amat Baba said they don’t plan to change the menu or staff at R. Thomas, but will give the interior a bit of a refresh. As for the quirky little Peachtree Road restaurant’s beloved tropical birds, once owned by late-founder Richard Thomas, Baba told the AJC that cockatoos Peaches and Cream and Ruby the parrot will likely stay put for now. However, the birds could move to another part of the restaurant out of the way of car and foot traffic. Read more about the regulars of R. Thomas here.
Help a Neighbor in Need
Despite a court order, it’s unclear as to whether the Trump administration will fund SNAP benefits through November. Earlier this week on Truth Social, the President threatened to withhold funding until Democrats agreed to reopen the government. However, press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters Tuesday that the president and his administration would comply and at least partially fund SNAP.
Regardless of what the Trump administration ultimately decides to do, the more than 41 million people–many of them children and senior citizens–on the federal food assistance program still need help putting meals on the table. Rough Draft continues to track the local nonprofits, organizations, and restaurants providing food, and accepting donations and volunteers.
New Affordable Breakfast Alert
Snackboxe Bistro owner Thip Athakhanh recently opened Naga Bistro, a restaurant serving a trifecta of Cambodian, Lao, and Thai food in Chamblee. Beginning Nov. 8, Naga Bistro will offer weekend breakfast, starting at 7:30 a.m., to include congee, an oyster omelet, steamed buns, and pandan waffles. Everything on the weekend breakfast menu is under $10.
Kitchen Closure
Michelin-starred Buckhead restaurant Atlas will close Nov. 9-19 for a kitchen redo. The renovation will upgrade kitchen equipment and allow Chef Freddy Money and his team time to reevaluate the restaurant’s guest experience.
Vote for Your Fave
Election Day may be over but you can still vote for your favorite new restaurant of 2025. New restaurants considered for Rough Draft’s Readers’ Choice Awards opened between Oct. 1, 2024, and Oct. 1, 2025. New restaurants must reside within Rough Draft’s major coverage areas, including the cities of Atlanta, Brookhaven, Tucker, Sandy Springs, and Dunwoody. We’ve provided space to fill in your favorite restaurant for each city category, along with a category for new metro Atlanta restaurants residing in adjacent communities. (Think Roswell, Decatur, Marietta, Jonesboro, Duluth, Peachtree City, etc.) Vote here through Nov. 21.
Trader Joe’s for the Win
Chalk this one up to items you didn’t know you needed this holiday season. Trader Joe’s released a corn-scented candle. The limited edition soy wax candle ($5.99) features the essence of “sweet, freshly baked cornbread.” How very Southern of the California-based grocery chain.
Add to Your Calendar
Everyone’s favorite chili festival is back again this year. The annual Chomp & Stomp chili cook-off and bluegrass music festival (pictured) returns to Cabbagetown on Nov. 8 for its 22nd year. The day kicks off with a 5K fun run. Chomp & Stomp officially begins at 12:30 p.m., featuring more than 90 restaurants and home cooks battling it out for best chili. Expect bluegrass, Americana, and alternative country music on six stages, along with local artist vendors and beer stations. You can pre-purchase a $10 chili-eating spoon at Little’s Food Store, Mikkelson’s Market, Sweet Cheats, or Emerald City Bagels, or purchase spoons for $15 on the day of Chomp & Stomp.
Virginia-Highland Restaurant Week returns Nov. 9-13. Two dozen neighborhood restaurants will participate this year, offering specials throughout the week. The week begins with the North Highland Wine Walk on Nov. 9, from 2-5 p.m., to include tastings and artist vendors along the route. Tickets are $37.52 per person.
James Beard Award-nominated chef Arnold Myint will be in Atlanta Nov. 11-12 promoting his new cookbook Family Thai: Bringing the Flavors of Thailand Home. Myint will cook a family-style Thai dinner alongside chefs Parnass Savang and Rod Lassiter at Talat Market in Summerhill on Nov. 11. Tickets are $125 per person.