In a city where Southern hospitality meets global flavors, Atlanta’s dining scene has long been a tapestry of innovation, comfort, and community.
From hole-in-the-wall gems to upscale staples, our restaurants have hosted first dates, family reunions, and late-night celebrations. But over the past 25 years, economic shifts, pandemics, rising rents, and the relentless march of urban development have claimed dozens of beloved spots.
This article will show you the iconic Atlanta restaurants and bars that have closed their doors from 1999 to 2025. As we reflect, we honor the eateries that shaped our culinary identity—and left us craving one last bite.
These losses aren’t just about empty storefronts; they’re chapters in Atlanta’s story. Many succumbed to the 2008 recession’s aftershocks, the COVID-19 fallout, or the post-pandemic squeeze of inflation and labor shortages. Others bowed out gracefully after decades of service, their owners ready for retirement.
Here’s a look at some of the top casualties, drawn from the memories of longtime locals and the archives of our evolving food landscape.
The Original Taco Mac (Closed 2025)
What began as a humble sports bar in Virginia-Highland in 1979 evolved into an Atlanta institution, slinging buffalo wings and endless drafts to generations of Braves fans. The flagship location on North Highland Avenue shuttered in May 2025 after 46 years, following the closure of other outposts. 27 “It was more than a bar—it was where we watched our first Falcons game,” recalls one former patron. The chain’s expansion couldn’t save the original from rising costs and changing tastes.
Eats (Oct. 18, 2025)
Perched on Ponce de Leon Avenue since 1992, this Midtown mainstay was a beacon of affordable comfort: jerk chicken plates, Southern veggies, and $10 specials that drew everyone from artists to office workers. Owners Bob Hatcher and Charlie Kerns transformed a former swingers club into a neighborhood anchor, but after 33 years, Eats announced its final service for October 18, 2025. 4 Recent vandalism added to the woes, but Hatcher cites the evolving Eastside Beltline scene as the tipping point. “It was a place to gather,” he said. Loyalists are already planning farewell feasts.
West Egg Cafe (Closed 2024)
For 20 years, this West Midtown brunch haven at Westside Provisions dished out award-winning shrimp and grits, sour cream pancakes, and chicken-and-waffles stacks that made weekends legendary. 39 Owners Jennifer and Ben Johnson closed on December 29, 2024, blaming a post-pandemic drop in in-person dining. “Our hearts are breaking, but it is time,” they shared. The spot’s dog-friendly patio and bottomless mimosas will be sorely missed amid the area’s restaurant exodus.
The General Muir (Closed 2024)
This Sandy Springs deli, a 2014 James Beard semifinalist, channeled Jewish deli nostalgia with towering pastrami sandwiches and matzo ball soup. It closed in late 2024 as pandemic scars lingered, marking a quiet end to a decade of acclaim. 24 Chef/owner Jenny Ung praised her team’s resilience but noted the industry’s brutal economics. For many, it was Atlanta’s answer to New York’s classics—gone too soon.
Floataway Cafe (Closed 2022)
Tucked away on Zonolite Road for 25 years, Anne Quatrano’s Westside gem offered intimate, farm-to-table magic: think wood-fired pizzas and seasonal tasting menus in a converted warehouse. 52 The James Beard-winning chef closed it days before Christmas 2022, opting for retirement after a storied career. Patrons mourned the loss of its dog-friendly patio and anniversary-worthy ambiance, a casualty of rising rents in the booming neighborhood.
Ann’s Snack Bar (Closed 2022)
In Kirkwood since 1971, this no-frills dive was the birthplace of the “World Famous Ghetto Burger”—a double-patty masterpiece slathered in chili, slaw, and hot sauce for under $5. 50 Owner Ann Price shut it down in April 2022 at age 92, ending 51 years of greasy-spoon glory. Featured in Esquire and Anthony Bourdain’s travels, it embodied Atlanta’s unpretentious soul. The building’s sale sealed its fate, but copycats keep the spirit alive.
10 Degrees South (Closed 2024)
Buckhead’s go-to for South African braai (barbecue) since 1999, this family-run spot grilled boerewors sausages and bobotie for 25 years. 49 Justin Anthony’s eatery closed in 2024 when the space sold to new owners. It introduced Atlantans to peri-peri prawns and bunny chow, filling a niche in our diverse scene.
The Tavern at Phipps (Closed 2020)
This Buckhead fixture inside Phipps Plaza dished upscale pub fare—fish and chips, shepherd’s pie—for over a decade. 13 COVID-19 forced its permanent shutdown in 2020, part of the pandemic’s toll on mall dining. CentraArchy Hospitality eyed a relocation, but the original’s cozy vibe remains irreplaceable.
A Wave of Recent Losses: West Midtown’s Woes
Atlanta’s restaurant roulette peaked in West Midtown, where over 20 spots shuttered since 2023, including Snooze A.M. Eatery (2025), Humble Pie (2025), and Culinary Dropout (2025). 17 Blame high rents, parking woes, and oversaturation—taco joints and pizzerias couldn’t sustain the boom. “It’s going backwards,” lamented one resident.
Looking Ahead: Resilience in the Rubble
As we bid adieu to these icons, Atlanta’s scene rebounds with fresh faces like El Super Pan and Pink Lotus. 38 But the pain lingers. “These places weren’t just about food—they were our history,” says local food historian Beth McKibben. Support your neighborhood spots; they might be tomorrow’s memories.
Favorite Atlanta Restaurants Gone But Not Forgotten
These span various eras and neighborhoods, capturing that nostalgic vibe you described—perfect for crossing off your “what might have been” list while building new memories.
- 88 Tofu House (Buford Highway area)
- Aunt Fanny’s Cabin
- BBQ Corner
- Bien Thuy
- Bobby and June’s Country Kitchen
- BoBo Garden
- Boston Sea Party (on Roswell Rd.)
- Bridgetown Grill
- Cafe 101 (Buford Highway area)
- Cafe Tu Tu Tango
- Cantina la Casita
- Caruso’s
- Carver’s
- Chateau Fleur de Lis
- Chef’s Cafe
- China Delight (Buford Highway area)
- Cleve’s
- Coach and Six
- Cross Roads
- Dante’s
- Delicious Kabob (Buford Highway area)
- Dreamland (in Norcross)
- Elite ’25
- Everybody’s Pizza
- Famous Dave’s
- Fratelli Di Napoli
- Fuoco di Napoli
- Garlic Thai & Sushi
- Geisha House
- Go Hyang House (Buford Highway area)
- Gumbo-a-go-go
- HD1
- Hashiguchi Jr.
- Houck’s (in East Cobb)
- Houston’s (in Dunwoody)
- Hudson North
- Iris (East Atlanta)
- J’s Country Cafe (in Ormewood Park)
- Jilly’s
- Junior’s (on Tech campus)
- Kitsch’n 155
- Korea House
- Kool Korners
- La Madeleine (in Buckhead)
- Le Papillon
- LOLA at Terminus
- Mammy’s Shanty
- Mick’s
- Oh Maria
- Old Country Buffet
- Owens (on Old National)
- Pho 96 (Buford Highway area)
- Pleasant Peasant
- Pura Vida
- Ray’s NY Pizza (on Ptree)
- Ribs Etc
- RiceSticks
- Rio Vista
- Royal Gourmet (in Marietta)
- Sambucas Jazz restaurant (on Piedmont Rd.)
- Shaun’s
- STG Trattoria
- Steady Hand
- Super Pan
- Sylvia’s Soul food (downtown)
- Tartufo
- The Abbey
- The Ambassador
- The Magic Pan (at Lenox)
- The Sandpiper
- Tortilla’s
- Veggieland
- Vickery’s (Midtown)
- Victory Sandwich (in Inman Park)
- Waffle House (at N. Peachtree and 285)
Have a favorite that’s faded? Share in the comments. Atlanta eats on, but let’s savor the flavors we’ve lost.
Final Word
As many restaurants close down, Atlanta restaurant openings are on the rise at the same time. In Midtown, the best restaurants are on the Beltline and they all have excellent customer service and food. What separaes them from many of the other spots is that they’re on the urban playground called the Beltline.
The ATL has other cool eateries as well. If you’re gluten-free, there’s plenty of options. Same goes for keto-friendly restaurants or Asian fare in Atlanta.
Here are the best new restaurants in Atlanta
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