Restaurants & Bars
15+ Eateries Open, 3 Close In GA: Top Restaurant News 2025
Fried birthday cake, vegan ice cream and barbecue shrimp were on the menus of new restaurants, while other eateries bid farewell in 2025.
Although the Peach State said farewell to a few beloved eateries in 2025, the restaurant scene largely dished out multiple accomplishments, with one chef winning a national TV food competition and taking home a statewide award.
Kyle Bryner, owner of Blue Hound BBQ in Rabun County, had a smoking hot year as he was named the Master of 'Cue in Food Network's "BBQ Brawl" (which aired in July) and won Emerging Restaurateur of the Year in the 2025 Georgia Restaurant Association Crystal of Excellence Awards on Dec. 8.
Other victories included the installation of the inaugural Chick-fil-A vending machine at a prominent medical facility and the opening of several new restaurants.
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Here is a snapshot of culinary changes and achievements in 2025 in Georgia:
The "Mountain Man" defeated tried and true, competition-proven barbecue pit masters to become the newest Master of 'Cue on the national stage.
Find out what's happening in Atlantafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
A fast food giant announced this year that it planned to shutter hundreds of locations across the United States as part of an effort to improve profitability and reverse declining sales.
A major gourmet burger chain planned to close around 70 underperforming locations, potentially including restaurants in Georgia.
Signage on a restaurant door in Georgia showed an Italian eatery aimed to open in the place where pulled pork and loaded barbecue baked potatoes were once served.
The expansion of the chicken finger franchise will bring Raising Cane's total to 12 restaurants in the Peach State.
If you want a Chick-fil-A veggie wrap, you can grab it from the Atlanta-based eatery's new vending machine in Georgia — but, you still won't be able to get it on Sundays.
A popular fast food chain specializing in burgers, chicken and frozen treats, was set to open new restaurants in 12 states in the near future, including in Georgia.
The Georgia Restaurant Association advocates for statewide restaurants on the culinary scene, and the yearly awards honor the excellence of those in the industry.
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Here is a look at other new restaurants that have opened in Georgia:
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