About Brookhaven reporter. (Sandy Springs, GA) 20??-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 2, 2025)
20 DECEMBER 2025 ROUGHDRAFT.NEWS DINING Scan the QR code to subscribe to our dining newsletters. The best new restaurants of 2025 7((% O7 (Courtesy of Yaba’s Bagels) (Courtesy of Danbi Seasonal Kitchen) By Beth McKibben and Sarra Sedghi Rough Draft’s dining team spent the last year eating at new restaurants around metro Atlanta, including standout spots in Brookhaven, Dunwoody, Sandy Springs, and Tucker that opened between Oct. 1, 2024, and Oct. 1, 2025. Many meals and debates later, Beth and Sarra narrowed the lengthy list of contenders down to just four stellar restaurants residing within Rough Draft’s suburban Atlanta coverage areas. Trust us when we say you’ll find your new favorite dish at a counter-service restaurant whipping up made-to-order meals, a family-run, Middle Eastern bagel shop, a Main Street sandwich joint plucked straight from Philadelphia, and a strip mall restaurant dedicated to an Italian grandmother’s legacy. We’ve also included the three winners from the city of Atlanta. Now, introducing the Best New Restaurants of 2025. Brookhaven Danbi Seasonal Kitchen 3432 Clairmont Road, Brookhaven eatdanbi.com Don’t be fooled by Danbi Seasonal Kitchen’s appearance — this Brookhaven strip mall spot offers far more than meets the eye. Although the sleek, technology- forward interior, minimal staff, and no- tipping policy suggest a standard fast-casual operation, the actual product is on the same caliber as finer dining institutions. Chef Jack Kim has worked a wide range of restaurant jobs, and it shows. With the exception of the cookies and brownies on the counter (those are baked ahead of opening hours), Kim makes everything to order. The menu’s foundation on healthy, seasonal ingredients proves that food can be good for you and taste good too. The smoothies, for example, don’t contain an excess amount of sugar, instead highlighting the god-given flavors in each ingredient — the frothy beet smoothie gets its sweetness from Fuji apples and maple syrup, with the main ingredient’s earthy flavor at the forefront. Everything is good here, but the Guajillo Coconut Salmon especially shines — this is one case where you do want to order salmon at a restaurant. The fish itself maintains that ideal doneness with just a hint of medium-rare, and the accompanying curry-like sauce, brussels sprouts, and miso-glazed kabocha sauce almost outshine the main dish. If you’re feeding a large party, order everything to-go and serve it at home. Dunwoody Yaba’s Bagels 4780 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody yabasbagels.com Lena Abdallah and Ahmed Nashif bet on Atlantans’ affinity for bagels when they opened Yaba’s Bagels this summer. Yaba means “father” in Arabic. For Abdallah, the Dunwoody bagel shop is more than just a business. It also serves as an homage to her father, who used to own bakeries in New York. Abdallah grew up understanding that a good “water” bagel depends on the precisely timed kettle boiling process to bring about the signature textures: crispy on the outside, soft and chewy on the inside. Yaba’s respect for the bagel-making process, which includes boiling the dough twice before baking, comes through in the first bite. But Yaba’s Bagels isn’t your standard New York-style bagel shop. Sure, you can get staples like bagels and lox, or a bacon, egg, and cheese, but the signature bagels infused with Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavors and ingredients are the real move at Yaba’s. Based on Abdallah’s father’s recipes, order the Levantine za’atar bagel with a thick spread of labneh drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with za’atar. The Souk sees your bagel of choice (we suggest sesame) topped with a spread of tahini and date syrup garnished with dates and toasted walnuts. For a little sweet and savory action, the Yaffa on an onion or salt bagel piles on grilled halloumi, arugula, and tomato. It’s finished with pomegranate molasses. Bagels aren’t the only shining stars at Yaba’s. The deli sandwiches are every bit as good, including the Reuben stuffed with hot pastrami, melted Swiss cheese, and sauerkraut. Order this sandwich on a za’atar bagel. Grab one of Abdallah’s cheese danishes or apple turnovers for the road. Sandy Springs Nonna Dora Italian Eatery 1100 Hammond Dr., Sandy Springs nonnadoraatl.com When you find yourself sipping on Parmigiana sauce from a spoon like it’s a luxurious stew or bisque, you know you’re in the midst of a transcendent dining experience. Thank Nonna Dora for that, whose namesake shaped chef-owner Patrizio Alaia’s childhood and cooking philosophy. Every menu item, from the cheesy frittatine to the 100-percent beef meatballs, carries his grandmother’s influence. Antipasti and pasta make up most of the menu. It’s hard to go wrong here, but if you’re not into tomato-based sauces, opt for the pesto, Parmigiana, or ultra- rich mushroom lasagna. There’s also a small selection of pizzas, salads, and meat and fish-based main courses (branzino, saltimbocca, and a breaded chicken cutlet). Denying yourself a post-dinner cannoli, frolla (Neapolitan pastry stuffed with ricotta and candied orange cubes), or tiramisu is a criminal offense. Make the meal feel extra European by pairing it with an Italian soda. Come in on Saturdays and Sundays for brunch, including lemon ricotta pancakes, polenta and shrimp, and an Italian version of an English breakfast. Continued on page 22
