Beth McKibben
@bethmckibben.bsky.social
Editor in Chief + Food & Dining at @roughdraftatlanta.com |beth@roughdraftatlanta.com ATL ✌️ Instagram: sopermckibben
Open from 9pm to 5am, Marietta coffee shop Terminus 72 offers a late-night third space for college students, Kennestone hospital staff, and third-shift workers roughdraftatlanta.com/2026/09/08/t...
Marietta coffee shop Terminus 72 offers a third space for night owls, third-shift workers
Marietta coffee shop Terminus 72 offers a late-night third space for college students, Kennestone hospital staff, and third-shift workers
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Viet-Cajun restaurant Bon Ton will close on Sept. 30 after nearly a decade on Myrtle Street in Midtown. And The Waiting Room, the vibey cocktail lounge above Bon Ton, closed this week after three years in business. roughdraftatlanta.com/2026/09/04/b...
Bon Ton closing at the end of September after nearly a decade in Midtown
Viet-Cajun restaurant Bon Ton will close on Sept. 30 after nearly a decade on Myrtle Street in Midtown. And The Waiting Room, the vibey cocktail lounge above Bon Ton, closed this week after three year...
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From dim sum to sandos to eggplant fries to kebabs, the Rough Draft dining team recommends these dishes from Metro Atlanta restaurants roughdraftatlanta.com/2026/08/31/b...
Best dishes to try at restaurants around metro Atlanta
Each month, Rough Draft’s dining team, Beth McKibben and Sarra Sedghi, share their favorite restaurant dishes, along with a few restaurant discoveries and cool pop-ups to put on your radar. Check out ...
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Check out this roundup of recent restaurant openings and upcoming restaurant announcements you might have missed in August. roughdraftatlanta.com/2026/08/31/a...
Did you miss these August 2026 Atlanta restaurant openings?
Check out this roundup of recent restaurant openings and upcoming restaurant announcements you might have missed in August.
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With classes back in session, school cafeterias have become some of Metro Atlanta’s busiest restaurants roughdraftatlanta.com/2026/08/26/d...
School cafeterias are the busiest restaurants in metro Atlanta
It takes a lot of coordination and people to feed tens of thousands of school kids each week. To understand how school lunch programs operate, Rough Draft spoke with nutrition professionals for Fulton...
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Get updates on a highly anticipated restaurant opening in Midtown, a Midwest restaurant chain’s upcoming locations around metro Atlanta, and a local bakery’s expansion to Athens. We also have details on dining events, including the Wienermobile’s next stop roughdraftatlanta.com/2026/08/20/q...
Quick Bites for August 20: sober supper club, vegan festival drama, Wienermobile at Red's Beer Garden
In this week’s Quick Bites, get updates on a highly anticipated restaurant opening in Midtown, a Midwest restaurant chain’s upcoming locations around metro Atlanta, and a local bakery's expansion to A...
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Rough Draft Atlanta is launching its first podcast Aug. 21. "From the Paper to the Pod," hosted by Summer Evans, is a behind-the-scenes look at the stories that appear in print, online, and in our daily newsletters. roughdraftatlanta.com/2026/08/20/r...
Rough Draft Atlanta is launching a podcast
Rough Draft Atlanta is launching its first podcast. "From the Paper to the Pod," hosted by Summer Evans, is a behind-the-scenes look at the stories that appear in print, online, and in our daily newsl...
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Get updates on restaurant openings in Alpharetta, Dunwoody, and Brookhaven, a new chef at Madre Selva, and brunch at an Avondale Estates restaurant. There are also details on Atlanta food events, including a Japanese summer festival in Chamblee roughdraftatlanta.com/2026/08/13/q...
Quick Bites for Aug. 13: brunch in Avondale Estates, Tipsy Thaiger's anniversary in Roswell, new chef at Madre Selva in Buckhead
In this week’s Quick Bites, get updates on restaurant openings in Alpharetta, Dunwoody, and Brookhaven, new hires at Madre Selva and Il Premio, and brunch at an Avondale Estates restaurant. There are ...
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Switchyards will close its Midtown location at the Biltmore Hotel on Aug. 27. An email to members said Switchyards was informed by the building’s owner the space would be converted to a restaurant as part of a larger renovation. roughdraftatlanta.com/2026/08/07/s...
Switchyards to close Midtown location at the Biltmore
The Switchyards work club is scheduled to leave its Biltmore Hotel location by Aug. 27 as the building transforms into a tech hub.
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Georgian Corner is a triple-threat in Roswell, providing the Atlanta suburb with a bakery-cafe, Eastern European market, and restaurant under one roof. It’s also the only restaurant in metro Atlanta dedicating its entire menu to Georgian food. roughdraftatlanta.com/2026/08/07/g...
Georgian Corner brings the dishes and wines from the country of Georgia to Roswell
Georgian Corner is a triple-threat in Roswell, providing the city with a bakery and cafe, Eastern European market, and restaurant under one roof. Opened in 2025, the restaurant dedicates its menu to t...
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Atlanta legacy, hip hop, and film collide in Alex Woodruff’s ‘Thomasville’ When Alex Woodruff was looking to direct his first short film, he originally wanted to set the story during… https://roughdraftatlanta.com/2026/08/04/atlanta-legacy-hip-hop-and-film-collide-in-alex-woodruffs-thomasville/
Atlanta legacy, hip hop, and film collide in Alex Woodruff’s ‘Thomasville’
When Alex Woodruff was looking to direct his first short film, he originally wanted to set the story during the Stop Cop City movement – the social and environmental movement opposing the construction of the controversial Atlanta Public Safety Training Center in the South River Forest. But that idea became a little unwieldy for a couple of reasons. “One, it was so epic, and I had never directed before, so I was nervous about trying something like that,” Woodruff said. “Two, before I made that movie, I wanted people to understand my stake in what was going on with the Stop Cop City movement.
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After two-plus years of construction and opening new businesses and restaurants, South Downtown developers will wrap up Phase I of the development and “let the market marinate,” while turning their attention to attracting residents to the neighborhood roughdraftatlanta.com/2026/08/03/s...
South Downtown developers shift focus from rapid redevelopment to establishing a 24/7 neighborhood
After two-plus years of construction and opening new businesses and restaurants, South Downtown developers will wrap up Phase I of the development and “let the market marinate,” while turning their at...
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More than 30 new restaurants opened around metro Atlanta in July, spanning from Alpharetta, Dunwoody, and Brookhaven, to Buckhead, Midtown, and Jonesboro. Meanwhile, close to three dozen new restaurants and bars were also announced for the coming months. roughdraftatlanta.com/2026/08/03/a...
Did you miss these July 2026 Atlanta restaurant openings?
Check out this roundup of recent restaurant openings and upcoming restaurant announcements you might have missed in July.
roughdraftatlanta.com
South Downtown developers shift focus from rapid redevelopment to establishing a 24/7 neighborhood After two-plus years of construction and opening new businesses and restaurants,… https://roughdraftatlanta.com/2026/08/03/south-downtown-developers-shift-from-construction-to-leasing-residential/
South Downtown developers shift focus from rapid redevelopment to establishing a 24/7 neighborhood
After two-plus years of construction and opening new businesses and restaurants, South Downtown developers will wrap up Phase I of the development and “let the market marinate,” while turning their attention to attracting residents to the neighborhood.
roughdraftatlanta.com
Six months worth of favorite dishes from Atlanta restaurants. Six more months to go.
Rough Draft@roughdraftatlanta.com · last mo.Best dishes to try at restaurants around metro Atlanta Each month, Rough Draft’s dining team, Beth McKibben and Sarra Sedghi, share their favorite restaurant dishes, along with a few restaurant discoveries and cool pop-ups… https://roughdraftatlanta.com/2026/07/31/best-restaurant-dishes-atlanta/
Metro Atlanta schools back in session beginning Aug. 3 Students across metro Atlanta will head back to classrooms next week as the region's largest public school districts begin the 2026-27 academic year.... https://roughdraftatlanta.com/2026/07/30/atlanta-metro-schools-start-august/
Metro Atlanta schools back in session beginning Aug. 3
Students across metro Atlanta will head back to classrooms next week as the region's largest public school districts begin the 2026-27 academic year. Schools in Fulton County, DeKalb County, City Schools of Decatur, and Atlanta Public Schools will open Monday, Aug. 3, with teachers and staff wrapping up professional development and open house events this week. Gwinnett County Public Schools, the state's largest district, will begin classes Wednesday, Aug. 5. Atlanta Public Schools will host a series of open houses for elementary, middle, and high school students on Friday, July 31.
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This week’s Atlanta dining news includes details on two indoor farmers markets, a new cafe in Sandy Springs, Kamayan ATL’s new location on Buford Highway, an update on the Jovita Moore mural at Bellwood Coffee, and Manuel’s Tavern’s 70th anniversary roughdraftatlanta.com/2026/07/30/q...
July 30 Quick Bites: Restaurant openings, Manuel's Tavern turns 70, Kamayan ATL relocates, Jovita Moore mural returns
Get details on indoor farmers markets in Underwood Hills and Peoplestown, a new Middle Eastern cafe in Sandy Springs, and the opening of Kamayan ATL at its new location. Plus, we have updates on the J...
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ATL restaurant news this week includes details on several restaurant openings, the passing of Nick Poulos, owner of Nick’s Food To Go, and food and dining events to attend around metro Atlanta, including a Medieval Christmas party roughdraftatlanta.com/2026/07/23/q...
Quick Bites for July 23: Nick's Food To Go owner dies, Anne Quatrano opens new restaurant, a Danish bakery in Midtown, Medieval Christmas in July
In this week’s Quick Bites, get updates on several new restaurant openings, along with a few upcoming restaurants just announced. We also share sad news on the passing of Nick Poulos, the owner Greek ...
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While the James Beard Foundation seeks a successor to Chicago for its annual awards, local chefs and restaurateurs argue the case for Atlanta to be the next host of what's known as the "Oscars of the food world” roughdraftatlanta.com/2026/07/22/a...
What hosting the James Beard Awards ceremony could mean for Atlanta restaurants
While the James Beard Foundation seeks a successor to Chicago for its annual awards, local chefs and restaurateurs argue the case for Atlanta to be the next host of what's known as the "Oscars of the ...
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Joystick Gamebar will take over the former East Side Lounge space across from The Earl in the heart of East Atlanta Village and will feature new games, updated food menu, and the addition of a third partner in the business. roughdraftatlanta.com/2026/07/20/j...
Joystick Gamebar’s next chapter begins this fall in East Atlanta Village
Joystick Gamebar will call a new neighborhood home this fall. The cocktail bar, which includes old-school arcade games and regularly hosts game clubs and game nights, pulled up stakes on Edgewood Aven...
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The original location of MetroFresh permanently closed at Midtown Promenade, nearly five months after sustaining damage from a fire. BUT the One Midtown Plaza location on Peachtree Street will remain open. roughdraftatlanta.com/2026/07/16/m...
MetroFresh closes after 21 years at Midtown Promenade
The original location of MetroFresh permanently closed at Midtown Promenade, nearly five months after sustaining damage from a fire. The One Midtown Plaza location on Peachtree Street remains open.
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Get updates on a new food hall in Castleberry Hill, two restaurant fires, and closures in Avondale Estates and Buckhead. You’ll also find details on the rescheduled Atlanta Halal Summer Food Festival and a 1970s dinner party pop-up roughdraftatlanta.com/2026/07/16/q...
July 16 Quick Bites: Leftie Lee's closing in Avondale, two restaurant fires, three closures, Castleberry food hall
In this week’s Quick Bites, get updates on a new food hall in Castleberry Hill, a closure in Avondale Estates, and Victory's replacement in Decatur. You'll also find details on the rescheduled Atlanta...
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Victory Sandwich Bar in Decatur will become American-Italian restaurant and bar Besto at the end of July. roughdraftatlanta.com/2026/07/15/v...
Victory Sandwich Bar rebranding to American-Italian restaurant and bar Besto in Decatur
Victory Sandwich Bar in Decatur will rebrand to American-Italian restaurant and bar Besto at the end of July. Victory's last day on Church Street is July 20.
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Rough Draft Atlanta senior health and wellness editor Laura Scholz spoke to Atlanta physicians about how GLP-1s work, why strength training and lifestyle habits can support successful results, and who should take these drugs – or avoid them altogether. roughdraftatlanta.com/2026/07/15/p...
Atlanta doctors discuss the pros and cons of taking a GLP-1 for weight management
Rough Draft Atlanta spoke to two area physicians on how GLP-1s work, why strength training and other lifestyle habits can support successful results, and who should take these drugs – or avoid them al...
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With teams like Atlanta United & Decatur FC, the metro home to the US National Team’s training center, & a new Women’s National Team club debuting in 2028, there’s never been a better time to be a soccer fan in Atlanta, especially a women’s soccer fan. roughdraftatlanta.com/2026/07/15/a...
There's never been a better time for women's soccer in Atlanta
With the Men’s World Cup wrapping up, Atlanta United resuming its season, the city bidding for the 2031 Women’s World Cup, and a women’s national soccer league club debuting in 2028, there's never bee...
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For this installment of “Heard,” Atlanta chefs Claudia Martinez of Bar Ana and Sam Pinner of Sammy’s share their thoughts on the importance of music in restaurant kitchens, along with a playlist of songs playing in the back of house. roughdraftatlanta.com/2026/07/14/a...
Heard: Kitchen playlists from Atlanta chefs Claudia Martinez and Sam Pinner
For this installment of “Heard,” Atlanta chefs Claudia Martinez and Sam Pinner share their thoughts on the importance of music in the kitchen before, during, and after service, along with their favori...
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Mico Quijano a runner from Charlotte ran his first Peachtree this year dressed as a hot dog. His mission for the race was simple: eat one Costco hot dog every mile, while handing out the rest to people on the course. roughdraftatlanta.com/2026/07/09/m...
A runner's 2026 Peachtree Road Race hot dog challenge could become an annual tradition
Mico Quijano, a runner from Charlotte, North Carolina, ran his first Peachtree this year dressed as a hot dog. His mission for the race was simple: eat one Costco hot dog every mile, while handing out...
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Some Atlanta-area restaurants and bars are seeing big boosts in sales from fans heading in to watch World Cup matches both day and night roughdraftatlanta.com/2026/07/02/w...
World Cup fever translating into big boost in sales for some Atlanta bars and restaurants
Some Atlanta restaurants and bars are seeing big boosts in business from the World Cup, with fans gathering to watch matches, drink, eat, and cheer both day and night.
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Got Rough Draft reporters spread out at different spots today. They’re chatting with fans while watching this match at Atlanta Stadium. The match/reporting chaos today: we love it.
This MARTA dining guide to Midtown spotlights two dozen restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and a food hall easily walkable from the Arts Center and Midtown stations. This guide only includes restaurants and bars on the western side of Piedmont Park. roughdraftatlanta.com/2026/07/01/m...
MARTA Dining Guide: Arts Center and Midtown stations
This Rough Draft dining guide highlights some of the restaurants, bars, and coffee shops within easy walking distance from the Arts Center and Midtown MARTA stations in Atlanta’s Midtown neighborhood.
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