Dunwoody isn’t just growing. It’s booming with flavor. In just three years, 44 new restaurants in Dunwoody have opened their doors, and they’re not your average fast-food joints. These are chef-driven kitchens, local favorites, and unique dining spots choosing Dunwoody for a reason. Mark Galvin from Discover Dunwoody explains how new developments like Ashford Lane, High Street, Campus 244, Perimeter Marketplace, and the newly refreshed Park Place are all scoring big names and redefining what’s possible in the suburbs.
The wild part? Many restaurants aren’t replacing old ones. They’re launching in brand-new buildouts. That’s a sign of serious momentum.
From Velvet Taco and Grana to Nando’s, Cuddlefish, Hampton Social, and CT Cantina, Dunwoody’s dining scene is more diverse and more delicious than ever. Mark shares how his team markets the city, why locals should ride the trolley, and what’s coming next.
Dunwoody, Georgia added 44 new restaurants in about three years, according to Mark Galvin of Discover Dunwoody. Most opened in brand-new developments like Ashford Lane and High Street rather than replacing old restaurants, a sign of real economic growth.
In Podcast 296, I talked with Mark Galvin, who leads Discover Dunwoody, about why new restaurants in Dunwoody keep opening, where they are landing, and what is coming next. Listen on Apple Podcasts or watch above.
Explore the food scene at whatsupdunwoody.com/food and tour the city by trolley at whatsupdunwoody.com/tour.
Why New Restaurants in Dunwoody Keep Opening
If you live in Dunwoody or are thinking about moving here, you have probably noticed the change. Over three years, the city welcomed 44 new restaurants, and many of them are fresh concepts, local ventures, or chef-driven kitchens in newly built spaces.
Dunwoody has a strong residential base, a busy business district around Perimeter Center, and easy access to GA-400, I-285, and MARTA. That mix gives restaurant owners both a lunch crowd and a dinner crowd, which is why new restaurants in Dunwoody keep choosing the city.
Ashford Lane: A Dining Destination
A few years ago, Ashford Lane was a tired shopping center. Now it is one of the busiest places to eat in town, with spots like Grana, Superica, Culinary Dropout, Hawkers, and Jeni’s Ice Cream. Patio dining, string lights, and a walkable layout make it easy to spend a whole evening there.
High Street: The Next Big Thing
High Street is already drawing comparisons to Avalon in Alpharetta, and it comes from the same developer. Phase one brought Velvet Taco, Agave Bandido, Nando’s Peri-Peri, Hampton Social, and Puttshack. Future phases are planned to add more restaurants, retail, and green space.
Not Just Big Chains
A common myth is that the restaurant boom is all chains. Many of the new restaurants in Dunwoody are small businesses or chef-driven concepts. Cuddlefish is a local sushi and seafood spot, and Morty’s Meat & Supply is another standout local concept.
The 44 New Restaurants in Dunwoody
From bagels to BBQ and tacos to Thai, here is the full list Mark shared:
- Agave Bandido
- Ark Coffehaus
- Ben & Jerry’s
- Brown Bag Seafood
- Buffalo Wild Wings
- Chicken Salad Chick
- Chopt Creative Salad Co.
- CT Cantina & Taqueria
- Cuddlefish
- Culinary Dropout
- Desi District
- First Watch
- Good Vibes Ice Cream Shop
- Grana
- Halal Guys
- Hampton Social
- Hawkers
- Jeni’s Ice Cream
- Kitchen & Kocktails
- Louisiana Bistreaux
- Lucky Goat Coffee
- Message in a Bottle
- Mikata
- Morty’s Meat & Supply
- Nando’s Peri-Peri
- North Italia
- Omakase by Yun
- Panda Express
- Paris Baguette
- PF Chang’s
- Politan Row
- Putt Shack
- Snooze
- Steak & Grace
- Stone Age Korean BBQ
- Summitt Coffee
- Super Chix
- Superica
- Sushi Kingdom
- Valor
- Velvet Taco
- Wa’Haka
- Yaba Bagels
- Yao
You can see the searchable list at Discover Dunwoody.
Growth in New Buildouts
The most interesting part of this story is that many of these restaurants are not replacing others. They are filling brand-new spaces at Ashford Lane and High Street. That is a very different picture from the open-and-close churn you see in slower markets, and it shows demand is growing.
Mark Galvin and Discover Dunwoody
Discover Dunwoody is the city’s destination marketing organization. Mark’s job is to bring in hotel stays, restaurant traffic, and shopping, and the work is funded by hotel taxes, not resident dollars. He sees the wave of new restaurants in Dunwoody as a symbol of the city’s broader economic health.
More to Come: Park Place, Campus 244, and Beyond
Park Place has been refreshed and Campus 244 is on the way, and both are expected to bring more places to eat. If the trend holds, Dunwoody could see another 20 to 30 new restaurants over the next few years.
What the Restaurant Boom Means for Dunwoody Homes
As a Dunwoody REALTOR®, I see how much buyers care about having good places to eat nearby. Walkable dining at Ashford Lane and High Street is a real selling point for homes, townhomes, and condos near Perimeter Center, and it helps explain why so many people are moving to Dunwoody.
My Take: Forty-four new restaurants in three years is a big deal for a city our size, and the best part is how many are local. Hop on the Dunwoody trolley tour and see it for yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions About New Restaurants in Dunwoody
How many new restaurants opened in Dunwoody?
According to Mark Galvin of Discover Dunwoody, 44 new restaurants opened in Dunwoody over about three years.
Where are the new restaurants in Dunwoody?
Most are at Ashford Lane, High Street, and Perimeter Marketplace, with more expected at Park Place and Campus 244.
Are the new Dunwoody restaurants mostly chains?
No. Many are small businesses or chef-driven concepts, like Cuddlefish and Morty’s Meat & Supply.
What is Discover Dunwoody?
Discover Dunwoody is the city’s destination marketing organization. It promotes hotels, restaurants, and shopping and is funded by hotel taxes.
How can I tour Dunwoody’s restaurant scene?
Book a seat on the Dunwoody trolley tour at whatsupdunwoody.com/tour to see Ashford Lane, High Street, and more.