What We’re Looking Forward to in Atlanta in 2022

With hot new restaurants, plenty of concerts, and a gubernatorial election, the new year is going to be big for ATL.

Take a deep breath and celebrate because we’ve made it to 2022! It’s crucial that we continue to move forward with positivity because even though the COVID-19 Omicron variant has definitely made its presence known this holiday season, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t plenty of great things awaiting us over the next 365 days. From restaurant openings and the long-awaited returns of some of our favorite events, here is a snapshot of nine things that we’re especially looking forward to in Atlanta this year.

Just because we could all use some humble pie in 2022 doesn’t mean that it can’t be delicious, and that’s why we’re looking forward to The Interlock’s next big restaurant. Chefs Ron Hsu and Aaron Phillips and Beverage Director Carl Van Tyle Gilbert—aka the team behind the incredible date night-friendly restaurant Lazy Betty and the recently opened Juniper Cafe—will be opening Humble Pie this spring. The family-friendly neighborhood restaurant will boast chef-driven American dishes and an approachable, vegetable-forward menu, and we can’t wait to stop by for a meal.

For Five Coffee
Photo courtesy of For Five Coffee Roasters

You can never have too many coffee spots under your belt, and that’s why we’re looking forward to the opening of For Five Coffee’s first flagship in the South. Set to open early 2022, the new coffee shop—which is set to be For Five's largest location yet—will be located at 1105 West Peachtree. Although it’s the latest addition to a chain that originated in New York, the new Atlanta location will aim to give off a true-to-Atlanta, neighborhood atmosphere, and of course, For Five Coffee will bring its signature coffee blends and seasonal breakfast and lunch menus to the city as well.

Last year, almost every major event that got canceled during the start of the pandemic in 2020 was able to make a triumphant return in 2021, but one event that we can’t wait to finally experience once again is MomoCon. The pop-culture, video game, comic book, and anime convention is set to finally make its comeback during Memorial Day weekend, and for the first time since 2019, the four-day convention will bring cosplay, celebrity guests, and other fun activities back to Atlanta.

Obama portraits
Obama portraits | Photo by Kehinde Wiley, Courtesy of the High Museum of Art

Kehinde Wiley and Amy Sherald’s respective portraits of President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama were unveiled in 2018 to universal acclaim, and this spring, both of the original paintings will be on display at the High Museum of Art. From January 14 to March 20, Atlantans will be able to check out the Obama portraits in the High’s Stent Family Wing special exhibition galleries for just $16.50.

Last year saw the long-awaited return of festivals since the initial COVID-19 shutdowns in 2020, but if you’re all festival’d out or just wary of gathering around that many people considering the current surge of the Omicron variant, there are plenty of great smaller-scale concerts coming to Atlanta in 2022. At State Farm Arena alone, there will be shows held by Journey and Toto, J Balvin, New Edition and Charlie Wilson, Billie Ellish, New Kids On The Block and Salt-N-Pepa, Maxwell, Eagles, and Fugees. Stars such as Tyler, The Creator and Reba McEntire will bring their music to Gas South District, and Atlanta-bred artists like Latto and Jacquees are scheduled to perform at the Tabernacle this spring. That’s not even considering all of the exciting concerts taking place at venues like The Eastern, Masquerade, and Center Stage, so needless to say, 2022 will be an amazing year for live music.

MUJŌ
MUJŌ | Photo by Heidi Harris

Some of you may remember that we were looking forward to being able to dine-in at MUJŌ around this same time last year, but after a bit of a delay, the exciting new sushi restaurant is now eyeing a January 2022 opening. Led by New York transplant chef J. Trent Harris, MUJŌ will have two refined tasting menu options, featuring a combination of modern edomae sushi and kappo-style hot and cold dishes. In addition to the food, the restaurant will also boast a luxurious setting with a six-seat bar designed for pre- and post-dinner drinks and a 15-seat sushi bar.

The cultural phenomenon known as Atlanta was the hit FX series that no one saw coming, and just as we were all starting to fall in love with Donald Glover, LaKeith Stanfield, Brian Tyree Henry, and Zazie Beetz’s work in the surreal comedy, it took a three year hiatus. This spring, the Emmy Award-winning show returns for its highly anticipated third season, and although it will be largely based in Europe this time around, it will still be great to see one of Atlanta’s most limitless creatives back on screen this year.

5Church
5Church

From its picture-worthy drinks to its delicious seasonal menus, 5Church has long been one of the best places to eat in the city, and in 2022, the team behind the Midtown restaurant is expanding to its second home in Buckhead. An official opening date has not been set, but if it’s anything like the original Atlanta location, 5Church is destined to be the sexiest new Buckhead restaurant in 2022.

Later this fall, Governor Brian Kemp, former Senator David Perdue, former Georgia House Minority Leader Stacey Abrams, and more will be campaigning for the title of Georgia’s next governor, and it will undoubtedly be the biggest election for Atlantans since the 2020 Presidential Election. Make sure to register to vote as soon as possible so you can make your voice be heard at the polls by the time November rolls around.

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Joshua Robinson is an Atlanta-based contributor for Thrillist who is looking forward to a pivotal year in 2022.