Reviewed by: Elizabeth Hobbs
Try these 3 new restaurants now open in Decatur
Reading time: 4 minutes
The River City’s independent restaurant scene grew over September and October with three additions: a delightfully decorated spot for fresh Japanese cuisine; a downtown coffee parlour with yummy lunch specials and decadent baked goods; and a fresh Mexican concept with a cozy atmosphere indoors and out.
Read on for our notes on each of these new restaurants in Decatur and start planning your visit.
Noriya Japanese Cuisine
You’d really never know this locally owned restaurant occupies what once held a national seafood chain, especially when you go inside. There, you’re met with many uber cute anime dogs peering from greenery and cherry blossom trees, surrounded by illuminated paper lanterns and colorful flag banners.
The menu is just as colorful and filled with dozens of Japanese classics like sushi, sashimi and hibachi, plus thoughtful takes on dishes that originated elsewhere, like ramen, poke and boba tea.
The restaurant has gotten great reviews since its soft opening on Sept. 15. With the recent approval of its alcohol license, it now offers sake (hot or cold), sake cocktails, beer and wine.
🍱 Noriya Japanese Cuisine
📍Where: 2027 Beltline Road Southwest, Decatur, AL 35601
⌚️When: Sunday-Thursday, 11AM-9PM; Friday-Sunday, 11AM-10PM
🧑💻 More Info: Website | Facebook
Jane Dough’s Coffee Parlour
If you have experienced Jane Dough’s Bakery pop-ups over the past four years, this is the same source of massive, melt-in-your-mouth cinnamon rolls, scrumptious cookies and delectable apple cake that’s almost too pretty to eat. Owner Jane Shroka opened her first brick-and-mortar location on Oct. 17 on Moulton Street in downtown Decatur.
The coffee shop and cafe occupies the entry of an established business, Parlour Hush Styling Social, which opened in May of 2018. Salon owner Khristen Price says while she’d always wanted to open a coffee shop in the space, the timing never aligned with her managing her primary business. When she met Shroka, they hatched a plan to incubate the cafe separately.
With everything made from scratch, the food options are limited and carefully curated. I’ve had the Tuscan soup, breadsticks, spiced apple parfait, spaghetti, Dragon’s Dream fruit tea (one of many drink options) and half a salted caramel brownie. Not all at once, it’s all so good that it’d be understandable if someone tried.
🍰 Jane Dough’s Coffee Parlour
📍Where: 214 Moulton St E, Decatur, AL 35601
⌚️When: Wednesday-Friday, 8AM-2PM; Saturday-Sunday, 7AM-2PM
🧑💻 More Info: Website | Facebook
La Terrazita Mexican Grill
Coming to life within a space that most recently housed a local favorite burger joint, La Terrazita Mexican Grill completely reinvisioned the space, indoors and out. The restaurant’s soft opening was Oct. 21. Massive terra cotta pots hold plant life surrounding a spacious deck below cheery string lights. Outdoor heaters keep folks cozy even in cooler weather.
Inside, suspended glass pendant lights in varying geometric and rounded shapes create a twinkling frame around the dining space. A small bar of emerald tile and warm wood welcomes guests to pull up for a margarita or craft cocktail.
While the restaurant’s soft opening was Oct. 21, I went a week later for lunch and tried the Baja tacos with crispy shrimp, red cabbage, chipotle mayo and pico. The salsa brought a perfect medium heat with a smooth texture that paired just right with the light, delicate chips. On my list for next time? The street corn ribs and Puerto Vallarta shrimp skewers.
🪴 La Terrazita Mexican Grill
📍Where: 2614 Hwy 31 S, Decatur, AL 35603
⌚️When: Monday-Friday, 11AM-9PM; Friday-Saturday, 10AM-9PM
🧑💻 More Info: Website | Facebook
Stay tuned for more …
The River City’s dining options continue to grow and diversify. It’s hard to believe it was less than a year ago when we told you about five new restaurants in Decatur—Kimmie’s Kitchen & Social House, Marlin’s Bar & Grill, Nash BBQ Reloaded, The Game and a Honeybaked Ham.
All of these have built followings over the past year and continue to serve customers. (Still no word on when the Korean barbecue concept Chow Won will open in Plum Tree Center.)
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