Izakaya Gem in Virginia Highland ATL: Yakitori Kona

If you’ve spent time in the Virginia Highland neighborhood of Atlanta, you’ll know that it exudes a small-town vibe within the bustling city of Atlanta. I love spending time in this family-centric and walking-friendly neighborhood. A big plus: there’s free plaza (lot) or street parking available along North Highland Avenue Northeast as you make your way towards the center of VaHi.

I had the pleasure of dining at Yakitori Kona during its first week of business. When you step inside, you’re greeted by tasteful Japanese art and decor, giving the small space an izakaya vibe. Izakaya is a traditional Japanese tavern where you can get small bites and drinks. Chef Hugo Valdez told us about his decision to buy a yakitori grill from Japan and use a special charcoal, which burns longer and hotter to get the right smokey flavor on their skewers. I love that they had a specific vision for how they wanted to execute their yakitori menu. Their kitchen space is what you can see from the bar, so I think it was a good decision to keep a small, focused menu, and execute on it well with high quality ingredients and artistry. I recommend sitting at the bar so you can watch them grill and fan your skewers.

I enjoyed some of the sushi appetizers and skewers and would order them again. The Assorted 6 skewers option is probably the best deal to try a variety for just $35. If you’re looking for more food, the Yakoritori tasting ($55) and Premium option ($75) include a couple more items.

📝 Check out the dinner and beverage menu here!
⏰ Yakitori Kona is open from 6pm til midnight or 1am (Friday and Saturday) daily; closed on Mondays.
🅿️ Complimentary valet (tips appreciated) is available behind the building; off of North Highland Ave, there’s a driveway in between the Paper Source and Highland Eye Boutique that takes you to the back.
👨‍🍳 Chef: Hugo Valdez
👨‍💼 Beverage Director: James Wampler
📱 My recap on Instagram

All photos owned by me and are not to be used without permission.