CIM Group & Centennial Yards Company Sign Lease with Iconic Atlanta Steakhouse Chops Lobster Bar to Bring Fine Dining Excellence to Downtown Atlanta
Friday, February 6th, 2026
CIM Group and Centennial Yards Company announced today that iconic Atlanta steakhouse Chops Lobster Bar has signed a 13,000-square-foot restaurant lease at Centennial Yards, the $5 billion, 50-acre mixed-use redevelopment transforming Downtown Atlanta.
Recognized by numerous publications as one of the top 10 steakhouses in the country, Chops Lobster Bar has been known for its exceptional food and best-in-class hospitality for more than 35 years. Chops Lobster Bar Downtown, the brand’s second location in Georgia, is anticipated to open in late 2026 in the Entertainment District at Centennial Yards.
The Entertainment District will span approximately 470,000 square feet within the Centennial Yards 50-acre development and is expected to revitalize underutilized land in the heart of Downtown Atlanta into a hub with immersive venues, dining, retail, and hospitality, adjacent to Mercedes-Benz Stadium and State Farm Arena. With major tenants like Live Nation and Cosm already announced, the district is set to become one of the premier destinations in the United States for live entertainment and culinary experiences.
"Chops is more than a restaurant – it’s an Atlanta institution. It’s not just the exceptional food and service that make it iconic, but the memories it creates – celebrations, relationships and once-in-a-lifetime moments," said Brian McGowan, President at Centennial Yards. "This is why we are excited about what owners Pano and Niko Karatassos will add to what we are building at Centennial Yards – a new place for people to have unique experiences."
The dining experience at Chops Lobster Bar Downtown will feature seafood flown in fresh daily alongside the finest USDA Prime-aged beef, all served with meticulous presentation in the warm ambiance of a warm-wood dining room reminiscent of the Buckhead Chops location designed by the famous Pat Kuleto. Chops Lobster Bar is owned by Buckhead Life Restaurant Group, a nationally acclaimed restaurant group established in 1979 that owns and operates 10 award-winning restaurants in Georgia and Florida. Its portfolio includes Atlanta Fish Market, Bistro Niko, Corner Café, Kyma, Pricci, City Fish Market, Chops Lobster Bar Atlanta, Chops Lobster Bar Boca Raton and Lobster Bar Sea Grille.
"Bringing Chops Lobster Bar to downtown Atlanta is an incredible milestone for us," said Pano Karatassos, Co-President and Culinary Director of Buckhead Life Restaurant Group. "Our Buckhead location has become such a favorite of the community, and we’re excited to share that same fine-dining steakhouse experience within Centennial Yards."
Centennial Yards Company was created by CIM Group to act as the owner and master developer of Centennial Yards. As one of the largest and most ambitious city-center developments in the country, Centennial Yards connects surrounding communities and creates several new city blocks at the junction of the rail lines where the city was founded.
In the Entertainment District, momentum continues to build as Cosm’s immersive venue, Shake Shack’s first downtown Atlanta location, and The Irish Exit prepare to open in 2026, bringing new energy and fresh gathering spots to the heart of the neighborhood. A 5,300‑seat Live Nation venue will follow in 2027, anchoring the district with a major new destination for live entertainment. At The Mitchell, the culinary lineup is expanding as well, with Khao Thai Isan set to open in 2026 and local soul food icon The Busy Bee Café slated to open in 2027.
"We are excited to bring the innovative team behind Chops Lobster Bar to Centennial Yards," said Shaul Kuba, Co-Founder and Principal, CIM Group. "Their commitment to exceptional dining and hospitality is a perfect complement to our vision for the Entertainment District and our goal of creating a vibrant destination in Downtown Atlanta."
