Nova Sushi Bar and Asian Bistro #2 in Atlanta: What to Know Before You Go
If you’re looking for a casual sushi spot and Asian kitchen-and-bar experience in Atlanta, Nova Sushi Bar and Asian Bistro #2 is one of the names that often comes up, especially for people who want approachable rolls, familiar Asian dishes, and a full bar in one place.
Below is a practical guide to what you can typically expect from a place like Nova Sushi Bar and Asian Bistro #2 in Atlanta, Georgia, how it fits into the local dining scene, and how to decide if it’s right for your lunch, dinner, or night out.
Where Nova Sushi Bar and Asian Bistro #2 Fits in Atlanta’s Food Scene
Atlanta has no shortage of sushi and pan-Asian restaurants, ranging from high-end omakase counters to quick neighborhood spots. A place such as Nova Sushi Bar and Asian Bistro #2 generally falls into the “kitchen and bar” category:
- Kitchen: A broad menu that blends Japanese-style sushi with Chinese- or Thai-inspired entrées, fried appetizers, noodle dishes, and rice plates.
- Bar: A selection of beer, wine, sake, and cocktails, often aimed at happy-hour crowds, casual dates, and small groups.
For Atlanta residents or visitors, this makes it a flexible choice: one person can order sushi, another can stick with lo mein or fried rice, and someone else can focus on the drink menu.
Typical Location & Access in Atlanta
Restaurants like Nova Sushi Bar and Asian Bistro #2 are often found in busy commercial corridors or shopping centers near major Atlanta roads, so expect:
- Drive-up access with shared parking lots.
- Proximity to neighborhoods with strong dine-out traffic (for example, areas along Buford Highway, Roswell Road, or inside I-285 often have similar concepts).
- A setup that works for both sit-down dining and takeout.
If you’re planning to go:
- 🔎 Look up the exact address and suite number before heading out, as many Asian bistros in Atlanta are located in larger plazas with multiple restaurants.
- 🚗 Plan for parking in a shared lot; weekends and dinner hours can be busier.
- 🚆 If using MARTA, check how far the nearest station or bus stop is; many of these spots are in car-oriented areas, so a short rideshare may still be needed.
Atmosphere: Casual Kitchen and Bar Vibe
Most Atlanta diners experience a place like Nova Sushi Bar and Asian Bistro #2 as:
- Casual and relaxed, not fine dining.
- Suitable for:
- After-work dinners
- Low-key date nights
- Small group gatherings
- Solo sushi or bar meals
Common features you can expect:
- A sushi bar counter where chefs prepare rolls in view.
- Standard table seating plus bar seating.
- Background music and TVs at the bar in some locations.
- A layout that supports both quick meals and longer, drink-focused visits.
If you’re sensitive to noise or looking for a very quiet experience, consider going earlier in the evening or on weeknights, when the bar side is usually calmer.
Menu Overview: Sushi Meets Asian Bistro Favorites
While specifics can vary, a restaurant in Atlanta with this name and style typically offers a wide, mix-and-match menu. Here’s how it usually breaks down.
Sushi and Sashimi
You’ll generally find:
- Nigiri and sashimi (salmon, tuna, yellowtail, shrimp, eel, etc.)
- Classic rolls, such as:
- California roll
- Spicy tuna or spicy salmon roll
- Philadelphia roll
- Shrimp tempura roll
- Specialty rolls with toppings, sauces, and tempura crunch, often named for:
- Cities or regions
- Signature house styles
- Spicy or baked variations
In Atlanta, where many people are still looking for accessibly priced sushi, menus are often built around roll combinations rather than high-end omakase. Expect combos like:
- 2-roll or 3-roll lunch specials
- Sushi + sashimi combination plates
- Bento-style sushi boxes at lunch
Kitchen Dishes (Asian Bistro Side)
Beyond sushi, an Atlanta “Asian Bistro” in this style almost always includes:
- Appetizers:
- Gyoza (dumplings)
- Edamame
- Crab rangoons
- Spring rolls or egg rolls
- Tempura vegetables or shrimp
- Noodle dishes:
- Lo mein or yaki udon
- Stir-fried rice noodles
- Rice entrées:
- Fried rice with chicken, shrimp, or beef
- Teriyaki chicken or steak over rice
- General-style chicken and other familiar stir-fries
- Curry or Thai-leaning options, depending on the restaurant (for example, red curry or pad thai at some locations)
This makes it a realistic choice if you’re going out with mixed preferences—some want sushi, others just want a big plate of noodles or a fried rice dish.
Drinks and Bar Options
As a kitchen and bar, you can usually expect:
- Beer: Standard domestic and imported options; often Japanese beer like Sapporo or Asahi, plus familiar domestic brands.
- Wine: A small, sushi-friendly list with whites, some reds, and sometimes sparkling options.
- Sake: Hot and cold sake, possibly flavored or sparkling sake.
- Cocktails:
- Simple mixed drinks
- House cocktails that may feature:
- Sake or soju
- Flavored syrups
- Fruit-forward profiles that pair with sushi or fried starters
Many Atlanta diners use spots like this for happy hour-style visits, so it’s common to see people share a couple of rolls and appetizers with drinks instead of full individual entrées.
Sample Visit at a Glance
Here’s a quick snapshot of what a typical visit to Nova Sushi Bar and Asian Bistro #2 in Atlanta might look like.
| Aspect | What to Expect |
|---|---|
| Dress code | Casual; jeans and everyday wear are normal |
| Reservations | Usually not required; may help for larger groups at peak dinner times |
| Dining style | Sit-down service with full menu, plus bar seating |
| Menu focus | Sushi rolls + mixed Asian “bistro” dishes (noodles, rice, stir-fries) |
| Bar service | Beer, wine, sake, and house cocktails |
| Good for | Casual dates, groups, after-work dinners, mixed sushi/non-sushi preferences |
| Takeout | Common; many guests order rolls and bistro dishes to-go |
Pricing and Value: What Atlanta Diners Can Anticipate
Compared to the broader Atlanta sushi scene:
- A place like Nova Sushi Bar and Asian Bistro #2 is usually in the moderate price range:
- Rolls: Typically more affordable than high-end in-town sushi spots.
- Kitchen entrées: Often portioned generously, making them good for sharing or next-day leftovers.
- Lunch specials are common:
- Combinations of rolls, nigiri, or small kitchen plates at lower-than-dinner pricing.
- Often include soup or salad.
To keep costs in line:
- ✅ Check for lunch combos if you’re flexible on time.
- ✅ Share a couple of specialty rolls plus one large kitchen dish among two people.
- ✅ Ask what the current drink specials are if you plan to order from the bar.
Dietary Considerations and Customizations
Atlanta diners often have varied dietary preferences, and many Asian bistro-style kitchens are accustomed to making reasonable adjustments. Common options or requests include:
- Vegetarian choices:
- Vegetable rolls (cucumber, avocado, sweet potato tempura)
- Tofu-based or vegetable stir-fries
- Shellfish sensitivities:
- Asking staff to avoid cross-contact as much as possible
- Choosing rolls and dishes that exclude shrimp, crab, or shellfish
- Sauce on the side:
- Reducing mayonnaise-based sauces or sweet glazes on specialty rolls
- Spice level:
- Requesting “mild,” “medium,” or “extra spicy” on stir-fries or curries
If you have a serious allergy or medical dietary restriction, it’s important to:
- Clearly communicate your needs to the staff.
- Ask whether they can realistically accommodate you, especially in a busy kitchen that handles shared fryers and prep surfaces.
Takeout and Delivery in Atlanta
For many Atlantans, places like Nova Sushi Bar and Asian Bistro #2 are part of a regular takeout rotation. Expect:
- Phone-in takeout orders with pickup at the host stand or bar.
- Participation in third-party delivery platforms, depending on location and current policies.
- Packaging that usually separates hot items from cold sushi rolls.
Tips for smooth takeout in Atlanta traffic:
- 🕒 Call ahead with a clear desired pickup time, especially during rush hour.
- 🚘 Factor in I-285 and surface-street congestion if you’re picking up during weekday evenings.
- 📦 Double-check your order at pickup for sauces, chopsticks, and dressings before you leave the parking lot.
When Nova Sushi Bar and Asian Bistro #2 Is a Good Fit
For someone in or visiting Atlanta, Nova Sushi Bar and Asian Bistro #2 (and similar restaurants) tends to work best if you’re looking for:
- A flexible, casual spot that pleases both sushi fans and non-sushi eaters.
- Moderately priced sushi rolls rather than premium omakase.
- Full bar service with familiar drinks and some sake options.
- Takeout-friendly Asian dishes you can bring home or back to a hotel.
If you’re seeking:
- Ultra-traditional Japanese dining
- A chef’s tasting menu or high-end sushi experience
- A very quiet, fine-dining environment
…you might want to explore some of Atlanta’s more specialized Japanese or omakase-focused restaurants instead.
For most everyday situations—weeknight dinners, laid-back dates, or group meetups—Nova Sushi Bar and Asian Bistro #2 fits comfortably into the Atlanta “kitchen and bar” niche, offering a broad, accessible menu and a relaxed setting that works for both locals and visitors.