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.

AspectWhat to Expect
Dress codeCasual; jeans and everyday wear are normal
ReservationsUsually not required; may help for larger groups at peak dinner times
Dining styleSit-down service with full menu, plus bar seating
Menu focusSushi rolls + mixed Asian “bistro” dishes (noodles, rice, stir-fries)
Bar serviceBeer, wine, sake, and house cocktails
Good forCasual dates, groups, after-work dinners, mixed sushi/non-sushi preferences
TakeoutCommon; 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.