[EXCLUSIVE] Yebo Hopes For Forever Home in Move to Andrews Square

Yebo Beach Haus is on the move again.  A recently updated siteplan for Andrews Square shows the popular South African restaurant joining the center.  Yebo, currently located nearby on West Paces Ferry Road, is set to open in place of Bar Americano and Bar Crema, which closed April 2018 after less than six months in business.

The existing Yebo Beach Haus on West Paces Ferry Road 

Restaurateur Justin Anthony opened the original Yebo at Phipps Plaza in late 2012.  It moved to its current home at 111 West Paces Ferry Road in April 2016.  The original Yebo was 2,800 square feet, the latest iteration will be 5,700 square feet. 

According to its website, "Yebo Beach Haus fuses South African flavors with American cuisine." (The restaurant is currently in its seasonal conversion to Yebo Ski Haus.) 

The move to Andrews Square was reportedly done in preparation for what will likely be a redevelopment of the current Yebo site, as well as several neighboring spaces.  Plans surfaced last year for a luxury mixed-use hotel, condo and apartment project in place of the Yebo property and other adjacent parcels, and while international brand Cipriani was quick to say they were not involved (as had inaccurately been reported), a redevelopment of the prime parcels is seen as inevitable. 

The future Yebo Beach Haus at Andrews Square

Prior to Anthony's opening at 111 West Paces, the former residential building was home to Coast, a seafood restaurant from Here to Serve, and before that, Seeger's from renowned chef Günter Seeger

Fortunately for Anthony, just as in his previously two locations, in Bar Americano, he is inheriting a recently renovated second generation restaurant space that will likely cut down on both his capital expenses as well the time it will take him to open. 

Andrews Square, of course, is also about to change, with Great Gulf Residential expected in the coming months to start site work on their planned residential development along Cains Hill Place.  The new residential high-rise will swallow not only the vacant second portion of Andrews Square (once home to Souper Jenny), but also the large surface parking lot in front of it.  Parking, already a challenge at peak hours, will likely become even more difficult. 

Rendering of the new Great Gulf Residential project top right 

In addition to Yebo, South Africa native and former professional soccer player Anthony operates four other restaurants around Atlanta under his True Story Brands umbrella.  

In Buckhead, Anthony already operates a pair of restaurants, 10 Degrees South which was his first, opening in 1998, and Biltong Bar at The Shops Buckhead Atlanta.  Along Cheshire Bridge Road near Piedmont Heights, Anthony has Cape Dutch, and at Ponce City Market, the original but more compact Biltong Bar. 

Update 1/14: Tomorrow's News Today Atlanta was supplied the following statement regarding the upcoming move: 

"Buckhead has been home to Yebo Beach Haus for the past several years and will continue to be the case. We’re excited to announce next steps in the coming weeks as we plan to take the concept to Andrews Square in spring 2020, providing the same great offerings and service as we have at our West Paces location." 

Are you excited for the planned relocation of Yebo Beach Haus?  What is your favorite Buckhead area restaurant?  What other vacant restaurant space in Atlanta would you like most to see filled?

Please share your thoughts below.