New Pompeii Italian Restaurant opens in downtown Athens

The historic space previously occupied by DePalma's now houses a new Italian eatery.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 9:26am

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A highly stylized, abstract grid of brightly colored, silkscreened pizza slices, conceptually representing the vibrant new Italian dining experience coming to downtown Athens.Pompeii Italian Restaurant's arrival in downtown Athens promises a fresh take on classic Italian cuisine, elevating the local dining scene.Athens Today

Pompeii Italian Restaurant has opened in the former location of DePalma's downtown Athens, taking over the space just as the pizza ovens were cooling down from DePalma's operations. While the space may look familiar to some, Pompeii is bringing a new Italian cuisine experience to the neighborhood.

Why it matters

The opening of Pompeii marks a significant shift in the local dining scene, as the historic downtown space transitions from one Italian restaurant to another. This change reflects the evolving tastes and preferences of Athens residents, who are seeking new culinary experiences while still maintaining a connection to the area's Italian food heritage.

The details

Pompeii Italian Restaurant has taken over the former DePalma's location, which had been a fixture of the downtown Athens dining landscape for years. The new restaurant is aiming to build on the legacy of Italian cuisine in the area while also introducing a fresh take on classic dishes and dining experiences.

  • DePalma's downtown Athens location closed in March 2026.
  • Pompeii Italian Restaurant opened in the historic space shortly after DePalma's departure.

The players

Pompeii Italian Restaurant

A new Italian restaurant that has opened in the former DePalma's location in downtown Athens, Georgia.

DePalma's

The Italian restaurant that previously occupied the historic space in downtown Athens, which has now closed and been replaced by Pompeii.

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The takeaway

The opening of Pompeii Italian Restaurant in the heart of downtown Athens signals a changing of the guard in the local Italian dining scene, as the community embraces new culinary experiences while maintaining a connection to the area's rich Italian food heritage.