Noni’s has announced plans to close at the end of October after 15 years in the Old Fourth Ward.
The Italian-American eatery had been bringing the party to Edgewood Avenue since 2008 with its inclusive atmosphere and late-night fun, including dance parties and open mic comedy.
The restaurant in the Sweet Auburn area kept visitors fueled with epic sandwiches, flavorful fries, customizable pasta and signature cocktails.
Long-distance restaurant ownership was tough, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, owner Matt Ruppert said; he and his husband moved to Amsterdam in 2018.
“It was always our dream to live there one day,” he told What Now Atlanta.
They opened a nacho and cocktail bar there called Parakeet in 2019. This helped make the international move more seamless, thanks to the Dutch American Friendship Treaty, an agreement that helps Americans establish residency in the Netherlands when starting a business there.
“After four plus years of doing both as the same time, I’m ready to say, let’s close the books on my beloved baby Noni’s so I can focus more on my life in Amsterdam,” Ruppert said.
Could he open more restaurants in Amsterdam in the future?
“It’s impossible to know,” he said. “My life-work balance has been lopsided. I want to see what life is like after Noni’s with Parakeet alone. If I get bored, I’ll remedy that by doing something different with another restaurant or expanding into more hobbies.”
It remains to be seen what will happen to the space at 357 Edgewood Ave SE. Ruppert still owns the building, and he said it could be purchased by someone who would keep the restaurant basically the same (“the continuation of Noni’s could be a possibility,” he said), but if the space transforms into something else entirely, he’s OK with that too.
“First and foremost, we want people who are good tenants and a good addition to the neighborhood,” he said.
In the meantime, Parakeet helps bring a taste of Georgia to the Netherlands, like with the Georgia On My Mind cocktail (peach puree, vanilla tequila and honey).
“We’re bringing in Atlanta flavor,” Ruppert said.
Ahead of its closing, Noni’s will be open for dinner service seven days a week starting at 5 p.m. Visitors can attend one last hurrah at Noni’s with “The Finale” Halloween party on Oct. 28, 2023. Details about other events being held throughout the month can be found on their website.
