Cumming residents can soon dine at the brand new YAVA Kitchen and Brewhouse on Market Place Blvd., as the 8,000-square-foot space is set to debut in early 2026. The restaurant is the latest concept from Blue Orbit Restaurant Consulting, the Atlanta-based hospitality consulting group, known for guiding concepts such as Nine Mile Station, Skyline Park and Bottles and Bones, which will partner with the owners of YAVA, who have lived in Cumming for 15 years, to bring this location to life.
YAVA Kitchen and Brewhouse, which will be part of the Westshore community, will deliver a food-forward dining experience complete with quality, locally crafted beer. Designed by ai3, the expansive space features seating for over 300 guests, warm woods, abundant natural light, cozy booths, soaring ceilings and a welcoming fireplace, inviting families, local professionals and visitors heading to nearby Lake Lanier. Guests can join the restaurant’s Founder’s Club, which will offer exclusive experiences, discounts and special perks for founding members.
The centerpiece of YAVA’s kitchen will be a wood-fired grill that will serve elevated classics to guests via a menu overseen by consulting chef Kevin Maxey, the chef/owner of Sandy Springs restaurant Pendolino. Maxey has previously worked with Tom Colicchio at Craft and served as vice president of culinary for Ford Fry’s Rocket Farm Restaurants. Joe Alessandroni, an industry veteran who has created award-winning cocktail programs from San Francisco to Singapore, is overseeing YAVA’s craft cocktail program.
Patrick Padilla, best known in North Georgia for managing the operations at Black Sheep Restaurant and Dogwood Hangout in Blue Ridge, has been named general manager for YAVA.
Head brewer Alex Ciaburri, the former head brewer at From the Earth Brewing Company in Roswell, Cultivation Brewery in Norcross and Six Bridges Brewing in Johns Creek, is overseeing the recently installed brewhouse. YAVA brewhouse’s menu will feature seasonal releases with quality ingredients to craft its lagers, IPAs and small-batch dark brews.
