Birmingham City Council approves plan for new five-star Japanese restaurant

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The Frank
The Frank Nelson Building on 20th St N will be home to Birmingham’s newest Japanese restaurant. (Matthew Niblett / Bham Now)

Today, the Birmingham City Council passed a resolution to help fund the opening of a new Japanese restaurant, Johin’na.

The city will provide incentives under the RISE program, which ensures that small businesses have ample resources and opportunities for success.

Coming soon to The Frank building

In late 2023, Bham Now announced that a new unnamed Japanese restaurant leased a space at The Frank, a mixed-use building that houses nearly 200 luxury apartments as well as tenants like Trattoria Zaza and The UPS Store.

Bham Now has confirmed that the previously unnamed restaurant joining The Frank is, in fact, Johin’na.

“We’re glad we have a program like RISE that assists small business owners in bringing fresh ideas and concepts to the City of Birmingham.”

Hunter Williams, Birmingham City Council

Sushi, oysters + cocktails

Johin’na boasts “Japanese cuisine with a modern flair.” While this upcoming eatery is still in its early development stages, its website hints that it will offer:

  • Robata (a Japanese method of cooking meat or vegetables over charcoal, similar to Korean BBQ)
  • Sushi
  • Sashimi
  • Oysters
  • Sake
  • Cocktails

Keep an eye out for Johin’na at The Frank

Which new or upcoming downtown spot are you most excited for? Tag us @bhamnow and let us know!

Grace Howard
Grace Howard
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