Blue Willow is leaving New York for the first time, and it's landing in Inman Park. The Hunan restaurant, which built its reputation on regional Chinese cooking and a 1920s Shanghai atmosphere, will open at Inman Quarter this fall. The space was previously home to Hampton + Hudson, which closed in 2024.
For founder Vincent Lin, the move is personal. "I spent much of my childhood in the city after immigrating from China, and those years have stayed with me," Lin said. "Coming back now, not just to visit, but to open Blue Willow's first location outside of New York, feels like a full-circle moment."
Blue Willow's menu centers on Hunan cuisine, one of China's eight great culinary traditions, known for its bold heat and complex layering of flavors. The restaurant will join Inman Quarter's existing roster of restaurants, including Bread & Butterfly, Delbar, MF Sushi, and Beetlecat. Lin also owns Red Sorghum in Long Island City and Ye's Apothecary on the Lower East Side.
