A longstanding dining establishment will undergo an ownership change on Jan. 5. Owner Tom Murphy is selling Virginia-Highland staple Murphy’s Restaurant to the restaurant’s chef Matt McCarthy and Matt’s father, Gregg McCarthy, according to a release.
Murphy plans to move on to other Atlanta-area entrepreneurial opportunities, calling the decision to sell “a strategic one.” The three Murphy children will remain minority stakeholders.
“It has been an amazing journey owning Murphy’s and working with some of the best culinary talent in the industry. I am forever grateful for all the loyal guests through the years and what this community has given me,” Murphy said in the release. “It is time to pass the torch to a group that shares the same values and commitment to excellence, while I continue to evolve and explore new opportunities by staying active in the business and creative worlds.”
Murphy launched Murphy’s in 1980 as a feasibility study for a class project at Georgia State University. Since then, the spot has become a beloved community staple, known for its hospitality, American comfort cuisine and an award-winning wine program.
Gregg formerly served as executive chef of Murphy’s from 2005-09. Matt has been executive chef since June 2023.
“Being in a restaurant working with my son as a partner was a lifelong dream,” Gregg told What Now Atlanta. “Once Matt decided he wanted to be a chef, it’s an honor for your son to follow your footsteps. So the natural thing would be to do a restaurant together.”
Since Matt and Gregg both have experience working at Murphy’s, their lives have been intertwined with the restaurant over the years. They see a similar theme with various members of the community, who view Murphy’s as a neighborhood gathering place.
“We also are a place that people come to celebrate at, and that’s a really beautiful thing,” Matt told What Now Atlanta. “Not only can we be people’s home away from home, but we can be where they celebrate. It’s a really unique experience and place.”
The McCarthys hope to preserve Murphy’s legacy, maintaining menu classics that represent the soul of the restaurant and focusing on local, seasonal items.
“We are very excited to be part of this new chapter of Murphy’s,” Matt and Gregg said in the release. “For many Atlantans and visitors alike, Murphy’s represents a reliable and beloved spot, whether for brunch, wine tastings, dinner, bakery treats or just casual nights out. Its location and longevity have made it a cornerstone of the Virginia-Highland community, blending local history, social gathering and consistent culinary quality.”
The restaurant will continue to operate through the ownership change.
