Central and North Georgia Restaurants
We’ve compiled the best of the best in Central and North Georgia - browse our top choices for Restaurants during your stay.
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25 Recommendations
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1. Five and Ten
$$$$ | |This cozy yet sophisticated restaurant put the Athens culinary scene on the map almost two decades ago with chef Hugh Acheson's inventive cuisine that blends European technique with down-home Southern cooking. Acheson, an Ottawa native, honed his culinary skills in classical French kitchens in Ontario and San Francisco before settling in Athens. His cooking has garnered numerous regional and national accolades, including a James Beard Award. Five and Ten’s seasonal menu draws from local sources and includes updated Southern classics such as pimento cheese with bacon marmalade; veal sweetbread with Red Mule grits custard and succotash; and Lowcountry Frogmore stew with shrimp, andouille sausage, potatoes, and corn in a tomato-leek broth.
1073 S. Milledge Ave., Athens, Georgia, 30605, USA706-546–7300Known For
- Chef-driven menu focused on local, seasonal ingredients
- Romantic old-house setting
- Inventive cocktails
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted, No lunch, Reservations essential -
2. Harvest Moon Café
$$ | |With its warm exposed brick walls and folk art decor, this local favorite specializes in Southern-inspired, from-scratch cooking. Everything, from the salad dressings to the bread, is made in-house. The menu offers a variety of salads, sandwiches, and "Moon Specialties" like fried catfish and shrimp and grits. Dinner features a few more upscale options like rib-eye steak and seared yellowfin tuna. The Moon Roof upstairs and Dark Side of the Moon Bar next door feature live music and late-night bar bites, while the adjacent Honeymoon Bakery offers decadent desserts and homemade gelato.
234 Broad St., Rome, Georgia, 30161, USA706-292–0099Known For
- Comfort food
- Scratch-made bread and desserts
- Rooftop bar
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3. Boll Weevil Cafe and Sweetery
$ | |Named for the insect that ruined the cotton industry, this quirky little café on the Riverwalk offers some of the best desserts in Augusta, not to mention soups, sandwiches, and Southern specialties like fried green tomatoes. Step inside the former warehouse and you'll find a pastry case filled with at least 30 decadent desserts, all made on the premises. Wine and beer are also available. The vibe here is low-key and relaxed—perfect for lunch or a casual dinner.
10 James Brown Blvd., Augusta, Georgia, 30901, USA706-722–7772Known For
- Homemade cakes and decadent desserts
- Sandwiches on fresh-baked bread
- Historic building on the riverfront
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted -
4. Cantaberry Restaurant
$ | |"Simple, homemade, good" is the motto at this popular café in downtown Ellijay with exposed brick walls and a cozy covered patio. Open for lunch daily and dinner four nights per week, the café specializes in soups, salads, sandwiches, and homestyle country fare like meat loaf and fried chicken. Everything is made from scratch, and this is definitely not a place you want to skip dessert (check out the bakery case). There's also now an outpost in downtown Blue Ridge.
5 S. Side Sq., Ellijay, Georgia, 30540, USA706-636--4663Known For
- Signature tuna salad and pimento cheese
- Fresh baked goods
- Southern comfort food dinners
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5. Downtown Grill
$$$$ | |Tucked away in a city block of renovated warehouses, this old-school English steak house and cigar bar is a Macon institution. Old Georgian brick and dark wood accents give a romantic flair to the decor. The menu features many classic favorites such as pork tenderloin, filet mignon, and a tasty mixed grill with options for fish lovers and vegetarians. The restaurant is best known for its filets. Note that the restaurant can be a bit hard to find as it’s tucked away in the alley. Be prepared to walk, as the approach alleys aren't always accessible by car.
562 Mulberry Street La., Macon, Georgia, 31201, USA478-742–5999Known For
- Classic steak house options like filet mignon
- Hard-to-find location
- Cigar bar on-site
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted, Closed Sun. -
Recommended Fodor’s Video
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6. Fortify Kitchen & Bar
$$$ | |At one of Clayton's designated "farm-to-table" restaurants, chef Jamie Allred's updated Southern cuisine highlights the region's best produce, meats, and spirits in a relaxed, down-to-earth environment. With exposed brick walls and a small wooden bar you'll want to huddle around, Fortify is simply about good food, fun cocktails, and a wine list that includes a few local selections. Menu favorites include the Grit Bowl with local grits, shrimp, sausage, and fried chicken; the Georgia pecan-crusted Carolina mountain rainbow trout; fried green tomatoes; and the Fortified Salad with local roasted beets. Reservations are a must in the fall when the mountains are packed with leaf lookers.
69 N. Main St., Clayton, Georgia, 30525, USA706-782–0050Known For
- Focus on local, seasonal ingredients
- Craft cocktails
- Georgia pecan-crusted Carolina mountain rainbow trout
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues. -
7. Frog Hollow Tavern
$$$$ | |Reservations are recommended at this stylish downtown restaurant born out of chef-owner Sean Wight’s desire to create a sophisticated yet comfortable dining and social club that highlights the freshest local and regional ingredients. Wild-caught shrimp and grits with house-made andouille and local tomatoes and pan-roasted duck breast are just two of the menu items. Soups, salads, and lighter bites are also available along with an admirable selection of wines. Exposed brick walls and dark wood elements create a warm and cozy “bar meets restaurant” environment.
1282 Broad St., Augusta, Georgia, 30901, USA706-364–6906Known For
- Attentive service
- Focus on local and regional ingredients
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun.–Tues. -
8. Harvest on Main
$$$ | |Focused on local and seasonal cuisine, this popular Blue Ridge restaurant even harvests its own specialty produce, eggs, and honey. Chef-owner Danny Mellman and his wife, Michelle Moran, have created a sophisticated yet down-to-earth culinary destination housed in an airy cedar "cabin" downtown. The menu features soups, salads, and entrées like seared duck breast with mashed sweet potatoes, seared locally caught trout, and hand-cut New York strip. The lunch menu offers a variety of sandwiches like the Blue Ridge Hot Brown. Decadent desserts, craft beers, and carefully curated wines round out the menu. Farm-to-table dinners and cooking classes are regularly offered.
576 E. Main St., Blue Ridge, Georgia, 30513, USA706-946–6164Known For
- True farm-to-table cuisine
- Upscale comfort food in an inviting, rustic space
- Excellent bar program
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Tues. and Wed., Reservations essential -
9. Hofer's of Helen
$ | |Head to Hofer's for authentic, stone-hearth, oven-baked breads and pastries, as well as specialties like Wiener schnitzel and bratwurst. On weekends May through mid-November, grab a table at the outdoor biergarten and enjoy live music along with your meal. Although there are several "tourist trap" German restaurants in Helen, this longtime local favorite is the real deal.
8758 N. Main St., Helen, Georgia, 30545, USA706-878–8200Known For
- Fresh bread and pastries
- Authentic German cuisine
- Biergarten in the summer and fall
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Open daily 8–4, No dinner -
10. Jittery Joe's
$ | |Athens wouldn't be a legit college town without a quality coffeehouse or two. Jittery Joe's fits the bill with fresh microroasted beans and several locations around town. Check out the downtown location directly across from the University of Georgia to sip coffee amongst the students. They also offer pastries and snacks for those on the go.
297 E. Broad St., Athens, Georgia, 30601, USA706-613--7449Known For
- Microroasted brews from around the world
- Hip coffeehouse scene
- Pastries and goodies to go
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11. Last Resort Grill
$$ | |A favorite of locals and tourists alike, the Last Resort is a popular spot for lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch. For brunch, entrées like shrimp and grits, stuffed French toast, and breakfast enchiladas please a variety of palates. Lunch and dinner are equally appealing, featuring Southern cooking with a Southwestern and Mediterranean bent. Exposed brick walls, lined with reminders of the building's history as a 1970s music club, create a cozy bistro feel. The restaurant does not accept reservations, but you can call ahead for priority seating.
174–184 W. Clayton St., Athens, Georgia, 30601, USA706-549–0810Known For
- Sunday brunch
- Outstanding desserts
- Inventive Southern cuisine
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted, Reservations not accepted -
12. Madison Chop House Grille
$$ | |Popular with locals, this casual eatery in the heart of the downtown shopping district offers bar-and-grill classics like sandwiches, burgers, and steaks and such Southern specialties as fried pork chops and ribs. While the bar is a focal point, it's a family-friendly joint. Everyone is rewarded with a Tootsie Pop at the end of the meal.
202 S. Main St., Madison, Georgia, 30650, USA706-342–9009Known For
- Fresh-from-the-grill steaks and burgers
- Casual bar setting
- Family-friendly
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted -
13. Mully's Nacoochee Grill
$$$ | |Hand-cut steaks, fresh seafood, and seasonal vegetables are the focus at this casual restaurant set in a cheerful old house in Nacoochee Village, just outside town. Shrimp and grits, whole fried trout, and slow-cooked ribs are customer favorites. There's also a nice array of signature cocktails and a wine list featuring several local wines.
7277 S. Main St., Helen, Georgia, 30545, USA706-878–8020Known For
- Local trout dishes
- Hand-cut steaks
- Local wine and inventive cocktails
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted, Closed Mon. in winter -
14. Picnic Cafe and Dessertery
$ | |With its checkered tablecloths and farmhouse decor, you’ll feel as if you've stepped back in time at this adorable café and bakery on Dahlonega’s charming town square. The pastry case is filled with cakes, cookies, muffins, and other sweet treats. There’s always soup on, and the sandwich platters offer Southern classics like egg salad, pimento cheese, and peach chicken salad. Breakfast is quite popular here, and it’s served all day.
30 Public Sq., Dahlonega, Georgia, 30533, USA706-864--1095Known For
- Delicious pastries and desserts
- Pimento cheese and other Southern-style "salads"
- Coffee and breakfast all day
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15. Rum Cake Lady Cuban Cafe
$ | |This authentic Cuban spot on the edge of downtown Blue Ridge is a lovely surprise. Here you can pick up delicious Cuban sandwiches with fresh-baked bread, empanadas, croquetas, and other Cuban specialties. The star of the show is, of course, sweet and spongy rum cake which comes in a mini size perfect for snacking. Wash it down with a Cuban coffee. It's an order-at-the-counter operation with outdoor tables if you'd like to linger.
205 W. First St., Blue Ridge, Georgia, 30513, USA706-946--4525Known For
- Rum cakes in a variety of flavors
- Authentic Cuban food
- Cuban coffee
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. -
16. Spirits Tavern
$ | |This lively pub just off the town square is known for its burgers and craft cocktails. The menu offers appetizers, salads, sandwiches, and a wide variety of certified Angus or grass-fed beef burgers with fun names like the Bearded Goat (topped with goat cheese and green tomato chow-chow) and the Rude Awakening (topped with an egg and hash browns). You can opt for grilled chicken or a veggie burger if you're not a red meat fan. The decor is simple and the atmosphere is spirited just like the name.
19 E. Main St., Dahlonega, Georgia, 30533, USA706-482--0580Known For
- Creative gourmet burgers
- Craft cocktails and mocktails
- Lively pub atmosphere
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17. Swift & Finch Coffee
$ | |The coffee is roasted on-site at this hip coffee shop housed in a former service station in the heart of downtown Rome. The open and airy space offers tons of seating and a wide variety of tasty handcrafted beverages—from basic espresso and fancier coffee drinks, to gourmet teas and smoothies. There are pastries, desserts, and snacks on hand, but the coffee is really the star of the show.
600 Broad St., Rome, Georgia, 30161, USA706-237--6750Known For
- High-quality beans roasted on-site
- Spacious, industrial-style interior perfect for hanging out
- Pastries and snacks
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. -
18. Taste & See Coffee Shop
$ | |Part coffee shop and part gallery, this spacious downtown Macon establishment offers locally roasted coffee and tons of comfy seating. There's also baked goods, sandwiches, and decadent desserts made in-house for a quick snack.
546 Poplar St., Macon, Georgia, 31201, USA478-238--5191Known For
- Handcrafted coffee drinks
- Yummy baked goods
- Spacious, artsy interior
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. -
19. The Brick
$ | |This eatery has a comfortable, worn-at-the-elbows appeal, the perfect backdrop for munching on massive pizzas with names like the Hogzilla and Hawaii Five-Oh. Vegetarians will appreciate the Environmentally Correct pie with its all-veggie toppings. The menu boasts endless pasta combinations and also offers salads, sandwiches, and calzones.
136 W. Hancock St., Milledgeville, Georgia, 31061, USA478-452–0089Known For
- Homemade pizza, pasta, and "pub grub"
- Good beer selection
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted -
20. The Clayton Market
$ | |With its retro neon sign, this charming “meat-and-three” café has been a fixture in downtown Clayton since 1931. Now completely renovated and decorated in an industrial-farmhouse style, the restaurant serves a new generation of patrons hearty homemade soups, salads, and sandwiches, and the very best of homestyle Southern cooking. Check out the daily specials board for the latest fresh veggies and seasonal offerings. The fried chicken, fried green tomatoes, and homemade desserts are crowd favorites. It recently expanded into a market space next door offering gourmet coffee, fresh baked goods, deli items, and grab-and-go meals.
50 N. Main St., Clayton, Georgia, 30525, USA706-212--2233-caféKnown For
- Homestyle Southern cooking
- Fresh veggies and daily specials
- Market with coffee and baked goods
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Wed.
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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