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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We’ve compiled the best of the best in Central and North Georgia - browse our top choices for Restaurants during your stay.
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.
"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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
There’s a definite '70s vibe at this popular downtown eatery, where the burgers are named for Macon’s famed musicians and the only president to hail from Georgia. The Big “O,” topped with barbecue sauce and an onion ring, is named for Otis Redding; the Allman Burger is smothered with sautéed mushrooms; and the Jimmy Carter comes with peanut butter, of course. With its fun menu, large patio, and groovy dive bar interior with dark wooden booths, it’s a great place to grab a bite and try out some local craft beers. Milk shakes are a big deal, too. For something a little fancier, try sister restaurant Dovetail Crafted Cuisine upstairs.
On the square in downtown Clayton, this European-inspired market located next to the White Birch Inn offers a coffee bar, fresh fruit smoothies, house-made baked goods, gourmet cheeses, and a wine cave filled with a wide selection of vino---including a few local choices.
Local foodies flock here for chef Ken Manring's delicious smoked meats and burgers at this hip but homey order-at-the-counter restaurant. Housed in an old storefront in the Boulevard Historic District just outside downtown, there aren't many indoor tables, but there's plenty of space to spread out in the picnic area outside. While meat is a specialty, the grilled tofu sandwiches and the Tiger Salad topped with tofu and fresh fruit have a fan following. Check out the daily specials, which can range from barbecue tacos to grilled fish.
This vegetarian paradise has been a favorite in Athens for more than two decades, serving freshly made vegetarian food in the casual comfort of a historic building. A popular dish of browned tofu cubes and brown rice may sound bland, but it's far from it—even carnivores say it's delicious. Pick up the cookbook for 130 of the Grit's best dishes.
Recognizable by its vintage neon sign, this downtown Rome institution has been serving up Southern-style comfort food since 1933. Open for lunch and dinner, the menu features sandwiches, salads, and burgers. However, the real stars of the show are the daily specials served family-style. Choose from meats like country-fried steak, fried chicken, or meat loaf, then pick your sides from options such as green beans or mac and cheese. With sweet iced tea and your choice of dessert included, it's a steal!
With its ample outdoor patio and live music, this fun little joint in downtown Clayton is a great place to kick back and dig into some fresh-from-the pit hickory-smoked barbecue. There's pulled pork, ribs, and brisket with your choice of seven house-made regional sauces, as well as salads, burgers, and tacos. Takeout is a great option for the perfect mountain picnic.
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