18 Best Restaurants in Central and North Georgia, Georgia

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 "meat and three" mix and match entrées like fried catfish or meatloaf with your choice of veggies. Other specialties include shrimp and grits and grilled salmon with asparagus and sweet potato soufflé. The Moon Roof upstairs and Dark Side of the Moon Bar next door feature live music and late-night bar bites.

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.

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. 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.

At one of Clayton's designated "farm-to-table" restaurants, chef-driven 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 fried green tomatoes, cornmeal-crusted trout, Dr. Pepper–braised lamb shank, and the Fortified Salad with warm bacon vinaigrette.  Reservations are a must in the fall when the mountains are packed with leaf lookers.

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.

A favorite of locals and tourists alike, the Last Resort is a popular spot for dinner and boozy weekend brunch. Brunch, offered on Saturday and Sunday, features entrées like crab cakes, eggs Benedict, and a hearty "Lumberjack Burrito." Dinner items focus on classic Southern cooking with a Southwestern and Mediterranean bent. Think horseradish crusted–salmon and pork tenderloin stuffed with charred poblano peppers. 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. There's lovely outdoor seating as well. 

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 and there's often live music on the weekends.

This refined but casual eatery evokes the atmosphere of a European café with its Mediterranean-inspired dishes that make creative use of local ingredients. Stuffed medjool dates, hummus with lamb, and slow-roasted beef hanger steak are a few favorites. The ever-changing vegetable plate is pretty spectacular, too. Wine and craft spirits are a focus at the bar, with flights available for those craving variety. Local craft beers from Creature Comforts and Terrapin also figure prominently.

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 or pickled relish) 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.

Next door to the James Madison Inn, this upscale bistro offers lunch and dinner Tuesday through Saturday. Owner and executive chef Fransisco De La Torre is passionate about fresh, quality ingredients. The menu features soups, salads, steaks, and entrées like duck à l'orange, rack of lamb, and seared jumbo scallops. The bright and airy dining room features warm wood finishes and soaring ceilings. In the spring and fall, grab an outdoor table and a selection from Town 220's extensive wine and cocktail list.

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.