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We've compiled the best of the best in Central and North Georgia - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do 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.
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. There's also a market space next door offering gourmet coffee, fresh baked goods, deli items, and grab-and-go meals.
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.
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, too.
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, 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 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.
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.
