2 Best Restaurants in Central and North Georgia, Georgia

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, mussels and potatoes.

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.