190 Best Restaurants in Georgia, USA

A Savannah landmark that gets its name from its time in the 1750s as a tavern for seafarers, the oldest parts of this bucket list destination date to 1734, only a year after the colony's founding, making this the oldest standing structure in Georgia. The lunch buffet has all the Southern standards, including a particularly delicious squash casserole, but the food is better on the à la carte menu; there's no buffet for dinner, but the dessert menu is worth sticking around for. Its popularity with tour groups and schlocky pirate-dressed wait staff have given it a reputation as a tourist trap, but the food is surprisingly tasty and offers lots of choices for families. Try the specialty fried chicken dressed with a honey-pecan glaze.

Named after the patron saint of hangovers, this new dining concept brings authentic flavors from coastal Italy to Savannah. Executive Chef Derek Simcik draws upon his worldly experience to deliver elevated dishes that are as innovative as they are inviting---try the impeccable Florentine steak served with Calabrian green salsa. Expect elegant seasonal offerings artfully made with locally sourced, high-integrity ingredients.

Tucked into an unassuming strip mall off the main drag on Tybee Island, this gourmet restaurant is a diamond in the rough. Locals and tourists alike enjoy the diverse menu, fresh seafood, and brilliant food combinations—don't miss the unique seafood "cheesecake" starter, consisting of shrimp and crabmeat over greens with a hint of Gouda. For lunch, the rich fried green tomato BLT can stop your heart (in more ways than one!), while the pork chops are always a sure bet at dinner.

This award-winning cheese maker makes its home in Thomasville and operates this shop and café, where you can try the farm-fresh cheese, wines, cocktails, and craft beers, as well as peruse the collection of locally crafted jams, honey, and regional food items. You can purchase individual cheeses to go or select an artfully prepared cheese or charcuterie board for a sit-down sampling of the day's offerings. The shop also offers a selection of gourmet sandwiches, salads, and decadent desserts.

You haven't really lived, or at least tested the limits of your heart's health, until you've tried the Heap: a sizzling skillet full of eggs, buttery veggies, and potatoes. Add a fluffy biscuit on the side, and this is one of the city's best breakfasts. Thumb's Up also has good lunch options, including tamari-flavored tofu served on a bed of raw spinach.

Tucked away in a strip mall on the way out to Tybee Island, this highlight of the local barbecue scene began with legendary pit master Wiley McCrary, who passed away in 2018. His recipes live on in the small space that's intimate and friendly; the staff is like long-lost family. There are only a few tables, so you may have to choose between waiting for a seat and grabbing something to go.

Enjoy elevated fish-shack food with yacht-rock vibes at this former marina where many of the patrons arrive by water. Order at the counter for a fresh catch of the day prepared perfectly; pair it with flavorful sides like crispy chicharrones and skillet okra. The craft cocktail set will find their thirst slaked with the famous Pain Killer Slushie, though no one will look at you sideways when you order just a good ole cold beer. Kids of all ages entertain themselves for hours with free cornhole and ring games on the sunset side of breezy Country Club Creek, a tributary of the Herb River.

The beloved sandwich shop has a fantastic lineup of saucy sandwiches, peri-peri marinated wings, and crispy chips made in-house---wash any of them down with Zunzi's South African sweet tea, and you won't be sorry. Don't skip the sauces! Try an array of the house-made sauces and dressings with whatever you order.

On the ground floor of the Marshall House, 45 Bistro has some of the best views of Broughton Street from the floor-to-ceiling windows that run the length of the room. Most of the menu abounds with regional flavors—local crab, wild shrimp, spiced pecans—but standards like the wet-aged rib eye are equally as satisfying, as are the updated old favorites like shrimp and grits with fried Vidalia onion rings, or the grilled romaine hearts in the exceptional Caesar salad.

This island bar and grill resembles a fish camp that was expanded time and time again to accommodate its growing clientele. Colorful and laid-back, the ambience is characteristic of Tybee Island itself, which perhaps explains why it is a favorite among locals, and the food, mostly fresh seafood, is simple and delicious.

This simple, sophisticated dining room is smartly designed so there isn't a bad seat in the house. Don't be afraid to fill up on light bites—like the lamb carpaccio with house-made blue-cheese ice cream or the fried green tomatoes paired with American speck ham, pimento cheese, and green goddess dressing—and then skip right to dessert: the frozen goat-cheese soufflé is delightful in both flavor and architectural presentation.

If your taste buds seek something other than standard Southern fare, head to one of Savannah's few Middle Eastern restaurants. Owned and operated by a husband-and-wife team Meqbel and Rose Salameh Al Salaam, the restaurant is celebrated for its perfectly fried falafel, spit-roasted lamb, and hummus and baba ganoush platters. Take time to look around the small space, enticingly papered over with vintage covers of National Geographic, which depict cultures from the world over.

With an approachable-but-classy atmosphere and an all-day menu full of American classics, there's something for everyone at this bustling neighborhood hotspot. Stacked burgers and sandwiches, hearty salads, and creamy pasta dishes dominate the lunch and dinner menus, while egg dishes and waffles pair up with a mimosa-laden weekend brunch.

Dark wood and a welcoming vibe make this cavernous bar with above-average food and a well-curated beer menu feel like a place you can sink into and stay awhile. Ask for their favorite bottled or on-tap brews, or take them up on an offer to sample one that's piqued your interest.

Chef Gerry Klaskala's talent is best captured by his love of rustic and hearty "slow foods"—braises, stews, roasts, and chops cooked over a roll-top French grill. Don't miss renowned pastry chef Kathryn King's mouthwatering dessert menu.

Located within St. Regis, Atlas is a restaurant that exudes elegance and sophistication. From the four different tasting menus and seasonal ingredients, to a dining room adorned in 20th-century art, Atlas is truly first-class. It was also one of very few restaurants in Atlanta to receive one Michelin star. Eating at Atlas is an experience unlike many others, so it’s time to make that reservation, and quick.

While it's nothing fancy, this small and simple joint is beloved by locals for its fried shrimp, generous portions, and down-home country fare. The weekend seafood buffet is especially popular and is loaded with the freshest of local fish, shrimp, and other seafood staples. During the week, B & J's offers a lunch buffet with fried chicken and other Southern specialties. 

Locally owned and operated B&D Burgers is a great bet for a quick, low-key bite to eat with offerings like tempura-battered chicken fingers and a grand assortment of locally themed burgers. The large, two-story dining room is decorated in Lowcountry flair, including faux trophy alligators and nets and buoys, but be encouraged to venture outside; this place has some of the best outdoor dining in the city and the expansive patio is equipped with a video screen for sports events and large umbrellas that protect against the rain and sun.

Tybee Island's only microbrewery features an array of craft beers from dark lager to fruity and floral sours with characteristically Tybee-sounding names, like "Move Beach, Get Out the Whale Juicy IPA" and "Hurricane Season Sour." The brewery also provides fresh and tasty snacks served alongside their frosty mugs, including dishes like a watermelon and cantaloupe salad, seasonal veggie wraps, and an Auspicious Bakery–made pretzel served with Back River Brewery beer cheese. The space is small but cozy, and still provides enough room for a live music setup, performed on Fridays and Saturdays.

This swanky hotel lounge features a seasonal menu made up of small plates meant to be shared, such as Georgia-sourced cheese and charcuterie, oysters of the moment, and more indulgent offerings like a 16-hour braised short rib. Sunday brunch—featuring dishes like an egg-white frittata, chocolate chip waffles, and mac and cheese with rock shrimp and jumbo lump crabmeat—is served at Park 75, the restaurant opposite Bar Margot, where celebrity sightings are common.

The narrow wraparound patio is the draw at this buzzing Spanish-inspired restaurant and wine bar. The must-try paella and weekly wine specials help to keep patrons happy. Inside, rich wood tones and classic decor make the place feel a bit upscale, although the menu here is entirely approachable, even a bit indulgent with an emphasis on meats, cheeses, and some deep-fried favorites.

Pull out your phone, scan the QR code menu, and decide what you want in your tacos; bartaco offers everything from falafel and fish to cauliflower and chorizo. You'll want at least two, even though it's easy to fill up on the unforgettable guacamole. The chopped salad tossed with lime vinaigrette is also a great choice, especially if you ask to have some seasoned shrimp added in.

Located inside the American Legion Post 135 on Forsyth Park, this throwback mess hall is a hit with the locals. World War II--theme decor lines the walls, and "Bettys" in period-inspired dress smile and serve classics like chili dogs, cheesesteaks, juicy burgers, and baskets of French fries.

On bustling Barnard Street in the Victorian District, this neighborhood café and bar serves up affordable, scrumptious sandwiches and creatively crafted cocktails in a small, intimate space. With a name inspired by the black rabbit painted on its roll-down door, the property stands today as a compelling concept from seasoned Savannah restaurateurs who know how to make unforgettable food at unbeatable prices.