190 Best Restaurants in Georgia, USA

Located in the always bustling Inman Park, BoccaLupo is one of Atlanta’s best, and few, Italian restaurants. Chef Bruce Logue and his team specialize in handmade pasta dishes that truly define what Italian-American cooking is and can be. BoccaLupo's casual vibe easily belies its many accolades. From callouts in The New York Times for one of the “best places to eat in Atlanta,” to a Southern Living shoutout for “best restaurants in the South.” Come hungry.

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 bistro that makes you feel like you're hanging out on the sidewalks of Paris. The patio is absolutely delightful when the weather is warm, and the pastries, coffee, and wine are just as satisfying. Wait until later in the morning for the full breakfast menu, which includes delicious omelets and pancakes. A French-style happy hour with select wines ends the day.

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.

This natural foods haven has been serving Savannah's organically minded since the 1970s. In the back of this full-fledged grocery and supplement store is a busy deli counter busting out custom sandwiches with meat, vegetarian, and vegan options as well as house-made side dishes, salads, and cakes. Eat at the small counter indoors, at one of the tables out front or—since it's located at the southern end of Forsyth Park—put together a picnic to enjoy on a bench.

The new kid on the Starland block elevates Southern staples like fried chicken and oysters with high presentation and super-charged flavors. Locals flock to the spacious patio for late afternoon cocktails and house-made pickles, and the dining room buzzes with sociability and a kickin' soundtrack.

Housed in an old bank in downtown Plains, this café offers soup, salads, burgers, and sandwiches in a cozy hometown setting. Be sure to try the creamy peanut ice cream.

Every night is taco night at this bright and busy spot. Handmade tortillas, authentic recipes, and tasty vegetarian options bring delicious depth to the usual street-style taco fare. Non-taco options include tasty rice bowls and a killer poke salad with sushi-grade tuna. Enjoy happy hour at the newly renovated bar with tangy house margaritas and fresh-made chips and salsa.

This longtime local favorite is the place to go for down-home Southern cooking in the area. The restaurant serves meals buffet style, with such Southern classics as buttermilk biscuits, golden fried chicken, and baked ham. Call ahead to get the specifics, as the dishes change daily, and be sure to save room for dessert. It's no longer located in the historic Bulloch House, but the restaurant continues to be a popular stop for tour groups, and there's a gift shop on-site.

Since 1947, Busy Bee Cafe has become a historic staple of Atlanta (even Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. ate here). This cozy restaurant was founded by Lucy Jackson, a self-taught cook, and today it still offers delicious Southern cuisine that has molded and shaped Atlanta's food scene. From fried chicken to seafood, and with all the sides you could want, there’s no shortage of choices. Busy Bee is a hop, skip, and a jump away from Mercedes-Benz Stadium. It was also awarded the James Beard Classic Award in 2022, and is a 2023 Michelin Bib Gourmand recipient.

This popular spot on the bank of the Chattahoochee River has built a reputation based on such dishes as slow-roasted rabbit with wild mushroom ravioli and Swiss chard. Sunday brunch—with smoked-salmon eggs Benedict, house-made Georgia pecan sticky buns, and other offerings—is superb. The restaurant's tagline, "tucked away, not far away," is no joke—call for directions.

You'll need a reservation at this longtime eatery housed in a quaint Victorian farmhouse, where the emphasis is on high-quality international fare and outstanding service. The menu features classics like escargots, lamb shank, grilled trout (a house specialty), and filet mignon served with garlicky mashed potatoes.

Chattahoochee Food Works is nestled inside an 80-acre, mixed-used development that contains everything from dining to retail. The space—preserved in some of the Westside's historic industrial buildings—is where the sprawling, 31-vendor food hall highlights the best of Atlanta’s food scene. Just outside the food hall is Your 3rd Spot, a social dining experience. Make a reservation and spend hours playing yard and arcade games while enjoying shareable small plates.

This upscale steak house is celebrated for its romantic ambience and masterfully prepared meat and seafood dishes. Menu favorites include coffee-rubbed filet mignon, cane syrup–glazed New York strip, and pan-seared gulf snapper with a crawfish cream sauce.

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.

The fresh, locally sourced seafood at this spot overlooking the Morningstar Marinas on the Frederica River, just inside the St. Simons Sound, is among the best on the island and perfectly complements the sunset views from the outdoor dining patio. Sweet Georgia shrimp is a menu staple. Seafood lovers also shouldn't pass up the raw oysters; Georgia's own are in season during months that include the letter r. The turf dishes are equally satisfying, with options such as prime filet and grilled bone-in pork chop with cream corn grits.

The white fort in the middle of Forsyth Park opened in 2020 with a full-service restaurant, bar, and café that bustles from early mornings to late afternoons. Sophisticated Southern brunch and lunch fare like shrimp 'n' grits, pork belly Benedict and avocado toast (of course) pair with a drink bar that offers signature coffees, beautifully garnished craft cocktails, and fun treats for the kids. Glorious, bright interiors lead to spacious outdoor seating.

For traditional Southern food—think fried chicken, ham steak, and turkey with dressing—insiders head to Colonnade, a local institution since 1927 and a magnet for gay men and the elderly. The interior, with patterned carpeting and burgundy banquettes, is a classic version of a 1950s restaurant.

Embodying the new Southern cuisine, Cotton & Rye offers a menu that is creative and artistic with a strong sense of tradition. You'll see classic, recognizable comfort dishes like shrimp n' grits and thick bone-in pork chops, but careful intention goes into the preparation and presentation that results in delightful sensory surprises. The casual-chic dining room embraces the design boldness of 1950s bank architecture and unfolds around the central bar, serving up some of Savannah's best cocktails. Stop by for an excellent happy hour on the back patio.

In a land where barbecue reigns supreme, Country's cooks with taste and style. You can eat inside the restaurant, a converted bus terminal decorated with '50s flair, or sit at a table in the 1946 bus turned diner. The barbecue, cooked over hickory and oak, includes not only pork but also chicken, beef, turkey, ribs, and brisket; buttermilk fried chicken is also on the menu.

"Where the elite eat in their bare feet" is the motto of this laid-back eatery tucked away on a side street just over the bridge to Tybee Island. The beer is cold, the vibe is relaxed, and items like the Lowcountry boil—a huge plate of shrimp, corn on the cob, and smoked sausage—are delicious. Out front is a large pool filled with baby alligators that is a huge hit with kids—a good way to keep them entertained if there's a wait for tables, which is possible on weekends when the weather's nice. Just inside is a huge patio lit with tiki torches and packed with picnic tables. Seating is available in screened-in dining areas if there's rain or sand gnats.

This former speakeasy has been serving hungry locals since 1933, and the back dining rooms are covered in historic newspaper clippings and local ephemera, while those around the bar maintain several of the original high-back booths. As you can tell from the decor, this place is a landmark—and that goes for the menu, which includes basics like delicious burgers, wings, sandwiches, and some of the best shrimp salad you'll ever have.

The Farsi word delbar translates to “heart, captured,” and that’s exactly what this restaurant intends to do. The interior is elegant and striking, and the cuisine's color and flavor is equally enthralling. Delbar’s menu is based on food that owner Fares Kargar made and ate growing up in Iran, as well as inspiration from all over the Middle East. If you want an intro to Persian cuisine, try the tahdig, or crispy rice. No matter what you choose, a reservation is a choice decision.

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.