Central and North Georgia Restaurants

We’ve compiled the best of the best in Central and North Georgia - browse our top choices for Restaurants during your stay.

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  • 1. Harvest Moon Café

    $$

    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 "Moon Specialties" like fried catfish and shrimp and grits. Dinner features a few more upscale options like rib-eye steak and seared yellowfin tuna. The Moon Roof upstairs and Dark Side of the Moon Bar next door feature live music and late-night bar bites, while the adjacent Honeymoon Bakery offers decadent desserts and homemade gelato.

    234 Broad St., Rome, Georgia, 30161, USA
    706-292–0099

    Known For

    • Comfort food
    • Scratch-made bread and desserts
    • Rooftop bar
  • 2. Boll Weevil Cafe and Sweetery

    $

    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.

    10 James Brown Blvd., Augusta, Georgia, 30901, USA
    706-722–7772

    Known For

    • Homemade cakes and decadent desserts
    • Sandwiches on fresh-baked bread
    • Historic building on the riverfront

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted
  • 3. Cantaberry Restaurant

    $

    "Simple, homemade, good" is the motto at this popular café in downtown Ellijay with exposed brick walls and a cozy covered patio. Open for lunch daily and dinner four nights per week, the café specializes in soups, salads, sandwiches, and homestyle country fare like meat loaf and fried chicken. Everything is made from scratch, and this is definitely not a place you want to skip dessert (check out the bakery case). There's also now an outpost in downtown Blue Ridge.

    5 S. Side Sq., Ellijay, Georgia, 30540, USA
    706-636--4663

    Known For

    • Signature tuna salad and pimento cheese
    • Fresh baked goods
    • Southern comfort food dinners
  • 4. Downtown Grill

    $$$$

    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. The restaurant is best known for its filets. 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.

    562 Mulberry Street La., Macon, Georgia, 31201, USA
    478-742–5999

    Known For

    • Classic steak house options like filet mignon
    • Hard-to-find location
    • Cigar bar on-site

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted, Closed Sun.
  • 5. Fortify Kitchen & Bar

    $$$

    At one of Clayton's designated "farm-to-table" restaurants, chef Jamie Allred's updated 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 the Grit Bowl with local grits, shrimp, sausage, and fried chicken; the Georgia pecan-crusted Carolina mountain rainbow trout; fried green tomatoes; and the Fortified Salad with local roasted beets. Reservations are a must in the fall when the mountains are packed with leaf lookers.

    69 N. Main St., Clayton, Georgia, 30525, USA
    706-782–0050

    Known For

    • Focus on local, seasonal ingredients
    • Craft cocktails
    • Georgia pecan-crusted Carolina mountain rainbow trout

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues.
  • Recommended Fodor’s Video

  • 6. Frog Hollow Tavern

    $$$$

    Reservations are recommended at this stylish downtown restaurant born out of chef-owner Sean Wight’s desire to create a sophisticated yet comfortable dining and social club that highlights the freshest local and regional ingredients. Wild-caught shrimp and grits with house-made andouille and local tomatoes and pan-roasted duck breast are just two of the menu items. Soups, salads, and lighter bites are also available along with an admirable selection of wines. Exposed brick walls and dark wood elements create a warm and cozy “bar meets restaurant” environment.

    1282 Broad St., Augusta, Georgia, 30901, USA
    706-364–6906

    Known For

    • Attentive service
    • Focus on local and regional ingredients

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun.–Tues.
  • 7. Harvest on Main

    $$$

    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.

    576 E. Main St., Blue Ridge, Georgia, 30513, USA
    706-946–6164

    Known For

    • True farm-to-table cuisine
    • Upscale comfort food in an inviting, rustic space
    • Excellent bar program

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Tues. and Wed., Reservations essential
  • 8. Jittery Joe's

    $

    Athens wouldn't be a legit college town without a quality coffeehouse or two. Jittery Joe's fits the bill with fresh microroasted beans and several locations around town. Check out the downtown location directly across from the University of Georgia to sip coffee amongst the students. They also offer pastries and snacks for those on the go.

    297 E. Broad St., Athens, Georgia, 30601, USA
    706-613--7449

    Known For

    • Microroasted brews from around the world
    • Hip coffeehouse scene
    • Pastries and goodies to go
  • 9. Last Resort Grill

    $$

    A favorite of locals and tourists alike, the Last Resort is a popular spot for lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch. For brunch, entrées like shrimp and grits, stuffed French toast, and breakfast enchiladas please a variety of palates. Lunch and dinner are equally appealing, featuring Southern cooking with a Southwestern and Mediterranean bent. 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.

    174–184 W. Clayton St., Athens, Georgia, 30601, USA
    706-549–0810

    Known For

    • Sunday brunch
    • Outstanding desserts
    • Inventive Southern cuisine

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted, Reservations not accepted
  • 10. Madison Chop House Grille

    $$

    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. Everyone is rewarded with a Tootsie Pop at the end of the meal.

    202 S. Main St., Madison, Georgia, 30650, USA
    706-342–9009

    Known For

    • Fresh-from-the-grill steaks and burgers
    • Casual bar setting
    • Family-friendly

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted
  • 11. Spirits Tavern

    $

    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) 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.

    19 E. Main St., Dahlonega, Georgia, 30533, USA
    706-482--0580

    Known For

    • Creative gourmet burgers
    • Craft cocktails and mocktails
    • Lively pub atmosphere
  • 12. Swift & Finch Coffee

    $

    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.

    600 Broad St., Rome, Georgia, 30161, USA
    706-237--6750

    Known For

    • High-quality beans roasted on-site
    • Spacious, industrial-style interior perfect for hanging out
    • Pastries and snacks

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun.
  • 13. Taste & See Coffee Shop

    $

    Part coffee shop and part gallery, this spacious downtown Macon establishment offers locally roasted coffee and tons of comfy seating. There's also baked goods, sandwiches, and decadent desserts made in-house for a quick snack.

    546 Poplar St., Macon, Georgia, 31201, USA
    478-238--5191

    Known For

    • Handcrafted coffee drinks
    • Yummy baked goods
    • Spacious, artsy interior

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun.
  • 14. The National

    $$$

    Owned by chefs Peter Dale and Hugh Acheson, this refined but casual eatery evokes the atmosphere of a European café with its Mediterranean-inspired dishes that make creative use of local ingredients. Prosciutto-wrapped grilled figs, hummus with lamb, and slow-roasted beef hanger steak are a few favorites. The ever-changing vegetable plate is pretty spectacular, too. Wine is a focus at the bar, with flights available for those craving variety. Local craft beers from Creature Comforts and Terrapin also figure prominently.

    232 W. Hancock Ave., Athens, Georgia, 30601, USA
    706-549–3450

    Known For

    • Mediterranean-inspired fare
    • Creative use of local and seasonal ingredients
    • Laid-back, wine-sipping environment

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted
  • 15. The Rookery

    $

    There’s a definite '70s vibe at this popular downtown eatery, where the burgers are named for Macon’s famed musicians and the only president to hail from Georgia. The Big “O,” topped with barbecue sauce and an onion ring, is named for Otis Redding; the Allman Burger is smothered with sautéed mushrooms; and the Jimmy Carter comes with peanut butter, of course. With its fun menu, large patio, and groovy dive bar interior with dark wooden booths, it’s a great place to grab a bite and try out some local craft beers. Milk shakes are a big deal, too. For something a little fancier, try sister restaurant Dovetail Crafted Cuisine upstairs.

    543 Cherry St., Macon, Georgia, 31201, USA
    478-746--8658

    Known For

    • Creative burgers and sandwiches named for Georgia celebs
    • Milkshakes made with fresh, local milk
    • Fun pub environment with outdoor dining
  • 16. Town 220

    $$$$

    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 lunch menu is more casual and offers a variety of salads, sandwiches, and pasta. 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.

    220 W. Washington St., Madison, Georgia, 30650, USA
    706-752–1445

    Known For

    • Attentive, knowledgeable service
    • French cuisine standards
    • Lovely patio

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon.
  • 17. White Birch Provisions

    $

    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.

    60 E. Savannah St., Clayton, Georgia, 30525, USA
    706-782--2263

    Known For

    • Espresso drinks
    • Wine, cheese, and gourmet provisions
    • Fresh-baked scones and other goodies
  • 18. White Tiger Gourmet

    $

    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.

    217 Hiawassee Ave., Athens, Georgia, 30601, USA
    706-353–6847

    Known For

    • Flavorful meats smoked daily
    • Inventive vegetarian dishes
    • Southern-style Sunday brunch

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon., Tues.–Sat. 11–3, Sun. brunch 10–2, dinner Thurs.–Sat. 6–8

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