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.

Sort by: 14 Recommendations {{numTotalPoiResults}} {{ (numTotalPoiResults===1)?'Recommendation':'Recommendations' }} 0 Recommendations
CLEAR ALL Area Search CLEAR ALL
Loading...
  • 1. 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
  • 2. 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
  • 3. Hofer's of Helen

    $

    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.

    8758 N. Main St., Helen, Georgia, 30545, USA
    706-878–8200

    Known For

    • Fresh bread and pastries
    • Authentic German cuisine
    • Biergarten in the summer and fall

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Open daily 8–4, No dinner
  • 4. 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
  • 5. Picnic Cafe and Dessertery

    $

    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, and it’s served all day.

    30 Public Sq., Dahlonega, Georgia, 30533, USA
    706-864--1095

    Known For

    • Delicious pastries and desserts
    • Pimento cheese and other Southern-style "salads"
    • Coffee and breakfast all day
  • Recommended Fodor’s Video

  • 6. Rum Cake Lady Cuban Cafe

    $

    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, croquetas, 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.

    205 W. First St., Blue Ridge, Georgia, 30513, USA
    706-946--4525

    Known For

    • Rum cakes in a variety of flavors
    • Authentic Cuban food
    • Cuban coffee

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun.
  • 7. 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
  • 8. 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.
  • 9. 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.
  • 10. The Brick

    $

    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.

    136 W. Hancock St., Milledgeville, Georgia, 31061, USA
    478-452–0089

    Known For

    • Homemade pizza, pasta, and "pub grub"
    • Good beer selection

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted
  • 11. The Clayton Market

    $

    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. It recently expanded into a market space next door offering gourmet coffee, fresh baked goods, deli items, and grab-and-go meals.

    50 N. Main St., Clayton, Georgia, 30525, USA
    706-212--2233-café

    Known For

    • Homestyle Southern cooking
    • Fresh veggies and daily specials
    • Market with coffee and baked goods

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Wed.
  • 12. 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
  • 13. 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
  • 14. 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

No Restaurants Results

Please try a broader search, or expore these popular suggestions:

There are no results for {{ strDestName}} Restaurants in the searched map area with the above filters. Please try a different area on the map, or broaden your search with these popular suggestions:

Recommended Fodor’s Video