Even though Atlanta has a crazy amount of great restaurants, especially some that you can take your date to, there are great places around Georgia to go check out. Around the state in other major cities, there are some great restaurants to go have a meal. We also have a couple hidden gems for you to go check out as well!
Athens
The National
Inspired by cafes and bars in Europe, this Mediterranean restaurant is one of the best places to grab a bite to eat. Not only does it have great food, but the bar is great as well.
232 W Hancock Ave. Athens, GA 30601(706) 549-3450
NONA
If you’re looking Creole or Cajun food in Athens, this is the best spot for it. Located right across the street from UGA’s North Campus, is the most popular spot for lunch and dinner. Just about every day there are specials and Happy Hour.
279 E Broad St. Athens, GA 30601(706) 353-7065
Augusta
The Bee’s Knees
One of the best restaurants in Augusta. Hard to refuse anything on their menu to try out! Also, if you’re a craft beer type of person, this place has some of your favorites.
211 10th St. Augusta, GA 30901(706) 828-3600
Edgar’s Grille
This restaurant offers New American cuisine with a southern flare. One of the unique things about this restaurant is that not only does it serve their customers, but the community as well. A portion of the money they earn goes to education programs, job training and placement services for those in need.
3165 Washington Rd. Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 854-4700
Columbus
The Black Cow
Southern Cuisine at its finest and one of the best places in Columbus. From Ribeye to Shrip and Grits, this busy establishment is a must visit while in Columbus.
115 12th St. Columbus, GA 31901(706) 321-2020
The Loft
Home of some of the best food, fun and entertainment in Columbus for over 20 years. The Loft is not only a great place to dine, but also a great part of the nightlife.
1032 Broadway Columbus, GA 31901(706) 596-8141
Macon
The Rookery
Small venue on Cherry St. where a lot of the nightlife goes on in Macon. This is one of the best local restaurants in Macon. The Big O Burger with Battered Fries is one of the popular dishes on the menu.
543 Cherry St. Macon, GA 31201(478) 746-8658
Tic Toc Room
A great place to take a date, drinks after work or to take clients. Laid back environment, great food and an extensive selection of alcohol is great to be had here.
408 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd. Macon, GA 31201 (478) 744-0123
Rome
BlueFin Restaurant
Best sushi you can find in Rome, by far. This Japanese restaurant is a favorite among the locals and it pretty affordable as well!
727 Turner McCall Blvd NE Rome, GA 30165(706) 232-3317
Jerusalem Grille
Authentic and fresh Middle Eastern food! When in Rome, definitely make a stop to check out this place!
223 Turner McCall BlvdRome, GA 30165 (706) 291-8899
Savannah
Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room
A historic restaurant in Savannah and is one of the longest running establishment in Savannah. Ran by Sema Wilkes since 1942 until her death in 2002 and is still run by her family today. Offering southern food and is noted by southern traditions. There are no menus and there are no menus. Dishes are brought out to the table and passed around.
107 W Jones St. Savannah, GA 31401(912) 232-5997
The Olde Pink House
One of the best restaurants in Savannah. Make sure to make reservations because it is pretty busy. There is also a basement bar/cellar which is great to have drinks at and listen to live music.
23 Abercorn St. Savannah, GA 31401(912) 232-4286
Statesboro
Emma’s Restaurant and Lounge
Not very well-known, but this is the best spot in Statesboro that is not known for restaurants. Locals, students, and visitors passing by need to check out this place!
455 Commerce Dr. Statesboro, GA 30461(912) 764-3662
Chops on Main
One of the few fine dining experiences in Bulloch County. With the menu selection and the bar, this place will have you coming back for more!
30 W Main St. Statesboro, GA 30458 (912) 764-7119
Valdosta
Steel Magnolia’s
Some of the best Southern food you can find in Valdosta. Even includes a rooftop patio that you can go and enjoy as well!
132 N Patterson St. Valdosta, GA 31601(229) 259-0010
Passage 2 India
Not only is it one of the favorite spots in Valdosta, but it’s one of the only Indian spots in Valdosta and it also includes a buffet! Friendly staff and spice levels that can suit just about anyone!
2910 N Ashley StValdosta, GA 31602 (229) 219-7276
Hidden Gems
These are not restaurants that you can go have a seat and dine in, but these are some hidden gems in Perry and locations in South Georgia that are popular and very delicious. Stop at these places and make sure to grab something to take home and enjoy!
Skipper John’s
If you’re ever in Perry, this is the place to go. May look like a hole-in-the-wall place, but don’t let the appearance fool you. The chicken here is amazing and the thing that makes it even more amazing is that the food is prepared when ordered. So be sure to call in and then go pick it up. Chicken, fish, and livers are just a few that are on the menu.
1210 Macon Rd, Perry, GA 31069
(478) 987-3192
Carter’s Fried Chicken
Head down to South Georgia and this is one of the most popular places down that way. There are different locations in Cordele, Leesburg and other location. Definitely stop by and check out their menu and grab a bite!
19 Comments
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You really should check out Toccoa Riverside Restaurant in Blue Ridge. It’s amazing.
The experience at Mrs. Wilkes may be charming, but the food is definitely sub
par.
Hmm. No Blue Willow in Social Circle? Fail! Kudos for having The Rookery and Skipper Johns, though…they’re both amazing. And double kudos for having Wilkes and the Pink House and leaving off Paula Deen’s craptastic Lady and Sons!
A little sad not to see any St. Simons Island resturants make the list. No Southern Soul? No Blackwater Grill? Coastal Kitchen? Palm Coast? Show some love for south Georgia!
my thoughts exactly. and how about B&J in Darien?
WoW, how awesome to make your list.. Thank you so much for recognizing great food and excellent customer service.. we feel honored to be mentioned amongst such great company! Carter’s Fried Chicken of Lee, County~ Leesburg, GA
Thanks for the list, Brad! Just a note about Columbus, GA picks–The Black Cow and The Loft are both owned by restaurant hobbyists who have the money to open a place. Definitely not the best! In Columbus, I would opt for Minnie’s Uptown Cafe for soul food; Dinglewood Pharmacy is legendary for scrambled dogs–seriously; Smokey Pig BBQ for the best cue around; Hunter’s Pub for phenomenal steaks; Cafe Amici for Italian. That’s all insider info from someone who grew up around Columbus! Just a short drive away, in Midland, there’s a farm-to-table restaurant called The Farmhouse and a little further out in historic Warm Springs there’s the Bullock House Restaurant. All great places to eat!
Almost forgot: seafood in Columbus! Two spots–Ezell’s Catfish Cabin (awesome cheese grits) and Rosehill Seafood (where you can b.y.o.b.).
dinglewood pharmacy is great for scrambled dogs. i ate at a restaurant way down in the historic district near the fair grounds but the name escapes me can you help? i was the beverage manager at the country club of columbus.
i loved the waffle house on macon rd. too, lol!!!! i could walk to the dinglewood from my home on schaul st, just off lawyers lane.
Do you remember what kind of food it was? There’s Ruth Ann’s Restaurant, The Royal Cafe. Near the Civic Center?
it was very upscale, i think it was on second ave, not far from victory drive where ig goes across the river. it was in an historic house, it was continental food , mostly french cuisine. i remember having escargot there one time.
Ahhh…The Goetchius House (sounds like saying getchus house)!
that’s the place!!!! is it still there?
i was down there on business 3 years ago and didn’t get a chance to get there. most of my eating was at waffle house or the little restaurant on veterans park way diagonally across from econo lodge. lol
The Goetchius House just reopened after some major renovations, I think. How long ago did you work at CCC?? My first job was under Jim Fitzpatrick at the CCC tennis courts!
I LEFT IN 2000, AFTER TITS ON A RITZ CARLTON TOOK OVER MANAGEMENT.
I SCHEDULED THE BAR AND WAIT STAFF FOR VARIOUS FUNCTIONS, AND FB MANAGER, PIERRE VILLES WOULD ARBITRARILY CHANGE IT AND NOT TELL ANY ONE.
Lol. That’s crazy, man. We definitely worked there at the same time. I left in early 2001 for Green Island CC. You still working in GA nowadays?
i haven’t been there in a number of years. i miss columbus and wish i could go back, i’m semi retired in massachusetts,sadly. i miss fishing on the chatahootchie with my friend james gilbert.
i never went down the hill to the tennis courts lol. and very little out on the links but mostly during the s.e.c. golf tournaments. i only went to green island on occasion, but the setting there is better.