Georgia’s food scene is a treasure trove of Southern comfort and innovative cuisine that goes way beyond just peaches and peanuts. From Atlanta’s urban eateries to hidden gems along coastal highways, the Peach State serves up unforgettable flavors with genuine hospitality.
Ready your appetite as we explore truly unique dining spots across Georgia that deserve a spot on your culinary bucket list.
1. The Varsity
“What’ll ya have?” echoes through this legendary drive-in that’s been serving Atlantans since 1928. The world’s largest drive-in restaurant isn’t just about nostalgia—their chili dogs and frosted orange drinks create food memories that last generations.
Presidents, celebrities, and everyday folks all line up for the same experience at this Atlanta landmark.
2. Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room
Southern hospitality shines at this Savannah institution where strangers become friends around communal tables laden with platters of fried chicken and bowls of butter beans.
The line forms early outside this unassuming house on Jones Street. Cash only and worth every minute of the wait—this is how Southerners have eaten for generations.
3. Fox Bros Bar-B-Q
Twin brothers from Texas brought their smoky magic to Atlanta, creating a barbecue style that marries Lone Star tradition with Georgia flair. Their brisket taco and Frito pie have cult followings among local foodies.
The smoked wings with homemade blue cheese dressing might just be the best thing that ever happened to chicken wings in the South.
4. Holeman & Finch
Once available only after 10pm and limited to 24 per night, this legendary burger created such demand that people would set alarms to claim one. Now available full-time, the double patty stack represents chef perfection between two buns.
Every component—from house-baked bread to hand-ground beef—showcases the restaurant’s dedication to craft.
5. Busy Bee Cafe
Martin Luther King Jr. once dined regularly at this Atlanta institution where the fried chicken recipe hasn’t changed in over 70 years. The meat is brined for 12 hours before being dredged in seasoned flour and fried to golden perfection.
Politicians making campaign stops in Atlanta know this is the place to connect with real Georgians over plates of authentic soul food.
6. Southern Soul Barbeque
Housed in a converted gas station on St. Simons Island, this barbecue joint attracts pilgrims from across the country. The smell of oak and hickory smoke greets you before you even park your car.
Their Brunswick stew—a Georgia specialty—might be the best version in the state.
7. Weaver D’s Delicious Fine Foods
R.E.M. fans recognize the name from their album title, but locals know it as home to the best soul food in Athens. Owner Dexter Weaver’s motto “Automatic for the People” reflects his commitment to consistently delicious, no-fuss cooking.
The fried chicken has the perfect crunch-to-juiciness ratio, while sides like squash casserole showcase seasonal Southern vegetables at their finest.
8. Heirloom Market BBQ
A Korean chef and a Tennessee pitmaster fell in love and created this tiny barbecue spot that blends culinary traditions. Their spicy Korean pork sandwich with kimchi slaw represents Georgia’s evolving food identity.
The restaurant barely fits 10 people inside, creating a community of sidewalk diners who bond over shared tables and gochujang-rubbed ribs.
9. B’s Cracklin’ BBQ
Pitmaster Bryan Furman elevates Georgia barbecue by using heritage-breed hogs and peach wood for smoking. Despite facing devastating fires twice, this phoenix of the barbecue world keeps rising from the ashes.
The cracklin’ cornbread—studded with pieces of pork skin—is reason enough for the drive. Furman’s mustard-based sauce reflects his South Carolina roots.
10. Tybee Island Fish Camp
This intimate cottage near the beach serves the freshest catches from Georgia waters with creative coastal flair. Owners and chefs Charlie and Kurtis Schumacher transform daily catches into memorable meals in their tiny kitchen.
Low country boil gets an upgrade with locally foraged herbs, while oysters arrive with seasonal mignonettes that showcase Georgia produce.
11. Bacchanalia
Farm-to-table wasn’t a trend but a way of life at this Atlanta institution long before it became fashionable. Chef Anne Quatrano’s meticulous sourcing from her own farm translates to plates of artistic precision.
The cheese course alone has inspired food writers to pen poetic tributes. Each seasonal menu tells the story of Georgia’s agricultural bounty through refined technique.
12. Kimball House
Housed in Decatur’s former train depot, this restaurant boasts the South’s most impressive oyster program. The daily-changing selection arrives with handwritten tags identifying each variety’s origin and flavor profile.
Their absinthe service and vintage-inspired cocktails transport diners to another era. The seasonal vegetable plate might convert even committed carnivores.
13. Back In The Day Bakery
Cheryl and Griffith Day created a bakery that feels like stepping into your grandmother’s kitchen—if your grandmother was a James Beard-nominated baker. Their biscuits have developed such a following that the bakery ships nationwide.
The banana pudding cupcake combines two Southern classics into one perfect bite. Arrive early or risk finding empty display cases.
14. Miller Union
Chef Steven Satterfield’s vegetable plate changes daily but always tells the story of what’s perfect in Georgia’s soil that very moment. His cookbook “Root to Leaf” demonstrates his whole-plant cooking philosophy that minimizes waste.
The farm egg baked in celery cream has never left the menu for good reason—it’s the perfect expression of simplicity and technique.
15. H&F Bread Co.
What began as in-house bread production for Holeman & Finch has expanded into Atlanta’s premier artisan bakery. Their naturally leavened sourdough develops flavor over 48 hours before being shaped and baked to crackling-crust perfection.
Local restaurants proudly name-drop this bakery on menus. Their ciabatta has converted many Southerners from traditional cornbread loyalists.