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Downtown Athens, Georgia is home to an eclectic variety of locally owned restaurants serving up mouthwatering cuisine from around the world, as well as familiar southern favorites. Thanks to the city’s range of affordable, yet irresistible, food and a bustling downtown area that’s easy to navigate on foot or access via car, downtown Athens is truly a foodie’s dream come true.
- Depalma's Italian Cafe
Italian in Athens since 1988! House made lasagna & eggplant...
- Lindsey's Culinary Market
Lindsey's is located in downtown Athens, serving lunch...
- Foodie Itinerary
Check our Athens food events listings for special menus and...
- Mama's Boy
This locally owned and run restaurant is a local favorite...
- The National
The National was given a 2014 Silver Spoon Award by Georgia...
- Last Resort Grill
Last Resort Grill serves Southwestern cuisine with a...
- Porterhouse Grill
Description The Porterhouse Grill is an elegant American...
- Award Winning Dining
Food critic Krista Reese, in presenting Georgia Trend...
- Depalma's Italian Cafe
- Kaitlyn Yarborough
- Puma Yu's. Puma Yu's opened in the Southern Mill complex in 2022, but it's already a local favorite for its Southeast Asian-inspired menu and creative cocktails.
- Weaver D’s. Head to iconic Athens spot Weaver D's for a meat-and-three meal. You won't meet a church lady or frat boy from the past three decades who hasn't had a meal there.
- Last Resort Grill. Last Resort Grill celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2022, and the downtown restaurant is still serving up local favorites that have garnered it “number one” for many.
- Mama’s Boy. Known for its fresh biscuits, raspberry jam, and long lines, Mama’s Boy is a breakfast spot that is beloved in many ex-college students’ and locals’ hearts.
- Coolest Places to Stay in Athens
- Best Seafood
- Best Vegetarian/Vegan
- Best Restaurants in Athens GA: For A Large Group
- Best Bar Food
- Best Date Night Spots
- Best Breakfast
- Best Throwback
- Best Sweet Tooth Satisfier
- Best Restaurants in Athens GA: Kid-Friendly Atmosphere
Best Downtown. Located in downtown Athens, the Hyatt Place Athens Downtownis right in the heart of the city, minutes away from restaurants, shops, and the University of Georgia campus. Free breakfa...
LAST RESORT GRILL
Serving Southwestern cuisine with a distinctive culinary point of view. A wine and beer garden were added in July 2020 to include new patio space with trees, picnic tables, and a full-service bar. The Last Resort Grillhas a long-standing commitment to serving the local community the highest level of quality food and service, but it is in the relationships with its guests and suppliers that truly distinguish the restaurant. You’ll probably recognize Last Resort Grill from the iconic mural on t...
MAEPOLE
Maepoleserves fast casual food with a twist. With plenty of vegan and vegetarian options, Maepole has quickly become the go-to spot for guests who are looking for healthy options in Athens. With locations on both Chase Street and Epps Bridge Parkway, Maepole has an almost 100% gluten-free menu (their mac and cheese is the only exception), with only a few non-vegan offerings. (You can find their non-vegan offerings posted here.) The Low Country bowl— with brown rice, braised greens, hoppin’ jo...
THE NATIONAL
Are you and your crew craving some exotic food? Well, The National’s got you covered. Their small plates are perfect for sharing with friends and tasting plenty of flavors. The Mediterranean-inspired cuisine is ideal if your taste buds are feeling adventurous. The menu is constantly changing since The National buys from local farmers, making every meal a unique one!
TRAPPEZE PUB
Looking for some finger food to snack on? Trappeze Pubturns bar food into an Athens delicacy and gives you all of your favorite bar food options – gourmet popcorn, boiled peanuts and sweet potato fries? Yum! They also have small plates and larger entrees if you’re feeling a little hungrier than you originally thought. Though the food is higher quality than typical bar food, the prices are still pretty low. It’s a great place for a tasty, low-priced meal. Their expansive craft beer list is ano...
HILLTOP GRILLE
Craving a cozy atmosphere for you and your significant other? Drop in to Hilltop Grillefor a nice meal with warm lighting and a welcoming vibe. There’s also a blazing fire to warm you up on those cold Georgia days. They serve southern comfort food along with their seafood and steaks to make you feel even more at home. The menu is a bit pricier than most Athens-local restaurants, but the quality of the food is worth it. After all, who can put a price on a cozy night away from the freezing Geor...
SOUTH KITCHEN + BAR
South Kitchen + Barnot only has southern food, but serves it up elegantly, right down to their fried beignets! The restaurant also has beautiful, large windows, giving you a nice view no matter where you eat. The marble columns throughout the restaurant also give it a nice, classy look. Take your loved one out for a night on the town, and make sure to grab a meal here. Your date is sure to be impressed by the chic look, and you’ll be happy with the reasonably-priced food!
SLATER’S STEAKHOUSE AND COCKTAIL LOUNGE
Jerry and Krista Slater behind The Expat neighborhood bistro have debuted a brand-new upscale steakhouse in Athens’ Five Points neighborhood, Slater’s Steakhouse and Cocktail Lounge. The cozy spot serves diverse American classics and crafted cocktails, including a make-your-own martini service. Later into 2023, the Slaters plan to open The Nighthawks Lounge cocktail bar on Tracy Street and a Vietnamese restaurant titled Pretty Boy on Barber Street.
MAMA’S BOY
Sixteen years ago, Alicia Segars and Cooper Hudson opened this charming retro diner that quickly became one of the must-see breakfast spots in Athens. Menu items include “Chocolate Cake for Breakfast!,” in addition to vegan and vegetarian options. If you’ve ever heard someone speak about Athens food, you’ve most likely heard Mama’s Boy’s name thrown into the sentence. Mama’s Boy is a favorite among Athens locals, and there’s no question why. Get there early if you want a guaranteed spot – the...
CLOCKED
Don’t you miss the simpler days when popping Double Bubble bubbles and sharing milkshakes were all the rage? With Clockedyou can relive the glory days… But with a twist. Their classic American food (like hamburgers and hotdogs) can be served the way you’ve always loved (cheese, onions, lettuce and plenty of ketchup), or you can be a little adventurous and order a jalapeno and Cream Cheese Burger or a Blackberry Bacon & Jam Burger. Grab a seat at the bar if you want to watch some old SciFi mov...
THE GRILL
The Grillis another restaurant that takes you back in time, complete with neon diner signs and diner-style booths. This old-fashioned spot offers one of Athens’ locals most treasured foods: feta fries. If you haven’t tried the feta fries, can you even say you’ve had the full Athens experience? Meet up with your friends and grab an order of feta fries to share…but fair warning, you might want to order your own portion once you try them! This is another great location for milkshakes, too. The c...
ZOMBIE COFFEE & DONUTS
Zombieis a relative newcomer to the Athens community, but it’s already a most-loved spot in downtown. Everyone loves donuts, and customizing them just makes them even better! At Zombie, you can choose your own toppings to create your very own fun donut. Oreos, Fruity Pebbles, SweeTarts… The possibilities are endless. These donuts are cake-based and so soft, you’ll certainly want to come back to this deliciously sweet location. Grab some coffee, too, if the sugar rush simply isn’t enough to en...
INSOMNIA
Cookies and ice cream are the perfect late-night treat, and Insomnia has both. You can even make an ice-cream sandwich with your choice of two cookies and a scoop of ice-cream. But maybe you’re just looking for cookies – you can order a box for you and your friends, or a few cookies for yourself. They’ll warm the cookies up for you, too! Insomniais open until 3AM Thursdays through Saturdays and 1AM Sundays through Wednesdays, so indulge in those late night sweet cravings and pick up a few coo...
PAULEY’S CREPE BAR
Pauley’shas a great lunch and dinner menu, but they’re most famous for their delicious crepes. The long list has crepes that could appeal to anyone – sweet or savory. Make sure to try the Apple Pie crepes, complete with chunks of apples and a dash of cinnamon! The decor is pretty unique, too. The walls are covered in plaques with pictures of people who have joined the Around The World Beer Club (which involves drinking at least 100 different beers and marking it on a beer card), accompanied b...
CALI N TITO’S
The Latin American influence on this restaurant is definitely easy to see. Decorations cover the walls and ceilings, and there is always something fun happening! Cali N Tito’shas two locations in Athens: South Lumpkin Street and Cedar Shoals Drive. It is known for its authentic Latin American fare, including fish tacos that diners go back for again and again. An expansive outdoor patio provides a fabulous atmosphere on a beautiful day. Oh and it’s BYOB. If it’s a nice day out, head over to th...
Dec 13, 2023 · Restaurants near Downtown Athens. 250 West Broad Street, Athens, GA 30601. Read Reviews of Downtown Athens. Shokitini. #34 of 310 Restaurants in Athens. 85 reviews. 251 W Clayton St Ste 117. 0 miles from Downtown Athens. “ Food poison- bad sushi ” 09/01/2024.
- Tlaloc El Mexicano Restaurant. For the best Mexican food in Athens, Georgia, Tlaloc is the place to be! Their extensive ten page menu has everything you could want!
- Golden Sun Chinese Restaurant. One of the best Chinese restaurants in Athens, Georgia is Golden Sun! Located on the eastern side of the city, this restaurant makes you feel like you left Athens and entered a restaurant in the heart of Beijing.
- Sr Sol Mexican Restaurant. Sr. Sol is an easy recommendation for good restaurants in Athens with their two locations! The thing we love about Mexican restaurants, besides the good food, is their extensive menus!
- White Tiger Gourmet. One of the best Athens GA restaurants is White Tiger Gourmet! This hole in the wall located on a quiet street in Athens, has cute 1950’s style kitchen decor, and indoor and outdoor seating.
Jun 25, 2024 · Erin Wilson’s downtown Athens spot is another deservedly famous fine dining institution in town. The National has a knack for making any food irresistible — the vegetable plate, for example, is truly on par with the meat-based entrees, and although founder and chef Peter Dale made his departure in 2021, chef Burns Sullivan (The Branded Butcher) is handling the kitchen exceedingly well.
Aug 25, 2023 · Address: 1195 S Milledge Ave, Athens, GA 30605. Marker 7 is located in the Five Points area on Milledge and is known for its appetizers and seafood dishes. Marker 7 is a hotspot when parents come to town, football games, birthdays, and Sunday brunch! Marker 7 offers indoor and outdoor seating on a first come, first serve basis.
