14 Mac And Cheese Places In Georgia That Locals Claim Beat Grandma’s Recipe
Growing up, I thought my grandmother’s mac and cheese was untouchable, until I moved to Georgia.
Turns out, the Peach State takes this comfort food so seriously that restaurants across the state are churning out versions that make even the most loyal grandkids second-guess their family loyalty.
From smoky barbecue joints to soul food institutions, Georgia has perfected the art of creamy, cheesy, impossibly good mac and cheese that’ll have you coming back for seconds (and thirds).
1. Community Q BBQ (Decatur)
Decatur’s beloved barbecue spot doesn’t mess around when it comes to sides. Their mac and cheese arrives in a skillet so hot you can hear it sizzling from across the room.
The cheese blend creates this perfect stretchy pull that Instagram dreams are made of.
Locals swear the secret involves a dash of smoked paprika that ties everything together with the restaurant’s signature barbecue flavors.
Pair it with their pulled pork, and you’ve got yourself a meal worth the inevitable food coma.
2. Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q (Atlanta)
Winning awards left and right, Fox Bros. has earned its reputation as an Atlanta barbecue heavyweight. But ask any regular, and they’ll tell you the mac and cheese deserves its own trophy case.
Creamy doesn’t even begin to describe the texture; it’s more like velvet made edible. The top gets this gorgeous golden crust that adds just enough crunch to balance the gooey center.
Pro tip: Order extra because sharing becomes physically painful once you taste it.
3. Busy Bee Cafe (Atlanta)
Since 1947, this soul food landmark has been serving up comfort on a plate. Their mac and cheese tastes exactly like what you’d find at a family reunion, except somehow even better.
No fancy ingredients or trendy twists here, just straightforward, honest-to-goodness cheesy perfection. The recipe hasn’t changed in decades because, frankly, why fix what isn’t broken?
Regulars claim the key is cooking it low and slow until every noodle absorbs maximum cheese flavor.
4. Mary Mac’s Tea Room (Atlanta)
Walking into Mary Mac’s feels like stepping into your Southern aunt’s dining room, and the mac and cheese backs up that homey vibe.
They’ve been Atlanta’s go-to for traditional Southern cooking since 1945, and their mac game remains undefeated.
The consistency leans more custard-like than saucy, with a richness that coats your mouth in the best possible way.
Every bite delivers that nostalgic comfort food hug your soul desperately needs after a long week.
5. The Colonnade (Atlanta)
Operating since 1927, The Colonnade knows a thing or two about Southern classics. Their mac and cheese recipe has probably been perfected through nearly a century of trial, error, and customer feedback.
What sets it apart is the perfectly balanced cheese-to-pasta ratio, never too dry, never swimming in sauce. The top layer gets baked just right, creating those crispy edges everyone secretly fights over.
It’s the kind of dish that makes you understand why people become regulars.
6. Paschal’s (Atlanta)
Paschal’s isn’t just a restaurant; it’s a piece of Atlanta history that fed civil rights leaders during the movement.
Their mac and cheese carries that same legacy of bringing people together over incredible food.
Rich, creamy, and deeply satisfying, this version tastes like it was made with extra love and a secret family recipe passed down through generations.
The cheese sauce clings to every elbow macaroni like it’s got nowhere else to be.
7. Fat Matt’s Rib Shack (Atlanta)
Blues music and barbecue make Fat Matt’s an Atlanta institution, but the mac and cheese steals the spotlight. Forget fancy presentation; this is comfort food at its most honest and delicious.
Creamy to the point of being almost sinful, it pairs perfectly with their smoky ribs and tangy sauce. The simplicity is what makes it shine; sometimes the best recipes don’t need a dozen ingredients.
Grab a seat, enjoy the live music, and prepare for cheesy bliss.
8. Sweet Auburn BBQ (Atlanta)
Named after the historic Sweet Auburn district, this spot brings both respect for tradition and fresh energy to Atlanta’s barbecue scene.
Their mac and cheese reflects that same balance; classic flavor with just enough personality to stand out.
Smooth, cheesy, and ridiculously addictive, it’s become the side dish people order as their main course. The cheese blend creates layers of flavor that keep your taste buds guessing with every forkful.
9. Rodney Scott’s BBQ (Atlanta)
James Beard Award winner Rodney Scott brought his legendary whole-hog barbecue expertise to Atlanta, and thankfully, he brought his mac and cheese recipe too.
This isn’t your average side dish; it’s a destination unto itself. Velvety smooth with a flavor profile that complements the smoky meats perfectly, it strikes that rare balance between indulgent and somehow still wanting more.
The consistency stays creamy from first bite to last, never getting gloppy or separated.
10. Table & Main (Roswell)
Roswell’s farm-to-table gem elevates Southern comfort food without losing its soul. Their mac and cheese gets a slightly upscale treatment while keeping that homestyle heart everyone craves.
Using quality cheeses and perfectly cooked pasta, they’ve created something that feels both familiar and special.
The golden-brown top provides textural contrast against the impossibly creamy center, making each bite an experience. It’s fancy enough for date night but comforting enough to cure any bad day.
11. Mrs. Wilkes’ Dining Room (Savannah)
Savannah’s most famous family-style dining experience serves mac and cheese that tastes like a grandmother actually made it.
Sitting at communal tables, passing bowls of this creamy goodness around, creates an experience you won’t forget.
The recipe stays true to old-school Southern cooking, simple ingredients transformed through proper technique and lots of cheese.
It’s baked to perfection with that signature custardy texture that separates good mac from legendary mac.
12. Southern Soul Barbeque (St. Simons Island)
Beach vibes and barbecue might seem like an unusual combination, but Southern Soul makes it work beautifully. Their mac and cheese has achieved near-mythical status among locals and tourists alike.
Incredibly rich and loaded with cheese, it’s the perfect complement to their smoky meats and island atmosphere.
People drive from all over Georgia specifically for this mac and cheese, often ordering entire pans to take home. Fair warning: One taste ruins you for lesser versions forever.
13. H&H Soul Food (Macon)
Music legends like the Allman Brothers made H&H famous, but the soul food keeps people coming back.
Their mac and cheese represents everything great about Southern cooking, unpretentious, delicious, and made with care.
Baked until the edges get slightly crispy while the middle stays creamy and soft, it’s textbook perfection.
The cheese flavor is bold without being overwhelming, letting you actually taste the quality ingredients.
It’s soul food in the truest sense of the term.
14. Country’s Barbecue (Columbus)
Columbus locals have kept Country’s Barbecue thriving for decades, and the mac and cheese is a big reason why. This isn’t trying to reinvent anything; it’s just doing the classic version exceptionally well.
Smooth, cheesy, and satisfying in that deep-down comfort food way, it pairs perfectly with their smoked meats.
The recipe clearly comes from someone who understands that great mac and cheese doesn’t need gimmicks, just quality execution. Simple done right beats fancy done wrong every single time.