9 Georgia Restaurants That Locals Either Skip Or Recommend

Georgia’s culinary scene offers something for every palate, from classic Southern comfort food to innovative fusion cuisine.

As a native Georgian who’s eaten my way across the state for over 20 years, I’ve had my share of both mouthwatering meals and disappointing dishes.

Let me guide you through the spots locals steer clear of and the hidden gems that’ll make your taste buds sing with authentic Georgia flavor.

1. Avoid: The Tourist Trap Tavern (Atlanta)

Last summer, I made the rookie mistake of getting suckered into this overpriced Atlanta eatery. The place screams “authentic Southern cuisine” on billboards across the city, but locals know better.

Mediocre food masquerading as high-end dining is their specialty. The fried chicken arrives suspiciously fast (hello, microwave!) and costs triple what you’d pay at genuinely good spots nearby. Meanwhile, the mac and cheese could pass for something from a box.

The waitstaff, clearly trained to upsell at every turn, hover uncomfortably throughout your meal. Save your money and dignity—this place exists solely to separate tourists from their cash while delivering a watered-down version of actual Southern cooking.

2. Try: Mary Mac’s Tea Room (Atlanta)

Y’all, I still remember my grandma taking me to Mary Mac’s when I was knee-high to a grasshopper. This Atlanta institution has been serving up Southern comfort food since 1945, and it remains the real deal.

Their fried chicken arrives with a perfectly crispy crust that shatters delightfully with each bite, revealing juicy meat underneath. The pencil system for ordering might seem old-fashioned, but it’s part of the charm that keeps locals coming back generation after generation.

The complimentary pot likker (the savory liquid from cooked greens) with cornbread is a welcome tradition you won’t find at chain restaurants. When Atlanta natives have family visiting from out of town, this is where we take them for an authentic taste of Georgia.

3. Avoid: Seafood Sensation (Savannah)

My anniversary dinner here last year still gives me nightmares. Despite Savannah’s coastal location, this place manages to serve seafood that tastes like it took a detour through the Sahara before reaching your plate.

The crab cakes contain more filler than actual crab, and their signature shrimp and grits arrive lukewarm with rubbery shrimp that bounce when dropped. Even more offensive is their “famous” seafood boil—a sad collection of overcooked shellfish swimming in watery, under-seasoned broth.

Add astronomical prices and a dining room that perpetually smells slightly off (never a good sign for a seafood joint), and you’ve got a recipe for disappointment. Locals whisper that their “fresh catch” often comes straight from the freezer.

4. Try: H&H Restaurant (Macon)

My first bite of H&H’s buttermilk biscuits nearly brought tears to my eyes—they’re that good. This unassuming Macon treasure has been serving soul food since 1959 and even fed the Allman Brothers Band before they became famous.

The fried chicken livers might sound intimidating to newcomers, but trust me, they’re worth stepping outside your comfort zone. Perfectly crispy outside, tender inside, and served with a side of genuine Southern hospitality that can’t be faked.

What keeps locals coming back isn’t just the food—though the mac and cheese alone warrants the drive—but the sense of community. You’ll often find three generations of families gathered around tables, passing plates and sharing stories, creating the authentic Southern dining experience that chain restaurants try and fail to replicate.

5. Avoid: Fusion Confusion (Athens)

College towns typically boast innovative eateries, but this Athens spot misses the mark entirely. During my son’s campus visit, we made the unfortunate decision to try their “Southern-Asian fusion” concept.

What arrived was culinary chaos—think collard green egg rolls that tasted neither Southern nor Asian, just confusing. Their “Georgia peach ramen” featured canned peaches floating in an identity-crisis broth alongside mushy noodles. The sweet tea sushi roll (yes, really) combined sticky rice with sweet tea-soaked fish in a combination that should be classified as a food crime.

The restaurant’s trendy industrial decor can’t compensate for food that seems designed purely for Instagram rather than actual eating. Even hungry college students with questionable taste standards avoid this place.

6. Try: Weaver D’s Delicious Fine Foods (Athens)

“Automatic for the People” isn’t just an R.E.M. album title—it’s the motto of this Athens landmark that inspired it. When I first stumbled into Weaver D’s as a UGA freshman, I had no idea I was about to experience fried chicken that would ruin all other versions for me.

Dexter Weaver himself might still be there calling out “Automatic!” as orders come in. The soul food here isn’t fancy or reinvented—it’s just done right. The squash casserole tastes exactly like what your Southern grandma would make if you were lucky enough to have one.

Beyond the perfectly seasoned food, there’s something magical about eating in a place with so much music history. Students, locals, and visiting R.E.M. fans all share tables in this humble green building where the food speaks volumes without pretense.

7. Avoid: Buffet Bonanza (Valdosta)

The flashing “All You Can Eat” sign lured me in during a road trip pit stop last spring. Big mistake. This South Georgia buffet proves that quantity and quality rarely go hand in hand.

The steam tables feature an array of unidentifiable meats swimming in congealed gravies, vegetables cooked beyond recognition, and desserts that taste like they were made during the previous administration. Most concerning is the lukewarm temperature of everything—a food safety red flag that locals know to avoid.

The salad bar offers wilted lettuce and dressings in suspicious-looking dispensers that haven’t been properly cleaned since opening day. Even the sweet tea (a Southern staple that’s hard to mess up) somehow tastes like it contains equal parts sugar and dish soap.

8. Try: Sconyers Bar‑B‑Que (Augusta)

I’ve driven two hours just for a plate of Sconyers’ hash and rice, and I’d do it again tomorrow. This Augusta institution has been smoking meat since 1956, and the moment you pull into the parking lot, that heavenly hickory aroma tells you you’re in for something special.

Their signature dish might be the fall-off-the-bone ribs, but don’t sleep on the hash—a uniquely South Carolina/Georgia border specialty that’s like a rich meat gravy served over rice. It’s so good that former President Jimmy Carter once had it flown to the White House for an event.

The rustic barn setting with wagon wheels and country decor might seem kitschy elsewhere, but here it feels authentic to the experience. Multi-generational families fill the tables, all bonding over the timeless pleasure of properly smoked meat.

9. Avoid: Chain Chicken Catastrophe (Statewide)

You’ve seen them everywhere across Georgia—those cookie-cutter chicken joints with nearly identical menus and interiors designed by corporate committees. I’ve fallen into this trap more times than I care to admit while traveling around the state.

Despite Georgia being chicken country, these places serve up poultry that’s suspiciously uniform in shape and size, with breading that tastes like it was engineered in a lab rather than a kitchen. The sides come from massive bags in the freezer, and the biscuits have all the flavor and texture of compressed sawdust.

What’s most frustrating is knowing that within a mile of most of these locations, you could find a locally-owned spot serving the real deal for similar prices. Georgians know better than to waste a meal on these flavorless franchises.