5 One-Of-A-Kind Georgia Eats To Add To Your List + 5 Spots That Left Us Speechless
Georgia’s food scene is a treasure trove of Southern comfort and culinary innovation that keeps me coming back for more. From Atlanta’s bustling food halls to Savannah’s historic eateries, the Peach State serves up unforgettable flavors at every turn. I’ve spent years exploring Georgia’s restaurants, and these ten spots represent the absolute cream of the crop – places where the food is so good, you’ll be planning your return visit before you’ve even paid the check.
1. The Varsity’s Legendary Chili Dogs
“What’ll ya have?” The iconic greeting at The Varsity still gives me goosebumps every time I visit this Atlanta institution. Last summer, I brought my nephew here for his first-ever chili dog, and watching his eyes light up was priceless. The snap of the hot dog, the perfectly seasoned chili, and that soft, pillowy bun create a symphony of flavors that’s been winning hearts since 1928. The orange drink is non-negotiable as your beverage pairing. Pro tip: Order at the counter like a local by knowing exactly what you want before you reach the front of the line. The world’s largest drive-in restaurant serves over two miles of hot dogs daily, proving some classics never go out of style.
2. Mary Mac’s Tea Room Fried Chicken
My grandmother swore Mary Mac’s fried chicken was better than hers – and that’s saying something! This Atlanta landmark has been serving Southern comfort food since 1945, and their fried chicken remains the crown jewel. Golden-brown, perfectly crispy skin gives way to juicy, tender meat that practically falls off the bone. Each bite delivers that magical combination of crunch and tenderness that defines perfect Southern fried chicken. The complimentary pot likker with cornbread they serve while you wait is a delightful bonus. Pencils on each table let you fill out your own order form – a charming tradition that’s survived since opening day. When the state legislature officially named it “Atlanta’s Dining Room,” they weren’t exaggerating.
3. Busy Bee Cafe’s Mouthwatering Soul Food
Walking into Busy Bee Cafe feels like stepping into a time machine. Opened in 1947, this soul food sanctuary has fed everyone from civil rights leaders to presidents, and one taste of their cooking shows exactly why. Their smothered pork chops haunted my dreams for weeks after my first visit. Tender meat swimming in savory gravy alongside perfectly seasoned collard greens, candied yams, and cornbread creates a plate that’s worth every minute of the inevitable wait. The walls adorned with photos tell stories of Atlanta’s rich history, making each meal here as culturally nourishing as it is delicious. My server Brenda has worked there for 30+ years and remembers regulars by name and order – that kind of personal touch is increasingly rare.
4. Holeman & Finch’s Game-Changing Burger
Remember when burgers became cool again? Holeman & Finch helped start that revolution in Atlanta. My first bite of their double stack masterpiece made me actually close my eyes and savor the moment. The burger features house-ground grass-fed beef, American cheese, red onions, and house-made pickles on a fresh-baked bun. What began as a limited-edition offering (only 24 available at 10pm!) became so popular they had to make it a permanent menu fixture. Chef Linton Hopkins created this burger as a love letter to classic American fast food, but elevated with impeccable ingredients and technique. The perfectly toasted bun soaks up just enough juice without falling apart – the hallmark of burger engineering genius.
5. The Grey’s Seasonal Southern Stunners
Housed in a restored 1938 Greyhound bus terminal in Savannah, The Grey isn’t just a restaurant – it’s a time machine. My anniversary dinner here last fall featured oysters that changed my understanding of what seafood could be. Chef Mashama Bailey blends African influences with coastal Georgia ingredients to create dishes that feel both innovative and deeply rooted in place. The menu changes with the seasons, but look for the foie gras and grits if available – a dish that perfectly represents Bailey’s unique culinary voice. The art deco surroundings add to the experience, with the former terminal’s original terrazzo floors and chrome details preserved. Reservations are tough to snag, but the bar area accepts walk-ins and offers the full menu.
6. Staplehouse’s Mind-Bending Tasting Menu
The first time I experienced Staplehouse’s tasting menu, I actually teared up at one point. No joke! This Atlanta gem began as a pop-up, transformed into a restaurant with a cause (proceeds benefit The Giving Kitchen, supporting food service workers in crisis), and evolved into one of America’s most acclaimed dining destinations. The ever-changing tasting menu showcases Georgia’s bounty through a creative lens that somehow feels both avant-garde and comforting. A recent standout was their corn agnolotti with crab – a dish so simple yet so perfect it defies description. The intimate dining room in a converted Old Fourth Ward home creates an atmosphere that’s both special and unpretentious. Their a la carte menu at the bar offers a more accessible entry point to their culinary wizardry.
7. Miller Union’s Farm-Fresh Flavors
Farm-to-table has become a cliché, but Miller Union was doing it before it was cool, and they still do it better than most. Chef Steven Satterfield (who I once spotted at my local farmers market handpicking tomatoes) creates magic with Georgia’s agricultural bounty. Their farm egg baked in celery cream with grilled bread for dipping is the appetizer I judge all others against. Simple ingredients transformed through perfect technique – that’s the Miller Union way. The ice cream sandwiches for dessert will transport you straight back to childhood summers. The airy, light-filled space in a former warehouse feels simultaneously rustic and refined, just like the food. Their wine list focusing on sustainable, organic producers perfectly complements the ethos of the kitchen.
8. Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q’s Texas-Georgia Fusion
When Texas-born twins Jonathan and Justin Fox couldn’t find proper brisket in Atlanta, they decided to make their own. Thank goodness they did! Their backyard cookouts grew into what’s now Atlanta’s barbecue headquarters. The Frito pie (served in the actual chip bag!) brings me back to high school football games, but with brisket that would make a Texan weep. Their fox-a-roni – mac and cheese topped with Brunswick stew – represents the perfect marriage of Texas technique and Georgia flavors. The smell hits you before you even park your car – that intoxicating blend of smoke and meat that signals serious barbecue ahead. Don’t skip the jalapeño cornbread or banana pudding, and expect to take home enough leftovers for another meal.
9. Bacchanalia’s Fine Dining Excellence
For my 40th birthday, my wife surprised me with dinner at Bacchanalia, and I’m still thinking about it three years later. Atlanta’s temple of fine dining has maintained its reputation for excellence through multiple locations and decades of operation. The prix fixe menu showcases impeccable ingredients with restrained technique that allows their natural flavors to shine. Their crab fritter – a signature dish that’s survived every menu iteration – delivers sweet crab meat in a crisp crust with heavenly avocado and citrus accompaniments. Service strikes that perfect balance between attentive and intrusive, making even special occasion diners feel like regulars. The cheese cart alone is worth the visit, featuring selections you won’t find elsewhere in Georgia.
10. South City Kitchen’s Elevated Southern Classics
South City Kitchen’s shrimp and grits ruined me for all other versions of this Southern classic. Plump, perfectly cooked shrimp rest atop creamy stone-ground grits with a tomato-bacon gravy that I would happily drink by the glass. Located in a converted bungalow in Midtown Atlanta (with additional locations now), South City Kitchen has been showing visitors what modern Southern cooking is all about since 1993. Their fried chicken rivals any grandma’s recipe, but it’s those shrimp and grits that keep me coming back. The buttermilk biscuits arrive hot from the oven with honey butter that melts on contact. Even their cocktails embrace Southern traditions – try the Front Porch Punch for a sweet tea experience with a serious kick.