8 Unusual Georgia Restaurants That Belong On Every Foodie’s Bucket List
Georgia’s restaurant scene goes way beyond typical Southern fare.
From converted school buses to underwater-themed tea parties, the Peach State offers some truly one-of-a-kind dining experiences.
I’ve spent years exploring Georgia’s quirky eateries, and these spots aren’t just about great food—they deliver unforgettable atmospheres that’ll have you snapping photos before you even look at the menu.
1. Southern Soul BBQ: Smoke-Filled Gas Station Paradise
My first visit to this converted gas station on Saint Simons Island left me speechless—and not just because my mouth was stuffed with pulled pork! The smoky aroma hits you from the parking lot, drawing you in like a BBQ siren song.
Pitmaster Harrison Sapp transforms humble cuts into mouthwatering masterpieces through a religious dedication to proper smoking techniques. Their Brunswick stew might be the best I’ve tasted in 30+ years of Georgia living.
Lines form early, but trust me—watching the pitmasters work their magic while sipping sweet tea makes the wait part of the experience. When a James Beard Foundation-recognized joint operates out of a refurbished gas station, you know they’re focused on substance over style.
2. Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room: Family-Style Feasting In A Historic Home
“Pass the fried chicken, please!” That’s the soundtrack at this legendary Savannah institution where strangers become friends over platters of Southern comfort food. I accidentally sat next to a couple celebrating their 50th anniversary and left with their secret to marital bliss (hint: it involves cornbread).
Housed in a historic boarding house from 1943, Mrs. Wilkes serves meals family-style at large tables for ten. The no-reservations policy means folks line up around the block, swapping stories while waiting for Southern magic.
Your table will groan under the weight of at least twenty different dishes—from candied yams to black-eyed peas—all passed around like Sunday dinner at grandma’s. Just remember cash only and come hungry enough to tackle the feast!
3. Marietta Diner: Chrome-Plated Time Machine With Mile-High Cakes
Gleaming like a silver bullet against the night sky, this 24-hour landmark has saved me from midnight hunger pangs more times than I can count. The neon lights beckoned me in during a thunderstorm once, and I ended up sharing Greek specialties with truckers while waiting for the rain to pass.
Featured on “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,” this classic American diner supersizes everything—especially their dessert case. The menu rivals War and Peace in length, offering everything from authentic Greek moussaka to towering Reuben sandwiches.
Owner Gus Tselios ensures every table gets a warm greeting and lightning-fast coffee refills. Pro tip: Save room for a slice of their famous cake—stacked so high you’ll wonder how it defies gravity (much like how you’ll feel after eating it)!
4. Dr. Bombay’s Underwater Tea Party: Literary Escape With Scones
Bookshelves stuffed with dog-eared novels, mismatched vintage teacups, and the scent of freshly baked scones—this Candler Park hideaway feels like tumbling into a literary rabbit hole. Last winter, I ducked in during a rainstorm and ended up staying three hours, making friends with the shop cat while discussing Austen with strangers.
Owner Katrell Christie created this whimsical space not just for tea lovers but to fund her nonprofit supporting education for young women in India. The afternoon tea service arrives on a three-tiered stand overflowing with cucumber sandwiches and still-warm pastries.
Students from nearby Emory University camp out at tables, writing papers fueled by bottomless cups of Darjeeling. The “Bombay chai” recipe remains a closely guarded secret—I’ve tried to recreate it at home and failed spectacularly every time.
5. Ball Ground Burger Bus: School Bus Transformed Into Burger Heaven
Remember those uncomfortable school bus rides? This repurposed yellow bus in Ball Ground flips that memory on its head! The owner, a retired school bus driver named Earl, greeted me by name on my second visit—though I’m pretty sure he calls everyone “sugar” or “darlin’.”
The vintage 1962 school bus remains permanently parked, its interior gutted and transformed into a quirky diner complete with booth seating. Their “Detention Burger” nearly put me into a food coma with its double patty, bacon, fried egg, and special “principal’s office” sauce.
Kids especially love eating where the driver’s seat used to be, honking the still-functional horn when they finish their meals. The outdoor seating area features picnic tables made from reclaimed school desks—complete with decades of student doodles that Earl refused to sand away.
6. The Varsity: Retro Fast-Food Theater With Car-Hop History
“What’ll ya have?” barked the counter guy in his paper hat, giving me approximately three seconds to decide before moving on. The world’s largest drive-in restaurant isn’t just about food—it’s performance art with onion rings!
Founded in 1928, this Atlanta landmark serves Americana on a paper plate. During my college days, I’d scrape together loose change for their famous chili dogs and Frosted Orange drinks before Georgia Tech games. The controlled chaos of the ordering system is part of the charm—hesitate and you’ll get a good-natured ribbing from staff who’ve perfected their schtick over decades.
Presidents, movie stars, and generations of Georgians have all stood before the same counter, puzzling over whether to get the rings or fries (correct answer: both). Their fried peach pie remains my guilty pleasure whenever I’m feeling homesick for Atlanta.
7. The Olde Pink House: Haunted Mansion Serving Lowcountry Elegance
Flickering candles cast shadows across centuries-old walls as I sipped bourbon in the basement tavern. The server whispered, “That’s where James Habersham Jr. hangs out,” pointing to an empty chair that mysteriously rocked on its own—just another Tuesday night at Savannah’s most elegant haunted restaurant!
Built in 1771, this Georgian mansion survived the Revolutionary War, devastating fires, and countless renovation attempts. The signature pink stucco exterior resulted from red brick bleeding through white plaster—a happy accident that became its calling card.
While ghost stories add atmosphere, the food stands on its own merits. Their crispy scored flounder with apricot shallot sauce represents Lowcountry cuisine at its finest. Reserve a table in the wine cellar for maximum spooky vibes, or request the haunted ballroom if you’re brave enough to dine with James.
8. The Pirate’s House: Seafaring Lore In America’s Oldest Tavern
Supposedly, tunnels beneath this 1753 tavern once shuttled shanghaied sailors to waiting ships—a story the costumed server shared while delivering my rum punch with a theatrical wink. I half-expected Long John Silver to stumble in and join me for gumbo!
Mentioned in Robert Louis Stevenson’s “Treasure Island,” this historic Savannah establishment embraces its swashbuckling heritage with nautical decor and original architecture. The low ceilings and uneven floors in the oldest sections transport diners back to an era when pirates and merchants rubbed shoulders over pints of ale.
Their seafood gumbo recipe reportedly dates back generations, though the she-crab soup steals the spotlight. After dinner, ask for a tour of the Herb House—the oldest standing building in Georgia—where staff eagerly point out centuries-old architectural details and maybe, if you’re lucky, a ghost or two.