Best road-trip restaurants in Georgia
Start here: 85 route-useful dining stops in Georgia, grouped by town and filtered by cuisine or price. This is the curated road-trip layer, not every restaurant in the state.
Updated 2026-07-01. Check current hours, reservations, and seasonal closures before you go.
Athens8
Former Five Points gas station transformed into a retro pizzeria with picnic tables where cars once filled up and inventive pies.
Hugh Acheson's flagship New American restaurant, a Five Points fine-dining destination sourcing local produce for refined, Southern-rooted cooking.
Downtown Athens homestyle soul food cafe serving comforting Southern plates with a rotating selection of vegetables and daily specials.
Chef Mimi Maumus's Southern kitchen beloved for from-scratch cooking, pepper-jelly pecans and the biscuit-based Mayberry fried chicken sandwich.
Athens institution since 1992 with an eclectic menu and a tree-filled patio wine garden that reflects the city's unmatched character.
Near-downtown oyster bar in an old Coca-Cola bottling plant with an ever-changing selection of oysters, creative small plates and cocktails.
Casual downtown gathering spot with Mediterranean-inspired cooking, close farmer relationships and a lauded global wine and cocktail bar.
James Beard America's Classic soul-food counter serving Athens since 1986, immortalized by R.E.M.'s Automatic for the People motto.
Atlanta34
Rustic Neapolitan pizzeria near Georgia Tech considered among the best pies in America. (Westside)
Michelin-starred Westside institution baking traditional Neapolitan pies in wood-fired ovens with communal tables and a cash-friendly, no-frills vibe.
Atlanta's fine-dining gold standard, a 2026 Michelin-starred tasting-menu institution with its own farm. (Westside)
Michelin Guide-listed biscuit specialist beloved for over-the-top Southern breakfast. (Old Fourth Ward)
James Beard-recognized soul food landmark serving Vine City since 1947, a short walk from Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Modern Persian-Middle Eastern kitchen praised for aromatic stews, kebabs, and mezze. (Inman Park)
Widely regarded as Atlanta's best Ethiopian, with communal injera platters and vibrant veggie combos. (Briarcliff)
Bustling Buford Highway taqueria serving handmade-tortilla tacos since 2002.
Family-owned Texas-style joint credited with bringing serious brisket to Atlanta. (Little Five Points)
Chic West Midtown kitchen offering flavorful, upscale Indian cooking with regional dishes and a polished, contemporary dining room.
Georgia Tech-area outpost of the Memphis-born spicy fried chicken legend, drawing lines for its cayenne-spiked, perfectly crisp birds.
Cult roadside smokehouse fusing Texas and Korean barbecue traditions. (Cumberland)
Diners-Drive-Ins favorite for scratch-made Southern breakfast and daily meat-and-three plates. (Reynoldstown)
Dimly lit converted Krog Street warehouse serving prime steaks, fresh seafood and generous sides in a chic, modern steakhouse setting.
Michelin-starred tasting-menu showpiece pairing clever plating with a neighborhood vibe. (Candler Park)
No-frills counter famous for some of the best banh mi in the city, with a near-constant lunch line. (Buford Highway)
Marcus Samuelsson's wood-fired ode to Atlanta's Black culinary heritage. (Old Fourth Ward)
Longtime Buford Highway mariscos staple specializing in fresh Mexican-style seafood including ceviche, stuffed fish and lobster preparations.
The last of Atlanta's original tea rooms, open since 1945 and still serving daily. (Midtown)
Sichuan specialist near the northern end of Buford Highway plating savory Zhong dumplings and crispy boneless chicken with dry red pepper.
Farm-to-table pioneer with a daily-changing menu of thoughtful modern Southern cooking. (Westside)
Michelin-recognized Buford Highway anchor with a sprawling Vietnamese menu at friendly prices.
Elegant Midtown fine-dining Thai destination pairing refined, beautifully plated dishes with a lavish room and gracious service.
Historic civil-rights-era institution (founded 1947) still turning out classic Southern plates near downtown. (Castleberry Hill)
Westside smokehouse turning out slow-smoked ribs, pulled pork and brisket in a no-frills setting long favored by Atlanta barbecue devotees.
Since 1967, a vintage diner slinging classic meat-and-three plates blocks from the stadium district. (Midtown)
Michelin-starred Old Fourth Ward flagship plating quiet New American confidence with fanatically Southeast-sourced ingredients in an intimate room.
Handmade-pasta destination and Italian market beloved for regional, seasonal cooking. (Buckhead)
Chefs Parnass Savang and Rod Lassiter turn out inventive Thai cooking rooted in Bangkok street food from their tiny Summerhill storefront.
Beloved 1927 institution known for old-school Southern comfort food and a legendary bar scene. (Cheshire Bridge)
Ford Fry's wood-fired seafood house and oyster bar, a Westside anchor since 2012.
Krog Street Market destination for inventive cocktails and refined tavern fare. (Inman Park)
Chef Deborah VanTrece's globally inflected soul food destination pairing elevated Southern cooking with an ambitious cocktail and wine program.
Certified Neapolitan pizzeria at the heart of Atlanta's wood-fired pizza renaissance. (Virginia-Highland)
Augusta25
Downtown small-plates, sushi, and crudo with sake and Japanese whisky.
Elegant, oyster-forward take on Southern classics south of Augusta National. (Surrey Center)
Italian-flair menu with USDA Prime steaks and fresh seafood. (Downtown)
Relaxed riverfront oyster bar with nautical charm.
Elevated surf-and-turf with wood-fired steaks minutes from the National. (Summerville)
Classic meat-and-three soul food with oxtails and peach cobbler. (Augusta)
Beloved Black-owned home-cooking spot on Broad; lunch-only. (Downtown)
Longtime reigning fine-dining room with the city's best wine list. (Surrey Center)
Downtown cocktail bar and eatery with gourmet small plates.
Chef Edward Mendoza's stylish room for house-made Italian. (Augusta)
Local burger joint grinding beef from area farmers. (Downtown)
Highly rated smokehouse praised for pulled pork and house sausage. (Augusta)
New Orleans-style Cajun-Creole institution serving Augusta since 1984. (Surrey Center)
Augusta's standard-bearer for upscale farm-to-table dining near the National. (Downtown)
Downtown burrito-and-margarita mainstay, casual and packed.
Refined Italian with house-made pasta and gourmet pizzas. (Summerville)
Authentic Vietnamese kitchen turning out excellent pho. (Augusta)
Laid-back local favorite for fresh oysters and a lively Masters crowd. (Washington Road)
No-frills Thai with some of the best pad thai in town. (Augusta)
Upscale Irish dining in a cozy cottage setting. (Summerville)
Multi-cuisine Asian spot praised for fresh sushi and pho. (Augusta)
Augusta institution since 1999, the benchmark for affordable Mexican. (West Augusta)
Casual Certified Angus Beef steakhouse, a Masters-Week institution. (Washington Road)
Southern breakfast destination for scratch biscuits and shrimp & grits. (Augusta)
Lively downtown gastropub with a deep whiskey list.
Chamblee2
Decatur7
Beloved downtown Decatur beer temple with a deep Belgian and craft list, an upstairs cellar and elevated pub fare in a cozy, worn-in room.
James Beard-recognized Indian street-food spot bursting with color and bright, snacky chaat. (Downtown Decatur)
Emory-area favorite smoking until the meat runs out, so arrive early. (Decatur)
Restored Decatur train depot with an oyster-obsessed raw bar, absinthe fountain and French-technique New American cooking behind a landmark bar program.
Former gas station turned bustling gastropub with a fried-chicken sandwich, braised short ribs and one of the metro's best cocktail and beer lists.
Cult-favorite spot blending Mexican foundations with Southern touches at budget prices. (Downtown Decatur)
Downtown Decatur tapas destination pairing Spanish-inspired small plates and charcuterie with an extensive Iberian wine and sherry program.
Doraville1
Savannah8
Elevated Southern cooking in a former bank building that keeps its industrial bones while offering a modern, open dining room and cocktails.
Fine coastal Southern dining since 1981 inside a 1901 mansion, offering a multi-course tasting menu and extensive wine list across intimate rooms.
Midtown neighborhood pub repeatedly voted Savannah's best, grinding grass-fed burgers with house-made condiments and locally sourced ingredients.
Legendary Historic District family-style boardinghouse where strangers share tables over fried chicken and endless Southern sides passed communally.
Chef Mashama Bailey's celebrated restaurant in a restored 1938 Greyhound terminal serving refined port-city Southern cooking to national acclaim.
Classic Southern cuisine served in an elegant 1771 mansion in the Historic District, a longtime special-occasion Savannah institution.
Laid-back marsh-side dock bar serving flaky fried shrimp, crispy okra and cold beers on relaxing covered outdoor seating over the water.
Sophisticated Southern cooking and fresh local seafood inside a beautifully restored cotton warehouse overlooking River Street.
Build a trip around Georgia dining stops.
Roamward turns spots like this into a real road trip on your phone — the scenic drive, the stops, and the detours, planned around the vibe you’re after. Get early access: