North Georgia is known for many things. Family farms, apple orchards, sweet shops, live music, breweries, wineries, the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, waterfall hikes, art galleries, cozy cabins tucked among the trees, historic grist mills, charming mountain towns, holiday festivals and events, and a wide range of delicious restaurants are all treats when you visit north of Atlanta. Whatever type of vacation you’re planning, and whatever time of year you’re planning it, you’ll find everything you need for a truly fantastic getaway in the North Georgia mountains.
And at the heart of any vacation is…FOOD! Thankfully, North Georgia has an impressive lineup of restaurants for YOU, be it a hearty breakfast, Sunday brunch, lunch date, or family dinner. Italian, Chinese, Mexican, American, Irish, Japanese, German, steak, seafood…you want it — North Georgia has it. Many eateries in North Georgia offer outdoor seating and scenic views as well! Not sure where to start? When you aren’t whipping up delicious food in your cabin rental’s kitchen, check out some of the best restaurants in North Georgia!
Foodie tip: For a quick taste of downtown Blue Ridge, opt for Blue Ridge Mountain Food Tours.
Farm-to-Table
With fresh ingredients from local farmers, you can enjoy a fine dining experience in the Appalachian Mountains at these North Georgia restaurants — serving up fried green tomatoes, cornmeal-crusted trout, vegetarian black bean chili, and even gluten-free options.
Black Sheep Restaurant
Blue Ridge, GA
480 West Main St
Fortify Kitchen and Bar
Clayton, GA
69 N. Main St
Harvest on Main
Blue Ridge, GA
576 E Main St
Breakfast + Brunch
Ready for a hearty Appalachian breakfast with the whole family? Planning a memorable brunch with the girls? You’ll find some of the best restaurants for morning and midday meals in North Georgia. Favorite menu items include country ham biscuits, corned beef hash, cheesy melts, bright salads, and made-from-scratch pancakes!
BumbleBee’s Cafe
Blue Ridge, GA
5850 Appalachian Hwy
Cornerstone Cafe
Ellijay, GA
76 N Main St
Pete’s Place
Blue Ridge, GA
2460 E 1st ST
Serenity Garden Cafe
Blue Ridge, GA
657 E Main St
The Yellowphant Cafe
Blue Ridge, GA
3640 East 1st St
Steak + Seafood
Want a sizzling steak dinner or fresh fish? Check out these North Georgia eateries to curb your cravings in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Unique options include salmon glazed with sweet tea, smoked trout pasta, and miso black cod.
19° North Seafood & Grill
Dahlonega, GA
19 N Chestatee St
Circle J Family Steak House
Blue Ridge, GA
4004 E 1st St
Jolly Roger Seafood
Blue Ridge, GA
2414 E 1st St
Toccoa Riverside Restaurant
Blue Ridge, GA
8055 Aska Rd
Whiskey & Water Seafood and Bourbon Bar
Blue Ridge, GA
187 Depot St
Southern & Classic American Favorites
Some of the best restaurants in Ellijay and Blue Ridge offer great food with Appalachian flair, including fried chicken, mouthwatering burgers, shepherd’s pie, country fried steak, veggie casseroles, candied yams, cobblers of all kinds, and pecan pie. Plus, you can pair your meal with house cocktails, vino from local wineries, or Blue Ridge craft beers.
Back Porch Bistro
Ellijay, GA
10 North Side Square
Cantaberry Restaurants
Blue Ridge + Ellijay, GA
C Bolt’s
Blue Ridge, GA
644 E Main St
Chester Brunnenmeyer’s Bar & Grill
Blue Ridge, GA
733 E Main St
Emily’s Bar & Restaurant
Ellijay, GA
24 River St
Mike’s Ellijay Restaurant
Ellijay, GA
351 Tails Creek Rd
Southern Charm Restaurant
Blue Ridge, GA
224 W Main St
The Attic
Clarkesville, GA
1344 Washington St
The Double L Restaurant
Ellijay, GA
449 Industrial Blvd
The General Ledger
Blue Ridge, GA
260 W Main St
The Roof Ellijay
Ellijay, GA
24 River St
The Smith House
Dahlonega, GA
84 South Chestatee St
Trailer Drive-In
Blue Ridge, GA
2691 E 1st St
Asian
Looking for a unique eatery in North Georgia, opt for authentic Japanese or Asian fusion. With scrumptious appetizers, like edamame, gyoza, and bao buns, plus yummy entrees, like noodles, sushi, and teriyaki bowls, you’ll be full and happy in no time. Fun recommendations: bubble tea and mochi ice cream!
Kizuna Japanese Restaurant
Blue Ridge, GA
140 Progress Cir
The Shack of Ellijay
Ellijay, GA
118 N Main St
Cajun
Bringing a taste of New Orleans to the mountains of North Georgia are flavorful Cajun restaurants in the area. Order bayou favorites, including gator bites, fried crawfish tails, andouille sausage, jambalaya, gumbo, crab cakes, shrimp and grits, and French beignets.
Bourbon Street Grille
Dahlonega, GA
90 Public Square N
Cajun Depot Grill
Ellijay, GA
67 Depot St, Ste 101
Italian
Chef’s kiss to these fine Italian restaurants worth every penny in the North Georgia Mountains! Whether you’re craving loaded or stuffed pasta, cheesy appetizers, hand-tossed pizza, calzones, melty subs, cannolis, or spumoni, it’s here.
Blue Jeans Pizza & Pasta
Blue Ridge, GA
140 Progress Cir, Suite 1
Boardwalk Pizza & Pub
Ellijay, GA
25 S Church St
Charlie’s Italian Restaurant
Ellijay, GA
15 Westcross St
Cucina Rustica
Morganton, GA
76 Forge Mill Rd
Ellijay Wood Fired Pizza
Ellijay, GA
2 River St
Enrico’s Italian Restaurant
Young Harris, GA
687 Main St, Suite 5
Mystic Mountain Pizza
Blue Ridge, GA
4118 E 1st St
The Copper Pot
Clarkesville, GA
135 Grant St
Greek + Mediterranean
Yep, North Georgia restaurants even dip into the Mediterranean! Start with hummus or tzatziki with roasted veggies, then dive into calamari, flatbreads, and falafel. Keep your Greek meal going with a lamb gyro, Moussaka, and Greek fries with fresh feta.
Capers on the Square
Dahlonega, GA
84 Public Square N
K&L Gyros & More
Blairsville, GA
513 Murphy Hwy
Mexican + Cuban
Pour yourself a margarita ‘cause it’s time to enjoy flavor-packed Mexican food in North Georgia. Salsa and chips, guacamole, chicharonnes, fish ceviche, taquitos, burritos, tacos, quesadillas, empanadas, fajitas, flan…you know the drill!
Dan’s Grill
Blairsville, GA
305J Murphy Hwy
La Catrina Tacos & Margaritas
Ellijay, GA
101 S Main St
Lala’s Kitchen in the Mountains
Blairsville, GA
53B Merchants Walk
Lucky’s Taqueria + Cantina
Blairsville, GA
17 Merchants Walk
Pablo’s Authentic Mexican Restaurant
Clarkesville, GA
1042 S Riverside Dr
Rum Cake Lady Cuban Cafe
Blue Ridge, GA
205 W First St
Taqueria El Ranchito
Ellijay, GA
716 Industrial Blvd
Tapas + Taverns
Not up for a heavy meal but could use a drink and a bite to eat? These North Georgia taverns offer just what you need, from smoked salmon, charcuterie boards, and desserts to extensive wine lists, beer on tap, and craft cocktails. Hey, you might even get to hear live music on the weekends!
Bin 322 Wine and Tapas Bar
Blue Ridge, GA
116 W Main St, Suite 1D
Fightingtown Tavern
Blue Ridge, GA
511 E Main St
Misty Mountain Hops
Blue Ridge, GA
40 River St
The River Street Tavern
Ellijay, GA
40 River St, Suite B
German + Polish
Hop to another part of the world with German and Polish food in North Georgia. We have everything from pierogies, kielbasa, and barley beef soup to homemade garlic wurst, Hungarian goulash, and Bavarian schnitzel.
Margo’s Gourmet Polish Kitchen
Blue Ridge, GA
11 Mountain St, Suite 1
Hofbrauhaus Restaurant & Pub
Helen, GA
9001 N Main St
Bodensee Restaurant
Helen, GA
64 Munich St
Hofer’s of Helen
Helen, GA
8758 N Main St
BBQ
You can’t go far in North Georgia without spotting a place to eat good ole Blue Ridge bbq! Kick things off with a pulled pork sandwich, smoked brisket, or fall-off-the-bone ribs in a housemade sauce plus classic barbecue sides, like coleslaw, potato salad, or Brunswick stew. Best dessert pairing? Banana pudding.
Carroll’s Barbeque
Blue Ridge, GA
39 Lance St
Jim’s Smokin’ Que
Blairsville, GA
4971 Gainesville Hwy
Mike’s Trackside BBQ
Blue Ridge, GA
3950 E 1st St
North Georgia BBQ
Dahlonega + Cleveland, GA
