It's no surprise--Georgia is home to some of the best restaurants and the prettiest places. What better way to experience Georgia than to put both of them together? Whether it's for the food or for the views, you'll just fall in love with these amazing restaurants in Georgia!
1. The Rooftop at Ocean Lodge, Saint Simons Island
If you want to get a bite of really great seafood and an amazing view, then you'll definitely want to try this little shack out! Some great favorite dishes are the shrimp grits, crab cakes and calamari.
It turns out that the famous and historic Georgia Theatre in Athens, GA also has a pretty swanky rooftop bar and restaurant. This hangout spot is a favorite for locals and can be for you too if you check it out!
The rumors about this restaurant is that it is incredible! Along with the unique view, some notable dishes to try are the chicken and waffles and creamcicle martinis.
The hot new restaurant Shake Shack and similar restaurants like it (Chipotle) are all the rage now across the country. Well, this one in Buckhead comes with an extra perk--a beautiful rooftop view of Atlanta.
Yet another one of Atlanta's many rooftop bar and grills, The Garden at Community Smith is fantastic. Not only does it serve a great view of Midtown, it also serves great small plates and craft beers.
One of my favorite things about living in Georgia is just how many opportunities the state has for stupendous dining. There are countless great restaurants in the Peach State, whether you're in a metropolis like Atlanta or checking out some of our rural small towns. Those who live in Columbus, GA, are particularly fortunate because you'll find the delightful little Thai Orchid Restaurant there. This place is quite tiny and extremely unassuming. With just a few tables inside and a decided lack of pizazz, it's easy to miss this little spot heading down the highway. Skipping out would be a mistake, however, because this is one of the best hidden gems in Georgia, and it's definitely the place for Thai food when you're visiting Columbus.
Tucked away in a tiny building just off a parkway, Thai Orchid Restaurant is practically the very definition of a hidden gem. Only a handful of guests are served at a time, and you might have to wait a little while for your food to be cooked but trust us: it's definitely worth the time. Everything is made fresh to order, and the quality shines through in the dishes.
The restaurant may be small, but the portions are sizable, and it's not uncommon to bring home leftovers... if you can keep from eating all the food at once, that is!
The staff at Thai Orchid Restaurant are immensely helpful. It can be overwhelming to dine at an international restaurant if you're not a particularly adventurous eater, but it's always comforting when you dine somewhere where the employees are comfortable answering questions and making recommendations. Even when there's only one staff on shift, you can expect to receive guidance for what dishes are up your alley, whether you're hunting down the spiciest of eats or prefer something a little milder.
From Pad Thai to drunken noodles, you'll find a variety of authentic Thai dishes on the menu here, and the common thread with everything served at Thai Orchid Restaurant is that all of the food is made with passion, and you'll enjoy tons of flavor.
If you're like me and not into the touristy crowds in big cities like Atlanta, Savannah, and others all along the Georgia coast, you're going to love this list of hidden gem restaurants in Georgia. Some of the best unassuming restaurants in Georgia can be found right here and you won't want to miss out on all this deliciousness. Enjoy some of the best comfort meals, southern staples, and feel-good-food all in one enjoyable list. Find out what Georgia home cooking is all about with 11 of the best restaurants in Georgia.
Shane's Rib Shack actually started out as a single shack right outside of my high school--Union Grove! It was a local favorite and a popular hang out spot after football games. Now Shane has had the opportunity to share his delicious BBQ all over Georgia in many different locations! It amazes me to see his restaurants all over town and to think that one of the best restaurants in Georgia all started in one little shack!
You'll just love the BBQ from this cozy little mom n' pop spot in Statham, Georgia! Edee’s Shack BBQ is a casual barbecue joint that started out as a food truck and quickly grew. Serving delicious pulled pork sandwiches and slow smoked meats, enjoy an assortment of Southern staples at one of the best restaurants in Georgia.
If you want to eat a pizza as big as a small human baby, then this unassuming Georgia restaurant is the place! These delicious steaming pizzas are more than enough for your entire family! If you're up for it, they have the Carnivore Challenge, where two people must eat an entire 11 lb Carnivore Pizza in one hour! Eat it all and win $250!
This cool little hole-in-the-wall BBQ joint looks like a scene straight out of a southern movie! They serve oak-smoked meat in what used to be a gas station. Come try their amazing food at one of the best spots for hidden gem dining in Georgia.
One of the most popular hidden gem restaurants in Georgia, Mrs. Wilkes is the epitome of a Georgia dinner. Home cooked, southern food, and family served--just the way we like it! Try this homey spot out for all your Georgia favorites--and don't forget to wash it down with a glass of sweet, sweet tea!
If you ever longed for a place that served beer and pigs feet in conjunction with one another, then you're in luck! The Rail Pub is an Irish pub in Savannah that has some interesting menu items. Try their dill pickles, free peanuts, slim jims, and ghetto dawg--a hot dog slapped on a piece of white bread!
advertisement
advertisement
Visit the website for the Rail Pub for the most up-to-date information.
You've probably never had tex-mex like this before! This unassuming Georgia restaurant got its humble beginnings from a food truck and now serves up delicious Korean/Mexican fusion. The chef of the restaurant, Tomas Lee, cooked for one of the top restaurants in Buckhead before starting this restaurant. You'll be sure to love his Korean/Mexican blend of food!
Mamak is located in a strip mall along the Buford Highway, but geez, is this place popular! This cozy cafe serves up delicious Malaysian cuisine from creamy curries to heaping bowls of noodles. This is true Malaysian street food crafted with love and one of the best restaurants in Georgia.
advertisement
advertisement
Get more details about what you can do in Doraville.
Another spot for some good ol' fashioned tex-mex! Rico's Mex Mex serves up generous portions of salsa and warm tortilla chips, amazing drink specials, and sizzling fajitas! Not only is it delicious, but it's pretty affordable too! Talk about awesome hidden gem dining in Georgia!
This Indian cuisine spot is known for its awesome lunch buffet! If you want to try some real authentic Indian food, this is the place to go! (Get all-you-can-eat tikka masala and garlic naan on the side!)
It wouldn't be a list of the best unassuming Georgia restaurants without mentioning this BBQ gem. Their slogan is the "Best Butts in Town," and it's definitely a place you should try! It's tucked away at a gas station on the corner of Five Forks Trickum and Oak Road.
advertisement
advertisement
Head to the Facebook page for Tipsy Pig BBQ to learn more.
Ultimately, the moral of this story is that Georgia BBQ is served best in a shack/gas station, mom n' pop restaurants are some of the best hole-in-the-wall hidden gem dining in Georgia, and you can find some really authentic Asian cuisine!
What are your favorite unassuming Georgia restaurants? It's hard to get all of the best in one list and we would love any suggestions you may have! Share them with your fellow Georgia lovers in the comments below!
Work off some of those calories with a hike. Check out what AllTrails has near you.
Looking for something sweet after your delicious meal at these hidden gem restaurants in Georgia? Here are some great spots for ice cream in Georgia.
