Karen and Chuck's Athens Guidebook
Nice Pricey Restaurants
These are the special places we go to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, and friendships. Everything in Athens is casual so dress up if you want to but you will see everything from shorts to jeans to sports coats. Also depending on your comfort level we also take grandchildren to these places. One of the wonderful things about Athens is the diversity and acceptance of all cultures and children are a part of this philosophy.
We have lived in Athens for 30 years and you will always get a great meal here. Very Consistent. Great downtown atmosphere. Pricey but worth it. They sell Cecilia Villaveces cakes by the slice. Very famous cake bakery. My kids get a cake every year for their birthdays.
153 locals recommend
Last Resort Grill
174-184 W Clayton StWe have lived in Athens for 30 years and you will always get a great meal here. Very Consistent. Great downtown atmosphere. Pricey but worth it. They sell Cecilia Villaveces cakes by the slice. Very famous cake bakery. My kids get a cake every year for their birthdays.
Go early! Oysters are 1/2 price before 6pm. They have the best selection of oysters from the west and east coast. This is a small establishment with outdoor seating usually available but must wait for a table inside. The bar is amazing and they have the best cocktails made from fresh ingredients. The bar alone makes it a MUST visit place to have a drink. The building was a previous Coca-Cola Bottling site converted into many shops, restaurants, apartments and businesses. Thats how it got the name "The Bottle works." Voted 2019 Athens Best Seafood.
93 locals recommend
Seabear Oyster Bar
297 Prince AveGo early! Oysters are 1/2 price before 6pm. They have the best selection of oysters from the west and east coast. This is a small establishment with outdoor seating usually available but must wait for a table inside. The bar is amazing and they have the best cocktails made from fresh ingredients. The bar alone makes it a MUST visit place to have a drink. The building was a previous Coca-Cola Bottling site converted into many shops, restaurants, apartments and businesses. Thats how it got the name "The Bottle works." Voted 2019 Athens Best Seafood.
Trendy upscale Asian style food served family style and meant to share. Pricy but worth it. Great atmosphere and one of the best places to try great wines. The owner and bartenders know their wines and love to let you sample different varieties
48 locals recommend
Dinner Party
1664 S Lumpkin StTrendy upscale Asian style food served family style and meant to share. Pricy but worth it. Great atmosphere and one of the best places to try great wines. The owner and bartenders know their wines and love to let you sample different varieties
This is the flagship restaurant of Hugh Acheson, judge on the reality cooking series Top Chef. Located on Fraternity and Sorority Row on Milledge Avenue in Five Points. This restaurant is a James Beard award winning restaurant and is considered one of the top restaurants in the South. (Probably wouldn't take children here.)
80 locals recommend
Five and Ten
1073 S Milledge AveThis is the flagship restaurant of Hugh Acheson, judge on the reality cooking series Top Chef. Located on Fraternity and Sorority Row on Milledge Avenue in Five Points. This restaurant is a James Beard award winning restaurant and is considered one of the top restaurants in the South. (Probably wouldn't take children here.)
The National
232 W Hancock AveJust a good solid restaurant featuring fresh and local ingredients.
Unexpected hidden jewels
These are the places locals go although the outside may look a little unassuming. No tourist traps in this catagory.
Okay you would never venture into this place on your own without foreknowledge that it is a hidden treasure. Its in a gas station located in NormalTown but its where the locals go to buy all their liquor. They have their very own Wine Sommelier, Alejandro who is simply amazing. My kids and spouses hired him to do a wine tasting in our home for my husband's 60th birthday. He is so knowledgable yet unpretentious and funny as heck. J's also has The Normal School of Wine where Alejandro teaches all things wine in a very fun atmosphere. His classes range from Women Who Wine, to Wine 101: Whats in a Blend? They are open until 11:30 pm 7 days a week.
9 locals recommend
J's Bottle Shop
1452 Prince AveOkay you would never venture into this place on your own without foreknowledge that it is a hidden treasure. Its in a gas station located in NormalTown but its where the locals go to buy all their liquor. They have their very own Wine Sommelier, Alejandro who is simply amazing. My kids and spouses hired him to do a wine tasting in our home for my husband's 60th birthday. He is so knowledgable yet unpretentious and funny as heck. J's also has The Normal School of Wine where Alejandro teaches all things wine in a very fun atmosphere. His classes range from Women Who Wine, to Wine 101: Whats in a Blend? They are open until 11:30 pm 7 days a week.
A physician and wife(Amy) team that is super into health and fitness. They make their own juices in the back and they are amazing. I love the Yodalicious juice where I get blue green algae Spirulina and Chlorella in a tasty drink with a healthy protein. These are cold pressed juices that preserve all the nutrients. I'm craving one now!
7 locals recommend
Journey Juice
1428 Prince AveA physician and wife(Amy) team that is super into health and fitness. They make their own juices in the back and they are amazing. I love the Yodalicious juice where I get blue green algae Spirulina and Chlorella in a tasty drink with a healthy protein. These are cold pressed juices that preserve all the nutrients. I'm craving one now!
One of our favorite pizza places! You can order and go sit outside in the back of Normal Bar and have beer, wine or a cocktail with your pizza. Automatic will bring your pizza to you next door.
59 locals recommend
Automatic Pizza
1397 Prince AveOne of our favorite pizza places! You can order and go sit outside in the back of Normal Bar and have beer, wine or a cocktail with your pizza. Automatic will bring your pizza to you next door.
Just Pho...and more
1063 Baxter StJust the best pho soup/ Always a crowd. Never a wait.
Yoga Studio
This is the nicest yoga facility I've ever been in and the owner Jolynn is usually on sight and keeps it running top notch. She has visiting instructors from around the world and all are highly trained. Classes range from a true Hot Yoga experience with a room up to 105 degrees to more traditional flow style yoga in a normal temperature room. Great shower facility on sight and drop in classes are available. An absolute must if you are a yogi.
Fuel Hot Yoga
398 Foundry StThis is the nicest yoga facility I've ever been in and the owner Jolynn is usually on sight and keeps it running top notch. She has visiting instructors from around the world and all are highly trained. Classes range from a true Hot Yoga experience with a room up to 105 degrees to more traditional flow style yoga in a normal temperature room. Great shower facility on sight and drop in classes are available. An absolute must if you are a yogi.
Everyday affordable restaurants
All of these places are local non-chain establishments that we love and frequent often. Again, casual with great atmosphere and appropriate for young and old.
I love Ted's because of the ginormous sandbox. It was meant to be a Bocce Ball court but they couldn't keep the children off of it so they turned it into a sandbox complete with all kinds of sand toys. The children play, sometimes eat, while the adults sit outside and drink beer and eat amazing brick oven pizza. We take the grandchildren here all the time.
53 locals recommend
Ted's Most Best
254 West Washington StreetI love Ted's because of the ginormous sandbox. It was meant to be a Bocce Ball court but they couldn't keep the children off of it so they turned it into a sandbox complete with all kinds of sand toys. The children play, sometimes eat, while the adults sit outside and drink beer and eat amazing brick oven pizza. We take the grandchildren here all the time.
We go here all the time with our adult children and sit outside and people watch. Tons of action and dogs are welcome. You will see them under the tables and the establishment provides water bowls for them. This is an English pub and is a lot of fun. Great beer and I love the hamburgers. Be sure and order "the crisps" for the table. Homemade potato chips with bleu cheese and bacon. This place is located in 5points and about 3 miles from the house. Bar stays open most pm's until at least 11pm and there is always a soccer game on!
73 locals recommend
The Royal Peasant
1675 S Lumpkin StWe go here all the time with our adult children and sit outside and people watch. Tons of action and dogs are welcome. You will see them under the tables and the establishment provides water bowls for them. This is an English pub and is a lot of fun. Great beer and I love the hamburgers. Be sure and order "the crisps" for the table. Homemade potato chips with bleu cheese and bacon. This place is located in 5points and about 3 miles from the house. Bar stays open most pm's until at least 11pm and there is always a soccer game on!
Mama's Boy gets voted as 2019 Best Award for breakfast in Athens again! Huge biscuits are what I go for and love, along with the Mill Town Breakfast. Its located less than a mile from my house and is always busy. Beautiful outdoor seating overlooking the Falls and famous Redneck Beach
39 locals recommend
Mama's Boy at The Falls of Oconee
8851 Macon HwyMama's Boy gets voted as 2019 Best Award for breakfast in Athens again! Huge biscuits are what I go for and love, along with the Mill Town Breakfast. Its located less than a mile from my house and is always busy. Beautiful outdoor seating overlooking the Falls and famous Redneck Beach
Okay I had to include this one even though I found out it is a chain but local and I think just 4 others in Georgia. Delicious casual Mexican with the best Margaritas. Plenty of outdoor protected seating and where all the college kids go. Line moves fast and service is great. I know some families that go once a week (one of my daughter's) it's that good.
37 locals recommend
Taqueria Del Sol
334 Prince AveOkay I had to include this one even though I found out it is a chain but local and I think just 4 others in Georgia. Delicious casual Mexican with the best Margaritas. Plenty of outdoor protected seating and where all the college kids go. Line moves fast and service is great. I know some families that go once a week (one of my daughter's) it's that good.
Located on Timothy road just 3 miles from our house Locos serves traditional casual American food with a wide assortment of burgers, sandwiches and salads. It has multiple large screen TV's with sports channels showing and a large outdoor dining patio. Go out of the neighborhood and turn Left and it will be on your right.
9 locals recommend
Locos Grill & Pub
2020 Timothy RdLocated on Timothy road just 3 miles from our house Locos serves traditional casual American food with a wide assortment of burgers, sandwiches and salads. It has multiple large screen TV's with sports channels showing and a large outdoor dining patio. Go out of the neighborhood and turn Left and it will be on your right.
Depalmas is an easy 3 mile drive from our house located on the other end of Timothy Rd. It is definitely a local favorite serving excellent pizza, good Italian meals and a good wine selection in a nice but casual setting. It tends to get super busy so go early or call in a pizza early.
15 locals recommend
DePalmas Italian Cafe - West Side
2080 Timothy RdDepalmas is an easy 3 mile drive from our house located on the other end of Timothy Rd. It is definitely a local favorite serving excellent pizza, good Italian meals and a good wine selection in a nice but casual setting. It tends to get super busy so go early or call in a pizza early.
Located in the Boulevard area near downtown they offer pulled pork, chicken and beef brisket barbecue. Their sides include traditional southern offerings along with a few twists including kimchee and tofu. Their beef brisket and burnt ends is a favorite of our children. Located near the train tracks children enjoy the excitement of trains going by. There is a tall tree swing a short walk away which is lots of fun for all ages, just ask for directions.
31 locals recommend
Pulaski Heights Barbecue
675 Pulaski StLocated in the Boulevard area near downtown they offer pulled pork, chicken and beef brisket barbecue. Their sides include traditional southern offerings along with a few twists including kimchee and tofu. Their beef brisket and burnt ends is a favorite of our children. Located near the train tracks children enjoy the excitement of trains going by. There is a tall tree swing a short walk away which is lots of fun for all ages, just ask for directions.
Great Vegetarian restaurant. Brunch on the weekend with people lining up before it opens it’s so popular. Also great for lunch and dinner during the week. The desserts are always amazing!
97 locals recommend
The Grit
199 Prince AveGreat Vegetarian restaurant. Brunch on the weekend with people lining up before it opens it’s so popular. Also great for lunch and dinner during the week. The desserts are always amazing!
Great for breakfast lunch and dinner during the week. Serves brunch on the weekend. Always good and has an excellent bakery as well.
73 locals recommend
Big City Bread Cafe
393 N Finley StGreat for breakfast lunch and dinner during the week. Serves brunch on the weekend. Always good and has an excellent bakery as well.
Hilltop Grille
2310 W Broad StLove this place. Great atmosphere and good food.
Fun and Free
Our very own zoo showcasing the wildlife of North Georgia. Fun shaded place to go and see the Black Bear family, Otters, Deer, Owls, Eagles, and the Snake House. Fun for all ages. Approx 3 miles from house. The park also has the best dog park in Athens and a beautiful place to walk around the fountain and lake. Also has a playground for the littles as well as ducks to feed.
49 locals recommend
Memorial Park
293 Gran Ellen DrOur very own zoo showcasing the wildlife of North Georgia. Fun shaded place to go and see the Black Bear family, Otters, Deer, Owls, Eagles, and the Snake House. Fun for all ages. Approx 3 miles from house. The park also has the best dog park in Athens and a beautiful place to walk around the fountain and lake. Also has a playground for the littles as well as ducks to feed.
For the last 30 years this place has been changing and growing and adding new gardens all the time. The Alice Richards Children's Gardens opened in March 2019 and includes wonderful immersive activities to get children familiar with and develop a love of nature.
135 locals recommend
The State Botanical Garden of Georgia
2450 S Milledge AveFor the last 30 years this place has been changing and growing and adding new gardens all the time. The Alice Richards Children's Gardens opened in March 2019 and includes wonderful immersive activities to get children familiar with and develop a love of nature.
Favorite Local Theatre
A local art movie house located in downtown Athens. They specialize in first-run indie and smaller release films. Beer, wine ,and cocktails are served along with snacks.
62 locals recommend
Ciné
234 W Hancock AveA local art movie house located in downtown Athens. They specialize in first-run indie and smaller release films. Beer, wine ,and cocktails are served along with snacks.
Music and Entertainment
If you are into the music scene the Georgia Theatre is famous. Always hosting great bands and the bar and restaurant on the rooftop offer the best view of Athens.
Georgia Theatre
215 N Lumpkin StHaven’t been in years but it’s another iconic Athens place for music.
91 locals recommend
40 Watt Club
285 W Washington StHaven’t been in years but it’s another iconic Athens place for music.