Athens, Georgia may be best known as the home of beer and Bulldog football, but it’s not short on creativity, either. The days of food racing to catch up to the music scene are fading in the rearview, as palates and bar programs continue to grow more sophisticated with each passing year.
While you’ll still find the classic greasy spoon (long live the Grill’s milkshakes), today, Athens is a thriving hub of experimental kitchens and longstanding locavore classics that continue to roll with the punches.
Here’s where to get a taste of all the Classic City has to offer.
Puma Yu’s
Imagine walking into your cool friend’s apartment—the one with the fully stocked bar cart and quirky mismatched furniture that you could never pull off. That’s the vibe at Puma Yu’s, a cozy, peacock blue dining room, where husband-and-wife team Pete Amadhanirundr and Ally Smith have curated an ever-evolving, non-traditional Thai menu spanning sweet chili-glazed gui chai (fried scallion cakes) and green catfish curry. Ally’s drinks are the star—sit at the bar to chat with the bartender about rosé sake and yuzu gin. 355 Oneta St. Ste. D400A, Athens, pumayus.com
Osteria Olio
Tucked inside the new Rivet House hotel, this upscale Italian restaurant is already making waves for its seasonally inflected pastas, wood-fired pizzas, and hearty secondi like lamb with huckleberry. But where this spot really shines is in its indulgences—desserts are a hit (don’t skip the signature ricotta bombolini with sorghum caramel), as are the light and refreshing spritzes and the impressive amaro list. Request a table on the pergola-covered patio to dine under atmospheric Italian lights. 355 Oneta St., Building C2, Ste. 200, Athens, osteriaolio.com
The National
Since 2007, the National has masterfully incorporated its North Georgia roots into a seasonally rotating Mediterranean-leaning menu. Start with sharables like grilled lamb belly with sorghum-pomegranate glaze and chicken skins with za’atar toum before moving on to larger plates like pork chop marbella and rainbow trout over freekeh. The bar holds its own, too, with inventive seasonal cocktails that reward the adventurous. 232 W. Hancock Ave., Athens, thenationalrestaurant.com
Pretty Boy
This isn’t your auntie’s Vietnamese spot. Neon lights, street art, and an eclectic playlist are all standard at Kenny Nguyen’s Prince Avenue restaurant, as are generous portions of drunken noodles and steaming pho. The bar program is equally as strong, with Southeast Asian-accented cocktails featuring Vietnamese gin, kumquat, ube, and Asian pear, depending on the season. Start with the fried chicken skins and finish with the pandan cake. Arrive early on weekends; Pretty Boy is first-come, first-served. 247 Prince Ave., Athens, prettyboyathens.com
Mama’s Boy
Set an alarm if you plan on grabbing weekend brunch at Mama’s Boy. Alicia Segars and Cooper Hudson opened this Oak Street counter-service spot in 2006, and two decades later, it’s still earning the line out front. The space is tight with limited parking, but that’s just part of its charm. Use that waiting time to decide between Georgia peach French toast, breakfast sandwiches on fluffy scratch-made buttermilk biscuits, or salmon cakes eggs Benedict. Multiple locations, original at 197 Oak St, Athens, mamasboyathens.com
White Tiger
Ken Manring spent years cooking alongside top chefs across the country before bringing his talents back south and opening White Tiger in 2007—and Athens has been better for it ever since. Tucked into a century-old building in the Historic Boulevard District, this family-friendly spot smokes its meat daily and sources locally wherever possible. Order the Barbarella—smoked pork, two barbecue sauces, and mozzarella on ciabatta—and save room for the banana pudding. 217 Hiawassee Ave., Athens, whitetigerathens.com
Tamez Barbecue
Alejandro Tamez’s résumé reads like a culinary world tour: Farm 255, Greyfield Inn, Sean Brock’s Minero, and Quintonil in Mexico City. He brought all of that back to West Broad Street in 2020, channeling his Houston roots and Mexican heritage into a no-frills Texas-style barbecue operation that smokes its meats low and slow on a wood-fired offset smoker, seasoned simply with salt and pepper. The brisket is the headliner, but don’t overlook the pozole. 1660 W. Broad St., Athens, tamezbbq.com
Maepole
Fast food and Southern food don’t have to be at odds—a point Maepole has been proving on North Chase Street for years. Built around a customizable bowl format, the veggie-forward menu reads like a love letter to the region: green beans and Vidalias, chow chow, collard greens, and Hoppin’ John share space with kimchi, quinoa, and citrus-braised pork. Pick a base, load up on sides, and add a protein. There’s no wrong way to do it. Multiple locations, original at 1021 N. Chase St., Athens, maepole.com
The Expat
Krista and Jerry Slater’s Italian-focused neighborhood bistro has made itself completely at home in a charming 1930s Five Points cottage. The menu leans into locally sourced ingredients with an international flair, moving from gougères and marinated olives through housemade pastas, duck breast with pomegranate molasses, and a pork chop Milanese over stewed cannellini beans. Make a reservation—this one fills up fast. 1680 S. Lumpkin St., Athens, theexpatathens.com
Big City Bread
Don’t be intimidated by the line snaking out the front door; it’s just a sign that you’re in the right place. Perched a block back from Prince Avenue, this family-owned spot is beloved for its fresh-baked goods. The quiche is always a good choice (according to one of the bakers, it’s moved people to tears), best enjoyed with a side of grits or Old Bay-seasoned potatoes. Grab a seat outside on the shaded patio alongside families with dogs and students sipping lattes. 393 N. Finley St. C, Athens, bigcitybreadcafe.com
Cali N’ Tito’s
A bright red surf shack peeking through palm trees signals your arrival at this Cuban-Peruvian fusion spot on Lumpkin Street. A study in organized chaos, this cash-only, counter-service spot specializes in Cubans, tacos, and yucca fries. Ample vegetarian options are equally as delicious without the meat. Ask about the lunch specials if you arrive midday, and try to snag a seat outdoors for the full experience. Multiple locations, original at 1427 S. Lumpkin St., Athens
The World Famous
Since 2013, Bain Mattox and David Eduardo’s Downtown pub, restaurant, and live music venue has been doing everything the Athens way: hosting concerts and art shows while turning out a menu that has no business being this good. The menu puts the “world” in “The World Famous”—poutine, shawarma, pork steamed buns, General Tso’s tofu, Frito fried chicken sandwiches—this is bar food only in the loosest sense of the term. Order the double-stack cheeseburger if you know what’s good for you. 351 N. Hull St., Athens, facebook.com/theworldfamousathens
