The Best Restaurants in North Georgia for Culinary Delight

Some eat to live while others live to eat. If you fall in the latter part of that statement, then you'll find this list of the best restaurants in North Georgia for culinary delight especially valuable.

That's right, big city dining in Atlanta isn't the only region in Georgia where you'll find some of the best restaurants. In fact, whether you enjoy dining alfresco, next to a body of water, a fine dining experience, or casual eateries that emanate southern charm, the following includes appetizing options sure to please every palate.

Best Restaurants in North Georgia for Culinary Delight

Fortify Kitchen and Bar

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In downtown Clayton, Georgia, there's an award-winning farm-to-table restaurant serving up some of the best fried green tomatoes this side of the Mississippi. For more elevated favorites, be sure to try Chef Jamie Allred's tenderloin or crab cakes. Not to mention, almost every single dish on the menu is gluten-free.

With a serious dedication to local farmers and the community, the dining experience at Fortify Kitchen and Bar becomes not only a culinary delight but a sustainable action.

Fortify Pi

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Chef Jamie Allred's quaint pizza and sandwich eatery right next to Fortify Kitchen and Bar also offers farm-to-table ingredients. Who needs Dominos when you can get a hand-fired brick oven pizza from historic Clayton, Georgia's, Fortify Pi?

Pizza isn't all you can find at Fortify Pi, either. A delectable menu of appetizers, salads, pasta, and sandwiches is also available. From Chicken Wings to Meatballs and Fried Mozzarella, Fortify Pi is hole-in-the-wall Italian at its most desirable.

The Black Sheep

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If you're looking for the best brunch in North Georgia, look no further than The Black Sheep Restaurant. Located in the Historic Butt House, this downtown Blue Ridge institution doles out tasty Shrimp and Grits and Crab Cake Benedict during its Saturday and Sunday brunch from 11 am to 3 pm.

Seasonal ingredients dominate the remainder of the menu at this American restaurant, where the outdoor seating is strategically situated underneath a majestic 200-year-old oak tree.

Harvest on Main

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After partaking in a quaint stroll through downtown Blue Ridge, satiate your appetite at Harvest on Main. Their Southern-inspired global cuisine features dishes like a mouthwatering Scottish Salmon and a Tortelloni Puttanesca. They also have many gluten-free and vegetarian options, like their Vegetarian Black Bean Chili topped with red onions and shredded cheddar.

This family-owned and operated eatery sources local, seasonal ingredients, where possible, for memorable meals amidst a comfortable, rustic environment.

Toccoa Riverside Restaurant

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Toccoa Riverside Restaurant is all about the location. Situated on the banks of the Toccoa River in the Aska Road Adventure area near Blue Ridge, Georgia, this fine dining establishment boasts incredible views. With plenty of indoor and outdoor seating available, go for the picturesque scene and stay for the food!

Their award-winning seafood is the icing, er, decadent Smoked Fish Dip, on the cake! Begin with this and the Fried Calamari to share, followed by Mary's Pecan-Crusted Trout with sweet butter. Diners really can't go wrong with lunch or dinner at Toccoa Riverside Restaurant.

Lake Rabun Hotel Restaurant

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Locals and visitors alike can't say enough great things about this Lakemont, Georgia farm-to-table establishment laced with International flavors. Fresh, in-season ingredients, locally grown produce, and humanely-raised meats are Lake Rabun Hotel Restaurant's trademark.

Hungry visitors can enjoy their meal in a rustic dining room or outside among dramatic locust log and treetop decks surrounded by pines, old-growth oaks, and hemlocks. Making for a truly magical yet casual dining experience, the ambiance at Lake Rabun Hotel Restaurant is second to none, while dishes like Caramelized Sea Scallops and Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes pack a satisfying punch.

Furthermore, the chefs at this North Georgia restaurant can accommodate various food preferences, including vegan, gluten-free and vegetarian diets.

Glen-Ella Springs

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Glen-Ella Springs is yet another farm-to-table experience on this list of best restaurants in North Georgia.

Located down a wandering country road and nestled in the North Georgia Mountains, a cozy fireplace invites diners into the rustic-chic dining room of this Clarkesville, Georgia restaurant. Outdoor seating is seasonal and upon request.

Glen-Ella Springs serves American Continental cuisine with casual Southern elegance. Pecan Crusted Rainbow Trout and Macadamia Chicken entice visitors with local, seasonal ingredients, and dessert is not to be missed. Classic choices from Crème Brûlée to Key Lime Pie engage the sweet tooth, urging diners to save room while savoring their entrees.

Capers on The Square

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Located in historic downtown Dahlonega, Capers on The Square is a curator of mouthwatering Mediterranean fare. From Spanakopita to Greek Salads and Chicken Gyros, this vegetarian-friendly restaurant serves lunch and dinner alongside craft cocktails and an impressive wine list.

The Dillard House Restaurant

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A true Southern culinary affair awaits you at The Dillard House Restaurant.

Family-owned and operated since 1917, satisfaction and hospitality are their primary goals. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner at The Dillard House are served family-style, using local ingredients from surrounding family farms in the Dillard, Georgia area.

With a daily changing menu, diners can expect the freshest comfort food, from Homemade Biscuits to Macaroni and Cheese to Fried Chicken and Corn on the Cob. So sit back, relax, and enjoy some country cooking with picturesque views of the North Georgia Mountains.

North Georgia BBQ Dahlonega

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If barbecue is what you're craving, then North Georgia BBQ of Dahlonega is certain to deliver some of the best the Southern state has to offer. With quality meats smoked daily and seasoned to perfection, this North Georgia BBQ location sees its fair share of repeat customers.

A trip to North Georgia BBQ is not complete without trying their signature Pig Melt, which is grilled cheese served on Texas Toast, filled with chopped pork along with your choice of sauce.

The Shack of Ellijay

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Dine in or take out at this downtown Ellijay Asian Fusion restaurant known for fresh eats and Instagram-worthy presentations.

From Pot Stickers to Poke Bowls and Noodles, The Shack of Ellijay delivers quality, affordable, quick bites infused with Far East flavors. Afterward, you can cleanse your palate with some of their Bubble Tea featuring an exciting array of flavors to choose from, like Berry Licious and Mango Madness.

Belle's Bistro at Chattooga Belle Farm

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This bistro isn't quite in North Georgia, but worth mentioning due to its close proximity. Just barely over the state line in Long Creek, South Carolina, the "Farm" offers fresh American cuisine from its orchards and gardens, while the breathtaking view is the true showstopper.

A 138-acre working farm gives way to almost panoramic views of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. Before you realize it, you've enjoyed a three-hour lunch. From Southern Black-Eyed Pea Salad to Barbecue Brisket Sandwiches served with fries, Belle's Bistro at Chattooga Belle Farm is worth the leisurely jaunt over the state line. After that long lunch, make time to enjoy the farm store and on-site distillery.

Chophouse at LaPrade's

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LaPrade's Marina and Restaurant first opened as a fish camp in 1925. It became famous for its family-style servings and rustic rental cabins set on the shores of Lake Burton. After a mysterious fire destroyed the restaurant, it re-opened under new management.

Chef James Reaux opened Chophouse at LaPrade's in the spring of 2011. Offering elegant casual dining inside and outside, as well as a Lakeside Bar and Grill at the marina, diners can enjoy live music and finger-kissing American cuisine complemented by regional southern and local flavors.

When it comes to lakeside dining, LaPrade's is a premium destination. With fresh seafood flown in daily and USDA-grade beef, there's no shortage of delicious options on the menu. Add to that their world-class wine list and cocktails, and you have yourself a meal fit for royalty.

LaPrade's Sunday Brunch Menu is worth a weekend trek to this Clarkesville, Georgia eatery.

Harvest Habersham

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Harvest Habersham is headquartered in an old storefront in downtown Clarkesville, Georgia. Offering local upscale cuisine and a great wine selection, including wine education for its diners, this North Georgia restaurant specializes in an eclectic array of menu items. Dependent upon what's in season, Chef Chris Bolton's cuisine offers a culinary experience in creativity and pretty plating.

From noteworthy entrees like the Shrimp and Grits or the Blue Corn Meal Dusted Trout, Harvest Habersham is one of the best restaurants in North Georgia for tasty American fare. And don't forget to top your meal with one of their delicious ice cream flavors or Red Beet Citrus sorbet!

Beechwood Inn

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Dining at the restaurant of this quaint Bed and Breakfast is a must. Northern California natives, David and Gayle Darugh, provide southern hospitality at this inn situated on a hilltop overlooking the North Georgia mountain city of Clayton.

Awarded by Wine Enthusiast Magazine in their Top 5 Destinations "for your next wine and food-focused escape," the Beechwood Inn evokes that home away from home vibe. Six-course meals with wine pairings featuring local, farm-to-table produce and protein make the Beechwood Inn one of the best restaurants in North Georgia.