From your very own food connoisseurs
We love to try new food and restaurants all over the globe! (If you missed our post about how we started our restaurant adventures, check it out here). When we came back to Athens for our last semester post studying abroad, we made it a goal to hit as many Athens restaurants, cafes, and bars as possible before we graduate. And…we actually hit a lot of them… probably too many of them. Naturally, we have some pretty strong opinions about the food in Athens. Whether you’re just starting at UGA and looking for recommendation, are a rising senior dreading leaving the Athens foods scene, or a graduate planning your homecoming trip, you’ll enjoy this one. Here are some of our favorite finds in our college town based on specific categories. Also, we tried our best to choose things local to Athens.
Best Tacos
El Barrio
We (especially Dawson) have been to El Barrio way more times than we can even count. Sure, they may not have the most authentic tacos, but they have the best tasting ones. The meat is always so flavorful and tender. The chips are seasoned and the queso is a great consistency. We also went on Cinco de Mayo, and Dawson ended up winning a raffle and SO many goodies.
Favorites: Chicken Taco, Steak Taco, Fish Taco, Grilled Shrimp Taco, Chips & Queso
Best Traditional Mexican Food
Tacos Los Plebes
Even though we think El Barrio still has superior tacos, the food here was very tasty and also affordable. Unlike a lot of the other taco places in Athens, it wasn’t build your own taco (which we appreciated). The line is a little long, but I think that is a sign that the food is worth it, and the restaurant is clearly famous.
Favorites: Chicken Taco, Steak Taco, Horchata
Favorite Asian Food
Pretty Boy
This was the last restaurant we tried in Athens, and it was absolutely incredible! We were initially a little skeptical because everyone had hyped it up, and previously, we were disappointed with some famous restaurants. Nonetheless, this meal did not disappoint. Our only complaint is that we wish we tried more! Everything is so flavorful, and the staff is kind and was willing to give us recommendations.
Favorites: Viet Street Corn, Chicken Hanoi, Peanut Cold Noodles
Best Cafe
Buvez
Choosing a go-to coffee shop is difficult, mainly because each one has its individual perks (price, location, options, etc.). But, we ended up settling on Buvez because they have unique options in addition to the classics, reasonable prices, good seating, and yummy food. We’ve tried so much here from lattes, matchas, healthy bowls, and bagels (practically the whole menu). We also have so many memories here and lots of tea-spilling sessions, making it a clear hit. Buvez is also uniquely situated away from downtown and also connected to a fun children’s-play store! We have a few sentimental goodies that we share with friends from this store and will always help us remember Buvez!
Go-To for Live Music
Hendershot’s
Hendershot’s has good coffee and drinks, but we like it best for the live music. They have themed music nights, and the cafe transforms into a lively bar at night. Our favorite is hands-down jazz night on the third Thursday of each month. We think every UGA student should go at least once during their time in Athens.
Nicest Upscale Restaurant
Five and Ten
Five and Ten was a very spontaneous dinner reservation for us. We had a snow day, and, honestly, probably shouldn’t have driven on the roads, but we were both craving a nice meal. The ambience and interior here was beautiful – we loved the upscale, rustic vibe. The food did not disappoint. We were able to try quite a few dishes and each one was delectable and intentionally crafted. The service was perfect and everyone was so attentive.
Favorites: Cornbread and Honey Butter, She-Crab Soup
Best for Aperitivo
Bar Bruno
One of our biggest regrets about this place is that we wish we discovered it sooner because we would’ve gone so many more times. The vibes were immaculate and the energy was perfect. We couldn’t recommend this more for a girl’s night out, a catch-up with friends, date night, or just for fancy drinks. We felt transported to Italy.
Favorites: Grandma’s Bread, Arancini, Stuffed Dates, Brioche, Ziti
Favorite Italian (with an Honorable Mention)
ZZ and Simone’s
Such a wonderful meal and experience at ZZ’s. We tried both the brunch and the dinner, and both were great. If we had to choose, we would recommend going there for dinner over brunch because we loved the food. We tried so many dishes and were absolutely stuffed. It definitely is on the pricier side, so we recommend going for special occasions or splitting things with friends! The pastas and pizzas are fresh and so tasty.
Favorites: Bread, Arancini, Rigatoni Alla Vodka, Tiramisu
Honorable Mention: The Expat
Although we thought ZZ and Simone’s was better overall, we would be remiss if we didn’t mention The Expat in this post. The Expat makes fresh pasta daily and also has gluten-free pasta options. The service is amazing. We sat at the bar, and the bartenders were easy to talk to and gave us amazing recommendations. Saanvikha also went here for her graduation meal with family and they were so accommodating on a busy day.
Favorites: Pistachio Mushroom Pasta, Tiramisu
Best Steakhouse
Slater’s Steakhouse
This is absolutely a go-to nice steakhouse spot! Highly recommend coming with your parents, but if you find the time before a fun date night or for an outing with a friend, this is an extremely convenient spot in five points! Dawson’s mom has even commented that it is one of her favorite steaks that she has had.
Favorites: Filet mignon, Asparagus, Mashed Potatoes
Best Pizza
Emmy’s Squared
This is a spot we hit several times in our last semester, which is why it is the one exception to our no chains rule for this post. This pizza here is incredible and loaded. There are so many curated options and the shareable appetizers and salads are also great. If you ever are hosting an exec dinner for a club or going with a group of friends for dinner, this is a great spot. It’s also fairly convenient even if you walk in.
Favorites: MVP!
Best Bang for Your Buck
Ahi Hibachi and Poke
There must have been speculation about Ahi closing just about every other week, but we’re happy to report that they’re only moving locations (still downtown!). Even though it isn’t the cheapest meal you can find in Athens, we think they offer the best deal. You get so much food that tastes absolutely delicious for a fairly reasonable price. It could definitely last you at least two meals if you want it to. It is very customizable and a student favorite.
Favorites: Chicken Hibachi, Poke Bowl
Best Bar
Magnolia’s
This definitely became THE spot to go to senior year. You will always run into friends, foes, and acquaintances. It’s nice and big with the outside, downstairs, and upstairs areas (all distinct vibes). Lots of good conversations here and some very special memories.
Hidden Gem
Savannah Room & Bulldog Bistro
These are both located inside the Georgia Center, which is right across the Science Learning Center, but, unfortunately, most students never visit. Dawson is Georgia Center’s biggest fan (!!) and introduced many of his friends and mentees to the coffee here. It is very affordable and so conveniently located. The Georgia Center is also a beautiful place to study, so you should definitely grab a drink, take a seat, and study here instead of the Science Library. If you have ever had the pleasure of trying a Georgia Center catered meal at events, then you’ll be happy to know that the Savannah Room features a lot of the same dishes. They are home to President Morehead’s favorite strawberry ice cream pie!
Favorites: Specialty lattes and drinks, Ciabatta, Truffle Fries, Cajun Pasta
Sweet Treat Spot
Cecilia’s Cake Shop
Our go-to sweet treat spot was probably Jeni’s because it was convenient, but you can find Jeni’s almost anywhere (including the grocery store) nowadays. A less-known sweet treat spot is Cecilia’s Cake Shop! It’s located right next to the Dunkin on Milledge. They do specialty, made-to-order cakes for occasions, but they also have cupcakes and cake slices if you walk in. Fun fact: this is also the cake they sell at The Last Resort!
Favorites: Espresso Martini Cake, Lemon Cake, Cupcake Assortment
Writing this post made us crave these restaurants again. Athens has so much to offer between sports, nature, music, and food – you should take advantage of it all. Here is a great place to start. Of course, we didn’t cover all of the good food in this post because unfortunately that would make this way too long. So, if you want to check out more Athens finds, follow us on Beli (@ssaravanan + @dawsontemplin)! It might actually be our favorite app and form of social media.