Guidebook for Athens
Food Scene
Best breakfast in Athens and only a few blocks from the house! Southern breakfast & lunch staples with a modern twist whipped up in relaxed, cheery digs.
154 locals recommend
Mama's Boy Restaurant
197 Oak StreetBest breakfast in Athens and only a few blocks from the house! Southern breakfast & lunch staples with a modern twist whipped up in relaxed, cheery digs.
Family-run restaurant cafe in Athens, GA, open Mon-Sun, serving locally sourced food and drink plus housemade bakery items with indoor and outdoor seating.
73 locals recommend
Big City Bread Cafe
393 N Finley StFamily-run restaurant cafe in Athens, GA, open Mon-Sun, serving locally sourced food and drink plus housemade bakery items with indoor and outdoor seating.
The bagels are the best bagels you will get in Athens. They are always perfectly toasted and the cream cheese selection is amazing
34 locals recommend
Ideal Bagel Co
815 W Broad StThe bagels are the best bagels you will get in Athens. They are always perfectly toasted and the cream cheese selection is amazing
A family owned local brunch and lunch place located in the Cobbham Historic District in Athens. Built on an international foundation for inspiration and food, boasting an extensive selection of international recipes and delicacies.
17 locals recommend
Donderos' Kitchen
590 N Milledge AveA family owned local brunch and lunch place located in the Cobbham Historic District in Athens. Built on an international foundation for inspiration and food, boasting an extensive selection of international recipes and delicacies.
Critically acclaimed restaurant in beautiful downtown Athens, Georgia serving southwestern inspired southern cuisine. Contemporary Southern cooking in the former space of an iconic music club graced with local artwork. A classic!
153 locals recommend
Last Resort Grill
174-184 W Clayton StCritically acclaimed restaurant in beautiful downtown Athens, Georgia serving southwestern inspired southern cuisine. Contemporary Southern cooking in the former space of an iconic music club graced with local artwork. A classic!
Laid-back gastropub known for its craft beer selection & cocktails, plus updated bar food classics.
74 locals recommend
Trappeze Pub
269 N Hull StLaid-back gastropub known for its craft beer selection & cocktails, plus updated bar food classics.
Mediterranean-style dishes created with seasonal, Southern influences, plus an extensive wine list.
113 locals recommend
The National
232 W Hancock AveMediterranean-style dishes created with seasonal, Southern influences, plus an extensive wine list.
Colorful throwback diner offering creative comfort eats & milkshakes made with organic ingredients. Extensive burger menu.
57 locals recommend
Clocked
259 W Washington StColorful throwback diner offering creative comfort eats & milkshakes made with organic ingredients. Extensive burger menu.
Pizza & casual Italian eats served in a rehabbed tire garage with outdoor seating & a giant outdoor sandbox for the kids!
53 locals recommend
Ted's Most Best
254 West Washington StreetPizza & casual Italian eats served in a rehabbed tire garage with outdoor seating & a giant outdoor sandbox for the kids!
Pulled-pork sandwiches, ribs & mac ’n’ cheese in a compact BBQ joint with outdoor picnic tables. Open late on weekends.
14 locals recommend
Dawg Gone Good BBQ
224 W Hancock AvePulled-pork sandwiches, ribs & mac ’n’ cheese in a compact BBQ joint with outdoor picnic tables. Open late on weekends.
Creature Comforts Brewing Co. is an Athens, Georgia based brewery crafts the finest balanced artisanal beers.
149 locals recommend
Creature Comforts Downtown Taproom and Brewery
271 W Hancock AveCreature Comforts Brewing Co. is an Athens, Georgia based brewery crafts the finest balanced artisanal beers.
Tapas style menu with creative drinks and local flair. A locals favorite. Not suited for families or kids
49 locals recommend
The World Famous
351 N Hull StTapas style menu with creative drinks and local flair. A locals favorite. Not suited for families or kids
A local favorite, excellent drink selection and terrific, reasonably priced menu. Kid friendly establishment with local feel.
81 locals recommend
Hi-Lo Lounge
1354 Prince AveA local favorite, excellent drink selection and terrific, reasonably priced menu. Kid friendly establishment with local feel.
Most popular seafood restaurant in Athens, call to find out their happy hour deal on Oysters
93 locals recommend
Seabear Oyster Bar
297 Prince AveMost popular seafood restaurant in Athens, call to find out their happy hour deal on Oysters
The Expat
1680 S Lumpkin StNewish and popular restaurant, upscale with a great bar
Five and Ten
1073 S Milledge AveFine dining in a lovely setting, an Athens classic
Pulaski Heights Barbecue
675 Pulaski StArguably the best barbecue in Athens
Locally sourced, creative menu with healthy conscientious offerings. A “meat and 3” style plating for hippies!
40 locals recommend
Maepole
1021 N Chase StLocally sourced, creative menu with healthy conscientious offerings. A “meat and 3” style plating for hippies!
The Royal Peasant
1675 S Lumpkin StBest fish and chips in town. Great atmosphere, British pub vibe
Athens most popular sushi joint, offers private karaoke rooms available for rent! Hip vibe.
22 locals recommend
Shokitini
251 W Clayton StAthens most popular sushi joint, offers private karaoke rooms available for rent! Hip vibe.
Wide selection of tequilas, delicious margaritas, beautiful patio to enjoy inspired tacos, drinks in the heart of 5 points
14 locals recommend
el Barrio tacos & tequila
1331 S Milledge AveWide selection of tequilas, delicious margaritas, beautiful patio to enjoy inspired tacos, drinks in the heart of 5 points
Super hip American Chinese with a great wine list. Formerly Donna Changs.
48 locals recommend
Dinner Party
1664 S Lumpkin StSuper hip American Chinese with a great wine list. Formerly Donna Changs.
Laid back bbq joint on Boulevard, pretty tasty, casual indoor dining or outdoors on picnic tables in the shade
63 locals recommend
White Tiger Gourmet LLC
217 Hiawassee AveLaid back bbq joint on Boulevard, pretty tasty, casual indoor dining or outdoors on picnic tables in the shade
An Athens classic. Eclectic decor whipping up Latin bites, plus BYOB. Cash only. Dine outside!
148 locals recommend
Cali N Tito's
1427 S Lumpkin StAn Athens classic. Eclectic decor whipping up Latin bites, plus BYOB. Cash only. Dine outside!
Great college town bar and grill, probably the best wings in town.
12 locals recommend
Blind Pig Tavern
312 E Washington StGreat college town bar and grill, probably the best wings in town.
Drinks & Nightlife
Georgia Theatre is a live music venue and event space in Athens, Georgia. Many prominent national and local acts across all genres have performed at the Theatre, including rock, folk, country, indie, alternative, hip hop and electronic.
169 locals recommend
Georgia Theatre
215 N Lumpkin StGeorgia Theatre is a live music venue and event space in Athens, Georgia. Many prominent national and local acts across all genres have performed at the Theatre, including rock, folk, country, indie, alternative, hip hop and electronic.
The 40 Watt Club is a music venue in Athens, Georgia. Along with CBGB's, the Whisky a Go Go, and selected others, it was instrumental in launching American punk rock and "new wave music."
91 locals recommend
40 Watt Club
285 W Washington StThe 40 Watt Club is a music venue in Athens, Georgia. Along with CBGB's, the Whisky a Go Go, and selected others, it was instrumental in launching American punk rock and "new wave music."
Try the Tropicalia if you like IPA, it is a classic!
149 locals recommend
Creature Comforts Downtown Taproom and Brewery
271 W Hancock AveTry the Tropicalia if you like IPA, it is a classic!
Mama's Boy Restaurant
197 Oak StreetOne of the best patios in downtown Athens
Outstanding eatery in the heart of downtown, extremely popular for a reason. Wide selection of craft beers and great menu, something for everyone
74 locals recommend
Trappeze Pub
269 N Hull StOutstanding eatery in the heart of downtown, extremely popular for a reason. Wide selection of craft beers and great menu, something for everyone
Happening and popular Athens establishment. Cool layout and bar scene environment for the young and young at heart.
8 locals recommend
Cutters Pub
120 E Clayton StHappening and popular Athens establishment. Cool layout and bar scene environment for the young and young at heart.
Neighborhoods
Quirky bars like Hi Lo, Old Pal, Normal Bar. Automatic Pizza, Hi Lo or Agua Linda for food. This gives you an accurate taste of local life in Athens. Easy to walk, parking is free, and it’s all quite family friendly.
12 locals recommend
Normaltown
Quirky bars like Hi Lo, Old Pal, Normal Bar. Automatic Pizza, Hi Lo or Agua Linda for food. This gives you an accurate taste of local life in Athens. Easy to walk, parking is free, and it’s all quite family friendly.
Sightseeing
The Oconee Rivers Greenway.
The easiest place to access the Greenway is by getting onto it in Dudley Park, which is 0.5 mile from the house towards downtown. Make a left out the front door and walk down Peter St until you see the Pedestrian bridge over the street. Walk across it to Poplar Street then enter Dudley Park and explore the Greenway from there
I also recommend driving to the Sandy Creek nature Center and then take a walk on the Greenway from the parking lot headed south along the river
12 locals recommend
Athens - North Oconee River Greenway
Athens - North Oconee River GreenwayThe Oconee Rivers Greenway.
The easiest place to access the Greenway is by getting onto it in Dudley Park, which is 0.5 mile from the house towards downtown. Make a left out the front door and walk down Peter St until you see the Pedestrian bridge over the street. Walk across it to Poplar Street then enter Dudley Park and explore the Greenway from there
I also recommend driving to the Sandy Creek nature Center and then take a walk on the Greenway from the parking lot headed south along the river
The gardens are free to visit and a lovely place to spend a nice day
96 locals recommend
Botanical Gardens station
The gardens are free to visit and a lovely place to spend a nice day
Sandy Creek nature Center is free to visit and a great place to take the kids. It has a interpretive museum which they will love. Be sure to check out the new playground outside the nature center
61 locals recommend
Sandy Creek Nature Center
205 Old Commerce RdSandy Creek nature Center is free to visit and a great place to take the kids. It has a interpretive museum which they will love. Be sure to check out the new playground outside the nature center
$2 per person to enter. Beautiful lake, hiking trails and serene environment. Public and private dog parks available, call for more info and park hours. Note: closed on Monday
47 locals recommend
Sandy Creek Park
400 Bob Holman Rd$2 per person to enter. Beautiful lake, hiking trails and serene environment. Public and private dog parks available, call for more info and park hours. Note: closed on Monday
One hour north of Athens, this makes a stunning day trip with impressive views of nature and waterfalls
236 locals recommend
Tallulah Gorge State Park
338 Jane Hurt Yarn RdOne hour north of Athens, this makes a stunning day trip with impressive views of nature and waterfalls
Traveler advice
Don't miss
Oconee Rivers Greenway
The Oconee Rivers Greenway is a linear park and trails system that provides wildlife corridors, a wetland hiking trail, and a family friendly multi-use path for the public's enjoyment. Currently, the Oconee Rivers Greenway System provides 5.1 miles of natural surface hiking only trails and 8 miles of concrete, multi-use trails that are designated for non-motorized use.