North Georgia is primarily known for the stunning natural scenery and quaint, welcoming towns. But tucked away in the scenic North Georgia Mountains, award-winning restaurants are bursting with flavor and creativity.
To truly experience the North Georgia region’s bountiful offerings, you must take advantage of the delectable cuisine that these hidden gems offer.
If you’re in the mood to wine and dine at an award-winning spot in North Georgia, check out the options below.
North Georgia Restaurants That Have Critics Raving
1. Lake Rabun Hotel & Restaurant
Explore the Eatery: For a taste of North Georgia, you can’t go wrong with the farm-to-table cuisine at Lake Rabun Restaurant. Locals and visitors alike rave about this beautiful establishment.
Exquisitely prepared meals featuring fresh, in-season ingredients like wild-caught seafood, locally grown produce and humanely-raised meats are the hallmark of Lake Rabun Restaurant. Dishes like coffee and chocolate cured Lamb Shank and wild sauteed scallops put flavor and local ingredients at the forefront of your plate.
In addition to the highly-rated dishes, the alfresco dining underneath pines and hemlock trees or rustic indoor seating options make for a welcoming and relaxing environment.
What makes it special: Lake Rabun Restaurant has wowed the palettes of many, earning it a spot among the top 10 farm-to-table restaurants in North Georgia. A fan favorite is The Pecan Encrusted Mountain Trout, named by Explore Georgia as one of the “Top 100 Meals Loved By Locals.”
If you have food intolerances or preferences, you’ll find Lake Rabun Restaurant to be very accommodating. The chefs can alter meals for a wide range of food preferences, including vegan, gluten-free and vegetarian diets.
Book a reservation at Lake Rabun Restaurant today!
2. Harvest on Main
Explore the Eatery: After strolling through the shops of the quaint Downtown Blue Ridge area, stop by Harvest on Main for global cuisine with a Southern flair. This eatery sources local ingredients for flavorful meals crafted by talented chefs. Friendly service is the cherry on top at this much-loved restaurant.
What makes it special: Harvest on Main is a family-owned and operated restaurant headed by Danny Mellman, a classically trained chef with decades of international culinary experience.
3. Belle’s Bistro at Chattooga Belle Farm
Explore the Eatery: You may come for the food, but you’ll stay for the beautiful vistas at Belle’s Bistro. The restaurant utilizes ingredients from the 200-acre property, including grass-fed beef and fruits and veggies from the orchards.
What makes it special: Belle’s Bistro is surrounded by the Blue Ridge mountains so that you can have lunch with a view.
4. Harvest Habersham
Explore the Eatery: The name is unique and so is the handcrafted menu at Harvest Habersham. Thanks to the eatery’s close relationship with local farmers, you can expect in-season ingredients that are artfully combined in dishes like Blue Corn Meal Dusted Trout and Seared Duck Breast with Butternut Squash.
What makes it special: There’s no such thing as a standard menu here. Harvest Habersham is continually updating its menu to put new and delicious meals centerstage.
5. Chophouse at La Prade’s
Explore the Eatery: Chophouse at La Prade’s is an elegant yet casual dining environment. This is one of the North Georgia restaurants that overlooks a beautiful lake. Chophouse is owned and run by Chef James Reaux, who has over three decades of culinary experience under his belt.
What makes it special: The tranquil views of Lake Burton and excellent surf and turf dishes shine at this waterfront restaurant.
6. Eclipse Fine Dining
Explore the Eatery: If you’re searching for great North Georgia restaurants with an intimate atmosphere, Eclipse Fine Dining is worth a reservation. Only the freshest ingredients and expertly crafted meals make it on the menu at this upscale location.
What makes it special: Eclipse Fine Dining’s artful presentation and unique flavor pairings like coffee-seared venison make this location a treat.
7. The Oaks Lakeside Kitchen
Explore the Eatery: Located within The Ridges Resort, The Oaks Lakeside Kitchen features fare whipped up by renowned executive chef Adam Daniel. The beautiful dining room and palate-pleasing meals earned this restaurant one of Trip Advisor’s 2020 Traveler’s Choice Awards.
What makes it special: For small plates that are big on flavor, the dishes at Oaks Lakeside kitchen are sure to delight.
8. Caledonia at Valhalla Resort
Explore the Eatery: Southern staples are reimagined at Calcedonia. From perfectly cooked salmon to specially selected wines, there’s much to enjoy. Like other North Georgia restaurants on our list, this locale serves up fine dining with a view. The polished dining room looks out onto the idyllic mountain landscape.
What makes it special: Guests particularly enjoy the classy atmosphere and superb service at this restaurant.
9. Wolf Mountain Vineyards
Explore the Eatery: A light-filled and welcoming cafe at Wolf Mountain Vineyards welcomes guests to partake in a wonderful meal. The vineyards’ menu changes and can include delectable offerings such as buttermilk fried Quail, cinnamon apple cobbler french toast and bison sliders. As you dine, the lush grounds and rustic feel make for a relaxing environment.
What makes it special: Wolf Mountain Vineyards offers Sunday Brunches with a new menu each month. Perfectly paired wines elevate each meal.
10. Scott’s Downtown
Explore the Eatery: The warmly lit dining room at Scott’s Downtown sets the ambiance of this laid back yet fine dining experience. Each meal is meticulously prepared in both traditional and cutting-edge ways. The result is mouthwatering fare in welcoming surroundings.
What makes it special: Scott’s Downtown has accumulated various awards, including Open Table’s Diner’s Choice Award, an impressive nine years in a row.
11. Fortify Kitchen & Bar
Explore the Eatery: Meals that dazzle on the plate and the palate are sure to cause a stir. That’s just what you’ll find in Downton Clayton at Fortify Kitchen & Bar. If packed tables and glowing reviews are any indications, Fortify is one of the best restaurants in North Georgia.
What makes it special: In addition to farm-to-table cuisine, the bar at Fortify features cocktails that utilize local ingredients.
12. Montaluce Winery & Restaurant
Explore the Eatery: The culinary creations at Montaluce Winery & Restaurant feature savory meals cooked to perfection. Guests can start with a beautiful charcuterie board featuring local cheeses before selecting the main course. Seafood lovers will enjoy the array of options.
What makes it special: Head Chef Christopher Matson crafts the menu specifically to complement Montaluce Wines, so the pairings are impeccable.
13. Bernie’s Restaurant at Nacoochee Valley Guest House
Explore the Eatery: For a classic taste of North Georgia, Bernie’s Restaurant is the quaint eatery you should visit. Linen draped tables and fresh flower arrangements give Bernie’s dining room a charming and fresh feeling while menu items like Blue Mountain Trout and French onion soup hit the spot.
What makes it special: Get a taste of North Georgia hospitality at Bernie’s. The warm and courteous services will make you feel right at home.
14. The Copper Door
Explore the Eatery: Even though this list is about the best restaurants in North Georgia, a few establishments from the nearby areas have snuck in. The Copper Door is located close by in North Carolina and serves up delicious classics with a Creole spin. Whether glazed lamb, seared scallops and perfectly prepared steaks are a few of the options at this gourmet restaurant.
What makes it special: Open Table diners selected The Copper Door in the top 100 Restaurants in America.
15. The Club at Keowee Key
Explore the Eatery: Keowee Key is a lakeside country club featuring an expansive golf course, waterfront activities and delicious fare at the onsite restaurant. The recently renovated dining room is a beautiful space to enjoy brunch, lunch or a delicious dinner.
What makes it special: The Club at Keowee Key offers a private and exclusive dining experience for members.
16. Beechwood Inn Restaurant
Explore the Eatery: Chef David Darugh owns Beachwood Inn and operates the restaurant with a focus on fresh and sustainable food. In fact, many of the dishes at the restaurant include produce grown in David’s own “Grow, Cook, Eat Culinary Garden.”
What makes it special: Beechwood Inn offers Chef’s Tasting Dinners each weekend, which feature a seasonal menu prepared by chefs paired with fine wines.
17. Black Sheep Restaurant
Explore the Eatery: What was once a historic home in Blue Ridge is now one of the best restaurants in North Georgia. As the name suggests, Black Sheep Restaurant is all about being unique. The menu is full of fresh takes on American classics, and the history of the location adds an interesting layer to your visit.
What makes it special: The Black Sheep Restaurant has the largest outdoor covered patio in Blue Ridge. As the cool mountain breeze combines with the sound of soft jazz and the scent of fresh ingredients, you’ll understand why visitors love to eat here.
18. Luna’s Restaurant
Explore the Eatery: When it comes to North Georgia restaurants, Luna’s is a fixture on the scene. The eatery first opened its doors in 1997 and offers fine dining in a casual setting. Relax with a craft cocktail and browse options including shrimp & grits, fried oysters and pan-seared scallops.
What makes it special: On weekends, you can enjoy great food and live piano music in the dining room.
19. Farmhouse at Waterfall Club
Explore the Eatery: Overlooking the peaceful waters of Lake Burton, Farmhouse at the Waterfall club brings panoramic views and a delightful assortment of dishes. The menu is never the same for long at Farmhouse, but you can be sure you’re in for a treat.
What makes it special: The focus on fresh and in-season produce makes for an exciting and flavor-filled meal.
20. Antebellum Restaurant
Explore the Eatery: Southern classics meet modern flavors in Antebellum Restaurant. You’ll find yourself seated in a historic 1890s home as you pick from options like cocoa crusted duck breast and fried green tomatoes.
What makes it special: Chef Nicholas St. Clair pours his heart (and over a decade of experience) into the specially crafted meals at Antebellum. This makes for amazing dishes that you won’t soon forget.
Get a Taste of What the North Georgia Mountains Offer at Lake Rabun!
With so many magnificent restaurants to enjoy, extending your North Georgia stay is the best option for a full experience. Lake Rabun Hotel & Restaurant offers the perfect escape from the stresses of everyday life.
Whether you are experiencing the flavor of the award-winning dishes at our restaurant or taking in the regal beauty of the surrounding mountain area, you’ll be getting the complete North Georgia experience. So delight your taste buds and your inner traveler with a visit to The Lake Rabun Restaurant today!
