Are you a new UGA student, or an upperclassman that wants some recommendations for dinner in Athens? Well, you’re in luck! There are over 200 restaurants in Athens, so you are sure to find one that suits what you’re looking for.
Read Next: The Best of Athens, GA
With Rambler’s downtown Athens location, we are just steps from some of the most popular restaurants in town. We know how hard it can be to make a decision on where to eat, so we have compiled a list of the most popular restaurants in Athens that you and your friends don’t want to miss!
Top 15 Restaurants in Athens, GA
1. Marker 7
Photo Courtesy of Marker 7’s Facebook page
Area: Five Points
Cuisine: Seafood
Occasion: Sunday Brunch or Tailgating
Distance from Rambler: 5-minute drive
Address: 1195 S Milledge Ave, Athens, GA 30605
Marker 7 is located in the Five Points area on Milledge and is known for its appetizers and seafood dishes. Marker 7 is a hotspot when parents come to town, football games, birthdays, and Sunday brunch! Marker 7 offers indoor and outdoor seating on a first come, first serve basis.
Read Next: 10 Best Brunch Spots in Athens, GA Near The University of Georgia
2. Cali N Tito’s
Photo Courtesy of Visit Athens
Area: Five Points
Cuisine: Pan-Latin
Occasion: Quick Bite or Tailgating
Distance from Rambler: 5-minute drive
Address: 1427 S Lumpkin St, Athens, GA 30605
Cali N Tito’s is a laid back restaurant with lots of outdoor seating. It features Latin American cuisine and is BYOB while also having alcoholic drinks available for purchase. Cali N Tito’s is a popular place to tailgate for UGA football games.
Read Next: 10 Best Places for UGA Tailgates in Athens, GA
3. Chuck’s Fish
Photo Courtesy of Open Table
Area: Downtown
Cuisine: Seafood
Occasion: Parents Weekend or Birthday Dinner
Distance from Rambler: 4-minute walk
Address: 220 W Broad St, Athens, GA 30601
Chuck’s Fish is an Athens favorite and has arguably the best sushi in town. While they are known for their fish, the Chuck’s Salad, in my opinion, is unmatched. Since Chuck’s doesn’t take reservations, you can expect a wait when you get there. Once you are seated, ask for the secret menu – it’s worth the wait!
4. El Barrio
Area: Five Points
Cuisine: Mexican
Occasion: Date Night
Distance from Rambler: 5-minute drive
Address: 1331 S Milledge Ave, Athens, GA 30605
El Barrio is a Mexican restaurant known for their tacos and tequila. Share a margarita pitcher with some friends and enjoy a few tacos. El Barrio has a covered patio, an indoor bar, and outdoor seating with a putting green.
Read Next: 8 Best Happy Hours near The University of Georgia
5. Clocked
Photo Courtesy of The Plasencia Group
Area: Downtown
Cuisine: American
Occasion: Casual Lunch or Dinner
Distance from Rambler: 6-minute walk
Address: 259 W Washington St, Athens, GA 30601
Clocked is a well-known burger joint with great prices and even better burgers. Located downtown, this is a popular spot for UGA students to grab a quick bite to eat. The indoor and covered patio seating is perfect for warm weather or chilly days. The outdoor seating at Clocked is spacious and pet-friendly!
6. Last Resort
Photo Courtesy of Visit Athens.
Area: Downtown
Cuisine: New American
Occasion: Date Night
Distance from Rambler: 5-minute walk
Address: 174-184 W Clayton St, Athens, GA 30601
Last Resort is a fine dining spot serving New American cuisine. It is a student favorite on parents’ weekends or date nights with its vast menu and wine list. Last Resort offers brunch on the weekends which you can enjoy seated inside or outside. Last Resort does not take reservations and can get rather busy but, in the meantime, you can have a drink in the new beer garden while you wait to be seated.
Read Next: 10 Things to do When Your Family Visits Athens
7. Taqueria Del Sol
Photo Courtesy of Atlanta Magazine
Area: Downtown
Cuisine: Mexican
Occasion: Casual Lunch or Dinner
Distance from Rambler: 8-minute walk
Address: 334 Prince Ave, Athens, GA 30601
The Mexican cuisine at Taqueria Del Sol is a staple in any UGA student’s diet. They keep their lunch and dinner menus simple since their mission is “to do a few things great rather than many things just okay.” Taqueria Del Sol is open for lunch Monday through Saturday and dinner Tuesday through Saturday while offering mainly outdoor eating.
8. Trappeze Pub
Photo Courtesy of Character Built Construction
Area: Downtown
Cuisine: American
Occasion: Birthday Dinner
Distance from Rambler: 7-minute walk
Address: 269 N Hull St, Athens, GA 30601
Trappeze is located downtown and is a popular place for birthday dinners and when parents are in town. Trappeze is known for their Belgian fries and dipping sauces, with other popular menu items being their burgers and salads. They are open every day of the week for lunch and dinner.
9. Porterhouse Grill
Photo Courtesy of Porterhouse Grill
Area: Downtown
Cuisine: Steakhouse
Occasion: Dinner with Parents
Distance from Rambler: 10 minute walk
Address: 459 E Broad St, Athens, GA 30601
Porterhouse serves the best steaks in town while having a variety of delicious appetizers. They have lunch specials on weekdays where students can score great food for a great price. There is limited outdoor seating but a spacious inside space with plenty of room for big parties. Porterhouse is a hot spot on parent’s weekend, so reservations are recommended.
10. Fully Loaded
Photo Courtesy of 3Tree Realty
Area: Five Points
Cuisine: Pizza
Occasion: Casual Pizza Night
Distance from Rambler: 5-minute drive
Address: 1255 S Milledge Ave, Athens, GA 30605
Fully Loaded is a casual pizza joint located in Five Points. They serve pizzas, pastas, and salads while playing professional sports games on the TVs. There is plenty of bar, indoor, and outdoor seating perfect for any weather day. Fully Loaded takes reservations, but for students it is common to just walk-in!
11. Pauley’s Crêpe Bar
Photo Courtesy of Pauley’s Instagram
Area: Downtown
Cuisine: Crêpe Bar
Occasion: Dinner and Drinks Before a Night Out
Distance from Rambler: 8-minute walk
Address: 134 E Clayton St, Athens, GA 30601
Pauley’s is one of the most popular dinner places around! Being downtown, it is a hotspot among students for dinner and drinks before a night out. Pauley’s has drink specials almost every night of the week which pair excellently with their tasty appetizers and famous crêpes. Pauley’s usually doesn’t take reservations, so if you want a table, get there early!
12. The Farm Cart
Photo Courtesy of The Farm Cart.
Area: Near Downtown
Cuisine: Breakfast
Occasion: Sunday Brunch
Distance from Rambler: 4-minute drive
Address: 1074 Baxter St, Athens, GA 30606
While Farm Cart is known for their fresh biscuits, they also have a few different menu items for lunch. It is usually busy for breakfast, so make sure you have enough time to stop in during a busy morning. Farm Cart offers to-go orders, but if you decide you want to sit, they have indoor and outdoor seating!
13. Cava
Photo Courtesy of Cava Athens Facebook
Area: Beechwood
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Occasion: Quick Meal
Distance from Rambler: 6-minute drive
Address: 145 Alps Rd, Athens, GA 30606
Cava is a fast, casual restaurant where you can either take your food to-go or sit down and eat. It is a healthy option and a favorite restaurant for many UGA students. Since Cava is very popular, I recommend getting there early as they tend to run out of ingredients near closing time. There is indoor and outdoor seating.
14. ZZ & Simone’s
Photo Courtesy of Online Athens
Area: Five Points
Cuisine: Italian
Occasion: Parents Weekend
Distance from Rambler: 5-minute drive
Address: 1540 S Lumpkin St Suite 4, Athens, GA 30605
ZZ & Simone’s is a fine dining Italian restaurant that has become an Athens favorite in recent years. The Rigatoni Alla Vodka is the most popular dish on the menu, and it definitely lives up to its reputation! Reservations are recommended.
15. Five Bar
Photo Courtesy of Five Bar.
Area: Downtown
Cuisine: American
Occasion: Birthday Dinner or Weekend Brunch
Distance from Rambler: 6-minute walk
Address: 269 N Hull St STE 100, Athens, GA 30601
Five Bar is a nicer restaurant with a twist. They only have five signature cocktails, five wines, five snacks, and five entrees- hence the name! Five Bar prepares their five entrees exceptionally well, making it the perfect spot to bring your parents when they visit! They seat only on a first come, first serve basis and do not take reservations. Five Bar also serves brunch on the weekends!
We believe these are some of the best restaurants you will find in Athens. With an expansive list of cuisines and different vibes, we are sure this list will help you find the perfect restaurant for any occasion!
If you have any questions about Rambler or Athens living, please contact our leasing office. We are happy to help!
