Summer food in the mountains of North Georgia

The mountains of North Georgia have unique restaurants with excellent service that reflects their famous southern hospitality. With the help of the official Georgia culinary guide, we highlight some of the best restaurants in this fragrant region.

Place Mill, Blairsville

Offering a menu of traditional farm-to-table Southern fare, The Sawmill Place Diner draws diners from near and far. They partner with over 10 local farms to bring fresh food to the table. Roasted Zucchini is a popular item on the menu, sourced locally and made from scratch daily. Rocking chairs on the porch are perfect for relaxing on a summer afternoon.

Go here if…you’re exploring the Chattahoochee National Forest and need some food after your hike.

Antebellum, Flower branch

Antebellum Restaurant in Flowery Branch offers a contemporary Southern menu in a traditional 1890s-style home. With a wide variety of Southern dishes, seafood, desserts and cocktails, Executive Chef Nicholas St. Clair ensures to use only the freshest ingredients from local farms. Don’t miss the opportunity to order fried green tomatoes in a modern design – bacon jam, buns, fried egg, hot sauce and mimosa ice.

Come here when…you are celebrating a special event or planning a date.

Hofer’s Bakery and Cafe, Helen

Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge, Hofer’s strives to provide its visitors with an authentic Bavarian experience. . Hofer’s has an extensive menu ranging from breakfast, sandwiches and even an ice cream menu. However, their best seller is the Wiener Schnitzel, a tender pork cutlet lightly breaded and pan-seared, also served with potato salad and vegetable of the day.

Go here if…you’ve just finished sailing the Chattahoochee or are planning to visit Helen for the annual Oktoberfest.

The Bourbon Street Grille, Dahlonega

The Bourbon Street Grille offers the best of both worlds. Downstairs, guests can enjoy a pub atmosphere, while upstairs will be a more intimate dining experience with a balcony overlooking the historic Dahlonega Square. The Cajun-inspired menu includes Gumbo cheese fries topped with chicken, sausage and cheddar cheese. With just one bite, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to the heart of the Big Easy.

Go here if…you want to relax and watch the town square come to life at night.

X-Factor Grill, Toccoa

History is important to X-Factor Grill, considering their building is over 100 years old and was formerly the shoe and men’s department of Belk Department Store. The restaurant was renovated five years ago, so it’s only fitting that their traditional dishes are done with a modern flair that reflects their atmosphere. If you’re planning a Taco Tuesday, go for the flaky white fish tacos topped with purple cabbage and house salsa, wrapped in flour tortillas.

Go here if…you explore a three-story antique mall that has several open entrances with a restaurant.

For more information, visit ExploreGeorgia.org