Restaurants in the Downtown Athens, GA City Center

List prepared 11/2012.

All are within easy walking distance of the UGA North Campus.

  • A-OK Cafe

Price: $

Locations

  • 154 College Ave. Athens, GA 30601. 706-355-3002 View Map

File Under: Sandwiches. Features: Catering. Hours: Lunch, Mon.–Fri. The Look: Small hole in the wall cafe tucked below street level. Menu: Classic deli sandwiches like the club and tuna melt, along with combination sandwiches named after newspapers (e.g., The Boston Globe with turkey, bacon and cheese and The Washington Post with roast beef, turkey and cheese).

  • Al's Beef

Price: $

Locations

  • 265 E. Clayton St. Athens, GA 30601. 706-316-2333 View Map

File Under: American. Features: Outside Seating, Catering. Hours: Lunch, Dinner & Late Night, 7 Days. The Look: A Chicago-based Italian beef franchise that keeps its doors open late for the downtown party crowd. Menu: Italian beef sandwiches, Italian sausage, Polish sausage, Vienna beef hot dogs, burgers and tamales. Handcut french fries, which can be loaded with chili, cheddar cheese or bleu cheese, and Italian bread loaves are all made in-store.

  • Amici

Price: $

Locations

  • 233 E. Clayton St. Athens, GA 30601. 706-353-0000 View Map

File Under: Italian and Pizza, Bars. Features: Full Bar, Live Music, Trivia, Delivery, Catering, Outside Seating, Wi-Fi. Hours: Lunch & Dinner, 7 Days. The Look: Casual dining space featuring local art on the walls and a bar made of restored wood from the Georgia Theatre fire. Menu: Signature items include pizza with freshly made dough and wings in homemade sauces. Sandwiches, salads and calzones, too. Drinks: Pair your meal with a tall glass of the Beer of the Month.

  • Athens Bagel Co.

facebook.com/athensbagelcompany

Price: $

Locations

  • 268 N. Jackson St. Athens, GA 30601. 706-543-5001 View Map

File Under: Coffee Houses and Bakeries, Vegetarian-Friendly. Features: Full Bar, Wi-Fi. Hours: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, 7 Days. Late Night, Fri.–Sat. The Look: A new bagel bakery with a refined, yet casual atmosphere. Menu: Big, housemade bagels in several flavors (onion, garlic, poppy seed, sesame seed), creative cream cheeses (bacon and chive, jalapeno, snickerdoodle, honey pecan) and plenty of bagel sandwiches served all day. Coffee and freshly squeezed juices to go with your meal. Drinks: Six beers on draft. Bloody Marys and Mimosas are a popular choice during brunch.

  • Barberitos Southwestern Grille & Cantina

Price: $

Locations

  • 259 E. Clayton St. Athens, GA 30601. 706-549-9008 View Map

File Under: Mexican, Vegetarian-Friendly. Features: Beer (Clayton St.), Catering, Outside Seating, Wi-Fi. Hours: Lunch & Dinner, 7 days. The Look: Founded in 2000, this Athens-based franchise now has 27 locations in the South. The assembly line and pay-at-the-counter service make ordering quick and easy. Menu: Made-to-order burritos, quesadillas, fajitas, tacos, nachos and salads loaded with fresh ingredients that can easily be made vegetarian or vegan with tofu. A special "7 Under 7" menu features seven options under seven grams of fat each.

  • Blind Pig Tavern

Price: $$

Locations

  • 485 Baldwin St. Athens, GA 30605. 706-548-3442 View Map

File Under: Sandwiches, Burgers and Chicken, Vegetarian-Friendly, Bars. Features: Catering, Outside Seating, Trivia, Delivery, Wi-Fi. Hours: Lunch, Dinner & Late Night, 7 days. The Look: Lots of big TVs make this pub a great place to watch sports and unwind with friends. Menu: Offers over a dozen types of burgers with your choice of ground chuck beef, ground turkey, veggie burger or marinated chicken breast. Other bar food staples include buffalo wings, sandwiches, wraps, hot dogs, fried pickles, salads and Southwestern options. Drinks: Choose from 11 beers on tap and 50+ in bottles. If brew isn't your thing, let a fruity cocktail quench your thirst.

  • The Branded Butcher

Price: $$$$

Locations

  • 225 N. Lumpkin St. Athens, GA 30601. 706-850-5152 View Map

File Under: Something Different, Bars. Hours: Dinner & Late Night, 7 Days. Sunday Brunch. The Look: Upscale farm-to-table dining under the direction of Matt Palmerlee, former head chef of Farm 255. Menu: Strong focus on local and organic produce, pasture-raised meats and the art of charcuterie. Start off with oysters, local cheeses or a cup of chilled rainbow carrot soup. Sharing multiple charcuterie dishes (pork belly confit, smoked trout rillettes, chicken liver mousse, trotters, chicken terrine) is a great way to sample a little of everything. Check the chalkboard for daily specials. Drinks: Knowledgable servers will gladly recommend the perfect wine to pair with your meal. Cocktails are made with fresh ingredients, like the Bloody Butcher (Grey Goose, fresh horseradish, housemade pickles and mix) and Arnold Palmer (Grey Goose Citron,Barenjager,housemade lemonade and sweet tea).

  • The Capital Room

Price: $$$

Locations

  • 247 E. Washington St. Athens, GA 30601. 706-850-6277 View Map

File Under: Something Different, Bars and Clubs. Hours: Lunch, Dinner & Late Night, Mon.-Sat. Brunch & Dinner, Sun. Features: Outside Seating, Trivia, Catering. The Look: Located in the historic Georgian Hotel, this upscale space with comfortable elegance features 100-year-old stained glass windows and marble walls and columns.Menu: An upscale twist on gastropub fare, like Roasted Lemony Quail, Crisped Pork Belly, Guiness Braised Brisket, burgers and flatbreads.Inexpensive boxed lunches come with a sandwich, chips, pickle and chocolate chip cookie.For brunch, order The Hangover (biscuits smothered with eggs, cheese, bacon, sausage, tater tots and gravy) or Elvis Waffles with peanut butter, bacon and bananas.Drinks: Long list of cocktails, wines and scotches. Fifteen beers on draft including four Terrapins along with domestic, imports and a dozen craft beers. Don't leave without trying a signature martini like the Candied Apple (apple vodka, butterscotch schnapps, champagne) or Southern Belle (Firefly sweet tea vodka, peach schnapps, champagne).

  • Chango's Noodle House

Price: $$

Locations

  • 320 E. Clayton St. Athens, GA 30606. 706-546-0015 View Map

File Under: Asian, Vegetarian-Friendly. Features: Beer, Wine & Sake, Delivery, Catering, Trivia. Hours: Lunch & Dinner, 7 days. The Look: A popular hang-out spot offering a fusion of Thai, Japanese and Chinese cuisine. Menu: Every dish is freshly prepared and made from scratch. Stirfry, noodle and curry dishes make up the majority of the menu. Try the Japanese teriyaki udon noodles or Thai coconut red curry. All entrees are served with your choice of veggies, chicken, tofu, beef or shrimp. Drinks: Sapporo on draft and Asahi, Tsingtao, Chang, Singha and Beer Lao in bottle. Five different sake options and a handful of domestic beers and wines, too.

  • Clocked!

Price: $$

Locations

  • 259 W. Washington St. Athens, GA 30601. 706-548-9175 View Map

File Under: Sandwiches, Burgers & Chicken, Vegetarian-Friendly. Features: Beer, Take-Out, Outside Seating, Wi-Fi. Hours: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, 7 days. Late Night, Fri. & Sat. The Look: Hip, retro diner with a colorful interior. Menu: Eclectic twists on classic diner fare, such as the Allison Conception (smoked turkey, fried eggs and Swiss) and the Ring of Fire Burger (jalapenos, pepper jack cheese, chipotle mayo). Vegetarian or vegan substitutes available for most selections. Pair a sandwich or burger with fresh-cut fries, tater tots, onion rings or fried pickles. For breakfast, a simple menu of omelettes, corned beef hash and pancakes.Hand-spun milkshakes and malts, retro sodas and five Bell's craft beers on draft.

  • Cozy Yum Yum

Price: $$

Locations

  • 179 Jackson St. Athens, GA 30601. 706-208-1747 View Map

File Under: Asian, Vegetarian-Friendly, Bars. Features: Delivery (within downtown), Wi-Fi. Hours: Lunch & Dinner, 7 days. Late Night, Wed.–Sun. The Look: Thai restaurant nestled into a narrow underground downtown space with a row of tables running parallel to the bar. Menu: Soups, salads, curry, noodle and rice dishes with your choice of protein (chicken, tofu, veggies, beef, imitation chicken or seafood). Popular dishes include masaman curry, pad Thai noodles and tom yum soup. Drinks: Choose from an ample selection of sake and Southeast Asian beers. Domestics, too. Non-alcoholic choices include smoothies and bubble tea.

  • DePalma's Italian Cafe

Price: $$

Locations

  • View Map
  • 401 E. Broad St. Athens, GA 30601. 706-354-6966 View Map

File Under: Italian and Pizza, Vegetarian-Friendly. Features: Full Bar, Catering, Outside Seating. Hours: Lunch & Dinner, 7 days. The Look: Refined, but with a relaxed neighborhood restaurant atmosphere. Menu: Varies somewhat by location, but each offers premium pizza, calzones, pasta, salads and desserts. Try the Artichoke Crusted Salmon, Shrimp & Basil Gnocchi or Tortelloni and Grilled Chicken Sausage. For dessert, cannoli, gelato, crème brulée and slices of homemade cheesecake. Drinks: An extensive wine list featuring a host of selections from Italy, as well as a list of "beer," "good beer" and "really good beer." Each location has a full bar, so branch out with a house specialty cocktail if you wish.

  • East West Bistro

Price: $$$☆ Expanded Listing!

Locations

  • 351 E. Broad St. Athens, GA 30601. 706-546-9378 View Map

File Under: Something Different, Vegetarian-Friendly, Bars. Features: Reservations, Catering, Outside Seating. Hours: Lunch, Dinner & Late Night, 7 days. Sunday Brunch. The Look: Watch as the chefs and waitstaff prepare your meal in the open kitchen. Extra long booths and a second floor for private parties are great for large groups. Menu: Asian and Mediterranean styles come together in sophisticated dishes. For lunch, Bulgogi Lettuce Wraps, Pork Milanesa and Chicken Banh Mi are favorites. For dinner, Braised Lamb Leg (served with a ginger-poblano salsa verde, picked fennel and roasted sweet potatoes) and Salmon Gratin (topped with lemon-caper pesto and truffle honey over a spinach chiffonade and fontina potato gratin) are options. Drinks: A distinguished wine menu and many high gravity and microbrew beer choices. Refreshing martinis include the Zen (Grey Goose Pear vodka, grapefruit juice) and The Cucumber (Hendricks gin, fresh cucumber, lemon juice).

  • Eat Hibachi

Price: $

Locations

  • 131 E. Broad St. Athens, GA 30601. 706-548-7441 View Map

File Under: Asian, Vegetarian-Friendly. Features: Delivery, Outside Seating, Wi-Fi. Hours: Lunch & Dinner, 7 days. Late Night, M.–Sat. The Look: Counter service makes for a casual atmosphere. Watch as the cooks prepare your food on two large hibachi grills. Menu: Traditional Japanese and Korean fare. Teriyaki lovers can choose from six different combinations of chicken, beef, salmon and shrimp, which include grilled veggies and rice. Adventurous eaters can try more authentic dishes such as Bulgogi (Korean BBQ), Bibimbap (rice, veggies, meat and chili paste), Yukgaejang (spicy shredded beef soup) or kimchi soup with fermented cabbage.

  • Etienne Brasserie

Price: $$$

Locations

  • 311 E. Broad St. Athens, GA 30601. 706-850-8008 View Map

File Under: Something Different, Bars. Features: Catering, Outside Seating. Hours: Lunch & Dinner, Mon.–Sat. Sunday Brunch. The Look: French restaurant with a refined atmosphere. Menu: Hors d'oeuvres include tuna tartare, escargot and French cured meats and cheeses. For dinner, try Veau Grille (grilled veal hanger steak with roasted red pepper, green peppercoron bearnaise) or Truite Meuinere (wild speckled trout, haricots verts, roasted cherry tomato, caper butter sauce). Affordable lunch options include hamburgers, salads and steak frites. Drinks: A French-dominant wine list and many specialty cocktails made with organic herbs and fresh-squeezed citrus.

  • Farm 255

Price: $$$

Locations

  • 255 W. Washington St. Athens, GA 30601. 706-549-4660 View Map

File Under: Something Different, Bars. Features: Live Music, Reservations, Outside Seating. Hours: Dinner & Late Night, Tu.–Sun. Sunday Brunch. The Look: Farmhouse chic in a 1930s building with a lofted ceiling, open kitchen, large outdoor patio and communal picnic tables. Live music several nights a week. Menu: Offers a farm-to-table experience serving only local, seasonal and sustainable food sourced from Full Moon Farms and Moonshine Meats. Menu changes frequently to reflect each day's harvest. The cuisine is a fusion of Southern and Mediterranean influences (steak frites, pork belly lettuce wraps, charcuterie). The Farm Cart, a street cart serving up items like grass-fed beef burgers, salads and sandwiches, is open seasonally on the patio for lunch. Drinks: The bar, which stays open past dining hours, has an admirable selection of draft and bottled beer with a focus on microbrews and high-gravities. Seasoned bartenders will gladly walk you through selecting the perfect wine or mix you a specialty cocktail like the Ol' Buddy, Ol' Pal (whiskey, vermouth, aperol, orange bitters) or Deville After Dark (cognac, Pommeau de Normandie, Benedictine, Cointreau, lime bitters, clove tincture).

 Five Guys Famous Burgers and Fries

Price: $

Locations

  • 101 College Ave. Athens, GA 30601. 706-549-2811 View Map

File Under: Sandwiches and Burgers. Features: Outside Seating. Hours: Lunch & Dinner, 7 days. Late Night, Thurs.–Sat. (College Ave.).The Look: Classic burger joint with over 1,000 locations. Snack on complementary peanuts while you wait for your order. Menu: Burgers, hot dogs and fries (plain or Cajun-style) make up this simple menu. Customize your burger or hot dog with up to 15 free toppings, and remember to ask for a "little" burger if you only want one patty; the standard burger comes with two.

  • Five Star Day Café

Price: $$

Locations

  • 229 E. Broad St. Athens, GA 30601. 706-543-8552 View Map

File Under: Something Different, Vegetarian-Friendly. Features: Catering, Delivery, Outside Seating, Wi-Fi. Hours: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, 7 days. Weekend Brunch. The Look: Colorful art decorates the walls of this distinctly local and family-friendly cafe. Menu: Made from scratch, gourmet soul food that offers a unique twist on traditional Southern dishes. Try the Lone Star Trout (cornmeal-dusted and pan-fried, topped with black-eyed pea Texas caviar) or fried green tomato sandwich. Hearty breakfast items include buttermilk biscuit sandwiches, True Grits (cheddar grits topped with country ham and diced tomato) and the Elvis Breakfast (French toast sandwich with peanut butter and banana). Check the chalkboard for daily specials.

  • Georgia Theatre Restaurant

Price: $

Locations

  • 215 N. Lumpkin St. Athens, GA 30601. 706-850-7670 View Map

File Under: Sandwiches, Vegetarian-Friendly, Bars. Features: Outside Seating. Hours: Lunch & Dinner, M.–Sat. The Look: Located on the top of the newly rebuilt Georgia Theatre, this rooftop restaurant and bar has a great view of downtown and is open even when the venue isn't; just head up the elevator from the side entrance on Clayton Street. Menu: A simple menu of sandwiches and salads made with local produce whenever possible. Try the smoked pulled pork, chicken salad, pimento cheese or tofu "chicken salad" sandwich. Drinks: A full bar offers refreshing classic cocktails and several beer choices.

  • The Globe

Price: $

Locations

  • 199 N. Lumpkin St. Athens, GA 30601. 706-353-4721 View Map

File Under: Sandwiches, Burgers and Chicken, Vegetarian-Friendly, Bars. Features: Live Music, Outside Seating, Wi-Fi. Hours: Lunch, Dinner & Late Night, 7 days. The Look: Pubs from across the pond are the model here. An exposed brick interior, long wooden tables, comfy couches and a large mural depicting the evolution of wine making above the bar create a charming and relaxed atmosphere. The second floor is a popular destination for soccer fans. Menu: Affordable pub cuisine. Popular dishes include fish and chips, the Globe Burger, tandoori chicken sandwich and spicy vegan chili. Sunday brunch consists of filling croissant sandwiches, fritattas, French toast and croque madames.Drinks: The vast selection of 80 beers, 66 wines and 38 single-malt scotches has helped The Globe earn its reputation as a bar for the discerning drinker.

  • The Grill

Price: $

Locations

  • 171 College Ave. Athens, GA 30601. 706-543-4770 View Map

File Under: Sandwiches, Burgers and Chicken, Vegetarian-Friendly. Features: Beer. Hours: 24 hours, 7 days. The Look: Classic '50s-style diner furnishings ornamented with an assortment of pop culture and old-Athens keepsakes. Menu: The dozen or so burgers and old-fashioned, hand-spun milkshakes are the backbone here, while fresh-cut fries with feta dressing are the most popular side. Sun Burgers, Fakin' Bacon BLTs and Tofu Dogs are among the list of vegetarian options. Breakfast is served daily from midnight until noon and includes all the dependable a.m. staples like omelettes, bagels with lox and Belgian waffles.