Georgia’s food scene blends rich traditions with modern twists, creating a culinary landscape that’s uniquely Southern yet distinctly its own. From slow-smoked meats to fresh coastal seafood and farm-fresh produce, the Peach State offers flavors that tell stories of its diverse heritage. Get ready to explore Georgia’s most beloved dishes that locals treasure and visitors travel miles to taste.
1. 14-Hour Brisket at Ria’s Bluebird
Morning magic happens at this Grant Park café where brisket transforms breakfast into an event. Smoked for a full 14 hours until perfectly tender, this melt-in-your-mouth meat pairs beautifully with eggs or gets tucked between sourdough for a legendary melt sandwich.
Regulars know to arrive early since this Atlanta favorite sells out fast most days. The smoky, rich flavors have earned Ria’s a dedicated following who consider this breakfast brisket worth waking up for.
2. Lowcountry Shrimp & Grits at Cotton & Rye
Savannah’s Cotton & Rye elevates this Lowcountry classic to art form status. Local shrimp, sautéed to perfection, rest atop creamy cheddar grits while crispy bacon adds smokiness and fresh herbs brighten each bite.
The restaurant sources seafood from nearby waters, ensuring the freshest flavor possible. For the full experience, arrive by bicycle at dawn before the brunch crowds form – you’ll work up an appetite and secure a table for what many consider Georgia’s definitive version of this beloved dish.
3. Soul-Satisfying Fried Chicken at Weaver D’s
“Automatic for the People” isn’t just an R.E.M. album title – it’s the motto at this Athens institution where crispy, perfectly seasoned fried chicken has earned James Beard recognition as an “American Classic.”
Owner Dexter Weaver’s decades-old recipes create chicken with skin that shatters like glass while keeping the meat juicy inside. The intimate 40-seat dining room fills quickly with locals and visitors seeking authentic soul food sides like collards, mac and cheese, and cornbread.
4. Georgia Peach Cobbler at Buckner’s
Family recipes shine at Buckner’s in Jackson, where their peach cobbler showcases Georgia’s official state fruit in its most comforting form. Sweet, juicy peaches from local orchards bubble beneath a golden, buttery crust that’s both crisp and tender.
Since 1980, the Buckner family has served this dessert family-style at their round tables. The cobbler arrives warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream slowly melting into the fruit’s natural syrup, creating a dessert experience worth the drive from Atlanta.
5. Texas-Meets-Georgia BBQ at Fox Bros.
Twin brothers Jonathan and Justin Fox brought their Texas smoking techniques to Atlanta, creating a barbecue style that’s become legendary across the state. Their brisket – with its perfect smoke ring and peppery bark – pays homage to their Dallas roots while embracing Georgia’s barbecue traditions.
The meat-falling-off-the-bone ribs develop their signature texture during hours in custom smokers. What makes their barbecue uniquely Georgian? The house-made peach BBQ sauce that adds sweet-tangy notes to the smoky meat – a perfect Lone Star-Peach State marriage.
6. Fluffy Southern Grits at Buttermilk Kitchen
Chef Suzanne Vizethann transforms humble corn into cloud-like grits at her North Buckhead breakfast spot. Unlike instant versions, these stone-ground grits simmer slowly with cream and butter until achieving their signature silky texture.
Weekend brunchers line up for these grits topped with everything from Gulf shrimp to fried eggs. The restaurant’s farm-to-table philosophy means seasonal ingredients often make appearances – think summer corn relish or spring ramps stirred through. For purists, a simple pat of butter melting on top is perfection itself.
7. Historic Fried Chicken at Busy Bee Café
Since 1947, this Atlanta landmark has served crispy, peppery fried chicken that’s become the standard against which all others are measured. The secret? A 12-hour brine followed by a dredge in seasoned flour before frying in peanut oil.
Martin Luther King Jr. was a regular at this West End institution. Today, the James Beard-recognized restaurant still draws lines for not just the chicken but perfect collards simmered with smoked ham hocks. Save room for their sweet potato pie – the silky filling spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg provides the ideal ending.
8. Civil Rights History at Paschal’s Restaurant
More than just a restaurant, Paschal’s served as the unofficial headquarters for civil rights leaders during the 1960s movement. Dr. King and his associates strategized over plates of crispy fried chicken and flaky biscuits in this Atlanta institution.
The restaurant moved from its original location but maintained its soul food legacy. Today’s diners experience history through recipes unchanged since 1947 – including their famous peach cobbler. The walls display photographs documenting the restaurant’s role in American history, making a meal here both delicious and educational.
9. Georgia’s Iconic Peanut Butter Pie
Georgia produces nearly half of America’s peanuts, so it’s fitting that peanut butter pie has become a state dessert staple. This decadent creation features a silky peanut filling atop a graham cracker crust, often finished with whipped cream and chopped peanuts.
President Jimmy Carter – a Georgia peanut farmer before the White House – helped popularize this dessert. Found in diners and upscale restaurants alike, each baker adds personal touches. Some add chocolate layers while others incorporate local honey for extra sweetness.
10. Southern Pimento Cheese Spread
Known affectionately as “Southern pâté,” this simple blend of sharp cheddar, mayonnaise, and sweet pimento peppers appears on tables throughout Georgia. The spread’s bright orange hue signals good times ahead at picnics, barbecues, and family gatherings.
While commercial versions exist, homemade batches vary with family recipes passed through generations. Some add jalapeños for kick while others incorporate cream cheese for extra smoothness. Try it spread thickly on crackers, stuffed into celery, or – for true Georgia indulgence – melted atop a burger with bacon.
11. Sweet Vidalia Onions in Every Form
Only onions grown in a specific 20-county region of southeastern Georgia can legally bear the Vidalia name. These famously sweet onions contain less sulfur than regular varieties, allowing natural sugars to shine through without the eye-watering bite.
Locals eat them like apples, but they truly shine when grilled, battered and fried into rings, or caramelized into jam. April brings the annual Vidalia Onion Festival where visitors sample creative preparations from onion ice cream to onion pie. These special alliums are only harvested spring through summer, making them a seasonal treat worth celebrating.
12. Fried Green Tomatoes at The Olde Pink House
Inside Savannah’s iconic 18th-century mansion-turned-restaurant, these tangy slices of unripe tomatoes get dipped in buttermilk, coated in cornmeal, and fried to golden perfection. The result? A crispy exterior giving way to a firm, tart center that perfectly balances rich Southern meals.
The dish gained national fame through the 1991 movie but has been a Georgia staple for generations. The Olde Pink House serves theirs with sweet chili aioli and goat cheese, creating a modern twist on tradition. Locals recommend them as a starter before diving into heartier fare like shrimp and grits.
13. Luxurious She-Crab Soup at South City Kitchen
Atlantic blue crab meat swims in a velvety cream base infused with sherry in this coastal Georgia delicacy. South City Kitchen’s version balances richness with delicate seafood flavors, topped with a drizzle of sherry and fresh herbs.
Originally from nearby Charleston, she-crab soup gets its name from the addition of crab roe, which gives the soup its distinctive orange tint and intensified flavor. The Atlanta restaurant serves this low-country specialty year-round for dinner, though rarely during brunch hours. Each spoonful delivers luxurious comfort with a hint of the Georgia coast.
14. Southern Veggie Feast at Mrs. Wilkes’ Dining Room
Since 1943, diners have lined up outside this Savannah institution for a chance to experience true Southern hospitality. The family-style feast features at least twenty dishes passed around communal tables, with black-eyed peas and collard greens stealing the spotlight.
The peas, simmered with pork and seasoned with pepper vinegar, offer earthy comfort. Collards cook low and slow until tender, their pot likker (cooking liquid) soaked up with cornbread. Arrive before 11 AM to secure a spot – when Mrs. Wilkes’ opens, the line often stretches down Jones Street.
15. Perfect Georgia Peach Pie
Summer in Georgia means roadside stands overflowing with fragrant peaches, the state’s official fruit. These juicy treasures transform into the ultimate dessert when baked between flaky pastry – Georgia peach pie.
The best versions use minimal sugar to let the fruit’s natural sweetness shine through. A hint of cinnamon and nutmeg complements without overwhelming. Locals debate whether lattice or full top crusts are superior, but all agree the pie must be served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream melting into the sweet filling.
