Athens is well known for its vibrant food scene, offering everything from casual cafés and international cuisine to award-winning fine dining. The Georgia Center is located between the historic Five Points neighborhood and Downtown Athens, making it easy to explore a wide range of restaurants before or after conference sessions.
The restaurants below are only a sample of the many excellent dining options available in Athens.
Five Points (5–15 minute walk)
Five Points is a neighborhood just south of the Georgia Center, known for its locally owned restaurants, cafés, and shops. (Visit Athens GA)
Budget-Friendly ($)
- Cali N Tito’s – A beloved Athens institution serving Latin American cuisine, including tacos, empanadas, sandwiches, and fresh fruit drinks. Casual outdoor dining and generous portions.
- The Local 706 – Neighborhood bar and grill featuring burgers, sandwiches, salads, and local beers in a relaxed atmosphere.
- Fully Loaded Pizza – A casual neighborhood restaurant serving New York–style pizzas, calzones, wings, salads, sandwiches, and pasta dishes. Specialty pizzas and build-your-own options are available.
- Mediterranean Grill – A casual, quick-service restaurant offering Mediterranean favorites such as gyros, kabobs, falafel, hummus, spanakopita, salads, and pita sandwiches. The menu includes several vegetarian and halal options.
Moderate ($$)
- The Royal Peasant – Traditional British pub offering fish and chips, shepherd’s pie, curries, and an excellent selection of beers.
- Marker Seven Coastal Grill – Fresh seafood, oysters, sandwiches, and Southern-inspired coastal cuisine.
- Savannah Room Restaurant – Located inside the Georgia Center, serving contemporary Southern cuisine. An excellent choice for conference attendees who prefer to dine on-site.
Fine Dining ($$$)
- Five & Ten – One of Athens’ premier restaurants, featuring award-winning seasonal Southern cuisine and an extensive wine list. Reservations recommended.
Downtown Athens (15–20 minute walk or short rideshare)
Downtown Athens offers dozens of restaurants representing cuisines from around the world, along with cafés, breweries, live music venues, and local shops. (Visit Athens GA)
Budget-Friendly ($)
- Tres Amigos Athens – Casual Mexican restaurant serving tacos, burritos, enchiladas, and margaritas.
- Maepole – A casual, locally founded restaurant specializing in fresh, customizable bowls. Diners select a base, protein, vegetables, sauce, and toppings, with plentiful vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and keto-friendly choices.
- Yossi Kitchen – A fast-casual Indian fusion restaurant offering customizable bowls with rice, curries, vegetables, sauces, and chutneys. The menu also includes kathi rolls, naan, samosas, gluten free and vegetarian dishes, and traditional Indian drinks and desserts.
- Bubble Café – A casual downtown Asian café serving rice and noodle dishes, ramen, poke bowls, dumplings, and small bites. It is also known for its wide selection of bubble teas, fruit teas, smoothies, and specialty drinks.
- Thai Spoon – A downtown restaurant serving traditional Thai favorites, including curries, noodle dishes, stir-fries, soups, and rice dishes. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free accommodations are available.
- Clocked – A quirky downtown diner best known for creative burgers, hand-cut fries, hot dogs, grilled cheese sandwiches, and milkshakes. Its menu includes black-bean and Beyond Burger substitutions as well as several salads and vegetarian choices.
Moderate ($$)
- The Place – Contemporary Southern comfort food in a relaxed setting.
- Trappeze Pub – Popular gastropub with an extensive craft beer selection, burgers, sandwiches, salads, and vegetarian options.
- South Kitchen + Bar – Modern Southern cuisine featuring seafood, steaks, salads, and creative cocktails.
- Paloma Park – Lively Tex-Mex restaurant and rooftop bar offering tacos, fajitas, and shareable plates.
Fine Dining ($$$)
- The National – Mediterranean-inspired cuisine emphasizing fresh seasonal ingredients. Widely regarded as one of Athens’ finest restaurants. Reservations recommended.
- Osteria Athena – Upscale Italian and Mediterranean dining featuring handmade pasta, seafood, and an extensive wine selection.
- Porterhouse Grill – Classic steakhouse offering premium steaks, seafood, and an elegant dining experience.
Coffee Shops and Cafés
Athens is home to numerous independent coffee shops, bakeries, and cafés—perfect for meeting colleagues, catching up on work, or enjoying a quiet break. Popular local favorites include Hendershots, Sips Expresso, Molly’s Coffee Company, Independent Baking Co., Jittery Joe’s Coffee, Walker’s Coffee & Pub, Condor Chocolates, and 1000 Faces Coffee.
Dietary Needs: Athens restaurants offer a wide range of vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and international cuisine. Most restaurants are happy to accommodate dietary restrictions; please inquire when making your reservation.