10 Places To Eat In Georgia That Are Often Overlooked But So Worth The Trip

A lot of people visit Georgia and want to hit the big restaurants, the famous ones that they've heard such great reviews about.

Publish Date: Wednesday 26th October 2016
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A lot of people visit Georgia and want to hit the big restaurants, the famous ones that they've heard such great reviews about. However, there are so many delicious restaurants in Georgia that fall under the radar, and get overlooked by many. Yet, we found a few of those hidden gem spots in Georgia that may be overlooked, but are totally worth the trip to check them out.

1. Yumbii—Food Truck in Atlanta

Right now, Yumbii has two operating food trucks in the Atlanta area, which really just means it’s that darn tasty. You have to check out the sesame fries, which are so crispy and savory. Pair that with the chipotle ketchup, and be prepared to never eat regular fries again.

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2. Lili’s Restaurant and Bar— 326 Johnny Mercer Blvd, Savannah, GA 31410

Lili’s is one of those charming, delicious hidden gems on Wilmington Island that flies completely under the radar. The breakfast and brunch won’t even show up in a search! But it’s totally worth the trip to check it out, especially the Tandoori Chicken and Waffles. Mmm.

3. Freckled and Blue Kitchen andamp; Catering— 4585 S Cobb Dr #100, Smyrna, GA 30080

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This cozy, family owned spot features some incredible pimento cheese, plus a great patio to relax and indulge in. You have to try the Southern style cheese grits, and catfish tacos for an awesome Southern-modern twist on tasty food.

4. Mariscos Mazatlan— 1650 Pleasant Hill Rd., Duluth, GA 30096

Fresh seafood, quality service, and impressive portions. This restaurant is authentically Mexican, with a huge emphasis on their always fresh seafood. Sign me up!

5. Journey’s End Restaurant— 4319 Atlanta Hwy, Loganville, GA 30052

It's unassuming, it's charming, it's darn delicious Southern home cooked food. Load up a plate and indulge in this no-frills hidden gem. It's so hidden, we can barely muster up a photo of the outside. Little help?

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6. Oasis Café andamp; Grill— 350 Northridge Rd, Sandy Springs, Georgia

Do you want to stretch your culinary palate and try something you may have never eaten before? Oasis Cafe andamp; Grill serves up deliciously authentic Senegalese food like fried fish in onion sauce and grilled lamb. Many people even say it's the finest African restaurant in Sandy Springs. So there's that.

7. Strickland’s Restaurant— 4723 Atlanta Hwy, Bogart, GA 30622

It's been voted as the best breakfast in Georgia according to food blogger Lee Rice, and you may just need to try it for yourself. Smother those homemade biscuits in gravy and give it a whirl. It's farm fresh every time at Strickland's.

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8. Yoder’s Deitsch Haus Mennonite Restaurant—5252 Georgia 26, Montezuma, GA 31063

There's nothing quite like fresh food prepared by Mennonites in a cafeteria-style setting. The food is delicious, like the Lunch plate of country fried steak with white gravy, fried okra, and turnip greens. Who wouldn't love this place?

9. Nick’s Food to Go— 240 M.L.K. Jr Dr SE, Atlanta, GA 30312

When you find the spot that's been labeled the most delicious Greek food in Atlanta, then you have to give it a shot. When you find it in a hidden-gem-style location that most people aren't aware of? Then it'll make this list, hands down.

10. The British Chippie Pub— 91 S Oak St, Lakeland, GA

Feel like taking a trip across the pond without ever having to leave the state? The British Chippie Pub will serve you delectable English-style fare, and big, cold pints of beer, just like they serve in England.

If you know of any more underrated or overlooked restaurants in Georgia that we may have missed, let us know! We'll check them out and hopefully add them to another list. :)

Or if you're digging these hidden gem restaurants in Georgia, then you'll love These 12 Little Known Restaurants In Georgia Are Hard To Find But Worth The Search.

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I'm not always the most adventurous of eaters: I'm a vegetarian and don't care for spicy dishes. It's for this reason that I spent much of my life avoiding ramen. Like many uninformed Westerners, I thought of it as a dish that's made from colorful 99-cent packages picked up at your local grocery store. A staple of impoverished college students, perhaps, but not a classy dish enjoyed by those with more discerning palates. I recently had the oh-so-pleasant experience of realizing just how wrong I was when I tried restaurant ramen for the first time, and it's quickly become one of my favorite dishes that I seek out when traveling. In a state with as many international restaurants as Georgia, I'm sure there are plenty of really incredible ramen dishes all over the Peach State, but I've yet to find any more delicious than Okiboru Ramen andamp; Tsukemen. You'll find four locations throughout the Atlanta area, and while I've been frequenting the newest, in Buford, there are other branches in Sandy Springs, Duluth, and Buckhead. Whichever one you go to, you're sure to find some of the best ramen near Atlanta.

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The Buford location, pictured above, is conveniently located just outside the Mall of Georgia, the largest mall in the Peach State. I first visited on a whim after stopping by for a little shopping. There's no shortage of attractions in the area if you're looking to enjoy a day trip. This is one of the busiest of Atlanta's suburbs, and you'll find tons of great shopping opportunities and delicious restaurants...though, I've got to say, Okiboru is definitely the best I've tried thus far!

The restaurant's other locations are in New York City (plus a now-shuttered branch in Los Angeles). In 2019, Okiboru was awarded the coveted Michelin Bib Gourmand recognition. The Bib Gourmand Award is intended to recognize quality restaurants that serve amazing food at lower price points. The famous Michelin Star scale is typically reserved for fine dining restaurants with much higher food bills.

I highly recommend starting off your meal with an appetizer of garlic nori fries. These crispy fries were an incredible texture. I preferred them without the included garlic mayonnaise-based sauce, as I found that they were delicious enough to not need condiments.

For the main course, I ordered yasai ramen, the restaurant's only vegetarian broth. I had no idea this veggie-and-mushroom broth dish would be so delicious, but it's no exaggeration to say it's one of the most delicious things I've ever eaten. I had to refrain from licking the bowl clean each time I've eaten here, because it really is that good! The homemade broth is simmered for hours each day, leading to a rich flavor full of umami and that comforting feeling that comes from eating a warm dish.

There are a lot of great restaurants in this area of the state, but I'm honestly going to have trouble visiting anywhere other than Okiboru when I'm nearby! I am not typically a fan of hot food on a warm day, but this ramen was so delicious that I am sure I'll be enjoying it year-round.

For more information about this amazing ramen restaurant near Atlanta, check out the Okiboru Ramen andamp; Tsukeman website.

I love the Buford area so much - from the Mall of Georgia to the myriad of international grocery stores, there's a lot to do in this Atlanta suburb. Check out the great vacation rentals in Buford, GA available through Vrbo.

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One of my favorite things about living in Georgia is just how many opportunities the state has for stupendous dining. There are countless great restaurants in the Peach State, whether you're in a metropolis like Atlanta or checking out some of our rural small towns. Those who live in Columbus, GA, are particularly fortunate because you'll find the delightful little Thai Orchid Restaurant there. This place is quite tiny and extremely unassuming. With just a few tables inside and a decided lack of pizazz, it's easy to miss this little spot heading down the highway. Skipping out would be a mistake, however, because this is one of the best hidden gems in Georgia, and it's definitely the place for Thai food when you're visiting Columbus.

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Tucked away in a tiny building just off a parkway, Thai Orchid Restaurant is practically the very definition of a hidden gem. Only a handful of guests are served at a time, and you might have to wait a little while for your food to be cooked but trust us: it's definitely worth the time. Everything is made fresh to order, and the quality shines through in the dishes.

The restaurant may be small, but the portions are sizable, and it's not uncommon to bring home leftovers... if you can keep from eating all the food at once, that is!

The staff at Thai Orchid Restaurant are immensely helpful. It can be overwhelming to dine at an international restaurant if you're not a particularly adventurous eater, but it's always comforting when you dine somewhere where the employees are comfortable answering questions and making recommendations. Even when there's only one staff on shift, you can expect to receive guidance for what dishes are up your alley, whether you're hunting down the spiciest of eats or prefer something a little milder.

From Pad Thai to drunken noodles, you'll find a variety of authentic Thai dishes on the menu here, and the common thread with everything served at Thai Orchid Restaurant is that all of the food is made with passion, and you'll enjoy tons of flavor.

For more information about this amazing Thai restaurant in Columbus, GA, check out the Thai Orchid Restaurant Facebook page.

Live in the area but prefer to eat at home? Enjoy Thai Orchid Restaurant delivery through Grubhub!

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December 23, 2024

Story attribution: Angie Slayton
Only In Your State

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