Our Favorite Eateries

You can expect all of these restaurants to be within walking distance of your hotel if you book downtown. The restaurants listed at the bottom of the page to avoid Bike Race traffic and wait times are less than a 5 minute drive.


Brunch is a way of life here, due to the slow southern pace and more so because of the late nights that the downtown scene produces. Check out these favorites for Saturday or Sunday Brunch. All of the suggestions below serve brunch and lunch.


Mama's Boy
I'd go with the regular breakfast plate instead of a sandwich if you choose to dine here for brunch. We will be serving their delightful sandwiches at our picnic, although if it's available, I've been known to hit up the Trout Salad Sandwich back to back. If you're a meat eater make sure you get a plate that includes their thick yummy bacon. Take note of the poppyseed butter that comes as a side with their flaky biscuit, make sure not to waste a drop of this delicious recipe.

The Georgia Peach Stuffed French Toast and Salmon Cakes Benedict are also high points. While I haven't had the nerve to try it yet, you can also have chocolate cake for breakfast. If anyone does, please report back to me asap, this is a childhood favorite of mine!

We must warn you though, it's a sin to forget to order a Strawberry-Lemonade Mimosa as soon as your are seated.

Mama's Boy takes credit cards and has outside seating available. Directions from The Founders Garden




The Last Resort is probably the best all around restaurant here in Athens. It's owner takes immense pride and accountability for his highly successful eatery. Expect every meal you have to be amazing, especially brunch. We suggest dinner here as well. I honestly don't know where to start on the menu, I imagine that you will most likely feel like the chef specially prepared your meal. Fresh ingredients and knowledge of complimentary pairings make this a must stop on the list. You can find our White Chocolate Wedding Cheesecake here here by the slice or if even by the whole cake if you really liked it, we think you will.

The Last Resort takes credit cards and there is patio seating available.
Directions from The Founders Garden



Big City Bread Cafe is one of many local bakeries that we pick up our bread at for the weeks sandwiches and meals. Their food is amazing, the high points being their brunch and their lunch sandwiches. Expect specials that include a weekly quiche and Tomato Scallion Soup with Goat Cheese. David suggests that you ask for extra goat cheese. For those of you with a sweet tooth, make sure you pick up some cookies, cakes or snacks. Expect everything else on the menu to be a high point as well.

Big City Bread takes credit cards and outside seating is an amenity. However, it is the only restaurant featured here that DOES NOT serve alcohol. Order at the counter and take your number outside for table service. After your meal the norm is to bus your own dishes at the wait station a few steps away. Plastic and paper can be recycled in the plastic dish trays. Directions from The Founders Garden



Lunch and Dinner


Depalma's boast amazing pastas although their Margherita Pizza is amazing as well. Expect the same named pasta dish to make you just as happy if your party isn't feeling pizza. You can read about our take (and recipe!) on the Pasta Margherita here. If you're looking for something lighter try the Insalata Cecilia Salad complete with pineapple, shrimp and scallops, they make for a perfect combination.

Depalmas takes credit cards and outside seating is available. Directions from The Founders Garden.



Harry Bissett's, two words: Apalachicola Oysters. The only other things you really need to know is that there is amazing Creole food available, outside seating and Bissett's takes credit cards. Directions from The Founders Garden.



Transmetropolitan, great pizzas, salads (go with the vinaigrette!) and hot sandwiches! Order at the counter and take a seat with your number card to be served. Enjoy their Make Your Own Bloody Mary Bar on Sunday! Outside seating is available, cozy seating with full bar(and a great view!) is available upstairs as well. Transmet takes credit cards. Directions from The Founders Garden.



Expect to find top notch diner food atClocked, a retro fix on the cool side of downtown. Their burgers are a must but if you're a vegetarian I suggest going with Katy's Sandwich on rye. Root beer floats and tater tots are a must here. Clocked has outside picnic tables available and takes credit cards. Directions from The Founders Garden.



The Farm 255 boasts an attractive space, a minty Mojito and fresh, local, organic fare. It's slightly pricey and it has odd hours but you'll be pleased if this is your choice for dining.

Outside seating is available, music is an often occurrence here, accepts credit cards. Directions from The Founders Garden.



Amici Italian Cafe, is where our love story began. Not at this particular location, but in Milledgeville, Georgia while we were in college. We love their HONEY!-hot wings and pizza the most.

Amici takes credit cards and has limited seating available outside. Directions from The Founders Garden.



The Globe is for those looking for a European Pub feel. The food is good, service is sometimes slow but usually friendly. The Spicy Vegetarian Chili is even a suggestion for the meat eaters. Also try the Fish and Chips. There are a TON of beers and wine to choose from here.

The Globe accepts credit cards and there is limited seating available outside. Directions from The Founders Garden.



Shokitni is the place to go for the best sushi in town. Sitting at the sushi bar is a must. There are special treats involved when doing so and we wouldn't do it any other way. Expect an Oreo Treat (pictured above) at the end of your meal if you follow our lead but make sure you tip your Sushi Shokunin. Don't just go for the sushi rolls either, we suggest the mussels and any of their fresh nigiri.

Shokitini excepts credit cards, has outside seating but again we only suggest the bar. Directions from The Founders Garden.


Late Night Snacks


Little Italy is the spot for a late night pizza craving. It's the most affordable restaurant in town and we hear they now take credit card but I imagine they still like cash the best. Little Italy is open from lunch until at least 3am. Directions from The Founders Garden.



The Grill is an Athens landmark and is open until at least 3am as well. Their menu is changing but the best constant factor is their milkshakes. I suggest vanilla, nothing about it is plain.