Diners' Choice: Neighborhood gem restaurants in Northeast Georgia Mountains

OpenTable

Updated October 05, 2024

Looking for the best restaurants that are the best neighborhood gems in Northeast Georgia Mountains? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Glen-Ella Springs Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (911)

$31 to $50

Continental

Clarkesville

About the restaurant

Glen-Ella Springs Inn Restaurant is open to the public and inn guests beginning at 5:30 pm Tuesday through Saturday April through December, and Wednesday through Saturday January through March. Calling ahead is recommended as some additional nights are closed in the winter. Offering one of the finest dining experiences in the North Georgia mountains, the restaurant prepares American Continental cuisine with a Southern flare. The setting is rustic, yet elegant and features fireside and outdoor dining depending on the season. Outdoor seating is limited; please call to request an outdoor table.

Top review

Cassidy

Dined 7 days ago

Food was impeccable! Great portion sizes, combinations of entrees and sides, and seasoned and cooked to perfection. Service was so nice; our server Kim was friendly, communicative, knowledgeable, and prompt. The atmosphere was unbeaten. We chose to eat on the terrace overlooking the garden, which I highly recommend. The menu may seem small, but it encompasses many different styles and I believe even the pickiest person could find at least one entree or special they would enjoy. Everything down to the croutons on my Caesar salad was homemade and utterly delicious. This place will guaranteed not disappoint you.

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4.9

4.9 (2780)

$30 and under

Southern

Flowery Branch

About the restaurant

Nicholas and Alison St.Clair would like to welcome you to Antebellum. We opened our doors in early 2012. Antebellum is located in the Historic District of Flowery Branch. Our menu consists of locally grown vegetables and humanely raised animals. We hope our guests experience hospitality and southern ingredients at their finest. Antebellum is a celebration of southern cuisine.

Top review

Kim

Dined 6 days ago

We found Antebellum two years ago when moving here from another state. We love this restaurant . It is our go to spot for celebrations. Last night we were celebrating our 35th anniversary and invited friends to join us who had not yet dined at Antebellum. They were pleased to have found this gem as well. It is now a favorite of theirs too. It was another remarkable experience. We sat on the porch and it was a beautiful cool night with a breeze. We all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. The food is consistently 5 star and the service as well. Stephen did an amazing job and was excellent with his recommendations and descriptions of the entire menu. Their cocktails are always perfect! We ordered a bottle of wine with our entrees at Stephen’s recommendation and we all loved the wine. Overall it was exceptional. The Brie appetizer was great, the Cesear salad and the bib lettuce salad were fresh crisp and deliciously flavorful. The scallops and the steak were perfectly prepared and the sticky toffee dessert continues to be a favorite. 5 STARS all around.

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Triple Cream Baked Brie

Fortify Kitchen and Bar

4.8

4.8 (3455)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Clayton

About the restaurant

We have a 15 minute grace period for reservations. Please call us if you are running behind, reservations are given up 15 minutes after reservation time. Everyone must be present in order to be seated. Thank you.

At Fortify Kitchen & Bar, expect great food, delicious cocktails and impeccable service in a comfortable environment. We will always support sustainability in our area by using produce sourced from local small farms and growers, all natural, hormone-antibiotic free meats and proteins, and sustainable seafood sources and give back to the great community we call home!

Top review

Bill

Dined 5 days ago

It is always one of our favorite places to go especially taking friends and family there. Joey is our favorite and always does an exceptional job serving and giving advice on the best meals. Love you all. Bill

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4.8

4.8 (811)

$31 to $50

Steak

Cornelia

About the restaurant

A Prime Steakhouse of the highest caliber that transports you into another world, where time stands still, and memories are made.

Community is more than a restaurant, it’s a destination you seek out for the ultimate dining experience. From the Maître D’ that greets you at the door, to the smoked cocktails at the bar, and the world class steaks you enjoy with a bottle of your favorite wine, everything is done with style and impeccable service, in a relaxing prohibition atmosphere.

For large parties of 10 or more, please contact Kaitlyn Reeder at kaitlyn@communitysteak.com

Top review

Rosanne

Dined 1 day ago

Good was exceptional, welcoming and attentive until other diners arrived then slow to bring drinks, but over a great place for an anniversary dinner. Highly recommended.

Lake Rabun Hotel and Restaurant

4.7

4.7 (1477)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Lakemont

About the restaurant

In the mountains of North Georgia the Lake Rabun Hotel & Restaurant has been welcoming guests since 1922. Restored in 2008, the hotel and restaurant offer the best of rustic elegance. From the antique heart pine walls to the locust beams on our deck, expect unique, local craftsmanship. The decor is rich with period antiques, hand-woven rugs, and local artwork.

It features a creatively prepared and presented Contemporary American menu with a Southern twist in the farm to table tradition. Fresh produce locally grown is hand selected and prepared by our Chef de Cuisine, whose entrees respect the natural flavors of high quality, humanely raised and locally harvested food. His kitchen produces cuisines from many regions including Classical French, Southern USA, and Mediterranean. Many guests describe the food at the Lake Rabun Hotel as "the best in the mountains."

Top review

JenniferR

Dined on Sep 25, 2024

Fabulous meal and our server Taelor was a sheer delight! Thank you for a wonderful evening.

Scott's Downtown

4.6

4.6 (1143)

$50 and over

Continental

Gainesville

About the restaurant

The Dining Room is Open!

Please join us for lunch Tuesday through Friday from 11:30am - 2:00pm and Dinner Tuesday-Saturday starting at 5pm at Scott's Downtown. We offer great food prepared with attention to detail, an unparalleled wine list and the best wait staff North of Atlanta. We are located in downtown Gainesville 1 block off the historic Gainesville Square. Our menu offers a wide range of choices from USDA Prime, hand cut steaks, the freshest seafood and local produce with seasonally inspired weekly specials. Free parking is available at the North Parking Deck next door to the restaurant.

Top review

KenH

Dined 2 days ago

Awesome experience. Everything is always great.

Rabun Social

4.6

4.6 (63)

$30 and under

Asian

Clayton

About the restaurant

Welcome to Rabun Social, a dynamic kitchen, cocktail, and sushi bar in downtown Clayton, GA. Delight in our rich Asian flavors with dishes like Ramen, Pad Thai, Chicken Lettuce Wraps, and Mongolian Beef Short Ribs. Our sushi is crafted following authentic Japanese traditions, offering some of the finest tastes available.

We’re also proud of our handcrafted cocktails, each a masterpiece made with in-house syrups and fresh-squeezed fruits. At Rabun Social, every visit is a promise of an extraordinary culinary adventure.

Top review

Kelly

Dined 6 days ago

Great service. Enjoyed sitting outside and the beautiful evening. Loved the filet with sweet potato and the lobster and crab roll was tasty also. Next time we want to try the ramen.

The Vandiver

4.6

4.6 (33)

$30 and under

American

Clayton

About the restaurant

Just as Vandiver's legacy is woven into the fabric of the local area's history, so too is our commitment to crafting an experience rooted in regional flavor and adventure. Amidst the rustic charm of the North Georgia mountains, we invite you to embark on a culinary journey where every dish from tells a story. Every dish at The Vandiver evokes the spirit and flavor of the North Georgia region with ingredients sourced from local friends and neighbors. Our menus combine the familiarity and comfort of American classics with contemporary twists that take create an unforgettable culinary experience.

Top review

Chris

Dined on Oct 2, 2024

First visit and it’s newly opened, we were very pleasantly surprised. Everything was well done! Looking forward to another dining experience!

Bourbon Brothers Smokehouse and Tavern - GA

4.2

4.2 (231)

$31 to $50

Southern

Gainesville

About the restaurant

Great barbecue and chef pride go hand-in-hand. And we have both. Our southern-inspired menu has the classic recipes that you crave, and the perfect twist on traditional dishes that are sure to satisfy. Taste our Bourbon Glazed Salmon and Bacon Wrapped Smoked Meatloaf. Or check out our signature Louisiana dishes including Jambalaya or Shrimp and Grits. Our meats are smoked in our Ole Hickory Pit Smoker and everything in between is made in our scratch kitchen. Our rubs and sauces are all our own recipe. Incredible smoked meats and great bourbons are what we're made of.

Top review

Austin

Dined 5 days ago

Food and service were great. Everyone at our table liked it, from ages 3 to 92! Kids meals, entrees, sides, and cocktails were all great. We had several employees take great care of us and check to refill drinks, make sure everything came out well. We're not from the area, but will plan to return!

Burra Burra Riverside Dining

4.0

4 (334)

$30 and under

Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service

McCaysville

About the restaurant

Burra Burra on the River celebrates the #CopperBasin with classic American food, beer, & wine. Enjoy our riverside deck at historic Riverwalk Shops!

Top review

Sophia

Dined on Sep 21, 2024

Great dining experience for our group of 12 celebrating 30 years of sisterhood. Highly recommend.