14 Georgia Soul Food Spots Even Grandma Can’t Beat
Soul food holds a special place in Southern cooking, and Georgia knows how to do it right.
From crispy fried chicken to buttery cornbread that melts in your mouth, these restaurants serve up flavors that remind you of Sunday dinner at home.
I’ve put together a list of spots across the state where the cooking is so good, it might just make your grandma a little jealous.
1. Mrs. Wilkes’ Dining Room
Imagine sitting down at a big table with strangers who quickly feel like family while plates of home-cooked goodness get passed around.
You’ll find this legendary spot at 107 W Jones St, Savannah, GA 31401, where it’s been serving hungry folks since 1943.
The fried chicken comes out golden and crispy, while the candied yams are sweet enough to count as dessert.
Collard greens cooked low and slow sit next to mac and cheese that stretches when you scoop it.
The family-style service means you eat what’s put in front of you, just like at grandma’s house.
Lines form early because word has spread far and wide about this place.
Cash only, so hit the ATM before you go.
2. Sisters of the New South
Sometimes the best food comes from places that don’t worry about fancy decorations.
Located at 2223 Barnard St, Savannah, GA 31401, this no-frills spot focuses entirely on what matters most.
Their mac and cheese has a reputation that stretches beyond state lines, creamy and rich with just the right amount of cheese.
Smothered pork chops arrive tender enough to cut with a fork, covered in gravy that begs for extra biscuits.
The recipes here haven’t changed because they got it right the first time.
Family traditions live on in every bite you take.
Portions are generous, so come hungry or plan to take home leftovers for later.
3. Sweet Potatoes Kitchen
Sweet potatoes get the star treatment they deserve at this cozy spot.
Head to 6825 Waters Ave, Savannah, GA 31406, where orange-fleshed tubers transform into magic.
Savory sweet potato cakes make a perfect side dish, crispy on the outside and soft inside.
The pies are so good you’ll want to order a whole one to take home with you.
Everything on the menu celebrates Southern ingredients prepared with love and skill.
The atmosphere feels warm and welcoming, like visiting an aunt’s kitchen on a Sunday afternoon.
Don’t skip the regular sides either because they’re all made from scratch daily.
4. Narobia’s Grits & Gravy
Breakfast becomes an event when grits are this creamy and gravy flows this freely.
You’ll discover this morning treasure at 4711 Waters Ave, Savannah, GA 31404, where breakfast is serious business.
The grits are smooth as silk, cooked slowly until they reach perfection.
Salmon cakes arrive golden brown with a crispy crust that gives way to tender fish inside.
Shrimp gravy poured over everything creates a combination that’ll have you dreaming about it for weeks.
Family recipes remain unchanged because some things are too good to mess with.
Get there early on weekends because locals know this secret and tables fill up fast.
5. Geneva’s Famous Chicken & Cornbread
Fried chicken and cornbread might sound simple, but getting them perfect takes real skill.
Find this gem at 6814 Waters Ave, Savannah, GA 31406, where they’ve mastered both.
The chicken seasoning penetrates deep into the meat, not just sitting on the surface.
Cornbread comes out golden with crispy edges and a tender middle that crumbles just right.
Save room for the peach cobbler because it tastes like biting into a Georgia summer.
Sweet peaches bubble under a buttery crust that’s worth every single calorie.
Everything here reminds you why Southern cooking has such a devoted following across the country.
6. H&H Soul Food
Music history and soul food collide at this legendary Macon establishment.
Visit 807 Forsyth St, Macon, GA 31201, where the Allman Brothers once fueled their creativity with home cooking.
The fried chicken here is fall-off-the-bone tender with a perfectly seasoned crust.
Tomato gravy over rice might sound unusual if you’ve never tried it, but one taste makes believers out of skeptics.
The dining room feels frozen in time, preserving decades of memories within its walls.
Pictures on the walls tell stories of famous visitors who couldn’t resist stopping by.
Eating here feels like participating in something bigger than just a meal.
7. Minnie’s Uptown Restaurant
Some restaurants change their menu constantly, but this place knows better.
Located at 104 8th St, Columbus, GA 31901, the specials board hasn’t needed updating in years.
Meatloaf here tastes like the kind your mom made, hearty and satisfying with just the right seasoning.
The vegetable plate has earned legendary status because you can actually taste the care in each dish.
Fresh greens, perfectly cooked beans, and creamy mashed potatoes make vegetables exciting again.
The dining room maintains a timeless quality that modern restaurants try hard to replicate.
Regulars have their favorite tables and the staff remembers how everyone likes their tea.
8. Café 209
Oxtails require patience and skill to cook properly, and this kitchen has both.
You’ll find this comfort food haven at 209 8th St, Augusta, GA 30901, where patience pays off deliciously.
The oxtails fall apart at the touch of a fork, braised until the meat practically melts.
Rich gravy surrounds each piece, begging to be soaked up with cornbread or rice.
Banana pudding arrives in generous portions with layers of vanilla wafers that have softened just right.
Creamy pudding and fresh bananas create the kind of dessert that makes you close your eyes with happiness.
Every dish here reminds you why Southern comfort food has such staying power.
9. Honey Bee Cafe
Since 1947, this Atlanta institution has been feeding hungry souls one plate at a time.
Make your way to 810 Martin Luther King Jr Dr SW, Atlanta, GA 30314, where history lives on every plate.
The fried chicken stays juicy inside while the outside achieves that perfect golden crunch.
Collard greens simmer with smoked meat until they’re tender and full of flavor.
Cornbread dressing appears on the menu daily because regulars would riot if it disappeared.
The cafeteria-style line moves quickly even when it looks impossibly long.
Civil rights leaders once ate here, and you can still feel that important history in the air.
10. Mary Mac’s Tea Room
Don’t let the tea room name fool you because this place serves serious soul food.
Find it at 224 Ponce de Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308, where Atlanta’s dining scene began decades ago.
The menu stretches on for pages, offering every Southern dish you’ve ever heard of.
Fried chicken, pot roast, and country fried steak all compete for your attention.
Sweet tea flows freely, sweetened just right and served in glasses that never seem to empty.
The servers write your order on paper tablecloths, a tradition that makes every meal feel special.
Portions are generous enough to share or save for tomorrow’s lunch.
11. Paschal’s Restaurant
History and hospitality combine at this landmark that served as a civil rights movement gathering place.
Visit 180 Northside Dr SW, Atlanta, GA 30313, where important conversations once happened over fried chicken.
The chicken recipe remains a closely guarded secret that has stood the test of time.
Crispy skin gives way to meat that’s been perfectly seasoned and cooked to juicy perfection.
Side dishes rotate but always include classics like mac and cheese and green beans.
The atmosphere feels both celebratory and respectful of the important role this restaurant played.
Eating here means participating in a tradition that extends far beyond just good food.
12. The Beautiful Restaurant
Beauty comes in many forms, and here it arrives on a plate piled high with comfort.
Located at 2260 Cascade Rd SW, Atlanta, GA 30311, this family-owned spot has been spreading joy since 1983.
The fried fish comes out hot and crispy with seasoning that makes you reach for seconds.
Greens are cooked the old-fashioned way, low and slow with just the right amount of spice.
Cornbread arrives warm and slightly sweet, perfect for soaking up pot liquor from the greens.
The name fits because watching people enjoy their meals here is truly a beautiful sight.
Prices remain reasonable even as everything else gets more expensive.
13. Thelma’s Kitchen
Walking into this place feels exactly like arriving at your favorite aunt’s house for Sunday dinner.
You’ll find it at 302 Auburn Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30303, right in the heart of historic Sweet Auburn.
The buffet line stretches long with options that make decision-making nearly impossible.
Fried chicken sits next to smothered pork chops, while vegetables of every color line up nearby.
Everything gets made fresh daily using recipes passed down through generations.
The peach cobbler disappears quickly, so grab some early before it’s gone.
Locals and tourists mix together here, all united by their love of authentic Southern cooking.
14. Colonnade Restaurant
Operating since 1927, this Atlanta classic has seen generations of families grow up on its cooking.
Head to 1879 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30324, where time-tested recipes never go out of style.
The fried chicken maintains a loyal following that spans multiple generations of the same families.
Meatloaf comes thick and juicy, topped with a tangy tomato glaze that brings everything together.
Traditional Southern sides rotate daily but always hit the comfort food sweet spot.
The dining room has a nostalgic quality that makes you feel like you’ve stepped back in time.
Servers treat regulars like family and newcomers like future regulars, which they often become.
