Beloved Georgia Meat And Three Cafes Where Every Plate Feels Like Home

Southern comfort food has a special way of making you feel right at home.

I want to share some of the best spots across Georgia where you can enjoy traditional meat-and-three meals that warm your heart and fill your belly.

These cafes serve up delicious meats paired with your choice of three homestyle sides, just like grandma used to make.

1. Mrs. Wilkes’ Dining Room

Family-style dining brings strangers together at big tables where bowls of Southern food get passed around like you’re at a reunion.

You’ll find this legendary spot at 107 West Jones Street, Savannah, GA 31401.

Fried chicken sits golden and crispy next to bowls of collard greens that have been cooking low and slow.

Mac and cheese arrives bubbling hot with a crispy top that makes everyone reach for seconds.

Since opening in 1943, this place has served countless plates to hungry folks looking for real home cooking.

Everyone sits elbow to elbow, sharing stories while passing dishes around the table.

The atmosphere feels warm and welcoming, just like eating Sunday dinner at your favorite aunt’s house.

2. Minnie’s Uptown Restaurant

Soul food reaches legendary status when celebrities and locals line up together for the same incredible meal.

Located at 104 8th Street, Columbus, GA 31901, this restaurant has been dishing out happiness since 1986.

Oxtails fall off the bone after hours of slow braising in savory gravy that soaks into every grain of rice.

Cornbread dressing comes out moist and perfectly seasoned, tasting exactly like what your grandmother would make for the holidays.

Sweet tea flows freely, brewed just right with the perfect balance of sweetness.

The dining room buzzes with conversation and laughter as people enjoy plates piled high with comfort.

You’ll leave with a full stomach and plans to return soon.

3. Loretta’s Country Kitchen

Small-town cooking shines brightest when recipes get perfected over decades of practice.

Find this gem at 4279 South Old Peachtree Road, Oakwood, GA 30566.

Meatloaf arrives thick and juicy, covered in a tangy glaze that caramelizes on top during baking.

Turnip greens get cooked down with just the right amount of seasoning until they’re tender and flavorful.

Banana pudding finishes every meal with layers of vanilla wafers, creamy custard, and fluffy meringue on top.

The small dining room feels cozy and intimate, where servers remember regular customers by name.

Everything tastes like it came straight from someone’s home kitchen, because the recipes actually did.

4. Rabbittown Cafe

Old gas stations sometimes transform into the most unexpected food destinations.

You’ll discover this hidden treasure at 1985 Jesse Jewell Parkway, Gainesville, GA 30501.

Chicken and dumplings simmer in a pot until the dumplings become fluffy pillows floating in rich, savory broth.

Green beans cook slowly with chunks of bacon that add smoky flavor to every bite.

The renovated space keeps some of its original character while providing comfortable seating for hungry diners.

Portions come generous, ensuring nobody leaves the table feeling anything less than satisfied.

Locals consider this spot their special secret, though word has been spreading about the incredible home cooking.

5. K & K Soul Food

Family recipes passed down through generations create the kind of food that keeps people coming back for decades.

Visit this beloved spot at 2500 Main Street, East Point, GA 30344.

Fried catfish comes out with a crispy cornmeal coating that crunches perfectly with each bite of tender, flaky fish.

Collard greens get seasoned just right, cooked until tender but still holding their shape and bright green color.

Peach cobbler finishes the meal with sweet Georgia peaches bubbling under a golden, buttery crust.

Operating since the 1990s, this family-run restaurant treats every customer like extended family.

The portions are generous, the prices are fair, and the flavors are absolutely unforgettable.

6. Buckner’s Family Restaurant

Buffet-style dining lets you sample a little bit of everything until you find your favorites.

Located at 1220 North Mulberry Street, Jackson, GA 30233, this restaurant has welcomed hungry crowds since 1978.

Carved roast beef gets sliced fresh from the roast, tender and juicy with natural pan drippings.

Creamed corn tastes sweet and rich, with kernels suspended in a velvety sauce.

The buffet line stretches long with dozens of options, from fried chicken to fresh vegetables.

Families fill the dining room, especially on Sundays after church when everyone wants a big country meal.

You can go back for seconds, thirds, or even fourths until you’re completely satisfied.

7. Honey From The Rock Cafe

Converted houses make the coziest restaurants, feeling more like visiting a friend than dining out.

Find this charming cafe at 3201 Peach Orchard Road, Augusta, GA 30906.

Pot roast cooks until fork-tender, swimming in rich brown gravy loaded with onions and herbs.

Buttery lima beans arrive perfectly cooked, not mushy or hard, with a light butter sauce.

Brussels sprouts get roasted or sautéed until their edges caramelize, bringing out their natural sweetness.

The home setting creates an intimate dining experience where you can relax and enjoy your meal.

Every dish tastes like someone who really cares about good food prepared it in their own kitchen.

8. Blue Willow Inn Restaurant

Historic mansions set the stage for memorable meals served with gracious Southern hospitality.

You’ll find this beautiful restaurant at 294 North Cherokee Road, Social Circle, GA 30025.

Fried chicken emerges from the kitchen with perfectly seasoned, crispy skin that shatters when you bite into juicy meat.

Squash casserole bakes until bubbly, with yellow squash mixed with cheese, eggs, and buttery cracker crumbs on top.

The buffet offers more than 100 items daily, giving you endless choices for creating your perfect plate.

Dining rooms spread throughout the mansion, each decorated with antiques and Southern charm.

This place has become a destination restaurant where people drive from miles away for a special meal.

9. Mary Mac’s Tea Room

Atlanta institutions serve more than just food—they serve history and tradition on every plate.

Located at 224 Ponce de Leon Avenue NE, Atlanta, GA 30308, this tea room has been operating since 1945.

Fried chicken remains the star attraction, with a secret recipe that produces incredibly moist meat under crunchy coating.

Sweet potato soufflé tastes more like dessert than a side dish, with brown sugar and pecans creating a candied top.

The servers still take orders on paper pads, maintaining old-school charm in a modern city.

Walls display photos and memorabilia documenting decades of serving Atlanta residents and visitors.

Everyone from politicians to celebrities has enjoyed meals here, but the restaurant treats all customers equally well.

10. Fresh Air Barbecue

Roadside barbecue joints have fed travelers and locals since Georgia highways first opened.

Stop at 1164 Highway 42 North, Jackson, GA 30233 for some of the best barbecue around.

Pulled pork gets smoked low and slow until it falls apart, then gets dressed in tangy sauce.

Brunswick stew simmers thick with vegetables and meat, perfect for soaking up with cornbread.

The rustic building sits right off the highway, with smoke billowing from the pits out back.

Operating since 1929, this place has perfected its recipes over nearly a century of practice.

People plan road trips around stopping here because the food is that good and that memorable.

11. The Colonnade Diner, Restaurant & Catering

Classic restaurants earn their reputation by consistently serving excellent food for generations.

Visit this Atlanta favorite at 1879 Cheshire Bridge Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30324.

Baked ham arrives sliced thick, glazed with a sweet coating that caramelizes during cooking.

Fried okra comes out crispy and golden, with a light cornmeal breading that doesn’t overpower the vegetable.

The menu hasn’t changed much since opening in 1927 because customers love the traditional offerings.

Waitresses have worked here for years, knowing exactly what regulars want before they even order.

The atmosphere feels comfortable and familiar, like returning to your favorite spot time and time again.

12. The Dinner Bell

Country cooking reaches its peak when simple ingredients get transformed into memorable meals.

Find this local favorite at 1801 Shorter Avenue, Rome, GA 30165.

Country fried steak gets pounded thin, breaded, and fried until crispy, then smothered in creamy white gravy.

Mashed potatoes arrive whipped smooth and fluffy, ready to soak up every drop of that delicious gravy.

The dining room fills up quickly during lunch when workers and families come for their daily meat-and-three fix.

Prices remain reasonable, making it possible to enjoy a hearty meal without breaking your budget.

Everything tastes fresh and homemade, prepared daily by cooks who take pride in their work.