Unearth The Voyage
Georgia is where comfort food becomes a cultural experience. Soul food isn’t just about eating here—it’s about history, family, and flavors passed down through generations. From civil rights landmarks to family-owned kitchens that serve meals like grandma used to make, these restaurants are woven into the state’s identity. Here are 10 places locals say you have to try at least once.
Mary Mac’s Tea Room — Atlanta’s Living Time Capsule
Walking into Mary Mac’s feels like stepping through a portal to 1945. The waitstaff still jots orders on notepads, and first-timers receive a complimentary cup of pot likker (the savory liquid from cooking collard greens).
Generations of Atlantans have celebrated special occasions over plates of fried chicken, Brunswick stew, and peerless cornbread. The walls are decorated with photos of celebrities and politicians who couldn’t resist the charm.
Don’t skip the pencil-marked menu—it’s part of the experience. And save room for Georgia peach cobbler topped with vanilla ice cream that melts into the warm, cinnamon-spiced filling.
Paschal’s — Where Civil Rights Met Comfort Food
Legends whisper through Paschal’s dining room. Civil rights leaders once gathered here to plan marches over plates of golden fried chicken and smothered pork chops.
The restaurant’s famous fried chicken recipe hasn’t changed since 1947—crispy outside, juicy inside, with a secret blend of spices that locals swear has healing powers. Black-and-white photographs tell stories of the restaurant’s pivotal role in Atlanta’s history.
Order the salmon croquettes with a side of creamy mac and cheese for the full experience. Many Atlantans will tell you that eating here isn’t just a meal—it’s paying respect to those who fought for equality over these same recipes.
Busy Bee Café — Atlanta’s Historic Soul Kitchen
The aroma of crispy fried chicken hits you before the door even closes behind you. Since 1947, Busy Bee has fed both locals and legends—Martin Luther King Jr. and Barack Obama have both savored meals here.
Regulars recommend the slow-simmered collard greens with smoked turkey and the candied yams that melt in your mouth. The line often stretches down the block, especially on Sundays after church.
What makes this place special isn’t just the food—it’s the sense you’re dining inside a living museum of Atlanta’s civil rights history, with photos and memories covering nearly every wall.
Mrs. Wilkes’ Dining Room — Savannah’s Family Table
The line forms by 9 AM outside this unassuming Savannah townhouse. Inside waits a Southern feast served family-style at long wooden tables where strangers become friends over passed bowls of butter beans and platters of fried chicken.
Mrs. Wilkes has been feeding hungry visitors since 1943, with little changing except the faces around the table. Twenty-plus dishes appear without ordering—from black-eyed peas to sweet potato soufflé.
Cash only, no reservations, and everyone helps clear their plates when finished. It’s Southern hospitality in its purest form, making the hour-long wait feel like a small price for such an authentic experience.
Narobia’s Grits & Gravy — Savannah’s Hidden Breakfast Gem
Tucked away on a quiet Savannah street, Narobia’s doesn’t waste energy on fancy decor—all effort goes straight to the plate. The shrimp and grits arrive steaming hot, with plump local shrimp nestled in creamy, buttery goodness.
Locals treasure this spot for breakfast and lunch, often keeping it secret from tourists. The salmon patties crumble perfectly with each forkful, while the country gravy blankets everything in peppery comfort.
Family photos line the walls, and you might catch the owner’s grandkids helping out on weekends. Come hungry, leave happy, and don’t forget to try the sweet tea—it’s the perfect balance of sugar and sunshine.
Slutty Vegan — Atlanta’s Plant-Based Revolution
The name raises eyebrows, but the food raises expectations for what plant-based soul food can be. Founded by Pinky Cole in 2018, this Black-owned sensation has transformed Atlanta’s vegan scene with provocatively named burgers that satisfy even dedicated meat-eaters.
Music pumps through the speakers while staff call out playful phrases when your order’s ready. The ‘One Night Stand’ burger features a plant-based patty loaded with vegan bacon, caramelized onions, and special sauce that drips deliciously down your wrists.
Celebrity visitors and two-hour lines haven’t changed the restaurant’s community focus. Cole regularly gives back through financial literacy programs and business workshops for underserved neighborhoods.
Sweet Auburn Seafood — Where History Meets Ocean Flavors
Jazz notes float through the air as servers deliver platters of Cajun-spiced seafood to eager diners. Located in Atlanta’s historic Sweet Auburn district—once known as “the richest Negro street in the world”—this restaurant honors Black culinary traditions while adding contemporary flair.
The seafood gumbo simmers with generations of flavor, while the blackened catfish arrives perfectly seasoned atop a bed of dirty rice. Weekend brunches feature live music that transforms ordinary meals into celebrations.
Photographs of Auburn Avenue’s storied past decorate exposed brick walls, reminding diners they’re enjoying more than just excellent food—they’re participating in the continuation of a neighborhood’s proud legacy.
Sisters of the New South — Savannah’s Soul Food Embassy
The smell of oxtails simmering in rich gravy welcomes you like a warm hug. This family-owned treasure started small but earned its reputation through portions that could feed a small army and flavors that transport you to Sunday dinners at grandma’s table.
Red checkered tablecloths set the homey scene where plates arrive piled high with crackling fried chicken, tender smothered pork chops, and sides that steal the spotlight. The mac and cheese—crusty on top, creamy underneath—has inspired marriage proposals according to local lore.
Save room for the peach cobbler that locals drive across town for. The sisters themselves still oversee the kitchen, ensuring every dish meets their exacting standards.
Soul Delicious Grill & Buffet — Morrow’s Comfort Food Paradise
Just south of Atlanta, this unassuming buffet has locals forming lines before the doors even open. The steam tables stretch impressively long, filled with Southern classics prepared exactly as tradition demands.
Tender turkey wings fall off the bone after hours of slow cooking. The collard greens strike that perfect balance between savory and slightly sweet from the pot likker. No one leaves without trying the banana pudding—a cloud-like creation with perfectly softened vanilla wafers.
Families gather here after church, coworkers celebrate birthdays, and first-timers quickly become regulars. The owners often walk around checking on diners, genuinely concerned that everyone leaves satisfied and planning their return visit.
Miller’s Soul Food — Augusta’s Neighborhood Treasure
No website, minimal social media presence—Miller’s relies on word-of-mouth and consistently excellent food to keep the tables full. This Augusta institution serves crispy fried pork chops that locals claim will change your life.
The dining room feels like stepping into someone’s home, with mismatched chairs and tables covered in plastic cloths. Regulars don’t need menus; they already know Thursday means oxtails and Sunday brings the best fried chicken in three counties.
Don’t skip the cornbread—slightly sweet, crumbly yet moist. The elderly couple who founded Miller’s decades ago still supervise the kitchen occasionally, ensuring recipes remain unchanged and portions stay generous enough to guarantee leftovers.
