10 Soul Food Hotspots Worth The Drive Across Georgia

Georgia’s backroads hide some of the most mouthwatering soul food treasures you’ll ever taste. From crispy fried chicken to buttery cornbread and smoky collard greens, these restaurants serve up generations of Southern cooking traditions on every plate.

Pack your appetite and gas up the car – these ten soul food destinations across the Peach State are worth every mile of the journey.

1. The Busy Bee Café: Atlanta’s Soul Food Time Machine

Serving comfort classics since 1947, this Atlanta institution has fed civil rights leaders and celebrities alike. The secret? Perfectly seasoned cast iron skillets passed down for generations.

Their fried chicken achieves that mythical balance – shatteringly crisp outside, juicy inside. Pair it with collards simmered in potlikker and creamy mac and cheese that’ll make you close your eyes in pure bliss.

2. Paschal’s Restaurant: Where History Meets Flavor

Civil rights movement planning happened over Paschal’s legendary fried chicken and peach cobbler. Martin Luther King Jr. himself was a regular at this Atlanta landmark.

Today, the tradition continues with recipes unchanged since 1947. Their smothered pork chops fall apart under your fork, swimming in savory gravy that demands cornbread for sopping. Save room for sweet potato pie – it’s non-negotiable.

3. Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours: Soul Food’s Next Chapter

Chef Deborah VanTrece reimagines soul food traditions with global influences at this Atlanta hotspot. Her culinary background as an airline chef brings unexpected twists to familiar favorites.

The buttermilk fried chicken arrives with international companions like harissa or chimichurri. Vegetarians rejoice over her famous “Twisted” collard greens, simmered with smoked mushrooms instead of pork. Cocktails here are equally inspired – try the blackberry bourbon smash.

4. H&H Restaurant: The Allman Brothers’ Second Home

Mama Louise Hudson fed hungry Allman Brothers Band members when they couldn’t afford to pay in the 1970s. That legendary kindness made this Macon institution part of rock history.

Since 1959, H&H has served soul-satisfying plates of fried chicken, mac and cheese, and cornbread. After briefly closing, it reopened with the same recipes that comforted music legends. The walls tell the story through memorabilia spanning decades of Southern musical heritage.

5. Mary Mac’s Tea Room: Atlanta’s Dining Living Room

First-timers at Mary Mac’s receive a complimentary cup of pot likker (the nutritious liquid from cooked greens) with cornbread – a tradition since 1945. Despite a devastating roof collapse, this Atlanta treasure reopened better than ever.

The pencil system for ordering feels charmingly old-school. Don’t miss their cloudlike yeast rolls, crispy fried chicken, and tomato pie. Georgia legislators declared it “Atlanta’s Dining Room” for good reason – it feels like coming home.

6. Weaver D’s Delicious Fine Foods: Athens’ Automatic Soul

Owner Dexter Weaver’s catchphrase “Automatic for the People” became so iconic that R.E.M. borrowed it for their album title. This Athens landmark serves no-nonsense soul food that keeps locals and college students coming back.

The small cinderblock building houses big flavors. Fried chicken comes perfectly seasoned with a secret spice blend. Sides rotate daily – pray you visit when they’re serving candied yams and squash casserole. Cash only, but worth every dollar.

7. Collard Green Cafe: Plant-Based Soul Revolution

Who says soul food can’t be healthy? This family-owned cafe with locations in Stone Mountain, Tucker, and Atlanta proves otherwise with plant-based versions of Southern classics that don’t sacrifice flavor.

Their “chicken” and waffles uses crispy seasoned seitan that would fool many meat-eaters. Collards shine without ham hocks, seasoned masterfully with smoked salt and spices. Even dedicated carnivores leave satisfied after trying their sweet potato cornbread and black-eyed pea fritters.

8. Who’s Got Soul Southern Cafe: Suburban Soul Food Paradise

Chef Keith Kash brings soul food excellence to Atlanta’s suburbs with locations in Decatur, Duluth and Lawrenceville. Sunday brunch here requires strategic planning – the line forms early for a reason.

Signature dishes include smothered turkey wings that fall off the bone and salmon croquettes with remoulade. Their lemon-pepper wet wings rival any in Atlanta. Don’t leave without trying the banana pudding – it’s topped with bruléed meringue for extra decadence.

9. Mama’s Boy: Athens’ Breakfast Soul Sanctuary

College students recover from late nights while locals linger over coffee at this beloved Athens institution. Weekend brunch waits become social events – strangers bonding over anticipation of what’s to come.

Their Georgia peach French toast arrives stuffed with cream cheese and topped with fresh peaches. Salmon and grits elevate the classic dish with smoky complexity. The mill-town hash satisfies heartier appetites with pulled pork, potatoes, and a perfectly runny egg on top.

10. Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room: Savannah’s Communal Soul Feast

Since 1943, Mrs. Wilkes has seated strangers together at communal tables laden with bowls of Southern goodness. Former President Obama made headlines waiting in line like everyone else – no reservations accepted, even for commanders-in-chief.

Twenty-plus dishes arrive family-style: fried chicken, beef stew, black-eyed peas, rutabaga, candied yams, and more. Pass dishes left to right as you make new friends. Cash only, lunch only, Monday-Friday – plan accordingly for this quintessential Savannah experience.