Restaurants in North Georgia
Everyone who is familiar with Blue Ridge has probably been to, or at least heard of, the Toccoa Riverside Restaurant, located about 8 miles out Aska Road. The food is great and the setting is superb. It’s known for the fine steaks, seafood, ribs and interesting sides. A well-stocked salad bar accompanies each meal. My personal favorite is the pecan-encrusted fresh trout. There’s a rustic dining room with a fireplace, or you can eat outside on the covered deck. There have been many recent renovations—all to enhance your casual dining experience. While gazing at the scenic Toccoa River, you might see tubers floating downstream. The Riverside Restaurant is closed Monday & Tuesday, and has varying hours of operation, according to season. So you might want to call first at (706) 632-7891. They don’t take reservations and it’s always crowded, but you can call ahead to be placed on their “Preferred Seating List.” You’ll get in a lot faster. Even if you have to wait, however, you can stroll down by the river and listen to the frequent live music. It used to be BYOB, but since the laws have changed, you can now relax with a glass of wine.
A relative new-comer on the scene is Cucina Rustica, located off Hwy 575, just north of Hwy 60 in Morganton. This fine dining restaurant serves authentic northern Italian country cuisine. When you walk in, you’re greeted by John Mullinari, the owner. Immediately you feel right at home. As soon as you taste the food, prepared by John’s wife Isabella, you know you’ll be back. The sauces are light and flavorful, not overpowering. And the portions are generous. I always want to try something new, but ever since I first tried the House Specialty, Tortellini alla Nonna, I’ve been hooked. When I’ve been allowed to taste my friends’ entrees, I’ve never been disappointed. You won’t be either. The place isn’t huge and it has become very popular ever since it opened, so if you want a weekend reservation, you’d better call by Wednesday. Even if you forget to call early, there might be a cancellation. (706) 374-7474
A fun place to try is Mike’s Restaurant & Fish Market in Blairsville. It’s definitely not fancy, but the food is great. If unlucky when fishing, just stop by Mike’s and pick up some fresh trout to take back to your cabin. This is a place that’s extremely popular with the locals. You’ll like it too, but you’ll have to brown bag it if you want a beer.
If you’re looking for bar-b-q, you could try the Pink Pig in Cherry Log, the Blue Ridge Mountain BBQ on First Street or Colonel Poole’s in Ellijay. Col. Poole’s is definitely our choice. We like the slabs of ribs and the chopped pork. We always try to pick some up on our way into the mountains each trip. I say “try” because, like everywhere else, they aren’t open every day. I guess that’s part of the charm.
The Lilly Pad Village is a fun family adventure. While the kids are playing Putt-Putt, mining gems or fishing in the little pond, you can sit on the deck using their WIFI, and sip a frozen coffee drink or hot tea while being serenaded by bullfrogs. They also have pastries, lite lunches and fine cigars. On the weekends there is live music. The Lilly Pad is located 7 ½ miles out Aska Road.
Doyle’s Cedar Hill Restaurant is technically not in North Georgia. It’s in Murphy, NC. But, it’s so good and so close by, I felt it was worth mentioning. The food is excellent, the wines are fantastic, and there is live entertainment most nights. Doyle’s is set in an old farmhouse. It has separate indoor dining rooms, plus a very large covered patio which has a kid friendly atmosphere until 9:00 pm. The restaurant is open for both lunch and dinner. Call (828) 837-3400 or email doylescedarhill (at)gmail.com.
Downtown Blue Ridge offers many dining experiences. You might want to try:
-
Danielle’s Great Eats—deli & bakery, WIFI, open daily 11-4
-
L & L Beanery—coffee shop w/ big fireplace
-
Serenity Garden Café—tasty food with outdoor garden seating
-
The Victorian House Restaurant—quaint 1900 atmosphere