Athens, Georgia
Not just football but great food too

Athens, Georgia, is the hometown of the double-champions University of Georgia Bulldogs, affectionately called the UGA Dawgs. It’s definitely a football city known for drawing fans from around the state and country.

You may ask what makes Athens, Georgia, a special place other than game time and academic studies. Well, it is also the people who call it home. From chefs and shop owners to music and museum mavens, the community is primarily influenced by creative minds who enhance its unique and authentic vibe.

Everyone loves a town filled with delicious, trendy restaurants. Any football city must have a long list of delicious cuisine available for folks to chow down on when in town for a game, a college visit, or when you call the city home. One person who can guide us to the tasty spots is Chef Mimi Maumus. She is a New Orleans native who first made her way to Athens to hone her craft at Five & Ten under James Beard award-winning chef Hugh Acheson. The next step for the chef was working as a personal chef before moving her business to a brick and mortar. Today Mimi is the chef and owner of home.made, a southern-style restaurant and Sidecar serving elevated bar food and craft cocktails.

We asked chef Mimi Maumus to give us her recommendations of restaurants from the Guide to Eating Good in Athens.

Athens Beer Trail Trolley Tour – The new Athens Trolley Tours from TJ Stephens provides public transportation to the destination’s six local breweries: Akademia Brewing Company; Athentic Brewing Company; Creature Comforts Brewing Co.; Southern Brewing Company; Terrapin Beer Co.; and Normaltown Brewing Company. Tours run every Thursday and Friday from 3-9pm, with more routes and days to be added.

Slater’s Steakhouse – Jerry and Krista Slater have debuted a brand-new upscale steakhouse in Athens’ Five Points neighborhood. The cozy spot serves diverse American classics and crafted cocktails, including a make-your-own martini service. Check out the menu @slaterssteakhouse.

Bar Bruno – Restaurateurs Shae and Ryan Sims are reopening Dinner Party in the Five Points neighborhood under a new name, Bar Bruno. The reimagined wine bar will offer something for everyone, from wine and cocktails to espresso and non-alcoholic drinks, plus a variety of small plates and snacks.

Choco Pronto – Ready for a delicious coffee break? On Baxter Street, Choco Pronto brews Ecuadorian coffee directly sourced and freshly roasted in-house. Check out their menu @chococoffeeroasters.

Do you want more trendy spots in Athens? Here’s how you can eat like a local from Chef Mimi’s list:

Cali & Tito’s – for you spot to stay casual with your flip-flops on for fish tacos, or Cuba Taco Stand – for a menu that offers up mega tofu burritos with a side of cheese dip.
Pulaski Heights – for your choice of tastyBBQ with smoked cauliflower and kimchi
Clocked – for classic burgers and tater tots. The perfect pairing.
Mannaweenta – for a long list of everything that sounds good to eat
Hi-Lo – for shockingly tasty food from a tiny bar kitchen.
Viva Argentina – the steak and Chimichurri sandwich is crazy good. Make sure you enjoy it on the patio, the place to take in those good Athens vibes.
Condor Chocolates. – Is serving up truffles, gelato, salted brownies, and hot chocolate.
The National – for unique and delicious craft mocktail that delivers the same level of thought on their alcohol-free beverage list as their cocktail list. This makes drinking a balanced and creative cocktail everything that it should be (without the buzz…or hangover!).

While you’re visiting Georgia there are also great state parks