File Under: Sandwiches, Burgers and Chicken. Features: Beer and wine, catering, counter service, delivery. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • Standard bowling alley food inside Showtime Bowl: chicken fingers, fries, pretzels, wings, pizza. Beers by the bucket include local and craft brews, or you can do hard seltzers in bulk.

File Under: Bars and Clubs. Features: Full bar, DJs. • Big college bar with pool tables that gets its name from the year UGA was chartered. Also serves food (fried apps, burgers, flatbreads, wings in a lot of flavors, wraps, tacos), which means it's open Sundays. Margarita towers, pitchers of domestics. Poker Mondays, Taco Tuesdays, Wing Wednesdays.

File Under: Mexican and Latin American. Features: Full bar, catering, outside seating, delivery. Hours: Breakfast. Lunch and dinner, open seven days. • A mix of Americanized Mexican and more authentic stuff in a family atmosphere. Normaltown location has a gorgeous rooftop bar with a mural and nice views, plus breakfast Thursday through Saturday now starting at 7:30 a.m.

File Under: Asian, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Counter service, take-out, delivery. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days. • Pay attention to the second half of the name and get the poke, available at a reasonable price with loads of topping choices (raw and cooked). Vegetarian options, hibachi, fried rice, noodles and basic soups and salads.

File Under: American, Breweries. Features: Full bar, live music, trivia. Hours: Lunch, dinner and brunch, open seven days. • A wide variety of house-brewed beers that is always changing (more than two dozen on tap at any given time), plus a full restaurant, not just bar snacks. Beer features in many dishes, and there are vegan and vegetarian options. Also: flatbreads, burgers, salads, biscuits + beer at brunch. Cocktails, wine, shots and cider, too.

File Under: Pizza, Bars. Features: Trivia, catering, outside seating, take-out, delivery, full bar, Wi-Fi. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • Two options are nearby for this small chain: downtown Athens and on Macon Highway in the Falls of Oconee shopping center. Pizza with a wide variety of toppings, renowned wings, sandwiches, pasta, salads and soup. Good craft brews. 

File Under: Italian and Pizza. Features: Take-out, delivery. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days. • Locally owned pizza place with a wide variety of toppings, plus pasta (baked ziti, lasagna), subs, wings, calzones, salads and meatballs à la carte. Lots of desserts, including baklava in a case on the counter.

File Under: Asian, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Take-out, delivery. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days. • Informal place focusing on quick-sauteed Thai, Chinese, Korean and Japanese dishes. The Thai curries are a highlight, but everything is fast and tasty.

File Under: Italian and Pizza, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Beer and wine, counter service, delivery, outside seating, take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • Big slices of New York-style pizza made in pans brushed with garlic oil, plus delish but not giant subs, salads and cannoli all with quality ingredients. Vegan-friendly + gluten-free options.

File Under: American. Features: Full bar, trivia. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days. • Burgers, chicken, flatbreads, hot dogs, funnel cake fries and the like, available for munching while you watch a movie or play trivia or bingo in the lobby on Wednesdays. Movie-themed cocktails and mocktails.

File Under: Burgers. Features: Beer, take-out, catering, outside seating. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • Small menu done well: smashburgers topped with caramelized onions, cheese, housemade pickles and zippy house sauce; fries; banana pudding in a few different flavors. New Watkinsville location has a drive-thru.

File Under: Mexican, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Beer (Clayton St.), catering, outside seating, delivery, Wi-Fi. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days. • Locally owned burrito chain has expanded throughout the Southeast but remains Athens-y. Serves health-oriented Mexican-ish fare, highlighting low-fat options. Everything is customizable to your taste/dietary needs: burritos, quesadillas, fajitas, tacos, nachos and salads, lots of veggies; vegetarian and vegan options.

File Under: Asian. Features: Delivery, take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • Not, in fact, a barbecue restaurant, but a Korean fried chicken chain with locations from California to New York. The "bb.q" stands for "best of the best quality." Tenders, wings, tteokbokki and sides from pickled radishes and cheese sticks to onion rings.

File Under: Bakeries, Sandwiches, Delivery. Features: Catering, counter service. • Cute independent bakery does cupcakes, custom cakes, cookies, cake pops, gooey bars and box lunches with a sandwich, cheese straws and a cupcake.

File Under: American, Bars. Features: Catering, outside seating, trivia, delivery, Wi-Fi. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days. 

File Under: Asian, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days. • Sister restaurant to Bubble Cafe offers quick-service, mostly Korean food: bento boxes with a protein, rice, two dumplings and a side; snacks like tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes) and seaweed salad; wings, noodles and fried rice.

File Under: Sandwiches, Burgers and Chicken. Features: Take-out, outside seating. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • Wings and chicken fingers to go, with 16(!) different sauces and a wide variety of customizations (extra wet, extra crispy, etc.). Also: burgers, corn dogs, meaty salads, fried shrimp, onion rings, fries and fried apple pies on the side. Other locations are in Statham, Lexington, Commerce, Elberton, Hartwell and Royston. Online ordering.

File Under: Sandwiches, Burgers and Chicken, Vegetarian Friendly, Bars. Features: Catering, outside seating, trivia, delivery, Wi-Fi. Hours: Lunch, dinner and late night, seven days. • Longtime Athens sports bar has several locations and a big menu including many vegetarian choices. Beer on tap and in bottles, including local brews. Each location has its own specials.

File Under: American. Features: Beer and wine, curbside pick-up, catering, outside seating, delivery, take-out, Wi-Fi. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • Family-oriented restaurant with a huge menu, great deals on kids meals and something for everyone, including celiac folks. Big salads, fried apps, tacos, burgers, grilled seafood and more.

File Under: Chicken. Features: Beer, catering, delivery, take-out, wine. Hours: Seven days. 

File Under: Asian, Tea House, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Catering, counter service, take-out, delivery, Wi-Fi. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • Bubble tea, of course, in a wide variety of flavors (almond milk for the lactose intolerant; milk teas, fruit teas, smoothies, cloud cream, matcha), but also fun snacks, dumplings, good soups, rice and poke bowls and more, all in an Instagrammable interior. Good vegetarian options.

File Under: Italian and Pizza, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Counter service, delivery, take-out. Hours: Lunch, dinner and late night. • Some of the biggest pizzas in town, plus wings, hot and cold subs, calzones, fried apps, pasta, salads, breadsticks and dessert. Open as late as 3 a.m. Take-out and delivery only.

File Under: American, Coffee Houses and Bakeries. Features: Take-out, outside seating, full bar. Hours: Breakfast, lunch and dinner. • This restaurant inside UGA’s Georgia Center does a wide variety of dishes throughout most of the day, including some grab-and-go stuff and made-to-order breakfast. Bar snacks, Savannah Room favorites like celestial chicken, Thai chicken salad, burgers and more.

File Under: BBQ. Features: Full bar, live music, catering, outside seating, delivery, trivia, karaoke. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • The rare barbecue place that has both good smoked meats (especially pork and ribs) and a full bar. Sides like chicken mull, corn nuggets, fried okra, meat skins and a meaty potato salad are legit. Desserts are well thought of. Kids menu.

File Under: Coffee Houses and Bakeries, Burgers. Features: Drive-thru. Hours: Breakfast, lunch and dinner. • Eight or so seasonal potato donut flavors (pistachio, strawberry surprise, stuffed ones), good coffee, big biscuits, breakfast burritos and tacos until 2 p.m., then a break and a switch to dinner with smashburgers, chicken and excellent fries. Look for the air-dancer out front. Drive-thru or walk-up. There's also a food truck for catering and pop-ups. Another Athens location, on the Greenway on Oconee Street, is in the works, but the original Arnoldsville shop is closed for now.

File Under: Mexican and Latin American. Features: Outside seating, beer, wine and margaritas (Eastside), delivery. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • Both locations of this Athens original do Latin American food with a Peruvian influence: lomo saltado, big sandwiches, plantains (sweet and savory), yuca, tacu tacu (rice and beans topped with eggs) and much more. Lots of veggie choices. Eastside location is bigger with an eclectic atmosphere fun for adults and full of quarter-operated rides for kids. Lumpkin has a small fee to BYOB. 

File Under: Mexican and South American. Features: Full bar, take-out, delivery. Hours: Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Open seven days. • Family-run spot gives you free soup instead of chips and salsa and has a menu that ranges all over Latin America: quesabirria, bandeja paisa, lomo saltado, pupusas, sweet and savory empanadas, arepas. Delightful breakfast, kids meals and an array of coffee drinks.

File Under: Italian and Pizza. Features: Full bar, curbside pick-up. Hours: Lunch and dinner.

File Under: American. Features: Full bar, take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • This hashtag-happy gastropub welcomes "thirst seekers, hopgazers, palate pushers" and plays fast and loose with flavors like sriracha and blue cheese. Good beer selection, regular specials, street tacos, lots of fusion and a food truck that pops up at bars and breweries.

File Under: Something Different, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Take-out, curbside pick-up, vegetarian friendly, outside seating. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days.

File Under: Sandwiches, Burgers and Chicken. Features: Delivery, take-out, counter service, full bar, vegetarian friendly, catering. Hours: Lunch, dinner and late night. Open seven days. • Weed-themed sandwich shop is really committed to the bit, but the food ain't bad. Sandwiches with a wide variety of fillings, including a bunch of vegetarian options, are your best bet. Also: salads, snacks, sweets, drinks.

File Under: American. Features: Full bar, outside seating. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days.

File Under: Asian, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Catering, take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • Healthier-than-average strip-mall Chinese, focusing on Cantonese standards. Hot pot, seafood, Singapore noodles, roast duck and lunch specials. Online ordering.

File Under: Asian, Sandwiches, Burgers and Chicken, Coffee. Features: Take-out, counter service, outside seating. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • Corner grocery in Winterville now serves Filipino yums as well as classic American deli sandwiches, coffee, bubble tea (milk only), ice cream and light and colorful slices of cake. Pick up a pack of cracker nuts and some noodles while you're at it. 

File Under: American. Features: Full bar, curbside pick-up, catering. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days.

File Under: Asian. Features: Counter service, catering, delivery. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • Mostly to-go food, available fast, but a better selection than your standard stir-fry eatery: lo mein, pancit, teriyaki, sweet and sour, moo shu and meat entrees, plus chef’s special Cantonese dishes.

File Under: Asian, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Buffet, catering, delivery. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days. • Large AYCE buffet with many Chinese, American and Japanese dishes, including crab legs sometimes. You can also order off the menu of mostly Americanized Chinese standards or get take-out priced by the pound.

File Under: Asian, Vegetarian Friendly. Hours: Lunch and dinner. Features: Counter service, take-out. • Americanized quick-service Chinese dishes, including chop suey, lo mein, mai fun, moo shu, et al., make up the primary order of business in this small restaurant that mostly does to-go.

File Under: Mexican. Features: Counter service, take-out, catering, outside seating. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days. Downtown location coming at some point.

File Under: Asian, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Beer and sake, delivery, trivia, Wi-Fi. Hours: Lunch, dinner and late night, open seven days. • Quick-service hibachi basics, wings, spicy ramen, plus some Korean specialties like bulgogi.

File Under: American. Features: Delivery, full bar, take-out, Wi-Fi, reservations, curbside pick-up. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days. 

File Under: American. Features: Full bar, catering, outside seating, reservations, Wi-Fi, take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • Steak and beer, but also seafood, chicken, salmon tacos and burgers at this somewhat upscale Watkinsville restaurant. Tap takeovers, mocktails, Southern veggies for sides and gluten-free items. 

File Under: Italian and Pizza. Features: Beer and wine. Hours: Seven days.

File Under: Something Different. Features: Catering, full bar, outside seating, reservations, take-out. Hours: Dinner, open seven days. • Upscale place with an emphasis on Gulf seafood, including a large, well-executed sushi menu. Land animals, too. Signature cocktails with sake or Japanese whiskey as well as standards. Big for date night.

File Under: Italian and Pizza. Features: Buffet, catering, counter service, curbside pick-up, delivery, Wi-Fi. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days.

File Under: Sandwiches, Burgers and Chicken. Features: Full bar, take-out, catering, karaoke. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • Sports-bar vibes and big menu with an emphasis on fried snacks and chicken (a good half-bird fried to order, chicken livers, wings), plus pizza. Video games for grown-ups (Golden Tee) and kids (an arcade side room). Pool. Bar has draft, canned and bottled beer plus makes beachy drinks.

File Under: American. Features: Catering, curbside pick-up, take-out, vegetarian friendly, counter service. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days.

File Under: Sandwiches, Burgers and Chicken, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Beer, curbside pick-up, delivery, outside seating, take-out, Wi-Fi. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days. • Local favorite does beef and veggie burgers (made with good ingredients and creative toppings: bacon jam, peanut butter, gouda, etc.) plus grilled cheese, tater tots and milkshakes (including boozy ones). Gluten-free options and a big patio.

File Under: Mexican. Features: Full bar, live music, outside seating. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • Cheery spot in Watkinsville decorated with bright colors and ocean theme does a lot of seafood: shrimp, oysters, fish, octopus, ceviche, aguachile. Land animals, too, if you prefer. Also: margaritas, buckets of beers, palomas.

File Under: Something Different. Features: Take-out, outside seating. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • Viet-Cajun fusion serves tasty boil-in-bag seafood (crawfish, shrimp, mussels, crab legs and more) with plenty of spice as well as fried baskets, salmon and shrimp burgers, corn, hushpuppies, coleslaw and wings, but the real reason to go is for Vietnamese coffee and specialties including pho, bún, cóm, bo kho and more. BYOB and karaoke on Friday and Saturday nights.

File Under: American. Hours: Breakfast, lunch and dinner, open seven days.

File Under: Italian and Pizza. Features: Delivery, take-out, catering, counter service, Wi-Fi. Hours: Lunch, dinner and late night, open seven days.

File Under: Asian. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days. Features: Full bar, outside seating. • Grilled meats cooked on your table, either in pre-set portion sizes or all-you-can-eat (within 2 hours), plus banchan (free snacks that vary frequently). It's not inexpensive, but it is good. Also: vegetarian options, Korean ramen, kimchi stew. Japanese whiskey, shōchū and other unusual selections at the bar.

File Under: BBQ. Features: Catering, counter service, delivery, outside seating. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • Cheerful, Black-owned barbecue joint that does ribs, chicken, pork and sausage, plus Southern-style veggies (available in small, medium and large) and fruit cobblers. Picnic tables out front plus seating inside.

File Under: Italian and Pizza, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Catering, curbside pick-up, delivery, full bar, outside seating. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • This Athens favorite has been in business for decades doing classic Italian, from pizza and standard red-sauced pasta to eggplant florentine and grilled salmon. Each location has a slightly different menu, but all have vegan, vegetarian, dairy-free and gluten-free options; kids menu. Long wine list with many Italian reds and plenty of beers.

File Under: American, Bars and Clubs. Features: Full bar, live music, trivia. Hours: Lunch, dinner and late night, open seven days. • Restaurant/bar combo serves fancy grilled cheese, fried stuff, salads and smash burgers, with an upstairs bar that also has darts and a pool table. Kids menu. Taco Tuesday. Kitchen closes at 11 p.m.; bar stays open late.

File Under: Mexican, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Full bar, catering, curbside pick-up, delivery, take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • Americanized Mexican staples done well: tacos, burritos, nachos, fajitas, quesadillas, big burritos, enchiladas, queso, fish tacos, fried ice cream. Margaritas, lots of tequilas.

File Under: Something Different, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Buffet, counter service, outside seating, Wi-Fi. • Hot bar inside grocery store includes veggie and vegan stuff, plus chicken, fish, soup and salad.

File Under: Italian and Pizza. Features: Counter service, delivery, take-out, beer. Hours: Lunch, dinner and late night, open seven days.

File Under: Mexican and South American. Features: Take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days. • You can get Tex Mex or Americanized Mexican stuff here, but the better bet is to dig into the seafood section of the menu. The siete mares soup is particularly good.

File Under: Mexican and South American. Features: Full bar, curbside pick-up, delivery, outside seating, vegetarian friendly. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • Most of the restaurant is outside, and the lawn is often busy with a Five Points crowd. Tacos (including veggie and vegan choices) that change out regularly, plus other Mexican-ish standards, kids menu and a serious bar with lots of tequilas, a selection of mezcals, beer buckets and build-your-own margs.

File Under: Mexican. Features: Full bar, outside seating, take-out, delivery. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days. • Large regional chain Tex-Mex restaurant features murals and elaborate hanging lights, plus a big bar in the middle. You can find some gems among the standard burritos and taco salads: tableside guacamole, chile colorado, large selection of tequilas and margaritas in over a dozen flavors.

File Under: Pizza. Features: Beer and wine, catering, outside seating. Hours: Lunch, dinner and brunch, open seven days. • Fancy Detroit-style pizza franchise can make you a gluten-free pie. Also serves burgers, salads, mozzarella sticks, soy and sesame marinated cucumbers, family-style banana or chocolate pudding for dessert, all in the former location of The Grit.

File Under: Something Different, Bars, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Reservations, outside seating, take-out, full bar. Hours: Dinner. • Refined and intelligent restaurant with a beauteous bar has an Italian focus to its food, with anitpasti, burrata, housemade pasta (can be gluten-free), risotto and more. Offerings change regularly. Virgin cocktails made with as much love as the boozy ones, plus nice wines.

File Under: Sandwiches, Burgers and Chicken. Features: Delivery, outside seating, take-out, counter service, catering, beer and wine, vegetarian friendly. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days. • Locally originating burger chain does patties with 100% grass-fed, no-antibiotics, locally raised beef, pasture-raised pork, ground chicken or vegan ingredients. Lots of toppings, sides, kids menu, shakes and floats, burger + beer combos. 

File Under: Sandwiches. Features: Catering, outside seating, delivery. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days. 

File Under: Something Different. Features: Full bar, reservations, catering, outside seating, take-out, vegetarian friendly. Hours: Dinner. • Newly purchased by local Peter Dale, Five & Ten remains the gold standard for fine dining in Athens. The menu is Southern-ish but chef-driven and up to date, changing weekly depending on what’s in season. Wine list by James Beard nominee; unpretentious but smart cocktails; excellent after-dinner drinks. Look out for specials, including picnic stuff during football season.

File Under: American, Bars. Features: Full bar, curbside pick-up, delivery. Hours: Dinner, weekend brunch. • Five entrees, five desserts, five apps and so on. Seafood from Destin is a point of emphasis, but you can also get a ribeye or fried chicken. Jazz brunch on weekends. Five specialty cocktails from the bar.

File Under: Sandwiches and Burgers. Features: Delivery, outside seating, take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days. 

File Under: South American. Features: Full bar, outside seating. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • Brazilian steakhouse offers an all-you-can-eat model. Pay once, then go up to the meat window and/or the salad bar (which also has mashed potatoes, empanadas, etc.) as many times as you like. Vegetarians can do the buffet and grilled pineapple and still be happy. Lower prices for kids. Drinks and dessert are separate.

File Under: American. Features: Beer and wine, catering, outside seating, take-out, vegetarian friendly. Hours: Breakfast, lunch and weekend dinner, open seven days. 

File Under: Italian and Pizza, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Delivery, take-out, catering, curbside pick-up, outside seating, Wi-Fi. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days.

File Under: American. Features: Full bar. Hours: Lunch and dinner, weekend brunch, open seven days. • Latin-accented neighborhood place with lots of steaks (the churrasco is a highlight) but also lots of other stuff, from the owners of Punta Cana. Do it up fancy and get a tomahawk with lobster tail on the side or just get a burger with your sweetie. Domestics and Mexican beer on draft, some classic cocktails and sangria.

File Under: Sandwiches, Burgers and Chicken, Frozen Treats. Features: Drive-thru, delivery, take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days.

File Under: BBQ. Features: Catering, counter service, take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • Classics like chopped pork, Brunswick stew, baked beans and coleslaw, plus chicken tenders and banana pudding, kids menu, tailgating specials, meats and sides in bulk. 

File Under: Italian And Pizza. Features: Full bar, outside seating, take-out, trivia. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days. • Locally owned pizza place that focuses on big slices with a wide variety of toppings. Also: wings, salads, subs, pasta, chicken fingers, cannoli, fried pickles and the Redneck Stromboli (a hot dog and cheddar baked in pizza dough). Kids menu.

File Under: BBQ. Features: Catering, take-out, drive-thru. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • This barbecue place with an original location in Crawford and a new offshoot in Watkinsville, both of which sell via drive-thru, prides itself on brisket but also offers pork, chicken and ribs. Five different sauces, great green beans among the sides and a kids menu that offers grilled cheese or a hot dog.

File Under: Asian. Features: Take-out, outside seating. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • Lots of things in bowls: hibachi, ramen, poke, plus some side snacks like seaweed salad, edamame, potstickers, bao and shrimp tempura. Ramune Japanese sodas to drink. Treats like Pocky and Hello Kitty marshmallows to wrap it up.

File Under: American. Features: Full bar, catering, reservations, outside seating, take-out, delivery. Hours: Dinner and Sunday brunch. • Gulf and low country classics: étouffée, shrimp and grits, sherry crab bisque, oysters (raw, fried, grilled), jambalaya, redfish and much more. Good wine list from all over, beer and Southern-accented cocktails.

File Under: Something Different. Features: Take-out, catering. Hours: Dinner and Sunday brunch. • Mexican-accented Continental/fusion restaurant does a not inexpensive but very popular all-you-can-eat brunch, plus dinner with steaks, seafood, pasta, jambalaya, shrimp and grits, escargot, chicken in a roasted garlic mushroom cheese sauce and more along the same lines. Specials change weekly.

File Under: Bars and Clubs, Something Different. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days. Features: Outside seating, Wi-Fi, live music. • An Athens classic, open since 1989, that hasn't lost a step. Huge beer selection, general literary atmosphere (poetry nights!) and lots of cool things to look at. On the menu, you'll find smart takes on pub food with lots of vegetarian options (hot tofu as well as hot chicken, veggie burgers alongside the beef) plus actual greens and fresh ingredients. Soccer on the tv upstairs.

File Under: Asian, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Beer and wine, delivery, catering, take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • Tons of standard Americanized Chinese options, including duck, seafood and some good tofu options. Dragon Dinners feature combinations of dishes for two to 10 people. Online ordering.

File Under: Asian, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Beer and wine, delivery, take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • Countless classic options, loads of chef's specials and lunch specials. A lighter fare section offers steamed MSG-free meals low in sodium; lots of tofu choices.

File Under: Sandwiches, Burgers and Chicken, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Beer, take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • Burgers (Impossible and meaty), fries (dunk 'em in feta dressing), classic milkshakes, sandwiches, kids menu in this longtime Athens institution that's been serving since 1981. No longer open 24 hours but still a classic, with lots of vegetarian options.

File Under: Burgers, Vegetarian Friendly, Bars. Features: Full bar, counter service, outside seating, delivery. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • Small chain out of Atlanta does smashburgers with one patty or two (beef, turkey, beans and quinoa, or Impossible Burger), plus bar snacks, fried sides and boozy or virgin milkshakes. Nice upstairs outside seating.

File Under: Burgers, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Beer and wine, take-out, outside seating, delivery. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days. • Clever burgers (both meat and veggie), plus salads and hot sandwiches (pimento chicken, Italian beef), good sides (“street corn,” Brussels sprouts, fabulous onion rings) and milkshakes.

File Under: Something Different. Features: Outside seating, drive-thru, take-out, counter service. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days. • Small Atlanta chain does build-your-own bowls, salads and wraps with a protein (chicken, shrimp, tofu, avocado), veggies and sauce, ready fast. Kids menu.

File Under: Sandwiches, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Take-out, counter service, beer. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days. • We know it's a chain, but it's our chain. Longtime Athens franchise, with its own identity and a cult following, now around the corner from its original location under new ownership. Curly fries, gyros, salads, etc., plus a bar upstairs with a view of campus and wallpaper based on old Athens band posters. 

File Under: American, Bars, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Full bar, take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days. • Family-friendly tavern is all things to all people, with lots of food (including a kajillion vegetarian and vegan options) as well as a major bar selection. Noodles, soups, chili, hot dogs, grain bowls, falafel. Great beers; also whiskeys, classic cocktails and juice for kids.

File Under: Asian. Features: Buffet, take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days. • Huge Asian buffet also does hibachi cooked to order. Tofu, Chinese dishes, sushi, American food, fruit, salad and desserts spread across the room. Open most holidays.

File Under: American, Bars. Features: Reservations, live music, full bar, outside seating. Hours: Lunch, dinner and brunch, open seven days. • Country club-ish place does classic American food with a bit of a Southern accent, like meatloaf, steak sandwich, crab cakes and gumbo. A fair amount of fried stuff but salads, too. Big desserts. Nice patio. Earlybird specials.

File Under: Something Different. Features: Catering, curbside pick-up, delivery, full bar. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days.

File Under: Bars and Clubs. Features: Full bar, dinner, outside seating. • Fancy rooftop bar with great views of downtown Athens and TVs for gameday, atop the Hyatt Place hotel. Also: some snacks (charcuterie, dips, wings) and some heartier eats (burgers, fried chicken strips, salad). Specialty cocktails, including some made with champagne and billed as Hybar Pops.

File Under: Asian. Features: Counter service, delivery, take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • Quick-service hibachi includes steak, chicken, shrimp, salmon, tofu and “Ultimate Vegetarian” with fried rice, vegetables and two sauces. 

File Under: Asian. Features: Delivery, take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days. • Unlike its sister restaurant, this one focuses more on sushi than on hibachi, although you can get that too. Choose among nigiri, maki and specialty rolls, then accessorize with katsu, edamame, seaweed salad, etc. Teriyaki and tempura, too.

File Under: Sandwiches, Burgers and Chicken. Features: Beer, counter service, outside seating, take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days.

File Under: Sandwiches. Features: Catering, delivery, take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days. 

File Under: BBQ. Features: Take-out, drive-thru, beer and wine, outside seating, counter service. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days. • Barbecue chain out of Birmingham, AL, makes pork, chicken, brisket, ribs and turkey, plus fried catfish, smoked wings, nachos, burgers, loaded potatoes, pie, etc. Gluten-free options.

File Under: Sandwiches. Features: Drive-thru (Baxter), delivery, catering, counter service, outside seating (Baxter). Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days.

File Under: Asian. Features: Delivery, take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days. • Highly reputed franchise does lots of ramen but also salads, tacos, rice bowls, curry, sides like crispy chickpeas, dumplings and takoyaki. Mochi ice cream and panna cotta for dessert. Kids meals, too.

File Under: Italian and Pizza, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Beer and wine, catering, delivery, outside seating, take-out, trivia, Wi-Fi. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days. 

File Under: Asian, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Outside seating, art, delivery, take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • Plenty more, actually, in addition to the Vietnamese beef, chicken or vegetable broth-based noodle soup customizable with lots of additions. Other things on the menu include rice dishes with grilled meats, noodle dishes, banh mi sandwiches, goi cuon, tiramisu.

File Under: Something Different, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Beer, catering, counter service, outside seating. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • Serious bang for your buck, with hefty portions of jerk chicken, oxtail, curry goat, barbecue ribs, salmon, spicy cabbage, spicy squash, rice and peas, fried plantains, mac and cheese, patties, super-sweet tea and cornbread, served with good cheer.

File Under: Italian and Pizza. Features: Outside seating, beer and wine, catering. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days. • Now open in the Epps Bridge Parkway shopping center in Oconee County, this pizza place has connections to the former Doughby's. Pizza by the slice or the pie, with specialty toppings including chicken and waffles. Also sandwiches and cannoli.

File Under: Mexican and South American. Features: Catering, outside seating, take-out, counter service, full bar, delivery. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • Birria-focused, adorable, family-run restaurant does quesatacos, ramen, burgers, ceviche, plus the hearty meat stew that forms the basis of most of its menu. Kids menu. Aguas frescas made in house.

File Under: Mexican and Latin American, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Full bar, Wi-Fi. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days. • Americanized Mexican in a stone-walled interior (both locations). Queso, burritos, combo plates, fajitas, quesadillas and lots of lunch specials. Yes, you can get a margarita or a Mexican beer, as well as a pineapple topped with chicken, chorizo and cheese. Kids menu.

File Under: Mexican, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Full bar, catering, outside seating, delivery. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days. • Popular Americanized Mexican fare: burritos, enchiladas, fajitas, taquitos, nachos, tacos and quesadillas. Special entrees and combo plates. Margaritas, Mexican beers, domestics and house wines.

File Under: Mexican and South American. Features: Drive-thru, delivery, beer and wine, outside seating. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days. • Fast-casual Mexican, both drive-thru and dine-in, offers birria, quesabirrias, burritos, tortas, tacos and a few surprising options, like a quinoa salad.

File Under: Mexican. Features: Take-out, full bar, live music. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days. • Big Americanized Mexican restaurant has a multi-page menu with all kinds of fajitas, quesadillas, burritos, lots of seafood. Grilled stuff is a highlight. Kids menu. Mariachi music sometimes.

File Under: Mexican. Features: Full bar, catering, take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days. • Not to be confused with the locally-owned Taqueria La Parrilla, this new place opening in Beechwood Shopping Center is a Georgia-based chain. The menus are somewhat similar: Tex-Mex, burritos, plenty of vegetarian options. Also: aguas frescas and margs. Kids menu.

File Under: Mexican and South American. Features: Counter service, take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days. • Walk inside the grocery store to find this taco counter next to the butcher counter. Weekends usually find the tortilla press working hard. Tacos (including "American" style with lettuce, tomato and cheese), tortas, burritos and specials like shrimp cocktail and chiles rellenos. Horchata and aguas frescas to drink, or snag a Jarritos from the store.

File Under: Mexican and South American. Features: Catering, full bar, outside seating. Hours: Lunch, dinner and brunch, open seven days. • Atlanta vibe at this cheffy Wire Park restaurant that brings you three salsas instead of one and offers lamb and octopus in its tacos as well as chicken and steak. Order something interesting, and you'll be happier. Good vegetarian and pescatarian options. Mezcal in addition to tequila. Swanky cocktails. Kids menu.

File Under: Sandwiches, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Catering, counter service, delivery, take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days.

File Under: American, Vegetarian Friendly, Bars. Features: Outside seating, art, full bar, vegetarian friendly. Hours: Dinner and weekend brunch. • Crowd-pleasing restaurant mixes Southern and Southwestern cuisine; veggie and vegan choices, plus fish and seafood are highlights. Large dessert case. Plan ahead for lines at brunch. Well-stocked bar, with a variety of single malts, as well as aperitifs/digestifs and a long list of wines, many available in half bottles. Large outdoor dining area.

File Under: American, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Catering, take-out, counter service. Hours: Lunch and early dinner (open until 6 p.m.). • Salads (chicken salad, pimento-less cheese and the like, plus bowls of greens and vegetables), soups, lots of veggies that change daily. Cookies, brownies, fancy chocolates, candy and gift items available, too. Holiday menus. 

File Under: Italian and Pizza, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Beer, counter service, delivery, take-out. Hours: Lunch, dinner and late night. • Classic New York-style pizzeria is fast and busy. Slices are big and floppy, subs are ginormous (one of the best deals in town), salads available, too. 

File Under: American, Bars and Clubs. Features: Full bar, outside seating, trivia. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days. • Sports bar and grill in the middle of Five Points serves burgers, tacos, bowls, fried things like deviled eggs and mushrooms, kids menu. Also, Southern-themed cocktails. Heated outside dining.

File Under: American, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Curbside pick-up (Timothy), delivery, live music (Timothy), trivia, catering, Wi-Fi, outside seating. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days. • Locally based sports bar chain has a big menu with lots of vegetarian choices, deli sandwiches, burgers, salads, grilled cheese and chili combo, wings and fish tacos.

File Under: American. Features: Full bar. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days.

File Under: Mexican and South American. Features: Delivery, outside seating, full bar, take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days. • One of the best Mexican restaurants around, with excellent tacos (filled with cilantro, onions and fish, al pastor, barbacoa or lengua), big tortas, menudo, tostadas de ceviche, caldo de siete mares, gorditas, sopes and more, plus a mangonada margarita.

File Under: American, Bars. Features: Reservations, outside seating, live music, room service, take-out, Wi-Fi. Hours: Breakfast and dinner, open seven days. • Hotel Indigo’s restaurant serves croissant sandwiches and omelets for breakfast, plus a full dinner, with steak, salmon, sandwiches, salads and even a kids menu. Nice cocktails.

File Under: American, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Outside seating, take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days. • Virtuous and tasty quick service, now franchised and expanding elsewhere. Start with brown rice, quinoa, sweet potatoes or salad greens. Add a protein, two veggie-forward sides and a housemade sauce. Menu changes seasonally. Condor Chocolates and cookies for dessert. Kids meals. Gluten-free choices. Everything is recyclable or compostable. 

File Under: Asian. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • Basic Chinese restaurant with pictures of the food you can order: chow mein, stir fry, fried rice, lo mein, egg foo yung, Mongolian chicken, Szechuan beef, Hunan shrimp and the like, all ready fast. Menu has a Weight Watchers section.

File Under: Asian. Features: Take-out, catering, beer and wine, delivery. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • Delicate, not oversugary Thai food in the middle of downtown Watkinsville: satay, tom yum, curries, eggplant basil, noodles, Thai tea, boba. Cake from Sweetie Pie by Savie. Kids menu. Makku rice beer.

File Under: Italian and Pizza, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Buffet, delivery, beer. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • Casual, family-run pizzeria of long standing with budget prices, salads, subs, pasta, hot wings, calzones and more.

File Under: Something Different, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Take-out, delivery. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • Athens' only Ethiopian restaurant serving what feels like a home-cooked meal. Beef, for sure, but also loads of vegan choices, all served with chewy, pancake-like injera bread. Ethiopian tea and coffee, plus cookies.

File Under: Italian and Pizza. Features: Delivery, take-out. Hours: Seven days.

File Under: American. Features: Full bar, outside seating. Hours: Lunch, dinner and weekend brunch, open seven days. • Coastal fish shack does Georgia and Gulf seafood with mostly open-air seating: lightly fried baskets, peel-and-eat shrimp, oysters (raw or cooked), grilled or blackened entrees and sides like coleslaw and hush puppies. Burgers and chicken tacos, too. Beachy cocktails.

File Under: Italian. Features: Delivery, outside seating, take-out, beer and wine, catering. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • Family-owned, friendly local Italian place with lots of booth seating has all the stuff you'd expect: baked ziti, linguini pomodoro, veal marsala, tiramisu. Kids menu. Italian wine. 

File Under: Sandwiches. Features: Take-out, catering. Hours: Lunch and dinner.

File Under: Something Different, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Counter service, catering, delivery, take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days. • Grilled meats and veggies (lamb, chicken, kufta, gyros) and tons of vegetarian choices, like falafel, salads, dolmas, hummus and tabbouleh, all of which can be mixed and matched into good combos. Kids meals and business lunch specials. Baklava and other desserts.

File Under: Italian and Pizza, Vegetarian Friendly, Bars. Features: Catering, delivery, outside seating, trivia, take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days. • Lots of toppings and specialty pies, plus pretzels made with the same dough, salads, subs, calzones and munchies; good beer selection.

File Under: Something Different. Features: Outside seating, take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • New Desi restaurant attached to and owned by Achachi Market focuses on South Indian take-out but does have some tables inside and out. Classics like chicken 65 and tandoori chicken coexist with goat sukka varuval (a dry-fry curry), savory donuts, lots of dosai, idli and a bunch of different kinds of naan. Lassis, rose milk, Indian tea to drink.

File Under: Asian, Tea Houses and Bakeries. Features: Counter service, take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days. • It's a franchise that's known for its rice-flour donuts and Korean corndogs coated in things like Hot Cheetos, but Chef V is busy serving delicious Indonesian dishes that you won't find at any other location. She's always tinkering with the menu, so ask her what's good and you'll end up with something that hits every kind of tastebud in your mouth. Breakfast is available sometimes. Good boba, too, and now rolled ice cream.

File Under: Asian, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Delivery, outside seating, take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • Sweet covered patio is a great place to sit at this Vietnamese restaurant. It has its titular beef broth-based noodle soup, of course, but also banh mi, crepes, summer rolls, claypots and rice dishes, with a good veggie-friendly selection. Vietnamese coffee, fruit slushies, bubble tea and coconut juice to drink.

File Under: Sandwiches, Burgers and Chicken, Something Different. Features: Catering, late night, take-out, delivery. Hours: Lunch, dinner and late night (closed Sundays). • Snacks, drinks, smokes and food. This convenience store/restaurant does gyros, hot subs, chicken fingers, rice bowls, salads, fries and sodas. It also now offers Indian food for lunch and dinner (but not late night) through its ghost kitchen Curry Love, with tikka and chana masala, butter chicken and a few other dishes.

File Under: Something Different, Bars, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Reservations, catering, curbside pick-up, outside seating, Wi-Fi, full bar. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • This place always pleases, whether for date night or an upscale lunch. The menu is Spanish/Mediterranean-inspired, with lots of vegetables (try the "power lunch") and high-quality ingredients. Roasted chicken with za'atar, Portuguese custard tarts, pizzettes and a lot more. Great wine list and cocktails. Hosts occasional pop-ups from small operations.

File Under: Asian, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Take-out, curbside pick-up, full bar. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • Athens' source for authentic Chinese food. You don't have to drive to Duluth; just remember to ask for the Szechuan menu (or locate it on the website if you're ordering take-out). Dry pot dishes are a highlight. If that’s not your thing, there’s sesame chicken, too, plus Thai curries, sushi, steamed seafood and much more.

File Under: American Features: Catering, delivery, dinner, lunch, take-out. Hours: Seven days.

File Under: Italian and Pizza. Features: Full bar, catering. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days.

File Under: Italian. Features: Catering, dinner, full bar, take-out. Hours: Dinner. • Grown-up restaurant serving Italian standards with a nice view of UGA's North Campus out the second-story windows. Housemade pasta for primi; proper entrees for secondi; carpaccio among the antipasti. Gluten-free options. Italian beer and wine.

File Under: Italian. Features: Full bar, outside seating, reservations. Hours: Dinner, open seven days. • Brand-new chichi Italian with a Southern twist in the Rivet House boutique hotel. Order a family-style tasting meal and let the chef decide what you eat, or pick and choose your own antipasti, primi and secondi before wrapping it up with a chocolate hazelnut semifreddo. Craft cocktails, including nonalcoholic ones, and some crisp beers.

File Under: American. Features: Full bar, curbside pick-up. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days.

File Under: American. Features: Beer and wine (Oconee), full bar (Alps). Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days. • Full-service movie theater restaurant. University 16 location does burgers, chicken sandwiches, flatbreads and tacos with movie-themed names. Beechwood location has full bar only (no kitchen). Mostly domestics on draft, imports and domestics in the bottle, wine and cocktails.

File Under: Asian. Features: Take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • Japanese restaurant with sushi (standard and specialty rolls), hibachi, ramen, fried rice, salmon tacos, soup and salad. Kids menu. Specials are a good deal.

File Under: Mexican. Features: Full bar, outside seating, trivia. Hours: Dinner and Sunday brunch. • Huge bar with DJs, live music, gigantic TV for football games also serves a creative, fun Tex-Mex menu. Elote street corn "ribs," excellent smoke-fried wings in flavors like truffle-agave and honey sriracha, tacos with fresh corn tortillas, churro milkshake and much more. Brunch involves fried egg tacos and "brunchos" and is a bit quieter. Craft cocktails, palomas and margaritas on draft, and lots of specials.

File Under: Sandwiches, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Catering, Wi-Fi. Hours: Breakfast, lunch and dinner, open seven days.

File Under: Asian. Features: Take-out, Wi-Fi. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days. • Franchise does Vietnamese baguette sandwiches with pâté, pickled veggies, hot peppers, meats and seitan, plus versions of the same on croissants and hamburger rolls. Picturesque patisserie, top-notch bubble tea that tastes like more than sugar, a wide variety of snacks arranged on shelving for impulse buys. Encourages lingering.

File Under: Something Different, Vegetarian Friendly, Bars. Features: Outside seating, Wi-Fi. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • Crepe-based restaurant by day (with savory and sweet options, plus non-pancake-based foods) turns into a busy bar by night with beer, wine and vodka-heavy cocktails.

File Under: BBQ. Features: Catering, take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • Winterville barbecue restaurant has pulled pork, barbecue chicken, ribs and brisket, slaw, stew, chips and bread, plus frequently varying desserts: cakes (red velvet, Key lime, Devil's food, German chocolate), cobblers, banana pudding.

File Under: Asian, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Beer and wine, delivery, take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • Elaborate decor and Chinese-American standards. Big menu covers all the standards, with lots of vegetarian options. Sizzling rice soup comes with many of the pre-set dinners, and soups in general are more interesting than you would expect.

File Under: Italian and Pizza, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Beer and wine, counter service, take-out, outside seating. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • Owned by the same folks as Little Italy, so the food is similar (New York-style pizza, enormous subs), but the vibe is different and more family-oriented. Italian salads, pasta of the day, stromboli, tiramisu and cheesecake.

File Under: Downhome. Features: Drive-thru, take-out, vegetarian friendly. Hours: Lunch and early dinner (closes at 6 p.m.) • Don't feel like cooking? Check out this local company that makes home-cooked meals. Order ahead on the website or stop by to see what's on offer. Options change daily, but could include tomato pie, lasagna, salads, cheesecake, enchiladas, pork chops and anything else the owners feel like making. 

File Under: American, Bars. Features: Full bar, outside seating. Hours: Dinner and weekend brunch. First Friday lunch. • Mostly a bar, with a nice wine list, regular wine tastings and discounts for members of its wine club, but also a restaurant. Champagne brunch on weekends has quiche, burgers, sandwiches, waffles. Oysters, tapas and cheese plates. First Friday lunch pop-ups.

File Under: Sandwiches, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Catering, counter service, delivery, Wi-Fi. Hours: Lunch, dinner and late night, open seven days.

File Under: Italian and Pizza. Features: Delivery, take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days. • Pizza, pastas, sandwiches, salads, wings.

File Under: Italian and Pizza. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days.

File Under: Downhome, Bars. Features: Outside seating, full bar, take-out. Hours: Lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch, open seven days. • More refined takes on Southern standards, like shrimp and grits with gouda. Big salads, chicken and waffles (not just at brunch), shrimp burger, collard spring rolls. Cocktails that play on things like peanuts and Coke.

File Under: Chicken. Features: Catering, take-out, outside seating, vegetarian friendly, delivery, counter service. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days. • Tenders fried in rice bran oil, tofu options, vegan patties, hot dogs fried and served with slaw and sides that include white or brown rice and Japanese pickles.

File Under: Mexican and South American. Features: Beer, counter service, outside seating, wine, take-out, vegetarian friendly. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days. • Get an elaborate michelada preparada, a pambazo (a torta soaked in red sauce) and some wet wipes, and you'll be thrilled. Lots of taco fillings, including an array of vegetarian choices that go beyond beans. Good, cold tres leches cake. Beer buckets.

File Under: American, Bars. Features: Outside seating, live music, reservations, delivery. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days. • Downtown steakhouse also does crab cakes, chicken, shrimp scampi and other things that aren’t red meat as well as a la carte sides. Lunch includes a fried green tomato sandwich, grilled salmon BLT and she-crab soup. Desserts divided into edible and drinkable. Port and cognac for after dinner.

File Under: American, Downhome and BBQ. Hours: Lunch and dinner. Features: Counter service, beer and wine, outside seating, vegetarian friendly, take-out. • Chef-driven meat and three is fresher and lighter than the trad Southern plate of brown. Lunch features sandwiches, including an excellent smash burger, and some beautiful salads. Dinner lets you make your own plate of protein and veggies or veggies alone. Kids menu.

File Under: Asian. Features: Full bar. Hours: Dinner. • Chef Kenny Nguyen of The Expat and "Top Chef" is opening his own place in 2024 with folks from Seabear right next door to that restaurant. Judging by its pop-ups, the menu will focus on Vietnamese food, with items like stir-fried turmeric baby clams, chilled peanut noodles and pho.

File Under: BBQ, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: BYOB, catering, outside seating, delivery. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • Who says a barbecue place can't be veggie-friendly? Chef-owned restaurant by the train tracks smokes high-quality meats and tofu daily. Watch the Instagram for specials and to see if things are running low; when they're out, they're out. Proudly inauthentic ramen on Wednesdays. Knife sharpening services as a side hustle.

File Under: Asian, Bars/Clubs. Features: Full bar, outside seating, vegetarian friendly, reservations. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • James Beard Award-nominated little-bitty bar/restaurant with tons of personality and charm has a big covered patio with heaters in the winter. Menu is "Thai drinking food" but so much more than that, with big, complex flavors, a real love of veggies and a strong sense of fun. Graze lightly or keep ordering until you're full. Cocktails change regularly but feature beautiful rums and unusual ingredients. Mocktails, too.

File Under: Mexican and South American. Features: Delivery, full bar, outside seating, take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days. • Darling Dominican resto serves typical rib-sticking fare featuring a lot of rice and meat, including mofongo (plantains mashed with tons of garlic and broth), tostones, seafood, empanadas and churros. Full bar serving all your favorite island drinks.

File Under: Downhome. Features: Catering. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • Traditional Southern cuisine with a rotating menu written on a whiteboard every weekday. Choose among pork chops, chicken, fish and more, grilled or fried, plus fried chicken livers and a host of vegetable sides (rutabagas, cabbage, carrot-and-raisin salad, turnip greens, hash-brown casserole). Homemade desserts.

File Under: American. Features: Full bar, catering, Wi-Fi. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days.

File Under: Sandwiches, Burgers and Chicken, Bars. Features: Outside seating, live music, trivia. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days. • Bar with food, pool tables, dart boards, slot machines and big-screen TVs. Food includes burgers, wings, sandwiches, nachos and fries.

File Under: Chicken. Features: Counter service, drive-thru. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days.

File Under: Something Different, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Catering, take-out, delivery. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • From meaty Jamaican food (oxtail, goat) to vegan plates, Rashe's covers it all: roti, coco bread, plantains, vegan and regular mac and cheese, fancy chocolates made in a collab with Condor. Take-out and delivery only at the moment. Food truck, too.

File Under: American, Vegetarian Friendly, Bars. Features: Counter service, outside seating, live music, catering. Hours: Dinner. • Bar/restaurant on top of the historic Georgia Theatre is open during and just before shows, with food from pop-up restaurants.

File Under: Bars and Clubs, Something Different. Features: Full bar, counter service, outside seating, take-out, delivery. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days. • Board-game café with plenty of food: hot and cold sandwiches, pizza made with pita, salads, cheese plates, bowls of salty and sweet snacks, kids menu, coffees, nonalcoholic cocktails. Games for rent or purchase, and drinks soft and hard.

File Under: Something Different, Bars. Features: Full bar, outside seating. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days. • English pub with a bitty kitchen does legit British food: housemade crisps, bangers and mash, shepherd's pie, curries. Also, good burgers (lamb and beef). Soccer on the telly. U.K. beers, dry ciders, craft brews, wine, whiskey and cocktails.

File Under: Asian, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Full bar, take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days. • Both locations serve a similar menu, from hibachi as entertainment to some of the better sushi in town to elaborately presented sashimi platters. Also: lunch specials, hot pots, yaki udon, dumplings, mochi ice cream, kids menu. Japanese beer, sake, cocktails and wine.

File Under: Mexican. Features: Full bar, outside seating. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days. • From the folks behind Lalo's and a few other Mexican restaurants around town comes this new spot on the former Applebee's site with a remodeled rooftop bar. Guacamole can be made deluxe with pork belly, queso fundido is flambéd tableside with tequila, and lunch features some breakfast tacos and a patty melt with an egg. Big menu. Signature sangria and cocktails.

File Under: BBQ, Bars. Features: Full bar, catering, delivery, outside seating, take-out, counter service. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • Barbecue in a cavernous space in a variety of iterations: pork, brisket, ribs, tofu, hash or stew, served over a starch, plus sides: slaw, beans, potato salad and more. Available in bulk orders, too. Bar menu is smaller and focused on snacks. Large outdoor space has games and a little playground.

File Under: American, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Full bar, Wi-Fi, take-out, delivery. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days. • UGA Hotel restaurant has been around for ages, serving strawberry ice-cream pie and celestial chicken, but also does shrimp and grits, salads, meatloaf, Southern vegetables and more.

File Under: Sandwiches, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Drive-thru, catering, counter service, delivery, outside seating, Wi-Fi. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days. 

File Under: BBQ. Features: Cash and checks only. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • No website, no credit cards, just a family-owned place you might have seen on "True South" on the SEC Network. Barbecue pork, chicken, beef and ribs with beans, hash, slaw, potato salad, collard greens and seasonal vegetables. Sauce is hot and thin.

File Under: Something Different, Bars. Features: Full bar, catering, outside seating, take-out. Hours: Dinner. • Longtime hip oyster bar, with a great selection that changes frequently. Also fun takes on seafood and more: scallop fried rice, scallion pancake, lobster roll, grilled cheese. Beer, wine, absinthe, sake, serious cocktails and frozen Negronis. Hire its mobile unit to shuck at your party.

File Under: Mexican, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Full bar, delivery, catering, outside seating. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days. • One location (the original) next to a gas station and the other in a much bigger space on Broad Street. Both serve reliably very tasty Americanized Mexican standards but also lengua, buche and tripe tacos. Chilaquiles and surprisingly good hamburguesas.

File Under: BBQ. Features: Catering, take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days.

File Under: Asian, Vegetarian Friendly, Bars. Features: Karaoke, full bar, outside seating, delivery. Hours: Dinner, open seven days. • Party sushi bar with private karaoke rooms. Lots of rolls and sashimi as well as surf and turf, noodles, fried tofu and apps. Hot and cold sake, saketinis, wine, mostly domestic beer but a few Japanese brews.

File Under: Asian, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Beer and wine, catering, delivery, outside seating, take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days. • Noodles (available with various proteins), rice entrees, soups, salads, curries and a Thai dessert selection. Spice level can be serious. A couple of Thai beers among the domestics, sakes and a section of organic wines.

File Under: American Features: Full bar, reservations. Hours: Dinner • High-end steakhouse with attentive staff and beautiful drinks (martini service comes with a little extra in a glass carafe on a bed of ice and is thoroughly customizable). Family-style sides aren't included but should be ordered. Not just steaks, but definitely meat-centric.

File Under: American, Bars and Clubs. Features: Full bar, catering, outside seating. Hours: Lunch, dinner and weekend brunch, open seven days. • Historic former hotel with a menu of small and large plates, all with big flavors: sweet potatoes, chicken-fried tofu, duck fat tater tots, candied bacon, that kind of thing. Gluten-free stuff. Rotating draft beers in full or half pours, good wines by the glass (and bottle) and regularly changing craft cocktails with housemade ingredients.

File Under: American. Features: Full bar, outside seating, reservations. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days. • Upscale Southern in Wire Park is a bit more of a date night place. Signature cocktails are cute and fun. Graze on apps like fried deviled eggs and crab fritters, dig into a big entree or go lighter in the "betweens" (i.e. sandwiches) section. No need to dress up unless you want to.

File Under: American. Features: Full bar, outside seating. Hours: Lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch, open seven days. • New owners are tinkering with the menu and the atmosphere is a little more casual, but you can still expect seafood, including $1 oysters at happy hour, shrimp and grits, a raw bar, fried baskets, a couple of land-based entrees, lots of drink specials and winery events. Food truck, too.

File Under: Downhome. Features: Catering, take-out. Hours: Breakfast and lunch, open seven days. • The grocery out of Cordele well-known for housemade sausage also does a hot bar for Southern breakfast and a meat-and-three-type lunch, priced by the pound. Pick up some snacks and drinks to round out your options.

File Under: Mexican Features: Catering. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days.

File Under: Asian. Features: Delivery, take-out, full bar, vegetarian friendly. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • Sushi place in Watkinsville has a large array of rolls, entrees, bento boxes, kids meals, poke, noodles, desserts. Sake and Japanese whisky at the bar as well as Japanese beers and other stuff. Gluten-free choices and a wide variety of boba drinks.

File Under: Something Different, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Counter service, outside seating, take-out, catering. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • Fresh flavors, low salt cooking and lots of vegetables in dishes like pasta with creamy basil arugula pesto or coconut macademia crusted fish at this restaurant tucked away on Baxter. Gluten-free and dairy-free options.

File Under: Mexican. Features: Full bar, take-out, outside seating, catering, counter service, vegetarian friendly. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days. • Taco bar franchise based in Alabama appeals to college kids, with not very spicy tacos, burritos, quesadillas and nachos, plus lots of drinks. Loads and loads of free toppings. Also: kids menu, family-pack take-out meals.

File Under: Mexican, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Beer, outside seating (Milledge), take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • Athens fondly home this American Mexican restaurant. Milledge location has been open since the 1970s, with very little in the way of change, as it should be. Burritos, veggie chili, quesadillas (nuked or grilled), gigantic nachos. Eastside has some different options.

File Under: Mexican. Features: Counter service, take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • Excellent traditional Mexican inside a former Huddle House offers amazing values and delicious food: pollo, lengua, cabeza, al pastor, chorizo, carnitas, barbacoa, asada and tripa. Menudo on weekends, horchata and great sopes.

File Under: Asian, Tea Houses. Features: Take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days. • Bubble tea, ramen, poke bowls, sushi burritos and salad bowls. Order online and pick up.

File Under: Downhome and BBQ, Mexican. Features: Drive-thru, take-out, catering, delivery, outside seating. Hours: Breakfast, lunch and early dinner. • Texas-style barbecue with a chef pedigree. Breakfast burritos in the a.m. on unbelievable housemade tortillas, pork and other meats in the p.m. (brisket if you're lucky), plus cornbread, beans, collards. Meats smoked daily.

File Under: Mexican. Features: Full bar, catering, counter service, outside seating, take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • Chef-crafted taqueria with a focused menu. Pork, brisket, fried chicken, carnitas, fish and veggie tacos, plus weekly specials and a blue-plate special. Great selection of premium tequilas, build-your-own margaritas and bottled beers.

File Under: Mexican. Features: Counter service, catering. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days. • Great taqueria inside the Petro Express does tacos, sopes, gorditas and burritos with fillings including asada, chicken, al pastor, barbacoa, carnitas, desebrada (shredded beef), tongue, tripe, chorizo and buche (stomach), plus hot wings and really good soups. Excellent condiment bar.

File Under: Mexican. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days. • Taqueria inside a full-service grocery store with a butcher counter. Menudo, carnitas, chorizo, tortas, al pastor and a few freshly made salsas. Great baked goods in the grocery section and paletas/helados next door.

File Under: Mexican, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Full bar (Jefferson and Gaines School), beer and wine (Watkinsville), delivery, catering, outside seating. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days. • Locally owned small chain Mexican restaurant has chips-and-salsa-type standards and will give you fried ice cream on your birthday, but also serves Mexican-style tacos and good tortas. Kids menu. Margaritas, Mexican beers, regular bottled stuff and pitchers.

File Under: Asian, Mexican and South American, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Outside seating, take-out, delivery, full bar. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days. • Small Atlanta-based chain does Asian/Latin fusion tacos: bulgogi and shiitake, teriyaki chicken with pineapple pico de gallo, tofu with sesame-soy vinaigrette and more. Apps, bowls and salads. Margaritas, cocktails, sangria and craft beers.

File Under: Something Different, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Beer and wine, delivery, catering, outside seating, take-out, vegetarian friendly. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • Big menu of Indian standards, from samosas and pakoras to poori, chat, tandoori and many vegetarian and vegan options. Get your entree made with veggies, paneer, tofu, chicken, lamb, goat, fish or shrimp. Lassis, chai and Indian tea, wine and beer.

File Under: Something Different, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Beer and wine, catering, counter service, delivery, outside seating, take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days. • Mediterranean quick-service franchise does gyros, entree-size salads and "feasts" (grilled veggies or protein, salad, side). Soups, baklava, daily specials, family take-home meals, hummus and spicy pimento cheese, too.

File Under: Sandwiches, Burgers and Chicken. Features: Drive-thru, catering, outside seating. Hours: Breakfast and lunch. • Heavily football-themed place that does biscuits with sausage, bacon, bologna, steak, chicken, country ham, tenderloin, smoke-link or salmon. Beef, chicken, salmon and shrimp burgers. Wings available in large quantities geared to tailgating.

File Under: Italian and Pizza, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Beer and wine, outside seating, take-out, delivery, Wi-Fi. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days. • Personally sized pizzas with thinly sliced fancy toppings. Also other Italian-ish items and great salads. Gluten-free options. Desserts in the refrigerated case. Good beer in cans, on draft and bottles, a few wines by the glass. Large patio with a sandbox for kids.

File Under: American. Features: Full bar, take-out, reservations. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days.

File Under: Asian, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Beer and wine, take-out, delivery, outside seating. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days. • Big menu runs from fresh Thai salads to satay, spicy basil duck, lots of seafood and vegan options, plus gluten-free stuff, with lots of eggplant, basil, chilis and curry, all customizable to your taste. Kids menu. Beer and wine, Thai iced tea and Thai iced coffee.

File Under: Mexican and Latin American. Features: Full bar, outside seating, drive-thru. Hours: Breakfast, lunch and dinner, open seven days. • Central American and Mexican food at this cult favorite. Pupusas, massive tortas, regular specials and fantastic mole; lots of seafood options. Breakfast, which includes chilaquiles, starts at 10 a.m. and is served all day. Margaritas, beer and aguas frescas.

File Under: Asian. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days. Features: Counter service, take-out. • Quick-service hibachi and sushi, plus wings, bento box specials at lunch and dinner, hibachi, soup, edamame and some fried apps.

File Under: American, Vegetarian Friendly, Bars. Features: Full bar, outside seating, Wi-Fi. Hours: Lunch, dinner and late night, open seven days. Sunday brunch. • Big menu of food and beer with lots of vegetarian choices: loaded mac and cheese, Southern fish and chips, tabbouleh salad, housemade pickles, a vegan Reuben, buffalo tofu taco, plus scores of unusual, well-described beers in the bottle and on tap. There's also wine and nice cocktails.

File Under: Sandwiches, Burgers and Chicken. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • Ginormous two-hands-required burgers are the focus (bison, lamb, lots of toppings, regular specials), but you can also get other sandwiches, hot dogs, fried apps, wings and salads. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options. Kids menu. Cheesecake for dessert.

File Under: Downhome. Features: Catering, counter service, outside seating. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • A legend, in Athens and far outside it, and thankfully still open. Look for the bright-green cinderblock building and the sign that reads “Automatic for the People.” Fantastic fried chicken, squash casserole, mac and cheese, collards and the like, varying a bit daily.

File Under: Sandwiches and Burgers. Features: Drive-thru, counter service. Hours: Breakfast, lunch and dinner, open 24/7. Third location coming in 2024.

File Under: Something Different, Downhome and BBQ, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Catering, counter service, delivery, take-out, art, outside seating, table service, full bar (Watkinsville). Hours: Lunch and dinner, weekend brunch (Watkinsville). • Original location is in an old-timey grocery with high ceilings and a ton of outside seating under fairy lights. BYOB. New candy-colored "Deluxe" edition is in Watkinsville with cocktails, beer, wine and dance party bathrooms. Both serve amazing cheeseburgers, pork and tofu barbecue and excellent veggie sides.

File Under: Mexican, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Beer, catering, counter service, delivery. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days.

File Under: Sandwiches, Burgers and Chicken. Features: Curbside pick-up, take-out, outside seating, beer. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • Three locations, plus a food truck. Wings, fried stuff, burgers, hot dogs, chicken sandwiches and a couple of salads. Kids meals include a cookie. Homemade cake. 

File Under: Sandwiches, Burgers and Chicken. Features: Counter service, take-out, delivery. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days. • Wings and chicken tenders are the bread and butter of this unassuming strip mall place near the dorms, but it also has a large menu of homestyle Korean favorites: dosirak, tteokbokki, soups, kimbap, bibimbap, manju, macarons. 

File Under: Sandwiches, Burgers and Chicken. Features: Catering, outside seating, take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days.

File Under: Asian. Features: Counter service, take-out, delivery. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days. • Fast-casual made-to-order stir-fry. Pick a protein (steak, chicken, shrimp, pork, tofu), some veggies, a sauce and a base (rice, noodles, salad), and they’ll cook it for you right then and there.

File Under: American, Bars, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Counter service, delivery, art, full bar, live music. Hours: Lunch, dinner and late night, open seven days. • Half bar, half restaurant, with hearty, fun food (poutine, meatball banh mi, General Tso's tofu), lots of veggie choices and regular specials. Creative cocktails, well-priced beer (including lots of canned craft brews), wine, housemade nonalcoholic sodas and a great chalkboard.

File Under: Italian and Pizza, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Beer and wine, catering, counter service, delivery, Wi-Fi. Hours: Lunch and dinner, open seven days. • Locally-based franchise does personal- and full-size customized pizzas. Lots of topping, sauce and cheese choices, as well as several doughs. Vegan and gluten-free choices. Panini, pasta, bread bowl salads, gelato, beer and wine.

File Under: BBQ. Features: Curbside pick-up, drive-thru, checks, take-out. Hours: Breakfast, lunch and dinner. • Country barbecue joint of long standing keeps long hours, has great atmosphere and is well known for its peppery, vinegary sauce. Burgers, chicken sandwiches, fries, tots and slaw, too, but the barbecue sandwich is the real attraction. Slices of soda cake shrink-wrapped to plates.

File Under: Italian and Pizza, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Full bar, reservations, outside seating. Hours: Dinner, open seven days. • Italian restaurant with a bit of beachiness and a great 1960s soundtrack. Primi including crudo and anchovies on toast, housemade pasta, meat-centric entrees, pizzas, from-scratch gelato, a serious cocktail program and more. Book a table ahead or walk in. Heated patio.