File Under: Mexican and Latin American. Features: Full bar, catering, outside seating, delivery. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days. • A mix of Americanized Mexican and more authentic stuff, which means it pleases everyone. Family atmosphere. Normaltown location recently opened a gorgeous rooftop bar with a mural and nice views after a major renovation. The restaurant's La Carreta food truck continues to pop up around town, including at breweries, and has great birria tacos.

File Under: Asian, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Counter service, take-out, delivery. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days. • It's not fancy, but its poke is right on, with loads of topping choices (raw and cooked). Vegetarian options, hibachi, fried rice, noodles and basic soups and salads.

File Under: American, Bars and Clubs. Features: Beer, live music, trivia. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days. Brunch. • Unlike most breweries, this one has a full restaurant of its own as well as a really wide variety of brews. Beer (available in flights) is featured in many dishes, and the menu goes beyond fried cheese to actual entrees (and flatbreads, burgers, seafood, pasta).

File Under: Sandwiches, Coffee Houses and Bakeries, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Catering, counter service, delivery, Wi-Fi. Hours: Breakfast and lunch. • Excellent bagels boiled and baked in-house in a wide variety of flavors. Temporarily closed for renovations but reopening in 2022.

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.

File Under: Asian, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Take-out, delivery, beer and wine. Hours: Lunch and dinner, 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: 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: Bakeries, Something Different, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Beer and wine, catering, counter service, outside seating, delivery, Wi-Fi. Hours: Breakfast and lunch. • Long-time Athens favorite has a great patio popular with dogs and kids and lots of things on the somewhat French-accented menu that use the bread it bakes in-house. Biscuits, French toast, continental breakfast, omelets, great sandwiches, quiche, soups, burgers, small but good selection of beer and wine. Baked goods galore, including for special order.

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. • Long-time Athens sports bar with a big menu including many vegetarian choices; New Orleans specials on Tuesday. Beer on tap and in bottles, including local brews. Standard cocktails plus a bloody mary bar on Saturday and Sunday.

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 2:45 a.m.

File Under: Coffee Houses and Bakeries, Bars, Sandwiches. Features: Full bar, counter service, outside seating, Wi-Fi, comedy, live music. • Boo-vay, not booves. European-style cafe with a light menu (pre-made sandwiches, pastries, snacks at $1 a scoop, snoballs, including boozy ones) and a lot of different beverages: coffee, tea, cool sodas, craft cocktails, wine, beer and aperitifs. Art shows and lots of fun events. Popular with kids.

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 and full of quarter-operated kiddie rides. Lumpkin has a small fee to BYOB and now accepts credit cards (hallelujah!). Westside location is in the works.

File Under: Sandwiches, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Take-out, curbside pick-up, vegetarian friendly. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days. • Mediterranean bowls and pitas. Pick a base, dips and spreads, protein, toppings and dressings.

File Under: Bakeries. Features: Counter service, take-out. Hours: Wed–Mon. • Sweet and savory Mexican breads (sometimes with cream cheese and jalapenos), light and sweet cakes (whole and by the slice), coffee and more, all well priced and nicely made.

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

File Under: Asian, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Buffet, catering, delivery. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • 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: Asian, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Beer and sake, delivery, trivia, Wi-Fi. Hours: Lunch, dinner and late night. • Quick-service Japanese and Korean food at bargain prices. You can get hibachi basics and lots of fried stuff, but also bibimbap and bulgogi.

File Under: American, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Full bar, catering, outside seating, reservations, Sunday brunch, Wi-Fi. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • Although the name prioritizes beer and meats, there's more to this Watkinsville restaurant. Tap takeovers, mocktails, lots of fresh vegetables and gluten-free items, soup emphasis in cold weather.

File Under: Sandwiches, Burgers and Chicken, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Beer, curbside pick-up, delivery, outside seating, take-out, Wi-Fi. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • Local favorite balances meaty burgers (made with all-natural, humanely raised, antibiotic-free beef and creative toppings: bacon jam, peanut butter, gouda, etc.) with vegetarian and vegan offerings, both burgers and otherwise. Also: grilled cheese, tater tots and milkshakes (including boozy ones). Gluten-free options and a big patio.

File Under: Coffee Houses, Something Different. Hours: Open seven days. Features: Outside seating, Wi-Fi. • Locally based small-batch chocolate shop offers truffles, chocolate bars, coffee bars and more, plus drinking chocolate, coffee, gelato, ice cream sandwiches, toffee, etc. Vegan options. Downtown location has a coffee menu and big windows to watch the chocolate elves at work.

File Under: Asian. Hours: Lunch and dinner. Features: Full bar. • Grilled meats cooked on your table, either in pre-set portion sizes or all-you-can-eat, 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: 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: Asian. Features: Full bar, take-out, vegetarian friendly, outside seating. Hours: Dinner. • Chef takes on Americanized Chinese food. Excellent vegetarian and vegan options, including a gorgeous salad and dry-fried eggplant with plenty of Szechuan pepper. Excellent ice creams made in-house for dessert. Fun, intelligently picked and described wine list; a few nice beers; fancy cocktails that can be a little retro.

File Under: Something Different, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Catering, counter service, outside seating, delivery. Hours: Breakfast and lunch. Weekend brunch. • Something for everyone: brunchy-lunchy hot food made to order until 2 p.m., with lots of veggies; stuff in the fridge and freezer any other time, plus delivery meals and lots of weekly specials, ranging all over the world in influences. Holiday special orders. Walkers, bikers and bus riders get a 5% discount. Great with dietary restrictions.

File Under: Mexican, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Full bar, catering, curbside pick-up, delivery, take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days. • 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: Italian and Pizza. Features: Full bar, outside seating, take-out, trivia, live music. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • Watkinsville pizza place with lots of events has a big menu with fried apps, wings, salads, subs, wraps, a wide selection of pastas, Italian desserts and big, good garlic rolls as well as pizza. Large covered patio, karaoke. 

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: 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: 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, risotto and more. Offerings change regularly. Virgin cocktails made with as much love as the boozy ones, plus nice wines.

File Under: Something Different. Features: Curbside pick-up, delivery, vegetarian friendly, outside seating, take-out, counter service, beer and wine. Hours: Breakfast and lunch. • Primarily biscuits, served all day, but not just traditional egg and cheese varieties. Nice ingredients like housemade pickles and jam. Lunch adds non-biscuit sandwiches and burgers plus specials. Baked goods in a case at the counter, good coffee.

File Under: Something Different. Features: Curbside pick-up, delivery, take-out. • The tasting room for Figment Kombucha features its small-batch drinks made with high-quality local ingredients, available on tap, canned or by the growler (half or full), plus a rotating selection of fermented goods, like ketchup, giardiniera and various krauts. Specific flavors change regularly. Table seating available.

File Under: Something Different. Features: Full bar, reservations, catering, outside seating, take-out, vegetarian friendly. Hours: Dinner. • Celebrity chef Hugh Acheson's flagship restaurant, in a historic house on Milledge Avenue with a big covered porch and proof of COVID vaccination required. 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. Features: Vegetarian friendly, outside seating, take-out, catering, beer and wine. Hours: Breakfast, lunch and weekend dinner. • Atlanta franchise does breakfast all day: eggs, pancakes, biscuits (duh), scrambles, tacos, waffles. If you don't like breakfast food, there are also sandwiches, wraps, salads and burgers. Vegan and gluten-free choices. Draft beer, mimosas, micheladas and a sake Bloody Mary.

File Under: Downhome, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Catering, take-out. Hours: Lunch. • Real-deal southern food, available in meat-and-sides combos. Menu changes daily but could include pork chops, fried chicken livers, catfish, greens, yams, black-eyed peas, mac and cheese and more.

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

File Under: Bars and Clubs, Sandwiches, Burgers and Chicken. Hours: Lunch and dinner. Features: Outside seating, Wi-Fi, live music. • An Athens classic, reopening this spring, with plenty of familiar classics on the menu (chips with blue cheese, fish and chips) but more of an emphasis on UK pub fare. Huge beer selection, general literary atmosphere, soccer upstairs and pretty much everything you missed for the past few years.

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: Breakfast, lunch, dinner and late night. • Coffee, burgers (veggie and meaty), fries, eggs, pancakes, French toast and classic milkshakes. Cute vintage toys enliven the diner interior. Temporarily closed for renovations.

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: Something Different, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Beer and wine, outside seating, art, Wi-Fi. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days. Weekend brunch. • An Athens classic for decades, with an embarrassment of riches for vegetarians, vegans and the gluten-free crowd. The chalkboard lists daily veggie choices, while the menu has Golden Bowl (brown rice topped with veggies, tofu, cheese and more), chili, noodles, sandwiches, etc. Weekend breakfast/brunch brings burritos, pancakes and omelets. Excellent cakes and pies that can be ordered whole (with advance notice) or by the slice.

File Under: Something Different. Features: Outside seating, drive-thru, take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days. • Small Atlanta chain is opening its first Athens location in 2022, in a new building. Fast-casual menu involves build-your-own bowls, salads and wraps with a protein (chicken, shrimp, tofu, avocado), veggies and sauce. Kids menu.

File Under: Sandwiches, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Take-out, beer and wine. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • Longtime Athens franchise, with its own identity and a cult following, will return in 2022 down the street from its original location. Curly fries, gyros, salads, etc., on a menu created with the input of the previous owner, plus a new bar upstairs.

File Under: Something Different. Features: Counter service, take-out. • Cheese shop and neighborhood market in Normaltown, also makes cold salads (pasta, farro, slaw) and soup. A huge array of cheeses, meats, nice wines and to-go sandwiches.

File Under: Something Different, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Full bar, catering, outside seating, art, Wi-Fi, curbside pick-up, take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner. Weekend brunch. • Neighborhood restaurant focusing on local produce with a seasonally driven menu that changes often. Very accommodating of diet restrictions and preferences. Seasonal artisan cocktails with ingredients like honeysuckle vodka and Pataka ginger liqueur. Good wines and beers. Large patio for seating.

File Under: Coffee Houses and Bakeries, Bars. Features: Full bar, catering, counter service, live music, art, Wi-Fi, outside seating. Hours: Open Mon–Sat. Lunch. • Coffee drinks, nitro coffee, teas and juices all day, plus baked goods from Independent and fun lunch (noodle bowls, burgers, Hong Kong French toast) from 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Lots of draft and bottled/canned craft beers, plus wine, craft cocktails and mocktails (some made with coffee).

File Under: American, Bars, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Full bar, take-out. Hours: Breakfast, lunch and dinner. • Family-friendly tavern is all things to all people, with lots of food for all three meals (including a kajillion vegetarian and vegan options) as well as a major bar selection. Noodles, fish and chips, chili, hot dogs, fried cheese, frittatas, coffee, pastries. Great beers; also whiskeys, classic cocktails and juice for kids.

File Under: Asian. Features: Buffet, take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • 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, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Catering, delivery, take-out, full bar. Hours: Dinner. • Refined, Southern-inspired menu experiments all the time, creating things like fig leaf bruléed burrata and kudzu lemonade. Lots of vegetables, including the amazing tomato pie, and a good bit of New Orleans influence. You can also buy casseroles, sides, snacks and take-away meals. Bright cocktails, good wine list and beer selection.

File Under: Bakeries, Sandwiches, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Counter service, outside seating, take-out. Hours: Breakfast and lunch. • Nice, small bagels, excellent house-smoked fish and sandwiches (either on bagels or on Luna bread) and made with meats sliced in front of you (capicola, roast beef, etc.) but also hummus, roasted veggies, sauerkraut and scrambled eggs. Kids meals.

File Under: Mexican and South American. Features: Delivery. Hours: Lunch and dinner. Cheerful, colorful Mexican and Americanized Mexican restaurant with a big chalkboard menu, enabling flexibility. Giant burritos, good rajas tacos, sandwiches, loaded fries, tasty esquites in a cup. Kids menu.

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, seven days. • Good, fast sushi at a reasonable price. Choose among nigiri, maki and specialty rolls, then accessorize with katsu, edamame, seaweed salad, etc. Teriyaki, tempura and poke, too.

File Under: Something Different. Features: Catering, curbside pick-up, delivery, full bar, outside seating, vegetarian friendly, live music. Hours: Dinner, Tues–Fri. Lunch and dinner, Sat. • Athens' only Persian restaurant focuses on rice, eggplant, various kabobs, but also has pizza (for kids or adults), wonderful specials (stews, lamb shanks), doogh to drink and more. Bellydancing shows. 

File Under: Asian, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Beer and wine, full bar, outside seating, karaoke. Hours: Dinner. • Korean barbecue cooked on your table: beef, pork belly, shrimp, mushrooms, other veggies. Wrap it in a lettuce leaf or radish slice, add condiments and enjoy. Everything comes with salad, rice and side vegetables. Korean soju and sake at the bar. Karaoke rooms.

File Under: American. Features: Outside seating, delivery, Wi-Fi. Hours: Breakfast and lunch.

File Under: Sandwiches, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Delivery, catering, counter service, outside seating, take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days.

File Under: Asian. Features: Delivery, take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days.

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

File Under: Something Different, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Delivery, curbside pick-up. Hours: Seven days. • Raw, organic, cold-pressed and unpasteurized fruit and vegetable juices that are also delicious and pre-packaged for easy transporting.

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. Rice dishes with grilled meats, noodle dishes, banh mi sandwiches, goi cuon, tiramisu and more.

File Under: Something Different, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Beer, catering, counter service, outside seating. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • Jamaican joint with two locations; Kelly himself has written a cookbook/memoir. 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: Sandwiches, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Catering, counter service, outside seating, art. Hours: Lunch, Mon–Thur. • Friendly small-town café currently has take-out only, asking you to order ahead by phone or on the website. Deli sandwiches (including pimento cheese, egg salad and hummus) and salads, both lettuce-based and mayo-based.

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

File Under: American, Vegetarian Friendly, Bars. Features: Outside seating, art, curbside pick-up. 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. Good bar, with American vodkas, gins and vermouths, as well as Armagnac, ice wine, Madeira, sherry and a long list of wines. 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 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. Occasional wine dinners.

File Under: American. Features: Counter service, curbside pick-up, delivery, take-out, outside seating, vegetarian friendly, catering. Hours: Breakfast, lunch and weekend brunch. • The Little City in question is Winterville, just outside Athens. Southern breakfast and brunch include biscuits, eggs, quiche and Red Mule grits. Lunch means sandwiches on housemade breads, burgers and salads. Good desserts, coffee and veggie options.

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, salads available, too.

File Under: American, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Curbside pick-up (Timothy), delivery, live music (Timothy), trivia, catering, Wi-Fi, outside seating. Hours: Lunch and dinner, 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: Mexican and South American. Features: Drive-thru, delivery, beer and wine. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • Fast-casual Mexican, both drive-thru and dine-in, with surprisingly good tacos (both more traditional Mexican tacos on corn tortillas and things like a quinoa taco with a whole-wheat tortilla that is absolutely worth your time), enchiladas, burritos, rice bowls, kids menu, aguas frescas and more.

File Under: American, Bars. Features: Reservations, outside seating, live music, room service, take-out, Wi-Fi. Hours: Breakfast and dinner, 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, seven days. • Virtuous and tasty fast food. Start with brown rice, quinoa, sweet potatoes or salad greens. Add a protein, two veggie sides and a housemade sauce. Menu changes seasonally. Condor Chocolates for dessert. Kids meals. Gluten-free choices. Everything is recyclable or compostable.

File Under: Asian. Features: Take-out, catering, beer and wine. 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, Mon–Sat. • Casual, family-run pizzeria of long standing with budget prices, salads, subs, pasta, hot wings, calzones and more.

File Under: Downhome, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Catering, curbside pick-up, counter service, outside seating, art, Wi-Fi. Hours: Breakfast and lunch. • Both locations do Southern breakfast and lunch all day: biscuits with lots of toppings, hash, egg plates, tacos, pimento cheese burger, chicken salad, strawberry lemonade. Lots of great sides. Very accommodating to those with special dietary needs.

File Under: Something Different, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Take-out, delivery. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • Athens' only Ethiopian restaurant feels like you're being hosted in someone's home. 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. • National franchise does pizzas, low-carb versions served in a bowl, subs, salads, wings. Mostly to-go.

File Under: Something Different, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Counter service, catering, delivery, take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner, 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, curbside pick-up, delivery, outside seating, trivia, take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner, 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: Mexican and South American. Features: Curbside pick-up, delivery, take-out, BYOB. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • Family-run Peruvian place with a big menu of delicious standards and surprisingly fancy plating: lomo saltado, aji de gallina, tallarin, lots of ceviche choices and seafood, causas and causitas (mashed potato terrines with lime and chicken, tuna or shrimp salad).

File Under: Mexican, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Catering, counter service, outside seating. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days.

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. Vietnamese coffee, fruit slushies, bubble tea and coconut juice to drink.

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. Will deliver across the street to Creature Comforts or Little Kings. 

File Under: Ice cream and Smoothies, Coffee Houses and Bakeries. Features: Delivery, catering, outside seating, beer. Hours: Breakfast and lunch. • Everything comes with a customized compliment, whether you're ordering a big savory biscuit, an elaborate crowaffle piled with toppings or a fancy donut. Also: coffee drinks, ice cream, vegan and gluten-free offerings, mimosas made with Creature Comforts' Athena.

File Under: Asian, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Take-out, curbside pick-up, full bar. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • One of only two places in the area to get legit Chinese food without driving to Duluth; just remember to ask for the Szechuan menu (or locate it on the website if you're ordering take-out). If that’s not your thing, there’s sesame chicken, too, plus Thai curries, sushi, steamed seafood and much more.

File Under: Downhome. Features: Take-out, vegetarian friendly, drive-thru. Hours: Lunch, Mon–Sat. • Country store/restaurant in Winterville does hot lunch (hot dogs, grilled corn, chili, pork chops, hash brown casserole), fresh produce, cakes, grab-and-go stuff from a cold case and excellent homemade ice cream on Saturdays in warm weather, often with fresh fruit.

File Under: American. Features: Delivery, full bar, trivia. Hours: Lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. • Fancy-ish sports bar promotes itself as "a guilt-free place to say, 'I'm at the Office.'" Burgers, wings, pork chops, steakhouse sides. Breakfast burger at brunch. Domestic and craft beer, specialty cocktails named things like "the Sexy Intern."

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

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, offering over 150 beers, including 28 on tap (customers who try 100 beers are recognized on the Around the World Beer Club wall), wines and cocktails.

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 they need to be.

File Under: Italian and Pizza, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Beer and wine, counter service, take-out, outside seating. Hours: Lunch and dinner, Tues–Sun. • 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: Sandwiches, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Catering, counter service, delivery, Wi-Fi. Hours: Lunch and dinner.

File Under: Italian and Pizza. Features: Curbside pick-up, delivery, take-out. Hours: Seven days. • Pizza, pastas, sandwiches, salads, wings. Opening soon.

File Under: Downhome, Bars. Features: Outside seating, full bar, take-out. Hours: Lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. • 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: BBQ, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: BYOB, catering, outside seating, delivery. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • The basics are always solid at this chef-owned barbecue place that smokes high-quality meats daily. Watch the Instagram for specials and to see if things are running low; when they're out, they're out. Good vegetarian options, too. Proudly inauthentic ramen on Wednesdays.

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 snacks and heartier things (tacos, burgers, nice salads).

File Under: Asian, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Curbside pick-up, full bar, reservations, outside seating, take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • Big, noisy sushi place out of Atlanta does lots of specialty rolls and sashimi and sushi combos. Also: ramen, pho, fried tofu, grilled seafood and more. Kids menu. Premium cold sakes and cocktails with Japanese ingredients, plus boba.

File Under: Mexican and South American, Bakeries. Features: Delivery, full bar, take-out, outside seating (Oglethorpe). Hours: Lunch and dinner. • Looks like your standard Americanized Mexican from afar but is actually Uruguyan, with choripan, chivito, churrosco del sur and more hiding on the menu at both locations. Great baked goods, especially Latin American sweet breads (Watkinsville location), and tasty empanadas, both sweet and savory. Kids menu.

File Under: Asian, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Full bar, take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • Both locations serve a similar menu, from hibachi as entertainment to good quality sushi 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: American, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Full bar, Wi-Fi, take-out, delivery. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • 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, curbside pick-up, delivery, outside seating, Wi-Fi. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days. 

File Under: Something Different, Bars. Features: Full bar, catering, outside seating, take-out, curbside pick-up. Hours: Dinner. • Longtime hipster 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.

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

File Under: Asian, Vegetarian Friendly, Bars. Features: Karaoke, full bar, outside seating, delivery. Hours: Dinner, 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, curbside pick-up. Hours: Lunch and dinner, Tue–Sun. • Lots of indoor greenery sets the scene at this Thai restaurant. 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: Something Different, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Vegetarian friendly, take-out. Hours: Lunch and Dinner. • Athens branch of Atlanta franchise will open soon with juicy, drippy, completely vegan burgers, fries, bratwurst, sweets and more, all 100% plant-based.

File Under: American, Bars and Clubs. Features: Full bar, catering. Hours: Weekend brunch, lunch and dinner. • 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: Downhome. Features: Catering, checks. Hours: Breakfast and lunch, Mon–Sat. • Open since 1960, this unassuming place out on Atlanta Highway serves some of the best southern food in town. Menu changes daily but always includes fantastic biscuits. You might also get fried chicken, ribs, catfish, pork chops, mashed potatoes and gravy, creamed corn and greens. Good desserts.

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. Gluten-free and dairy-free options.

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

File Under: Something Different. Features: Take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner. Bubble tea, ramen, poke bowls, sushi burritos and salad bowls. Order online and pick up.

File Under: Mexican. Features: Full bar, catering, counter service, outside seating, take-out. Hours: Lunch, Mon–Sat. Dinner, Tues–Sat. • 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, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Full bar (Jefferson and Gaines School), beer and wine (Watkinsville), delivery, catering, outside seating. Hours: Lunch and dinner, 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. • 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, seven days. • Mediterranean quick-service franchise does healthful grilled food, including 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: Italian and Pizza, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Beer and wine, outside seating, take-out, delivery, Wi-Fi. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days. • Beauteous personally sized pizzas are as far from chain pizza as you get, carefully prepared 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 and bottles, a few wines by the glass. Large outdoor patio with a sandbox for kids.

File Under: Asian, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Beer and wine, take-out, delivery, outside seating. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • 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, seven days. • Central American and Mexican food at this unassuming but completely charming cinderblock restaurant. Pupusas (including with loroco), 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: Something Different, Vegetarian Friendly, Bars. Features: Full bar, outside seating, Wi-Fi. Hours: Lunch, dinner and late night, 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: Asian, Vegetarian Friendly, Bars. Features: Full bar, delivery, take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • Lunch combos have more variety than at many other restaurants. Lots of specialty rolls (the sushi part of the menu is huge), but also good udon and ramen bowls, yakitori, tonkatsu, teriyaki, fried rice and more. Hot and cold sake, Japanese (and American) beers, wine, sake bombs and martinis.

File Under: Something Different, Downhome and BBQ, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Catering, counter service, delivery, take-out, art, outside seating. Hours: Lunch and dinner, Tue–Sun. • Barbecue and more in an old-timey grocery with high ceilings and a ton of outside seating under fairy lights. Amazing cheeseburgers, pork-cue as well as tofu, excellent veggie sides (including perfect coleslaw, which you can also get on a hot dog), plus salads and banana pudding. Fanta in the cooler, fun specials. Watkinsville "deluxe" offshoot should open this year.

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

File Under: American, Asian. Features: Delivery, take-out, vegetarian friendly. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • Trust us: there is legit Chinese food in this Winterville shopping center restaurant that also serves hamburgers. Ask for the Chinese menu and you'll find duck, yu xiang eggplant, hot and spicy boiled fish, mapo tofu, cumin lamb and more. The folks in the kitchen may not always have everything listed, but they're great at adapting on the fly.

File Under: Asian. Features: Counter service, curbside pick-up, take-out, delivery. Hours: Lunch and dinner. • 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, curbside pick-up, delivery, art, full bar, live music. Hours: Lunch, dinner and late night. • Half bar, half restaurant, with hearty, fun food (frito fried chicken with jalapeno slaw, chicken and waffle club, tacos), 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 that often demonstrates townies' secret love of UGA football.

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

File Under: Coffee Houses and Bakeries. Features: Delivery, outside seating, Wi-Fi, catering. Hours: Seven days. • Tell the folks behind the counter which toppings you want on your freshly made chocolate or vanilla doughnut (your choice of glaze, plus sprinkles, bacon, pecans, Fruity Pebbles and more). Iced coffee made with coffee ice cubes. Vegan, paleo and gluten-free options. 

File Under: Italian and Pizza. Features: Vegetarian friendly, full bar, reservations, outside seating. Hours: Dinner. • New informal Italian place from the folks behind Dinner Party. 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.