The 2019-2020 Flagpole Guide to Athens

File Under: Asian, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Counter service, take-out, delivery. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days. The Look: Counter-service poke. Menu: There are lots of places to get poke, but this is one of the best, despite its unassuming atmosphere. Punch cards for repeat diners, vegetarian options, a bajillion fresh topping options, plus hibachi, fried rice, noodles and basic soups and salads.

File Under: American, Bars and Clubs. Features: Beer, live music, trivia. Hours: 12–10 p.m., seven days. The Look: Large brewpub in a warehouse-type space, with a huge bar, a view of the tanks and crowlers to go. Menu: Some bar stuff, some nicer things (pork chop, grilled salmon). Beer is used as an ingredient. Good snacks, like fried cheese curds and fries served with dips. Good kids menu. Ramen nights. Drinks: Craft beers made in house, as well as guest brews. Offerings change daily, with lots of interesting options. Available in flights.

File Under: Sandwiches, Coffee Houses and Bakeries, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Catering, counter service, delivery, Wi-Fi. Hours: Breakfast and lunch, seven days. The Look: Locally owned bagel bakery with space to eat-in. Menu: Big, good bagels boiled and baked in-house in a wide variety of flavors. Top with hummus, butter (whipped, honey, peanut) or housemade cream cheese in flavors savory and sweet. Breakfast and lunch sandwiches on bagels: smoked pork, Reuben or housemade egg salad.

File Under: Asian, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Take-out, delivery, beer and wine. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days. The Look: Casual atmosphere, friendly owners. Menu: Thai, Chinese, Korean and Japanese quick-sauteed dishes made with chicken, steak, salmon, shrimp, vegetables or tofu, plus sushi. The Thai curries are some of the best things on the menu, but everything is fast and fresh.

File Under: Italian and Pizza, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Beer and wine, counter service, outside seating, take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days. The Look: Classy but not fancy pizza place with small but pleasant outdoor seating at picnic tables. Menu: Excellent, large, floppy slices or whole pies, topped with quality stuff, including great anchovies; good salads; nice subs on Luna bread; cannoli. Vegan-friendly. Gluten-free options. Drinks: Local and mainstream draft beer, wine, half-pours for half-price and Sunday discounts.

File Under: Mexican, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Beer (Clayton St.), catering, outside seating, delivery, Wi-Fi. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days. The Look: Locally owned burrito chain. Menu: Health-oriented Mexican-ish fare, with seven options that have less than 7 grams of fat each. Customizable 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, Wi-Fi. Hours: Breakfast and lunch, Mon–Sat. Weekend brunch. The Look: Charming restaurant with an amazing dog-friendly patio and sidewalk chalk for kids. Big booths and art inside. Menu: Breakfast and lunch, plus breads, pastries, cakes, special orders and more from the bakery. Really good French toast and burgers, plus quiche, some bigger plates (fish and chips, veggie sauté), fries with blue cheese and garlic aioli and lots of healthy stuff. Drinks: Small but nice selection of beer; wine by the glass or bottle.

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. The Look: Longtime Athens sports bar. Menu: Tasty bar food with good vegetarian choices: burgers, wings, sandwiches, fried pickles, fish tacos, barbecue and chili cheese fries. "Fat" Tuesdays bring po'boys, Cajun burgers and more. Downtown lunch attracts lawyers and other types in suits. Drinks: Beer on tap and in bottles, including local brews. Standard cocktails plus a Bloody Mary bar on Saturday and Sunday.

File Under: Asian, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Catering, counter service, take-out, delivery, Wi-Fi. Hours: Lunch and dinner, Mon–Sat. The Look: Tiny, cute eatery hidden below street level downtown. Menu: Bubble tea, as you'd expect, but also gyoza, some hearty noodle soups, tasty Taiwanese-style snacks and rice bowls. Prepackaged snacks by the register. Fast and inexpensive.

File Under: Italian and Pizza, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Counter service, delivery, take-out. Hours: Lunch, dinner and late night, seven days. The Look: No-frills restaurant with booth seating in a shopping center. Menu: Order pizzas as big as 24 inches in diameter online, with up to 20 toppings, as well as wings (15 sauces), hot and cold subs, calzones, fried apps, pasta, salads, breadsticks and dessert.

File Under: Coffee Houses and Bakeries, Bars, Sandwiches. Features: Beer and wine, counter service, outside seating, Wi-Fi. Hours: Breakfast to 8 p.m., seven days. The Look: High ceilings, cool kids area, indoor porch swing and trains out the window. Menu: Eats are on the lighter side: pastries and soft pretzels by The Comerian, hard-boiled eggs, sandwiches, cheese plates, snoballs and snacks by the scoop. Coffee and tea, plus interesting sodas. Drinks: Draft and bottled/canned craft beers, wine, craft cocktails made with beer and wine, aperitifs, boozy snoballs.

File Under: Mexican and Latin American. Features: Outside seating, beer and wine, delivery. Hours: Lunch and dinner, Tue-Sun. The Look: A kid's paradise, with coin-operated children's rides, old video games, an airplane hanging from the ceiling, tricycles, a full-size fountain and much more. Menu: Similar menu to the original on Lumpkin, with tweaked Peruvian specialties. La Michoacana… es Natural operates a booth with ice cream, paletas and street snacks inside the restaurant.

File Under: Mexican and Latin American, Vegetarian Friendly, Cash and Checks Only. Features: BYOB, outside seating, delivery. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days. The Look: Magical wonderland that continually changes. Most seating is outside, but a lot of it is covered. Menu: Latin American food with a Peruvian influence and big portions: plantains (sweet and savory), steak and fries, tacu tacu (rice and beans topped with eggs), fish burrito, great empanadas and more. Lots of veggie choices. Show up early if the weather's nice; the lines can get long. Small fee to BYOB; ATM in the gas station next door.

File Under: Asian, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Catering, take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days. The Look: A shopping-center space that feels more elegant than it should. Menu: Lots of Cantonese standards prepared with a lighter touch and less grease than your usual strip-mall eatery. Singapore noodles, seafood with eggplant, roast duck and lunch specials.

File Under: Asian, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Buffet, catering, delivery. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days. The Look: Eight buffet tables, including a sushi bar and a hibachi area. Take-out priced by the pound. Menu: Choose from over 300 Chinese, American and Japanese dishes from the buffets or order off the menu of mostly Americanized Chinese standards. Crab legs are available daily after 4 p.m.

File Under: Asian, Vegetarian Friendly. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days. Features: Counter service, take-out. The Look: Limited seating and no frills, mostly to-go orders. Menu: Americanized quick-service Chinese dishes, including chop suey, lo mein, mai fun, moo shu and egg fu yung, make up the primary order of business here.

File Under: Asian, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Beer and sake, delivery, trivia, Wi-Fi. Hours: Lunch, dinner and late night, seven days. The Look: Counter service, big booths. Menu: Generous servings of Korean and Japanese noodle and rice entrees with chicken, steak, salmon, shrimp or tofu. More traditional dishes include bibimbap, bulgogi and tonkatsu. Korean tacos come stuffed with jae yuk (marinated pork), kimchi or calamari. Popular with the late-night crowd.

File Under: American, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Beer and wine, reservations, outside seating, Wi-Fi, catering. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days. The Look: Watkinsville location is an upscale, two-floor space, with a big bar with TVs. Downtown Athens location coming in the fall. Menu: Steaks and beer are the emphasis, but the kitchen also loves vegetables. Menu changes frequently but includes good burgers, salads and sandwiches. Kids menu. Drinks: Well-priced and well-chosen selection of beer and wine, tap takeovers and craft cocktails.

File Under: Coffee Houses and Bakeries, Vegan. Features: Counter service, catering, Wi-Fi. Hours: Seven days.

File Under: Sandwiches, Burgers and Chicken. Features: Catering, full bar, take-out. Hours: Lunch, dinner and late night, seven days. The Look: Preppy but not totally monogrammed. Menu: Burgers (build your own, with a gluten-free bun if needed), sandwiches, new flatbreads, some nice salads, all made better than they need to be. Good pickles. Desserts by Kiki's Bakeshop. Drinks: Long list of bottled beer, plus a selection of wine and cute cocktails.

File Under: Sandwiches, Burgers and Chicken, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Beer, outside seating, Wi-Fi. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days. Late night, Fri–Sat. The Look: Hipster diner with vintage lamps, old movies on the TV. Menu: Burgers are the main attraction, made with all-natural, humanely raised, antibiotic-free beef and creative toppings: bacon jam, peanut butter, onion rings, feta, fried eggs and more. Tots and shakes are popular. Gluten-free and vegan options, like veggie frites. Drinks: Boozy milkshakes hang out on the specials menu.

File Under: American, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Full bar. Hours: Lunch and dinner, Mon–Sat. Sunday brunch. The Look: Gastropub in the Ansonborough mixed-use development on the Eastside. Menu: Lots of veggies and seafood (watermelon salad, poké, mussels), but meaty stuff, too. Vegan and gluten-free items highlighted; lots of options for substitutes. Drinks: Craft beer on draft, in bottle or can, a nice selection of wines and cocktails, housemade blood-orangecello.

File Under: Asian, Something Different. Hours: Lunch and dinner, Mon–Sat. The Look: Sleek, with quiet, powerful fans atop each table and a ton of TVs playing K-Pop videos. Menu: Grilled meats (mostly beef, pork and chicken) cooked on your table with cheese, corn and eggs, plus a healthy selection of banchan (free snacks, including kimchi, noodles and more). Don't want the barbecue? There are noodles hot and cold, rice bowls, Korean fried chicken and fun popsicles. Drinks: Japanese whisky, shochu and other unusual selections.

File Under: Italian and Pizza, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Full bar, catering, outside seating, delivery. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days. The Look: Classic Italian good for a date or a casual lunch. Menu: Each location is a little different, but all have pizza, pasta, salad and classic desserts like zuppa inglese. The menu expands at dinner, with regular specials (lasagna of the day) and more upscale entrees. Vegan, vegetarian, dairy-free and gluten-free options; kids menu. Drinks: Long wine list with many Italian reds. Beers ranging from the regular to "really good."

File Under: Something Different, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Catering, counter service, outside seating. Hours: Breakfast and lunch, Mon–Fri. Weekend brunch. The Look: Comfy restaurant in a historic house. Very family-friendly, with a well-stocked playroom. Menu: Hot breakfast and lunch to order until 2 p.m. Open later on weekdays for pick-up of pre-made items. Lots of veggie stuff, some vegan. Brunch on the weekends. To-go meals in the fridge and the freezer include breakfast stratas, casseroles, desserts and more. Holiday special orders. Walkers, bikers and bus riders get a 5 percent discount.

File Under: Asian. Features: Full bar, take-out, vegetarian friendly, outside seating. Hours: Dinner, seven days. The Look: Tight quarters that are cool without being off-puttingly hip. Menu: Gourmet versions of Americanized Chinese food (mu shu, chow mein). Striving not for authenticity, but for fun. Major love for vegetables, nice small plates, beauteous ice creams for dessert, amazing eggplant fries. Drinks: Fun, intelligently picked and described wine list; a few nice beers; fancy cocktails that can be a little retro.

File Under: Mexican, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Full bar, catering, delivery. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days. The Look: Big, beachy mural; chill atmosphere in a shopping center. Menu: Americanized Mexican staples: tacos, burritos, nachos, fajitas, quesadillas, big burritos, enchiladas, queso, fish tacos, fried ice cream. Drinks: Margaritas and more than 30 tequilas, some draft beers, more in bottles.

File Under: Italian and Pizza. Features: Full bar, outside seating, take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner, Tue–Sun. The Look: Look for the psychedelic bus painted with a pizza theme out front. Good patio. Menu: Pizza, of course, including gluten-free options, but also fried apps, wings, salads, subs, wraps, a wide selection of pastas and Italian desserts. Cornhole outside. Curbside pickup. Drinks: Big beer selection, wine and cocktails.

File Under: Something Different, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Buffet, counter service, outside seating, Wi-Fi. Hours: Breakfast, lunch and dinner, seven days. The Look: Restaurant inside the grocery store. Great deals for kids meals. Menu: Much better than the average grocery store restaurant. Lots of variety, all with a natural emphasis: salads with organic ingredients, sushi, fresh-made sandwiches and a hot bar, plus smoothies, juice, coffee, soups and baked goods.

File Under: Something Different, Bars, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Reservations, outside seating, full bar. Hours: Lunch, Tue–Sat. Dinner, Tue–Sun. The Look: Simply decorated renovated house. Upstairs bar with its own snacks. Menu: French-ish and refined: chicken liver pâté, charcuterie, gougères, rabbit ragout, soufflé, intensely good cheese. Lunch includes burgers (beef or veggie), grain bowl, pasta and more. Drinks: High-end cocktails with forward-thinking ingredients and a long wine list by the glass and bottle.

File Under: Something Different. Features: Breakfast, lunch, vegetarian friendly, outside seating, take-out, counter service. Hours: 7 a.m.–3 p.m., Tue–Fri. 8 a.m.–2 p.m., Sat–Sun. The Look: Food truck turned restaurant echoes its beginnings with wooden notes and a large, sunny patio. Menu: Breakfast served all day, with big biscuit sandwiches made with good ingredients and sourced locally, including the jam. Veggie choices, but meaty stuff, too. Baked goods in a case at the counter. Egg plates, bagels, housemade granola with yogurt, fancy sodas, good coffee. Salads and sandwiches at lunch.

File Under: American, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Take-out, counter service. Hours: Breakfast and lunch, Mon–Sat. The Look: Big cafe attached to a fancy, farm-fresh, independent grocery store. Menu: Surrounding farms mean good ingredients. Breakfast brings fancy biscuits, stuffed French toast, eggs, bacon and more. Lunch has hearty salads, burgers, a grilled cheese sandwich that includes apples and bacon and local veggies. High Road ice cream and lots of baked goods for dessert.

File Under: Something Different. Features: Full bar, reservations, catering, outside seating, vegetarian friendly. Hours: Dinner, seven days. Sunday brunch. The Look: Hugh Acheson's flagship restaurant in a renovated historic home with a lovely bar. Menu: Serious dining that is forward-thinking but thoughtful, with beautiful plating. Some items recur frequently, but there's always something new based on the season. Superlative produce. Tuesday-night ramen is a standout. Drinks: Wine list by James Beard nominee; unpretentious but smart cocktails; excellent after-dinner drinks.

File Under: Downhome, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Buffet, catering. Hours: Lunch, Tue–Fri and Sun. The Look: Homey eatery with a self-service buffet and a great mural by Broderick Flanigan outside. Menu: Meat-and-three staples that rotate daily, like pork chops, fried chicken livers, catfish, mac and cheese and tons of good vegetables. All-you-can-eat buffet lets you stuff yourself silly.

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

File Under: Mexican, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Full bar, delivery, take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days. The Look: Plenty of booths, bar in the back. Menu: Lots of Mexican favorites. Drinks: Mexican beers, margaritas.

File Under: Bars and Clubs, Sandwiches, Burgers and Chicken. Features: Live music, outside seating, Wi-Fi. The Look: A real classic, with a grad student/faculty/townie vibe. Soccer and live music upstairs. Menu: Pub cuisine, including fish and chips, burgers, a croque monsieur, really good vegan chili and housemade potato chips. Sunday brunch includes pancakes, grits, steak and eggs and a frittata. Drinks: An eclectic selection of over 80 craft beers, 60 wines and 40 single-malt scotches.

File Under: Asian, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Beer and wine, buffet, delivery, catering. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days. The Look: Chinese restaurant in a shopping center. Menu: Big lunch buffet daily. Tons of standard options. Dragon Dinners feature combinations of dishes for two to 10 people.

File Under: Asian, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Beer and wine, delivery. Hours: Lunch and dinner, Tue–Sun. The Look: Pleasant dining in the Eastside Walmart shopping center. Menu: Countless classic options, 30 chef's specials, 50 different lunch specials and Peking duck (if you order ahead). 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. Hours: 24 hours, seven days. The Look: It's a diner, but not a cutesy one, despite its 1950s decor. Look close, and you'll see its punk rock heart. Menu: Burgers, hot sandwiches and tons of veggie choices. Don't forget fries with a side of feta dressing and a milkshake. Breakfast is served half the day, from midnight to noon, and works well on hangovers.

File Under: Burgers, Vegetarian Friendly, Bars. Features: Full bar, counter service, outside seating, delivery. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days. The Look: Two-floor small chain out of Atlanta. Menu: Petite burgers made with beef, turkey or beans and quinoa, plus plant-based Impossible Burger. Build your own or select a combo from the menu. Handspun milkshakes, crinkle-cut fries, fried pimento cheese nuggets, salads, chili. Drinks: Domestic and craft beers, wine, shots, cocktails and boozy milkshakes.

File Under: Something Different, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Beer and wine, outside seating, art, Wi-Fi. Hours: Breakfast, lunch and dinner, seven days. Weekend brunch. The Look: Old-school with shabby-cool character. Good art. Menu: Vegetarian and vegan from around the world, but plenty of meat-eaters swear by it. Big menu (the Golden Bowl is a must) plus many daily veggies on the chalkboard. Breakfast and brunch bring burritos, pancakes, omelets and more. Don't skip dessert. Whole housemade cakes and pies are available with 48 hours notice.

File Under: Sandwiches, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Beer, outside seating, delivery. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days. The Look: Casual, longtime local haunt. Tables in one room, a few outside and some seats at the counter. Order at the counter for take-out, or grab a seat, and the staff will come to you. Menu: Pita and tortilla wraps, falafel, salads and Phillies.

File Under: Something Different. Hours: 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Mon-Sat. Features: Counter service, take-out. The Look: Cheese shop and neighborhood market in Normaltown with some seating for eat-in. Menu: Cut-to-order cheese counter and high-quality pantry staples. Sandwiches, soups, salads and more from 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Ready-to-eat foods all day long. Grilled cheese (of course), good sides, loads of vegetarian and vegan choices, fun ingredients like nduja and zhoug. Check the specials.

File Under: Something Different, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Full bar, catering, outside seating, art, Wi-Fi. Hours: Lunch, Mon–Fri. Dinner, Tue–Sat. Weekend brunch. The Look: Clean, arty space with great light, a bocce court and a plant-laden patio in a historic neighborhood. Menu: Local providers supply produce inspiration for menu that changes regularly. Refined takes on local dishes like chicken mull or hummus made with black-eyed peas. Brunch is busy for good reason. Very accommodating of diet restrictions. Drinks: Seasonal artisan cocktails, some named for the area. Good wines and beers. Regular wine tastings.

File Under: Coffee Houses and Bakeries, Bars. Features: Full bar, catering, counter service, live music, art, Wi-Fi, outside seating. Hours: Open seven days. The Look: Spacious coffee house/restaurant/bar/music club in the Bottleworks with a regular open mic night. Menu: Coffee drinks, nitro coffee, teas and juices all day pair with muffins, cookies and savory scones. Scratch-made sandwiches, yogurt parfaits. Drinks: Draft and bottled/canned craft beers, wine, craft cocktails and mocktails (some with coffee).

File Under: American, Bars, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Full bar, live music, counter service, trivia. Hours: Dinner and late night, Mon–Sun. Lunch, Mon–Sat. Sunday brunch. The Look: Family-friendly neighborhood bar with eats. TVs for sporting events. Menu: Good hot dogs and veggie dogs with an array of toppings, fried cheese galore, tons of veggie and vegan choices that work for meat-eaters. Broiled grapefruit with gin, Cointreau and Lillet for brunch, plus biscuits and gravy. Drinks: Full bar with 15 draft beers, plus a well-curated selection of bottles and cans. Half pours, whiskeys and classic cocktails. Check the site to see what's on deck.

File Under: American, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Catering, delivery, take-out, full bar. Hours: Lunch and dinner, Tue–Sat. Saturday brunch. The Look: R. Wood pottery, pretty flowers, welcoming atmosphere. Menu: A little bit New Orleans, a little bit rest of the South and a lot of vegetables. Menu changes often, but could include cheese curds, charbroiled oysters, beignets with hot chicken, green tomato crisp for dessert. Supper Club for early diners (5–6 p.m.) gets you two courses for $15. Saturday brunch options include bread pudding and a breakfast bowl. You can also buy casseroles, sides, snacks and take-away meals. Drinks: Bright cocktails, good wine list and beer selection.

File Under: American. Features: Full bar, bowling, outside seating. Hours: Dinner and late night, Mon–Sun. Lunch, Sat-Sun. The Look: Cool independent bowling alley with plenty of lanes, a big bar and board/card/yard games. Ping pong, cornhole and giant Jenga outside. Menu: Fun options, from snacks to bowling alley standards (wings, salads, burgers, pizza) to more interesting stuff (pork or veggie banh mi, hot chicken, meatball sandwich). Drinks: Cute specialty cocktails, small but good selection of beer and wine.

File Under: American, Something Different. Features: Delivery, dinner, late night, lunch, vegetarian friendly. Hours: 11 a.m.–12 a.m., seven days.

File Under: Bakeries, Sandwiches, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Counter service, outside seating, take-out. Hours: Breakfast and lunch, seven days. The Look: Homage to a classic deli. Menu: Breakfast and lunch, with nice, small bagels, excellent house-smoked fish and sandwiches (either on bagels or on Luna bread). Sandwiches involve meats sliced in front of you (capicola, roast beef, etc.) but also hummus, roasted veggies, sauerkraut and scrambled eggs. Kids meals.

File Under: Something Different. Features: Catering, dinner, full bar, lunch, vegetarian friendly. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days. 

File Under: Asian, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Beer and wine, full bar, live music, karaoke. Hours: Dinner and late night, seven days. The Look: Each table has its own grill. Big patio outside, private karaoke rooms. Menu: Cook your own Korean barbecue, or the servers will do it for you. Pick a protein (pork belly, steak, chicken, shrimp, prawns, fish) or veggies, sear, wrap in radish slices and gulp down. Everything comes with salad, rice and side vegetables. Drinks: Korean soju, sake and wine, plus cocktails in addition to beer.

File Under: American. Hours: Breakfast and lunch, seven days. Features: Outdoor seating, Wi-Fi. 

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

File Under: Something Different, Vegetarian Friendly. Hours: 7 a.m.–7 p.m., Mon–Fri. 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Sat. Noon–5 p.m., Sun. The Look: Swing by this juicing operation for a quick liquid meal. Knowledgeable staff members will gladly offer tips on how to plan a juice cleanse. Menu: 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. Hours: Lunch and dinner, Tue–Sun. The Look: Fern-decorated Vietnamese eatery with sit-down service and local art on the walls. Menu: Lots of pho (beef-broth-based noodle soup customizable with lots of additions; available in a veggie version), but also com (rice with grilled meat), bun (noodles) or banh mi sandwiches. Bubble tea, fruit smoothies, pastries in the case.

File Under: Something Different, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Beer, catering, counter service, outside seating. Hours: Lunch and dinner, Tue–Sun (Five Points), Mon–Sat (Epps Bridge). The Look: Two locations of a longtime Athens restaurant. Lumpkin Street has a covered patio. Menu: Walk down the counter and select from Jamaican standards and veggies: jerk chicken, oxtail, curry goat, barbecue ribs, salmon, spicy cabbage, spicy squash, rice and peas, fried plantains, mac and cheese. Patties, too, plus super-sweet tea and cornbread. 

File Under: Sandwiches, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Catering, counter service, outside seating, art. Hours: Lunch, Mon–Sat. The Look: Friendly small-town café. Menu: Homemade soups, salads and deli sandwiches. Chicken salad, egg salad, ham salad and pimento cheese homemade daily (available by the scoop or the pound). Nice selection of veggie options. Fresh-squeezed apple and carrot juice, plus Jittery Joe's coffee.

File Under: Bakeries. Features: Counter service, take-out. Hours: 6 a.m.–9 p.m., Wed–Mon. The Look: Select your own pastries with tongs or browse the refrigerated cases in this cute bakery in a small strip mall. Menu: Cake by the slice, cookies, Mexican sweet breads, doughnuts, whole cakes, coffee and surprisingly excellent bagels. Sno-cones sometimes. All exceedingly reasonably priced.

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

File Under: American, Vegetarian Friendly, Bars. Features: Outside seating, art. Hours: Dinner, seven days. Lunch, Mon–Sat. Sunday brunch. The Look: Great outdoor seating, cool mural outside, exposed brick walls. Menu: South by Southwest, via Athens. In other words, steak with poblano pistou and cactus vinaigrette exists alongside fried green tomatoes with Vidalia bacon dressing. Brunch is always busy and serves omelets, clay pots, crab Benedict and more. Seafood and a case full of cakes. Drinks: American vodkas, gins and vermouths, as well as Armagnac, ice wine, Madeira, sherry and a long list of wines.

File Under: American, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Catering, take-out, counter service. Hours: 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Mon–Fri. 10 a.m.–2 p.m., Sat. The Look: Cute space under 1000 Faces downtown. Menu: Hot and cold lunch six days a week, plus catering. Eat in the friendly dining room after choosing from pimento-less cheese, shrimp salad, chicken salad and a number of veggie-based dishes that change out daily: collard rolls, quiche, grain salads and more. Cookies, fancy chocolates, candy and gift items available, too. Biscuits on weekends.

File Under: Italian and Pizza, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Beer, counter service, take-out. Hours: Lunch, dinner and late night, Mon–Sat. The Look: Fast, traditional New York-style pizzeria. Menu: Pizza by the big, floppy slice or by the pie. Massive subs, antipasti, salads, stromboli and calzones. Everything, including pitchers of beer, is priced for the penny-pincher.

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. The Look: Local chain gone statewide has a focus on sports. Menu: Deli sandwiches, burgers with lots of toppings, salads, grilled cheese and chili combo, wings, fish tacos and, surprisingly, lots of vegetarian options. Drinks: Fully stocked bar with domestic beer available in pitchers or by the glass.

File Under: American. Features: Catering, full bar, reservations. Hours: Dinner, Tue-Sun. Sunday brunch. The Look: Modern space in the heart of Five Points with an enclosed porch. Menu: The catering base for Last Resort Grill also does dinner five nights a week: meat-and-three-inspired on Tuesday; dishes like mojo chicken and al pastor guajillo the other nights. Brunch has huevos rancheros, fried oyster and eggs, ropa vieja hash and Bloody Marys by the carafe. Drinks: Local beers, specialty cocktails and fine wines.

File Under: American, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Beer and wine, outside seating, take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days. The Look: Peter Dale's sweet reno on Boulevard has a bright veggie mural, great views and captain's hats for kids. Menu: Pick a base (brown rice, quinoa, sweet potatoes, salad greens), then a protein (hormone- and antibiotic-free meats, black-eyed-pea tempeh), two veggie sides and a housemade sauce. Menu changes seasonally. Condor Chocolates and La Michoacana paletas for dessert. Kidsmeals. Gluten-free choices. Everything is recyclable or compostable. Drinks: Wine and beer, Aperol spritzes.

File Under: Italian and Pizza, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: BYOB, buffet, delivery. Hours: Lunch and dinner, Mon–Sat. The Look: Casual, family-run pizzeria of long standing. Menu: An all-you-can-eat buffet is perfect for pizza lovers with a large appetite and a small budget. Order from the menu for salads, subs, pasta, hot wings, calzones and more.

File Under: Downhome, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Catering, outside seating, reservations, art, Wi-Fi. Hours: Breakfast and lunch, Mon-Thu. Brunch, Fri-Sun. The Look: Original location with a pretty patio by the Greenway. The second one has more space and nice views. Menu: Breakfast all day—biscuits, of course, but also scramblers, chocolate cake, omelets and more. Lunch—fried chicken plate, pimento cheese-topped burger, fried green tomato sandwich, salads—in the second half of the day. UGA-made sausage. Strawberry lemonade. Very accommodating to those with special dietary needs.

File Under: Something Different, Vegetarian Friendly. Hours: Lunch and dinner, Tue–Sat. Dinner only, Mon. The Look: Wonderfully hospitable, leisurely Ethiopian spot in a nondescript shopping center. Menu: Lots of beef dishes, but also tons of vegetarian and vegan options, all served with chewy, pancake-like injera bread. You'll be surprised how many ways lentils, tomatoes and onions can come together to make something delicious. Ethiopian tea and coffee, plus cookies.

File Under: Sandwiches, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Catering, counter service, outside seating, Wi-Fi. Hours: Breakfast and lunch, Mon–Fri. The Look: Sunny rooms in a pretty white house in Normaltown. Menu: Southern-style lunch and take-home entrees and casseroles are what Marti's is known for, although it also does breakfast weekdays with homemade muffins and more. Highlights include tarragon chicken salad, pimento cheese, egg salad, chicken gumbo and mint sweet tea, all of which can be bought in bulk.

File Under: Something Different, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Counter service, catering, take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days. The Look: Small chain from Decatur cooks Mediterranean standards in an open kitchen. Menu: 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, dinner and late night, seven days. The Look: Psychedelia meets sports. Menu: This Atlanta-based chain founded in 1974 has been in Athens a long time. Lots of toppings and specialty pies, plus pretzels made with the same dough, salads, subs, calzones and munchies. Drinks: 40+ beers on tap, covering regional and crafts; bottled/canned beers, too, as well wine and liquor.

File Under: Mexican and South American. Features: Take-out, BYOB. Hours: Lunch and dinner, Tue–Sun. The Look: Simple decor, with street signs that say "Mifflin" and "House." Menu: Big menu focuses on Peruvian standards: 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). Lots of potatoes and lime juice. Excellent lunch specials. Complimentary cancha on the tables.

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, Mon–Sat. The Look: Patio out front with a fountain in the middle. Plenty of seating inside, too. Menu: The traditional beef-broth-based noodle soup is a mainstay, but you can also order banh mi sandwiches, Vietnamese 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, outside seating, Wi-Fi, full bar. Hours: Lunch, Mon–Sat. Dinner, seven days. The Look: Sophisticated date-night restaurant that works great for lunch, too. Menu: Mediterranean-inspired, with tapas and more. There's lots to keep vegetarians happy, like the "power lunch" (an ever-changing array of healthy, colorful veggie items) and dinner's veggie plate. Also: amazing chicken, beauteous salads, thoughtful desserts. Uses locally sourced ingredients when possible. Drinks: Wine-by-the-glass selection is large due to the Enomatic system. Finely crafted cocktails change seasonally. The bar has its own scene and hosts the occasional late-night dance party.

File Under: Asian, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days. The Look: Slick place with a sushi bar, a full bar with big TVs, a bunch of booths and a big dining room. Menu: Plenty of Americanized Chinese standards—plus sushi, Thai curries and lunch bento boxes—but your best bet is to ask for the Szechuan menu (cumin lamb liberally sprinkled with dried red chilis, interesting soups with pickled vegetables, conch in chili oil, unusual meats) and explore. Good noodles, too.

File Under: Downhome. Features: Take-out, vegetarian friendly. Hours: 8 a.m.–6 p.m., Mon–Fri. 8 a.m.–4 p.m., Sat. 11 a.m.–4 p.m., Sun. The Look: Country store in Winterville with a hot lunch counter and a few tables. Menu: Fresh produce plus grab-and-go items in a cold case, plus lunch made hot weekdays from 11 a.m.–2 p.m. (Southern stuff, lots of veggies), biscuits in the morning and homemade ice cream on Saturdays, often with fresh fruit. The kitchen is closed Sundays, but the store's still open.

File Under: American. Features: Full bar, trivia. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days. Sunday brunch. The Look: TVs for sports, but marketed more to lawyers and business types. Menu: Big menu, with standards like wings and burgers (the latter are $5 on Tuesdays), but also grilled chicken with various sauces, pork chops, steakhouse sides and large desserts. Breakfast burger at brunch. Drinks: Domestic and craft beer, cocktails with 9–to-5-inspired names.

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, dinner and late night, seven days. The Look: Long, narrow downtown space is quiet at lunch, then turns into a busy bar at night. Big TVs for sports. Menu: A bunch of different crepes, both savory and sweet, plus sandwiches, salads, dips and some bar snacks available after 11 p.m. Drinks: Over 150 beers, including 28 on tap (customers who try 100 beers are recognized on the Around the World Beer Club wall), wines, cocktails.

File Under: Asian, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Beer and wine, buffet, delivery. Hours: Lunch, Mon–Fri, Sun. Dinner, seven days. The Look: A lot of look! Palatial exterior, ornate red-and-gold interior with lots of dragons. Menu: Big menu covers all the standards, with lots of vegetarian options. Pre-set dinners based on the quantity of guests makes sharing dishes in large parties easy. The expansive weekday lunch buffet is all-you-can-eat and the best bang for your buck.

File Under: Italian and Pizza, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Beer and wine, counter service, take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner, Tue–Sun. The Look: Family-friendly pizza parlor with quick counter service and big TVs, kids area. Same folks as Little Italy, but more creature comforts here. Menu: Standard New York-style staples: huge slices of thin- and thick-crust pizza (or get a whole pie), calzones, giant subs (Italian sausage, Philly cheesesteak, eggplant parmigiana), stromboli, pasta and a salad bar.

File Under: Downhome. Features: Take-out, vegetarian friendly. Hours: 11 a.m.–7 p.m., Mon–Fri. The Look: Gingham accents in a space focused on to-go business with a chalkboard menu. Menu: Changes daily, but could include zucchini boats, chicken piccata, lasagna, strawberry feta salad, hashbrown casserole, beef roast and the like. Lots of veggie sides. Everything is available in cold cases to take home and heat up. You can also call ahead.

File Under: American, Vegetarian Friendly. Hours: Breakfast, lunch, dinner and late night, seven days. The Look: Two eateries that welcome the general public, as well as visitors or staff. The Dogwood Bistro Cafeteria is on the basement floor of Talmadge Tower 1. The Dogwood Deli is on the first floor of Prince Tower. Menu: Cafeteria selections rotate daily and are relatively nutritious. The deli does sandwiches, salads, smoothies and Jittery Joe's coffee.

File Under: American. Features: Full bar, outdoor seating. Hours: Lunch, Tue-Sat. Dinner and late night, Tue-Sun. Sunday brunch. The Look: New South eats fueled by a visible wood-fired oven behind the long bar. Menu: Flatbreads with creative toppings make good use of the oven. Daily burger special, nightly hand-rolled pasta, fancy veggie-forward dishes and some heartier stuff for dinner, like trout or hanger steak. Brunch highlights biscuits. Drinks: Five Points Bottle's owners are involved, which means a great list of beer and wine and some thoughtful cocktails.

File Under: Sandwiches, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Catering, counter service, delivery, Wi-Fi. Hours: Lunch to late night, Mon-Sat.

File Under: American, Vegetarian Friendly, Bars. Features: Counter service, outside seating, live music, catering. Hours: Lunch and dinner, Mon–Sat. The Look: Cool bar/restaurant on top of the historic Georgia Theatre. Take the elevator up to see fantastic views. DJs and bands regularly. Menu: Open both during shows and not, the Rooftop makes grass-fed burgers, a veggie banh mi, pork or tofu barbecue and a few other things ready in a jiffy. Drinks: Draft and canned/bottled beer, mixed drinks.

File Under: Asian, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Full bar, reservations, outside seating. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days. The Look: Big, loud sushi bar with a heated outdoor patio. Menu: Lots of specialty rolls and sashimi and sushi combinations. Many options if you don't do sushi, like noodles, rice dishes, tempura, grilled fish and more. Drinks: Premium cold sakes and cocktails with Japanese ingredients. Beer and wine, too, including four plum wines.

File Under: Asian, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Full bar. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days. The Look: Original location is a hidden gem in its shopping center. Five Points one is similar but more compact. Both locations offer hibachi tables. Menu: Simple but beautifully presented food made with fresh ingredients. Good sushi. Lunch specials are a great deal, with bento boxes and maki combinations. Hot pots, yaki udon and hibachi dinners. Drinks: Japanese beer, sake, cocktails, wine.

File Under: American, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Full bar, Wi-Fi. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days. Breakfast, Sat–Sun. The Look: UGA Hotel restaurant focuses on service. Menu: Some stuff on the menu is tradition, like Celestial Chicken (breaded chicken tenders over rice pilaf with a special sauce) and strawberry ice-cream pie, but there's also steak, sandwiches, grilled fish, shrimp and grits and good vegetarian choices. Parking is validated for up to two hours in the South Campus Deck. Drinks: Classic cocktails, beer and wine.

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

File Under: Something Different, Bars. Features: Full bar, catering, outside seating. Hours: 3 p.m.–12 a.m., seven days. The Look: Casual but hip oyster bar in the Bottleworks with pretty details. Menu: Oysters change daily and are from places familiar and not. The rest of the menu is mostly small plates: a fantastic grilled cheese, mini lobster roll, Parker House rolls. Monday is ramen night (vegan and delicious). Oyster deals at daily happy hours, 3–6 p.m. and 10 p.m.–12 a.m. Drinks: Beer, wine, absinthe, sake, serious cocktails and frozen Negronis.

File Under: Mexican, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Full bar, delivery, catering, outside seating. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days. The Look: Tallassee location has limited seating but a few tables outside (and is attached to a gas station). Broad Street location is better for big groups and has mariachi sometimes. Menu: Plenty for people looking for burritos, but there's also horchata to drink, real Mexican-style tacos (on corn tortillas with onions, cilantro, lime and fatty meats) and an awesome hamburguesa topped with ham and pineapple. Drinks: Margaritas served frozen or on the rocks, available in a variety of flavors. Beer, too.

File Under: Asian, Vegetarian Friendly, Bars. Features: Karaoke, full bar, outside seating, delivery. Hours: Dinner and late night, seven days. The Look: Loud and slick, with private karaoke rooms upstairs that are a big attraction. Menu: Long menu of sushi and sashimi options: nigiri, hand rolls, veggie options, house and special rolls. Also fried softshell crab, dumplings, land proteins (steak, chicken), lobster, noodles and desserts. Drinks: 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. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days. The Look: Nicely laid out, with carpet, plants and a long bar. Menu: Many vegetarian options and dishes that can be built around chicken, shrimp, pork, beef, seafood, tofu or vegetables. Noodles, rice entrees, soups, salads, curries and a Thai dessert selection. Spice level can be serious. Lunch specials. Drinks: A couple of Thai beers among the domestics, sakes and a section of organic wines.

File Under: American, Bars and Clubs. Features: Full bar, catering. Hours: Lunch, Mon–Fri. Dinner, Mon–Sun. Late night, Fri–Sat. Sunday brunch. The Look: Beautiful historic space with vintage tile and stained glass. Menu: New South-ish cuisine from a polished team. The tater tots are made with duck fat. The veggie burger incorporates housemade tempeh and kidney beans. Small plates and large ones. Brunch has egg scramblers and meaty skillets, plus pancakes and special cocktails. Gluten-free menu. Drinks: 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. Hours: Dinner, seven days. Sunday lunch. Features: Full bar, vegetarian friendly. The Look: The popular seafood restaurant has returned on Prince Avenue in the old P&M Army Store. Menu: Daily specials posted on a chalkboard to keep things fresh. Lots of fish: blackened, sauteed or fried. Jerk spiced mussels, oysters and a few non-seafood entrees. Drinks: Lots of local beers, wines and cocktails available with dinner or at the bar. Try a rosé sangria or Italian margarita.

File Under: Italian and Pizza, Vegetarian Friendly, Bars. Features: Outside seating, full bar, take-out, counter service. Hours: Lunch, dinner and late night, seven days. The Look: Your choice of table or counter service. Big bar upstairs with pinball, Skee-Ball, pool and ping-pong, plus rooms for private parties. Menu: Large New York-style slices, lots of fresh toppings, specialty pies, big calzones, salads and sandwiches on housemade focaccia. Drinks: Domestic and import bottles and cans, tons of craft beer, wine and cocktails.

File Under: Something Different, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Counter service, outside seating, take-out, catering. Hours: Lunch, Mon–Sat. Dinner, Mon, Wed–Fri. The Look: Sweet hidden gem on Baxter that attracts grown-ups. Menu: Asian-accented quick bistro with an emphasis on fresh flavors and beautiful presentation. Lots of lightly seasoned veggies and seafood. Gluten-free and dairy-free options.

File Under: Mexican, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Full bar (Broad), beer (Milledge and Barnett Shoals), outside seating (Broad and Milledge). Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days. The Look: The original location on Milledge is the most spartan, but has its charm. Downtown is big and open, with sports on TV. Eastside is in a strip mall, but clean and neat. Menu: If you just get tacos, you'll miss the great strengths of this small local chain: burritos (beef, chicken, tofu, bean), Mega Nachos, veggie chili in the cooler months and basic quesadillas (with onions and jalapeños). Slight menu variations among locations. Drinks: Frozen margaritas downtown; beer at the other two.

File Under: Mexican and South American, Bakeries. Features: Counter and table service, full bar, take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days. The Look: Sweet bakery and restaurant in a Watkinsville strip mall across from Publix, with a nice kids area. Menu: Uruguayan steaks and choripan, chicken milanesa torta, breakfast all day, chivito, churrosco del sur and more, with a much expanded menu at dinner. Great baked goods, especially Latin American sweet breads, and tasty empanadas, both sweet and savory. Some gluten-free items.

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. The Look: Family-friendly Mexican restaurant with festive decor. Menu: Lots of standards well executed, like big burritos to which you can add cheese dip, tons of vegetarian options, taco salads, fajitas and combos. Also a low-cal menu, Mexican tacos, sopes and tortas. Something for everyone, great for big groups. Drinks: Margaritas, Mexican beers, regular bottled stuff, pitchers.

File Under: Asian, Mexican and South American, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Outside seating, take-out, full bar. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days. The Look: Atlanta-based chain with two of six locations in Athens. Menu: 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. Drinks: Margaritas, cocktails, sangria, craft beers.

File Under: Something Different, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Beer and wine, catering. Hours: Lunch and dinner, Mon–Sat. The Look: Sleeker environs in the new Ansonborough location. Menu: Big menu of Indian standards, from samosas and pakoras to poori, chat, tandoori and many vegetarian options. There's goat, and combination dinners if you want to try a bunch of things. The lunch buffet is no longer an option. Lassis, chai and Indian tea to drink. Drinks: Wine and beer, including Indian varieties of both.

File Under: Something Different, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Beer and wine, catering, counter service, take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days. The Look: Two-level corner space in the Bottleworks. Menu: 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: Asian, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Delivery, take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days. The Look: Nice views from a second-floor place with a bright entrance. Menu: Thai classics made with fresh ingredients and less sugar than at many restaurants. Curry fries, good noodles and salads, Thai duck, seafood and sweet rice for dessert. Lunch specials and bubble tea.

File Under: Asian, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Beer and wine, take-out, delivery, reservations. Hours: Lunch and dinner, Mon–Sat. Sunday dinner. The Look: Cozy and ornate, with lots of small tables throughout the space. Menu: Big menu runs from fresh Thai salads to satay, spicy basil duck, lots of seafood and vegetarian (and vegan) options. Kids menu with Thai scrambled eggs. Great deals at lunch. Drinks: Beer and wine, Thai iced tea and Thai iced coffee.

File Under: Something Different, Vegetarian Friendly, Bars. Features: Full bar, outside seating, Wi-Fi. Hours: Lunch, dinner and late night, seven days. Sunday brunch. The Look: High ceilings, plenty of character. Menu: From snacks to full meals: boiled peanuts, barbecue pork tacos, sliders, French onion soup, veggie-packed quinoa salad, burgers, ribs, cheeses and more. Drinks: Serious beer, with more than 200 well-described options in the bottle and 30 on tap, plus wine and nice cocktails.

File Under: Asian, Vegetarian Friendly, Bars. Features: Full bar, reservations, delivery. Hours: Lunch, Mon–Fri. Dinner, seven days. The Look: A long sushi bar, plus tables lit by twinkling star lights. Menu: Lots of specialty rolls on the menu, but the nigiri shows off the fish best. Big menu also includes udon and ramen, tonkatsu, teriyaki, fried rice and kids specials that come with ice cream. All-you-can-eat special. Drinks: 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, live music, BYOB, delivery, take-out, art, outside seating. Hours: Lunch, Mon–Sat. Dinner, Thu–Sat. Sunday brunch. The Look: Tucked away in a historic grocery with cozy indoor seating and fun picnic tables outside, plus toys for kids. Menu: Carnivores and vegetarians will be equally happy. Good ingredients abound. Perfect burgers, great veggies cooked on the flat-top (don't snooze on the cabbage), smoked pork barbecue and tofu-q; daily specials and seasonal sides. At brunch, try a biscuit sandwich or stack of pancakes covered in pulled pork.

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

File Under: American, Bars, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Counter service, live music/DJs, art, full bar. Hours: Lunch, dinner and late night, seven days. The Look: Bright and cute, with funky art and fresh flowers. Serious about football, despite being a townie hangout. Menu: Food that goes well with beer, but also good veggie options. Steamed buns, tofu lettuce wraps, tacos, shawarma, chicken-and-waffle sandwich. Drinks: Creative cocktails, well-priced beer (including lots of canned craft brews), wine, housemade nonalcoholic sodas.

File Under: Italian and Pizza, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Beer and wine, catering, counter service, trivia, delivery, Wi-Fi. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days. The Look: Locally based franchise does personal-size pizzas baked in a brick oven right in front of you. Menu: Lots of topping, sauce and cheese choices, as well as several doughs. Pick a specialty pie or build your own. Vegan and gluten-free pizzas are available. Panini, bread bowl salads and gelato, too. Beer and wine available. Specials on Pi Day (Mar. 14) every year.

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

File Under: Coffee Houses and Bakeries. Features: Outside seating, Wi-Fi, catering. Hours: Seven days. The Look: Wooden tables, doughnuts made before your eyes behind the counter. Menu: Coffee (including iced coffee made with coffee ice cubes), espresso and the main attraction: doughnuts customizable with toppings from shredded coconut to bacon, pecans, Fruity Pebbles and the traditional sprinkles. Vegan, paleo and gluten-free options. Some ready-to-go sandwiches.