EAT & DRINK

Last Resort Grill

Last Resort Grill is one of those Athens restaurants that feels woven into the identity of downtown. Located in the heart of the city, it has become a true Athens institution — the kind of place locals recommend with confidence and visitors remember long after they leave. It captures much of what makes Athens, Georgia special: creative energy, Southern hospitality, historic character, and food that feels both refined and comforting. Last Resort has the personality of a classic local landmark, but the menu carries a level of polish that makes it stand out from the ordinary downtown restaurant experience. It is the kind of place where a casual dinner can still feel special, where the atmosphere has character, and where the food arrives with the kind of generous portions and rich flavor that keep people talking.

The restaurant is especially known for its refined Southern cuisine, taking familiar regional flavors and elevating them with style, creativity, and confidence. The tomato soup has earned a loyal following because it is more than just a starter; it is one of those signature dishes that people associate with the restaurant itself. The praline catfish is another legendary favorite, bringing together Southern tradition, texture, sweetness, and savory depth in a way that feels distinctive to Last Resort. The savory grit cakes are also part of the restaurant’s reputation, offering the kind of rich, satisfying flavor that shows why Southern cooking can be both rustic and sophisticated. These are the kinds of dishes that make a restaurant more than a place to eat. They become part of the city’s food memory.

What makes Last Resort Grill so important to Athens is not just that the food is good; it is that the restaurant feels like a local experience. In a city filled with college energy, music history, game day excitement, artists, students, longtime residents, and visitors from all over Georgia, Last Resort has managed to hold its place as a reliable favorite. It works for a date night, a family dinner, a celebration, a business lunch, or a meal with friends after exploring downtown. The massive portions give it that satisfying Southern generosity, while the refined menu gives it a sense of occasion. For an Athens Blog “Eat & Drink” or “Things To Do” feature, Last Resort Grill deserves a spotlight because it represents the best kind of local restaurant: memorable, rooted, flavorful, and proudly Athens.

The National

The National is one of downtown Athens’ most respected dining destinations, a restaurant that brings a refined, worldly flavor to a city already known for creativity and culture. Co-founded by James Beard Award-winning chef Hugh Acheson, The National has earned its reputation as a downtown gem by offering food that feels elegant without being stiff, sophisticated without losing warmth, and inventive without becoming complicated. It fits Athens perfectly because it has that rare blend of intelligence, style, and neighborhood comfort. This is the kind of restaurant where the atmosphere matters almost as much as the meal — polished, relaxed, confident, and unmistakably local.

The menu at The National is known for its Mediterranean-influenced approach, which gives the restaurant a fresh, bright, and flavorful identity. Rather than relying only on heavy Southern classics, The National brings together thoughtful ingredients, layered seasonings, beautiful presentation, and a sense of balance. It is a place where vegetables, seafood, meats, grains, sauces, herbs, and small plates can all feel carefully considered. The food has a way of feeling both upscale and approachable, making it ideal for a memorable dinner, a special lunch, a date night, or a relaxed evening with friends. In a city filled with college-town energy, The National adds a cosmopolitan touch while still feeling deeply connected to Athens.

The bar program is another major reason The National stands out. A great Athens restaurant needs more than good food; it needs personality, and The National has plenty of it. Whether someone stops in for a well-made cocktail, a glass of wine, a light bite, or a full dinner, the restaurant delivers an experience that feels curated and memorable. For Athens Blog, The National belongs on any serious list of great places to eat and drink in the city because it represents the more refined side of Athens dining. It is creative, tasteful, locally beloved, and worthy of its reputation — a restaurant that helps show why Athens, Georgia is one of the South’s most interesting food cities.