Food destinations within easy reach of Atlanta. worth the train, the rental car or the early start.

Worth the trip

Athens, Georgia ★ 4.5

75 miles, ~75 minutes eastDrive US-78 / GA-316 east from Atlanta; no direct train

Famous for: College-town food scene with Peter Dale's Five and Ten and Seabear Oyster Bar, plus Creature Comforts brewery

Athens, an hour and a quarter east of Atlanta, anchors a food day trip on Five and Ten, Seabear Oyster Bar, Creature Comforts beer and a Sunday lunch.

Athens, Georgia

Dahlonega and Lumpkin County Wine Country ★ 4.4

65 miles, ~70 minutes northDrive GA-400 north to the very end at exit 17, then surface roads

Famous for: North Georgia's main winemaking region: Wolf Mountain, Frogtown, Three Sisters, Montaluce

Dahlonega is Atlanta's wine-country day trip: eight working wineries plus twelve tasting rooms, with Wolf Mountain and Montaluce running lunch service.

Dahlonega and Lumpkin County Wine Country

Serenbe (Chattahoochee Hills) ★ 4.3

35 miles, ~45 minutes southwestDrive south on I-285 then GA-92; 25 minutes from Hartsfield-Jackson airport

Famous for: Planned farm-to-table community with The Farmhouse, The Hill, Halsa and Blue Eyed Daisy

Serenbe is Atlanta's farm-to-table day trip 35 miles southwest: The Farmhouse, The Hill and Halsa cook the on-site organic gardens, hamlet by hamlet.

Serenbe (Chattahoochee Hills)

Madison, Georgia ★ 4.1

60 miles, ~60 minutes eastDrive I-20 east to exit 114; downtown Madison is two blocks south

Famous for: Antebellum town with restaurants in restored 19th-century buildings: The Dining Room, Ricardo's Kouzzina, Amici

Madison is Atlanta's antebellum food day trip: an hour east on I-20, a restored downtown, fine dining at The Dining Room, Italian at Amici, Mediterranean at Ricardo's.

Madison, Georgia

Senoia, Georgia ★ 3.9

40 miles, ~50 minutes southDrive I-85 south to exit 47, then GA-74 south

Famous for: Walking Dead filming town with Nic and Norman's, Bistro Hilary French bistro

Senoia, an hour south of Atlanta, is the Walking Dead filming town: Nic and Norman's burgers from Norman Reedus and Greg Nicotero, plus Bistro Hilary's French menu.

Senoia, Georgia

Chattanooga, Tennessee ★ 4.0

118 miles, ~2 hours northDrive I-75 north straight to downtown Chattanooga; no shorter route

Famous for: Riverside food scene: Easy Bistro, Main Street Meats, Whitebird, plus the Tennessee Aquarium

Chattanooga is the long Atlanta day trip, two hours up I-75: Easy Bistro brunch, Main Street Meats butcher menu, Whitebird Appalachian, the Tennessee Aquarium too.

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Food Day Trips in Atlanta, FAQ

When is the best time to eat in Atlanta?

Peak food season in Atlanta is year-round.

What time do people eat in Atlanta?

Local dining hours: lunch around 12:30, dinner from 19:30.

How does tipping work in Atlanta?

service is typically included; small extra is welcome but not expected.

What is the one dish to try in Atlanta?

Ask the next local you meet what they would order. Atlanta rewards trust.

← Back to Atlanta food guide