The Best Restaurants Near Your Favorite Georgia Lakes

Everyone loves a trip to the lake! You can avoid the long drive to the beach and still have a summery getaway for the whole family to enjoy. While Lake Lanier has held the title as most visited lake in the state, there are more, less crowded options with restaurants that are just as good as what you’ll find near Lanier. Below, we’re including some of our favorite lakes to visit around the state, along with a good restaurant option near each one (and yes, we included Lanier, too).

Lake Oconee/Sinclair – Lake Oconee Bistro

1130 Lake Oconee Pkwy, Eatonton, GA 31024

If you head east on I-20, just 75 miles away from ATL in central GA, you’ll find beautiful Lake Oconee, a beautiful lake with tons of golf, boating, and food opportunities. We loved staying in nearby Eatonton (and based on some construction/development, it looks like Eatonton is really growing) and trying the Lake Oconee Bistro. Sit on the deck for a lakeside breeze while digging into a huge menu that includes everything from an onion ring tower to jambalaya, tuna tacos and more – all of it delicious!

Lake Rabun – Max’s Lakeside/The Swing Bar

1659 Lake Rabun Rd, Lakemont, GA 30552

This may be one of Georgia’s most beautiful lakes, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Because of its beauty, it’s a popular spot for camping, boating and anything else that’s fun outdoors. Max’s Lakeside says it all in the name – a restaurant by the lake serving some Italian classics like Burrata, Meatballs, and delicious pizzas, along with hoagies, pastas and cannolis. If you’re looking for something a little more fun and flame-grilled, you can just head downstairs to The Swing Bar, a connected restaurant that serves frozen cocktails, beers and juicy, delicious burgers – all while you hang out in a literal swing.

Lake Lanier – Antebellum

5510 Church St, Flowery Branch, GA 30542

It isn’t our place to say whether or not Lake Lanier is haunted (probably), but that shouldn’t stop you from getting a good meal if you end up at ATL’s most popular weekend getaway. That’s why we’re recommending Antebellum, a farm to table fine dining Southern restaurant that wouldn’t be out of place in Alpharetta, Buckhead or Atlanta’s toniest neighborhoods. The cocktail making is top notch, with Old Fashioned’s that use House barrel aged bourbon. For dinner, look for house made pastas (we had a bolognese with gnocchi during our visit), shrimp and grits made with local ingredients, and a delicious beef tenderloin with some of the best potato gratin in GA.

Lake Chatuge – Happy Hawg

1586 US-76, Hiawassee, GA 30546

Another beautiful lake nestled at the North Carolina and Georgia border, Lake Chatuge has one of the best swimming beaches in the state. They have great campsites on lake shore, and its many coves give a chance to hop off a boat and swim in seclusion. With this kind of proximity to North Carolina and its famed BBQ, it makes sense to try some locally, and the Happy Hawg is the leader in Lake Chatuge. They’ve got all of your favorites, including ribs, beef brisket, pulled pork, smoked chicken. Don’t sleep on the sides though – the smokehouse potato salad was the best we’ve had in a while.

Lake Blue Ridge – Rum Cake Lady

205 W First St, Blue Ridge, GA 30513

Another beautiful lake dotting the Northeast Georgia map, Lake Blue Ridge is known for its beautiful views of the Blue Ridge mountains, along with great campsites, boat ramps and a full service marina. If you head to nearby downtown Blue Ridge, you’ll find a delicious surprise – some of the best Cuban food in Georgia. Rum Cake Lady Cuban Food has incredible sandwiches, and not just your classic cuban. They serve a Media Noche, Pan con Bistec (steak sandwich) and other variations on the standard. They also do great bowls with rice, black beans and proteins like pork, beef picadillo (seasoned ground beef) and chicken, along with empanadas, tequeno (cheesy bread stick), tostones and more. Get a taste of the islands, at the lake!

Lake Blackshear – Daphne lodge

Located in Southern Georgia, Lake Blackshear is a beautiful beacon of fun in the middle of farmland. Lake Blackshear Resort and Golf Club is its most recognizable locale, but it also hosts the Georgia Veterans State Park along with beautiful camp sites and some of the best fishing in Georgia – a bass fishing tournament is hosted there annually. Lake Blackshear features a number of well recognized restaurants near its waters, but our favorite is the Daphne Lodge restaurant, which has been operating in the area for over 70 years. It’s Southern food and seafood to the max with dishes like Fried carb fingers, bacon baked oysters, Fried Shrimp and Oysters, and specials like the Daphne Lodge Fried Catfish with hushpuppies, closelsaw, cheese grits and tomato gravy.