We made a call to our readers to find out which Athens staples were their top choices, and then we picked a few favorites of our own. From best outdoor brews to best spot to play trivia, here are your 2023 Most Best Award Winners. 

2023 READER’S PICKS 

EAT 

Favorite dining hall

Bolton Dining Commons, 790 S. Lumpkin St.

Located at the heart of campus on Lumpkin Street, Bolton Dining Commons is home to a million freshman year memories. However, its delicious and diverse food options are what keeps students coming back throughout all four years of college. Whether it’s French toast sticks from Buon Appetito or made-to-order burgers from Tanyard Grill, Bolton will leave you feeling like you just devoured a home-cooked meal. 

Best brunch

Big City Bread Cafe, 393 N. Finley St., Studio C

Big City Bread has been serving Athens for more than two decades, opening in 1998. Famous for its outdoor courtyard, this Finley Street cafe serves breakfast, lunch, weekend brunch and Friday night dinner. Its menu boasts house-made pastries, breads, cakes, local produce, meats and cheeses, as well as wine, beer and coffee and espresso roasts. 

Best vegan/vegetarian options AND best bowl

Maepole, Various locations

Maepole’s founders worked together at The National, gaining inspiration from its fresh, healthy ingredients and high standards. The menu is mainly plant-based, reflecting flavors from modern and traditional Southern culture. Maepole allows your culinary creativity to shine by building your own bowls with fresh, flavorful ingredients.

Best new local restaurant

Cafe Racer Coffee + Donuts, Various locations

Cafe Racer got its start in a trailer in Oglethorpe County and as a popular food truck. Now, it has expanded to a drive-thru and walk-up window on West Broad Street, serving Counter Culture Coffee as well as handmade potato donuts and a variety of breakfast food. After only a few months of offering a limited menu, Cafe Racer made the leap to extend its offerings to dinner, now serving burgers, fries, chicken tenders and more. 

Best Watkinsville restaurant- TIE 

Mama Ning’s Thai, 2 S. Main St., Suite 101

Mama Ning’s Thai brings authentic Thai cuisine to the Southern town of Watkinsville. In an area with somewhat limited Thai dining options, Mama Ning’s will satisfy your craving for some hearty, quality Thai food. Offering a variety of noodle and stir fry entrees, coconut curry, Thai fried rice, catfish in basil sauce and more, the fresh ingredients, intense flavors and creative dishes leave a lasting impression.

Chops & Hops, 2 S. Main St., Suite 112

Chops & Hops opened in 2010 and has been serving Watkinsville with handcrafted, locally sourced and seasonal dishes ever since. Steak, seafood and burgers are just some of the classic menu items, and an array of cocktails, mocktails, wine and a draft list are available as well. Chops & Hops desires nothing but the best for its community, and its relaxed atmosphere only adds to the memorable dining experience. 

Best local pizza

Fully Loaded Pizza, Various locations

The Five Points location of this pizza joint keeps a bustling outdoor patio on warm summer evenings. Its New York-style pizza will transport you from the Classic City to the Big Apple with build-your-own and specialty pies. Other menu items include salads, pasta, subs, wings and cheesy bread. 

Best dessert

Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, 1710 S. Lumpkin St.

Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams is a franchise ice cream chain new to Athens that offers a wide variety of unique flavors. Flavors are inspired by the team’s curiosities in art, history and pop culture, ensuring customers have an ice cream experience that they can’t get anywhere else. The company prides itself on its use of Direct Trade ingredients, its efforts to improve its environmental and social impact and its employment of a diverse team of people. 

Hardest goodbye 

Heirloom Cafe and Fresh Market, 815 N. Chase St.

Chase Street lost a good one when Heirloom Cafe closed its doors on Dec. 18, 2022. The cafe, in business for a decade, celebrated the community by sourcing its ingredients from local farmers and partnering with organizations such as Historic Athens. Its weekend brunch, lunch and dinner service will be missed by its long-time patrons. 

DRINK 

Best rooftop

HyBar, 412 N. Thomas St.

Located on the top of the nine-story Hyatt Place hotel in downtown Athens, HyBar offers a complete view of the city from above — and if you’re lucky, a gorgeous sunset view. This rooftop bar serves wine, beer, cocktails, “HyBar pops” and a variety of dishes such as a charcuterie board, wings, chicken strips and burgers. 

Best outdoor brews

Creature Comforts Brewing Co., 271 W. Hancock Ave.

As one of Athens’ most popular local breweries, Creature Comforts is on a mission to deliver quality beer to the community. Located downtown, Creature Comforts’ taproom aims to foster human connection in its indoor and outdoor space. Now that the company has made its mark in bars and restaurants across Georgia, Creature Comforts has expanded to Los Angeles, California. 

Best coffee shop

Jittery Joe’s Coffee, Various locations

Jittery Joe’s Coffee started as a small cafe next to the 40 Watt Club in 1994. Almost 30 years later, the small cafe has spread to locations across the state. Jittery Joe’s carefully sources beans to ensure the highest quality drink for each customer. Its locally roasted and brewed coffee is a daily staple for the community. 

Best bubble tea shop

Bubble Cafe, 247 E. Broad St.

Bubble Cafe first began serving bubble tea and Asian snacks around seven years ago from a small basement location on College Avenue. In 2020, the cafe relocated to a larger space just around the corner. Its expansive menu of teas, snacks and poke bowls at affordable prices has made Bubble Cafe a popular hangout spot for college students and Athenians alike.

Best new beverage opening

Sunroof Coffee Company, 175 Tracy St., K5

Since opening in Athens in August of this year, Sunroof Coffee has become a local favorite for coffee lovers and those looking for a nice space to study or socialize. Located in Athens Mill District, the business is owned by two University of Georgia alum, friends since their freshman year of college. The menu features beverages such as an iced shaken espresso and a matcha affogato.

SEE & DO

Best record store

The Record Booth, 1743 Lexington Rd.

Located inside Lexington Vintage, The Record Booth is home to a wide selection of vintage vinyl for music lovers in Athens and beyond. The store features a giant rooster in the front, making it hard to miss, and sells records, audio equipment, pop culture collectibles and more.

Best trivia

Blind Pig Tavern, Various locations

Not only does this restaurant have burgers, wings, sandwiches and salads — it has trivia every Tuesday night at 8 p.m. at its College Station Road location and every Wednesday at 8 p.m. at its Broad Street location. Since 1998, Blind Pig Tavern has worked to provide a “friendly neighborhood bar and grill” for visitors to enjoy a meal and have fun. 

Best art gallery

Georgia Museum of Art, 90 Carlton St.

The Georgia Museum of Art has been a staple in Athens for the past 75 years. Both an academic museum for the University of Georgia and the official state museum of art, GMOA houses more than 18,000 pieces of art in its 79,000 square foot building in the Performing and Visual Arts Complex in East Campus. The permanent collection consists of a wide variety of art from across the globe and throughout history. 

Best music venue

40 Watt Club, 285 W. Washington St.

Regarded as one of the most iconic music venues in Athens, the 40 Watt Club traces its origins back to 1978. The 40 Watt was home to many Athens bands such as R.E.M., the B-52s, Love Tractor, Pylon and Vic Chesnutt and has been graced by popular artists such as The Strokes, Nirvana and The Killers. The intimate, dimly-lit interior contributes to the experiences of unforgettable performances hosted in the famed club. 

Best thrifting/vintage

Mother Lode Athens, 1005 Baxter St.

On the corner of Baxter Street and South Rocksprings Street, Mother Lode has revitalized the space previously occupied by Dollar General, transforming it into a haven for vintage-lovers and antique hunters. Since its grand opening in July of this year, this vintage and makers market of more than 50 vendors has quickly become a beloved addition to the local thrifting and antiquing scene.

Best yoga

Five Points Yoga and Pilates, 2361 W. Broad St., Suite 7

Five Points Yoga and Pilates wants every yoga enthusiast and beginner to thrive in their practice in a supportive and nurturing environment. Through workshops and training, Five Points Yoga helps each of its students learn proper technique and alignment in an authentic experience, transforming movement into meditation. 

Best bike shop

The Hub Bicycles, 1220 S. Milledge Ave.

Located in the heart of Five Points, The Hub Bicycles is the one-stop-shop for all your bike needs. The shop sells a variety of bikes, cycling accessories and clothing and offers repair and tune-up services for your bicycle. The Hub also offers bike rentals, provides information about routes and trails and hosts community cycling events. 

Best Athens-Clarke County park

Sandy Creek Park, 400 Bob Holman Rd.

Sandy Creek Park is a 782-acre park that surrounds Lake Chapman. The outdoor area is great for a quiet walk on more than 14 miles of trail, kayaking and swimming. For children, the park offers two playgrounds. Sandy Creek Park hosts several events each year, including the Above Athens Balloon Festival. Athenians can also bring their pets to the park’s large public dog park.

Best boutique

Epiphany Athens, 294 W. Washington St.

Epiphany Athens is a locally-owned women’s boutique situated near the heart of downtown Athens. The store, which offers a wide selection of home decor, clothing and accessories, is dedicated to enriching the downtown shopping experience with a unique, purpose-driven mission. Since opening in 2014, Epiphany has given more than $500,000 to local and global organizations like Mercy Health Center, CURE Childhood Cancer and Athens Pregnancy Center.

 

2023 HALL OF FAME

Walker’s Pub and Coffee

Over drinks at Walker’s Pub and Coffee, students and locals meet to study, catch up in the sturdy wooden booths or have a night out on the town. The pub mixes business and pleasure serving coffee, tea, beer, wine and spirits. Its versatility reflects the dynamics of the city as a whole, a unique and sleepless mix of work hard, play hard.

Jittery Joe’s Coffee 

A brand synonymous with Athens, Jittery Joe’s coffee and its iconic orange cups are ubiquitous on campus and off. Its carefully sourced beans and locally-roasted coffee are served at more than a dozen beloved locations. Its decades-long history, tied closely with the local music scene, makes Jittery Joe’s an Athens institution cherished by the community. 

Avid Bookshop 

Avid Bookshop’s community focus provides space not only for shelves stacked full with local volumes and national bestsellers. The shop is a hub for speakers, panelists, community programming and literary events, connecting Athenians and booksellers with its mission of ethical management, activism and local engagement. 

 

2023 EDITOR’S PICKS 

EAT 

Best drink and a show

The World Famous, 351 N. Hull St.

Voted one of Esquire Magazine’s 21 Best Bars in America in 2018, The World Famous provides an artsy, intimate space to grab a drink and enjoy the local music that Athens has to offer. The business also offers a “food cart” menu of items that require no utensils. 

Best family-owned international

Thai Spoon, 149 N. Lumpkin St.

Thai Spoon has been serving curries, rice dishes and noodles since 2006, continuing a decades-long tradition of Thai cuisine at its downtown Athens location. The family-owned restaurant uses fresh ingredients and authentic recipes, created by cooks trained in Thailand. 

Best local cookies

Baylee Bakes, 655 Hawthorne Ave., Unit C

What started as University of Georgia alum Baylee Thornton’s passion project is now a brick-and-mortar bakery offering custom sugar cookies by the dozen. Each batch is hand-decorated in intricate designs to match any occasion, and they taste just as good as they look.

Best comeback

Gyro Wrap, 114 College Ave.

True to its name, Gyro Wrap offers a variety of gyro dishes as well as pita wraps, salads, fries and even Philly cheesesteaks. You can top any meal with its signature tzatziki sauce that adds a great addition of flavor. Located in the heart of downtown Athens, this Greek restaurant is a must for Athens residents and visitors alike. 

Best fries & dips combo

Trappeze Pub, 269 N. Hull St.

Trappeze Pub takes an elevated approach to classic bar food, and its Belgian fries are no exception. Served in a generous portion with blue cheese dip, raspberry ketchup or garlic aioli, the iconic local fries pair well with the pub’s craft beers and cocktails.

Best biscuit

The Farmcart, 1074 Baxter St.

A family-run business that started as a farmers market food truck, The Farmcart has expanded into a brick-and-mortar restaurant on Baxter Street thanks to the popularity of its flaky biscuit sandwiches full of local ingredients.

Best newbie

Emmy Squared Pizza, 199 Prince Ave.

This Brooklyn-born restaurant serves New York and Detroit-style pizza with a creative culinary twist. Emmy Squared Pizza opened in May 2023, occupying the former location of The Grit. While the food is different, the restaurant has managed to maintain much of the space’s original charm and has become a welcomed addition to the Athens food scene. 

Best place to eat when someone else is paying

5 & 10, 1073 S. Milledge Ave.

“Top Chef” judge and local restaurateur, Hugh Acheson, offers a creative take on classic Southern dishes at this upscale restaurant, situated in a historic home on Milledge Avenue. Whether your parents are coming to town or your date offers to foot the bill, 5 & 10 is a go-to destination for celebrating special occasions.

Best tacos when they’re open

Taqueria Del Sol, 334 Prince Ave.

Blending American and Mexican cuisine is a delicate art that Taqueria Del Sol has mastered. A restaurant based on friendship and a love for good food, Taqueria Del Sol gives guests the exhilarating cross-cultural experience of delicious tacos — as long as you can find a time when it is open. 

Best 80s-themed restaurant

Clocked!, 259 W. Washington St.

A quirky retro-themed Athens classic nestled in downtown brings delicious burgers, shakes and fries to those looking for a step back in time. It’s perfect for a quick bite that has a variety of flavors that will excite your taste buds. 

DRINK 

Most creative cocktail

Puma Yu’s, 355 Oneta St., Sutie D, 400 A

Tucked away in the historic Southern Mill complex on Oneta Street, Puma Yu’s is a creative powerhouse for wine and cocktails. The bar serves small plate Thai food, hosts community events and serves unique drinks in eclectic glassware, from slushie cocktails to daily wine selections. 

Best pitcher

Tlaloc, 1225 N. Chase St.

Located on North Chase Street, this restaurant is known for more than just its pupusas and delicious Mexican and Salvadoran cuisine, but its great drink options served in generous pitchers. Share a margarita over chips and salsa with friends for an affordable price. 

Best wine taste test 

Tapped Athens Wine Tasting Market, 297 Prince Ave.

Tapped Athens offers a unique wine tasting experience with a variety of 24 bottles on tap. Founded by two graduates of the University of Georgia, the business rotates fine wines throughout its tasting room for a self-serve approach to wine tasting.

Best cozy caffeine

@local. Coffeehouse & Study Lounge, 198 College Ave.

Doubling as a coffeehouse and study lounge, @local provides a cozy atmosphere for students to get their homework done or sit back and relax. This coffee shop is owned by married couple, Julie and Chris Freeman, and opened its Athens location this year. Its menu offers more than 40 flavored syrups to add to drinks, whether it be coffee, tea or its unique refreshers. 

Best place to watch the other kind of football

The Royal Peasant, 1675 S. Lumpkin St.

Why go to England when England can come to you? Specializing in British food with an Indian influence, The Royal Peasant is the perfect pub to enjoy some fish and chips and a pint of your favorite U.K. brew over a good game of soccer.

SEE & DO

Best Saturday activity outside of Sanford

Athens Farmers Market at Bishop Park, 705 Sunset Dr.

Hosted year-round at Bishop Park, the Athens Farmers Market gives local vendors the opportunity to sell fruits and vegetables, eggs, meat, hand-made crafts and a variety of prepared foods. Visitors can listen to live music as they walk around the market and get to know their community better. 

Best seasonal event

Wild Rumpus, Downtown Athens

Self-proclaimed as Athens’ own “Halloween Mardi Gras,” Wild Rumpus Parade and Spectacle is an annual celebration that has become an iconic tradition in the city. The dynamic event showcases live performances, puppets, costumes and dance to celebrate creativity and unity in Athens.

Best mashup

Foxglove Plant Bar, 1063 Baxter St., Suite 600

This green hangout spot perfect for lounging with a drink with friends and family or to test your creativity with a DIY area for terrariums. Take a stroll around the retail space looking for new plant pets to spruce up your own space at home. It also hosts a variety of events every month ranging from yoga to classes to help you better understand your plant. 

Best place to clear your head

State Botanical Garden of Georgia, 2450 S. Milledge Ave.

The State Botanical Garden is constantly upholding its mission of education and conservation through on-site programs and local partnerships, but its nature trails, flower gardens and greenhouses also provide a tranquil off-campus refuge that will bring you back down to Earth.

Best new diggs

Daily Groceries Co-op, 1190 Prince Ave.

Daily Groceries Co-Op is a community-owned grocery store that sources local products and produce. Dedicated to a mission of bringing healthy food to the Athens community, this unique grocery store hosts events and uses its profits to serve the city’s needs.

Best bookworm destination

Athens-Clarke County Library, 2025 Baxter St.

The Athens-Clarke County Library offers not only a selection of thousands of books, but also daily programs and events for all kinds of readers, from Q&A’s with local authors, to community book clubs, to story times for children and caregivers.