With input from the Saturday Down South audience, we’ve aggregated the best restaurants across the SEC.
Whether you’re visiting a hostile environment for a SEC road game or just passing through during the offseason, these are the must visit restaurants in each SEC East town. When you’re finished, check out the SEC West edition.
Note that the iconic nature of the restaurant within each town is a major influence in the following suggestions. While other restaurants may have better food, we attempted to combine the quality of food with the “must visit” nature of the various venues.
Disagree with the suggestions? Great! Offer your input in the comments!
Florida – Gainesville, Fla.
If you want the iconic Gators bar, hit up The Swamp across the street from the stadium, but since most fans are aware of Florida’s Swamp restaurant, we opted to include three other suggestions:
#1 – Satchel’s
1800 NE 23rd Ave. Gainesville, FL
Head northeast of campus to Satchel’s for not just some killer pizza, but a fun and lively experience. You can even eat inside a van!
This is quite honestly the best pizza restaurant in the state of Florida. It’s not because the food is phenomenal (which it is), but because everything about this place is unique, thrifty, and artistic. From their craft beer selection, homemade sodas, repurposed art, and cash only policy with ATMs that donate the service charge to charity, this place is one of a kind. [
Yelp]
#2 – Dragonfly
201 SE 2nd Ave. Gainesville, FL
If you’re in the mood for sushi in Gainesville, heading downtown to Dragonfly will satisfy your cravings. The venue is nice and the sushi is fresh.
Dragonfly is hands down the BEST sushi in Gainesville! It does get pretty busy in the evenings so if you have a group you may want to see if you can make a reservation or be prepared to go early and get a couple drinks at the bar. All the rolls are are delicious, my personal fav is th Euro Trance roll, it’s rolled in a thin slice of cucumber, super light and super delicious! I literally have dreams about that roll! Wontons, skewers, spicy tuna, the crunch, and the dragonfly are also top contenders! Service is pretty good, they have a nice cocktail, beer, and wine selection. [
Yelp]
#3 – The Top
30 N Main St. Gainesville, FL
Looking for something a little hipster? The Top in Gainesville is a hot destination whether you’re looking for a romantic setting or just to unwind after work. The beer options are fantastic.
Good food, great bar, amazing space, good times.
My favorites:
– Pesto Gnocci
– Maradonna burger
– The falafel patties for their burgers are doooope (they have a lot of cilantro in them)
– Garlic and Goat (appetizer) mmm MMM BOY it is fine!!
– the “Botanist” cocktail – an amazing version of the classic gin&tonic. [Yelp]
Georgia – Athens, Ga.
If you’re looking for drive-thru burgers and fries, hit up the iconic Varsity. Since most fans are aware of the Varsity, we opted to include three other suggestions:
#1 – Last Resort Grill
174-184 W Clayton St. Athens, GA
Likely the most recommended restaurant in Athens, Ga., Last Resort Grill combines good food, quality service and reasonable pricing to provide a consistently great dining experience.
Great atmosphere. I had a couple local beers, Hopsecutioner was one if them, and the chicken in parchment with greens, pasta, and tomato. Absolutely delicious. My only complaint is that I don’t have a stomach big enough to have tried the horseradish salmon! The gentlemen at the bar were helpful with selections of both beer and food. I’d definitely go back. [
Yelp]
#2 – Mama’s Boy
197 Oak St. Athens, GA
If you’re in the mood for a southern style breakfast feast, look no further than Mama’s Boy. Make sure to get extra biscuits.
One of the best breakfast brunch I’ve been to in Athens. It’s must come and come back again type if place. Do expect a long line and about 30 minute wait or so, but it is worth it! I ordered scrambled egg with feta, spinach, and tomato with bacon and fruit cup. Very tasty. I. On a low carb diet for now, but when I’m off the diet, I am for sure going try their other delicious items on the menu. Even so my food was delish. My boyfriend had eggs bacon cheese grits and biscuit… The biscuits were nice fluffy. Both places was nicely cleaned and our stomach was satisfied. [
Yelp]
#3 – Cali N Tito’s
1427 S Lumpkin St Athens, GA
Got a hankering for some latin(-ish) food? Cali N Tito’s is quite popular in Athens, Ga. Check out the fish tacos or cuban sandwich.
In a nutshell, if you’re in the Athens’ area and looking for Latin food, Cali N Tito’s is a definite go to. Reasonably priced, good atmosphere, and delicious food. Just bring cash as they are only cash or check. If you happen to come unprepared, hop over to the BP next door. There’s an ATM by the door. [
Yelp]
Kentucky – Lexington, Ky.
#1 – Malone’s
Multiple Locations
It’s a chain, but Malone’s is a staple of Lexington, Kentucky, and worth a visit if you’ve never been. The steaks are great, and the sushi bar can supply some underrated appetizers.
We pass through Lexington occasionally and make a point of dining at Malones whenever we do. In four visits over eight years, we have not been disappointed in either the food, the service, or the experience. The aged prime beef is worth going out of the way for. The Lexingtonian salad cannot be duplicated even though there are countless copycat recipes online and I have tried over and over to serve a similar salad at home. The twin fillets for two people are perfect augmented by a second salad as suggested by our server. [
Yelp#2 – Ramsey’s Diner
Multiple Locations
Ramsey’s has a full selection of sandwiches, salads and serves breakfast all day. Ramsey’s has been noted as having the best hot brown in the Bluegrass.
The food is really delicious and they use fresh vegetables. The portions are huge so you definitely won’t leave here hungry. The atmosphere is nice, the restaurant is clean and I’ve never had a bad waiter at this location. I had the Hot Brown. It’s smothered in cheese and has tomato & bacon on it. Definitely a unique dish to try if you’ve never had it. [
Yelp]
#3 – Holly Hill Inn
426 N Winter St. Midway, KY
You’ll have to drive a few minutes outside of Lexington, but Holly Hill Inn is worth it. The food is comparable to high end restaurants around the country, but the pricing at Holly Hill Inn is quite reasonable.
This has to be one of the best restaurants in the country. We have traveled a lot, have a son who is a well-known chef, and the food here is as good as it gets. Local tender veggies and meats, vegetarian entree every menu, knowledgable wine servers, elegant Southern dining at it’s finest. “Nice-casual” and formal spot. Sit on the porch if the weather is nice. [
Yelp]
Missouri – Columbia, Mo.
Photo credit: @Hollister_FBLA / Twitter
#1 – Shakespeare’s
Multiple Locations
Good beer. Good pizza. Shakespeare’s is a Columbia staple. Worth a visit.
Shakespeare’s pizza is a little on the pricier end but well worth every penny. My personal favorite is ham and pineapple which made for a delicious Hawaiian Pizza. I highly recommend checking this place out whether you are visiting or just looking for some of the best pizza in town! [
Yelp]
#2 – Booches Billiard Hall
110 S 9th St. Columbia, MO
A historic, college town pool hall that serves excellent burgers? Count me in.
Don’t bother asking for a credit card machine or french fries. They don’t have time for that as they are busy grilling a burger that would be more than welcome in the Sistine Chapel. I also highly recommend the chili on a cold day and the butterflied hot dogs served on the same hamburger buns. For a place that originated in 1884, it has more than stood the test of time. This place is iconic for anyone who has ever enrolled at The University of Missouri. 130 years and still going strong. Respect your elders when it comes to where you eat. Booches has earned that reverence. [
Yelp]
#3 – Flat Branch Pub & Brewing
115 S 5th St. Columbia, MO
Flat Branch is a popular restaurant serving a wide range of menu options and a nice selection of in-house beers.
We grabbed a table outside on their adorable patio and looked over the beer menu first, of course. We decided to get a flight and try six of their drafts. The chile beer was my favorite. This batch was very spicy, which I liked! We browsed their food menu and decided on the artichoke dip to start. It was SO good. They served it in a bread bowl with some fresh veggies. It was a large portion. We ended up taking a lot of it home. [
Yelp]
South Carolina – Columbia, S.C.
Photo credit: @WilsonKBTX / Twitter
#1 – Pawleys Front Porch
827 Harden St, Columbia, SC
You can’t argue with great burgers and craft beers. Make sure you try the fried pickles.
Guy Fieri got it right with this place. Although I wouldn’t call it a Diner, a Drive-In, nor a Dive. This is a casual restaurant serving gourmet burgers with a great selection of craft beers. Nice patio out front, booths and a large bar inside. [
Yelp]
#2 – Blue Marlin
1200 Lincoln St. Columbia, SC
If you’re looking for something a little nicer than burgers and beer, check out the Blue Marlin whether you’re with your significant other or just with a group of friends looking for an excellent meal.
The atmosphere was great. Was perfect balance between fancy and casual. Started off with some she crab soup which was so creamy and delicious with chunks of crab cooked perfectly. Then had the house special which was Cajun trout stuffed with crab and topped with tomato Cajun sauce. Waiter accidentally told us the wrong sides so he brought out what the dish originally came with and the sides he told us! Was the largest plate placed in front of me. But that did not stop me, I ate it all, it was so amazing!! The collards were the best I ever have tasted and the grit cakes were cooked to a perfect fluffy consistency! [
Yelp]
#3 – Lizard’s Thicket
Multiple Locations
For some down home southern cookin’, check out one of the several Lizard’s Thicket locations around town. Good food with healthy portions at very reasonable prices.
You can’t find a better all American true down home style restaurant. Recommended to me by several local and I was not let down. The service was great and friendly and just what you would expect. Greeted by a good Ole down home” howdy, sit anywhere you like honey I be right with you”…. special tonight…. chicken levers…. and omg… they have fried bologna and hillshire farm sausage….. I ordered everything and it was still under $20….. I love this place!!!!! [
Yelp]
Tennessee – Knoxville, Tenn.
Photo credit: @amm9898 / Twitter
#1 – Calhoun’s (on the river)
400 Neyland Dr. Knoxville, TN
Calhoun’s is a Knoxville staple, and the location on the river is one of the best atmospheres in all of town. Great meats and maybe even better sides.
Live band, great ribs, great wings, cold beer. This is a great atmosphere. Will definitely come back. We also had a great waiter! He was very attentive–even though there was a large crowd on the patio!! [
Yelp]
#2 – Litton’s Market and Restaurant
2803 Essary Rd. Knoxville, TN
For what many call the best burgers in town, head over to Litton’s, a family run restaurant going back decades.
One of the Best damn burgers you’ll ever put in your mouth! And trust me I’ve had my share of burgers stuffed into my face across the nation :p. I had the thunder road topped w PIMENTO CHEESE and a pound of delicious grilled onions which all just melts into your mouth. I usually have to have some sort of sauce or fried egg on my burgers recently but not this one. 2 toppings and I’m set in burger nirvana [
Yelp]
#3 – Ye Olde Steak House
6838 Chapman Hwy. Knoxville, TN
If you’re looking for a high end steak to put up against some of the best steaks around, check out Ye Olde Steak house, a family owned steakhouse going back to 1968.
Forget Ruth’s Chris, forget Chop House, this is where you need to be for a good steak. The rib-eye was cooked to absolute perfection and their grill adds some of the best flavor I’ve had on a steak. I’ve been to some great steakhouses in various cities, some of the best in the country. This competes with all of them and when you consider the price, it only makes it that much better. If you’re going to order any side, do yourself a favor and get the Woodshed potatoes. This was one of those “last meal” kind of experiences, but lucky for me it doesn’t have to be. I’ll be coming back. Often. [
Yelp]
Vanderbilt – Nashville, Tenn.
#1 – Rotier’s
2413 Elliston Pl. Nashville, TN
Rotier’s may as well be royalty in Nashville. Locals will claim that it’s the best burger in the nation. Go there and decide for yourself.
This is as charming and competent a mom and pop eatery as you can hope to find in the South. Not only are there the southern standards you expect, but even my Dad would love the chicken gizzards and livers that are highly vaunted by locals. The classic French bread burger has been on the menu since the 1940s when the first Rotier opened the restaurant after The War, and it’s been an attraction for local appetites ever since. I was even introduced to crowder peas, which are an earthy, tasty combination between peas and beans that make for fantastic comfort food. [
Yelp]
#2 – Pancake Pantry
1796 21st Ave S. Nashville, TN
You might wait in line outside just to get in, but once in, pancake pantry is about as good as it gets on the breakfast front. An incredible selection of delicious pancakes await.
This place has the most amazing breakfast in Nashville. I was a bit worried it would be a tourist trap but I was proven wrong. I tried the award winning sweet potato pancakes with cinnamon cream syrup which were to die for. Everyone ended up eating off of my plate — definitely get these if you stop in. My friends had the banana bread pancakes which were also great. The staff is very friendly and the service was quick and efficient. I will definitely be back on my next visit. [
Yelp]
#3 – Hattie B’s
112 19th Ave S. Nashville, TN
This Nashville staple serves up a variety of chicken to countless patrons each day. The food is consistently great. Prepare to wait in line.
This ‘hot’ chicken restaurant is very good and is a Nashville institution. If you like poultry like I do you need to come here. Here are some things you need to know:
This location has very limited free parking. It’s very possible that you will have to pay for street parking and it isn’t cheap. The rates I saw were about $6 per hour and that’s on the street! I got real lucky and got one of the free spots directly in front of the building. Also, there is usually a line to get in. The line moves fairly well but come prepared for a 15 minute wait time and most of that will be outdoors. This is a small restaurant with more outdoor covered seating than inside air conditioned/ heated seating. Another observation that I had were the available heat levels. I don’t like much heat but I got the medium heat and it was mild in my opinion. If you want heat go at least one or two levels above that. [
Yelp]
Thanks for reading. Be sure to check out the SEC West edition.
