If you’re the kind of person who plans road trips around where to eat (same), this one’s for you.
We’re talking fried chicken that’s been perfected for over 70 years, red hot dogs with a secret chili recipe, and barbecue so good it once flew to the White House.
This road trip takes you to 9 of Georgia’s oldest restaurants—places that have been serving up mouthwatering meals long before GPS, smartphones, or even waffle fries.
You’ll find tiny diners with creaky stools, big tables where strangers pass cornbread like family, and hidden gems with stories in every bite.
Ready to eat your way through history?
1. The Pirates’ House – Savannah
Established: 1753
Right in the heart of Savannah, The Pirates’ House was originally opened in 1753 as an inn for sailors and pirates.
The modern-day restaurant has been dishing out Southern comfort food like fried chicken and pecan pie since 1953.
It’s located at 20 East Broad Street, just a short walk from the riverfront.
Part of the building is one of Savannah’s oldest structures (from 1734), and there are legends that it sits above hidden tunnels long rumored to have been used for smuggling people out to ships!
2. Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room – Savannah
Established: 1943
Also in Savannah, Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room is another local legend.
This place serves up family-style Southern feasts that feel like Sunday dinner at grandma’s.
This cozy spot on Jones Street has been around since 1943, and folks still line up outside every morning for fried chicken, cornbread dressing, black-eyed peas, and banana pudding that’s the stuff of dreams.
There’s no menu—just big tables, friendly strangers, and heaping bowls of whatever’s cooking that day.
It feels like a true family dinner, and it all takes place in the same house where Mrs. Sema Wilkes ran the place with heart and a whole lot of butter.
3. Crystal Beer Parlor – Savannah
Established: 1933
If you’re still hungry and still in Savannah, swing by the Crystal Beer Parlor.
This is Savannah’s original neighborhood tavern that’s been pouring pints and serving burgers since 1933.
Located on West Jones Street, this laid-back joint is known for its juicy “Classic Crystal” burger, crab stew, and an epic beer list that leans heavily on local brews.
Rumor has it that it operated as a Prohibition-era speakeasy under William ‘Blocko’ Manning, and you can still feel that old-school charm in the creaky floors, vintage photos, and cozy booths that haven’t changed in decades.
4. The Plaza Restaurant & Oyster Bar – Thomasville
Established: 1916
Once you’ve had your fill of Savannah, head southwest to Thomasville, where The Plaza Restaurant & Oyster Bar has been a hometown favorite since 1916.
That’s over a century of slinging oysters and Southern classics!
You’ll find it right on Broad Street, serving up buttery shrimp scampi, hand-cut ribeyes, and fresh Gulf oysters that taste like a beach day in every bite.
It’s the oldest continuously operating restaurant in town and it’s well worth a stop if you want to feel some history.
5. Nu-Way Weiners – Cherry Street, Macon
Established: 1916
Next stop: Macon, where Nu-Way Weiners has been serving up bright red hot dogs with all the fixings since 1916.
This tiny, no-frills joint is famous for its mega-flavorful “All The Way” dog (that’s mustard, onions, and chili), plus crinkle-cut fries that hit the spot every time.
And yes, “Weiners” is spelled that way on purpose—it’s been their quirky claim to fame for over 100 years.
6. Chick-fil-A Dwarf House – Hapeville
Established: 1946
From Macon, head north to Hapeville, where the Chick-fil-A Dwarf House got its start back in 1946, long before waffle fries became a national obsession.
This might not look like an old restaurant, but that’s because it got a fancy new remodel in the last few years, and it’s still worth a visit for the history.
This isn’t your average Chick-fil-A.
It’s the original spot where Truett Cathy fried up his first chicken sandwich, and you can still order it here at a classic diner counter complete with stools and a teeny-tiny “dwarf” door at the entrance.
Along with the usual menu, you’ll also find retro-only items like chicken pot pie and burgers, making this place a nostalgic mix of fast food legend and old-school diner charm.
7. Mary Mac’s Tea Room – Atlanta
Established: 1945
Next up is Atlanta’s beloved Mary Mac’s Tea Room, holding strong since 1945 as the city’s unofficial grandma of Southern cooking.
This place is all about big plates of fried chicken, roast turkey, and those cinnamon rolls that could double as dessert.
With white tablecloths, sweet tea that flows like water, and order pads for jotting down your picks, Mary Mac’s has served everyone from politicians to country music stars—and they still treat every guest like family.
8. Sconyers Bar-B-Que – Augusta
Established: 1956
From Atlanta, head to Augusta for a smoky stop at Sconyers Bar-B-Que, where the pit’s been fired up since 1956 and the plates are piled high with true Georgia ‘cue.
This family-run spot is famous for its tender pulled pork, hickory-smoked ribs, and a sweet, tangy sauce that locals swear by—plus cornbread that tastes like it could win awards.
The whole place feels like a Southern farmhouse, with a rustic vibe that sets the tone right away.
Sconyers Bar-B-Que was even invited to cater at the White House for President Jimmy Carter in 1980!
9. Luigi’s Restaurant – Broad Street, Augusta
Established: 1949
Also in Augusta, Luigi’s Restaurant on Broad Street has been serving Greek-Italian comfort food since 1949, making it one of Augusta’s oldest and tastiest traditions.
This cozy, family-owned spot is the place to go for baked lasagna, char-broiled pork chops, and their legendary Greek-style spaghetti.
It’s all dished out in a dining room filled with old photos of celebrities and friendly faces.
They’re especially famous during Masters Week, when golfers and fans pack the place—so if you swing by in April, expect a wait and a whole lot of deliciousness.
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