Georgia has long been home to some of the most mouthwatering fried chicken in the entire country. From bustling Atlanta diners to charming Savannah spots, the state is packed with restaurants that have been feeding hungry locals for decades.
Word is finally getting out about these hidden gems, and honestly, it was only a matter of time. Here are the Georgia fried chicken restaurants that locals just cannot stop talking about.
The Busy Bee – Atlanta, Georgia
Since 1947, The Busy Bee has been the heartbeat of Atlanta’s soul food scene. Civil rights leaders once gathered here over plates of perfectly seasoned fried chicken, making every bite feel like a piece of history.
The chicken is fried to a deep golden brown with a crust that shatters on contact. Pair it with their legendary sides for the full experience.
This Atlanta institution earns every bit of its legendary reputation.
Mary Mac’s Tea Room – Atlanta, Georgia
Mary Mac’s Tea Room opened in 1945 and has fed everyone from everyday Atlantans to U.S. presidents. Walking through the doors feels like stepping into your grandmother’s dining room, warm and welcoming from the start.
Their fried chicken is tender on the inside and beautifully crisp on the outside. The menu reads like a love letter to Southern cooking.
Few restaurants in Georgia carry this much charm and flavor under one roof.
Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room – Savannah, Georgia
Eating at Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room is unlike any other restaurant experience you will find in Georgia. Strangers sit together at long communal tables, passing heaping platters of food just like a big family Sunday dinner.
The fried chicken is consistently juicy, seasoned with a recipe that has barely changed since 1943. Lines form outside the door every single morning, and regulars will tell you the wait is absolutely worth it.
Come hungry.
Matthews Cafeteria – Tucker, Georgia
Matthews Cafeteria in Tucker has been a neighborhood treasure since 1955, and the locals there act almost protective of it. Pull a tray, slide down the line, and load up on some of the most honest home-cooked food in DeKalb County.
Their fried chicken has a thin, seasoned crust that lets the juicy meat shine through. Nothing on the menu is fussy or overpriced.
This is the kind of place that reminds you why simple cooking done right always wins.
Table & Main – Roswell, Georgia
Table and Main takes Southern comfort food and gives it a refined, polished edge without losing any of the soul. Located in the charming historic district of Roswell, this restaurant feels like a special occasion every single visit.
Their fried chicken is brined, hand-breaded, and fried to absolute perfection, arriving crispy and golden with incredible depth of flavor. The sides are creative and thoughtfully prepared.
This spot proves that elevated Southern cooking can still feel like home.
The Colonnade – Atlanta, Georgia
The Colonnade has been an Atlanta staple since 1927, making it one of the oldest continuously operating restaurants in the entire city. Generations of families have celebrated birthdays, graduations, and ordinary Tuesday nights in these comfortable dining rooms.
The fried chicken here is no-nonsense, deeply satisfying, and exactly what Southern food should taste like. Portions are generous, prices are fair, and the staff treats everyone like a regular.
Atlanta would not be the same without this place.
Roc South Cuisine – Atlanta, Georgia
Roc South Cuisine brings bold, unapologetic Southern flavors to Atlanta with a style that feels fresh and full of energy. The restaurant has quickly built a devoted following among locals who crave serious soul food without any pretense.
Their fried chicken packs serious seasoning into every layer of the crust, delivering a satisfying crunch and juicy bite every time. The sides are equally impressive and change with the season.
This is Atlanta soul food firing on all cylinders.
Southern Soul Barbeque – St. Simons Island, Georgia
Most people head to Southern Soul Barbeque for the smoked meats, but the fried chicken quietly steals the show for those in the know. Tucked into a converted gas station on St. Simons Island, this spot has a laid-back coastal vibe that makes every meal feel like a vacation.
The chicken is golden, crispy, and bursting with flavor from a well-practiced seasoning blend. Grab a seat outside and soak in the Georgia coast air.
Pure bliss on a plate.
Paschal’s Restaurant – Atlanta, Georgia
Paschal’s Restaurant holds a place in American history that very few dining establishments can claim. During the Civil Rights Movement, this Atlanta landmark served as a meeting place for leaders who changed the nation, fueled in part by plates of extraordinary fried chicken.
The recipe has remained a point of pride across decades, delivering a crispy, flavorful crust over tender, well-seasoned meat. Eating here connects you to something much bigger than a meal.
History has never tasted this good.
Buckner’s Family Restaurant – Jackson, Georgia
About an hour south of Atlanta in Jackson, Georgia, Buckner’s Family Restaurant has been quietly serving some of the best country cooking in the state for years. Locals guard this place fiercely, and first-time visitors often leave wondering why they waited so long to make the drive.
The fried chicken is the star, featuring a thick, crackly crust packed with down-home seasoning. Everything on the menu tastes made from scratch, because it is.
A true Georgia road trip must-stop.
Sisters of the New South – Savannah, Georgia
Sisters of the New South brings a warm, family-run energy to Savannah’s already impressive food scene. Founded by a group of women passionate about preserving Gullah Geechee culinary traditions, the restaurant tells a cultural story through every dish it serves.
Their fried chicken carries the deep, rich flavors of that heritage, seasoned with care and fried with confidence. The sides reflect the same cultural pride and taste absolutely incredible.
Every plate here feels like an act of love and preservation.
The Grey – Savannah, Georgia
The Grey operates inside a stunning restored 1938 Greyhound bus terminal in Savannah, and the atmosphere alone is worth the visit. Chef Mashama Bailey has earned national acclaim here, including a James Beard Award, for her inventive take on Southern and coastal Georgia cuisine.
When fried chicken appears on the menu, it arrives reimagined and deeply satisfying, honoring tradition while pushing it forward. This restaurant changes how you think about Southern food altogether.
Savannah is lucky to have it.