Restaurants in Athens
Best Restaurants
Italian • $$
American • $
“I picked up lunch here for the fam. Mom passed away on the 9th. We were all at her house going through her things and everyone was hungry. I wanted to buy local food instead of going to a big chain and Cafe 72 was close by, so Cafe 72 it was.
I called the order in for pickup and the voice on the other end was so polite and helpful. Not to mention it was a big order and we got everything we asked for.
The bacon cheeseburgers are big and delicious! May, lettuce, tomato ,bacon and cheese of course. The buns are heated on the grill which, to me, sets the whole burger off. We ordered three of those. My wife, my nieces boyfriend and I ordered them.
The crispitos are big and packed with beef. My little sister and brother-in-law ordered those. We asked for a side of cheese and sour cream and we got it.
My niece got the BLT with a side of mayo and her little boy got the kids corndog meal. He ate it up, too ?
The atmosphere was welcoming and as I looked around the dining room I saw some veterans sitting around eating, which I loved seeing. It gave me the feeling that this place is appreciative, thankful and respectful of our great country's veterans.
Cafe 72 has great food y'all. I didn't get any pictures this time, sorry. Go by and eat there. From looking at the online menu they have a lot of great food to choose from.
This order came out to around $47...to feed 7 people! You will not go to the big chain restaurants and feed that many people with such a small bill. I was amazed at this and I am so glad we chose Cafe 72 for lunch that day.”
Burgers • $
“The food is amazing the service is normally great tonight I spoke with Mary Marrone she was very friendly did an excellent job with customer service”
Seafood • $
“We eat here quite often, love the bacon wrapped shrimp most. This could be the best if TV’s were removed, a little more decorations a d low lighting. We still go, wait staff is always top notch. We will be back.”
Restaurants by Cuisine
Fast Food • $
“Chick-fil-A Athens is always a bright spot in our day—delicious food, kind service, and a consistent commitment to the community. We’re grateful to have them right here in town!”
Mexican • $
“I've had dinner twice at the Paducah, KY location and it has been great. The food is fresh and delicious, portions are generous, and prices are fair. The complimentary chips and salsa bar is also a nice touch. The restaurant is also clean, and staff are friendly. I'm looking forward to eating here again.”
Restaurants with Delivery
Italian • $$
“Lil Mazzara’s Italian is a local favorite for delicious, authentic Italian food and warm, welcoming service. Perfect for client dinners or casual team outings—we love supporting this amazing spot in our community!”
Burgers • $
“The food is amazing the service is normally great tonight I spoke with Mary Marrone she was very friendly did an excellent job with customer service”
Fast Food • $
“Chick-fil-A Athens is always a bright spot in our day—delicious food, kind service, and a consistent commitment to the community. We’re grateful to have them right here in town!”
Mexican • $
“I've had dinner twice at the Paducah, KY location and it has been great. The food is fresh and delicious, portions are generous, and prices are fair. The complimentary chips and salsa bar is also a nice touch. The restaurant is also clean, and staff are friendly. I'm looking forward to eating here again.”
Seafood • $
“Kevin is the best bartender! Fabulous old fashioned and fantastic lemon drop martini. He’s also friendly and so attentive! Go see Kevin”
Mexican • $
“We have been going here for more than a year and they consistently have great food and the people there are so nice. They never get our order wrong and they are so accommodating!”
Brewery
“worked here before, you will wait over a hour for your food in busy times and the manager wont do anything for you unless the server specifically asks. for a comp. Tiffany will also lie to customers even when they complain about the temperature. the owner sets the temperature to 74, and no one can turn it down. but tiffaby will lie to customers saying she will. and will ask servers to lie for her.. not only that the kitchen often makes tables out of order. you can have tables get their food, and a older table is still waiting. when a situation like this happens good luck finding a manager like Tiffany to help you. she's off taking her breaks during busy times. also managers never give feedback or actually train people. I've literally had to ask managers for drinks because there were no bartenders and the manager takes so long to make the drink, I'm having customer rushing over to the bar to see what's going on. and get mad at me because a manager refuses to do their job right.”
American • $
“My son and I stopped by the Hwy 31 location for lunch. I ordered the small catfish meal. It comes with fries which I exchanged for turnips and Cornbread. The catfish was cooked to perfection and the fresh turnips were spot on turnips. The Cornbread muffin was light and fluffy. The meal was a great value and made my tastebuds happy. I will definitely be returning and highly recommend Ramona J's to anyone who wants great food for a great price. Go ahead and tantalize your tastebuds.”
Hamburger • $
“Amazing melt in your mouth burgers and the seasoned fries are delicious! Staff was friendly and we got our food very quickly! Definitely will be returning! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️”
Coffee Roasteries • $
“Hi Plane Coffee Company is our go-to spot for great coffee and friendly vibes. Their cozy atmosphere makes it the perfect place to start the day or catch up with friends. We love supporting this local gem!”
Southern • $$
“If you’re craving authentic Southern flavors served with warmth and hospitality, The Southern Table is the place to be. A true community favorite where every meal feels like home. We’re proud to support them!”
Online Reservation Available
Southern • $$
“If you’re craving authentic Southern flavors served with warmth and hospitality, The Southern Table is the place to be. A true community favorite where every meal feels like home. We’re proud to support them!”
Japanese • $
“My friends and I dined here recently for an early dinner. We decided to try quite a variety of dishes from sushi to hibachi. The food was delicious along with excellent service. I would recommend the Bento Box and Sushi Rolls. The servings were generous, so my family was also able to enjoy them as well. Mmmm!”
Chinese • $
“The food is good and the gals keep good check on drinks or other needs.”
Chicken Wings • $
“Love coming up here with Anissa. Always a good time with great service 💕”
Pubs • $$
“The Bubbles and Squeak was one the most delicious things I have ever had. I’m sooo glad I decided to give it a try!!”
Seafood • $
“Kevin is the best bartender! Fabulous old fashioned and fantastic lemon drop martini. He’s also friendly and so attentive! Go see Kevin”
24 Hour Restaurants
Breakfast • $
“We eat at this place usually once a week. Staff is friendly and food is good and inexpensive. Just small so if you come at the wrong time you may as well not bother.”
Coffee Shops • $
“An alternative to Starbucks coffee. I don't think it's as strong as Starbucks. The men's bathroom is always dirty. the trash is always overflowing. Even when it's slow in the store the help just stands around talking to each other instead of checking on the bathroom. What a shame because it's such a nice store.”
Breakfast • $
“Such a great management team realized that we had been waiting a bit longer than expected and handled it with such kindness. Apologizing where it wasn't needed and giving a good discount to make up for the lost time. The team at this location really pulls together even when they are slammed, very impressive. Our breakfast was delicious and my family left full and in great spirits!”
Mexican • $
“We have been going here for more than a year and they consistently have great food and the people there are so nice. They never get our order wrong and they are so accommodating!”
Brewery
“worked here before, you will wait over a hour for your food in busy times and the manager wont do anything for you unless the server specifically asks. for a comp. Tiffany will also lie to customers even when they complain about the temperature. the owner sets the temperature to 74, and no one can turn it down. but tiffaby will lie to customers saying she will. and will ask servers to lie for her.. not only that the kitchen often makes tables out of order. you can have tables get their food, and a older table is still waiting. when a situation like this happens good luck finding a manager like Tiffany to help you. she's off taking her breaks during busy times. also managers never give feedback or actually train people. I've literally had to ask managers for drinks because there were no bartenders and the manager takes so long to make the drink, I'm having customer rushing over to the bar to see what's going on. and get mad at me because a manager refuses to do their job right.”
American • $
“My son and I stopped by the Hwy 31 location for lunch. I ordered the small catfish meal. It comes with fries which I exchanged for turnips and Cornbread. The catfish was cooked to perfection and the fresh turnips were spot on turnips. The Cornbread muffin was light and fluffy. The meal was a great value and made my tastebuds happy. I will definitely be returning and highly recommend Ramona J's to anyone who wants great food for a great price. Go ahead and tantalize your tastebuds.”
Takeout Restaurants
American • $
“I picked up lunch here for the fam. Mom passed away on the 9th. We were all at her house going through her things and everyone was hungry. I wanted to buy local food instead of going to a big chain and Cafe 72 was close by, so Cafe 72 it was.
I called the order in for pickup and the voice on the other end was so polite and helpful. Not to mention it was a big order and we got everything we asked for.
The bacon cheeseburgers are big and delicious! May, lettuce, tomato ,bacon and cheese of course. The buns are heated on the grill which, to me, sets the whole burger off. We ordered three of those. My wife, my nieces boyfriend and I ordered them.
The crispitos are big and packed with beef. My little sister and brother-in-law ordered those. We asked for a side of cheese and sour cream and we got it.
My niece got the BLT with a side of mayo and her little boy got the kids corndog meal. He ate it up, too ?
The atmosphere was welcoming and as I looked around the dining room I saw some veterans sitting around eating, which I loved seeing. It gave me the feeling that this place is appreciative, thankful and respectful of our great country's veterans.
Cafe 72 has great food y'all. I didn't get any pictures this time, sorry. Go by and eat there. From looking at the online menu they have a lot of great food to choose from.
This order came out to around $47...to feed 7 people! You will not go to the big chain restaurants and feed that many people with such a small bill. I was amazed at this and I am so glad we chose Cafe 72 for lunch that day.”
Ice Cream Shop • $
“Kreme Delite is an Athens classic! From ice cream cones to chili dogs, it’s the perfect spot for a treat and a trip down memory lane. We love supporting this hometown favorite!”
Seafood • $
“We eat here quite often, love the bacon wrapped shrimp most. This could be the best if TV’s were removed, a little more decorations a d low lighting. We still go, wait staff is always top notch. We will be back.”
Pubs • $$
“The Bubbles and Squeak was one the most delicious things I have ever had. I’m sooo glad I decided to give it a try!!”
Deli • $
“we came) to dinner for the first time this evening, I've been trying for a while to get my husband to go with me, we were pleasantly surprised how good everything was. Our steaks were perfectly cooked and hot and the veggies perfect. we had the sweetest two servers upstairs. we will be back to try something new next time. Thanks for a fantastic evening!”
Chinese • $
“I love the fresh food they serve inside. They're great for carryout and have tons of flavors. Just ask and they can make it or something good with a boat load of rice.”
Sports Bar • $
“Great food and drinks, home town people and friendly environment.”
Hamburger • $
“Stumbled on this place- Not going to lie, a surprisingly good burger. The outside of the patty was strangely crispy in a way I have never experienced- I almost assume it's breaded but honestly it's probably just perfectly cooked. Probably one of the more unique burgers I've had, which is strange because of how basic and unassuming Dub's and their burgers are.
Really great value, a cute place, and very friendly staff. I'd go again and probably will.”
Mexican • $
“I always order the chicken & steak rice and it's gone hit Everytime!!!! The drinks are phenomenal update those stars because they never disappoint EVER ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐”
Diner • $
“Food is delicious. This is my new favorite breakfast place in town. There is limited seating, but it is as you would expect in a small restaurant just off the Town Square. We consider it part of the overall ambiance of the diner. The biscuits and gravy with fried bologna and sliced tomatoes are some of my favs.”
Seafood • $
“Catfish Cabin is locally owned and they have the best food in Athens and the reason they run out of fish is because they stay buzy all time and if u haven't ever worked in fast food then u don't know what the workers there go through they try there best to please everyone that comes in but thats impossible and if ur short staffed like everyone is now you got to wait I don't see no body leaving the lines at Burger King r mickie d love the food there and there workers r amazing .Catfish Cabin gets 5 stars plus”
Hamburger • $
“Amazing melt in your mouth burgers and the seasoned fries are delicious! Staff was friendly and we got our food very quickly! Definitely will be returning! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️”
Coffee Roasteries • $
“Hi Plane Coffee Company is our go-to spot for great coffee and friendly vibes. Their cozy atmosphere makes it the perfect place to start the day or catch up with friends. We love supporting this local gem!”
Drive-Thru Restaurants
Pizza • $
“The kind people here who provided for our church next door or were so kind and serving me and honestly this is one of the best cheap places to come out and eat to come chill with your friends or something and I would definitely recommend this to anybody and everybody village Pizza has low prices and is very cheap I love village Pizza thank you”
Chicken • $
“We had a bad experience when the Madison location opened and when we got one here in Athens my husband and I decided to give it another chance. We are SO glad that we did! It’s now one of our favorite places to eat, every staff member we have encountered has been extremely friendly, helpful and welcoming. The food is always delicious and the atmosphere is so relaxed!”
Juice • $
“Great service, great nutrition drinks and great prices. Love coming here”
Barbecue • $
“Big Thank you.. Catered my grandaughters wedding. Food was awesome..And the caters where so nice..Good job girls..ty again. Athens LawLers Barbecue”
Family • $
“It's like going to your Aunt's house, the one who cooks great food and shares with everyone! It's just like that. Call your order in because everything is cooked for YOU. Thank you for loving people with food ❤️❤️❤️”
Bar & Grill • $
“We’ve been visiting the Barge for a couple years now and love the vibe. The service is fantastic! We love seeing our favorite bar ladies & servers. The view is beautiful. Music is great and it’s a fun place to hang with friends.”
Health Food • $
“Great service, great nutrition drinks and great prices. Love coming here”
Cafe
“Quality products with great prices located near downtown Athens. They provide weight loss and health products. Yea bombs and milkshakes made with water.”
Mexican • $
“Food was very good and drinks we very larg looking forward to going back”
Mexican • $
“Had the Chile Colorado, and it was fantastic. The meat was tender and the sauce was very flavorful. The homemade corn tortillas were excellent. The restaurant was very clean and the staff was friendly. Would definitely recommend!”
Juice • $
“Smoothie King is one of my favorite places to go to in Athens. Their Smoothies are delicious, and their Açaí bowls are off-the-chart good! They take time to carefully prepare each item that goes into the bowl, which looks like a work of art upon completion! I can never wait until I get home to eat one…I drive into the parking lot and devour it! They are not only delicious and filling, but very healthy. My son in Wisconsin always wants to go there when he comes to visit. He says this Smoothie King is better than any he’s ever been to. Thank you for the great service, also!”
Deli • $
“we came) to dinner for the first time this evening, I've been trying for a while to get my husband to go with me, we were pleasantly surprised how good everything was. Our steaks were perfectly cooked and hot and the veggies perfect. we had the sweetest two servers upstairs. we will be back to try something new next time. Thanks for a fantastic evening!”
Cheap Eats
Coffee Shops • $
“Everyone is always so friendly I love the coffee as well ❤️ ☕️”
Bakery • $
“Suzanne’s Bakery is a local gem! Everything is baked with love, and the flavors are always amazing. Whether it’s for an event, client gift, or just because—it’s one of our favorite places to stop in Athens!”
“Food is awesome Big portions for great prices”
Fast Food • $
“One of the best if not the best Captain D’s. I’ve been to many other locations and this location many times. The food prep is consistently done well. The grilled whitefish is hardly ever overcooked. Great staff even on a busy day.”
Mexican • $
“We had an amazing experience tonight! Great food, cold drinks, live music, fantastic prices! Atmosphere was awesome. Our service was outstanding! Definitely will return!”
Breakfast • $
“I gave two stars for the atmosphere because we ate standing up from the back of my car. We were traveling through from Washington state and had 3 dogs with us. This question made me laugh. Truly, the best meal we had since leaving and we had some pretty fancy food after checking into hotels. Service from the front desk was excellent.”
Fast Food • $
“Visited this n location on 6.15.25. The GM there is amazing! She walked in after I ordered and noticed how long I had been waiting for my order and asked her staff what was taking so long. They told her they were awaiting on chicken. She told them they needed to make my whole order again so it would be fresh. She apologized that it took longer than expected but no apology was needed. I appreciate her taking minute to see what was going on and using that as a teaching moment for them. I think they should send her to all restaurants sonshe can show them how to operate!”
Sandwich Shop • $
“Quick service and great food and a clean restaurant.”
Pizza • $
“been eating here for a long long time and have never had anything but great service and food. Athens is lucky to have such great people working here ! keep up the good work !!”
Barbecue • $
“The beef barbecue, turkey sandwiches and sweet tea are great!”
Chinese • $
“I love the fresh food they serve inside. They're great for carryout and have tons of flavors. Just ask and they can make it or something good with a boat load of rice.”
Sports Bar • $
“Great food and drinks, home town people and friendly environment.”
Japanese • $
“My friends and I dined here recently for an early dinner. We decided to try quite a variety of dishes from sushi to hibachi. The food was delicious along with excellent service. I would recommend the Bento Box and Sushi Rolls. The servings were generous, so my family was also able to enjoy them as well. Mmmm!”
Hamburger • $
“Stumbled on this place- Not going to lie, a surprisingly good burger. The outside of the patty was strangely crispy in a way I have never experienced- I almost assume it's breaded but honestly it's probably just perfectly cooked. Probably one of the more unique burgers I've had, which is strange because of how basic and unassuming Dub's and their burgers are.
Really great value, a cute place, and very friendly staff. I'd go again and probably will.”
Latest Reviews
Pizza • $
“Best pizza place ever every time we go there we get treated like family the longest time we’ve had to wait while dining inside is a few minutes and they have the best variety of pizza I very much recommend trying there food if you’re in athens”
Seafood • $
“Catfish Cabin is locally owned and they have the best food in Athens and the reason they run out of fish is because they stay buzy all time and if u haven't ever worked in fast food then u don't know what the workers there go through they try there best to please everyone that comes in but thats impossible and if ur short staffed like everyone is now you got to wait I don't see no body leaving the lines at Burger King r mickie d love the food there and there workers r amazing .Catfish Cabin gets 5 stars plus”
Restaurant • $
“My son and I stopped by the Hwy 31 location for lunch. I ordered the small catfish meal. It comes with fries which I exchanged for turnips and Cornbread. The catfish was cooked to perfection and the fresh turnips were spot on turnips. The Cornbread muffin was light and fluffy. The meal was a great value and made my tastebuds happy. I will definitely be returning and highly recommend Ramona J's to anyone who wants great food for a great price. Go ahead and tantalize your tastebuds.”
Seafood • $
“We eat here quite often, love the bacon wrapped shrimp most. This could be the best if TV’s were removed, a little more decorations a d low lighting. We still go, wait staff is always top notch. We will be back.”
Restaurant • $$
“The Bubbles and Squeak was one the most delicious things I have ever had. I’m sooo glad I decided to give it a try!!”
Restaurant • $
“Exceptional food, great service and the best Mexican food I've had since I left Arizona 22 years ago!”
Most Popular Restaurants
American • $
“Always have a great meal and great service when we go in!”
Fast Food • $
“Management cares and it shows. Stopped through from the interstate early in the morning. The landscaping was immaculate and the staff were so friendly! Food was great, too. When so many places are just skating by, the little details shined!”
American • $$
“Best Logan’s in the area. I had the best experience at this location then I have in a long time”
American • $
“I usually only share bad experiences on reviews but I'm trying to change that and luckily Applebees gave great service tonight so they're my first positive review in a long while! My steak was cooked terribly tonight but our waitress Nicole and the manager Suzanne did everything in their power to make it right! I love the fact that they took my concerns seriously and were quick to remedy the issue. Thank you so much Nicole and a special thanks to the manager Suzanne!”
Seafood • $
“Catfish Cabin is locally owned and they have the best food in Athens and the reason they run out of fish is because they stay buzy all time and if u haven't ever worked in fast food then u don't know what the workers there go through they try there best to please everyone that comes in but thats impossible and if ur short staffed like everyone is now you got to wait I don't see no body leaving the lines at Burger King r mickie d love the food there and there workers r amazing .Catfish Cabin gets 5 stars plus”
Fast Food • $
“This Particular McDonald’s is home to me. Always has been and always will be. I started at this McDonald’s on Hwy 31 in Athens as a Crew member back in 2012, when I was just 16 years old. I worked very hard the four years I was there eventually I got the opportunity to become a Kitchen Department Manager for the McDonald’s company at a different location. So I decided to leave for more money of course. It’s been 14 years since the day I started. I recently about a month ago came back to work there at Hwy 31 Athens Location. And A lot has changed some for the better some for the worse. I do like that they finally remodeled the store. It was needing a makeover. lol🤣 But mostly the only thing that’s changed is the people, it’s all new people, new faces, new strangers to get to know. Policies and procedures has gotten more light. But honestly I’ve seen what the post pandemic can do on a struggling business. I’ve seen good people/businesses having to close there doors cause they can’t handle the finances no more. But that’s not the case at this particular McDonald’s. Athens, AL has always been a town I love cause I spent 20 years of my life here. The customers support is unbelievable here! I’ve never seen a McDonald’s flourish like this one has in just ten years I’ve been away! Of course we have our problems like all businesses no one is perfect. But I do wanna warn the loving customers that we are very short staff right now. So please bare with us, especially at night. If y’all know anyone looking for a job, please send them our way we would love to have anyone on our team! I love working with just about anybody! Like I said before just be patient with us for right now. We will soon get back to being the top store in the region again I have faith! Just gotta stay positive through the storm. 😊 We do truly appreciate your support of our Company though. We love all of y’all! God Bless Y’all!”
Burgers • $
“Me and my son stopped by for a quick lunch the staff was very friendly and helpful I was having trouble getting my phone to work so I could unlock my card to pay staff was patient and friendly during this ordeal will definitely return again”
Chicken • $
“We had a bad experience when the Madison location opened and when we got one here in Athens my husband and I decided to give it another chance. We are SO glad that we did! It’s now one of our favorite places to eat, every staff member we have encountered has been extremely friendly, helpful and welcoming. The food is always delicious and the atmosphere is so relaxed!”
Coffee Shops • $
“I'm not a normal Starbucks lover but meh.... Had the best experience I've ever had with a Starbucks. Highly highly recommend going and seeing Liz. She made her favorite drink for me and she was such a delight and the dude who was running the drive-thru window was equally as pleasant and it truly made my day!!! So THANK YOU GUYS!!! drink was fabulous!”
Mexican • $
“I just enjoy giving credit to good customer service and all the gentlemen working tonight were friendly and kind, such a stark difference from the chipotle in Nashville at home. A nice newer location as well.”
Chicken • $
“I go to Popeyes pretty regular. Normally they do an amazing job and the food is mostly always on point. The last two times though I've had an issue. The first time was I got red beans and rice for a side, the red beans seemed like they were not done all the way, which is weird cuz I used to work for Popeyes and they come in pre-made you just heat the bag up. In this last time I got a three-piece chicken tenders and one of the tenders was almost completely gristle.....very gross. I will be back, but it will be a while.”
Fast Food • $
“Taco Bell has decent food...but I am not thrilled with their prices. This Taco Bell has a decent lobby if you want to eat inside. The parking is a lot better than the one on Jefferson as well. The food tastes good, but often they skimp on the meat, despite their high dollar prices.”
Barbecue • $
“Big Thank you.. Catered my grandaughters wedding. Food was awesome..And the caters where so nice..Good job girls..ty again. Athens LawLers Barbecue”
Chicken Wings • $
“Love coming up here with Anissa. Always a good time with great service 💕”
“Lil Mazzara’s Italian is a local favorite for delicious, authentic Italian food and warm, welcoming service. Perfect for client dinners or casual team outings—we love supporting this amazing spot in our community!”