15 All-Time Best Places to Eat in Ellijay, GA (2023)

You’re exploring historic downtown Ellijay and vacationing in the north Georgia Mountains. Now it’s time to eat and you’re looking for the best restaurants in Ellijay! As someone who loves vacations in the north Georgia mountains, here are the best places to eat in Ellijay, GA

Table of Ellijay’s Best Restaurants

Restaurant Name	Type/Cuisine	Description & Specialties	Google Reviews
Cantaberry Restaurant	American	Known for homemade soups, fresh salads, and a variety of sandwiches. The tomato basil soup is a local favorite.	1,420+ Reviews
River Street Tavern	American	Offers burgers, wings, salads, and sandwiches. Known for their award-winning burgers.	1,720+ Reviews
Ellijay Wood Fired Pizza	Italian	Authentic old world pizza with over 12 different kinds of Neapolitan pizzas.	760+ Reviews
Boardwalk Pizza & Pub	Italian	Casual environment with a variety of pizza offerings and outdoor seating.	200+ Reviews
Charlie’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria	Italian	Family-owned with handmade pizza dough and slow-cooked sauces. Offers a variety of pizzas and Italian specialties.	970+ Reviews
White Columns Restaurant	Southern Cooking	Known for their fried chicken and a variety of southern dishes.	250+ Reviews
Black Sheep Restaurant	Southern Comfort Food	Modern take on Southern comfort food with locally sourced ingredients.	1,800+ Reviews
The Shack of Ellijay	Asian Fusion	Offers Asian-fusion dishes like Belly Bao Buns, Vietnamese rolls, and a variety of poke bowls.	360+ Reviews
Poole’s BAR-B-Q	BBQ	Known for their pulled pork sandwiches, beef brisket sandwich, and BBQ chicken.	770+ Reviews
Cajun Depot Grill	Seafood	Offers New Orleans flavors with dishes like Shrimp Po-Boy and gumbo.	840+ Reviews
CC’s Seafood & More	Seafood	Focuses on seafood dishes with locally-sourced ingredients.	15+ Reviews
Toccoa Riverside Restaurant	Seafood	Specializes in fresh fish and offers a variety of seafood-based dishes.	1,990+ Reviews
R & A Orchards	Fresh Apples and Ciders	Offers organically grown apples and products like apple butter and apple fritters.	1,020+ Reviews
Corner Stone Café	Breakfast	Breakfast and brunch spot that serves dishes like french toast, pancakes, eggs, and country fried steak.	630+ Reviews
Ellijay Coffeehouse	Breakfast	Focuses on fresh-baked goods like breads, biscotti, yogurt parfaits, and scones.	750+ Reviews

Ellijay’s Best American Restaurants (Burgers, Salads, Sandwiches)

Ellijay is a small town, but it has delicious food and lots of variety! The downtown area is my favorite place to find great restaurants!

Let’s start on Main Street, where you can find a great selection of dishes made with fresh ingredients from local farmers. 

1. Cantaberry Restaurant

Homemade soups and fresh salads! Cantaberry Restaurant is a great place for these classic American dishes.

Located on Main Street, their soup of the day is one of their main attractions. The tomato basil soup is a local favorite. But Cantaberry also has a soup of the day for hungry travelers.

The ingredients are fresh and both the food quality and prices are excellent for the amount of food you get.

In addition to the lunchtime soup and salad offerings, their menu options include:

• 15+ sandwich options (favorites: Turkey Bacon Avocado and the Pulled Park)
• 5 different burgers
• and a bakery with daily, fresh desserts

Cantaberry  Restaurant is open for lunch and dinner times. And there are now two locations. They originally opened their doors in Ellijay. But after high demand, Cantaberryalso opened a second location in Blue Ridge, GA. 

They have great food and friendly staff. Just be sure to get there with enough time to save a seat because it’s a local hotspot!

Cantaberry’s Menu Here

Location Here: 5 S Side Square, Ellijay, GA 30540

2. River Street Tavern

If you want mouth-watering burgers, wings, salads, and sandwiches, River Street Tavern has this amazing food and good vibes!

Some of their award-winning burgers are:

• the classic: All American Burger
• The Wonton Burger: signature spicy vinegar slaw, fried wonton, teriyaki and yum yum sauches

It’s located near the corner of River Street and S. Church St. The restaurants has a family-friendly atmosphere and is open for lunch and dinner. Ask them about their daily lunch specials too!

River Street Tavern Menu Here

Location: 40 River St, Ellijay, GA 30540

Best Italian Restaurants in Ellijay (Neapolitan Pizza and More!)

3. Ellijay Wood Fried Pizza

You don’t typically find authentic old world pizza in the north Georgia mountains! But Ellijay Wood Fired Pizza has you and your taste buds covered! 

You’ll find the best pizza in town here!

Pizzas. This Italian restaurant serves more than 12 different kinds of pizzas. They are Neapolitan pizzas mad with fresh local ingredients.

• Red Pizzas – 8 different ones, with “The Meat-ssiah” being a favorite (pepperoni, mild italian sausage, spicy italian sausage, pepperoncini, crushed tomato,  mozzarella, provolone)
• White Pizzas – 6 options, with a Goat Cheese option for those with dairy sensitivities

Other Italian Dishes. Ellijay Wood Fired Pizza also serves other classic Italian dishes. The selection includes small plates and appetizers like:

• Meatball Parma (If you’re looking to go all out, starting with the Gilmer County’s Best Meatball Parm and following it with the Traditional Grandma pizza is the perfect combination.)
• Patagonian Crab & Artichoke Wood Fired Fondue
• Wood Fired Oysters
• Burrata Caprese
• Hummus
• and more!

Drinks. They also have a great drink menu, including wine, draft beer, and cocktails. 

Ellijay Wood Fired Pizza Menu Here

Location: 2 River St., Ellijay, GA 30540

4. Boardwalk Pizza & Pub

Boardwalk Pizza & Pub is a hole in the wall spot with plenty of outdoor space! It’s the perfect spot for grabbing a slice of pizza and strolling around downtown.

Boardwalk has a new menu and has expanded its pizza offerings. You’ll find a casual environment that can accommodate large groups.

If you’re looking to spend time outside, there is an expansive patio space. If you go with outdoor seating, you don’t only take in the sights, you may also be able to play some bar games while you try some seasonal brews.

Boardwalk Pizza & Pub Menu

Location: 25 N Church St, Ellijay, GA 30540

5. Charlie’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria

Charlie’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria is family-owned and on a mission “to introduce our guests to true Italian marinara.”

They handmake their pizza dough daily and slow cook sauces for 8 hours. There are over a dozen pizza options.

But my favorite items are the Homemade Specialties like Eggplant Parmigiana and the Chicken Alfredo! Not to mention the cannoli and carrot cake options for dessert!

Charlie’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria Menu

Location: 15 Westcross St, East Ellijay, GA 30540

Southern Cooking in Ellijay

6. White Columns Restaurant

If you’re looking for fried chicken, look no further! White Columns Restaurant is Southern cooking at its best. 

The staff is friendly and the business has been family-owned since it first opened. 

Fried chicken is a must, but if you’re looking for an appetizer, their onion rings are amazing! Other dishes on the daily menus include:

• fried fish
• catfish
• chicken and dumplings
• ham
• casseroles
• mac n’ cheese
• sweet potatoes
• turnip greens
• baked beans
• potato salad
• and more!

For dessert, they’ll usually have something like banana pudding or cakes.

White Columns Restaurant Menu Here

Location: 200 Industrial Blvd # 109, Ellijay, GA 30540

7. Black Sheep Restaurant

When you’re in the Blue Ridge area, there is another stop that you shouldn’t miss.

The Black Sheep Restaurant is a modern take on Southern comfort food. The restaurant uses locally sourced ingredients and spares no creativity when it comes to its flavorful food. 

While the food steals the show, the Black Sheep Restaurant is located in The historic Butt House, which was built in 1914. The atmosphere only complements the food.

This spot also has amazing brunch!

The Chicken Red Velvet Waffle is one of those dishes that you have to try at least once in your life.

Menu Here

Location Here: 480 W Main St., Blue Ridge, GA 30513

Asian Fusion Restaurants in Ellijay

8. The Shack of Ellijay

The Shack of Ellijay is the perfect spot for Asian-fusion food in Ellijay!

This is the only place to find Belly Bao Buns and Vietnamese rolls in the area.

They offer fresh fish and have a great variety poke bowl options. Their poke bowls are a lunch favorite and include options like Vietnamese Beef Pho and the Seafood Bowl.

You can also make a custom poke bowl and experiment with different flavors!

The Shack of Ellijay Website

Location Here: 118 N Main St., Ellijay, GA 30540

BBQ Restaurants in Ellijay: Best Spots

9. Poole’s BAR-B-Q

Don’t miss out on one of the best barbecue places in Elijay. Opened in 1989, Poole’s BAR-B-Q may have a bit of a wait, but it’s worth it.

Dubbed the “Pig Hall of Fame”, it’s an experience. The restaurant has been family-owned since it opened and has friendly staff.

Signature items include:

• pulled pork sandwiches (One of their best dishes – It is cooked to perfection.)
• beef brisket sandwich
• BBQ chicken
• amazing corndogs
• and a whole lot more!

There is plenty to look inside too The restaurant is known as the “Taj-Ma-Hog.” It’s a redesigned roadside shack that resembles a cabin on the inside.

Menu Here

Location Here: 164 Craig St., East Ellijay, GA 30540

Seafood Restaurants in Ellijay, Georgia

10. Cajun Depot Grill

The Cajun Depot Grill brings New Orleans flavors and fresh seafood to the north Georgia mountains!

Stop in for a Shrimp Po-Boy and a dozen other gourmet sandwiches! They also have some amazing gumbo and a children’s menu!

Cajun Depot Grill Menu

Location: 67 Depot St Ste 101, Ellijay, GA 30540

11.CC’s Seafood & More

With locally-sourced ingredients and a focus on sustainability, CC’s Seafood & More is worth the visit! This spot focuses on seafood dishes and has amazing variety.

Sample some of these delicious items include:

• Seafood: Smoked Trout Fillets, Georgia Shrimp, Smoked Salmon, PEI Mussels, and more!
• Locally Grown: Shitake Mushrooms from Ellijay Mushrooms, Ellijay, Ga

CC’s Seafood & More Menu

Location: 49 Oak St, East Ellijay, GA 30540

12. Toccoa Riverside Restaurant

Just outside of Ellijay, you can find the Toccoa Riverside Restaurant.

The restaurant specializes in fresh fish! They serve fish they caught that day, which makes their dishes stand out when it comes to flavor and quality. 

If you are a dessert lover, they also have fresh, homemade, delicious desserts. One of their most popular desserts is a delicious old-fashioned moist spice cake with a rich cream cheese icing.

For your main dishes, they have plenty of seafood-based dishes that are sure to host your group.

Toccoa Riverside Restaurant Menu Here

Location Here: 8055 Aska Rd, Blue Ridge. GA 30513

Fresh Apples and Ciders of Ellijay

13. R & A Orchards

R & A Orchards offers organically grown apples. Depending on what season you’re looking for, they will have a wide variety of apple types.

They are also known for their fresh apple butter and apple fitters – where the key ingredients come from their orchard. 

The family-owned business was founded in 1983 and has an impressive orchard space of 60 acres. 

Apples aren’t all that R&A Orchards have to offer. They also have several different goods that you can purchase, including the famous Georgia peaches.

R&A Orchards of Ellijay Website

Location Here: 25 N Church St., Ellijay, GA 30540

Best Breakfast Restaurants in Ellijay

14. Corner Stone Café

Corner Stone Café is a breakfast and brunch spot that serves breakfast til noon!

Some of the best dishes are the french toast with your choice of fruit – the Ooh-La-La! Pancakes, eggs, and country fried steak are other classics as well!

Corner Stone Café Menu

Location: 76 N Main St, Ellijay, GA 30540

15. Ellijay Coffeehouse

Ellijay Coffeehouse focuses on fresh-baked goods!

For breakfast, try the fresh baked breads with butter and jams, biscotti, yogurt parfaits and scones!

They also serve paninis using their housemade artisan bread 

Ellijay Coffeehouse Menu

Location: 131 N Main St, Ellijay, GA 30540

Fast Food Places in Ellijay, GA

Ellijay also has plenty of popular fast food if you’re in a hurry. The most popular are:

• Chick-Fil-A
• Zaxby’s
• Mr. P’s Takeout Food
• Hardee’s
• Dairy Queen Grill & Chill
• McDonald’s
• Burger King
• Wendy’s
• Taco Bell
• Krystal
• Subway
• Popeye’s
• Captain D’s
• Moe’s Southwest Grill
• Arby’s

Conclusion to Best Places to Eat in Ellijay, GA

The town of Ellijay has plenty of amazing dining options. Despite being a small town, you may be surprised at the array of culinary options that you can find there. 

And if you’re already in North Georgia and looking for things to do, I recommend checking out this guide on all the unique State Parks you could visit!