You won’t find chain restaurant in the city of Ellijay. The downtown area is a collection of small locally owned businesses, this is what makes Ellijay so special. It’s a throwback to the way every town in America used to be. Here are a few of our favorite eateries in and around Ellijay.

Ellijay Good Eats

  • A boy in a red hoodie sitting at a table in a restaurant, looking at his phone, with a plate of mashed potatoes and a chocolate cake in front of him, and a bowl of fries in the background.

    Cantaberry Restaurant

    Our absolute favorite restaurant. Some of the best soups you will ever taste. The cakes and cheesecakes are some of the best in Georgia. Staff is very friendly and service is always great. Lunch is mainly sandwiches and hamburgers and dinner is a heartier menu. We recommend the meatloaf!

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  • Two young men smiling and holding chopsticks, sitting at a table with sushi rolls in front of them inside a restaurant with brick walls and a ceiling fan.

    Kasei Sushi and Steak

    Authentic sushi served with fresh home made wasabi. The best selection of sake in the state. This restaurant can be hard to get in, so plan ahead!

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  • A man and woman sitting at an outdoor restaurant table with food and drinks, smiling at the camera, on a balcony with a view of houses and trees in the background.

    The Roof

    The Roof is a rooftop restaurant on the main square in downtown Ellijay. Enjoy a wonderful menu, drinks, and the best view in town!

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  • Two young adults, a woman with glasses and a man, sitting at a table in a pizzeria with three pizzas in front of them. The woman is smiling, and the man is looking towards the camera. There is a laptop and canned tomatoes in the background.

    Ellijay Wood Fired Pizza

    Located in Ellijay’s historic downtown business district, Ellijay Wood Fired Pizza serves authentic Neapolitan style pizza and Italian food. We highly recommend the meat balls!

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  • Two young men sitting at a restaurant table with meals and salads, smiling at the camera.

    The River Street Tavern

    A great place to enjoy local craft beer and good bar food eats. It is downtown Ellijay’s pub for locals and visitors. We recommend the Gettin Figgy With It chicken sandwich with the potato salad. The potato salad is ridiculously good.

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  • Three tacos filled with beef and greens on a white rectangular plate, accompanied by lime wedges, a small container of salsa, on a black metal outdoor table.

    La Catrina Tacos & Margaritas

    Our favorite local Mexican Restaurant. Always fast and friendly service and they are opened when every other restaurant is closed. The street tacos, Carne Asada, guacamole, …. Well Everything is great!

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  • A biscuit sandwich with scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese, and sausage patties, along with a breakfast sandwich with fried chicken in a biscuit, on a sheet of parchment paper with a red spatula.

    Mr. P’s Takeout

    An Ellijay classic for over 40 years. The best breakfast spot in town and literally around the corner from the cabin. Call in your order and then go through the drive through in your pajama's, that’s how we roll. They serve lunch and dinner also. The largest menu in Ellijay. Get there early if you want their fresh home made cinnamon rolls! Be sure to get some biscuits also.

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  • Inside a lively restaurant or bar with patrons enjoying live music performance on stage, with tables, chairs, and neon signs, and a braided wooden floor.

    Rocco’s Pub and Live Music

    A mere 25 minutes down the road in Jasper is Rocco’s pub. Well worth the drive for great food, craft beers, and live music. There from scratch kitchen serves up some of the best pub food in North Georgia. The bands are always good. Check out their website for the live music schedule.

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  • Enclosed porch overlooking a river with tables and chairs for outdoor seating, surrounded by trees.

    Taccoa Riverside Restaurant

    This place is very special! The Taccoa River Restaurant is a little off the beaten path high up in the Blue Ridge mountains right on the breathtaking Taccoa River. Have dinner on the deck overlooking the roaring Taccoa River while you enjoy a perfectly cooked steak or locally caught trout. This is a great spot for a romantic dinner or special occasion.

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  • A pizza on a brick surface with an active fireplace or fire in the background.

    Cartecay River Pizza Company

    This tiny hole in the wall mom and pop pizza joint is such a surprise. The locals kept telling us it’s the best pizzas around. We finally tried it, it is one of the best pizzas we have ever had! Looks are very deceiving, from the storefront to the logo it is cleverly disguised as a typical mediocre bargain pizza dive. They don’t mess around, their pizza and meatball subs will knock your socks off!

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  • Tray with a grilled sandwich cut in half, a cup of black bean salad, and a quesadilla on a separate tray in the background.

    Back Porch Bistro

    Only open for lunch, this place is well hidden in plain site but has some of the friendliest owners in town. The food here is really made with pride. The food is always great and they treat you like you grew up here.

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  • A parking lot in front of a brick building with a sign for Cajun Depot Grill, a few cars parked, some trees, and a partly cloudy blue sky.

    Cajun Depot

    Description goes here

    Cajun Depot

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  • Butcher and Bottle

    Butcher and Bottle

    If you want dining on the finer side, no need to travel to Blue Ridge, Ellijay’s own Butcher and Bottle is only minutes from our cabin. This restaurant features steak, seafood, and hand crafted spirits! They also have live entertainment .

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  • Young child with blond hair eating ice cream from a green polka dot cup at an outdoor table on a sunny day.

    Abby’s Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt

    Abby’s is one of our favorite treats in town. What we really like is you pay by the cup, not by weight. You can pile as much yogurt and toppings as the cup can hold. Our kids take it as a personal challenge! They are also one of the last places to close in town. Try not to get a brain freeze.

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  • Interior of a coffee shop with a wooden counter, decorative hanging branches, and shelves with coffee products. The shop has warm lighting and artwork on the walls.

    Das Kaffee Haus

    The only coffee shop in town we recommend. They have a wide selection of coffee drinks and non coffee beverages as well as amazing pastries and savory goodies.

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  • Logo for The Pub with a beer mug replacing the letter 'U' in 'PUB'.

    The Pub

    If you like hole in the wall fun places to visit, the Pub is for you! Featuring craft beers, amazing pub food, sports, live entertainment, billiards, darts, and arcade.

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  • Exterior of El Rey Azteca Mexican Restaurant with a fountain in front, outdoor seating, and warm lighting at dusk.

    El Rey

    One of our go to restaurant when we have a big group. Great Mexican food and fast reliable service. Probably the cleanest restaurant we have ever visited. They have some very unique offerings, not just your typical Mexican food.

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  • Two large margarita cocktails with salted rims, garnished with fruit slices, cherries, and blueberries on a restaurant table. There are also bowls of salsa, tortilla chips, and menus. Two people are partially visible, one holding a phone, the other with her arm resting on the table.

    Pueblos Cantina

    Yes another Mexican restaurant! This is a favorite of the locals. The staff really makes you feel at home. Our neighbor turned us on to this one and we keep going back.

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  • A circular logo with a teal background, featuring the text 'Est. 1969', 'CHILDOG' in large font, 'Ellijay Ga.' and 'BEST IN TOWN', all arranged within the circle.

    Chilidog

    An absolute Ellijay icon! Nostalgic small town food at its best. Pick up breakfast or lunch but you better get there by 2. Hamburgers, biscuits, cinnamon rolls, hand spun milkshakes, wraps, and of course chili dogs.

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