Best Georgia Food | 13 Must-Try Georgian Dishes (USA)

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Wanting to learn exactly what is Georgia food? Then you’ve come to the right place!

The Peach State is known for its rich, productive land and southern hospitality. It’s where you’ll find warm weather, an impressive historical legacy, and some iconic dishes!

Georgia is a melting pot of restaurants and foods from all over the world, making it a food lover’s dream. The Peach State’s legendary feasts and fine dining can transport you around the globe – and straight through centuries of history, too.

The rich tapestry of races, languages, and cultures that make up Georgia gives it a unique flavor. As a southern state, it’s no wonder that barbecue is the most well-known food in Georgia. However, you’ll find no shortage of diverse culinary experiences when you immerse yourself in the foodie culture.

The food Georgia offers spreads on a wide spectrum! With options from traditional southern staples to Mediterranean delights and Tex-Mex favorites, the Peach State has the cuisine to please every palate.

When hunger hits, plenty of farm-to-table eateries strive to serve sustainable foods for their guests.

So, are you ready to find out what food Georgia is known for? Gather your appetite and get ready to feast your way through Georgia – whether you live there or you’re just visiting:

13 Popular Foods In Georgia You Must Try

Pimento Cheese

What better place to start learning about southern food than with pimento cheese?

Georgians consider pimento cheese a mandatory party food, and most have a special recipe they love to make. The pimento is a sweet cherry pepper used to stuff little green olives, and it is a must in this Georgian spread recipe.

Pimento cheese is a curious but wonderful blend of sharp cheddar, mayonnaise, pimentos, and seasonings. And it will probably knock your socks off!

Enjoy this Southern-inspired cheese spread on grilled cheese sandwiches, with fresh vegetables, or combined in a recipe with deviled eggs.

Try a fusion of the two most Georgia-signature dishes with a favorite recipe of mine- Pimento Cheese stuffed Deviled Eggs! It’s a match made in heaven!

It’s incredibly simple to make. Start by hard-boiling your eggs and gently cutting them in halves.

Remove the yolks from the middle, and place them in a bowl.

Use a dinner fork to mash the egg yolks until they are finely crumbled.

Then add the remaining ingredients to create the pimento cheese as well as anything else you like to your taste! 

Mix well with a rubber spatula and add salt and pepper to taste.

Assemble the deviled egg mixture in a piping bag or spoon and divide evenly into the egg whites. Garnish with bacon, scallions, or shrimp if desired. And there you go,  it’s unbelievably delicious!

Georgia is known for many things, but pimento cheese probably steals the show. Whether slathered on a cracker, spread onto a sandwich or stuffed into celery, pimento cheese is good any time of day, so you should definitely give it a try!

While visiting, try to find some good pimento cheese at your local farmer’s market or a barbecue joint. You won’t be sorry!

Barbecue

Is there anything better than smoked pork? I don’t think so.

You’ll find barbecue restaurants in all cities in Georgia, and yes, they know what to do with all kinds of pork. Georgia’s barbecue might not be as sauce-focused as some southern states, but there’s no shortage of flavor in their barbecue dishes!

Pulled pork, ribs, and pork sausage all reflect Georgia’s rural past. So, therefore, I think Georgia owns smoked pork, hands down.

Are you curious where you can try Georgia’s renowned barbecue meats? Chef Stephen Franklin’s DAS BBQ in Atlanta is sure to satisfy your appetite. Here you can find some of the best food in Georgia!

Atlanta’s Westside neighborhood is home to this counter-service restaurant with two massive smokers that produce delicious pulled pork, ribs, and pork sausage, which are best paired with mustard-based peach barbecue sauce. 

To enjoy his highly recommended beef brisket, try it with the restaurant’s house-made red sauce, a sweet-tangy sauce made with tomato, infused with espresso from Octane Coffee.

Georgians are proud of their BBQ tradition, and I highly recommend all meat lovers to try it while visiting!

Fried Chicken Biscuit

If Georgia is famous for anything, it’s their fried chicken. Savory and a little sticky on the outside, with a moist interior, fried chicken is a staple of Southern cooking, and it’s tempting to eat it any time: for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

AAnd one dish they love to prepare and is a famous food in Atlanta is the Fried Chicken Biscuit!

Fluffy biscuits hold a juicy batter-fried breast and a scrambled egg. The chicken is marinated, battered, and fried to a golden brown for extra-crispiness, then nestled into a flaky buttermilk biscuit.

For a sweet and savory flavor punch, bacon marmalade and pimento cheese are added. It’s the kind of meal that lets you know you’re in the south and can keep you energized for whatever the day brings.

The fried chicken biscuit on the Buttermilk Kitchen menu is legendary. This is the place you should definitely visit to try this Atlanta famous food!

Pecan Pie

“What’s for dessert?” always gets the same answer when you are in Georgia. Of course, it’s Pecan Pie!

Pecan trees grow in abundance in Georgia. They’re the main ingredient in Georgia’s signature dessert, Pecan Pie,  and as a result, almost everyone’s mama has a “signature” pecan pie recipe. 

The dish combines savory pecans with fresh, handmade pie-crust dough and crunchy, whipped cream.

When choosing where to try this sweet treat, I recommend you head over to Southern Baked Pie Company and get a slice of Caramel Pecan Pie!

For a kick in the flavor, I recommend you try it topped with Cinnamon Ice Cream, which will introduce you even more to the warmth of the south. This creamy and crunchy dessert is truly a slice of heaven and is hard to resist!

Sweet Tea

This is not a dish, but the list would not be complete without mentioning Sweet Tea when talking about Georgia!

If you order iced tea here, be ready for the following question: “Sweet or unsweet?” Cold black tea laced with sugar may sound strange to non-Southerners, but it would be unnatural to leave Georgia without trying it.

Sweet tea occupies the hotly contested middle ground between iced tea and lemonade. And it can be found in any southern restaurant or home. It is brewed using the same method as iced tea but with added sugar during preparation. 

Sweet iced tea is a staple in the south, and nearly everyone who visits Georgia asks “What’s it like here?” Well, for starters, it’s hot. Very hot. And the only thing that can numb your tongue is an icy glass of sweet iced tea, enjoyed in the afternoon!

Coca-Cola

Many people around the world have tried the famous fizzy soda Coke. Most of them either hate it or love it.

But, did you know that this world-famous beverage was first invented in Atlanta? Yes – you read that right. The world’s most popular drink started right here!

So who did we have to thank for our beloved Coca-Cola? That would be pharmacist John Pemberton. 

Now exactly where in the city of Atlanta did he invent the soda? Well, right in the middle — literally, at his chemical company.

It was named “Coca-Cola” due to its two main ingredients: cocaine and kola nuts. However, cocaine was removed from Coca-Cola’s formula around 1903. 

With advertising, Pemberton sold his syrup worldwide and became a sensation!

Today you can head to any bar and restaurant, enjoy the refreshing drink on its own, or in a creative mixture as a cocktail- either way, you won’t be disappointed!

A staple in homes, restaurants and convenience stores, Coca-Cola is one of the best-known beverages in the world, and something Atlanta prides itself on- this gives us a great reason to list it as a famous Atlanta Food!

Peaches

When it comes to popular food in Georgia, how can we complete the list without mentioning the most signature Georgia state food – the peaches! In fact, that’s how the Peach State got its nickname!

It doesn’t get much fresher than in the Peach State when it comes to fresh produce. The delicious fruit has long been a source of pride for Georgia — and like the state slogan says, “Peaches make Georgia great.”

Georgia has ideal growing conditions for peaches, including soils and climate similar to that of China’s famous peach growing regions.

Georgia produces nearly 2.6 million bushes of peaches each year – more than any other state in the nation. And most of those peaches come from central Georgia!

Peach season is the best time of year to try Georgia’s legendary fruit. These delicious fruity treats are not only Georgia’s perfect fruit, they’re an iconic part of the culinary heritage of the state.

You’re going to love them on their own or cooked into a recipe for peaches and cream, peach cobbler or a great peach pie. These are just a few of the ways to savor the season – right down to the pits!

While the peach cobbler is one of the most common ways to enjoy our state fruit, it’s important to note that peaches are also used in savory dishes around Georgia.

What is there not to love about Georgia’s peaches?

Georgia Wild Shrimp

Georgia is famous for several different cuisines, but shrimp are certainly an essential part of it. 

What exactly makes Georgia shrimp so unique, you ask? Well, it’s a combination of both taste and texture. Wild-caught shrimp are naturally sweet and sustainable because they’re an abundant species. Their shells are also easy to peel for delicate sauces. 

The south has 40,000 miles of coastline, and they consume more shrimp than anywhere else in the country. They know that fresh seafood is the way to go, so they tend to prefer wild-caught varieties.

The combination of the shrimp with some hot curry powder is the perfect way to season these tasty snacks!

The shrimp is sweet, soft, and almost buttery in its delicate but firm flesh. Whether served skewered with cocktail sauce or low-country boil with head-on shrimp, this is one of the iconic Georgia food dishes.

Fried Green Tomatoes

A regional specialty that you can really sink your teeth into! Fried green tomatoes are one of the best-loved dishes in middle Georgia, where they’re routinely paired with local favorites.

Although they have been around Georgian cuisine for generations, fried green tomatoes have become a famous dish from the movie of the same name.

They originate from Juliette, a central Georgia town. The idea of sliced green tomato pieces lightly battered and then fried into a crisp golden brown can be found on local menus as an appetizer and a salad. Still, it is best appreciated with bacon, Swiss cheese, mayonnaise, and lettuce on a rye sandwich.

Small, light, and crispy on the outside with a classic tartness inside, they are the perfect complement to any meal.

If you’re looking for something with a little more flavor, you’ll definitely want to try fried green tomatoes.

Fried Okra

Since Southerners love fried foods, it’s a little odd that a vegetable would be a staple. But here in Georgia, the crispy okra is a favorite among locals.

Fried okra is one of the most delicious ways to eat this quintessential southern vegetable. With its slight crunch and mild flavor, it can soak up just about any marinade or spice you can throw at it.

There are so many different ways to prepare okra, so recipes utilizing this classic southern staple aren’t hard to come by.

Okra can be as creamy as mashed potatoes and as crispy as french fries. Top your fried okra fries with spicy tomato sauce, or try it as an impressive starter on its own.

This Georgia food specialty is delicious, healthy, flavorful, and adds incredible diversity to any diet. This tasty classic will leave your taste buds pleasantly surprised.

Vidalia Onions

The Vidalia onion is one of the most popular sweet onions grown in the U.S. Used in a variety of recipes and found in supermarkets everywhere, it’s also grown right here in Georgia! 

Not only are they sweet and juicy but they also have such a rich history behind them.

Legend has it that the Vidalia onion was born out of a planting mistake in Vidalia, Georgia. It all started in the late 1920s, when onion farmers in Vidalia, Georgia, covered up their failed onions beds with soil and cotton. 

When they unearthed them the following spring, they found the onions to be sweeter than ever! Fast forward to 1938 and the onions became one of the few luxury items people could buy.

 And by 1946, when agriculture officials discovered that these onions were sweeter than normal ones, they made it so — thus giving birth to the official state vegetable of Georgia!

The unique taste of the Vidalia onion comes from its soil, climate, and growing conditions. There’s nothing quite like the smell of a fresh Vidalia steaming on your stovetop, be it for a delicious recipe or just for snacking!

Whether fresh, dried, grilled, or caramelized – this famous food of Georgia is guaranteed to make your mouth water, no matter how you prepare it!

Boiled Peanuts

Georgia is well known for peanuts. From peanut butter to grilled peanuts, there’s something to love about them. One way Georgians love to prepare them is as a boiled and seasoned snack.

Peanut plants grow best in sandy loam soils, and Georgia has plenty of it! They’re usually boiled in salty water, then served with a few dashes of hot sauce or vinegar – the traditional accompaniment.

What makes boiled peanuts so delightful is their simplicity. And how can you go wrong with a snack that’s both satisfying and guilt-free?

Boiled peanuts are a favorite snack food in the South. The salty, starchy, crispy nuts are nothing short of addictive, no matter how you prepare them. Whether cooked long- or short-style, boiled peanuts are a great side dish with virtually any protein.

A bit chewy, with a texture that’s tender yet, holds its shape, boiled peanuts are a charming southern culinary tradition. Once you try them, you will know why people love these delicious peanut Georgia snacks. 

Fried Apple Pies

Where do you think a perfect fried apple pie comes from? From the Peach State.

Apples are a favorite food of Georgians. Most often, you’ll find them as pies and pastries. And Georgians like their fried pies: crunchy and sugary on the outside and soft and sweet on the inside.

The apples are picked fresh from orchards throughout the state. They are made into apple pies, fried to a crisp, then drenched in a sweet glaze. The crust is made from scratch, and it is then dipped in oil and marinated overnight. The result is a crunchy crust that holds up well to the hot frying process.

The scratch-made rolled crust is perfectly flaky for holding a high amount of sweet-tart apples, all fried to a crisp before being coated in a sweet glaze. Every bite is perfectly balanced, thanks to the delicate blend of sugar and cinnamon. The finished pastry tastes equally great hot or cold, making them perfect for any occasion from breakfast to dessert.

Summary of the Best Food From Georgia You Must Try

Food is an integral part of any travel experience. Therefore, it’s essential to know the traditional dishes of a region when visiting for a truly authentic experience!

Georgia cuisine offers authentic southern cooking with regional twists in cities throughout the state. No matter where you eat in Georgia, you’re more than likely to find a menu packed with local fresh fruits, meats and seafood.

So whether you’re cooking yourself or eating out, these Georgia popular foods will be sure to satisfy any plate!

We narrowed down the top picks for 13 Georgia popular foods —all with a distinctive Georgia twist ― so you can enjoy this Southern state like a true local!

Escape to the Peach State and create a memorable experience with these signature Georgian foods. Your vacation is about to get delicious!

What popular Georgia foods will you be trying?

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