11 Best Southern Restaurants near Gainesville

“When we first came to recess we sat at the bar and we met Dorsey who was the bartender. Who turned us into regulars quickly. Her balance of checking in and giving space while throwing quips is something that has been lost in nearly every restaurant I attend. The art of service is something that is alive and well in Recess. So now my wife and I have been go to Recess every Monday for the last 2-3 years. It is just our spot at this point and it’s hard to remember a time before it. Gainesville wouldn’t be the same to me without Recess. If you like the look of the menu stop in, if you don’t, ask about the specials. You will find something to enjoy. We will see you Monday.“

“As all of you know Pearl is a service dog. Unfortunately the staff at this restaurant were not familiar with The ADA Act.(they are now). They attempted to seat us outside on our arrival. We did not even make it through the gate when a goldendoodle charged us and literally ran into the metal fencing attempting to attack pearl. We went back inside of which they told us. “I don’t know what we need to do.” I Educated them on the ADA Act and then we were promptly seated.
On a positive note, the wait staff is absolutely amazing the bloody Mary that I had and the food is off the charts amazing 10 out of 10 would do this again! I’m going to tell you their peach compote is the absolute best I have ever eaten.
Hats off to Hannah, Leo and Christian. They turned a sad situation around into a positive experience. That’s very hard to do. Tupelo honey southern kitchen. Shame on you as a company. You need to do a better job of educating your staff !Your staff members or your greatest asset!
Y’all come check this place out if you’re ever in Gainesville, I promise you won’t regret it!
It still doesn’t top the Fisherman’s Warf in Cummings but it’s close as far as good service and great food.“

“GF chicken salad was delicious! I had Fancy Nancy and Cranberry Kelly with lettuce for wraps. I also tried the broccoli salad, which was good but a little sweet. The staff was helpful and friendly. They took time to explain the menu and Gluten-free choices. The restaurant was clean and inviting.“

“I’ve always been treated nice here and the food is great especially the brown gravy. If you want to pay double for breakfast please go to Waffle House. And if you want people to treat you poor darlings nice please stay home. Well maybe!“

“Great Food, Great Service, Great Value!

I recently enjoyed a fantastic lunch with my son at Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen. The friendly host quickly seated us, and our server promptly arrived with warm, buttery croissants and took our drink order.

We started with delicious cheese curds, and our main courses were equally impressive. My son's chicken and shrimp dish was a hit, while I indulged in the renowned country-fried steak with a generous side salad and creamy mashed potatoes.

The portions were incredibly generous
– the side salad could have easily been a meal on its own!

The combination of excellent food, attentive service, and affordable prices made for a truly enjoyable dining experience. I highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a satisfying meal.“

“The food was good! There's a lot of choices.“

“Awesome staff! Incredible owners! Love the bartender, Jenn. Thanks for your hospitality.“

“Food was absolutely fantastic. We ordered flat iron steak, duck, and shrimp and grits, everything was cooked to perfection, and flavors are definitely memorable. Finished dinner with sticky toffee cake, which, alone, is worth coming back for. Stephen, our server, was professional and very welcoming. Thank you for this amazing experience!“

“Awesome place to come have lunch !!! Great food and service !!!!!
Maria,Kim, Vianney , Alejandra are always so kind and go above and beyond to take care of us !!!
And drive thru is always quick and fast especially in the morning on my way to work !!!!“

“This Shane's does an outstanding job! The food is good the service is usually pretty speedy and the place is clean. They also are constantly running deals and specials on their food. During these tough economic times, that's greatly appreciated. 5 Stars Shane's of Flowery Branch. Hands down the best Shane's in Metro Atlanta!“