Great Places To Dine Outside On The Water In Georgia
Relax and refuel with tasty food and drinks at these waterfront restaurants with patios on Georgia's rivers, lakes and coast.
There is no better way to enjoy beautiful weather in Georgia than with a cold drink and a great meal outside. Add a gentle breeze and a view of the water, and you’ll have all the makings for a wonderful memory.
Georgia’s rivers, lakes and coast are dotted with inviting waterfront restaurants with patios and decks that offer the ultimate outdoor dining experiences. Have a bratwurst and beer just steps from the Chattahoochee River in Helen; taste local trout while the Toccoa River flows by in Blue Ridge; refuel with a burger after a day of boating on Lake Blackshear; and enjoy shrimp and grits overlooking the beach on St. Simons Island.
From upscale fine dining to flip-flop-friendly casual eateries, these favorite restaurants are great places to dine outside on the water in Georgia.
Jump to waterfront patios on:
Chattahoochee River
Troll Tavern in Helen
Located under the bridge in downtown Helen, the Troll Tavern is riverside outdoor dining at its best in the beautiful North Georgia mountains. Enjoy German fare, salads, sandwiches, seafood, chicken, steak, desserts and a great kids menu on the pet-friendly patio as you enjoy the scenery on the Chattahoochee River.
Canoe in Atlanta
Tucked away along the peaceful banks of the Chattahoochee River in the Atlanta community of Vinings lies one of the country's most acclaimed restaurants. Canoe’s colorful waterfront gardens and meandering walkways are the perfect spot for a before- or after-dinner stroll. Make reservations for lunch during the week, dinner nightly or Sunday brunch, and enjoy fine dining menus featuring seasonal ingredients.
Banks Food Hall in Columbus
Located on the Columbus Riverwalk, Banks Food Hall is a casual, collective eatery with 10 dining options in more than 12,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor spaces. Eat, drink, socialize and relax while enjoying the view of the Chattahoochee River.
Toccoa River
Toccoa Riverside Restaurant in Blue Ridge
Toccoa Riverside Restaurant in Blue Ridge features a beautiful view of the river from the dining room, lounge and pet-friendly patio. Enjoy a meal of fresh local trout, steaks, seafood, ribs, or signature pasta dishes, as well as beer and wine as you relax and listen to the river run by.
Burra Burra Riverside Dining in McCaysville
Burra Burra On the River in McCaysville features a riverside deck and a menu of American food, craft beers, and wine. Stop in while you’re at the historic Riverwalk Shops for a bite and a great view.
Twisted Tomato in McCaysville
Twisted Tomato in McCaysville serves up wood-fired pizza on the deck with a view of two twisting rivers. Located at historic Riverwalk Shops, stop in for a glass of wine or craft beer along with a classic pizza baked in an authentic Italian oven.
Lake Allatoona
Sunset Grille in Woodstock
Set on the banks of Lake Allatoona, Sunset Grille serves American-style cuisine in Woodstock. Pair your entree with a glass of wine or draft beer, sit back, relax, and enjoy the beautiful weather. Open seven days a week during the boating season.
JD's on the Lake in Canton
Located across the street from Little River Marina on Lake Allatoona, fans of the Netflix series “Ozark” will recognize JD’s on the Lake as The Blue Cat Lodge. The menu features burgers, wings, seafood, and sandwiches, and there is ample parking for boats and cars. Choose from indoor seating or pet-friendly outdoor seating to watch the breathtaking sunsets.
Lake Blackshear
Cypress Grill in Cordele
Open seasonally, The Cypress Grill on Lake Blackshear in Cordele is the ideal place for lunch or dinner on the lake. Choose from a menu of American favorites, including burgers and fries, and fresh fish sandwiches. Stop by at night for live music and karaoke.
Lake Burton
Lake Burton Grill in Clarkesville
When you're boating on Lake Burton, you absolutely must stop for a drink and a bite to eat on the expansive covered deck at the Lake Burton Grill at LaPrade's Marina. With stunning views of the lake and a menu featuring steaks and seafood and a full bar, this lakeside gem is not to be missed. Or, if you want to grab and go, order from the Bowline Takeaway and Bar, which offers plenty of seating throughout the dog-friendly marina patio overlooking the lake.
Lake Lanier
LandShark Bar & Grill at Lanier Islands in Buford
Enjoy an afternoon or evening in a Margaritaville state of mind at LandShark Bar & Grill on Lake Lanier. Dine at the islands-themed restaurant directly overlooking the lakefront paradise. During the day, relax with a drink in your hand and your toes in the sand; after the sun goes down, enjoy a signature cocktail by the fire pits.
Fish Tales Lakeside Grille in Flowery Branch
Located in Hideaway Bay Marina on Lake Lanier, this waterfront restaurant is popular for its grouper fingers as well as a full menu of fresh fish and seafood. Open daily March through October, Fish Tales features a sandbox for the kids, cold drinks for the adults and live music.
Skogie’s Lakefront Restaurant in Gainesville
This eatery at the Gainesville Marina on Lake Lanier is known for its weekend all-you-can-eat brunch buffets, as well as fried shrimp, fish and tenders, and Black Angus burgers. Open seasonally, it also features live entertainment on weekends.
The Twisted Oar in Buford
Located dockside at Holiday Marina on Lake Lanier, The Twisted Oar features a floating patio deck, a crowd-pleasing menu and weekly entertainment. Enjoy fresh seafood, chicken and steak, weekly specials, a kids menu, beer, wine and cocktails.
Pelican Pete’s in Gainesville
Open year-round with the largest tiki hut bar on Lake Lanier, Pelican Pete's is a full-service restaurant and bar located at Port Royale Marina. Sit back and relax under the thatched roof tiki hut, and enjoy the perfect little lunch getaway or dinner to wrap up a fun day on the lake.
Lake Oconee
Gaby’s by the Lake at the Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee in Greensboro
Gaby's by the Lake is located poolside at the Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee and offers some of the most inspiring views of the lake. Enjoy the scenery with a chilled cocktail and the casual menu with items like brisket street tacos and Black Angus skirt steak, as well as salads, sandwiches, pizzas and the infamous lobster grilled cheese.
Lake House in Eatonton
Located alongside the tranquil shores of Lake Oconee, Lake House Gastro Pub offers a delightful dining experience among breathtaking surroundings. Try the signature Southern burger or the classic shrimp and grits, and take in the beautiful lake views.
Lake Rabun
The Swing Bar in Lakemont
Located on Lake Rabun just below Max's Lakeside in Lakemont, The Swing Bar is an open-air oasis where you can swing your worries away and relax with friends in a magical setting. Most of the seats in the bar are actual swings, which makes it a fun place to hang out, relax and take a break lakeside.
Lake Sinclair
Taylor’s Cove in Milledgeville
Taylor's Cove has become a community favorite in Milledgeville with a mouth-watering selection of seafood, burgers, wings, and more. Located on Lake Sinclair, Taylor’s Cove has a beautiful porch overlooking the water, an enclosed dining room, an outdoor and indoor bar, a full-service lounge area, and live music every Friday and Saturday night. Relax on the open patio overlooking the lake while listening to local talent.
Georgia Coast
A-J’s Dockside Restaurant on Tybee Island
Tucked away in Tybee Island’s Back River, A-J's Dockside Restaurant is the place to go for a quiet dining experience with a scenic view. A-J’s is well-known for its delicious drinks and seafood dishes. Sit out on the colorful patio and catch the unmatched sunset views.
The Crab Shack on Tybee Island
Voted "Best Seafood" and "Best Outdoor Dining" since 1998, The Crab Shack is a popular landmark on Tybee Island. The outdoor pet-friendly deck is enormous, and there is plenty of indoor space for dining in inclement weather. Dine on crab legs, shrimp, clams, oysters, as well as barbecue and a kids menu. Don't miss your chance to feed an alligator in the gator lagoon or chat with a feathery friend in the exotic birds exhibit.
The Wharf on Jekyll Island
The Wharf, located on the Jekyll Island Historic District Pier, is the island's only waterfront restaurant and bar offering weekly live music. Enjoy breezy, nautical-themed indoor-outdoor seating right on the water. Savor the menu of Southern favorites and enjoy fresh, coastal air and lively entertainment.
ECHO at King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort on St. Simons Island
ECHO serves classic coastal cuisine and handcrafted cocktails in a relaxed atmosphere on St. Simons Island. The island's only oceanfront restaurant, ECHO entertains broad, sweeping views and indoor/outdoor dining. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, ECHO brings a fresh flair to St. Simons' restaurant scene.
Sunbury Crab Company in Midway
This family-owned seafood restaurant has stunning coastal views, open-air dining and fresh, local seafood. Enjoy crab, wild Georgia shrimp or the catch of the day in a relaxed atmosphere. The Sunbury Crab Co. is the perfect place for a casual family lunch or a night out with friends.
The Wyld Dock Bar in Savannah
This waterside hangout in Savannah’s Moon River District is a casual, open-air restaurant that serves a variety of dishes, including shrimp and grits, crab cakes, grilled fish, and wood-fired pizzas. There's also a full bar with a wide selection of craft beers, cocktails, and wine. The large outdoor deck has fire pits and bocce ball courts, making it the perfect place to enjoy a sunset dinner or drinks with friends.
Love’s Seafood & Steaks in Savannah
Set on the Ogeechee River outside of downtown Savannah, Love's Seafood & Steaks offers fresh seafood, a rustic atmosphere and waterfront views. Local beer, steaks and desserts are also on the menu at this eatery that has been a coastal Georgia favorite for more than 60 years. You might recognize the restaurant from "Forrest Gump," in which it was the setting for the scene with Jenny’s performance at the truck stop.
Chart House in Savannah
Ask to dine outside on the deck of Chart House for great views of the Savannah River and River Street. Enjoy an indulgent menu of seafood, steaks, cocktails, mocktails and desserts served with excellence at this reputable restaurant.
Fiddler's Crab House & Oyster Bar in Savannah
With a front-row seat to River Street’s historic cobblestones, Fiddler’s Crab House & Oyster Bar serves up fresh, locally caught seafood for lunch and dinner. Fiddler's has a large selection of oysters that are hand-shucked daily, and it offers a variety of seasonal catches, including tuna, mahi mahi, wahoo and grouper. Sit on the balcony of the historic 1850s cotton warehouse and enjoy your meal as you watch the ships go by on the Savannah River.
Locals Dockside in St. Marys
At Locals Dockside in St. Marys, you can sip a cocktail, dine on seafood, and enjoy the breeze off the St. Marys River. The varied menu also features steaks, sandwiches, chicken, pasta, salads, vegan dishes and kids’ favorites. Relax here after a day exploring Cumberland Island, and catch Sunday brunch here before you continue your road trip.
Fish Tales at Fort McAllister Marina in Richmond Hill
Located at Fort McAllister Marina along the Ogeechee River in Richmond Hill, Fish Tales is known for its view, family-friendly atmosphere, fried shrimp baskets and hushpuppies. The menu includes a variety of food with a Caribbean flair, including salads, fajitas, quesadillas, steaks, and specialty entrées. With the kids' menu, everyone will find something to enjoy. Relax on the deck and watch as boats come in and the sun sets.
Marker 107 at Kilkenny Creek in Richmond Hill
Located at the Kilkenny Marina in Richmond Hill, Marker 107 is a great place for a date night. Make reservations, and enjoy a dinner of Southern-fried flounder, jumbo lump crab cakes, succulent scallops and oysters as you sip a cocktail and take in the scenery.
