Can't Get Enough of Ozark? See Where it Filmed in Georgia
Netflix's hit show, Georgia-filmed "Ozark" tells of a Chicago financial advisor involved with money laundering. After a business deal with a drug cartel goes south, he and his family escape to the Missouri Ozarks so that he can pay back his former boss.
Jason Bateman produces and stars as Marty alongside Laura Linney, Julia Garner and Jordana Spiro. The dark and gritty drama is reminiscent of "Bloodline" and "Winter's Bone," and was filmed throughout the state of Georgia. While some filming locations are privately owned, you can visit some of the places that stood in for the Lake of the Ozarks, located within a short drive of downtown Atlanta.
Ozark Filming Locations Outside of Atlanta
Little River Marina at Lake Allatoona in Canton
This real-life marina was used for both interior and exterior shots in the first few episodes when Marty and his family are getting acquainted with their new home. When the Blue Cat Lodge set was no longer needed, it was turned into a real restaurant, J.D.’s on the Lake, featuring signs and other items from the production.
The full-service marina is tucked into the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and is one of the most popular marinas on Lake Allatoona. It offers boat storage and rentals, along with a service department and snack store. The lake itself, standing in for the Lake of the Ozarks, boasts more than 200 miles of shoreline and has 12,000 acres of water.
Victoria Harbour Marina and Sunset Grille in Woodstock
The first season used Victoria Harbour Marina on Lake Allatoona, just a short drive or boat ride from Little River Marina. Take in the scene from the marina's Sunset Grille, which serves American-style cuisine with views of the lake. The menu includes a full bar, crab legs, salads and much more. The Key West-style atmosphere makes it a favorite of locals and tourists alike, especially during the summer.
Chateau Elan in Braselton
Just a short drive from Atlanta in the North Georgia foothills lies Chateau Elan Winery & Resort. The resort was featured in season one, episode eight -- specifically the guest room, poolside cabana, and restaurant and bar.
The area’s premier meeting destination and resort offers a full-production winery, championship golf, multiple restaurants and other world-class amenities. First opened in 1981, the lush vines grow Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet and Riesling grapes. They are open for tastings and tours daily, so it's the perfect day trip from Atlanta.
Savannah Riverfront
In season three, the Byrdes become involved in a riverfront casino operation, the Big Muddy Riverboat. Some of the scenes were added digitally, but the riverfront in Savannah is visible, along with the Savannah Riverboat Cruises.
Ozark Filming Locations in Atlanta Metro
Bacchanalia in West Midtown
Often cited as the best restaurant in Atlanta, Bacchanalia opened in 1993 in West Midtown. Chefs Anne Quatrano and Clifford Harrison craft incredible dishes that change frequently. In Ozark, the restaurant stood in for “Oak & Sage” restaurant in season four. It was also featured in "Baby Driver."
Best Friend Park in Norcross
In season three, Wendy Byrde gets into an altercation at the farmers market, which was filmed at Best Friend Park in Norcross and returned for season four. The public park has more than 40 acres of seasonal pools, tennis courts, fields, a trail, and a playground.
Chops Lobster Bar in Buckhead
Eagle-eyed viewers of the show will recognize the stunning tiled ceiling of Buckhead’s Chops Lobster Bar, which was used as an upscale cigar club in season four. The restaurant (currently closed for repairs) is an upscale restaurant known for its classic steakhouse fare.
Ecco Restaurant
In season three, Ecco restaurant stood in as Arrowhead Tavern. The eatery has Italian dishes like flatbreads, pasta, and delicious fried goat cheese. There are locations in Midtown and Buckhead, as well as an outpost at the international terminal of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
Jones Bridge Park in Norcross
Jones Bridge Park stands in as River Light Rapids in season one, episode four. This Gwinnett County park is a family favorite, complete with 30 acres of pavilions, a playground, community space, sports fields and Chattahoochee River overlooks. Nearby, there is also a trail along the river that goes past an old bridge.
J.R.’s Log House in Peachtree Corners
The rustic log cabin building of J.R.’s Log House in Peachtree Corners became JR’s BBQ in the show’s third season. The real restaurant has been open since 1983 and has a menu that includes breakfast and barbecue.
Northside Tavern in West Midtown
Atlanta’s best dive bar, Northside Tavern, was transformed into a dive bar in Kansas City in season four. The venue, which was originally a 1940s grocery store, hosts live music most nights of the week and has been featured in other film and television projects, including Halt and Catch Fire, Stomp the Yard, and MacGyver.
Oglethorpe University in Brookhaven
The stone buildings at Oglethorpe University were used for filming for season four of Ozark. Some interiors were used, along with the exterior of the library. Founded in 1835 in honor of the founder of the Georgia colony, the liberal arts university has a Museum of Art that's free to visit.
Plaza Fiesta in Chamblee
In Ozark season three, Atlanta’s Plaza Fiesta shopping center stood in as Mexico. The strip mall opened in 1968. It’s made up of more than 300,000 square feet of vendors, including a supermarket, flea market, clothing stores, and a food court where you can have tacos, pizza, and more.
Piedmont Park in Midtown
In Ozark season four, Atlanta's Piedmont Park stood in for Chicago’s Great Lawn. The park has been used as a filming location for numerous television shows and movies, including "Avengers: Infinity War," "What to Expect When You're Expecting" and "Anchorman: The Legend Continues."
The land that became Piedmont Park was first set aside for the Piedmont Exposition of 1887. Later, the Olmsted Brothers designed a plan for the park. Today, it hosts annual festivals and concerts and is home to the Atlanta Botanical Garden, a public pool, and multiple sports fields.
Silver Skillet in Midtown
This old-school Atlanta eatery is no stranger to the silver screen, previously featured in "Remember the Titans," "The Founder," and "Anchorman: The Legend Continues." Sidle up for an authentic Southern breakfast of country ham and red-eye gravy with a steaming cup of coffee. Used as a diner in Ozark season one, episode eight, you can sit where your favorite celebrities have dined. The landmark Silver Skillet near the Georgia Tech campus has been operating for more than 50 years.
Starlight Drive-In Theatre in Southeast Atlanta
In season three, Ruth goes to the Starlight Drive-In for a cash drop-off but is being followed. The drive-in theater opened in 1949 and is one of the only ones left in the city. It has four screens with digital projection and hosts first-run double features as well as swap meets.
Stone Mountain Park in Stone Mountain
The other casino scenes from the show used the former riverboats at Stone Mountain Park, with signs for the Missouri Belle. The boats used to shuttle visitors across the lake beneath the monadnock, which you can hike or take the cable car to the top.
Westview Cemetery in West End
Although the Navarro Estate looks like a grand Mexican home, it’s actually the mausoleum at Westview Cemetery. Featured in seasons three and four, the cemetery was established in 1884. It’s also the final resting place of notable Atlantans including writer Joel Chandler Harris and Coca-Cola founder Asa Candler.
Williamson Bros. Bar-B-Q in Marietta
Season one, episode four highlights a favorite Marietta restaurant, that opened in 1990 down the road from the Big Chicken (a landmark sign for Kentucky Fried Chicken in Marietta). Since then, Williamson Bros. Bar-B-Q has expanded to additional locations and bottled its sauces, which you can order online and find in grocery stores, Wal-Mart and Sam's Clubs. They still use a traditional wood-burning pit to cook ribs, Boston butts, chicken and beef, which can be smelled from miles away.
Find more locations used in films and TV shows at ExploreGeorgia.org/Film, and share pics of your favorite Georgia film locations on social media with #GeorgiaFilm.
