Breakfast and Weekend Brunch Spots in Athens, Georgia

1. Athens Bagel Company

Knowing that everyone loves a good bagel, the Athens Bagel Company is a friendly neighborhood spot that serves freshly baked bagels any way you like. Serving delicious food right in the heart of downtown Athens, the cafe has won many awards over the years including the Athens Banner Herald “Best Bagel” and “Best Breakfast.”

The Athens Bagel Company is a great spot for a hearty breakfast with family and friends or for a quick, nutritious meal before heading into work. Bagel types that are available include plain, everything, sesame, poppy, cinnamon-raisin, garlic, onion, salt, blueberry, jalapeno-cheddar, and honey-wheat.

Address: Athens Bagel Company, 268 N Jackson St. Athens, GA, Phone: 706-543-5001

2. Mama's Boy Restaurant

Offering fun and friendly Southern dining with a modern twist, Mama's Boy Restaurant can be found in two prime locations in Athens. The amazing food is created with a variety of fresh ingredients. The breakfast menu is filled with appetizers and entrees that really hit the spot. You can start with some house-made cinnamon buns, banana bread, or fried green tomatoes served with bleu cheese dressing.

Unique breakfast entrees on the menu include the pork taco plate made with house smoked pulled pork as well as the salmon cakes benedict, which is fresh Atlantic salmon cakes topped with poached eggs, capers, and chive hollandaise.

Mama's Boy Restaurant, 8851 Macon Hwy, Suite 403 Athens, GA 30606, Phone: 706-850-8550

Address: 197 Oak Street, Athens, GA 30601, Phone: 706-548-6249

Quick weekend itinerary:

3. Donderos' Kitchen

Donderos' Kitchen can be found within Athens’ historic Cobbham District and is a full-service cafe that has been crafting culinary delights for the community for nearly ten years. In addition to the extensive selection of baked goods, the cafe serves delicious breakfast and brunch daily.

Vegetarian and gluten-free options are plentiful; unique items on their breakfast/ brunch menu include the noodle bowl, which is cold Szechuan noodles topped with tofu, or the house-made falafel wrapped with hummus and red onions.

Address: Donderos' Kitchen, 590 N. Milledge Ave, Athens, GA 30601, Phone: 706-354-8688

4. Em's Kitchen at Hawthorne Drugs

If you’re in Athens and looking for a hearty breakfast, head to Em's Kitchen at Hawthorne Drugs. The family-friendly spot is open for breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on weekdays and has a Saturday brunch menu available from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Their daily specials are always delicious and freshly-made concoctions ranging from wraps to soups. You can get a breakfast plate with two eggs, toast, a beverage, and your choice of bacon, sausage, turkey bacon, turkey sausage, country ham, honey ham, or veggie sausage. The brunch menu also offers a slice of the quiche of the day, which comes served with fresh fruit.

Address: Em's Kitchen at Hawthorne Drugs, 975 Hawthorne Ave Ste B, Athens, GA 30606, Phone: 706-206-9322

5. Five and Ten

Chef and owner Hugh Acheson opened Five and Ten so that the people of Athens would always have a place to revel in great food, drink, and company. Much of the food is inspired by Southern comfort food, with influences from French and Italian flavors and techniques that Hugh had been exposed to growing up.

Titled “Restaurant of the Year” by Atlanta Journal Constitution, the restaurant offers a varied brunch menu. The menu is split into smaller and bigger plates, with concoctions such as braised lamb hash, pork belly tartine, and glazed chocolate doughnut holes.

Address: Five and Ten, 1073 S. Milledge Avenue, Athens, GA 30606, Phone: 706-546-7300

6. J. Christophers

Serving up traditional favorites with an innovative twist, J. Christophersn is the perfect spot for breakfast with family and friends. Their menu is separated into sections dedicated to healthier options, omelets, skillets, items off the griddle, and a few dedicated dishes for kids. The strawberry crepes are light, sweet, and filled with fresh strawberries, topped off with whipped cream. Healthier alternatives include the low-carb turkey sausage platter served with scrambled egg whites, fresh fruit, and whole wheat toast. The “benny plate” is a brunch star and has poached eggs and Canadian bacon on an English muffin, all smothered in Hollandaise.

1650 S Lumpkin St., Athens, GA 30606, Phone: 706-850-3520

7. Last Resort Grill

The Last Resort Grill serves southwestern-inspired cuisine with so much flavor and zest. The menu is filled with exciting dishes that consistently showcase the distinctive tastes the restaurant is known for. The brunch menu has a variety of light to hearty meals that you can choose from depending on how hungry you are. Though the Sunday Standard meal offers eggs, potatoes, bacon and scones just like you remember them, it’s the Ancho Chicken or Rancheros that really hit the spot if you’re looking for something a little different. Other meals on the menu include Charleston-style shrimp and grits, Chuck’s crab benedict, pork hash, and the stuffed French toast.

174/184 W. Clayton St., Athens, Georgia, Phone: 706-549-0810