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      • State Botanical Garden of Georgia
      • The Tree That Owns Itself
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      • Hiking Trails
      • Golf
      • Cycling
      • Gardens
      • Sandy Creek Park
      • Geocaching
      • UGA Football
      • Visit the SEC Pass
    • Free Things to Do
    • Neighborhoods
      • Boulevard
      • Cobbham
      • Five Points
      • Normaltown
      • Downtown Athens
      • UGA Campus
        • UGA Campus Listings
    • Family Friendly Attractions
    • Arts and Culture
      • Museums & Galleries
      • Performing Arts
      • Public Art
        • Bulldog Statues
      • Creative Community
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      • Athens GA Shop
      • Coupons & Deals
      • Local Products
    • Tours
      • Historic Athens Tours
      • Day Trips from Athens
    • Itineraries
    • Nightlife
    • Spas & Wellness
    • Pet Friendly
    • Women Owned
    • LGBTQ+ Things to do
    • Accessible Athens
    • Black Travel
  • Events
    • Annual Events & Festivals
    • UGA Football
      • Football Parking and Tailgating
      • Football Top 5
      • Football Hotel Availability
      • Bulldog Traditions
      • G-Day: UGA Spring Football Game
    • This Weekend
    • Concerts & Live Music
    • Foodie Events
    • All UGA Sports
    • Fall Festivals and Events
    • Submit an Event
  • Restaurants
    • Outdoor Dining
    • Downtown Athens Restaurants
    • Craft Breweries
      • Wide Open IPA
    • Award Winning Dining
    • Black Owned Restaurants
    • Coupons & Deals
    • Pet Friendly
    • Farmers Markets
    • Group Dining
    • Foodie Events
    • Foodie Itineraries
    • Open All Night
  • Music
    • Summer Music & Festivals
    • Athens Music Walk of Fame
    • Concert Calendar
    • Bands and Brews Itinerary
    • Music History Walking Tour
    • Where to Hear Live Music
    • Nightlife
    • The Athens Sound
    • Hire an Athens Musician
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    • Near UGA
    • Hotels Near The Classic Center
    • Downtown Athens Hotels
    • Pet-Friendly
    • Bed & Breakfast
    • Camping/RV
    • Vacation Rentals
  • Plan
    • Itineraries
      • Two Nights Open Spaces
      • A Day in Athens
      • Two Days in Athens
      • Three Days in Athens
      • Girlfriends Getaway
      • Family Fun Itinerary
      • Bands and Brews
      • Heritage and Garden Itinerary
      • Art and Culture
      • Sports and Recreation
      • Romance Itinerary
      • LGBTQ+ Itinerary
      • Accessible Itinerary
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      • Pumpkins on the Porch Contest
    • Visitors Guide
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      • Helpful Information
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Okra and Chickpeas at The National Restaurant, Athens GA
The National Restaurant Athens GA exterior
Boquerones at The National Restaurant, Athens GA
Unoriginal Sin
Vegetable Plate
Backyard Boulevard
The National Logo
The National Exterior
Back

The National

  • 232 W. Hancock Ave., Athens, GA 30601
  • 706.549.3450
View Website

The idea behind The National is simple: to provide a casual neighborhood gathering spot reminiscent of European restaurants. Mediterranean inspired food and wine is served for lunch and dinner in the dining room, on the covered patio and at the bar. The menu points to culinary traditions from abroad, as well as close relations with local farmers to produce dishes that reflect the changing seasons in Northeast Georgia. Gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian options are readily available.


The Bar at The National is well-known for finely crafted cocktails and a global wine list, and also has an extensive list of No and Low Proof Cocktails, Non-Alcoholic Beers and Housemade Refreshers.


Reservations are available through Resy.


The National is brought to you by General Manager and Partner Erin Wilson, Chef Burns Sullivan, Front of House Manager Lucy Ralston, Bar Manager Clayton Hoffman, Founder and Owner Peter Dale, and a team of brilliant hospitality professionals.


IN THE NEWS:



  • "12 Can’t-Miss Georgia Restaurants—One for Every Month Of 2025," 365 Atlanta Traveler, January 2025

  • "Best Places to Eat and Drink in Athens," Christiane Lauterbach, Atlanta Magazine, December 2023

  • Silver Spoon Award (top 10 restaurants in Georgia), Georgia Trend, November 2018

  • "Where to find a good cocktail in every SEC town," Garden and Gun, fall 2018

  • In 2016, Chef de Cuisine Jeremy Collins was awarded 2nd place in the "Georgia's Best Shrimp and Grits" competition at the Jekyll Island Shrimp and Grits festival presented by Southern Living. 

  • The National was given a 2014 Silver Spoon Award by Georgia Trend magazine as one of the top ten restaurants in the state of Georgia.

  • In 2012, Dale was named Food & Wine magazine’s The People’s Best New Chef Southeast.

  • That same year, Dale was also honored as a Rising Star Chef.

  • "100 Plates Locals Love," 2019 ExploreGeorgia.org, Vegetable Plate,



 


REVIEWS/RECOMMENDATIONS:
NEW YORK TIMES REVIEW


This restaurant has also been recommended by Daily Candy, Atlanta.

Hours

Mon

5:00pm - 9:00pm

Tue

5:00pm - 9:00pm

Wed

11:00am - 2:00pm

5:00pm - 9:00pm

Thu

11:00am - 2:00pm

5:00pm - 9:00pm

Fri

11:00am - 2:00pm

5:00pm - 9:00pm

Sat

11:00am - 2:00pm

5:00pm - 9:00pm

Sun

Closed

Map

Amenities

Dining
Business Continuity
Business Ownership
Additional Property Information
  • Credit Cards Accepted:
    • American Express
    • Mastercard
    • Visa
    • Discover
  • Dining Style: Fine Dining
General
  • Catering Services:
  • Full Bar:
  • Handicap Accessible:
  • Patio-outdoor:
  • Patio-heated:
  • Private/Group Dining:
  • Reservations Accepted:
  • To Go:
  • Restaurant Week:
Dining
  • Online Orders Available:
  • Curbside Pick Up Available:
General
  • LGBTQ+ Welcoming:

Meeting Facilities

Facility Info
  • Description We offer catered private events in CineLab, the arthouse cinema that shares our building. The customizable space can host a seated dinner for up to 65. We offer restaurant buy-outs on a limited basis, typically only on Sundays. We try to accommodate large groups in the dining room as best we can. Contact erin@thenationalrestaurant.com for more information about availability and pricing.

Special Offers

Thursday Family Meal @ The National

In the spirit of cooler evenings spent at home, The National introduces Thursday Family Meal. For... Read More

Valid:  Always

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