Why Athens Restaurant Week Might Be Your Tastiest Summer Detour

Some people go to Athens for the music. Some go for football. Me? I’ll brave the 316 speed traps for a plate of fried chicken that makes me forget my own name. And this July, Athens is stacking the menu.

Athens Restaurant Week is back July 14–20, and this year it’s bigger, weirder, and probably a little boozier—in the best way. Over 50 restaurants, bars, breweries, and coffee shops are rolling out special menus and sweet deals. Think prix-fixe lunch and dinner, limited-edition dishes, and a good excuse to eat somewhere that’s usually “just a little out of budget.”

You won’t find chain vibes here. This is Athens—where even the hole-in-the-wall taco spot might surprise you with duck confit and house-pickled okra.

A Few Stops Worth Making the Drive:

• Puma Yu’s — Chef Pete Amadhairundr was a James Beard semi-finalist in 2024. Expect Thai-ish dishes with a rebellious streak and a cocktail list that reads like a dare.
• Pretty Boy — Newcomer with a moody interior and big flavor energy. Go for the vibe, stay for the unexpected pairings.
• Mama’s Boy + Big City Bread — No Athens list is complete without at least one biscuit or something served in a Mason jar. Still holding it down for the brunch crowd.

The Beer Trail Is Real—and It’s Included

If you’re not pairing your three-course lunch with a local IPA, are you even doing Restaurant Week right?

• Athens Beer Trail is part of the action, with breweries like Creature Comforts and Normaltown Brewing joining in.
• You can track your stops with a digital passport and actually earn rewards.
• Also: live music at Athentic Brewing, patio hangs, and the kind of atmosphere that makes you forget it’s Monday.

Know Before You Go

• When: July 14–20, 2025
• Where: All over Athens (downtown, Normaltown, Five Points, everywhere in between)
• What to Expect: Set-price menus, chef features, bar specials, and the occasional line if you don’t book ahead

Bring an appetite, a charged phone (for the passport), and someone who won’t judge you for ordering dessert and a flight of beer.

Honestly? If you’ve been meaning to plan a little road trip with a side of flavor, this one writes itself. Athens is calling—and it smells like smoked pork belly and toasted cardamom.