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As the weather warms up, why not take your dinner outside? Enjoy sweeping views of mountain tops, ocean waves, and cityscapes, plus games, live music, and can’t-miss food and drinks on these scenic Georgia rooftops.
All restaurants follow the latest health and safety protocols, with properly spaced tables, stringent sanitation between seatings, and masks required for staff and all indoor interactions, ensuring you can enjoy your outdoor experience in a safe, socially distanced manner. Remember to social distance when interacting with staff, wear a mask, and limit your group to people inside your immediate household. Due to constantly changing and varying guidelines, please check local advisories before visiting.
Eighteen85 Rooftop Bar at Hotel Indigo in Columbus
Perched above the banks of the Chattahoochee River, Eighteen85 Rooftop Bar serves up stellar views and locally inspired small plates. Share a “rooftop board” featuring local cheeses and charcuterie while sipping on Georgia brews like Creature Comforts Tropicalia and Sweetwater 420. Or, choose craft cocktails like the classic French 75 and the namesake 85 punch, with Jack Daniels, Chambord, sweet and sour, and cranberry.
Make it a getaway: Spend the night at the brand new Hotel Indigo Columbus, then pedal or stroll down the scenic, paved 15-mile Chattahoochee Riverwalk to spot local wildlife and explore historical markers and monuments dedicated to the city’s past.
Myrtle & Rose, Rooftop Garden at Plant Riverside in Savannah
For a romantic date night with a view in Savannah, head to Myrtle & Rose, a lush rooftop garden on top of the JW Marriott hotel in the city’s new Plant Riverside District. The bar serves botanically inspired cocktails and shareable small plates, plus a selection of absinthe and anise spirits, beer, and wine. Don’t miss the Sunday Jazz Brunch, with live music and brunch specials like sweet potato pancakes and the signature Myrtle Benedict.
Make it a getaway: Book a room at the JW Marriott Savannah Plant Riverside District, and explore the shops, galleries, and restaurants along bustling River Street. Make time to walk on the beach on nearby Tybee Island.
The Roof in Ellijay
Come for the crisp air mountain and unparalleled views of the countryside; stay for fried pimento cheese, shrimp and grits, and other Southern favorites at the aptly named The Roof bar in the state’s “Apple Capital,” Ellijay. Sourced primarily from local farmers and distillers, the menu includes seasonally inspired small bites and hearty plates as well as cocktails, beers, and biodynamic wines.
Make it a getaway: Housed in an early 20th century Craftsman, the Ellijay River House Bed & Breakfastis the perfect romantic getaway for exploring the area’s many hiking trails, orchards, and wineries, like the picturesque Engelheim Vineyards, the 2018 Georgia Winery of the Year.
Edgar’s Above Broad in Augusta
Part restaurant, part entertainment venue, Edgar’s Above Broad in the heart of Augusta’s Riverwalk has it all: rooftop dining, a lively atmosphere, a bocce ball court, putting green, and live music. Weekdays, stop by for wraps, bagels, sandwiches, and coffee, then settle in on Wednesday through Sunday evenings for coastal favorites like oysters on the half shell, bar snacks, and drinks.
Make it a getaway: The Partridge Inn, a historic hotel with both an outdoor pool and a quarter-mile of verandas, makes the perfect launching point for additional Augusta attractions. Explore the Serene 18 Paddle Trail, which takes paddlers on some of Georgia’s most calm waterways.
The Rooftop at Ocean Lodge on St. Simons Island
Located on the fifth floor of the luxurious Ocean Lodge on St. Simons Island, this restaurant is fine dining at its best. The extensive menu is seafood-heavy — think blackened scallops in a rich lemon butter sauce, house-made crab cakes with fried green tomatoes, and grilled Georgia shrimp scampi — but includes vegetarian and meat dishes, as well.
Make it a getaway: Stay overnight at the Ocean Lodge — all rooms come with a fully equipped kitchen and private terrace — and climb the 129 steps of the iconic St. Simons Lighthouse for panoramic views of the coast.
SkyLounge at Glenn Hotel in Atlanta
Enjoy cocktails with skyline views at this lounge at the historic Glenn Hotel in the heart of downtown Atlanta. Open year-round Friday through Sunday, the outdoor terrace and covered rooftop features a concise menu of small plates like dips, flatbreads, and mixed nuts, plus a full menu of craft cocktails as well as beer and wine.
Make it a getaway: Located in the Centennial Olympic Park district, the Glenn is within walking distance to major city attractions like Georgia Aquarium and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights.
VISIT SKYLOUNGE AT GLENN HOTEL
Fly Bridge Rooftop Bar at Saltwater Fishery in Dublin
Located above the Saltwater Fishery in downtown Dublin, this laid-back restaurant features a full-service wrap-around bar, flat-screen TVs, frequent live music, and plenty of tables and lounge areas for enjoying snacks like Southern-style deviled eggs. Try the signature cocktail, the Starfish, made with gin, fresh lemon juice, blueberry-lavender syrup and topped with a splash of prosecco.
Make it a getaway: Stay at the family-friendly Holiday Inn Express & Suites or on the 30-acre Dublin Farm, and then take a five-mile walking tour, which stops at more than 70 points of interest in historic downtown.
Hybar in Athens
Enjoy drinks above the treeline with views of Sanford Stadium and other local landmarks at Hybar on the roof of the Hyatt Place in Athens. With a choice of beer or canned cocktails, the “buckets of 5” special is a great option for groups, as are shareable plates like fried okra bites. “Solo” dishes include chicken strips, wings, and chicken quesadillas.
Make it a getaway: Stay overnight at the Hyatt, then stroll through the scenic trails of the 313-acre State Botanical Garden of Georgia and sample beer at the Creature Comforts Downtown Taproom and Brewery.
Vintner’s Rooftop at Rootstock in Woodstock
Located in downtown Woodstock 30 miles north of Atlanta, Vintner’s Rooftop at Rootstock offers the city’s most extensive selection beverage menu, which includes cocktails, wine, beer, and premium whiskey flights. Snack on house-made pimento cheese, tapas plates, or cheese and charcuterie while listening to live music under the stars.
Make it a getaway: Hotel options include the Holiday Inn Express & Suites and the Fairfield Inn & Suites, both of which are convenient to The Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta, with nearly 100 nationally known brand name stores like Kate Spade, Coach and Michael Kors.
Steel Magnolias in Valdosta
The elegant Steel Magnolias in Valdosta’s historic downtown serves Southern classics like shrimp and grits with roasted red pepper gravy, fried green tomatoes, and pulled pork deviled eggs. You’ll also find hearty salads, large plates, and shareable sides, including smoked gouda mac-n-cheese and honey-pecan fried okra. Choose from signature cocktails to wines by the glass and bottle to local craft beers on the extensive libations menu.
Make it a getaway: The charming Book and Table Inn is steps away from Valdosta’s many shops and points of interest, including the Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts, with six galleries that house rotating visual art exhibits and a permanent collection of European porcelain and East African art.