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Helen, Georgia, boasts a diverse, one-of-a-kind food scene that is unlike any other stop in the North Georgia mountains. This Alpine-inspired mountain town offers scenic views and warm, Southern hospitality that translates into the local eateries. With a heavy German influence, Helen restaurants blend traditional Bavarian cuisine with American classics.
The food scene in Helen promises an eclectic blend of cultural experiences for your taste buds. Whether you enjoy beer and bratwurst after a day of hiking or prefer an upscale eatery for a special occasion in Downtown Helen, you will leave your North Georgia vacation cabin stay full and satisfied.
Below is our list of the 12 best restaurants in Helen to help you get the most out of your culinary experience!
Breakfast in Helen
Yonah’s Coffee Co.
Photo Credit: Brent Hofacker
- Price Point: $
- Address: 8650 N Main St, Helen, GA
- Website: yonahcoffeeco.com
- What to order: Crackerjack latte and a bagel sandwich.
If vacation and really good coffee go hand and hand for you, Yonah’s Coffee won’t disappoint. This small corner cafe serves freshly-brewed Sumatra, Brazil-X, and Guatemalan coffee, lattes, and a limited breakfast menu daily.
The drink menu features signature lattes with a range of flavors, from white chocolate and raspberry to vanilla and honey. The breakfast menu includes bagels and breakfast sandwiches.
It’s the perfect spot to grab on-the-go coffee and breakfast before you start your day or pick up a coffee bag to brew at your vacation rental!
Hofer’s Bakery and Cafe
Photo Credit: Linda Hughes Photography
- Price Point: $$
- Address: 8758 N Main Street, Helen, GA
- Website: hofers.com
- What to order: Pregel & Lox with a side of freshly-baked bread.
Situated right in the center of Helen, this quintessential German bakery often has a line out the door due to its popularity with visitors. Started by the Hofer family, who came to America from Germany in the 50s, Hofer’s Bakery and Cafe has been a staple in the community for decades.
Step inside Hofer’s, and you’ll feel transported to Germany with hand-painted murals displaying the history of German baking. The bakery uses traditional European techniques to bake its bread and desserts daily.
The breakfast menu includes a mixture of German and American classics, ranging from a Bavarian cold-cut breakfast to a veggie omelet. Indoor and outdoor seating is available based on the season, and the cafe is open every day but Wednesday. If you’re looking for a hearty meal before you start your day of exploring, this is the perfect place.
Muller’s Famous Fried Cheese Cafe
Photo Credit: aliasemma
- Price Point: $$
- Address: 60 Chattahoochee Strasse, Helen, GA
- Website: mullerscafe.com
- What to order: German Schnitzel Breakfast with coffee or the infamous potato salad.
Seven days a week, Muller’s Famous Fried Cheese Cafe offers a blend of traditional German and Czech cuisine. It’s most famous for, you guessed it, fried cheese. While the cafe is open all day starting at 9 am, brunch is perfect for your group to experience the range of menu items Muller’s serves.
Visitors can choose between breakfast items such as the Fried Cheese breakfast or the Alpine french toast. The cafe offers appetizers that highlight cheese varieties such as cheddar and brie. And, of course, there is a lunch menu that is full of fried cheese options.
The cafe also offers gluten-free and vegetarian options and specialty coffee in the morning. No matter what you choose to eat, you’ll feel transported to Germany with this authentic spot.
Caledonia Room
Photo Credit: Hapa Photography
- Price Point: $$$
- Address: 688 Bahn Innsbruck, Helen, GA
- Website: valhallaresorthotel.com
- What to order: The Crab benedict with a side of grits.
For a more upscale breakfast experience, the Caledonia Room is exactly where you want to be. This stately dining room at the Valhalla Resort Hotel offers elegant breakfast options and a seasonal brunch menu.
The menu uses local, fresh ingredients, such as Southern-style eggs benedict, chicken and waffles, and French toast. A specialty drink menu, including mimosas and a specialty Bloody Mary, completes the brunch experience.
Lunch Spots in Helen
Cafe International
Photo Credit: Brent Hofacker
- Price point: $$
- Address: 8546 S Main St, Helen, GA
- Website: cafeinternationalhelen.com
- What to order: Bavarian pretzel appetizer and the Wurst platter.
Overlooking the Chattahoochee River, Cafe International is a casual lunch and dinner spot in the heart of Helen. This open-air restaurant allows visitors to lounge after a morning hike with beer and exceptional views.
The cafe gets its name from its diverse menu, with lunch items that offer a taste of France, Italy, Germany, and America. Perhaps most famous is its Reuben sandwich, boasted as the best in town! With an extensive beer list and frequent live music, Cafe International gives you a low-key, easygoing spot for your midday or late afternoon meal.
Hofbrauhaus Restaurant
Photo Credit: Hillarie Furman via Flickr CC2.0
- Price Point: $$
- Address: 9001 N Main St, Helen, GA
- Website: hofbrauhaushelenga.net
- What to order: The Schlachthaus platte to share.
It is hard to miss Hofbrauhaus Restaurant as you pass through Helen. This pet-friendly German restaurant is bursting with rustic charm. Designed to mimic a German pub, every square inch of the indoor-outdoor space transports guests overseas.
The menu features authentic Bavarian cuisine, including well-known favorites such as sauerbraten, schnitzels, and sauerkraut. They also feature an extensive German soup menu featuring Goulash and French onion soup.
The restaurant is open daily from 11 am-9 pm, giving you plenty of opportunities to enjoy this beloved spot.
Bigg Daddys Restaurant & Tavern
Photo Credit: Marie Sonmez Photography
- Price point: $$
- Address: 807 Edelweiss Strasse, Helen, GA
- Website: biggdaddys.com
- What to order: Texas Style Chili and the Carolina Bleu Burger
Bigg Daddys Restaurant is an American eatery known for its eclectic blend of classic dishes. Craving tacos? You can get them here. If you’d prefer some Italian, order a pizza and beer. The extensive burger, sandwich, and seafood options range from shrimp and grits to the Carolina blue burger.
With weekly food and drink specials, there’s a little something for everybody at Bigg Daddys. The atmosphere is rustic and casual, with TVs lining the walls and live music on the weekends. It’s a lively, festive lunch spot that offers entertainment and delicious food.
Nacoochee Village Tavern and Pizzeria
Photo Credit: pixabay.com
- Price point: $$
- Address: 7275 S Main St, Helen, GA
- Website: villagetavernpizza.com
- What to order: The house-made focaccia bread with herb-infused oil to share.
If a midday pizza stop is your thing, you’ll definitely want to visit Nacoochee Village Tavern for lunch. The restaurant takes pride in using the freshest ingredients from local farmers, mills, and roasters.
Their menu features specialty pizzas with fresh pizza dough made daily and baked in stone ovens. An diverse wine list showcases local wineries and has a rotating craft beer list as well.
Dinner Spots in Helen
Spice 55
Photo Credit: Ness Aral
- Price point: $$
- Address: 705 Brucken Strasse, Helen, GA
- Website: spice55.net
- What to order: 55 Sushi Pyramid.
If you’re looking for something a little different than German or American food, Spice 55 is the ideal dinner spot. This Asian restaurant offers authentic Thai dishes and an array of sushi options.
While the exterior screams Germany, step inside Spice 55, and you’ll find an upscale, modern Asian-inspired ambiance. The menu features a variety of dishes, including curry, noodles, fried rice, and stir fry. Their sushi menu includes appetizers, sashimi, sushi, and more. Make sure to save room for dessert, as the classic fried ice cream and coconut cake are crowd favorites.
Mully’s Nacoochee Grill
Photo Credit: olga's captured moments
- Price point: $$
- Address: 7277 S Main St, Helen, GA
- Website: mullysnacoocheegrill.com
- What to order: Crab cake appetizer followed by the chicken marsala.
Located in the Historic Nacoochee Village, Mully’s Nacoochee Grill is a casual, fine-dining restaurant known for its quaint atmosphere and farm-to-table menu.
The restaurant is housed in a former North Georgia farmhouse, giving it a country ambiance that matches the menu. Guests can choose between porch dining or a mix of table and bar options in the rustic indoor dining room. The menu features Southern favorites, such as fried green tomatoes, grilled rainbow trout, and a seafood pot pie. Mully’s also has an extensive wine list highlighting local options from North Georgia wineries.
The Heidelberg
Photo Credit: George Dolgikh
- Price point: $$
- Address: 8660 N Main St, Helen, GA
- Website: theheidelberghelen.com
- What to order: Their famous Schnitzel “Das-Heidelberg Art” with a cold German beer.
This Old World German restaurant has a long-standing presence in the town of Helen. Originally founded by the Link family, who came from the namesake town in Germany, The Heidelberg has evolved throughout the years while retaining its tribute to Old Germany.
The blue-and-white painted building stands out on Main Street, while the string lights and live music invite visitors inside. The restaurant now includes a dedicated pub, beer garden, and its very own music hall.
If you’re visiting during Oktoberfest, there’s truly no spot more festive than here. Guests can enjoy a variety of authentic German foods like sausages, schnitzel, and sauerkraut while drinking German draft beer in the beer garden.
Cowboys & Angels Restaurant
Photo Credit: Brent Hofacker
- Price point: $$
- Address: 60 Chattahoochee Strasse, Helen, GA
- Website: cowboysangels.net
- What to order: Cowboy caviar for an appetizer with an espresso martini for dessert.
Cowboys & Angels Restaurant, a steakhouse in the heart of Helen, offers another unique dining option for travelers. The atmosphere boasts Southern hospitality at its finest, with indoor-outdoor seating in a relaxed, lively setting.
The menu showcases fine-cut meats, including classics like the filet mignon and dry-aged pork chop. But if that isn’t your thing, don’t worry. The diverse menu offers everything from seafood to burgers to specialty salads, allowing guests to enjoy a variety of Southern cuisine.
Be sure to peruse the drink menu for a nightcap after dinner. From their signature margarita to dessert martinis, you’ll find a mixture of cocktails, beer, and coffee drinks to end your night.
Enjoy Your Culinary Journey Through Helen, Georgia
It’s no secret that Helen is known for its German influence, which translates into delicious, one-of-a-kind cuisine. Visitors get to indulge in the tastes of Germany from the moment they wake up to the end of the day.
However, Helen isn’t just known for its German food. It offers a range of culinary options from American to Italian to Thai. Your taste buds will go on a multicultural trip during each meal without having to travel outside of the North Georgia mountains.
With restaurants on every corner, there is a lot to choose from when staying at a Helen cabin rental!