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8 Can’t-Miss Restaurants in Thomson, Georgia

ByPaige Watts

Thomson, Georgia may be a small town, but there are some really good local restaurants serving up delicious homestyle cooking. From cozy breakfast cafes to award-winning burgers, there are some great local favorites to try.

After a few trips to Thomson, what I noticed most was how friendly the people at the local restaurants were. Everybody knows everybody, and if they don’t know you then you must be from out of town. But they’re quick to start a conversation and make you feel right at home!

If you’re planning a visit, these are the Thomson restaurants I recommend for a good meal and a little taste of that small-town hospitality.

A special thanks to Visit Thomson, GA for hosting me for a weekend of great food! As always, all opinions are my own.

A white plate holds several slices of golden French Toast from Camellia City Cafe in Thomson, Georgia, lightly dusted with powdered sugar and served with a few blueberries. The breakfast is set on a blue and white floral tablecloth beside silverware, a small vase of colorful flowers, and a glass of water.

Where to Eat in Thomson

1. Fernanda’s Grill & Pizzeria

Italian, Pizza, Pasta

A baked spaghetti dish at Fernanda's Grill & Pizzeria in Thomson, Georgia, is covered with bubbling, browned melted cheese in an oval casserole dish, with several slices of garlic bread arranged beside it. The cheesy pasta and toast are served together on a large white plate.

Fernanda’s Grill & Pizzeria in Downtown is the go-to local Italian spot. It’s just a few steps away from the McDuffie Museum, so it’s the perfect spot for lunch or dinner when you’re exploring all the fun things to do in Thomson.

On the menu, you’ll find Italian comfort food like perfectly baked pizza, hearty pasta dishes, cheesy calzones, mouthwatering strombolis, and classic subs.

I ordered the Baked Spaghetti, which was perfectly over-baked and covered with mozzarella cheese. I’ve also heard locals rave about their specialty pizzas.

127 Main St, Thomson, GA 30824

2. Camellia City Cafe

Breakfast, Brunch

A paper plate holds scrambled eggs topped with shredded cheese, two browned pancakes, and a biscuit, set on a colorful floral tablecloth at Camellia City Cafe in Thomson, Georgia. A fork rests beside the plate, and a small packet labeled "MIXED FRUIT JELLY" sits near the top of the table.
A paper plate holds two browned pancakes, a biscuit, a sausage patty, and scrambled eggs covered with white gravy. A bottle of dark syrup and an opened jelly packet sit beside the plate on a colorful floral tablecloth at Camellia City Cafe in Thomson, Georgia.
A white plate holds several slices of golden French Toast from Camellia City Cafe in Thomson, Georgia, lightly dusted with powdered sugar and served with a few blueberries. The breakfast is set on a blue and white floral tablecloth beside silverware, a small vase of colorful flowers, and a glass of water.

Camellia City Cafe is the kind of place that wraps you in Southern charm the moment you step through the door and owner Shannon and her staff greet you with a chorus of “good morning’s”. This cozy breakfast and lunch spot feels like you’re sitting down to a home-cooked meal at Grandma’s house. No wonder it’s one of the most-loved restaurants in Thomson!

Their simple menu offers classic breakfast dishes like biscuits and gravy, hearty breakfast plates, indulgent waffles, and classic sandwiches and salads, with the occasional weekend breakfast buffet.

If you’re ordering off the menu, I recommend getting the French Toast. I’ve also had the breakfast buffet, which had offerings of eggs, biscuits, hashbrown casserole, sausage, fresh fruit, pancakes, grits, and pastries.

113 Knox Shopping Center, Thomson, GA 30824

3. Viva Villa Mexican Restaurant

Mexican

Two fried chimichangas covered in creamy white sauce are served with Mexican rice, refried beans, shredded lettuce, diced tomato, and guacamole on a large white plate at Viva Villa Mexican Restaurant in Thomson, Georgia. Small bowls of salsa sit in the background, completing the Mexican restaurant meal.
Three steak tacos in soft tortillas are served with chopped onion, cilantro, and a bowl of green salsa, alongside a separate plate of Mexican rice and refried beans topped with melted cheese at Viva Villa Mexican Restaurant in Thomson, Georgia. Bowls of red salsa and a basket of tortilla chips sit around the meal on the restaurant table.

Viva Villa Mexican Restaurant is one of the best Mexican restaurants in Thomson. It’s not a huge space, but you can expect it to be packed.

Their menu is full of the classics, like burritos, enchiladas, fajitas, tacos, nachos, and of course, margaritas. The service is friendly and quick, so you can start enjoying your delicious meal as soon as possible!

We got the Steak Tacos and the Ground Beef Chimichangas. There was plenty of food left over for us to take some home for later!

1530 Washington Rd, Thomson, GA 30824

4. Hogie Joe’s Sports Grill

Burgers, Bar

A hand holds a cheeseburger on a soft bun, topped with melted yellow cheese, lettuce, tomato, and a creamy sauce from Hogie Joe's Sports Grill in Thomson, Georgia. The burger fills the foreground, while drinks and baskets of food blur across the casual restaurant table behind it.

Hogie Joe’s Sports Grill in Downtown Thomson is a local favorite that offers everything from juicy burgers to fresh wraps, hearty sandwiches, and delicious steaks.

This is a local favorite for catching the game, having a night out with family, or just enjoying the neighborhood pub atmosphere

Known for their award-winning burgers — voted McDuffie’s Best since 2010 — you can’t go wrong with a classic Cheeseburger here. Other specialty burgers include the Bulldog Burger (in honor of the Thomson Bulldogs high school football team) and the 57 Burger (a spicy, Cajun burger).

128 Railroad St, Thomson, GA 30824

5. Williemacs at Buoy 71

Waterfront, Seafood, Steak

A paper lined basket holds golden breaded popcorn chicken, two round hush puppies, and a pile of seasoned French fries, with a small cup of creamy dipping sauce on the side at Williemacs at Buoy 71 in Thomson, Georgia. Single serve cups are labeled "KEN'S Steak House Tartar Sauce" and "KEN'S Steak House Cocktail Sauce".
A tall glass holds a bright green iced drink, with a black straw resting among the ice cubes at Williemacs at Buoy 71 in Thomson, Georgia. A red tumbler and the softly blurred interior of a casual restaurant appear in the background, keeping the colorful drink as the main focus.
A large grilled steak with dark crosshatched grill marks is served beside a baked potato wrapped in foil on a white plate at Williemacs at Buoy 71 in Thomson, Georgia. Small cups of sauce and butter sit behind the steak, completing the classic steakhouse meal.

Williemacs at Buoy 71 is a waterfront restaurant and bar at the Raysville Marina on Clarks Hill Lake. You can dine inside or outside, but either way you’ll have a waterfront view of the lake.

Their menu has seafood like shrimp, catfish, salmon, and crabcakes; sandwiches and hotdogs; pizzas; and steaks. We got the Ribeye, which was delicious, and the Popcorn Shrimp, which was a little over-breaded for my tastes; next time, I’ll probably go for the Jumbo Shrimp instead. To drink, I recommend the Mermaid Tail.

Getting to the restaurant was a little weird because Google Maps dropped us off a few streets too early. Go until you see the Raysville Marina sign, which also has Williemacs listed on it.

6584 Lincolnton Rd NE, Thomson, GA 30824

6. Deep South Cheese and Grill

Hamburger, Poutine

A cheeseburger on a sesame seed bun sits in a red and white checkered basket, with melted cheese, onion, and a creamy topping visible around the patty at Deep South Cheese and Grill in Dearing, Georgia. Beside it is a plate of fries covered with cheese curds and brown gravy, while another burger and fries sit in the background.
A double patty burger on a sesame seed bun is served in a red and white checkered basket with thick cut fries at Deep South Cheese and Grill in Dearing, Georgia. A pale rectangular cheese curd sits between the beef patties, while the casual diner seating blurs in the background.
A plate of poutine is piled with thick cut fries, white cheese curds, chunks of chicken, and generous brown gravy from Deep South Cheese and Grill in Dearing, Georgia. A burger and fries in a red and white checkered basket sit blurred in the background.
A sesame seed burger bun holds a beef patty topped with melted yellow cheese, grilled cheese curd pieces, and a thick slice of white onion from Deep South Cheese and Grill in Dearing, Georgia. The oversized burger sits on red and white checkered paper, emphasizing its stacked diner style presentation.

Deep South Cheese and Grill is a hamburger restaurant in nearby Dearing, GA that’s worth the 15 minute drive from Thomson.

The restaurant started when the original French-Canadian owner, Gino, brought the amazing food of fresh homemade cheese curds and poutine to this small Georgia town. When it was time for Gino to move on, locals took over the restaurant and kept the same recipes and classic mom-and-pop feel.

Their menu has smash burgers, poutine, wings, sausage dogs, and sandwiches. If you’ve never had poutine or cheese curds before, now is the perfect time to try it!

We went with the Cheese Lover’s Burger (topped with double American cheese and fresh cheese curds) and the Deep South Burger (their signature with two patties, cheese curds, and a sweet and spicy BBQ sauce). All burgers come with fries, and we upgraded one of our fries to the Classic Poutine (fries topped with cheese curds and brown gravy).

4591 Augusta Hwy, Dearing, GA 30808

8. Tuff Luck Cafe

Wings, Chicken

A takeout tray holds several golden chicken wings coated in a creamy grated cheese and garlic seasoning, with celery sticks and a cup of dipping sauce on the side from Tuff Luck Cafe in Thomson, Georgia. The wings are piled together in the black container, showing their crisp skin and rich, savory coating.

Tuff Luck Cafe is a humble little spot, but it’s known for serving up some of the best wings in Thomson.

This to-go restaurant has a menu of chicken wings, chicken strips, and their very own Tuff-Luck Taters (a loaded potato).

I recommend getting the Garlic Parmesan Wings, and make it a combo with fries and a drink for the best deal.

1235 Washington Rd, Thomson, GA 30824

8. The Caffeinated Heifer

Coffee, Breakfast, Ice Cream

Two creamy blended milkshake drinks in clear cups sit on a wooden counter at The Caffeinated Heifer in Thomson, Georgia, with plush Highland cows and a decorative cow figure behind them. Both cups display a logo reading "THE CAFFEINATED HEIFER" and "THOMSON, GA", while the darker drink has "Majestic Milkshake" handwritten near the top.

The Caffeinated Heifer is Thomson’s local coffee shop with a great location in Downtown.

This is the place to go for coffee, lattes, smoothies, ice cream, milkshakes, pastries, and grab-and-go breakfast sandwiches. We did a couple milkshakes, one with a chocolate and caramel ice cream base and the other with a chocolate and coffee ice cream base. This was a great little milkshake date.

They also do a lot of community events here. When we visited, they were having an 80s-themed ice cream social with discounts for answering 80s trivia correctly, karaoke, and a DJ.

130 Main St, Thomson, GA 30824

Thomson Restaurants Map

Whether you’re looking for breakfast, burgers, Mexican food, or a meal by the lake, there’s a good variety of restaurants in Thomson to choose from. Use the map below to find all these amazing Thomson restaurants.

I hope you enjoy the delicious places to eat in Thomson!

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Cheers!

Paige

5 Can't-Miss Restaurants in Thomson, Georgia

What are your favorite restaurants in Thomson, Georgia? Let me know in the comments!

Paige Watts is a travel expert and author of What's With Atlanta?, a guide to the quirks and charm of the ATL. A life-long traveler, Paige is dedicated to helping you discover the best things to do in the Southern USA and around the world. Her work has been featured in The Culture Trip, Matador, Newsbreak, MSN, NPR, and countless other interviews and podcasts.

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