Where to eat local during Macon's Cherry Blossom Festival
Welcome to Macon and the Cherry Blossom Festival! Macon has become a mecca of independent restaurants and we've selected places where you can eat like a local. Restaurants are a great way to build special memories of your visit to the Cherry Blossom Capital of the World -- at a chain restaurant, you might as well be at home!
$ Inexpensive, wear whatever you like
$ Moderately priced, dress casually
$$ Expensive, dress up
(Explore: Interactive map of The Telegraph's food reviews)
SOUTHERN
Bear's Den $
1191 Oglethorpe St.
478-745-9909
Reservations: Not taken
10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday
The Bear's Den will give you a true idea of what Southern food should taste like. It's a bit off the beaten path, but it's near a beautiful park perfect for walking off a calorie-laden plate of fried chicken, collard greens and mac-n-cheese.
Jeneane's Cafe Downtown $
524 Mulberry St.
478-743-5267
Reservations: Not taken
6:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Monday-Friday
Watch Southerners in the wild as they ready for their days with giant plates of scrambled eggs, bacon, hash browns, coffee, biscuits and, of course, grits at Jeneane's Cafe Downtown. Their servers will treat you like family, even if that means telling you to watch your cholesterol or that you need pie.
H&H $
807 Forsyth St.
478-621-7044
Reservations: Not taken
11 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Saturday
One of the most famous restaurants in Georgia, the H&H was a big part of Macon's 1970s music scene and remains a venerable place for a true Southern breakfast and lunch. Try the handmade biscuits and gravy for breakfast and the meatloaf and okra for lunch.
FINE DINING
Tic Toc Room $$
408 Martin Luther King Blvd.
478-744-0123
www.hotplatesrestaurantgroup.com/tic-toc-room.cms
Reservations: Recommended
5-9:30 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday and 5-10:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday
The Tic Toc Room, formerly Annie's Tic Toc of Little Richard fame, caters to the sophisticated local crowd. While you sip your creative martini and dine on steakhouse favorites, imagine the Architect of Rock 'n' Roll on stage putting on a show.
PIZZA
Ingleside Village Pizza $
2395 Ingleside Ave.
478-759-8488
Reservations: Not taken
11 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday; noon-10 p.m. Saturday; 5-9 p.m. Sunday
This neighborhood pizza joint has made customers happy for 24 years with their New York style crust and Macon's largest selection of imported beer. Order at the counter first, then find a table for a short wait. Advice: Come early.
AMERICAN/BURGERS
Rookery $
543 Cherry St.
478-746-8658
Reservations: Not taken
11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday
Famous for their burgers and milkshakes, the Rookery packs them in and usually has a wait during prime dinner hours. With an emphasis on locally-produced food and locally-grown music, this is the closest thing Macon has to an Irish pub. Great outdoor dining.
SEAFOOD
Jim Shaws $
3040 Vineville Ave.
478-746-3697
Reservations: Not taken
4:30-10 p.m. Saturday and 5-9:30 p.m. Monday-Friday
The only clue that this place is special is the line of people waiting outside for a table. Here's a secret: If you're willing to go up to the bar, order and pick up your own food, the porch area to the left of the main entrance has a fireplace and usually has room.
BARBECUE
Satterfield's $
120 New St.
478-742-0352
Reservations: Not taken
10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday
This funny, low-ceiling restaurant serves up some of the best barbecue in town and has character to spare. Start with the requisite boiled peanuts and end with the decadent banana pudding. Satterfield's is an experience in itself.
This story was originally published March 24, 2016 at 6:43 PM with the headline "Where to eat local during Macon's Cherry Blossom Festival ."