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Best chicken & dumplings in Georgia? Readers vote The Bear's Den

Macon restaurant wins Readers' Choice title

There are plenty of stories about how Southern chicken and dumplings were born from hardship, whether the Civil War or the Great Depression, but dumplings and stewed meats have been around since as early as the 15th century in Europe. Though the dish may not have originated in the South, the combination of stewed chicken and dumplings boiled in the resulting broth has become a staple of the Southern kitchen, especially in Georgia.

  • The Bear's Den
    Macon

    The Bear’s Den serves classic Southern home-cooked meat and veg plates to hungry diners in Macon. Creamy chicken and dumplings make an appearance on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
    Photo courtesy of The Bear's Den

  • Minnie's Uptown Restaurant
    Columbus

    Minnie’s Uptown Restaurant is the work of three generations of Southern women. Opened in 1987, the Columbus restaurant is famous for its fried chicken, as well as its creamy chicken and dumplings.
    Photo courtesy of Minnie's Uptown Restaurant

  • Nick's Buffet
    Brunswick

    The offerings at Nick’s Buffet in Brunswick change daily, so there’s always something new to try. Come on Thursdays for chicken and dumplings.
    Photo courtesy of Nick's Buffet / Facebook

  • Mary Mac's
    Atlanta

    Mary Mac’s in Atlanta has been specializing in Southern cooking for more than 70 years. Diners can order traditional chicken and dumplings as an entree or as part of the all-you-can-eat Southern Special.
    Photo courtesy of Mary Mac's

  • The Oak Room
    Sea Island

    The Sea Island take on classic Southern chicken and dumplings features slow-braised chicken thighs in a hearty broth, served with herb dumplings, butternut squash, onion and celery.
    Photo courtesy of Sea Island Resort

  • Blackwater Grill
    St. Simons Island

    A signature entrée at the Blackwater Grill on St. Simons Island, the chicken ’n dumplings is made from oven-roasted chicken breast with sage dumplings, served in an onion, celery and carrot chicken gravy.
    Photo courtesy of Blackwater Grill / Facebook

  • Southern Charm Restaurant
    Blue Ridge

    Chicken and dumplings are on special each Monday and Thursday evenings at Southern Charm Restaurant in Blue Ridge.
    Photo courtesy of Southern Charm Restaurant / Facebook

  • Watershed on Peachtree
    Atlanta

    Since the menu at Watershed in Atlanta is local and seasonal, it often changes. When chicken and dumplings show up, they earn rave reviews from diners.
    Photo courtesy of Watershed

  • Southern Art and Bourbon Bar
    Atlanta

    This Atlanta eatery specializes in modern Southern cuisine from two-time James Beard award-winner Art Smith. Addie Mae’s Soup is made with the family chicken and dumplings recipe.
    Photo courtesy of Southern Art & Bourbon Bar / Facebook

  • Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room
    Savannah

    Each day for lunch, Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room in Savannah fills up with hungry diners who come to feast on the always changing selection of Southern fare shared with friends and strangers at communal tables. Chicken and dumplings often make an appearance.
    Photo courtesy of U.S. Department of Agriculture / Flickr

The top 10 winners in the category Best Chicken & Dumplings in Georgia are as follows:

  1. The Bear's Den - Macon
  2. Minnie's Uptown Restaurant - Columbus
  3. Nick's Buffet - Brunswick
  4. Mary Mac's - Atlanta
  5. The Oak Room - Sea Island
  6. Blackwater Grill - St. Simons Island
  7. Southern Charm Restaurant - Blue Ridge
  8. Watershed on Peachtree - Atlanta
  9. Southern Art and Bourbon Bar - Atlanta
  10. Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room - Savannah

A panel of experts partnered with 10Best editors to picked the initial 20 nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote.

Congratulations to all these winning restaurants!

License the 10Best Readers' Choice Award Logo

AlertThe Experts

Caroline Eubanks

Caroline Eubanks is a freelance writer and the creator of ThisIsMySouth.com, a website about traveling in the Southern United States. Her work has appeared on Explore Georgia, the state's tourism body, Roads and Kingdoms, BBC Travel, and Afar as well as her book, This Is My South: The Essential Travel Guide to the Southern States.

Judy and Len Garrison

Judy and Len Garrison

Judy and Len Garrison are Seeing Southern. Their editorial and photography work can be found in publications including Georgia Connector, Deep South Magazine, Simply Buckhead, BBC, WHERE, AAA, GoNomad, Peach State Publications, Interval World, US Airways Magazine, and Blue Ridge Country magazine online. They are members of SATW and IFWTWA. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram. Visit their website, Seeing Southern, for all their travels.

Annita Thomas

Annita Thomas

Annita is the host of Travel Bags With Annita & Friends, a syndicated travel radio show in Atlanta, North Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Tennessee. She has been traveling the globe for over 30 years traveling to over 85 countries. She worked with Pan American World Airways for 13 years exploring the world. She's also studied intercultural communications and taught cultural sensitivity workshops around the globe. Find her on Instagram, FaceBook, YouTube and Twitter. The podcast of her show can be found on SoundCloud.