The National serves up a delightful blend of Mediterranean-inspired dishes with Southern flair, all set in a charming atmosphere and complemented by a stellar drink menu.
"Erin Wilson’s downtown Athens spot is another deservedly famous fine dining institution in town. The National has a knack for making any food irresistible — the vegetable plate, for example, is truly on par with the meat-based entrees, and although founder and chef Peter Dale made his departure in 2021, chef Burns Sullivan (The Branded Butcher) is handling the kitchen exceedingly well. Fun tip: for a small fee, people can have dinner delivered to Creature Comforts Brewery or Little Kings Shuffle Club, turning a brewery or bar outing into a serious dinner party." - Sarra Sedghi
"The National, a restaurant in Athens, Georgia, is hosting a collaborative Juneteenth luncheon with Nicole Taylor and the Sheatses. The event is part of a celebration of Juneteenth and features a family-style meal with a unique spin on traditional Juneteenth foods. The luncheon includes seatings at 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. and costs $85 per person, which includes a signed copy of Taylor's cookbook 'Watermelon & Red Birds' and a selection of a la carte drinks." - Sarra Sedghi
"Athens may be a college town, but the food here is first-class, so The National didn't get to be one of The Classic City's most revered spots by slacking. Inside you'll feel you've stumbled into a European café. The menu draws heavy inspiration from the continent, but dishes are executed using as many hyper-local ingredients as possible. Plan to meander through the menu: share some Manchego-stuffed Medjool dates, then move on to a hearty entree of your own like scallops with saffron calasparra rice and orange-brown butter vinaigrette, and finish with Basque cake and local peaches." - Jennifer Bradley Franklin
Clayton Tibbetts
Stella Carrasco
Emma Chapman
Jason Serotta
Mohd Hasan
Zac Tishgarten
Frank Cacciatore
Norine C
