Tables are set with local dishes for Downtown Athens Culinary Month

ATHENS – Come and get it!

With a variety of culinary delights ranging from Southern comfort food to international cuisine, Downtown Athens Culinary Month is back.

The month-long celebration of local flavors and culinary artistry will showcase the diverse dining scene that has become a cornerstone of downtown Athens’ revitalization.

“We’re thrilled to celebrate our incredible downtown restaurant community during Culinary Month,” said Athens Main Street Executive Director Tere Richardson. “Since making restaurants a top priority in 2019, we’ve seen remarkable growth in our dining scene.”

Throughout August, food enthusiasts and community members are invited to explore the expanding restaurant landscape that has transformed downtown Athens into a regional destination for food lovers.

“This month gives us the opportunity to showcase the talented chefs and restaurateurs who have chosen to invest in downtown Athens and create these wonderful gathering places for our community,” Richardson said.

The culinary celebration highlights Athens Main Street’s focus on restaurant development, which was designated as the organization’s top priority in 2019. This strategic initiative has resulted in a boom of new dining establishments that have become integral to the downtown experience.

The following downtown establishments are participating in this year’s celebration and have provided their featured dish:

• Athens Alehouse & Cellar, 113 S. Marion St. – Ledgehammer double smashburger on branded bioche
• Coffee Off The Square, 110 W. Green St. Suite D – Acai Bowl with fresh fruit, dark chocolate, coconut flakes, and almonds
• Driftwood Dragonfly, 405 W. Washington St. – Blueberry or orange scone paired with a choice of tea or mocktail
• Fins Grill, 110 W. Green St. Suite A – Red snapper and oysters on the half shell
• Irons & Ales, 217 S. Madison St. – Chicken bacon ranch flatbread
• Li’l Mazzaras, 102 E. Washington St. – Grilled chorizo stuffed pork chop, dry plum, spinach, provolone, raisin and apricot ragout
• Lucia’s Cocina Mexicana, 208 W. Market St. – Street tacos with a soft drink or tea and a chocolate chimichanga
• Mozza Pizza, 202 S. Jefferson St.
• Old Black Bear Brewing, 311 S. Marion St. – Mahi mahi with the watermelon salad over rice. Southern-style chicken scampi over Parmesan grits. Fried catfish filet served dirty rice, with a Cajun crawfish cream sauce and fresh parsley. The cocktail is called Passionately Mint; it’s an Agave based cocktail with passionfruit and mint.
• Ro’s Grille, 126 N. Jefferson St. – A twist on the iconic shrimp n’ grits with jumbo, Cajun seasoned grilled shrimp atop panko fried grit cakes smothered in Cajun cream sauce.
• Salty Cod, 309 W. Market St. – Chef Kristen’s fresh seafood of the moment feature and Chef Barry’s Corkshire Butcher Company dry aged burger feature
• Sweetest Things Tea Room, 216 W. Market St. – Chicken and dressing, gourmet mushroom and onion gravy burger
• The Southern Table, 105 N. Jefferson St. – Blackened catfish and garlic cheddar grits, with charred green beans, lemon beurre blanc, peppadews, charred lemon and scallions
• UG White/Hi-Plane Coffee, 101 N. Jefferson St. – Hot or cold medium latte with a slice of homemade coffee cake
• Village Pizza, 22 W. Market St. – Fire & ice wings
• Wildwood Deli, 113 E. Market St. – For lunch service, the Southern burger. For Friday supper, the handcut filet mignon & handcut ribeye. The deli will also be serving a weekly lunch specialty sandwich, chips, and a fresh baked sweet.

Participating restaurants will offer special menus, unique dishes, and promotional opportunities throughout the month, reflecting the evolving tastes and diverse culinary traditions of North Alabama.

For more information about participating restaurants, special events, and promotional details, visit athensmainstreet.org or follow Athens Main Street on social media.

“Downtown Athens continues to evolve as a vibrant destination, and our restaurants are at the heart of that transformation,” Richardson said. “We encourage everyone to come downtown, try something new, and experience the flavors that make our community special.”