Murphy NC Dining Series  |  Post #3  |  March 2026

Dining in Union County, Georgia:
Blairsville’s Hidden Culinary Scene —
From Farm-to-Table to Cuban to a 1931 Diner

🍽️ By Bonnie DuPree, REALTOR® | Murphy’s Top Producing Agent

🍴 Dining Series:
Downtown Murphy
Clay County NC
Union County GA ✓

People who visit Blairsville for the outdoor scenery often leave surprised by the food. A city writer who spent four days eating through town said it best: he arrived with lowered expectations, ate his way through a dozen restaurants, and nearly every one impressed him. This is Union County, Georgia — and its culinary scene is genuinely evolving.

Blairsville is the heart of Union County, GA — a mountain community sitting roughly 30–40 minutes south of Murphy, NC via US-76 and US-19. For Murphy and Hayesville area residents, Blairsville is an easy day trip destination. Here’s the full guide to what Union County’s dining scene has to offer in 2026.

Farm-to-Table & New American

The Sawmill Place Kitchen + Market

North Georgia’s Farm-to-Table Destination • Local Market Onsite

Price Range
$$–$$$

The Sawmill Place is North Georgia’s premier farm-to-table dining destination — and it’s more than a restaurant. The attached Market sells locally harvested Union County produce, Georgia Grown products, artisan goods from the tri-state area, local honey, syrups, jams, ice cream, handmade jewelry, soy candles, goat’s milk soap, and specialty coffee and tea. The kitchen delivers authentic Southern cuisine — brisket, rib plates, and daily specials built from what’s freshest and local. Reviewers call it “one of the best freshest meals” and TripAdvisor consistently ranks it among Blairsville’s top three restaurants. It best represents Union County’s agricultural character on a plate.

📍 Blairsville, GA 30512
⏰ Check Facebook for daily menu & hours

Vincent’s Coppertop Restaurant & Pub

Internationally Inspired Southern Food • Live Music Fridays • Yelp #1 Blairsville

Price Range
$$–$$$

Currently Yelp’s top-ranked restaurant in Blairsville, Vincent’s Coppertop blends internationally inspired Southern food with locally sourced ingredients and a warm pub atmosphere. The wagyu meatloaf with mashed potatoes and green beans is a standout — reviewers call it a revelation. Panko-crusted chicken, herb-roasted chicken, salmon, and craft cocktails are all praised. Friday nights bring live music. One of the few Blairsville restaurants open on Mondays, and the one most likely to become your regular when you’re in the area.

📍 Blairsville, GA 30512
🌐 vincentscoppertop.com
⏰ Open most days including Monday • Verify current hours

💬 Quote

“Blairsville GA has a diner that’s been open since 1931, a Cuban restaurant that tastes like you flew to the islands, and a farm-to-table kitchen sourcing from local Union County farms. This is North Georgia’s hidden culinary scene.”

#BlairsvilleGA #UnionCountyGA #NorthGeorgiaDining #MurphyNCRealEstate

Italian Dining

Michaelee’s Italian Life Caffe

Full-Service Boutique Italian • Creative Menu • Generous Portions

Price Range
$$

A Blairsville institution and consistent top-three restaurant on every review platform. The Blairsville-Union County Chamber of Commerce describes it as “a full service boutique restaurant with a creative menu and generous portions.” Italian dining done with personal care and creativity — reviewers praise the panko-crusted chicken, accommodating staff, and an atmosphere that earns return visits. Dietary restrictions are handled gracefully. One reviewer noted eating here every two weeks for an entire year while traveling through for work.

📍 Blairsville, GA 30512
⏰ Verify current hours

Blairsville Classics & Community Staples

Hole in the Wall

Est. 1931 • Union County’s Oldest Diner • Downtown Square

Price Range
$

Established in 1931, Hole in the Wall is Union County’s oldest diner and TripAdvisor’s most-reviewed Blairsville restaurant. Located right on the beautiful downtown square, this is the place where the food tastes like your grandmother made it. Breakfast is served all day: country-fried steak and eggs, omelets, pancakes, fresh biscuits. The apple dumpling dessert is the stuff of local legend. “You’ll swear your grandma made this comfort food,” says one longtime reviewer. A genuine American culinary institution that has earned every five-star review.

📍 Downtown Blairsville Square, GA 30512
⏰ Breakfast served all day • Verify current hours

Cook’s Country Kitchen

Down-Home Country Cooking • Breakfast Buffet • Scratch-Made Everything

The buffet at Cook’s is a full-immersion Southern culinary event. Fresh-made biscuits, grits and gravy, fried chicken you can cut with a fork, pork chops both fried and grilled, pot roast, turkey and dressing, fried okra, cream corn, green beans, blackeye peas, and mac and cheese — all made with the pride of a family operation. The breakfast buffet features made-to-order omelets alongside the full spread. “These folks take pride in what they are doing” is the consistent refrain from reviewers.

📍 Blairsville, GA  |  Verify current hours

Nani’s Restaurant

Homestyle Cuban / Caribbean • Est. 2007 • Best Cuban Sandwich in the Mountains

Price Range
$$

Opened in 2007 and moved to downtown Blairsville in 2012, Nani’s is the restaurant that travelers seek out specifically — and then tell everyone about. The family-owned restaurant serves homestyle Cuban and Caribbean food with a Spanish twist. Reviewers who have traveled extensively in Latin America consistently call it as authentic as anything they’ve had in the islands. The signature Cuban sandwich is made with Mojo-marinated roasted pork — citrusy, tender, and served on bread that comes directly from Ybor City, Florida. In the Appalachians. Friday and Saturday dinners often feature special menus.

📍 Downtown Blairsville, GA 30512
⏰ Tue–Wed 11am–7pm • Fri–Sat 11am–8pm • Mon/Thu/Sun Closed

💬 Quote

“Nani’s Cuban Restaurant in Blairsville GA has been feeding the North Georgia mountains since 2007. The Mojo pork in their Cuban sandwich comes on bread straight from Ybor City, FL. In the Appalachians. This is Union County, Georgia.”

#BlairsvilleGA #UnionCountyGA #NorthGeorgiaDining #CubanFood

More Blairsville Favorites

🥩 Jim’s Smokin’ Que

The go-to for BBQ in Blairsville. Famous for PIG-a-NIC family packs — ideal for lake days and cabin weekends. Mini golf on site. Open Thu–Sun only, so plan ahead.

📍 Blairsville, GA  |  Thu–Sun only

🦞 Mike’s Seafood Market & Grill

Counter-service seafood that keeps prices down and quality up. Locally praised for outstanding popcorn shrimp and the best fried seafood value in the area. Also runs a market with local products.

📍 Blairsville, GA  |  Verify current hours

🌮 Lucky’s Taqueria & Cantina

From the team behind Blairsville Restaurant–Grits & Greens. Full bar, live music, late hours by Blairsville standards. Mexican classics plus Ahi Tuna and Chicharrones Nachos. The liveliest evening option in town.

📍 Blairsville, GA  |  Verify current hours

🍕 Twisted Pizza

“The folks at Twisted Pizza know how to do it right.” Reviewers consistently applaud the quality and consistency. A casual, reliable option for pizza done well in the mountains.

📍 Blairsville, GA  |  Verify current hours

☕ Cabin Coffee Company

The coffee destination in Blairsville — pick your roast from South American, African, or Indonesian origins. Known for excellent cold brews and a warm mountain atmosphere.

📍 Blairsville, GA  |  Verify current hours

🎂 Melissa’s Custom Cakes

The best desserts in Blairsville — extraordinary cakes, cupcakes in flavors from double chocolate to lemon, cinnamon rolls, toffee brickle, and brownies. A true artisan bakery worth a dedicated stop.

📍 Blairsville, GA  |  Verify current hours

🏔️ Destination Dining Near Blairsville

Brasstown Valley Resort & The View Grill

The resort near Brasstown Bald includes The View Grill — a restaurant earning strong reviews for its mountain vistas and food quality. Brasstown Valley also features an equestrian center, championship golf, and Appalachian spa, making it a full resort dining and entertainment destination within easy reach of both Blairsville and Murphy.

Union County GA Dining — Quick Reference

Restaurant Category Must Try Price
The Sawmill Place Farm-to-Table Daily local specials, market shopping $$–$$$
Vincent’s Coppertop American / Pub Wagyu meatloaf, live music Fridays $$–$$$
Michaelee’s Italian Life Italian Creative Italian, generous portions $$
Hole in the Wall Diner (est. 1931) Country-fried steak, apple dumpling $
Nani’s Restaurant Cuban / Caribbean Cuban sandwich, Mojo pork $$
Cook’s Country Kitchen Southern Buffet Fried chicken, pork chops, all sides $
Jim’s Smokin’ Que BBQ PIG-a-NIC packs, ribs (Thu–Sun) $$
Mike’s Seafood Seafood Popcorn shrimp, market finds $$
Cabin Coffee Company Coffee / Café Cold brew, single-origin roasts $

Frequently Asked Questions — Union County GA Dining

What are the best restaurants in Blairsville GA?

The top-rated restaurants in Blairsville GA in 2026 include Hole in the Wall (est. 1931, Union County’s oldest diner), Vincent’s Coppertop Restaurant & Pub (Yelp’s #1 — wagyu meatloaf, live music, internationally inspired Southern food), The Sawmill Place Kitchen + Market (North Georgia’s farm-to-table destination with a local market), Michaelee’s Italian Life Caffe (boutique Italian with creative menu), and Nani’s Restaurant (homestyle Cuban/Caribbean since 2007, famous Cuban sandwich). Other favorites include Jim’s Smokin’ Que (BBQ), Mike’s Seafood Market, Cook’s Country Kitchen, Cabin Coffee Company, and Lucky’s Taqueria & Cantina.

How far is Blairsville GA from Murphy NC?

Blairsville, Georgia (Union County) is approximately 30–40 minutes south of Murphy, NC via US-76 West and US-19 South through scenic North Georgia mountain terrain. Murphy and Hayesville, NC residents regularly make the trip to Blairsville for dining, shopping, and access to Vogel State Park, Brasstown Bald (Georgia’s highest peak), Helton Creek Falls, and Nottely Lake.

What is The Sawmill Place in Blairsville GA?

The Sawmill Place Kitchen + Market is North Georgia’s premier farm-to-table restaurant and local market in Blairsville, Union County, GA. The kitchen serves authentic Southern cuisine using locally sourced ingredients with daily specials reflecting what’s freshest from Union County and Georgia farms. The attached Market sells locally harvested produce, Georgia Grown products, artisan goods from the tri-state Appalachian region, local honey, syrups, jams, specialty coffee, handmade jewelry, soy candles, and more. Consistently ranked among Blairsville’s top three restaurants.

Is Nani’s Cuban restaurant still open in Blairsville GA?

As of early 2026, Nani’s Restaurant in downtown Blairsville, GA remains open. The family-owned Cuban and Caribbean restaurant was established in 2007 and moved to its current downtown location in 2012. Current hours are Tuesday and Wednesday 11am–7pm, Friday and Saturday 11am–8pm; closed Monday, Thursday, and Sunday. Always confirm hours before making a special trip as hours for independent restaurants can change.

What makes Blairsville GA a worthwhile dining destination?

Blairsville’s dining scene is genuinely surprising for a small mountain town. Its strengths include a historic diner open since 1931 (Hole in the Wall), authentic Cuban cuisine that experienced travelers rate highly (Nani’s), farm-to-table sourcing with an attached market (The Sawmill Place), award-recognized Italian (Michaelee’s), and a pub-style American restaurant with live music that reviewers compare to Asheville dining (Vincent’s Coppertop). Combined with proximity to Vogel State Park, Brasstown Bald, Nottely Lake, and Lake Chatuge just across the Georgia line, Blairsville is a complete day-trip destination from Murphy NC and Hayesville NC.

💬 Quote

“Murphy NC, Hayesville NC, and Blairsville GA form a tri-state culinary triangle with over 60 independent restaurants within 40 minutes of each other. The mountain South eats well.”

#MurphyNCRealEstate #BlairsvilleGA #NorthGeorgiaMountains #AppalachianDining

Considering the NC–GA Mountain Region?

Great Dining on Both Sides of the State Line.
Life Here Is Genuinely Good.

Murphy NC, Hayesville NC, and Blairsville GA form a tri-state culinary triangle with over 60 independent restaurants within 40 minutes. If you’re thinking about making any of these communities home, Bonnie DuPree can help — she knows the full region.

📞 Call Bonnie — 828-361-1027
✉️ Send a Message

Bonnie DuPree, REALTOR® | Murphy, NC’s Top Producing Agent

Murphy NC Dining Series — Post #1: Downtown Murphy • Post #2: Clay County NC • Post #3: Union County GA

⊞ EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for equal housing opportunity. We encourage and support an affirmative advertising and marketing program in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin.

© 2026 Bonnie DuPree, REALTOR® | RE/MAX Murphy NC. Restaurant info sourced from Yelp, TripAdvisor, Blairsville-Union County Chamber, and restaurant websites. Verify hours directly