Hey neighbor!
This week's restaurant spotlight: Buford.
Most people think "Mall of Georgia" when they hear Buford, but the real magic is happening on Main Street and the surrounding area. Here are 5 spots worth putting on your radar:
BTW… Weather in Buford today!
🥶 Bundle up today: Sunny but COLD — high of 41°F dropping throughout the day with gusty winds up to 30 mph. Tonight's low? A near-record 19°F. Layer up if you're heading out, and maybe save the outdoor adventures for later this week when it warms up a bit.
🥩 AQUA TERRA BISTRO📍 20 E Main St, Downtown Buford 🍽️ American with international flair
This award-winning bistro is tucked into a cozy space in historic downtown Buford. The vibe is upscale-casual with exposed brick and an open kitchen. Known for their seasonal menu, fresh seafood, and perfectly cooked steaks. Great for date night or a special occasion without the Atlanta drive.
Order this: The shrimp and grits or the seared scallops
“Dad, Buford is cool and fancy!”
🌎 RICO'S WORLD KITCHEN 📍 3650 Bogan Rd, Buford 🍽️ Eclectic / International
People drive from all over Gwinnett for this place — and for good reason. The menu is wildly creative: BBQ mussels, lumpia, chicharrones, and more. It's a local favorite with big flavors and even bigger portions.
Order this: Nett's Lumpia or the BBQ Mussels
🍔 TANNERY ROW ALE HOUSE 📍 554 W Main St, Buford 🍽️ American / Sports Bar
Named for Buford's old leather industry, this massive sports bar sits in a historic factory building. Come for the game, stay for the jumbo smoked wings and solid beer selection. Casual, fun, and family-friendly.
Order this: Jumbo Smoked Wings drizzled with Georgia honey
🍝 37 MAIN 📍 37 E Main St, Buford 🍽️ American / Rock Cafe
Part restaurant, part live music venue. Cover bands and tribute acts play regularly, but the food holds its own — especially the mac n cheese muffins and the Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich. Fun vibe for a night out.
Friends say Order this: Mac n Cheese Muffins (trust me)
🐟 SEASONS 52 📍 Mall of Georgia area 🍽️ American / Seasonal
If you want something lighter and more refined, Seasons 52 delivers fresh, seasonal dishes with nothing over 475 calories. Great wine list, beautiful presentation, and consistently excellent service.
Order this: The surf & turf or the grilled rainbow trout
My wife came here on a girl’s night out, they all loved it!
Pro tip: Make a night of it — start with dinner on Main Street, then walk over to Tannery Row Artist Colony to browse local art and galleries. Downtown Buford has more charm than people realize.
Enjoy!
Gus R. Creator of GwinnettBest.com
P.S. — Got a Buford favorite I missed? Reply and let me know — I'm always adding to the list. 🍽️
P.S.S. – Be careful driving to Buford at this time of year 😅 It’s seriously packed on Buford drive (20).