Clayton

Billy Goat Island once had a bottle list that punched way above its weight class for a marina pizza counter. Ownership changes and a winter closure leave the wine program in limbo. We will update when it reopens.

Bleu Canoe brings Harry Bissett's wine sensibility to Cajun food in the mountains. Extensive selection, fair pricing, and a kitchen that knows how to match spice with the right pour. A genuine surprise.

Clayton Cafe is comfort food at fair prices. The wine list is minimal but cheap. Come for the food, not the wine.

Fortify pairs local Georgia wines with pizza and burgers in a fun, casual setting. The Road Town Rum Bar downstairs adds range. Solid for what it is.

Friends Clayton Grill is a bar-and-grill with a full bar. The wine is basic and forgettable. Order a beer or a cocktail instead.

Lake Burton Cafe is a lakeside dive bar. The beer is cold, the setting is great, and the wine is irrelevant. That's not a criticism.

Mama G's delivers Sicilian comfort food with a wine list that matches: simple, Italian-leaning, fairly priced. Order the house red and the eggplant.

Rabun Social is Clayton's cocktail spot with a side of wine. The Asian fusion menu is the draw, the cocktails are the stars, and the wine list does its job quietly. Fair and functional.

Stekoa Creek is the wine destination in Clayton. Thirty-plus wines, fair prices, proper service, and a steakhouse that takes its list ribeye. Worth the mountain drive.

The Chophouse at LaPrade's is Clayton's fine-dining wine destination. Award-winning, seasonally curated, and set on one of the most beautiful lakes in the Southeast. Plan ahead and bring your appetite.

The Hush serves some of the best Cuban food in North Georgia with a wine list that does the minimum. Order the mojito, enjoy the food, and hope the wine program catches up to the kitchen.

The Vandiver pairs Tiger Mountain wines with boutique hotel dining in a mountain setting. The local wine commitment and smart curation earn it Wild Card status. Ask for the porch table.

Universal Joint is a solid pub with honest beer and fair wine prices. The wine list is lazy but not offensive. Stick with the craft beer or grab the Hess Chardonnay if you need a glass of white.