There was a time when date night meant dressing up and venturing downtown. Once you settle into family life, you might think those evenings are gone forever, destined for takeout containers on the kitchen counter. But Buford’s culinary scene is here to prove otherwise. These 14 American restaurants offer the perfect excuse to rediscover the art of dining out—no stretchy pants required.
37 Main Restaurant + Bar
$$ | (678) 288-2030 | WEBSITE
It’s loud, the servers are wearing jeans and band tees, and the music is so good you’ll be texting the babysitter and asking her to stay another hour. 37 Main brings a bit of rock ‘n’ roll to Buford, and while they don’t require you to wear leather or your finest concert merch, you’ll probably wish you did. Especially after a couple of strong drinks, some great food, and live classics from the Dueling Pianos show or a true rock band tearing up the stage.
37 Main feels a bit like the Buford version of a classic rock venue, only without the sticky floors and overpriced beer – and that’s definitely a good thing.
gusto! Buford
$ | (470) 238-3962 | WEBSITE
Healthy spots and quick lunches are about as paired as you’d expect. But if it works, it works. Seeing as Gusto Buford is one of the best American restaurants in the area, it’s also one of the best grab-and-go places around. For something a little different, try the sweet chili mango bowl with spicy grilled chicken. They’ll serve you an impressively fresh and flavorful meal, although we’d advise you to leave some room for their sweet potato chips, too.
City Barbeque
$ | (678) 956-8555 | WEBSITE
The last time you had real barbeque (instead of from a grocery store heat lamp) was at your cousin’s wedding – so, roughly eight years ago. End that drought at City Barbeque. This Buford spot is casual enough that you can show up straight from mowing the lawn, but still feels like a proper family outing. Plus, the meats are excellent and satisfying, like the tender ribs and smoky brisket in the 2-meat sampler, and the hearty more cowbell sandwich.
Grab a table in the homey dining room with a sweet tea, watch the friendly staff keep the line moving even during busy times, and be glad you’re not the one manning the smoker for once. And don’t leave without getting the banana pudding.
Snooze, an A.M. Eatery
$ | (470) 822-3590 | WEBSITE
You have to admit that your morning routine has become a bit too predictable with the same old cereal and coffee. For the third week in a row. Good thing Snooze, an A.M. Eatery is home to some seriously satisfying breakfast.
Start with their wide range of drink choices for a couple of brunch cocktails, and then dive into dishes like the Avocado Eggs Benedict or Crab-Cake Eggs Benedict that will remind you that you don’t need to wait for the weekend for a great meal, and generously portioned omelets that could easily feed two people. We’d understand if you became a regular.
Bubba’s 33
$ | (470) 589-5890 | WEBSITE
If your friends are really into game day and incredibly satisfying bar food, then take them to Bubba’s 33. This Buford spot is like something out of a sports fan’s dream, with a friendly crew slinging burgers and wings from a bustling kitchen and game highlights flashing on dozens of TVs. The dining room is full of vibrant energy, wooden tables, and bright neon signs, meaning there is atmosphere to spare – but the food outshines everything.
From fried chicken salad to pizza that’s among the best in the south, these are hearty, flavorful, dare-we-say perfect dishes, whether you love football or not.
Culver’s
$ | (678) 714-7000 | WEBSITE
You’ve got the afternoon free and the shopping bags are piling up in the trunk, which means you can indulge in a proper pit stop. When you’re craving something classic and satisfying without breaking the bank, you should pull into Culver’s. This fast-casual spot really knows what it’s doing on pretty much every front. Start with a strawberry milkshake – a thick, creamy blend made with real strawberries seems appropriate – before moving on to the main event.
There, you’ll sit at a clean, no-fuss table, be able to chat about all the errands you just ran, and share a basket of crinkle cut fries that are perfectly crisp and not too salty. And probably end up impulse-ordering one of their concrete desserts by the end.
Buford’s Grill
$ | (770) 945-2420 | WEBSITE
Sometimes you just need to not be in the house. But also, you don’t want to have to think about where to go or what to eat. Buford’s Grill is sort of a southern diner, sort of a neighborhood hangout, and feels like an extension of your kitchen where people bring you plates of gravy. It’s a fun place to sit at the counter, chat with the friendly staff over some Philly Cheese Steak or a solid breakfast, and realize you got a great meal without actually intending to.
THE BLACK PIG BBQ AND GRILL
$ | (678) 482-0520 | WEBSITE
OK, first off, The Black Pig BBQ and Grill is not a fancy restaurant; it’s a BBQ joint. Or at least a BBQ-esque joint. So while the food doesn’t come with white tablecloths, it doesn’t spend the entire time pretending to be fine dining, either. A meal here is slightly indulgent and definitely leans heavily on the comfort-food side of things, but it’s also the kind of place where just about everyone can dig in. If you’re looking for a slightly, uh, non-pretentious dinner, this is it.
You don’t even have to tell your diet where you went.
The Cheesecake Factory
$$ | (770) 831-4710 | WEBSITE
No one suggests a mall restaurant for a special occasion. But now that you’re craving comfort food, you can have all the cheesecake dinners you want. Which is good, because the mall location also happens to be the easiest place to find parking in Buford. You won’t have to circle endlessly looking for a spot, you’ll get a warm welcome from servers like Mandy B rather than feeling rushed, and you won’t have to worry about your chicken fettuccine Alfredo arriving anything less than perfectly cooked.
Plus, even if you’re dining surrounded by retail stores, at least you’re doing it in a place that feels warm and welcoming, while enjoying excellent American classics like Evelyn’s favorite pasta.
Sidney’s Restaurant
$$$ | (770) 945-8787 | WEBSITE
A Buford mainstay serving exceptional pasta and fine dining since its opening, Sidney’s Restaurant has quietly become one of Gwinnett County’s most cherished culinary destinations. A favorite for both casual weeknight dinners and celebratory weekend gatherings, it’s the ideal spot for a polished, relaxed meal – just be sure to call ahead for those Friday and Saturday night reservations, as this cozy, warmly lit dining room books up quickly.
Oh, and come ready to indulge, because the legendary pasta dishes, from chef Brian’s kitchen, are incredibly satisfying, and the portions are generous. There’s also a fantastic buffet breakfast every morning if you’re looking to start your day right, or just in need of a hearty morning meal.
The Flying Biscuit Cafe
$ | (470) 326-3695 | WEBSITE
In a town full of brunch spots, The Flying Biscuit Cafe is the most beloved brunch spot of them all. It’s in a clean and inviting space in Buford, and has all the makings of an ideal weekend morning – a consistently praised menu with perfect temperature dishes, many friendly and attentive staff members, and some seriously great food. This is your spot for family gatherings, friend meet-ups, or “We don’t need an excuse, we just want to go somewhere delicious” breakfasts.
First Watch
$ | (770) 217-3256 | WEBSITE
Your well-meaning cousin insisted you try that new breakfast spot everyone’s raving about. We’re not sure if First Watch is exactly what she envisioned for your Saturday morning, but that’s where you’re ending up. You’ll need to arrive early to beat the weekend rush, but a visit to this bustling breakfast haven is worth the wait. There’s Floridian French toast that tastes like vacation, cheese grits that redefine comfort food, and a surprisingly not-at-all-disappointing atmosphere.
Friends Buford Grill
$ | (770) 904-7770 | WEBSITE
You moved to the suburbs, and proceeded to spend most weekends at your local grill, eating wings and drinking Long Islands. And while family life isn’t exactly that, you always have Friends Buford Grill when you need a reminder of how it all began. This Buford pub has highchairs in the corner, large tables for parties, and fish grilled in the kitchen. They’ll probably bring out extra broccoli, too, if you ask.
Waffle House
$ | (770) 945-9869 | WEBSITE
We feel confident calling Waffle House the best American restaurant in Buford, which means it’s also the best late-night spot, and absolutely worth the drive, even if you live all the way across town. It’s welcoming but not pretentious, with a menu that features incredible breakfast classics – like waffles with crispy bacon and real maple syrup, and hash browns with eggs and gravy – and waitresses that are more than willing to let you sample several cups of coffee.
Also, if they have the pie to go, order it… sharing a massive slice of warm, flaky pie together is half the fun of being up after midnight.