There’s something magical about a perfectly baked pot pie with its golden, flaky crust and steaming, savory filling that brings comfort with every bite. Across Georgia, talented bakers and chefs have mastered this classic dish, creating destinations worth traveling for. From family recipes passed down through generations to innovative twists on traditional favorites, these seven pot pie havens have earned devoted local followings.
1. Paul’s Pot Pies – Marietta
Family-owned and operating since 1983, Paul’s Pot Pies has become a Marietta institution where locals line up for handcrafted comfort food. Chef Paul personally oversees each batch, ensuring the signature buttery crust achieves that perfect golden flake.
Their chicken pot pie remains the bestseller, but adventurous eaters gravitate toward seasonal specialties like Georgia peach BBQ pork or shrimp and grits variations. The modest storefront might not look impressive from outside, but regulars know to arrive early.
Fun fact: Paul started with just three pie varieties and a small counter-service location, now expanded to include a cozy 30-seat dining area where you can watch bakers working their magic through a glass partition.
2. OK Café – Atlanta
Nestled in Atlanta’s Buckhead neighborhood, OK Café delivers Southern comfort food with a hefty side of nostalgia. Their pot pies feature a distinctive cornmeal crust that provides a delightful textural contrast to the creamy fillings.
The turkey pot pie has earned legendary status among Atlanta food critics, appearing on numerous “best of” lists throughout the years. What makes these pies special is the kitchen’s commitment to scratch cooking – stocks simmered for hours and vegetables sourced from local farms.
The retro 1950s diner atmosphere completes the experience, with vintage advertisements and checkerboard floors transporting you to a simpler time. Weekends bring long waits, but regulars insist the pie is worth every minute.
3. The Pie Hole – Roswell
Tucked away on a charming Roswell side street, The Pie Hole combines quirky atmosphere with serious pie-making skills. Owner Maria Gonzalez trained at culinary school in France before returning to Georgia to open this hidden gem.
Unlike traditional pot pies, The Pie Hole’s creations feature unexpected ingredient combinations like bourbon apple pork belly and curry chicken with golden raisins. The crust achieves that elusive balance – substantial enough to hold hearty fillings yet delicate enough to shatter at first bite.
Maria changes the menu seasonally, but the blackboard always features at least five savory options daily. The tiny dining room only seats 20, creating an intimate experience where you can watch your pie being finished in their copper-clad oven.
4. Crave Pie Studio – Duluth
What started as a pie-making class has blossomed into Duluth’s most beloved bakery. Crave Pie Studio founder Briana Carson transformed her passion into an art form, creating pot pies that balance rustic charm with refined technique.
The studio’s signature chicken pot pie features a thyme-infused crust that complements the savory filling perfectly. Vegetarians rejoice over their mushroom and root vegetable version, packed with locally-foraged fungi and seasonal produce.
Beyond the pies themselves, Crave offers monthly pie-making workshops where Carson shares her secrets. The bright, airy space with its open kitchen concept lets customers witness the careful craftsmanship behind each creation. Their pies sell out almost daily, so calling ahead is strongly recommended.
5. Southern Baked Pie Company – Atlanta
Founded by self-taught baker Amanda Wilbanks, Southern Baked Pie Company elevates humble pot pies to celebration-worthy status. Her all-butter crust recipe, passed down from her grandmother, creates a distinctively rich foundation for generous fillings.
The chicken pot pie incorporates cream cheese into the sauce, resulting in an extraordinarily velvety texture that locals call “life-changing.” Seasonal specialties include a Georgia-inspired peach BBQ chicken variation during summer months.
Amanda’s entrepreneurial spirit has expanded the business from a single location to multiple stores across Georgia. The Atlanta shop features a pie bar where customers can sample mini versions before committing to a full-size purchase. Their nationwide shipping service has created fans well beyond state lines.
6. Doodle Pies – Atlanta
Breaking the pot pie mold entirely, Doodle Pies creates handheld versions perfect for busy Atlantans on the move. These pocket-sized delights pack all the flavor of traditional pot pies into convenient, portable packages.
The menu rotates frequently, but standouts include the buffalo chicken pot pie with blue cheese sauce and the breakfast pot pie stuffed with eggs, cheese, and bacon. Owner Jeremy Kim developed the concept after noticing how many customers were taking traditional pot pies to-go.
The minimalist shop in Atlanta’s Inman Park neighborhood features counter service and a few outdoor tables. Their innovative “pie flight” lets indecisive customers sample four mini versions of different flavors. Despite their compact size, these pies deliver big, satisfying flavors that keep locals coming back weekly.
7. Centerville Pie Company – Centerville
Centerville Pie Company brings small-town charm and big-time flavor to Georgia’s pie scene. Founded by former school cafeteria workers Laurie and Kristin, their pot pies gained unexpected fame when Oprah Winfrey discovered them during a visit and declared them “savory perfection.”
Their signature chicken pot pie features a distinctive sage-forward flavor profile and a crust so flaky it practically floats. The lobster pot pie, available on weekends only, draws seafood enthusiasts from neighboring states.
The quaint farmhouse-style building houses both the bakery and a small cafe where you can enjoy your pie fresh from the oven. Photos of satisfied customers line the walls, including several celebrities who make detours to Centerville when passing through Georgia. Their frozen pies for at-home baking sell out consistently.
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