AN EXPERIENCE NOT JUST A MEAL. This place is located in a kind of seedy downtown area of Macon. We walked in and the vibe throughout the place won me over instantly. When the staff seem to enjoy their jobs and working with each other as well, chances are you have a winner. We were seated immediately in a cozy booth with floor to ceiling graffiti. The place just oozed character! We were told that at times in the loft above our heads they had live music FYI. The waitress was friendly and on point. We never found ourselves waiting to order or for drinks, etc. The food was great. We started with the solid gold soul rolls which were tasty. I'd say 2-3 people for this app. My wife had the hot pig and fig which she enjoyed. She wanted something a little light and it was perfect for her. I ordered the Dr John Burger. The cook forgot my bacon . No bueno. Our waitress was game and was quick to bring me bacon to complete the burger. It was well cooked and the flavors were excellent so all was good. Our companion enjoyed her food as well. We all left full and happy. And, yes I would return and I recommend trying them yourself. read more

The Rookery - Solid gold soul rolls - Bars Near Me - Macon, Georgia

The Rookery is definitely worth a visit if you're in downtown Macon. The atmosphere is fun, welcoming, and full of local character, and the service was friendly throughout our meal. We started with the fried green tomatoes, which were a great appetizer--crispy, flavorful, and a nice way to kick things off. For our entrées, we had the fish and chips and the smoked turkey sandwich. The fish had a nice crispy batter, and the smoked turkey sandwich was tasty and satisfying. My only disappointment was the fries. They were a bit soggy and lacked the crispiness I was hoping for, especially with the fish and chips. A crisp, hot fry would have taken the meal to the next level. Overall, the food was good, the atmosphere was enjoyable, and I'd definitely come back to try more of the menu. read more

The Rookery - Fish n chips - Bars Near Me - Macon, Georgia

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Wasn't impressed at all for being open for 50 years! I ordered the Cobb salad with what I assumed would be blacked salmon because that's how it shows on the menu on their website. Got the salad & it was a pretty underdone piece of salmon after asking for it well done. Asked the waiter why it wasn't blackened (out of curiosity) still ate it & called it good & told me we had to ask for it blackened. It was a very basic boring salad with a frozen piece of salmon for $20. My husband ordered a burger & fries. The burger was really good & he got goat cheese & bacon on it. The fries on the other hand were not it. Bummer because they are supposedly hand cut. They were drenched in oil. Like to the point that you couldn't even eat a few without feeling awful. They were soggy & heavy. Think homemade fries but in a super old fryer with lots of crisco. Overall very underwhelming for a place with such high reviews. Won't be back! Gotta step up it up if you guys plan to stay in business for another 50 years! read more

Great experience here on a work trip! Burgers were delicious and service was quick. Our waitress was kind and this was a cool stop. read more

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I am a local here in Macon and have tried many of their burgers and other entrées at this restaurant. Hopefully I will go back soon and get some more pictures but this is the fried green tomato BLT with pimento cheese and a side of beer battered fries. The beer battered fries are so out of this world! (Get the jalapeño ranch!) read more

The Rookery - Fried Green Tomato BLT - Bars Near Me - Macon, Georgia

There's a certain kind of downtown Macon place that doesn't bother trying to impress you with chandeliers or words like "curated." It just opens the door, turns the lights on, and says, "You hungry or not?" It is designed for food and drink not ambiance. This was one of those spots. The drinks showed up quick enough to make you think they might've already known your order before you sat down. The food was solid in that dependable way--nothing trying to reinvent itself, nothing apologizing for being what it is. Just honest plates doing honest work. Kyle the bartender is a study in modern Southern service industry diplomacy. Not exactly the kind of fellow you'd invite to Thanksgiving, but he kept things moving, kept things correct, and occasionally tried to lace the proceedings with a bit of entertainment--like a man juggling while also reading the room and half the room's thoughts. In the end, it's not a place you'll write home about in glowing, poetic letters. But it is a place you'll walk out of thinking, "Well... that did just fine." And in downtown Macon, that's sometimes all a man really needed in the first place. read more

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We had a party of 9 and had a minimal wait around 7:30. I found it odd that the restaurant sat all "large parties" in a room with one waiter. There were a total of 3 tables with more than 6 people for one server! However, he was the highlight of our dining experience. The server was thoughtful, attentive, accommodating and I could tell he was trying so incredibly hard to ensure all of his tables were well taken care of. But, he's one person! We started with the fried green tomatoes. They were alright, but not Maw Maws. And truthfully, something felt off after eating them. Beers were good and cold! Great drink menu. And that's kinda where it all stopped for us. Two people in our group got salads and were pleased. Two people ordered steak and fries and were satisfied. However, the rest was just not good. The wrap with pimento cheese and chicken was not good-made someone nauseated trying to eat it. Another person in our group felt sick eating the BLT sandwich (I think it was that with a fried green tomato on it). Either way the people who ate the fried green tomatoes all felt sick (appetizer and the sandwich that had it). Something was just off. The kids enjoyed the milkshakes, that was a bonus. All in all, for a $150+ meal it left little to be desired. I would not return. However, the server was really great. He was the highlight! read more

Stopped in for dinner after work midweek. Sat at the bar which felt like being in a little piece of history with its polished wood and dim lighting. Bar tender was funny, friendly and accommodating. Burger was on point and the onion rings fire. Ordered the James Brown's Black & Blue which was fantastic paired with Horse's Neck. read more

The Rookery - Bars Near Me - Macon, Georgia

Great beers and burgers. If you can ask to be seated on the second. Birdseye view of the restaurant and more privacy. Great selection of sides that come with the burgers read more

The Rookery - Bars Near Me - Macon, Georgia

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A historic joint in the middle of downtown Macon was a great spot to enjoy a meal during Cherry Blossom Festival. We sat at the bar and enjoyed the company of other diners. Our bartender was very intense. He was nice but also behaving like the bar was 2 or 3 layers deep. I honestly was worried about him. The burgers were good, and I liked the house made chips. The drink special was a beautiful pink to go with the festival. It was cool to hang out with locals and travelers alike. I definitely recommend stopping into The Rookery. read more

The Rookery - Bars Near Me - Macon, Georgia

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After 12 years, I reckon it's time to update my review. This is still one of "THE" places to go in Macon, whether you're a local or a tourist. It does draw a crowd on evenings and weekends, and for good reason. The food is delicious, let's get that clear. However, I think it's the vibe that keeps people coming back. Perfect for date nights, hanging out, Tuesday lunch, birthdays, etc., it's just the place to be. They're clean, have a unique history, friendly staff, tantalizing menu, rotating monthly specials and active on social media. Check it out for yourself! read more

The Rookery - Jimmy Carter shake. Don't knock it until you try it! - Bars Near Me - Macon, Georgia

What a pleasant discovery to happen upon The Rookery, a friendly old fashioned tavern that serves outstanding Southern fare. While they are famous for their burgers, we opted for the chicken tenders platter and the pimento grilled cheese. The tenders were perfectly seasoned and fried by a real expert, with no residual grease. The slaw was fresh and well flavored, and the onion rings were among the best I have ever had. My wife's pimento grilled cheese was tasty, and the soda were bottomless. Our server was sweet, efficient, and super friendly, as were all of the other members of the Rookery team. Don't let the dark interior fool you: this is a warm and friendly place to eat and drink. read more

The Rookery - Pimento Grilled Cheese & fries - Bars Near Me - Macon, Georgia

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11/12/25, first visit with a buddy. Very cool place with some nice history. Place was busy and we arrived just before the rush. Service was great from entry to seating and throughout our visit. Braxton was our server, he was friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. We bought decided on a specialty burger that was fantastic! I enjoyed the Ray Charles Burger with chips and we shared the fried mushrooms. Fantastic dinner! read more

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Though visiting during the busy Cherry Blossom Festival Weekend, I was able to get a seat at the Bar , I ordered the legendary Cheeseburger, it arrived hot and juicy, very flavorful, and on a nice fresh bun, along with hot , slightly crispy fries, although this place was slammed the bartender had everything under control, this place was spacious, but filled, a local hangout for bands like the Allman Brothers, back in the day.. I enjoyed eating there.. read more

The Rookery - Cheeseburger at the Rookery - Bars Near Me - Macon, Georgia

Yum! Yum! Yum!!! A wonderful gem amongst downtown. Our family found this restaurant recently on a trip and it has been a regular since when heading north on I75. The atmosphere is fun. The food is great! read more

We enjoyed our experience a lot. Our food was both delicious and quick! We would return when in Macon again.

Amazing food and even better service! I got the rookery burger and my wife got the club and both were very good. Netty was our server and she was the best! read more

We loved it here. Quick, helpful service, love the upper deck seating and secreted booths beneath. Locally sourced beef for delicious burgers with creative toppings. read more

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Visiting Macon, Ga and came across The Rookery. A party of three we were seated immediately. A very cool atmosphere warm and friendly. People are allowed to write all over the tables and walls. Most of the furniture is made out of wood so it's easy to write on. Our waitress took our order and was very sweet. We started with Solid Gold Egg Rolls three of them for $11.00 delicious! I ordered the Club Salad $17.00 fresh and tasty. My husband and son had the black and blue burger and the Allman burger. Both enjoyed! We also ordered Moon pie milkshake $7.00. Thick and creamy. Music and the vibe was spot on. read more

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This was a nice dining experience. The food was delicious and the staff was kind to our kids.

On our way home from vacation, we needed to find a place to stop for lunch. I did some research online and found The Rookery close to off the highway. It was off Highway 16 in the downtown Macon area. We were seated in an area near the large television and the stage. The place is large and spacious, but it feels comfortable and home-like. They had all types of burgers (including a black bean burger for vegans), and the names of the burgers were unique. Our waitress, Casey, seemed happy to help us. I asked for her opinion on two burgers that sounded good, and I went with her recommendation on the Allman burger (a mushroom and Swiss burger) with fries. My husband went with the black and blue turkey burger -which I cannot remember the name of - along with fries. Both of our burgers were very tasty. They cooked them as we requested and perfectly seasoned. Since we still had several hours of driving to go, we did not get dessert. Casey said, "Then you'll have to come back and see me for dessert another time!" We definitely will, because Casey was an excellent server and made the visit to The Rookery great! If you are in the Macon area or stopping through like we were, please go to The Rookery and ask for Casey. She will take excellent care of you and recommend something that you will enjoy!! read more

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Cool historic brewski/eatery located in the heart of downtown Macon, GA. We started with their famous solid gold soul rolls laced in chicken and embraced with a tangy sweet/sour sauce. Subsequently, we munched on: 1. The Allman Bros mushroom & swiss burger 2. James Brown black & blue burger 3. Club Salad With all the above drenched down with a fantastic Moon Shine Shake. Our server, Dakota was very attentive and hospitable making the experience extremely pleasant. When in Macon..... don't miss the Rookery. read more

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You will find this spot in Downtown Macon. It is designated as the birthplace of Bragg Jam. In case you were wondering Bragg Jam is a city-wide music and community arts festival. There is metered street parking available within a reasonable walking distance to the restaurant. The restaurant has a decent sized two-level dining area and a nice patio on the front sidewalk. The restaurant is known for its shakes and exotic burgers, but they also serve salads, sandwiches and fish. They also have a full bar with savory signature cocktails. Our server was awesome. I ordered the James Brown Black and Blue Burger with battered fries. It took about 15 minutes for me to get my food. I really liked the burger. It was delicious. I, however, was not a fan of the fries. They seemed to have lack seasoning and flavor and was very battery. You can get regular shakes or adult shakes with booze in it. I got a regular Georgia peach shake. It was decent. This was a very nice family outing. The service was really good and the food was decent. I recommend checking this place out if you are in Macon. read more

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We stopped by The Rookery before touring Mercer, and it absolutely lived up to the hype. There was a bit of a wait, but that just confirmed what we'd heard--it's worth waiting for. The service was top-notch--friendly, attentive, and made us feel right at home. We ordered the fish and chips and the pot roast, and both dishes were cooked to perfection and packed with flavor. Comfort food done right. We couldn't leave without trying one of their famous shakes, and they did not disappoint. Unique, rich, and delicious--definitely a highlight of the meal. If you're in Macon and want a place with great food, great service, and a fun, local vibe, The Rookery is a must-visit. read more

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Been here before and always a solid burger; today's Big O Burger was no exception. The fries were beyond awful today, extremely undercooked and oily , so much so that they simply curled over when picking them up. Totally inedible, waitress eventually returned and ask if I wanted another batch but I was almost done with my burger. Big oops on the kitchen, they should have never plated these fries. read more

The Rookery - Big "O" Burger - Bars Near Me - Macon, Georgia

The ambiance was great! We had heard good things and decided to visit while in town. The server was nice but made quite a few errors and didn't give the impression that she cared. I got the Swiss mushroom burger and it was not great but I was very hungry and ate it all. It was juicy but very little flavor and the mushrooms tasted like canned mushrooms, not fresh and tasted very off. The biggest issue with our meal was the milkshakes. They were horrible!!! We ended up throwing them away. The milkshakes were ordered when we placed our meal order but didn't arrive so halfway through our meal we asked. After plates were cleared they finally arrived. The pineapple upside down cake tasted like lukewarm melted whipped cream with coconut shavings, no flavor or pineapple and no ice cream. I cannot express how disgusting it was! read more

The Rookery - Chicken salad (with the wrong dressing we ordered balsamic) and the Swiss mushroom burger with added lettuce tomato and onion. - Bars Near Me - Macon, Georgia

It's been a few years since I've been here. A solid burger and fries! Enjoyed the Walden greenback burger, the fresh chevre was a nice addition. Super tasty burger, cooked fresh, and not sopping with grease - you could actually taste the meat. The sweet potato fries were also on point. Crispy on the outside, moist and dense on the inside! I wish I could've gotten a milkshake, but this would have been overdoing it for this particular Monday evening. Service was a little slow, but the waitress did acknowledge that it was due to a big table ahead of us. read more

The Rookery - Bars Near Me - Macon, Georgia

I had a delightful dinner here with a mentee and current Mercer student. She recommended it. Parking was paid on the street. Our waitress was excellent and reasonable attentive. We didn't have appetizers and the spot was relatively busy as expected for a Friday night. The burger was amazing, hot, and cooked to perfection. I chose the local beef. I love the hand-cut fries as well. I got the sauce on the side for dipping and chose Ranch sauce with my burger as is customary. I completed my dinner with the decadent pumpkin-flavored cheesecake which was amazing. It was such a large piece I couldn't finish it all. Loved the vibe and ambiance of this spot which has been popular in Macon with college students for years. read more

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We had dinner here during Super Bowl, it was very quiet and not crowded. We were seated right away. The waitress took her time to serve-as she was watching the tail end of half-time show! She also was confused with my drink order, however the bartender knew better (Margarita vs Martini (whoever heard of a martini with tequila). We ordered Fried green tomatoes and fried mushrooms for appetizers, they both were tasty and perfectly cooked, I do feel that the quantity of the tomatoes could have been better. The burger that was ordered was cooked as requested and very tasty, however, the bun was a bit small for all the toppings (egg, lettuce, tomato, and pickles) hence the bread fell apart. The fish and chips could've been better, the fries appeared to be what was left in the fries (small crispy pieces with a few good strips) and I wasn't able to finish the fish as it wasn't fully cooked all thru (took to be placed in oven to eat later). We had to wait a bit for the waitress to bring/and collect receipt for bill. (Remember I indicated it was very quiet, not busy).‍ It's a pub setting and the ambiance is suitable to such; there is a second restaurant upstairs. We were in Macon for a visit. Needless to say, be careful what you order... if I wasn't so tired I would've complained and sent fish & chips back - but I knew fish was saveable. read more

The Rookery was as good as it looked. They have different dining rooms. Wish we were in the front room as you go in because it looked like a cool hangout. We didn't want to wait for a table there so we took a table in the next room. We had great friendly service. Had a salad with grilled chicken and it was as good as it gets. Fresh with a well blended balsamic. Topped off the meal with a vanilla shake. Yum. In the end the room didn't really matter. read more

So very cool old bar. Also have a restaurant next door but the bar has more character. Sat at the bar. Drinks and food came quickly. Wide selection of burgers and sandwiches with good sides. We enjoyed the blue cheese burger - perfectly cooked. The ham and fig sandwich could have done with more filling to bread ratio but tasty. Place was packed at lunch so getting silverware and check took a bit. All in all successful road trip stop. read more

The Rookery - Bar area - Bars Near Me - Macon, Georgia

get yourself a nice greasy burger and warsh it down with a milkshake here but expect to get kinda ghosted by ur waitresss but it's all good, we got our food so truly no complaints! read more

It's all about bad service and lazy or untrained kitchens: - took too long for server to come to our table. It was 1pm on a Thursday and they were not busy. Proof: At least 3-4 servers gathered around hostess area chatting during most of our meal. - placed my order for a Club salad, clearly specifying blue cheese instead of cheddar. - Also made sure to add how I wanted my chicken prepared **since the server didn't bother asking** and was walking away without asking if we wanted anything else. - server struck us as someone who really didn't care - salad came WITH wrong cheese. and NO avocado. it was the server's fault: person who delivered our food said the order didn't have cheese sub noted. Inept? - bacon was not fresh: stringy cold clump. - server was Dakota read more

What a great experience .. How has Guy F not put these place on TV yet . From The old school feel w/ smiles, great service & great food... Came in because locals told me it was one of the best burgers in the the area .. I would agreee only the or ion rings are the best in the nation ... WOW !!! KYLE at the bar is a hoot and provides great service .. thank you Rookery Told Me t read more

The Rookery - Allmen burger add bacon w/ Oh---- SO F,,,n Onion Rings - Bars Near Me - Macon, Georgia

We stopped by on a Friday night for burgers as we do once a month. The restaurant was very busy as expected, but our food was ready in about 20 minutes. Service and food were good. read more

Rookery is one of my favorite restaurants in the area. They have delicious burgers, and their adult milkshakes are outstanding. This time, we started with the Fried Green Tomatoes, served with a sun-dried tomato remoulade that was both unique and delicious. Next, we tried the Pub-Style Fish & Chips, which were cooked perfectly. The fish was well-seasoned and crispy, and the coleslaw had great flavor too. Finally, we enjoyed James Brown's Black & Blue Burger, a blackened burger topped with bleu cheese crumbles and sautéed onions. It was cooked to a perfect medium and literally melted in my mouth. If you're ever in Macon, GA, you must check out Rookery. read more

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Manager with an attitude. I went in to get something to go. I ordered the cheese burger. They asked what side I wanted. I asked "Does it come with it?" I was told yes. So I ordered some fries that were floured. I was told that they recommended it but not told it cost $2.00 more. I asked for a to go cup of water and the hostess had to get the manager permission first if it was alright. I found that odd. After sitting for a while I looked at my ticket and saw that I was charged for the side I was told came with it. That is thief by deception. Upselling the sale without informing the costumer. When I asked for them to take it off. I was told they didn't like my attitude and was giving my money back and kicked out. No apology, no we correct that for you. Just a rude manager with a ego problem. I have written to them twice so far and no reply. They don't even display the reviews. That was my first and only time I will ever visit this place. Over priced and betting on the fact that some stars ate there once doesn't make the service any better.. read more

Great place in downtown Macon. Been there since 1976. Friendly service, decent prices and the food was fantastic. I had the Fried Green Tomato BLT. Highly recommend. Also often underrated their fries were really good. Lots of cool memorabilia on the wall and menu names reflecting the historical figures from the area. New time I want to try the Jimmy Carter Burger read more

Amazing food! Great service in a cool eclectic old school rockin' tavern setting. A bit pricey but definitely an experience. The only issue is the downtown area is overrun with people who seem to be mentally confused and who will approach you asking for money or will be yelled while walking. read more

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Dont sleep on this place! I special ordered a turkey club with a fried green tomato. We had the best service from Avery, who kept up with our chaos as a party of tourist. I was going to slight them on the milkshake machine being down, but Avery recommended the banana pudding cheesecake and it was astounding! Probably one of the best meals I have had in a long time. Make sure you go and see Avery and eat all the things. Collard and artichoke dip, golden rolls, fried green tomatoes. All great! Pork chops, burgers, sweet potato fries - order it all! Next time, I hope the milkshake machine is up! read more