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    The Troll Tavern

    2.9 (739 reviews)
    ModerateAmerican
    Open 11:00 am - 9:00 pm

    The Troll Tavern Photos

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    THE TROLL TAVERN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Touristy
    Outdoor seating

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    Reviews With Photos - The Troll Tavern

    Patrick O.

    When it comes to spots on the main drag in Helen, I like this one slightly more than the rest. What really made it stand out was it's set up inside with plenty of TVs, all of which had various college sports on. We ended up seeking it out b/c we wanted to watch college football. They have solid indoor and outdoor seating. The outdoor seating is right by the river. On the indoor side you have a very small bar but plenty of TVs around the establishment. The food is fine but nothing terribly special. But they do have a fair amount of beer on tap. The overall experience is solid. We were able to watch football, eat and drink beer. I suspect I will end up back here the next time I visit Helen. I'd suggest swinging by if you get the chance.

    Fish and chips - hideous
    Bill D.

    Came in Friday Sept 20th 2025 about 9pm. We got seated promptly inside as outside had a wait time. Inside was not crowded, probably 25% occupied, if that. There were several wait staff walking around. Our server came over after about 10 minutes of waiting and took our drink order, but since we had to wait long enough we were ready to give our dinner order. I ordered an Arnold Palmer with unsweetened tea to drink and my buddy ordered a water. We got an unsweetened tea for him (again, he ordered water) and I got an unsweet tea with a tiny bit of lemonade. She went back to get my buddies water and that took another 10 minutes. We both ordered the fish and chips, which is haddock and fries and a side. I had the side of red skin mashed potatoes and seasonal rice. My buddy had the side of coleslaw and beans. The fish was horrible. It was probably microwaved frozen fish from a grocery store in Cleveland. The skin was greasy and paper like, the fish itself was bland. My potatoes were even bland, the only thing that had any flavor was the "packaged" Ken's tartar sauce that probably came from the same grocery store. My friend and I were both not just unhappy with the meal and the price we paid ($24 for just the food and almost $4 for the tea), we also felt nauseated after eating, probably from all the greasy fish. We ate most of it because we were hungry already. I could have stayed home and bought a tv dinner and been happier. The whole time we were eating the server NEVER came back to our table. We were polite, gracious and friendly so we're not sure what happened but AGAIN they were NOT busy. Overall the place was clean and at least they had some college football games on so that's why I gave an extra star for atmosphere. I've eaten here before but sat outside last time (plus it was probably 5 years ago). Seems like last time was much better. I certainly won't return and absolutely do not recommend, which is very rare for me as I usually try to give places another chance or the benefit of the doubt because every place has a bad day, and yet in this instance absolutely not. This service and food experience was horrible. Good luck.

    Garden salad and bratwurst with a side of mashed potatoes and brown gravy
    Claire H.

    I was walking around and saw that this place was right across the street. We (my mom and I) were able to get a seat outside by the river, which is so nice for the warm, fall weather. We were greeted pretty fast and went ahead and ordered our drinks. Their menu varies from salads, to burgers, to German food items, so basically like a tavern with a hint of German. We got a garden salad, a side of mashed potatoes with brown gravy, and a bratwurst. It was my first time trying a bratwurst, so with nothing to compare I'd say it was pretty good for my first experience. The staff was so nice, loved the vibes especially since it's Oktoberfest season.

    Clifford H.

    My wife had a club and they left the bacon off.Also her margarita wasn't good.The service was good.My goblin burger was good.The beer was cold.It was raining but normally it would be great to sit on their riverfront seating.I will give it another try.But based off my wife not being happy I am giving them 3 stars from The Working Man Review.

    Mountain mule
    Michele B.

    We had lunch here on a Monday during October fest. It was hopping but we still got a table inside. There was a wait for a creek side table outside. We ordered the brat on a pretzel roll and the fish and chips. A mountain mule, Pilsner, and some pickle fries started us off. Alas I was absorbed in the company and failed to take pictures of the food but fiddle Dee Dee, don't let that stop you from coming in. We enjoyed it thoroughly. The service was friendly and prompt. We appreciated the laid back atmosphere. You will too!

    Taken as we waited to be seated at the Troll Tavern
    Landon B.

    Our favorite place to eat in Helen. Outside or inside, you can't go wrong! Great service, super good food and they have clean restrooms which is a rare find in Helen during the Oktoberfest. My favorite hamburger has been discontinued there and I keep hoping they will bring it back (the Billy goat)

    Entrance from Main Street, take stairs down
    Georgia K.

    The views at this restaurant were great especially if you sit outside but the food and service were just okay. There are better quality options in Helen for the same kind of food but I can see how their location makes eating here extra appealing. I'm glad we did it once but probably won't be returning. I will also give it to them that the portions are quite large so we left full but slightly underwhelmed.

    Service was bad, beer took forever, and pretzel was hard as a rock. Points only for the view.

    Exterior
    Kishore B.

    One of the most beautiful and enjoyable diners in North Georgia with an amazing view of the Helen river and the Main Street bridge above it. Has a good selection of food and drinks as well. Food: Every time I visit Helen, I make sure to visit this place. The pretzels here are fabulous with beer cheese and spicy mustard. The fried pickles, fried cauliflower, the vegan burger is a delight. Hot chocolate and sodas are the only drinks I have tried. Plenty of vegan options and with a good taste; slightly on the bland side but that's okay. Ambience & Service: The ambience is just amazing. Always there are some amazing people around and especially if you are seated besides the river, and if it's summer, then that's you best spot. To watch all the tubing while having your food and drinks is just amazing. The service is excellent, even on the busiest day we don't get to wait for more than 10 minutes. Staffs are great and respectful. BOTTOMLINE: Good food; great views. Should be your go to place in Helen. MY PICKS FOR YOU: Fried Pickle, Pretzels

    French dip sub chips for fries. Fries were good. Sandwiches was fine. Not bad but wouldn't order again
    Brooke G.

    It's fine. Nothing outstanding or special. I grew up in Atl and have been to Helen roughly once every ten years or so at different ages and stages of life. And have been to this restaurant 3 separate occasions years apart. It's fine. Nothing particularly special. I will say if you are visiting during a particularly busy time (this most recent visit was the day after Christmas-something I DO NOT RECOMMEND but we had family in town who had never been and wanted to experience Helen at the holidays) this was the fastest seating option (5min for outdoor seating vs over an hour for literally everywhere else, though indoor was also over an hour here) so we ate here. I heard someone refer to it as the "sports bar of Helen" and that feels pretty accurate to me. It was loud. Bathrooms were gross. There was no soap in either dispenser which is pretty bad for a place that service a lot food that's meant to be handled by hands (like sandwiches) I told a bar tender and asked for hand sanitizer and he rolled his eyes at me. Never brought any or spoke to me. After a while passed and we had ordered I went back to try to wash my hands and there was still not soap in the ladies I told someone else and they got it taken care of immediately thank god because I'm not sure I would have been able to eat my sandwich. That may seem dramatic but the bathroom was pretty gross so to not be able to wash my hands with soap did not leave me feeling comfortable with that. Food was fine. Some better than others . I ordered a French dip sandwich and subbed fries for the chips that comes with it (an up charge if $2) the sandwich was okay. Not great-not bad just meh. I wouldn't order it again. But the fries were very good. My husband orders a Rubin which was very good. The key for both of us is making sure the bread is crispy not soggy at all and this stayed crispy until the last bite. His side of mash was also very good but had a flavor to it we couldn't place. Our table also ordered a total of 4 hot ciders (two of us ordered two each) and they were drastically different each time. From the flavor to the size. Totally different but not different pricing. They also do not come with a lid so they went from hot to cold very quickly. Also just a note there were no heat lamps in December in the patio and it was cold. We were fine because we're bundled but who doesn't have heat lamps or outdoor winter dining anymore? I also did not see if there was a ramp or elevator anywhere but there was definitely multiple stairs to get down to the entrance and up the indoor dining room/bar/bathroom. Just because I didn't see it doesn't me it wasn't there but just putting that out there. Like I said I have been here a few time over a wide span of time and there are definitely other options but this was the fastest option during my most recent visit. It's fine. I wouldn't tell someone to go here or recommend it at all but in a pinch it's fine. If you go order the Rubin as it was in fact very good and definitely sub for fries, but everything was sort of disappointing even for just a normal grill style establishment.

    Menu
    andrea s.

    Three stars for food presentation and quality. Service was terrible. Hostess was warm and welcoming when we arrived and sat us quickly. The waitress was slower than a sloth which was brutal. We ordered the pretzel with the beer cheese to start. The pretzel was fair the beer sauce was excellent. For lunch we had the French dip, the grilled cheese, trout, and a chicken salad. The trout was hands down the BEST. Cooked beautiful and had a great flavor. Music didn't add to the ambiance. The river was nice and we would have loved listening to the water more than the music that was being played.

    Shannon M.

    Aptly named because it's under the bridge! If you're a fan of German fare, this is a good option in Helen. Pretzels, bratwurst, knockwurst, schnitzel, as well as things like salads and sandwiches. We all enjoyed our meals (grilled cheese with bacon, bratwurst, and roast beast) as well as the pretzel with beer cheese appetizer. Our server was attentive and friendly. Overall, a good choice for lunch!

    Tavern Burger with Pimiento Cheese and Fries
    Bettie J.

    The food was great - everything cooked very well and fresh. Our party had the Tavern Burger, Helen Hillbilly, Fish and Chips, and the Angry Goblin - everyone's food was great. Service was a little slow, having to asking for refills and reminders about things like that, but still friendly friendly. Great atmosphere- right on the river and helpful staff!

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    The Troll Tavern Reviews in Other Languages

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    Nope. No longer pet friendly, may or may not allow service dogs depending on which awful hostess you get.

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    Bigg Daddys Restaurant & Tavern

    Bigg Daddys Restaurant & Tavern

    3.8
    (942 reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$

    Very good Philly Cheesesteak. My wife's burger was also good, with fried egg and all kinds of stuff…read moreon it. The waffle fries were good. This was close to our rooms and not normally what we seek out in Helen, but I'm glad we stopped. Spacious. Lots o' wood. Good selection of beers. Full, but didn't feel packed. Typical American fare with a tasty flair.

    We had the opportunity to visit Bigg Daddy's recently and quite enjoyed the time we spent there. We…read morehad checked into the hotel next door, and looking around at various places decided that was going to be the place to go for dinner... everything else had long lines and we were not in the mood for that sort of thing, and having the hotel right next door meant we could eat and just walk back to the hotel. It was a Tuesday night, which turned out to be wing night with wings that were a reasonable price. I also went for the fish and chips, which were fair. The wings were quite tasty, and they have a decent variety of sauce flavors to choose from which is a good thing. I also went for the street corn, which was excellent. We were sitting out on the porch, and the weather was good. Noise was kept to a minimum so we were able to talk without having to shout, which I consider to always be a good thing. The food was good, our wait staff were decent, and we were very happy with our experience. If we are in the area again, we would certainly return.

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    Bar area May 2025
    Bar area May 2025
    Cajunyaki
    Cajunyaki
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    Fish sandwich
    Campfire

    Campfire

    4.4
    (133 reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$

    Everything tasted soooo good 10/10 recommend no matter if you have a big or small family! The staff…read morehere is amazinggg they make you feel so welcomed, the service its a 10/10! Come check them out here! We loved everything!

    If you've spent more than five minutes eating your way through Alpine Helen GA, you already know…read morethe truth: finding genuinely good, made-from-scratch food here feels like a competitive sport--and most places are losing. Campfire Restaurant isn't just winning... it's playing a completely different game. I've been here since day one, watching owner Matt and his crew build this place with intention and pride. This isn't a "let's open and see what happens" spot--this is passion, detail, and respect for doing food right. In a town where "authentic" can mean reheated and overpriced, Campfire stands out like a perfectly cooked ribeye in a sea of mediocrity. The vibe hits immediately--rustic North Georgia lodge meets modern comfort. Wood, textures, that Smoky Mountains ambiance. Indoor dining is cozy, outdoor dining under Edison lights is where the magic lives. It's date night, family dinner, or "I survived today" energy all in one place. Locals recommend this place for a reason--and locals don't hype things lightly. Now the food. Everything is made in-house--real Southern food, comfort food, and American food with flavor and consistency. The Southwest Gunpowder Nachos? Legendary. Handmade chips, massive portions--get steak and extra corn. It's two meals unless you're me. Best value in Helen. The smash burger is easily one of the best in Georgia--juicy, consistent, unforgettable. Fried chicken is solid, but locals will tell you: get the chicken tenders. Ribeye is tender, juicy, and always recommended. Mac and cheese? Creamy, different--but I'll admit I'm biased because mine is elite. Still worth trying. And the s'mores dessert--if you don't have room, make room. It's rich, indulgent, and perfect for date night or birthdays. Service has that "Cheers" feel--friendly, consistent, no judgment if you roll in looking like life just happened. They remember you, take care of you, and that matters. Parking is easy in the Alpine village shopping center. Seating is quick if you're smart about timing (don't be silly). Live music adds to the vibe without overpowering it. Prices are reasonable (rare for Helen), portions are big, and quality stays consistent--that trifecta is everything. This is a bucket list, must visit, locals favorite, top rated spot in Alpine Helen GA. Whether it's Oktoberfest, a Smoky Mountains trip, or just a Friday night--this is where you go when you want food that actually delivers. And honestly? In this town... that says everything. #facts REASONS TO VISIT: 1. Must visit, bucket list restaurant in Alpine Helen GA 2. Locals favorite, top rated, best in North Georgia 3. From-scratch Southern food, comfort food, American food 4. Southwest Gunpowder Nachos (huge portions, local favorite) 5. Smash burger (one of the best in Georgia) 6. Ribeye steak (tender, juicy, highly recommended) 7. Fried chicken + local-favorite chicken tenders 8. S'mores dessert (perfect for date night & celebrations) 9. Indoor dining + outdoor dining patio ambiance 10. Live music, Smoky Mountains vibe 11. Friendly service, "Cheers"-style experience 12. Reasonable pricing + generous portions 13. Quick seating (if you time it right) 14. Great for families, groups, date nights 15. Ample parking in Alpine village shopping center

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    Fireside dining area
    Fireside dining area
    Smoked salmon
    Smoked salmon
    Chili cheese fries

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    Chili cheese fries

    The Troll Tavern - tradamerican - Updated July 2026

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