The Vandiver

The Vandiver in Clayton George went above and beyond to make our 25th wedding anniversary dinner one of the most special nights of our lives together. They asked us ahead of time what we enjoy doing and when we arrived, we were gifted with a special wine tasting. Never before has a restaurant added such a special touch and we will remember it forever. Everyone from the hostess to the server, and even the manager stopped by our table to wish us a happy 25th wedding anniversary. They even made us a custom 25th anniversary card! And y’all the food is out of this world! We started with the deviled eggs appetizer followed by the amazing beef Wellington and then finished with a delicious dessert made by their in-house pastry chef. If you’re ever in the North Georgia area you have to stop by this cute little town and visit this amazing restaurant. And definitely if you want to celebrate special occasions hands-down you have to come here. Thank you again, Vandiver team for making our special night one to remember.

My husband and I loved this restaurant and found the whole experience to be highly memorable. The kitchen didn’t open until five so when we got there around four, we sat at the bar and had a great conversation with our bartender Tanner who was outstanding! Alex as a server was amazing as well, such a sweetheart and who’d I’d recommend you ask for when dining there. It was the perfect date night spot and the aesthetic was gorgeous! They were a new restaurant in the area and a great addition to the town of Clayton! The food was 10 out of 10!

Francisco was a fantastic host. Food was great , wine list was good , desserts were original . Thanks for the great experience

We really enjoyed our first meal here — we’ll definitely be back! The gnudi and Wellington were incredible, cocktails were perfect, and the service was amazing. 10/10.

This place is so kind and inviting. I had my birthday dinner here, and several of the staff stopped by to wish me a happy birthday. (And did not sing so it’s a win-win) Staff were attentive and friendly. Drinks and food tasted great. I will definitely be back.

Incredible and memorable food. Warm and helpful staff. Beautiful and comfortable atmosphere! Highly recommend!

First time here and the experience exceeded my expectations. The chicken Ceasar Wrap flavor was different from what I have had, it was delicious! Our server Chris was exceptional!

Best restaurant experience ever, made a reservation for a birthday dinner and once we had arrived all staff greeted the birthday girl. At the table there was a dozen roses as well as a birthday card signed by everybody on staff!!! Will definitely be back for many more occasions. FOOD WAS GREAT AS WELL

Wonderful addition to downtown Clayton. Francisco our server was very attentive and we were a party of 6 and everyone's dish was great.

Great food, service, and atmosphere. 5 stars $$$. They perfer reservations, but walk ins welcome.

We had an amazing experience at The Vandiver!!! We let them know we were celebrating our 5 year wedding anniversary and they made us feel incredibly special with some bubbly, a gift, and personalized dinner menus. The food was awesome - I had the steak frites and it was such a tender, perfect steak. The desserts were also to DIE for. The deviled eggs probably took the cake though...they are rich but SO tasty. We will be back!

Friendly staff and great atmosphere. The lunch menu is limited but delicious. Full bar and right on main st.

This place is a classy joint right in the heart of charming downtown Clayton, GA. Service was spectacular from the moment we walked in. Our server was Alex, and she was amazing. She is very attentive, personable, and is a great server. My wife and I were on a date night, which I put down when I made the reservation on Opentable. When she introduced herself, she mentioned that she heard it was date night. In my opinion, this speaks volumes as to the kind of server she is. The fact that she took the time to actually get to know a little bit about the customers shows that she is the kind of worker that goes above and beyond. I have no doubt we were not the firsts, nor will be the lasts to be provided this top-notch service. As for the food, it was delicious. I had the hamburger cooked medium, and it hit the spot. My wife got the Caesar salad which she said was also delicious. Our dessert was the home-made iced cream which was another item that did not disappoint. We don't drink, but if we did, this place would appear to be an ideal place for a beverage. The bar looked classy, and from afar the barkeep certainly presented the part. They do have a good selection of mocktails too. I would recommend for a date night, anniversaries, special occasions, etc.

The culinary offerings were of exceptional quality, and the mixed drinks were equally impressive. The ambiance was highly conducive to a pleasurable dining experience. I highly recommend this establishment. The pork chop was outstanding. The Venison Wellington was remarkable. Their pasta dish was delightful.

I've lived in three different countries, traveled all over, and this is one of the top restaurants I've ever been to. The service was impeccable, clean, and the atmosphere was great. Above all, the food was amazing, including the desserts. Big shout out to the chef!

What a fantastic addition to Clayton's excellent spots to eat. Outstanding Service, nice atmosphere. The cool thing is I see this as a nice stop for a drink and appetizer, or a top notch dinner out. I found the prices to be reasonable and the portions were perfect. 4 of us had 4 different entrees and all were very good. My wife had the Pork Chop, I had the Trout, both of our companions had a two different pasta dishes and both were excellent. As we were waiting for desert.and the fish tacos went by to another table, and they looked really good. (Going back soon for those). Deserts were excellent as was the Calamari. I say you would be glad you tried it out. Dress is nice resort casual - Jeans were fine.

Refreshingly classy. Our best experience in dining thus far. Apparently they have an excellent Kitchen staff. The waiter Tanner was engaging and busy making sure all guests were catered to. (NO RELATION.. HA HA). We have a small place in Tiger and had waited to give the new Hotel a chance to get up and going .they have a great set up.

My husband and I had a great experience. Our server, Vanessa was awesome. Super friendly and attentive. The hostesses were the sweetest girls. Multiple people checked on us during our dining experience. The food was delicious and the dessert was divine! The only suggestion I would make is just to maybe invest in some outdoor heaters if you’re going to continue to seat outside in the colder seasons, but that’s all! It was great! :)

We spent New Year’s Eve at The Vandiver. The food, drinks and service were excellent!

FOOD I love the refined, purposeful menu. I'm excited to go back to try more. Duck: my favorite part of the plate was the kale-brussel hybrid, surprisingly! I loved it with the blackberry gastrique [which tasted like a Korean style teriyaki sauce- it has spice]. The duck itself was solid; I wish I got more of that sorghum glaze. The gnocchi were a good simple balance to the spicy gastrique. Salmon: Great, moist salmon. The lemon beurre blanc was a HARD miss. I truly would reconsider that choice. The risotto was AMAZING; large portion and very filling. To be honest, I think the bacon pea risotto would be a smart pairing with the duck. I also would consider offering an ala cart side option. Steak Frites: I love peppercorns/pepper so I was a huge fan of this marinated steak. To be transparent, this steak is marinade/flavoring forward. If you prefer a classic meat-salt-pepper steak, I would try a different option. For me, I LOVE IT. Mousse Cake: Give. Immediate. We went for my mom's birthday and she is a chocolate-peanut butter FIEND. No notes, just keep doing doing what you're doing. Apple Pear Sorbet: A great option for gluten free friends! Absolutely the best sorbet I've ever had. I love the cinnamon flavor. SERVICE Loved our server! She was communicative, attentive, and kind. I appreciated her clarity. For example, I asked if the Mousse cake slice was large enough to share or if we should get two. She contextualized by saying that she usually ate the full slice herself, but then represented the size using her notepad. It demonstrated that the size would be shareable, but I wanted my own. It may seem small, but it was very helpful as someone who has to closely monitor their sugar intake. ATMOSPHERE I love the vibe. It's the perfect balance of upscale and casual. Note: the bar opens at 4pm, but the kitchen opens at 5pm.

Went to the Vandiver for our anniversary dinner. The food was excellent, and they have a lot of glute-free options, which made my wife’s choices much easier (and safer). Olivia, our server, was outstanding - genuine, attentive, and fun. She was knowledgeable about the menu and about the ingredients (again, helpful for people with food allergies). And, they did not charge us for the homemade ice cream (yum) in honor of our anniversary. If we are in Clayton again, we will definitely return!

This was our first time at The Vandiver, and we were completely blown away by the atmosphere, service, and food. We pass by frequently, yet were amazed that we did not know of this restaurant. Our server was knowledgeable, attentive, and quick to ensure we had all,we needed throughout our meal. The food was delicious and presentation was excellent.

Loved everything about this place! The portions are huge! We got the fried green tomatoes for an appetizer and it could have been our meal. The pork chop was so good and perfectly cooked. My husband got the trout and it was also cooked well. Highly recommend!

Great experience and welcome addition to Clayton- particularly with Fortify closing. The renovation is tasteful, the restaurant is very comfortable and the bar area is very nice and separated from the seating area for dinner. My scallops with quinoa, mushrooms and grilled asparagus was one of the best scallop dishes I’ve had. The kale Ceasar was excellent as well. My wife had the trout and loved it and the peach cobbler cheesecake was excellent. Two small points- I’d serve only 2 of the hot rolls with a few artisan crustier breads for the bread service- the other 2 rolls after they cool are not up to the rest of the meal and the coffee was not strong enough- it just tasted weak rather than rich and flavorful. The service was excellent- attentive, very good recommendations and friendly. We will return soon.

10/10! Great food, great atmosphere, great service! Tanner is an absolute star and makes the best cocktails! He was very accommodating and made some delicious off-menu cocktails! The food is wonderful too! We had the pimento cheese, trout dip, and hush puppies the first time that we went. The hush puppies were to die for and the trout dip was delicious and so fresh! We went back a second time and they had removed the trout dip from the menu…I’m hoping they bring it back for the spring/summer because it was worth the trip!! Love this new chic spot in downtown Clayton! Definitely a special occasion kind of spot or great for bringing out of town guests when you want to make a statement!

The food was very good and the service top notch. A resident pastry chef and some farm to table. The duck, scallops and crab cakes are all good dishes.

What a beautiful lil gem in Clayton, Ga! Spotless and friendly. Went for lunch with my daughter and a friend. Started with their deviled eggs with pimento and bacon jam. Wow! I am a French Fry snob and these were perfection. Crispy shoestrings. 🥰 Had the wings, grilled chicken and chicken salad sandwiches. Francisco was delightful and attentive. The entire staff was warm and terrific! Can’t wait to try the dinner menu. We will be back with bells on! Great job Vandiver’s!

All the food here was delicious. I started with the Vandiver salad and artichoke dip (must get)! As for the entree I got the scallops that were perfectly cooked with quinoa and a mild pepper sauce with green beans. All the deserts are also delicious, especially the peach cobbler cheesecake! I will be back to try more dishes when I am in town next. Do not miss this gem in the heart of Clayton!

Vandiver is our go to spot in Clayton and has been for a long time. Whether it is a casual night out or a special occasion, this is always the first place that comes to mind. I have hosted private events here and every single time the staff goes above and beyond to make it seamless and fun. The food is incredible. Their chicken salad is the best I have ever had, hands down. The chicken piccata is to die for and is one of those dishes you find yourself craving days later. The menu feels thoughtful and everything that comes out of the kitchen is fresh, flavorful, and beautifully done. Jorge is our bartender and he is truly the best. He has our regular in front of us within minutes of sitting down and always makes us feel like we are right at home. There is something special about walking into a place where they know your order and your name. That kind of hospitality is rare and Vandiver delivers it every time. The atmosphere and vibe are exactly what you want. Warm, lively, and full of energy without ever feeling chaotic. It is the kind of spot where you can dress up a little or come as you are and still feel perfectly comfortable. The music, the lighting, and the overall feel of the place all come together to create a space you actually look forward to being in. I truly cannot say enough about Vandiver and the entire team. If you are in Clayton and looking for a place with amazing food, incredible drinks, and a staff that makes you feel like family, this is it.

Excellent lunch...loved the Spinach & Artichoke Dip, Buffalo Chicken Wrap, & Avocado Toast...oh, and fries were great! Service was great too.

My husband and I had brunch there last Saturday, the food was delicious, and the service was good. We asked for jam to go with our biscuit, the chief immediately made fresh cranberry jam for us, and it was delicious! We will be back!

Excellent food overall but depends on what you order. My fiancée got the bolognese which was delicious. I ordered the pot pie, which was a huge disappointment both portion size and taste. Both our waiter, Ash, and the manager were really nice and receptive to our feedback. They took it off the bill and brought us some amazing brussel sprouts and a unique chocolate dessert. Overall, great ambiance and cocktails were killer but the pot pie needs to be taken off the menu as it doesn't meet the standard the rest of the food set. We will be back next time we are in the area. Hope this place does well!

Dinner was fine. The risotto was a little undercooked, but the flavors were excellent. I had the grilled asparagus side and it was delicious.

Third time dining at the Vandiver. Olivia served us and was an absolute delight. We were seated at the table directly nex to the kitchen and the chef in our group was not happy about that - but the outstanding fried green tomatoes and crab cake appetizers made up for it. Among us we tried shrimp and grits, kale salad with steak, burger and fries (SO GOOD) and the trout. Dinner is a busy time, but the crowd of mostly local folks seemed jovial and to enjoy. We will definitely go back. Interesting cocktails and approachable wine program.

The atmosphere and service were notably good, and the setting is cozily romantic .. the actual meal, however, fell short.... For these prices, I had expected a top-shelf culinary experience - but it just wasn't delivered. Both the food and drink menus are somewhat limited in the scope of offerings. The food was 'okay' - but well short of being something I'd want to revisit in the future. Back to the drawing board on this one - perhaps, with a bit of time, they will eventually discover their niche in Clayton's eclectic eatery scene...

Mixed feelings about The Vandiver. The atmosphere is modern and clean, but it still has a bit of a hotel lobby vibe. No complaints about the service or cocktails (the old fashioned was rich and concentrated). The food was a mixed bag: Corn Bisque - excellent Bread Service - good Scallops - ok - could have been seared better, but the couscous and sauce were good Duck - not good - skin wasn't cooked properly so it was not crisp, the outside was also totally over salted anyway. the meat itself was surprisingly bland as was the rice beneath it. tasted like straight out of the rice cooker with no seasoning. the sauce was the only thing that made me want to eat. Collards - good flavor, but needed to be cooked much longer All in all, I wouldn't recommend a friend to visit The Vandiver specifically, but if someone is already in Clayton I wouldn't avoid it. I would be willing to give them a second chance if I dined in town regularly.

The people were very friendly. Wasn’t very impressed with their drinks and appetizers. Big Jim’s Cadillac, really just tasted like tequila and a spritz of lime juice, not exactly worth $18. Pork belly needed seasoned and slow cooked, was tough and chewy, had a decent crust on it though, but seemed like it was just dropped in a deep fryer. Fried green tomato’s could’ve used precooking before being fried. The New York strip steak was very good, cooked to correct temperature and very properly seasoned. My wife had the trout, which while looked amazing and smelled great, could’ve used a bit more on the flavor side. Not a bad place overall, but not $147 bill worthy. Also the restaurant was very empty

Bright, modern interior is appealing. Sadly, the chicken piccata recommended by our waiter was inedible. Chef must have poured a whole bottle of capers, juice and all, into the sauce. Sour! Our waiter was a bit lax, but fortunately another waiter, a young woman, picked up the slack.

My family and I are local. We finally decided to try it out. We walked in the door and it took 5 minutes to be greeted. The host was in the back getting a to go order. Two waiters looked at us and turned the other way. The place was half full. When we were seated. The table next to us had an appetizer and waters. They got up and left. Said they were waiting for their drinks for over 20min. We tried to keep an open mind. We were very disappointed in the limited menu. I got the fried green tomato dish. It had no flavor. My mom got the Burger and she said it was extremely salty. My daughter got the Shrimp and Grits and she said they were just ok. On a positive note our waitress was very good. I had looked at the past dishes online that were served. It looked really good. But none of that was on the menu.

I had a delicious filet but my friend ordered the Bolognese. Worst pasta we’ve ever had. Took leftovers home and wasn’t worth eating. Served fresh, the noodles were stacked and cooked together in clumps, the sauce was dry and there was very little of it. Shockingly poor quality meal, especially for the price. Avoid the Bolognese if you go.