Evenings out · The Buford loop
Date Night in Buford
Buford's date-night center of gravity is downtown Main Street, where the steakhouse, the bistro, and the cantina sit within a few blocks of each other. When the evening wants more room, the mall district and the lake road carry the longer loop.
Every room below is real and open, verified by name and address. Reserve the Main Street tables on weekends, because the block fills.
On Main Street
One block, four rooms
Bare Bones Steakhouse
101 E Main St NE
The steakhouse on East Main Street, the dressed-up dinner table downtown. Book ahead on weekends.
Aqua Terra Bistro
55 E Main St NE
The bistro on East Main Street, the refined table for a quieter evening.
37 Main Restaurant + Bar
37 E Main St NE
The restaurant and bar on East Main Street, the easy dinner-and-drinks room.
Off The Rails Mexican Cantina
107 E Main St NE
The Mexican cantina on East Main Street, the lively table when the night wants margaritas.
The longer loop
The mall district and the lake road
The Artisan, A Gathering Place
554 W Main St
The bar and restaurant on West Main Street, the low-key alternative a block off the downtown loop.
Frontera Mexican Kitchen
4108 Hamilton Mill Rd
The Mexican kitchen on the Hamilton Mill corridor, the easy table for the south side of the city.
The longer evening
When the night wants more
When the Main Street tables are full, the lake road and the Mall of Georgia district add the longer options, and the weekend events page keeps the confirmed dates that fill the room.
An editorial guide, not a listings site. Updated September 13, 2026. Real-estate guidance on this page is provided by Rob Dietrich, REALTOR® with eXp Realty, LLC.