7277 S Main St, Helen, Georgia 30545
September 2026 update – Sat at the bar (our preference for ease of service and chance to share pleasantries with the bartender) and the wine list and spirits and liquor shelf are looking good. We will love to see some local wines, but their wines today are a perfect complement to a fine steak or seafood or just for having a drink at the bar. We had the fish and chips which was outstanding! Their secret house batter is a unique flavor mix, almost like a fried chicken batter, full of different spices. I’d say this is more of a Southern fish fry batter, and a Southern fish and chips, different than the traditional English fish and chips, and a must have if you like fish and chips. The white fish was prepared perfectly, light, full of flavor, and not dry at all. The fries were perfectly seasoned as well. We also had the steak cut called Picanha steak which is similar to a Sirloin, Definitely not common to North Georgia, and more often found in fine Brazilian steakhouses. We ordered it Rare, and it was a perfect Rare. It did not have a sauce or butter, and neither was needed as it was seasoned already, flavorful, and perfectly seared Rare. Another fine meal and we look forward to trying the rest of the menu!
May 2026 update – We stopped in Nacoochee Grill and thrilled that their bar was fully stocked and serving. The bartender was a true pro, knowledgeable and charming, and we hope they are able to partner with the right local winery. The spirits include some top shelf labels and the gin and soda was perfect. Went with the steak again, and steak is the way to go. The cuts of beef are high quality and the kitchen knows how to prepare a steak Rare or Medium Rare, which is not common here in North Georgia, alas. Had the New York Strip and it was cooked a perfect Medium Rare, the searing added flavor, and it had been seasoned and did not require any salt or pepper. Remember you can sit at the bar without reservations and order the full menu!
Original Spring 2026 Review: Nacoochee Gril just opened this spring as a new steak, chops, and seafood house from the owner of Campfire Grill in nearby downtown Helen, which we enjoyed thoroughly and reviewed, so we were excited to hear about this fine dining option in North Georgia.
We dined in the bar since just two of us (our preference is dining at the bar), and this was their first week open, so the liquor, spirits, wine and beer were not able to be offered just yet (they are now), so we plan to return to check out their wine selections. So this review is centered on their steaks and chops. The menu is exciting, and we look forward to having a drink at their bar and plan to visit in the future for happy hour or just a nice wine. The staff were attentive, knowledgeable, paid attention to detail, and were pros who knew when to engage and when not to engage, and they all delivered an exemplary experience.
We had 2 of their steaks – the 14 oz Ribeye requested Medium Rare, and the 10 oz Picanha, and they know what Rare and Medium Rare mean! Rare or Medium Rare are just not requested as often around here, so we appreciate a kitchen who knows that Rare means more red, and Medium Rare is a pinkish-red. The Ribeye was very nicely flavored and was a great cut. I say that because I could not resist eating the marbling (fat) that was flavorful and tender. The Ribeye is my favorite cut so I am a tough critic, and this was an exemplary steak full of flavor, seared on the outside and again, they chose a very fine cut. The Picanha is an unusual, and welcomed fine cut here in North Georgia. It is a specialty cut, that can’t be easy to come by in these parts, and it is lean and flavorful on its own, and we always suggest Rare, which they fulfilled perfectly, and it was indeed a very flavorful steak, smaller than the Ribeye and leaner, and exemplary. For the Picanha, consider it your choice if you also like a Top Sirloin. This was our first visit, so we’d recommend the Ribeye for a heavier appetite, and the Pichanha for a little lighter appetite, again if you prefer a Top Sirloin. Both were excellent. The sides were very nice, large asparagus and fine baked potato and sweet potato, but it’s all about the steaks. We started with the Caprese salad which was perfect for 2, and the Caesar Salad with cornbread croutons is also perfect to split. We plan to return to try their wines and cocktails and more of the menu, and we highly recommend Nacoochee Grill for a fine meal, date, or celebration meal. Please tell them you read about Nacoochee Grill here on North Georgia Culture!
