Step into the Lake Rabun Hotel in Lakemont and feel the mountain craftsmanship at once, from cedar fretwork to a stone fireplace built by local hands. We visit owner and preservationist Gwen North, the restaurant team, and the bar to explore a true farm-to-table tradition that champions Providence Farms beef, Benton’s bacon, local trout, and Moonrise Bourbon. You hear how thoughtful restoration, pet-friendly fish camp cottages, and Forest Lodge events invite you to slow down, put away screens, and reconnect in Georgia’s farm-to-table capital.

Lake Rabun Hotel

Credit: LakeRabunHotel.com

Lake Rabun Hotel sits on a quiet slope in Lakemont, where stone, cedar, and heart pine tell the story of a hundred years of craft. Owner Gwen North walks us through the building’s origins and her restoration work, from uncovering fretwork hidden under the structure to returning rare, rustic furniture that the hotel’s founder commissioned in the early 1900s. The rooms remain simple and serene. There are no televisions. Guests come in frazzled and leave rested after conversations by the fire and walks under the trees.

Food is central to the experience. The kitchen adheres to a farm-to-table ethic that has been in place here long before it became a trend, with chefs cultivating direct relationships with nearby growers. You hear about an American Wagyu burger sourced from Providence Farms, smoky bacon from Benton’s in Tennessee, and a pecan and pumpkin seed-encrusted trout that earned statewide recognition. The approach lets local ingredients speak clearly on the plate.

The bar carries that same local spirit. Bartender David Walker builds seasonal cocktails and a classic old-fashioned with Moonrise Bourbon and house bitters. Around the property, guests can stay in pet-friendly fish camp cottages or host gatherings at Forest Lodge, both designed to keep you close to the mountains. The episode becomes a portrait of a place where preservation, community, and agriculture meet.

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A Fork in the Road airs Saturdays at noon and Sundays at 6:30 a.m. on GPB-TV. Check your local listings for other replays throughout the week and watch all episodes anytime at GPB.org/ForkintheRoad.  Please download and subscribe to the Fork in the Road podcast at GPB.org/ForkintheRoadpodcast or on your favorite podcast platform.