American, Wine Bar$$thomas-squareMon-Sun 11:00-22:00
Ardsley Station on Victory Drive in a renovated filling station. Brick-oven flatbreads, charcuterie and 20-by-the-glass wine for after-work locals.
Signature: Brick-oven flatbreads, Charcuterie board
Order: A flatbread plus the seasonal charcuterie board, with a glass from the natural-leaning wine list.
Tip: Book OpenTable for the patio in advance, especially Fridays; the bar runs walk-up and serves the full menu.
Soul food$$historic-districtMon closed; Tue-Sun 11:00-21:00
Crystal Beer Parlor has run on the corner of Jones and Jefferson since 1933, red booths and dark wood under a long beer list. Burgers, fried green tomatoes.
Signature: Crystal burger, Fried green tomatoes
Order: The Crystal burger with a side of fried green tomatoes.
Tip: No reservations; arrive by 18:00 on weekends or expect a 30 minute wait.
Soul Food$$eastsideDaily 11:00-21:00
Sisters of the New South on Skidaway runs cafeteria-style soul food with handed-down recipes. Featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives: oxtails, smothered.
Signature: Oxtails, Fried chicken, Smothered shrimp
Order: Oxtails with the yams and macaroni and cheese; smothered shrimp on Fridays.
Tip: Cafeteria-style line; cash or card accepted. Sides change daily; arrive by 12:30 to beat the Eastside lunch rush.
Soul food$$$historic-districtMon-Sun 17:00-22:30
Classic Southern on Reynolds Square in the 1771 Habersham mansion. Candle-lit upstairs since the Balish 1992 restoration; Planters Tavern walk-up basement.
Signature: Crispy scored flounder, She-crab soup
Order: Crispy scored flounder with apricot shallot; she-crab soup as starter.
Tip: Book OpenTable a week ahead for upstairs; tavern downstairs is first-come.
Soul food$$historic-districtMon-Fri 11:00-14:00; closed Sat-Sun
Mrs. Wilkes has run from a Jones Street basement since 1943, Southern home cooking at ten-person communal tables Mon-Fri. Family-style daily-changing dishes.
Signature: Fried chicken, Cornbread dressing, Sweet potato souffle
Order: Whatever fried chicken comes out hot; the sweet potato souffle and black-eyed peas as sides.
Tip: Cash or check only. Daily $35 per person communal lunch (tax included). Opens 11:00; arrive by 10:30 for a manageable wait.
Soul food$$historic-districtMon-Fri 11:00-01:00; Sat-Sun 10:00-01:00
Treylor Park on East Bay runs playful Southern bar food in a brick courtyard. PB&J wings, chicken-and-pancake tacos, a long bourbon list, sister rooms nearby.
Signature: Chicken and pancake tacos, PB&J wings
Order: The chicken and pancake tacos with hot honey, and the PB&J wings.
Tip: Walk-in only; expect a wait after 19:30 on weekends. Patio fills first.