New American$$$thomas-squareMon closed; Tue-Sat 17:00-22:00; closed Sun
Cotton and Rye sits in a converted 1960s bank on Habersham, an open kitchen running house-ground burgers, scratch breads and in-house pates midweek.
Signature: House-ground burger, Bone marrow
Order: The house-ground burger with the current pate of the week, plus a side of bone marrow.
Tip: Resy bookings recommended in advance; bar walk-up runs the full menu without a reservation.
Contemporary Southern, Seafood$$$historic-districtMon-Sun 11:00-22:00
Vic's runs in a restored 1859 cotton warehouse on Bay Street, river views through the upstairs dining room. Classic Lowcountry, white-tablecloth service.
Signature: Shrimp and grits, Crab cakes
Order: Shrimp and grits with the Carolina shrimp sauce, plus a crab cake to share.
Tip: Ask for an upstairs window seat at reservation time for the Savannah River view.
New American, Farm-to-table$$$thomas-square
Local 11ten sits in the restored 1950s Old Savannah Bank at Bull and Duffy, with the Perch rooftop bar above. Seasonal new-American with a local-farm focus.
Signature: Seasonal coastal fish, Local farm vegetable plates
Order: Whatever the fish of the day is, with a glass from the rotating natural-leaning wine list.
Tip: Book OpenTable. Perch upstairs is walk-in for cocktails before dinner.
American, Southern Bistro$$$historic-districtMon-Thu 11:00-22:00; Fri-Sat 11:00-22:30; Sun 11:00-22:00
Brandy Williamson's Public Kitchen sits at Liberty and Bull opposite Madison Square. Midcentury-modern, local-farm bistro menu, indoor-outdoor seating.
Signature: Crab cake sandwich, Coastal Georgia fish
Order: The crab cake sandwich at lunch; the coastal fish plate at dinner.
Tip: Reserve OpenTable for dinner; lunch and brunch usually take walk-ins.
Soul food$$historic-districtMon-Fri 11:00-01:00; Sat-Sun 10:00-01:00
Treylor Park anchors a string of Bay Street rooms running playful Southern bar food in a brick courtyard. Chicken-and-pancake tacos, a long bourbon list.
Signature: Chicken and pancake tacos, PB&J wings
Order: The chicken and pancake tacos, plus a round of PB&J wings.
Tip: Walk-in only; expect a wait after 19:30 on weekends. Patio fills first.
American, Wine Bar$$thomas-squareMon-Sun 11:00-22:00
Ardsley Station sits on Victory Drive in a renovated filling station. Brick-oven flatbreads, charcuterie and 20-by-the-glass wine pulling 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.