Soul food$$$historic-districtMon-Tue 08:00-15:00; Wed 08:00-15:00, 16:00-21:00; Thu-Sat 08:00-15:00, 16:00-22:00; Sun 08:00-15:00, 16:00-21:00
Anthony Debreceny's Australian Collins Quarter opened on Bull at Oglethorpe Square in 2014, the city's brunch flagship since. A second by Forsyth Park.
Signature: Avocado smash, Lavender mocha
Order: The avo smash on sourdough with poached eggs, plus a lavender mocha.
Tip: Brunch is first-come, first-served; arrive by 09:30 on weekends or expect a wait. Dinner takes OpenTable bookings.
French bistro$$historic-districtMon-Sun 08:00-15:00; Tue-Thu 17:00-21:00; Fri-Sat 17:00-22:00
B. Matthew's has run from an 1850s building on East Bay for over two decades, brick walls and wooden beams under a daily-changing brunch board. A mainstay.
Signature: Fried green tomato and crab cake benny, Bourbon bacon burger
Order: Fried green tomato and crab cake benny at brunch; the bourbon bacon burger at dinner.
Tip: Book OpenTable for brunch on weekends or expect a 30 minute wait.
Seafood, Casual Coastal$$islandsTue-Sun 12:00-17:00
The Wyld sits on the Herb River in Thunderbolt past the bridge, car or boat tie-up access. Outdoor decks over the water, casual coastal seafood, live music.
Signature: Fish tacos, Boiled peanuts
Order: The fish tacos and a side of boiled peanuts; an ice-cold Service Brewing beer with both.
Tip: Cash and card both fine. Boat tie-up free; arrive by 18:00 to beat the live-music rush.
Seafood, Oysters$$historic-districtMon-Sun 11:00-24:00
Sorry Charlie's runs an oyster bar in one of Georgia's oldest commercial buildings, overlooking Ellis Square. Raw bar, steam pots, Bamboo Room tiki upstairs.
Signature: Raw oysters, Steam pots
Order: A dozen Sapelo oysters on the half-shell, plus a Lowcountry boil for two.
Tip: Happy hour runs daily 16:00-18:00 with discounted oysters. Rooftop and tiki bar open evenings.
Seafood$$$$historic-districtMon 16:00-23:00; Tue-Sat 17:00-21:30; Sun 16:00-22:00
Fleeting at the Thompson Savannah runs coastal fine dining on the second floor over the river. Wood-fired meats, hyper-seasonal Sunday jazz brunch.
Signature: Wood-fired seafood, Coastal Georgia tasting plates
Order: Whatever is on the wood-fire that night; ask for a window seat at booking for the river view.
Tip: Reserve OpenTable two weeks ahead for a window seat; the bar runs walk-up.
Soul food$$$$thomas-squareMon-Thu 18:00-21:00; Fri-Sat 18:00-21:30; Sun 18:00-21:00
Elizabeth on 37th opened in a 1900s Victorian mansion in 1981; Elizabeth Terry won James Beard Best Chef Southeast in 1995. Classical Lowcountry benchmark.
Signature: Spiced Georgia shrimp, Seven-course chef's tasting
Order: The spiced Georgia shrimp on stone-ground grits; the seven-course tasting if you are committing.
Tip: Tasting menu by reservation only; book OpenTable two weeks ahead. Jackets suggested.