Contemporary Southern, Seafood$$$historic-district
Vic's runs in a restored 1859 cotton warehouse on Bay Street, river views through the upstairs dining room. Classic Lowcountry, white-tablecloth service.
Signature: Shrimp and grits, Crab cakes
Order: Shrimp and grits with the Carolina shrimp sauce, plus a crab cake to share.
Tip: Ask for an upstairs window seat at reservation time for the Savannah River view.
New American, Farm-to-table$$$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$$$historic-district
Brandy Williamson's Public Kitchen sits at Liberty and Bull opposite Madison Square. Midcentury-modern, local-farm bistro menu, indoor-outdoor seating.
Signature: Crab cake sandwich, Coastal Georgia fish
Order: The crab cake sandwich at lunch; the coastal fish plate at dinner.
Tip: Reserve OpenTable for dinner; lunch and brunch usually take walk-ins.
New American, Southern small plates$$historic-district
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$$thomas-square
Ardsley Station sits on Victory Drive in a renovated filling station. Brick-oven flatbreads, charcuterie and 20-by-the-glass wine pulling after-work locals.
Signature: Brick-oven flatbreads, Charcuterie board
Order: A flatbread plus the seasonal charcuterie board, with a glass from the natural-leaning wine list.
Tip: Book OpenTable for the patio in advance, especially Fridays; the bar runs walk-up and serves the full menu.
Australian-Southern, Brunch$$$historic-district
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.