Lowcountry Southern$$$$thomas-square
Elizabeth on 37th opened in a 1900s Victorian mansion in 1981; Elizabeth Terry won James Beard Best Chef Southeast in 1995. Classical Lowcountry benchmark.
Signature: Spiced Georgia shrimp, Seven-course chef's tasting
Order: The spiced Georgia shrimp on stone-ground grits; the seven-course tasting if you are committing.
Tip: Tasting menu by reservation only; book OpenTable two weeks ahead. Jackets suggested.
Port City Southern$$$$historic-district
Mashama Bailey's Grey runs from a restored 1938 Greyhound bus terminal on MLK, a Port City Southern menu rooted in West African and Lowcountry technique.
Signature: Foie gras and country ham, Country captain
Order: Whatever is running in the dining room that night; the bar serves a tighter Diner Bar menu walk-up.
Tip: Book via Resy for the formal Dining Room. The Diner Bar takes walk-ups along the bar and runs a la carte until close.
Modern Southern, Lowcountry$$$$historic-district
The fourth Husk opened on Oglethorpe in January 2018, running the heritage-grain Lowcountry programme Sean Brock built at the original Charleston room.
Signature: Wood-grilled coastal Georgia fish, Heirloom-grain plates
Order: Whatever the wood grill is running tonight, paired with a glass of small-producer Southern wine.
Tip: Reserve via Resy. The bar serves the full menu walk-in 17:00 onwards. Brunch runs Saturday and Sunday 10:00 to 14:00.
Classic Southern, Lowcountry$$$historic-district
An institution in the 1771 Habersham mansion on Reynolds Square, serving classic Southern menus in candle-lit upstairs rooms and a Planters Tavern basement.
Signature: Crispy scored flounder, She-crab soup
Order: The crispy scored flounder with apricot shallot sauce, plus the she-crab soup as a starter.
Tip: Book OpenTable a week ahead for upstairs; the Planters Tavern in the basement is first-come and runs the same menu.
New American, Southern$$$$thomas-square
Brandon Carter's Common Thread on East 37th, a Bon Appetit Best New Restaurant 2022 and a 2025 James Beard Best Chef Southeast semifinalist. Victorian house.
Signature: Tasting-menu dinner, Chef's choice plates
Order: The chef's tasting; menu rotates with the market.
Tip: Reserve on Resy. Tasting and a la carte both run; check the menu page before booking.
Coastal Italian$$$$historic-district
Saint Bibiana inside Hotel Bardo opened September 2023, now led by executive chef Jim Anile; coastal Italian, house-made pasta, wood-fired plates, aperitivo.
Signature: House-made pasta, Al fresco spritzes
Order: Whatever pasta is on the chalkboard tonight, plus a spritz on the courtyard.
Tip: Book Resy 2 weeks ahead for dinner; brunch on Friday to Sunday 8:00 to 14:00.