Classic Southern, Lowcountry$$$historic-district
An institution in the 1771 Habersham mansion on Reynolds Square, serving classic Southern menus in candle-lit upstairs rooms and a Planters Tavern basement.
Signature: Crispy scored flounder, She-crab soup
Order: The crispy scored flounder with apricot shallot sauce, plus the she-crab soup as a starter.
Tip: Book OpenTable a week ahead for upstairs; the Planters Tavern in the basement is first-come and runs the same menu.
New American, Southern$$$$thomas-square
Brandon Carter's Common Thread on East 37th, a Bon Appetit Best New Restaurant 2022 and a 2025 James Beard Best Chef Southeast semifinalist. Victorian house.
Signature: Tasting-menu dinner, Chef's choice plates
Order: The chef's tasting; menu rotates with the market.
Tip: Reserve on Resy. Tasting and a la carte both run; check the menu page before booking.
Coastal Italian$$$$historic-district
Saint Bibiana inside Hotel Bardo opened September 2023, now led by executive chef Jim Anile; coastal Italian, house-made pasta, wood-fired plates, aperitivo.
Signature: House-made pasta, Al fresco spritzes
Order: Whatever pasta is on the chalkboard tonight, plus a spritz on the courtyard.
Tip: Book Resy 2 weeks ahead for dinner; brunch on Friday to Sunday 8:00 to 14:00.
Eclectic Southern, Cajun-Creole$$$$historic-district
Adventurous Southern in a Colonial cellar on Telfair Square since 2003. Cajun-Creole technique meets coastal Georgia, with a wild-game special board nightly.
Signature: Candied alligator, Wild boar volcano shank
Order: Candied alligator to start; whichever wild game is on the special board for main.
Tip: Book OpenTable. The Marsou Room runs a 7-course chef's tasting by separate reservation.
New American$$$thomas-square
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-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.