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$$$historic-district
Vic's runs in a restored 1859 cotton warehouse on Bay Street, river views through the upstairs dining room. Classic Lowcountry, white-tablecloth service.
Signature: Shrimp and grits, Crab cakes
Order: Shrimp and grits with the Carolina shrimp sauce, plus a crab cake to share.
Tip: Ask for an upstairs window seat at reservation time for the Savannah River view.
New American, Farm-to-table$$$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.