Savannah, GASouthern

Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room has served a family-style Southern table on West Jones Street since 1943. Jesse Blanco wrote in Connect Savannah when the dining room reopened to guests in 2022 after nearly two years of takeout and sidewalk tables, with the famous fried chicken back on the table. The kitchen still takes its winter break through January and February. Arrive before the doors open and take a seat at a shared table.

The Olde Pink House stands in the 1771 Habersham House, which became the Planter's Bank in 1811 and opened its rooms to generals after Sherman presented Savannah to President Lincoln. The Savannah Morning News dining column lists chef Vincent Burns, head of the kitchen since 1997, and a menu of upscale Southern, coastal and Lowcountry cooking. Order his own pick, the BLT salad of fried green tomatoes and brown-sugared applewood bacon.

Chef Chris Hathcock returned to his hometown in 2018 to lead Husk, overhauling the menu with a personal vision for Lowcountry cuisine. Savannah Magazine's profile points to a kale salad, gingered cauliflower and tilefish with beets, plus a chess pie the piece singles out above the rest of the dessert menu. Order the chess pie for dessert.

Vic's on the River sits in a restored building above River Street with entrances on both Bay and River. Tim Rutherford wrote in Connect Savannah that its opening finally gave River Street a restaurant that stepped beyond fried seafood and cheap beer to upscale cooking at moderate prices. The Victor family are the owners, and the upstairs room looks out over the water. Order the Lowcountry plates the kitchen built its name on.