We drive from Savannah to Downtown Grill a couple of times a year. The filet is the best in the…read morestate. We always sit at the bar for convenience. The bartenders are always on point and friendly. Great service and amazing food. Everything is a winner on the menu.

If you've ever heard the saying "don't judge a book by its cover," Downtown Grill is the restaurant…read moreversion of that. Tucked away in an unsuspecting corner of Downtown Macon, this fine dining English-style steakhouse established in 1997, offers an experience that unfolds slowly, from a puzzling entrance to a surprisingly polished dining room... and ultimately to some of the best food I've had in Middle Georgia. ARRIVAL + FIRST IMPRESSIONS Because Downtown Macon was buzzing on this particular Saturday night, my husband and I ended up parking a couple of blocks away and taking the alley the GPS insisted was our route. Let's just say the alley definitely had "first date horror movie" vibes--but the beautifully framed photos lining the walls helped cut the sketch factor a bit. Once inside, we were greeted by a friendly, outgoing staff... and immediately greeted by something else: the cigar smoke. Downtown Grill has a full bar with an impressive oak humidor and a selection of bourbons, wines, and scotches that could easily impress the most seasoned connoisseur. But that also means the bar area is smoky--very smoky. I actually questioned whether we'd wandered into the wrong place until the hostess whisked us to the back dining room, where the ambiance shifted entirely. The dining room is intimate, classic, and much more aligned with "fine dining." Cozy booths, dim lighting, soft background music, truly an escape. And once seated, I didn't smell the cigar smoke at all. Bonus points for the restrooms using cloth napkins for hand-drying, an eco-friendly and elegant touch. We had noted on our reservation that it was our anniversary, but there was no acknowledgment. Not a deal breaker, but definitely unexpected for a fine dining restaurant, especially one that's been around this long. Our server was polished, professional, and consistently attentive. No complaints there. I started with the Elderflower Refresher and my husband with an Old Fashioned, both solid. But the star of the cocktail lineup? The Lavender Margarita. An absolute hit and something I'd go back for alone. For an appetizer, we ordered the Lump Crab Cakes. As a Maryland native, my standards are sky-high. These weren't "lump" crab cakes, but for Middle Georgia they were acceptable. They were flavorful, well-seasoned, and paired perfectly with the aioli drizzled on top. Then came the French Onion Soup. I'd seen the rave reviews and they were absolutely justified, easily the best I've had in years. Rich, savory, cheesy perfection. We both opted for the special of the night, the Salmon. My husband's came with mashed potatoes and green beans. I chose broccoli and green beans. The verdict? 5 out of 5. The salmon was cooked with precision--flaky, flavorful, expertly seasoned. The veggies were fresh, vibrant, and seasoned beautifully. Truly, this was the best meal I've had in Middle Georgia, hands down. Downtown Grill may not be where I'd choose to celebrate a milestone (the lack of acknowledgment and smoky entrance made sure of that), but it is where I'll go when I want a reliably excellent, well-executed meal. The kitchen is clearly the star of the show, and they delivered an unforgettable dining experience. We'll absolutely be back, maybe not for the anniversary, but definitely for that food.

The food was excellent our server Trinity was most excellent with her service. Scotty D and Sammy Bread more

A very upscale, classy restaurant in the heart of downtown Macon. Don't be fooled by the bar when…read moreyou walk in, dovetail is tucked upstairs and is much quieter and more sophisticated. You need reservations to dine here. There was complimentary bread and peach jam. They have a rotating selection of daily specials, cheeses, and change their menu frequently. I also appreciate the "small plates" section for when you're not that hungry. The cheese board appetizer was a surprising favorite. It had items sourced from local farms. Our waiter was very accommodating and did a good job with recommendations and explaining the intricacies of each item.

Stopped in for dinner after work midweek. Sat at the bar which felt like being in a little piece of…read morehistory with its polished wood and dim lighting. Bar tender was funny, friendly and accommodating. Burger was on point and the onion rings fire. Ordered the James Brown's Black & Blue which was fantastic paired with Horse's Neck.

A historic joint in the middle of downtown Macon was a great spot to enjoy a meal during Cherry…read moreBlossom Festival. We sat at the bar and enjoyed the company of other diners. Our bartender was very intense. He was nice but also behaving like the bar was 2 or 3 layers deep. I honestly was worried about him. The burgers were good, and I liked the house made chips. The drink special was a beautiful pink to go with the festival. It was cool to hang out with locals and travelers alike. I definitely recommend stopping into The Rookery.

My company had a staff dinner at the back burner. there was a total of 10 in our party. Restaurant…read morewas quiet and allowed our staff to relax and talk amongst ourselves. Food and service were excellent if you've never been I would highly recommend.

Don't judge a book by its cover! The curb appeal may not be…read morethe best however this place is beautiful inside a d perfect for date nights, anniversary, special gatherings. My waitress was exceptional and very knowledgeable about everything on the menu/wine list. I had the seafood trio which was perfectly cooked. The Cajuns sea bass was flavorful along with the shrimp but the best was the crab cake. Additionally the pecan bread pudding was delicious. I will absolutely come back here again once I am in town. Highly recommend.

What a great place to have a dinner for a special occasion…read more It was such a cool building too. We were seated right by the front door with a nice big window to look outside. The building also had an upstairs seating area. The food was absolutely amazing! We left there sooooo full, it was almost uncomfortable. lol!!! The calamari was outstanding, the blackened grouper and the blackened scallops were amazing as well. Everything was cooked just right. Our server was on top of our drinks and kept checking in with us to see if we needed anything at all. Overall, a very great experience....my ONLY complaint was that it was very pricey, but I knew that it would be. I believe my scallops, spinach and fries was about $44. But if you have a special occasion coming up and don't mind spending the money, this is a great option. The building, the service and the food are all exceptional.

Was in town for a business meeting absolutely delicious was so glad that I got to see this…read morenostalgic building a former bank used for such fine dining. The locals highly recommended and brought me here for my final dinner and I have no regrets. The scallops were absolutely amazing.

Tried their famous delta chicken and it was delicious. Chicken cooked to perfection with green…read morebeans. Great spot to try if visiting Dublin. Great service from staff! Dimmed ambience to enjoy your food.

Ok good but not if you are celiac…read more They at least let me know everything was probably contaminated such as the steak getting cooked where the bread goes. Nothing is marked GF / gluten free on the menu. I ended up eating a plate of lettuce with no dressing or croutons. Meh. The people were nice. But if anyone in your group has gluten sensitivities, this probably is not your spot.

It's been quite awhile since I've last ordered from here. And, while prices have gone up some, it's…read morenot as bad as some other places. On my last order of their Greek Burger, I was really disappointed, as they had changed to a sesame bun. And, it really did change the taste. But, since I have been craving one, I bought some brioche buns to use as a replacement. However, I was very pleasantly surprised to see, that they brought the original bun back! :-) It was as I remember, yum yum yum! I also ordered a Greek Gyro for Monday night's dinner.

Wow! This place is really REALLY REEAAAALLLY GOOD! Very…read moremodern for Milledgeville, and very nice inside! We had a table outside quick, but after a while it got too cold so we moved inside when there was space available- the team was super friendly & accomodating. We ordered hummus as an appetizer- WOOOOWW!!!! Everyone loved it! Served with fresh pita & this is homemade with love hummus!! We ordered our meals; I got the Veggie Kabab with Rice- SCRUMPTIOUS & you will see pics of the some of the others. Fresh, delicious & served with a smile. Not huge inside & not sure if they take reservations. We were there around 7 pm & it was packed! Definitely will come back next time we are in town!!! Worth it!!! Total bill for 5 people, some beers & appetizer was $100 + tip. A college town- love those prices!!!! Keep it that way, please!!

Best food at Lake Oconee. The chefs are very creative with ingredient combination and presentation…read more Service, atmosphere all all top notch.

Be sure to check this out. This is one of several places to check at Lake Oconee. My wife and I…read morewent there. The wife had the pork chop and I had the halibut. Both were excellent. The wife had the Brussels sprits, which I'm not a fan of, but she loved'em. I'm just not a fan of the vegetable. I had the risotto and mushrooms which was good but lacked flare. We finished the night with espresso martinis and an ice cream/brownie. This was a meal fit for a king and his queen. Do yourself a favor and eat here.

My first visit here and I wish I'd discovered this place sooner. The service was kind and…read morecourteous, the food piping hot, and the drinks refreshing and delicious. We wish they had tables big enough for large parties on their patio. Would be fun to spend an evening out there with a group of friends.

I don't usually go for Southern food, but I'm glad I stopped by to The Swanson. Interior wise, it's…read morelike a house turned restaurant business. The foundation is still there with the rooms and decor but with lots of tables set up, similar to hosting a gathering at home. Not only that, everyone here was really friendly! We really felt welcomed, and though the second time, service wasn't as outstanding, it was still good. I think they really nailed down the vibe of southern hospitality. For drinks, they have seasonal cocktails, which I think is fun, but I'm not around at a time where I would be able to chill and drink. I end up with a go-to sweet tea. Strong and sweet, that it kept me up, but not the strongest nor sweetest I've had. There's also complimentary bread that's mini muffin shaped and dense like a biscuit. It's buttery and salty, but I like it! Before coming, I saw so many things about the sampler, so I definitely wanted to get it and try out. Love the fried green tomatoes with the honey mustard. It didn't feel oily, and it held up pretty well when cut and dipped into sauce. The pimento cheese here is probably the best I've ever had, but I will admit that I have not had many (I tend to not like it). In fact, both these items stay on my mind enough that I do think about coming here more often than I thought I would. And this is just for the apps. The rest of the entrees are pretty standard. Some better than others, but that's due to preference. I haven't gone through the whole menu, but I do prefer their chicken to some of the other menu items. For their sides, I haven't seen or heard of some of them. I asked about them, and they were described p well, enough for me to not want to try congealed salad. I'm not a big fan of jello type things, but I did try the pear salad. Not for me. Absolutely not for me. I did really enjoy the collard green soup and sweet potato souffle though! They were great, esp the souffle. It was my first time having nuts in them, and I loved it so much. Everything else was alright, like I'm sure you've had or can make better mac. Overall, I'm glad to know this place because it's a good rec for the area if you're in the mood for Southern food. It's not a bad pick for vegetarians either, though they would only have appetizers and sides to pick from, but I liked them more than the entrees. There's a parking lot, and it's in a good location to see the rest of downtown Perry too.

Bre took great care of my friend and me during our catch-up lunch. This was my first time trying…read moreParish, and it did not disappoint. Portions were a bit on the smaller side, but everything was really tasty. We started with the crab claws and Parish pickles for appetizers, then both got the salmon salad. Total was $64.80 plus tip. Loved the ambiance. They have both indoor and outdoor seating, and you can even sit at the bar inside if that's your vibe. I'd definitely come back to try more from the menu!

My experience started off a little rocky, but they made up for it abundantly. It took a moment to…read morebe served after I received my water, but after that my experience improved. Jarvis was amazing! He madebme a delicious blackberry mocktail. I started with the crab claws, which were delicious but I feel like they should be served with bread. The pasta was very flavokfuk. My only feedback is the bread was a tad too salty, which I told the chef when he greeted us. The chef was very nice and that was an awesome touch. The decor is super cute and New Orleans themed. They even have a Saints sign inside. I enjoyed my meal and will be back to try more of the menu.