I believe they serve food at the downstairs bar at the Pink House. It's casual and I'd think you'd be comfortable dining alone.

At Mrs. Wilkes, they seat around 10 people at a table together and pass the dishes family-style. So I think it would be pretty easy for a solo diner to feel comfortable (the people we sat with were very friendly). That assumes you're interested in chatting with your fellow diners, though. If you do want to eat alone and just not feel awkward, I'd stay away!

The tavern in the basement of the Pink House is a great idea. You can order the same menu items as upstairs. Fireplaces at each end with cozy fires. Someone often playing the grand piano. Really nice bartenders. Eat at the bar or ask for a table. The other option would be the bar that opens to sidewalk tables. Much more casual than the upstairs dining.

The best sandwiches are at Zunzi's. They don't have indoor dining but you can take your sandwich and eat in the square next door.

My favorite has become Papillote, a very casual French place. Go there for lunch.

I agree that Mrs. Wilkes is a great choice for real Southern food for weekday lunches.

We stumbled on the cafe in the Jepson Center, next to the Telfair Museum. Gorgeous modern space with glass walls overlooking the more traditional Telfair and beautiful square. I asked a local friend about it and she's familiar with the chef and is very well liked in the city.

The Six Pence Pub is fun.

Go to Clary's for a traditional Savannah breakfast or J. Christoper's.

I like the SoHo Cafe and I think you'd be comfortable there as a solo diner.

If you want pizza, grab a slice at Vinny's Van Go Go.

I love Saigon for Thai food. I'm comfortable eating there alone. I'm in the city for business a lot so eat out solo quite a bit.

The bar at the Mansion on Forsyth is good at 700 Drayton is very nice. I'd be comfortable there solo, especially early in the evening. I can't remember what we ordered there foodwise the last time but it was very good = Casimir's Lounge
http://www.mansiononforsythpark.com/700drayton/casimirs.asp

fra_diavolo, jent103, starrs,

Thanks for the abundance of suggestions; more options I think than I'll have time to try. I've always enjoyed communal dining on long-distance trains and cruise liners, so being put into a social context at Mrs. Wilkes sounds like fun.

Best to you all, Daniel

Will very enthusiastically pile on and back the idea of going to Mrs. Wilkes. You sit at large tables of 10 people each and eat family style (passing the serving dishes and platters). I found it fun to engage in conversation with my dining neighbors.

If you go, note well that they are just open for lunch, Monday through Friday only from 11 am to 2 pm. It was recommended to me that I be there ca. 20-30 minutes ahead of opening time, joining the line that apparently starts to form then. Also, they're cash-only. Their website says the cost is $18 per person, though it's all you can eat.

I did go to Paula Deen's place, The Lady and Sons, to have their buffet option. Have seen people grumble about this place at online sites, however. I thought it was pretty good, though Mrs. Wilkes was definitely better.

Thanks Bachslunch for sharing your first hand experience of Mrs. Wilkes (as well as your thoughts on The Lady and Sons). I think I'll just have to gather up my social courage one day for lunch and go!

I always appreciate your advice, so thanks again-- Daniel

Oh I do look forward to your trip report, Daniel. You are headed to two of my favorite towns. Starrs has already suggested my top choice for dining solo in Savannah, Papilotte
http://www.papillote-savannah.com/
Have a wonderful trip!

Hey Daniel,

You've gotten great advice. No reason to be shy.

Don't miss that great downstairs at Pink House. The cheese straws on the bar are just like my grandmama used to make.

Soho South was already mentioned - seconds here - don't miss it - a lot of local artists decorate the walls and just about everything else. Very funky.

For good coffee, try the Sentient Bean at the end of Forsyth Park. Next door is a good mom & pop kind of health food store.

I just found this blog post:

http://blog.savannahvisit.com/what-is-hot-in-savannah/2012-holiday/

cmcfong-- You know me, I never can resist posting a trip report when I visit somewhere for the first time. I find I almost need to, as I feel like I'm about to burst with my desire to share my own sense of childlike discovery of something new (to me).

suewoo-- I'm actually not that shy and generally like socializing. I'm usually the one that breaks the ice when seated with strangers in a train dining car or on a cruise ship. I find it awkward to sit at the same table in silence. So, I promise to be equally sociable in Savannah .

flygirl--Thanks for the ideas, especially the health food store as I sometimes don't eat as healthily as I do ordinarily when on vacation (even though such is my desire) simply because I don't know where to go. That said, local coffee shops are preferred stopping points for me also.