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Southern cuisine is rich in tradition, but the dining scene in Savannah is more than just fried chicken and barbecue. Many of the city's restaurants have been exploring locally sourced ingredients as a way to tweak their usual homespun offerings, a change that is now attracting chefs and foodies alike.Although the farm-to-table
Southern cuisine is rich in tradition, but the dining scene in Savannah is more than just fried chicken and barbecue. Many of the city's restaurants have been exploring locally sourced ingredients as a way to tweak their usual homespun offerings, a change that is now at
Southern cuisine is rich in tradition, but the dining scene in Savannah is more than just fried chicken and barbecue. Ma
Southern cuisine is rich in tradition, but the dining scene in Savannah is more than just fried chicken and barbecue. Many of the city's restaurants have been exploring locally sourced ingredients as a way to tweak their usual homespun offerings, a change that is now attracting chefs and foodies alike.
Although the farm-to-table trend was first spotted at upscale spots like Elizabeth on 37th and Local 11ten, more neighborhood restaurants are now getting in on the action. Places like the Green Truck Pub utilize locally raised, grass-fed beef for their burgers, and after-dinner options now even include locally roasted coffee.
The arrival of some new kids on the block doesn't mean the old standbys have ridden off into the sunset just yet. For traditional, exquisitely prepared menus, be sure to visit the Olde Pink House, which has been pleasing local palates for decades. Or follow the crowds to the ever-popular Mrs. Wilkes' Dining Room (which even President Obama once visited), where you’ll find all the fried chicken, collard greens, and mac ’n' cheese you can handle.
That's just a few ideas to get you started. While exploring Savannah, you're sure to find any number of other exciting options as well, whether you're craving noodle bowls or a simple sandwich.
Filling a sparse concrete and glass space on the ground floor of the mid-century Drayton Tower, this restaurant has a distinctly 1970s Palm Beach vibe with shiny brass fixtures, bamboo settees, and lots of lush greenery. The menu is light, featuring shareable tapas like pickled deviled eggs, tuna tartare, and a caprese mega toast (with vegan mozzarella available as a substitute option), alongside classic salads, sandwiches, and sourdough flatbreads (the Moroccan spiced beef flatbread with a cucumber crema is of particular note). The bar menu is the real standout here with wines, martinis and a craft cocktail list that reflects Savoy's tastefully tropical decor: their take on Savannah's signature Chatham artillery punch features rye, Jamaican rum, cognac, yaupon tea, and bubbles. Large windows all around provide sweeping views of Liberty and Drayton Streets.
Some of the best Southern food in Savannah can be found at the original Sisters of the New South Café (there are additional locations in Atlanta). Favorites at this family-run spot include smothered shrimp over rice, slow-cooked oxtails, and homemade desserts like gooey peach cobbler, decadent red velvet cake with cream-cheese frosting, and tangy Key lime pie.
Tiny burgers get gourmet treatment at this popular spot, paired with generous portions of perfectly crispy skinny fries. Try the Mr. Chow which comes with a fried egg and extra bacon, or the Lil Sandy with pulled pork; vegetarians can chow down on the Shroomwich, featuring three kinds of marinated fungi. This is a great lunch spot—call ahead to order a sackful for a fabulous picnic.
Rotating food trucks means that menus revolve weekly at this literal playground constructed out of old shipping containers. Two permanent fixtures are a well-stocked central bar and Vittoria Pizzeria, whose piping hot oven is manned by award-winning chef Kyle Jacovino. But the rest of the food trucks come and go. A credit card is taken upon entry, so visitors can order at multiple sites and pay one bill as they exit. Cornhole and other games make for a festive atomosphere, and well-behaved children and leashed pets are welcome.
On bustling Barnard Street in the Victorian District, this neighborhood café and bar serves up affordable, scrumptious sandwiches and creatively crafted cocktails in a small, intimate space. With a name inspired by decades-old artwork on the building's garage door, The Black Rabbit is a concept from seasoned Savannah restaurateurs who know how to make unforgettable food at unbeatable prices.
Y'all, this is the place that made Paula Deen famous. There are plenty of crowds these days, but everyone patiently waits to attack the buffet, which is stocked for both lunch and dinner with crispy fried chicken, mashed potatoes, collard greens, lima beans, and other favorites. Gooey butter cake, peach cobbler, and banana pudding round off the offerings.
102 W. Congress St., Savannah, Georgia, 31401, USA
Savannah’s most-beloved brunch is tucked away in the basement level of bustling Broughton Street’s shopping and dining corridor. The neighborhood eatery serves bottomless Baron D’Arignac mimosas, Bloody Marys made with Savannah-based Ghost Coast Distillery vodkas, cold brew coffee-based cocktails with ingredients from local roaster Perc, and a full menu of brunch favorites—don't miss the gouda grits and the pork belly doughnut sliders—and gastropub dinner dishes.
217 ½ W. Broughton St., Savannah, Georgia, 31401, USA
A Savannah landmark, the oldest parts of this bucket list destination date to 1734, only a year after the colony's founding, making this the oldest standing structure in Georgia. The lunch buffet has all the Southern standards, including a particularly delicious squash casserole, but the food is better on the à la carte menu; there's no buffet for dinner, but the dessert menu is worth sticking around for. Its popularity with tour groups has given it a reputation as a tourist trap, but the food is surprisingly tasty and offers lots of choices for families. Try the specialty fried chicken dressed with a honey-pecan glaze. It gets its name from its time in the 1750s as a tavern for seafarers.
A prime location at the corner of Liberty and Bull streets, café-style outdoor dining, and a chic bar adorned with an industrial-style chandelier—Public Kitchen & Bar has it all. Despite the upscale atmosphere, the food is approachable and affordable with contemporary classics like shrimp and grits, and mussels steamed with chorizo and leeks. Not hungry? Don't be afraid to belly up to the bar for a finely crafted cocktail or a glass of wine.
Expect whimsical takes on lowbrow eats at this bustling favorite, where the taco menu alone is a playground of flavor with options like the peppery fried chicken and pancake tacos or the savory shrimp and grits tacos. With all-day breakfast options, an interior that honors the restaurant's camp influences while keeping it hip and modern, and a robust beer and cocktail menu, it's no wonder this is one of Savannah's hot spots.
The upscale sister to the wildly successful Tybee Island Social Club, this restaurant opened to raves in 2014. With great attention to detail, the handsome eatery has a menu tailored to please even the most critical foodie. Try the pork belly salad or the curried mussels to start. For your entrée, you can't go wrong with surf or turf. Local grouper is seared to perfection in a lemon brown butter, and the bone-in rib eye will fill up the hungriest diners.
106 S. Campbell Ave., Tybee Island, Georgia, 31328, USA
This upscale Southern charmer is one of the finest spots in town for well-executed Southern delicacies like andouille hash and seafood po'boys. The five-story brick building was originally designed by the famous New York architect John Norris as a warehouse in the 19th century and was painstakingly renovated into the elegant space you'll find these days; reserve a window table for great views of the Savannah River. Lunch is popular with local business executives and out-of-towners looking for quick and delicious options. The wine list is nothing short of formidable and suits every palate and price range, and the super-rich praline cheesecake is strongly recommended. Grab a copy of the eatery's cookbook to get more insight about what's going on in the kitchen.
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