My husband and I are planning a long weekend in October to these cities (2 nights each). We'll be staying at the Green Palm Inn in Savannah and the French Quarter Inn in Charleston.

We'll have a car but walkable is preferred. We are interested in local cuisine but nothing too rich or heavy (a la Paula Deen). For dinner we prefer to keep entree prices < $30. For lunch, nothing fancy or expensive, just a quick light meal. Also, do we need to make reservations in advance at any of the suggested places?

Anything else we should not miss while in these cities. We do have tickets for the Fall Tour of Homes and Gardens in Charleston, and would like to do walking or carriage tours of each city.

Thanks

In Savannah, I like Olde Pink House (though I haven't been in a few years). In Charleston, I enjoyed Slightly North of Broad. Have been wanting to eat at FIG -- maybe next time!

Slightly North of Broad which is SNOB is a fantastic restaurant IMO and often mentioned by many Fodorites including nobigdeal who just posted. If I ever get back to Charleston SNOB is the # one restaurant I would want to go to as I still remember the wonderful dinner I had there. Do make a reservation. And have a wonderful trip, MFNYC!

Savannah = The Pink House

I like Pink House too and ate there several times last fall while working in Savannah.

SNOB is great and they serve lunch on weekdays.

FIG is my current favorite. There are tons of restaurants in Charleston and most of them are great. Look at High Cotton, Magnolia's, 82 Queen, and Amen St. Husk, Carolina's, Cypress, and Mc Crady's are other favorites but they're probably over your budget. Reservations are always a good idea.

SInce you are in Charleston for such a short time, take a carriage ride first thing to get acclimated, then decide where you want to walk. October is lovely. Shop on King Street and enjoy the Battery.

Ah. Once again. Great minds type at the same time.

Wild Olive in Charleston (there was a recent review) and the Fat Hen - both are slightly out of town headed towards Kiawah. Both were great food! Really Great at Wild Olive! It was my first experience with sweetbreads (yummy)! In downtown Charleston we really liked SNOB and Magnolia's. In Savannah we had a great meal at Elizabeth's on 30, but that was several years ago. Have a great time!

Elizabeth's on 37th is drivable but not walkable from the historic district.

suewoo

Thanks so much! I made my reservation for SNOB. I also requested a reservation on the website for The Olde Pink House. Both look great.

I still have to check out the others mentioned for my other 2 nights.

Husk in Charleston. Here's the menu for the day we were there:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...57626432606484

I also made reservations at Elizabeth on 37th in Savannah and Magnolia's in Charleston. Fig and Husk aren't available in the timeframe I wanted.

Mccradys in charleston has very good food.
http://www.mccradysrestaurant.com/

At 2nd look at Magnolia menu, I decided it looked a bit too heavy for my tastes (lots of butter, creme, etc mentioned in menu descriptions), so was able to get Fig.

Just FYI, we loved SNOB and will return, but know that it is small and the tables close together. It's just nice to be prepared...

If you are looking for lunch options in Savannah consider the SoHo South Cafe or Clary's.

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND a walking tour with Dirk of Savannah Rambles -
http://www.savannahrambles.com/default.html

He's the best tour guide I've ever had (and I take tours in most cities I visit). He's been discovered and is highly recommended by the NYTimes, Frugal Traveler and lots of happy visitors. Many of us have returned for our second tour (or more). He's that good. He knows Savannah inside and out and was an architect who worked with the historical association for years. Nice guy too

Charleston lunch - Hyman's Seafood on Meeting. If someone in your party isn't into seafood, request the deli menu. Place has character and a great selection.

In Savannah, check out Zunzi's takeout for lunch. It's downtown on Drayton, between Oglethorpe and Broughton St. Try their African iced tea. It's good fun, and not too expensive.

Just returned from both Charleston and Savannah - great trips except for the humidity

Charleston: Fleetlanding (excellent seafood - very casual); Husks, Hanks, Charleston Grill (excellent service, extensive wine list and great food - more dressy)....Savannah: 700 Drayton (loved the old mansion with music upstairs) and Sapphire Grill - both very good dinners each in their own way of preparing food.....

spending a few days in Charleston just before Christmas~these recommendations are going to make it difficult to chose where to eat in our short time there!!

tenthumbs, it's a great time to visit. King Street is closed to vehicle traffic and there's a tree in the middle of the street. Charleston decorations are traditional ones and they are stunning.

The Parade of boats is on 12/3. Viewing is best from the Mt P side.