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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 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.
A full-service coffee shop featuring lovingly-crafted lattes and a Tex-Mex menu, Foxy Loxy is the always-busy hangout for students, artists, and entrepreneurs. Order a horchata and take your laptop out to the courtyard, where a koi pond, acoustic music, and Saturday night s'mores parties at the firepit invite folks to lounge in the open air.
The white fort in the middle of Forsyth Park opened in 2020 with a full-service restaurant, bar, and café that bustles from early mornings to late afternoons. Sophisticated Southern brunch and lunch fare like shrimp 'n' grits, pork belly Benedict and avocado toast (of course) pair with a drink bar that offers signature coffees, beautifully garnished craft cocktails, and fun treats for the kids. Glorious, bright interiors lead to spacious outdoor seating.
This palm-shaded eatery is the sister restaurant to the original downtown location and hands down the best spot for vegetarian and vegan options in the city. There's also more than enough on the menu to keep a meat eater happy—consider the fried chicken tacos or the chicken-and-goat-cheese enchiladas. If you have your mind on a cocktail, gather 'round the bar for a Hot Derby with spicy ginger ale. There's ample parking and several big screens where you can watch the big game.
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 Pizzeria Vittoria, whose piping hot oven manned by award-winning chef Kyle Jacovino churns out the neighborhood's best pizza. A credit card is taken upon entry, so visitors can order at the yard's multiple food sites and pay one bill as they exit. The park often hosts live music, and cornhole and other games make for a festive atmosphere.
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