Savannah Dining Guide
Restaurants in Savannah
Shrimp and grits at a boarding house table. Cocktails on a rooftop above the squares. Savannah eats well — and slowly.
Savannah's food scene punches well above its size. The city has produced James Beard Award winners, sustained beloved institutions for over a century, and built a café culture that rivals cities three times its population. The through-line is Lowcountry cooking — a cuisine shaped by the Georgia coast, the tidal marshes, and the African culinary traditions that define Southern food at its best.
Lowcountry & Southern
Savannah's culinary identity is rooted in Lowcountry tradition — shrimp and grits, she-crab soup, fried green tomatoes, and slow-smoked barbecue. These are the restaurants that define the city's table.
The Grey
A converted 1938 Greyhound bus terminal turned James Beard Award–winning restaurant. Chef Mashama Bailey's cooking is the most celebrated in the city.
Mrs. Wilkes' Dining Room
The legendary family-style boarding house lunch. Fried chicken, collard greens, and cornbread served at communal tables since 1943.
Husk Savannah
Sean Brock's Southern kitchen in a stunning 1897 mansion. The menu changes daily based on what's sourced from regional farms.
The Olde Pink House
A Savannah institution in an 18th-century mansion. Classic Southern dishes, candlelit dining rooms, and a beloved piano bar downstairs.
Seafood
Fresh shrimp, blue crab, oysters, and flounder arrive daily from the Georgia coast. Savannah's seafood restaurants range from casual dockside shacks to refined waterfront dining.
The Wyld Dock Bar
A beloved waterfront spot on the marsh. Oysters, shrimp, and cold beer with one of the best sunset views in the city.
Zunzi's
A Savannah cult classic — South African–influenced sandwiches and seafood with a devoted local following.
Tubby's Tank House
Casual waterfront seafood on the Wilmington River in Thunderbolt. Steamed shrimp, crab legs, and cold pitchers on the deck.
Alligator Soul
Intimate fine dining in a historic basement space. Known for creative preparations of local fish and game.
Brunch & Cafés
Savannah takes brunch seriously. The city's café culture thrives in the Historic District, Starland, and Thomas Square, where weekend mornings stretch into lazy afternoons.
Collins Quarter
An Australian-inspired café on Bull Street with exceptional coffee, avocado toast, and a shaded courtyard. Expect a wait on weekends.
Fox & Fig
A plant-based café with a devoted following. Creative brunch dishes in a bright, welcoming space on Park Avenue.
Clary's Café
A Savannah institution since 1903. Classic diner breakfasts, strong coffee, and a spot in the opening pages of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.
The Vault Kitchen & Market
Set inside a former bank vault in the Historic District. Elevated brunch and lunch with a thoughtful cocktail menu.
Bars & Cocktails
Savannah's open-container law means you can carry a drink through the squares — and the city's bar scene is built around that freedom. From craft cocktail dens to rooftop bars, there's a drink for every mood.
Artillery
A sophisticated cocktail bar in the Historic District. Inventive seasonal menus and a serious spirits selection.
The Rhett
A rooftop bar atop the Brice Hotel with sweeping views over the Historic District rooftops.
Rocks on the Roof
The rooftop bar at the Bohemian Hotel, overlooking the Savannah River. Cocktails, small plates, and river breezes.
Abe's on Lincoln
A beloved dive bar in the heart of the Historic District. Cold beer, pool tables, and a genuinely local crowd.
Dining Tips
Make reservations
Top spots like The Grey and Husk book out weeks in advance, especially on weekends and during St. Patrick's Day. Reserve early.
Walk between restaurants
Most of Savannah's best dining is within walking distance of the Historic District squares. Grab a to-go cocktail and stroll between courses.
Try the shrimp and grits
Every restaurant has a version. It's the dish that defines Savannah's table — order it at least once, ideally at a place that's been making it for decades.
Explore beyond the Historic District
The Starland District and Thomas Square neighborhoods have a growing collection of independent restaurants and cafés worth the short walk or drive.
Stay in the Heart of It All
The best Savannah restaurants are steps from the squares. Find a rental in the Historic District and walk to dinner every night.
Historic District rentals