19 Best Restaurants in Savannah, Georgia
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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.
Mrs. Wilkes' Dining Room
The gold standard for authentic Southern fare in Savannah has kept folks lined up to enjoy family-style offerings at big tables for decades. Mrs. Wilkes's granddaughter and great-grandson are keeping it a family affair in more ways than one (kids under 10 eat for half-price). The famous fried chicken is served daily along with a rotating range of other proteins like beef pot roast and barbecued pulled pork, complimented by more than 20 fresh and delicious sides, including collard greens, cucumber salad, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese and sweet-potato soufflé. Wear your stretchy pants, and be sure to save some space for dessert. But plan ahead: Mrs. Wilkes' is only open on weekdays between 11 and 2, and whole tables of 12 must be seated together, so you may have to wait, but you won't regret it.
Rancho Alegre Cuban Restaurant
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B&D Burgers
Locally owned and operated B&D Burgers is a great bet for a quick, low-key bite to eat with offerings like tempura-battered chicken fingers and a grand assortment of locally themed burgers. The large, two-story dining room is decorated in Lowcountry flair, including faux trophy alligators and nets and buoys, but be encouraged to venture outside; this place has some of the best outdoor dining in the city and the expansive patio is equipped with a video screen for sports events and large umbrellas that protect against the rain and sun.
Betty Bombers
Bubba Gumbo's
Crystal Beer Parlor
This former speakeasy has been serving hungry locals since 1933, and the back dining rooms are covered in historic newspaper clippings and local ephemera, while those around the bar maintain several of the original high-back booths. As you can tell from the decor, this place is a landmark—and that goes for the menu, which includes basics like delicious burgers, wings, sandwiches, and some of the best shrimp salad you'll ever have.
Desposito's
This place is about as low key as it gets, as evidenced by the neon beer signs on the walls and the day-old newspapers doubling as tablecloths. Located just across the bridge from Savannah, Desposito's has been serving up cold beer and fresh fish for decades and the no-nonsense menu offers a small but tempting variety of seafood, as well as options for landlubbers.
Fire Street Food
Restauranteurs Ele and Sean Tran brought Asian-style street food to Savannah with their menu that boasts everything from sushi rolls to noodle soups, and some of the best sweet-and-spicy chicken wings in town. Occupying a bright, hypermodern space, this eatery offers an offbeat alternative to the slow-paced Southern Savannah feel. Enjoy a quick meal in the dining room, stop by when you have a late-night craving, or order a few of the small plates to go.
Green Truck Neighborhood Pub
Serving one of the best burgers in the state, this casual haunt draws diners from far and wide for its grass-fed beef; vegetarians find satisfaction with the hearty meatless patties. Everything from the coffee to the produce is locally sourced, and even the ketchup is made in-house.
Be prepared to wait at least 30 minutes for a table or grab a seat at the bar.
Henny Penny Art Space & Cafe
Huey's on the River
As Southern food goes, Huey's is decidedly more New Orleans than Coastal Georgia, as you'll discover with one bite of the sinfully rich beignets served with praline sauce—they are a taste of perfection. Although lunch and dinner items like po'boys and muffaletta accompanied by red beans and rice are delicious, the breakfast and brunch menu is the highlight.
Little Duck Diner
Love's Seafood and Steaks
North Beach Bar and Grill
Salt Island Fish and Beer
The Crab Shack
"Where the elite eat in their bare feet" is the motto of this laid-back eatery tucked away on a side street just over the bridge to Tybee Island. The beer is cold, the vibe is relaxed, and items like the Lowcountry boil—a huge plate of shrimp, corn on the cob, and smoked sausage—are delicious. Out front is a large pool filled with baby alligators that is a huge hit with kids—a good way to keep them entertained if there's a wait for tables, which is possible on weekends when the weather's nice. Just inside is a huge patio lit with tiki torches and packed with picnic tables. Seating is available in screened-in dining areas if there's rain or sand gnats.
The Pirates' House
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.
Vinnie Van Go-Go's
With a secret dough recipe and a homemade sauce, Vinnie's is critically acclaimed by pizza and calzone enthusiasts from around the Southeast. Lots of visitors get a kick out of watching the cooks throw the dough in the air in the big open kitchen, but there are only a few tables inside, along with a long stretch of stools at the bar; the heart of the restaurant is its plentiful outdoor seating, great for people-watching. Because of its prime City Market location, the wait for a table can be an hour or more, but you'll understand why with one bite of your pie. Long-known as cash-only, Vinnie's can now accept credit cards as well.