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$$$ | Southside | American
This restaurant dates back to 1924, when Ben T. Byrd began baking small batches of cookies in his Savannah bakery; today the Byrd Cookie Company distributes far and wide. Guests of the simple yet sophisticated restaurant, specializing in soups, salads, and sandwiches, can catch a peek inside the factory from the dining room. Countless menu items are made on the premises, from the breads to the pickles to the ricotta cheese. Savor the deviled eggs, roasted turnip bisque, or the thick-cut BLT with pesto aioli, each adding a refined twist to a Southern favorite. In the evening, the seared sheepsheads are a delectable selection.
6700 Waters Ave., Savannah, Georgia, 31406, USA
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch Sat. No dinner Sun.
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$$$$ | Historic District |
The first farm-to-table restaurant in Savannah, Cha Bella continues to serve only dishes made with the finest local ingredients, so even if you've been here recently, there may be some surprises. With no walk-in refrigerator, all ingredients must be used within three days of delivery, so the menu is guaranteed to be fresh. The decor is contemporary and comfortable, but the real dining experience is found outside on the patio during the spring and fall. This is also a great spot for a cocktail or dessert.
102 E. Broad St., Savannah, Georgia, 31401, USA
Known For
- Savannah's first farm-to-table restaurant
- A delightful array of cocktails
- Menu changes regularly based on what's fresh and available
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch, Credit cards accepted
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$$$$ | Thomas Square |
This elegant turn-of-the-20th-century mansion has been feeding regional specialties to Savannah's upper crust for decades. Chef Kelly Yambor has helmed the kitchen since 1996, and she masters dishes like Georgia shrimp and Savannah red rice, a double-cut Berkshire pork chop with apple-cabbage slaw, and local grouper Celeste (with a sesame-almond crust). Splurge for the chef's seven-course tasting menu—you won't regret it. Definitely ask for wine recommendations, as the wine cellar is massive and the staff is knowledgeable. The service is also impeccable. This is a local favorite for special occasions or just to get away from the hubbub.
105 E. 37th St., Savannah, Georgia, 31401, USA
Known For
- Impressive wine list
- Top fine-dining experience in town
- Seven-course tasting menu option
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted, Dinner only, Reservations essential
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$$ | |
Drink and eat like the locals do at this charming, laid-back spot. With walls covered in vintage signs, records, and various trash and treasure, guests enjoy a great breeze on a large porch or in the screened-in restaurant as they tuck into slices or 18-inch stone-baked pies loaded with tantalizing ingredients and unique combinations; the beer is ice-cold and best enjoyed in pitchers, and the prices can't be beat.
1213 E. Hwy. 80, Tybee Island, Georgia, 31328, USA
Known For
- Authentic island relaxation
- Live music on the weekends
- Lively game nights during college football season
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$$$$ | Victorian District |
This farm-to-table staple features an upbeat and contemporary menu that draws young chefs on their nights off. Seasonally driven, the menu is continually changing depending on the local harvest and the chef's vision, but dishes tend to be perfectly prepared and presented. The seasonal relish plate, spicy mussels, and grilled ribeye are highly recommended, as are Local's celebrated scallops. With dessert, take in the fine-art installations on the walls, which rotate regularly to feature the best local talent.
1110 Bull St., Savannah, Georgia, 31401, USA
Known For
- Seasonal menu with farm-sourced ingredients
- Sea scallops over black rice
- Open-air rooftop bar
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues. No lunch, Credit cards accepted, Reservations essential
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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$$ | Historic District |
Offering Cuban-, Caribbean-, and Spanish-style food since 1999, Rancho Alegre is a standout that has often flown under the radar. Authentic Cuban dishes like croquetas de jamón, boliche, and ropa vieja are served with traditional-style rice and black beans alongside your choice of tostones or sweet maduros. The atmosphere is cozy and homey—like walking into someone's kitchen—and there are very reasonably priced choices for kids in a city where a kid's menu can sometimes be hard to find. Pick up a Cuban sandwich or pan con lechón with a cortadito or café con licor (a latte with Kahlua, Bailey's, or brandy) for your stroll through the Historic District.
402 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Savannah, Georgia, 31401, USA
Known For
- Authentic Carribbean cuisine
- Jazz performances on the weekends
- Private parking lot
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$$ | |
Tucked into an unassuming strip mall off the main drag on Tybee Island, this gourmet restaurant is a diamond in the rough. Locals and tourists alike enjoy the diverse menu, fresh seafood, and brilliant food combinations—don't miss the unique seafood "cheesecake" starter, consisting of shrimp and crabmeat over greens with a hint of Gouda. For lunch, the rich fried green tomato BLT can stop your heart (in more ways than one!), while the pork chops are always a sure bet at dinner.
304 1st St., Tybee Island, Georgia, 31328, USA
Known For
- Generous portions at reasonable prices
- Tucked-away location
- Reservations recommended
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun.
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$$$ | Historic District | Italian
Housed in an old Savannah ice factory, the Florence has lots of original architectural details and serves up some of the city's most innovative flavors. The Italian-influenced menu is crafted by Kyle Jacovino, who has worked in kitchens all over Atlanta and New York. The food speaks for itself, and you can't go wrong with anything on the menu. The menu changes seasonally, but there are raves all around for the Neapolitan-style pizza with Calabrian chilies, the fresh, homemade pasta selections, and the octopus starter. For cocktails, enjoy the signature Florence Cup—a twist on the Pimm's Cup—or an impressive array of amaros and other liqueurs. The adjacent coffee bar is open in the morning and offers small bites during lunch hours. If you have trouble getting a table, grab a seat at the bar.
1B W. Victory Dr., Savannah, Georgia, 31401, USA
Known For
- Seasonal menu inspired by authentic Italian fare
- Trendy atmosphere
- Morning coffee bar
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. No lunch, Reservations essential, Closed Mon. No lunch Tues.–Sat.
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$$$$ | Downtown |
In a restored Greyhound bus depot, James Beard Award–winner Chef Mashama Bailey and her talented team create gorgeous dishes that fuse Southern cuisine with European inspiration. Whether you're tucked in the more casual diner car or perched in the luster of the art deco–inspired dining room, service is impeccable, and the ever-changing menu offers sumptuously made mains from water, earth, and sky.
109 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Savannah, Georgia, 31401, USA
Known For
- Impressive collection of accolades
- Port city Southern cuisine
- Reservations recommended
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
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$$$$ | Downtown | American
This high-end establishment has made waves in Savannah as a world-class dining experience. Housed in a renovated 1930s Greyhound bus depot, it features a soulful, layered menu designed by a Savannah native who honed her craft in NYC. Don't miss the oyster bar, roasted yardbird with jalapeño chow chow, or the red pea pancakes with cracklin'. Reservations are strongly encouraged; otherwise plan to grab a spot at the luncheonette/dining car area near the entrance.
109 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Savannah, Georgia, 31401, USA
Known For
- Famed oyster bar
- High-end cocktails
- Cool industrial setting
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. No lunch Sun.
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$ | Downtown |
After the success of The Grey, a mecca of port city Southern cuisine, restaurateurs Johno Morisano and Chef Mashama Bailey created this hip bodega-inspired take on a Southern lunch counter. Whether you're looking for a breakfast sandwich, an egg cream, a bottle of wine, or a Band-Aid, the Market has you covered. Grab-and go-dinners, sandwiches, and salads are great for picnics, and the market shop has everything for the Grey enthusiast from branded mugs to Grey Groceries jars of bread and butter pickles.
109 Jefferson St., Savannah, Georgia, 31401, USA
Known For
- NYC meets Southern lunch counter vibe
- Grab-and-go options
- Breakfast, like the Sizzlin' Smoky Pig (pulled pork, egg, and pepper relish on a roll)
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$$$$ | Historic District |
This Georgian mansion was built in 1771 for James Habersham, one of the wealthiest Americans of his time, and the historic atmosphere comes through in the original Georgia pine floors of the tavern, the Venetian chandeliers, and the 18th-century English antiques. The menu is just as classic and Southern, with chicken pot pie, shrimp and grits, and sweet potato biscuits gracing the menu. A lovely bar has curvaceous doors that can be flung open on balmy nights for outdoor seating. Rumor has it that between the months of October and April, you may see the ghost of Mr. Habersham in the tavern, so keep your eyes peeled. For a more intimate experience, head downstairs to the Planter's Tavern, where the dining area is flanked by two large fireplaces.
23 Abercorn St., Savannah, Georgia, 31401, USA
Known For
- Exceptional Southern dining
- Historical ambience
- Remarkable wine menu
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch Sun. and Mon., Credit cards accepted, Reservations essential
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$$ | Eastside | Seafood
Even regular visitors to Savannah might not have heard of this beloved marsh-side local haunt. The Wyld offers a somewhat upscale twist to dockside dining, evidenced by the cocktail menu featuring lavender bitters, crème de framboise, and house-made ginger beer. The plates are small but memorable; don't miss the fish dip, peel and eat shrimp, or the okra side.
2740 Livingston Ave., Savannah, Georgia, 31406, USA
Known For
- Great views of the surrounding marsh
- Small seafood plates
- Slow but friendly service that's part of the charm
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. No lunch Tues.–Fri.
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$ | Moon River District |
Enjoy elevated fish-shack food with yacht-rock vibes at this former marina where many of the patrons arrive by water. Order at the counter for a fresh catch of the day prepared perfectly; pair it with flavorful sides like Mexican corn and skillet okra. The craft cocktail set will find their thirst slaked with the famous Painkiller Slushie, though no one will look at you sideways when you order just a good ol' cold beer. Kids of all ages entertain themselves for hours with free cornhole and ring games on the sunset side of breezy Country Club Creek, a tributary of the Herb River.
2740 Livingston Ave., Savannah, Georgia, 31406, USA
Known For
- Unparalleled marsh views
- Outdoor seating
- Local seafood
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
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$ | | Modern American
This staple of the Tybee Island dining scene has successfully updated some island favorites with a twist of contemporary style. The small but flexible menu includes such entrées as an elaborate array of gourmet tacos (a best bet is the one with duck breast, sliced radish, and tomatillo salsa) or the fish with pear puree, cilantro, and chorizo. Side dishes like sweet-potato fries, collard greens, or black beans are wonderful, too. The prices are surprisingly reasonable given the quality. The menu also offers wine and beer pairings with each item. Sunday brunch features local live bluegrass music. There's a small children's menu for younger travelers.
1311 Butler Ave., Tybee Island, Georgia, 31328, USA
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted
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$ | Moon River District |
Tucked away in a strip mall on the way out to Tybee Island, this highlight of the local barbecue scene began with legendary pit master Wiley McCrary, who passed away in 2018. His recipes live on in the small space that's intimate and friendly; the staff is like long-lost family. There are only a few tables, so you may have to choose between waiting for a seat and grabbing something to go.
4700 U.S. 80 E, Savannah, Georgia, 31410, USA
Known For
- Slow-cooked barbecue staples
- BBQ sampler feeds two people and lets you sample just about everything they make
- Extra-Tingly Better Than Sex BBQ sauce
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted, Reservations not accepted
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$$$$ | Historic District |
On the ground floor of the Marshall House, 45 Bistro has some of the best views of Broughton Street from the floor-to-ceiling windows that run the length of the room. Most of the menu abounds with regional flavors—local crab, wild shrimp, spiced pecans—but standards like the wet-aged rib eye are equally as satisfying, as are the updated old favorites like shrimp and grits married to fried Vidalia onion rings, or the grilled romaine hearts that ignite the exceptional Caesar salad.
123 E. Broughton St., Savannah, Georgia, 31401, USA
Known For
- Elevated comfort foods
- Historic charm
- A great steak
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted, Closed Sun. No lunch.
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$$$$ | |
With its splashy interior, this is a one-of-a-kind spot in Savannah whether you're looking for a power lunch or a romantic dinner. The former Kayton Mansion was converted into a lounge and restaurant that pairs fine dining with eccentric touches like Versace leopard-print chairs. It's open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a delectable Sunday brunch.
700 Drayton St., Savannah, Georgia, 31401, USA
Known For
- Bourbon-cured salmon
- Elegant interiors
- Curated wine list
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted
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$$ | |
This island bar and grill resembles a fish camp that was expanded time and time again to accommodate its growing clientele. Colorful and laid-back, the ambience is characteristic of Tybee Island itself, which perhaps explains why it is a favorite among locals, and the food, mostly fresh seafood, is simple and delicious.
1315 Chatham Ave., Tybee Island, Georgia, 31328, USA
Known For
- Spacious patio overlooking the marsh
- Great spot to watch the sunset
- Live entertainment Friday–Sunday
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$ | Thomas Square |
If your taste buds seek something other than standard Southern fare, head to one of Savannah's few Middle Eastern restaurants. Owned and operated by a husband-and-wife team Meqbel and Rose Salameh Al Salaam, the restaurant is celebrated for its perfectly fried falafel, spit-roasted lamb, and hummus and baba ganoush platters. Take time to look around the small space, enticingly papered over with vintage covers of National Geographic, which depict cultures from the world over.
2311 Habersham St., Savannah, Georgia, 31401, USA
Known For
- Authentic falafel
- Plentiful food and low prices
- Take-out options
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun., Reservations not accepted
