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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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$ | Thomas Square | Bakery
From the folksy artwork to the sweet splashes of pastels to the banners hanging from the ceiling, this corner bakery evokes a spirit of days gone by. A great place to start your day with a cup of coffee and a pastry, Back in the Day also serves fresh and yummy lunch selections that includes a good variety of both meaty and vegetarian sandwiches. A trip to this cheerful café will undoubtedly remind you, as the slogan goes, to "Slow down and taste the sweet life."
2403 Bull St., Savannah, Georgia, 31401, USA
Known For
- Cases of delicious goodies including the city's most sinful cupcakes
- Standout lunch menu that features sandwiches on crusty, homemade bread
- Cheery vintage interior
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon. No dinner., Closed Mon.–Wed. No dinner.
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$ | Starland District |
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 on Saturday nights a firepit, invite folks to lounge in the open air.
1919 Bull St., Savannah, Georgia, 31401, USA
Known For
- Beautifully crafted drinks
- Authentic kolache pastries
- Strong Wi-Fi
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner
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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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$ | Historic District | American
Housed in the modern-art extension of the Telfair Museum, the Jepson Cafe is an exquisite culinary experience. The small dining room is adorned with rotating temporary art installations. Overlooking the Jepson atrium, the space mimics the minimalist–modern feel of the building. Gourmands should look no further for lunch: Start with the tuna poke over sliced avocado, or the fresh summer rolls of local poached shrimp, fresh basil, and a peanut-hoisin sauce. The café uses lots of local purveyors, including Perc coffee, Savannah Bee Company honey, Savannah Tea Room mint tea, and Angel's BBQ for its pork shoulder. The proscuitto, fig, and brie panini is mouthwatering and perfectly melds these salty, sweet, and creamy flavors.
Jepson Center, 207 W. York St., Savannah, Georgia, 31401, USA
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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$$$$ | Historic District |
The gold standard for authentic Southern fare in Savannah has kept folks lined up to enjoy family-style offerings at big tables for decades. Mrs. Wilkes's granddaughter and great-grandson are keeping it a family affair in more ways than one (kids under 10 eat for half-price). The famous fried chicken is served daily along with a rotating range of other proteins like beef pot roast and barbecued pulled pork, complimented by more than 20 fresh and delicious sides, including collard greens, cucumber salad, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese and sweet-potato soufflé. Wear your stretchy pants, and be sure to save some space for dessert. But plan ahead: Mrs. Wilkes' is only open on weekdays between 11 and 2, and whole tables of 12 must be seated together, so you may have to wait, but you won't regret it.
107 W. Jones St., Savannah, Georgia, 31401, USA
Known For
- Southern cooking served family-style
- Former president Barack Obama and his entourage had lunch here when he visited Savannah
- Cash-only policy
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed weekends and Jan. No dinner, No credit cards, Reservations not accepted
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$$ | 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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$ | Historic District |
This garage turned art gallery turned restaurant features a playful, Southern-inspired menu with a variety of fresh and beautiful salads and soups, plus a handful of entrées, like the chicken and waffles sandwich or the fried goat cheese salad—both best bets for lunchtime patrons.
12 W. Liberty St., Savannah, Georgia, 31401, USA
Known For
- Unique take on Southern lunch, informed by fresh, local ingredients
- Located in a renovated garage space
- Signature tomato-basil bisque accompanying the grilled cheese on sourdough with pimento aioli
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner, Credit cards accepted, Reservations not accepted
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$$ | |
Tucked into an unassuming strip mall off the main drag on Tybee Island, this gourmet restaurant is a diamond in the rough. Locals and tourists alike enjoy the diverse menu, fresh seafood, and brilliant food combinations—don't miss the unique seafood "cheesecake" starter, consisting of shrimp and crabmeat over greens with a hint of Gouda. For lunch, the rich fried green tomato BLT can stop your heart (in more ways than one!), while the pork chops are always a sure bet at dinner.
304 1st St., Tybee Island, Georgia, 31328, USA
Known For
- Generous portions at reasonable prices
- Tucked-away location
- Reservations recommended
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun.
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$$$$ | Downtown |
In a restored Greyhound bus depot, James Beard Award–winner Chef Mashama Bailey and her talented team create gorgeous dishes that fuse Southern cuisine with European inspiration. Whether you're tucked in the more casual diner car or perched in the luster of the art deco–inspired dining room, service is impeccable, and the ever-changing menu offers sumptuously made mains from water, earth, and sky.
109 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Savannah, Georgia, 31401, USA
Known For
- Impressive collection of accolades
- Port city Southern cuisine
- Reservations recommended
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
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$$$$ | Downtown | American
This high-end establishment has made waves in Savannah as a world-class dining experience. Housed in a renovated 1930s Greyhound bus depot, it features a soulful, layered menu designed by a Savannah native who honed her craft in NYC. Don't miss the oyster bar, roasted yardbird with jalapeño chow chow, or the red pea pancakes with cracklin'. Reservations are strongly encouraged; otherwise plan to grab a spot at the luncheonette/dining car area near the entrance.
109 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Savannah, Georgia, 31401, USA
Known For
- Famed oyster bar
- High-end cocktails
- Cool industrial setting
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. No lunch Sun.
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$ | Downtown |
After the success of The Grey, a mecca of port city Southern cuisine, restaurateurs Johno Morisano and Chef Mashama Bailey created this hip bodega-inspired take on a Southern lunch counter. Whether you're looking for a breakfast sandwich, an egg cream, a bottle of wine, or a Band-Aid, the Market has you covered. Grab-and go-dinners, sandwiches, and salads are great for picnics, and the market shop has everything for the Grey enthusiast from branded mugs to Grey Groceries jars of bread and butter pickles.
109 Jefferson St., Savannah, Georgia, 31401, USA
Known For
- NYC meets Southern lunch counter vibe
- Grab-and-go options
- Breakfast, like the Sizzlin' Smoky Pig (pulled pork, egg, and pepper relish on a roll)
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$$$$ | Historic District |
This Georgian mansion was built in 1771 for James Habersham, one of the wealthiest Americans of his time, and the historic atmosphere comes through in the original Georgia pine floors of the tavern, the Venetian chandeliers, and the 18th-century English antiques. The menu is just as classic and Southern, with chicken pot pie, shrimp and grits, and sweet potato biscuits gracing the menu. A lovely bar has curvaceous doors that can be flung open on balmy nights for outdoor seating. Rumor has it that between the months of October and April, you may see the ghost of Mr. Habersham in the tavern, so keep your eyes peeled. For a more intimate experience, head downstairs to the Planter's Tavern, where the dining area is flanked by two large fireplaces.
23 Abercorn St., Savannah, Georgia, 31401, USA
Known For
- Exceptional Southern dining
- Historical ambience
- Remarkable wine menu
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch Sun. and Mon., Credit cards accepted, Reservations essential
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$$ | 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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$$$$ | |
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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$ | 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
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$ | Historic District | Barbecue
This cozy little spot is a favorite among barbecue fans and a regular stop for foodies. Serving up a simple menu of pork and brisket, either on a bun or with two sides as a plate, the quality and care put into the food is what keeps folks coming back for more. A wide variety of sauces representing all the major Southern styles (including Carolina's mustard base and Memphis's sweet red sauce) make it fun to experiment with flavors, but the house-made hot sauce is a winner. On the side, try the unique take on collard greens (which includes a peanut sauce) or some good old-fashioned mac and cheese. Wash it all down with a glass of sweet tea, or grab a long-neck bottle of Coca-Cola.
21 W. Oglethorpe La., Savannah, Georgia, 31401, USA
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted, Closed Sun. No dinner, Reservations not accepted,
