For the finest regional fare with buckets of Southern hospitality, get yourself to the best Savannah restaurants
Foodies of the world, prepare to celebrate. A charming coastal city famed for its landscapes, architecture and history, Savannah also happens to be one of the best culinary cities in the entire South. Many of Georgia’s best restaurants are in its fifth-largest city, from traditional low country fare to modern gourmet interpretations of home favorites. Savannah is a premium destination for plenty of reasons (the best things to do here include gorgeous neighborhoods, Antebellum architecture, and some stunning parks); ‘stuffing your face with local specialties’ might be top of the list.
Southern hospitality and delicious food make for a stunning combination, and nowhere is that more apparent than in the so-called Hostess City of the South. The best Savannah restaurants make for a bucket list of their own, where friends are made and meals are devoured.
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Sean Brock's Savannah iteration of Husk takes a deep dive into the terroir of the surrounding environs. His partnerships with local growers have yielded Sapelo syrup, Sea Island white peas, Canewater padrón peppers and inventive interpretations of pimento cheese and cocktail sauce. The beauty of the Husk experience is that the menus change each brunch, lunch and dinner service, from day to day.
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The Grey serves upmarket and inventive Southern staples in a re-imagined Greyhound bus station. Chef Mashama Bailey takes country cooking to unprecedented levels. The diner bar’s shrimp hushpuppies and ham-and-potato croquettes served alongside an effervescent Daisy de Santiago make for the perfect starter. Plus, the dining room’s cacio e pepe is the warm hug you didn’t know you needed.
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Look no further for Southern charm and a classic Southern meal. Located in one of Savannah’s squares, this elegant Colonial-era mansion with large columns and a soft pink exterior is one of the best spots for an intimate fine-dining experience. Enjoy a candlelit dinner (or a drink in the Tavern, complemented by live piano music) of sophisticated new Southern cuisine.
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The team behind Cotton and Rye—so named for Georgia’s historic cash crops—cut their teeth in South Florida and it shows in the airy palette, modern lounge and sparkling flavors of the unpretentious fare at this former Thomas Square bank remade into a sleek space. Start with a house-made sausage-and-cheese board complemented by a bourbon cocktail. If the crab-stuffed Carolina trout is available, don’t think twice about ordering it.
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Located in the historic neighborhood of Sandfly near Isle of Hope, this Memphis-born barbecue joint with Savannah flare is a local favorite. Sample meats by the pound slathered in homemade barbecue sauce, smoked sausage, baked beans, and some of the best brunswick stew around.
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Intimate and classy, Noble Fare offers a sophisticated tasting menu in a beautiful atmosphere for an all-around elegant experience. Perfect for special occasions, the seven-course tasting menu with wine pairings changes regularly based on fresh, local ingredients. Historic charm and exceptional service make each meal here a celebration.
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While ardent meat-eaters might be put off by the concept of an animal-free meal, the food at Fox and Fig is anything but unexciting. The menu features a whole faux-hog of plant-based nibbles, including the likes of eggless quiche, banh mi and even burgers. Sweet little nibbles are also on offer and if all of the plant food is making you a little thirsty, take a look at the drinks menu. It's tasty list of booze (wines, champagnes, cocktails), milkshakes and soft drinks, too.
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Perched on the edge of the Herb River, The Wyld Dock Bar is framed by the peaceful salt marsh. Some folks come to unwind at one of two outdoor bars—pain killer slushy in hand, of course—and listen to a local player pick some tunes. Families play cornhole as they await scallop corn fritters with habanero butter, salted watermelon and off-menu steamed prawns as big as sausages. Boaters are welcome.
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One of the oldest restaurants in Savannah, Mrs. Wilkes is the pinnacle of Southern hospitality and cooking. Strangers become friends when dining here as meals are served family-style at tables of ten. Dig into platters of fried chicken, black eyed peas, cornbread dressing, and other southern home-cooking staples (the menu changes daily) as you share stories with your new friends.
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Things are a little slower in the South, and a long, leisurely brunch is a great way to soak in the easygoing atmosphere. Collins Quarter, with locations Downtown and in Forsyth Park, serves up an all day brunch that consists of both Southern favorites — buttermilk biscuits, bananas foster, french toast, eggs benedict, grits — alongside Australian influenced dishes like bubble and squeak and smashed peas (the owners are Australian). Sandwiches, burgers and salads are also available.
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For casual, reliable fare, head for the 1965 Chevy Truck parked in front of this unassuming pub in Midtown. The vibe is laid-back and convivial; you’re sure to make friends. Best of all, the food — including many vegetarian options — is made with high quality, local ingredients. The pub is a local favorite and gives back by supporting a number of community organizations.
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Housed in a 19th-century warehouse, Vic’s is a fine-dining restaurant with classic Southern fare. The elegant atmosphere is enhanced by live music and lovely views. Enjoy traditional dishes like fried green tomatoes, crawfish beignets, shrimp and grits and pecan fried flounder, paired perfectly with an excellent wine list and attentive service.
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This hidden gem tucked behind a dentist office on Wilmington Island and helmed by a French-trained chef who marries the rich traditions of French cooking techniques with the flavors of his native Pakistan in tried-and-true Lowcountry dishes. An oyster po’ boy gets its heat from sriracha aioli. A simple crab and shrimp cake is elevated by a sharp curry tingle. The typical chicken-and-waffle combo is revived with smoky tandoori. Need we say more?
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Clever twists on childhood favorites and cheap comfort foods are dished out in an old mercantile building on Bay Street. Highlights here are many, including cocktails served in mason jars, crisp mortadella masquerading as fried Bologna, peach jelly and pecan butter slathered on chicken wings and ground venison bathed in a tangy sauce and adorned with onion fries.