Since I’m often asked the best restaurants in Savannah, I thought I’d break down the different options and list my personal favorites to help you decide where to go!

My #1 piece of advice when it comes to dining out in Savannah is to avoid the chains and always choose a local spot.

We have plenty of incredible options to keep you satisfied — even if you eat out for every single meal during an entire weeklong vacation!

Pinnable graphic with three food photos and text overlay that reads "A Local's Guide to Noteworthy Restaurants in Savannah"

Note: This guide contains affiliate links to my trusted travel partners.

If you’re new around here, first of all…allow me to extend a warm welcome!

My name is Erin, and I authored the Savannah First-Timer’s Guide. It combines my top tips from this website into one downloadable guide.

Contents

Famous Restaurants | Best Restaurants in Savannah | Breakfast | Fried Chicken | Seafood | Burgers | BBQ | Reservations Needed | No Reservations Needed

Famous Savannah Restaurants

There are some popular restaurants in Savannah that everyone seems to know about, so you might hear them mentioned over and over again.

As is the case in many cities, the most well-known restaurants aren’t always the best.

Sometimes they’re simply the ones that have been around the longest. In other instances, they’re restaurants that make the news frequently…and not always for the best reasons.

These are a few of the most famous restaurants in Savannah:

  • The Olde Pink House
  • The Pirates’ House
  • Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room
  • The Lady & Sons
  • The Grey
  • Husk
  • Back in the Day Bakery (closed February 2024)

Anytime you see a “related reading” link on my site, like the one below, you can click on it to read in-depth about that particular subject.

For example, in the post linked below, I tell you which famous restaurants are worth visiting and which ones are simply overhyped tourist traps (ahem…Lady & Sons).

Related Reading: Which Famous Savannah Restaurants are Worth the Hype?

Best Restaurants in Savannah Georgia

This was tough, but I’ve compiled a list of the current best places to eat in Savannah — in my opinion. (Yes, this list is subjective.)

These restaurants are consistently incredible! I’ve tried to include options in a variety of price ranges — not just the fanciest spots.

Here are my current top ten all around favorites, in alphabetical order:

  • Alligator Soul
  • Brochu’s Family Tradition
  • Common Thread
  • Crystal Beer Parlor
  • Erica Davis Lowcountry
  • Geneva’s Famous Chicken and Cornbread
  • Green Truck Pub
  • Starland Cafe
  • Sweet Patricia’s
  • The Collins Quarter

I should probably note that my favorites change frequently, so I’ll update this list on a regular basis!

Slate grey colored plate with baked sweet potatoes sliced open and covered with field greens, radishes, and a heavy sprinkling of parmesan cheese
Close-up of a cup of tomato Thai soup topped with green spices
Plate loaded with a salad of dark green lettuce leaves, tomatoes, green apples, and red onion. A bowl of tomato soup is visible in the background
The sweet potatoes (top) are from The Collins Quarter’s Forsyth Park location, while the delicious tomato Thai soup and “Kitchen Sink” salad are from Starland Cafe. | ©ErinClarkson

Try a Food Tour: Savannah Culinary & Cultural Walking Food Tour

Breakfast Restaurants in Savannah

Whether you’re looking for a hearty Southern-style breakfast or you prefer to load up on pastries from a bakery, there are plenty of yummy breakfast places in Savannah.

Here are ten of the most popular options, in alphabetical order:

  • Alexander’s Bistro | Victorian District
  • Auspicious Bakery | Outskirts (near Wormsloe)
  • B Matthews Eatery | Historic District
  • Big Bon Bodega | Starland District
  • Clary’s Cafe | Historic District
  • Dottie’s Market | Historic District
  • Huey’s on the River | Historic District
  • Narobia’s Grits & Gravy | Starland District
  • Sweet Patricia’s | Starland District
  • The Collins Quarter | Historic District

My personal favorite is currently Sweet Patricia’s (I love their fluffy quiche options), but I’ll forever be a fan of Clary’s and Narobia’s for their hearty meals and friendly, down-home atmosphere. I like Dottie’s a lot, but the prices are geared more towards tourists.

Grey plate with three slices of crisp bacon, and a slice of wheat toast covered with avocado, beets, heirloom tomatoes, and an egg. The plate is decorated with a swipe of mashed red beet hummus sprinkled in seeds
Grey plate from The Colllins Quarter with two slices of bread topped with eggs, avocado, fresh tomatoes, and other colorful veggies
The top version is the Avocado Smash from The Collins Quarter’s original location, while the bottom option shows avocado toast from their Forsyth Park location.

Historic District Breakfast

Since the majority of people who visit Savannah stay downtown, I’ve written an entire post about the best places to go for breakfast in the Historic District.

Each one is within easy walking distance of downtown hotels.

Here are my top five, in alphabetical order:

  • B. Matthew’s Eatery
  • Cafe M
  • Clary’s Cafe
  • Dottie’s Market
  • The Collins Quarter

The post linked below includes lots of food photos and has some additional yummy breakfast spots in addition to the five options listed above.

Related Reading: A Local’s Guide to the Best Breakfast in Savannah

Starland District Breakfast

Since I live in Starland, and since breakfast is my favorite meal of the day, I thought it might be fun to also include a few favorite breakfast spots near me.

A couple of these are hidden gems you might not hear about otherwise.

  • Narobia’s Grits & Gravy
  • Sweet Patricia’s
  • Troupial (they relocated to the Forsyth Farmers Market, as of December 2023)

Sweet Patricia’s is my current favorite! I love their spinach quiche option.

If you’re looking for the popular Back in the Day Bakery, the owners sold the building in late summer of 2023 and their closing day was on February 14, 2024.

New Small Business Alert:
I love giving new restaurants a shoutout, and I’m excited to give this place a try: Goody’s is located at 1526 Bull Street, and they serve breakfast from 7 a.m. ’til 11 a.m.

Related Reading: 11 Incredible Starland District Restaurants (and 5 Hidden Gems!)

Best Fried Chicken in Savannah

Fried chicken is a staple in the South, and Savannah has some solid options if you happen to get a craving for it during your visit.

Here are my top five picks, in alphabetical order:

  • Brochu’s Family Tradition
  • Cotton & Rye
  • Geneva’s Famous Chicken and Cornbread
  • Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room
  • Savannah Fried Chicken

I say this all the time, but I realize the term “best” is highly subjective.

That’s true whether you’re referring to the best restaurants, tours, places to stay — or really anything, for that matter.

However, I can tell you beyond a shadow of a doubt that my personal favorite spot for the best fried chicken in Savannah is Geneva’s.

In fact, I love it so much that I hate to even list it here! I wish I could keep Ms. Geneva’s all to myself. Her fried chicken reminds me of Sunday dinners at my Nana’s house. The sides are tasty, too!

The folks at Brochu’s are solidly in the #2 spot for me. Their chicken tastes completely different from Geneva’s — but in a good way. The coating is lighter and flakier, and the seasoning is unique (and slightly) addicting. The chicken is brined first, then fried.

Andrew Brochu is a James Beard-nominated chef, and his restaurant was listed as one of the Best New Restaurants in the U.S. in 2023.

Savannah’s Top Seafood Spots

Since Savannah sits along the beautiful Georgia Coast, we’re lucky to have our choice of fresh seafood year round.

Let me tell you, there’s something pretty special about plate full of fresh-caught wild Georgia shrimp!

Pan-seared redfish, heirloom tomatoes, and shrimp over grits in a creamy garlic sauce with green beans visible in the background
The Wassaw Redifish from Erica Davis Lowcountry is one of their most popular seafood dishes (and deservedly so). | ©ErinClarkson

Here are my top five picks, once again in alphabetical order:

  • a.Lure
  • Chive Seabar and Lounge
  • Driftaway Cafe
  • Erica Davis Lowcountry
  • The Wyld Dock
Metal tray loaded with crispy strips of okra and fried shrimp. A salad is visible in the background
I highly recommend the crispy fried okra and perfectly-flaky golden fried shrimp at The Wyld. | ©ErinClarkson

I should also probably include a special shoutout to Crystal Beer Parlor and B. Matthew’s Eatery in this section for serving up some of the best shrimp and grits in Savannah. I also love Despositos, which is on the way out to Tybee Island.

Related Reading: A Local’s Guide to the Best Seafood in Savannah

The Best Burger in Savannah

Few restaurants in Savannah seem to create burgers worth writing home about, so that makes this an easy category to complete.

Here are my top five picks, in alphabetical order:

  • Alexander’s Bistro
  • Crystal Beer Parlor
  • Green Truck Pub
  • Over Yonder
  • Sly’s Sliders and Fries (budget-friendly option)

The best of the best are Alexander’s Bistro, Over Yonder, Green Truck Pub, and Crystal Beer Parlor.

I get a burger nearly every time I go to Crystal Beer Parlor, and I don’t believe I’ve ever tried anything other than a burger at Green Truck Pub.

White plate loaded with crispy fries and a burger from Green Truck Pub, which has been voted one of the Best Restaurants in Savannah for ten years in a row
Green Truck doesn’t skimp on the fries! I ordered the “Hot Rod,” but swapped out the cheddar cheese for Provolone. Delish!

You can’t go wrong with any of these restaurants — although some people might tell you to steer clear of the ketchup at Green Truck. It has a sweetness to it, so it’s a bit of an acquired taste! I personally like it.

Green Truck has won “Best Restaurant in Savannah” awards from various local publications for at least ten years in a row. Their (many) certificates line the walls in the dining area.

One of the things I appreciate most about Green Truck is that they’ll serve my burger “bloody.” I’m a savage, what can I say?

I love that, because I typically only eat half — since I pig out on the fries. The other half can be warmed in the oven the next day and still be juicy.

PS: I should give a shoutout to The Public Kitchen & Bar in this section, because I hear their grass-fed burgers are incredible. I just haven’t tried one yet. They’re next on my list!

The Best BBQ in Savannah

My all-time favorite type of barbecue is good ol’ Texas brisket straight off the smoker, but I appreciate a wide variety of BBQ styles. Luckily, Savannah has a few BBQ spots that rival my favorites in Texas.

Here are my top picks for the best BBQ in Savannah, in alphabetical order:

  • Erica Davis Lowcountry
  • Munchie’s BBQ
  • Randy’s BBQ
  • Sandfly BBQ
  • Slow Fire BBQ
Styrofoam to-go container filled with four plump pieces of BBQ chicken from Munchies BBQ with Carolina Gold BBQ sauce drizzled over the top. Green beens and bread are visible in the background
I’m not at all ashamed to say I’m addicted to the Carolina Gold BBQ sauce at Munchies!

As picky as I am about some good ol’ Texas brisket, I admit I absolutely love the brisket plate at Erica Davis Lowcountry. Their pulled pork is also pretty spectacular.

Combo BBQ plate at Erica Davis Lowcountry -- one of the best restaurants in Savannah -- filled with ribs, pulled pork, mac n' cheese, fried okra, two types of BBQ sauce, and a lightly-browned roll
This is the combo rib and pulled pork platter from Erica Davis Lowcountry, but click on the link below to see more yummy BBQ options.

Slow Fire operates out of a food truck — actually a food bus — but they’re in the process of building a brick and mortar location on the 1900 block of Waters Avenue.

Related Reading: Add These 3 Restaurants to Your Savannah BBQ Bucket List

Restaurants that NEED Reservations in Savannah

There are a few restaurants in Savannah that are so popular they’re consistently booked for weeks — sometimes months — in advance.

If you plan to visit any of the following, I highly suggest making reservations asap!

  • The Olde Pink House
  • The Grey
  • Common Thread
  • Husk
  • Alligator Soul

Trust me, the earlier you reserve your table, the better!

For example, the Olde Pink House is sometimes booked solid for three or four months in advance during peak tourism season.

Insider Tip: You can often find seats at Planters Tavern, located in the basement of The Olde Pink House, on a walk-in basis. They serve the same food as the restaurant. At The Grey, you can often grab a seat at the front bar even when the restaurant is booked!

No Reservation Restaurants in Savannah

During the many years I’ve spent passing advice off to tourists, I’ve learned there are two distinct types of travelers:

  1. Travelers who plan their daily activities around restaurant reservations to ensure dining at a “must-eat” spot
  2. Travelers who prefer to go with the flow and not be restricted to eating at a certain time

For those of you who fall in the second category, the restaurants below include ten popular spots that operate on a first come, first served basis — no reservations necessary:

  • Crystal Beer Parlor
  • Double Wide Diner
  • Green Truck Pub
  • Huey’s
  • Little Duck Diner
  • Starland Yard
  • The Ordinary Pub
  • The Vault
  • Treylor Park
  • Vinnie Van Go Go’s
Plate full of crisp golden-fried sweet potato fries from Crystal Beer Parlor in Savannah
Greek salad plate at Crystal Beer Parlor with mixed greens, tomatoes, purple onions, croutons, olives, feta cheese, and a vinaigrette dressing
White cup filled with creamy crab soup. Orange and green seasonings are sprinkled across the top. A golden mini-loaf of cornbread, a salad, and a plate of sweet potato fries are visible in the background
If you’re looking for a classic Mom & Pop-style restaurant, give Crystal Beer Parlor a try. | ©ErinClarkson

Savannah Travel Guide

If you’re in the beginning phase of planning a trip to Savannah, here are some handy resources I’ve created to help you out:

  • Savannah Vacation Guide: If you aren’t familiar with the city at all, begin with this helpful post. It’ll give you a brief overview of the city.
  • Free Resources: When you sign up for my email list, you’ll gain access to printable checklists, photos of Savannah, and more.
  • Savannah First-Timer’s Guide: My ebook combines all of my most helpful Savannah travel tips from this entire website into one handy downloadable guide.

Finally, if you’re traveling with a pet, there are plenty of places where you can enjoy a meal out. Here’s a list of dog-friendly restaurants in Savannah and the must-try dishes at each spot.

Do you have any questions about restaurants in Savannah? As always, let me know in the comments below.

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Pinnable graphic with three food photos and text overlay that reads "A Local's Guide to Noteworthy Restaurants in Savannah"
Pinnable graphic with three photos. The top left is a colorful salad, top right shows colorful cocktails, and the bottom photo shows a platter of fried chicken. Text overlay reads "A Local's Guide to the Best Restaurants in Savannah"
Pinnable graphic with three food photos and text overlay that reads "A Local's Guide to Noteworthy Restaurants in Savannah"