The Best Savannah Restaurants You Must Eat At

Savannah is known for its beautiful parks, cobblestone streets, drooping live oaks, stunning historical architecture, and bustling river walk. However, the best thing about Savannah is the FOOD!

Savannah is a culinary lover's dream from an array of world cuisine to its signature eccentric Southern low country dining.

Here is a list of my personal favorite Savannah restaurants that you must add to your bucket list to eat at!

Are you hungry? This list of Savannah Restaurants are all drool worthy. Work up an appetite with an outdoor stroll in the beautiful streets of Savannah, because you will want to hit everyone of these tasty spots!

Here is my list of my favorite top Savannah restaurants, in no particular order!

The Collins Quarter

When you eat at The Collins Quarter, you eat with your eyes. Everything is beautiful from the chic and stylish decor complimented with fresh flowers on the tables, to the artsy plated food presented on your plate.

The biggest downfall of The Collins Quarter is deciding what to order. Their menu choices are so enticing your head hurts trying to narrow down the selection! I suggest trying EVERYTHING!

I also highly recommend a reservation. There is always a line out the door and a long wait. However, if you do not make reservations, let me assure you it is worth the wait!

If you are coming for brunch, you can never go wrong with the French Toast, Upstream Supreme, or the Eggs Benedict. Make sure you try one of their fancy signature Espressos!!! This is definitely an opportunity to indulge.

For dinner, you can never go wrong with the scallops, salad, or the fish specials. The Hot Chicken was pretty fantastic if it still is on the menu....

And don't skip dessert!!! Dessert at Collin's Quarter is always special, so if it is questionable if you will have room for dessert, just order it first... because why not?

Address: 151 Bull Street (corner of Oglethorpe), Savannah, GA 31401

Second Location Now Open at Forsyth Park

Vic's on the River

For a romantic dinner, try Vic’s On the River. Placed in an old cotton warehouse on the Historic River Street, Vic's overlooks the water for a beautiful setting. The high ceilings, hanging chandeliers, large windows, and white table cloths offer an elegant, classy atmosphere. 

The menu focuses on Southern cuisine and fresh local seafood and the food is incredible.   

You must try the She-Crab soup! It is possibly the best you will ever have with the perfect balance of flavor, cream, and large clumps of fresh crab meat. The French Onion soup is also perfection.  

For an entrée, I suggest the scallops. They are large, sweet, and served over a delicious risotto.

 If you wanting a true taste of the South, you might want to try the fried chicken. The skin is crispy and the chicken is moist.  

Other suggestions: Reisling Poached Pear Salad, Chargrilled Octopus, Shrimp and Grits, and Braised Short Ribs.  

Address: 26 E Bay St, Savannah, GA 31401 

Crystal Beer Parlor

Let me start with, “What took me so long to eat here?” Seriously... Most of the reviews for The Crystal Beer Parlor talk about how fantastic their burgers are. While I can appreciate a fantastic burger, it isn’t on my top list to eat when traveling when there are so many other unique dishes I want to try. Therefore, I had been dragging my feet for a visit. 

BIG MISTAKE! I cannot begin to tell you how much I have fallen in love with the Crystal Beer Parlor. It was not at all what I expected.  

It is the oldest restaurant and bar in Savannah and walking inside is like going back in time. The restaurant has maintained its historic look by preserving most of its original interior and decor.  

Its beautiful wood paneled vintage bar is full stocked with an extensive selection of beer to include rare and hard to find selections. The craft cocktails are fantastic; I love their painkillers and bloody Marys.

 The servers know their menu. They are ready to make suggestions and are very informative to any questions you might ask. And suggestions you want... because there are so many good choices to choose from!!!! 

The blue crab dip is creamy, rich, decadent Savannah classic is big enough to share. 

The Greek salad is fantastic. You can order it as a side salad. The dressing is incredible. They sell the mix to make at home if you fall in love with it. 

The fried flounder Reuben is so tasty. It is my new favorite fish sandwich. It is perfectly fried on authentic fresh rye bread with coleslaw, thousand island, and Swiss cheese. It is a huge sandwich and goes perfect with their tasty homemade onion rings. 

The country fried steak is a special, but if it is a special when you dine there, get it!!! They make it just like Texas! The batter is perfectly crispy and flavorful. The meat is tender and juicy. The gravy is rich and creamy. It all ties together with thick, buttery mashed potatoes. 

And with all the rave about the burgers... I had to try the burgers. YES! They were worth all the rave. The burgers are huge, flavorful, and juicy. I could barely finish half. You can choose your favorite toppings and have your burger just the way you like it. 

But wait!!! Save room for dessert!! The fried pound cake is out of this world!!!

Some other suggestions: The large pretzel, Crystal chili, pastrami Reuben, duck wings (if they have them), Crystal shrimp salad, Savannah red rice, and fried flounder. 

Address: 301 W Jones St, Savannah, GA 31401 

Leopold’s Ice Cream Parlour

Leopold’s Ice Cream Parlour is a best Savannah restaurant for their incredible gourmet ice cream! 

There is ALWAYS a line out the door and down the street whether it is 100 degrees outside or 30 degrees.... people just can't get enough of this place. Why? Because it is devilishly good.

All ice cream is homemade with flavors such as Lemon Custard, Banana, Pistachio, Rum Bisque (a personal favorite), and the Savannah Socialite made with Milk and dark chocolate ice creams bursting with roasted Georgia pecans and swirled with bourbon-infused caramel. How wicked good does that sound?

Leopold's is also a popular stop among the celebrities. You never know who you might run into such as Jennifer Lopez, Tom Cruise, or Anthony Hopkins.

Their Soda Fountain Menu features traditional favorites such as banana splits, sundaes, homemade ice-cream sandwiches, and Old-Fashioned Hand Crafted Fountain Sodas (I do love a good Cherry Smash!)

Leopold's sandwiches and salads are made fresh. Try the Shrimp Salad, Pimento Cheese Sandwich, or the Cream Cheese and Olives Sandwich... you can't go wrong.

Address: 212 E. Broughton St, Savannah, GA  

Cotton & Rye

One of the best Savannah Restaurants is a little jewel called Cotton & Rye. Once home to a bank, its building maintains some of its original industrial look and adds in a stylish, modern, open airy feel.

Almost everything is made from scratch with high quality ingredients such as their breads, dressings, sausages, pickles, and bacon.

The menu is Southern inspired and changes periodically. On it you will find things like shrimp and grits, Carolina trout, award winning crispy chicken wings (a definite must) and juicy cheeseburgers.

If you like whiskey, then you are in for a special treat. They have a great selection of whiskeys and an incredible craft cocktail menu. Save room for dessert because their house-made desserts are fantastic also!

Address: 1801 Habersham St., Savannah, GA 31401

Rancho Alegre Cuban Restaurant 

Who knew you could find AMAZING, AUTHENTIC Cuban food in the South? Rancho Alegre Cuban Restaurant just became one of my very favorite of favorite finds! 

First let’s talk about the house made margaritas. Rancho Alegre says it is a family recipe. I don’t know what they put in it, but it is definitely one of the best margaritas I have ever had. However, beware. They are sneaky strong. 

We also enjoyed their mojito. It was fresh and sweet. It went perfect paired with our food. 

All of the food is delicious. It is hard to narrow down in one sitting. 

For your first visit, maybe try the Ropa Veja and the Baby Churrasco. You can’t go wrong with either beef dish. They are so flavorful and delicious. The Creole sauce in the Ropa Veja is exceptional. 

For dessert, we like the Banana Dream. It is a pastry roll made with sweet plantains, cinnamon and queso fresco. It is deep-fried and served with ice cream, guava syrup and sweet condensed milk. YUM! 

Address: 402 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Savannah, GA 31401 

The Olde Pink House

The Olde Pink House is a MUST-EAT Savannah Restaurant. The moment you walk in, you will be seduced by the beautiful Old-World Southern Decor, in this 18th Century Historic Mansion. It is a lovely setting for date nights and special occasions.

Food at the Olde Pink House is authentic Southern cuisine with a gourmet twist. With choices such as fried tempura battered lobster to oysters on a half shell with a watermelon relish, your taste buds are going to be pleased. The house made corn bread biscuits are so soft and light, they practically melt in your mouth.

If you are a Bloody Mary lover, you must try Olde Pink House's Bloody Mary. They are fantastic. However, all of their cocktails are excellent. They make their own Bourbon and are famous for their house-made Madeira wine.

What to order? That really is a good question. Everything is cooked so perfectly. The Crispy Scored Flounder is a must. If you are really hungry, the Bone-In Ribeye Cowboy is quite a steak! The crab cakes are full of huge lumps of crab meat.... But really , everything is delicious.

However, it is imperative to include some of their sides. Their simple side dishes masterly represent traditional Southern comfort foods. My favorites are the butter beans, sweet potatoes, and their award winning creamy stone grits.

Desserts do not disappoint either! The homemade ice cream or key lime pie are heavenly!

Address: 23 Abercorn St, Savannah, GA 31401 

Alligator Soul

Hidden on a side street of the historic district of Savannah, in what was once a basement for a grain warehouse, is a brilliant little restaurant called Alligator Soul. You would almost miss it, if it wasn't for their sign dangling above their street level stairs indicating there is a restaurant below.

Inside, you will find stunning brick archways, a beautiful wooden bar, and tables covered in white linen. It is the perfect setting for a perfect meal.

Dinner is as special as the setting. Their seasonal menus feature handmade dishes prepared with local and regional ingredients with an emphasis of humanely treated animals. In addition, they offer a variety of exotic meats such as elk, antelope, kangaroo, and of-course, alligator.

Alligator Soul house-smokes their own meats. Anything with their house-smoked tasso ham is AMAZING! In particular, the Drunken Mussels (seasoned with tasso ham) are the BEST mussels I have ever had.

Alligator Soul is all about experience. Each dish is thought-out from how it will be presented, to how each layer of ingredient will marry together to create a full wonderment of flavor.

They also take pride in their house made desserts. We enjoyed the tempura battered banana beignets with candied pecans and caramel buttered ice cream.

Menu changes seasonal. However, any of their house-made meats, oysters, mussels, steak, or boat fish make excellent choices.

Address: 114 Barnard St Savannah, GA 31401 

Randy's Bar-B-Q 

Randy's Bar-B-Q is a local favorite. What once was a car wash building is now a little take-out restaurant serving simply smoked ribs, smoked chicken, deviled crab, or a combination platter with a slice of white bread. That is it. No other sides.  

While it is a simple menu, people line up from the minute they open because Randy’s is known to sell out. Their hours are Tuesday thru Saturday, 10:30am to 3:00pm.  

The food and sauce are made daily. The chicken and ribs are tender and flavorful... but that SAUCE! That SAUCE is what is happening! It is a tangy, sweet, mustard-based sauce. 

The chicken and ribs are smothered in the sauce and the combination is DELICIOUS! That white bread is perfect for sopping up whatever is left.  

Address: 750 Wheaton St, Savannah, GA 31401 

La Scala Italian Restaurant 

If you want ambience, then you will find it in this one-of-a-kind Italian restaurant. La Scala Italian Restaurant is located in a beautiful historic pink mansion that was once used as a nunnery.  The stunning stain glass windows, hand painted murals, and chapel hint to the story of this mansion’s past. Each of the 6 dining rooms are lavishly decorated promising a special evening the moment you are seated. 

They have a beautiful wine cellar with an extensive wine list along with a full bar. The menu highlights traditional Italian dishes along with some unique. All are authentic. 

We were very impressed with the gnocchi al funghi. The gnocchi is sautéed in a rich mushroom cream sauce and topped with grilled chicken.  

You won't leave hungry after eating the large serving of lasagna that is plated handsomely with its decadent layers of mozzarella, bechamel, and bolognese sauce.  

Other suggestions include oven roasted olives, Caprese salad, Caesar salad, rigatoni bolognese, and the bone in pork chop. 

Address: 119 E 37th St, Savannah, GA 31401 

Tricks Bar-B-Q

Trick’s Bar-B-Q is another great hidden little dive barbecue joint. There is a line before it opens, so come prepared to wait. I am not sure if the phone is working.... it is a place you just kind of have to show up at. You can find it by the heavy wave of smoke in the air coming from the meat smokers. When you pull up, they are smoking the meat right in the parking lot.

There are no frills and it is take-out only unless you want to tailgate it in the parking lot.

The menu is simple: pork or beef ribs, chicken, or lamb chops. The sides are baked beans, potato salad, and sometimes seafood salad. The portions are large. All of the meat is smoked in a tasty dry rub then served with a finger licking good Southern mustard base barbecue sauce. Ask for extra sauce.

The ribs a.k.a “bacon on a bone” are flavorful, tender, and fall right off the bone. So good! They also have great barbecue chicken and lamb chops are flavorful also. The lamb chops and beef ribs run out fast. Therefore, if you want to try them, get there early.

Barbecue is what the South is famous for and this is another diamond in the rough you don’t want to miss out on. 

Address: 2601 Bull St, Savannah, GA 31401

Sly's Sliders and Fries

They are little in size, but big in taste! Sly's Sliders is the best Savannah Restaurant for fresh hand cut fries, mini hotdogs, and mini sliders.

Their fries are incredible by themselves. Or you can order them topped with cheese, bacon, chili, beans, jerk chicken, fried egg, and/or jalapeños!

The garlic, cheese, and ranch sauces are house made. They make great sauces to dip your fries in.

Choose from a fun selection of mini Nathan gourmet hot dogs. My favorite is the Windy City topped with mustard, onion, relish, dill pickle, tomatoes, sport peppers, and celery salt.

Or try the Tobacco Road with slaw, chili, cheese, onion, mustard, and mayo.

Save room for a mini slider! The cheeseburger is a killer! The reuben is on point. I want to try the "Pawful of Falafel" on my next visit.....

The menu is affordable. You won't break the bank trying all the fun minis!

Address: 1710 Abercorn St, Savannah, GA 31401 

Bella Napoli Italian Bistro

Bella Napoli Italian Bistro is hidden on a side alley in the Historic Savannah District. If you love authentic Italian food, this place is a must-go on your bucket list.

It is a small restaurant with seating for less than 20 tables each covered in a cute red and white checker table cloth. Pizza dough, sauces, and some of the pastas are all house made.

The pizza is fantastic, Spaghetti and Meatballs are phenomenal, and the Spaghetti Alle Vongole is a personal favorite.

With my little dog by my side, I like to come for lunch and eat at their outdoor seating. I order a nice glass of red wine, and a lovely pasta dish. I almost forget I am visiting Savannah and instead feel like I am in Italy.

Address: 18 East State St, Savannah, GA 31401

700 Drayton Restaurant

The 700 Drayton Restaurant makes the list of best restaurants in Savannah for their stunning atmosphere. Dress up and visit here for a special occasion or a romantic date night.

700 Drayton has a spectacular craft cocktail menu. Dinner is exceptional here. Their unique, eclectic dishes are made in house and plated elegantly and colorfully.

While the scallops are scrumptious, you can never go wrong with any of their steaks and chops. 700 Drayton does serve brunch, lunch, and dinner.

I recommend starving all day so you can save room for a four course meal. You will want to try the shareables, salad, soup, entree, and dessert. Everything is so incredible that this a restaurant worth saving your appetite for!

Address: 700 Drayton St., Savannah, GA 31401

The Little Crown by Pie Society

The Little Crown by Pie Society is an incredible authentic British bakery focusing on handmade meat pies, quiches, pasties, and desserts.

Seating is very limited, so you may want to take your order to go. However, they have fantastic tiny little bar with craft cocktails you can drink while you wait or order to sip on for a stroll around the market.  

For something savory, try the blue cheese and beef pasty! You won’t be disappointed. The pastry is light and flaky. The filling is hearty and flavorful. The combination is DELICIOUS!  

For something sweet, try the Banoffee Pie made with bananas, toffee, and cream or the coconut cream pie made with cream and coconut.  

Other suggestions include chicken pot pie, sausage roll, or the bacon Lorraine quiche. 

They do ship! Therefore, if you cannot make it to Savannah, but want to order one of their specialties, you can order online and have their delectable pastries shipped to your home! 

Address: 19 Jefferson St, Savannah, GA 31401

Local 11ten Food|Wine

Situated one block from Forsyth Park is a restored bank that now houses a candle-lit, contemporary farm to table restaurant. Local 11 Ten uses fresh, seasonal, local ingredients to create elegant, gourmet dishes with a modern-day Southern twist!

It is the perfect place for that cute little black dress and red-pumps that you have been waiting to wear on date night. 

The cocktails are fun, the food is incredible. We enjoyed the beautifully plated mussels, scallops, and salmon. 

The menu changes seasonally. Steak, scallops, and mussels are usually featured on the menu and you can’t go wrong with either selection. 

Address: 1110 Bull St, Savannah, GA 31401 

a. Lure 

a. Lure is located in the historic City Market of Savannah. This award-winning restaurant combines low country dining with modern gourmet elegance.

The beautiful, rustic design makes this a romantic place for dinner and cocktails.  

If you love a good martini, their dirty martini with blue cheese olives is FANTASTIC. The pear martini was exquisite as well. 

We enjoyed the homemade chips with blue cheese fondue, Meatloaf, and Pork Osso Bocco.  

After eyeing other table’s dishes, we will try the Caeser salad and Seafood Fra Diavolo upon our next return.

Address: 309 W Congress St, Savannah, GA 31401 

The Ordinary Pub 

Located below in a basement on W Broughton St is a fun restaurant called The Ordinary Pub that is anything but Ordinary. 

They take traditional Pub food and reimagine it with a gourmet twist.

Want a slider? Then try a pork belly slider with a donut bun.

Love country style steak? Then try the fried bison served over real mashed potatoes and topped with sausage and gravy. 

Like tacos? Then try the duck confit tacos with goat cheese and pickled onions.  

The food is delicious and the drinks are great also. It is also a favorite for brunch. I will have to go to brunch soon for the banana fosters French toast! 

Address: 217 ½ W Broughton St, Savannah, GA 31401 

Olympia Cafe

For authentic, made from scratch Greek dishes, try Olympia Café. It is located on the river.  

The inside is small and cozy with beautiful brick walls, tables covered in table cloths, and lit oil lamp centerpieces for a romantic ambiance. 

The dishes are the owner’s personal recipes. This is an opportunity for a true Greek experience to sample homemade moussaka, pastisio, and dolmades.

I also recommend the flamed Greek sausage. The flavorful sausage is flamed with brandy table-side for a fun and tasty appetizer. Save room for dessert. The galactoboureko (Greek custard in a flaky pastry) is incredible. The baklava is delicious as well. 

Other suggestions are the saganaki, hummus, lemon chicken, Greek salad, souvlaki, lamb shank,, and snapper. 

They do offer vegetarian and gluten-free options. Dinner reservations are suggested.  

Address: 5 E River St, Savannah, GA 31401

 

Tubby's Seafood On the River

For a dog friendly place that will love your pup almost as much as you do, try Tubby's Seafood on the River! They will welcome you and your dog on their upstairs patio overlooking the river.

The menu is casual, but food is good. The she crab soup is EXCELLENT! The fried green tomatoes are great for sharing.

The peel and eat shrimp are fresh, big, and juicy. They make a terrific homemade garlic hot sauce dip for the shrimp. The fish is fresh caught and cooked perfect. Order the fish on a po'boy or salad. Either will be great.

Address: 115 E River St, Savannah, GA 31401 
 

Le Cafe Gourmet

Le Cafe Gourmet is a best restaurant in Savannah for their amazing crepes, breads, and pastries! Everything is made from scratch in-house. They have a nice selection of coffees and teas as well.

You can choose from "authentic French" crepes or with Buckwheat flour: "ORGANIC, GLUTEN, DAIRY and SUGAR FREE." Neither is a bad choice.

The Gourmet Blue, La Complete, and Salmon Crepes are heavenly. The beautiful Charcuterie board is perfect for sharing.

The sandwiches are served in their house-made French bread. They are ALL fantastic! The Caprese sandwich is my favorite.

Address: 53 Montgomery St, Savannah, GA 31401 

Back in the Day Bakery

Back in the Day Bakery is famous for its small batched, hand-crafted Southern desserts, biscuits, and savory treats. 

If you like biscuits, then this is your place. They are made from scratch with the perfect texture and density. Try them with one of their delicious jams.

My personal favorite is the ham and cheese pastry. The pastry was flaky, the ham salty, and it was loaded with tons of cheese. 

The guava cheese pastry was exceptional... A nice combination of sweet guava and creamy cheese on a flaky pastry. Delicious! 

We also tried the lavender shortbread. Think dense sugar cookie with hints of lavender. Very nice.   

The menu changes seasonally. The bakery lines up and sells out. So get there early and be prepared to wait. Back in the Day Bakery is currently only open Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 3 pm. 

Address: 2403 Bull St, Savannah, GA 31401

Best places to grab a drink!

• Mint to Be Mojito Bar is my top favorite place for a drink out of all the lovely places in Savannah, Georgia. Why? Because it is AMAZING! The mojitos are made from scratch with beautiful fresh ingredients and top shelf liquor. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the strawberry coconut mojito-try it, you will thank me! They also offer many other INCREDIBLE drinks such as the Caipirinha-a Brazilian cocktail made with Leblon Cachaca (Brazilian rum), brown sugar, and lime. If you are in the mood for something light and frozen, try the Frosé! Everything is so delicious; you can’t go wrong. They also offer made from scratch small bites if you are hungry such as empanadas, arepas, and tamales. If you are really nice, they might let you in on their secret little “Speak Easy.” You will have to ask them about where it is! Tell them A Fork’s Tale gave you the clue!  

Address: 12 W State St, Savannah, GA 31401 

• A bucket list must is having at least one cocktail at sunset at the Rocks on the Roof  rooftop bar at the Bohemian Hotel. It is the best view in Savannah. While overlooking the river, with the colors of the sunset as a backdrop, get settled in its chic modern décor and enjoy the swanky craft cocktails for an epic experience. This rooftop bar is a tradition for us with every visit. It is also a tradition for many other visitors, so I highly recommend arriving early to scout your spot. 

Address: 102 W Bay St, Savannah, GA 31401 

• Dub's Pub River Street: I consider myself a Bloody Mary connoisseur and I have to say Dub's Pub River Street ranks on my top 10. What makes their Bloody Marys so fantastic is their homemade infused vegetable vodka. I do this myself in my Bloody Mary Vodka Infusion recipe. Therefore, any time I see a restaurant infusing vodka, I know it is going to be good!

Address: 225 W River St, Savannah, GA 31401 

• PS Tavern is located on the busy West Bay Street. They proudly claim they have the best Bloody Mary’s in Savannah and are the home of Savannah’s original pickle shot. If you like pickles, you really will love the pickle shot. Their Bloody Mary does actually rank as one of the best Bloody Marys in Savannah. Their infused  vodka really makes it good. I highly recommend this place if you are a Bloody Mary fan like me! If you are from Wisconsin or are a Packer’s fan, you will fit right in here. This place reminds me of all the little local bars I hang out when visiting my family in Wisconsin. 

Address: 11 W Bay St, Savannah, GA 31401 

• While it is a chain, I hate not to recommend Wet Willie’s. One of the coolest things about Savannah is you can walk around with an alcohol drink. And what is more fun than a tasty frozen mixed drink? They have so many flavors to choose from or you can have them fix you something special just for you! Sipping on a frozen slush from Wet Willie’s as we walk the City Market or the River Front is one of our favorite traditions. 

Address: Wet Willie’s has 2 locations. First location:  101 E River St, Savannah, GA 31401 Second location: 20 Jefferson St, Savannah, GA 31401 

Honorable Mentions:

I love Savannah. I go there as much as I can. Even so, it is hard to hit all the great spots in short mini vacations. The following restaurants have been highly recommended from my food blogger friends.

They are on my bucket list to try. When I do, I will update this post. In the meantime you might also want to try the following:

• Soho South
• The Grey
• The Vault
• Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room
• Six Pence Pub
• The Fitzroy
• Big Bon Bodego
• Common Thread
• Green Truck

Have I missed your favorite? Leave a comment and let me know. I love to try new places and I might not of heard of it. Also, I will be updating this list as I check out other new favorites. Stay tuned for more!!!!!

For more restaurant recommendations, check out: Best Restaurants in Beaufort, NC, Best Restaurants Near Boone, NC, Best Restaurants in Fayetteville, NC, Paulie’s Pig Out, and The Fearrington House Restaurant.