Part of the fun of visiting Savannah is discovering new restaurants, or visiting old favorites. There are well over 100 restaurants in the Savannah area. We’re happy to recommend those that we’ve eaten in and enjoyed.
River Street
When we first started coming to Savannah after our son enrolled at SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design) we typically went to River Street for dinner. It is a great part of Savannah, with active shipping and pleasure boat traffic on the Savannah River, shops, quite a few bars, and also a substantial number of restaurants.
While we enjoyed the environment, we had to admit after a year or so of occasional visits that there were a lot of “average” restaurants. One that stands out above the rest:
Olympia Cafe (Greek)
5 East River Street (at Bull)
(912) 233-3131
Vics on the River (New Southern)
26 East Bay Street (Bay and Drayton)
(912) 721-1000
B Mathews Eatery
(Southern influenced Bar Food)
325 East Bay Street (Bay and Habersham)
(912) 233-1319
A word about four “Famous” Savannah Restaurants
The Lady and Sons – Paula Dean – (Southern)
102 West Congress Street (Congress and Whitaker)
(912) 233-2600
*** Lunch, Dinner (Mon-Sat) Sunday: Brunch Only
Notes: Reservations taken only for groups of 8 or more normally. Telephone reservations taken for smaller groups on special holidays – book well in advance.
The typical procedure is to put your name on a list with the Hostess at the side entrance. Seating is on a first-come-first served basis. On weekends and at busy times of year the wait time can be long. If you decide not to wait there are other restaurants nearby.
Mrs. Wilkes’ Dining Room – (Home Southern Style)
107 West Jones Street (Jones and Whitaker)
(912) 232- 5997
*** Lunch Only (Mon-Fri – 11am – 2pm)
Notes: Since 1943. Originally made nationally famous by Willard Scott on the Today Show, this Savannah landmark has hosted many celebrities, and President Barak Obama had lunch here on a visit to Savannah in 2010.
This is a very small neighborhood restaurant with “family style” seating. No reservations. No Credit Cards. A line forms out front for seating – sometimes as early as 10am, and during nice weather and a busy time of year the line can run around the block. Potentially long wait times – never quick walk-in access. If you decide not to wait there are few other restaurants nearby.
Clary’s – (Coffee Shop Food)
404 Abercorn Street (Abercorn and E. Jones)
(912) 233-0402
*** Breakfast, Lunch (Daily 8am-4pm)
Notes: Made famous in “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil” – known in Savannah as “The Book”. The book was later made into a movie directed by Clint Eastwood – shot around Savannah, with scenes filmed at Clary’s, where an important character eats every day. We don’t think people eat here for the memorable food.
The Olde Pink House – (Southern Style)
23 Abercorn Street (Reynolds Square at E. Bryan)
(912) 232-4286
*** Lunch, Dinner (Tues-Sat – 11:30am – 10:30pm) Dinner Only (Sun-Mon – 5:00pm – 10:30pm)
Notes: A Savannah landmark, located in a Georgian mansion built in 1789 for James Habersham Jr., one of Savannah’s most important early cotton factors and founding-family members.
Long a “destination” for visitors to Savannah, this very popular restaurant prefers reservations (and does a good job trying to seat you at your reserved time) but will accommodate walk-in diners if they are willing to wait – 1 hr plus at busy times – longer in hopelessly busy season (spring and fall). The older version of this restaurant required “coat and tie” for men, but in recent years the dress code has relaxed considerably to attract casual diners. While this has undoubtedly been good for business, it can still be a bit disconcerting to see guys in backward baseball caps in such a classic and fancy place.
Other Restaurants we have enjoyed
Husk (Ingredient-driven Southern fare)
12 W Oglethorpe Ave (Between Whitaker and Bull)
*** Brunch (Saturday and Sunday), Dinner
(912) 349-2600
Local 1110 (American)
1110 Bull Street (between E Park and E Duffy)
*** Dinner
(912) 790-9000
45 Bistro (American, New American)
23 East Broughton Street (at Drayton) (in the Marshall House Hotel)
*** Dinner
(912) 234-3111
Ruan Thai Cuisine (Asian/Thai)
17 West Broughton Street (between Bull and Whitaker)
*** Lunch, Dinner
(912) 231-6667
Little Duck Diner (Upscale Diner)
150 W Saint Julian Street (at Whitaker) (Ellis Square)
*** Lunch, Dinner
(912) 235-6773
Fire Street Food (Asian/Street comfort food)
13 E Perry Street (Between Bull and Drayton)
*** Lunch, Dinner
(912) 234-7776
The Public Kitchen & Bar (New American Bar, Burgers)
1 West Liberty Street (at Bull)
*** Lunch, Dinner
(912) 200-4045
The Grey (Upscale Southern)
109 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd (at W. Broughton – in the former Greyhound Bus Terminal)
*** Lunch, Dinner
912) 662-5999
Crystal Beer Parlor (American Bar Food with a Southern Slant)
301 West Jones Street (at Jefferson)
*** Lunch, Dinner
(912) 349-1000
J. Christopher’s (American)
122 E Liberty (between Abercorn and Drayton)
*** Breakfast, Lunch
(912) 236-7494
Zunzi’s (A combination of Swiss, Italian, South African and Dutch)
108 East York Street (at Drayton)
*** Lunch (basically Take-Out, with outdoor tables)
(912) 443-9555
Wall’s Bar-B-Que (Barbeque)
515 E York Lane (at Houston)
*** Lunch, Dinner
(912) 232-9754
Bull Street Taco (Laid-back Taqueria)
1608 Bull Street(at 33rd Street)
*** Lunch, Dinner (Closed Sunday)
(912) 349-6931
Ta Ca Sushi & Japanese Fusion (Asian Fusion)
513 E. Oglethorpe Ave (at Price)
*** Lunch, Dinner
(912) 232-8222
“There’s Always Pizza….”
Screamin Mimi’s (Jersey-style Pizza, Pasta, Sandwiches)
513 E. Oglethorpe Ave (Between Price and Houston)
*** Lunch, Dinner
(912) 236-2744
Vinny Van Go Go’s (Pizza – Salads, Beer)
317 West Bryan Street (at City Market)
*** Lunch, Dinner
(912) 233-6394