Along with its rich history and haunted legends, Savannah is also renowned for its Southern cuisine. These are my top restaurants in and around the city.
You could throw a rock with your eyes closed in downtown Savannah and be almost statistically certain to strike a building, street, or park that’s purportedly haunted. And while outstanding restaurants aren’t as prolific as the ghost stories in America’s spookiest city, there’s plenty of great dining to be found. Including an elevated eatery that’s awarded by the James Beard Foundation, an acclaimed bakery, and an out-of-the-way barbecue joint, these are my favorite places to eat in Savannah:
1. The Grey
Creatively converted from what was once a Greyhound Bus Terminal, The Grey in downtown Savannah is not only the best upscale restaurant in the city but one of the finest in the nation; co-owner and chef Mashama Bailey won the James Beard Foundation’s award for Outstanding Chef in 2022. I can happily say her food measures up to its lofty reputation.
Without asking for any details, I blindly ordered the five-course chef’s selection, which is a rotating menu of Ms. Bailey’s signature creations. I also had The Grey’s sommelier pair wines with each plate. Here’s what I ended up with:
1st Course: Tuna crudo with cayenne pepper paired with a French Chenin Blanc
2nd Course: Pumpkin soup paired with a Chardonnay from the Burgundy region of France
3rd Course: Grilled mushrooms with wonderful tahini paired with a glass of Italian Nebbiolo
4th Course: Stuffed quail with grits and collards paired with a Spanish Rioja.
5th Course: Sweet potato pie paired with an Italian Moscato
Two hours and a couple of Lynyrd Skynrd songs playing in the elegant yet relaxed background later, I finished up one of the best meals I’ve had in recent memory. Concluding thoughts: If feasible, The Grey should be budgeted into any traveler’s trip to Savannah.
Cost: $250 USD plus tax and tip for the chef’s selection and wine pairing; more affordable menu options are also available
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 5 p.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and 5 p.m.-9 p.m.; closed Monday; make sure you have a reservation well ahead of your visit.
2. Unforgettable Bakery + Cafe
Tucked away in a storefront that’s minutes south of the Savannah Historic District, you would never imagine by appearances that Unforgettable Bakery + Cafe is one of America’s best bakeries. The reality, though, is that Unforgettable is almost as distinguished as The Grey; it was a semifinalist for Outstanding Bakery in the 2023 James Beard Foundation’s Restaurant and Chef Awards.
I stopped by for an early afternoon power-up during a fall trip to the city. Their menu has several options, so I asked for a recommendation. A minute or so later, I left with the pumpkin spice loaf that’s pictured below. Eaten with a cup of coffee, it was perfect autumn bliss.
Cost: Around $10 USD for an item on their menu
Hours: Thursday-Friday 12 p.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
3. Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room
If you’re searching for delicious Southern food staples served in the most simplistic format imaginable, look no further than Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room in the Savannah Historic District. The restaurant is an institution in the city, and it’s stuck to a winning formula that was created when the late Mrs. Wilkes first opened her doors in 1943.
Customers are seated at communal tables that are overflowing with bowls and serving plates of classic Deep South fare like fried chicken, fried okra, sweet potato souffle, and cornbread. I grew up a state away in Alabama; Mrs. Wilkes’ recipes remind me of home. It took me a surprisingly short amount of time to knock out my heaping plate shown below.
If you visit the restaurant, expect to stand in line for a while. The staff seats customers when space becomes available at tables. Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room is also cash only, and an ATM is near the checkout counter.
Cost: $30 USD for all-you-can-eat lunch
Hours: Monday-Friday 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
4. Clary’s Cafe
Located to the south of the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist on Abercorn St., Clary’s Cafe is a great place to start the day with a hearty breakfast. It’s also an important part of Savannah’s literary and cinematic history. John Berendt mentioned the cafe in his 1994 international bestselling true crime novel Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Three years later, John Cusack filmed a scene in the cafe while starring in the Clint Eastwood-directed movie by the same name as the book.
The popular Clary’s is crowded on the inside, so I asked to sit at one of their outdoor tables. I ordered The Oglethorpe, a large and delicious breakfast plate that’s named after the founder of Savannah, English General James Oglethorpe. The meal, which was accompanied with a bottomless cup of coffee, helped kickstart a full day of exploring the city.
Cost: Around $25 USD for breakfast with coffee
Hours: 8 a.m.-2 p.m. every day
5. Ole Pink House
Bordering the northwest side of Reynolds Square in the Savannah Historic District, Ole Pink House is in the same class of restaurants as The Grey. It operates out of a former colonial mansion, and management has kept the interior authentic to the 18-century period when it was constructed. I was fortunate to secure a last-minute reservation to The Ole Pink House; the restaurant is usually booked out for weeks. I ordered the scored flounder with an extraordinary apricot shallot glaze, and it came with grits and collard greens.
Cost: Around $95 USD for dinner with wine
Hours: Sunday-Monday 5 p.m.-10:30 p.m.; Tuesday-Thursday 11 a.m.-10:30 a.m.; Friday-Saturday 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
6. Wiley’s Championship BBQ
Found west of downtown near the intersection of U.S. Route 80 and Islands Expressway, Wiley’s Championship BBQ was named as the 2020’s second-best barbecue joint in the South by Southern Living. Despite its recognition, I enjoyed a plate of their prized pulled pork with okra and Brunswick stew in a mostly empty dining area on Saturday afternoon. Perhaps you will be so lucky during your trip to Savannah.
Cost: Around $25 USD for lunch with local Tybee Island Blonde beer
Hours: Monday-Saturday 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Closed Sunday
7. The Pirates’ House
Savannah was founded as an English colonial settlement in 1733, which is around the time the golden age of piracy came to an end. Nevertheless, the city has assuredly had its fair share of shady mariners pass through its port over the centuries. One of the places where they would have roosted while at anchor during the 18th and 19th centuries would have been The Pirates’ House.
The restaurant is easily one of the most historic locations in Savannah. The Herb House, which was built in 1734 for the gardener who tended to America’s first experimental garden, still stands on the property. The Pirates’ House was built as an inn and tavern for seafarers in the 1750s.
I stopped at the eatery for lunch. It offers a buffet and menu, and I ordered the chicken and shrimp gumbo with a glass of peach muscadine wine. Flipping over the paper menu, you can read about the rich history of The Pirates’ House while waiting on your food.
Cost: Around $40 USD for lunch
Hours: Sunday-Thursday 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday-Saturday 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m.
Related Content
– Click to view my high-resolution photo collection featuring images from the Savannah area.
– Click to read my travel guide “Top Places to Go in the Savannah Area.”
– Click to read my feature article “Haunted South: Beyond the Grave” for a detailed look at my favorite supernatural tales from the Southern States.