Unearth The Voyage
Savannah’s dining scene blends rich Southern heritage with cutting-edge culinary innovation. The city’s historic district and emerging neighborhoods offer everything from centuries-old mansions serving traditional low-country cuisine to sleek newcomers pushing creative boundaries. Whether you’re craving classic fried chicken, fresh-caught seafood, or innovative fusion dishes, these 15 restaurants showcase the best of Savannah’s vibrant food culture in 2025.
1. The Grey
Housed within a meticulously restored 1938 Greyhound bus terminal, The Grey stands as a testament to thoughtful preservation and culinary excellence. Chef Mashama Bailey’s menu weaves African influences through Southern traditions, creating dishes that tell stories of the region’s complex history.
The Art Deco interior preserves original features while the kitchen turns out refined plates like country pasta with pork neck and egg yolk. Don’t miss the bar program, where vintage cocktails get modern twists using house-made ingredients.
Reservations book months ahead for dinner (Tuesday through Saturday) and Sunday brunch. The restaurant’s James Beard accolades make it Savannah’s most celebrated culinary landmark.
2. The Olde Pink House
Candlelight flickers against salmon-colored walls in this 1771 Georgian mansion, where history seeps from every corner. The restaurant occupies Savannah’s only 18th-century mansion still standing, surviving both the Revolutionary War and a devastating fire in the 1990s.
Servers in formal attire glide between tables, delivering refined Southern classics. The she-crab soup arrives velvety and warming, while the scored flounder—crispy-edged and tender-centered—remains their signature dish for good reason.
After dinner, follow the narrow staircase down to Planters Tavern where live piano music fills the brick-walled cellar. Reservations are non-negotiable, especially during peak tourist seasons.
3. Elizabeth on 37th
Time seems to slow inside this grand Victorian home, where fine dining has been elevated to an art form since 1981. Stepping through the doors feels like entering a private dinner party in Savannah’s elegant past, complete with polished wood, crystal, and attentive service that never intrudes.
The menu celebrates coastal Georgia’s bounties—think spiced savannah honey from nearby hives drizzled over local cheese, or just-caught shrimp served with stone-ground grits. Their wine cellar houses bottles from small producers worldwide, with knowledgeable sommeliers guiding perfect pairings.
Business-casual attire respects the restaurant’s refined atmosphere. Dinner-only service creates an unhurried experience where each course tells a story of Southern tradition.
4. Common Thread
Creative energy pulses through this modern Southern restaurant, where the FARM Bluffton team has created Savannah’s most exciting dining experience. Their 2025 James Beard semifinalist recognition merely confirms what locals already knew—this place is special.
Seasonality isn’t just a buzzword here; it’s religion. The kitchen transforms whatever local farmers bring that morning into beautifully composed plates. Think charred okra with fermented chili and preserved lemon or heritage pork with sweet potato and coffee.
The dining room balances sophistication with warmth—exposed brick walls and wooden tables create an unpretentious backdrop for culinary artistry. Resy reservations open 30 days ahead and disappear within hours.
5. Saint Bibiana (Hotel Bardo)
Saint Bibiana arrived on Savannah’s scene with a splash of Mediterranean glamour that feels both fresh and perfectly at home. Located in the stylish Hotel Bardo, the restaurant channels coastal Italian energy through a distinctly Southern lens.
Handmade pasta takes center stage—try the cacio e pepe with Georgia black pepper or seafood paccheri with local shrimp and crab. The open kitchen provides dinner theater as chefs stretch dough and finish dishes with flourishes of finishing oil.
Weekend brunch has become the hottest reservation in town, with prosecco flowing freely alongside espresso drinks and breakfast pasta carbonara. The emerald velvet banquettes and marble-topped bar create an atmosphere of relaxed luxury.
6. Fleeting (Thompson Savannah)
Floor-to-ceiling windows frame stunning marsh views at this sleek Thompson hotel restaurant, where the kitchen celebrates Georgia’s coastal bounty. The name “Fleeting” perfectly captures the restaurant’s philosophy—embracing seasonal moments and transforming them into memorable meals.
Breakfast might feature buttermilk biscuits with local honey; lunch brings elevated sandwiches and salads. But dinner is when the kitchen truly shines, with wood-fired fish and heritage meats complemented by produce from nearby farms.
Begin or end your evening at Bar by Fleeting, where inventive cocktails incorporate house-infused spirits and unexpected ingredients. The bartenders’ creativity rivals the kitchen’s, making this a complete culinary destination within the Thompson’s sophisticated space.
7. Alligator Soul
Descend the stairs into this underground haven and discover why it’s been Savannah’s special occasion destination for years. Housed in a former grain storage facility, the brick-walled space exudes romantic charm with its dim lighting and intimate tables.
The kitchen specializes in game meats and creative preparations—perhaps antelope with juniper demi-glace or wild boar with blackberry reduction. Vegetarians aren’t forgotten, with dedicated menu sections showcasing seasonal produce in thoughtful compositions.
Service strikes that perfect balance between attentive and unobtrusive, with servers who know the menu intimately. The wine list favors small producers with sustainable practices, and the bartenders mix pre-Prohibition classics with modern precision.
8. Mrs. Wilkes’ Dining Room
Southern hospitality comes alive around communal tables at this beloved Savannah institution. Since 1943, Mrs. Wilkes has served family-style feasts where strangers become friends over passed platters of fried chicken and bowls of okra gumbo.
The format remains charmingly unchanged—arrive before opening, wait in the inevitable line, then take your seat at a table for ten. Without ordering, food appears: twenty-plus dishes including black-eyed peas, collard greens, sweet potato soufflé, and cornbread.
Cash only, lunch only, Monday through Friday. The line starts forming by 10 a.m. for the 11 a.m. opening, but the convivial atmosphere makes waiting part of the experience. President Obama famously stopped by in 2010—his photo now hangs proudly on the wall.
9. Collins Quarter (Downtown & Forsyth)
Morning sunlight streams through tall windows, illuminating the brass fixtures and marble counters of this Australian-inspired café. By night, candles transform the space into an intimate dinner spot where conversation flows as easily as the wine.
The Collins Quarter pioneered Savannah’s specialty coffee scene, introducing pour-overs and flat whites long before they became commonplace. Their brunch remains unmatched—the spiced lavender mocha pairs perfectly with avocado smash or their famous Swine Time benny with pulled pork and hollandaise.
With two locations—the original downtown spot and the airy Forsyth Park outpost—this versatile establishment serves everything from quick breakfast to romantic dinner. Weekend brunch reservations are essential at both locations.
10. The Wyld Dock Bar
Pelicans soar overhead as boats glide past this laid-back waterfront gem nestled among the marshes. Picnic tables scattered across the deck offer front-row seats to Savannah’s most spectacular sunsets, with golden light spilling across the winding waterways.
The kitchen keeps things simple but spectacular—local shrimp arrive perfectly grilled with garlic butter, while the catch-of-the-day fish sandwich comes straight from nearby waters. Cocktails feature fresh-squeezed juices and herbs grown on-site, with the Marsh Water (cucumber vodka, lime, mint) being the signature refresher.
Closed Mondays, this seasonal spot operates weather-permitting. Summer weekends bring live music and inevitable waits, but the relaxed vibe makes it worth your patience.
11. The Vault Kitchen & Market
Housed in a former bank building in the vibrant Starland District, The Vault cleverly incorporates its financial past—the original vault door remains as a design element near the bar. This neighborhood favorite balances casual comfort with culinary creativity through its Asian-fusion menu.
Sushi rolls incorporate unexpected Southern touches—try the Georgia roll with peach and spicy shrimp. The extensive menu ranges from Korean BBQ tacos to Thai curries, making it ideal for groups with varied tastes.
Cocktails play with Asian ingredients like yuzu, lychee, and Thai basil. The restaurant’s spacious interior features an open kitchen and both high and low seating options, while the market section offers grab-and-go items and specialty ingredients to recreate flavors at home.
12. The Fitzroy
Emerald-tiled walls and brass fixtures create a distinctly Australian atmosphere at this bustling bistro from the Collins Quarter team. The space feels both vintage and contemporary—leather banquettes line the walls while a dramatic central bar anchors the room.
Carnivores rejoice over perfectly executed steaks with compound butters and creative sides. Seafood lovers find equal satisfaction in dishes like king salmon with beetroot risotto or scallops with cauliflower purée.
The rooftop section provides coveted outdoor seating with heaters for cooler evenings. Cocktails showcase Australian spirits and indigenous ingredients rarely seen elsewhere in Savannah. Weekends bring a DJ spinning vinyl, transforming the restaurant’s energy as evening progresses into night.
13. Chive Sea Bar & Lounge
Jazz Age glamour meets contemporary seafood at this 1920s-inspired Broughton Street restaurant. Crystal chandeliers cast a warm glow over velvet seating and vintage-patterned wallpaper, creating a setting that feels both nostalgic and fresh.
The raw bar showcases the day’s oyster selection, while hot appetizers like lobster mac and cheese arrive in elegant copper vessels. Main courses lean toward seafood—perhaps seared scallops with risotto or whole fish prepared with Asian influences—though steaks and vegetarian options ensure everyone finds something tempting.
Bartenders shake and stir Prohibition-era cocktails with theatrical flair, often adding modern twists with house-infused spirits. The consistent five-star guest ratings speak to both the quality of food and the attentive service.
14. Crystal Beer Parlor
Since 1933, this beloved institution has served cold beer and comfort food to generations of Savannahians. Originally a grocery store, then a speakeasy during Prohibition, the historic building now houses Savannah’s second-oldest restaurant.
Memorabilia covers the walls—vintage signs, historic photos, and local artifacts create a museum-like atmosphere where you’ll discover something new on each visit. The kitchen specializes in unpretentious classics: their award-winning crab stew comes thick and creamy, while the half-pound burgers arrive perfectly charred.
The beer list features over 25 rotating taps plus bottles from around the world. No reservations means potential waits during peak times, but the bar area provides a perfect spot to sample a local brew while your table opens up.
15. Vic’s on the River
History whispers from the walls of this 19th-century cotton warehouse overlooking the Savannah River. A framed Civil War map drawn by Union soldiers who once occupied the building reminds diners of the restaurant’s storied past.
Floor-to-ceiling windows frame postcard-worthy views of river traffic and the iconic Talmadge Bridge. The outdoor patio offers perhaps the most atmospheric dining in the city, shaded by ancient live oaks draped with Spanish moss.
The kitchen excels at Southern classics with coastal influences—shrimp and grits arrive studded with andouille sausage and tasso ham gravy, while pecan-crusted flounder comes perfectly flaky. Live piano music fills the dining room most evenings, adding to the timeless ambiance.
