---
title: "Best Restaurants in Savannah"
url: https://stacklist.com/card/50077b14-19c4-4e02-aed2-1f1e7218bcf8
source_url: "https://savannahfirsttimer.com/restaurants-in-savannah/"
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summary: "This dining guide lists the best restaurants in Savannah, Georgia, organized by category including famous spots, breakfast places, fried chicken, seafood, burgers, and BBQ. The author shares personal top-ten favorites and advises visitors to choose local establishments over chain restaurants for an authentic Savannah dining experience."
tags: "savannah-restaurants, dining-guide, southern-food, breakfast, seafood, local-restaurants, travel"
key_entities: "Savannah, Georgia (location), The Olde Pink House (organization), Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room (organization), The Grey (organization), Husk (organization), The Lady & Sons (organization), Paula Deen (person), Brochu's Family Tradition (organization), Alligator Soul (organization), Cotton & Rye (organization), The Collins Quarter (organization), Urban Deli (organization), Clary's Cafe (organization), Wright Square Bistro (organization), Green Truck Pub (organization), Historic District (location), Starland District (location)"
classification: "reference"
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---

# Best Restaurants in Savannah

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! Note: This guide contains affiliate links to my trusted travel partners. 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 (lookin’ at you, Paula Deen). These are a few of the most famous restaurants in Savannah: The Olde Pink House The Pirates’ House Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room The Grey Husk Back in the Day | closed Feb 2024 The Lady & Sons | closed July 2025 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 Cotton & Rye Fleeting Geneva’s Famous Chicken and Cornbread Green Truck Pub Shuk Savannah Urban Deli Wright Square Bistro I should probably note that my favorites change frequently, so I’ll update this list on a regular basis! The first photo is the chicken and liver toast at Brochu’s, the second is the (absolutely delish!) chicken platter at Brochu’s, the third is the Waldorf salad at Wright Square Bistro, the fourth is the Brie & Walnut Croissant at Urban Deli, and the last two are the Thai soup and kitchen sink salad from (the now-closed) Starland Cafe. | All photos ©ErinClarkson ✅ BOOK IT: This is my current favorite 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 | Near Wormsloe B Matthews Eatery | Historic District Clary’s Cafe | Historic District Flora & Fauna | Starland District Huey’s on the River | Historic District Narobia’s Grits & Gravy | Starland District SIXBY | Starland District The Collins Quarter | Historic District Urban Deli | Historic District I already miss two of my all-time favorites that recently closed: Sweet Patricia’s and Dottie’s Market. However, I’ll forever be a fan of both Clary’s and Narobia’s for their hearty meals and the down-home atmosphere. Urban Deli is a fantastic spot for anyone who is health conscious! 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 five good Historic District options, in alphabetical order: B. Matthew’s Eatery Cafe M Clary’s Cafe The Collins Quarter Urban Deli 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 breakfast spots near me. A couple of these are hidden gems you might not hear about otherwise. Flora & Fauna Narobia’s Grits & Gravy SIXBY If you’re looking for Starland’s 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. My personal favorite bakery in the area, Sweet Patricia’s, closed in August of 2025. This is why it’s so important to support local businesses instead of some of the national chains that are moving into the area!! 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 five solid 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. The chicken sandwich at Brochu’s is served with a tasty spiced mayo. | ©ErinClarkson 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! The Wassaw Redifish from Erica Davis Lowcountry is one of their most popular seafood dishes (and deservedly so). | ©ErinClarkson Here are five top picks, once again in alphabetical order: Chive Seabar and Lounge Driftaway Cafe Erica Davis Lowcountry Fleeting The Wyld Dock 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. If you’re looking for some really tasty seafood options, you can find quite a few on Tybee Island . <–That post includes photos from a few favorites, such as Sundae Cafe and Bubba Gumbos (not to be confused with the chain restaurant, Bubba Gump Seafood Co. — a completely different businesses). 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 five good picks, in alphabetical order: Alexander’s Bistro Crispi (smashburgers) Crystal Beer Parlor Green Truck Pub Over Yonder My current favorite is Crispi! Their flavorful little smashburger just hits the spot. You can’t go wrong with any of these burger spots, though — although some people might tell you to steer clear of the ketchup at Green Truck. It’s a bit of an acquired taste! Green Truck doesn’t skimp on the fries! I ordered the “Hot Rod,” but swapped out the cheddar cheese for Provolone. Delish! 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. 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 I’m not at all ashamed to say I’m addicted to the Carolina Gold BBQ sauce at Munchies! 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. Their brisket and pulled pork are my current favorites. 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: Travelers who plan their daily activities around restaurant reservations to ensure dining at a “must-eat” spot 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 Shuk Savannah Starland Yard The Ordinary Pub – temporarily closed due to storm damage The Vault Treylor Park Vinnie Van Go Go’s If you’re looking for a classic Mom & Pop-style restaurant, give Crystal Beer Parlor a try. Pictured: Their Greek salad, sweet potato fries, and creamy crab soup with a mini loaf of cornbread. | ©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 provides a brief overview of the city. 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. Love this post? Pin it now to save for later!