The 23 Best Restaurants In Savannah, Georgia For Every Price Point

Savannah, Georgia's historic buildings, pristine parks, and breezy riverfront provide an idyllic backdrop for a culinary scene that's deeply rooted in the local landscape. In a city known for its rich and storied history, it makes sense that longtime favorites (including an ice cream parlor dating back to 1919) can coexist with the constant flow of new dining concepts.

The city's best spots may range from farm-to-table Southern in a Victorian-era home, to dockside seafood, to playful takes on Mexican fare housed in a restored railcar, but all share a common tenet of true Southern hospitality. Even in white-tablecloth restaurants nestled inside stately mansions, Savannah's restauranteurs don't take themselves too seriously, and they remain committed to making you feel right at home.

This list covers a range of cuisines and price points so you can create a culinary itinerary that suits you best. Whatever you choose, you won't be disappointed—you'll likely be surprised and delighted by all that the city has to offer.

$ (Entrees $10 - $20)

Auspicious Baking Company

This beloved bakery run by Mark Ekstrohm and Katie Bryant has racked up local awards year after year, and attracted a devoted following across the city. Not only do they sell their beautiful breads and pastries out of their own storefront, they also supply cafes and restaurants in Savannah. From savory options like a smoked salmon croissant to sweet treats like coffee cake muffins, you can't make a bad choice here. They even offer vegan versions of their most popular croissants, and other items like salads, dips, and sandwiches.

Bull Street Taco

Bull Street Tacos, located (where else?) on Bull Street, offers creative takes on its namesake dish. Options include expected favorites like fried fish, carnitas, and chorizo, as well as red chile tempura cauliflower, falafel, and tuna poke, served on a tostada. While the restaurant likes to play around with fillings and flavorings, the handmade tortillas made by local tortilleria, Mitla, are as authentic as they come.

Leopold's Ice Cream

We couldn't leave one of the best-loved and longest-lived businesses in town off the list. Leopold's has taken its ingredients seriously since 1919. Lemon custard, Rum BIsque (rum ice cream with chunks of in-house baked almond macaroons), and Tutti Frutti (rum ice cream with candied fruits and roasted pecans), are the old-school flavors to choose, but you'll have a hard time deciding with other options like the Savannah Socalite (milk and dark chocolate ice creams with roasted pecans and bourbon-infused caramel), Peanut Butter Chippy, or Honey Almond and Cream. Expect long lines, but know that it's worth the wait.

Sisters of the New South

Visit Savannah declares Sisters of the New South to be the spot where locals actually go to eat, and we can't think of any higher praise than that. This soul food restaurant is your destination for Southern comfort: Think fried chicken, oxtail soup, and a much-loved peach cobbler. Bring your appetite—all dinners come with three sides.

Starland Yard

Find a spot on the patio at Starland Yard, and let the venue's rotating roster of food trucks treat you to something delicious. You have your pick of food and entertainment here. It's home to chef Kyle Jacovino's Vittoria Pizzeria, the Yard Bar, and events showcasing local music and art.

Strangebird

Since opening as a food truck in 2019, Strangebird has earned devoted fans across the city for its unique spin on Mexican flavors. This year, it finally opened a brick-and-mortar location in Savannah's Victorian District—but not in any old storefront. Strangebird’s new home is a beautifully restored 1930s-era Streamliner dining car. Nab a table inside to sample chefs Daniel Aranza and Felipe Vera's playful dishes, like Cauliflower and Mushroom Pastor Burritos, Birria Burgers, and Georgia Shrimp Salpicon. Agua Frescas and "adult slushies" like the Froze-rita add to the fun vibe.

$$ (Entrees $20 to $40)

Late Air

A fun, ever-changing natural wine list is what draws people to this stylish spot on Bull Street. But one look at the restaurant's menu, and you'll be tempted to stay for drinks and dinner. Comprised of seasonal small plates designed for sharing and pairing with wine, you could start with Cantabrian anchovies with hazelnuts, followed by Georgia shrimp with ramps, coconut, and garlic flatbread, and finish the meal with a cheese plate with whipped dates and honey.

St. Neo's Brasserie

This self-described "seafood brasserie and oyster bar with a Southern accent" has something for just about everyone on its menu. The restaurant's raw bar sets it apart from so many of the other seafood restaurants in town—the Seafood Plateaux comes with oysters, colossal shrimp, and ahi tuna. Diners seeking a taste of the Lowcountry can order shrimp and grits or she-crab bisque. For something a little different, there's gnocchi with blue crab or steamed mussels in a tomato-basil broth. And for the seafood-averse, the braised short rib will probably hit the spot. Located in the Drayton Hotel, the dining room feels like Paris meets Savannah.

Brochu's Family Tradition

"Fried chicken and fancy seafood" are the stars at this lively spot by chef Andrew Brochu. Bring a crowd and order The Whole Chicken Dinner, which comes with fried thighs, charred breast, chicken salad, and gravy, plus chamomile spice, sunchoke hot sauce, biscuits, and pickles. Don't forget some oysters to start—they are prepared seven different ways here. Or order some drinks and graze off the restaurant's snack menu, which includes bites like Chilled Crab Dip and Chicken Wings with Buttered Hot Sauce. 

The Collins Quarter

Channeling the breezy spirit of an Australian café in the fittingly coastal town of Savannah, café and bar Collins Quarter is known for its health-forward, all-day brunch. Sip on a signature Spiced Lavender Mocha or an Iced Mint Julep and stay awhile at either of the restaurant's two locations, downtown or in Forsyth Park.

Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room

When they say family style, they really mean it at the legendary Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room. Pull up a chair and get to know your neighbors here; guests gather at tables of 10 to share a home-style meal. While the menu changes daily, you can expect to find the likes of fried chicken, black-eyed peas, and sweet potato souffle.

Olympia Cafe

Find your fill of Greek and Mediterranean food at Olympia Cafe on River Street. A blue-and-white striped awning greets you as you wander along the Savannah River, and the menu inside is filled with classics like moussaka, spanakopita, hummus, greek salads, and kebabs. Next door, Olympia’s Peaches and Crème ice cream shop offers more than 30 flavors for you to choose from. Take your cone to go and walk along the riverfront for a perfect nightcap.

Sandfly Bar-B-Q

Sandfly BBQ is beloved by locals for several of its menu items, including its Brunswick stew. But you can close your eyes and point; you can't go wrong with anything on the menu here, from beef brisket, to pulled pork, to smoked sausage. Sit indoors or outside, and enjoy your fill of Savannah-style barbecue.

The Public Kitchen & Bar

Open for lunch and dinner, The Public has a modern brasserie feel, with a menu to match. Steaks and chops are always a good choice, especially when served with sides like garlic whipped potatoes or truffle and vegetable creamed rice. Or try the steak burger, which comes with applewood bacon and house steak sauce. A generous selection of wine, cocktails, and beer (many of which are local) adds to the convivial spirit.

Wiley's Championship BBQ

A favorite of Savannah locals and Southern Living readers, Wiley's was opened in 2008 by the late Wiley McCrary, a caterer and competition barbecue cook. It's still a go-to spot for generous platters of pulled pork, brisket, ribs, and smoked chicken served with hearty sides like broccoli, rice, and cheese casserole, collards, and red beans and rice.

Wyld Dock

A dockside retreat with clear ties to Savannah's coastal locale, the off-the-beaten-path Wyld Dock Bar feels like a vacation all its own. House-made pasta complements the catch of the day, and an expertly mixed cocktail or refreshing glass of sangria helps you wash it all down.

$$$ (Entrees $40 +)

Common Thread

One of our 2023 Best New Restaurants, Common Thread is located in a Victorian-era building from the late 1800s, but the globally-influenced, Southern inspired menu feels decidedly modern. Chefs Brandon Carter and Joseph Harrison lean on local produce and seafood in dishes like Carolina Gold rice porridge with barbecued mushrooms, crispy potato, and pickled daikon radish. Additionally, the team behind Common Thread (and sister restaurant, Farm Bluffton) have made it a priority to not only provide a great guest experience but to support people in the dining industry as well. The Rootstock Community Foundation offers free mental health resources to anyone working in the restaurant industry nationwide.

Elizabeth on 37th

Located in a stately 1900 mansion, Elizabeth on 37th epitomizes classic coastal cooking, especially prizing great service and Southern hospitality. First opened by chef Elizabeth Terry and her husband Michael, Elizabeth on 37th is now helmed by partners Greg and Gary Butch as well as executive chefs Kelly Yambor and Jeremy Diehl, who remain committed to carrying on Elizabeth's unwavering hospitality standard. The nightly tasting menu includes dishes that change with the seasons with an emphasis on local seafood and produce.

Fleeting

Located in the Thompson Savannah hotel, the elegant restaurant Fleeting takes its menu inspiration from the Georgia coast. For executive chef Victoria Shore, that means inventive dishes like Country Captain Spring Rolls, Roasted Oysters with sun-dried tomato butter, and Crab Rigatoni with sausage and fennel. Bar By Fleeting offers wine, beer, and creative cocktails.

Saint Bibiana

Located in Hotel Bardo, Saint Bibiana describes itself as a "coastal Italian restaurant tucked inside a historic mansion made for swooning." The restaurant is indeed glamorous with its moody lighting and lounge-like interiors. Executive Chef Derek Simcik's menu offers antipasti, pastas, and main dishes such as Grilled Branzino and Duck Rotolo. Don't miss the cocktail list, which is full of inventive concoctions like the fizzy Fra Lippi (vodka, averna, prickly pear, yuzu, and lambrusco). Fun fact: Saint Bibiana is named for the 4th Century Roman Virgin and Martyr, also known as the Patron Saint of Hangovers.

The Grey

Since opening in 2018, The Grey has shaken up the way the entire nation understands farm-to-table Southern cooking. Located in a former segregated Greyhound Bus Terminal, The Grey grapples with the South's complex history, using food as a vehicle for storytelling. From the locally rooted menu to the restaurant's storied space, partners John Morisano and chef Mashama Bailey's critically acclaimed restaurant has only gotten better and better.

The Olde Pink House

Built in 1771, the charming pink house on Abercorn Street has been a landmark for most of American history—and it has the ghosts to prove it. Now, you can dine by candlelight in the old Georgian mansion; split a dozen oysters and try a few of the Southern-inspired entrees, like Sauteed Shrimp and Scallops or Pecan-Crusted Chicken Breast with Blackberry-Bourbon Glaze.