Where to Eat in Savannah: From Southern Food to Seafood & Sweets
Trying to decide where to eat in Savannah can become a problem surprisingly fast. Do you go for Southern food, fresh seafood, brunch, tacos—or forget dinner entirely and stand in line for ice cream?
On my trip to Savannah, I tried everything from casual seafood and brunch to some of the city’s best-known historic dining spots. Instead of giving you an enormous list of restaurants—many of which I’ve never visited—I’m focusing on the places I actually tried, along with a few useful options I’m keeping on my list for next time.
So, what are you hungry for? Whether you need breakfast before sightseeing, a casual lunch, somewhere memorable for dinner, a late-night bite, or something sweet, here’s where I’d start.
Where Should You Eat in Savannah? Start Here
If you don’t want to read about every meal we’ve eaten—and I respect a person with priorities—here are my quick picks.
| If you’re looking for… | Try… |
|---|---|
| Classic Savannah experience | Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room |
| Historic atmosphere | The Olde Pink House |
| Family-friendly experience | The Pirates’ House |
| Casual seafood | The Seafood Shack |
| Breakfast or brunch | B. Matthew’s or The Funky Brunch |
| Vegetarian/vegan-friendly | The Sentient Bean |
| Mexican food | Tequila’s Town |
| Fun, casual food | Treylor Park Hitch |
| Late-night option | Treylor Park Hitch |
| Ice cream | Leopold’s Ice Cream |
| Edible Savannah souvenir | Byrd’s Famous Cookies |
Hours and policies were checked in August 2026. Restaurants have a nasty habit of changing things when bloggers aren’t looking, so verify current hours before heading out.
For Families and a Little Savannah Theater: The Pirates’ House
While the name may scream “tourist trap,” the food says something entirely different. To be honest, though, the historic house was built in 1734 and is said to be the oldest standing structure in the state of Georgia. While it initially was a gardener’s home, it later became an inn for sailors. Old tunnels in the home may have been used by real pirates in the 18th century.
A hundred years later, The Pirates’ House was mentioned in Robert Louis Stevenson’s famous novel, Treasure Island.
In the 1940s, the house was almost demolished but thanks to the efforts of Mary Hillyer and the Savannah Gas Company, it was not only saved but also restored and preserved.
This is one I’d consider when traveling with kids—or adults who haven’t completely killed off their inner child. The restaurant actually has pirates on staff who visit diners. If you’d like a pirate to stop by your table, let your server know.
The restaurant serves lunch and dinner daily, and its Southern Lunch Buffet is offered from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. most days. Reservations are recommended but not required.
The food served at The Pirates’ House today is bountiful, to say the least. My sister and I shared two dishes at dinner, each dish could have easily fed us both well. The waitstaff had the dishes already split for us when they arrived at the table.
Sautéed Shrimp tossed with Andouille Sausage, Onions, & Peppers in a rich Cream sauce over Stone Ground Grits
PIRATES’ HOUSE AWARD-WINNING HONEY PECAN FRIED CHICKEN – $25
Signature Honey Pecan Sauce drizzled over marinated Fried Chicken, served with Sautéed Vegetables & Mashed Sweet Potatoes
There’s also a full-service bar with signature drinks, rum flights, and local draft beers.
The Pirates’ House works particularly well when you want lunch to double as one of your Savannah experiences instead of simply being a place to refuel.
For Casual Seafood: The Seafood Shack
Sometimes you’re at the coast and don’t need white tablecloths, architectural history, or a pirate wandering past your table.
You need seafood.
The Seafood Shack is located just a few doors down from Leopold’s at 116 East Broughton Street. This seafood restaurant is practically a celebrity – it has been featured on 4 different shows on the Cooking Channel as well as on Food Paradise on the Travel Channel. There’s a good reason for that – it serves the best shrimp.
The Seafood Shack is a much more casual option and a good counterpoint to Savannah’s historic dining rooms. Think seafood without turning dinner into an event.
Two items that you should look into ordering are the Low Country Boil and the Shrimp Waffle Cone.
For a meal that is not only delicious but also Instagram-worthy, order the Fried Shrimp Cone. A homemade waffle cone is filled with creamy coleslaw and fried shrimp and topped with the Seafood Shack’s creamy house sauce. If you like to have your dessert and dinner all in one bite, then this is definitely for you. At $10.50, it’s pretty affordable.
A single serving of the Low Country Boil is only $16.50, and you can order it with the shrimp already peeled for an additional $2.00 (that’s how I would do it – my sister didn’t mind peeling it herself). A regular order of the dish comes with shell-on shrimp, corn on the cob, beef sausage, and red potatoes and it is topped with garlic butter and their house Cajun seasoning.
If your Savannah food list includes shrimp, fish, or other coastal favorites but you want something relaxed, this is the kind of place I’d put on the schedule.
It’s also useful for travelers who want a restaurant open throughout most of the day. The Seafood Shack currently opens at 11 a.m. Monday through Saturday and noon on Sunday, with later hours on Friday and Saturday.
For Breakfast or Brunch: B. Matthew’s
If dining in a cute bistro that serves New American-style food is on your To-Do list, then you head to b. Matthew’s Eatery.
Located in the Savannah Historic District at 325 East Bay Street, b. Matthew’s Eatery is open daily at 8 AM and serves breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner. (The restaurant closes at 3 PM Sunday – Tuesday, 9 PM Wednesday and Thursday, and at 10 PM Saturday and Sunday.
Originally built as a home in 1854, the building has served a variety of purposes over the years – a sailor’s boarding house, a fruit store, a pub, and nowadays a restaurant. The old brick walls and wood floors are charming and the waitstaff is excellent.
Brunch is served daily at b. Matthew’s. Southern-style breakfast dishes grace the brunch menu such as Biscuits and Gravy, Chicken ‘N Biscuit, and Shrimp and Grits.
B. Matthew’s also serves dinner Tuesday through Saturday, so don’t mentally file it away as breakfast-only.
For a Fun Brunch: The Funky Brunch Café
The Funky Brunch is a fun place to go for breakfast. What really stands out are the hot griddles that some of the tables have. Those are there for diners to make their own pancakes. (I bet you were thinking you weren’t going to cook on vacay, right?)
Order Flippin’ Funky at the Table and you’ll get a 10-ounce bottle of pancake batter (buttermilk or gluten-free for an additional $1) and 1 add-on/topping. The toppings are Chocolate Chips, Reese’s Pieces, Bananas, Apple Pieces, Strawberries, Almonds, Walnuts, Pecans, Coconut, Butterscotch, Chips, Granola, Peanut Butter, Whipped Cream, Raspberries, Berry Blend, and Blueberries.
If you don’t want to be cooking your own breakfast, there are plenty of other items on the menu, many with fresh greens and/or seafood.
It’s open Wednesday through Monday from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. and closed Tuesday. The restaurant notes that it may close early on slower winter weekdays, so this is one I’d definitely call or check before making a late brunch run.
Between B. Matthew’s and The Funky Brunch, you’ve got two good choices depending on the kind of morning you want: B. Matthew’s for an earlier start and flexible menu, or Funky Brunch when brunch is part of the fun.
For Coffee and Plant-Based Food: The Sentient Bean
Across from Forsyth Park, The Sentient Bean fills a completely different niche.
It’s a coffeehouse with vegetarian and vegan-friendly food, making it particularly handy if someone in your group needs plant-based options—or you’ve reached the point in your Savannah trip when your body is politely requesting something other than fried food.
tofu scramble, house vegan “sausage,” spinach, black beans, vegan spicy mayo
You can get your coffee fix by ordering Drip Coffee, Iced Coffee, Shakeratto, Espresso, Americano, A Shot In the Dark, Cortado, Latte, Cappuccino, Mocha, Frozen Mocha, Macchiato, or Frozen Vanilla Latte.
Location is another advantage of The Sentient Bean.
If you’re spending part of the day around Forsyth Park, you don’t necessarily need to trek back toward River Street or City Market just to find something to eat.
The Sentient Bean currently opens at 7 a.m. every day, making it one of the earliest options on this list.
For Mexican Food: Tequila’s Town
No matter how much Southern food I eat on vacation, eventually I hear tacos calling my name.
You won’t find a watered-down version of Mexican food at Tequila’s Town. This restaurant got its beginning in Morelia, Michoacán, and prides itself for its authenticity and traditional recipes.
Its location also makes it convenient when you’re already exploring downtown Savannah and don’t want to drive somewhere just for lunch or dinner.
THIS is the place where I had my favorite meal in Savannah – a Shrimp Fajita Taco Salad.
The fajita salad ($12) is made with a crispy flour tortilla shell topped with grilled meat (shrimp in my case) and queso dip and served with a side of sour cream and guacamole dip. (Other protein options are grilled chicken and asada steak. For an additional $1, you can have ALL the meats.)
Tequila’s Town is located in the historic district at 109 Whitaker Street and is open at 11 AM daily (except for Sunday which is at noon) and closes at 10 PM Sunday through Thursday and at 11 PM on Friday and Saturday.
For Something Casual and Different: Treylor Park Hitch
Don’t let the name fool you – this place values quality. Hitch is located across the street from The DeSoto Savannah (hotel) and has one of the most unique menus you might ever see.
Crispy shrimp, fried grit bites, chili aioli lettuce & chimichurri, red bell peppers
Hitch is a good pick when you’re looking for something casual, quirky, and decidedly less traditional than Savannah’s grand historic restaurants.
Cheddar cheese, cinnamon roasted apple, crispy Applewood smoked bacon, fried chicken, apple sauce
Hitch is located at 300 Drayton Street and is open weekdays from 11 AM until 1 AM and on the weekends from 10 AM until 1 AM.
For Ice Cream: Leopold’s
Leopold’s Ice Cream has been around for around a hundred years, give or take 35 years. In 1919, Greek immigrants George, Peter, and Basil Leopold opened their own sweet shop/ice cream parlor in Savannah. Sadly, the ice cream shop closed in 1969 and remained closed until 2004 when it reopened at 212 E. Broughton Street.
Up for the debate is the issue of whether or not Tutti Frutti ice cream was created at Leopold’s. Some say it was created by Roy Motherhead in Kentucky. It’s reported that there are recipes for tutti frutti ice cream in cookbooks from the late 19th century.
Regardless of which sweet treat you choose, you’ll end up with something delicious. My personal pick at Leopold’s is Savannah Socialite which is made with milk and dark chocolate ice creams and roasted Georgia pecans and swirled with bourbon-infused caramel.
My tip: You don’t have to go big or go home. You can order a child-size sugar cone for $3.25 and still enjoy some of the best ice cream in the United States.
If you like hot fudge sundaes, you won’t be disappointed. You can watch the soda jerk through each of the steps making YOUR sundae.
As of August 2026, Leopold’s is open from noon until 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and is located at 212 East Broughton Street.
If you go to Savannah and don’t eat at Leopold’s, then did you really go to Savannah?
For a Savannah Snack to Take Home: Byrd’s Famous Cookies
You’ll want to flock Byrd’s Famous Cookies if you deem yourself a cookie monster.
Ben Byrd began baking cookies in 1924 and the baking hasn’t stopped since. The company has been in business for over 90 years baking cookies in small batches. One truly unique feature is the cookie bar where customers can sample as many of the cookies as they’d like for FREE.
This could be dangerous because once you start sampling them, you want to buy them. I left after purchasing a souvenir tin that I had filled with a bag of Georgia Peach Cookies and Benne Wafers.
Not only do they have sweet cookies, but they also have savory snacks. If you like cheddar wafers and spicy foods, be sure to sample the Jalapeno Cheddar wafers. They definitely pack some heat.
There are three locations of Byrd’s Famous Cookies in Savannah:
- 423 East River Street – open daily at 11 AM and closes at 7 PM Sunday – Thursday and at 8:00 PM Friday and Saturday
- 213 West Julian Street (City Market) – open daily at 11 AM and closes at 7 PM Sunday – Thursday and at 8 PM Friday and Saturday
- 6700 Waters Avenue (Flagship Store) – open 10 AM to 6 PM Monday – Saturday & Noon to 5 PM on Sunday
For History and a Special Meal: The Olde Pink House
Few Savannah restaurants look quite as Savannah as The Olde Pink House.
The historic pink mansion dates to the 18th century and has lived several lives over the years. Today, it’s one of Savannah’s best-known restaurants and a good choice when you want the setting to be part of the meal.
It’s especially appealing for a date night, celebration, or one of those vacation dinners when you decide that sneakers and a granola bar are no longer going to cut it.
The restaurant currently serves lunch Tuesday through Saturday and dinner nightly. Because it’s such a popular Savannah restaurant, I would make a reservation rather than leave dinner to chance.
And if cocktails are part of your Savannah plans, I’ve also included The Olde Pink House in my post about what to drink in Savannah.
For a Classic Savannah Meal: Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room
If you want a meal that feels less like simply eating lunch and more like participating in a Savannah tradition, put Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room on your list.
Located on Jones Street, Mrs. Wilkes serves Southern home cooking family-style at large tables shared with other diners. Platters and bowls crowd the table with dishes such as fried chicken, cornbread dressing, sweet potato soufflé, black-eyed peas, okra gumbo, biscuits, and other Southern favorites. The menu changes, so don’t arrive expecting one particular side dish.
And yes, there may be a line.
Know Before You Go to Mrs. Wilkes
Mrs. Wilkes is lunch only, with the doors opening at 11 a.m. There are no reservations, and this isn’t somewhere I’d save for a casual “we’ll eat whenever we’re hungry” afternoon.
Meals are dine-in only; there is no takeout.
Another important detail: credit cards are not accepted. Payment is by cash or check, although there is an ATM onsite.
As of August 2026, the price is $35 per person for ages 13 and older and $17.50 for children 12 and younger, with tax included.
If Mrs. Wilkes is high on your Savannah wish list, I’d build that day’s schedule around lunch rather than trying to squeeze it between attractions.
Where can you eat late in Savannah?
Among the restaurants on this list, Treylor Park Hitch is one of the strongest late-night options. It’s currently open until 1 a.m. seven nights a week.
That makes it worth remembering after an evening ghost tour, cocktails, or a night out when you suddenly realize dinner consisted primarily of whatever came garnishing your drink.
Where to Eat in Savannah Based on Your Schedule
One of the easiest mistakes to make when planning Savannah is choosing restaurants first and then discovering they don’t fit your sightseeing schedule.
Here’s a simpler approach.
- Starting early? The Sentient Bean opens at 7 a.m., while B. Matthew’s and The Funky Brunch open at 8 a.m.
- Planning a special Southern lunch? Make Mrs. Wilkes the anchor of that day’s itinerary. It’s not an all-day restaurant you can simply visit whenever hunger strikes.
- Want a lunch buffet? The Pirates’ House serves its Southern Lunch Buffet from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. most days.
- Need something late? Treylor Park Hitch stays open until 1 a.m.
- Want dessert after dinner? Leopold’s stays open into the evening, including until 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
This sounds ridiculously simple, but matching restaurants to your itinerary can save a lot of vacation time—and prevent the dreaded 3:17 p.m. discovery that the place you’ve been talking about all morning stopped serving lunch at 3.
Savannah Restaurants by Area
Savannah is a walking city, so location matters almost as much as what’s on the menu.
If you’re exploring the Historic District, you’ll have the greatest concentration of restaurants and can often combine meals with sightseeing without moving your car.
Around Forsyth Park, The Sentient Bean is an easy option, while City Market and River Street offer plenty of places to stop for snacks, drinks, and meals as you explore.
My advice? Don’t spend half your Savannah vacation driving across town chasing restaurants. Look at what you’re doing that day and choose somewhere nearby unless there’s a restaurant you specifically came to experience.
Your feet will thank you.
What Food Is Savannah Known For?
Savannah’s food reflects both its Southern roots and its location near the Georgia coast.
You’ll encounter plenty of Lowcountry and Southern cooking, including shrimp, oysters, fried chicken, greens, biscuits, grits, and other dishes tied to the region.
But don’t make the mistake of thinking every meal has to involve traditional Southern food.
Part of the fun is mixing those iconic meals with Savannah’s casual restaurants, coffee shops, brunch spots, Mexican restaurants, sweets, and cocktails.
If you’re interested in experiencing more of the city’s food history in one outing, I’ve also tried several Savannah food tours, which can be a great introduction when you’re visiting for the first time.
Do You Need Restaurant Reservations in Savannah?
For some restaurants, yes.
If there’s a particular restaurant you absolutely want to visit—especially a popular dinner restaurant such as The Olde Pink House—I wouldn’t gamble an evening of your trip on walk-in availability.
The Pirates’ House recommends reservations, although they aren’t required.
Mrs. Wilkes is a completely different experience: you don’t make a dinner reservation because there is no dinner. You show up for lunch and may wait in line.
For casual breakfast spots, coffeehouses, seafood restaurants, and places like Hitch, you’ll generally have more flexibility, although weekends, holidays, and major Savannah events can change the equation quickly.
If your trip overlaps with St. Patrick’s Day, don’t assume anything about Savannah will operate like an ordinary Tuesday.
How Much Should You Budget for Food in Savannah?
Savannah can work with very different food budgets.
You can grab coffee and something casual for breakfast, spend more on one memorable historic restaurant, and choose a moderately priced lunch or dinner elsewhere.
That’s the approach I prefer anyway.
Not every meal needs to be a “dining experience.” Sometimes lunch needs to be lunch.
If you’re trying to control costs, decide before your trip which meals matter most. Splurge on those and keep the others casual. That’s much easier than sitting down at an expensive restaurant three times a day and wondering why your food budget now resembles a car payment.
A Simple Savannah Food Plan for a First Visit
If I were helping someone plan their first Savannah trip, I wouldn’t give them a checklist of 20 restaurants.
I’d aim for variety.
- Have one traditional Southern meal, whether that’s the family-style experience at Mrs. Wilkes or another restaurant specializing in regional food.
- Choose one historic restaurant experience, such as The Olde Pink House or The Pirates’ House.
- Have one casual coastal meal.
- Work in breakfast or brunch, especially before a full sightseeing day.
- Then leave room for something sweet, a drink, and at least one completely spontaneous choice.
That’s enough structure to experience Savannah’s food without turning your vacation into an eating competition.
Although, admittedly, Savannah would be a pretty good place to hold one.
More Ways to Experience Savannah
Food is only part of what makes Savannah worth visiting.
Start with my Things To Do in Savannah, Georgia when you’re planning your itinerary. If you’re interested in the city’s history, don’t miss Bonaventure Cemetery.
And because Savannah takes its drinking almost as seriously as its eating, I’ve also put together a look at what to drink in Savannah, including some drinks with surprisingly deep ties to the city’s history.
Final Call
Savannah is a city where food can become part of the sightseeing. You can eat Southern food at a communal table, dine inside a centuries-old building, grab seafood somewhere casual, sip coffee near Forsyth Park, and finish the day with ice cream.
My biggest piece of advice is simple: don’t try to eat everywhere.
Pick the restaurants that solve what you need—an early breakfast, a memorable Southern lunch, somewhere the kids will enjoy, a romantic dinner, or food after a late night—and build those into your itinerary.
The rest? Leave a little room for Savannah to surprise you.
Have you eaten somewhere in Savannah that deserves a spot on my next trip? Tell me what restaurant you loved—and, more importantly, what I should order when I get there.
I haven’t been to every place on your list, but I have been to Tequila’s Town, The Pirate’s House, and The Funky Brunch. Loved all three! I would add Boar’s Head, Sorry Charlie’s, Clary’s, and Screamin’ Mimi’s Pizza to the list. I plan on being back in my home away from home, Savannah, late October of 2026. I will be trying some new to me places!
I really want to go back. I will have to try those places that you add.
I hope that you have the time of your life in October!
Looking for a restaurant that makes she crab
I know Sorry Charlie’s and Boar’s Head does. I am sure most of the restaurants there probably do! If you find a good one, let me know!
Thank you! I am sure we will!