Best Southern Food in Savannah

As you stroll through the romantic city’s historic downtown, the sheer variety of dining options is enough to fill any hungry traveler with indecision. That being said, when you want great Southern food—really great Southern food—a handful of Savannah's finest restaurants stand head-and-shoulders above the competition.

Alligator Soul Restaurant

What makes this Bernard Street eatery so special is the way it presents upscale dishes in an elegant atmosphere without a hint of pretension. It's a tough balancing act but Alligator Soul (114 Barnard St., Savannah) pulls it off beautifully. Maybe it's the immediately friendly staff, or maybe it's the delicious and stylish interpretations of classic Southern fare that look every bit as good as they taste. Locally sourced ingredients make up a large part of the menu, including dishes made with local farm-to-table artisanal cheeses, and daily seafood specials that change depending on what the local fishermen wrangle.

The Olde Pink House

History permeates The Olde Pink House (23 Abercorn St., Savannah, GA), located in a Georgian mansion that has stood on downtown Abercorn Street since 1771. You'll be swept up in the 18th-century atmosphere from the moment you step inside, from the Venetian chandeliers to the original pine floor. So what’s for dinner? Choose from a menu of classic Southern comfort food like chicken pot pie and sweet potato biscuits, and then head downstairs for after-dinner drinks with Southern charm in the Planters Tavern. For other great destinations in Savannah, check out our Savannah travel guide.

Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room

Nothing brings family and friends together like great food, and as Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room (107 W. Jones St., Savannah) proves, good grub is equally effective for making new friends. Mrs. Wilkes serves one meal—lunch—every weekday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in a cozy dining room that could easily be part of your grandmother's house. As you walk in the doorway on West Jones Street, the large communal tables—each one seats 10 —are piled high with platters of food that also look like they belong in grandma’s kitchen (provided that your grandmother is one of the best cooks in Georgia). Southern staples like fried chicken, okra gumbo, corn muffins and sweet potato soufflé add to a mouth-watering menu that changes daily. Pull up a chair and dig in.

The Cotton Exchange

The Cotton Exchange (201 E. River St., Savannah) serves steaks, burgers, sandwiches, salads and pasta, but the seafood is the main attraction at this River Street hotspot. The building is located on the Savannah riverfront, and was once a cotton warehouse. You can still watch ships roll by as you dine on entrées like baked stuffed flounder, shrimp and crab au gratin, or fresh half shell oysters. If you're having a hard time settling on a dish, start with the Tybee crab chowder; you won’t regret your decision.

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