Experience the historical charm of this southern town (plus amazing food) at these best restaurants in Savannah.
Ah, Savannah. Perhaps one of the best towns for its combination of southern charm, historical meaning, and overall cuteness. Savannah is most definitely a place where you don’t want to default to a chain restaurant (which understandably happens when you’re tired, hungry and desperate). Instead, plan to go to any of these places, since you’ll not only get to experience some delicious food. At any of these best restaurants in Savannah, you’ll get to dine in an atmosphere that embodies the southern charm of this historical city. Whether it’s an old grocery store, bank, family mansion, or warehouse, these restaurants offer a unique dining experience. Of course, the setting isn’t everything. These best restaurants in Savannah score high because of their sweet location and scrumptious food.
Alligator Soul
The Building
Credit: Alligator Soul
This restaurant scores high on our list of best restaurants in Savannah because of its great atmosphere and delicious menu. Alligator Soul has earned its spot as a favorite restaurant in Savannah on other lists, too. At an ideal location between the river and the historic district, Alligator Soul means you can continue your evening by strolling around. The brick and stone archways remind you of the building’s origins: a grain warehouse in the 19th century. Tasteful art, sturdy wood furniture, and warm, area rugs embrace the old atmosphere.
The Food
Credit: Alligator Soul
Let’s move on to the food, though, since that’s really the reason to visit Alligator Soul while you’re in Savannah. Across the whole menu, from cocktails to desserts, you’ll find locally sourced, farm-to-table ingredients. Dinner menu varies by season, to ensure fresh ingredients, and provide a variety that is really well done. Make a reservation so you can experience a delicious dinner at the Alligator Soul Restaurant.
The Olde Pink House
Credit: Planter's Inn
The Building
This favorite restaurant in Savannah overflows with Southern charm. The atmosphere is totally elegant, from the white front porch columns to the beautiful chandelier that hangs over your dining table. Mirrors and stately art decorate the walls of the rooms; you actually get to dine in an 18th-century mansion.
The Food
However, it’s not all about the location, although this destination is super cool. The food seems to match the level of elegance. The southern fare served at The Olde Pink House is delicious, and you can choose to dine indoors or out. Plus, there is often live entertainment, to create a whole spectacular dining experience. You will likely need to make a reservation ahead of time to dine at the Old Pink House, especially since it is a popular restaurant in Savannah.
Circa 1875
The Building
Credit: Circa 1875
Turn the corner onto Whitaker Street and you’ll see the American and French Flags flowing over the sidewalk. The French doors and light blue columns make it obvious the type of cuisine you’ll find in here. The interior, more upscale than a traditional cafe, includes French cuisine and a gastro pub. Flowers and linens adorn the tables in the restaurant, but they advertise as an “Unpretentious French Bistro and Gastro Pub.”
The Food
Credit: Circa 1875
The menu isn’t extensive, but long enough to surely include something you’ll like. English descriptions are paired with French titles for the menu items. These include hors-d'oeuvres, salads and plates such as Polet Roti, Loup de Mer, and Demi Carre d’Agneau (chicken, fish, or lamb). The Gastro Pub is a nice, downtown bar to head to on a weekend night, or for an after-dinner drink. They offer draft beers, select wines, and handcrafted martinis and cocktails. Additionally, the Gastro Pub menu is similar to the French Bistro’s, with some more bar food type options. We find the Circa 1875 to be one of the best restaurants in Savannah since it’s in a great downtown location, in a historic building, with some excellent food.
Crystal Beer Parlor
The Building
Credit: Crystal Beer Parlor
The Crystal Beer Parlor began as a grocery store, with the family owners living above. Then, the Crystal became one of the first restaurants to sell beer after the repeal of the prohibition. Today, the Crystal Beer Parlor building looks much the same: a brick building with a diagonally-facing door, dark wood ceilings, maroon booths and circle tables, and old photographs on the walls. The Crystal Beer parlor, one of the best restaurants in Savannah for a while now, is located downtown on W. Jones Street. It’s a great spot to head after touring the Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum, or the beautiful Mercer Williams House Museum.
The Food
Credit: Crystal Beer Parlor
Furthermore, the Crystal Beer Parlor isn’t simply a cool building in a downtown location. The American Cuisine served at a fair price (for downtown, too), and beers make it a spot worth heading to. You’ll find some renditions of great bar food, sandwiches, burgers, and salads. They have some great homemade chili and chicken and sausage gumbo. Burger options include a bison burger and the brown ale burger. Save room for dessert, because the Savannah Mudd Pie is to die for.
Vic's On The River
The Building
As one of the best restaurants in Savannah, Vic’s On The River scores highly for us in these categories: the location, the charm of the old building, and the truly fine dining. This restaurant is located in the 19th-century old warehouse. While a warehouse generally carries a negative connotation, this warehouse is simply beautiful now. It originated as a warehouse, then housed the Steven Shipping Company. Additionally, the main dining room features a map on the wall, drawn right there by union soldiers. Plus, the location on the river makes this restaurant an ideal location for a romantic, post-dinner stroll.
The Food
Credit: Vic's on the River
Lunch is available at Vic’s (it's a great way to enjoy this restaurant for a slightly cheaper meal than dinner). Dinners at Vic’s are truly scrumptious and fine dining. Start off with some fried green tomatoes, or calamari. Entrees include options for scrumptious seafood, filet mignon, lamb or southern meatloaf. With these entrees, enjoy the additions of a side salad and buttermilk biscuits with honey butter. Save room for the lovely homemade desserts, including the peach trio: peach cheesecake & vanilla honey glaze, fried peach bread pudding & caramel sauce, peach ice creamWe also highly suggest Sunday Brunch at Vic’s on the River, for one of the best restaurants for brunch in Savannah. For a flat rate, enjoy a carving station, omelet station. Additionally, you can pay a little extra for the mimosa bar!
The Vault
The Building
Credit: The Vault
Located a bit further away from the river, The Vault restaurant is one worth heading to! The space itself is super cool, packed with a former history, and the food is delicious. Therefore, it’s one of the best restaurants in Savannah in our opinion! To begin, the beautiful green building with huge glass windows used to be a bank (hence the restaurant’s title). The actual vault’s still there, and the building has remained much the same, except for the chic additions to this hipster restaurant. The “bank puns” are minimal, and bank decor is tasteful so that you can still have a modern, airy, stylish space to dine.
The Food
Credit: The Vault
At this Savannah restaurant, you’ll enjoy the Asian cuisine dishes. Start off with some spring rolls or dumplings, and see if you’re bold enough to let the “Crying Tiger” entice you. Consistent with the “vault” theme, you can also choose “Deposit Box Duck” tacos or “Teller Chicken” tacos from the menu. Additionally, a separate sushi menu gives you delicious options for sashimi, nigiri, and classic rolls. Enjoy wine with your meal, or just head to the bar here for a cocktail titled “Gold Standard,” or “Cashier’s Cup.”
Cotton and Rye
The Building
Credit: Cotton and Rye
Though not totally in the historic downtown district of Savannah, Cotton and Rye still scores highly for us because of their great food and old-bank-building atmosphere. Inside decor is modern and airy, and feels as fresh as the food you’ll experience here. The outside patio is also a definite perk for the setting; twinkle lights hang, and umbrellas and rooftops provide the shade.
The Food
Credit: Cotton and Rye
The food is really the ultimate reason for why Cotton and Rye is one of the best restaurants in Savannah. Its chefs delight in totally fresh ingredients, and extra attention is put into each dish. Ingredients are locally sourced, and the menu items vary from traditional to interesting renditions. Their “award-winning” chicken wings feature a thrilling mixture of spicy honey, sumac, and chipotle morita. Enjoy some stuffed Carolina trout, hanger steak, or pork with smoked sweet potato. The menu isn’t extensive, but that’s indicative of the intentionally-selected quality ingredients.
These best restaurants in Savannah offer dining with a view… of the historical southern charm, that is.
Your mealtime hours don’t have to become a forced time-out in your Savannah sightseeing. With these top restaurants in Savannah, your dining out becomes an experience that captures the essence of this southern town. Whether you choose to enjoy some dinner in a 19th-century warehouse, or make reservations for a fancy dinner in an old mansion! The unique restaurant atmospheres, combined with some delicious food, may very likely be your favorite parts of Savannah. For other southern towns and great dining guides, check out the top restaurants in Nashville and the top restaurants in New Orleans.
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