Savannah offers seemingly endless dining options, and here are just a few that always find their way to the top of the recommendations list.
Enjoy a taste of Australia’s vibrant café culture with a Southern twist. The Collins Quarter opened in 2014 with a mission to bring the taste of Melbourne’s historic Collins Street, known for some of the best coffee creations in the world, to the Savannah community. The restaurant serves the best cup of joe in the Coastal Empire, and your server can help you pair your coffee or tea with the menu’s innovative selections. And while The Collins Quarter offers a delicious selection of dinner entrees, the real can’t-miss meal is brunch, served daily.
Must-Eat Meal:
- Spiced Lavender Mocha – espresso, dark chocolate, earthy spices, lavender, steamed milk
- Swine Time Beni – brioche French toast topped with tender pulled pork, tomato, poached eggs, hollandaise, crispy Cheshire Farms bacon
- Ahi Poke Tacos – crispy wanton taco, crema fresco, Asian slaw, avocado smash, Hawaiian style ahi poke tuna, miso drizzle, truffle mist, shiso
Savor exceptional seafood with a view of Country Club Creek. The Wyld Dock Bar brought a unique experience to Savannah when it opened in 2015 – waterfront dining featuring elevated, innovative fresh seafood. The restaurant quickly became a favorite amongst locals, who congregate in the evenings to take in the view, play bocce and sip Painkiller Slushies around the fire pit. The seasonal menu changes frequently, but you can’t go wrong with the fresh seafood selections.
Must-Eat Meal:
- Quail & Rabbit Sausage – parmesan, thyme, white wine, mustard
- Grilled Old Bay Shrimp – parsley, garlic, olive oil
- Seasonal Succotash – local beans, veggies, bacon
The Olde Pink House
History comes to life in the grand dame of Savannah’s dining scene. It would be impossible to make a list of Savannah’s best meals without mentioning The Olde Pink House. The home-turned-restaurant was built in 1771, and each dining room is meticulously dressed to remind diners of the building’s rich history (request a seat in the ballroom for the penultimate view). As delicious as it is elegant, The Olde Pink House features elevated Southern comfort food.
Must-Eat Meal:
- Oysters on the Half Shell – ask for the “secret” house cilantro mignonette
- Lowcountry She-Crab Soup
- Crispy Scoured Flounder – flounder, apricot shallot sauce, Hoppin’ John
- Praline Basket – almonds and pecans, vanilla bean ice cream, mango-citrus puree, seasonal fruit
Credit: The Grey
Dine on some of the South’s finest fare in a converted Greyhound bus terminal. The Grey has stirred up a lot of buzz since opening in 2014. Esquire named the restaurant one of America’s best new restaurants in 2015. Southern Living’s carried on the tradition in their 2017 exploration of the South’s best restaurants – and those are only a few of the game-changing restaurant has received. A favorite amongst locals and visitors alike, eating at The Grey is an experience not to be missed in Savannah.
Must-Eat Meal:
- Crab & Coconut – coconut, serrano chili, peanuts, botarga
- Foie & Grits – Geechie Boy grits, figs
- Roasted Yard Bird – jalapeño, chow chow, potato puree
- Buttermilk Panna Cotta – strawberry jam, pistachios, oats
Eschew comfort food for an adventurous culinary experience. Alligator Soul is a bit of a wild card in the Savannah dining scene. Focusing on exotic meats and farm-to-table delights, the restaurant serves some of the best food in the city (the wait staff is also incredible), but the restaurant itself is somewhat unassuming. The recently-renovated dining room remains frills free, keeping the focus where it should be – on the food.
Must-Eat Meal:
- Gator Jambalaya – beer brined alligator tail, grilled Savannah River Farms andouille, Trinity mire poix, Carolina Gold Rice, spicy stewed tomatoes
- Diver Scallops – seared diver scallops, potato rosti, blistered heirloom tomatoes, parmesan arugula cream sauce, fried basil
- Exotic Specialty – elk, kangaroo, ostrich, wild boar have all been featured and are not to be missed
- Creme Brûlée – hibiscus and lavender infused, honey comb, mint