Fine Dining in Savannah's Historic Area
Restaurants flourish in coastal Savannah, a city that uniquely balances tradition and history with emerging currents of industry and art. As such, downtown Savannah is home to a variety of unique and traditional restaurants - old, new, down-home, and everything in between.
Walking through the Historic District is a fun way to explore many of the new cafes and architecturally impressive dining venues the area has to offer. Environmentalists and preservationists will also appreciate the conscientious "recycling" of historic homes and buildings once threatened by demolition and economic downturns. Antebellum mansions double as Bed & Breakfasts. Renovated cotton warehouses operate as restaurants, many of which claim to be haunted. Dine at
17 Hundred 90, and perhaps the legendary ghost of Anna Powers will join you. The home's cozy lounge is also a cool place to dine or enjoy a cocktail with locals. Even an antique fire station is put to use at
Garibaldi's Escape. The "Crispy Flounder" remains on the menu for good reason.
Elizabeth's on 37th Street endures as one of the loveliest fine dining establishments in the Victorian district. Of course, some may want to explore The Mansion on Forsyth; stunningly renovated,
700 Drayton Restaurant juxtaposes nouvelle American dining with colorful and expressive art. The grandeur extends throughout this updated mansion, where luxury is newly defined for this increasingly popular area.
Many downtown Savannah restaurants enjoy national fame for regional delicacies. By now almost everyone raves about Paula Deen and her home-style southern restaurant,
The Lady & Sons. The lunch buffet is understandably popular among tourists. Be forewarned: Friends of Butter form a line outside the restaurant daily, so you may want to bring along your
Soduko! Paula's fried chicken and crab cakes are definitely well-known, but the crab-cake competition never ends in Savannah.
Soho South Cafe's crab cake sandwich is the real deal: seasoned crab as opposed to seasoned breading.
River Street, a colorful expanse of boutiques, galleries, and souvenir curiosities, also boasts a full array of eateries. Seafood restaurants are a mainstay on the waterfront, naturally, and most display an outdoor menu board featuring daily specials and dining hours. Choose from an abundance of spirited taverns, gourmet bistros, oyster bars, and continental cafes. If you enjoy authentic Greek cuisine, stroll in to
Olympia Cafe for savory gyros and salads. This charming little cafe is still a Savannah lunchtime favorite. For those who enjoy festive dining,
Kevin Berry's Irish Pub serves good pub grub and live Irish music on weekends. Similarly,
Spanky's Pizza Galley & Saloon is also a fun place to watch a football game or share some pizza. Their chicken finger basket, served with signature "spuds," continues its local tradition at three great locations (check our listings).
Tradition in the midst of change is important. Sometimes a restaurant captures the zeitgeist of an age and, even as new traditions emerge, continues to thrive for multiple generations. One good example is
Johnny Harris Restaurant on Victory
Drive. My grandparents could tell you about romantic date nights in the ballroom (nothing casual about it); my parents could elaborate about the lamb and succulent prime rib; and my friends, to this day, rave about the 1924 House Salad. And I have never, ever been disappointed with the hickory smoked chicken, topped with warmed Johnny Harris sauce. Neither do I tire of dining in the relaxed bar area because it has serious retro filmic appeal. I should check their "wall of fame" again to see if Sammy Davis Junior sipped martinis with Dean Martin or Frank Sinatra here. Johnny Harris's charm is unmistakably Savannah. And, yes, they have a delicious fried chicken dinner too!
Historic Savannah is home to so many fabulous restaurants. Whether you choose a trendy cafe, a renovated mansion, or a Mom and Pops diner depends, of course, on circumstance and taste. SavannahCityDirectory.com has a soft spot for the art of dining, and we hope you will bookmark our dining page for new restaurant listings, reviews, and further exploration into Southside and Midtown dining.
Tybee Island is a great place to vacation in the summer. The beaches are better than ever these days, especially with the addition of a new Tybee pier. This is a fun place to enjoy the sun and surf. There is also fishing equipment available to rent and food options under the pavilion. The Desoto Beach Hotel is well-known for its oceanfront accommodations. With an outdoor pool near the ocean, this is a good choice for a fun family weekend. Or you might feel a little whimsical at the Atlantis Inn. More suited for adult couples, there are theme-based suites and a deck located on the roof. An adjoining coffee shop offers snacks through lunch. Free wifi is available here also.
Wherever you stay, be sure to visit the "World Famous" Breakfast Club (on Butler Avenue at 15th Street) for a really delicious breakfast. The "Popeye Omelet" is fresh and ginormous.
Tybee is only 16 miles from downtown Savannah, so if you should decide on in-town lodging, you could strive for the best of both worlds - a fun day at the beach, and a wonderful evening of dining and dancing along River Street.
