Restaurants

Part of the fun of visiting Savannah is discovering new restaurants, or visiting old favorites. There are well over 100 restaurants in the Savannah area. We’re happy to recommend those that we’ve eaten in and enjoyed.

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River Street

When we first started coming to Savannah after our son enrolled at SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design) we typically went to River Street for dinner. It is a great part of Savannah, with active shipping and pleasure boat traffic on the Savannah River, shops, quite a few bars, and also a substantial number of restaurants.

While we enjoyed the environment, we had to admit after a year or so of occasional visits that there were a lot of “average” restaurants. One that stands out above the rest:

 

Olympia Cafe (Greek)
5 East River Street (at Bull)
(912) 233-3131

 

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Very Near River Street

Vics on the River (New Southern)
26 East Bay Street (Bay and Drayton)
(912) 721-1000

 

B Mathews Eatery
(Southern influenced Bar Food)
325 East Bay Street (Bay and Habersham)
(912) 233-1319

 

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A word about four “Famous” Savannah Restaurants

The Lady and Sons – Paula Dean – (Southern)
102 West Congress Street (Congress and Whitaker)
(912) 233-2600
*** Lunch, Dinner (Mon-Sat) Sunday: Brunch Only

 

Notes: Reservations taken only for groups of 8 or more normally. Telephone reservations taken for smaller groups on special holidays – book well in advance.

The typical procedure is to put your name on a list with the Hostess at the side entrance. Seating is on a first-come-first served basis. On weekends and at busy times of year the wait time can be long. If you decide not to wait there are other restaurants nearby.

Mrs. Wilkes’ Dining Room – (Home Southern Style)
107 West Jones Street (Jones and Whitaker)
(912) 232- 5997
*** Lunch Only (Mon-Fri – 11am – 2pm)

 

Notes: Since 1943. Originally made nationally famous by Willard Scott on the Today Show, this Savannah landmark has hosted many celebrities, and President Barak Obama had lunch here on a visit to Savannah in 2010.

This is a very small neighborhood restaurant with “family style” seating. No reservations. No Credit Cards. A line forms out front for seating – sometimes as early as 10am, and during nice weather and a busy time of year the line can run around the block. Potentially long wait times – never quick walk-in access. If you decide not to wait there are few other restaurants nearby.

Clary’s – (Coffee Shop Food)
404 Abercorn Street (Abercorn and E. Jones)
(912) 233-0402
*** Breakfast, Lunch (Daily 8am-4pm)

Notes: Made famous in “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil” – known in Savannah as “The Book”. The book was later made into a movie directed by Clint Eastwood – shot around Savannah, with scenes filmed at Clary’s, where an important character eats every day. We don’t think people eat here for the memorable food.

The Olde Pink House – (Southern Style)
23 Abercorn Street (Reynolds Square at E. Bryan)
(912) 232-4286
*** Lunch, Dinner (Tues-Sat – 11:30am – 10:30pm) Dinner Only (Sun-Mon – 5:00pm – 10:30pm)

Notes: A Savannah landmark, located in a Georgian mansion built in 1789 for James Habersham Jr., one of Savannah’s most important early cotton factors and founding-family members.

Long a “destination” for visitors to Savannah, this very popular restaurant prefers reservations (and does a good job trying to seat you at your reserved time) but will accommodate walk-in diners if they are willing to wait – 1 hr plus at busy times – longer in hopelessly busy season (spring and fall). The older version of this restaurant required “coat and tie” for men, but in recent years the dress code has relaxed considerably to attract casual diners. While this has undoubtedly been good for business, it can still be a bit disconcerting to see guys in backward baseball caps in such a classic and fancy place.

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