A Foodie’s Guide to Eating in Historic Savannah

Growing up in a Caribbean-American household and being exposed to bold spices and layered flavors, food has always been one of my favorite ways to connect with culture. That curiosity is a big reason why I travel. It’s not just about seeing new places, but also about understanding their history through what’s on the plate.

After not taking a solo trip since Paris and squeezing in one last bit of summer vacation before my second semester of graduate school, I decided to visit Savannah, Georgia. I knew Savannah would be a great destination for a solo trip, but I didn’t realize just how memorable the food scene would be.

If you love eating your way through a city and are planning a trip to Savannah, this affordable foodie’s guide to eating in historic Savannah highlights some of the best restaurants, local favorites, and Black-owned spots worth adding to your itinerary.

Best Places to Eat in Savannah, GA

One of the best things about eating in historic Savannah is how walkable everything is. Whether you’re exploring Bay Street, River Street, City Market, or Broughton Street, many of the city’s most popular restaurants are just a short walk from each other.

Before traveling, I always recommend saving restaurants and attractions to a custom Google Maps list. It makes navigating the city easier and helps you plan meals around sightseeing without feeling rushed.

Below are the Savannah restaurants I personally visited for lunch, dinner, brunch, and dessert.

Orale Tacos for a Tacos and Margaritas

On my first day in Savannah, after checking into the Andaz Hotel and learning about African American History in Savannah, I was starving. A Downtowner driver recommended Orale Tacos on Congress Street, and it turned out to be the perfect first stop.

I arrived during happy hour and ordered one of the best jalapeño margaritas I’ve had in a long time. The mahi-mahi taco combo was filling, flavorful, and even better with their signature Orale sauce. It’s a casual, affordable spot that’s ideal after a long day of exploring.

Mabel’s Cupcake Emporium (Now Closed)

Mabel’s Cupcake Emporium was once a popular stop in historic downtown Savannah for oversized cupcakes and sweet treats. While walking through the area, I stopped in looking for a small dessert and ended up choosing macarons to enjoy back at the hotel.

Mabel’s Cupcake Emporium has since closed, but it’s another example of how Savannah’s food scene continues to evolve. Fortunately, there’s no shortage of dessert spots in the Historic District, whether you’re craving baked goods, ice cream, or late-night sweets.

Belford’s for Seafood and Steaks

After touring the First African Baptist Church, I walked over to Belford’s Seafood & Steaks in City Market. Belford’s consistently ranks as one of the best restaurants in Savannah, and it absolutely lived up to the hype.

It’s also one of the few Black-owned restaurants in City Market, which made supporting even more meaningful. I started with fried green tomatoes, followed by a salmon entrée, and ended with peach cobbler à la mode. Everything from the service to the flavors felt like classic Southern comfort done right.

B Matthews Eatery for Brunch

Weekends in Savannah call for brunch, and B. Matthew’s Eatery is one of the most popular brunch spots in the city. I ordered the Crab Benedict with a biscuit and enjoyed it so much that I ordered an extra biscuit on the side.

If you’re traveling solo, sitting at the bar is a great option. For groups, brunch here gets crowded quickly, so visiting early or making reservations in advance is highly recommended.

Savannah Seafood Shack for Seafood Boils

If you want to know where locals actually eat in Savannah, Savannah Seafood Shack is a must. This spot was recommended during my Savannah Taste Experience Food Tour, and it quickly became a highlight.

I ordered the Low Country boil loaded with shrimp, corn on the cob, premium beef sausage, and red potatoes. It was flavorful, hearty, and perfect for seafood lovers. To save a few dollars, consider visiting during lunch hours.

The Grey for Great Food and Wine

The Grey was hands down my favorite restaurant of the entire trip. Co-founded by NYC natives, this award-winning restaurant is housed in a restored Greyhound bus terminal and blends Southern flavors with refined presentation.

Before dinner, we were served boiled peanuts, a classic Georgia snack I had never tried before. I ordered the charred okra and smoked lamb with roti, and every bite was thoughtfully executed. While The Grey is pricier than other spots on this list, it’s absolutely worth the splurge. Reservations are strongly recommended.

Lulu’s Chocolate Bar for Dessert and Cocktails

For dessert, I stopped by Lulu’s Chocolate Bar, known for its desserts and dessert martinis. Although I’d heard rave reviews about their chocolate martinis, I was already full from dinner at The Grey.

Instead, I picked up a white chocolate and raspberry crème brûlée to enjoy later. Even if you’re not a huge chocolate lover, this spot is still worth visiting.

Secret East Side Food Tour with Savannah Taste Experience Food Tours

If you’re visiting Savannah for a short time or want to sample a variety of restaurants without committing to full meals, a walking food tour is a great option.

I chose the Secret East Side Food Tour with Savannah Taste Experience Food Tours, which combines food tastings with history, architecture, and cultural storytelling. Over three hours, we explored both the historic downtown and the Eastside neighborhoods, visiting a mix of well-known spots and hidden gems.

Here are the restaurants we visited on the three-hour Taste of Savannah food tour.

Capital Bee Company Honey Boutique

Our tour started with honey tastings at Capital Bee Company. They offer more than 15 varieties of honey along with candles, body products, and home décor.

I had no idea honey could have so many distinct flavor profiles, and the owner’s knowledge of bees and the honey-making process made this stop especially memorable.

Cha Bella for their Unique Menu

Cha Bella is a farm-to-table restaurant where most ingredients are sourced locally, so the menu changes frequently. We sampled their rice ball appetizer and enjoyed a refreshing lemon lavender cocktail to go.

If you visit on your own, don’t miss the outdoor seating area with swings, which are perfect for photos.

Walls BBQ (Now Closed) – A Historic Savannah Staple

Walls BBQ was a Black-owned restaurant in Savannah that served Southern comfort food and barbecue since 1963. Long considered a hidden gem in the Historic District, Walls BBQ gained national attention after being featured on Food Network and was named “Best BBQ Restaurant in Savannah” by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

During the Savannah Taste Experience Food Tour, we sampled a BBQ chicken sandwich with their homemade barbecue sauce. Our guide also noted that if menu items appeared scrambled, it meant those dishes were sold out for the day, a testament to how popular the spot was with locals.

As of now, Walls BBQ has permanently closed, but it remains an important part of Savannah’s culinary history and legacy of Black-owned businesses. If you’re interested in exploring Savannah’s Southern food scene today, your tour guide or hotel concierge can point you toward current local favorites offering similar comfort-food classics.

Ashford Tea Company for Teas and Tisanes

Ashford Tea Company is another Black-owned business offering premium teas and tisanes sourced from around the world. Even the coffee lovers on our tour were impressed by the quality and flavor of the teas.

We left with iced tea to enjoy alongside our next stop.

Zunzi’s for Sandwiches

Zunzi’s is a South African-inspired takeout and delivery restaurant, and another place where the locals eat in Savannah. The menu reflects the founders’ South African, Swiss, Italian, and Dutch roots.

We sampled the Conquistador sandwich made with chicken, fresh French bread, lettuce, tomato, Zunzi’s dressing, and their famous “Sh!t Yeah” sauce. It’s messy, flavorful, and absolutely worth the hype.

Rise Southern Biscuits & Chicken

One of our original tour stops was under construction, so we visited Rise Southern Biscuits & Chicken instead. We sampled their fried chicken biscuit sandwich, and the biscuits were warm, fluffy, and even better with honey.

Leopold’s for Fresh Ice Cream

Leopold’s Ice Cream is a Savannah staple, serving homemade ice cream for over 100 years. Fun fact: Tutti Frutti ice cream originated here.

They offer vegan options made with coconut cream and fruit sorbets. We sampled the Butter Pecan, made with locally roasted pecans, and it was rich without being overly sweet.

Savannah’s food scene blends history, culture, and comfort in a way that makes every meal feel intentional. Whether you’re dining at an award-winning restaurant, supporting Black-owned businesses, or grabbing a quick bite where locals eat, there’s no shortage of good places to eat in the Savannah, GA Historic District.

I hope this foodie’s guide to eating in historic Savannah helps with your trip planning. Be sure to pin this post for later and check back as I share more Savannah travel guides, including African American historic sites.

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