American restaurants in Savannah often feature iconic southern recipes tied to the city’s history. Favorites include fried chicken with crisp golden skin, creamy shrimp and grits, and flaky biscuits with gravy. At many Savannah restaurants, you can also find Lowcountry boil, she-crab soup and Gullah-inspired red rice, each carrying centuries of heritage. Some chefs add seasonal twists, such as incorporating locally grown vegetables or seafood from nearby waters. Dessert holds a special place too, with pecan pie, banana pudding and peach cobbler as timeless staples. These dishes deliver comfort while also reflecting the cultural roots of the region and the dedication local chefs bring to their craft. Many menus change with the seasons, giving diners new reasons to return.
Why Do Food Lovers Keep Coming Back to Savannah?
Savannah is known for its warm welcome, cobblestone streets and a food scene that blends deep-rooted tradition with fresh creativity. Meals here often feel like part of the city’s ongoing story, shaped by generations of cooks and the flavors of the South. Many American restaurants in Savannah still follow recipes passed down for decades, creating a connection between past and present.
Beyond the history, the food scene in Savannah often features fresh, local ingredients. The seafood served at Savannah restaurants often comes from the surrounding coast, with local crab, oysters and seasonal catches making regular appearances on menus. Some chefs incorporate ingredients from nearby farms, ensuring each dish is both fresh and tied to the land and water that define the city’s character.
But the experience doesn’t end with just the food in this city. Many cocktail bars in Savannah mix handcrafted drinks in settings that nod to the Prohibition era, complete with vintage décor and skilled bartenders who understand the city’s layered history. These inviting spaces offer the perfect setting to end an evening, pairing memorable cocktails with the charm of Savannah’s historic atmosphere. Dining and drinks here work together to create an experience that lingers long after your visit.
Where Can You Find the Best Southern Restaurants in Savannah?
At Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room, guests gather at communal tables, a tradition started by Sema Wilkes in 1943 when she began serving hearty, homestyle meals to boarders and locals. Platters of fried chicken, candied yams, butter beans and cornbread are still passed from guest to guest, keeping that sense of shared hospitality alive.
The Grey, housed in a restored 1938 Greyhound bus terminal, is both a dining destination and a preserved piece of Savannah’s past. Chef Mashama Bailey brings her James Beard Award-winning skills to a menu that blends southern heritage with global influences, creating dishes that are as inventive as they are comforting. Brochu’s Family Tradition offers a newer but equally heartfelt take on southern fare, focusing on fried chicken, seafood platters and sides that recall the flavors of a coastal kitchen.
The Olde Pink House, set in an 18th-century mansion that has stood since 1771, serves Lowcountry classics like she-crab soup and shrimp and grits in an atmosphere where history surrounds you at every turn. Crystal Beer Parlor, one of Savannah’s oldest eateries, has been welcoming guests since the 1930s with crab stew, burgers and an easygoing charm that locals have relied on for generations.
Each of these American restaurants in Savannah contributes its own personality to the city’s food culture. Dining at these Savannah restaurants allows visitors to taste recipes shaped by decades, sometimes centuries, of tradition. Some settings feel refined, where history and elegance meet, while others keep a relaxed, neighborly feel that encourages conversation and community. Together, they create a dining experience that reflects Savannah’s heritage while continuing to grow and evolve.
Where Can You Find the Best Sweet Treats in Savannah?
Many Savannah restaurants are celebrated for their sweets, which often carry stories as rich as their flavors. Sampling a local dessert is more than a final course; it is part of experiencing the city’s personality.
Lulu’s Chocolate Bar is a favorite for those who appreciate handcrafted indulgence. Guests are greeted by the scent of cocoa and fresh pastries as they enter this dessert café. Cakes are layered with care, truffles are made in‑house and mousses are luxuriously smooth. The drink menu includes wine, coffee and dessert cocktails, making it a popular spot to end an evening after visiting one of the many American restaurants in Savannah.
Leopold’s Ice Cream has been a Savannah institution since 1919. Its marble counters and vintage soda fountain evoke a bygone era, while the ice cream is still made from original family recipes. Flavors such as Tutti Frutti and Savannah Socialite keep loyal customers coming back. The friendly staff and old‑fashioned atmosphere make it a gathering place for generations, turning each visit into a memory.
Savannah Rum Runners Bakery & Cafe blends southern baking with island‑inspired flavors. Rum cakes are rich and aromatic, breads are baked fresh each morning and pastries are buttery and tender. Visitors often stop in for a sweet treat and a cup of coffee before continuing their day. The warm and welcoming setting makes it an easy favorite among locals.
Goose Feathers Café & Bakery serves fresh, scratch-made pastries in the heart of Savannah’s historic district. Favorites include flaky croissants, buttery palmiers, chewy cookies, and seasonal specialties, all made daily. The warm, welcoming café is perfect for a quick stop or for grabbing a treat to enjoy while exploring the city’s oak-lined squares. Picking up something sweet from Goose Feathers adds a delicious touch to any Savannah afternoon.
Each of these dessert destinations adds its own flavor to the city’s culinary identity.
Where Can You Find the Best Speakeasy Cocktails in Savannah?
Savannah’s cocktail culture blends local history with modern creativity, offering plenty of unique spots to enjoy a drink. One of the coolest cocktail bars in Savannah is the Congress Street Up speakeasy at the American Prohibition Museum®. Visitors can explore the museum on an interactive journey through the 1920s before stepping into Congress Street Up where the drinks are made with recipes and techniques true to the Prohibition era.
The Alley Cat Lounge is a favorite for locals and visitors alike, known for its extensive cocktail list presented in a playful newspaper-style menu. Its bartenders craft drinks with precision, often incorporating house‑made syrups and fresh, local ingredients. Artillery Bar, located in a beautifully restored historic building, serves refined cocktails in a sophisticated setting that nods to Savannah’s military history.
For a brighter and more tropical flavor, Mint to Be Mojito Bar specializes in fresh muddled mojitos in a variety of styles, from traditional lime to creative seasonal infusions. Mata Hari is one of Savannah’s most intriguing hidden spots, requiring a password for entry. Once inside, the dim lighting, vintage décor and live performances transport guests to another time.
Some of the best Savannah restaurants also house exceptional cocktail programs, but the city’s rooftop bars add a different dimension to the experience. Peregrin, perched high above the city, offers sweeping views of Savannah’s skyline along with a rotating menu of seasonal drinks. The Wayward mixes a retro vibe with inventive cocktails, while Jen’s & Friends is famous for its more than 300 martini flavors, ranging from classic to whimsical.
Coming soon in 2025, the Savannah Pirates and Treasure Museum™ will introduce The Pirate’s Tavern, a themed bar that will combine storytelling with specialty cocktails inspired by maritime lore. Access to the tavern is exclusive to museum ticket holders and adds to the unique experience awaiting guests inside.
For travelers exploring American restaurants in Savannah by day and cocktail bars in Savannah by night, these spots offer a flavorful way to experience the city’s character and charm.
Why Is Savannah a Food and Cocktail Lover’s Paradise?
Savannah’s culinary landscape is a testament to its unique identity and is a huge draw for people curious about visiting. Savannah restaurants honor their heritage by using fresh, local ingredients from the surrounding farms and coast, ensuring each bite is a true taste of the South. And the city’s handcrafted cocktails range from timeless classics to bold, new flavors. It is this effortless blend of authentic locally sourced cuisine and a dynamic beverage culture, all served with a generous helping of genuine southern hospitality, that establishes Savannah as a foodie or cocktail connoisseur’s dream destination.
FAQs
Some of the most memorable cocktail bars in Savannah transport guests to a different era. Inside the American Prohibition Museum®, Congress Street Up serves drinks inspired by 1920s bartending traditions, paired with authentic period décor. Mata Hari remains a secretive, password-only bar where candlelight and live music set the tone. The Alley Cat Lounge offers a constantly evolving menu that encourages repeat visits, while Artillery Bar provides an upscale setting for refined cocktails. Many Savannah restaurants also have dedicated bar programs, making it easy to enjoy excellent drinks alongside standout meals. Some bartenders craft seasonal creations using fresh herbs and local ingredients, giving each visit a unique twist.
Yes. Several local tours highlight American restaurants in Savannah alongside cocktail bars in Savannah, offering the best of both worlds. Guests might sample savory bites like fried green tomatoes or crab cakes before enjoying expertly prepared cocktails or locally brewed beer. Many of these tours also weave in Savannah’s history, sharing stories about the origins of dishes and the role of Prohibition in shaping the city’s nightlife. Some even stop at historic buildings where legendary meals were first served. Joining one of these tours is an easy way to experience a variety of Savannah restaurants and bars without planning each stop yourself.
Plant-based dining is growing across the city, with many American restaurants in Savannah creating vegetarian and vegan versions of classic dishes. In addition to fried green tomatoes and collard greens cooked without meat, you’ll find jackfruit barbecue sliders, mushroom-based “shrimp” and grits, and hearty vegetable stews. Several Savannah restaurants specialize in creative plant-forward cooking while still honoring traditional flavors. Some cocktail bars in Savannah also provide vegan-friendly snacks, allowing plant-based diners to enjoy the city’s food and drink culture with ease. A few establishments even work directly with local farms to source the freshest produce, adding another layer of quality to each plate.
