Our 5 Best Restaurants in Savannah article is a sweet guide to some of the best restaurants the wonderful city of Savannah has to offer. Some of the best restaurants in Coastal Georgia are secretly hidden inside of the historic port city of Savannah. If you’re in the area and looking for the best restaurants in town, look no further. Here is our review of the 5 best restaurants in Savannah.
5. Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room
We open our 5 Best Restaurants in Savannah article with a place of legend. This historic Coastal Georgia favorite on Jones Street has a line at the door every morning by the time they open at 11 am. Mrs. Wilkes specializes in serving southern style home cooked delights like fresh fried chicken, sweet potato souffle, black-eyed peas, okra, and gumbo. Mrs. Wilkes’s Dining Room has been in operation since 1943 as an important component of the 19th-century Wilkes House.
Originally designed to operate as an eatery for borders, the dining room of this classic boarding house has become famous for serving delicious meals. Mrs. Wilkes also acts as a meeting spot for locals and travelers, where friends and strangers meet and greet authentic southern style food.
Mrs. Wilkes is open for lunch between the hours of 11 am and 2 pm daily and operates a souvenir store where patrons can purchase one of the famous Wilkes cookbooks. Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room is one of the best restaurants in Savannah and an iconic part of South Georgia history as it is one of the first women-owned and operated businesses of its time.
If you’re looking to meet and greet new friends or learn about local culture and history, Mrs. Wilkes serves it all along with the best local “tea “around to make you feel right at home. Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room is a place where you can get to know your neighbors and the best stories about Savannah’s history while dining on authentic local cuisine.
4. Circa 1875
This 19th-century combination bistro and pub provides an eclectic dining experience by serving French fare like ratatouille in a breathtaking (and historically accurate) environment. The food and atmosphere at Circa 1875 blends in perfectly with the rich history that Savannah’s historic district is famed for.
Circa 1875 delights regulars and newcomers alike with their exquisite French-based theme and a menu that boasts French fine dining and spirits. You’ll feel you’ve stepped back into one of the best periods in history by dining in the immersive authentic old world atmosphere designed to mimic a historic French bistro.
Circa 1875 gives sophisticated diners an immersive fine dining experience that provides a virtual walk through history in its 19th-century establishment that operates as a restaurant and Parisian style eatery. Circa’s menu reflects old world favorites and French delicacies including hors d’ oeuvres, plats, salads, and delectable desserts.
The Gastro Pub at Circa 1875 boasts an impressive selection of fine wines complements the Parisian style menu that is available by the glass or by the bottle. The drink menu also features signature libations, malted scotches, and a daily happy hour Monday through Thursday evenings between 5 pm and 7 pm.
3. The Olde Pink House
The Olde Pink House lies adjacent to The Planters Inn, a luxurious hotel in the historic district of Savannah, Georgia. This historical restaurant is one of the best restaurants in Savannah and the only 18th-century restaurant still operating in the area. The restaurant is an elegant colonial mansion redesigned to serve patrons.
The Olde Pink House is a local favorite that specializes in serving low country cuisine and provides nightly live entertainment in the cellar tavern. The mouthwatering selections at The Olde Pink House include specialty menu items like Chilled Seafood Platters, Chilled Shellfish Towers, Fried Quail, and Southern Succotash.
The cellar tavern at the Olde Pink House menu features delicious cocktails, a selection of imported beers, and wines served by the bottle or glass to go along with your dinner selections. It’s easy to see why The Olde Pink House is one of Savannah’s most popular restaurants.
Diners receive the VIP treatment and historically accurate dining experience in a converted colonial mansion reminiscent of deep south culture. The staff at The Olde Pink House give guests the five-star treatment.
Restaurant patrons and guests of the Planters Inn have the option to dine in the dining room or to have room service delivered. The knowledgeable and friendly staff provide dinner recommendations and the inside scoop on local history and culture to your fine dining experience.
2. Vic’s on the River
Vic’s on the River near City Market in the historic district downtown is another one of Savannah’s finest dining establishments that made our top 5. Vic’s combines sophisticated dining with southern charm in a breathtaking environment that keeps regulars coming back for more.
As the name suggests Vic’ provides serene views of the historic Savannah River in an elegant fine dining environment. Vic’s menu features Coastal Georgia home cooking with a sophisticated flair. Menu items include Classic Oysters Rockefeller, Crispy Fried Wild Georgia Shrimp and Oysters, and Southern Fried Chicken.
This riverside restaurant also offers selections for Sunday Brunch and a small kids menu. Sunday brunch at Vic’s has become a tradition for some locals who love to indulge in the elegant atmosphere and fine dining that this South Georgia classic has to offer.
Vic’s is one of the most popular places in Savannah that also acts as a popular local venue for hosting special events like graduations and weddings.
You’ll love the river views that Vic’s offers while waiting to be seated. Vic’s requires reservations to guarantee a great table with a river view. Vic’s is open Monday through Saturday and provides valet parking for its upscale clientele.
1. Elizabeth’s on 37th
When you visit Elizabeth’s on 37th, you’re definitely in for a local treat as this Savannah family favorite serves Coastal Seafood made with home-grown herbs, edible flowers, and local produce. This upscale restaurant serves a seasonal menu and a Chef’s Tasting Menu for diners to indulge.
Entrees served at Elizabeth’s include such delights as Spicy Savannah Red Rice with Georgia Shrimp, Harris Ranch Crusted Beef Tenderloin and selections from their local seasonal menu.
Along with a delectable food menu, Elizabeth’s’ on 37th gives diners a brief glance back into the rich southern heritage that this historical district based restaurant has to offer in an upscale formal dining environment.
This Coastal Georgia gem is an award-winning eatery featured in the Savannah Morning News for Best Upscale Dining and Georgia Trend Magazine as one of the Top Ten Best Restaurants in Georgia.
Elizabeth’s combines southern charm, coastal flair, and peeks into history into an unforgettable dining experience. They serve meals inside of the authentic 19th-century mansion giving diners the full feeling of being immersed in South Georgia history.
Locals and travelers love the formal dining environment and southern hospitality that Elizabeth’s offers and pledge to continue to return time and time again.
Photo Credit: Alex Dugger [CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)]
