The Insider's Guide to Savannah

Where to eat and drink

The dining edit

• The Grey: The reservation you plan your entire trip around. Housed in a beautifully restored 1938 Greyhound bus terminal on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, The Grey is the kind of restaurant that earns its reputation every single night. Southern-rooted, deeply sophisticated, and stunning from floor to ceiling.

• Common Thread: If The Grey is the headliner, Common Thread is the discovery. This neighborhood fine-dining spot punches well above its weight. The cooking is precise and personal, the room is warm and intimate, and the kind of place where you genuinely do not want the meal to end.

• Saint Bibiana (Hotel Bardo) Do not overlook this one just because it is in your hotel. Saint Bibiana is a proper restaurant with a strong local following. Breakfast is included in your perks when you book with me, and it is a genuinely wonderful way to start every morning.

• Husk: The Savannah outpost of the celebrated Charleston institution. Set inside a converted historic home with colorful artwork and a chandelier-lit bar, the menu changes daily based on what is in season from local and regional farmers. Expect oysters on the half shell, yellowfin tuna with Carolina Gold rice, and the Husk charcuterie board with country ham and house-made cheeses. A must.

• Elizabeth on 37th: Savannah’s grande dame of fine dining, open since 1981 and still the gold standard. Set inside a stunning 1900s Greek Revival mansion, Executive Chef Kelly Yambor has helmed the kitchen since 1996, turning out dishes like Georgia shrimp with Savannah red rice and local grouper with a sesame-almond crust.

• Late Air: Savannah’s best-kept secret and a destination in its own right. A tiny candlelit wine bar helmed by chef Daniel Harthausen, winner of HBO Max’s The Big Brunch, with a rotating menu of Korean and Japanese-inspired small plates built around local and seasonal ingredients. Genuinely cool.

Club Bardo

Pre-dinner drinks

Savannah is famously a drinking city open containers are legal on the streets, which says everything you need to know about the vibe but these are curated spots to hit up.

• Artillery Bar: The most beautiful bar in Savannah, with inventive cocktails to match its gorgeous space. This one is a must.

• Peregrin: Located on the top floor of the Perry Lane Hotel in the heart of the historic district. The perfect spot for a sundowner with views over the city.

• The Original Pinkies: When you want something with a little more grit. The dive bar experience Savannah does surprisingly well.

Where to shop

Beyond the Spanish moss and the ghost tours, Savannah has quietly become one of the South’s best cities for independent shopping. Globally sourced home goods, designer resale, SCAD artist finds, and some genuinely special boutiques. Here is where to focus.

• The Paris Market: A two-story institution in a restored 1874 Victorian building. Global home décor, jewelry, gifts, French-milled soaps, artisan goods, and an in-store café that Architectural Digest named the most beautiful coffee shop in Georgia.

• Asher & Rye: A thoughtfully curated lifestyle boutique that also serves excellent coffee. Handcrafted jewelry, home décor, lighting, and lifestyle goods with a strong local artisan focus.

• Hannah E: Ready-to-wear, footwear, gifts, and accessories from standout designers. The edit is sharp and the space is beautiful.

• Satchel: A special leather goods store founded by SCAD graduate Elizabeth Seeger. Small, considered, and worth seeking out. One Fish Two Fish Eclectic furniture, lighting, and decorative objects. Whimsical, visually stunning, and dangerous for your carry-on.

• One Fish Two Fish: Eclectic furniture, lighting, and decorative objects that are whimsical, visually stunning, and genuinely dangerous for your credit card. Plan extra time here.

Pro tip: Whitaker Street is the design district and your highest-yield shopping block. Start there. Broughton Street is the main corridor for browsing and City Market is best for local art and gifts.

Ready to plan your Savannah trip?

Savannah rewards travelers who go in with a plan. The best restaurants book up fast; Hotel Bardo fills quickly, and the difference between a good trip and a great one is almost always in the details. That is what I am here for. Reach out and let’s plan your next trip!

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Savannah page.