10 Things You Absolutely Must Eat in Savannah
We love to get lost amid the canopy oaks, ivy-covered mansions and brick-and-cobblestone squares of the idyllic Southern town of Savannah. But once we’ve done enough ghost-tour walking and horse-carriage riding, we need to refuel. Here, the ten best things to eat in the oldest city in Georgia.
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Shrimp & Grits at The Olde Pink House
A historic Savannah icon, this gorgeous 18th-century mansion turned restaurant’s many dining rooms are decorated to the nines (think: bamboo chairs, antebellum furnishings and crystal chandeliers). Take note of the ambiance on your way in—it’ll be hard to notice anything else once your meal of jumbo shrimp atop two fried grit-cakes smothered in a creamy bacon sauce arrives at your table.
23 Abercorn St.; 912-232-4286 or plantersinnsavannah.com
Crawfish Beignets at Vic’s on the River
Come for the balcony-side tables at this historic waterfront building overlooking the Savannah River and the sprawling suspension bridge that crosses it; stay for the award-winning crawfish beignets: soft, flaky seafood-filled pastries drizzled with sweet and spicy Tabasco “syrup.”
26 E. Bay St.; 912-721-1000 or vicsontheriver.com
Fried Chicken and Banana Pudding at Mrs. Wilkes’ Dining Room
One of President Obama’s favorite establishments and oft frequented by other celebrity clientele, this former boardinghouse is open only from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (never on weekends) and always has a line of eager patrons winding around the block. And you guessed it: It only takes cash. But the family-style lunch of perfectly moist Southern fried chicken finished off with homemade banana pudding is well worth a trip to the ATM.
107 W. Jones St.; 912-232-5997 or mrswilkes.com
Skidaway Cobb Salad at Joe’s Homemade Cafe
The tiny hole-in-the-wall deli is known for its delicious sandwiches and paninis, but we think the fresh Cobb salad with roasted chicken, bacon, hard-boiled egg, blue cheese, cherry tomatoes and homemade balsamic dressing is not to be missed.
5515 Waters Ave.; 912-349-0251 or joeshomemade.com
The Conquistador at Zunzi’s
Crunchy French bread with baked chicken that’s marinated to perfection and doused in “special sauce”: The Conquistador hoagie truly is the gem of this South African-influenced takeout spot.
108 E. York St.; 912-443-9555 or zunzis.com
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RABBIT 'OPEN' RAVIOLI AT A.lure Low Country Cuisine
Sink your teeth into soft sheets of homemade pasta layered with bacon, butternut squash, wild mushrooms, braised rabbit and a creamy thyme and rosemary sauce. Bonus: Many of this soul food outpost’s staples include bacon as well. Sign us up.
309 W. Congress St.; 912-233-2111 or aluresavannah.com
Spicy Korean BBQ Tacos at The Vault
Set in a former bank with a still-operational vault (it must keep the best ingredients locked in there), this periwinkle blue building serves up Asian staples and craft cocktails like no other. Your best bet? The tacos overflowing with tender Korean BBQ beef, pickled carrots, chipotle sauce and cilantro.
2112 Bull St.; 912-201-1950 or vaultkitchen.com
Biscuit Sandwich at Back in the Day Bakery
The build-your-own-biscuit option at this bakery and coffee shop will change your life—we promise. Whether you go with the decadent everything biscuit stuffed with egg, melty cheddar and bacon jam or a straightforward buttermilk biscuit with butter, herbed baked egg and homemade breakfast sausage, you can’t go wrong.
2403 Bull St.; 912-495-9292 or backinthedaybakery.com
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Honey Almond Ice-Cream Sundae at Leopold’s
The original ice-cream recipes have been handed down—and kept secret—since 1919. But our favorite is filled with swirls of famous Savannah Bee Company honey and fresh roasted almonds (although the Peanut Butter Chippy is a close runner-up).
212 E. Broughton St.; 912-234-4442 or leopoldsicecream.com
Double-Cut Berkshire Pork Chop at Elizabeth on 37th
Served with five-cheese macaroni and apple-cabbage slaw (no, we’re not done), this juicy slab of pork has been brined for 36 hours, then grilled and, finally, baked to perfection. Just save room for the Georgia pecan pie, please.
105 E. 37th St.; 912-236-5547 or elizabethon37th.net
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