Savannah, Georgia’s historic Savannah is one of America’s most popular tourist destinations. It’s not hard to see why. Savannah’s historic district is beautiful, with its live oaks, Spanish moss, and interesting architecture. Savannah’s food is also memorable, particularly when you select the best casual Savannah restaurants.
Forrest Gump’s famous line, “Life is just like a box choclates,” is another reason why the city is well-known. You never know what’s gonna happen.
If you follow our guide for the best casual Savannah restaurants, you can be sure to enjoy a delicious meal.
It has been pure pleasure to eat my way through Savannah in order to research for this article! This guide is organized according to meal so that you can plan your trip easily.
Best breakfast restaurants inSavannah Georgia
Enjoy a delicious breakfast at one of the best casual Savannah restaurants. The Savannah historical districts are home to these downtown Savannah restaurants.
39 Barnard St. Savannah
- Downtown Savannah Between Broughton and Congress.
- Open on Monday, Thursday, and Friday from 7:30 am to 2:30 pm and on Saturday and Sunday, from 8:00 am to 2:30 pm. Closed Tuesday and Wednesday.
Goose Feathers Cafe & Bakery offers freshly brewed gourmet coffees from fair trade, as well as teas and sodas. Their complete breakfast menu includes bagels, Belgian waffles and oatmeal, along with a variety of egg dishes. The bakery on site serves freshly made croissants, desserts and pastries, including local renowned whoopie pie and seasonal pies.
The lunch menu at Goose Feathers Cafe, while not as impressive, is still very good. It includes gourmet sandwiches, soups freshly made, quiche and salads.
1919 Bull Street
- Situated in the Thomas Square Historic Neighborhood just a few streets south of the original Savannah Historic District
- Open from Monday to Saturday, 8:00 am to 9:00 pm and on Sundays, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
Foxy Looxy Cafe, our pick for the best breakfast on the move in Savannah, GA!
The restaurant offers a wide range of barista drinks as well as breakfast items to take with you. The restaurant’s breakfast speciality is kolache. It is a pastry with fruit, sausage and cheese that originates in the Czech Republic. YUM!
Shop online before visiting Savannah’s historic district and pick up your order in-store.
Le Cafe Gourmet | 53 Montgomery Street
- Located between City Market and Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum in the Savannah Historic District, near Ellis Square
- Open from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm every day
Le Cafe gourmet offers classic French dishes such as croissants, crepes and quiche, all prepared from scratch with French butter and imported French chocolat batons. The daily pastry selection is always changing!
The decor, whether you dine indoors or outside (limited seating), is reminiscent of the French cafes in Paris.
404 Abercorn Street
- A block north of Calhoun Square, near the Olde Pink House
- Open from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm every day
Clary’s Cafe is an institution in Savannah. It serves a traditional southern breakfast all day long. No surprise it made our list of best casual restaurants in Savannah, as it’s popular with both locals and tourists.
Clary’s offers a wide variety of food, including French toast, omelettes, omelets, and pancakes, whether you are inside or outside.
Clary’s welcomes dogs, so don’t forget to bring your dog!
Henny Penny Art Space And Cafe | 1514 Bull Street
- Located just 5 minutes from Forsyth Park in the historic Victorian District
- Open Monday to Friday from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm and on weekends from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Families are not left out of any list of the top casual restaurants in Savannah!
Henny Peny Art Space and Café is the perfect place for you!
The menu includes crepes, coffees, hot chocolates and horchatas, sandwiches, and salads. It’s a fun, creative atmosphere where you can draw on the table!
This shared art space offers art projects every week for a small charge. This is the perfect place to take a break if the weather turns bad or if the kids want a change from the historical tours.
Best Lunch Restaurants in Savannah, GA
While touring historic homes and gardens in Savannah, stopping for lunch at one of the best casual Savannah restaurants is a wonderful way to recharge and rest!
Here are some of our favorite spots to enjoy a delicious lunch in Savannah!
Zunzi’s | 236 Drayton Street
- Between Chippewa Square Cemetery and Colonial Park Cemetery
- Open from 11:00 am to 11:00 pm every day
Zunzi’s was opened in 2005. It has won numerous awards, including the best sandwich.
This last one I am sure is true. On road trips to the south, I make a detour just to stop at Zunzi’s in Savannah.
Zunzi’s sandwiches are unlike anything I’ve ever had. South African cuisine with a Dutch flair is bursting with flavor.
The Godfather is a huge sandwich filled with chicken, Boerewors Sausage and smoked sausages, lettuce, tomatoes, provolone cheese, Sheba tomato paste, parmesan cheese, Zunzi’s Sauce, Zunzi’s Dressing, Zunzi’s Sauce, and Zunzi’s Sauce. It’s so good!
Mrs. 107 W. Jones Street
- Located at the center of Savannah’s historical district, between Pulaski Square (the main square), Chatham Square (the second largest square), Monterey Square, and Madison Square
- Open from Monday to Friday, 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
- Cash or check only! Only cash or checks accepted!
Mrs. Wilkes’ Dining Room, a Savannah Legend is one of the top casual restaurants in Savannah.
Reservations are not accepted at Mrs. Wilkes’ Dining Room. Arrive early, as there is a long line that forms before the restaurant opens.
You’ll sit at a family-style table of ten and get to meet your neighbors, in the tradition of boardinghouses that has been around since 1943.
The restaurant offers classic southern dishes such as fried chicken with cornbread dressing, sweet potatoes, black-eyed beans, okra, corn muffins, and biscuits.
The dining room at Mrs. Wilkes does not accept credit card payments! Bring cash or a check.
1W Liberty Steet
- Near Madison Square, at the corner Bull Street and Liberty Street
- Open for lunch from 11:00 am to 3:30 pm, Wednesday through Sunday. Dinner is served daily.
At the Public Kitchen & Bar they are committed to serving local dishes in a warm, historic environment. They don’t accept reservations because they believe that fine dining should be available to everyone.
2430 Habersham Street
- Thomas Square is located south of Savannah’s historic Squares, near midtown
- Open Monday to Saturday from 11:30 am to 10:00 pm. Closed on Sunday.
Green Truck neighborhood Pub has been founded with one goal in mind: to be the best restaurant for casual dining in Savannah. They are achieving their goal as the restaurant is consistently listed on “Best of Savannah’s” restaurant lists.
This place is a great casual restaurant in Savannah. The ketchup and pimiento-cheese are all made in-house. Even the kids’ menu offers an octodog!
Insider’s tip: Save room for dessert. Every bite is different and delicious.
Best Dinner Restaurants in Savannah, GA
Enjoying a casual, relaxed dinner after a long day of sightseeing is the ideal way to finish the day.
Many of the restaurants that we have listed as the best Savannah lunch restaurants are also open at night.
It’s no surprise, then, that among the best casual dining restaurants in Savannah, there are also several noteworthy dinner venues, each with their own unique offerings.
20 E. Broad Street
- Near the Riverfront district, located east of Washington Square
- Open from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm every day
- Reservations strongly recommended
When I visited Savannah for the first time, The Pirates’ House wasn’t on my list. However, locals and tourists were recommending this place so I went! It didn’t disappoint!
The Pirates’ House Award Winning Pecan Fried Chicken served with vegetables and baked potatoes is honestly one of the best meals that I have ever eaten. I ate the whole half chicken, yes four pieces! I’m not used to doing that.
The atmosphere was incredible.
Inns were built to serve those who arrived in the Savannah area via the Port of Savannah. In 1753, the Pirates’ House became a popular destination for sailors and pirates from all over the world.
The restaurant, which is one of the best casual dining places in Savannah, has 15 different historical dining rooms. The restaurant is open to guests who wish to explore the entire space.
Visit the Herb House, the oldest building in Georgia. It was built in 1734.
245 Bull Street
- Near Chippewa Square, in Savannah’s historic district
- Open daily from 11:00 am to 11:00 pm, including weekends
- A character in the 1995 film “Something to Talk About”.
Six Pence Pub was originally a pub that welcomed British expats to the area with a pint of beer and home-made British pub food. The new owners of this casual restaurant in Savannah created the British Pub atmosphere that is so popular today.
Menu includes American classics and British pub food, as well as a large selection of ales.
People come here to eat, stay, and chat. Locals and tourists alike will find it a relaxing place.
102 W. Congress Street
- Between Ellis Square and Johnson Square, near the Riverfront District.
- Open from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm Sunday through Thursday and until 9:00 pm on Fridays and Saturdays
Paula Deen’s restaurant, The Lady & Sons is located in Savannah’s historic district.
The food was initially served in a buffet-style. The restaurant now offers a menu that is based on a family-style format. Customers can choose the main dish and side dishes for their table. Everyone gets to choose their own dessert.
It’s more expensive than other restaurants, but this is a very popular place for casual dining. It’s also pretty good food made with butter.
Best Snack Spots in Savannah
Savannah’s historic sites can make it difficult to take a break for a leisurely meal. Where do you go for a quick bite or a late night snack?
Don’t worry! Don’t worry!
It’s difficult to pick just one of the many great places in Savannah to grab a snack.
212 E. Broughton St
- Between Reynolds Square and Oglethorpe Square, near the main shopping area
- Open from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm Sunday through Thursday and until 11 pm on the weekends
We have argued with many friends who live in the city and we all agree that the best snack is Leopold’s Ice Cream. This shop has been serving the city since 1919.
Leopold’s, a traditional ice-cream shop, also offers sandwiches as a quick, affordable meal or large snack.
The line can be long at Leopolds in the late evening. The staff are great, the ambiance is perfect, and the food is delicious!
The perfect place to end your day.
Multiple Locations
- Open every day from 9:00 am to 10:00 pm and on weekends until 11:00 pm
Savannah’s Candy Kitchen is the perfect place to satisfy your sweet craving. It’s known for its pecan pralines (pralines with a chocolate coating), turtle gophers, and peanut brittle.
You can also get free samples to decide which one you like best.
This list of casual restaurants in Savannah will make your trip planning easier. Or should I say, tastier instead?
Let us know if you have a favorite place in Savannah! Please leave a comment to let us know your favorite restaurant.