Lonnie’s Savannah Guidebook

Lonnie
Lonnie’s Savannah Guidebook

Upscale food

One of Savannah's favorites- a must for an upscale dining experience downtown (especially if it's your first time in the city). After the red clay bricks continued to bleed through the white plaster top coat, one owner finally accepted the building's fate and painted the mansion pink. Restored by Jim Williams in the middle of the 20th century (yes, that Jim Williams of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil), the restaurant continues to be a perennial favorite. Pro Tip: Make a reservation several weeks/months in advance for a larger party. If you're 4 for fewer, you may be able to act like a local and sneak in the East St. Julian Street entrance on the south side with some small tables and a fabulous bar. I recommend ordering several appetizers and sharing as a meal. You'll get a great sample of their entire offering, and their app menu is always diverse and exciting. Word is you may also be groped by one of the infamous ghosts while entering the bathrooms. I have never had this pleasure, but please let me know if you have this encounter, and I'll redouble my time invested here.
239 locals recommend
The Olde Pink House
23 Abercorn St
239 locals recommend
One of Savannah's favorites- a must for an upscale dining experience downtown (especially if it's your first time in the city). After the red clay bricks continued to bleed through the white plaster top coat, one owner finally accepted the building's fate and painted the mansion pink. Restored by Jim Williams in the middle of the 20th century (yes, that Jim Williams of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil), the restaurant continues to be a perennial favorite. Pro Tip: Make a reservation several weeks/months in advance for a larger party. If you're 4 for fewer, you may be able to act like a local and sneak in the East St. Julian Street entrance on the south side with some small tables and a fabulous bar. I recommend ordering several appetizers and sharing as a meal. You'll get a great sample of their entire offering, and their app menu is always diverse and exciting. Word is you may also be groped by one of the infamous ghosts while entering the bathrooms. I have never had this pleasure, but please let me know if you have this encounter, and I'll redouble my time invested here.
From the owners of Public and Artillery comes this upscale dining experience. Also located in an old bank, this is not far past the south end of Forsyth Park.
129 locals recommend
Local 11ten Food | Wine
1110 Bull St
129 locals recommend
From the owners of Public and Artillery comes this upscale dining experience. Also located in an old bank, this is not far past the south end of Forsyth Park.
Full-out adaptation of a former Greyhound Bus Station, this is one of Savannah's nicest experiences.
121 locals recommend
The Grey
109 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd
121 locals recommend
Full-out adaptation of a former Greyhound Bus Station, this is one of Savannah's nicest experiences.
A sister location to the Charleston restaurant with the same name, you will be impressed with their dedication to quality and local sourcing of ingredients.
51 locals recommend
Husk Savannah
12 W Oglethorpe Ave
51 locals recommend
A sister location to the Charleston restaurant with the same name, you will be impressed with their dedication to quality and local sourcing of ingredients.
In the mood for some French fare? You will not be disappointed with this experience. Check out the zinc bar top made by yours truly.
39 Rue de Jean - Savannah
605 W Oglethorpe Ave
In the mood for some French fare? You will not be disappointed with this experience. Check out the zinc bar top made by yours truly.

Typical Savannah hotspots of old

Presidents have dined here for millennia. Bring an appetite and a willingness to share southern fare with people you do not know. The wait can be lengthy, and the setup is a bit complicated.
157 locals recommend
Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room
107 W Jones St
157 locals recommend
Presidents have dined here for millennia. Bring an appetite and a willingness to share southern fare with people you do not know. The wait can be lengthy, and the setup is a bit complicated.
The first lines of Treasure Island were penned here. Exciting for kids, and some friends I know used to do brunch here occasionally. Not the gem it once was, but still a staple in the Savannah scene.
74 locals recommend
The Pirates' House
20 E Broad St
74 locals recommend
The first lines of Treasure Island were penned here. Exciting for kids, and some friends I know used to do brunch here occasionally. Not the gem it once was, but still a staple in the Savannah scene.
Paula Deen, y'all! This lady built an impressive empire with decades of hard work. I used to say that Paula ran this town (referencing Paula Deen and Paula Wallace, SCAD). Still in operation, you can visit the gift shop for cook books and souvenirs for those back home.
37 locals recommend
The Lady and Sons
102 W Congress St
37 locals recommend
Paula Deen, y'all! This lady built an impressive empire with decades of hard work. I used to say that Paula ran this town (referencing Paula Deen and Paula Wallace, SCAD). Still in operation, you can visit the gift shop for cook books and souvenirs for those back home.

Drinks only

Formerly known as Prohibition, this is an interesting spot for a drink before heading somewhere else downtown.
Repeal 33
125 Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard
Formerly known as Prohibition, this is an interesting spot for a drink before heading somewhere else downtown.
Great atmosphere downtown with wonderful drink menu. Upscale (depending on the crowd that night) and right in the heart of it all.
OCTANE Bar & Lounge
35 Whitaker St
Great atmosphere downtown with wonderful drink menu. Upscale (depending on the crowd that night) and right in the heart of it all.
Still my favorite place to grab a drink downtown. Wonderful atmosphere and a great place to enjoy a small bite from the French establishment next door (owned and operated by the same group).
92 locals recommend
Circa 1875
48 Whitaker St
92 locals recommend
Still my favorite place to grab a drink downtown. Wonderful atmosphere and a great place to enjoy a small bite from the French establishment next door (owned and operated by the same group).
Owned and operated by the same group as "The Public" next door, this is a good place for an upscale craft cocktail. Located in a former stable for the Georgia Hussar's, this architecture is worth checking out!
45 locals recommend
Artillery
307 Bull St
45 locals recommend
Owned and operated by the same group as "The Public" next door, this is a good place for an upscale craft cocktail. Located in a former stable for the Georgia Hussar's, this architecture is worth checking out!
Great drink selection and atmosphere right downtown!
71 locals recommend
AlleyCat Lounge
207 W Broughton Ln
71 locals recommend
Great drink selection and atmosphere right downtown!
Unique location evokes speakeasy vibes from the past. Check out the custom millwork and get cozy in this small, intimate setting.
21 locals recommend
Peacock Lounge
37 Whitaker St
21 locals recommend
Unique location evokes speakeasy vibes from the past. Check out the custom millwork and get cozy in this small, intimate setting.

Healthy eats

A great selection of healthy vegan options at this small café. This place is great for a coffee or a quick bite even if you're not vegan. Charming location in the heart of downtown.
72 locals recommend
Fox and Fig Cafe
321 Habersham St
72 locals recommend
A great selection of healthy vegan options at this small café. This place is great for a coffee or a quick bite even if you're not vegan. Charming location in the heart of downtown.
Great salads and healthy options with another location downtown! Close a bit early, but a great place for lunch.
12 locals recommend
Kayak Kafé Midtown
5002 Paulsen St
12 locals recommend
Great salads and healthy options with another location downtown! Close a bit early, but a great place for lunch.
A little further east, this delightful place has great options for vegetarian and healthy eating.
19 locals recommend
Chiriya’s Thai Cuisine
3017 E Victory Dr
19 locals recommend
A little further east, this delightful place has great options for vegetarian and healthy eating.

Starland Dairy district- midtown

Fairly upscale and located mid-town, this operation, set up in a former bank, has delicious Asian fusion fare. No reservations required, and a cool space in the bustling Starland Dairy District.
153 locals recommend
The Vault Kitchen & Market
2112 Bull St
153 locals recommend
Fairly upscale and located mid-town, this operation, set up in a former bank, has delicious Asian fusion fare. No reservations required, and a cool space in the bustling Starland Dairy District.
Interesting place in Starland yard with great upscale wings and pizza. Not your parents' pizza parlor!
22 locals recommend
Squirrel’s Pizza
2218 Bull St
22 locals recommend
Interesting place in Starland yard with great upscale wings and pizza. Not your parents' pizza parlor!

Food scene

Great atmosphere from a brand that touts the tagline "home is where you park it!". A take on traditional foods one could combine to make if they found themselves hard up for funds, this restaurant features items such as PB+J wings and pancake tacos. If you care to have your mind blown, try the fry nachos (or frachos, as I call them). They are the best nachos in the city, just beating out Crystal Beer Parlor's "Gawgia Cracka Nachos" which are also good with pulled pork, but not the same as these with chicken.
87 locals recommend
Treylor Park
115 E Bay St
87 locals recommend
Great atmosphere from a brand that touts the tagline "home is where you park it!". A take on traditional foods one could combine to make if they found themselves hard up for funds, this restaurant features items such as PB+J wings and pancake tacos. If you care to have your mind blown, try the fry nachos (or frachos, as I call them). They are the best nachos in the city, just beating out Crystal Beer Parlor's "Gawgia Cracka Nachos" which are also good with pulled pork, but not the same as these with chicken.
Consistently one of the best burgers in Savannah, and a cool bar as well. Bring cash, as the bar is still cash only. ATM located on site. Their other food is excellent as well. As a bonus story, I once donated to raffle here to help them install metal ceilings, and I ended up winning a cherry 1973 Lincoln Continental Mark IV. I love this place!
91 locals recommend
Betty Bombers
1108 Bull St
91 locals recommend
Consistently one of the best burgers in Savannah, and a cool bar as well. Bring cash, as the bar is still cash only. ATM located on site. Their other food is excellent as well. As a bonus story, I once donated to raffle here to help them install metal ceilings, and I ended up winning a cherry 1973 Lincoln Continental Mark IV. I love this place!
Some of the best food around in a casual setting. Old school vibe from a long-time Savannah establishment. Portion sizes are HUGE. The best selection of specials in town. Try the Gawgia Cracka Nachos as an appetizer or meal for two!
146 locals recommend
Crystal Beer Parlor
301 W Jones St
146 locals recommend
Some of the best food around in a casual setting. Old school vibe from a long-time Savannah establishment. Portion sizes are HUGE. The best selection of specials in town. Try the Gawgia Cracka Nachos as an appetizer or meal for two!
Fantastic food and great atmosphere from a restaurant group that typically does things very well (Local 11ten, Artillery, etc). If the weather is nice, try the sidewalk or upstairs patio options at night. Great food and beverage selections.
90 locals recommend
The Public Kitchen & Bar
1 W Liberty St
90 locals recommend
Fantastic food and great atmosphere from a restaurant group that typically does things very well (Local 11ten, Artillery, etc). If the weather is nice, try the sidewalk or upstairs patio options at night. Great food and beverage selections.
A great food option located near other amazing things to do downtown, but slightly south of the main bustle. Make a date out of the Wayward (great cocktail bar) or Perry Lane rooftop (located in the same complex). Have dinner at The Emporium, then travel over for a nightcap and some karaoke across the street at McDonough's. Still hungry? Grab a late/early breakfast at Fancy Parker's Market. All within walking distance of the Emporium.
16 locals recommend
The Emporium Kitchen and Wine Market
254 E Perry St
16 locals recommend
A great food option located near other amazing things to do downtown, but slightly south of the main bustle. Make a date out of the Wayward (great cocktail bar) or Perry Lane rooftop (located in the same complex). Have dinner at The Emporium, then travel over for a nightcap and some karaoke across the street at McDonough's. Still hungry? Grab a late/early breakfast at Fancy Parker's Market. All within walking distance of the Emporium.
Just like Treylor Park, but a larger location (in my option, they should swap names so that the smaller satellite location is hitch)! Located in the south downtown area (not southside), this menu has something for everyone.
43 locals recommend
Hitch
300 Drayton St
43 locals recommend
Just like Treylor Park, but a larger location (in my option, they should swap names so that the smaller satellite location is hitch)! Located in the south downtown area (not southside), this menu has something for everyone.
Great atmosphere with English fare, except...fish and chips (no fryer)! Grab a pint and enjoy exploring the rest that downtown has to offer.
66 locals recommend
Six Pence Pub
245 Bull St
66 locals recommend
Great atmosphere with English fare, except...fish and chips (no fryer)! Grab a pint and enjoy exploring the rest that downtown has to offer.
Colorful, vibrant pub and grill. Grab some food early and stay late for a drink and some live music. One of the oldest spots on Congress street, and still one of the best.
17 locals recommend
Molly MacPherson's Scottish Pub & Grill
311 W Congress St
17 locals recommend
Colorful, vibrant pub and grill. Grab some food early and stay late for a drink and some live music. One of the oldest spots on Congress street, and still one of the best.
I'm going to be very honest here. I love the food at Co, but they have had management issues for years. If you make it into the restaurant, be ready for a barrage of mediocre service and unmet expectations coupled with sour attitudes that permeate through almost every employee. Their Com Chien is the best though!
26 locals recommend
CO
10 Whitaker St
26 locals recommend
I'm going to be very honest here. I love the food at Co, but they have had management issues for years. If you make it into the restaurant, be ready for a barrage of mediocre service and unmet expectations coupled with sour attitudes that permeate through almost every employee. Their Com Chien is the best though!
Upscale seafood that should meet most expectations. This is not calabash fried seafood, but something more refined.
58 locals recommend
Garibaldi Cafe
315 W Congress St
58 locals recommend
Upscale seafood that should meet most expectations. This is not calabash fried seafood, but something more refined.
Go here for some great food and one of the best raw bars anywhere. Rooftop bar serves a different menu than the lower two floors (second floor has its own tiki bar).
42 locals recommend
Sorry Charlie's Oyster Bar
116 West Congress Street
42 locals recommend
Go here for some great food and one of the best raw bars anywhere. Rooftop bar serves a different menu than the lower two floors (second floor has its own tiki bar).
An upscale and delightful experience on the river. One of the nicest places you can go in the "old" section of River Street (excluding the new Plant Riverside development). Navigating the cobblestones can be treacherous, so plan your outfit accordingly anytime you travel anywhere on River Street.
67 locals recommend
Vic's On the River
26 E Bay St
67 locals recommend
An upscale and delightful experience on the river. One of the nicest places you can go in the "old" section of River Street (excluding the new Plant Riverside development). Navigating the cobblestones can be treacherous, so plan your outfit accordingly anytime you travel anywhere on River Street.
Upscale seafood experience right in the heart of downtown.
48 locals recommend
Chive Sea Bar and Lounge
4 W Broughton St
48 locals recommend
Upscale seafood experience right in the heart of downtown.
This property is worth seeing for the amazing renovation they undertook, but they also have excellent Italian food as well.
26 locals recommend
La Scala Ristorante
119 E 37th St
26 locals recommend
This property is worth seeing for the amazing renovation they undertook, but they also have excellent Italian food as well.
Located inside an old Pepsi-cola bottling plant, this experience is sure to please the casual diner looking to fill their stomach.
16 locals recommend
Pacci Italian Kitchen
601 E Bay St
16 locals recommend
Located inside an old Pepsi-cola bottling plant, this experience is sure to please the casual diner looking to fill their stomach.
One of my favorite quick lunch spots! Hotdog palace located on River Street. More than a hotdog stand, less than a full-service restaurant.
The Peanut Shop
502 E River St
One of my favorite quick lunch spots! Hotdog palace located on River Street. More than a hotdog stand, less than a full-service restaurant.
Cool place located in Plant Riverside district on River Street. Pies are great, and a general excitement permeates the air with development to come.
Graffito Pizza
500 West River Street
Cool place located in Plant Riverside district on River Street. Pies are great, and a general excitement permeates the air with development to come.
My absolute favorite place in Savannah currently. Further south than most of downtown, stop in for a quick lunch or relaxed evening. Great food with friendly staff!
Oak 36 Bar + Kitchen
5500 Abercorn Street
My absolute favorite place in Savannah currently. Further south than most of downtown, stop in for a quick lunch or relaxed evening. Great food with friendly staff!

Dessert

What more can you say? It's the best ice cream in Savannah. Ben and Jerry's couldn't top this place even on "World Ice Cream Day" as they were giving it away for free and the line at Leopold's was still around the block. Bonus that the owner, Stratton Leopold, is an amazing guy who also has impressive ties to Hollywood and the film industry. Leopold's has served Savannah for more than a century now. Pro Tip: Avoid the line and walk in the exit door to the left of the main entrance. There is a freezer in the back with quarts and pints in nearly every flavor they will scoop from the display. Take your ice cream to the counter and pay. Eliminates time and reduces the stress on the staff.
161 locals recommend
Leopold's Ice Cream
212 E Broughton St
161 locals recommend
What more can you say? It's the best ice cream in Savannah. Ben and Jerry's couldn't top this place even on "World Ice Cream Day" as they were giving it away for free and the line at Leopold's was still around the block. Bonus that the owner, Stratton Leopold, is an amazing guy who also has impressive ties to Hollywood and the film industry. Leopold's has served Savannah for more than a century now. Pro Tip: Avoid the line and walk in the exit door to the left of the main entrance. There is a freezer in the back with quarts and pints in nearly every flavor they will scoop from the display. Take your ice cream to the counter and pay. Eliminates time and reduces the stress on the staff.
Great place for dessert! A Savannah staple, and consistently awesome.
86 locals recommend
Lulu's Chocolate Bar
42 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd
86 locals recommend
Great place for dessert! A Savannah staple, and consistently awesome.
24 locals recommend
Better Than Sex - A Dessert Restaurant
410 W Broughton St
24 locals recommend