The Best Restaurants in Savannah and Tybee Island
Time for the elephant in the room: Savannah and Tybee Island are not in the Atlanta area.
But ask around and chances are most of the people you encounter have been to one or the other more than once. They probably even have plans to go back.
Savannah and Atlanta are actually connected in several ways. For one, Savannah was Georgia’s original capital (then it meandered to Augusta then Savannah again then Louisville then Milledgeville) before Atlanta took the title. Plus, they’re two of Georgia’s most populous cities, both mixing the historic with the modern.
There’s a lot to love about Atlanta, but our beach access is not one of them (unless you count our many man-made lakes, but they just don’t hit the same). That’s where Tybee Island enters the fray. An under four-hour drive is all that separates us from basking in the sun and island vibes of Tybee.
You can spend hours hanging on River Street or on the North Beach Boardwalk, but you’re eventually going to build up an appetite.
Here are some of our favorite restaurants in Savannah and Tybee Island.
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published March 20, 2023 and last updated May 25, 2023.
Savannah:
The Grey
It’s difficult to tell Savannah’s food story without mentioning The Grey. Entire books have been written about it and it was the setting of an episode of Chef’s Table
This passion project between John O. Morisano and Chef Mashama Bailey offers two options: the old-school menu and the modern brunch. The former rotates based on the seasons but some current options are Raw Oysters, Pork Pate, and Oxtail Pot Roast. The latter is tighter with options like Fried Chicken & Hoe Cakes and Duck Pastrami.
Crystal Beer Parlor
Crystal Beer Parlor, or The Crystal, has been Savannah’s favorite spot to grab a drink ever since the repeal of Prohibition. The fact that their food is exceptional is the cherry on top.
Start off with the Giant Pretzel served with smoked gouda “local beer” cheese and whole grain mustard or the Creamy Blue Crab Dip. Then treat yourself to one of their droolworthy burgers or maybe the Shrimp and Grits. And close out strong with the Georgia Peach Cobbler or the legendary Fried Pound Cake, battered and deep fried then served with vanilla ice cream and your choice of sauce.
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Auspicious Baking Co
The only thing better than the smell of fresh-baked goods is the taste of fresh-baked goods.
It doesn’t matter what that good is because Auspicious nails every one. The cinnamon rolls, homemade pop tarts, and crackers are just a few of the menu mainstays that you need to try. They especially ace the test when it comes to croissants, offering varieties such as Ham-Cheddar, Everything, and Pepper Jelly, Cream, Cheese, and Scallion. They also have plenty of vegan options if you have a plant-based sweet tooth.
Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room
Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room has been family-owned since 1943 and when you’re there, you’re part of the family. That’s why they have communal tables…southern grub is best enjoyed with a crowd. And what is that southern grub? They keep it simple with just four meats – fried chicken, sausage, beef stew, and meat loaf – and then just about every veggie you can think of.
As a bonus, you can stay in the Wilkes House, located right above the dining room. You’re gonna love the smell of fried chicken in the morning!
Bull Street Taco
At Bull Street, it’s always taco time! The classic combo includes 3 tacos (we recommend Carnitas, Chorizo, and Red Chile Tempura Cauliflower) on organic handmade tortillas from Mitla, Savannah’s local tortilleria and your choice of side.
If you’re not in a taco mood (and you have our condolences), you have plenty of fantastic options, like the Tuna Poke Salad, served with smashed avocado, cabbage, pineapple, radish, basil crema, and miso dressing. And the table will definitely not complain if you get the Loaded Guacamole Bowl, topped with toasted pistachios.
Ardsley Station
Right at the edge of Ardsley Park lies the “neighborhood living room” which welcomes one and all for happy hours, dinners, and especially their weekend brunch.
The menu is small but mighty, with a perfect batting record. They’re best known for The Animal, a homemade biscuit with a sausage patty, pulled pork, an egg, cheese sauce, and fries. If you’re feeling less animalistic, the Crab Cake Benedict is another winner with an IPA mustard hollandaise. And to keep things classic, the B’s & G’s are biscuits with bourbon sausage gravy and eggs.
The Olde Pink House
Certain places are “touristy” for a reason. The Olde Pink House is indeed an old pink house, a mansion built in 1771 which serves classic Southern cuisine with piano accompaniment.
A few can’t-miss options are the Crispy Scored Flounder (with apricot shallot sauce, creamy grits, and collards), Grilled Pork Tenderloin (with bourbon molasses, collards, and sweet potato with pecan vanilla butter), or the light-but-not-really “BLT” Salad, with fried green tomatoes, bacon, and black pepper thyme buttermilk dressing.
As an additional incentive to visit, it’s allegedly haunted. Diners have claimed that they were seated by a ghost (a man in a uniform who allegedly built the house for his fiancee who left him while away at war). Whether you believe it or not, why not go and experience it yourself?
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Spanky’s Pizza Galley & Saloon
Spanky’s claims to have created the original chicken finger, citing a U.S. Congressional Record as verification (I couldn’t find anything on this but I’m going to take their word). Whether they indeed invented it or not, they certainly make a perfect chicken finger, not to mention the finest Spuds (“potatoes sliced round, hand battered and deep fried with Spanky’s original batter”) you’ll ever eat.There’s no finer drunk food in all of Savannah than Spanky’s…make sure you get plenty of their Famous Honey Horseradish Sauce.
a.Lure
a.Lure is “contemporary low country cuisine,” combining the foolproof genre of low-country cooking with fresh seafood and an emphasis on local ingredients.
This culinary approach is perhaps best exemplified by three dishes which show that the best ingredients yield an impeccable dish: Braised Pork Shank, a.Lure Meatloaf, and Rabbit Ravioli.
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Alligator Soul
Alligator Soul, located in a former grain warehouse, serves many things well but their real star is (get ready for this) alligator. There’s Alligator Tempura, Alligator Boudin Fritters, Candied Alligator…and that’s not all!
On top of all the different preparations of alligator, they serve other unique game meats like Elk, Kangaroo, Ostrich, and Antelope. Sure, you could get the Ribeye or the Brunswick Gumbo and be very satisfied, but why not walk on the wild side?
Namaste
If you’ve never eaten Nepalese food, Namaste is as good a starting point as you could want.
The Traditional Nepalese Curry Bowl is a great start. Opt for the goat if you’re feeling bold, and make sure you get plenty of Cheese Garlic Naan to sop things up. There are plenty of vegetarian and vegan options as well, so all palates will be pleased.
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The Public Kitchen & Bar
The Public believes that high-quality food shouldn’t be reserved for “fine dining.” That’s why they unleash gourmet ingredients in fabulous ways in an utterly stylish environment.
Just look at two of their burgers: the Avocado Smash Burger, with bacon, cheddar, avocado, lettuce, fried egg, and roasted garlic aioli; and the Public Burger, with grilled mushrooms, caramelized onions, lettuce, tomato, provolone, and horseradish crème. No fancy ingredients, just a whole lot of goodness. They’re also well known for their Savannah Shrimp & Grits and Pork Confit (a sourdough sandwich topped with chopped slow-cooked pork, provolone, pickled onion, lettuce, and truffle citrus vinaigrette).
Rancho Alegre Cuban Restaurant
Rancho Alegre is a traditional Cuban eatery serving all your favorites.
Start off strong with the Cuban Sampler: Chicharritas (plantain chips), croquetas (ham croquettes), empanada, and papa rellena (potato ball stuffed with beef). That makes narrowing down your order that much easier. For your main (unless you took on the sampler 1v1), check out the Pargo Frito – a whole 2-3 lbs scored and deep-fried red snapper – or the Boliche, a Cuban-style slow-cooked pot roast. At this point we probably don’t need to persuade you, but don’t forget the Red Sangria, Margarita, or Mojito.
Cotton and Rye
We all love going to the bank, right? Well when it’s renovated as a new age gastrobar, it’s actually exciting. You can even sit in the old 1950s-era bank vault!
They’ve got southern gastropub staples done right, like Shrimp and Grits and Buttermilk Rye Cornbread with Rosemary and Burnt Honey Butter. They also offer more elevated fare, such as Spicy Pork Ragu and that day’s Market Fish, with rice, tasso ham, calabrian chili, smoked tomato, and grain mustard butter. End your meal right with their famous made-from-scratch Candy Bars, with shortbread, caramel, chocolate, and whipped crème fraiche.
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The Wyld Dock Bar
The Wyld Dock Bar sits right on the water, equipped with its own dock so you can taxi right up from the water and have your drink ready in no time.
The menu changes seasonally but you can always count on their simple yet stunning Succotash, the hearty but not heavy Crab Chowder, and the freshest Roasted Garlic Butter Oysters you’ve ever had.
Green Truck Neighborhood Pub
For the best burgers in Savannah, look no further than Green Truck.
You can’t go wrong with any of them, but the Trailer Park is the people pleaser, topped with pimento cheese, bacon, LTO, and their house-made pickles. Their homemade veggie patty is so good that even meat eaters would enjoy it.
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Treylor Park
Treylor Park embraces its retro aesthetic by serving up creative versions of southern staples.
For example, you could get fries…or you could get Avocado Fries with a chili aioli or Fried Banana Pepper Rings. Instead of a PB&J or buffalo wings you can get their PB&J Chicken Wings, tossed in a pecan/peanut butter sauce with a peach jam dipping sauce. And how about instead of chicken and waffles, you get the Chicken & Pancake Tacos: peppered pancakes filled with fried chicken, chili aioli, and strawberry salsa.
River Street Sweets
If the smell from the street doesn’t win you over, one step inside surely will. River Street Sweets is like a Willy Wonka fever dream, where you can watch them make pralines, fudge, saltwater taffy, and more sweet treats. You can even score some free samples and at that point, good luck not leaving with a full bag. You can also order things online and have them shipped, so you can enjoy your bear claws whether you’re in Savannah or not.
Tybee Island:
Huc-A-Poos Bites and Booze
It’s impossible to describe what a visit to Huc-A-Poos truly entails.
But the pizza. Oh the pizza! There’s no better slice anywhere on the island, putting New York to shame. The best part is you can split your pies four-ways so you and your group don’t need to negotiate what to order. One pizza alone can include the wickedly spicy Hot Tamale, the Mexican-inspired Federale, the tart and salty Team Banana, and the controversial Miko Miko (with ham & pineapple). And that’s just what I got last time! You can always count on a crisp pint or pitcher of beer, and everything is fairly priced (maybe even the cheapest *insert any menu item here* on the island) and served by the most welcoming and eccentric team you can imagine. You’re immediately welcomed as a member of the family
Tybean Art & Coffee Bar
Right next to Huc-A-Poos is the island’s go-to coffee shop. Tybean has a drink for you, no matter the season, from the classic espresso drinks to their three different types of cold brew. Add in some smoothies and scones and you’ll be all set.
Plus, you might get lucky and come across Bean the Cat, depending on how social she’s feeling.
A-J’s Dockside Restaurant
If you’re hoping to enjoy the sunset from the island while munching on fresh seafood, there’s no better spot for all of the above than A-J’s.
The phenomenal Crispy Scored Flounder is fried and glazed with sweet chili. If you’re feeling more handheld, the Po Boy Sandwiches are available with your choice of fried oysters, fried flounder, shrimp (fried, grilled, or blackened), or mahi (grilled or blackened). To become one with the ocean, you can get a pound of Snow Crab Legs, or maybe opt for their famous Conch Fritters served with remoulade. It’s also called “dockside” for a reason…you can dock your boat and enter via the marsh!
Breakfast Club
Every beach town deserves a diner like this. There’s a reason owner Jodee Sadowsky cooked for John F. Kennedy Jr.’s wedding party!
There’s no single item to cite to point at the quality of the restaurant…and isn’t that how true diners should be? Every item on the broad menu is comforting and hits the spot. My personal favorites are the grits, homemade breakfast sausage, burger, and waffles. And make sure you get there early, because the line (outside, never inside) can get long but the wait just makes your meal that much better.
Cockspur Grill
Cockspur Grill opened right in the summer of 2020, perhaps the single most challenging season for the restaurant industry. Yet the Tybee community immediately welcomed it and today it feels like it has been open for decades. There’s live music, trivia, and more to bring folks in and keep them coming back. The food is the cherry on top, with Fish Tacos that taste like they were caught that day, hearty and succulent Shrimp & Crab Nachos, and lots more that won’t let you down.
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Sea Wolf
Oysters…hot dogs…fancy cocktails…any questions?
They have a wide selection of oysters and different variations of hot dogs, from Wagyu to Impossible (vegan). One of the tastiest bites anywhere on Tybee is The Glizzy, with chili, cheddar curds, chorizo crema, pickled onions, and cilantro. These options and the drink specials are constantly changing, but just know you’ll be in good hands no matter what you get.
Mi Vida
The Tybee Bakery Featuring Cafe Miss Korea
If you want the best apple pie you’ll ever eat alongside the best bibimbap, you can get them from the same place! Located in a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it spot right off the road, simply walk in and trust their expertise to guide your order.
Sundae Cafe
This former ice cream parlor turned restaurant (hence the name) has you covered five days a week with lunch and dinner and just dinner on Saturdays.
Some of the menu highlights are the Southern Oysters Rockefeller (with tasso ham, local shrimp, bacon, creamed collards, and parmesan), Sweet & Spicy Pistachio Crusted Tuna (with a ponzu citrus glaze and wasabi aioli), and their eclectic but excellent Buttermilk Biscuit Bleu Cheese Bread Pudding.
Fannie’s on the Beach
Sitting right across the beach, Fannie’s takes all the classic beach day foods and elevates them with the freshest ingredients and friendliest staff.
They have gourmet pizzas (like Shrimp & Bacon), Nacho Fannies, Coconut Shrimp (with pina colada dip), Fannie’s Turf-N-Surf (a rack of ribs and half pound of peel-n-eat shrimp), and a wide array of massive frozen cocktails.
Chamacos Tacos & Surf
A taco joint with a surf aesthetic…how much more Tybee does it get?
In addition to authentic Mexican-style street tacos, available with Carnitas, Picadilla, Baja Fish, and more, you can dig into the Chip Sampler (housemade tortilla chips with salsa, guac, and queso), Tostada (topped with guac, salsa, cilantro-lime crema, white sauce, cilantro, tajin, and micro greens), and the favorite drink of this cuisine: a Margarita.
Tybee Market IGA
Is it controversial to add a grocery store to this list? Just ask any Philadelphian about Wawa hoagies or Floridian about Pub Subs because IGA holds the same authority with the strongest sandwich on the island.
It’s hard to plan a better beach day than grabbing an IGA sub, your favorite chips, and a six pack of whatever you’re craving. Their fried chicken and biscuits are also top-notch. If you’re more of a homebody, you can pick up some fresh shrimp or other things to sit back, relax, and feast.
