Home › Food tours › Savannah
Food tours in Savannah: what to eat and which tour to book
Savannah is a coastal Georgia port laid out around shady squares, and it eats Southern and Lowcountry: shrimp and grits, fried chicken with collards and cornbread, Lowcountry boil (shrimp, sausage, corn and potatoes cooked together), crab, local oysters and fried green tomatoes. Pecan pralines are made in candy shops along River Street, and boiled peanuts are the roadside snack. Older family-style dining rooms sit alongside a newer generation of restaurants downtown and in the Starland District, and Tybee Island, about 30 minutes east, is where people go for seafood by the beach.
Use this page to know what to order and where, with rough 2026 prices in US dollars. Historic-district restaurants book up at weekends and during festivals such as St Patrick's Day, so reserve dinner. The tours shown are real GetYourGuide listings, with prices as seen when we checked; confirm the price and meeting point on the booking page before you pay.
What to eat in Savannah
| Dish | What it is | Where to eat it | Typical price* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shrimp and grits | Creamy stone-ground corn grits topped with sautéed shrimp, often with sausage or bacon, peppers and a gravy. Breakfast, brunch or dinner. | Southern restaurants across the historic district and brunch spots. | roughly $18–30 a plate |
| Southern fried chicken and sides fried chicken, collards, mac and cheese, cornbread | Buttermilk fried chicken with Southern sides such as collard greens, black-eyed peas, okra, mac and cheese and biscuits or cornbread. Some long-running dining rooms serve it family-style at shared tables. | Soul-food and Southern restaurants around downtown; family-style dining rooms often open for lunch only, so check current hours. | roughly $15–30 per person |
| Lowcountry boil Lowcountry boil (Frogmore stew) | Shrimp, smoked sausage, corn on the cob and potatoes boiled together with seasoning and tipped out to share. | Seafood restaurants on River Street, around Thunderbolt and on Tybee Island. | roughly $25–35 per person |
| Oysters Georgia oysters | Oysters raw, steamed or roasted; oyster roasts are a cool-season Lowcountry tradition. | Oyster bars downtown and seafood places on Tybee Island and the marsh-side communities. | roughly $2–4 each raw; buckets of steamed oysters vary |
| Fried green tomatoes | Slices of unripe tomato coated in cornmeal and fried, often served with a remoulade or pimento cheese. | Southern restaurants as a starter. | roughly $10–15 a starter |
| Pecan pralines pralines | Soft candy of sugar, butter, cream and pecans, made in shop windows and given out as samples. | Candy shops on River Street and in City Market. | roughly $4–6 each |
| Boiled peanuts | Raw peanuts boiled in their shells in salty water until soft; sometimes Cajun-spiced. A Georgia roadside snack. | Roadside stands, gas stations and markets, especially on the road to Tybee. | roughly $4–8 a bag |
Where to eat: markets and neighbourhoods
River Street
Cobbled riverfront of old cotton warehouses with candy shops, seafood restaurants and bars. Tourist-heavy and pricier, but good for pralines and a drink with river views.
City Market
Pedestrianised blocks near Ellis Square with restaurants, bars, galleries and candy shops. Convenient, with outdoor seating.
Forsyth Farmers' Market
Weekly farmers' market at the south end of Forsyth Park with local produce, baked goods, honey and food vendors.
Starland District and Bull Street south
South of Forsyth Park, with newer restaurants, cafés, pizza, breweries and food trucks, more local than River Street.
Tybee Island
Beach community about 30 minutes east with casual seafood shacks, Lowcountry boil and oysters.
Food tours in Savannah compared
Every tour below is a real listing on GetYourGuide or Viator, checked on 2 Oct 2026. Prices move with season and group size, so treat them as a guide and confirm on the booking page.
| Tour | Length | Price* | Group | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Savannah: Hands-on Mojito Class with Taco Lunch | 1 hour | from €49 per person | private | Travellers who want to cook the dishes again at home; easiest option for dietary needs, since you control the ingredients. | Check dates |
| Savannah: Buffet Dinner Cruise with Live Entertainment | 2 hours | from €82 per person | max 10 | Evening eaters who want dinner and drinks rolled into one, plus the city after dark. | Check dates |
| Savannah: Sightseeing Lunch Cruise | 2 hours | from €56 per person | — | First-timers who want a broad tasting of the classics with a local guide. | Check dates |
| Savannah: Historic District Foodie Walking Tour | 3 hours | from €86 per person | — | First-timers who want a broad tasting of the classics with a local guide. | Check dates |
| Savannah: Southern and Secret Food Tour | 3 hours | from €82 per person | — | First-timers who want a broad tasting of the classics with a local guide. | Check dates |
| Savannah: Southern Traditions Dinner Tour | 3 hours | from €120 per person | max 10 | Evening eaters who want dinner and drinks rolled into one, plus the city after dark. | Check dates |
Savannah: Hands-on Mojito Class with Taco Lunch
On GetYourGuide · run by Mint To Be Mojito Bar & Bites
- Length
- 1 hour
- Price
- from €49 per person
- Rating
- 5.0 ★ from 4 reviews (on 4 Oct 2026)
- Group size
- private
- Included
- Welcome Cocktail Private Entry to La Aparicion Authentic taco bar from Latin Chicks Coal Fired Chicken Putting the pieces together: how to make the perfect Mojito Having fun!
- Suits
- Travellers who want to cook the dishes again at home; easiest option for dietary needs, since you control the ingredients.
- Starts
- *
Savannah: Buffet Dinner Cruise with Live Entertainment
On GetYourGuide · run by Savannah Riverboat Cruises
- Length
- 2 hours
- Price
- from €82 per person
- Rating
- 4.3 ★ from 1,152 reviews (on 4 Oct 2026)
- Group size
- max 10
- Included
- Round-trip riverboat cruise with captain and crew Buffet-style dinner Live entertainment Alcoholic drinks – available for purchase Tips
- Suits
- Evening eaters who want dinner and drinks rolled into one, plus the city after dark.
- Starts
- Savannah Riverboat Cruises
Savannah: Sightseeing Lunch Cruise
On GetYourGuide · run by Savannah Riverboat Cruises
- Length
- 2 hours
- Price
- from €56 per person
- Rating
- 4.6 ★ from 938 reviews (on 4 Oct 2026)
- Included
- Live narration Southern buffet lunch Tips Alcoholic beverages
- Suits
- First-timers who want a broad tasting of the classics with a local guide.
- Starts
- Please pick up your tickets at the Riverboat Ticket Office located at 9 East River Street, near Olympia Cafe and River Street Sweets. The boat is located across from the ticket office at the dock. If you are driving, you can park your car at the public parking lots on River Street, Bay Street level, or Bryan Street Parking Garage.
Savannah: Historic District Foodie Walking Tour
On GetYourGuide · run by Savannah Taste Experience Food Tours
- Length
- 3 hours
- Price
- from €86 per person
- Rating
- 4.8 ★ from 645 reviews (on 4 Oct 2026)
- Suits
- First-timers who want a broad tasting of the classics with a local guide.
Savannah: Southern and Secret Food Tour
On GetYourGuide · run by Savannah Taste Experience Food Tours
- Length
- 3 hours
- Price
- from €82 per person
- Rating
- 4.8 ★ from 189 reviews (on 4 Oct 2026)
- Included
- Expert local guide Food tastings at up to 5 restaurants Water Map of tour route Exclusive discounts Drinks (available for purchase) Alcoholic drinks (available for purchase) Gratuities (optional)
- Suits
- First-timers who want a broad tasting of the classics with a local guide.
- Starts
- 108 W Broughton St, Savannah, GA 31401, USA
Savannah: Southern Traditions Dinner Tour
On GetYourGuide · run by Flavors Food Tours
- Length
- 3 hours
- Price
- from €120 per person
- Rating
- 4.8 ★ from 68 reviews (on 4 Oct 2026)
- Group size
- max 10
- Included
- 3 hour historical walking tour with a full meal eaten across several restaurants in historical Savannah. Also includes a local cocktail (mocktails for nondrinkers) in the price. Transportation is
- Suits
- Evening eaters who want dinner and drinks rolled into one, plus the city after dark.
- Starts
- Madison Square
Some links on this page are partner links. If you book through them TonyPlan earns a small commission — the price you pay is exactly the same.
Street food, sit-down or a cooking class?
Street food
Savannah has little street food beyond food trucks, praline samples, boiled peanuts and the farmers' market. What is distinctive is that you can carry an alcoholic drink in a plastic to-go cup within much of the historic district, so bar-to-restaurant walks are common.
Sit-down meals
Most eating is sit-down: Southern restaurants, seafood places and newer chef-led spots in the historic district. Brunch is a big weekend event. Dinner is usually 18:00–21:30; book ahead, especially Friday and Saturday.
Cooking classes
Cooking classes exist but are not common. Southern cooking demonstrations and praline-making are sometimes offered; check what is hands-on versus a demonstration.
How much to budget for food
| Style | Per person, per day* |
|---|---|
| Budget (street food, markets) | $40–60 (biscuit breakfast, casual lunch, food truck or soul-food dinner) |
| Mid-range (one sit-down meal a day) | $80–120 (two sit-down meals with a drink) |
| Splurge (tasting menus, wine) | $180+ (chef-led dinner with cocktails or wine) |
Vegetarian, halal and gluten-free
Vegetarian & vegan: Southern cooking often uses pork — collards, beans and peas are commonly cooked with ham hock or bacon. Ask before ordering sides. Newer restaurants and cafés downtown and in Starland have clear vegetarian and vegan options.
Halal: Very limited. A few Middle Eastern and South Asian restaurants exist, but traditional Southern food is pork-heavy. Seafood and vegetable dishes are the practical alternatives.
Gluten-free: Grits are corn and naturally gluten-free, but gravies, fried coatings, biscuits and cornbread (often mixed with wheat flour) usually aren't. Many restaurants mark gluten-free items; ask about shared fryers.
Food scams and tourist traps to avoid
- River Street restaurants with high prices for ordinary seafood aimed at cruise and tour visitors. Have a drink on River Street, then eat a few blocks inland or out on Tybee.
- Automatic gratuity added for groups (or added to all bills) and then a tip line on the card machine too. Check the bill for a service charge before tipping again.
- Walking out of the open-container area with a drink, or using a glass, which can lead to a fine. Use a plastic to-go cup and stay within the historic district's open-container area; check current rules on cup size.
Top tours & activities in Savannah
Rent a car in Savannah
Compare rental cars from local and international companies, with free cancellation on most bookings.
Compare car rentals in SavannahPlan the rest of your Savannah trip
Staying near the markets saves time and taxi money — most food tours start in the old centre.
Common questions
How much should I tip in Savannah?
Standard US tipping: about 18–20% of the pre-tax bill at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 per drink at bars, and a little for counter service if you like. Large groups often have an automatic gratuity added. For a food tour guide, 15–20% of the tour price is usual.
Can I drink alcohol on the street?
Within much of the historic district, adults can carry a drink in a plastic to-go cup; glass and cans are not allowed, and there are limits on cup size. Bars will pour your drink into a to-go cup when you leave. Check the current boundaries and rules before relying on it.
What should I eat first in Savannah?
Shrimp and grits, a plate of Southern fried chicken with collards and mac and cheese, and a Lowcountry boil or oysters. Pick up a praline on River Street and try boiled peanuts from a roadside stand on the way to Tybee.
When is the farmers' market?
Forsyth Farmers' Market is held on Saturday mornings at the south end of Forsyth Park, with local produce, bread, honey and some ready-to-eat food. Check current hours before going, especially in winter and around holidays.
How much should I budget for food per day?
About $40–60 per person covers a casual day. Two sit-down meals with a drink run roughly $80–120. Chef-led dinners with cocktails can reach $100+ per person on their own. Prices on River Street are higher than a few blocks inland.
Do I need reservations?
For dinner at popular historic-district restaurants on Friday and Saturday, yes, and well ahead during St Patrick's Day and spring festivals. Family-style lunch places often don't take bookings and have queues, so arrive early.
* Prices are approximate, gathered on 2 Oct 2026 from menus, markets and the booking pages linked above. They change with season and exchange rates.