Oh the Places I Actually Go... Tara's Savannah Edition

Posted by tara kirkland on August 17, 2024

Let's get to the point... One of the main questions we get asked in the store is Where to eat and drink? Followed by What to do? And then... Where to shop? and so on... And I am sure, anyone who's lived anywhere people visit know- when you're lucky enough to live somewhere people want to visit- expect your friends and family to come to you for advice on how to avoid the tourist traps. I want to be clear here, the person writing this now is Tara, and these are just some of my favorite places. If your favorite place isn't on this list, maybe I haven't been, or maybe it's not in my regular rotation, or maybe...maybe I just don't like it but don't want to say so. In any case, this list is meant to be a guide for people who feel like trusting me... so without further ado... here we go.

(Just a quick note here, if you come by the store, or ask me directly, I often will make other suggestions based on what I know about you or your general vibe. If you're vegetarian/vegan or if you don't drink, or if you love beer, or fried foods float your boat- I likely will have something special to recommend. This list is really just my tried and true go-tos... and places you'll likely see me at outside of store hours.)

Where to Eat

These are in no particular order, and I am going to indulge myself by listing a little reason why next to them... I will trust you to do your own leg work as far as specific hours, and locations.

Savoy Society

This truly is my most visited place in town, my favorite drink here is the "Going Down Proper" and I really love their spam slider. I don't care what you think of me after you read that last statement. They made me like Spam. But truly great cheese boards, tasty small bites, and Monday nights they have a special menu for food and drink. Indoor and outdoor seating. Great people watching. This is my happy place.

Cotton & Rye

This place never lets me down... and I always save room for dessert. I have always loved the fried chicken here and the hot honey that comes with really is the chef kiss. My favorite dish from here was an eggplant cannoli that was on special one night. I remember it fondly. Homemade candy bars are a must... and of course, the rye bread. Indoor and covered outdoor dining. Dinner Only.

Mrs. Wilkes

What can I say that hasn't been said about this place? It is a MUST do. I love bringing my out of town guests here and the food is just so damn good. I didn't know I liked cabbage until I had it here. Fried chicken, banana pudding, all the sides...I always recommend little tastes of everything and going back for seconds on what really wows you. Plus, if you stop here, you're close enough to come shop in Custard... so win win. Indoor seating, Family Style, Lunch Only, Mon-Friday.

Sisters of the New South

This place has got it all. Starting with breakfast and going all the way through dinner. It's super casual and super soulful. Another fried chicken gem. Bo loves to get the oxtail here, and I often find myself getting a plate of veggies. This is a meat and 3 kind of place, so the food is ready on a steam table and is dished out to order. Sweet tea is a must here- when in the South... Indoor seating or take out.

Rancho Alegre Cuban Restaurant

I have loved this place forever. They have been open for over 20 years and I always enjoy my meals here. They have live music a few nights a week, and if you're the type that wants a frozen boozy to go drink - this truly is your place. Food-wise I am all over the place when it comes to eating here. I love the whole snapper, they have amazing pork, and if you're a seafood person- there's a pineapple dish on the menu for you! Beans, rice, plantains.. Yes Please! Indoor seating only, Lunch and Dinner.

Cuban Window Cafe

I love this little walk up window. It's attached to a gas station, but don't let that sway you. This is a great place to pick up a breakfast and cafe con leche, or grab a cuban sandwich for lunch in the park. They have indoor seats too, but to be honest, I have never been inside. I just love the walk up window! I usually grab empanadas here (with the sauce), sometimes pastries or a smoothie, I mix it up.

Auspicious Bakery

Best bakery. PERIOD. There's always a line for a reason. This place is worth the drive from downtown... grab some pastries and head over to Bonaventure Cemetery and hang out... take them home and freeze them, or just, you know, eat 4/5 pastries like life is short... because it is. Some stand outs here are: cheese danish, s'mores brownie, everything bagel croissant, and did I say cheese danish? Because I always buy two. My play here is to buy anything that my eye settles on that looks good and freeze what I don't eat in a day or two. I am forever grateful that this place opened. It makes my heart happy.

Crystal Beer Parlor

Best chicken tenders in town! This place has been a staple in Savannah for a long time and I have likely had more lunches and dinners here than anywhere else. The menu is super casual and you'll find unpretentious burgers, sandwiches and salads here. Chicken salad on rye - all day! Massive beer cheese pretzel- sure thing! Also, the beer selection here (unsurprisingly because of the name) is impressive. This is a great spot to sample local and regional beers. This is a place the whole family will enjoy.

Farm in Bluffton

The cornbread here is what dreams are made of. This restaurant has an ever changing menu and a cocktail program that truly impresses. I know it's not in Savannah, but I still feel like it's worth the drive... plus Bluffton has some lovely unspoiled water views that give me all the feels for the low country.

Fancy Parkers

This is the gas station on Drayton and E McDonough - and it's on my list because if you've been out late night- doing whatever it is people do late night- this place will bring you back to life, save you from a hangover, or just cure the sweet tooth that wasn't satisfied. Fish and grits from a gas station? Yep! Banana pudding from a gas station? Yes! Everyone has their Fancy Parkers go to favs. It's always great people watching too. And there are, in fact, outside tables if you don't want to take your food to go. (And yes they sell wine too.)

And here's a few more...

Black Rabbit, Seawolf Tybee, Over Yonder, Colleagues and Lovers, Fleeting, Green Truck Pub, Al Salaam Deli, Bella Napoli, The Narra Tree and E Tang.

Drinks (Booze and Coffee)

Beer

Crystal Beer Parlor, Service Brewing, Southbound Brewing, The White Whale

Cocktails

Savoy Society (great mocktail list here too), Lone Wolf Lounge, The Black Rabbit, Baobab Lounge

Best Place to do a shot:

McDonough's (get the breakfast shot) Pinkie Masters (shot and a beer) I want to add a special note here- both of these places I listed for shots are places that NEVER close. I find them to be the port in the storm, and both places are excellent for hanging out for different reasons. They are a treasure in Savannah and should be respected. Hurricane Proof. PS: McDonough's has bar food.

Coffee

Collin's Quarters (best iced coffee in town plus they have a walk up window), Mate Factor (yerba matte latte here) and Foxy Loxy/Coffee Fox (horchata latte) Gallery Espresso (great tea selection and tasty Thai iced coffee) Origin Coffee Bar (great place to get work done and a good flat white)

What to Do?

I think this is one of the weirdest questions I get asked... How on earth should I know what someone wants to do when they are in town??? Honestly, I think people are looking for some sort of stand out recommendation, but when I travel I tend to eat, drink, shop and maybe take a cooking class, hit up a museum or two, and sometimes see a few sights. When you live somewhere I feel like you don't do those things as much... so all that being said- here's a few ideas of "things to do".

Front Porch Improve, Bonaventure Cemetery, Walking Ghost Pub Crawl, Day trip to Jekyll Island, Drag Queen Pub Crawl, Karaoke at McDonoughs, Hang out at Starland Yard, Jepson Museum, Visit all the Squares, Walk and Drink (this is a fun feature to Savannah. I love pouring myself a little to-go bevi and walking the dogs, or walking to a friends house and hanging out on the sidewalk... fun fact- Bo and I used to host "street drinks" where we would order take out to the sidewalk and sit in lawn chairs and hang with friends- it's a good time!) and lastly-Shop in Custard (obvi)

Where to Shop:

The world is your oyster here. Savannah has a lot of great shopping and it really depends on what you're looking for... and to me, part of the fun in traveling is discovering little treasures on your own... Downtown Savannah is so walkable that you can cover a lot of ground quickly. (From Custard) Walk up Whitaker until you get to Liberty, shop down Liberty- double back to Bull Street and come back down Bull until you get to the park- this will have you hitting a lot of great local shops. Lots of local, indie, and cool shops on this walk. For more shopping areas- check out Starland, Wright Square, Broughton, and the River for things that say "Savannah".

Additional info-

Dogs

People ask me a lot about dog friendly stuff- I really have to give it up to Savoy Society and Tequila's Town on this front. These two places never let me down. Savannah is a dog town for sure. There's even a walking tour that is for you and your dog, and if you walk by Clary's or eat in their outside tables, they will treat your dog like royalty. J. Christoper's has brunch with a "doggy bowl" you can order for your dog- and if you want a roof top drink with your pooch- head up to Perry Lane Hotel's roof- and Woof it up. Pinkie Masters is also a great place to grab a bevy with your pup- and there's a Woof Gang on every corner full of treats and toys- AND the hostess city is full out outdoor seating. My dogs have been damn near anywhere that has an outdoor table.

Tattoos

I do not, in fact, know where you should get tattooed while you're in town. This is something you should have researched and booked before you got here.

Southside/Midtown/Islands

I also don't know a lot about areas outside of downtown. It's shameful, I know, but I do almost everything on foot in town, so if I'm not walking, I'm likely not going. Sorry.

My Two Favorite Special Events:

Wag-o-ween, Shalom Ya'll Jewish Food Festival