Support Savannah’s local culinary scene by visiting any of these restaurants. Show your love for the community while showing love to your stomach, we know you would rather support local businesses than sit down to the same old chain’s food.
Ardsley Station
4.7 ★
Let’s begin with a trip to Ardsley Station on Victory Drive, a locally owned establishment that serves southern cuisine made with ingredients purchased from local vendors. Take a taste of Savannah with every bit, knowing that you’re supporting a multitude of local businesses by ordering anything off their menu. All of the old favorites are available on this menu from deviled eggs and pimento cheese appetizers to the shrimp & grits plate. Vegetarian diners will be happy to order the Wild Mushroom Gnocchi to find that theirs is packed with enough flavor to make sure you never even miss the extra protein. If you’re wanting a southern style meal in a family friendly location then visit Ardsley Station between 11 am – 10 pm any day that suits you.
Big Bon Bodega
4.7 ★
Located on Bull St in the Starland District is Big Bon Bodega, the place that always seems packed with people sitting at their red umbrella topped tables out front. Bagels, bowls, sandwiches, and handcrafted coffee drinks are ready to be devoured at this increasingly popular location. Don’t visit Big Bon Bodega unless you want to take the bagel game up to the next level, their menu includes more than cream cheese and everything seasoning. Order the Bon Mi bagel for a trip to Vietnam for your taste buds, complete with roasted pulled pork and pickled carrots. These bagels are not known for snacktime, ready yourself to embrace a full meal that requires a fork to finish. Tuesday through Saturday, Big Bon Bodega is the place to be from 7 am – 7 pm for fully loaded bagels in the Historic District.
Coffee Deli
4.5 ★
Only a short drive down Abercorn, Coffee Deli sits in the Habersham Shopping Center in the midtown area.
Open every day until 5 pm, Coffee Deli in particular has one of the best iced mint mocha drinks that you can find in Savannah. Grab a coffee sometime and a sandwich or salad at Coffee Deli and hang out in this open, calm establishment. Stop in for the occasional open mic night and enjoy Savannah’s local talent while supporting the community at the same time. Plus, that mint mocha truly is a devastatingly tasty drink.
Cohen’s Retreat
4.5 ★
Capturing the spirit of the south is what Cohen’s Retreat intends to accomplish with your meal at this establishment located on Skidaway Rd. You might be looking for salads at their restaurant, but don’t be shocked if you end up wanting to book a few days at the retreat. Let the restaurant’s brunch, lunch, or dinner menu be the reason you walk in, but stick around for a bit if you can. Along with a restaurant that features salads, southern favorites, and even the option for a personalized Chef’s Menu, Cohen’s Retreat is an overall beautiful escape from reality overall. Savannah itself is an escape from most busy lives, and Cohen’s Retreat is all about taking things slow and living in the moment. Book your stay with them before visiting the restaurant, you will want to stick around once you get a taste of the Cohen’s Retreat experience.
Common Restaurant
4.3 ★
Built around the idea that Southern Hospitality should be a part of every meal, Common Restaurant is an uncommonly tasty restaurant that takes care of you specifically. Being artistic in their approach to the creation of their meals, the Common Restaurant is a common spot for people to enjoy historic architecture in a chic, modern setting. Their award winning wine list will have you wanting to try their entire selection. Wet your whistle at the bar before scouring the menu for crab cakes, short ribs, and more. Don’t expect to have a common or underwhelming experience with these meals, they put their hearts into each plate not to mention tons of different seasonings and ingredients. Look for the blue umbrellas topping their outdoor seating on Broughton St and chill with them from 2-9:30 pm, or for weekend brunch from 11 am on Saturday and Sunday.
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Friendship Coffee Company
4.7 ★
Closer to the beach located on Johnny Mercer Blvd is Friendship Coffee Company, a spacious coffee shop with a menu large enough to fill the room. Throughout the year, you never know what event is being hosted inside these walls but you can be sure that incredible refreshments are always on the menu. While their menu may change occasionally depending on availability, you can always depend on their coffee to hit the spot. From the Honey Roast to the Southern Praline Pecan roast, Friendship Coffee Company takes their caffeine seriously. Order a breakfast sandwich or build a breakfast bowl complete with grits or grab a lunch hoagie, maybe even a cup of French onion soup. Consistently open from 8 am – 2:30 pm every day, Friendship Coffee Company is ready to make new friends with all of their guests so visit often.
Leopold’s Ice Cream
4.7 ★
Since 1919, Leopold’s Ice Cream has been the place to hang out when you want some homemade ice cream. Even now, everyone knows that Leopold’s is the first establishment in Savannah’s Historic District to have a full line that extends down Broughton St by 11:30 am every day. Considering the fact that they open at 11 am, you know this is a popular location. Visit their website to view a compilation of the photos taken at this iconic establishment and take a trip to see them in the Historic District to get a taste of the ice cream that people travel from all over the world to taste. After all these years, Leopold’s Ice Cream still hits differently than your average chain restaurant. Don’t forget to have your phone fully charged so you can take full advantage of all of the aesthetic opportunities to take photos. You can visit Leopold’s from 11 am – 10 pm and yes, they will deliver to the downtown Savannah area if you aren’t interested in waiting in line.
Mint To Be Mojito
4.7 ★
Bragging about their top tier cocktails (with good reason) is what has Mint To Be Mojito on State St remaining one of Savannah’s local favorites. Established in 2020, this bar did not open during the best year for local businesses but kept pushing through and we are happy that they did. Nightly entertainment adds to the list of reasons that you will want to see what the hype is about at Mint To Be Mojito, along with shareable appetizers and of course the mojito menu. For those who can’t resist a good deal, every Monday is the time for half priced mojitos and empanadas all day long. Sunday nights bring the promise of live music and an open mic, and Thursdays leave the door open for Latin style dance classes. Order a strawberry mojito to taste what people love the most about Mint To Be Mojito, folks can’t quit talking about the flavors. Cool points go to whoever asks their bartender for admittance into the speakeasy they have set up in the back. Be prepared to have to potentially tell a joke to gain access or some other task, the bartender might make you work for it.
The Garage at Victory North
4.6 ★
Bringing an immersive feeling to the Starland District is The Garage at Victory North, an addition to the area that fits in with the growing neighborhood. Ambiance is created by lighting, worldly decor, and a staff that can’t wait to share the menu with you. Warm, professional service is what The Garage at Victory North takes pride in, along with a menu that is inspired by a variety of cultures. Start with appetizers like Baked Cherry Tomatoes or Roasted Bone Marrow and try not to fill up too much. You don’t want to miss out on the Ribeye Sandwich or Grilled Pork Chops. Southern food through the lens of different cultures keeps The Garage at Victory North interesting and unlike most of your restaurants in this area. Open for dinner only, you can visit The Garage after 5 pm any day outside of Tuesday and Wednesday.
The Grey
4.4 ★
In Savannah, we are big fans of taking something old and giving it a new life rather than demolishing classic architecture. With The Grey, you might feel a sense of familiarity when you walk inside because this building was once an old Greyhound station, hence the name. Soulful meals produced with regional meats and vegetables create a menu that is filled with a take on southern favorites that rotate depending on what is available in the area. Call ahead and make a reservation for any day except Monday and plan to have dinner with them after 5 pm. The Grey is located on Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, with the building looking very much like it did (from the outside) in 1938. Don’t miss out on a chance to experience a historic restaurant that does not feel like an old warehouse. While we are a fan of all the restaurants that were placed inside of historic warehouses, The Grey is a nice change from the normal here in the Historic District.
Vittoria Pizzeria
4.5 ★
Savannah’s first Neapolitan pizzeria is Vittoria Pizzeria on De Soto Ave in Starland Yard. This neighborhood eatery is located within the confines of Starland Yard, the one brick and mortar building among all of the refurbished shipping containers. House made dough is the base of these pizzas, they even locally source the grain used. This restaurant is no fast food chain, but upscale pizzas with toppings that are meant to work together. Try the Market Pizza for something unique, this pizza is topped with pumpkin among other ingredients. Closed on Mondays, Vittoria Pizzeria is available for dinner from 5-10 pm during the week, opening at noon on the weekends. Take your pizza eating experience up a notch at Vittoria Pizzeria and find out how fancy this classic meal can get when placed in the hands of a chef who cares.
Conclusion
Food is an important part of the Savannah experience and at The Savannah Insider we are ready to tell you all about the restaurants in this area, especially the ones who are locally owned and operated. Community is everything to the residents of Savannah and you can play a part in showing support while enjoying a meal that is unlike the products that major companies will sell. Our restaurant owners are known for being attentive, unique, and memorable no matter what the food style is. You can count on amazing food and even better service at any of these restaurants so be sure to plan ahead to get the best use of your time in our favorite town. If you are encountering a specific craving in the food department, take a look at our past articles to find out more about what Savannah’s restaurant scene has to offer. At The Savannah Insider, we are constantly finding more ways to inform you of the best options for all food cravings. Asian Food, Burgers, and Bloody Mary’s are only a handful of topics that we have covered in the past and we have plenty more coming your way. Come back to CycleSavannah.com to learn something new about Savannah every month.
