A local’s guide to Savannah // Fun things to do in #Savannah

[2014] Due to an overwhelming number of people who have contacted me about what they should do for a weekend in Savannah, I’m writing a comprehensive list of my favorite restaurants, bars, shops and activities to do in Savannah!

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Below is a local’s guide to Savannah featuring fun things to do in this historically rich, seaside town. Enjoy!

FOOD AND RESTAURANTS (make reservations)

BREAKFAST

B Matthews for brunch, absolutely fantastic

Hueys on the River for breakfast or brunch, a little touristy, order the beignets

J Christophers for something more low-key and chill

Sentient Bean for coffee and breakfast sandwiches at the end of Forsyth Park for a low-key, hipster atmosphere

LUNCH

Soho has a variety of sandwiches and a very consistent kitchen

Papillote is the cutest little cafe with homemade EVERYTHING, including macaroons. Excellent for small groups

Zunzi’s is a must. Get the conquistador sandwich. My friends from New York loved this place. Two locations, one for lunch and one for dinner

Starland Café has amazing sandwiches and salads but it’s a little further from the center of downtown

700 Drayton for a more upscale atmosphere

The Gryphon offers a unique atmosphere and friendly service

Mrs. Wilkes for an all-you-can-eat southern lunch if you want to wait in line starting at 11am

Bonna Bella is one of my favorite spots in Savannah for sitting on the water, eating fish tacos and drinking Bloody Mary’s. 15 minutes from downtown

DINNER

Vic’s on the river for really nice seafood and a view of River Street. Live music

Garibaldi’s is a nice Italian place. Kind of a fancy-dark-romantic-lighting-type restaurant

Local 11 Ten is expensive but has good food and a cool rooftop bar too called Perch

Jazz’d is a fun tapas place. With live music most of the time

Olde Pink House is very, very Savannah and a popular restaurant. They have a cool side-bar for drinks and a downstairs Tavern if you’re not into fancy dining

Tybee Island Social Club for fish tacos and bloody Mary’s. 30 minute drive from downtown, but well worth it

B and D’s on Congress to watch any sports games, sit outside, play corn hole (go here to eat burgers and drink beers)

NIGHTLIFE // BAR SITUATION

Moonriver for beer garden and outside picnic tables, more of a day-drinking spot

Chive has great cocktails, it’s swanky

Abes on Lincoln is a little off-the-beaten-path, locals go here, super chill, wouldn’t recommend for a “crazy” time in Savannah

The Public has a cool bar and reasonable dinner menu, it’s good for smaller crowds (owned by the same people as Local 11 Ten)

Savannah smiles dueling piano bar is perfect for large parties, especially Bachelorette parties. Go on the earlier side to get the night started

Top Deck at the Cotton Sail Hotel just opened in summer 2014! Amazing view of the Savannah Bridge, great drinks, quirky menu, outside deck is awesome for mingling

Circa is a quaint French restaurant and bar, sit on the bar side for drinks, go with a small group

Barrell House South is a popular bar for people in their 20s, upstairs is live music and downstairs there’s a bar and lots of games (pool, darts, etc)

Rocks on the Roof at the Bohemian hotel is a classy bar overlooking water and bridge, a happenin’ place

Saddlebags for live country music, riding a bull and a little more crazy

If you’re familiar with Chapel Hill…Congress Street Social Club is kind of like the Bobs of Savannah

Pinkie Masters is a dive bar, locals go here for late night, really fun with a good group of people (cash only)

SHOPPING

Whitaker St. between Jones and Taylor has cute shops: One Fish Two Fish, Custard Boutique, Trunk 13

Bull street has a few cute shops: Red Clover (fashion); ShopSCAD has THE cutest souvenirs that you can take home and actually keep, use and not just throw in a drawer. They have: paintings by student artists, handmade jewelry, cards, soaps, bags, housewares, you name it

Broughton Street is kind of like Charleston’s King Street with commercial shops such as Free People, Urban Outfitters, Anthropoligie, Gap, Banana Republic. I highly recommend that you avoid these.

Go to locally owned shops on Broughton Street like: The Paris Market (adorable—go), Modern (interiors, coffee, my favorite), 24e (interiors), Satchel (leather goods), BleuBelle (fashion: boutique carries lines by designers such as Diane von Furstenberg, Tory Burch, and 7 for All Mankind.), J Parker (fashion for men)

ACTIVITIES

Southbound Brewery is fun for an afternoon of beer tastings

Service Brewery will open the Tasting Room on September 6, 2014

Stroll down to River Street, explore, go to the Savannah Candy Kitchen store and taste samples – salt water taffy and pralines are their specialties

If you’re interested in pursuing an art or design degree, I HIGHLY recommend that you take one of SCAD’s Admission tours at 9:30am or 2pm Monday-Saturday. You will see the most amazing historic renovations, learn Savannah history, observe talented student work and understand how SCAD brought the city back to life.

Check to see if there is music, a show or movie playing at the historic Trustees Theater

Lounge in City Market, listen to live music and sip a dangerous Wet Willies slushy

Go to the local farmer’s market on Saturday 9am-1pm in Forsyth Park if you plan to cook during the weekend or want to enjoy a homemade popsicle

Obviously, you can go to the beach. I recommend that you steer clear of the Pier and go to North Beach

Wormsloe Historic Plantation for the one-mile, breathtaking drive through hundreds of live oak trees and hanging spanish moss. BRING A CAMERA. The real plantation home is private property so you can’t actually see it or tour it. Onsite, you will stroll past “colonists making steel” (pictured above).

If you have a boat, can rent a boat or know someone with a boat then go to Daufuskie Island. Bar on the water.

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