Savannah, GA Restaurants to Visit

One of the great attributes of Savannah's heavy tourist industry is it's food. However, there is a down side. Unless you are from a large, major city (New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, etc.), the prices will be slightly more expensive than you're used to. If your traveling on a budget, Savannah is going to be a little tough to manage, but if you don't have a budget limit or have been saving for a while, be prepared to eat, and eat well.

Starting off towards the lower end of the pricing spectrum, ANGEL'S BARBECUE is a must visit. Located in the heart of Savannah's historic district, Angel's has found a nice cozy location in the middle of an alleyway thousands of tourists blindly walk past every day. Because it is rarely noticed, the small restaurant (which only has two inside tables) is fast and made to order. Angel's Special is probably the highlight of the small menu, which is a pulled pork bbq sandwich topped with coleslaw. It also comes with a range of sides, from french fries to macaroni and cheese. Patrons with dogs will also be given a nice baggy of dog treats (fried chicken skin - not the most healthy, but your dog will surely love it). The special will run you about $7

FIREFLY CAFE is a small quaint restaurant with some outdoor seating across from one of Savannah's famous squares. The food is fresh and tasty with the portions just right. If your out for an afternoon lunch on a sunny day this place is perfect (pets are allowed outside). However, service tends to be a little slow, to don't go if you have something to do soon after.

MELLOW MUSHROOM is next on the list. For those of you from the south, you may already be familiar with the small chain, but if not your in for a treat. Originally started in Atlanta, the chain has opened up several other locations throughout the southeast. The restaurant is full of psychedelic murals of famous paintings filled with an animated mushroom. The pizza itself is loaded with toppings and comes in a wide variety of options and ingredients. The workers are mostly college students and service is fine. A normal large sized pizza will run about $20, give or take a few bucks.

By now if you're looking into Savannah you've probably heard of THE LADY AND SONS. Owned and founded by Paula Dean of the Food Network, Lady and Sons is a must if your a fan, simply to say you've been there. There's nothing overly special about the food (although they do have a nice buffet selection throughout the day), it's more of an experience than anything else. It is very noisy inside with three large floors crammed with visitors from all over the country. But during the heavy tourist months (beginning with Memorial Day and ending with Labor Day), there will be a very large line outside to get it, sometimes stretching several blocks. With this in mind (not to approve of lying by any means), Savannah residents do not have to wait in line as long and are sometimes ushered in right away ahead of everyone else, so if you were to say you were from Savannah, you might get in a little quicker.

If you want great southern food (better than Lady and Sons) Head down to Mrs. Wilks, located on famous Jones street. It is only open for lunchtime during the week (no weekends), and you sit at large tables with other patrons, all sharing and passing large bowls of good ol' southern cooking.

ELIZABETH'S ON 37TH is one of the crown jewels of Savannah's fine dinning. The restaurant is a converted 19th century house (could be considered a small mansion), filled with chandeliers and painted murals. The food is delicious (even though the portions are small), with a wide range of dinner options and sufficient wine selection. The atmosphere is, however, seemingly stuffy. For a dinner for two, plus a bottle of wine and dessert, Elizabeth's on 37th will run you around $150.

The last restaurant on the list is the newest and possibly the best in the city. LOCAL 11 TEN has everything the find dinner will want and has come to expect. The meals are prepared with local ingredients and change seasonally, the atmosphere is small yet elegant with a nice wine list. Dress is business casual all the way up to suites and dress. Located at the southern side of Forsyth Park, and pleasant stroll will follow and amazing meal. A dinner for two with a bottle of wine and dessert will run around $130.