Things to do in Savannah Blog

It’s been a dream for the crew at Savannah Taste Experience to open a brick and mortar location in downtown Savannah to showcase delectable culinary treats, food-related souvenirs, and one-of-a-kind kitchen items. Even more so, a place where guests could gather, learn together and savor in the flavors of southern cuisine in an education lounge…

Savannah has one of America’s most walkable downtowns with its easy-to-navigate grid system developed by urban planner George Oglethorpe, and we can’t recommend walking tours enough as a top thing to do in Savannah. In fact, downtown Savannah has a walk score of 88. Thanks to Oglethorpe’s vision, Savannah’s downtown is also one of the most…

The Joy of Julia Child: 25 Quotes We Love 1. “I was 32 when I started cooking; up until then, I just ate.” 2.  “…no one is born a great cook, one learns by doing.” 3. “People who love to eat are always the best people.” 4. “Cooking is like love. It should be entered into…

Fourth of July is just around the corner, so we’ve collected a few Southern recipes to help make your holiday celebration extra tasty–most which can be made ahead of time to save you time (and sanity!). Which ones will you whip up next month? Southern Living’s Succotash Salad These bright red tomatoes with pops of yellow…

Savannah tops Charleston, Miami, and Sydney, Australia in list of up-and-coming best food cities June 7, 2018—Tripadvisor recently released “10 Best Food Cities & Food Tours in the World,” which compiled data to identify which activity is most popular among travelers. The piece reveals that “food tours are the fastest-growing experiences category on their site” and listed Savannah Taste Experience as the second-most booked food tour in the top emerging food cities in the world behind Tours Voir Quebec in Quebec City, Canada. Savannah Taste Experience also just earned Tripadvisor’s Hall of Fame award, which recognizes businesses that have earned a Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence for five years in a row. And Savannah’s overall food scene has recently been earning lots of attention as well, including taking the 4th spot in Tripadvisor’s “10 Best Foodie Vacations in America: Destinations and…

Last month, we had a giveaway to our newsletter subscribers for a signed copy of our new book, Savannah Food: A Delicious History. To enter, fans had to ask us a question about Savannah’s food scene, and we loved reading all the questions as they came in. We answered a few of our favorites in this video,…

The Funky Brunch’s griddle tables for make-your-own pancakes When touring Savannah, it is easy to get swept up in the nostalgia and ambiance of the historic city. With all of its diverse culture and myriad of activities, you are sure to be kept busy and well entertained. However, your Savannah vacation would not be complete…

Earlier this month, we emailed our newsletter subscribers with an opportunity to win a free signed copy of our new book, Savannah Food: A Delicious History(you can sign up on our website–scroll down to the footer–to join our list and be in the know when we do special giveaways, events, and more). To enter our giveaway, all…

Savannah is slowly coming around to the food truck craze, and starting just last month, a few food trucks are permitted to serve food between 10pm and 5am off of Johnson Square, with other designated food truck zones located at Daffin Park and the Scarborough, Minick, and Paulson sports complexes (read the most recent government updates here)….

The Starland District, defined as the stretch between Forsyth Park and Victory Drive, has long been beloved by in-the-know SCAD students and Savannah residents. It’s artsy, funky, walkable, and displays spectacular Victorian architecture. Restaurants in this district often started out as residential homes that have been converted into cozy hotspots, and First Fridays in Starland fill the streets with vendors and musicians with a block party vibe. The most exciting part of the Starland District to us, of course, is the food. Within a one square mile, 10 delicious restaurants make Starland the off-the-beaten-path place to get your grub on in Savannah. The Staples These restaurants have stood the test of time and helped keep this neighborhood afloat through ups and downs. Elizabeth on 37th (1981) Elizabeth on 37th has been serving some of the best fine dining in Savannah for…

  Tomorrow will be our first official book signing for our new (and first!) book, Savannah Food: A Delicious History. We’ll be at E. Shaver Booksellers at 326 Bull Street from 1pm to 3pm to talk about our book, answer questions, and sign your copies, so come say hi! Those of you who have visited E….

Starting Wednesday, April 26th, we are pleased to announce that Cha Bella will be added to the East Side Tour. We are insanely excited about this update for a number of reasons: Savannah’s Original Farm-to-Table Restaurant Cha Bella opened its doors in in 2005, and right from the start, they were committed to sourcing all their ingredients from within…

Co-authors, brothers, and Savannah Taste Experience owners celebrate their 5-year business anniversary and a book deal with Arcadia Publishing in April Sometimes, the stars align just right and April is such an occasion for brothers Stu and Donald Card. The Cards took a big risk five years ago, leaving big jobs in big cities to start one food tour route in Savannah. Now, Savannah Taste Experience has grown into a bustling business, with two 5-star reviewed routes running seven days a week, with up to seven tour slots on weekend days. The icing on their anniversary cake is their first book release on April 12: Savannah Food: A Delicious History. A big chunk of 2016 was dedicated to writing the book after the brothers were approached by Arcadia Publishing, which is the largest publisher of local history books and regional content guides in America. They’ll…

Unforgettable Bakery & Cafe is baking love by the pound. Established in 2009 by Belinda Baptiste, this little cafe offers some of the most delicious cakes in Savannah. If it’s food for the soul that you desire, then this is the cafe for you. Miss Belinda goes well beyond the world of fresh cakes and desserts to…

For those that have been on our Famous & Secret East Side Tour, this is going to look mouthwateringly familiar. We started this tour a few years ago, and because of its off-the-beaten-path nature, it is becoming increasingly more popular, especially with folks that have been on our other tour (First Squares). This is our take…

Spring in Savannah might be the best time to be in The Hostess City. Saint Patrick’s Day unofficially starts the celebration off with a bang, but the mild temperatures and blooming Azaleas set the stage for some of the best events of the year for tourists and locals alike. Whether you are seeking world class music, fireworks…

So, we wrote a book! Actually, co-owners Stu and Donald Card wrote a book. They were approached last year by The History Press/Arcadia Publishing to write a book detailing the culinary history and recent foodie renaissance of Savannah, GA. Kind of a huge task, right? Well, after some serious researching (and eating!), Savannah Food: A Delicious History is…

How do you know if culinary tourism is for you? First of all, let’s define what we mean by culinary tourism. In its broadest meaning, it’s a way to explore a city through your tastebuds. So, the easy answer is: if you like to eat, then culinary tourism is definitely for you! However, there are many…

While Savannah is never in danger of being without our BBQ, biscuits or fried chicken, we also have a whole heap of innovative chefs that may dip their toes into food trends that pop up in 2017. We’ve rounded up five foodie trends that have caught our eye and we’ve got our fingers crossed that we’ll get to try some of these in Savannah (here’s looking at you, Savannah chefs!). Nordic-inspired dishes Our family traces its heritage to Scotland, so when the chef of a Michelin-starred restaurant in Edinburgh says he’s looking forward to incorporating Nordic cooking techniques into his menus and being influenced by traditional Scandinavian flavors, we pay attention. So, perhaps we’ll see preserved produces, fermented meats and sausages, smørrebrød (an open-faced fish sandwich), experimental ingredients (branch, anyone?), foraged food, and smoked foods. Alligator Soul has served smoked bone marrow in the past, and…

You are cordially invited to help us celebrate Burns Night in Savannah! Burns Night is an annual Scottish tradition that celebrates Scotland’s national poet, Robert Burns, by serving his favorite Scottish dishes, reciting his poetry and toasting his legacy with Scotch whisky–the “water of life.” This event dates back to 1801 when the first Burns supper was…

Although Savannah doesn’t necessarily bring to mind a winter wonderland, we still enjoy evening temperatures during the winter seasons that will make you want to snuggle up to your sweetie or catch up with family and friends in a cozy setting. For those occasions, we’ve rounded up seven of our favorite cozy spots, ranging from dive bar to fine dining. All are appropriate for just drinks, and all but Abe’s have great food as well. Have a jolly good time! Alligator Soul Many Savannahians were worried that this fine dining staple for the last 14 years wouldn’t reopen after a flood in May. Thankfully, they are again serving up fresh seafood, locally-sourced produce, and exotic specialties like elk, antelope or wild boar. All of this happens in a cellar, with dark woods, stone floors, and exposed beams that make for…

The holiday gift-giving season is officially under way, and who wouldn’t want have a piece of Savannah under the tree?! The Hostess City is loaded with quality boutiques, local artists and incredibly talented makers, but here at Savannah Taste headquarters we’re all about the food. If you are in the area for the holiday season,…

The No. 1 food tour in Savannah guides Bri Emery, L.A. lifestyle blogger, around to some of Savannah’s best eats during a video shoot for HGTV for their Dream Home 2017 Video Series  SAVANNAH, October 26 —HGTV and lifestyle blogger Bri Emery handpicked brothers Stu and Donald Card to serve as hosts for their “Eat Your Way…

Savannah is a popular destination year-round in part thanks to our mild fall and winter temperatures in Savannah averaging highs of 78 to 60 degrees between October and January with lows around 56 to 40 degrees. So, you’ll find plenty of outdoor festivals and events to enjoy as you escape the winter (or winter is coming) blues. We’ve rounded up our favorites that feature great food along with entertainment, cultural, or shopping slants that are sure to leave you satisfied. Great Ogeechee Seafood Festival, October 14-16 With over 30 vendors–many being non-profits–this event will leave you feeling full and charitable. While the event skews heavily toward seafood with fish tacos, fried shrimp, crab cakes, shrimp & grits, gator and crawfish, you can still find some good ol’ Southern BBQ, hamburgers, hot dogs, and plenty of desserts. Pair these items with arts and crafts plus live music and performances…

After a strenuous day sampling craft beers from 80+ breweries— including our local breweries Southbound Brewing, Service Brewing, Coastal Empire Beer Co., and Moon River Brewing—food (and plenty of water!) will likely be on your mind post-festival. To help, here are four restaurants known for their hearty portions that can soak up those suds and laid-back vibes…

  When John Hendrick, the General Manger of downtown’s Molly MacPherson’s Scottish Pub, invites you to a small private Scotch Whisky tasting, you don’t turn it down. Period. It doesn’t matter that it’s on a Monday night. It doesn’t even matter that its $150 per person. You find space on your credit card. Your kids aren’t…

We’re fortunate to be working and living in city, whose foodie scene continues to grow, inspire and help Savannah be seen as more than a great place to sink your teeth into some fried chicken. New restaurants like Hugh Acheson’s The Florence and James Beard semifinalist The Grey have helped shine the spotlight a little brighter onto an already amazing culinary scene in Historic Savannah, GA. That’s why Savannah Restaurant Week is one of our favorite events in Savannah, where local chefs let their foodie flags fly. Savannah Restaurant Week is a celebration of creativity, heritage and deliciousness that runs from July 29th-August 7th. Participating restaurants offer up an incredible 3-course, prix fixe dinner that will only set you back $30 per person—not including tax or gratuity. This year we have 4 partner stops from our food tours taking part in this year’s celebration. Below you will find…

Many people have commented on Savannah’s European feel, which isn’t surprising considering its retained the Old World charm General Oglethorpe imported from England. Our fair city’s walkability, antiquity and slower pace help keep Oglethorpe’s vision for Savannah intact–and help it continually land on Travel+Leisure’s “World’s Best Cities” list. During our food tours, we share many tidbits about Savannah’s history and British influence, and we also recommend these five stops to experience Britain in Savannah. #1: Oglethorpe Monument, Chippewa Square Savannah owes so much of its historic charm to General Oglethorpe, who was born in England and came to establish the colony of Georgia. This happened in a large part to provide protection for Carolina from Florida, which was controlled by Spain at the time. Although he left Georgia after only 10 years to return home, he laid the groundwork for the historic city we call home today….

Press Release: The No. 1 food tour in Savannah is shaking up its Famous and Secret East Side Food Tour to feature new culinary delights in Savannah. SAVANNAH, June 21, 2016—As Savannah’s culinary scene continues to explode, Savannah Taste Experience owners Stu and Donald Card realize that they must occasionally revamp their tours to feature new Savannah…

Your first reaction might be, “Oooh, let’s go check out Savannah’s haunted scene,” since the Hostess City is considered one of the most haunted places in America and most haunted cities in the world. And while you can certainly get your fill of spooky encounters when you visit Savannah through a haunted pub crawl, hearse tour, or staying at one of the…

We’re so excited to announce that we revamped our Famous & Secret East Side food tour to make it better than ever! Since this tour is all about showcasing some secret spots in Savannah that are beloved by locals–including us and our guides!–we’ve added Smith Brothers Butcher Shop, Our Daily Bread Cafe, and Mirabelle Cafe. In addition, the most…

Tybee Island is a must-see if you are visiting Savannah. It’s just a short drive outside of the city, and it’s a great destination with lots of activities. It’s a perfect spot to visit on your own or with your friends and family. Kids especially love the long stretches of beachfront where they can play all day. There are many exciting things to do. Summer temperatures come early to Savannah and Tybee Island, with beach lovers often enjoying the sun, sand and water as early as March. Savannah’s beach is a throwback to beach towns of the past, with very few hotels or high-rises to block the ocean views. Chain restaurants do not dot our beach; instead, many of the local joints have been operating for decades in true Slo-vannah fashion. There’s not a lot of hustle and bustle, and…

This is a guest post by Rebekah Faulk Lingenfelser, a native Georgian, food blogger at Some Kinda Good, TV chef, and food columnist. She shares some of her favorite places to eat dinner and have post-dinner drinks when visiting Savannah. Combined with one of our 5-star rated food tours for lunch, Lingenfelser’s suggestions would make for an excellent getaway…

Besides our four local breweries that you should definitely visit, which include Service Brewing, Coastal Empire Beer Co., Moon River Brewing, and Southbound Brewing Co., there are several bars and restaurants that craft beer lovers should imbibe at when they need to quench their thirst for quality suds. These include: Distillery Ale House The original craft beer bar in Savannah,…

People visit Savannah for a plethora of occasions–romance, friends, fun, family, work events, weddings. If you’re traveling with a group or to meet up with a group in Savannah, a private food tour can be the perfect way to spend three hours talking, laughing, learning, exploring and of course, eating great Savannah food. Private groups…

We are extremely excited to announce our new division: Micro Food Fest™! These events are held in the evening and are ideal for organizations attending conferences in Savannah, corporate events, weddings, and large groups of 125+ people who want to sample cuisine from 10+ top Savannah restaurants and specialty food shops, all in one location. The idea for these events was sparked by requests from visitors, Savannah event planners, and our partner restaurants for evening Savannah Taste Experiences. We knew our daytime food tour model wouldn’t be ideal because the restaurants are too busy, foot traffic picks up, and not all the stories and landmarks we like to discuss along the way are easily visible at night. So, we brainstormed a way to share all the wonderful, diverse food in Savannah but as a dinnertime option and came up with our Micro Food…

By Lorie “Country” Stokes, Savannah Taste Experience Guide So these are my Grandma’s Daisy Dots. In my family, before ready-made biscuits and croissants were so easily available, this is what you would find on buffets around the south. I remember Grandma up to her wrist in flour before weddings, church socials, anytime. A lot of us…

Most of us would agree that one of the best things to do when traveling is sampling the local cuisine. In fact, Skift (the largest tourism industry intelligence platform) explains, “In 2012, it was estimated that tourism expenditures on food services in the U.S. topped $201 billion, nearly a quarter of all travel income. That makes food service…

Practically any day in December, visitors can find fun holiday things to do in Savannah. From charitable causes to excuses for dancing the night away, you’ll love visiting Savannah during the holiday season. High temperatures usually stay in the 70s or 60s, with lows rarely going below 40. And since it’s low season, you can score some excellent hotel rates, like the famous Marshall House for as low as $121 per night, or The Cotton Sail Hotel overlooking River Street for as little as $107 per night. During your stay, you’ll of course want to experience our fabulous food tour (which you could buy a gift certificate for 25% off using the promo code “happyholidays” and redeem for yourself!), but there are also lots of holiday events in Savannah to help you get into the holiday spirit. Here’s a roundup of some of our favorites!…

Although already a 5-star rated Savannah attraction, Savannah Taste Experience food tours stay on the lookout for new ways to showcase Savannah’s ever-growing and diversely delicious culinary scene. Their most recent addition is partnering with new restaurant, The Ordinary Pub, located on Broughton Street. This stop, as part of their First Squares food tour, features pork belly sliders, which are seared and then braised in Dr. Pepper overnight and are served with a dash of homemade raspberry-chipotle sauce and cilantro. The sliders are served alongside the Southern specialty Chow-Chow—a pickled relish—and a taste of Ordinary Pub’s key lime drops. Other updates are also afoot at Savannah Taste. Due to explosive growth since opening three years ago, they now have 9 foodie-and-history buff tour guides on staff and have added more time slots 7 days a week. In fact, many days…

Savannah Taste Experience’s New Website, Home & Away Magazine Feature, and 500+ TripAdvisor Reviews The No. 1 food tour in Savannah hits new milestones in its third year of business. SAVANNAH, August 13, 2015—Owning a small business can be quite a rollercoaster, but for Savannah Taste Experience, owners Stu and Donald Card are experiencing lots of positive momentum as they pass their business’ third anniversary. “We started this business in April 2012 with big hopes and dreams,” says Stu Card. “The support we’ve received from our partner businesses, locals, Visit Savannah, and visitors has been tremendous, and we can’t wait to see what the next three years bring.” Hitting 500 reviews on TripAdvisor recently was a big thrill, especially considering that all of these equate to maintaining a 5-star average. Reviews for tourism-related businesses are crucial for continued growth, and the brothers…

Is it almost May already?! Time flies, especially when you get to call Savannah your home. The weather is already pretty warm, the azaleas will absolutely take your breath away, and the events this May will have you outside enjoying all of the Spring sunshine. From launching a water assault on Tybee Island to chucking stones the Highland way, there is no shortage of outdoor fun in The Hostess City. SCAD Sand Art Festival: May 1, 2015—North Beach, Tybee Island Admission: Free Remember making sand catles on the beach when you were a kid? Well, the students Savannah College of Art and Design take it to a whole new level. This annual competition incorporates using sand and anything else found on the beach to create works of art. There are four categories: sand castle design (is your nostalgia kicking?), sand relief,…

March in Savannah is filled with excitement each and every year. It starts with the anticipation of the biggest party of the year: Savannah’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade (one of the largest in the world!). Besides the main event, there are many other fantastic reasons to head on down to Savannah in March. We’ve compiled 7 of our favorite March activities and events below. 1. A Party with John Berendt—March 3, Jepson Center for the Arts, 6-8pm. Mr. Berendt, author and Pulitzer Prize nominee for Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, will be in the mixing with the crowd and is scheduled to “make very brief remarks from the Eckberg Atrium grand staircase at 6:30pm,” according to Visit Savannah’s Event Calendar. Clary’s Café will also be offering free appetizers and Jamie Davis and the Equinox Trio will also be…

The No. 1 food tour in Savannah guides Georgia’s Culinary Explorer, Kate Parham Kordsmeier, around Savannah during a video shoot of its Famous & Secret East Side Food Tour. Explore Georgia, the state’s Department of Economic Development, features the Savannah Taste Experience food tour company in its first chapter of its Culinary Explorer video series. Food/travel writer Kate Parham Kordsmeier sampled her way through the Hostess City with co-founder Stu Card on a private Famous & Secret East Side food tour sprinkled with some history and to-go cups. Kordsmeier has written for more than 100 publications, and heads up the new Kate’s Culinary Blog for Explore Georgia. “I thought the Savannah Food Tour would be a perfect fit for our Georgia Culinary Expert video,” Explore Georgia’s Communications Specialist Lauren Cleland says. “And the video turned out great!” Culinary Expert Kate adds, “I think Savannah is one of the…

Savannah has long been in the culinary world discussions, especially recently with the influx of world-class chefs and provocative new restaurants popping up all over the city. But an important part of making a foodie city function is keeping it appropriately caffeinated. So here’s a wee graphic to help you find Savannah’s Best Coffee Spots.

Since our delicious food tours go to lunch, dinner and dessert spots, we don’t get to talk about breakfast too much—which is a shame because we are breakfast and coffee fanatics! We’ve got a mix of new, old, fast and Slo-vannah breakfast places so you can pick which suits your mood and schedule. THE COLLINS QUARTER This new gorgeous spot on the corner of bustling Bull and Oglethorpe has made quite a splash since opening this year, especially since Channing Tatum, Jenna Dewan, Sofia Vergara, and Joe Manganiello were spotted sharing some laughs through the window. Definitely a great place to go if you want to ease into your day, but the counter service can get you out the door quickly, too. Their coffee is from Toby’s Estate Coffee based in Brooklyn, New York, and they offer espresso, leaf teas, cold brews,…

It seems that every year, Savannah adds a new culinary and beverage event to the annual calendar—which makes foodies like us very, very happy. Since you’re foodies (and drinkies? Guess that’s not a word but let’s go with it!), we thought you’d appreciate a rundown of these events so you can mark your calendars for the ones that make you want to chuck the scale and enjoy a feast and/or round of good cheer. Still have questions about Savannah food or drinks events? Send us a tweet @SavannahTaste or post it to our Facebook and we’ll be sure to get back to you—or turn your question into a full blog post! 1. Savannah Food & Wine Festival When: 3rd Saturday in November Cost: Main event, Taste of Savannah, around $50. Other events priced individually.  Vibe: Arguably the biggest food and drink event in Savannah, the…

Our first Savannah Taste Experience Blog! After more than two and 1/2 years of pouring our hearts and souls into developing our two 5-star rated food tours, we’re ready to help visitors and locals experience Savannah virtually. This blog will include reviews of Savannah restaurants, dishes, recipes, cookbooks, events and more, plus we’ll highlight the best day trips, places to stay, and other must-see activities in Savannah so you can make the most of your time while you’re in our fantastic Hostess City. You’ll also find guest blogs from our partners, commentary about food news, and be clued in on what’s happening with our family-owned and operated business as we head into our third year. As we continue to design new experiences for food and drink loving tourists and residents, we’ll be asking for your input about potential new ventures and what…

This weekend Savannah hosted thousands of visitors for it’s annual Craft Brew Fest. Although the dozens of craft breweries and ale aficionados have packed up their convention gear and headed back to their respective homes, Savannah’s craft brew scene doesn’t just crawl into a hole and hide until next year. Savannah, sometimes called the “Toast-Us City” as a play on its long-held distinction as the Hostess City, continues to build momentum in the craft beer industry with a new production brewery opening in 2014 (Service Brewery) and two more slated to debut in late 2014. Here’s how to soak in all the suds Savannah has to offer in one weekend while keeping your wits about you. Thankfully, Savannah’s to-go cup freedom means you’ll never have to chug a brew before heading to the next establishment, so you can savor every last drop…

Every year, millions of women flock to Savannah, many for a girls’ getaway weekend, mother/daughter trip, sister retreat, bachelorette party, or for a destination wedding. No matter the reason for visiting, Savannah has a ton of fun to offer ladies whether you want to enjoy our boutique shopping, inventive cocktails, rooftop views, or modern mixed with traditional Southern cuisine. Whatever your fancy, you’ll find plenty to keep you entertained—especially with a to-go cup in your hand along the way thanks to Savannah’s open-container law. Friday A quick, fun way to get acclimated with the city is to go on a tour. Of course, we recommend you start with one of our delicious food tours that takes you to several restaurants and specialty food stops that will help to give you a lay of the land, a bit of the history of the…