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How to Choose the Best Food Tour for Your Vacation in Savannah, Georgia

Fresh oysters on ice with a textured brown shell close-up view.

Here’s how to pick a food tour in Savannah, GA that gives you a balanced, beginner-friendly blend of local classics and fun surprises — plus a few solid tour options to consider:

How to Choose a Good Savannah Food Tour

When you’re new to food tours and want a gentle yet memorable introduction, here are some helpful tips:

1. Focus on Local Flavors

Great food tours will be sure to highlight Savannah and Lowcountry classics like shrimp and grits, fried green tomatoes, she-crab soup, pralines, Leopold’s ice cream, and other Southern specialties — that’s the core of the experience. Savannah food tours often include these staples while explaining their cultural and historical context so you truly taste the place, not just the dish.

2. Secrets of the Food Scene

Beyond the classics, a good tour mixes in surprises and unique bites from local spots that define the current food scene of Savannah. Think global flavors, twists on Southern food, artisan producers, speakeasies, and hidden bakeries. Some tours, like our Southern & Secret food tour, explicitly emphasize a mix of well-known and off-the-radar tastings.

3. Engaging Guides & Stories

If you want a more complete understanding of Savannah, pick tours where guides weave history and stories into the food stops. That keeps the pacing relaxed and informative and helps you feel connected to the city and its culinary traditions. A great food tour makes you feel pleasantly full and warmly acquainted with the city at its end. Plus, your guide should be able to give you great dining recommendations for whatever area of town you’re staying in.

4. Consider Walkability & Pace

Most food tours in Savannah are walking tours through the Historic District, so check distance and duration (often 2–3 hours). This matters if you prefer a leisurely experience without a lot of long walks. Our food tours cover up to 1.5 miles over the course of 3 hours, and our guides are good at pacing the group so that everyone can keep up.

5. Ask About Drinks & Dietary Needs

Some tours include tastings and cocktails at pubs or bars, while others focus strictly on food. Our Walktails & Bar Bites Happy Hour Tour offer cocktails at each stop and tastings at three out of the four while our lunchtime tours only include food tastings. If you have highly specific dietary restrictions or prefer non-alcoholic options, contact the tour company at the time of booking.

Food Tour Options in Savannah

Here are some well-reviewed choices to consider:

Best All-Around Food Tour

Southern & Secret Food Tour by Savannah Taste Experience — This food tour is the perfect combination of lesser-known spots that locals love and the classic Southern dishes that the American South is famous for. From biscuits & gravy to hidden nightlife spots, this food tour has it all. This tour is great for both first-time and return visitors to Savannah.

Best Food Tour for First-Time Visitors

First Squares Food Tour by Savannah Taste Experience — We recommend this tour as an introduction to the history of Savannah, its food scene (past and present), and the landmark historic district. Book this tour for the first day you’re in town. That way you’ll know your way around a little better, have restaurant recommendations at the ready for the rest of the trip, and have a base understanding of the city’s almost 300-year history.

Other Local/Unique Experiences

  • Walktails & Bar Bites Happy Hour Tour — This tour is perfect for couples and groups who want to explore Savannah cocktail scene while still getting the experience of a food tour. The tour includes four unique drinks and three delicious tastings. The Walktails & Bar Bites tour is the perfect way to kick off an evening of revelry.
  • Cocktail Class at Ampro — The American Prohibition Museum in the City Market is the only museum in America dedicated completely to the era of prohibition. Their upstair speakeasy host cocktail classes where guests can learn about the different elements of mixology and the best techniques for crafting perfect classic cocktails. The class includes demonstrations and a few sample drinks to enjoy.
  • Private Tour — Looking for a big way to celebrate something special? Private food tours are perfect for groups celebrating milestones and special occasions. These tours can be tailored to fit your tastes, vision, and group size.

Final Tips Before You Book

  • Read recent reviews: Platforms like Tripadvisor, Yelp, or Google often have recent insights on what food stops were included and whether the tour felt well-paced.
  • Ask about stops included: Especially look for a mix of Southern classics + surprising local bites so you get both comfort and discovery.
  • Check group size: Smaller groups usually feel more personal and enjoyable. Our tours only hold up to 14 guests.

Still deciding? We’re happy to answer any questions you might have! Email us at [email protected] or call/text us at 912-221-4439.

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