The Insider’s Guide to Savannah, Georgia

By Over The Moon
The Perry Lane

Elizabeth Eichholz, co-founder of Weezie,  a new online brand of 100% organic cotton towels, first moved to Savannah, Georgia soon after getting married. Even though she’s an Austin, Texas native, and spent most of her time post-graduation in New York, Liz fell in love with her new hometown of Savannah quickly and now can’t imagine living anywhere else. (It’s part of the reason her company is headquartered there.) Below, Liz shares some of her favorite spots for dining, grabbing a healthy breakfast, and enjoying the city of Savannah.

WHERE TO STAY

The Perry Lane is Savannah’s newest luxury hotel in the heart of the historic district and they do not miss a single detail when it comes to design. From their rooftop pool and bar, The Peregrin, to their library (don’t miss having martini there before dinner at their restaurant, Emporium Kitchen & Wine Market), to their self proclaimed “neighborhood watering hole,” The Wayward, it’s an experience in itself. Come for the frosé, stay for the games like bocce and foosball.

Situated on the gorgeous Forsyth Park (Savannah’s version of Central Park), the Mansion on Forsyth Park is the perfect blend of romantic and funky. Grab the window seat for a beautiful view of the park, and don’t forget to order their amazing pancakes for breakfast.

WHERE TO HAVE A COFFEE

Foxy Loxy Cafe is the first coffee shop I tried when we moved to Savannah. I walked in and immediately spotted a cookbook called The Homesick Texan, so needless to say it was love at first sight. Opened by fellow Texans, Foxy Loxy is a great place to grab a coffee and traditional kolache (if you haven’t had one, run don’t walk). Located just off of downtown in the artsy Starland District, Foxy Loxy also has a great patio in the back with live music and half-off wine on Saturdays. (If you have little ones, the owners also have Henny Penny, a half coffee shop, half kids art space, right down the street.)

Situated right on Chippewa Square (where the famous Forrest Gump bus stop scene was filmed), Gallery Espresso is the perfect place to grab a quick cup of coffee, sit outside, and enjoy a little people watching.

WHERE TO EAT

Favorite brunch: Collins Quarter
A favorite brunch spot in Savannah, Collins Quarter is not to be missed. Try their iced Thai coffee, Collins Big Burger, and decadent Swine Time Beni, which combines pulled pork, bacon, and a poached egg on top of brioche French toast.

Favorite lunch: SoHo South Cafe
A repurposed automotive service station, SoHo South Cafe’s cool rustic interiors are so unique, many couples even choose to have their wedding reception here. Their tomato soup and grilled cheese is must.

Favorite dinner spots

The Atlantic: For a go-to casual date-night spot, you can’t beat the Atlantic. Its farm to table menu is constantly changing and the restaurant gets especially romantic when it’s cold out and the fire pit is roaring.

The Grey: For a fancier night out try the Grey, which is named after its building, which used to be an old Greyhound bus station. It has received a ton of national attention (Time magazine recently included it in their “100 Greatest Places” list and Eater named it their restaurant of the year) and for good reason—its African, European, and Southern menu is unlike anything you’ve ever tried before.

Circa 1875: Circa wins for most romantic date-night spot in Savannah. With sky high ceilings and an intimate basement, they also have the best martinis in town. For the full French experience, get the steak and frites.

Husk: A great place for a girl’s dinner. Grab a table at the gorgeous bar upstairs and don’t miss the crab salad. This is also a restaurant where couples can compromise on game night—they have several big screen TVs and a number of orange wine options to keep everyone happy.

Favorite place for post-dinner drinks: Artillery
As swanky as it gets, Artillery is the best place for after-dinner drinks. If you like mezcal, get the Smoke and Mirrors.

Favorite vegan option: Fox & Fig
Foxy Loxy’s sister restaurant downtown, Fox & Fig, has a plant-based menu that is so delicious (think: dishes like eggless quiche and tostadas verdes) you would never even know it’s vegan. It’s awesome for a quick, healthy breakfast, too.

Favorite restaurants on the water: The Wyld
There’s no better place to sit on the water and eat oysters. For those with a boat, you can also pull up straight on the dock after a day out on the water.

Desposito’s Seafood Restaurant: A super casual joint for no nonsense seafood. This is where you go to grab a bucket of shrimp, crab legs, and an ice cold beer.

OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS

Favorite ice cream spot:
Leopold’s Ice Cream: If the line is crazy, call ahead and pick up!

Favorite old school Savannah spot:
The Olde Pink House: The piano bar downstairs is where the fun happens.

Favorite pizza place:
Vinnie Van Go-Go’s

Favorite for drinks with a water view:
Top Deck or Rocks on the Roof

Favorite quick sandwich:
Starland Cafe

Favorite bakery:
Back in the Day Bakery

Wormsloe Historic Park
WHAT TO DO

Have a picnic in Forsyth Park. Visit the fountain or just take a stroll.

For those who want to take a picturesque walk, start out at Forsyth Park and go down Bull Street all the way to Bay Street. Through this path, you’ll encounter five of Savannah’s 22 beautiful squares. Bonus: once you get into the historic district, you can walk with a cocktail in hand, as there is no open container law here.

Don’t miss the cobblestoned Jones Street for some of the most beautiful historic houses you have ever seen.

Walk along Broughton Street and pop into the Paris Market or attend a yoga class at Dancing Dog Yoga.

Next head on over to the Design District and check out One Fish, Two Fish, Number Four Eleven, and the Circa Lighting Annex for awesome deals on circa lighting pieces.

Even though River Street is filled with tourists and can be a bit cheesy, it’s still a site to see. Take a stroll and then pop up to Cotton Sail for a drink on the water. And don’t forget to stop by the Greek place on River Street, Olympia Cafe.

If you want to get out of town, head to Wormsloe Historic Site for the most beautiful trees you have ever seen and some great walking trails. After you finish exploring, drive over to Bluff Drive on Isle of Hope and sit at the Isle of Hope marina for some water views.

Tybee Island Beach: Just twenty minutes from Savannah, head out to Tybee for a dip in the ocean.

Other favorites: Alex Raskin Antiques, ShopScad (awesome art from some of SCAD’s students), Clutter Antiques, Urban Poppy, Chocolatat by Adam Turoni, Andie Kully Boutique