I only spent a weekend in Savannah, Georgia — but I did try to eat as much as I possibly could! This is by no means an exhaustive list of places to dine, but rather a recap of some spots that I will definitely re-visit on my next trip to the city.

The Collins Quarter.

If you’re looking for southern charm with the hipness of Brooklyn — look no further. Just about everything looks delicious on the menu making it really hard to choose one item…so DON’T! This is a place where you should go all in and try as much as you want. CQ is Australian based and that means that the coffee is on point and the food is locally sourced and fresh. The roasted chicken sandwich, avocado toast, and coconut chia pudding are especially reminiscent of an Australian menu.

Most delicious are the spiced lavender mocha and Vietnamese ice coffee. If your only experience with lavender drinks was regret because it tastes like a glass of perfume — you won’t have that experience here. The taste is subtle. Fun fact: I’m a shit influencer. I hate photos of myself, and I’ve never laughed harder than trying to get my husband to take a decent photo of me enjoying my coffee. If you happen to be large and pregnant like I was on this trip, coffees can also be made decaf.

Feel like getting a good morning buzz going? Drinks like the lemon-lavender martini and Bondi beach mimosa will get you going.

The Funky Brunch Cafe.

This place is a brightly colored restaurant known for its creative take on breakfast. The cafe’s highlight is a griddle in the middle of each table where you are free to make your own pancakes with any toppings and in any shape that you want. If you hate cooking at home, come here where cooking your own food is slightly less awful.

Hot tip: your waitress might NOT think its wholesome to draw your pancake in the shape of a penis. Ours didn’t. While the pancakes were…decent and you definitely get your money’s worth in terms of quantity, we actually found the other breakfast items we ordered (such as sausage gravy & biscuits) to be of much better quality. The fresh squeezed orange juice is a must. Be prepared to roll out of here, the food is filling.

Leopold’s Ice Cream.

If you don’t think Savannah Leopold’s has the best ice cream, your opinion on anything should never be trusted. There’s always a line out the door (don’t worry it moves quickly) and for good reason. The ice cream for starters is homemade.

The rose flavored ice cream in particular was memorable and refreshing in the heat. The shop itself feels vintage and from an older and simpler time, when kids in the south used to hang out in the sodey-pop shop giving each other hickeys and twerking by the jukebox to Frankie Valley and the Four Seasons.

Boar’s Head Tavern and Grill.

I absolutely love that this restaurant is located in a restored warehouse from the 1800’s on the bank of the charming riverside of the city. The rough wooden interior makes you feel as though a gaggle of old time-y sailors might come pouring out from behind the kitchen doors. Historic taverns and eateries are kind of my thing — so needless to say that I really liked the ambiance here. After walking the picturesque riverside, this is a great place to come for some she crab soup (#feminism) and delicious seafood — the shrimp and grits are a good go to option.

The Ordinary Pub.

Confession, I’m a meticulous planner when I travel. I’m mostly this way when it comes to food – it irks me when I feel I’ve “wasted” one of my meals at a sub par joint, and to avoid that-  I won’t just eat anywhere. Our first night in Savannah, we arrived kind of late, and a lot of the restaurants I wanted to eat at were closed. I pouted and shrugged off every restaurant suggestion made by my husband until he persuaded me that we should eat at the Ordinary Pub. Corny writer’s joke…the Ordinary Pub is anything but ordinary.

It’s an underground bar meets restaurant with live music and a metallic/artsy innovative decor and vibe. The place is spacious, loud, and a fun place to get the party started. It offers classic southern comfort food and dishes with a modern twist. I was looking for an old school southern dining experience, and was not willing to budge on that experience.

I ate at a restaurant that was exactly opposite of that. It was new and innovative and wasn’t built during the 1800s. But I really felt that it was my best meal in Savannah! Unfortunately, I couldn’t partake in diving head first into alcohol like I nearly always do, BUT, the food was off the fucking hook and they are open late! Get the mac and cheese, your organs will be sorry – but your spirit will not.

Churchill’s Tavern.

Just like the real Winston Churchill, Churchill’s Tavern is always there in times of crisis. During our recent family road trip, we ate here a few times.

When there was a line wrapped around the block at every other eatery, who was there for us? Churchill’s. When it was 700 degrees outside and no one would offer us refuge, who was there for us? Churchill’s. When my toddler just fucking wanted someone to share in the delight of his toy zebra while also jumping on top of his seat, who encouraged him and didn’t make us feel like shit parents? The staff at Churchill’s. Who brought me out a jello shot from behind the bar when I was at my wit’s end? Our waiter at Churchill’s.

Churchill’s is an establishment of substance. Pimento cheese is a staple in the south and so, for cultural purposes, you should try their pimento cheese croquettes — those were great. An elevated mac and cheese bite, if you will. There’s a smattering of British favorites like pot pies and fish and chips — I had the pleasure of enjoying their prime rib with Yorkshire pudding and I still dream about it at night. (Leave me alone, we all have our thing.) If you’re strictly looking for Southern fare, you’ll find shrimp and grits, fried pickles, she crab soup, and more.