Southern & Secret Walking Food Tour

Savannah tastes like a story you walk through. This 3-hour lunchtime food tour threads together elegant squares in the Historic Landmark District with tastings at up to five local restaurants and specialty shops, all guided by a small team. You’ll also get the city context that turns ordering food into understanding place.

I especially like the small group size (14 or fewer)—it keeps the pace human and makes it easier to ask questions while you’re standing in the squares. I also like that the menu is a mix of Southern classics and inventive dishes, so you’re not just repeating the same comfort-food chorus at every stop.

One thing to consider: tastings are designed as samples, so if you’re hungry for a full restaurant meal, the portions can feel a bit light.

Key things to know before you go

• Small group cap of 14 helps the guide keep the conversation going.
• Up to five tastings total a lunch portion, plus water is included.
• Historic Landmark District squares (Chippewa, Johnson, Ellis) break up the walk and add meaning.
• Stories from real Savannah characters: guides like Lori, Gail, Christopher, Shannon, Erin, Cindy, Miss Country, Bec, and Josh are repeatedly praised for energy and humor.
• A map at the end makes it practical to come back to your favorites.

Savannah’s Squares Turn a Food Tour Into a City Walk

The best part of this tour is how it uses Savannah’s layout. You’re not just bouncing from restaurant to restaurant. You’re moving through Chippewa, Johnson, and Ellis Squares—places you can picture instantly once you’re there, and places that explain why the city feels so distinct on foot.

Chippewa Square is the quick hit of pop-culture recognition: it’s known as the filming location for the bench scenes in Forrest Gump. That alone gives you a fast way to orient yourself in Savannah’s story.

Johnson Square adds the slow-sit-down vibe. It’s described as Savannah’s oldest and largest city square, and the standout feature is the canopy of live oaks overhead. Even if you only spend a few minutes there, the shade and the structure of the square make the whole walking experience feel calmer.

Ellis Square is the “downtown is alive” stop. It was resurrected in the early 2000s, and it connects you directly to the City Market area nearby. That matters because it turns the tour into something more than a meal stop—later, you’ll know where to wander when you want shops, street scenes, and a second round of eating.

Price and Value: What $92.17 Buys You in the Real World

At $92.17 per person for about 3 hours, this isn’t a bargain snack tour. It’s priced as a guided experience with paid tastings and storytelling built into the route.

So here’s the value math that tends to matter most:

• You’re getting tastings from up to five places, not just one or two.
• Water is included, and there are additional beverages available for purchase.
• You also get a route map to help you revisit what you liked later.

For me, the “worth it” question comes down to whether you want a guide to connect the food to the city. If you love Southern food and you like knowing why certain dishes and neighborhoods matter, the price starts to make sense. If you mainly want a big, predictable meal with lots of quantity, you might feel disappointed—especially since some people note that sample sizes can run small.

Meeting at Zunzi’s and the 3-Hour Walking Pace

You’ll start at Zunzi’s, 236 Drayton St, and end at Savannah Taste Experience Food Tours, 108 W Broughton St. The tour stays within the Historic Landmark District and finishes only a few blocks from where you began.

This is a standing and walking experience for roughly three hours, so build that into your day. You’ll be listening while you move through the squares, then walking again between restaurants and shops. If you’re sensitive to time on your feet, wear supportive shoes and plan to take it slow with the group.

Because it runs in all weather conditions, bring a plan for rain or sun. The tour asks you to dress appropriately, and in a city like Savannah, weather can shift quickly.

One practical tip: it’s listed as a mobile ticket tour, and you’ll be asked to include your phone number at checkout so the guide can contact you if needed. That’s a small detail, but it can save stress if you arrive at the starting area a few minutes late.

Chippewa, Johnson, Ellis: The Itinerary Stops That Set the Tone

The tour’s structure is smart: it anchors you in famous squares before it starts feeding you.

Stop 1: Chippewa Square (about 5 minutes)

This is the quick identity moment—yes, it’s tied to Forrest Gump bench scenes. But beyond the movie angle, it’s also about learning how squares function socially in Savannah. You’re basically getting a mini visual orientation before you head deeper into the tasting route.

Stop 2: Johnson Square (about 5 minutes)

You’ll find yourself under a canopy of live oaks in Savannah’s oldest and largest city square. The guide typically uses these pauses to connect architecture, streets, and culture—so even the short stop feels like more than a photo break.

Stop 3: Ellis Square (about 5 minutes)

Ellis Square is tied to the City Market area and was brought back in the early 2000s. It works well on a food tour because it reminds you that downtown Savannah is still evolving—and that you can keep exploring after the official route ends.

Stop 4: Savannah Taste Marketplace (about 15 minutes)

The tour ends at Savannah Taste Experience Food Tours’ marketplace area. This is your final chance to compare flavors you sampled earlier with other Lowcountry and Southeastern items that may be for sale. It’s also where you’ll likely feel the “final payoff” moment—sweet, savory, and a last stretch to ask questions before you break off on your own.

Up to 5 Tastings: Southern Classics With Room for Surprises

The core promise is food tastings from up to five restaurants and specialty food shops, and the stops can include items like buttery biscuits and shrimp and grits. You’re also likely to see Lowcountry-style flavors and dishes that show up in Savannah’s culinary identity.

From the guide examples and tastings described, you can expect a mix such as:

• Boiled peanuts
• Fried green tomatoes with crabmeat
• Leopold’s ice cream

That’s the kind of local-food pairing that makes a guided tour worth it. Ordering these items on your own is possible, but the guide helps you understand what’s local, what’s traditional, and what’s changed.

That said, one caution from real experiences: the lineup doesn’t always stay strictly to what some visitors consider classic Lowcountry fare. One reviewer even suggested dropping a Peruvian dish and replacing it with more Savannah-style options. Translation for you: come with an open mind. This isn’t only a “greatest hits of local seafood” tour. It’s a “Southern plus what chefs are doing” approach.

Portion size is another consideration. Some people felt the samples were fairly small, even though the tour is designed so that all tastings add up to a lunch portion. If you’re the type who gets snack-hungry quickly, eat a light breakfast and keep your expectations set to “sampling,” not “sit-down meal.”

The Food-Plus-History Formula That People Actually Remember

Many food tours give you facts. This one tries to give you the city’s logic—how Savannah became Savannah—while you eat.

The guide’s job is to connect:

• Architecture and squares
• Savannah’s distinctive culture
• History and endearing quirks
• Why certain foods show up where they do

This is where the best guides make a noticeable difference. Names that come up repeatedly include:

• Lori, praised for fun, personable energy
• Christopher (and Christopher Wolf), praised for storytelling and local knowledge
• Gail, praised for history tied to houses and parks
• Miss Country, praised for humor and a lively delivery style
• Shannon, praised for witty, engaging history
• Erin, praised for energetic, knowledgeable pacing
• Cindy, praised for keeping things fun and flowing
• Bec, praised for enthusiasm and information
• Josh, praised for a mix of fun and facts

If you’re choosing between tours, don’t only judge by the food list. Judge by the guide style. On this route, the walking time is part of the value. A guide who can keep the group entertained makes the tastings land better.

Drinks, Alcohol Rules, and the Practical Stuff You’ll Want to Know

Water is included, which is helpful on a walking tour. Alcoholic beverages are not included, but you can purchase them. If you choose to drink, there’s a specific rule: alcoholic beverages must be in a plastic or Styrofoam cup, and only one alcoholic beverage is allowed at a time. The tour also warns that ignoring the cup rules can lead to fines.

That’s the kind of detail that matters in a city like Savannah, where the fun can move fast and enforcement is real. If you want to keep things simple, plan to stick with water or non-alcoholic beverages.

What to Wear and When to Eat So You Don’t Feel Rushed

This tour is built for a lunchtime slot. Still, you’ll be moving. You’ll be standing. You’ll be listening.

The advice is straightforward: all tastings add up to a lunch portion, but you’ll have a better time if you eat a light breakfast beforehand. Don’t arrive with an empty stomach and high hopes that every stop will be a full entrée.

For clothing, think comfort first. The tour operates in all weather, and the walking route through historic squares means you’ll want:

• supportive walking shoes
• a light layer for shade and changing temps
• a rain plan if the forecast looks shaky

Also, it may not be a fit for every child since it requires standing, walking, and listening for about three hours. If you’re traveling with younger kids, pace and attention span will matter.

Dietary Restrictions: What’s Possible and What’s Not

Here’s the section that’s most important for planning.

The tour states it cannot provide gluten-free, dairy-free, or vegan alternative tastings. That’s a hard limit, not a “maybe we can figure it out” situation. Also, it says that because the tour is limited size, it cannot reduce the ticket price based on dietary restrictions.

What it can accommodate at most locations:

• Seafood allergies
• Nut allergies
• Pescatarian options
• Vegetarian options

If you have restrictions, the tour asks you to advise them during booking and to send an email if you need accommodations (with allergy details). If you’re gluten-free, dairy-free, or vegan, the current rules mean you’ll need a different type of tour or plan.

A Map You Can Actually Use After the Last Bite

A lot of tours give you a route description you forget by dinner. This one includes a map of the tour route and ends within a few blocks of where you started. That means you’re not just leaving with memories—you can realistically go back to a favorite restaurant or square later.

This is especially valuable in Savannah because the city is best on foot. The tour can act like your first draft. Afterward, you decide what to repeat, what to skip, and what to add.

Should You Book This Savannah Southern & Secret Walking Food Tour?

Book it if:

• you want a guided food walk in the Historic Landmark District, not a self-guided “find food and hope” plan
• you enjoy the combo of Southern food plus local stories
• you like small group energy (14 or fewer)
• you’re okay with sampling portions that add up to lunch

Skip it (or at least plan carefully) if:

• you need gluten-free, dairy-free, or vegan tastings (the tour states it can’t provide alternatives)
• you expect restaurant-size portions at each stop
• you prefer strictly traditional Lowcountry-only menus and don’t want surprises in the lineup

If you’re a first-time Savannah visitor who loves food and wants the city to make sense on foot, this tour is a strong way to start. And if you’re returning, it can still help you find places you might not notice on your own—especially once you’ve learned what to look for in the squares.

FAQ

How long is the Southern & Secret Walking Food Tour?

The tour lasts about 3 hours.

What is the price per person?

The price is $92.17 per person.

Where is the tour starting point?

The meeting point is Zunzi’s, 236 Drayton St, Savannah, GA 31401.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends at Savannah Taste Experience Food Tours, 108 W Broughton St, Savannah, GA 31401.

How many people are in each group?

The tour has a maximum size of 14 people.

What food is included?

You’ll get tastings from up to 5 restaurants and specialty food shops, and all tastings add up to a lunch portion. Water is included.

Are alcoholic beverages included?

No. Alcoholic beverages are available for purchase, but they are not included in the tour price.

Can I get gluten-free, dairy-free, or vegan tastings?

No. The tour states it cannot provide gluten-free, dairy-free, or vegan alternative tastings.

What dietary accommodations can the tour provide?

It can provide accommodations for seafood allergies, nut allergies, pescatarian, and vegetarian options at most locations. You should advise restrictions on the booking page and email details if needed.

Is free cancellation available?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.