Southern Traditions Dinner Tour

Southern Savannah tastes start at Madison Square. This 3+ hour dinner tour threads you through the historic core on foot, with a max group of 10 and a serious focus on Lowcountry favorites you can actually recognize and crave later.

I love that you don’t just get a sip-and-stroll. You get a real tasting spread built around Southern dishes like She Crab Soup and Shrimp n Grits, plus one cocktail or mocktail to match the mood. You also get the kind of guide who ties flavors to stories, so each stop feels connected instead of random.

One catch: this tour has limits for food needs. They can’t accommodate vegan guests, and they also can’t handle allergies to garlic, pepper, and onions, so you’ll want to check carefully before you book.

Key Highlights Before You Go

Southern Traditions Dinner Tour - Key Highlights Before You Go

  • Small group up to 10 people for an easy, chatty pace
  • Meet at Madison Square (332 Bull St) at 3:00 pm and spot your guide by the Georgia peach shirt and Flavors Food Tours logo
  • A roughly 2-mile walk with frequent stops for photos and brief rests
  • Lowcountry lineup that can include She Crab Soup, shrimp n grits, fried green tomatoes, and a non-traditional take on blue crab
  • One included cocktail or mocktail, with the option to buy more later if you want
  • End near Ellis Square, with dessert as the sweet closer

Where You Meet: Madison Square at 3:00 pm

Plan on starting at Madison Square, right at 332 Bull St. The meet-up point matters here because the tour is designed as a walk through specific historic blocks and squares, not a drive-by food hit.

You’re set to begin at 3:00 pm, and the vibe is practical from the first minute. Look for the guide in a Georgia peach-colored shirt with the Flavors Food Tours logo. That makes it fast to find your group and settle in before you head out.

Also note the ticket style: it’s a mobile ticket. Bring your phone with enough battery to scan and keep it handy.

You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Savannah

The Walk Pace: Easy 2 Miles, Boutique Group, Real Time for Photos

Southern Traditions Dinner Tour - The Walk Pace: Easy 2 Miles, Boutique Group, Real Time for Photos
This is an afternoon you can enjoy without feeling like you’re training for a road race. The route is about two miles, spread across the historic center, with plenty of places to pause for photos and to cool down when needed.

The group size is capped at 10 guests, which changes everything. You can actually hear what the guide says, ask questions without shouting, and still have time to browse the storefronts and squares as you pass them. It also means the guide can help the group adjust if someone needs a slower moment.

Fitness level should be moderate. If you’re comfortable with an easy walking plan and a few stops, you’ll be in good shape. If you’re not, you might find this pace more tiring than you expected, because the tour is structured to keep moving between food stops.

Stop One in Savannah’s Historic District: Squares, Stories, and Food That Starts Early

Southern Traditions Dinner Tour - Stop One in Savannah’s Historic District: Squares, Stories, and Food That Starts Early
You begin around Madison Square, at the intersection area near Bull and West Harris streets. This is a smart start because it’s central, historic, and visually interesting right away. You get your bearings fast, then the guide builds context as you head into the calmer, older parts of the city.

What I like about this opening is that it sets expectations. The tour isn’t just listing dishes. It explains why Savannah food has its own rhythm: coastal ingredients, Southern comfort classics, and local tastes shaped by the Lowcountry.

You’ll also get a steady flow of fun facts along the way. Even if you already know some Savannah basics, you’ll likely pick up details that make you look twice at buildings and the layout of the squares.

The Food Plan: She Crab Soup, Shrimp n Grits, and a Dessert Finish

Southern Traditions Dinner Tour - The Food Plan: She Crab Soup, Shrimp n Grits, and a Dessert Finish
This is a tasting tour, so think in bites and small plates—not a full sit-down dinner where you can order off a menu.

Still, the lineup is the main reason to book. Expect dishes that scream Southern and Lowcountry cuisine, including:

  • She Crab Soup
  • Shrimp n Grits
  • Fried Green Tomatoes
  • Blue crab prepared in a non-traditional but tasty way
  • Dessert to close out the experience

You’ll also have one cocktail or mocktail included. That’s a nice pacing tool: you get something to sip while the tour is still moving through the afternoon, and it makes the route feel more like a dinner plan than a snack break.

If you’re the type who hates uncertainty, the tour does give structure. You’re not hunting around the city for meals on your own. The guide orders for the group and keeps things moving so you can focus on tasting and learning.

Gryphon Tea Room and the Classic Savannah Pub Stop

Southern Traditions Dinner Tour - Gryphon Tea Room and the Classic Savannah Pub Stop
One of the strengths of this tour is how it balances food with setting. You’re not only eating—you’re placed in the kind of Savannah spots that tell you something about the city’s personality.

A standout example from the route: the Gryphon Tea Room, where you can expect a properly Southern comfort plate like shrimp and grits. The room itself is part of the experience, old-school and artsy, the kind of place where you slow down without realizing it.

Then you shift gears at an older-feeling pub stop, with an Irish pub vibe in the mix. This is where the included drink often shows up, paired with pub-style dishes such as bangers and mash and crab cakes. It’s a useful contrast: coastal flavors meeting classic pub fare, all without changing your walking plan.

Practical note: you’ll want to pay attention to how your guide handles ordering and timing. With multiple bites across multiple stops, good pacing keeps you from feeling stuffed too early or rushing through the tastier parts.

You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Savannah

Husk Restaurant: Oysters, Pimento Cheese, and the Coastal Side of Savannah

Southern Traditions Dinner Tour - Husk Restaurant: Oysters, Pimento Cheese, and the Coastal Side of Savannah
Husk Restaurant is one of the most memorable food stops on this kind of route because it brings a slightly elevated, modern Savannah feel while still staying rooted in local ingredients.

At this stop, the tour often leans into seafood and Southern staples. You might try:

  • Oysters served with a mix of lemon and flavorful sauces
  • Pimento cheese with homemade-style crackers

This combination works well for a tasting tour. Oysters give you that coastal snap, and pimento cheese adds the familiar, comfort-food angle that keeps things fun even if you don’t eat seafood often.

Also, this is a moment in the walk where the group usually settles in. You’re not just grabbing food to go. You’re seated long enough to actually taste, compare bites with your guide’s explanations, and ask a question or two.

River Street Sweets and Leopold’s: The Dessert Way to End

Southern Traditions Dinner Tour - River Street Sweets and Leopold’s: The Dessert Way to End
By the time you’re heading toward dessert, you’ll likely feel two things at once: you’re glad you ate earlier, and you’re also a little annoyed you can’t fit one more savory bite.

That’s where Savannah’s dessert rhythm shines. The tour typically includes a sweet stop on River Street, with options like a praline. Then the walk often leads you to Leopold’s ice cream parlor for the kind of classic end that’s hard to substitute.

Ending near Ellis Square also helps. You finish in a lively area where it’s easy to continue exploring on your own, whether you want another drink, a photo, or to map out a final evening meal.

If you like your tours to land on a clear finish line, this one does. Dessert isn’t an afterthought. It’s part of the structure.

Value Check: Is $119.99 Worth It for a Savannah Dinner Tour?

Southern Traditions Dinner Tour - Value Check: Is $119.99 Worth It for a Savannah Dinner Tour?
At $119.99 per person, you’re paying for three things at once:

  1. Guided walk through the historic district with stories tied to the food
  2. Multiple tastings that cover several major Savannah and Lowcountry flavors
  3. One included cocktail or mocktail (for nondrinkers, a mocktail)

If you compare that to buying separate meals and drinks on your own, the savings comes from two places: you avoid the decision fatigue of picking places, and you get guided pacing. You’re guided to a sequence of spots that match the food story, not just whatever is closest.

The biggest value question is portion expectations. This tour is designed as a tasting experience. You’ll likely leave satisfied because the stops are stacked with substantial bites, and many guides order multiple items per location for the group. But it’s not built as a full dinner where you’d sit for a full entrée course at each restaurant.

If you want a tour plus a real sit-down meal after, this tour sets you up well. You’ll also know where to return later because you’ll have tried the menu styles before committing.

Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Should Skip It)

This tour fits best if you:

  • Like walking and want a low-stress way to cover Savannah’s central areas
  • Want a food-focused plan that still includes city context
  • Enjoy trying classics like she crab soup and shrimp n grits, plus Southern sides like fried green tomatoes

You should think twice if you:

  • Need a vegan option. This tour can’t accommodate vegan guests.
  • Have allergies involving garlic, pepper, or onions. Those are not accommodated.
  • Need special handling for shellfish or dairy. The tour includes shellfish and dairy ingredients as part of its typical lineup, so you’ll need to talk with the operator before you book.

If you’re sensitive to those ingredients or you’re strict about dietary needs, don’t assume you can swap items. Ask directly about what can and cannot be changed.

Practical Tips for a Smooth, Hungry 3-plus Hours

A few small moves can make the tour feel effortless:

  • Come hungry. The tour has multiple tastings and a dessert finale, but it moves through stops without waiting for a long meal rhythm.
  • Wear comfy walking shoes. You’ll cover about two miles and you’ll likely be standing in spots for photos.
  • Plan for some walking in warm weather. The route includes rests, but the pace is still active between stops.
  • Speak up about allergies early. The tour has clear limits, and you should flag needs at booking time.
  • Bring your phone. You’ll use a mobile ticket, and you might want photos to remember the squares and food stops.

If you’re going with friends or a date, this is also a good “first night in Savannah” option. It helps you understand the city layout and find your favorite type of restaurant vibe for what comes next.

Should You Book Southern Traditions Dinner Tour?

Book it if you want a small-group Savannah food walk that combines classic Lowcountry dishes with guided historic context, and you’re excited about tasting rather than ordering a single big meal. The included cocktail or mocktail is a nice touch, and the finish with dessert near Ellis Square gives you an easy end to the night.

Skip or reconsider if you’re vegan, or if you have allergies involving garlic, pepper, or onions, because those needs aren’t accommodated. Also, if you’re the type who expects a full dinner’s worth of food for one set price, keep your expectations aligned with a tasting format.

If you fall into the first group, this tour is an efficient, fun way to eat your way through Savannah’s best-known flavors in a route that keeps the story going from stop to stop.

FAQ

What time does the Southern Traditions Dinner Tour start?

It starts at 3:00 pm.

How long is the tour?

The tour runs for about 3 hours 30 minutes (approximately).

How far do you walk?

You’ll do an easy walk of about 2 miles.

How many people are in the group?

The tour has a maximum group size of 10 travelers.

Is there an included drink?

Yes. The tour includes one cocktail, and mocktails are available for nondrinkers.

Where does the tour meet and end?

You start at Madison Square, 332 Bull St, Savannah, GA 31401 and end near Ellis Square. The end is at a restaurant near Ellis Square.

Is the tour in English?

Yes, it’s offered in English.

Can the tour accommodate vegan guests or certain allergies?

No. The tour cannot accommodate vegan guests and cannot accommodate allergies to garlic, pepper and onions.

Can I cancel and get a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount paid is not refunded.

Not for you? Here's more nearby things to do in Savannah we have reviewed

Scroll to Top