Savannah smells like history and lunch. The True South Lunch Tour pairs a walk through the historic northern part of town with Southern flavors and the stories behind them. You start with coffee and warm beignets and then work your way through classic Low Country picks, ending near City Market.

What I like most is the mix of food and context. You’re not just tasting items like shrimp and grits, She Crab Soup, fried green tomatoes, and pecan pie—you’re learning how Savannah’s food culture formed, and how the restaurants and squares fit into the city’s rhythm. Guides such as Bridget, Leslie, Pamela, Jessica, and Vanessa have been praised for being personable and for giving a clear overview of what you’re eating and where you are.

One thing to think about: this is a walking tour (about 2 miles), and the food won’t work for everyone. The tour can’t accommodate allergies to peppers, onions, garlic, or vegans, and you’ll want a moderate fitness level to keep the pace comfortable.

Key Highlights at a Glance

• Coffee and beignets to start near the Riverfront, setting the tone right away with a warm, sweet Savannah classic
• A tight walking route through the historic northern section, about 2 miles total
• Southern plates you’ll recognize plus the stories behind them, including shrimp and grits and She Crab Soup
• Dessert plus a cocktail (or mocktail), so the “lunch” feeling stays relaxed and vacation-mode friendly
• Small-group format (max 10), which helps the guide keep the pace human and answers questions well

A Savannah Lunch Tour That Actually Explains the Food

I love food tours that don’t treat the menu like a checklist. This one does a better job: it links each tasting to the culture of Savannah and the broader South, so you taste with a reason.

The format is simple. You meet near the Riverfront in Rousakis Riverfront Plaza (close to Hueys restaurant), then spend about 3 hours 30 minutes walking roughly 2 miles through the historic northern area. Along the way, you stop for coffee, beignets, savory lunch dishes, and dessert. A cocktail (or a mocktail) is included, which matters because it slows you down in the right way. Savannah is best when you linger, not when you rush from plate to plate.

The small group size helps, too. With a maximum of 10 travelers, you’re more likely to get that friendly back-and-forth you want in a history-meets-food tour, not a fast-moving crowd herd.

Where You Start: Riverfront Coffee and Beignets

Your tour kicks off at Rousakis Riverfront Plaza near Hueys restaurant. The guide is easy to spot: a GA peach-colored shirt with the Flavors Food Tours logo.

This first stop is smart for a couple reasons. First, the coffee and beignets get you in “Savannah mode” before you walk far. Beignets are warm, sugary, and a little messy in the best way. Second, it gives you an easy on-ramp to the tour’s theme: Southern food isn’t just about what you eat. It’s about place, people, and timing.

Also, this early start helps you avoid the common food-tour problem where everyone arrives hungry and frazzled. Here, you eat right away, so you can focus on the story the guide is telling as you head into the historic district.

Lunch Tastings You’ll Want to Repeat at Home

This is the heart of the experience. You’ll try a mix of Southern classics and Savannah-friendly comfort food. The exact main dish can vary, but the big names include:

• Fried green tomatoes
• Shrimp and grits and/or other main dishes of the South
• She Crab Soup
• Pecan pie

Here’s how that lineup helps you understand the region. Southern cuisine has deep roots in what’s easy to get and what stretches well across seasons. Savannah and the Low Country lean into seafood, creamy textures, and bold flavors that feel both homey and special.

Fried green tomatoes

These usually land well because they’re familiar in concept but distinct in execution. You get the tangy bite of green tomatoes paired with a crispy, savory coating. Even if you’ve had them elsewhere, this kind of tasting is a chance to compare how Southern kitchens balance acidity and crunch.

Shrimp and grits

This is pure Low Country comfort. The shrimp brings the briny sweetness, while the grits add that creamy, steady base. It’s the kind of dish that teaches you why people in the South build meals around satisfying textures, not just heat.

She Crab Soup

She Crab Soup is one of those dishes that feels like it belongs to a specific place. It’s rich and seafood-forward, and it’s a good “signature” tasting because it’s not as common as, say, fried chicken. If you’ve never ordered it before, this tour gives you a safe first try with guidance so you know what to pay attention to.

Pecan pie

Dessert is where the tour ends its food story on a sweet note. Pecan pie fits the Savannah and Southern palate for a reason: it’s cozy, rich, and made for finishing a meal slowly.

Between tastings, your guide also ties the dishes back to local culture and the history of how those foods became part of Savannah’s identity. That’s the value beyond the plate.

The Drink Plus Dessert Timing That Keeps It Relaxed

You’ll get a cocktail or mocktail included, which I appreciate because it helps the tour feel like lunch, not a timed event. It also nudges you into Savannah’s pace. You’ll be walking and eating, but you’re not sprinting.

The end point is near City Market (at Jefferson and W Saint Julian Street). You’ll likely finish close to there, then the guide can escort you back to the starting point or help you get your bearings. That last piece matters more than people think. If this is your first visit to Savannah, City Market is a natural place to regroup and decide what’s next.

If you’re the type who likes to plan afterward, you’ll also come away with ideas. Guides named in reviews like Leslie and Pamela have been praised for adding extra tips on other places to go and see, so you’re not left staring at your map afterward.

How the 3.5 Hours Work (and Why You Should Wear the Right Shoes)

This tour runs about 3 hours 30 minutes, with around 2 miles of walking through the historic northern section of Savannah. You don’t need to be athletic, but you do need to be comfortable staying on your feet for stretches.

Why that walking matters: in Savannah, the streets and squares carry the story. A food tour that stays put misses half the point. By moving through the historic district, you get context for why certain restaurants and neighborhoods became part of the city’s food identity.

Practical advice:

• Wear comfortable shoes you can walk in for an extended stretch.
• If you usually get cold, consider a light layer. You’ll be outside during part of the experience.
• Eat slowly where you can. The point is to enjoy the meal and the explanation, not rush through.

If you have a lower tolerance for walking, consider another way to experience Savannah, because the tasting schedule is built around moving.

Price and Value: What You Really Pay for at $99.99

At $99.99 per person, this tour isn’t cheap in the simple sense. But it’s easy to justify if you think in terms of what’s included.

You’re paying for:

• Guided walking time through the historic district
• Admission ticket for the tour
• Multiple tastings that include coffee, beignets, Southern dishes, and dessert
• A cocktail or mocktail

The value is in how the cost gets redistributed from “a bunch of separate restaurant meals” into one guided experience with food built around a theme. If you’ve ever tried to replicate a food tour on your own in Savannah, you know how hard it is to pick the right spots and then figure out what to order for a full lunch. This tour makes those choices for you, and then explains them.

Small group size (max 10) also supports the value. You’re not paying for a crowded march. You’re paying for a guide who can actually talk, answer, and keep you moving at a reasonable pace.

One more practical note: the tour is often booked about 36 days in advance on average. If your schedule is fixed, booking early helps lock it in.

Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Should Plan Around It)

I think this is ideal if you want:

• A first-time Savannah plan that combines food with orientation
• A guided route instead of piecing together restaurants on your own
• Southern food classics like shrimp and grits, She Crab Soup, and fried green tomatoes
• A small group with a guide who gives context, not just a list of dishes

You should plan carefully if:

• You can’t eat foods made with peppers, onions, garlic, or you need a vegan option. The tour can’t accommodate vegans, and it won’t handle allergies to peppers, onions, garlic.
• You have limited mobility or find a moderate walking pace challenging.

If you’re someone who loves asking questions, this format rewards you. Guides have been noted for being personable and for delivering a fun mix of history and food, which tends to make the time fly.

Should You Book the True South Lunch Tour?

If you’re visiting Savannah and you want a lunch that comes with context, I’d book it. It’s the kind of outing that turns a casual afternoon into a meaningful first pass at the city: coffee and beignets to start, Southern plates mid-tour, dessert and a drink before you finish near City Market. The small group size and the guide talent (including hosts like Bridget, Leslie, Pamela, Jessica, and Vanessa) are a big part of why it scores so well.

Just be honest about two things: your comfort with walking about 2 miles, and whether your dietary needs fit within what the tour can handle. If those boxes work for you, this is a strong value way to get both Savannah flavor and Savannah context in one shot.

FAQ

What’s the duration of the True South Lunch Tour?

It runs for about 3 hours 30 minutes.

Where do I meet for the tour?

You meet at Rousakis Riverfront Plaza in Savannah, near Hueys restaurant.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends nearby City Market at Jefferson at W Saint Julian Street. The guide can escort you back to the starting point or help you get your bearings.

What food and drinks are included?

You’ll get coffee and beignets at the start, plus tastings that can include fried green tomatoes, shrimp and grits (or other Southern main dishes), She Crab Soup, and pecan pie. A cocktail or mocktail is also included.

Is the tour good for people who want to walk but not too much?

You should have a moderate physical fitness level. The walking distance is about 2 miles through Savannah’s historic northern section.

What group size is it?

The tour has a maximum of 10 travelers.

Is it vegan-friendly or does it handle allergies?

The tour cannot accommodate allergies to peppers, onions, garlic and it does not have vegan accommodations.

What if weather is bad or the tour is canceled?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.