Savannah’s food has a story—and it walks. This 3-hour lunchtime walking food tour takes you through Savannah’s Historic Landmark District, pairing Southern classics with lesser-known stops and local history as you go. You’ll finish near the starting area with a route map so you can return to favorites later.

What I love most is the small group size (14 or fewer), which keeps the pace friendly and the guide easy to hear. I also like that the focus stays on the Landmark District squares—Chippewa, Johnson, and Ellis—so the food never feels random; it’s tied to the place.

One thing to weigh: the tastings add up to a lunch portion, but the experience involves standing and walking for about three hours. And if you need gluten-free, dairy-free, or vegan substitutions, the tour can’t provide those alternatives—so check early if that applies to you.

Key things I’d circle before you book

• Up to 5 tasting stops on a single Historic Landmark District walk, designed to count as lunch
• 14 or fewer people for a more conversational pace and easier questions
• Five key downtown squares you pass as you eat, starting at Chippewa Square
• All-weather operation, with the expectation you’ll dress for Savannah’s mood swings
• End at the Savannah Taste marketplace, where you can pick up flavors you sampled

Why Savannah’s squares and food taste better together

Savannah’s Historic Landmark District is one of those rare places where the buildings matter as much as the menus. You’re moving between squares that were built for public life—so the tour naturally becomes part strolling tour, part street-level food lesson.

On this route, the food is tied to the culture around you: big live oaks, old layouts of the city, and stories that explain why certain habits and flavors stuck. If you’ve ever eaten Southern food and wondered where the traditions came from, this format helps those answers land while you still have biscuit crumbs on your fingers.

The 3-hour lunchtime format: small-group pace that doesn’t feel rushed

This is a 3-hour walking tour with a small group of up to 14 people. You’ll meet in downtown near Zunzi’s at 236 Drayton St, then end a few blocks away at the Savannah Taste Experience Food Tours spot on W Broughton St.

I like this structure because it’s long enough to cover multiple tastings without turning into a sprint. The “lunchtime” timing also works in your favor: all tastings together are meant to add up to a lunch portion, so you don’t have to plan an extra meal afterward.

That said, plan for real walking. The tour runs in all weather conditions, and you’ll be standing, listening, and moving through downtown for about three hours. If you’re dealing with mobility limits, or you want a low-effort outing, this one may test your patience.

What you actually eat: biscuits, Lowcountry-style favorites, and sweet stops

Food on this tour comes from up to five restaurants and specialty food shops, with tastings that can include items like buttery biscuits and shrimp and grits. In other words: you’re not just nibbling appetizers. The tour is designed so the stops collectively function as lunch.

You might also run into classic Southern sides and snacks that show up in Savannah’s food culture, and some guides’ lineups include treats like boiled peanuts, fried green tomatoes with crabmeat, and Leopold’s ice cream. Since the exact menu can vary by stop, the best strategy is simple: go hungry and expect a mix of familiar comfort food and a few surprises.

A couple practical notes that matter:

• Water is included, while alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are available to purchase.
• Alcohol isn’t included in the ticket price. If you do buy alcohol, the tour notes that it must be in a plastic or Styrofoam cup, and only one alcoholic beverage at a time is allowed.
• Eating light breakfast beforehand is smart, because the tastings are intended to cover lunch.

Dietary restrictions: know the limits before you fall in love with the idea

This is important. The tour explicitly can’t provide gluten-free, dairy-free, or vegan alternative tastings. If you have those needs, you’ll likely have to skip this specific experience.

If your restrictions are different, you may still have options: the tour says it can accommodate seafood allergies, nut allergies, pescatarian, and vegetarian options at most locations. If you have allergies or dietary limits, put them in the booking special requirements section and email the provider as instructed after you book.

And one more detail: the tour notes it can’t reduce the ticket price due to dietary restrictions. So think of this as a standard-tasting experience with limited substitutions, not a fully customized menu.

Chippewa, Johnson, Ellis, and the finish at Savannah Taste Marketplace

The Landmark District route makes the “where are we going?” part easy. Each square is a recognizable waypoint, and the tour gives you a reason to look up while you’re walking.

Stop 1: Chippewa Square (Forrest Gump bench connection)

Chippewa Square is famous because of its Forrest Gump bench filming location. The point of this stop isn’t movie trivia for trivia’s sake; it helps you connect the idea of Savannah as a place people remember through pop culture, photos, and film.

Tactically, it’s a quick start—about five minutes—so you’re not waiting around before the first round of flavor.

Stop 2: Johnson Square (Live oaks create the feel of the city)

Johnson Square is known as Savannah’s oldest and largest city square, and those towering live oaks shape what the area feels like. It’s the kind of setting where you immediately understand why outdoor dining and promenades became part of daily life.

Again, it’s a short stop (about five minutes), which keeps the energy moving toward your next tasting.

Stop 3: Ellis Square (City Market energy and early-2000s revival)

Ellis Square was resurrected in the early 2000s and hosts the City Market area downtown. This helps frame Savannah as a city that both preserves its past and refreshes areas that draw people in.

It’s about five minutes, giving you just enough context before you’re back into food mode.

Stop 4: Savannah Taste Marketplace (where the tour’s flavors live on)

The tour ends at the Savannah Taste Marketplace for about 15 minutes. This is where you can revisit the flavors you tried and browse Lowcountry and Southeast brands featured there.

I like this finish because it turns your tastings into take-home souvenirs that are actually usable. If you found a sauce, snack, or packaged treat you liked, this stop is your chance to bring it home instead of just remembering it.

The guide factor: stories that make the food make sense

The best part of food tours isn’t always the food—it’s the way the guide connects it to place. This tour leans hard into that. You’ll hear history, architecture, and culture stories while you walk past elegant buildings and through the squares.

From the guides’ names that show up often—Lori, Gail, Shannon, Erin, Christopher (including Christopher Wolf), Cindy, Bec, Miss Country, and Josh—you can see a clear pattern: people come for the tastings and stay for the storytelling. The praise is consistent about guides being fun, energetic, and able to mix humor with real local detail.

You’ll also notice the tour isn’t only about big historical events. It includes Savannah’s endearing quirks—so you’re not trudging through dates. You’re learning why Savannah has its own rhythm, and that makes the food taste more like a tradition than a menu item.

Price and value: what $92.17 gets you (and when it may feel tight)

At $92.17 per person for about three hours, this isn’t a bargain snack walk. But it also isn’t just paying for someone to point at storefronts.

You’re paying for:

• a small group setting (up to 14 people)
• food tastings from up to five places that add up to lunch
• a local guide delivering history and stories
• water included
• a map of the route and exclusive discounts

That’s meaningful value if you’re the kind of person who loves learning while eating. It’s also convenient: you’re doing a guided route through prime downtown without having to plan stop logistics yourself.

Still, there are a couple value concerns you should know. Some people felt portions were on the smaller side, and a few felt the dessert portion didn’t match their expectations. There are also complaints that the food variety didn’t feel sufficiently Lowcountry to everyone, since the tour aims for a mix of Southern classics and more innovative dishes.

My advice: if you expect every stop to be strictly traditional Lowcountry comfort food, you might feel a little mismatched. If you’re open to a range of Southern flavors and local-style creativity, the price tends to make more sense.

Who should book this, and who should skip it

This tour is a great fit if:

• you want Savannah history plus food in one walk
• you like guided routes that connect architecture and culture to meals
• you’re visiting for the first time and want a map for later independent exploring
• you enjoy small-group experiences over large bus-style tours

I’d be cautious if:

• gluten-free, dairy-free, or vegan substitutions are non-negotiable for you (the tour can’t provide those)
• you need a low-walking, sit-and-chat experience
• you have trouble standing for three hours, especially since you’ll be moving, listening, and walking between squares
• you’re traveling on a strict food budget and want the biggest portions possible

Quick travel tips for your day on the route

• Wear comfortable walking shoes. The walking and standing are part of the deal.
• Eat a light breakfast if you can, so the lunch portion feels satisfying rather than overwhelming.
• Dress for weather. The tour runs in all conditions, so plan for heat or rain as Savannah decides to show up.
• If you’re late or can’t find the group, the tour notes you should call for help locating them.

Should you book Southern & Secret Walking Food Tour?

If your goal is a guided, small-group way to taste Savannah’s food culture while walking through iconic downtown squares, I think this is a strong booking. The best reason to go is the combination: multiple tastings that count as lunch plus stories that turn the city into more than a backdrop.

Book this with confidence if you’re flexible, hungry, and excited about mixing classic Southern comfort with a few less-expected flavors. Skip—or plan carefully—if you need gluten-free, dairy-free, or vegan tastings, or if standing and walking for three hours doesn’t work for your body that day.

FAQ

How long is the Southern & Secret Walking Food Tour?

It runs for about 3 hours.

Where do I meet and where does the tour end?

You start at Zunzi’s, 236 Drayton St, Savannah. The tour ends at Savannah Taste Experience Food Tours, 108 W Broughton St.

How many people are in the group?

The tour limits bookings to a maximum of 14 people.

What does the tour include for food and drinks?

You get food tastings from up to 5 restaurants and specialty food shops, plus water. Alcoholic beverages are available for purchase, but alcohol is not included in the ticket.

Is there a menu for specific dietary needs like gluten-free or vegan?

The tour states it cannot provide gluten-free, dairy-free, or vegan alternative tastings. It can provide accommodations for seafood allergies, nut allergies, pescatarian, and vegetarian options at most locations.

What landmarks will we pass during the walk?

You’ll walk through the Historic Landmark District squares, including Chippewa Square, Johnson Square, and Ellis Square, and then end at the Savannah Taste Marketplace.

What time of day is this tour?

It’s described as a lunchtime walking tour.

What if the weather is bad?

The tour operates in all weather conditions, so you should dress appropriately.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the experience for a full refund.

Is the tour good for kids?

It may not be appropriate for all children because it involves standing, walking, and listening for about 3 hours. Use your discretion based on your child’s needs.