Southern & Secret Walking Food Tour

Savannah’s best food tour is not only about what lands on your plate. It is about connecting biscuits, shrimp and grits, boiled peanuts, fried green tomatoes, and ice cream with the squares, houses, and odd little stories around you. This three-hour walk keeps the group to 14 people or fewer, which gives the guide room to talk with you instead of shouting to a crowd.

I like the mix of food and city history, especially the route through Chippewa, Johnson, and Ellis squares. I also like the practical finish: you receive a map, discounts, and a short list of places worth revisiting. The main caution is value. At $92.17, the tastings add up to lunch, but some portions are small and a few people find the food more ordinary than special.

What makes this Savannah food walk worth considering

• Five food stops: Taste at up to five restaurants and specialty shops, with samples that may include Southern staples and newer local dishes.
• A walking tour with context: Your guide explains Savannah’s architecture, culture, customs, and complicated past while you move between tastings.
• Small-group format: The maximum of 14 people makes it easier to hear the guide and ask questions.
• A useful starting point: The tour introduces you to central Savannah before you explore the city on your own.
• A full lunch in small bites: Eat lightly beforehand, but do not arrive expecting only a snack.
• Guide quality matters: Shannon, Christopher, Gail, Cindy, Erin, Bec, Josh, Lori, and Miss Country have all led well-liked outings, though your guide is assigned rather than selected.

Starting at Zunzi’s on Drayton Street

The tour begins at Zunzi’s, at 236 Drayton Street, in Savannah’s Historic Landmark District. This is a central location for a walking route through the old city, and the tour ends only a few blocks away at 108 West Broughton Street.

You meet your guide and the rest of the group before setting off on foot. Since the tour takes about three hours, wear comfortable shoes and expect regular standing. There may also be stairs, and the company runs the experience in all weather, so check the forecast and dress accordingly.

The small group is a real advantage here. Savannah’s squares can be busy, and a guide trying to manage a large crowd while serving food would have a harder job. With up to 14 people, you should be able to hear the stories and get answers without losing half the commentary in street noise.

The exact restaurant lineup can change, and the supplied details do not promise a fixed menu. That is worth understanding before you book. The experience is built around a selection of local restaurants and food shops, not one formal meal at a single restaurant.

Chippewa Square and the Forrest Gump connection

One of the first sightseeing pauses is Chippewa Square, famous for the bench scenes in Forrest Gump. The tour allows about five minutes here, so think of it as a quick orientation stop rather than a long film-location visit.

The square also gives your guide a chance to place you in Savannah’s historic street plan. You are not simply walking from one plate to the next. The food route passes through the city’s elegant public squares and gives the guide room to explain local customs, architecture, and the city’s long, sometimes troubled story.

Do not expect a full movie discussion or a long photo session. The stop is brief. If you want detailed pictures or a quiet look at the square, you may need to return later using the map provided at the end.

Johnson Square under the live oaks

Johnson Square is the oldest and largest of Savannah’s city squares, known for its canopy of live oaks. Again, the scheduled pause is about five minutes, but the square matters because it shows how Savannah’s public spaces shape the feel of the Historic Landmark District.

I like this part of the route because the walking itself becomes part of the meal. Between tastings, you get a chance to settle your stomach, look up at the trees, and notice the city’s formal layout. The guide also adds the kind of local details that are easy to miss when you are walking alone.

The history is part of the bargain, but the balance depends on your guide. Guides such as Christopher, Shannon, Gail, Bec, and Cindy have been praised for strong storytelling, humor, and clear explanations. Other outings may feel more food-focused or more rushed, especially in poor weather.

Ellis Square and the City Market area

The route also passes Ellis Square, which was brought back into use in the early 2000s and sits by Savannah’s City Market area. It is another short stop, but it helps show how the city has changed over time.

This section gives you a useful contrast. Johnson Square feels shaded and traditional, while Ellis Square connects the old district with a more active part of central Savannah. The guide can explain how public spaces, commerce, and tourism fit together as you walk toward the next tasting.

The route is not a strict sightseeing tour of every major building. You will see architecture and squares along the way, but the food remains the main event. If you want a detailed architecture tour, book a separate one. If you want a meal with a steady stream of Savannah context, this format makes more sense.

Five stops, from Southern staples to newer flavors

The tour includes tastings from up to five local restaurants and specialty food shops. Examples can include buttery biscuits and shrimp and grits, while the food may also include items such as boiled peanuts, fried green tomatoes with crabmeat, and Leopold’s ice cream.

That range is one of the tour’s strengths. You get a taste of classic Southern cooking, Lowcountry influence, and dishes that reflect Savannah’s changing restaurant scene. The menu is not limited to one style, either. One account praised a Peruvian stop, while another wished the route included more seafood and traditional Lowcountry cooking.

That mixed feedback is useful. If you want every bite to be an iconic Savannah dish, you may find the menu uneven. Some people consider the food simple or low-budget for the price. Others enjoy every stop and return to a restaurant later with friends. The experience works best if you view it as an introduction to several places, not a parade of high-end dishes.

Portions are generally tasting portions, but together they are intended to equal lunch. Some meals may feel plentiful, while others may leave you wishing for a larger serving. Eat a light breakfast, then arrive ready for a steady series of samples.

The tour includes water. Alcohol is not included, though alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks may be available for purchase. Savannah rules require alcoholic drinks to be in a plastic or Styrofoam cup, and only one alcoholic drink is allowed at a time. If you want a relaxed midday tasting rather than drink stops, this arrangement should not be a problem.

Why the guides shape the experience

The guide is the thread holding the food and sightseeing together. The strongest guide experiences combine local facts, humor, timing, and enough personality to keep a group engaged while people eat and walk.

Several guide names come up in the available feedback. Christopher is praised for storytelling and local knowledge. Shannon is described as witty and good at keeping the group involved. Gail is noted for explaining houses, parks, and cemeteries while introducing unfamiliar Southern foods. Cindy receives credit for both history and restaurant choices.

Erin, Bec, Josh, Lori, and Miss Country are also singled out for energy, warmth, humor, or strong local insight. That gives you a good sense of the company’s guide style, but you usually cannot choose your guide when booking. The experience can vary a little based on who leads your group and how busy the stops are that day.

I would book this early in your Savannah stay. You will hear restaurant names, get a route map, and learn enough about the district to plan later walks. The tour is particularly useful when you want a friendly introduction rather than a formal lecture.

How much value do you get for $92.17?

The price is $92.17 per person. That is not cheap for a three-hour walking experience, so the value rests on more than the amount of food.

You are paying for up to five tastings, a local guide, historical commentary, a small group, water, a route map, and discounts. You also avoid the work of choosing restaurants and ordering full meals at several places. If you use the tour to decide where to eat later, the map and introductions add practical value.

Still, the price will feel high if your main goal is a large lunch or restaurant-quality showpieces. One dessert may be a cup of local ice cream at the company’s main location, and some people find that ending too modest for the cost. Other diners find the total amount of food satisfying and enjoy the variety more than a single large meal.

My advice is simple: book it for the combination of food and storytelling, not as a bargain meal. If you would gladly pay for a three-hour city walk and then spend money sampling local dishes, the price is easier to justify. If you judge the tour strictly by portion size, you may come away disappointed.

Dietary limits and family considerations

You need to report allergies and dietary restrictions when booking. Seafood allergies, nut allergies, pescatarian needs, and vegetarian choices can usually be accommodated at most locations, but you should contact the company ahead of time.

The company cannot provide gluten-free, dairy-free, or vegan alternative tastings because of the nature of the menu and the participating stops. There is also no reduced ticket price for people who cannot eat every tasting. This is one of the most important booking details, especially for a food-focused tour.

Most people can take part, and service animals are allowed. The experience may not suit every child because it requires three hours of walking, standing, and listening to historical stories. Families with older children who enjoy trying new food may do well, but very young children may find the pace long.

Weather, timing, and practical planning

The tour operates in all weather conditions. Bring suitable clothing, and plan for heat, rain, or damp streets depending on the day. Savannah weather can change your comfort level quickly, and poor conditions may make the group feel rushed between stops.

The company may contact you with a schedule change, so include your phone number at checkout and check your messages before the tour. Keep the tour operator’s phone number available if you are late or cannot find the meeting point.

The experience is offered in English and uses a mobile ticket. It is near public transportation, and the starting and ending points are close enough that you can continue exploring central Savannah afterward.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. The tour also needs a minimum number of participants, so a cancellation by the operator may result in a different date, another experience, or a full refund.

Who should book this food tour?

I would choose this tour if you want a first look at Savannah that mixes eating with orientation. It suits couples, solo visitors, friends, and families with older children who like walking and trying several small dishes.

It is also a good fit if you enjoy learning from a personable guide. The best moments are likely to come from the links between each food stop and the city around it: a square, a house, a local custom, or a story that gives the dish a little more meaning.

I would think twice if you need vegan, dairy-free, or gluten-free food, or if you want a seafood-heavy Lowcountry menu. I would also compare the price carefully with your expectations. The tour offers variety and convenience, but not every stop will feel exceptional, and some servings are modest.

Should you book the Southern and Secret Walking Food Tour?

Book it if you want a social, small-group introduction to Savannah with enough food to cover lunch and enough history to help you understand the old district. The mix of squares, local stories, and multiple tastings is the main appeal.

Skip it if you want a serious restaurant crawl, large portions, or a tightly focused tour of traditional seafood. For most visitors, the smart move is to take it early in the trip, use the map to revisit the stops you liked, and treat the tour as both a meal and a useful first lesson in Savannah.

FAQ

How long does the Southern and Secret Walking Food Tour last?

The tour lasts approximately three hours, including walking, historical commentary, and food tastings.

Where does the tour begin?

The meeting point is Zunzi’s at 236 Drayton Street, Savannah, Georgia 31401.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends at Savannah Taste Experience Food Tours at 108 West Broughton Street, only a few blocks from the starting point.

How many people are in each group?

The maximum group size is 14 people, including a maximum of 14 travelers per tour.

How many food stops are included?

The tour includes tastings from up to five local restaurants and specialty food shops.

Is a full meal included?

The tastings are intended to add up to a lunch portion. You should eat a light breakfast before arriving.

Can dietary restrictions be accommodated?

Seafood allergies, nut allergies, pescatarian needs, and vegetarian options can usually be accommodated at most locations if you provide notice. Gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan alternative tastings are not available.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience begins. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded or accepted.