Savannah: A Weekend Itinerary to Explore & Support Black Business

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Heading to Savannah, GA soon for a long weekend? Wondering what to do, where to stay, and especially where to eat to support local Black-owned business? I've been to Savannah multiple times because I find the city's charms, activities, beaches, and history irresistible. And we all know that the magic comes from it's rich modern Black and ancestral roots.

So, this article is born: a Black-focused list of recommendations for you to plan your stay around.

Follow this guide will make sure your trip Instagram-worthy, filled with Southern charm and Savannah goodness, and best of all—supporting the Black people that built and build this city.

This post may have affiliate links. Meaning if you buy something using them, I get a small % for recommending it. It won't change the price for you and it's a super easy and nice way to say thanks for the work I did creating this 🙂 Cool? Cool.

Black owned bars in Savannah, GA

The Grey

📍109 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Savannah, GA 31401

Come for drinks and finger foods in the front room and then head to the larger dining room for a delicious multi-course meal.

The Grey is co-owned by African American chef Mashama Bailey, who has a James Beard Award (and a super infectious laugh!) and Johno Morisano, The Grey's menu changes seasonally in accordance to what is most fresh and naturally available.

Let me tell you… there was not a single thing on the menu I did not like.

And I tried everything—the beef tongue, oysters, fried flounder, beef short-ribs, wine. All of these eateries' awards and accolades are extremely well-deserved, and worth the price tag.

Good Time Jazz Bar

📍107 W Broughton St, Savannah, GA 31401

Known for their excellent food, excellent service, and of course, excellent live music 6 days of the week. I didn't have time to visit Good Time's Jazz Bar during my weekend in Savannah and it is my biggest regret as it was a must-do suggestion by almost everyone I asked.

💡 Savannah has open container laws like Vegas or New Orleans. The law permits the carry of open drinks as long as they are in plastic, 16-ounce cups (no bottles, mugs, or flasks) and must remain in Historic District limits. These laws definitely play a part in why Fodor's lists it has having one of the Top 10 Largest St. Patrick's Day celebrations in the U.S (and the reason you'll see many bachelor's and bachelorette parties!)

Sey Hey

📍 2505 Bull St, Savannah, GA 31401

Say Hey is a Black-owned Savannah sports bar in the Starland District. The bar caters to the “30, flirty, and thriving” crowd, and is one of the few remaining Black-owned businesses on Bull St.

Affordable drinks, great vibe.

Artillery Bar (not Black-owned)

📍 307 Bull St, Savannah, GA 31401

Artillery Bar is a sophisticated speakeasy in a restored armory with mood lighting, imaginative cocktails, and an extensive bourbon list. It's not Black-owned but has great drinks, an interesting history, and is a staple of Savannah.

I ordered the “Smoke and Mirrors” and “Ring Around the Posies” and loved both artisanal drinks.

Black-owned Savannah eats you must try

Geneva’s Chicken & Cornbread

📍1909 E Victory Dr #102, Savannah, GA 31404

If you're looking for traditional Southern fried chicken in Savannah, Geneva's Chicken & Cornbread should be at the top of your list.

I met three generations of Ms. Geneva's family when I visited the restaurant. It's truly family-owned and operated, with Ms. Geneva herself still in the kitchen every day.

If you aren't a friend of fried chicken, don't worry: the collard greens, green beans, gumbo, mac n' cheese, or fried shrimp can win you over.

Back in the Day Bakery

📍2403 Bull St, Savannah, GA 31401

This is one eaterie that is more often than not found with a line down the street—and for good reason.

Back in the Day Bakery is a Black co-owned restaurant by Ms. Cheryl Day who cooks up some delicious and unique pastries and baked meals like biscuits and gravy, cinnamon biscuit buns, cream-cheese pepper-jelly biscuits, and my favorite…

Can you say ‘strawberry-lavender jam on homemade blueberry biscuits’? 

The Original Crab Shack (not Black-owned)

📍504 E River St, Savannah, GA 31401

The new love of my life for, I think, quite obvious reasons if you look at the photo.

They are technically out of the Savannah city limits and a 30-40 minute drive out to Tybee Island.

Between the almost-absurd portion sizes of the ‘Captain Crab's Sampler Platter' and the Tybee Trashcan drink I ordered, this was the best meal I'd had in a long time.

Not Black-owned—but I still dream about those snow crab legs to this day!

Black-owned hotels in Savannah, Georgia

Unfortunately, there are no Black-owned hotels or guest houses in the city of Savannah Georgia. So if you're reading this and thinking about opening one… this is your sign to do it. We're waiting for you!

Instead, I'll give you some of my favorite recommendations both non-owned, and just outside of the city.

Breezeway Studio Manor

📍 916 Penn Waller Rd, Savannah, GA 31410

Breezeway Studio Manor is 20 minutes outside of downtown Savannah via freeway. Tucked away on Wilmington Island, right between the historic buzz of downtown Savannah and the laid-back vibes of Tybee Island, the bed and breakfast opened its doors in 2013. What makes it extra special? It's the first Black-owned bed and breakfast on the island, owned and operated by local Peggy Blood.

You can choose between guest housing or the bed and breakfast experience. Giant live oaks and pine trees decorate the grounds. Lounging in a rocking chair, sip iced tea while the sun sets, and relax and kick back after a day of exploring.

Perry Lane Hotel (not Black-owned)

📍 256 E Perry St, Savannah, GA 31401

During my Savannah trip I stayed in the center of downtown at the Perry Lane Hotel and had a more than exquisite stay. Like, the beds held me, hostage, every morning with how comfortable they were, and you can't beat the location being less than 5 minutes walking distance to most public Savannah squares.

The Drayton Hotel (not Black-owned)

📍 7 Drayton St, Savannah, GA 31401

The Drayton Hotel is freshly remodeled and the rooms are beautiful!

It's located in the heart of the Historic District*, and features an extremely colorful, bright bar area, a restaurant, and an unmatched rooftop experience with views of City Hall, Savannah River, and the surrounding cityscape.

And if staying in the Historic District inspires you to dive deeper into some history, you should definitely hop on a trolley tour of Savannah* for the most fun way to learn about this rich destination.

💡 For affordable accommodations in Savannah look for short-term rentals just outside of Downtown. However, in central Downtown and in the Historic District, rentals are often not much cheaper than the local hotels. In that case, opt to support small businesses and look forward to experiencing true Southern hospitality.

Black-owned Black history tours in Savannah

Footprints of Savannah Walking Tour

📍 912-695-3872 (Tours are reserved by phone only and confirmed via text)

The Footprint Through History Walking Tour is less of a walking tour and more of a journey.

As Ms. Vaughnette Goode-Walker will tell you,

“This is not a Black history tour. This is an American history tour.”

She will take you through all aspects of Savannah and Southern history, from Native American interaction with settlers to the times of slavery to Southern economics, the Civil War, technological revolutions, and all things in between.

Come to this tour prepared to listen, but more importantly, to feel the history in Savannah.

Pricing:

• Adults – $25 per person (Gratuity not included)
• Children under 12 years old – $10

Day Clean Journeys

📍 301 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Savannah, GA 31415

‘Day Clean' is a Gullah phrase that means “new day”.

Dr. Jamal Touré is a remarkable scholar and teacher who conducts Day Clean Journey, a remarkable trip into the underground African American history of Savannah for his company Day Clean.

Dr. Jamal Touré shared his considerable knowledge of the history of Savannah and the people who built and inhabited the city, along with changes faced by the African-American community over the centuries. Many return customers

Tybee Island

Tybee Island is a 3.5 sq miles allotment of islands and inlets about a 20-minute drive from Savannah. It was settled by the enslaved African Americans who grew to live in tandem with the indigenous tribes. They are century old inhabitants of the Sea Island community, and it has been lovingly maintained and passed down from generation to generation.

The Gulla Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor is a National Park Service designated heritage corridor that follows the coastline of North Florida all the way up here to South Georgia. When I first left Washington D.C. to visit Savannah, GA my mental image included plantations, sweet tea, and horse-drawn carriages. However, on my descent into Hilton-Head in I was shocked by gorgeous shallow, blue waters and beautiful white beaches.

This special place celebrates Sea Island Gullah and Geechee culture, including its African American and Indigenous roots, stories, music, foodways, art forms, traditions found in the community today—all of which make Tybee Island truly unique.

Whether you are looking to explore historic sites steeped in African-American history or just experience a great beach getaway with modern amenities – Tybee Island is the perfect destination for all.

Popular town for families, history buffs, and water lovers*, this area is easy to walk around self-tour. Or, if you want something more adventurous, take a segway tour and see even more of the area in just one hour. Tybee also has some magical wildlife you can learn about on an eco-friendly dolphin cruise* around the island!

Pinpoint Heritage Museum 

📍 9924 Pin Point Ave, Savannah, GA 31406

The community was founded in 1896 by freedmen after the Civil War. The former factory has been transformed into the Pinpoint Heritage Museum educational center for visitors to authentically learn about the Gullah/Geechee culture directly from residents who grew up in the small, close-knit community.

Guests can discover these unique lifeways, from daily life to religion, language and food. 

Yogi Soul Farms

YogiSoulFarms is run by David Betts, a young, Black naturalist who offers foraging tours in the backwoods of Savannah, GA.

The focus of the tour is on mushrooms, and you'll come across Lions' Mane, Turkey Tails, and oyster mushrooms, as well as more varied fauna such as loquats (also known as Japanese plums), mulberries, kumquats, chicken of the woods, figs, dates, and prickly pear cactus.

David doesn't believe in profiteering from the knowledge of an Earth that belongs to us all and allows guests to charge what they think the tour is worth.

This trip was sponsored by Visit Savannah.

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Let's chat in the comments:
what questions do you have about visiting Savannah, GA, and supporting the local Black-owned businesses there?