Savannah on foot feels like theatre, and this tour gives you the snacks to go with it. You’ll walk the Historic Landmark District with a small group and stop for tastings as your guide threads in Savannah’s culture and history, including movie-scene details like the Chippewa Square bench from Forrest Gump. On tours like this, I like that the focus is practical: you’re eating as you learn.

I also like the small group size (14 people or fewer), because it keeps the vibe friendly and lets your guide actually pay attention. Guides such as Lori, Christopher, Gail, Shannon, Erin, and Cindy are repeatedly praised for being energetic and fun storytellers while you sample a mix of Southern classics and dishes with a twist.

One drawback to plan for: portions can feel a bit on the smaller side, so come with a real appetite, and expect a lot of walking for the full 3 hours. If you’re hoping for a fully gluten-free, dairy-free, or vegan meal plan, you’ll need to look elsewhere since those tastings aren’t offered.

Key points before you go

• Up to 5 tastings across local restaurants and specialty food shops, designed to add up to a lunch portion
• Historic Landmark District squares with quick, memorable stops at Chippewa, Johnson, and Ellis
• Small group, 14 or fewer, which makes the tour feel more personal and less rushed
• Ends at a Southern marketplace where you can pick up flavors you tasted
• No gluten-free/dairy-free/vegan alternatives, but some accommodations are available for seafood and certain diets
• Alcohol isn’t included, but water is, and extra drinks follow Savannah’s plastic-cup rules

A 3-hour lunch walk through Savannah squares

This is a lunchtime walking food tour built around Savannah’s classic square system, where you can slow down and actually look at the city while you eat. The timing is about 3 hours in total, and you’ll end only a few blocks from where you started.

You’ll meet your guide in the Historic Landmark District and then meander through peaceful, elegant squares like Chippewa Square, Johnson Square, and Ellis Square. Between those stops, you’ll visit restaurants and specialty shops for tastings, so the walk is broken up by food moments instead of just sightseeing.

Plan for standing, walking, and listening for the full stretch. There’s also a note that the experience may not be ideal for all children because of the length and pace, and you should dress for all weather since the tour runs in all conditions.

Price and value: what $92.17 gets you in real life

At $92.17 per person, you’re paying for three things: access to a guide, guided time through a tight Historic District area, and multiple tastings that add up to lunch. You also get a map of the route to help you return later to favorites on your own, plus exclusive discounts (the specifics aren’t spelled out, but the intent is clear).

Is it cheap? No. But the value makes sense if you like tours that do two jobs at once: food + local context. When the guide is strong, you don’t just eat—you understand why certain dishes, ingredients, and local traditions matter in Savannah’s culture.

If you’re more of a “just hand me the menu” type, you might feel the price more sharply. A few people have commented that tastings can be small and that some stops didn’t feel spectacular enough for the cost. I’d treat this as a guided sampler that’s best when you enjoy the story part as much as the food.

Getting oriented fast: start near Zunzi’s, then end at the marketplace

Your tour starts at Zunzi’s, 236 Drayton St and ends at Savannah Taste Experience Food Tours, 108 W Broughton St. That end point matters because it’s close enough to keep the momentum going—especially if you want to pop into shops again after the tour.

A mobile ticket is part of the deal, and water is included during the experience. Also note that service animals are allowed, and the area is near public transportation, which helps if you’re juggling walking with Savannah’s busy downtown.

One simple practical tip: go in with a light breakfast or none. The tastings are meant to total a lunch-sized amount, but you’ll enjoy it more if you aren’t already too full.

Chippewa Square: the Forrest Gump bench and the first taste

Chippewa Square is the tour’s opening landmark stop, and it comes with an easy-to-spot pop-culture detail: the famous bench scenes from Forrest Gump were filmed there. This quick 5-minute stop works because it gives you an immediate mental picture of Savannah—oak-lined calm, historic façades, and that “this place has a story” feeling.

After you take in the square, you’ll start building your tasting rhythm. You’ll see Savannah’s food culture through small samples at local restaurants and specialty shops, not by ordering full meals. The tastings may include buttery biscuits and shrimp and grits, which are exactly the kind of Southern hits that help you understand why people get excited about Lowcountry flavors.

Potential drawback here: the schedule is structured, so the tour is “walk, stop, eat, move.” If you want long scenic pauses for photos, you may need to accept that the time is tight at each square.

Johnson Square: live oaks, the oldest square, and why the walk matters

Johnson Square is Savannah’s oldest and largest city square, and it’s known for the towering canopy of live oaks. That canopy isn’t just pretty—it’s part of how Savannah’s outdoor life feels sheltered and slow, especially in warmer months.

You’ll spend about 5 minutes here, which is short, but it’s long enough to register the scale of the space and notice the architecture around it. Your guide’s job is to connect those visual cues to Savannah’s culture and history, and when the guide is a top performer, the square stop becomes more than a photo op.

From a food-tour perspective, Johnson Square helps break up the day. You’re walking in the Historic District, then you get a sensory reset under the oaks, then you’re back on the move toward the next tasting stop.

If you’re sensitive to walking pace, this is where you’ll feel it most. You’re on your feet for 3 hours total, and there’s also a note that there may be some stairs during the outing. Wear shoes you’d happily walk all day in.

Ellis Square and the City Market connection

Ellis Square is where the tour turns into something more “now Savannah” rather than only “old Savannah.” The square was resurrected in the early 2000s and it hosts the lively downtown City Market area.

You’ll also get about 5 minutes in this stop. The payoff is that you’re not just learning about the past—you’re seeing how Savannah uses its historic spaces for today’s street-level energy. That connection is useful if you plan to keep exploring after the tour, because it tells you where the action clusters downtown.

This is also a natural moment to think about what you’re tasting. Some tours in Savannah can skew toward one style of food. This one is designed to mix Southern classics with innovative dishes from local chefs, so by the time you reach Ellis Square, you’ve usually had enough samples to start spotting patterns in the flavors.

The five tastings: biscuits, grits, and Lowcountry-style variety

The tour includes food tastings from up to 5 restaurants & specialty food shops. The big advantage of this format is pacing. You’re not stuck with one heavy meal, and you get a range of bites that make it easier to compare styles.

What you might taste can include Southern standards like shrimp and grits and buttery biscuits. Based on the kinds of dishes people highlight afterward, you may also run into items such as fried green tomatoes with crabmeat, boiled peanuts, and a sweet moment like Leopold’s ice cream. Not every dish is guaranteed, but the theme stays consistent: classic Southern comfort paired with Lowcountry flair.

Here’s the value math: with 5 tastings meant to equal lunch, you’re getting a decent spread for one set price. Still, if you’re the type who wants a full entrée, you could leave satisfied but not stuffed. That’s why I recommend a light breakfast plan and a curious attitude.

Diet notes you should take seriously: the tour can’t provide gluten-free, dairy-free, or vegan alternative tastings. Accommodations are possible for seafood allergies, nut allergies, pescatarian, and vegetarian options at most locations, but because the tour has limited size, there’s no reduced ticket price for restricted diets. If your needs are outside that list, email the provider before you go so you don’t end up hoping on-site.

Finishing at the Savannah Taste Marketplace: take the flavors home

The tour ends at Savannah Taste Marketplace for about 15 minutes. This is where you can keep tasting at your own speed by browsing flavors you recognized from the tour and picking up items that represent the Lowcountry and Southeast.

This final stretch is valuable because it’s not just a goodbye. It’s your chance to anchor the experience: buy a sauce, snack, or sweet you liked, then come back later and recreate the flavors at home. It also helps if you want to share what you ate with friends who didn’t make the tour.

Some people also talk about a sweet finish that feels like local ice cream in a cup near the company’s main location. The safe way to think about this: expect a dessert moment as part of the ending experience, and if you’re sensitive to timing or want something specific, keep your expectations flexible.

Water, alcohol rules, and staying comfortable

Water is included, and other alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages can be purchased along the way. Alcohol is not part of the ticket price, so budget for drinks if that’s your plan.

If you do buy alcohol, there’s a very specific local rule: drinks must be in a plastic or Styrofoam cup, and only one alcoholic beverage is allowed at a time. The tour also warns that failing to follow these rules can lead to a fine by Savannah Police. That’s one of those details that can feel annoying—until you see how important it is downtown.

Comfort matters here. The tour operates in all weather conditions, so bring what you need: a hat and sunscreen when it’s bright, a light layer if evenings cool down, and shoes that don’t punish you after hours on cobblestones and sidewalks.

Guides are the difference: Lori, Christopher, Gail, Shannon, Erin, Cindy

The most repeated strength is the guide energy. People highlight guides like Lori, Christopher, Gail, Shannon, Erin, and Cindy for being engaging, funny, and genuinely invested in Savannah.

When your guide is doing their best work, you notice the rhythm: they connect what you’re seeing in the squares to what you’re eating, then they toss in small, human stories that make the city feel less like a checklist. That’s why the same food tour concept can feel average or memorable depending on who’s leading it.

If you like tours where history isn’t a lecture, this is built for that. You’re walking, tasting, and learning in a way that feels like conversation—just structured enough to keep moving and hit the major stops and tastings.

Who this tour suits best (and who should skip it)

This is a strong fit if you want a lunch-friendly Savannah experience that combines food samples with short, high-impact stops at key squares. It’s also ideal if you like smaller groups and value a guide who tells stories while you eat, not after you’re done.

It may be less ideal if you:

• want a heavy, full-meal style experience rather than a sampler
• need strict gluten-free, dairy-free, or vegan tastings (those aren’t offered)
• prefer long, slow sightseeing breaks in each square
• struggle with standing and walking for about 3 hours

Also consider the group dynamic: it’s capped at 14 people per booking, which usually helps. But if you’re extremely introverted and need privacy, group walking tours still take some adjustment.

Quick practical tips so you get the best value

• Eat lightly before you go, because tastings add up to a lunch portion.
• Bring comfortable shoes; the tour includes walking and may include some stairs.
• If allergies or diet needs are part of your plan, contact the provider in advance so you don’t waste time on unclear substitutions.
• Aim to book early. This tour is often booked about 22 days in advance on average, so popular days can fill.
• If you’re picky about dessert, plan on a sweet finish but keep expectations flexible since the exact items can vary.

Should you book the Southern & Secret Walking Food Tour?

I’d book this if you’re the type who likes to connect food to place. The mix of Southern classics, inventive bites, and square-based storytelling is the heart of the experience. The small group size is also a genuine quality advantage, and guides like Lori, Christopher, Gail, Shannon, Erin, and Cindy show that the human factor really matters here.

Skip it if you need gluten-free, dairy-free, or vegan tastings, or if you expect restaurant-size portions. Also skip if you dread walking for a solid chunk of time. For most people, though, this is one of the easier ways to taste your way through Historic Savannah and then know where to return once you’re done with the guided part.

FAQ

How long is the Southern & Secret Walking Food Tour?

The tour is about 3 hours, walking through Savannah’s Historic Landmark District and ending a few blocks from where you start.

Where do I meet the guide, and where does the tour end?

You meet at Zunzi’s, 236 Drayton St, Savannah, GA 31401, and the tour ends at Savannah Taste Experience Food Tours, 108 W Broughton St, Savannah, GA 31401.

How big is the group?

The tour is limited to a maximum of 14 travelers, with a small group size of 14 or fewer.

How many tastings should I expect?

You’ll stop at up to 5 restaurants and specialty food shops for tastings.

Is water included?

Yes, water is included during the tour.

Are alcoholic drinks included in the price?

No. Alcoholic beverages are not included, though you can purchase alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks during the experience.

Can the tour accommodate dietary restrictions?

The tour can accommodate seafood allergies, nut allergies, pescatarian, and vegetarian options at most locations. You should advise dietary needs in the special requirements section and follow up as needed.

Does the tour offer gluten-free, dairy-free, or vegan tastings?

No. The tour cannot provide gluten-free, dairy-free, or vegan alternative tastings.

Does the tour run in bad weather?

Yes, it operates in all weather conditions. You should dress appropriately.

What is the cancellation deadline for a full refund?

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

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