True South Lunch Tour

REVIEW · SAVANNAH

True South Lunch Tour

  • 5.052 reviews
  • 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
  • From $99.99
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Operated by Flavors Food Tours - Savannah · Bookable on Viator

Savannah tastes better on foot. The True South Lunch Tour turns a simple meal stop into a guided walk through the Historic District, with Southern classics you can actually put in your mouth. I also like that you leave with a feel for why the food matters, not just what’s on the menu.

What’s especially good is the food mix: coffee and beignets to start, then Low Country favorites like shrimp n grits and she crab soup, plus fried green tomatoes and pecan pie. One possible drawback: this is a walking tour (about 2 miles) and it has specific limits on allergies and vegan needs.

You’ll go in small company too. The max group size is 10, so you get a real back-and-forth with the guide, like Jessica, Vanessa, Bridget, Pamela, or Leslie, who are repeatedly praised for keeping it fun and informative.

Quick hits

True South Lunch Tour - Quick hits

  • 2-mile historic walk through Savannah’s northern streets, at a lunch-friendly pace
  • Multiple Southern stops: coffee, beignets, fried green tomatoes, shrimp n grits or another main, she crab soup, and pecan pie
  • Drink included with a cocktail or a mocktail option
  • Small group (max 10), which makes the history and restaurant talk feel personal
  • Guides you’ll hear from often called out by name, including Jessica, Vanessa, Bridget, Pamela, and Leslie
  • Allergy and vegan limits: no peppers, onions, garlic, or vegan requests on tour

A Savannah Lunch Tour Built for People Who Like to Walk and Eat

True South Lunch Tour - A Savannah Lunch Tour Built for People Who Like to Walk and Eat
If you’re trying to experience Savannah in a way that’s more than just taking photos, this tour is a smart move. It’s not a sit-down class. It’s a guided food walk that uses the city streets as the “map” and the restaurants as the chapters.

You’ll spend about 3 hours 30 minutes total, and you’ll be moving for roughly 2 miles through the historic northern part of town. That matters because it keeps the pacing realistic. Lunch tours can turn into rushed sprints between places; this one is built around slow, steady strolling plus time to eat.

I like that it’s explicitly Southern cuisine focused. Instead of a random selection of trendy plates, you get classics tied to the region—Low Country staples, comfort food, and the dessert you’ll keep hearing about after one bite.

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Where You Start and Where You End (So You Don’t Get Lost)

True South Lunch Tour - Where You Start and Where You End (So You Don’t Get Lost)
The tour meets at Rousakis Riverfront Plaza in Savannah. It’s close to Huey’s, right by the riverfront, so it’s easy to orient yourself when you arrive. You’ll look for a guide wearing a Georgia peach-colored shirt with the Flavors Food Tours logo.

The finish point is near City Market (Jefferson at W Saint Julian Street). The tour ends nearby, and if you want help, they’ll escort you back to the start point or help you get your bearings.

This matters for planning. City Market is a convenient place to meet back up with the rest of your day, especially if you want to keep exploring afterward on your own. It’s also a good “reset” zone if you’d rather head to a different neighborhood after the last bite.

Coffee and Beignets First: A Simple Start That Sets the Tone

The tour kicks off with coffee and soft, warm powdered beignets near the starting point. That first stop is more than just a snack. It’s a mood setter.

Savannah mornings have that lived-in feel, and beignets are basically edible sunshine—warm, airy, and sweet enough to get you paying attention to what you’re learning. Coffee helps too, since the tour involves walking. It’s a good way to get started without feeling like you’re eating too late in the day.

You’ll also meet your guide right there, so you get the basics before you start crossing the streets. Expect the guide to frame the day around food and culture—why these dishes exist, where they come from, and how they show up in Savannah life.

The Historic District Walk: About Two Miles, Moderate Fitness Needed

You’re walking about 2 miles through the historic northern section of Savannah. That’s the big “logistics truth” of this experience.

If you’re used to strolling, you’ll probably be fine. If you don’t like walking at all, or if your idea of a vacation is mostly sitting, this might feel like work. The tour asks for moderate physical fitness level, so plan on comfortable shoes and a pace that won’t leave you gasping for water.

The route itself is part of the value. Savannah’s streets and squares aren’t just decoration; they help explain why the food traditions developed the way they did. Even if you’ve visited before, this kind of route can change how the city connects in your head.

Group size stays small (max 10), which also helps the walking experience. Larger groups often slow down because people regroup constantly. Here, the structure makes it easier to keep moving and stay social without turning it into a line.

The Food Stops: What You’ll Taste and Why It’s Worth It

This is a multi-stop tasting tour, not one restaurant with a big sampling platter. The food list you should expect includes coffee, beignets, fried green tomatoes, shrimp n grits and/or other main dishes of the South, she crab soup, pecan pie, and more.

Here’s what that lineup means in real life:

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Fried Green Tomatoes

You’ll get a taste of something Southern that’s both familiar and surprising. Fried green tomatoes are a great example of how Southern cooking can be “humble ingredients” turned into comfort food. The idea is crunch, tang, and salt—plus that satisfyingly thick, fried texture that makes it a perfect walking-around bite.

Shrimp N Grits (and Possible Alternatives)

Low Country cuisine is a big part of Savannah’s identity, and shrimp n grits is one of its most recognizable plates. If you’re a fan of savory breakfasts or coastal comfort food, this stop is usually a highlight.

The tour notes shrimp n grits and/or other main dishes of the South. So you’re not guaranteed the exact same entree across every departure, but the intent stays consistent: you’ll try a core Southern main that fits the region.

She Crab Soup

If you’ve never had she crab soup before, it’s one of those dishes that makes you understand why people get protective about local recipes. Expect a creamy, crab-forward bowl that’s both filling and distinctive.

This is also a good “history through food” moment. A dish like this isn’t just a flavor choice—it reflects what coastal communities made, valued, and passed along.

Pecan Pie

You’ll finish with something sweet and Southern: pecan pie. It’s the dessert that shows up at family tables and holiday spreads for a reason—rich, nutty, and comforting without being a mystery.

For planning, consider that pie is included, so you’ll want to save room. This tour already has multiple savory stops, so if you arrive starving with no patience for sweetness, you may regret any big breakfast beforehand.

The Cocktail (or Mocktail): Why This Inclusion Works

True South Lunch Tour - The Cocktail (or Mocktail): Why This Inclusion Works
You’ll be offered a cocktail, or a mocktail if you don’t drink. That’s a smart design choice for a walking tour.

It shifts the experience from pure sightseeing into full vacation mode. At the same time, because the tour is only about 3.5 hours and food is spread across multiple stops, the drink doesn’t turn the whole day into a sloppy blur. It’s more like a celebratory pause—something that makes the meal feel like an event.

If you’re driving or you just don’t drink, the mocktail option keeps you in the group. You won’t feel like the odd one out at the table.

Small Groups and Real-World Guidance: What the Best Reviews Emphasize

This tour caps at 10 travelers, and that’s not a trivial detail. It tends to make the whole experience smoother: faster check-ins, less waiting, and more time for questions.

The guide experience is also a major part of the praise. People repeatedly highlight hosts such as Jessica and Vanessa, plus Bridget, Pamela, and Leslie. While I can’t promise you’ll get a specific person, the consistent message is clear: the guides do more than recite facts. They connect dishes to the streets, squares, and Savannah culture around you.

That balance is exactly what you want from a food tour. If you’re the type who likes asking why something tastes the way it does, you’ll get that here. If you prefer the guide to keep things moving and not get too academic, the format still supports an easy, friendly tone.

Price and Value: Is $99.99 Reasonable for a Tasting Tour?

At $99.99 per person, you’re paying for a guided route, a curated set of tastings, and a drink included. In plain terms, you’re not just buying food—you’re buying someone else’s planning and timing.

Here’s where value shows up:

  • Multiple food stops mean you don’t have to make choices or bounce between restaurants on your own.
  • Southern specialties like she crab soup and pecan pie aren’t always the easiest things to order casually without knowing what to expect.
  • The cocktail or mocktail is included, so you’re not doing the mental math at every stop.

You’re also booking a small-group experience, not a giant bus-style tasting. That usually improves the pacing and the quality of the questions you can ask.

If you’re someone who hates spending vacation time deciding where to eat, this price feels more like a convenience fee than a splurge. If you’re on a tight budget and want to self-tour for far less, then it’s a cost you’ll feel. But for a first-time visitor, or someone who wants a guided “taste map” of Savannah, the value is strong.

And yes, the rating backs that up: it sits at 4.9 with 52 reviews, and 96% of people recommend it.

Dietary Limits: What You Can Plan Around Before You Go

This tour has constraints you should take seriously:

  • They cannot accommodate allergies to peppers, onions, garlic
  • They cannot accommodate vegan requests on tour

That’s a practical reality for a tasting format. Multiple restaurants and fixed menu items make total customization hard.

If you’re sensitive to those ingredients, you’ll want to think carefully before booking. If you have other allergies, the data doesn’t specify how those are handled, so it’s worth confirming directly with the provider before you commit.

If your diet is flexible and you’re not in those restricted categories, you can focus on enjoying the tasting rather than worrying about substitutions.

Who Should Book This Tour (and Who Might Skip It)

This is a great fit if:

  • You want Savannah food that’s region-specific and not generic
  • You like learning while you eat, but you don’t want a lecture
  • You’re comfortable walking around for about 2 miles
  • You appreciate small-group experiences and friendly, talk-first guides

It’s less ideal if:

  • You need vegan-only meals or strict avoidance of peppers, onions, or garlic
  • You want a mostly seated, low-walking day
  • You prefer to order exactly off a menu rather than tasting what’s planned

It also tends to work well early in your visit. You get a quick handle on Savannah’s food identity, and it helps you make better choices later when you’re eating on your own.

Should You Book the True South Lunch Tour?

I’d book it if you want a guided, bite-by-bite introduction to Savannah’s Southern and Low Country flavors. The food lineup hits the classics people talk about, the pacing is manageable for most visitors, and the small group size keeps the experience feeling human instead of factory-made.

I’d hesitate only if your diet has restrictions around peppers, onions, garlic, or if you don’t want to walk about 2 miles. Otherwise, at $99.99 with tastings plus a drink included, it’s a solid way to spend part of a Savannah day—especially if it’s your first time in town.

FAQ

How long is the True South Lunch Tour?

The tour runs about 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.).

Where does the tour start and where does it end?

It starts at Rousakis Riverfront Plaza in Savannah and ends nearby City Market at Jefferson at W Saint Julian Street. The guide can escort you back to the start point or help you get your bearings.

What food and drink are included?

You’ll have coffee and beignets at the start, and you’ll taste Southern dishes such as fried green tomatoes, shrimp n grits and/or other main dishes, she crab soup, and pecan pie. The tour also includes a cocktail or a mocktail for non drinkers.

Is there a lot of walking?

Yes. You’ll walk about 2 miles through the historic northern section of Savannah and you should have a moderate physical fitness level.

How large are the groups?

The maximum group size is 10 travelers.

Are there allergy or vegan accommodations?

They cannot accommodate allergies to peppers, onions, garlic, or vegan requests on tour.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, the tour is offered in English.

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