Savannah tastes better on foot. This 3-hour lunchtime walk through the Historic Landmark District mixes food tastings with real stories in the city’s famous squares, from Chippewa to Johnson to Ellis. With a small group capped at 14, your guide keeps things personal and keeps you moving at a comfortable pace.

One of my favorite parts is the lineup of up to five tastings, which can include Southern staples like buttery biscuits and shrimp and grits, plus newer dishes from local chefs. I also like how the guide blends architecture and Savannah culture into the walk, with standout guides like Lori, Christopher, Gail, and Shannon bringing the place to life.

My main heads-up: if you need gluten-free, dairy-free, or vegan tastings, this tour can be a mismatch, since the tour notes you cannot get substitute tastings for those categories.

Key things to know before you go

• Small group, 14 or fewer: Easier questions, less crowding at stops, more attention from your guide.
• Up to five tasting stops: You get a lunch-sized mix, not just a bite or two.
• Historic squares on the route: You walk places like Chippewa Square (Forrest Gump bench scenes) and the canopy of Johnson Square.
• Ends with a takeaway option: The tour finishes near the Savannah Taste Experience marketplace area so you can buy favorites.
• Most dietary flexibility is for seafood, nuts, vegetarian, and pescatarian: The tour can accommodate some needs, but not gluten-free/dairy-free/vegan substitutions.
• Plenty of walking time: Expect standing, walking, and listening for the full ~3 hours.

Why Savannah’s Historic Squares Are the Perfect Lunch Walk

Savannah’s Historic Landmark District is built for strolling. The squares slow you down on purpose, and that matters on a food tour, because it gives you time to actually taste and talk, not just rush from door to door. You’ll spend your walk moving through tranquil, elegant public spaces while your guide explains what makes Savannah feel like Savannah.

The other reason this route works well is simple: it lines up with how Savannah wants to be seen. Live oaks, big streets, old building facades, and those signature square views give your photos a sense of place, not just food on a plate. And because the tour is small, you can keep your group together without feeling like you’re in a long line.

Meeting at Zunzi’s and Getting Oriented Fast

You start at Zunzi’s on Drayton Street, a practical launch point because it’s right in the middle of the action. You’ll meet your guide and your small group in the Historic Landmark District area, then get sorted into a walking rhythm that lasts about three hours.

Two small details make a difference here. First, the tour provides a map of the route, which is handy because you end only a few blocks from where you started. Second, water is included, so you can pace yourself while tasting.

And if you’re the kind of traveler who likes to know where you’ll be headed next, you’ll get that. The order of squares is part of the experience, not random stops.

Chippewa Square and the Forrest Gump Bench Moment

Chippewa Square is where the tour begins its “Savannah storytelling” mode. It’s famous for being connected to Forrest Gump bench scenes, and the square gives you that classic Savannah view: historic framing, open space, and an easy place to pause.

From here, the tour turns into food mode quickly. Even though you’re walking past landmarks for context, the stops are designed to keep the tastings flowing. Expect your first taste early enough that you’re not waiting too long for the fun part.

A practical consideration at this stop, and really across the whole tour, is timing. If weather is bad, there can be delays, and you’ll likely keep walking with the group instead of wandering off. So wear comfortable shoes and assume you’ll be on your feet.

Johnson Square Live-Oaks and That Old-City Feeling

Johnson Square is one of the big anchors of the district. It’s Savannah’s oldest and largest city square, and it’s known for the towering canopy of live oaks. That canopy is more than pretty. It creates shade and a cooler pocket to regroup, listen, and get ready for the next tasting.

This is also a good moment in the tour to pay attention to the bigger picture your guide is painting. You’ll hear the kind of background that helps you understand why Savannah looks the way it does and how culture and history shaped daily life. The best part is that it’s not delivered like a lecture. It’s tied to what you’re seeing and then what you’re eating next.

In the reviews, guides like Gail and Erin stood out for connecting facts with stories. That style matters here, because the square is built to slow you down, and a strong guide knows how to keep it engaging.

Ellis Square, the City Market Area, and a Change in Mood

Ellis Square brings a different energy. It was resurrected in the early 2000s and it hosts the vibrant City Market area of downtown. Translation: you get the historic feel of Savannah’s squares, but you’re closer to the modern downtown rhythm.

For a food tour, this matters because you’re not just learning. You’re learning while you move toward the places where people actually shop, snack, and linger.

This stop is also a reminder that Savannah food isn’t frozen in time. It’s a mix of Southern classics, regional seafood culture, and newer ideas showing up in local restaurants and specialty shops. The tour tries to reflect that mix through its tasting variety.

Up to Five Tastings, and What “Lunch Portion” Means

The tour is built around tastings from up to five restaurants and specialty food shops. The tour description says all tastings add up to a lunch portion, and that lines up with the overall experience most people are after.

Here’s what to watch for, so you set expectations correctly:

• You should plan to eat a light breakfast, because the tastings are meant to carry you through lunch.
• Portions aren’t huge in the way a full sit-down meal is, but you get a sequence of stops designed to feel like a meal.
• Some diners love every item. A smaller slice of reviews point out that the servings can feel on the small side. So if you normally need a lot of volume to feel satisfied, come hungry and pace your bites slowly.

The tasting range can include Southern favorites, and based on examples from the reviews, you might run into dishes like boiled peanuts, fried green tomatoes with crabmeat, and the classic Leopold’s ice cream. The point is not just to eat well, but to taste what Savannah does with familiar ingredients.

Savannah Taste Marketplace Finish, and Bringing Favorites Home

The tour ends at the Savannah Taste Marketplace on W Broughton Street, with about 15 minutes set aside for browsing. This is one of the smartest parts of the whole format, because the walking portion gives you discovery, then the finish lets you decide what you want to take home.

Even if you’re already full, this stop can help you turn the tour into a shopping list for your next day in Savannah. Since the marketplace is set up with flavors from the tour and brands from the Lowcountry and Southeast, it’s a quick way to extend the experience beyond the tastings you just finished.

It also helps if you want to come back to one of the places you liked. The tour provides a map of the route, and having that physical guide beats trying to remember every street corner later.

Price and Value at About $92.17 for Three Hours

At $92.17 per person, this is not a budget snack tour. But it’s also not just a walk with a coupon. The value comes from the combination:

• Three hours of a guided route in prime Historic Landmark District
• Tastings from up to five different food stops
• A guide who mixes in architectural and cultural context as you walk
• Water included and a map to help you follow up
• Exclusive discounts you can use after the tour

If you were to recreate this yourself, you’d still be paying for multiple tastings, time, and the opportunity to get the “why” behind what you’re eating. A good guide saves you guesswork. And the small group size helps because it’s easier to ask questions and move as a unit.

That said, value depends on your expectations. If you’re hoping for a dramatic sampling of high-end dishes or big restaurant-style portions, a few reviews suggest the servings can feel modest. If you want a guided introduction to Savannah’s flavor mix and you like tasting formats, the price can feel fair.

Dietary Rules You Need to Know (Especially Gluten-Free)

This is the biggest practical limitation to understand before you book. The tour notes it cannot provide gluten-free, dairy-free, or vegan alternative tastings due to the nature of the cuisine and dishes highlighted. It also notes that accommodations are possible for seafood allergies, nut allergies, pescatarian, and vegetarian options at most locations.

So here’s the straightforward advice:

• If you’re gluten-free or dairy-free, don’t assume you can swap dishes at each stop.
• If you eat vegetarian or pescatarian, this tour may work well, but still plan to review the details and advise the operator of your needs ahead of time.
• If you have seafood or nut allergies, you’ll want to flag it, because the tour says they can accommodate at most locations.

If you’re deciding between “I can adjust my choices” and “I must have strict substitutions,” this tour fits best with the first category.

Walking Comfort, Standing Time, and Weather Reality

This is a walking and standing tour. It runs about three hours, and the tour notes it may not be appropriate for all children because you’ll be standing, walking, and listening.

What I’d do to make it easier on yourself:

• Wear shoes with solid grip, especially if it’s humid or rainy.
• Dress for all weather. The tour runs in all weather conditions, so you should bring a lightweight rain layer if storms are possible.
• Bring a phone with enough battery. You’ll be using a mobile ticket, and you’ll want it handy.

One more thing. Some reviews mention feeling rushed when the weather changed. That doesn’t mean the tour is unreliable, but it does mean you should treat it like a structured route, not a choose-your-own adventure.

The Guides: Where the Experience Turns Into Storytelling

A food tour lives or dies on the guide. On this one, the reviews repeatedly highlight energetic, personable hosts who connect the tasting to Savannah itself.

Names that came up often include:

• Lori, praised for being fun, personable, and enthusiastic
• Christopher (including Christopher Wolf), praised for local knowledge and storytelling
• Gail, praised for historical context about houses, parks, and cemeteries
• Shannon, praised for witty, knowledgeable hosting
• Erin and Cindy, praised for energy and making the walk engaging
• Miss Country, praised for humor and a memorable approach

Even if your guide is different from the examples above, the important takeaway is this: the tour format is built around guide-led storytelling. If you enjoy learning while you walk and eat, you’ll likely have a great time. If you prefer silence or self-guided wandering, you might find the standing-and-listening portion a bit much.

Should You Book Southern & Secret Walking Food Tour?

Book it if you want a guided introduction to Savannah that mixes food tastings with the city’s landmark squares. The small group size and the up-to-five-stop format make it a strong “first or second day in town” activity, especially if you like Southern flavors and don’t mind tasting more than one dish in smaller portions.

Skip or think hard if you need strict gluten-free, dairy-free, or vegan replacements, because the tour explicitly can’t provide those substitutions. Also skip if you struggle with three hours of walking and standing.

If you fit the middle, you should feel good about booking. This is one of those experiences where you leave with both full plates and a mental map of where to return next.

FAQ

How long is the Southern & Secret Walking Food Tour in Savannah?

The tour lasts about 3 hours.

What is the price per person?

The listed price is $92.17 per person.

How many tasting stops are included?

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

Is alcohol included?

No. Alcoholic beverages are not included, though beverages are available for purchase. Water is included.

Can I get gluten-free or dairy-free tastings?

The tour states it is unable to provide gluten-free or dairy-free alternative tastings, and it also cannot provide vegan alternative tastings.

What dietary accommodations are available?

The tour says it can accommodate seafood allergies, nut allergies, pescatarian, and vegetarian options at most locations. You should advise your needs when booking.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Zunzi’s, 236 Drayton St, Savannah, GA 31401, and ends at Savannah Taste Experience Food Tours, 108 W Broughton St, Savannah, GA 31401.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded.