Five Hidden Gems in Savannah, GA

Savannah, Georgia, was my favorite place to live to date. Savannah is so lively and exciting during the weekends, and there is always something to do in the area. Whether it was just going on a walk to Forsyth Park or taking a drive to the beach, I was consistently entertained with adventure. My favorite thing to do was to explore the endless food and beverage options within the historic downtown. Every individual has their go-to hangout spots in a city, mine being a lot of cafes or lunch spots to eat out with friends. After living there for three years, I was able to experience all types of bars, restaurants, cafes, and niche places. Here are what I consider to be the five hidden gems around Savannah.

Totally Awesome Bar - This bar and dance club is the ONLY 80's and 90's inspired bar in Savannah. Consisting of 7 pool tables, four pinball machines, arcade games, and 7 TV's this bar brings all the nostalgia of the '90s. One of the few bars that do not require a cover charge, they have many themed nights, which include a karaoke night, stand up comedy, and specific movie nights. With a themed drink menu that is reasonably priced, the experienced bartenders make your drink to your liking. Whether you are looking for a girl's night out or a fun date night, this bar can handle both!

The Public Kitchen and Bar - Looking for a nice date night restaurant or a place for the perfect Instagram photo? The Public is the restaurant to visit! The trendy and modern interior captures and lures in customers into the restaurant at first, but then the delicious food served here makes you want to come back again. Being a popular farm-to-table style, the restaurant is a first-come, first-serve, so no reservations are taken. Make sure to prepare to wait in line around peak lunch and dinner times, but smaller groups tend to get in quickest. They also offer a great brunch and happy hour! This place always seems to be buzzing with people, whether it is tourists or locals.

Roly Poly Sandwiches - My roommate and I used to grab sandwiches from here at least one time a week. I was addicted, and still am, to their chicken caesar wrap, but their menu spans from cold-rolled sandwiches to hot-pressed sandwiches to salads. They also offer catering and delivery services for when you do not have time to cook or make it down to the cute shop on Barnard Street. Their service was always friendly and approachable and made it easy for me to become a regular there. The owners would provide inviting conversations with the customers, and you would always find yourself wanting to stay longer. Roly Poly is a lunch-only shop, so make sure to carve out some time to experience a delicious sandwich.

Six Pence - I have mentioned this bar in a few of my Savannah, GA blog posts already, but let me tell you more about it because I love it so much. The cozy atmosphere of this British pub makes your lunch, dinner, or late-night dining experiences magnificent. The menu consists of traditional American and British comfort foods and a long list of draft beers. They have full bar service and are also within the historic district, so you can take your drink to-go. All that is required of you is to ask the bartender. This pub on the outside looks like you have been transported to London, while they sport the bright red telephone booth outside. The inside interior feels like you have stepped back in time. Featuring, hardwood flooring and accents on the wall along with memorabilia of the past in both London and Savannah. They have so much memorabilia that the pub is also the source of many ghost sightings. Much of the kitchen staff report things like pots and pans moving on their own or witnessing chairs turning by themselves. If you are a beer connoisseur and ghost hunter, this is the place for you!

Art's Cafe - Owned by the Savannah College of Art and Design (my alma mater, whoop! whoop!), this cafe is open to everyone. Students, professors, locals, and tourists are all welcome. This cafe offers fast and fresh eating options such as whole-fruit smoothies, wraps, coffee and espresso, and fresh-squeezed juices. My favorite meal was the Salmon Panini with a Red Smoothie. It was so delicious that I am craving it out here in Los Angeles. At Art's you can also buy SCAD-branded apparel, gifts, and stationery goods. The most recognizable feature of the cafe is the double-decker red bus that lies inside! Fun fact: that bus was originally used in London and later was operated by SCAD for student transportation in Savannah! Now, the lower half of the bus is where you order, while the top half provides seating to eat. I always tell visitors of Savannah to check this cafe out because you will have never seen anything like it!

Writing this post has made me hungry and craving all these magnificent places to eat and dine. Savannah has so much to offer around the picturesque city and trendy eateries. These five places were the most interesting to me when it came to living there for three years, and when I return, you will be able to catch me in them. I cannot wait for the day when I will be able to sink my teeth into my favorite meals and drink some of the delicious drinks to reminisce about my college days.