Southern & Secret Walking Food Tour

Savannah tastes better on foot. This three-hour lunch walk combines five food stops with stories about the city’s squares, architecture, and oddball past. I like the small cap of 14 people, which gives you a fair chance to hear your guide, and I like that the route mixes familiar Southern dishes with less expected stops. The main caution is value: at $92.17, the portions add up to lunch, but some dishes are simple and one dessert is only a cup of local ice cream.

The tour also gives you a useful first look at Savannah. Guides such as Christopher, Shannon, Cindy, Gail, Bec, Erin, Josh, and Miss Country have earned praise for making the history lively rather than dusty. You walk through beautiful squares, eat along the way, and finish with a map and discounts that can help you return to favorite stops.

Come ready to walk, stand, listen, and eat. Dietary limits matter here: seafood, nut, pescatarian, and vegetarian requests can usually be handled, but gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan alternatives are not available. The tour runs in all weather, so Savannah sunshine or a wet afternoon can shape your experience.

Key points to know before booking

• Five tasting stops replace a standard lunch: You sample food from up to five restaurants and specialty shops, with enough food to serve as lunch for most people.
• Small groups make the history easier to follow: The maximum is 14 people, a useful size for questions and conversation.
• Chippewa, Johnson, and Ellis squares frame the walk: You get a quick look at famous public spaces, including the Forrest Gump filming location.
• The guide can make or break the day: Christopher, Shannon, Cindy, Gail, Bec, Erin, Josh, and Miss Country have all been praised for humor, storytelling, and local insight.
• This is not a strictly traditional Lowcountry menu: You may taste biscuits, shrimp and grits, boiled peanuts, fried green tomatoes with crabmeat, and Leopold’s ice cream, but the lineup can also include dishes such as Peruvian food.
• Plan around your diet and the weather: Gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan substitutions are not offered, and the tour operates in rain or shine.

Why a food walk works so well in Savannah

Savannah is easy to admire from a shaded square, but a food tour gives your walk a purpose. Instead of wandering past restaurants and wondering what to order, you get a guided introduction to several places in one afternoon.

The route stays in the Historic Landmark District, so the scenery does much of the work between tastings. You pass old buildings, public squares, and streets where your guide can connect architecture to Savannah’s culture and difficult past. The food adds an immediate, tasty way to understand the city.

I especially like this format for a first day in town. You get your bearings quickly, learn which streets deserve a return visit, and receive a route map at the end. One person even found the tour useful as a starting point for later independent walks and returned to some restaurants with friends.

The group size helps. Fourteen people is not private, but it is small enough for a guide to keep the group together without shouting every story down the block. You should still expect some standing and occasional stairs, so this is not a sit-down tasting event disguised as a walk.

Starting at Zunzi’s and entering the historic district

The meeting point is Zunzi’s at 236 Drayton Street. From there, your local guide leads the group into Savannah’s central historic area, where the food and city stories begin to overlap.

The first part is less about covering major distance and more about setting the tone. Your guide introduces Savannah’s Southern customs, local quirks, and the city’s architecture while you move from one square or restaurant to the next.

The tour is offered in English. The guide is a central part of the experience, and the feedback about individual guides is unusually specific. Christopher is praised for his storytelling and local knowledge. Shannon is described as witty and engaging. Cindy receives credit for making the history fun, while Bec is singled out for enthusiasm and insight. Gail has been appreciated for explaining houses, parks, and cemeteries along the route.

That range matters because the precise feel of a small-group tour depends on the person leading it. The food lineup may be similar, but a lively guide can turn a short walk between restaurants into part of the meal.

Chippewa Square and the famous movie bench

Chippewa Square is the first named stop. You spend about five minutes here, with no admission charge, and learn why the square is famous: the bench scenes from Forrest Gump were filmed here.

The stop is brief, so do not expect a full film-history presentation. Its value is as a quick orientation point and a chance to see one of Savannah’s best-known squares before the eating gets underway.

This is also a good example of the tour’s balance. You are not simply moving from restaurant to restaurant. The guide uses places such as Chippewa Square to explain how Savannah’s public spaces shape the city. If you enjoy architecture and urban history, these short stops make the food feel less random.

If your main goal is to spend a long time at every attraction, the five-minute pause may feel too quick. If you prefer a steady mix of sights, stories, and tastings, the pace should work well.

Johnson Square, live oaks, and Savannah’s older story

Johnson Square is described as Savannah’s oldest and largest city square. You spend another five minutes here beneath its canopy of live oaks.

This is one of the places where the walk earns its keep. Savannah’s squares are not just decorative patches of grass. They give the city its calm rhythm, and the trees offer a welcome break from the heat on warm days. Your guide can add context about Southern culture and the city’s past while you take in the setting.

The square stop is short, but the route includes plenty of history between food tastings. Several people have especially valued guides who could explain buildings, parks, and cemeteries while walking. That makes the tour useful for anyone who wants more than a restaurant sampler.

Still, the history comes in pieces. You should not expect a formal lecture or a complete account of Savannah’s past. The guide’s stories are designed to keep the group moving toward the next bite.

Ellis Square and the City Market area

Ellis Square is another five-minute stop. The square was brought back to life in the early 2000s and sits near the City Market area of downtown.

This section helps you see a different side of Savannah. Chippewa and Johnson squares offer old-city atmosphere, while Ellis Square connects the walk to a more active commercial part of downtown. The contrast gives the route some variety.

For many people, this is also where the tour feels most practical. You are close to places you may want to revisit later, and the guide can point out options beyond the official tasting stops. The route does not try to show every part of the city, but it gives you a compact look at several important downtown areas.

The drawback is the same as with the other named squares: the time is limited. Five minutes is enough to hear the basic story and look around, but not enough for a detailed visit.

What you may eat along the way

The exact menu can change, but the tour highlights Southern standards such as buttery biscuits and shrimp and grits. Other food mentioned includes boiled peanuts, fried green tomatoes with crabmeat, and Leopold’s ice cream.

That selection gives you a useful taste of the region. Boiled peanuts are unfamiliar to many visitors, and fried green tomatoes with crabmeat offer a more distinctly coastal Southern combination. Leopold’s ice cream provides the sweet finish that several people enjoyed.

The lineup is not guaranteed to be a pure Lowcountry showcase. One critique specifically objected to the inclusion of Peruvian food instead of more seafood and traditional Savannah dishes. That is worth considering if you are booking mainly to sample classic coastal Georgia cooking.

The portions also need a clear explanation. The tastings are intended to add up to lunch, and several people found the amount satisfying. Others felt individual portions were small or described the food as simple rather than special. I would eat a light breakfast, as advised, but I would not arrive expecting five full restaurant meals.

The tour includes water. Alcoholic and other drinks can be purchased separately, and alcohol must be served in a plastic or Styrofoam cup. Savannah allows only one alcoholic drink at a time under the stated rules, so this is not the place to plan a leisurely pub crawl.

The final stop at Savannah Taste Marketplace

The tour ends at Savannah Taste Marketplace, 108 West Broughton Street, only a few blocks from the starting point. You spend about 15 minutes there, with no separate admission charge.

This stop functions as both dessert and a shopping opportunity. You can find flavors from the tour along with products from the Lowcountry and Southeast. A cup of local ice cream may serve as the dessert, which pleased some people but disappointed anyone expecting a more substantial finale.

I like the ending because it gives you a practical follow-up. You can buy something for later, use your map to return to a favorite stop, or continue exploring Broughton Street and City Market. The included discounts add a little value, especially if you already know you will want to revisit one of the businesses.

The end point is not the same as the starting point, but it is only a few blocks away. That makes the route easy to connect with the rest of your day.

Is $92.17 a fair price?

At $92.17 per person, this is not a budget lunch. You are paying for the food, but also for a three-hour guided walk, restaurant coordination, local stories, water, a route map, and the convenience of trying several places without planning the stops yourself.

The value is strongest if you want both food and history. A good guide can give you context you would not get by ordering one meal on your own, and the small group makes the experience more personal than a large bus tour.

The value is weaker if you judge the price only by the size or sophistication of the dishes. Some food is traditional and inexpensive by nature. A boiled peanut, biscuit, or small ice cream may be enjoyable without feeling luxurious. The tour is also not ideal for anyone hoping for an elaborate seafood tasting at every stop.

I would book it for a first visit, especially if you like learning a city through local food and want restaurant ideas for later. I would hesitate if you are a seasoned food-tour regular looking for high-end dishes or a tightly focused Lowcountry menu.

Who will enjoy this three-hour walk?

This tour suits couples, friends, solo diners, and families with older children who can manage three hours of walking, standing, listening, and eating. It is also a good pick for a girls’ trip or a small group that wants an organized introduction to downtown Savannah.

You should be comfortable outdoors in changing weather. The tour runs in all conditions, so wear practical shoes and dress for heat, rain, or both. The walking is not described as extreme, but there are stairs, and the route is not designed around sitting down for long periods.

Food allergies and preferences need advance attention. Seafood allergies, nut allergies, pescatarian needs, and vegetarian choices can usually be accommodated at most stops if you provide the details when booking and contact the company as requested. Gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan tastings cannot be provided, and there is no reduced price for skipping dishes.

Service animals are allowed, and the tour is near public transportation. Most people can take part, but parents should use judgment because the activity requires sustained attention and walking.

A few practical ways to get more from it

Eat a light breakfast, then let the tastings serve as lunch. Arriving too full defeats the point, but arriving starved can make the walking between stops feel longer.

Wear shoes you can use on sidewalks for three hours. Bring weather protection, since the experience continues in poor weather. Keep your phone available because the company may need to contact you, especially if timing or a meeting detail changes.

Book early if your dates are fixed. The tour is often reserved about 22 days ahead, and the group limit is 14 people. Confirm the start time before setting your schedule, since a past timing change caused confusion when the updated time did not appear everywhere at once.

Use the guide’s local advice. Write down the places you want to revisit, mark them on the supplied map, and leave room in your Savannah plans for a second meal.

Should you book the Southern & Secret Walking Food Tour?

Book it if you want a friendly introduction to Savannah through food, squares, and stories. The strongest part is the combination: you taste regional dishes, see famous public spaces, and get a guide who can make the city’s past easy to follow.

Do not book it expecting a luxury tasting menu, a strictly seafood-focused tour, or generous portions at every stop. The food can be uneven, the dessert is modest, and the $92.17 price requires you to value the guiding as much as the eating.

For most first-time visitors who enjoy walking and have no restricted diet, I think it is a worthwhile way to spend a Savannah afternoon. Choose it early in your stay, come hungry but not empty, and treat the map and local recommendations as part of what you are buying.

FAQ

How long does the Southern & Secret Walking Food Tour last?

The tour lasts approximately three hours.

Where does the tour begin?

It begins at Zunzi’s, 236 Drayton Street, Savannah, Georgia 31401.

Where does the tour end?

It ends at Savannah Taste Marketplace, 108 West Broughton Street, Savannah, Georgia 31401.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 14 people.

How many food stops are included?

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

Is a full lunch included?

The tastings are intended to add up to a lunch portion. Eating a light breakfast before the tour is advised.

Are drinks included?

Water is included. Alcoholic and other non-alcoholic drinks are available to purchase separately, but alcoholic beverages are not included.

Can the tour accommodate dietary restrictions?

Seafood allergies, nut allergies, pescatarian needs, and vegetarian options can be accommodated at most locations. Gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan alternative tastings are not available.

Does the tour operate in bad weather?

Yes. The tour operates in all weather conditions, so you should dress appropriately.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.