The string of islands east of Savannah toward Tybee, connected by US 80. Wiley's Championship BBQ on US 80 and The Wyld Dock Bar on the Herb River anchor casual-coastal eating.
The Wyld sits on the Herb River in Thunderbolt past the bridge, car or boat tie-up access. Outdoor decks over the water, casual coastal seafood, live music.
Signature: Fish tacos, Boiled peanuts
Order: The fish tacos and a side of boiled peanuts; an ice-cold Service Brewing beer with both.
Tip: Cash and card both fine. Boat tie-up free; arrive by 18:00 to beat the live-music rush.
Wiley and Janet McCrary built a competition-circuit BBQ reputation before settling in Savannah in 2005; US 80 strip-mall room is the locals' benchmark.
Signature: Beef brisket, St. Louis cut ribs, Redneck nachos
Order: A brisket plate with two sides, plus the redneck nachos to start.
Tip: Walk-in only; arrive by 18:00 to avoid sellouts on weekends.
The Wyld sits on the Herb River in Thunderbolt past the bridge, car or boat tie-up access. Outdoor decks over the water, casual coastal seafood, live music.
Signature: Fish tacos, Boiled peanuts
Order: Fish tacos with a side of boiled peanuts.
Tip: Free boat tie-up; arrive by 18:00 to beat live-music nights.
Auspicious Baking's Whitemarsh Island location, serving the same daily pastry and bread programme as the Sandfly flagship for islands-side residents.
Worth the queue: Pop-tarts and cinnamon buns
Star Beans roasts beans from their own El Gavilan farm in Honduras at the Ogeechee Road roastery, with a second cafe at Savannah Mall. Direct farm-to-cup.
Sources from: Honduras (Star Beans' El Gavilan farm), Single-origin Latin Americas
How they serve: Espresso, Drip, Whole bean retail, Wholesale
Coastal Empire Beer Co. runs a taproom on Ross Road on the southside, pints and flights with growler and six-pack carryout, food trucks on weekends.
Savannah's state-run wholesale farmers market is a working-grower hub west of downtown on US-80, retail stalls and bulk wholesale produce for serious cooks.
The Georgia Conservancy's annual Oyster Roast at Grove Point Plantation serves oysters and clams from Sapelo Sea Farms with live music. Ticketed, late Feb.
The Great Ogeechee Seafood Festival runs three days in mid-October at J.F. Gregory Park in Richmond Hill, 25 minutes south. Coastal Georgia seafood and music.
Wiley's brisket sandwich plus two sides comes in under $20 at the counter on US 80, with sausage and rib plates also under $20. Walk-in only; arrive by 18:00.
Try: Brisket sandwich plus two sides
Bread and Butter is the sister brunch room to Auspicious Baking on Whitemarsh Island, sharing the bakery space. A pastry-led brunch programme; Fri-Sat dinner.
Order: Whatever Auspicious laminated pastry is on the brunch board
The Wyld on the Herb River in Thunderbolt hosts live music many nights, with outdoor decks over the water and boat tie-up. Local Lowcountry seafood from the casual kitchen.
Tip: Live music Thursday through Sunday; arrive by 18:00 to beat the rush.