萨凡纳会展目的地美食版图：Mashama Bailey 主理 Signia Hilton Savannah 餐饮，多家特色餐厅与屋顶场地服务团体活动

Dubbed “fin to fork” by locals, Savannah, Georgia’s Lowcountry cuisine has always been a Southern study in crab cakes, oyster shucking, seafood boils and world-renowned Georgia shrimp.

But over the last 18 years, Kellie Linder, vice president of sales, Visit Savannah, witnessed the iconic destination’s culinary scene grow, describing the city’s evolving scene in three words: “up and coming.” 

One culinary leader forging a path for Savannah’s diverse food scene is Mashama Bailey, chef and partner at The Grey. Bailey is a James Beard Award-winner, one of TIME’s most influential people in 2026 and was named North America’s Best Female Chef by The World’s 50 Best Restaurants in May. 

Alongside The Grey’s Managing Partner and Restauranter, Johno Morisano, Bailey’s Savannah-based hospitality and culinary skills will directly benefit meeting attendees who dine at the Savannah Convention Center’s new headquarter hotel. Bailey’s culinary influence is shaping the group dining experiences at the Signia Hilton Savannah, which is opening its doors in 2028. 

According to a Signia Hilton Savannah news release from August, “Chef Mashama will shape the hotel’s culinary direction, guiding concept development, menus, wine lists and the overall food and beverage approach across the lobby bar, all-day dining restaurant and rooftop venue.” 

As F&B options grow across a city already known as a culinary draw, groups will be in for a savory surprise when the 444-room Signia opens its doors in 2028.

Savannah’s Shining Stars

I can still close my eyes and taste the buttery biscuits that melted in my mouth at The Olde Pink House. The restaurant’s name is descriptive of its location in a historic pink Georgia mansion. The 18th century home offers full buyouts for groups of up to 400, a ballroom, a conference room for 14 and additional private dining options. 

[Related: The Diplomat Beach Resort Transforms to Signia By Hilton Plus New Openings in Savannah]

The Southern homestyle cooking with collard greens, cheddar cheese grits cakes with shrimp and ham, fried lobster tails, buttermilk mashed potatoes and butter beans is sure to make attendees feel at home in this historic home. 
Buttery, delicious cuisine aside, The Olde Pink House embodies Savannah’s history and culture.

Linder shared an example of how the restaurant connects attendees to the city’s character: “They have a lady that comes through and sings gospel spirituals,” she said. “It’s really a harkening back to the Gullah [African American population living in the Lowcountry region] upbringing that her ancestors had. 

“It’s just so moving to be there, and she comes in and sings almost operatic.” 

Another group dining option—Vic’s on the River—combines Southern hospitality and waterfront views. Vic’s offers Southern cuisine, local seafood and multiple private event spaces for groups up to 150. Overlooking the Savannah River and historic River Street, guests can marvel at the Southern city’s many wonders as well as dine outdoors under Live Oak trees. 

Linder said groups can also rent one of Savannah’s 12 rooftop venues for cocktail receptions, two of which—Electric Moon Skytop Lounge + Moon Deck and Myrtle & Rose Rooftop Bar—are located at the JW Marriott Savannah Plant Riverside District.  

The venues incorporate both riverfront and city views. The 3,150-square-foot Moon Deck is suitable for 210 and also offers an outdoor playground with games and a slide. 

“Myrtle & Rose at the JW Marriott is a gorgeous setting for a cocktail reception. It can hold about 150 people,” she said. “Electric Moon is their more upbeat, vibrant experience.”

Savannah Scavenger Hunt

In a walkable city like Savannah, it’s common for groups to take advantage of an activity the DMO labels “sip and stroll,” otherwise known as a citywide scavenger hunt scouring the city’s drinking establishments. 

“It’s a drink-friendly city as well,” Linder said. “You can keep a group moving and really engaged [by] having a docent that leads the tour and talks a little bit of history along the way. 

[Related: Set Sail for History and Southern Hospitality in Savannah] 

“It’s nice because everyone can bring their drinks along,” she added. “So, if they’re not big drinkers, they might just have one and carry it through the entire experience, or they might try a different cocktail at each place, and maybe some small bites as they go. It’s a neat way to intermix history along with a fun activity.”

Visit Savannah’s sip and stroll comes in a wide array of options for groups, from walking to utilizing a pedicab for a creative photo capturing competition, or doing a poker run collecting cards to see who can end up with the best hand. The DMO will help cater to different group dynamics—even offering a stop at Leopold’s Ice Cream on a hot day, if desired.  

Leopold’s is a storied stop. The ice cream shop is owned and operated by Stratton Leopold, who climbed the ranks of the TV and film industry, eventually making his way near the top when he was awarded the position of vice president of production at Paramount Pictures. Leopold helped produce iconic films such as Star Trek, Captain America: The First Avenger and Mission Impossible III. 

Film posters highlighting his career in the film industry are on display across the storefront. 

“They got ice cream along the way,” Linder said. “They stopped for a cocktail refreshment at one of the stops, but it was really fun and it’s amazing when you put people that don’t know each other together [and see] how competitive they all get.”

Within three to four blocks groups can stop at up to 10 places. Following are some notable stops along the sip and stroll: 

• The Warehouse Bar and Grille is known for having the coldest beer in Savannah. Linder described it as a “true dive bar” located on the riverfront. 

  

• Savannah Smiles is a dueling pianos bar offering groups both beverages and entertainment. 
• The Bootlegger Savannah Speakeasy offers “boat shots,” or $1 shots, every time a cargo ship sails by.

And as Linder would put it, all these experiences are “uniquely Savannah.” 

“We have almost zero chain restaurants in the entire city of Savannah; even Panera Bread didn’t make it in Savannah because people want truly authentic Savannah food,” she said. “I just love that all the places here are unique to this cuisine, this area, and it’s not something that you’re going to get in any other city.”

Save Room for More!

With an up-and-coming dining scene, there’s obviously plenty of new restaurants popping up across Savannah. One of which, La Vetta, just opened in August. 

La Vetta is located in Savannah’s historic district. The contemporary Italian restaurant is led by Executive Chef Michele Minchillo. Minchillo is a Michelin-rated chef who brings global culinary experience to the Southern city from his time working in Italy, New York and Abu Dhabi.

“It just opened last week, and it’s getting rave reviews right now, and we’ve never had a big Italian scene here in Savannah,” said Kellie Linder, vice president of sales, Visit Savannah. 

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About the author

Madeleine Willis joined Meetings Today magazine in September 2025 as a content developer, departments and social media. She is a graduate of the University of Iowa where she studied Journalism and Mass Communication with a certificate in Event Management. She writes for news departments: "The Buzz," "Industry Intelligence," "Going Places" and "New & Renovated." Her contributions to Meetings Today's Next Gen initiatives include her involvement as the editor and producer of the Eventualists podcast. Willis also oversees the publications social media platforms.