Where to Eat in Savannah With Kids

Savannah dining can lean grown-up, but plenty of places welcome kids without a single sideways glance. Yes, a lot of restaurants out there will offer you a kids menu or are friendly enough to welcome kids, but we aren’t going to get into some kids are better behaved than others, especially when we know that most parent’s kids are angels, right? Use your own discretion at our more upscale spots based on your children. Beyond that, here is a list that offers some variety but offers different speeds anyway.

Vinnie Van Go Go’s
Savannah’s most popular pizza, and the slices are big enough to share, which settles the “what does everybody want” debate before it starts. Order at the counter on West Bryan Street at the Western end of City Market, then grab a seat outside. The line moves fast, the people-watching is free, and nobody cares if your six-year-old is loud. They do have seating. Some indoor, some outdoor. This works. With Savannah Candy Kitchen immediately next door for dessert and you are golden with this choice.

Graffito at Plant Riverside
Wood-fired pizza in the old power plant that’s now Savannah’s entertainment district. The room is big and lively enough to cover a meltdown, and the riverfront is right there for the post-dinner stroll. Pizza is the safe play for picky eaters, and the grown-ups get an Italian-leaning menu. Full bar as well and actually very good pizza.

Pirates’ House
The Herb House inside dates to 1734, and the restaurant makes the most of that history. Kids get a menu of their own, pirate-hat placemats and a treasure chest to dig in at the end. Costumed pirates wander through telling tales. Adults can order the pecan fried chicken. Book ahead, because families fill this place. Touristy? Of course, but the fried chicken with the pecan honey drizzle is some of Savannah’s best. Period.

Little Duck Diner
A vintage-style diner on West St. Julian, tucked in the Cay Building. The menu runs from French toast to grilled cheese, so the pickiest kid at the table has options. It’s a good pick for breakfast or lunch before the day gets away from you. Perfect choice if you want to feel fancy with the kids.

Tommy’s Hot Dog Cart at Johnson Square
Tommy sets up at Bull and Congress with jumbo all-beef dogs. He cuts each one in half, so they’re easy for small hands. Toppings run from ketchup and mustard to sauerkraut and jalapeños. Grab a bench under the oaks, and let the kids check out the fountains. Skip it on rainy days, because the cart takes weather off. He’s always generally there 11-3p or so. His is a midday gig. It’s a stop gap if you need something quick and cheap.

Quinn’s Breakfast and Lunch
A no-frills downtown diner at 28 Drayton Street, and a good one for a restless kid. Service is quick, and the portions are generous. Breakfast runs the usual pancakes-and-eggs route, and lunch brings burgers and sandwiches. Quinn’s was Henry’s before the name change. On a weekday you’ll see office workers and city hall regulars at the next table. It’s a Savannah breakfast and lunch fixture, not a place built for kids, so nobody will mind if yours isn’t perfectly behaved.

Starland Yard
A food truck park built from shipping containers, with a rotating lineup of food trucks and Pizzeria Vittoria (Savannahs best pizza) on site. The kids’ play area has cornhole and giant Jenga, so they burn off energy while you finish your meal. Live music or a DJ is common, and everyone eats what they want. Full liquor bar in the middle makes it the perfect spot for parents looking for a beverage as well as a secure space for the kids to act a fool. It’s the easiest answer to a hungry family with different cravings.

Also: Funky Brunch Cafe, Mellow Mushroom, Java Burrito Company

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