Part 3 of our series on the best bites we enjoyed over the course of 2024.

Sunday - Best of 2024: The South
Monday- Best of 2024: The Lowcountry
Tuesday-Best of 2024: Savannah

As you might imagine, we've been putting together these year end lists for many many years.  Once upon a time, we included everything (and more importantly everywhere) we enjoyed a good meal.  As we mentioned in our other lists, Savannah's food scene has grown to the point where it isn't necessarily fair to make one long list of what we thought were our favorite meals of any given year.  That's why we divided it up this year, and will probably continue to do so going forward.

Similarly, it would be easy to fill this list with expensive one-off wine dinners and other high end affairs that dot the calendar year to year.  More times than not, those dinners are just wonderful well-designed experiences that absolutely stand out.  However, it offers our readers little value to share something that was the "Best of 2024" unless you are able to enjoy it yourself.  It's why our lists have been put together the way they have been.  All of that said, here is our list of our best of 2024. Keeping in mind, as always that they are just that-a list-and not a ranking of any kind.


Eat It and Like It Supper Club on the beach at Tybee Island

We are choosing to include this event on my list of the best of 2024 because our Supper Club is a thing. It will continue in 2025, and there are opportunities for new members. That said, the experience we enjoyed back in late April on the beach on Tybee Island was one of the most enjoyable dining experiences I've ever had here in Savannah.  Top 2-3 easily.

The dinner was executed by our friends at Southern Cross Hospitality on the beach behind The Deck on Tybee.  The seafood spread was put together by their chefs at Ukiyo.  The cocktails and wine pairings were not only paired with our food, but also with the scene.  There was a beautiful breeze, an incredible sunset and a table for 20 stretched out on the sand full of everything from Lobster Rolls to Sashimi.  It was a magical evening that no one who was there will ever forget.  And oh by the way....we do have a few slots open for 2025.  If you are interested in joining our Supper Club, email us at tips@eatitandlikeit.com

Savannah's Pop-up Scene exploded in 2024

We know Savannah's pop up scene didn't just start in 2024, but I think it is fair to say that this was the year it really exploded.  Before this year, they were fairly random. This year it seemed like there was a pop up of some sort going on nearly every week of the year.  I know that wasn't the case, but it sure did feel that way.  Chris "Chino" Hathcock led the way in 2024 with a series of events at Fleeting, and each one inspired by a different corner of the world. The crew at Strangebird found a groove with pop ups of their own and Common Thread continued their Guest Chef Series with talent from all over the country popping in on Savannah for a night or two of great eats.  It's obvious there will be many more in 2025.

I attended quite a few and they were all great, but my favorite was the last one I attended at Fleeting, in the Thompson Hotel. Executive Chef Victoria Shore's final pop up of 2024 was dedicated to flavors of the Mediterranean. Everything we enjoyed that night was simply amazing.   Of course, I asked if we'd see a similar pop up in the future. She said "Well, I enjoy it and it's my kitchen, so maybe."    Fingers crossed.  I'd be first in line.


Red Velvet Cake at Flora and Fauna


Full disclosure, I love red velvet cake, but my go-to is carrot. Just FYI.   So why did I bite on this particular slice of red velvet several months back one morning during a quick visit to Flora and Fauna?  Well, because it was the 'reddest' red velvet cake I had ever seen.  Seriously, that's what grabbed me.  OK, I'll try it.  I've been talking about it ever since.  I've even got my daughter trying to time her visits from New York City to Savannah when it is available. Well, kinda sorta.

Moist? The moistest. (That might be the only time you will see that word squeezed into a paragraph twice. You’re welcome). The fudge frosting alone is just simple and wonderful. This slice of cake was my best bite of 2024 and 2nd wasn’t even close. Find yourself some and Eat It and Like It.

The Franchise – Rocky’s of Savannah NY Deli

If you follow along on Instagram, then you might recall this post from October 1st. We were beginning to crawl out from under one of the hurricanes that rolled through this year and I took a ride down to Rocky’s in Sandfly. I opted for something different and I am most certainly glad I did. The Franchise is very simply a half pound of turkey, American cheese, lettuce tomato and mayo on a hero.

Seriously, Jesse? A turkey sandwich? Yes. A turkey sandwich. This was an emotional eat for me. The flavor profile immediately took me back to middle school in New York City and some late night sandwiches that my dad would get delivered to our apartment. Rocky’s take a ton of pride in delivering the “flavors of New York” to those who love them here in Savannah. Their popularity is well deserved. But this very simple turkey sandwich checked a box for me that hadn’t even existed for 40 years. It belongs on your short list.

Dinner of the Year: Late Air

Back in April, we rolled up on Late Air for dinner. It was middle of the week. I knew we’d enjoy the meal, but there were otherwise no expectations. My guess is we ordered maybe 70-80% of the menu. If I recall, there were only 10-11 items, so it wasn’t a ton of food. What we didn’t order, chef sent us out anyway. I didn’t circle back and do any kind of math, but I am fairly certain we tried everything on the menu that night. Simply exceptional.

I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve enjoyed a table full of food and thought every single bite was incredible over the last few years. In 2023 we enjoyed such a meal at Cotton and Rye. Brochu’s Family Tradition has checked that box for us here and there (with far less food of course). But this meal at Late Air was one I talked about for weeks. The crudo, the NY Strip, the salads…there was a lot. All of it just perfection. Late Air is as good as anything you will find in Savannah.

Some bites worthy of a mention…. Shrimp and Lobster Enchilada at Savannah Tequila Company. The Birria Burger at Strange Bird and the Braised Beef Tacos at Peregrin Rooftop.

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