Planning a trip to Savannah this year? A wave of new bars and restaurants is rising on the Georgia coast. Add these to your next Hostess City itinerary.
Auspicious Baking Co. on Whitemarsh Island. Nearly eight years since Katie Bryant and Mark Ekstrom first started slinging their fast-selling pastries, they will add a second location with both retail and a full-service restaurant in the former Paula Deen’s Creek House. Following a significant renovation, the 10,000-square-foot building reopens in early 2025, bringing more production plus sit-down dining with waterfront views. In addition to fan favorites like croissants, cinnamon rolls and crackers, Auspicious is introducing its spin on brunch staples (think sourdough waffles), plus seasonal specials and an espresso program. 104 Bryan Woods Road, Savannah. auspiciousbakingco.com
Baby’s General Store. Once a derelict circa-1927 Gulf gas station, the petite space is designed as a corner store and morning coffee counter with outdoor picnic tables. A spokesperson for Baby’s confirmed they are shooting for a mid-February opening. 410 E. 37th St., Savannah. babysgeneral.com
Bodie’s Chophouse. Eastern Wharf, the mixed-use community on the Savannah Riverfront, continues to evolve in 2025 with the delivery of Midwest-based Bodie’s Chophouse. Billed as a family-owned, high-class chophouse since 2014, Bodie’s now operates four locations, including one on nearby Hilton Head Island. Expect classic cocktails and modern takes on steakhouse staples like shrimp cocktail, smoked duck ravioli, burrata and prime tartare. 301 Passage Way, Savannah. bowdieschophouse.com
Coop de Ville. Also joining the mix at Eastern Wharf this year is Pittsburgh-based barcade, Coop de Ville. Known for its Southern-style fried chicken, specialty drinks and duckpin bowling, arcade games and televisions, it’s bound to be a popular destination for large groups, wedding celebrations and game day watch parties. 301 Passage Way, Savannah. coopdevillepgh.com
Credit: Courtesy Andrew Cebulka
Credit: Courtesy Andrew Cebulka
The Darling Oyster Bar. Five years after first announcing plans to open in the Hostess City and with plenty of anticipation, the team behind Charleston export The Darling Oyster Bar confirmed that doors should finally swing open in the first quarter of 2025. Along with a luxe raw bar with oysters and local clams, the Franklin Square outpost will serve its signature lobster roll, bloody marys and shrimp and grits. 27 Montgomery St., Savannah. thedarling.com
Joe & Vera’s. After relocating from New York during the COVID-19 pandemic and tending bar at the Grey, opening his own bar is a dream come true for managing owner and cocktail connoisseur Tim Fitzgerald, whose pedigree also includes head bartending roles at Thomas Keller’s Per Se and TAK Room. Named for his grandparents, Joe & Vera’s harkens back to an intimate 1960s-era Parisian lounge. About 60 seats will fill the 1,300-square-foot space on Savannah’s high street, aptly placed across from mainstay retailer the Paris Market. Fitzgerald enlisted chef John Behanse (co-founder of Starland Yard) to consult on the project, and chef James Kavanaugh (formerly of Pacci Italian Kitchen + Bar) to develop a small menu of light fare, such as oysters, tartare dishes and salads. 23 W. Broughton St., Savannah. instagram.com/joe_and_veras
Lucia Pasta Bar. More than four years in the making, chef-owner Kyle Jacovino of award-winning Vittoria Pizzeria at Starland Yard is debuting his next concept — an Italian pasta bar — this spring. Jacovino, who previously led the kitchen at celebrity chef Hugh Acheson’s now-shuttered Italian restaurant, the Florence, will serve rotating pies alongside fresh pasta, such as a ricotta and sweet potato balanzoni. Located just steps away from Vittoria in the long-awaited redevelopment of the historic Starland Dairy, Lucia will be among the first concepts to debut at the mixed-use project, which also includes future plans for a bookstore, short-term rentals and more dining. 2425 Bull St., Savannah. instagram.com/luciapastabar
[memory]. Two years after opening her upscale market, Provisions Wine & Groceries, Nikki Krecicki is expanding next door with an all-day cafe serving coffee, light bites and wine by the glass. While a natural extension of her shop, [memory] marks a new venture with a casual West Coast sensibility. Krecicki, an accomplished photographer, is joined by her boyfriend, Mike Sampson, who brings a deep appreciation for natural wine and coffee from time in San Francisco, where he worked at the Coffee Movement. While the build-out completion is slated for mid-2025, look for pop-ups and merch sales to help fund the efforts. 311 Whitaker St., Savannah. instagram.com/m__e__m__o__r__y___/
Credit: Courtesy AAmp Studio)
Credit: Courtesy AAmp Studio)
Municipal Grand Hotel. The masterminds behind Death & Co. and Denver’s the Ramble Hotel, Ryan Diggins, David Kaplan and Alex Day, are launching their newly formed hospitality firm, Midnight Auteur, with luxury boutique hotel Municipal Grand. The 44-room hotel in a reimagined municipal building will feature an all-day lobby bar and restaurant with American steakhouse-inspired fare, rooftop concept Sun Club with poolside cocktails and shareable snacks, and a subterranean bar. The hotel is targeting an April opening. 132 E. Broughton St., Savannah. municipalgrand.com
The Laundry Diner In the six years since Liz Massey and her husband, James, first introduced Two Tides Brewing Co. to the Starland District, they’ve continued to punch well above their weight, with subsequent concepts including Third Wave Spirits, Float Coffee, Smol Bar and food trailer Crispi. The next venture, however, is their most ambitious: an all-day American diner with late-night eats, retail market and craft beer. After zoning obstacles and construction delays, the Laundry Diner — named for the building’s history as a laundromat — is bringing new life to the Eastside neighborhood early this year. Leading the kitchen is chef Brian Fiasconaro (formerly of Husk Savannah and the Grey Market), who is crafting playful takes on breakfast food, like a falafel-inspired “fal-waffle,” alongside timeless, affordable diner fare. Every detail has been meticulously considered; among the groceries section, a branded laundry detergent will be sold in partnership with Lite Foot Company. 1401 Paulsen St., Savannah. thelaundrydiner.com
Credit: Three Lines Creative LLC
Credit: Three Lines Creative LLC
Rome’s Bar. With its first brunch service on New Year’s Day, Rome’s Bar is now officially open. Behind the bar is a familiar face, Jerome Steele (former bartender at Lone Wolf Lounge), along with his business partner Josh Sembrano. Patrons can indulge in comfort foods that pair well with beer, like perogies, cheesesteaks, kielbasa, meatball grinders and gabagool, an Italian cured meat also known as capicola. 2310 Montgomery St., Savannah. instagram.com/romes.bar
Slow Fire Barbecue. There is no shortage of heat surrounding Terren Williams’ traditional Texas-style barbecue with Lowcountry flair. A former chef de cuisine for the Grey Market, Williams and his wife Kelly Williams announced plans in December 2023 to open a brick-and-mortar on Waters Avenue. In the year since, Slow Fire has ranked in Texas Monthly’s list of the top 50 barbecue joints outside of Texas and Southern Living’s top 20 new barbecue joints in 2024. While the build-out is still in the works, fans line up at the food truck at the future site or the pop-ups at Service Brewing for a revolving menu of brisket smashburgers, smoked wings, beef ribs, hot honey chicken sandwiches, Cheerwine pork belly burnt ends and sides. 1902 Waters Ave., Savannah. slowfirebbq.com
LaVetta. Anthony Debreceny’s Southern Cross Hospitality Group (The Collins Quarter, The Deck Beach Bar & Kitchen, Doki Doki Ice Creamery, The Fitzroy and Ukiyo) is preparing to introduce an upscale Italian concept this year, according to an Instagram post by design firm, Pantheon ADC, in September. Details have yet to be announced. 15 W. Broughton St., Savannah.
Sunday Sunday. Ele Tran’s Rhino Hospitality Group (formerly Ele and the Chef Collection) is readying for its 12th concept: a French Vietnamese bistro serving breakfast, lunch, brunch and dinner. Inspired by the family meals that are a highlight of her week, Sunday Sunday will fill the first floor of the downtown building left vacant by New Realm Brewing Co., with plans for an 11-unit inn on the upper level, as reported by Savannah Agenda. 120 Whitaker St., Savannah.
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