Tips for Attending Savannah Food and Wine Festival

Now in its third year, the Savannah Food and Wine Festival celebrates the foodie city’s humble beginnings and its rise to one of the South’s most beloved destinations. The weekend event, set around town but mostly in the historic squares, includes chef demonstrations, cocktail parties and the Taste of Savannah event, the biggest of the festival. It lasts all afternoon, so you can take your time wandering from tent to tent.

1. Hydrate.

One thing I didn’t expect with my ticket was bottomless tastings of every type of alcoholic beverage, not just wine. I quickly got caught up in it and didn’t drink nearly enough water or eat enough food. It was still humid, even in November.

2. Buy extra food tickets.

Which brings me to my second point. I was given four or five tokens, but most food items cost more in the 6 to 10 token range. This meant that there was little I could eat without shelling out extra cash. I wish I’d known this in advance or wish I’d researched the food offerings so I could try a few things instead of settling on whatever was cheapest.

3. Be prepared to wait in line.

Whether it’s tasting a particular type of wine or getting your cookbook signed by a chef or bathroom access, prepare yourself for waiting in line. Think ahead so that you won’t be hungry or thirsty while you’re trying to get your next sample.

Sandwich at Savannah Food and Wine Festival — Barbecue sandwich

4. Find the bathrooms early.

Speaking of which, I only found one during the day and it was on the far end of the festivities. VIP admission has their own lounge and bathroom access, so you may want to splurge on it.

5. Stay downtown.

The last thing you want to do after an afternoon of eating and drinking is find a way to get back to your hotel that’s not close by. I stayed at the Marriott Riverfront and found it to be perfectly close.