Planning a visit to Savannah's most iconic fine-dining institution? As of December 2025, The Olde Pink House continues its legacy as a culinary cornerstone, offering an elevated Lowcountry cuisine experience that is both historic and refreshingly current. The menu is a celebration of Southern tradition, but navigating the options—from the formal dining rooms to the hidden taverns—requires insider knowledge. This guide breaks down the essential dishes and dining secrets you need to know for your 2025 visit.
The culinary philosophy at The Olde Pink House centers on refining classic Southern and coastal Georgia flavors with modern technique. While the full menus (Dinner, Lunch, Arches, and Dessert) are subject to seasonal changes to ensure the freshest ingredients, the core, signature dishes remain year-round staples that define a Savannah dining experience. Securing a reservation is crucial, but knowing the difference between the main restaurant and the more casual Planters Tavern or Arches Bar can be the key to enjoying this historic mansion's offerings.
The Olde Pink House Signature Dishes: A 2025 Must-Try List
The Olde Pink House is renowned for its commitment to elevated Southern cuisine, particularly its seafood and Lowcountry favorites. While the entire menu is exquisite, a few signature dishes have achieved legendary status, making them essential orders for any first-time or returning guest. These items showcase the restaurant's unique blend of historical charm and modern culinary execution.
- Pecan-Crusted Chicken: Considered by many to be the restaurant's most iconic entree, this dish features tender chicken coated in a savory pecan crust, glazed with a rich blackberry bourbon sauce. It is typically served alongside Southern staples like collard greens and a sweet potato topped with pecan vanilla butter. This dish is the epitome of the Olde Pink House experience.
- Low Country She Crab Soup: A creamy, rich soup featuring lump crab meat and a touch of sherry. This appetizer is a classic Lowcountry favorite and an absolute must-try for a warm, comforting start to your meal.
- Southern Sushi: A playful twist on traditional sushi, this appetizer features smoked shrimp and grits rolled in nori (seaweed) and served with a tangy soy dipping sauce. It’s an inventive dish that perfectly encapsulates the restaurant’s modern approach to Southern ingredients.
- Shrimp and Grits: A Georgia staple, the Olde Pink House version is celebrated for its rich, flavorful sauce and perfectly cooked shrimp served over creamy, local grits. It is a benchmark dish for Savannah cuisine.
- Fried Green Tomatoes: A classic Southern appetizer, served hot and crispy, often paired with a savory, creamy sauce or a sweet relish to balance the tartness of the tomatoes.
- Barbeque-Glazed Duck: A popular, elevated entree that provides a flavorful alternative to the seafood and chicken options, showcasing the chef's expertise with richer, more complex proteins.
The Hidden Gem: The Arches Bar and Planters Tavern Menu
The Olde Pink House is more than just its elegant main dining rooms. The historic mansion also houses two separate, more casual dining and drinking areas: the Planters Tavern in the basement and the Arches Bar on the south side. These areas offer a slightly different menu and a major secret for diners without a reservation.
The Arches Bar and Planters Tavern menus often feature a selection of appetizers and lighter fare that overlap with the main dinner menu but in a more relaxed, first-come, first-served setting. This is the insider's trick to experiencing the Olde Pink House without booking months in advance. The Tavern, in particular, is known for its nightly piano player, adding to the intimate and historic atmosphere.
Popular Bar/Tavern Menu Items:
- Crispy Calamari: A reliable favorite, perfect for sharing.
- Mac and Cheese Jalapeno Poppers: A Southern-inspired bar snack that combines creamy, cheesy comfort with a spicy kick.
- Cheese Plate: A curated selection of local and imported cheeses, often featured on the Afternoon Menu.
Cocktails and Dessert: The Sweet Endings
No fine-dining experience is complete without a signature cocktail and a decadent dessert. The Olde Pink House excels in both, offering a curated list of spirits and classic Southern sweets.
Signature Cocktails:
- The Olde Pink House "Pink Lady": A must-try cocktail that matches the restaurant's famous exterior. It’s a refreshing blend featuring fresh-squeezed lemonade and Absolut Raspberry Vodka.
- Planter's Punch: A potent and classic Southern cocktail, featuring a special blend of Papa's Pilar Dark Rum.
The dessert menu is the grand finale of the Lowcountry feast. While offerings rotate, two items are frequently celebrated in current reviews and are considered staple signatures:
- Molten Chocolate Cake: A rich, warm chocolate cake with a gooey center, often served with a unique flavor of ice cream, such as cinnamon, to provide a surprising, spiced contrast.
- Elevated Pecan Pie: A refined take on the classic Southern dessert, often served with a vanilla bean ice cream or a bourbon caramel sauce.
Planning Your 2025 Visit: Reservations and Attire
Dining at The Olde Pink House is an event, and a little planning goes a long way. Given its status as one of Savannah’s most popular restaurants, here is the essential logistical information for your 2025 visit.
Reservation Policy
Reservations for the main dining rooms are highly recommended and often need to be booked several weeks, or even months, in advance, especially for weekend dinner slots.
The Secret Tip: If you cannot secure a reservation, try for a table in the Planters Tavern or the Arches Bar. These two areas operate on a first-come, first-served basis and often serve a slightly condensed menu that includes many of the signature appetizers and entrees. This is the best way to bypass the long wait times.
Dress Code and Atmosphere
The atmosphere in the main dining rooms is elegant and sophisticated, reflecting the mansion's 18th-century heritage. The official preference is Business Casual attire, though smart casual is generally acceptable.
- Preferred Attire: Slacks, collared shirts, dresses, or nice blouses.
- Discouraged Attire: Beachwear, athletic shorts, flip-flops, and extremely casual clothing are generally frowned upon in the main dining areas.
The Planters Tavern and Arches Bar offer a slightly more relaxed environment, though maintaining a smart casual appearance is still recommended to respect the historic setting.
The Historic Setting: More Than Just a Meal
The Olde Pink House, originally built in 1771 for James Habersham Jr., is a masterpiece of Georgian architecture and one of the few surviving buildings from the city's early days. The building's famous pink color is said to be the result of a failed attempt to seal the exterior stucco with a white wash that mixed with the red brick underneath.
Dining here is a journey through history, with thirteen distinct dining rooms and a ballroom, each offering a unique glimpse into Savannah's storied past. The rich history, combined with the spectacular Lowcountry cuisine, makes The Olde Pink House a truly unforgettable dining destination.
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