The Olde Pink House is an upscale Southern restaurant at 23 Abercorn Street, Savannah, GA 31401, overlooking Reynolds Square in the Historic District. Built in 1771 for merchant James Habersham Jr., the pink-stucco Georgian mansion combines formal dining rooms with a candlelit cellar tavern. Travelers come for Lowcountry seafood, fried green tomatoes, historic interiors, and evening piano music—a dinner destination with considerably more architectural character than a conventional restaurant.
What to Expect at The Olde Pink House
The kitchen’s identity is Southern coastal cooking rather than a tasting-menu format. Longstanding signatures include scored flounder with apricot-shallot sauce and shrimp and grits presented with a fried grit cake and country-ham gravy. The BLT salad reworks the sandwich with fried green tomatoes, bacon, and sweet-corn cream. Separate lunch, dinner, Arches, and dessert menus make the experience flexible: a daytime meal, a celebratory dinner, or drinks with something smaller. Check the official menus before choosing your sitting, since dishes and prices change.
The building matters as much as the food. Its Georgian symmetry, fireplaces, decorative woodwork, and divided dining rooms preserve the feel of a substantial eighteenth-century residence. Habersham’s house survived Savannah’s 1796 fire and later housed the Planters Bank. Below the formal rooms, Planters Tavern exchanges chandeliers and tablecloths for exposed masonry, low lighting, and live piano. The Arches Bar offers another setting for cocktails. Ask about the Pink Lady, the restaurant’s familiar lemonade-and-raspberry-vodka drink, or choose wine with dinner.
- Scored flounder: The signature fish preparation pairs crisp skin with a sweet-savory apricot-shallot sauce.
- Shrimp and grits: A fried grit cake gives this coastal staple a different texture from soft breakfast-style grits.
- BLT salad: Fried green tomatoes, bacon, and sweet-corn cream capture the kitchen’s playful Southern approach.
- Planters Tavern: The below-street-level cellar offers intimate seating and evening piano music; ask about the performance schedule.
- Historic dining rooms: Fireplaces, period detailing, and smaller rooms make the mansion especially appealing for an occasion dinner.
The Olde Pink House at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 23 Abercorn Street, Savannah, GA 31401 |
| Neighborhood / Area | Historic District, beside Reynolds Square |
| Operating Hours | Lunch Tuesday–Saturday, 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m.; dinner Sunday–Thursday, 5–10:30 p.m., Friday–Saturday, 5–11 p.m. |
| Admission / Price Range | No sightseeing admission; restaurant dining $$$. Food and drinks are priced individually. |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 1.5 to 2.5 hours |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | Fare-free DOT downtown shuttle near Johnson Square; Bryan Street Parking Garage, 100 East Bryan Street |
| Official Website & Phone | The Olde Pink House; +1 912-232-4286 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
Reserve dinner well ahead for weekends, holidays, and spring travel; use the reservation link on the official website or telephone the restaurant. An 11 a.m. lunch or 5 p.m. dinner suits travelers who prefer an earlier sitting. Lunch ends at 2:30 p.m., so do not assume continuous afternoon dining. Smart casual clothing fits the rooms, though jackets are not the defining feature of the experience. Major credit cards are accepted. Discuss vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and allergy requirements beforehand: fried foods, sauces, and gravies warrant specific questions.
From the DOT shuttle around Johnson Square, walk east toward Abercorn Street; drivers can use the nearby municipal Bryan Street garage. The mansion has a raised entrance and rooms on multiple levels, while the tavern is downstairs: request step-free seating and discuss the entrance, restroom route, and any elevator needs before arrival. Allow extra care on Savannah’s uneven brick sidewalks. Pair dinner with the John Wesley monument in Reynolds Square, directly outside, then walk roughly five minutes to Factors Walk and River Street or ten minutes to the City Market area. Riverfront access can involve steep historic steps; choose a ramped route instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is The Olde Pink House open, and when should I visit?
Lunch runs Tuesday–Saturday, 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m.; dinner begins daily at 5 p.m. Closing is 10:30 p.m. Sunday–Thursday and 11 p.m. Friday–Saturday; choose lunch for a daylight look at the rooms.
How expensive is it, and are reservations necessary?
This is a $$$ restaurant, with individually priced dishes rather than an admission ticket. Advance dinner reservations are strongly recommended; consult the official menus for current prices.
How long should I allow for dinner?
Budget 1.5 to 2.5 hours for drinks and multiple courses. Leave additional time if you want to continue downstairs for piano music.
Is it suitable for wheelchair users and families?
Wheelchair users should arrange an appropriate table and access route directly with the restaurant because the historic layout includes several levels. Families are welcome, but an earlier reservation generally works better for children than a late cellar evening.
When planning your Savannah travel guide or comparing verified restaurants and nightlife in Savannah, pair this stop with standout local spots including Fountain at Forsyth Park, Vic's On the River, Alligator Soul Restaurant, and The Drayton Hotel Savannah, Curio Collection by Hilton (0.1 km away).
