About
For the opportunity to savor Southern cuisine in the style of the 19th century, add Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room to your itinerary.
This restaurant began as a boarding house on West Jones Street, providing guests with a quiet and communal dining room. Here, locals, laborers, schoolteachers, bankers, and middle-class merchants gathered for two hearty meals daily.
In 1943, Sema Wilkes took over the building to serve her home-cooked meals with warmth and Southern Hospitality. She developed relationships with farmers to acquire the best sweet potatoes in the fall and shelled whippoorwill peas in the summer. Over the decades, eating in her humble dining room became an iconic experience for visiting Savannah. Her eatery was so popular that she didn't bother with a sign until 1987!
The restaurant's location in the Historic District makes it easy to combine sightseeing nearby attractions with a hearty meal. For instance, within walking distance is Forsyth Park, with its iconic fountain, and the Mercer Williams House Museum, filled with antiques and stories of intrigue and murder.
Mrs. Wilkes' granddaughter, Marcia Thompson, and her family manage the dining room, ensuring that Sema's legacy stays in the family and continues indefinitely.
Come and see why this family-owned restaurant is still a Savannah hotspot.
Vibe
The setting is quintessential Historic Savannah: cobblestone streets, moss-laden oaks, and brick buildings standing side-by-side. The restaurant's classic brick facade harkens to a bygone era, while its sweeping steps to the front door add elegance to any visit.
The quaint dining room has been remodeled, but its low ceiling indicates its heritage. The street-side brick wall adds nostalgia, while the photos of Sema Wilkes dot the painted panel wall on the opposite side.
Long tables with white linens offer communal seating, and the mishmash of various styles of wood chairs adds authenticity to the former boarding house.
The family-style dining encourages guests to interact, creating community over Southern staples.
Dining at Mrs. Wilkes' Dining Room is like stepping into a bygone era. The ambiance suits a Savannah vacation, where charm and tradition meet the warmth of hospitality.
Mrs. Wilkes' Dining Room: Menu & Drinks
The menu is seasonal, so some items we discuss may not be available when you visit. Also, servings come in large, family-style bowls to be shared, adding to the communal vibe and letting diners sample a medley of food. The large servings are guaranteed to satisfy your hunger after a day at Skidaway Island State Park.
The fried chicken is a perennial favorite, praised for its crispy golden crust and succulent interior. Sausage, tender beef stew, and meatloaf are also available. While these are the primary choices, check the blackboard for daily specials.
The sweet potato soufflé is Mrs Wilkes's tour de force that is a must-try! It's a delightful balance of creamy sweetness with a hint of spice. Other sides include cabbage, snap peas, macaroni & cheese, butter beans, black-eyed peas, rutabaga, squash, rice & gravy, mashed potatoes, candied yams, pickled beets…you get the idea!
For those with a sweet tooth, the banana pudding is a signature dessert with layers of ripe bananas, creamy custard, and a delicate meringue.
The sweet tea has the right amount of sugar, offering a soothing accompaniment to your meal. Unsweetened tea is also available, as are soft drinks and other non-alcoholic beverages. The drinks will refresh before you dash off to a performance at the Lucas Theatre for the Arts.
Dining at Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room is an immersion into the soul of Savannah's culture. Dining family-style offers a chance for you to savor time-honored dishes and slip back to simpler times.
Local Tips
- Arrive early to beat the long lines.
- There is a cash (or check) only restaurant.
- There is an ATM on site.
- The menu changes daily.
- Parking can be challenging; plan accordingly.
