Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room

Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room on Jones Street is Savannah's most beloved restaurant and one of the most unique dining experiences in the American South. Since 1943, this converted boarding house has been serving family-style Southern lunches at communal tables, and the tradition has made it a destination that draws families, food lovers, and celebrities from around the world.

The format is simple and unchanging: there's no menu. You sit at a large table with other guests, and bowls of homemade Southern dishes are passed around until everyone is stuffed. The spread typically includes fried chicken, baked chicken, meatloaf, mashed potatoes, sweet potato soufflé, collard greens, black-eyed peas, corn bread, biscuits, mac and cheese, and several other sides.

When a bowl empties, it's replaced. Dessert — usually banana pudding — arrives after the savory courses. The whole meal is a fixed price that includes everything.

The communal dining experience is what sets Mrs. Wilkes apart. Strangers become tablemates, passing bowls, sharing recommendations, and swapping travel stories.

For families with children, it's a wonderful social experience that teaches kids table manners, sharing, and conversation in a warm, forgiving environment. The staff are gracious, the other diners are friendly, and the atmosphere is joyful.

The line is the price of admission. On busy days, it can stretch down Jones Street and require a 1-2 hour wait. Most regulars arrive 30 minutes before the 11 AM opening to secure an early seating.

The line itself becomes a social event, with families chatting and kids playing on the beautiful brick sidewalks of Jones Street — widely considered one of the most photogenic residential streets in America.

Practically, families need to know three things: it's cash only, it's lunch only (Monday-Friday, 11 AM - 2 PM), and there are no reservations. The food quality is exceptional home cooking, not restaurant food — and that's the whole point. Generations of Savannah families have eaten here, and the sense of tradition is palpable in every bite.