The Best Coffee in Savannah

Written by Olivia Longoria. Graphics by Kaitlyn Ellintt.

Let’s not get caught up in semantics here. The best coffee and the best coffee shop are two entirely different things. You know this. However, the two, each with their own set of criteria, work together to create the experience of going out for a coffee. 

There are plenty of reasons to go to a coffee shop other than caffeine. Maybe you’re meeting a friend, maybe you have a great outfit on and want to be perceived or maybe you want to be productive. Having a system to rank which shop is best for the respective activity is simply crucial. Now, creating a ranking system for the best coffee experience in Savannah is not an easy feat. This is because the experience you wish to have is subjective, and the city offers many varieties. So, I will share my own personal ranking system for you, the reader, to seek inspiration from. 

Firstly, I am partial to making coffee at home with my Breville Nespresso, which is my most prized possession. I make a flat white using a Venezia pod and Califia Farms Barista Blend Oatmilk. This is the best in terms of taste because I can make it exactly how I like and can enjoy it on the balcony in my pajamas with my dog, Joey Pepperoni (also a coffee snob). But other days, I want more. 

These are my most important factors when deciding what kind of caffeine experience I want to have.

1. Flavor: I personally hate coffee that is too acidic, so that’s a deal breaker for me.
2. Lighting: A bright overhead light has no place in a coffee shop, sorry. 
3. Music: Music that is too loud can be overstimulating, especially if it’s terrible. 
4. Seating: Sometimes, I want a big, comfy chair; other times, I want a lot of table space to open my laptop and pretend like I’m working (I’m on Pinterest.)
5. Ice shape: Now, this is very nitpicky, but it makes a difference in the beverage-drinking experience. My preference is small and round. 

Based on these criteria, these are my top coffee shops in Savannah. 

1. Good Fortune Market: Best overall. The coffee and staff are great, and it’s next door to The Stacks, Savannah’s first fully accessible bookstore. 
2. Big Bon Bodega: Chef’s Kiss. I love their fun seasonal coffees!
3. Gallery Espresso: For when I’m having a Rory Gilmore day. The actual coffee is nothing special, but the vibe is perfect for curling up with a book. 
4. Henny Penny: Visited most frequently. Approach the zucchini bread with caution; it is addictive. I love to sit outside here and often run into people I know.