"Mashama Bailey's port-city Southern cooking in a restored Greyhound terminal - a James Beard landmark worth planning a Savannah trip around."
About The Grey
The Grey is the downtown Savannah restaurant chef Mashama Bailey runs with co-owner John O. Morisano, set inside a restored 1938 Art Deco Greyhound bus terminal on Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard. Bailey calls her cooking port-city Southern food - Southern roots carried by African, French and Italian influences - and it has made her one of the most decorated chefs in the region, with the James Beard Best Chef Southeast award in 2019 and Outstanding Chef in 2022.
This is fine dining with a Southern accent and a strong sense of place. For more of the city's best tables, compare the long-running fine dining at Elizabeth on 37th, the chef-driven plates at Common Thread and the cocktails and Southern food at Cotton & Rye. For a marker night, see our anniversary dining guide.
The Kitchen
The menu changes regularly with the season, but the through-line is Bailey's port-city Southern cooking - dishes grounded in the Low Country and the African diaspora, then turned with French and Italian technique. Country Captain, the curried chicken stew that travelled through Georgia's port, is a recurring signature; starters have run to raw oysters, benne-seed crackers with chutney and a watermelon salad, and mains lean on Southern produce, game and the day's seafood. The cooking is precise and unfussy, confident enough to let single ingredients lead. Dining is upscale a la carte, with main courses roughly in the 40-to-65-dollar range, set in a room that earns the price. A bar menu and the adjoining Grey Market extend the kitchen's reach for a lighter visit.
The Room
The setting is one of the most striking in the South: a 1938 Greyhound terminal restored with its curved Art Deco lines intact, the old ticketing and waiting areas reborn as a bar and a dining room without erasing the building's segregated history. The space is handsome and warm, with terrazzo floors, a sweeping counter and booths that hold the terminal's original geometry. Service is gracious and well-drilled, the kind that suits a special evening, and the bar is a destination in its own right. The Grey sits on Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard at the western edge of the downtown grid, walkable from the historic squares. It is a sought-after table, so booking ahead - well ahead for a weekend - is the sensible move.
Best for a Special Occasion
The landmark room, the polished service and the national reputation make The Grey a natural anniversary dinner, a confident table to impress visiting clients, and a memorable first date in Savannah.
Not for
Not for a quick, budget bite - this is an upscale a la carte dinner in a destination dining room, built for a planned evening rather than a casual drop-in.
Frequently Asked
What is The Grey in Savannah known for?
The Grey is known for chef Mashama Bailey's port-city Southern cooking and for its setting in a restored 1938 Greyhound bus terminal. Bailey won the James Beard Best Chef Southeast award in 2019 and Outstanding Chef in 2022, and the menu has featured signatures like Country Captain.
Who is the chef at The Grey?
Mashama Bailey is the executive chef and co-owner of The Grey, which she runs with John O. Morisano. She won the James Beard Foundation's Best Chef Southeast in 2019 and its Outstanding Chef award in 2022, and is one of the most acclaimed chefs in the American South.
How much does The Grey cost?
The Grey is upscale a la carte, with main courses roughly in the 40-to-65-dollar range before drinks, plus starters and sides. A bar menu and the adjoining Grey Market offer a lighter, lower-cost way to experience the kitchen.
Where is The Grey restaurant?
The Grey is at 109 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd in downtown Savannah, Georgia, set inside a restored 1938 Art Deco Greyhound bus terminal at the western edge of the historic grid, walkable from the city's squares.
Do you need a reservation at The Grey?
Yes. The Grey is a sought-after table, so booking ahead is recommended - well ahead for a weekend evening. The bar area offers some flexibility for walk-ins, and the adjoining Grey Market is a casual alternative.
Reserve a Table
Reserve at The Grey
Booking ahead is recommended, well ahead for weekends; The Grey is at 109 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd in the old Greyhound terminal downtown.
Affiliate disclosure: Restaurants for Kings may earn a commission when you book through our reservation links, at no cost to you. Our scores are editorial and never paid for.
Practical Information
Address109 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Savannah, GA 31401
NeighbourhoodDowntown (old Greyhound terminal)
CuisineSouthern American
PriceUpscale a la carte; mains roughly $40-65
Dress CodeSmart casual
SeatingRestored Art Deco terminal dining room and bar
ReservationRecommended
