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Welcome to The Cotton Exchange Seafood Grill & Tavern

At The Cotton Exchange Seafood Grill & Tavern, located on Savannah’s picturesque River Street, the spirit of Southern hospitality is alive and well. This casual eatery blends historic charm with modern amenities, offering a diverse menu that caters to families and food lovers alike. Diners can savor fresh seafood and hearty American classics like crab chowder and succulent hush puppies, all while enjoying a vibrant atmosphere. The attentive staff ensures a memorable experience, whether you’re indulging in happy hour specials or relishing a quiet dinner. With its welcoming vibe and exceptional cuisine, The Cotton Exchange promises a delightful culinary escape on the waterfront.

The Cotton Exchange Seafood Grill & Tavern: Reviews & Ratings

Todd G.
Todd G.

My wife and I enjoyed both our most recent experiences at the Cotton exchange over the St Patrick's Day weekend! We have eaten there in the past but it has been awhile. We stopped in twice just to relax and enjoy an appetizer and some drinks. The cotton exchange is one of the few places down on River Street at least that I am aware of that has inion rings and mozzarella sticks. I am a big fan of both! On Sunday my wife and I slid in to hide out from the rain and enjoy some onion rings and cocktails. The prices are very reasonable and the portions were awesome!! On Monday afternoon we went in and enjoyed an order of mozzarella sticks and some drinks. Our server Charles was on point and was working his butt off!! I highly recommend The cotton exchange and we will be back on our next Savannah trip!!

Margaret N.
Margaret N.

The restaurant has a nice offering of meals for the whole family. The seafood was fresh, hush puppies hot, and drinks refreshing. We enjoyed eating here. The wait staff was friendly and the service was fast. We only waited 15 minutes on a Friday night. Everyone was very friendly.

Jose F.
Jose F.

Amazing food and service. I got a NY strip steak cooked Perfect. My asparagus and mashed potatoes were excellent. My wife's shrimp poboy was amazing as well as my daughter's cheeseburger. Hands down best fries in my life. Nothing comes close. I couldn't believe how good everything was. I hate to give anyone a 5 star review but the food is absolutely worthy. It's not a super fancy place, On the water in an old building like everything else here. I loved the relaxed atmosphere

Jerry F.
Jerry F.

I wanted to take home a 5 gallon bucket of their Tybee crab chowder! Absolutely delicious and the best I have eaten!!

Clif C.
Clif C.

This restaurant and bar has a great historical vibe. You feel like you are in an inn along the river centuries ago enjoying great food in a warm atmosphere. I ordered the crab chowder and crab cakes. I recommend some extra crackers with the crab chowder as I love the combo. The crab cake was the best I have had along the riverfront in Savannah and the hush puppies are a nice touch too. Our server was attentive and made sure we had every thing we need. Highly recommended for dining along the riverfront!!

Alyssa C.
Alyssa C.

We popped in here for lunch after walking the waterfront in the off season. We were seated right away and greeted by friendly and accommodating staff. Our food came quickly and was absolutely delicious. We enjoyed local beers that were ice cold and served in chilled glasses. The wings were top notch as were the green fried tomatoes. The entrees were extremely fresh, came out fast, and were hot when they reached us. Everything was excellent!

Charee G.
Charee G.

After hearing a lot of great reviews about this place decided to try it out for an early dinner. I originally stopped in late afternoon to ask if they take reservations and they do not. This place is first come, first serve. The gentleman at the hostess stand mentioned they seem to get busy after 5:30pm but the seating at the bar area may be available. Returned around 5:30pm and waited approximately 15 minutes for our table to be ready. We immediately ordered and our soups arrived quickly. Before I had finished my soup our main dishes arrived. The food was excellent! Our server was tentative but she was so quick I didn't even get her name!

Angelaina B.
Angelaina B.

We visited this restaurant as a recommendation from someone in our group. They were unable to sit our party of 12 together but they did well with accommodating the party and splitting us up in a way that still catered to the group. Connie was our waitress and very nice the entire time. We ordered a variety of food and the portion sizes were massive. I had 3 sides but honestly it was enough to feed 2 people. Everything tasted great. Everyone in my party was pleased. I personally felt the establishment had a little odor but nothing I couldn't overlook. The food came out very quickly and all dishes were fresh/made to order. The dip and sweet potato waffle fries were the stars of the show. We all concluded this is a place we could revisit.

Liz A.
Liz A.

For a group of 6, they got us in quickly in a booth by the bar. We picked this restaurant to celebrate our mom's birthday. The menu has a nice variety to choose from including seafood options, salads, specials. We had a coupon for $8 applied to an appetizer. We had the spinach artichoke dip. It was good but I think more chips would be nice. We all appreciated the waiter's honesty when my niece ordered mac and cheese and he said just want to let you know, it's Kraft Mac and cheese with some shredded cheese added on top. She still got it but was nice to know. My mom lived her pasta dish that came with shrimp and scallops. I liked my pulled pork sandwich. The Cobb salad was fine and linguine Alfredo with chicken was good. The bathroom is small. There are two stalls and really no room to wait instead. If back in town, I would check this place out again.

Location

The Cotton Exchange Seafood Grill & Tavern is a delightful culinary destination situated in the heart of Savannah, Georgia. Nestled along the historic River Street, this seafood grill and tavern blends regional charm with a robust menu that caters to every palate. From its inviting ambiance to its friendly service, Cotton Exchange offers a quintessential southern dining experience.

Step inside, and you’ll notice that this is no ordinary restaurant. The warm atmosphere echoes the rich history of the area, making it feel like a cozy inn from centuries past. The expertly crafted menu showcases an impressive selection of southern American dishes, ensuring there’s something for everyone, including a variety of vegetarian and vegan options.

  • Location: 201 E River St, Savannah, GA 31401, United States
  • Reservations: Yes
  • Outdoor Seating: Yes
  • Private Dining: Available
  • Happy Hour Specials: Yes, particularly vibrant on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights
  • Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible; dogs allowed
  • Special Features: Free Wi-Fi, QR code menus, street parking, and a drive-thru

Among the standout dishes that patrons rave about is the Tybee crab chowder, with one enthusiastic guest, Jerry, even wishing to take home a five-gallon bucket! The hush puppies are a delightful touch, offering a crispy texture to accompany the freshness of seafood staples.

The menu also features generous portions of beloved bar snacks, like mozzarella sticks and onion rings, perfect for guests looking to unwind with a drink. As Todd G. noted, the prices are reasonable, and the quality of food is commendable—ideal for families and groups enjoying a casual dining experience.

For the meat lovers, options like the NY strip steak are cooked to perfection, as shared by satisfied customers. Additionally, the riveting flavors of the shrimp po' boy and cheeseburger are not to be missed. You can enjoy these dishes while soaking in the vibrant atmosphere created by the full bar and casual noise level, which makes it suitable for groups and kids alike.

If you’re looking for a place to unwind after a long day of exploring Savannah, The Cotton Exchange Seafood Grill & Tavern is highly recommended. Its historical vibe, paired with delicious food and attentive service, make it an essential stop for visitors and locals alike. I assure you, the experience here will be one you won't soon forget!

Don't miss out; swing by and indulge in the flavors and warmth that the Cotton Exchange has to offer—your taste buds will thank you!