Gryphon

The food and service for afternoon tea was fabulous! The architecture and building are quite lovely with the stained glass ceiling and Tiffany lamps. The space is not large, maybe max seating for 65-70 people inside. The estimated wait time was terrible! We were told 35-40min by the hostess but when we checked our status on Yelp, it was about an hour. In the end, we waited an hour and 15min to be seated. We were a group of 6 people and there was also a "large group" surcharge. Also, there is only one single room bathroom so often there was a wait. The price per person for tea has increased significantly over the last two years ($20 to $23/person and now $31/person. As of Dec 2025)

Lunch at Gryphon was an absolute delight! We enjoyed a beautiful meal sitting outside across from the squares, where the gentle breeze and the sound of the church bells made everything feel perfectly Savannah. The Asian Salmon and the soup of the day were absolutely superb — fresh, flavorful, and prepared with so much care. The service was warm and attentive, and the entire experience felt effortless and elegant. Gryphon is truly one of the city’s gems, the perfect spot to slow down, savor, and enjoy a memorable lunch. We left smiling and already planning our next visit. Highly recommend! ✨🍽️

Wonderful old pharmacy with photoshoot decor. The high tea was an elegant experience and well crafted. The scones of the day was one of the best bites I've had on my life and I had to have a second order of them before we left. My only quibble is that the teapots were bog standard and our particular server must have been newer as she wasn't the most attentive. I wish I lived here to visit more often.

Visited several times in Fall 2025. This is a really cool brunch spot! We’ve done afternoon tea before that was pleasant, but brunch is where it’s at. Service is great, atmosphere is relaxed and has some fun history around the location. Their Crème Brûlée French toast is currently the best French toast in Savannah. Great tea options, good quiche too. Will absolutely be visiting again.

Spectacular food and the atmosphere reminded me of an old school department store. They specialize in tea and related foods such as finger sandwiches, but they also have much more to offer. I encourage you to try this place out. I had the Moroccan chicken sandwich and Orange noir cold brew. Both were excellent and very filling.

Delightful light lunch spot in historic former apothecary on Bull St. Excellent service complete with a history lesson about the building! I had the chevre salad, my husband had the sesame tuna salad ( generous servings!) , and we had the scones of the day. I’d like to go back to try the afternoon tea!

If you like high tea and a fabulous experience, this is a great choice. The staff is great, the tea and food is delightful, and all of it is inside a well maintained beautiful historic building. The best in Savannah for sure.

My experience here was fantastic. I enjoyed a lovely brunch experience outside. My server was a complete sweetheart who provided a great story about the history of the restaurant. If in Savnnah I'd definitely recommend this place! The tea and desserts were sooo good!

Friends of ours recommended visiting the Gryphon Tea Room while in Savannah. So, on a rainy Thursday afternoon, my wife and I stopped in for afternoon tea. What a cool place! The building was originally a pharmacy, then became a library and bookstore. About 30 years ago, it became this tea room. Decorated with Tiffany lamps and stained glass windows, it's beautiful inside. It also still has parts of the pharmacy from all those years ago. On top of the pharmacy cubbies, is the first electric clock in Savannah. We ordered the "afternoon tea" which consisted of pots of tea for my wife and me. A tower of food was served with the tea. The bottom tier were small sandwiches, the middle scones, and on the top were pastries. Everything was delicious! My favorite was the scones which were served with Devonshire cream and strawberry jam. So good! This was a unique place and we're so glad we stopped in!

This place really does have a lot of charm, which I think compels people to round up on their ratings. Atmosphere: perfection! It's just beautiful and has a lot of historic atmoshere. The other patrons make it a special place too. Many celebratory lunches, bachelorette parties, and even a group of adults dressed as Disney princesses were there. Everyone is ready to have a good time and many are wearing something pretty or sharp. (But don't feel you have to dress up - it seems optional) Service/attitude: everyone here was very nice. I don't believe they take reservations so we were put on a waitlist and got in on a busy Saturday afternoon. The servers are all SCAD students and are very poised and friendly. Service/execution: It took a long time for our server to greet us. We ordered afternoon tea service (per the menu: a selection of tea sandwiches, scones with Devonshire cream and jam, assorted pastries, and petit fours). The wait for our teas was quite long, and when they arrived they were not the tea flavors we ordered, even though we verbally confirmed as they were placed in front of us. We just drank what was brought because we were tired of waiting. The server did not bring milk and sugar with the teas, we had to ask. Food: When the tiered tray of sandwiches, scones, and pastries arrived it was exciting, as this is usually a fun moment of an afternoon tea. There were only two types of sandwiches. The cucumber ones were soggy and flavorless. The mini chicken salad rounds were edible but nothing special. The scones were pretty good - full of plump blueberries. Just one served per person. The scone was accompanied by a pot of whipped cream - this isn't really Devonshire (clotted) cream as promised. Usually scones are served with butter and jam as well, and those were not brought. The dessert tier was just OK. The cream puff was very soggy and a disappointment as that is usually my favorite thing. All of the dessert items were different, meaning we had to either cut them in half or negotiate who ate which. The tray also had some strawberries and grapes. Value: at $31 per person, after taxes and tip it was around $80 for two people. It was not even filling as a light lunch, and we have small appetites.

The Gryphon Tea Room is, you guessed it, a wonderful place for pots of hot, steeped teas and a variety of lunch choices. The decor is beautiful books, tapestries and tables. The servers and hostesses are professional and knowledgeable. This time in Savannah we visited both Saturday and Sunday for lunch in the early afternoon. The wait both times was 20-30 minutes, and accurately predicted as such. The teas were excellent. Each time our party of three ordered a pot of hot cinnamon spice and a pot of Paris blend. Both were caffeinated, tasty and impressive. They also make specialty tea based drinks and have coffee and coffee drinks. The first day I tried the special which was a hot beef sandwich. It was delicious! The second day I and another person had the avocado toast. I never get avocado toast but the other person does frequently. We both loved it. The little cakes and sweets are also a must try with the tea. The Gryphon Tea Room is the best tea room in Savannah and I highly recommend it!

What a FUN experience in Savannahcin a beautiful, historic setting. Highly recommended you check out the tea room and do their tea trays, we also loved the sandwiches we got. You also MUST try the blueberry lemonade! We stood outside maybe 5 minutes before open and got a table right away. I also recommend going across the street and doing the experience at SCAD to learn all about the school and how it started.

We went on Mother's Day expecting a longer wait time, slower service, and select menu. Part was accurate. We only had to wait around 30 minutes to get a table but unfortunately it was about 10 minutes to be greeted. As far as the service goes unfortunately one of the 3 of us received their meal before we even received our drinks and she was done eating by the time the other 2 received their meals. At one point the focus on turning empty tables was more important than serving the ones seated. The food and drink, the poached eggs were wonderful, the afternoon tea tower the scones were amazing, the chicken salad tea sandwich was full of flavor but the cucumber sandwiches were dried out. The mini pastries were a nice assortment and flavorful. The room reminded me of an old library. Very nice place. Always a stop on our visits to Savannah.

The ambiance of Gryphon Tea Room is truly unmatched! So much well preserved history. Our waiter was friendly and he offered to share a brief history of the space. We received our food and refills quickly and everything we ate was fresh & well presented. Will definitely be back to try the afternoon tea on my next visit to Savannah!

All servers are students of SCAD. The history and decor is mostly all original and all well kept. Service is great! And atmosphere is busy but not loud. Food is delicious and just the same as when I was a kid. I took a dear friend here while I was on a trip to visit my family at home. Definitely get the chicken salad as an app (not pictured) but it comes with a delightful frozen whipped cream fresh fruit concoction that I loved as a child and am thrilled they have still kept. Such good memories here with my grandmomma!

Super cool historic place to catch a break from the heat and walking around Savannah. Loved the historical setting while having tea service and new things to try. Great combo with visiting the Scad Story movie experience and museum.

Gryphon is a lovely restaurant. When walking into the space you experience a piece of Savannah's history. There is a host/hostess stand to your left upon entry. They do not take reservations. Depending on the time of day and season there may be a wait for a table. The space is filled with warm colors. There are a variety of tables, bar all the way to the back of the room, and banquette up against one wall. There are some small areas with seating for two that are not as easily seen. And sofas next to one of the main windows. Our party came for the afternoon tea. It is listed on their website under Beverages. Afternoon tea is twenty three dollars per person. You can get this service at anytime of day. It comes with a pot of tea of your choice and classic tiers of food to go along. There were seven of us and the space is difficult to accommodate a larger group. Two of us had to share the end of a table. Our server was kind and knowledgeable. But three of the pots of tea on our table when served were cold. We had to send them back. We asked for water that did not come until we asked again more than once. A few on our table gave up on them. I will say he was busy going from table to table. But we had to ask for milk, sugar, & or honey. It was afternoon tea this is automatically served. Most of the savory food was tasty. I especially enjoyed the chicken salad sandwiches the most. I personally did not enjoy the cucumber sandwiches. The scones were too dry for me but the cream and jam served solved that. They do make a different scone flavor each day. The mini desserts were delicious. I loved the cream puff and cookie. But with all of the mini desserts you only get one. And they are small. The tiered display is typically split between two people. Unless you take a petite bite or decide ahead who gets what it is difficult to try everything. I would try the Gryphon again. But perhaps for lunch with a pot of tea.

After reading several reviews for Gryphon Tea Room I had to try it for myself. Once you walk in to Gryphon you notice how beautifully decorated the dining room is and can tell there's a lot of history in this room. We were seated right away and our server was polite and very knowledgeable, he gave us a quick synopsis about the buildings history that was really interesting. He also gave us some really good recommendations since it was our first time there. We ordered a pot of tea that was really good and the teapot was super full. I also ordered the blueberry lemonade and it was the best lemonade I've ever had in my life. It was sweet and tart all at the same time and the blueberries tasted perfect. We also ordered the Tea Sweets plate and it was the perfect amount of treats to share between two people. I really wanted to order the tower but we had just finished having lunch and the tower comes with a lot of treats, but maybe next time. All the treats tasted fresh and homemade, even the treats that weren't my fav were still good enough to finish. The tea and lemonade were amazing as well, next time I will make sure I order the treat tower or a full meal since everything was phenomenal.

This is my favorite place in Savannah it was lovely to meet the scad art students. The scad story across the street is designed like Harry Potter come to life. The high tea was delicious and delightful.

A descent place fur afternoon tea - the restaurant settings were great. Tea selection was good. They offered both pot hot tea as well as glass of iced tea. However, the tea leaves were infused in the tea pot the whole time, which made it over-soaked after 10+ minutes. We ordered the afternoon tea set. I was surprised to know that the set would provide four sweet desserts for one person order but six for two people (which was three per person). Did not quite understand the logic there. Nevertheless our server was nice answering our confusion. In terms of food - the savory ones were tasty, nothing to complain. The sweets - I guess really depends on personal preference - some were too sweet for me.

On 9 December my sister and I patronized this impressive tea room for afternoon tea. All of the servers are college students attending the engineering school. Our server gave us the fascinating history of the school, the owners and their vision that resulted in converting the library into the tea room, her college and career aspirations, and the tea and food on the menu. My sister had the raspberry tea and I had English breakfast. We enjoyed the tower of tea sandwiches, fruit, a chocolate scone, and dessert as we read the forward of a few books within the vicinity of our table. It was my first time having a chocolate scone.... It was delicious! The price was reasonable for everything we received. I recommend you go the Gryphon, order some food or a drink to support a college student, a future architect!

Being a tea service fan, I wanted to love it. Nice decor. It was an apothecary for about 50 years and even has original Tiffany lamps. Decent tea Fun fact: all the wait staff are SCAD scholars.

Definitely make reservations! We waited for over a hour when the lady originally said 30 minutes. The Afternoon Tea was fun and we enjoyed the food. It was just hard to fully enjoy because we were starving. Our waiter was nice but seemed a little slow. The overall ambiance of the restaurant was gorgeous and made you feel like you went back in time.

What a neat place! This place was recommended by our tour guide the night before. He said it was staffed mainly by SCAD people and they would give us the history of the restaurant when we were served. That was true! Our server, Sebastian, gave us a brief, but informative history of the building including details on what was original to the architecture. The inside is old and breathtaking. Server was very friendly and careful as he brought a steaming ug of Ooh La Lacoste, which was an earl grey tea with steamed milk, lavender and vanilla. It was so creamy, smooth and delicious. The blueberry lemonade was recommended and it was addictive. The presentation was beautiful with the dark purple at the bottom of the glass from the blueberry with the yellow on top from the lemonade. When stirred together, it made a nice lavender color. And the taste was phenomenal. I need to figure out how to make it. Our dishes were also very elegant in presentation with the colored vegetables in the root vegetable salad to the crunchy topping on the goat cheese salad. Both were delicately dressed with dressing and a pop up different fresh vegetables and flavors in every bite. It was pretty expensive overall at $45 but worth it for the experience.

We had an enchanting experience at the Gryphon Tea Room. We came here with our mothers! Our server (a SCAD student) was passionate about the history of the building which inspired and intrigued us to learn more about this beautifully restored 1920s pharmacy. Our server legitimately cared about us enjoying a memorable experience.  The atmosphere is warm and welcoming. I deeply appreciated the Southern charm with stunning detailed stained-glass windows, full bookshelves, and a an AUTHENTIC high tea experience! This included warm delicious scones with homemade cream, made to traditional tea perfection cucumber sandwiches, and a variety of high quality pastries. The tea selection is quite comprehensive. We enjoyed many flavors including flutterfly bush tea with lavender, vanilla, peach and traditional earl grey were  among our selections. All of these tea flavors were phenomenal.  This is a great experience for traditional tea or for lunch,  and a must when in Savannah!

This was my first official teatime. I thought the price point was very affordable and there was a great variety of pastries and bites. I do wish there was some more savory options. The cucumber sandwich and chicken salad were honestly very bland. The petite fours and cakes at the very top were a bit dry, like they had been sitting out for a while. I would say my favorite dessert was the gingerbread cream puff. The scone of the day was a toasted almond scone, which was perfection with the cream. I felt like I was back in Europe. I had the Paris tea as each teatime comes with your own pot. This tea was described with notes of vanilla and caramel, and it was wonderful for the cold weather we have been having All in all this was a very cute activity to do and I enjoyed my first teatime. Some other members of my group had the lunchtime options, which were very good. Special mention to the seared tuna salad. The building itself has a very rich history and the servers are all SCAD students who would be more than happy to tell you a little bit about it.

Very detailed historic building with interesting story. Great tea and fun to try an afternoon tea. Had a wonderful experience! Service is by local SCAD students. They seem to work really hard and want to give you a memorable time.

Amazing service and food! The Moroccan tea was delish. This was our stop on the way to Asheville , North Carolina

This place seems to be always busy but we caught a lull and only had to wait for 10 minutes. The reason for the popularity is that the setting was very good, coffee and tea drinks were great and the menu had something for everyone. Really enjoyed finding this gem. We also enjoyed that our server gave us the history of the space.

Started out as a Pharmacy 1926 becoming a bookstore in 1982 and now a wonder tea room / restaurant. Afternoon tea for $23.00 and items from the menu range from $7.00 and up (pot of tea $7.00) This historical building still holds the charm of the era it originated in. Sebastian was our server and he gave us exceptional care. I had the afternoon tea tower and my hubby had shrimp and grits . Seemed to be popular. I wanted to have tea while visiting Savannah and the Gryphon didn't disappoint me .

On our way to Cocoa Beach, FL we decided to break up the trip and stop to spend the night in Savanna, Georgia. Because we are High Tea fans, we try to find a traditional High Tea location whenever we are traveling! This place was amazing! Most of the people that walked in the door were locals. They called the wait staff by name. Some were dressed quite elegantly, and some were wearing shorts and flip flops. All fit right in and recalled while they dined. If you are passing through on the freeway, take a break and take the exit! Stop here; it is the perfect place to recharge your mental and physical batteries! Most Sincerely!

Phenomenal tea room in historic Savannah! The staff is made up of students at SCAD. Our server was a senior animation student, and she did a wonderful job. Our tea service was excellent, with a variety of sweet and savory bites. The historic building and decor was incredible, and really elevated the entire experience. This will now be a priority stop every time we are in Savannah.

Like a dramatic, lovestruck Bridgerton character all in a tizzy, this place has me absolutely swooning!!! If you've read my reviews about other tea rooms or afternoon tea experiences, you will know that I am a HUGE fan of the afternoon tea vibe! I've experienced afternoon/high tea all around London, UK, in the Palace of Versailles, Madrid, Ireland, and all around the states. The little finger sandwiches. The aromatic tea options. The scones. The clotted cream. The elegance and classy vibes. Do I feel like a princess when I enjoy afternoon tea? Yes, yes I do :) The Gryphon Tea Room did a wonderful job of creating yet another perfect afternoon tea experience! One thing I LOVED about this experience was that we didn't need a reservation. Afternoon tea is what they do! They offer other larger entrees, but the three-tiered presentation is always available for guests. As short-notice visitors to Savannah, reservations weren't possible, so being able to walk right in and enjoy was a true gift! The finger sandwiches were quite tasty. I particularly enjoyed the curry-flavored chicken sandwich. The desserts were pretty tasty and diverse in flavors, but still complemented one another quite well. My favorite part was HANDS DOWN the scones and the tea of course! The scones were buttery and not crumbly - they were amazing! PS you can order just scones if you want. Another highlight was the interior of the building - books books and books! I would gladly bring a book and simply sit and read while enjoying afternoon tea for a few hours. I wish I lived closer! Side note: the attire is pretty much whatever. You could come in your brunch best or post-workout gym fit and you'd be welcomed. The staff is dressed nicely but you don't need to be. This can take away from the glamor/appeal for some, but for us travelers just looking to enjoy without a big outfit change, it was nice. If the place required reservations, I would be disappointed by the dress code flexibility, but given the walk-ins-welcomed vibe, it was totally fine :)

Everything was delicious. The restaurant was busy so our server forgot a side dish in the kitchen that came out after our initial entrees. Overall, I would say the menu was diverse and delicious. I would have loved to see more vegetarian options on the menu but I would definitely return.

Located in a former pharmacy in the Scottish Rite building it exudes charm. Run by SCAD they only take reservations for parties of 10 or more I believe. Got there 10 minutes before opening and was able to get a table but parties not that far behind us didn't make the first seating. Had the high tea (tea sandwich es, scones with clotted cream, petit fours etc). Great value (about a third the price of the Peninsula Hotel in Chicago for example, but it's not the Peninsula) since it is a tea room after all. Very nice experience.

The atmosphere is formal enough to be impressive while harboring a friendly environment. The salmon entree, quiche, and root vegetable salad are my favorites, while the soup of the day is usually a tasty vegetarian choice which varies throughout the week. The dining room had been a pharmacy and a library so it has a large collection of old books and unusual stained glass. The staff is helpful and attentive at all times. Bring a debit or credit card as they do not accept cash. There is also a wonderful view of Madison Square outside the large glass doors. If you like high ceilings then you will especially appreciate this place.

We were nervous about not having a reservation but we showed up about 10 minutes after they opened and were able to be seated quickly. The ambiance was great, I love that they place lowkey classical music. The servers talk about the history of the building which is always fun. We loved our breakfast! Definitely on the list to come back and enjoy again next time we're in Savannah

The Gryphon Tea Room is one of those places that feels like it belongs in a storybook -- elegant, charming, and full of character. Housed in a historic building with stunning stained glass, dark wood interiors, and old-world touches, it's the kind of spot that makes you slow down and soak in the atmosphere. The Paris tea and French toast breakfast was great.

The ambiance is amazing as there are so many items to catch your eye. Menu is limited but delicious.

I cannot recommend Gryphon enough! We went 2x while in Savannah, and the high tea was amazing! The actual architecture and styling of this building was also amazing! Wonderful service and so cool to sit and face the park!

From the moment you walk into this tea room you are taken back in history. The waitress came to the table to tell us a brief timeline of how the restaurant became a tea house. We ordered high tea and it did not disappoint. They also have specialty cold and hot teas that we ordered to try. My favorite was the Oo la Lacoste. Can't wait to go back in time when we visit again next week!

Gryphon Tea Room is located on the corner at Bull Street and across from Madison Square. The building is a 1926 Scottish Rite architectural profile. The intimate elegance of the interior, where white-clothed tables, carved-mahogany bookcases, and original stained-glass panels convey warmth and graciousness. When you enter the Gryphon Tea Room you will see the high ceilings, classic dark wood decorations, and shelves displaying antique plates and glasses. The Tea Room is located in a historic building that was once a turn-of-the-century pharmacy. The restaurant features fourteen original stained glass windows and antique furnishings. Great high tea if you're into that. Food is tasty and worth the wait. Wait staff n service is polite n courteous.

Good food and make sure you ask the server for a history of the building. Really cool stuff.

Enjoyed getting to know the students of SCAD. The food is great no matter what you order. The waiter/students are quick courteous and wonderful to talk to. The atmosphere is very classy.

Went for brunch. Had the Mexican avocado toast and poached eggs Blackstone. The good was all amazing. Beautiful historic building and attentive staff.

The food was amazing and the atmosphere was unique and fun with books everywhere on the shelves. The service was outstanding. They had a book for all of there customers to sign.

Found as we were out walking. Happy surprise! Beauty, history, ambience & wonderful menu items. I ordered a matcha lavender drink - delicious. Cofffee was good as well. The shrimp & grits seems a bit heavy to me. Would love to return again another day.

What a wonderful place to have afternoon tea and cakes! The atmosphere is completely captivating with so much history and vintage decor. Small intimate tables just right for cozy conversations. This is a must visit place if anybody is in Savannah.

I absolutely adore afternoon tea and this was an amazing experience. The building itself is preserved from 1913 and they've retained a lot of the mahogany, stained glass windows, and even the books from when it was turned over to a SCAD art supplies and bookstore. The cucumber sandwiches were my favorite!! Although the scones and curry bites were equally delicious. The set comes with a free pot of tea. I chose the flavor of the day (spice plum) which was something I wouldn't normally get but was pleasantly surprised by! The mocktail I chose was also delicious - it was the right amount of bubbly carbonation and freshness from the fruit. 10/10 recommend and am glad I got to enjoy afternoon tea again! Note: the service is good and consistent as well.

Wonderful afternoon tea. The smoked salmon BLT was the best. Great selection of tea and blueberry lemonade is a must.

Top tier of the tea tower is made in advance and they all have 6 items. So whether you have 1 person or 3 people you get the same number of pieces even though 3 people each pay the same as 1 person. So a group of 2 or 3 get shortchanged compared to an individual.

Great food, nice atmosphere and delicious drinks. Was the perfect place to stop before doing the SCAD story and gift shop across the street. Mostly all the items on the menu sounded great. Since we weren't that hungry we ordered the quiche that came with a side salad and cantaloupe along with a peach fizz drink and blueberry lemonade. Next time I would try doing the actual tea and finger food platter experience except that day it was too hot out to drink hot tea. We also enjoyed sitting at the bar talking to the bartender who was a SCAD college student. Overall great service and experience.

This Tea Room offers a consistent 5-Star experience for the tea enthusiast looking for yummy entrees or triple level tree accent snacks in a late 19th century setting. It's able to accommodate groups of 20 perhaps more but, but prepared to wait in line as seating overall is limited. The business thrives in part, because it limits the menu of teas and entrees. What they do they do well because it is all they do. Within the scope if offerings you'll find a genuine tea room experience that offers tasty entrees and morsels. We've tried all of their entrees and they are excellent. If you're looking for a wide selection of teas to buy, visit the "Tea Room" caddy corner from this place up the street about 1/2 block away. It's run by the daughter of the mother daughter team that ran the grand Tea Room some years ago at 107 Broughton.

Had a wonderful Mother's Day brunch at Gryphon Tea Room, from the delicious food, excellent service and beautiful ambiance! Kudos to the amazing hostess who wore many hats on this extremely busy Mother's Day. She was an incredible multi-tasker who was not only dealing with the crowds hoping for a table but was bussing tables and doing other duties in the restaurant, leading us to believe they were short-staffed. The wait time was very long but worth it. Fortunately, we were able to shop and walk around the city during the wait time, as they texted where you were in the queue. The server educated us on the history of the building, which was very interesting and much appreciated. Gryphon Tea Room is a must for tourists and locals. Highly recommend!

Had a lovely tea for 19 ladies. Great experience. Great atmosphere. Nice place to take out of town guest.

The food is amazing and the service is outstanding. This is where we celebrate our special family time

The atmosphere was really great. The story behind the place is really cool. The tea was wonderful.