Escape to The Wyld, a Marshside Retreat with Simple Food & Drink

Living in downtown Savannah, there aren’t many places that a local can go for a meal on the water. This is especially true if you’re like me and you avoid River Street at all cost, or if the trip to Tybee feels like too much of a trek. On weekends, when Savannah is filled with crowds of tourists and screaming bachelorette parties on pedal pubs, The Wyld makes for a much-needed escape. About 15 minutes from downtown, the restaurant and dock bar sits back from the main road, leading you down a gravel lane to its spot on Country Club Creek. What makes The Wyld immediately comforting is the laidback simplicity that the space offers. The minimal and industrial design of wood and metal mixed with surprisingly trendy branding make for a fisherman chic, “shipster” vibe, which works in perfect harmony with their laid-back, simple dockside menu.

While there aren’t tons of entrees to choose from, they do a good job of covering a lot of bases that can satisfy your cravings whatever you’re in the mood for. It is, at its core, a dock bar, so if you’re looking for seafood, the fish tacos - wrapped in banana leaves and lightly blackened to perfection - are a great choice. The steamed fish will melt in your mouth, and the spicy tomato jam and chimichurri taco toppings add some sweet heat. However, if you’re looking for something from the land, their classic double cheeseburger is hard to beat, tasting as if it’s just off your camp side charcoal grill. The deliciously greasy pork tacos are another excellent go-to, topped with a ginger-lime aioli and pineapple salsa for a fresh tropical finish. The pork is twice cooked, making it tender and smoky which blends nicely with a topping of house-made truffle hot sauce for a decadent kick. And, if you’re in need of some greens, swap out a side of fries for their crispy brussels sprouts marinated in a light vinaigrette, or order them as an app that tastes more like dessert.

The joint is low-key. Place your order at the bar and seat yourself on the spacious wrap-around waterside deck, where you can enjoy distanced seating with a view. All meals are presented on perfectly simple tin platters. The menu options go nicely with a bottle of wine or a few cans of beer. On a warm summer day, it’s hard to pass up their painkiller frozen cocktail, the perfect tropical drink that blends pineapple, coconut, orange juice, and rum with a nutmeg finish. If this sweet drink wasn’t enough, the key lime pie for dessert seems just right.

Visiting at sunset is prime time for colorfully painted skies over marshy waters. You’ll see fishermen, boaters, and their dogs coming in for the night - many stopping and docking here for a good meal after a day on the water. The spot is quiet and peaceful. While the staff is ready to help if you need anything, you’ll need to come to them. It’s comforting to enjoy the stillness without someone asking you how you’re doing every few minutes. This laidback spot is perfect for those needing an oasis and a delightfully simple meal away from the craziness of dining downtown, as tourists flee to our open city. While I could rave about this spot all day, a part of me would like to keep The Wyld a secret. Contrary to popular belief, the best ones always are.