In the heart of historic Savannah stands Clary’s Cafe – an unassuming diner with a haunted history as rich as its Southern cooking. For over a century, Clary’s has been serving up generous helpings of eggs and grits by day, and stirring up Savannah ghost legends by night. Locals cherish it as a friendly neighborhood fixture, while visitors flock to experience the café made famous in Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. But beyond its movie cameo and famous Reuben sandwiches lies an eerie side to Clary’s Cafe. Whispers of paranormal encounters – shadowy figures, unexplained noises, and ghostly presences – have woven this cheerful eatery into the fabric of Savannah’s supernatural lore. In this article, we’ll journey through the complete history of Clary’s Cafe, from its origins as a turn-of-the-century drugstore to its role in pop culture, and delve into the ghost stories and legends that make it one of the most haunted restaurants in Savannah. Discover how Clary’s evolved into a beloved culinary icon and why some say the past still lingers within its walls. Grab a steaming cup of coffee (refills are free at Clary’s) and settle in – we’re serving up the full story of Savannah’s famous haunted cafe.
Origins of Clary’s Cafe: From Corner Drugstore to Beloved Diner
Clary’s Cafe began its life humbly at the start of the 20th century. The building at 404 Abercorn Street opened its doors in 1903 as a neighborhood drug store, complete with a soda fountain counter for locals to enjoy sweets and tonics. In the 1930s, a pharmacist named Luther Clary took over and made it the second Clary’s Drugstore in Savannah – the first was his original shop on Bull Street at Perry Lane. The young Luther Clary poured his heart into the business. His daughter, Betsy, later described the old pharmacy in vivid detail: “Inside, the store was long and narrow, with a black and white tile floor and a high decorative tin ceiling. It had a long marble soda fountain with a mirror behind it and stools that swiveled”. Neighborhood customers would sit under the gentle breeze of paddle fans, enjoying Clary’s chicken salad sandwiches, sodas and popsicles, as Betsy recalled from her childhood. In those days, Clary’s wasn’t just a store – it was a community gathering spot where folks met for an ice cream, caught up on gossip, and made memories under the glow of old pharmacy lamps.
Tragically, Luther Clary did not get to oversee his shop for long. Only a few years after opening this second location, Luther died suddenly, leaving the business in the hands of his family. His death rocked the family and community – Betsy remembers collapsing in sobs when she heard the news as a young girl. In the aftermath, Luther’s wife (Betsy’s mother), Clara Clary, kept the business running. For decades, Clara managed Clary’s Drugstore, ensuring the little soda fountain and lunch counter continued to thrive for the neighborhood regulars. Clary’s remained, in essence, a family establishment and a second home for the Clarys. It wasn’t until the 1970s that Clara finally sold the business out of the family’s hands, marking the end of an era. But by then, Clary’s was already a Savannah institution with deep roots.
As times changed, so did Clary’s. What started as a simple drugstore in the early 1900s gradually expanded its identity. By the 1950s, Clary’s had become a café and ice cream parlor, its soda fountain serving malts and milkshakes to a post-WWII generation. The pharmacy shelves likely gave way to more diner-style tables, and the clink of prescription bottles was joined by the sizzle of bacon on the griddle. In the mid-1980s, Clary’s evolved again – in 1986 it was remodeled into a full-service restaurant and diner, the form we know today. The menu grew heartier (though old-fashioned malts and milkshakes remained a staple), and the little corner drugstore completed its transformation into a classic American diner. It’s remarkable to think that the same establishment has worn so many hats: pharmacy, soda fountain, lunch counter, and now beloved breakfast diner.
Through all these changes, Clary’s never lost its nostalgic charm. Stepping inside today, you can still spot echoes of the past. The original brick walls and old wood flooring are visible, and there’s even a stained-glass window depicting Savannah’s famed “Bird Girl” statue – a nod to Clary’s most famous cultural connection (more on that soon). The layout itself hints at history: one dining room was once the pharmacy section, while the other with the long counter was the soda shop. In a sense, Clary’s interior is a time capsule of its evolution. Customers might sit at a faux-marble table in the former drugstore area, or swivel on a stool at the counter that served cherry Cokes decades ago. A vintage jukebox stands by, ready to play tunes, complementing the background music and lending a retro soundtrack to your meal. Even as it has modernized to serve omelets and sandwiches, Clary’s keeps one foot firmly in the past – a fact that undoubtedly contributes to its warm, timeworn atmosphere (and perhaps to its ghosts as well).
From its turn-of-the-century origin to its mid-century soda-fountain days and beyond, Clary’s Cafe has grown alongside Savannah. It started as a humble family-run drugstore and blossomed into a cornerstone of the community’s dining scene. In a city known for carefully preserving its history, Clary’s fits right in – it is living history. As we’ll see next, this little cafe not only kept up with Savannah’s changing times but also played an outsized role in the city’s cultural life, becoming a backdrop for famous stories and beloved by generations of locals.
A Savannah Cultural Icon: Clary’s Cafe in Literature, Film, and Local Lore
By the late 20th century, Clary’s Cafe had long since transitioned from apothecary to eatery, and it had firmly planted itself in Savannah’s cultural landscape. It was the kind of place where locals greeted each other by first name over coffee and tourists felt like they’d stepped into a Savannah postcard. The walls were (and still are) crowded with knickknacks, family photos, and memorabilia, each telling a bit of the cafe’s story. Walk in and you immediately sense the nostalgia – it’s as if the very air is seasoned with memories. As one guide puts it, Clary’s is “a colorful mosaic of times and people and the bonds that have formed throughout the years”. In an age of ever-changing restaurants, Clary’s remained a comforting constant, a place where the feeling of home and family “are evident when you walk through the door”.
Clary’s status as a local staple took on national significance in the 1990s thanks to a bestselling book and a Hollywood film. Author John Berendt became a regular at Clary’s in the early 1990s while researching and writing his nonfiction novel Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Berendt described Clary’s as “a clearinghouse of information, a bourse of gossip,” where he would spend his mornings eating breakfast and eavesdropping on Savannah’s eccentric characters. Indeed, one of the book’s most colorful figures – an oddball named Luther (who famously carried a vial of poison and flies on his lapel) – is introduced in a scene at Clary’s Cafe. Berendt (thinly fictionalized as a character named John Kelso, played by John Cusack in the film) made Clary’s part of his daily routine, gathering material and stories amid the clatter of dishes and coffee refills. It’s easy to imagine him in a corner booth, notebook in hand, catching tidbits of gossip swirling around the room – exactly the ambiance a writer seeks. Little did Clary’s regulars know that their cozy hangout was about to be immortalized on the page and screen.
When Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil was published in 1994, it became a sensational bestseller and put Savannah on the pop-culture map. Naturally, Clary’s Cafe was suddenly in the spotlight, too – “Some people claim that Berendt’s book put Clary’s Cafe on the map” as a must-see destination. Curious readers, intrigued by “The Book” (as locals nicknamed it), would stop into Clary’s at Jones and Abercorn “for a look around and a quick bite,” hoping to soak up the atmosphere they’d read about. The management embraced this fame while preserving the cafe’s authenticity. A few years later, in 1997, Clint Eastwood directed the film adaptation of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, and Clary’s Cafe got its close-up. Eastwood chose to film on location in Savannah for realism – and that meant Clary’s itself appears in two notable scenes of the movie. The production designers temporarily “transformed [Clary’s] back into Clary’s drugstore” of the 1980s for the shoot, restoring old details for authenticity. If you watch the film, you’ll spot familiar sights: the long counter, the swiveling stools, and even a short cameo by actor James Gandolfini (later famous as Tony Soprano) as the cafe cook. In one scene, John Cusack’s character chats inside Clary’s with the voodoo priestess Minerva, while Gandolfini flips eggs in the background – a fun bit of trivia for film buffs.
To this day, the cafe proudly commemorates its brush with Hollywood. Hanging on Clary’s wall is a photograph of the movie’s cast, featuring Clint Eastwood, his daughter Alison Eastwood (who played a waitress in the film), John Cusack, Kevin Spacey (who portrayed Jim Williams), and the incomparable Lady Chablis. The Lady Chablis – a Savannah icon herself – was a real-life club performer who played herself in the movie; one can imagine her sweeping into Clary’s for a meal and lighting up the room. There’s also a striking piece of art in the cafe: a stained-glass rendition of the Bird Girl, the statue made famous on the book’s cover. This beautiful glass artwork of a girl holding bowls (the Bird Girl) casts colored light onto the brick wall, a constant reminder of Clary’s connection to Midnight’s mystique. These mementos turn Clary’s into a mini-shrine for fans of the story. Diners can literally sit in the same spots depicted in the novel and film, bringing the pages of “Midnight” to life around them.
But Clary’s Cafe is not just a tourist pilgrimage; it has remained fundamentally local at heart. Longtime Savannah residents continue to frequent Clary’s for their morning coffee or Sunday brunch, unfazed by its fame. The cafe’s staff are famously welcoming – greeting customers like old friends and making newcomers feel at home. “Visitors to the café today are greeted by friendly staff, the smell of coffee and cakes on the griddle,” one account describes, capturing the warm, homey vibe that hits you as soon as you walk in. Regulars have their favorite orders (the corned beef hash with poached eggs is a standout, as is the “Eggs Benedict Savannah” with crab cakes). The menu is classic diner fare with a Southern twist, earning Clary’s a place in Savannah’s culinary scene as a top spot for comfort food. And yes, breakfast is served all day, a fact proudly advertised that draws both late-rising locals and hungry sightseers who’ve worked up an appetite exploring the city.
Over the years, Clary’s has played host to plenty of notable patrons beyond the Midnight cast. Hollywood stars filming in Savannah have popped in (actor John Travolta and comedian Adam Sandler are among those who’ve been spotted grabbing a bite at Clary’s). It’s the kind of unpretentious place where a celebrity can slip in for pancakes without too much fuss – though the staff and eagle-eyed locals certainly take note. SCAD art students, whose campus buildings dot the neighborhood, have been known to spend long study sessions at Clary’s tables, fueled by endless coffee. On weekends, the cafe even hosts a popular Drag Queen Brunch, adding a splash of entertainment and inclusivity that nods perhaps to Lady Chablis’s legacy. In short, Clary’s isn’t frozen in time or stuck only on its past glories – it’s an active part of Savannah’s present, adapting and contributing to the city’s culture.
All these threads – the literary fame, the film appearance, the loyal local following – weave together to cement Clary’s Cafe as a true Savannah icon. It’s a place where history and legend intertwine. You might come for the story (to see where John Berendt sat scribbling notes, or where that zany Luther character declared “I just can’t face breakfast”), but you’ll stay for the genuine good food and friendly atmosphere. As Savannah’s tourism grew after the Midnightcraze, Clary’s gracefully took on the dual role of tourist attraction and hometown diner. It balances both with ease. One could argue the soul of Clary’s Cafe is exactly this blend: part museum of Savannah lore, part everyday eatery where life goes on. And perhaps it’s this rich tapestry of human experience that has imbued Clary’s with an energy that some say lingers even after closing time – leading us into the ghostly side of Clary’s story.
Ghost Stories and Legends of Clary’s Cafe
Savannah is often dubbed “America’s Most Haunted City,” a place where history never quite rests easy. By day, Clary’s Cafe bustles with clinking dishes and laughter, but when night falls and the last slice of pie has been served, an eerie stillness settles over the old building. In that quiet, some believe, the spirits of the past come out to play. Clary’s, for all its bright charm, has accumulated a share of ghostly lore that keeps paranormal enthusiasts intrigued. In fact, the cafe’s haunted reputation is such that many ghost tours in Savannah begin or end at its doorstep, regaling participants with spooky tales over the very tables where patrons enjoyed breakfast hours earlier.
Visitors might be surprised that a cheerful diner could be considered one of Savannah’s haunted sites, but those who know the city understand that ghosts often prefer the ordinary places – like a familiar cafe – to make their presence known. The Haunted Savannah Ghost Tour, one of the city’s popular evening walks, features Clary’s Cafe as a stop, highlighting it as a “renowned restaurant with reported ghostly sightings and unexplained noises”. Tour guides will point to the decades of history in the building and lower their voices to share the strange happenings that staff and diners have recounted. Over the years, paranormal encounters at Clary’s have ranged from subtle to startling:
- Shadowy Figures After Hours: More than one employee, while closing up late at night or opening in the pre-dawn, has reported seeing a shadowy figure lurking in the corner of an empty dining room. Imagine turning off the lights and catching a glimpse of a dark silhouette near the counter – a figure that vanishes when you double-take. Such reports have given many Clary’s staffers goosebumps. These “ghostly figures lingering in the shadows” have been noted by paranormal investigators and tour guides as well. Is it a trick of the light from passing cars, or something otherworldly? Those who have seen it swear it had human shape and intent.
- Unexplained Noises and Voices: After closing time, when the cafe should be silent, there have been incidents of unexplained sounds echoing through the rooms. The cash register area might emit a clink as if a coin dropped, but no one is there. A back door that’s already shut might slam or footsteps might be heard creaking on the old wood floor when the staff knows they’re alone. Particularly chilling are the occasional instances of disembodied voices – a faint laugh or a single word whispered just at the edge of hearing. Such incidents have “spooked staff and patrons alike,” according to tour narrations of Clary’s eerie past. One story tells of a waitress who distinctly heard someone call her name from behind, even though the restaurant was empty at the time.
- Cold Spots and Strange Sensations: Some customers, seated by the exposed brick wall inside, have suddenly felt a chill envelop them, a drastic temperature drop in one spot on an otherwise warm day. These “cold spots” are classic hallmarks of a haunting, as ghost enthusiasts will attest. Others have reported a prickling sensation on the back of the neck, as if being watched. A few sensitive individuals even claim they felt an unseen presence slide into the booth beside them for a moment. One tourist, after learning of Clary’s haunted lore, commented that she felt a “sense of being watched” near the front door, and it made her skin crawl. When she turned around, of course, no one was there – at least, no one in this world.
- Objects Moving Mysteriously: Though rarer, there are tales of minor poltergeist-like activity. A server prepping silverware once left a neat stack of napkins on the counter, only to find them scattered moments later as if flicked by an invisible hand. A sugar caddy reportedly slid a few inches on its own across a table, in plain view of astonished customers. These playful disturbances are harmless, but they add to Clary’s ghostly lore – as if some unseen diner is still trying to straighten up the table or sneak a sugar packet.
Stories like these circulate among Clary’s crew and are passed down like campfire tales to new employees. Importantly, these claims aren’t officially documented in newspapers – they live in the realm of oral lore and personal accounts. Skeptics might smile and attribute them to Savannah’s humid breezes or old building quirks. But in a city where so many locations have ghost stories, Clary’s tales are taken seriously enough that multiple paranormal groups and ghost tours include Clary’s on their routes. One ghost tour company notes that Clary’s Cafe has “witnessed its fair share of supernatural encounters,” making it a prime spot to discuss Savannah’s paranormal legacy. The combination of Clary’s history, the tragedies associated with its founders, and its proximity to other haunted sites creates a perfect recipe for spectral speculation.
So who – or what – might be haunting Clary’s Cafe? There are a few theories swirling like mist in Wright Square:
The Ghost of the Founder: Some believe Luther Clary himself could be the cafe’s resident spirit. Recall that Luther died suddenly and unexpectedly in the 1940s, not long after establishing the Abercorn Street shop. He was in the prime of his life and deeply invested in the business. In paranormal lore, such untimely deaths sometimes result in a spirit sticking around, either out of duty or unfinished business. A sentimental notion is that Luther’s ghost watches over the cafe to ensure its continued success – perhaps he’s the benign presence that straightens chairs or causes that coin-drop sound by the register (a phantom pharmacist’s nightly audit?). Staff have joked on occasion that a mild unexplained incident was “Mr. Clary saying hello.” While there’s no proof of this, it’s an appealing legend that the man who gave Clary’s its name might still lovingly roam his old store.
Spirits Drawn from the Surroundings: Others point to the location of Clary’s, which is near Calhoun Square, one of Savannah’s most notoriously haunted areas. In Savannah, hauntings often extend beyond four walls – entire blocks can be imbued with restless energy due to what lies beneath. Calhoun Square (just a block north of Clary’s) was reportedly built over a former burial ground for enslaved people, and it has seen its share of macabre events over the centuries. Ghost tour guides often call this vicinity “ground-zero for Savannah’s curse”, citing how the area witnessed everything from unmarked graves to violent crimes and mysterious disappearances. With over a thousand corpses rumoured to be buried beneath Calhoun Square’s soil and houses like 432 Abercorn Street (the looming vacant mansion nearby) fueling scary tales, it’s no wonder the whole neighborhood is said to be a hotbed of supernatural activity. It’s conceivable that some of those unsettled spirits drift along Abercorn Street. Perhaps a forlorn soul from the old burial ground wanders into Clary’s, drawn by the light and warmth, seeking comfort or recognition. The oak-shaded streets outside, beautiful by day, take on a hushed, otherworldly quality by night – Spanish moss hanging from the trees like ghostly veils. One can imagine an ethereal figure on the sidewalk bench outside Clary’s (where customers sit by day), watching the empty interior through the window after midnight. In a city of restless dead, even a cafe can become an impromptu haunt.
Former Employees or Patrons: Another legend speculates that a former longtime employee might still be “clocking in” from beyond. Clary’s has had staff who worked there for decades, treating customers like family. Could it be that one of them loved the place so much they decided never to truly leave? The friendly phantom of a waitress who served eggs with a smile for 30 years might now softly fuss over the setup for the next day’s service, unseen. Likewise, perhaps a regular customer who ate breakfast at Clary’s every morning for ages decided to make it his eternal routine. These ideas are, of course, more fanciful storytelling than documented fact, but in a place as cozy as Clary’s, it feels plausible that any ghost would be a familiar, even caring presence.
Despite the spooky occurrences, there’s nothing malevolent reported at Clary’s Cafe – in fact, many say the ghosts here are mischievous but benign. They’re more like invisible visitors who drop in for a bit of nostalgia, much as living regulars do. A sudden cold draft or a moving object is more startling than dangerous. Clary’s management, for its part, tends not to make a big deal of the ghost stories (after all, the cafe’s main draw is still omelets and ambiance, not ghost-hunting). But they don’t discourage the legends either. It’s become an open secret that if you’re having breakfast at Clary’s, you’re in a place that might have a spirit listening in on your conversation. In a city where ghost tours are as common as history tours, many tourists find it delightful that they can eat blueberry pancakes in a “haunted” restaurant. It adds an extra layer of excitement – will you experience something unexplainable along with your meal?
Indeed, ghost tour groups often gather outside Clary’s after dark, when the neon “Clary’s” sign in the window is turned off and the interior lights are low. Guides sometimes encourage tour-goers to snap photos through the windows, just in case a mysterious orb of light or shadow figure appears in their pictures. Some tours even suggest peering into the cafe to spot any anomalies. While there’s no widely circulated photographic evidence of Clary’s ghosts, the adventurous might later inspect their snapshots for a curious blur or flicker of light near the soda fountain. Such is the fun of Savannah’s ghost obsession – the line between tall tales and possible truth is deliciously blurred.
Clary’s haunted lore also ties into Savannah’s broader reputation. Savannah beckons paranormal enthusiasts precisely because the supernatural is woven into everyday locations like this. Ghosts in Savannah aren’t confined to spooky mansions or dark cemeteries; they roam grand boulevards and cozy diners alike. Clary’s Cafe illustrates this perfectly. It reminds us that in Savannah, even getting lunch can mean brushing up against history in spectral form. One travel writer put it well: after a ghost tour that included Clary’s, “as we made our way back to Clary’s Cafe, the city seemed different, as if the spirits of the past had come alive in the night”. Visitors end a ghost tour at Clary’s and then often return the next morning to have breakfast there – by daylight, the only spirits in your coffee cup will be cream and sugar, but the memory of last night’s ghostly tales lingers.
Whether you’re a firm believer in ghosts or a total skeptic, there’s no denying that the haunted atmosphere adds to Clary’s allure. On a quiet dawn, when fog drapes the live oaks along Jones Street, one can sit at Clary’s waiting for hot coffee and easily let the imagination wander. The cafe’s century-old walls have absorbed countless conversations, laughter, and perhaps some tears – who’s to say a bit of those emotions didn’t imprint themselves, occasionally replaying as phantom sounds? Savannah’s mystique lies in this very interplay between the seen and unseen. Clary’s Cafe, with its blend of warmth and mystery, serves up both biscuits and ghost stories, satisfying physical hunger and our human curiosity about the unknown in equal measure.
Savoring the Mystery of Clary’s Cafe
Clary’s Cafe in Savannah is so much more than a place to grab a meal – it’s a living chronicle of the city’s soul. By exploring its complete history and ghostly legends, we see how Clary’s has become a microcosm of Savannah itself: charming, storied, a touch eccentric, and undeniably haunted (in the best Southern Gothic way). In one cozy corner at 404 Abercorn Street, you can bite into a flaky biscuit and simultaneously bite into a piece of Savannah’s past. The haunted history of Clary’s Cafe means you’re never dining alone – you’re rubbing elbows with characters from decades gone by, be they the genteel pharmacists of the 1900s or the playful spirits that folklore says still tiptoe through the cafe after hours.
For history buffs, Clary’s offers a tangible connection to old Savannah. You can sit at a table once frequented by John Berendt and the real-life personalities who inspired Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. You can admire the Bird Girl stained glass and the photo of Clint Eastwood on the wall, knowing this humble diner has made its mark on literature and film. For food lovers, Clary’s serves up honest, hearty Southern fare with a side of nostalgia – the recipes and friendly service carrying forward a tradition over 100 years in the making. And for those fascinated by the paranormal, Clary’s provides an approachable haunted spot to ponder. As you linger over a second cup of coffee, you might feel that slight chill or catch a faint whiff of pipe tobacco that isn’t really there, and wonder if a phantom patron has joined you.
Savannah’s ghost tours and legends will continue to feature Clary’s Cafe because it perfectly encapsulates what makes the city enchanting. It’s not a staged haunted house; it’s a bright, lively cafe that just happens to have a few shadows in its history. Savannah ghost legends thrive on this contrast between the beautiful and the eerie. Clary’s, a welcoming place by daylight, becomes an intriguing mystery by night – proof that even the most ordinary establishments can hold extraordinary stories. The next time you find yourself in Savannah, consider starting your day at Clary’s Cafe and perhaps ending your night there too (one way or another). In the morning, soak up the hospitality, the buttered toast, and the chatter of regulars. In the evening, stand under the rustling oak trees outside, peer into the darkened cafe, and let yourself feel the weight of time and whispers of possible ghosts.
Ultimately, Clary’s Cafe endures because it effortlessly blends all of its layers – historical, cultural, and supernatural – into one memorable experience. It’s a place where you can simultaneously enjoy the present moment and feel the presence of the past. Many come for the famous reputation, many come for the food, and a curious few come hoping to glimpse a ghost. All leave with a story to tell. And isn’t that fitting? Clary’s has always been about stories, from the gossip traded over its counters in the 1940s to the ghost tales told outside its doors today. The complete history and ghostly legends of Clary’s Cafe combine to make it a Savannah treasure. So pull up a chair at this iconic corner cafe – you never know if the empty seat beside you might hold a bit of history unseen. At Clary’s, every cup of coffee comes with a pinch of Southern folklore, and every meal is a chance to dine with the living and, just maybe, the lingering spirits of Savannah’s yesteryears. Enjoy the company. Bon appétit and boo, y’all!