Maizal Will Bring Colombian Cuisine to Savannah This Fall

A new gluten-free café is slated to open at 2018 Habersham St. in the Starland District this autumn.

Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Openings & Closings

Screen-print poster illustration of a Colombian arepa with garnishes, featuring warm vintage tones, representing a new café in Savannah. — Maizal, a gluten-free Colombian café, will open in Savannah's Starland District this autumn, offering arepas, empanadas, and specialty coffee sourced from Inzá. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Maizal, a new Colombian café concept by founder Marisol Borr, is set to open in Savannah's Starland District in fall 2026. The establishment will feature an entirely gluten-free menu and will operate as an event space during evening hours.

Why it matters

The café aims to introduce authentic Colombian cultural identity and hospitality to the local area while maximizing the utility of its mixed-use building. Its dual-concept design serves the dual purpose of a daytime eatery and a nighttime gathering venue.

The new business is located at 2018 Habersham St. and grew out of the Big Bon ghost kitchen program, which first launched in the neighborhood in 2019.

The players

Marisol Borr

She is the founder of Maizal and aims to bring Colombian cultural identity to the Savannah dining scene.

Kay Heritage

She is the individual leasing the property and managing the regulatory permit process for the event space.

Savannah City Council

This is the local governing body responsible for reviewing and approving the special use permit required for night operations.

The details

The menu focuses on staples like arepas, empanadas, and cassava waffles, paired with specialty coffee sourced directly from the Inzá region of Colombia. Kay Heritage is currently facilitating the necessary permitting process to allow the space to host events at night.

Big Bon established a presence in the neighborhood in 2019.
Savannah city council continued the special use permit application on September 24, 2026.
Maizal is scheduled to open its doors in fall 2026.

Market Landscape

The opening of Maizal follows the established trend of mixed-use development in Savannah's Starland District, which has increasingly integrated commercial storefronts into residential buildings. This dual-concept model highlights the competitive push to maximize square footage in the area's tightening commercial real estate market.

Residents of the Starland District will gain access to a new gluten-free dining option that functions as both a daytime café and a dedicated event venue. Local patrons should expect potential changes in evening activity levels at the 2018 Habersham St. location pending final permit approvals.

The takeaway

Maizal demonstrates how small businesses are adapting to urban density by utilizing single locations for multiple operational concepts. Diners interested in niche regional cuisines can look forward to this new gluten-free menu as a specialized addition to the local food landscape.

What happens next

The Savannah city council is expected to revisit the special use permit for the event venue following the continuation of the item on September 24, 2026.