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Dining Around Town

With more than 90 distinctive restaurants to choose from, Amelia Island boasts an exceptional food scene, and has become a culinary destination in Florida thanks to its wide range of cuisines that will satisfy any palate. Visitors will discover mouthwatering bites in both the fine dining restaurants and the casual waterfront hangouts.

Since COVID-19 changed the world, some of our Amelia Island restaurants have transformed the way they run their establishments. It’s especially important now to make reservations because many of our chef-owned restaurants are still abiding by social distancing measures. For those traveling here who want to try out an eatery but would not prefer to dine-in, note that most Amelia Island restaurants still offer takeout.

Take a look at some of our top-recommended restaurants on island, some of which are in the Historic Downtown of Fernandina Beach while others are on the south end near the resorts.

Café Karibo

A chill, friendly bistro, Café Karibo offers standard New American fare and many vegan-friendly dishes to guests, who can choose to sit on one of their garden patios or inside it’s charming historic building on Third Street. Known to be one of the most pet-friendly restaurants on island, the bistro serves sandwiches, salads, and wraps for lunch as well as seafood specialties, homemade desserts and Southern comfort items for dinner.
Open Everyday, Lunch & Dinner

Bar Zin Bistro & Wine Bar

Owner Tim Seyda reopened his bistro in summer 2021, taking it back to his original vision from 10 years ago. Bar Zin is pairing an extensive wine list (thanks to Amelia Island Wine Company) with upscale tapas-style cuisine. The menu offers up starters like truffle frites and flash fried calamari and smaller plates include lamp chop, tuna crunch, chicken & beignets, and Asian pork sliders. Pick your choice of four caviars and enjoy the newly renovated dining room.
Open MON., WED. – SAT., Dinner Only

Burlingame Restaurant

Chef Chad’s seasonally-inspired cuisine at Burlingame offers modern American dishes with a twist. Everything is made from scratch and the eatery is known for it’s intimate, sophisticated ambiance. For those who like to sit outdoors, Burlingame offers patio tables.
Open MON. – SAT., Dinner Only

David’s

David’s is undoubtedly one of the finest dining experiences available on Amelia Island. This upscale American bar and grill has stylish, contemporary decor and a well-noted focus on classic steaks and seafood. The elegant presentation and fantastic service makes dining at David’s a unique, memorable dining experience. This restaurant is wonderful for adults celebrating special occasions.
Open WED. – MON., Dinner Only

España Restaurant and Tapas

A one-of-a-kind restaurant, España is overseen by a Paella specialist who whips up traditional Old World Spanish and Portuguese fare in a modest, comfy space with plenty of outdoor seating. Within the historic district of Fernandina Beach, it’s the perfect place to end an afternoon spent shopping, perusing art galleries, and enjoying happy hour at one of the lively historic taverns. It was even visited by Mick Jagger when he was in town! Menu highlights include varied cold and hot tapas, nightly specials, homemade desserts, and the option of a fine wine from their Select Wine List or a homemade sangria.
Open MON. – SUN., Dinner Only

Joe’s 2nd Street Bistro

Joe’s Bistro on 2nd Street invites visitors to savor life while enjoying a meal inside it's restored 1900’s home or beside the fountain in the New Orleans-inspired courtyard. Feast on classic eats from Maryland crab cakes to grilled chicken penne at this New American spot that’s influenced by various Italian, French, Creole, Asian, and South of the Border flavors. We can personally recommend the Fernandina Mac and cheese (made with shrimp and lobster in a three-cheese sauce) at lunch and the popular shrimp and grits at dinner!
Open TUES. – SUN., Lunch & Dinner

Lagniappe

Originally from the South of England, Lagniappe Chef and Owner Brian Grimley is self-taught, having worked his way through college cooking in restaurants. He graduated with a degree in engineering and embarked upon his planned career only to realize that he actually enjoyed the art of cooking more than engineering. After having owned and operated Lulu’s at The Thompson House in downtown for many years, Grimley launches the Lagniappe on the south end of the island. It features the flavors of New Orleans, Charleston and Savannah.
Open Everyday, Happy Hour & Dinner

Les Clos

Picture this: dining on delicious Provencal dishes by candlelight tucked inside a charming little yellow 1906 cottage. This is what Chef/Owner Katherine Ewing offers at her Le Clos restaurant. The sophisticated French dishes have a focus on impeccably fresh seafood and the diverse wine list provides the perfect accompaniment for every menu selection. Ewing received full honors in both pastry and cuisine from Le Cordon Bleu and L’Ecole de Gastronomie Francaise Ritz-Escoffier, Paris, and trained at the Ritz Hotel in Paris.
Open TUES. – SAT., Dinner Only

POGO’s Kitchen

Step into “southern refinement with a bend” when you visit POGO's Kitchen, a bright, breezed eatery off 1408 Lewis Street near American Beach on the south end of the islanf. Executive Chef Alan Heckman has crafted a menu that celebrates a medley of modern flavors even thought POGO’s is named after another kitchen located in the Okefenokee Swamp in North Florida. Unlike the swamp, POGO’s is a cozy casual restaurant with banquet seating, a bar, covered outdoor seating and a private dining room featuring a wall of wine.
Open TUES. – SUN., Dinner Only (Besides Sunday Brunch)

The Patio at 5th and Ash

Get ready to try this spot afresh! Once known as "The Patio Place", Executive Chef and Owner Amy Petroy sold it to new owners in August 2022. The newly dubbed "The Patio at 5th and Ash" will no longer serve bistro fare and crêpes, however it will still offer brunch on weekends and holidays in addition to daily dinner specials. The casual American fare will include seafood, steaks, chicken and pasta plates and a full bar. The relaxed environment will ring the same right off Ash Street in the historic district!
Open TUES. – SUN., Dinner & Weekend Brunch

Timoti’s Seafood Shak

Looking for a super causal seafood eatery downtown? The family-friendly Timoti's is home to many wild-caught seafood options. There’s fresh fried shrimp, delicious poke bowls, fish tacos, seasonal lobster rolls and other fin fare served beside hush puppies! Most seating is outdoors and guests place their orders at the counter. The playground is a popular feature for young children. Timoti's Seafood Shak was featured in the 2020 Fernandina Beach Newsletter's Best of the Best, and recognized for their outstanding service and performance in Nassau County.
Open Everyday, Lunch & Dinner

Salty Pelican Bar & Grill

Another casual restaurant downtown, the Salty Pelican Bar & Grill is a fun spot where you can enjoy the beautiful views of the Amelia River while enjoying fresh local seafood. For families with picky eaters, the menu also has burgers, wings, salads, and sandwiches. This is an especially popular restaurant for sporting events since it has some of the island’s largest flat-screen HD TV’s. Live music and weekly trivia has traditionally been offered. Many locals know that the trick is to get there early for dinner to claim a table upstairs near the bar for watching the sunset.
Open Everyday, Lunch & Dinner

Arte Pizza

Following an old recipe from one of Napoli’s most famous pizzerias, Arte Woodfire Pizza & Grill bakes pizzas that are light, crispy and full of flavor. Located just one block off historic Centre Street in downtown Fernandina Beach, Arte has been serving delicious Italian cuisine for over a decade. Their chefs use only the finest flour, Italian plum tomatoes, imported cheeses, and burn-cured oak for smokiness. They don’t take reservations, but if necessary, the food is worth the wait.
Open Everyday, Lunch & Dinner

Wicked BAO

This local favorite offers delectable Asian street food in a casual setting in a quiet area north of the historic downtown. Specialties include steamed Taiwanese Bao Buns and diners often love small plates like the Sichuan dumplings, chicken satay, fried jasmine rice tots with Sriracha aioli and sweet chili sauce, the Malaysian flatbread and curry sauce, and the shrimp spring rolls. Don’t overlook the Wicked BAO noodles and rice entrees too. Insider’s tip: happy hour offers great deals from 4-6 p.m. Monday to Thursday!
Open TUES. – SAT., Dinner Only

Amelia Tavern

No longer the new kid on the block, but still one of the freshest restaurants on the scene is Amelia Tavern on Centre Street in the historic downtown. Described as an American brewpub with twisted southern comfort food, it’s industrial-chic dining room is set around a U-shaped bar. Start with the truffle tries and big A.T. pretzel that comes with beer cheese dip and Bavarian mustard before feasting on a house burger, reuben, shaved prime rib sandwich, mahi tacos, patty melt, or loaded mac n’ cheese plate. Don’t forget to add your favorite beverage!
Open TUES. – SUN., Lunch & Dinner

The Beech Street Grill

Head to the Beech Street Grill (BSG) for lunch or dinner for upscale southern cuisine. Housed within The William Bell House, BSG is sometimes referred to as the “The Grande Dame of Beech Street”. Its rich history started when it was built by Captain William Bell in 1889 as a wedding gift for his bride. Bell and his twin both came to Fernandina following the Civil War.
OPEN EVERYDAY FOR LUNCH, DINNER ON MON. - SAT.

Salt at The Ritz-Carlton

For the really special occasions, Salt (one of the restaurants at The Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island) is one of only two AAA 5 diamond restaurants in the entire state of Florida — there were only 49 AAA 5 diamond restaurants in the entire U.S. for 2022!
OPEN EVERYDAY

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