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Dining Around Town

With more than 100 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. Take a look below 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. To see the complete Amelia Island Dining Guide, click here.

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

The Sandbar and Kitchen

Sandbar sits directly on Main Beach with unobstructed views of the Atlantic Ocean. Dine indoors, on the covered patio, or at the picnic tables in the sand. Offering coastal cuisine, 1200+ whiskey selections and local live music, the Sandbar truly has something for everyone!
Open MON. – SUN., Lunch & Dinner (Besides Saturdays and Sundays Brunch)

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

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 WED. – MON., 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

The Tavern by AIBC

The Amelia Tavern Restaurant & Brewpub opened in 2016 on Centre Street in Historic Fernandina Beach to provide delicious local food and cold brews to the friends and guests of Amelia Island. As the first wholly operational craft brewery in Fernandina Beach, the team likes to say that their beer is “forged from the barrier island current and carved from the sandy dunes that surround us.” In 2020, the team decided to refocus their brewery brand and expand the restaurant to include a new taproom. Amelia Tavern is now The Tavern By AIBC, and their new taproom space next door at 316 Centre Street is known as The Alley By AIBC. Together, they are Amelia Island Brewing Company, or AIBC to shorten it up! At The Tavern, you can expect twisted southern comfort food in an industrial-chic dining room 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.
Open WED. – MON., Lunch & Dinner

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

Garden Street Bistro

This quaint little eatery is in the historic downtown of Fernandina Beach and serves breakfast all day and lunch starting at 11 a.m. with fresh, light and original menu items. Picture freshly baked daily bread, burgers, crab cakes, wraps and daily specials combined with an outdoor courtyard beneath wisteria vines.
Open WED. – MON., Breakfast & Lunch

Mason's Famous Lobster Rolls

Welcome to Mason's Famous Lobster Rolls in downtown Fernandina Beach! Enjoy the authentic lobster rolls, lobster bisque, lobster mac-and-cheese, clam chowder and other delicious seafood delights! The lobster comes straight from the waters of Maine, and their team prepare each roll according to the simple and honest traditions of people who live there.
OPEN EVERYDAY

The Boat House

The Boat House in historic downtown Fernandina Beach offers traditional southern food with a modern flair. Live entertainment is presented all 7 days each week.
OPEN EVERYDAY

Indigo

If you are eager to try something new, introducing Indigo, one of the newest restaurants in the historic downtown of Fernandina Beach. This elevated dining experience is in the former location of Le Clos, with the adorable facility being renovated in 2023. Try the menu, which offers "southern coastal cuisine in a fine dining setting." Order items like George's Bank Sea Scallops, which comes with Ellijay mushroom risotto, autumn vegetables, and truffle oil. Reservations can be made online.
Open TUES. – SAT., Dinner Only

1928 Cuban Bistro

Welcome to 1928 Cuban Bistro, where flavor meets tradition in a modern embrace with locations spanning across Northeast Florida. At 1928 Cuban Bistro, authentic Cuban recipes are infused with a contemporary flair. This bistro is a heartfelt tribute to the owner's abuelo and abuela, Mario and Pura Alvarado, whose love for family inspired their entire culinary journey. From the mouthwatering roasted pork to the arguably perfect fried tostones, every dish is a testament to rich traditions. Warmth of heritage is combined with a trendy twist to create an unforgettable dining experience. Go indulge in the vibrant ambiance, where the aroma of Cafécito fills the air and the sound of Latin beats sets the rhythm.
OPEN EVERYDAY

The Crab Trap

The Crab Trap is a bustling, wharflike seafood mainstay serving peel-&-eat shellfish and fried fare in an 1876 building located in Historic Fernandina Beach. In operation since 1979, local Jon Anderson (also owner of Arte Pizza downtown) took over and remodeled the restaurant a few years ago. The Crab Trap officially reopened in July 2022 and the menu includes crab-smoked mac ‘n cheese, tacos, hamburgers, many seafood options and even a seafood pie, which consists of cold water lobster, local shrimp, and jumbo lump crab!
OPEN FOR LUNCH ON WEEKENDS; DINNER ONLY MON., WED., THURS.

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