15 of the best restaurants in St. Simons Island, GA
When looking for the best restaurants on St. Simons Island, there’s no shortage of places to choose from. With so many tasty options, from burgers to seafood, from quick bites to five course dinners, there’s a great choice for everyone.
But the absolute best restaurants on St. Simons Island? Start with this guide to the best restaurants on the island — you can’t go wrong!
I’d like to thank the King and Prince Resort for hosting my visit to discover the beauty of this island. All opinions are my own.
The best restaurants in St. Simons Island, GA
St. Simons Island is the most populated of Georgia’s Golden Isles, about halfway between Savannah and Jacksonville, Florida. Restaurants on St. Simons Island, GA have access to local seafood and quality farm ingredients, so fresh cuisine is abundant.
>> Read more: The best places to eat in Savannah
Oceanfront dining on St. Simons Island, Georgia
The only oceanfront restaurant on St. Simons Island, GA is Echo, at the King and Prince Resort. Located at 101 Downing Street, St. Simons Island, GA, the restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner in the dining room with its floor to ceiling views of the Atlantic Ocean or on the outdoor patio overlooking the beach. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, the American southern cuisine is fabulous. For a romantic dinner, reserve a patio table just before sunset and sip cocktails as the day fades away. Specialties here include the shrimp and grits and the fried green tomato napoleon (one of my favorites).
The best romantic restaurants in St. Simons Island, GA
Consistently rated one of the most romantic destinations in America, we are starting our list here, with our pick of the four best romantic restaurants on St. Simons Island, GA.
Georgia Sea Grill
Georgia Sea Grill, is our top pick for romantic restaurants in St. Simons Island. Located at 407 Mallery Street, St. Simons Island, Georgia, the restaurant’s soft, coastal decor is inviting. The menu, inspired by ingredients grown on the restaurant’s small farm and other local ingredients, changes seasonally. When available, we recommend the carpaccio starter, shrimp and grits and the coconut chocolate chip pie.
Nancy by Abney
Nancy by Abney, is an intimate, fine dining experience serving dinner Thursday through Saturday. Located at 26 Market St Suite 110, Saint Simons Island, GA, the chef prepares contemporary American cuisine inspired by the Carolina Lowcountry and French classics. The small menu changes frequently based on ingredients available, so enjoy the experience. If ginger lime salmon is on the menu, that’s always a hit.
Halyard’s
Halyard’s, serving guests since 2000, is a staple of the St. Simons Island restaurants located at 55 Cinema Lane, St. Simons Island, GA. The menu includes dishes developed from locally sourced fish and produce, with specials that change with each season. Their goal is to offer attentive, efficient service without being pushy or stuffy, making this a great place to relax and enjoy dinner for two. The restaurant has outdoor dining, and fish dishes are their specialty. The espresso martini is also highly recommended.
Tramici Neighborhood Italian
Tramici Neighborhood Italian, serving modern Italian dishes, is one of my absolute favorite restaurants on the island. We first ate here to celebrate my birthday while on vacation at nearby Jekyll Island, and if I lived closer, it would become an annual tradition. The restaurant is located at 75 Cinema Lane, St. Simons Island, GA, and offers indoor and outdoor dining, plus casual seating at the bar. My favorite dish is their chicken piccata, and my husband recommends anything that comes with risotto.
The best casual restaurants in St. Simons Island, GA
When I go to the beach, I really like to relax and unwind, and a casual restaurant is always a great choice. Of the many restaurants on St. Simons Island, these are our top picks for casual dining.
Southern Soul Barbecue
Southern Soul Barbecue, which has earned numerous accolades through the years, is one of the best casual dining spots on St. Simons Island. I know this because they’re always crowded! Located on the traffic circle at 2020 Demere Road, St. Simons Island, Ga, the restaurant has limited seating indoors and a few picnic tables outdoors. We recommend you get food to go and enjoy a picnic under a live oak tree. We recommend the classic pulled pork and a sack of fried green beans on the side, unless there happen to be burnt ends on the menu!
Barbara Jean’s
Barbara Jean’s Restaurant serves both southern style home cooking and seafood dishes that have raving fans. Located in Pier Village at 214 Mallery St., St Simons Island, GA, the restaurant is in a popular tourist district, great for a casual day on the island. The crab cakes and she crab soup are two of the most popular dishes, but save room for dessert. It’s delicious!
Brogen’s
Brogen’s, an island staple for 30 years, now has two restaurants on St. Simons Island, Brogen’s North and Brogen’s South. The original restaurant is Brogen’s South, located downtown near the pier at 200 Pier Alley, St. Simons Island, Georgia. The laid back atmosphere here makes it an island favorite for locals and vacationers alike. The menu includes casual fare of burgers, salads, and sandwiches. Insider tip: Head upstairs for great views of all the activity in the area.
Gnat’s Landing
Gnat’s Landing is another casual restaurant that’s popular with locals and travelers alike. Located at 310 Redfern Village St., St. Simons Island, GA this place is about as casual as they come. Guests sit at beachy colored picnic tables where dishes like fried dill pickle chips, Gnat’s famous slaw bowl and their vidalia onion pie are served. The restaurant has indoor and outdoor seating and is open seven days a week.
Sal’s Neighborhood Pizzeria
Sal’s Neigbhorhood Pizzeria is another favorite with the locals, which means their pizza is fantastic. A small restaurant with a New York City pizzeria feel, Sal’s is located at 3415 Frederica Rd, St. Simons Island, GA and offers indoor and outdoor seating as well as carryout. If you like New York Style pizza, this is the place to go.
The best breakfast and brunch restaurants in St. Simons Island, GA
We don’t eat out for breakfast at home, though I’m not sure why. On vacation, it’s a whole different story. We love a relaxed day that starts with a tasty breakfast and an endless cup of coffee. Several restaurants on St. Simons Island, GA fit the bill.
Palmer’s Village Café
Palmer’s Village Cafe serves five star cuisine in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. This small restaurant located at Mallery St., St. Simons Island, GA near the pier and serves breakfast and lunch daily. Everything is prepared to order, fresh and delicious. Even the pimiento cheese and tomato jam are made onsite. We recommend Buddy’s Banana Pudding Pancakes or the Surf Squared (for seafood lovers), but you can’t go wrong with anything at Palmer’s. It’s all delicious!
Café Frederica
Café Frederica has been serving breakfast on St. Simons Island since 1987. Open daily for breakfast and lunch, the restaurant is located at 110 Sylvan Drive, St. Simons Island, Georgia. The restaurant is known for its blueberry stuffed french toast and homemade bakery selections if you want muffins or pastries instead. This bright space is welcoming and inviting, just like the food and the service.
Sweet Mama’s
Sweet Mama’s is a fantastic bakery on St. Simon’s Island located at 98 Retreat Road, St. Simons Island, GA near the Demere Road traffic circle. This bakery’s cinnamon rolls, cheese danishes and savory “pork pops” are quite popular. For those who want a more substantial breakfast, they also serve egg biscuit sandwiches and other delicious treats. It is vacation after all!
Sandy Bottom Bagels
Sandy Bottom Bagels is a full-service bagel deli that serves breakfast, lunch and gourmet coffee. Located at 242 Retreat Village St., Simons Island, GA near the Demere Road traffic circle, bagels are baked daily on site. Enjoy a simple bagel with a homemade schmear, or a breakfast bagel sandwich made with farm fresh eggs and quality meats. If you prefer, get a bag of bagels and a bulk tub of schmear to enjoy breakfast at home.
Sandcastle Cafe and Grill
Sandcastle Cafe and Grill is the place to go if you like an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet. Located at 117 Mallery St, St. Simons Island, GA near the pier, enjoy a healthy start with a fruit and yogurt parfait. Or, enjoy a hearty buffet breakfast that includes southern favorites like grits, homemade biscuits, sausage gravy, cooked to order eggs, french toast, pancakes and waffles. This locally owned restaurant is open daily, serving breakfast and lunch.
And there you have it, 15 of the best restaurants on Saint Simons Island, Georgia. If you have a favorite, please leave a comment below with your best St. Simons restaurants recommendations — and your favorite dish! I’m always looking for new places to eat on St. Simons Island.
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