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Almost halfway between Jacksonville and Savannah lies a small island off the Georgia coast. Originally known for its lighthouse, which was rendered useless during the Civil War, St. Simons Island has become a trendy spot for those who want a beach vacation with a little extra Southern charm.
Whether you decide to visit for a day, a weekend, or longer, you’ll want to try some of the eateries on this little island. Who knows? You might also see some migrating whales while you’re at it.
Below is our list of the best St. Simons Island restaurants.
Barrier Island Brewing
You must admire the pluck of a restaurant that opened only a few months before the COVID-19 pandemic – and is still open to tell the tale. This local brewpub utilizes the SmartBrew system to craft its tasty suds onsite. They have then gone the extra mile to use their beers as the basis for some innovative cocktails you won’t find elsewhere.
And the specials they offer on the food menu are likewise innovative. Whether you dine-in or takeout, try the novel bacon-wrapped dates, sweet-and-sour brussels sprouts, or potato chip skillet for lunch. If a heartier meal is in order, the steak sandwich or pub burger are great options.
Ember
There’s always something new at Ember. This St. Simons Island restaurant changes its menu constantly, as the owners use area fish, meat, and vegetables to create their signature “Pane Fuoco” (fire bread) concoctions. Think individually roasted pizzas with ingredients such as charred tomato sauce, bechamel, corned beef, or mozzarella (to name only a few).
If you’re in the mood for something different, choose the lamb “lollipops” seared in a cast-iron skillet, or the braised short rib in a rich cabernet sauce. And for dessert, don’t leave without trying the Eula Mae. It’s a sour cream pound cake with whipped cream and fresh berries.
Fancy Q Sushi Bar & Grill
There may be no better way to enjoy the salty air of a coastal beach town than with a sushi roll, and Fancy Q is one of the best restaurants for sushi on Saint Simons Island. Many of their rolls are under $10, and vegetarian options are always available.
If your group is four or more, we suggest the Fancy Q Special. It comes with 22 pieces of sashimi, 16 pieces of sushi, one salmon roll, one specialty roll, and a salad.
Or, if you prefer other types of Japanese cuisine, try one of their mouth-watering Hibachi dishes or the chicken teriyaki plate.
Southern Soul BBQ
You’re in the South, right? What’s more Southern than a barbecue joint with “Southern” in the name. This St. Simons Island deli restaurant on Demere Road just oozes flavor from the moment you step in the door. This place also oozes a cool vibe just by looking at its menu options.
You might try the “Barbecuban” sandwich, with pressed pork, Swiss cheese, pickles, and yellow mustard? Or the “Soul ‘Mater” with ripe tomato and special mayonnaise on white bread. Or, if you’re not too hungry, choose the “Knuckle Sandwich.” It’s their term for a two-ounce pork slider. And don’t forget the sack of fried green beans to take home.
Delaney’s Bistro
If you’re in the mood for fine dining, chef Tom Delaney has been creating imaginative dishes for more than two decades. You can expect approximately 15 specials at his Georgia sea grill on Frederica Road each night in addition to the regular menu. Tom expertly pairs each dish with a coordinated wine for a well-rounded dining experience.
Enjoy the Foie Gras Verjus to start your meal. It’s sliced foie gras served with a sour grape sauce over baby greens. The lean buffalo strip makes for a wonderful entrée. It’s covered with a bourbon peppercorn sauce. Then, finish your meal at one of Saint Simons Island’s best restaurants with one of Tom’s homemade desserts of the day.
Del Sur Artisan Eats
Talk about a fusion of flavors and cuisines. Del Sur is one of St. Simons Island’s most innovative restaurants because it combines the rustic robustness of Argentinian food with the artisanal quality of Italian cuisine to create a menu that is otherworldly. It feels and tastes home-cooked, but with the extra touches that elevate each dish past national borders.
This includes fresh pasta, local herbs, and vegetables. The menu is filled with signature dishes: baked lamb empanadas, pumpkin ravioli, and a filet mignon wrapped in pancetta and sage. Plus, they offer their grandmother’s (nonna’s) recipe of Pappardelle Bolognese. It’s old-world cooking at its finest.
Halyard’s
No stop to St. Simons Island would be complete without a meal at this local institution. Halyard’s is the first of three restaurants owned by executive chef Dave Snyder. He sees Halyard’s as one part hospitality, one part great food, and all parts memorable.
Dave’s dinner menu includes many seafood specialties for starters, including tuna tartare, steamed mussels, and fried calamari. Entrees range from shrimp and grits (in tomato cream) to crusted yellowfin tuna (in orange soy dressing), and a double-cut pork chop. Add spring pea risotto on the side and finish it off with a piece of pecan pie. Delicious.
Indigo Coastal Shanty
If you can’t tell by now, several of the best St. Simons Island restaurants offer eclectic menus that are off the beaten path. Indigo Coastal Shanty is no different. They bring a Caribbean vibe to local cuisine, then combine it with Southern seafood restaurant soul to produce great food.
The “Jerked” tostadas are a hit. They come with “vibrant island spices” and a smear of black beans. Bahamian chicken curry in coconut milk broth is another favorite. So is the Charleston Saute, which combines shrimp, ham, peppers, onions, and tomatoes over creamy grits. Leave room for the Warm Shanty Sundae. It’s bread pudding with melted vanilla ice cream.
The Cottage Custard + Coffee
Inside the King and Prince Resort is this new café that offers freshly brewed coffee from local beans, frozen custards, and warm baked goods. Especially good for brunch, scones and muffins are made in the back so they come out piping hot.
Breakfast sandwiches, on a croissant, bagel, or biscuit are a treat here. So is the Affogato milkshake, which combines either vanilla or chocolate custard with a shot of espresso.
You can even get a s’mores kit to take with you to the beach or back to your hotel for a fireside treat. There are enough graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate to make four treats.
Smallcakes: A Cupcakery
You can’t get crab cakes here, but if you believe cupcakes haven’t had their 15 minutes of fame, you’ll love SmallCakes. It bakes up batches of specialized cupcakes six days per week.
Each month, the owners of this St. Simons Island restaurant create daily specials, such as cream cheese brownie, caramel vanilla cream, or the “Fat Elvis” (a combo of peanut butter, banana chip, and fudge drizzle).
SmallCakes also creates regular size cakes for special occasions, macarons, brownie bites, and cake balls. Finish any treat off with some homemade ice cream.
You can find out what the daily specials are by liking their Facebook page. They take good enough-to-eat photos of their concoctions.
Tramici
Another of Dave Snyder’s restaurants, Tramici means “among friends” in Italian. And eating a meal underneath the awning on this Italian restaurant patio will spur that feeling of camaraderie you may be hoping to achieve at one of Saint Simons Island’s best restaurants.
Open for lunch, Tramici offers traditional Italian soups for your antipasti course, signature salads, sandwiches, pasta, and pizzas. Try the Fungi pizza with provolone, mushrooms, onions, arugula, and both garlic and truffle oils.
Dinner options at this coastal kitchen include braised short rib goat cheese ravioli, chicken piccata, and black pepper spaghetti squash ravioli for vegetarians. Remember to save room for the tiramisu or “chocolate on the rocks” for dessert.
Fiddler’s
Another restaurant that took a big swing to open during the pandemic. Fiddler’s provides a New Orleans-style take on a St. Simons Island seafood restaurant. They offer shrimp beignets on the starter menu, po’ boys on the sandwich list, and etouffee for the main course. Of course, fried chicken is also a hit here.
If you enjoy hearty soups, Fiddler’s offers two choices. The seafood chowder is a dense mashup of shrimp, crab, fish, and potatoes in a creamy base. But the star of the menu is the “5 Miles East of Brunswick Stew.” It combines pulled pork, chicken, butter beans, corn, tomatoes, and barbecue sauce into a soup that’s packed with flavor.
Bennie’s Red Barn
Continuously operating since New Year’s Eve 1954, Bennie’s Red Barn is the most established restaurant on St. Simons Island. The story goes that Bennie Gentile took cover in a German barn one night during World War II, and the barn’s interior inspired his desire to build the restaurant once he returned home.
Locals and tourists are sure glad he made it back safely. Bennie is gone now, but his sons have carried on the family traditions.
Next to a roaring fireplace, customers feast on catfish, conch fritters, surf & turf kabobs, cowboy steaks, fried okra, and homemade pies.
Other restaurants to try include Barbara Jean’s, Cafe Frederica, Palmer’s Village Cafe, and Brogen’s. There are several small bistros and eateries in Pier Village and Redfern Village to satisfy almost any taste.
Conclusion
As you can see, numerous restaurants will satisfy almost any taste bud during any time of day on St. Simons Island. Some are quick. Others will expect you to stay awhile and enjoy a leisurely meal on island time.
In any case, you’re sure to make great memories at any of the restaurants listed above. So why not make plans to visit St. Simons Island soon by booking a room and reserving a table.
