Our restaurants at Amelia Island take the flavors of haute cuisine mixed with native Floridian tastes to create a masterful menu. From upscale elegance to casual dining, our restaurants offer the finest foods in a variety of atmospheres and are conveniently located.

Let our master chefs treat you to a stunning array of culinary delights that will fit any taste or occasion. When searching for great restaurants nearby the options on Amelia Island have never been better.

Best Italian Restaurants

If you’re looking for the best Italian restaurants around Amelia Island then consider Verandah, located in Racquet park at the Omni Amelia Island Resort at 142 Racquet Park Drive. One of the area’s finest restaurants—in part because of the chefs’ dedication to sourcing quality local ingredients—diners frequently mention the crab crusted grouper and the seafood carbonara dish while appreciating the extensive wine list that’s surprisingly approachable.

 When you’re wondering what’s fresh for dinner and you’re longing for quality Mediterranean dishes, then check out Verandah.

If you're interested in more quick or Italian-American fare, you can find plenty of pizza restaurants at Amelia Island, including (but definitely not limited to) Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Coastal Pizza, V Pizza, and more.

Romantic Restaurants

When you’re looking for the perfect ambiance to enjoy a romantic evening out with your special someone, consider Salt at the Ritz-Carlton. This contemporary American restaurant receives exceptional ratings and is an AAA Five Diamond award winning restaurant. Dishes feature simple ingredients harvested from the earth and sourced from the sea, prepared with finesse. Located on the coast, Salt provides their cherished diners with more than forty varieties of salt to allow them to season their exquisite dishes. Plus, they offer more than four hundred wines.

Located at 4750 Amelia Island Parkway, dress code requirements include long pants and closed-toe shoes for men.

Another option for a romantic restaurant: Bar Zin Bistro and Amelia Island Wine Company. Located at 4924 1st Coast Highway, Suite #10 in Fernandina Beach, this bistro goes with a smart casual dress code in their casual elegant environment. Popular dishes include their hot honey chicken skewers and powdered beignets and their pan seared scallop dish with wild mushroom risotto. Looking for an unforgettable burger? They’re made with Kobe beef with your choice of cheese. Interested in a starter you won’t find everywhere you go? Their truffle fries with parmesan are out of this world.

The section on romantic restaurants in the area wouldn’t be complete unless we also mentioned Le Clos of Amelia Island, Inc. This eatery, located at 20 S. 2nd Street, offers up a country-style French bistro experience in a casual yet elegant atmosphere. French appetizers include calamari, escargot, and pate with delectable entrees such as beef and duck meatloaf with red wine mushroom pan sauce. Wine is available by the glass and there’s also a wonderful selection of beers.

Upscale Restaurants

Salt at the Ritz-Carlton, Le Clos of Amelia Island, and Verandah can all fit into the category of “upscale restaurants near me.” If, when looking for the best places to eat, you don’t mind a chain restaurant, then consider David’s Restaurant & Lounge at 802 Ash Street in Fernandina Beach. Well-praised seafood dishes include its crab bisque and Amelia crab cakes. If you’re in the mood for something other than seafood, try the rack of lamb—and, no matter what you order and enjoy, you can top your choices off with a fabulous chocolate torte.

Fun Restaurants

Lagniappe, located at 4810 1st Coast Highway, was founded by Chef Brian Grimley who has a passion for entertaining—and it shows. Originally from the south of England, he’s a self-taught chef with a degree in engineering and, after starting his engineering work, he quickly discovered that he enjoyed providing diners with an unsurpassed experience far more than he did in his day job. Meanwhile, Executive Chef Brett Heritage puts the “lagniappe” in Lagniappe by kicking up every dish a notch, adding a special something extra.

How one person defines “fun restaurants near me” can different from another person’s definition. So, if you’re looking for Asian street food in a fast-casual environment, Wicked Bao is your ticket to fun. Located at 232 N. 2nd Street, you can order small plates, rice bowls, noodle bowls—and, of course, their signature Baos. These steamed buns overflow with goodness with your choice of protein and veggies and topped with amazingly flavorful dressings. Asian beers are available as well as other draft beers and wines.

Finding the Best Places to Eat

If you’re moving to Amelia Island or are visiting or vacationing, you can research options ahead of time. Or, when you arrive, Google “great restaurants near me” and browse what shows up. If you know that you’re looking for a romantic restaurant, or an upscale one—or one that’s just plain fun, adjust your Google queries appropriately. Read the menus and reviews (knowing that people will have different opinions about a particular place).

Figure out how far you’re willing to drive, see if you need to RSVP, and then choose your destination. If you’re moving to Amelia Island, you’ll have plenty of time to experiment and find your favorites. Note that some restaurants fill up quickly so your RSVP may be for a date other than today.

Here are other tips when looking for the best places to eat in Amelia Island. If you’re staying in a hotel or motel, ask the person at the reservation desk. They may already have a list of recommendations and, even if they don’t, they answer this question frequently and should be glad to help you. Or, if you’re shopping or playing golf, as just two examples, ask the locals who work there.

Amelia Island is the perfect locale for a stroll, so keep your eyes open as you sightsee. You may find the perfect locale, one that you wouldn’t otherwise hear about. If you spot a restaurant when it’s not time to eat, see if the restaurant requires (or recommends) reservations and check that item off your list while you’re there.

The best places to eat may be ones with a cuisine that you already appreciate and enjoy, or this may be a wonderful time to enjoy a culinary adventure. If you have questions about a dish or drink on the menu, simply ask your server.

If you see a restaurant with a line or a crowd, you can interpret this one of two different ways—and neither is wrong. This shows that the eatery is in demand, which is a real plus. It also means that you’ll wait a while to eat and, if you’re ready to eat now, it may make sense to choose a place of interest with less of a line now and find out more about the bustling one later (and perhaps make a reservation for another day).

If you’re planning a move to Amelia Island, ask your real estate agent! Our experienced agents are passionate about our home town and would be honored to share dining insights to further enhance your experience. No matter how we can help, please contact us online or call 904-277-5980.