Guidebook for Fernandina Beach
Essentials
Closest grocery store, well stocked, and mostly reasonably priced. Plenty of organic options, as well as wine and beer.
39 locals recommend
Harris Teeter
4800 1st Coast HwyClosest grocery store, well stocked, and mostly reasonably priced. Plenty of organic options, as well as wine and beer.
A well stocked, large grocery store chain. Better wine selection that Harris Teeter.
36 locals recommend
Publix Super Market at Island Walk Shopping Center
1421 Sadler RdA well stocked, large grocery store chain. Better wine selection that Harris Teeter.
The BEST place for local seafood and fish. Call ahead to reserve if you will be picking up in the evening to get the best selection.
Atlantic Seafood
10 Ash StThe BEST place for local seafood and fish. Call ahead to reserve if you will be picking up in the evening to get the best selection.
Food Scene
Solid Spanish and Portuguese-inspired cuisine; cozy and friendly.
33 locals recommend
España Restaurant & Tapas
22 S 4th StSolid Spanish and Portuguese-inspired cuisine; cozy and friendly.
Good spot for drinks and appetizers overlooking the marina/harbor. Lunch is fine, but dinner is very dated and overpriced.
21 locals recommend
Brett's Waterway Cafe
1 S Front StGood spot for drinks and appetizers overlooking the marina/harbor. Lunch is fine, but dinner is very dated and overpriced.
For a ritzy night out, try this oceanfront restaurant at the Ritz-Carlton. Especially the chef's table tasting menu. Try the bar for appetizers and drinks if you want a lower tab.
13 locals recommend
Salt
4750 Amelia Island PkwyFor a ritzy night out, try this oceanfront restaurant at the Ritz-Carlton. Especially the chef's table tasting menu. Try the bar for appetizers and drinks if you want a lower tab.
Local seafood, grilled, fried, or blackened. Prompt, well-priced, fun, casual dining. The chowder is excellent! Picnic-table style.
32 locals recommend
Timoti's Seafood Shak
21 N 3rd StLocal seafood, grilled, fried, or blackened. Prompt, well-priced, fun, casual dining. The chowder is excellent! Picnic-table style.
Local bistro and wine bar. Good array of foods including truffled fries, charcuterie boards, and inventive fish and seafood dishes. Surprisingly underwhelming wines. Walking distance.
39 locals recommend
Bar Zin
4924 1st Coast HwyLocal bistro and wine bar. Good array of foods including truffled fries, charcuterie boards, and inventive fish and seafood dishes. Surprisingly underwhelming wines. Walking distance.
Quirky and fun with biscuits that are to die for. Go on "island time" because everything is made-to-order. Grits and eggs are great and your coffee cup will never be empty.
Bright Mornings Bistro and Café
105 S 3rd StQuirky and fun with biscuits that are to die for. Go on "island time" because everything is made-to-order. Grits and eggs are great and your coffee cup will never be empty.
An Italian bistro that is fun, friendly, and well-priced. Try the lovely outdoor seating.
30 locals recommend
Cucina South
4828 1st Coast HwyAn Italian bistro that is fun, friendly, and well-priced. Try the lovely outdoor seating.
Authentic, handcrafted, wood-fired Italian pizza. And gorgeous salads. Everything else is good, too.
15 locals recommend
Arte Pizza
109 N 3rd StAuthentic, handcrafted, wood-fired Italian pizza. And gorgeous salads. Everything else is good, too.
Real local, hippie pizza joint in a strip mall next to the former parole office. Family friendly, down-to-earth pizzas--try the eggplant pizza. Cash only. (Don't say I didn't warn you.)
15 locals recommend
Moon River Pizza
925 S 14th StReal local, hippie pizza joint in a strip mall next to the former parole office. Family friendly, down-to-earth pizzas--try the eggplant pizza. Cash only. (Don't say I didn't warn you.)
Fair warning: only two sizes exist. One slice or a 21" pi(e) from a coal-fired oven. Courtyard dining with a fountain.
Pi Infinite Combinations
19 S 3rd StFair warning: only two sizes exist. One slice or a 21" pi(e) from a coal-fired oven. Courtyard dining with a fountain.
Great for classic Florida seafood...burgers, salads, and sandwiches, too. Good Bloody Marys and great outdoor seating in a unique setting.
29 locals recommend
Down Under Restaurant
96106 Wade's PlGreat for classic Florida seafood...burgers, salads, and sandwiches, too. Good Bloody Marys and great outdoor seating in a unique setting.
Best new dinner spot on the island. Excellent cocktails, good atmosphere, great service, and a well thought through and balanced menu of updated Southern cuisine. The fried chicken is delicious if that's your kind of thing. Don't miss the jalapeno honey sauce that comes with it...
The 801 Kitchen and Bar
801 Beech StBest new dinner spot on the island. Excellent cocktails, good atmosphere, great service, and a well thought through and balanced menu of updated Southern cuisine. The fried chicken is delicious if that's your kind of thing. Don't miss the jalapeno honey sauce that comes with it...
Yet another classic Florida seafood place (with everything else, too!) located on the ocean. One of few restaurants and bars actually on the ocean and the only one I recommend. The blackened catch of the day on a salad is excellent, if you're looking for a lighter option. But the swordfish club and conch fritters are also excellent!
19 locals recommend
The Sandbar & Kitchen
2910 Atlantic AveYet another classic Florida seafood place (with everything else, too!) located on the ocean. One of few restaurants and bars actually on the ocean and the only one I recommend. The blackened catch of the day on a salad is excellent, if you're looking for a lighter option. But the swordfish club and conch fritters are also excellent!
Lagniappe
4810 1st Coast HwySolid cajun food and an inspired happy hour.
A much needed addition to the local food scene. Delicious bao, noodles, and other East and South Asian fusion small plates. Refreshingly different than all the grilled, broiled, and fried Florida seafood joints!
31 locals recommend
Wicked Bao
232 N 2nd StA much needed addition to the local food scene. Delicious bao, noodles, and other East and South Asian fusion small plates. Refreshingly different than all the grilled, broiled, and fried Florida seafood joints!
Drinks & Nightlife
A long-standing, venerable bar and restaurant. Don't expect excellent cuisine, but do expect standard fried fare and plenty to quench the thirst...last I checked happy hour was from 11am - 7pm!
Crab Trap
31 N 2nd StA long-standing, venerable bar and restaurant. Don't expect excellent cuisine, but do expect standard fried fare and plenty to quench the thirst...last I checked happy hour was from 11am - 7pm!
Oyster lovers unite! Second floor offers an amazing view of the marina.
56 locals recommend
Salty Pelican Bar & Grill
12 North Front StreetOyster lovers unite! Second floor offers an amazing view of the marina.
Best view on the island for local beers and (not local) wine. Everything from scratch; try the grouper bites, fish dip, and Brussels sprouts.
Amelia Island Marina
251 Creekside DrBest view on the island for local beers and (not local) wine. Everything from scratch; try the grouper bites, fish dip, and Brussels sprouts.
Standard fare, old school (but not quaintly so), however it is very close to the house and walkable.
35 locals recommend
Baxter's Restaurant
4919 1st Coast HwyStandard fare, old school (but not quaintly so), however it is very close to the house and walkable.
Shopping
Wine store with excellent, fairly-priced bottles and a very helpful owner. Walking or biking distance.
A Taste of Wine by Steve
4924 1st Coast HwyWine store with excellent, fairly-priced bottles and a very helpful owner. Walking or biking distance.
Parks & Nature
Great state park with hiking trails and good beaches. Nice change of scenery and pace from the beaches on the island.
41 locals recommend
Little Talbot Island State Park
Great state park with hiking trails and good beaches. Nice change of scenery and pace from the beaches on the island.