A Culinary Paradise
Awaits on Amelia Island
From fresh, local seafood to seasonal farm-to-table fare, this barrier island is teeming with unrivaled versions of your favorite cuisines.
Breathtaking Amelia Island, Florida’s northernmost coastal barrier island, is a foodie’s delight. The 13-mile expanse of unspoiled quartz beach is home to museums, scenic historic sites, spa and wellness experiences, world-class water adventures, and wildlife boat tours. In other words, there’s a plethora of activities sure to help you work up an appetite.
When you do, you have your choice of more than 90 independent restaurants and year-round gastronomic events. And with dining options that range from rustic casual to upscale gourmet, there are plenty of ways to chow down on laid-back Amelia Island. Explore some of Amelia Island’s beloved eateries and foodcentric events below.
Monthly Events to Devour
Get a special sampling of Amelia Island’s unique culinary scene, once a month at the following epicurean events.
The Sprouting Project Dinners
Locally Grown,
Themed Monthly Dinners
2023 Dates: Feb. 11, March 11, April 15, May 20, June 17, July 22, Aug. 26, Sept. 23, Oct. 28, Nov. 18, Dec. 15-17
The Sprouting Project Dinners are hosted at the Omni Amelia Island Resort. Focused on hyper-local fare grown in the Omni’s aquaponic greenhouse and organic garden — both of which are perfectly at home with the on-site apiary — these monthly meals allow diners to enjoy new-to-them cuisine. Each five-course, ingredient-themed dinner begins with a cocktail hour (the resort features its own barrel room); this year’s mouth-watering subjects include cherry, tomato, and truffle.
The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island
Chefs Theater
Dinner and a Show
2023 Dates: May 11-14
Sign up for an intimate, interactive, curated culinary evening with resort chefs. Each month, a different chef creates two entrees and a dessert while you enjoy a generous wine sampling. Participants learn about recipes, cooking techniques, ingredients, and the history of various cuisines while enjoying a remarkable hands-on dining experience that transcends the everyday.
Downtown
Tasting Tours
Sip and Sample
2023 Dates: Thursdays, Fridays, & Saturdays, year-round
Set in historic downtown Fernandina Beach, the Amelia Island Tasting Tours offer participants two different events to cater to their priorities: The Mixology Tour visits four bars and restaurants for a selection of craft cocktails, while the Booze & Bites Tour offers specially prepared drink tastings at two venues. Both tours come with a side of local history.
Joe’s 2nd
Street Bistro
Southern-Inspired Eats
2023 Hours: Wednesday-Sunday, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
This cozy destination has received local and national acclaim in its 23 years of operation. The menu ranges from a macaroni and cheese brimming with shrimp and lobster to bourbon-glazed salmon served with a savory praline-cream sauce. With several indoor dining rooms and a stunning brick-lined outdoor courtyard, Joe’s 2nd Street Bistro is fitting for any number of vacation dining vibes.
Island Flavors
Amelia Island offers a considerable variety of cuisines all year long.
Timoti’s
Seafood Shak
Casual Dining
Never Tasted So Good
2023 Hours: Monday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Supporting local fishermen, farmers, and brewers, Timoti’s Seafood Shak — a down-home favorite — serves up coastal delights like fish tacos, New England-style lobster rolls, and fried clam strips. And there's a kids' playground to keep the little ones busy while you finish your meal.
David’s Restaurant
and Lounge
A Lavish Feast
2023 Hours: Sunday-Thursday 6 p.m. to 10 p.m, Friday and Saturday 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
If you’re seeking an elegant, romantic destination, look no further than David’s. The restaurant serves four varieties of caviar from around the world, with all the accouterments, of course. Appetizers include escargot and grilled octopus, while mains range from prime ribeye to pan-seared scallops to a rack of New England lamb. David’s also has banquet facilities to help you host the perfect top-shelf event.
Annual Events Worth the Wait
These culinary experiences just may be the highlight of your year.
The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island Master Chefs Culinary Weekend
A Days-Long
Culinary Escapade
2023 Dates: Feb. 24-27, 2023
Chef Okan Kizilbayir of Salt at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island invites you to partake in a weekend of culinary and wine experiences including a Chefs Theater cooking demonstration, an exclusive wine tasting, and an exquisite five-course dinner. Joining this luxurious weekend of culinary indulgence are:
- Chef Okan Kizilbayir of Salt at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island
- Executive Chef Cassidee Dabney of the Barn at Blackberry Farm
- Chef de Cuisine Thomas Seifried of Blue by Eric Ripert at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman
- Chef de Cuisine Anthony Gray of Le Bernardin
- Michaela Lamberta, Founder of My Olive Oil Cake
- Michael Kennedy, Founder of Vin Fraîche Wine Group
Omni Amelia Island Resort Fish to Fork Weekend
Dueling Chefs
2023 Dates: May 11-14
Join the 7th annual Fish-to-Fork culinary match-up at the Omni Amelia Island Resort. Showcasing fare from six hand-picked chefs, there are also weekend fishing excursions with featured chefs, an interactive cocktail experience at Bob's Steak & Chop House, and the main event: a culinary battle on Magnolia Lawn. Guests pick the victor and dine on winning dishes.
Island Hop
Craft Beer Festival
Family Festival Fun
2023 Dates: Oct. 7, 2023
Celebrating a collection of spirits from northeast Florida’s microbreweries, the 2023 Island Hop Craft Beer Hop Festival offers a cornucopia of craft beer to enjoy while grooving to live, local music alongside a number of specialty food trucks and a local marketplace. This family-friendly festival is the highlight of a whole weekend of events and is free for visitors under 12 years of age.