7 Best Restaurants in St. Simons Island, The Coastal Isles and the Okefenokee

Halyards

$$$$ Fodor's choice

Chef-owner Dave Snyder's devotion to quality and homemade dishes (everything but the ketchup is made on the premises) has earned this elegant but relaxed restaurant a faithful following of discerning locals. Halyards, his flagship, is focused on the finest seasonal and local ingredients. Headliners of the changing menu include Georgia white shrimp and grits, and "The Burger," featuring grass-fed beef, blackened tomato, and caramelized onion.

55 Cinema La., St. Simons Island, Georgia, 31522, USA
912-638–9100
Known For
  • signature coffee
  • vanilla bean crème brûlée with fresh strawberries
  • superb wine list
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. No lunch, Credit cards accepted, Reservations essential

Coastal Kitchen and Raw Bar

$$$

The fresh, locally sourced seafood at this spot overlooking the Morningstar Marina on the Frederica River, just inside the St. Simons Sound, is among the best on the island and perfectly complements the sunset views from the outdoor dining patio. The banks scallops and shrimp are a crowd-pleaser, perfectly paired with a butternut squash puree with hints of ginger and pistachio. Seafood lovers shouldn't pass up the raw oysters; Georgia's own are in season during months that include the letter r. The turf dishes are equally satisfying, with options such as pork tenderloin with wild mushrooms and house-made gnocchi.

Palm Coast Coffee

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The coffee is always on at this café in the Village where you'll also find delicious soups, salads, sandwiches, and desserts. Breakfast and lunch are served daily, and there's ample outdoor seating for relaxing and watching the world go by. There's even a pub on-site serving wine and beer.

Recommended Fodor's Video

Porch

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Located in a coastal-style shack on the edge of the Village, the porch is always packed at this casual order-at-the-counter eatery specializing in Nashville hot chicken, fried catfish, and fried local shrimp. Wash it all down with some Southern sweet tea or a chilly "frosé." There's tons of outdoor seating on the screened-in porch and at picnic tables on the lawn, making it popular with families and those with pups in tow.

Southern Soul Barbeque

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This retro-inspired indoor-outdoor establishment with a more-than-12-hour hardwood-fired barbecue occupies a former gas station at a five-points crossroads in the heart of St. Simons Island. Locals claim this as the area's best barbecue, and diners flock here for the brisket, pulled pork, Brunswick stew, and homemade sauces and side dishes. It's a great option for large parties with family-style appetites.

The Half Shell at the Pier

$$
On an island chock-full of seafood establishments, the Half Shell rises above the competition. It's beloved by locals and visitors alike for the combination of laid-back atmosphere, fresh seafood, and quality preparation and presentation—this is not the stereotypical fried-shrimp shack. If seafood isn't your thing, there's also tasty American fare like the Half Shell burger or the Cajun pork chops. Four-legged family members are welcome.
504 Beachview Dr., St. Simons Island, Georgia, 31522, USA
912-268–4241
Known For
  • fresh oysters—raw, shucked, or steamed
  • local Georgia shrimp and grits
  • crab cakes
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: No lunch Mon.–Thurs.

Tramici

$$

Although it's in a shopping center, this Italian eatery with the same owner as the more refined Halyards bills itself as a neighborhood restaurant. It has spaghetti and meatballs and pizzas piled with favorite toppings, as well as a remarkable antipasto with prosciutto and various cheeses and a superb take on braised short ribs over goat cheese ravioli, with sun-dried tomatoes as the mystery ingredient.

75 Cinema La., St. Simons Island, Georgia, 31522, USA
912-634–2202
Known For
  • kid-friendly dining
  • authentic flatbreads
  • hearty Italian entrées
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted, No lunch weekends