Nothing works up an appetite like a full day frolicking and doing water sports activities at the famed beaches of Amelia Island.
Good news is that it has a diverse range of Amelia Island restaurants that serve cuisines from all over the world. Amelia Island is home to a staggering 70 restaurants that are sure to appease even those with the most discerning of tastes.
Read on to find out the top places to eat near most Amelia Island vacation rentals if you want a good dining experience while getting a bang for your buck.
1) Cuban: Hola! Cuban Cafe
Cuban: Hola! Cuban Cafe serves delicious authentic Cuban food that features an amalgam of flavors that explodes in the mouth. Born to exiled parents, its owners Marisol Triana and Chris Garcia were raised in Miami, Florida, but were brought up in rich Cuban traditions. They built Hola! Cuban Cafe to pay homage to their families and Cuba by introducing authentic Cuban cuisine to other cultures.
Its menu consists of breakfast and lunch fares that include their best-selling croquetas, empanadas, Cuban sandwich, and pan con lechon. Another must-try is their authentic Cuban coffee served in thimble-sized shots. Expect to pay under $10 per head.
Location:
117 Centre Street Fernandina Beach, FL 32034
2) Timoti’s Seafood Shak
Since Amelia Island pioneered the modern-day shrimping industry, you have to try the local shrimp dishes to get the full island experience. Timoti’s Seafood Shak is one of the many Amelia Island restaurants that serve them. What makes them stand out, however, is their use of wild-caught seafood and local ingredients, which affirms their support of the local fishing community.
It is a casual family-friendly dining jaunt that has a children’s playground and a vintage red-brick patio for those who want to dine al fresco.
Tending to play it risky when it comes to flavors, their menu offerings range from of off-the-wall food to old seafood favorites. Must-eat dishes include their basket of seafood, Baja box, and seafood tacos. Most meals cost less than $10, while their basket of seafood is priced at under $12.
Location:
21 N 3rd Street Fernandina Beach, FL
3) T-Ray’s Burger Station Restaurant
T-Ray’s Burger Station Restaurant is a unique burger place full of character and history, making it one of Amelia Island’s must-see attractions. Originally a Standard Oil full-service filling station, it was eventually converted into a burger place.
Used to be strictly a take-out joint, their growing number of customers eventually donated their mismatched tables and chairs, together with local memorabilia, artwork from local artists, and college football decor to make it a full-fledged casual sit-down restaurant. Having received national recognition, it has become a staple for Amelia Island tourists and locals alike.
They serve breakfast and lunch. Aside from their juicy and tasty burgers, their fried shrimp, hushpuppies, and fish entrees are also to die for. Expect to shell out ~$10 per meal.
Location:
202 South 8th St. Fernandina Beach, FL
4) Moon River Pizza
For those who just want to spend the day in their Amelia Island vacation rentals and veg out, get a take out from Moon River Pizza.
As one of the oldest pizza places in the island, they still make their pizza the traditional way: hand-made from fresh dough ladled with a generous serving of rich tomato sauce spiced with classic Italian seasonings and topped with freshly grated mozzarella cheese.
Recommended pizza flavors: The Special and White. The pesto stix is also one of their best sellers. Expect to spend around $20 for pizza, $4 for salad, and $5 for bread stix.
Location:
202 South 8th St. Fernandina Beach, FL
Have you worked up your appetite yet? Make sure to drop by these places to eat for a good and inexpensive dining experience.