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11 Mouthwatering Restaurants in Fernandina Beach FL: Ultimate Eating Guide

We’ve visited Fernandina Beach, FL, several times now, and each visit has only deepened our love for its varied local food scene. From German Biergartens and hip gastropubs to contemporary cafés and bagel shops, this charming beach town has something for every taste. Here are 11 restaurants in Fernandina Beach, FL, that have caught our eye, locals swear by, or made our tastebuds sing! Keep reading to find everything from casual bites to full dining experiences—many with vegetarian and gluten-free options!

Note: We use affiliate links which provide us a little kickback each time you use one of our links and make a purchase, without any additional cost to you. We do not recommend products that we don’t already love or have heard great things about, so you can trust we’re only suggesting great products to you.

Top 5 Spots to Eat in Fernandina Beach

If you’re short on time, here are our quick picks for the best restaurants in Fernandina Beach FL—organized by category! Scroll down to learn more about each selection and discover even more must-try restaurants in historic downtown Fernandina.

🤩 Our Overall Favorite: Kimchi Beef Fried Rice or the Bao Trio at Wicked Bao
☕️Top Breakfast: Breakfast Sandwich and Cappuccino at Amelia Island Coffee
🍽️ Most Unique Dinner: Tapas and a Paella Valenciana at España Restaurant & Tapas
🍺 Drinks with Friends: Imported German Beer + Pretzels at Hofbrau Amelia Beer Garden
🍰 Best Dessert: Banana Split or a Malt Icecream at DeNucci’s

11 of our Favorite Restaurants in Fernandina Beach FL

To help you make the most of Fernandina Beach’s food scene, we’ve organized our favorite spots into 3 categories: lunch and dinner restaurants, bars and breweries, and breakfast, coffee, and sweets. Whether you’re looking for a hearty meal, a refreshing brew, or a quick pick-me-up, there’s a spot for every craving!

Lunch and/or Dinner in Fernandina Beach

1. Wicked Bao

Wicked Bao is a trendy eatery in downtown Fernandina Beach, serving up Asian street food eats. Some of their star dishes include the likes of pork ramen, Taiwanese buns, and kimchi fried rice. If you’re craving rich, umami, Asian flavors, Wicked Bao is your spot! We were happy to see they also had plenty of creative veggie and gluten-free dishes!

Jen ordered the Bao Trio which included three bao: Braised Pork Belly, Bulgogi Beef & Buttermilk Fried Chicken Baos – they were delectable! Elliot ordered the Crispy Tofu BAOs with Wicked pickles andsweet chili sauce. We also shared their seasonal flavor of Sake Sangria, which had pumpkin, Chinese five spice, and apple cider vinegar. We wish we had ordered a pitcher because it was so delicious! Next time, we’ll definitely add a small plate of Smashed Cucumber Salad or the Dumplings to try as well.

We had the pleasure of meeting the owner, Natalie, when we visited Wicked Bao. She welcomed us at the door (while also greeting her familiar locals returning to her restaurant) and explained the menu and various seasonal dishes. When we received our food, she personally came over to check on us and see how we liked the food. She explained what brought her to start this restaurant and her extensive history in the hospitality and food industry. Wicked Bao was our favorite restaurant in Fernandina Beach and one we’ll definitely be back to!

Address: 232 N 2nd St, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034
Price: $10-20
What to Order: Crispy Tofu Bao Buns and Sichuan Dan Dan Noodle
Special Hours: Open Tuesday-Saturday for Dinner

2. España Restaurant & Tapas

España Restaurant & Tapas is a must-visit for fans of traditional Spanish cuisine. Known for its expertly crafted paella, a traditional rice dish from Valencia, Spain, España Restaurant & Tapas, in historic downtown, also features a variety of authentic tapas (small appetizer-like dishes) like garlic shrimp, fried calamari, and papas bravas. The restaurant itself has a cozy atmosphere, with a modest indoor dining area and charming outdoor seating—perfect for warm Florida evenings.

🍽️ We recommend ordering 2-3 tapas per person at your table as they are small dishes!

Address: 22 S 4th St, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034
Price: $30-40
What to Order: Paella Valenciana plus a round of tapas and pintxos
Special Hours: Open Daily for Dinner (No Lunch)

3. Salty Pelican Bar & Grill

Salty Pelican Bar & Grill is a lively, two-story waterfront spot serving fresh seafood, meat, and even vegetarian/vegan dishes. If you’re looking for a spot with Southern coastal cuisine and a laid-back vibe that anyone can eat at, the Salty Pelican is your place! Their most famous dishes are their creamy crab dip, flavorful tuna tacos, and daily catch (fish). They also have occasional live music, especially towards the end of the week, and brunch on Sundays!

We ordered their fish dip with pickled vegetables and shared the fish and shrimp plate with the daily catch. We enjoyed the classic seafood fare right on the water. The food wasn’t extraordinary, but a solid choice if you’re in the mood for seafood. The restaurant is right next to the First Coast Railroad, so you might see trains passing by as you eat.

Another seafood restaurant if you’re on the Atlantic Ocean side of Fernandina Beach is Salt Life Food Shack, a surf-themed joint with sushi, tacos, and burgers!

🍹 Take advantage of their Happy Hour M-F from 3-5 pm for $1 off beer, wine, and liquor!

Address: 12 N Front St, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034
Price: $20-30
What to Order: Crab Dip, 1/2 Dozen Oysters, and Fish and Shrimp Duo
Special Hours: Open Daily for Lunch and Dinner

4. Tasty’s Fresh Burgers

Tasty’s Fresh Burgers is a laid-back gem in downtown Fernandina Beach where you can get your classic American comfort food fix. Although they’re known for their juicy, perfectly cooked burgers, and signature Tasty’s Sauce, their menu also features sandwiches, hot dogs, fries, and handspun milkshakes. The fries seem to be a crowd favorite—crispy, well-seasoned, and hard to resist! With indoor and outdoor seating, Tasty’s is an ideal spot for a quick, satisfying meal after a day at the beach.

🌱 They have a Black Bean Burger if you don’t eat meat!

Address: 710 Centre St, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034
Price: $10-20
What to Order: Old Bay Crabby Fries and a Blackened Tuna Burger
Special Hours: Open Daily for Lunch and Dinner

5. Arte Pizza

Arte Pizza is a contemporary pizzeria serving up Napoli-style wood-fired pies, artisan pasta, calzones, and more! If you’re anything like Elliot and need a well-made pie every week, Arte Pizza is a must-visit pizzeria in Fernandina Beach! They also have gluten-free pizza crusts and noodles as well as vegetarian pies that can easily be made vegan. For Italian food that tastes like Nonna made it, go to Arte Pizza!

🚶🏼 You can also order pizza, sandwiches, and more from Arte Pizza as takeout!

Address: 109 N 3rd St, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034
Price: $10-20
What to Order: Split one of their artisan pies or order their Garlic Knots Starter plus a few non-pizza entrees!
Special Hours: Open Daily for Lunch and Dinner

Drinks + Breweries in Fernandina Beach

1. Marlin & Barrel Distillery

Marlin & Barrel Distillery is a spirits distillery in Fernandina Beach where you can sample several of their liquors, order a full drink, and even buy a bottle or two to take home! It’s a great spot to catch up with friends, chat with the friendly owners, and learn about the spiritmaking process! Even if you don’t know much about liquors, Marlin & Barrel’s friendly staff excels at helping you find what you might like.

🐕 Animals are typically welcome inside, just ask the owners before entering!

Address: 232 S 8th St, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034
Price: $10-20
What to Order: Chat with their staff to try something different!
Special Hours: Open Daily from 11:30 am – 4 pm, 5:30 pm on weekends, Closed Tuesday

2. The Tavern by AIBC

The Tavern by AIBC (Amelia Island Brewing Company) is a trendy gastropub in Fernandina Beach’s historic district serving up mouthwatering bar appetizers, full meals, and a wide selection of beers and cocktails! If you’re a craft beer fan, we recommend trying a flight of AIBC’s brews alongside one of their appetizers, like a huge soft pretzel or truffle tots with garlic aioli. If you’re looking for a full meal, choose The Tavern, their main dining room area. If you’re looking to try some beer and snack on some appetizers, ask to head over to The Alley, their designated drinks and pub plates area!

Address: 318 Centre St, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034
Price: $20-30 (with dinner)
What to Order: Baked Pretzel Appetizer with a Create-Your-Own Flight of AIBC Brews (Beer)
Special Hours: Open Daily for Lunch and Dinner

3. Hofbrau Amelia Beer Garden

Hofbrau Amelia Beer Garden is a German Biergarten right in Fernandina Beach! Here, you can expect to find 40+ imported beers, fine wines, smaller bar eats, and even larger authentic German dishes! Head to their outdoor patio or cozy up inside in their indoor seating and experience the classic dishes that define Germany’s cuisine—Wienerschnitzel, Sauerkraut, Bratwurst, and more! Or, just grab a few appetizers and beers for a fun, casual date night.

🥨 If you’re visiting in October, check their website for their annual Oktoberfest!

Address: 19 S 3rd St, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034
Price: $20-30 (with dinner)
What to Order: Beer Cheese Soup or a Wienerschnitzel and a few of their beers
Special Hours: Open Daily for Lunch and Dinner, Closed Tuesday and Wednesday

Breakfast, Coffee, and Sweets in Fernandina Beach

1. Amelia Island Coffee

Amelia Island Coffee is your classic downtown coffee shop serving up a variety of full breakfasts, espresso drinks, and flakey pastries! Located right on Centre Street, stop in for a sit-down coffee or full breakfast, or grab your order to-go. Food is served until 1, so stop by before then if you want to try their food offerings! They also have wifi, making it a great spot to get some work done!

☕ Try their Cold Brew Coffee Shake for an ice cream treat with a pick-me-up!

Address: 207 Centre St, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034
Price: $1-10
What to Order: Savory Breakfast Sandwich or a Sweet Pastry with a Cappuccino!
Special Hours: Open Daily from 7 am – 5 pm

2. Aloha Bagel & Bakery

Aloha Bagel & Bakery is your classic bagel, salad, and sandwich shop in downtown Fernandina Beach. Stop in during breakfast hours for a classic bagel with cream cheese, or come in during lunch for a sandwich that hits the spot—they’ve got tuna salad, pastrami, Philly-style, and others! They’ve also got a small coffee station if you’re looking for a pick-me-up with your bagel in the morning.

We visited Aloha Bagel & Bakery and enjoyed their Hawaiian-inspired decor. We ordered a bacon, egg, and cheese on an everything bagel. The BEC bagel was a great start to our day exploring Fernandina Beach!

Address: 432 S 8th St, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034
Price: $10-15
What to Order: Everything Bagel with Jalapeño Cheddar Cream Cheese
Special Hours: Open Daily for Breakfast and Lunch

3. DeNucci’s Icecream

DeNucci’s Icecream is a colorful little ice cream parlor on Sadler Road. Here you’ll find everything from classic vanilla soft serve to creative soda floats! Whatever ice cream, smoothie, or frappe you’re craving, DeNucci’s makes it! They even have a few savory food options—hot dogs, hot pretzels, and more. They’re located down by Seaside Park, so it’s the perfect place to stop after a beach day.

Address: 2210 Sadler Rd, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034
Price: $5-10
What to Order: Banana Split with Soft Serve
Special Hours: Open Daily from 11:30 am – 9/10 pm

Map of Restaurants in Fernandina Beach FL

How to use this map: We have saved the locations from this guide on this map. You can save this map to your Google Maps by pressing the star icon. In your Google Maps, click the menu icon and then Saved Maps, where this map will appear.

What is the Difference Between Fernandina and Amelia Island?

Don’t worry—you aren’t the only one confused! Amelia Island is an island located off Florida’s northeast coast, whereas Fernandina Beach is just the historic town located on the northernmost tip of Amelia Island. Although the most popular, Fernandina Beach is not the only town on this island! Further down, you’ll run into neighboring towns such as Amelia City and Franklintown.

What is the Best Month to Visit Amelia Island?

The best times to visit Amelia Island for its restaurants are spring (March to May) and fall (September to November). During these seasons, the weather is mild, and the crowds are lighter, so you can easily enjoy popular dining spots without long waits. Spring also brings fresh, seasonal menu items, while fall offers local seafood at its peak. Summer can be busier and warmer, but it’s great for those who enjoy a lively dining scene, especially near the beach.

Maybe You’re Also Interested In:

  • The 10 Local Best Restaurants in Islamorada Florida
  • Our 13 Favorite Spots for Breakfast in St. Augustine Florida
  • 19 Must-Try St Augustine Restaurants

Ready to Dine in Fernandina Beach, FL?

Pin this guide with our 11 favorite restaurants in Fernandina Beach FL!

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Posted

November 9, 2024

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Destinations, Florida, Great Loop Destinations, Small Towns, United States

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Faith Franzonia

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About Us

We’re Jen and Elliot, aka Scho & Jo, a couple of high school sweethearts who fell in love with travel and decided to live life now. From international travel to boating around America’s Great Loop to converting a Sprinter Van into a campervan and now traveling to all 50 States and US National Parks, we’re here to help you plan for your dream trip! We share detailed guides and expense reports to help turn your dream trip into a reality! Read more about us here.

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Sometimes it’s not the bucket list but random mo Sometimes it’s not the bucket list but random moments that you’ll remember forever 🐶

After filming our YouTube series on Carlsbad Caverns NP and White Sands NP we had to spend one day in the park and just catch up on work. 

It was a little warm, but randomly running up the sand hills throughout the day was so worth it. 

It’s l moments like these that were so grateful to live and work out of our van. 

Follow @schoandjo for more slices of life as we explore North America. 

#travelcouple 
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And 2 seconds later, Summit was dirty again 😅 And 2 seconds later, Summit was dirty again 😅

As two East Coasters, deserts are so strange and wonderful. Both barren and full of life. 

We stayed on our first BLM outside of Carlsbad, NM, and we were greeted with something entirely new for us… a dust storm! 

We hadn’t washed Summit since being on the road, but that was the trigger for a deep clean. Coming from boat life, we’d just wash Pivot at various marinas. 

Now we go to car washes! I have to admit, that I was not really looking forward to the chore of washing Summit, but the feeling of a clean home was super worth it. With some good tunes, it was actually pretty fun! 

Follow @schoandjo for more, as we learn more about life on the road on our exploration around North America! 

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We were racing against the clock ⏰ When we firs We were racing against the clock ⏰

When we first stepped into White Sands National Park, we knew we had to get sunset photos, but while almost everywhere in the park is perfect for it, there is a cut-off time. 

You must be out of the park no later than 30 minutes after sunset. 

BUT, since the sun goes over the Mountains earlier than sunset, you have more gorgeous golden light.

Follow @schoandjo as we visit all 63 National Parks. This is park 7/63.

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Don’t Miss this Ranger-Led Tour ‼️ When we Don’t Miss this Ranger-Led Tour ‼️

When we went to Carlsbad Caverns this April, we were shocked to learn they restarted ONE tour. 

If you didn’t know, Carlsbad Caverns lost roughly half its front-facing staff with the NPS cuts. Due to this, they were forced to cancel all their ranger-led tours and just focus on keeping the park running. 

The park service desperately wanted to open a tour to help educate small groups about the park’s history, challenges, and wonders, hoping those people would then share why our parks are so important to keep open. They’ve found a way to stabilize and open one tour.

The King’s Palace tour visits scenic rooms closed to the public, so you’ll visit places very few people can see.

With this being said, every day is different, and as of now, they don’t know in advance if they will be offering the tour, so you’ll have to show up early regardless.

The visitors center opens at 9:00 am, so we sat outside since 8:00 am, ensuring we could get a spot. 

The other people who had heard of the tour started arriving at 8:15, and by 8:30, there was a decent line outside. If you want tickets, arrive by 8:30 am at the latest! 

You don’t need a timed entry as the tour will count for your entry. The tour is $10 USD per person, on top of standard park entry fees. 

The King’s Palace tour starts at 10:30 am, so you’ll need to take the elevator down, and then you’ll have a few minutes to wander before the tour. 

The tour lasts about 1:30 to 2 hours, so come fed and with plenty of time to learn about the Caverns! 

Let us know in the comments if you have any questions or have seen anything different in recent days. Huge kudos to the NPS for navigating these challenging times. 

Follow @schoandjo as we visit all 63 US National Parks, this is park number 7!

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