Planning a trip to St. Simons, GA and wondering where to eat? For a small island, there are many great choices. Here are a few you might want to consider, along with the dishes I've loved at each. 

Breakfast

Mallery Street Cafe

As we walked into this tiny cafe, one of the patrons at another table yelled out, "It's all good!" He wasn't kidding. This place was so good, we at there two days in a row. The eggs are perfectly cooked, the bacon is crispy and the pancakes are fluffy. I also loved that they had smoked salmon.

Chubs

My son said, "Mom, you are going to love the tomatoes here." He was right. The tomato on my perfectly made BLT was home grown, red, ripe and delicious. And the grits? Some of the best I've had.

Palmer's Village Cafe

Try the maple bacon French toast. That's all you need to know.

Appetizers, Drinks and Quick Bites

Barrier Island Brewing

Bacon wrapped dates, anyone? I can't remember what it was called, but we had a spicy pineapple cocktail that was out of this world. Not too sweet, not too spicy. Just right! Barrier Island has entrees, too, but I haven't checked those out yet.

St. Simons Sweets

Try the pralines. They are better than the ones in New Orleans. Creamy on the inside and oh, so good!

Frosty's

The ice creams are yummy. So are the hot dogs and the fried Georgia shrimp.

Grandy's

Two words: Cinnamon Roll. As big as your head. And if they ask you if you want it warm, with butter, I'd say yes to the warm, but leave the butter off. The butter wasn't necessary and I don't think it was real butter anyway. But the cinnamon roll was legit. 

Lunch and Dinner

Southern Soul BBQ

Besides the fact that Southern Soul knows how to smoke meat, they also do great things with sides and sauces. I'm not sure how Covid has affected their sauce serving, but pre-Covid they would line up the sauce bottles at the bar and you could mix and match to your heart's delight. For a sauce fiend like me, it was heaven. FYI, the pulled pork sandwich is amazing.

Beachcombers BBQ

It really isn't fair that St. Simons has two great barbeque joints so close together, but they do. Try the brisket sandwich. It is so tender and delicious

Coastal Kitchen

Near the FJ Torras Bridge, on the edge of the watery marsh, sits the Coastal Kitchen. Everything is fresh, local and creatively prepared. Be sure to try the duck egg rolls, the calamari and the orange cheesecake. 

The Half Shell

Right downtown and close to the pier, The  Half Shell has a fun, relaxed vibe, with inside and outside seating. The calamari is great and so is the crab cake BLT.

Gnat's Landing

Conveniently set in Redfern Village, Gnat's Landing is surrounded by lots of cute shops. You gotta try the fried green tomatoes with pimento cheese, shrimp po'boy and the fried okra. If the weather is nice, sit outside on the porch. 

Palm Coast

Another option located conveniently near the pier, Palm Coast has lots of healthy options for lunch and breakfast, too. Paninis, wraps, salads, soups and rolls, all freshly prepared, are great lunch choices. We had a spinach, artichoke, sundried tomato dip served with flatbread that was a big hit.

Porch

Super laid back and cool. Located on Mallery St. near the pier, you gotta try the Mother Clucker. According to Porch, it's why bread was invented. Fried or grilled chicken breast with pimento cheese, sliced pickles and you choose your heat level, naked, novice, Nashville, or napalm. They also have wings, shrimp and catfish. 

La Plancha

If, after a while you are like me and you just have to have your Mexican food fix, try La Plancha. I was really impressed with the fresh veggies and the dips, salsa, guac and queso were all yummy,

 

Del Sur

One of the single best bites I've had in St. Simons, or anywhere else for that matter, was at Del Sur. The butternut squash ravioli is velvety, complex and delicious. I can't recommend it enough. I'm still dreaming about it. The bacon-wrapped scallops were mighty fine, too.

Barbara Jean's

Also near the pier, on Mallery, Barbara Jean's has both fresh seafood and homestyle cooking. The crab cakes are a specialty and the coconut shrimp is delicious, too. 

Zuzu's

Craving a burger? Stop by Zuzu's. It is right by the pier on Mallery and they will put all the fresh toppings you desire on your burger. 

Fiddler's

Still craving fresh seafood. Check out Fiddlers. It's spacious and bright and the food is really good. The fried oysters were great and so were the fried deviled eggs.

Brunswick, Sea Island and Jekyll

If you feel like exploring nearby Brunswick or Jekyll Island, here are a few places to consider. 

Willie's Wee-Nee Wagon

If you're looking for authentic, you can't beat Willie's Wee-Nee Wagon. It is a Brunswick original. The dogs are delicious and you can get your choice of toppings, from chili to slaw and saurkraut and everything in between. But the sandwich Willie is most proud of is his pork chop sandwich. The side of his building is proudly emblazoned with the words, INTERNATIONALLY ACCLAIMED Pork Chop Sandwich. Supposedly, Willie will pay $2000 to anyone who can find a better pork chop sandwich.

Gary Lee's Market

Another Brunswick original, Gary Lee's is part BBQ joint, part butcher shop and 100% legit. Like Willie's Wee-Nee Wagon, there is nothing fancy about Gary Lee's Market, but you will not find a finer piece of smoked brisket anywhere. It literally melts in your mouth, it is so tender. There are plenty of other delicious smoked meats to keep you busy, too, from chicken wings to pulled pork. We heard the pork chop sandwich at Gary Lee's is delicious, too, but it was sold out before we could check it out ourselves. 

Zachry's Riverhouse

If you are heading over to Jekyll Island, you can't go wrong if you eat at Zachry's Riverhouse. Rustic and quaint, Zachry's has fresh, regional seafood dishes, including wild Georgia shrimp and oysters and their fresh fish comes in daily. 

Southern Tides

There are fancier, more expensive places to eat on Sea Island, including the Georgian Room, the only Forbes Five-Star restaurant in the state of Georgia, but for a great view and fresh seafood, you can't go wrong with the Sea Island Beach Club's Southern Tide. The view alone is worth the visit, but the fresh, local seafood creations are divine. Try the fried green tomatoes, Sea Island peas and whatever fresh fish the chef is serving. Did I mention the grilled oysters with pickled green tomatoes and bacon? Oh, my heavens! I can't even describe how amazing they were.