The BEST Jekyll Island Restaurants
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Find the best Jekyll Island Restaurants for every occasion! This is a comprehensive guide to the best places to eat on Jekyll Island.
Get fun ideas for ocean views, interior and exterior charm, and the best ice cream stops, too! There’s a little something for everyone, with romantic selections and family-friendly options as well.
*Originally published June 2016, and continuously updated with current restaurants. Updated Sept 2021 with fresh content and links.
One of my favorite things about visiting other areas is getting a taste of the local fare and the great ambience that comes with it. However, I’ve found that navigating the options can sometimes be cumbersome!
That’s because we would always prefer to spend time enjoying the beach or exploring an area over planning meals. That’s where this guide to Jekyll Island restaurants comes in handy!
Table of Contents
Jekyll Island Restaurants
We recently spent the week on Jekyll Island, off the coast of Georgia. It’s such a quaint community, you’d think that finding where to eat would be easy.
However, I could find very little information in our search and thought I’d share in case someone vacationing in Jekyll stumbles across this little blog ‘o mine.
Jekyll Island offers an array of fun things to see and do – get the full Jekyll Island round-up here. Today we’re going to chat about Jekyll Island restaurants!
The Best Restaurants on Jekyll Island for an Ocean View or On the Water
Tortuga Jacks
It’s no secret that we love Mexican, but when paired with an ocean view, well, that was a combo that led us to eat there three times during our stay. They had a fantastic guacamole and salad, the girls loved the kiddie cocktails and there were plenty of great views indoors and out.
TIP: If sitting outdoors, the best views are under the tiki hut and indoors to the right. You can find live music there on evenings and weekend.
The Reserve at The Westin
You can catch a cool breeze while enjoying their extensive menu. To be totally honest, the food is nothing to write home about, but the ambiance more than compensated for it.
The girls played just below the patio and made several friends during our visit.
TIP: Website photos fail to show that you can dine outdoors not only at their upper level bar {which is uncovered}, but on a beautiful patio sitting just below the dunes.
The Anchor at Holiday Inn
This outdoor beach eatery is much more charming than you’d imagine. It’s poolside and ocean front at the Holiday Inn.
It boasts just a few tables, but plenty of ocean views and a beautiful breeze. The cheeseburger and mahi mahi were both great.
The Beach House + Tap Room
A newer dining option at the Holiday Inn that appears to be super kid-friendly. In fact, kids eat free here with a paying adult!
Eighty Ocean Kitchen and Bar
This one is located in the Jekyll Ocean Club. It’s Mediterranean food, with pastas and artisan pizzas, and reservations are suggested. Oceanfront setting!
The Wharf
Beautiful views and great music. We biked through the Historic District until we came across this fun little stop, which also happens to be where the Dolphin Cruises depart from.
TIP: This restaurant is first come, first serve unless you have a party of 6+.
Zachry’s River House
Seafood, burgers, sandwiches, waterfront.
How to Picnic in Jekyll Island
What is surprising, yet charming to find are that some of the best Jekyll Island Restaurants aren’t on the water!
Of course, the best way to take in ocean views is directly on the beach. Grab a blanket or chairs, hit up a cute sandwich stop, and enjoy a day on the water!
Jekyll Island Market
Grab sandwiches at this gourmet market from the Boardwalk Deli menu and head to the beach to dine al fresco.
Love Shack Bbq Shrimp & Yard Bird
Also part of the Jekyll Island Market – we didn’t get to eat here but it has great reviews!
The Pantry
This little deli is inside the Jekyll Club and a great place to grab items to go. You’ll find yogurt, granola, sandwiches and salads – all the picnic fixings your heart desires.
Yellow Deli
Serving classic sandwiches and deli food, the Yellow Deli is tiny but might, with a handful of locations scattered all over the world! This spot is actually in Brunswick, not on Jekyll itself, so keep that in mind.
Where to Eat in Jekyll Island on Land
Grand Dining Room
Also at the Jekyll Island Club Hotel, this is fine dining in a historic setting.
Driftwood Bistro
We knew that Driftwood Bistro would be good when we arrived and saw an abundance of guests waiting to be seated. It was worth the wait.
TIP: I recommend trying a few of their sides and taking advantage of their $17 bottles of wine! After dinner, venture onto the beach for spectacular views of Driftwood Beach.
Wee Pub Beach
Neighborhood pub style fare.
Red Bug Motors Pizza
Scratch made pizzas.
Sunrise Grill
Bar, breakfast, brunch. Great happy hour and live entertainment.
The Pool House
Jekyll Island Club Resort location, poolside of course!
Where to Get Ice Cream on Jekyll Island
Every vacation deserves daily ice cream shop visits… at least in our family!
Island Sweets Shoppe in Historic Jekyll
Dipped cones and so many delicious treats in the historic district.
Jekyll Market at Beachtown
They also offer great ice cream in their Sweet Shop Named Sprinkles section (try salted caramel or cotton candy complete with pop rocks).
Fuse Frozen Yogurt
There are a limited number of places to eat on Jekyll Island, so you just may be able to enjoy them all during a week long vacation!
What do you think?
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Bonna Maynigo says
I pinned your blog as we’re driving on our way to JI. This will help us a lot on planning where to it. Thanks for sharing. BTW I love your blog also.
Julie Blanner says
Thank you! Hope you have so much fun!
Alli B says
Just FYI for anyone also researching good eats in JI, it looks like Latitude 31 is now closed. 🙁
Julie says
Oh no! Thanks for sharing.
Anonymous says
There is a new restaurant in the same location (I believe it’s just called The Wharf now) and is very good. It is now run by the hotel and I find the waiters and service to be much better. I wasn’t actually looking for info about JI I am just a regular blog reader and my family happens to have a home here so thought I would update would update.
Julie says
Thank you SO much for sharing, I truly appreciate you following along and updating so I can update the post as well. Have a beautiful weekend!
Khara says
So happy to have stumbled upon your post! We live aboard a small sailboat and just docked at one of the marinas. You’re right – I expected to find more info on eating here but came up empty handed. Thanks for the insight!
Julie says
Sounds like an adventure! I’m glad it helped and hope you enjoy your time there.
Susie says
Thank you for all the info. Much nicer than what I was finding online. I was wondering if you found places that you could take your dog to sit out and eat.
Julie says
I believe you can at the Mexican restaurant and the sandwich shop/market downtown. I don’t think the cute little restaurant at the holiday in with mind either but you may want to call first.
Morgan says
This seems like a great place to visit in general, and it looks like they have some really nice dining spots! Thanks for sharing a bit of your adventure with us!