If you’re hungry from a morning at the beach, biking or sightseeing, these St. Simons Island lunch spots are worth adding to your vacation itinerary.
ECHO St. Simons: Lunch With an Ocean View
ECHO St. Simons is a natural choice when you want your lunch to come with a view. Located at The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort, ECHO is a beachfront restaurant serving contemporary American and coastal cuisine with seafood taking center stage.
Outdoor seating lets you enjoy the sights and sounds of the Atlantic while you dine. Look for coastal favorites such as seafood dishes, salads and fish tacos. It’s an especially appealing choice when you want to turn lunch into part of the vacation experience rather than simply a stop for a meal.
Best for: Ocean views, couples, a leisurely vacation lunch and seafood lovers.
Southern Soul Barbeque: A Must for BBQ Lovers
Southern Soul Barbeque is one of St. Simons Island’s most recognizable places to eat. Housed in a converted gas station near the island’s central roundabout, this popular restaurant serves classic BBQ and Southern sides in a casual, lively setting.
Order pulled pork, brisket or another smoked specialty, then add favorites such as Brunswick stew and baked beans. Because Southern Soul is popular with both locals and visitors, expect the lunch rush to be busy—but for many barbecue fans, it’s worth the wait.
Best for: BBQ, casual dining and visitors who want to try a St. Simons institution.
Barbara Jean’s: Classic Southern Comfort Food
Barbara Jean‘s is located near Pier Village and has been a St. Simons Island favorite for decades. The family-run restaurant specializes in homemade Southern and coastal dishes, making it a great choice when you want a traditional taste of the region.
Crab cakes are one of the restaurant’s signature choices, but the menu also offers plenty of Southern comfort food and seafood. Its relaxed atmosphere makes it particularly appealing for families and multigenerational groups.
Best for: Families, crab cakes and classic Southern cooking.
Palmer’s Village Café: A Relaxed Lunch in the Village
Palmer’s Village Cafe is a popular choice in the heart of the Pier Market Village area. Known for breakfast and brunch, Palmer’s also serves lunch with choices ranging from salads and sandwiches to seafood and shrimp and grits.
Its location makes it convenient if you’re spending the morning exploring Mallery Street, visiting the St. Simons Island Pier or browsing nearby shops. Lunch service begins at 11 a.m., making it a good option for an early lunch after a morning of sightseeing.
Best for: Brunch lovers, couples and visitors exploring Pier Village.
Iguanas Seafood Restaurant: Casual Island Dining
Iguanas Seafood Restaurant offers the kind of relaxed atmosphere many visitors are looking for on a beach vacation. Located on Mallery Street near Pier Village Market, it specializes in seafood and coastal favorites in a casual, family-friendly setting.
Wild Georgia shrimp, crab cakes and other seafood dishes make it an easy choice when you’re craving a taste of the coast. The location is also convenient for combining lunch with a stroll around the Village and waterfront.
Best for: Families, seafood and a casual lunch after exploring Pier Village.
Brogen’s South: Casual Lunch Near the Pier
Brogen’s South is a longtime Pier Village local’s hangout where the atmosphere is decidedly casual. Burgers, sandwiches, seafood and fried favorites make the menu approachable for groups with different tastes.
After lunch, you can walk toward the St. Simons Island Pier, browse the nearby shops or continue your sightseeing. It’s the kind of place where you can come as you are—especially after a morning at the beach.
Best for: Casual dining, families, groups and a laid-back island atmosphere.
Coastal Kitchen: Waterfront Lunch
Coastal Kitchen gives visitors another opportunity to enjoy lunch beside the water. Located at the marina, the restaurant combines seafood-focused cuisine with indoor dining and outdoor/deck seating overlooking the marina.
For visitors who enjoy pairing a meal with a waterfront setting, Coastal Kitchen is a particularly appealing choice. The menu focuses on seafood and American coastal dishes like shrimp and grits, making it a natural fit for a St. Simons vacation.
Best for: Waterfront dining, seafood and a leisurely lunch.
Porch: Southern Comfort Food With a Fun Twist
Porch offers a relaxed take on Southern comfort food. The restaurant is particularly known for Nashville hot chicken, with different heat levels ranging from mild to seriously spicy.
You’ll also find dishes such as catfish, Georgia shrimp and Southern sides. The casual atmosphere and outdoor setting make it a fun choice for visitors who want something different from the usual seafood lunch.
Best for: Nashville hot chicken, families and casual outdoor dining.
Gnat’s Landing: Flip-Flop-Friendly Lunch
Gnat’s Landing in Redfern Village is all about laid-back Island dining. Its casual menu includes seafood baskets, shrimp, sandwiches, burgers and daily specials, while the atmosphere is lively and informal.
It’s a good option for families or groups who want a relaxed lunch without dressing up. The Redfern Village location also makes it easy to combine lunch with shopping or exploring the surrounding area.
Best for: Dining with children, groups, seafood baskets and a casual Island vibe.
Tramici: When You Want Something Other Than Seafood
Tramici Restaurant is proof that lunch on St. Simons Island doesn’t have to revolve around seafood. This Italian-inspired restaurant serves pizzas, pastas, sandwiches and salads in a lively setting.
The menu also incorporates coastal ingredients, so seafood lovers aren’t left out. Its casual atmosphere makes it a good choice for families, couples and anyone craving pizza or pasta during a beach vacation.
Best for: Pizza, pasta, families and groups with different tastes.
Beachcomber BBQ & Grill: Lunch Near East Beach
Beachcomber BBQ & Grill is a casual choice near East Beach. The restaurant combines barbecue, burgers and a relaxed bar-and-grill atmosphere, making it a convenient stop after spending the morning near the beach.
There’s no need to make lunch overly complicated on St. Simons Island. Sometimes a plate of smoky barbecue and a cold drink is exactly what a beach day calls for.
Best for: East Beach visitors, barbecue and casual dining.
One of the best things about dining on St. Simons Island is that lunch is part of the experience.
Grab seafood after a morning at the beach, enjoy barbecue before an afternoon of sightseeing, or settle into a waterfront restaurant and take your time. With fresh seafood, Georgia shrimp, barbecue, Southern specialties and plenty of casual Island restaurants, St. Simons Island makes lunchtime something special.
