When everyone is gathered together at one of our Jekyll Island rentals, one topic will almost always pop right up to the top. Whoever you are with, someone will be hungry. Someone will start the conversation towards where to eat and who is going. You may even know exactly who this person is going to be. It may be you!
When the inevitable topic pops up, what are you going to say? Thankfully, we have great recommendations on where to eat while you’re on Jekyll Island. These are our essential top five Jekyll Island restaurants.
The Wharf
The Wharf is possibly the biggest and most exciting restaurant on the water. It features a massive patio deck space right over the water. You can sit out here and watch the boats roll on by. There’s music almost every night and a massive dining hall with big windows.
The views are a major selling point. Guests sit right on the Jekyll Island Historic District Pier, surrounded by nautical-themed décor in both indoor and outdoor seating areas.
We love the varied menu. It includes some fun selections, like the Wharf Crab Dip, Shrimp Scampi Linguini, Buffalo Shrimp Tacos, the Oyster Po’Boy, and the Low Country Gumbo. Open any meal up with a classic southern plate of Fried Green Tomatoes.
The Wharf is an attraction in its own right. It is located at 370 Riverview Dr, and open from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for lunch and again from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. for dinner.
Driftwood Bistro
Driftwood Bistro is labeled a “low country” restaurant. Casual but beautiful, this cozy fireside southern escape contains some authentic Jekyll seafood, including Georgia Wild Shrimp, Crab Bisque, Stuffed Flounder, and Shrimp Cake, covered in roasted red peppers, scallions, and Japanese bread crumbs.
Driftwood has a lovely bar and lounge area, with an assortment of top-shelf premiums, like Sebastiani Cabernet from Sonoma County and Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand, among many others.
We love this tasty and classy seafood escape. The restaurant is located inside the Villas by the Sea Resort and Conference Center, address at 1175 Beachview Dr N.
Sunrise Grille
Sunrise Grill is casual, fun, and a little funky. This local favorite serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with options for vegetarians and vegans. Like many other waterside restaurants on Jekyll Island, Sunrise offers some of that famous and fresh Georgia Wild Shrimp. You can easily nab some takeout and bring it back to one of our nearby Jekyll Island vacation homes.
The grill has all your major Georgia dining staples: crab cakes, buffalo wings, shrimp wraps, fish sandwiches, including the excellent Mahi, and big classic southern breakfasts of ham, eggs, and pancakes. Sunrise hits all the major items, giving guests of all ages plenty to sink their teeth into.
Sunrise Grill is right on the main street drive of Jekyll Island, at 21 Main St.
Eighty Ocean Kitchen and Bar
Eighty Ocean is located at the gorgeous Jekyll Island Club Resort. This luxury-oriented restaurant has a variety of amazing and mood-setting features, like a wood-fired hearth oven that adds a delightful charm to space, a bold-colored raw bar, and an open-concept design to give the entire dining hall of a breath of fresh breeziness.
Menu-wise, Eighty Ocean delivers the goods, from fresh-caught seafood to bold-faced burgers and pizzas.
The Reserve
The Reserve is sensational, with its captivating breakfast selections, its Asian-infused décor and design, and its dedicated focus on local ingredients. The Reserve is a must-see place at the Westin Hotel, right on the water.
Jekyll Island is Georgia’s most visually-striking vacation getaway with some of the most stunning beaches in the state. Contact us for any additional questions related to Jekyll and how you can have an amazing escape for all.
