Something visitors find amazing about the Golden Isles is the number of excellent eateries in the area. It’s easy to find something to please every palate. Whether you want chicken fried steak or chickpea salad, polenta or pad Thai, banana pudding or boba tea, there are sweet and savory options to enjoy just about everywhere you turn. A few breakfast options include NY bagels from Sandy Bottom Bagels, pastries and deliciousness like the Paradise Croissant from Palm Coast Coffee Café & Pub. Palmer’s Village Café is known for fresh ingredients and creative flavor combinations with omelets like The Hooch and The Local. For grab & go options, there’s Certified Pantry & Provisions for quick snacks to fantastic family meals, and we can’t wait to see what Three Little Birds will offer at their new Fly In, Fly Out spot in the Village. If you’re in the mood for spicier fare, cantinas like Bubba Garcia’s and La Plancha range from gringo-friendly to authentic Mexican dishes, and Porch services up Nashville hot chicken, shrimp, and catfish in the heat of your choice. Fancy Q is your hot spot for sushi and hibachi. Sal’s Neighborhood Pizzeria has pizza, “Salzones,” and Italian dishes that are nothing short of a knock-out.
Boba Tea for the Beach
Here’s a trendy treat to take to the beach: boba tea from Certified Pantry & Provisions. That’s right; you can now get boba on SSI! Shown here in matcha, passion fruit, and sweet tea flavors.
When you’re craving burgers, fries, and milkshakes, there are options for both the north and south end of the island with Zuzu’s in the Village and Certified Burgers & Beverage near Shops at Sea Island both grilling up goodness. If it’s just the milkshake, ice cream, or another sweet treat you want, St. Simons Sweets is your inner child’s dream come true. To indulge the adult side, grab some friends to wind down with some wine on the patio at Golden Isles Olive Oil by pairing a glass or two with one of the cheese & charcuterie boards they do so well. For something different, try their traditional afternoon tea on Wednesday (advance reservation required).
If you want to soak in true island ambiance, Bennie’s Red Barn on the north end and The Crab Trap are some of our oldest establishments, with approximately a half century of tradition each, while Southern Soul Barbeque is perhaps our best known thanks to national media coverage and accolades. Barbara Jean’s is a mainstay for Southern comfort food at its finest. Many of our casual and fine dining establishments, including Catch 228, Georgia Sea Grill, Halyards, and Crabdaddy’s specialize in fresh fish and seafood. You’ll find everything from fresh catch right off the boat to steamed, raw and specialty oysters to shrimp prepared just about every way mentioned in Forrest Gump. And whether you choose peel-and-eat shrimp, a platter of fried shrimp, slaw, and hushpuppies, coastal classic shrimp and grits, or Low Country Boil, the plump, sweet, white Wild Georgia Shrimp that come from our waters are our pride and joy.
Porch Fried Shrimp Basket
Who needs Nashville hot chicken whenyou can have Nashville hot Wild Georgia shrimp?! Put a sweet local spin on this spicy favorite at Porch. From naked to napalm, you choose your heat. To cool down, grab a frosé!
It might surprise new visitors to learn that the murky brown seawater surrounding Georgia’s barrier islands isn’t “dirty” at all and actually contributes to the delicious appeal of our shrimp. Stirred up sediment and tannins leached from decaying organic material, such as the spartina grasses, leaves, and tree bark that wash offshore from the swamps and marshes give the water its brown coloring. Sedimentary deposits from the large rivers here that flow into the ocean make the seabed near our shore muddy, rather than sandy. Storms churning off the coast stir that sediment up, making the mix darker and more obvious, but the “sweet tea” color is a consistent trait of our waters, no matter the weather. While this might not make for an Instagrammable pristine turquoise paradise, it’s not a bad thing either, because the water is rich in nutrients that are ideal for our wildlife. Fish, crustaceans, and other sea life are plentiful, which also attracts a wide variety of birds and provides a healthy diet for other animals too. The locally caught sweet white Wild Georgia Shrimp are in high demand in the seafood market because they have the best flavor. They’re caught with nets right out of their natural environment off our shores and not farm-raised or altered in any way. Perfection!
So, if you find yourself wishing the Golden Isles had the clear waters and white sands of the Gulf, just grab a table overlooking the water at sunset, order a large glass of sweet tea, some peel and eat shrimp or Low Country Boil. Take in the picturesque view of the shrimp boats on the horizon with birds fluttering above and dolphins frolicking in their wake. Marvel at the beauty of the egrets and herons fishing in the marsh, and the pelicans perched on their posts, as if posing for the pictures you’re sure to take. While you sip your sweet tea consider whether you’d trade that delicious distinctive Southern flavor for a plain glass of water even if it looked prettier. Eat local. Eat lots! Enjoy!
LIFE OF LEISURE
While you’re here, take a load off and live a life of leisure. You’ll have plenty of time to lounge in the pool and take in the island’s sights too. Shop ’til you drop, spoil yourself with a spa day, or dust off your tennis game. There’s so much to do, even when you’re taking it easy!
If you like to start your day with some yoga or other fitness activities, we have several local studios like Omcore Yoga that offer a variety of classes or one-on-one sessions. The Club is our full-service health and fitness center with attached yoga center, cycle studio, heated pool and more. Get that blood pumping with some cardio or start the day with a swim. It’ll help burn off those calories from the that fried shrimp and Key lime pie you enjoyed the night before! $25 daily passes and 10 class passes for $200 are available for non-members.
Perhaps you’d rather begin your morning as the subject of some pampering. Island Day Spa offers massage and other spa services like body wraps, facial treatments, manicures and pedicures, and more. To indulge in the pampering at home, drop by ALo Naturals to pick up some of their all-natural skin and body care products. Their fabulous bath salts are known for their therapeutic properties and promoting relaxation for the body. Pick out your favorite natural scent and get detoxing and relaxing! Follow with body butter to hydrate and retain moisture. From sunscreen to moisturizers, it’s important to take care of your skin if you’ll be spending time in the sun. St. Simons Drug Co., Parker’s, and Frederica Pharmacy also have a full array of sunscreens and skincare products, plus whatever else you might need to pack in your beach bag – including the beach bag itself!
When you go out to hit the shops, there are several distinct shopping areas on St. Simons Island. In the Village, you’ll find numerous shops lining Mallery Street that offer souvenirs, unique gifts and art, apparel for men, women, teens and kids, beach accessories and toys, jewelry, and more. Ocean Motion and Southeast Adventure Outfitters can get you geared up for time on the water, beach, or hiking the trails. For a special keepsake to remember your time here, stop by Golden Isles Bracelet Co. for their St. Simons signature bracelet, or any of the other styles of bracelets, earrings, rings, or pendants that they artfully design and craft by hand.
Dog owners will definitely want to check out amazing array of pet accessories, treats, toys and grooming products at Island Dog. And never fear, cat lovers, they have things for our feline friends too.
Other main areas on the island for boutique shopping include Redfern Village, Shops at Sea Island, and Shops on Market Street. Other areas to be familiar with include Retreat Village, where Winn-Dixie is located, and Longview Plaza, the location of St. Simons Drug Co. and Island ACE Hardware. Redfern Village with several boutiques, including THE spot for swimwear, Cricket Shop; trendy fashions at Wild & Personal Boutique; and the chic European styles of Cobblestone Living, as well as the island’s Gogo Jewelry retail store. And don’t forget Maggie’s Boutique just across Frederica Road, known as Lady Dawg Headquarters and for their extensive Krazy Larry collection.
Engagement ring experts Joseph Jewelers; Cloister Collection, the island’s spot for Lilly Pulitzer; specialists in both casual attire and men’s formal wear Gentlemen’s & Lady Outfitters, and its sister store Southern Tide are highlights in the Shops at Sea Island. Harris-Teeter is also located there. Head north across Sea Island Road to Shops on Market Street where you can meet sweet Duchess while you pursue the dress selection at Ronne’s, see the latest looks from NY designer Amy Smilovic at Tibi, and accessorize from head to toe at Shackelford. Just up the road, you’ll find Evelyne Talman, our top stop for women’s formal wear, and Mixed Nuts Boutique, a luxury consignment shop with some fantastic discounts on designer bags and clothing. National children and infants’ clothing line Bailey Boys is headquartered on St. Simons Island and has a retail store on Skylane Road.
While you’re out and about, grab some fresh fruit and veggies to enjoy or take home. The Farmer’s Market by the St. Simons airport is an honor market with delicious tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers, sweet corn, strawberries, and other seasonal offerings. Peach lovers, be sure to keep your eye out for the return of The Peach Stand pop-ups at the Poor Stephens corner (1617 Frederica Road) in June and July. Clay Strother and his young crew bring same-day picked peaches from the family’s Pearson Farm directly to the island. Drop by to get these sweet, juicy stone fruits by the bag or case before they’re gone—they don’t last long! The stand workers are volunteers and all proceeds from sales are donated to local charity and stay in the community. Peaches to the people!
Once you’ve got everything you need for your island adventures, you’re ready for some outdoor fun. Beyond the trails and St. Simons Land Trust parks, you’ll find more opportunities for open air recreation. The Golden Isles is a golf destination, so if you’re here for that, chances are you already know what options are available. But for those who take the game a bit less seriously, there’s a miniature golf course in the Neptune Park Fun Zone near the pier and another over on Jekyll. If disc golf is the version of the sport you like to play, you’ll find baskets set up in a course at Gascoigne Bluff. For friendly competition on the tennis or pickle ball court, grab your racket and see if there’s an open spot to play at the courts on Demere Road. There’s also a skate park if you have the desire to channel your inner Tony Hawk. You can even play cornhole board or giant Jenga on the lawn at Porch while you wait for your dinner.
