Checked by The Things To Do In Fernandina Beach editorial desk.
Downtown Fernandina Beach is roughly five blocks by five blocks, from the marina at the bottom of Centre Street up to about 8th. Almost everything on this page is inside that square, which means you can park once and choose dinner on foot — the single biggest practical advantage the district has.
This page is organised by what you actually want: a fast lunch, a proper dinner, a drink, or a table outside. For the district itself — the shops, the architecture and the walking route — see our downtown and Centre Street guide.
How this list is put together: Everything here is inside the walkable historic district, roughly bounded by Front Street, 8th Street, Broome Street and Ash Street.
Photo: Historic downtown Fernandina Beach.
Downtown Restaurants in Fernandina Beach
-
1
The Salty Pelican Bar & Grill
Marina views and volume at the foot of Centre Street. The default first stop for most visitors.
The Salty Pelican guide → -
2
Burlingame Restaurant
The district's serious dinner room, four blocks off the main street on South 5th.
Burlingame guide → -
3
España Restaurant & Tapas
Tapas and paella in a house on South 4th — the most atmospheric booked dinner downtown.
España guide → -
4
The Patio at 5th & Ash
American bistro on a quiet corner, in the price band below fine dining.
The Patio guide → -
5
David's Restaurant & Lounge
Seasonal Southern cooking and a lounge on the eastern edge of the grid.
David's guide → -
6
Mezcal Spirit of Oaxaca
Oaxacan cooking directly on Centre Street, with a mezcal-led bar.
Mezcal guide → -
7
Ciao Italian Eatery
The everyday pasta dinner, at the top of Centre where parking is easier.
Ciao guide → -
8
Café Karibo
Café lunch and Sunday brunch with the best courtyard in the district.
Café Karibo guide → -
9
Timoti's Seafood Shak
Counter-service local seafood a block off Centre — the fastest good meal downtown.
Timoti's guide → -
10
Wicked BAO
Asian street food on North 2nd, and the answer when nobody wants more seafood.
Wicked BAO guide → -
11
The Happy Tomato Courtyard Café & BBQ
Barbecue and sandwiches in a courtyard, and the cheapest sit-down lunch in the district.
The Happy Tomato guide → -
12
Tasty's Fresh Burgers & Fries
Burgers and hand-cut fries at the top of Centre Street.
Tasty's guide → -
13
Leddy's Porch at the Florida House Inn
Southern weekend brunch on the porch of the Florida House Inn.
Leddy's Porch guide → -
14
The Decantery
Wine, craft beer and cocktails at Centre and 2nd — the quiet room downtown.
The Decantery guide → -
15
The Palace Saloon
Florida's oldest bar, 1903, on the corner of Centre and 2nd.
Palace Saloon guide → -
16
Green Turtle Tavern
Cocktails and live music half a block off Centre on South 3rd.
Green Turtle guide → -
17
-
18
Amelia Island Coffee
The coffee house in the middle of the Centre Street shopping blocks.
Amelia Island Coffee guide → -
19
Mocama Coffee
Coffee in the morning and 24 taps in the afternoon, on North 3rd.
Mocama Coffee guide →
Downtown Fernandina Beach Restaurants: FAQ
How many restaurants are in downtown Fernandina Beach?
There are roughly twenty restaurants, bars and cafés inside the walkable historic district — the ones on this page. The rest of the island's dining is spread along 8th Street, the beach side on Fletcher Avenue, and the south end.
Can you walk between downtown restaurants?
Yes. The district is about five blocks square. Park once — most people use a city lot up the hill — and walk.
Where do you park for dinner downtown?
Downtown Fernandina Beach has had paid on-street parking since February 2026, and the city is winding the programme down — 18 November 2026 is due to be the last day, after which downtown parking is free again. Our parking guide tracks it.
What is the best restaurant in downtown Fernandina Beach?
It depends on the evening. Burlingame for a serious dinner, España for atmosphere, the Salty Pelican for a view and a crowd, Timoti's for a fast good meal. There is no single answer and anyone who gives you one is guessing.