Christmas on Amelia Island blends ocean air, historic streets, and standout holiday dining, with resort restaurants and local favorites serving festive meals worth planning a trip around.
Planning a Christmas escape on Amelia Island? Beyond ocean air, historic streets, and the lack of big crowds, the island is home to a dining scene that comes into its own during the holidays. Restaurants across the island and in Fernandina Beach stay open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, many rolling out special menus that range from chef-driven and refined to relaxed local favorites with a festive touch.
If, for you, a great Christmas meal means no dishes to wash, Amelia Island has you covered. From resort restaurants offering curated holiday menus and polished service to downtown spots bringing warmth, familiarity, and just enough seasonal spirit to make the day feel special, you’ll always find a special place to enjoy a Christmas meal to remember with your loved ones.
At Stay Better Vacations, we offer a handpicked collection of vacation rentals across Amelia Island and the charming town of St. Marys, Georgia. From relaxed beachfront stays to homes close to history and local flavor, plus plenty of pet-friendly options, it’s easy to find a place that fits the way you want to travel. Planning an Amelia Island escape and looking for tips? Visit our travel blog, where our local experts share curated guides on vacationing with dogs, biking around Amelia Island, top annual events, and more.
In this blog post, I’ve rounded up a list of some of the best places to dine during the Christmas holiday on Amelia Island, focusing on what each restaurant does best and the kind of experience to expect.
TL;DR: Where to Dine During the Christmas Holiday on Amelia Island
- Salt: Chef-driven Christmas dining with multi-course holiday menus and ocean views.
- Coast: Coastal American cuisine with seasonal Christmas dishes in a relaxed resort setting.
- FloraBelle: Festive Christmas brunch and daytime dining with Atlantic-facing views.
- The Patio at 5th and Ash: Casual Christmas dining under oak trees with New American comfort food.
- David’s Restaurant & Lounge: Intimate, upscale Christmas dinners centered on steak and seafood.
- Burlingame: Seasonal New American cuisine with a quiet, chef-led holiday approach.
Christmas Dining, Resort Style
If you’re the kind of visitor who enjoys holiday dining with a sense of occasion, Amelia Island’s resort restaurants are perfect for a special Christmas dining experience. These are stellar places where Christmas meals are thoughtfully planned, service is attentive, and the setting adds to the experience.
1. Salt at Ritz Carlton — Chef-driven Christmas dining with ocean views.
Fancy a five-star dining experience during the holidays? I think you and your loved ones deserve it. Salt stands at the top of Amelia Island’s dining scene, and Christmas here is treated as a culinary event rather than a routine service. This elegant restaurant is led by Michelin-trained chef Okan Kizilbayir, whose menus showcase premium ingredients, classical technique, and a strong sense of seasonality.
During the Christmas holiday, Salt typically offers chef-curated multi-course menus designed specifically for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Expect refined seafood, carefully balanced sauces, and dishes that highlight both regional ingredients and global influences.
Best for: Couples, food-focused travelers, and anyone treating Christmas dinner as the centerpiece of the holiday.
2. Coast at Ritz Carlton — Coastal American cuisine with a festive seasonal lift.
Coast offers a more relaxed alternative to Salt while still feeling special for Christmas. The focus is on modern American cooking with coastal influences, local seafood, and seasonal produce, served in a setting that works just as well for families and groups as it does for couples.
At Christmas, the menu usually builds on what Coast already does best, with a handful of festive dishes added for the holiday. Expect plenty of seafood, along with steaks, fresh pasta, and familiar holiday flavors given a coastal spin.
Best for: Families, mixed-age groups, and travelers who want Christmas dinner at a resort without a formal fine-dining structure.
3. FloraBelle — Christmas morning and daytime dining with coastal charm.
Located at Omni Amelia Island Resort, FloraBelle is best known for its standout breakfast and brunch. At Christmas, it typically steps things up with a festive Christmas Day buffet that keeps the holiday feeling celebratory but relaxed.
The buffet usually mixes classic Christmas favorites with seafood, carved meats, and a wide spread of sides and desserts.
Heads up: Non-resort guests will typically need a reservation to enter the gated resort.
Best for: Christmas morning brunch, early celebrations, and travelers who prefer daytime dining with a view.
Local Favorites in Downtown Fernandina Beach
For a more grounded, neighborhood-driven Christmas meal, Fernandina Beach is home to several restaurants that stay open during the holidays, offering diverse menus and a warm atmosphere fitting for the Christmas season.
4. The Patio at 5th and Ash — Casual Christmas dining under the oaks.
The Patio at 5th and Ash is a longtime local favorite, especially during the holidays, when its string-lit outdoor seating and historic setting really come into their own. The menu centers on New American comfort food with coastal touches, backed by a full bar and a steady rhythm of brunch, lunch, and dinner service.
Christmas dining here leans into what the restaurant already does best: fresh seafood, American classics, and house favorites, with the atmosphere doing much of the festive work. What else do you need? This is local dining at its best.
Best for: Casual Christmas lunches, relaxed dinners, and travelers who enjoy lively but approachable dining.
5. David’s Restaurant & Lounge — Intimate dining for special occasions.
Recognized with a AAA Four Diamond Award, David’s Restaurant & Lounge is a popular choice in Fernandina Beach for special occasions like anniversaries, celebrations, and holiday dinners that call for a more elevated setting.
Christmas at David’s typically features special menus or seasonal additions alongside the restaurant’s core focus on steaks, seafood, and refined American cuisine. Beyond the food, the intimate dining room adds to the mood for a cozy holiday celebration.
Best for: Christmas Eve dinners, anniversary celebrations, and travelers seeking a polished, upscale meal.
6. Burlingame — Seasonal New American dining with a personal touch.
Burlingame offers a quieter, chef-driven take on holiday dining in Fernandina Beach. The focus is on seasonal New American cooking, with menus shaped by what’s fresh and a knack for giving familiar dishes a subtle, thoughtful twist.
The dining rooms feel intimate, with extra seating outdoors under magnolias and live oaks. At Christmas, the experience usually sticks close to Burlingame’s everyday style: well-balanced dishes, a few carefully chosen holiday specials, and a calm, refined atmosphere that lets the food do the talking.
Best for: Couples, repeat visitors, and travelers who appreciate seasonal cooking in a low-key fine-dining setting.
Tips for Christmas Dining on Amelia Island
- Reservations matter: Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services tend to fill quickly, especially at resort restaurants and downtown favorites.
- Menus shift year to year: Holiday offerings often change, even at restaurants that open every Christmas. Checking menus in advance avoids surprises.
- Timing shapes the experience: Brunch and daytime meals offer a lighter, more social feel, while evening reservations lean quieter and more intimate.
- Resort dining is not just for resort guests: Many travelers staying off-property dine at Omni and Ritz-Carlton restaurants during the holidays.
Bonus: What to Do Beyond Dining During the Christmas Holidays on Amelia Island
Take long beach walks and look for shells
Late December is an excellent time for walking Amelia Island’s beaches. Shelling is especially rewarding after cooler nights and shifting tides.
Wander historic Centre Street in Fernandina Beach
The historic downtown area around Centre Street is well-suited to Christmas week wandering. Shops, cafés, and galleries remain active during the Christmas week, and the Victorian architecture adds charm to any visit.
Spend time at Fort Clinch State Park
Fort Clinch State Park offers a mix of coastal scenery, shaded trails, and local history that fits well into a holiday itinerary. You can explore the preserved fort, walk through the maritime forest, or head to the quieter northern beaches. The cooler weather is ideal for longer walks without the intensity of summer heat.
Bike around the island
Amelia Island’s relatively flat terrain makes cycling appealing during the winter months. Bike paths and quiet residential streets connect beaches, neighborhoods, and green spaces, offering a low-effort way to explore the island.
Events & Christmas Lights
- Downtown lights: Centre Street and the historic district shine through the holidays.
- Seasonal music: Local concerts and holiday performances add ambiance.
- Craft markets: Holiday markets and art fairs appear around Christmas week.
- Community gatherings: Tree lightings and small celebrations offer local flavor.
- Decorated beachfronts: Lights and décor near the shore make evening walks feel festive.
Make Your Trip to Amelia Island Even Better
Specializing in boutique-style service, Stay Better Vacations offers thoughtfully curated vacation rentals across Amelia Island, Florida, and St. Marys, Georgia. As a locally owned, women-operated company, we focus on warm Southern hospitality and stays that feel personal, relaxed, and easy. Get ready for beach days, coastal adventures, and time well spent with family or friends. Traveling with a pup? Select pet-friendly vacation rentals make it simple to include every member of the crew.
