Amelia Island’s annual Restaurant Week remains one of the most anticipated events on the Island each year. Kicking off 2025 with a bit of creativity and a lot of mouthwatering delights, the ten-day culinary showcase features a selection of Amelia Island’s award-winning and popular dining establishments showing off their best at lunch and dinner from Friday, January 17 to Sunday, January 26.
During Restaurant Week, savory prix-fixe menus are available at special prices that will delight diners’ appetites – and wallets! Lunch menus are typically $15 and offer an entrée, side dish, and non-alcoholic beverage. Dinner menus range from $30 to $50 per person and include three courses and a beverage.
“Restaurant Week has become one of our most anticipated annual events, and it is the perfect time for hungry visitors and locals to try some of the Island’s new culinary hotspots and enjoy their old favorites,” says Gil Langley, president and CEO of the Amelia Island Convention and Visitors Bureau (AICVB). “This year, we are adding many delicious events to the menu!”
Restaurant Week kicks off with an opening reception and dinner with the theme of “Celebration of Citrus.” Each course of this meal will highlight the bold, refreshing flavors of the season, paired with crafted cocktails to complement every bite. Hosted by Omni Amelia Island Resort & Spa’s Verandah Restaurant on January 16, tickets are $129 per person including tax and gratuity.
“This year’s Restaurant Week is unique in that we challenged chefs across the Island to showcase their best,” explains AICVB Director of Partner Relations Marilou Welling. “At some establishments, this will mean more bang for your buck and at others it may include something extra like a speciality cocktail – it’s truly an invitation for the chefs to show off their claim to fame!”
As a little tease for what’s in store for your taste buds, Café Karibo is preparing Bacon and Parmesan Crusted Grouper over Coconut-Scented Basmati Rice or Steak and Shrimp Chimichurri. Both entrees will finish with a slice of Gingersnap Crusted Key Lime Pie topped with wild berry sauce and whipped cream. Salty Pelican is ready to plate your favorite Shrimp and Grits.
Story & Song Bookstore Bistro invites everyone for lunch, with choices including their Signature Soup, Grilled Cheese Panini, Apple Walnut Salad with Dried Cranberries and Champagne Vinaigrette, Chicken Salad, Quiche, and of course, a cup of fresh roasted coffee. Crab Trap is offering a bottle of champagne with purchase of their Seafood Tower Supreme, and Arte Pizza is adding a slice of Salted Caramel Cake with cream cheese icing to certain purchases. And this is just to name a few!
Restaurant Week culminates with a dinner hosted by The Ritz Carlton, Amelia Island in the inimitable Salt’s brand-new dining room and lounge. “New Era Dinner” is the theme, and it features a decadent three-course menu from Chef Okan on January 26. Cocktails start at 5:30 p.m. and tickets are $150 per person (plus gratuity).
If your taste buds are on pins and needles like mine, visit Ameliaisland.com/yummy, to learn more and make your reservations!