St. Simons Island is known for its long stretch of beaches, iconic historic sites, and premiere golf courses. But did you know that this Golden Isles beach town is also home to some of the best brunch restaurants along the Georgia coast?
As a popular destination for tourists and year-round residents, SSI is bursting with locally-owned eateries that offer great food and picturesque atmospheres. With our vacation rentals scattered throughout the island, finding a delicious brunch spot nearby is not hard.
We’ve got you covered on the tastiest brunch spots on St. Simons Island below!
Cafe Frederica
- Address: 110 Sylvan Blvd, St Simons Island, GA
- Price Point: $
- Known for: Crab Cake Benedict
Located on the island’s North Side, Cafe Frederica has been serving the SSI community for over 30 years. You’ll feel transported back in time as soon as you enter this diner-inspired cafe.
The casual, quaint atmosphere is paired with classic American breakfast dishes that everybody knows and loves. Their menu features eggs any way you can imagine, from Eggs Benedict to omelets to a good-ole-fashioned egg sandwich.
If eggs aren’t what you came for, you’ll find plenty of sweet brunch items, including pancakes and French toast. You can’t go wrong here if you’re looking for a hearty breakfast with Southern portions to start your beach day right.
Sweet Mama’s
- Address: 98 Retreat Village, St Simons Island, GA
- Price Point: $
- Known for: Laid-back atmosphere and delicious pastries
If your ideal beach morning starts with freshly baked pastries, you’re going to want to make your way to Sweet Mama’s. This local bakery and deli is a beloved staple on the island for a reason: they are always serving up something delicious!
They have a rotating assortment of fresh pastries made daily, from donuts to cinnamon rolls to blueberry muffins. They also offer a breakfast tray with various pastries if you want to try a little bit of everything.
It’s the perfect morning stop for brunch items on your way to the beach.
Sandy Bottom Bagels
- Address: 242 Retreat Village, St Simons Island, GA
- Price Point: $
- Known for: Freshly-baked bagels, grab bag for large groups
Who doesn’t love fresh bagels to start off their day at the beach? Sandy Bottom Bagels is the best spot for a grab-and-go breakfast. They serve every bagel you can think of (truly). With over 15 types of bagels, eight cream cheese flavors, and build-your-own bagel toppings, you could visit every morning of your trip and never try it all.
They’ve even got specialty bagels that they invented themselves, and you definitely want a taste of those. For a large group, don’t miss out on their grab bag option as the perfect take-out breakfast before your busy day!
Palmer’s Village Cafe
- Address: 223 Mallery St, St Simons Island, GA
- Price Point: $$
- Known for: Challah Bread French Toast with a cup of joe
Palmer’s Village Cafe might look tiny from the outside, but don’t let the size fool you! This cozy cafe is home to some of the best food on St. Simons Island. Located in Pier Village, it’s a convenient spot to start your day before heading to the pier for some morning fishing.
Palmer’s puts its own twist on traditional breakfast favorites, such as their Maple Glaze and Bacon French Toast and Buddy’s Banana Pudding Pancakes. They also serve a variety of specialty omelets and breakfast biscuits. Starting at 11, their lunch menu opens for those wanting a salad or sandwich instead. It’s also one of the top lunch spots on St. Simons Island for a reason – they do every meal right!
Mallery Street Cafe
- Address: 408 Mallery St, St Simons Island, GA
- Price Point: $$
- Known for: Outdoor seating
Just down the street from Palmer’s in Downtown St. Simons lies Mallery Street Cafe, another crowd favorite in Pier Village. This locally-owned coffee shop and cafe is consistently rated one of the best breakfast restaurants in SSI for a reason. The quaint atmosphere, delicious Southern menu, and friendly service are hard to beat.
You’ll find the traditional favorites like egg omelets, breakfast biscuits, and a side of grits. A few of their stand-out items include the Stuffed Crepes and Monte Cristo Biscuit with raspberry jam. This is also one of the island’s pet-friendly destinations! We especially love their outdoor seating along Mallery Street, where you and your pet can people-watch over good food.
Tacos Don Panchos
- Address: 5006 Altama Ave, Brunswick, GA 3
- Price Point: $$
- Known for: Breakfast tacos and casual atmosphere
Tacos Don Panchos is located in the neighboring town of Brunswick, a short drive from St. Simons Island. But it is definitely worth the visit if you’re hoping for a Mexican brunch on your beach vacation.
This family-owned restaurant offers authentic Mexican food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Their breakfast menu includes breakfast burritos, breakfast tacos on hand-made tortillas, and a fiesta omelet. Every Mexican side you can think of is offered here, from beans and rice to tamales and Mexican corn. The lunch menu begins at 11 a.m. and features a variety of street-style tacos, Mexican salads, and delicious seafood items.
With happy hour starting at noon, this is the perfect spot for a late brunch to enjoy their all-day menu!
ECHO St. Simons
- Address: 101 Downing St, St Simons Island, GA 31522
- Price Point: $$$
- Known for: Sunday brunch and bottomless mimosas
Located in the King & Prince Resort, ECHO is a popular brunch spot offering oceanfront views and elevated dining. If your ideal brunch involves lingering over mimosas while you watch the ships go by, ECHO delivers.
Their daily breakfast menu features a blend of Southern and Coastal cuisines, such as their Seafood Omelet with wild-caught shrimp and their Praline French Toast. The menu also includes plenty of gluten-free options. But what they are best known for is their Sunday brunch. Guests can enjoy their a la carte brunch menu from 11:30 am-3 pm each Sunday, with $20 bottomless mimosas on the side.
ECHO offers the ultimate beach brunch experience, complete with outdoor seating and a picturesque oceanfront view.
Enjoy Brunch on St. Simons Island
St. Simons Island is known for its countless delicious restaurants, and brunch is no exception! From hole-in-the-wall bakeries to elevated oceanfront dining, SSI offers guests a variety of options to start their day.
While you have everything you need to cook brunch at your Lighthouse vacation rental, trying a few local restaurants during your beach getaway is always fun! We hope our guide excites you for all the delicious food you’ll enjoy on St. Simons Island.
