3 Best Restaurants in Amelia Island and Fernandina Beach, Northeast Coast

Inventive cuisine and seasonal ingredients are the hallmarks of the Ritz-Carlton's oceanfront restaurant, where the signature beef tenderloin is served on a block of Himalayan salt. The wine list has more than 300 bottles (many by the glass), service is nothing short of impeccable, and there's that view of the Atlantic from every table. For a unique dining experience, reserve a seat in the private dining room within the kitchen to Dine With the Chefs, watching them at work while you enjoy a personalized five-course meal. To learn the secrets of Salt's cuisine, consider taking one of its cooking school sessions. They've proven so popular, that the Ritz-Carlton now offers several of them a year. Long pants and collared shirts are recommended (for dining, we mean; cooking students get their own Ritz-Carlton aprons).

There aren't many oceanfront restaurants left, let alone moderately priced places with views like this one—an offshore break makes it a good place to watch surfers do their thing. Dishes like shrimp and grits and oysters in season have also made it a local favorite. In addition, Sliders has a lively tiki bar, where bands like the region's reggae favorite, Pili Pili, often play.

Although it's in a resort, this family-friendly restaurant is open to non–guests, many of whom drive in from Jacksonville. The dining room has a casual vibe, with plush, roomy booths and tables overlooking the tennis courts; the menu, however, is all business, with a focus on Southern and local food.