Saint Simons Island (SSI) is a charming vacation destination to the east of Brunswick that visitors are guaranteed to fall in love with. From getting out on the water in the warmer months to enjoying cozy activities when winter rolls around, there’s no bad time to visit our little slice of paradise.
Once you’ve worked up an appetite, you’ll be on the hunt for SSI’s best restaurants — and you won’t be disappointed by the variety on offer here. If you enjoy Italian cuisine, you’ll be glad to know that we have some of the best spots in all of Georgia. From the homemade pasta and hand-stretched pizza dough to the freshest salads dressed in the finest olive oil, you’ll love discovering the traditional and authentic dishes here on St. Simons.
Without further ado, here is a list of our favorite Italian restaurants that you won’t want to miss.
CJ’s Italian Restaurant
- Website: https://www.cjsitalianrestaurant.com/
- Address: 405 Mallery Street, Saint Simons Island, GA 31522
- Phone number: 912-634-2711
CJ’s Italian Restaurant is a charming eatery serving pizza, pasta, salads, and sandwiches – all prepared to order, for dine-in or take-out. There is something for everyone in the family here. This company has been family-owned and operated since 1988 and you’ll certainly feel as though you are part of the family when you dine at this welcoming restaurant.
The authentic menu is extensive and you’ll have no trouble finding something to satisfy every appetite. The dough is made daily at CJ’s and is stretched out to perfection to create thin-crust pizzas to die for. Eating pizza here will boost your karma points, too, because CJ’s makes a charitable donation every time a patron orders one of the selected pizza flavors.
You’ll also find non-Italian dishes on the menu, such as fresh Greek salads and classic American smoked turkey subs. Head on in to check out the local Italian gem.
Del Sur Artisan Eats
- Website: https://delsursaintsimons.com/
- Address: 321 Mallery Street, St. Simons Island, GA 31522
- Phone number: 912-638-1223
Del Sur prides itself and the restaurant on serving “honest food,” meaning, food kept in its simplest form prepared hand-made, tasting homemade, and presented exquisitely without altering each ingredient’s natural state.
Foodies will love the Southern American and Italian fusion dishes on the menu. The fresh mozzarella cheese and prosciutto ham Caprese salad will transport you to Italy’s glistening coast, while the ground beef empanadas transport tastebuds to the streets of Buenos Aires.
For a tasty light bite, try the trio of burrata with pesto and lemon zest, or if you’ve come with a big appetite and want to sample some Argentine BBQ, try the short ribs with chimichurri.
This contemporary Argentinian/Italian cuisine has both indoor and outdoor seating options. Whichever dish you choose and wherever you choose to sit, when you are at Del Sur, you’re guaranteed to enjoy your dining experience.
Nazzaro’s Italian Cuisine
- Website: https://nazzarositalian.com/
- Address: 196 Retreat Village, St. Simons Island, GA 31522
- Phone number: 912-634-6161
Nazzaro’s Italian Cuisine is a warm Italian nook with old-world flair. Choose from one of their dozen types of pasta dishes as well as sumptuous chicken, veal, steak, and seafood. They offer daily specials and happy hours for bargain bites. You can order dinner at the bar, or choose shareable appetizers from the bar menu. Grab a plate of spaghetti and meatballs and enjoy indoor seating, or relax on the patio just outside the bar.
Pasta is fresh and cooked to perfection, and gluten-free options are available on request. Try the lasagne with delicious house-made marinara sauce or the chicken parmesan over linguine for a filling entree. The wine selection is very impressive and there’s a huge range of bottles from around the world to choose from. Save some space for a glass of grappa to end your meal right.
Sal’s Neighborhood Pizzeria
- Website: https://salsneighborhoodpizzeria.com/
- Address: 3415 Frederica Road #E, St. Simons Island, GA 31522
- Phone number: 912-268-2328
Italians are known for celebrating life and transforming strangers into friends. Sal’s Neighborhood Pizzeria believes that food made by family and friends helps us all get through the good times and the bad.
The menu items and atmosphere reflect the heritage and recipes passed down from generations of Italians. Come in to enjoy the laid-back dining room while enjoying some alfredo, or grab something handheld like a calzone, or of course their delicious pizzas. If you opt for pizza, you’ll appreciate the option to customize your toppings so you can create your ideal slice.
For diners in the mood for something lighter or for appetizers to share among your group, the chicken wings are a popular choice and the salads are fresh, flavorful, and perfectly dressed. Sal’s offers takeout, pick-up, and even curbside.
Tramici
- Website: https://tramicirestaurant.com/
- Address: 75 Cinema Lane, St. Simons Island, GA 31522
- Phone number: 912-634-2202
For lunch or dinner with a hint of fine dining ambiance, bring friends and family together for fresh, passionately prepared Italian neighborhood food at Tramici Restaurant. Tramici actually means “among friends” in Italian, which makes this the perfect place for gatherings with loved ones.
Choose from a seat in the warm and inviting dining room, or reserve a spot on the picturesque patio. For casual bites, grab a place at the bar where you can watch the chefs work their magic in the open kitchen.
From the mammoth brick oven comes wondrous things such as chicken, spaghetti, lasagna, perfect pizzas, and herb-bathed bread. Don’t forget to top off the night with some delicious dessert like ice cream. If you’re visiting on a special occasion or simply in the mood to treat yourself, make a reservation for the sublime four-course menu with wine pairings.
A Mediterranean Feast on All-American St. Simons Island
No matter where you choose to go, you will love the food and the atmosphere at these establishments. From indoor and outdoor seating to live music and great food, you will not be disappointed. The Golden Isles offers many different styles of restaurants from St. Simons Island to Sea Island and Jekyll Island. We hope to see you soon on the island for some delicious Italian cuisine.
Once your appetite is suitably sated, you’ll need a comfortable vacation home to relax in (or even enjoy a nightcap or two). Lighthouse Vacations is home to some of the most impressive properties on St. Simons Island — choose from a beautiful beach house or book a pet-friendly option so the whole family can come along.And if you’re thinking of heading out on a last-minute break, we’ve got some amazing deals that’ll give you more spending money for pasta and pizza!
