Since 1943, this Brunswick barbecue joint and drive-in institution has been serving up smoked rib plates and bone-in rib sandwiches, old-school burgers, country fried steak plates, and slaw dogs with sides of battered fries and fried green tomatoes for lunch.

Founded in 1975 as a simple hot dog cart by Arnell “Willie” Chambers and Yvonne Chambers, Willie’s Wee-Nee Wagon has since become a thriving restaurant locals love doing brisk business from its walk-up window. Order hot dogs served in properly steamed buns, like the Brunswick dog garnished with ketchup, mayo, grilled onions, and cheese or the Kraut dog topped with sauerkraut and mustard. There’s also burgers, fried fish sandwiches, and Polish sausages. But those in the know swear by the original pork chop sandwich. It’s a go-to at Willie’s and sees slices of grilled boneless pork chop topped with mustard and grilled onions sandwiched between a fluffy bun. The restaurant is so confident in that pork chop sandwich, they’ll give you $2,000 cash if you find one better tasting anywhere in Glynn County.

Sticky toffee cake, mini pies, glazed buttermilk doughnuts, and pecan pie bars are all baked fresh at Happy Pappy’s Bakery in Brunswick. Some baked goods offered even come from century-old family recipes. Grab coffee, a latte, or a coffee protein shake and a sweet treat for the road. Vegan, keto, gluten-free options available.

Pop into this Brunswick Mexican restaurant for birria tacos, a meaty molcajete bowl filled with steak, chicken, chorizo, carnitas, and shrimp, torta sandwiches, and barbacoa chimichangas. There’s also Mexican seafood dishes and breakfast, along with churros, fried ice cream, and tres leches cake for dessert.

Located across the street from a Publix, La Salsa Taqueria Tienda offers an expansive menu featuring everything from tortas stuffed with scrambled eggs mixed with pork, sausage, steak, and chicken and a variety of tacos to a selection of Mexican seafood dishes, hearty soups like menudo on the weekends, and chilaquiles.

A low-key, no frills spot for lunch in Brunswick, Angel’s Cafe includes a revolving menu of daily soups, salads, burgers, and sandwiches. Order a chicken salad sandwich on wheat toast with a side of the restaurant’s popular pasta salad and a cup of the soup of the day.

Another Brunswick option for soups and sandwiches, A Moveable Feast offers salads like tuna nicoise or a traditional wedge with creamy blue cheese dressing, as well as egg salad sandwiches with smoked salmon, a caprese panini, and a turkey BLT. Order a cup of the soup of the day and an ice cream sandwich for dessert.

This quaint cafe located in the village near the lighthouse serves an all-day breakfast and lunch. Order any of Palmer’s Village Cafe’s omelets, like the hooch with spicy tomatoes, provolone, cheddar, and sausage topped with fried onions. For lunch, try the crabwich with herb mayonnaise, bacon, lettuce, and tomato jam on a griddled English muffin.

Del Sur Artisan Eats mixes the flavors of Argentina with Italy in its dishes. Start with the grilled game sausage or lamb empanada before the main course of linguini alla vongole or smoked pork butt sautéed with guava sauce and a side of polenta.

The Half Shell is located in the Pier Village at the tip of the island. This is where to head for peel-eat-shrimp, oysters on the half shell, and chilled tuna tacos. Try an oyster shooter, like the Red Neck with a shot of PBR or an Old Bay rimmed with an oyster topped with hot sauce, lemon and lime. Walk to the pier after dinner for spectacular sunsets or a nighttime stroll on the beach.

This Italian restaurant filled with kitschy decor on St. Simons Island bills itself as a family-friendly spot. Head in for plenty of pizza, meatballs subs, and classic American-Italian pasta dishes, including baked spaghetti and chicken parmesan. Order a slice of Reece’s Peanut Butter pie for dessert.

Old-fashioned hamburgers, hot dogs, chocolate-dipped soft serve cones, and milkshakes are what’s on the menu at Frosty’s. Order a Frosty De-luxe topped with American cheese, lettuce, onions, pickles, and Frosty sauce with a basket of crinkle fries. End the meal with a milkshake, root beer float, or a fudge brownie sundae.

Mallery Street Cafe is a family-owned and operated breakfast and lunch spot located near the historic St. Simons Island lighthouse. The menu is simple and straightforward with pancakes, eggs, and coffee in the morning and salads, burgers, and sandwiches for lunch.

Sandy Bottom Bagels makes New York-style kosher bagels fresh daily from its St. Simons Island shop. The deli carries traditional bagel flavors like everything, pumpernickel, egg, and sea salt as well as asiago, sun-dried tomato, and French toast. Swing by in the morning and order a build-your-own bagel breakfast sandwich.

Southern Living magazine once dubbed this St. Simons barbecue spot housed in a former gas station “the best barbecue in the South”. While which joints actually serve the “best” barbecue is a matter of personal taste in the South — and will always be a hotly debated topic — Southern Soul does legitimately serve really great ‘cue, along with Brunswick stew. Order the Southern Soul Sampler with a choice of two or three meats (get the brisket and the ribs) and two sides.

Some days just call for a comforting bowl of pho. Island Pho is a family-owned restaurant serving Vietnamese fare, including bowls of chicken or beef flank pho, spring rolls, lemongrass chicken, and shaking beef. Order brown sugar bubble tea or refreshing strawberry fruit tea before heading back out into the sun.

This seafood bar and grill is a St. Simons mainstay. For over 30 years now, Crabdaddy’s Seafood Grill has played host to island residents and tourists seeking fried shrimp, grouper fingers, and crab cakes. Make sure to order a side of cheese grits and green bean casserole. There’s banana pudding for dessert.

Most people who live on or visit St. Simons regularly consider Halyards Restaurant beach fancy. There’s no need for a coat and tie, but do prepare for more upscale dishes during dinner such as seared ahi tuna, filet mignon, and blue crab bisque paired with a glass of champagne or a big, bold cabernet.

This brewpub opened on the island in 2019, brewing everything from an amber lager and wheat ale to hazy and double IPAs and seasonal beers. The beer-friendly food menu features bites like a stuffed pretzel board, scallops and hash, a steak sandwich, and, of course, a pub burger. Unlike many breweries, the seating at Barrier Island Brewing is more restaurant than taproom.

Cafe Frederica is a favorite for breakfast and lunch for the island’s permanent residents and its frequent visitors. The cafe has been open for well over 30 years now on St. Simons. Try the crab cake benedict or the eggs benedict with country ham and corned beef.

Named for chef and owner Daniel Auffenberg’s grandmother, kick off a meal at Dorothy’s with selections from the raw bar, including oysters, crudo and shrimp ceviche. Next, order shrimp toast or the scallion pancake, before diving into fire-roasted fish served with curried cauliflower, a Georgia shrimp roll, or the crispy fish sandwich topped with Fresno chilis and Asian-style slaw. Pair a meal with one of the top-notch cocktails from the bar, like the classic daiquiri or Lion’s Tail. Great spot for happy hour.

Founded by New Jersey native and professional boxer turned pizza slinger Sal Cenicola, Sal’s Neighborhood Pizzeria is said to have the best pies on the island. In addition to New York-style pizzas, Sal’s also offers heaping bowls of pasta, sandwiches, including a giant meatball sub, and calzones aptly named “salzones”.

Looking for a spot to grab a breakfast sandwich and coffee in the morning or a made-to-order sandwich in the afternoon from the deli while stocking up on food provisions for the beach house? The Market at Sea Island sells take-and-bake meals, fresh-baked breads and cookies, local produce, meats, and seafood as well as cheeses and wine in its shop.