Illustration by Marissa Johnson
Along Centre Street, old brick buildings sport striped awnings and flower-filled window boxes, and lit-up trees sway in the harbor breeze. This seaport town on Amelia Island—which has more than 50 blocks on the National Register of Historic Places—has coastal charm in spades. The Nassau County Courthouse (Florida’s oldest) stands proud with a steeple and bell tower once used as a fire alarm. A former train depot houses a welcome center across from Fernandina Harbor Marina, where small fishing charters and luxury yachts dock. Amid these landmarks, Centre Street teems with fetching storefronts and inviting eateries that beckon one to stroll, stop, and savor.
Fuel Stop
Since 1995, Amelia Island Coffee has been a gathering place for both islanders and vacationers. With indoor and outdoor seating (where pets are welcomed with water bowls ready), the 140-year-old building is the perfect spot to have a cappuccino and a decadent pastry.
Sister Act
Palm Beach princess meets coastal grandmother at Twisted Sisters, where breezy dresses and elegant accessories are sold alongside home decor and gifts. Print dresses by Ciebon, Shiraleah quilted totes, and Amelia Island–themed candles and tea towels satisfy the fashionista and the guest looking for a perfect hostess gift.
Page Turner
Open for 35 years, the Book Loft is an independent shop filled with classic and contemporary fiction, culinary titles, young adult reads, and books on local pirate history. Upstairs houses discounted hardback fiction and some wingback chairs in which to sit and listen for telltale signs of Katherine, the resident ghost.
Coastal Casual
The vibe is laid-back island chic at Lemongrass, an independent boutique packed with handmade leather accessories, men’s and women’s shoes designed for active adventuring, stylish bohemian dresses, and Southern-made jewelry.
Bottoms Up
Home of Amelia Island Brewing Co., the Tavern by AIBC serves elevated pub food like shrimp po’ boys, truffle fries, and crispy Brussels sprouts—and house brews crafted to complement the menu. Indoor dining is bright and airy, but people-watching on the Centre Street–facing patio can’t be beat.
Sweet Treat
The smells waft outside of Fernandina’s Fantastic Fudge, where hand-dipped chocolate confections and marble-slab fudge are made daily. Post-dinner crowds form a line for generous scoops of ice cream served in homemade waffle cones, the perfect meal-ending indulgence and a must-have Fernandina experience.
Rum Running
Florida’s oldest continually operating bar, the Palace Saloon opened in 1903 and survived Prohibition by operating as a general store. Since the ’50s, the bar with the pirate statue out front has served its famous Pirate’s Punch, a secret recipe said to contain up to nine liquors and liqueurs.
This article appears in the Fall 2024 issue of Southbound.
