The best places to eat are always wherever the locals go. Darien, GA. offers some of the best seafood you can find along coastal Georgia, but you can also grab a fantastic sandwich for lunch or chow down on a Root Vegetable salad for dinner.
As a lifelong Georgian, one of my favorite things to do is visit places in my home state and make a point of finding where the locals eat. This year, we plan to explore coastal Georgia, where you will find a quaint little historic town called Darien. Situated about an hour south of Savannah and an hour north of Jacksonville, Fla., Darien makes a good day trip. Read our Best Reasons To Visit Darien, GA.
Come along with me to tour these five local restaurants in Darien, GA, where the locals meet up for friends, fellowship, and food.
Table of Contents
- Skippers Fish Camp
- B & J’s Steaks and Seafood
- Blue Bay Mexican Grill
- The Lunch Box
- The Canopy Restaurant
Skippers Fish Camp
Want fresh shrimp just scooped from the water? Skipper’s has it. Shrimp boats actually dock right outside their back door. They are located downtown on the banks of the Darien River. There is a public boat dock as well as a floating dock for canoe and kayak enthusiasts.
It is hard to recommend a particular dish because they are all good, but as a shrimp lover, I have to recommend any shrimp dish. Also, the fresh oysters are quite good. Try the peach cobbler with a scoop of ice cream on top for dessert.
Patio seating is highly recommended if the weather permits. The views are great. The service is always friendly, and the food is great. Go a little early to watch the sunset on date night out at Skippers.
B & J’s Steaks and Seafood
B&J’s is a hot spot for the locals. The building hints at a hole-in-the-wall place, but don’t let that stop you. Some of the very best places to find good local dining are in older buildings.
B&J’s are famous for their fried shrimp with a light batter. They come piled high on your plate, so bring your appetite.
Even the desserts are homemade. If you are too full to eat dessert, consider taking it home with you for later, but don’t skip it.
Related places to see in Georgia: Best Christmas Lights Displays in Georgia. See Jekyll Island in Coastal Ga.
Blue Bay Mexican Grill
Tucked neatly away on a side street in downtown Darien is a wonderful, quaint local Mexican restaurant where the entrees speak for themselves. They have a nice outdoor screened in porch for dining al fresco. It is very pleasant when the weather is nice.
Blue Bay is a local gem for when you are craving some good Mexican food. The food, service, and atmosphere will have you coming back for more. It is within walking distance of High Tide Cottage.
Related places in Georgia: Visit Jimmie’s Hot Dogs in Albany, Ga.
Related places in Georgia: Discover Radium Springs in Albany, Ga.
The Lunch Box
Are you in a hurry for lunch? Stop by The Lunch Box, off Hwy. 17 on the north end of town. They are only open for lunch Monday through Friday. Their food is made fresh and served quickly. It isn’t fast food. It is good food fast.
Choose from delicious sandwiches piled high and served alone or with your choice of soup or salad. Skip the sandwich and have soup or salad. One of my favorite things is that you get to choose your own bread. Nice lunch selections at reasonable prices.
The Canopy Restaurant
The Canopy is set within the historic Brown House, circa 1875, right in the heart of Historic Darien, Georgia, just off Fort King George Drive.
This jewel allows you the pleasure of turning your meal into an experience that includes the ambience of a gracefully restored Victorian home.
Currently, The Canopy serves breakfast and lunch daily and dinner on the weekends. Check their website for updates.
The breakfast menu includes a variety of breakfast bowls, including something called pecan-Crusted Salmon Bowl that I hear is pretty darn good. It isn’t every day that you can choose between a Root Vegetable Salad or a Bison Brisket for dinner.
The food is cooked from scratch, which explains why it is so delicious. So, sit back, enjoy the ambience, and visit with your dinner friends at The Canopy.
If you are heading to Florida down I-95 or Hwy. 17, consider stopping in Darien to fill your tummy. You will be glad you did. Leave us a comment and let us know how you enjoyed your meal.
Visit our growing list of places where the locals eat. How do we find these places? Well, let’s just say we need to do some walking to burn some calories!
