Still great food however the menu could use some changes and a slightly bigger menu. Crab dip was awesome. My scallops were great. The braised pork belly could use some help. I think I'd prefer risotto over the cheese grits that came with the Scallops & Braised Pork Belly over Grits dish. My husbands fish dish of the day was wonderful and the Peach Bread Pudding was to die for. Waiter was great. Each trip once to twice a year we go the Bretts Waterway restaurant. The typical bill for the two of us is about $200 and includes a drink and appetizer before dinner, dinner with a bottle of wine and dessert. I still miss the Veal with Cherries and Pine Nuts. Please bring this back next year! What an exceptional dish this is.
(4)
Sharon C.
My friend and I enjoyed a lovely lunch here yesterday. We started off with the fried green tomatoes. My friend had never eaten fried green tomatoes but I had and these were some of the best I've eaten. They were battered instead of breaded and it was not a heavy batter; it was light and nicely seasoned. For lunch I ordered the fried calamari salad and she ordered the fish and chips special which was grouper. The fried calamari rings were cooked to perfection! Best I have ever eaten! They had the same batter as the fried green tomatoes which made them so light and tasty. The salad had a Thai peanut sauce poured over top of the calamari which was incredible with great flavor! The fish and chips lunch was nice too. The fish was lightly breaded so you could actually taste the fish and not just breading and the fish was cooked just right. You cannot beat the view at this restaurant. It seems that no matter where you sit you will have a view of the water or the marina.
(5)
Kasey O.
I came here on a Monday night with a large group of twelve people. They accommodated us quickly for such a large group. We were seated in a large back room with a view of the bay. Service was prompt and attentive, our water glasses were never empty, and we were brought anything we asked for very quickly. I got a chance to try the salmon off of someone else in my party's plate; it was delicious and I don't even like seafood. So now you may wonder, well, why are there only three stars? I would give 3.5 if possible, and here's why. I ordered the beef tips and so did my boyfriend. While the sauce, onions, mushrooms, and pasta were wonderful, the beef was not. Many pieces were easily chewable, some melted in your mouth, but 4 of the beef chunks on my plate were fat. Pure fat. Many on my boyfriend's plate were as well. I'm not sure of your beef eating preferences, but I cannot power chew through or swallow fatty meat. So after a pretty exceptional experience, chunk after chunk of meat came up tough and fatty and I had to spit them out. Not so good. I also tried green beans off another family member's plate, which were too crunchy in my opinion. I also felt that for a seafood place, the seafood section of the menu was fairly lackluster. There was a whole lot of shrimp and then some pretty basic fish options, nothing special. Sorry for the novel, folks. Overall, a pretty good experience. The service was wonderful, my food and many others' was delicious, but I was just unhappy with fatty meat, crunchy green beans, and other small details that slowly helped this restaurant to slide down the slope from a 4.5 to a 3.5. If I was from the area, I'd probably come back to give them a second shot.
(3)
Pearl T.
If you want a meal with a view, make your way over to Brett's! The food is consistently good, the service always pleasant but not overbearing, and on a sunny day, the view is definitely something to write home about. You can look out at the shrimp boats and know that you're being served local, wild-caught shrimp. The salads are fresh and crisp, and they're generous on the protein. I also once had their pulled pork sandwich, which was large and filling. The fries were perfectly made, and the coleslaw was crunchy and tangy. Everyone else's orders looked amazing as well - I was told their applesauce is homemade and tastes like it. I took my parents here and my dad ordered one of their lunch specials, a mahi filet with shrimp over rice, which he said was cooked well. I stole one of his grilled shrimp and don't regret it one bit.
(3)
Alex H.
Lunch with 5 of us. Nice room, windows on the water comfortable chairs. Crab chowder app and fried green tomatoes outstanding double order (4 slices) plenty. I had the tomato mozzarella grilled chicken sandwich. It was excellent but was served with battered french fries which were not eaten - too much food and fresh cut would be better. Key lime margarita tasted fresh and well done. No room for dessert.
(4)
Tokyo C.
Get ready to be ripped off. My daughter got the kids shrimp and fries (4 shrimp) and I got the adult plate (7 shrimp) and it cost $25! I feel really jipped. I did enjoy the view but the service was mediocre. She didn't even offer us dessert. Will never return. Not worth it!
(1)
Justin T.
A large group of 12 and I came here during prime dinner time and were seated immediately in a back room that provided a comfortable and secluded feeling. That being said, I never once felt forgotten as my glass was always filled to its brim, the table bread was consistently being replaced, and all of our food was brought out piping hot in under 20 minutes. With all that being said, I still feel like I have to say more to compliment the grace and courteousness with which my group was met. Our main waitress was kind and quick. Being a former waiter myself, I know how demanding and stressful a large group with a baby can be.. I ordered the beef tips. The taste of the broth was excellent and the mushrooms and ricotta made an amazing combination. The beef, however, was like cattle Russian roulette. I'd stick my fork into a piece of steak, put it in my mouth, and pull the trigger with a swift chomp! I was either met by mouth watering, tender steak... Or.... Gag reflex was triggered by some of the fattiest pieces of beef I've ever had. I was really upset because every other aspect of the dish, from the pasta to the mushrooms, was on point and delicious. This 4 star review is based off the fact that the service was more than impressive and that the food had major potential and it could have been an off night for the cook.. Service: 5 Food: 3
(4)
Justin K.
We chose to be seated outside and the view was great as a result! The food were great. We ordered a crab dip starter to share. Then, our waiter brought out two fresh biscuits. A delicious start! For dinner, I ordered the grilled whitefish and my date ordered the chicken cordon bleu. The portions were very big! Each meal came with plenty of mashed potatoes and green beans. Our mixed drinks were also very well made. I really felt like we got our money's worth and left feeling full. The only negative was that our waiter was a bit rude at the beginning, but that may have been because we were taking our time deciding what to order. Oh, well! It's still a very nice place, a bit fancier than we were expecting, in fact. Make sure to walk up and down Centre Street before or after dinner. Great small beach town feel down there and you're sure to get plenty of great pictures.
(5)
Sheila C.
Can't give this place a full review, we went in-between services. They were operating on a small appetizer menu with full bar. We sat outside with a great view of the inlet. The rum punch had a great kick to it! The chips and salsa were average and the peel-n-eat shrimp were fresh.
(3)
C K.
Amazing service! Amazing food! We can highly recommend the dinner at the yacht harbor.
(5)
Liz A.
The sunset in this location is phenomenal!! Billie Jo was our server -- she was great and very attentive. We ate indoors due to tons of bugs. We got crab dip and grits with artichokes, Olives and blue cheese to start! Both starters were awesome! For entree we had beef tips and shrimp scampi. Both entrees were great. Shrimp were fresh and both large portions.
(4)
James H.
great location on the water to watch the sunset if you get the right table outside. food was pretty good, they had the best grits ive ever had, they had cheese in them they were great! service was slow but not terrible. food was cheap too.
(4)
Waheed B.
If you arrive between "normal" lunch and dinner hours, there's a tiny, mini menu with limited choices (chips and salsa, soup, sandwiches--it fits on a quarter sheet of letter paper). It's not that bad since you can still sit outside and enjoy the view of the water and marina. Their shrimp bisque and shrimp salad croissant sandwich are both available on the limited menu and they are delicious. The sandwich is messy if you try to eat it with your hands, and the kitchen leaves the produce (lettuce and tomato) on the side in case you don't want to mess up the butter-laden and mayo-tastic combination of the shrimp salad on a croissant. The servers are polite and the outdoor deck is great; they have high top tables! If the menu had a few more options, the soup had been served at a soup-appropriate temperature (it was kind of cold when it reached me) and the drink refills came a little more frequently, I would see myself giving more stars. I will try them again--they have a great location in this cute little area of town next to numerous beachy kitsch shops.
Stopped in for lunch and ordered their special which was seafood quiche. Not bad, though a little dry and kind of eggy. Sat outside and the views were fantastic! Would recommend this place for sure.
(4)
Robert K.
Way overpriced tourist restaurant. Mahi mahi sandwich was tasteless, shrimp po boy was less than mediocre, and the fact that you can't sub is antiquated. We were visiting from out of town and will luckily never have to suffer thru that again.
(2)
Sabrina H.
We were doing some local pub crawling and stopped in at Brett's too. The drinks were reasonably priced, the bartender was friendly and we enjoyed some boiled shrimp with our drinks. The shrimp was great. We didn't partake in any other food for the evening as we had a reservation elsewhere. Overall, worth the walk to the water.
(4)
Debbi D.
Beautiful marina sunset view. Good food. Had the salmon, husband had the special of grouper. Both really good. Key lime pie was delicious. Good servers and hosts.
(4)
Bree H.
We decided to drive up to Amelia Island on Saturday morning and after wandering around all the stores and seeing the sights were feeling hungry. Luckily we spotted the sign for a cafe across the road and decided to give it try. Now even though this is called a cafe it is actually a wonderful restaurant. For those who haven't been here before it is actually tucked in behind the gift shop which faces the street but what a surprise when you go around the corner and see all the wonderful outdoor seating looking out over the water and boats. There is also plenty of room inside for those who want a cooler spot for lunch or dinner. Our server was wonderful and told us in detail about the daily specials and answered any question we had about the dishes we were interested in. I went with the fried shrimp and hubby had the fried chicken salad. The shrimp were lightly battered and tasted just wonderful - easily some of the best I have had. The little corn fritter were a real surprise - not the normal dough kind but like a creamy mixture in a shell - totally awesome. The fries were also amazing - lightly battered they were crisp and I couldn't get enough of them. I wasn't to keen on the coleslaw - a little too much celery seed for my liking but it was certainly fresh and crisp. Hubby's fried chicken tenders were also light and crispy and he had a wonderful mixture of fresh salad greens, walnuts and apple in just the perfect amount. Our server kept our ice tea topped up even though the place was very busy. It was so relaxing to sit by the window watching the clouds go by and see with wind ripple the water. Definitely the perfect spot for an excellent lunch.
I hate to give a negative review and I usually don't write reviews but I had to about this establishment. We just finished a meal there. My son and I ate here because the views are spectacular of the bay. However I ordered the steak tenderloin tips and 90% of the steak was grissel and fat. Uneatable! At $21 a plate you think I would get better "tenderloin" steak tips than the "99" restaurant. But I have had better steak tips there. I told the waitress and she just brushed it off as that is the "type of meat it is". I didn't know grissel was actual meat?? Really??? She never offered to send it back and have me order something else like most restaurants. It was not a happy ending to our vacation because I couldn't even eat my meal. My 15 yr old son reported his chicken pesto sandwich was very good. Never again.
(1)
Susan A.
We went for a 2pm lunch which is just 30 minutes before they close lunch service. We had an excellent experience despite getting close to closing time. I had the special of blackened fish and shrimp on Israeli couscous topped with some fresh greens and a light balsamic sauce. I all but licked my plate. My son had the salmon with Bernaise sauce and it was excellent also. Our server was excellent! He patiently reviewed the specials three times for me. The view was also beautiful. We will visit often.
(5)
Terry N.
We have been here a couple of times and I am still "not impressed" My 4 or 5 stars are places that I "miss" during the week. Brett's is a nice, on the water, type place, but that's it. The prices reflect the high dollar real-estate space they occupy and even at that its just not "impressive". I had the french onion and salmon dish. It was good. My wife had the calamari salad. Admittedly we came while they were offering only a limited menu (between 2 and 4 or something), but its Sunday, people will be dinning all day. The food was good though, waitress was awesome! Like I said, nice place to visit, but I don't "miss it".
(3)
Rob V.
Short review. View was great 5 stars. Did was meh average at best. Come for the view.
(3)
Symphony D.
We had great food! We started with the spinach and artichoke dip, along with the crab dip gratin. Among us, we had the catch of the day, the BBQ shrimp, crab cakes, shrimp and crab Louie, and I got the seared scallops. The scallops came with cheesy grits, asparagus, and seared pork belly. The scallops were fantastic. The asparagus and pork belly were cooked wonderfully. The cheesy grits were thick and all of it was delicious!
(4)
Jill L.
We stopped by for a sunset dinner while on a short vacation. Pricing was about what we expected for the view- appetizers around $10, dinners ranged $20-$35. The crab dip appetizer was okay at best, but the Mahi Mahi (listed as "whitefish" on the menu) was delicious. We went at the end of May, and it was hot on the patio until the sun finally set, then it was very comfortable.
(4)
Lee A.
Food was ok but a 20 percent tip added on was a ripoff! Won't be back, ever. The waitress didn't refill my wife's drink and the menu was very limited for the shrimp festival. I always tip but not 20 percent for mediocre service.
(2)
Jenn S.
The restaurant has a great water view location. I love the relaxed feel of the restaurant. Food is actually pretty good, nothing high end more of a good diner fare type. I've had their Fried Green Tomatoes, which were crunchy right out of the frier and liked that the tomato had a nice bit to it. The fried shrimp and fried calamari all were good as well. I thought is was funny that our waitress had no idea what I was talking about when I asked for any 12 yr old scotch the bar had on hand, neat. She said nobody orders drinks like that there...huh?! Really?! Still I've only received warm friendly personable service each time I've visited.
(4)
Andrew H.
My wife and I ate here in August 2014. The food, atmosphere (back porch), and service were fantastic. We had the low country boil and spinach queso - and left very satisfied. I highly recommend for couples or families. Great spot.
(5)
Jessica C.
Scallops, pork belly and cheese grits. The best. Took us in right before they stopped serving and were still the nicest.
(5)
Katelin B.
My family and I came here for dinner over other downtown restaurants with better reviews because we just really wanted to be on the water. Not expecting much in regards to food, I was pretty blown away!! The calamari appetizer was topped with a delicious slaw and we ate every last bit. I ordered the salmon entree which came with the best grits I've ever had, avocado, and fresh grapefruit. Wow. I rarely finish my entrees but, disappointingly to my husband, I ate every last bite. Service was pretty good and the view was gorgeous. Definitely recommend, as long as you can sit outside - the inside is dark and really cold!
(4)
Ken L.
Our food was very good and the service was excellent. The view is great. We will be back
(5)
Sheella M.
We went to the Brett's Waterway Cafe Inc our first night in Fernandina. It is located right in Times Square. The restaurant is much bigger that other Brett's Waterway Cafe Inc I've visited around the world. Service was good and the waiter was helpful. I just had a goat cheese salad with pears and shrimp and it was wonderful. The other food coming out of the kitchen looked good, too.
(5)
Debbie I.
We were told by the locals not to go here if we wanted really good seafood. I can't say that's the case. My fish was very good. Generous portion. Excellent wait staff. The problem is that it is way over priced for what you get. Disappointingly so really. We won't return. The view is probably very nice on a clear day.
(3)
Brande V.
Waited on Mother's Day for 2 hours for them to open. Along with about 40 other people. The never opened. There was no sign up saying they weren't going to open. No one answering their phones. Web sites say their open. No one inside. Horrible way to run a business. A lot of disappointed moms.
(1)
Lisa B.
We were looking forward to sitting on the deck & enjoy the view, for lunch. We got there at 11am, but they didn't open until 11:30am, so we walked around the docks. There were several couple waiting, also. At 11:20, we sat at a table thinking someone would come out, eventually, but they never did. Not even at 11:35! So we walked around to the front door & it was STILL LOCKED! And servers were just standing there looking at us! At 11:40, they STILL didn't unlock the doors, so we left hungry & pissed! We'll never go back!
(1)
Ronnetta W.
great location. food was fine but not upscale like I expected. service was really good. prices were a little high. my husband and I had the fettuccine and bbq shrimp. the bartender made a specially requested drink for us that was really tasty. not high on the list of places to visit again. not disappointed but not wowed either.
(3)
Natalie S.
Went on New Year's Eve and it wasn't busy at 8 when we arrived. We were seated and server took a while to come over. The food was awful. Ordered calamari, some flatbread and cheese, and fried green tomatoes. Each one was worse and the bill was outrageous!!!! Then the waitress was flirting with my boyfriend and hovering over our table to let us know it's time to go forty minutes into our service. Terrible!
(2)
mary m.
Amazing view. I got the Carolina Bbq shrimp. It came with grits and greens. The grits were so good and creamy. The greens were simply the best I've ever had. I need that recipe. The shrimp I got about a dozen with a sweet bbq sauce on top. Man o man was tha dish good. My boyfriend got the ribeye. It was so tender. And we both got the shrimp bisque which was very good.
(5)
Kent N.
Outstanding service, beautiful day for lunch out on the deck overlooking the marina. The Shrimp Quiche was absolutely spectacular. It came with a great potato salad and tangy apple sauce all of it homemade in the kitchen. All of these tastes complimented each other.
(5)
Cynthia K.
Shrimp and low country boil bland, the shrimp tasted like cleaning products. Servise good but no apologies for the bad food. Grits good, though.
(2)
Chris H.
You have to go for the view. Go early and get a seat overlooking the marina. Excellent!! The seafood bisque was (5 star) excellent. The grouper special was (4 star) good, as were the sea scallops and ribeye. Service was good. Price was high! Overall a good, but not consistently excellent. And, for the price it should have been consistently excellent.
(4)
Redd C.
Fernandina beach has so many great restaurants. We love Bretts for the ambiance, the thoughtful and potent cocktails and the inspired food. Try the calamari appetizer, the ceasar salad and the ribeye steak dinner. Serious yum.
(5)
Deb C.
Wonderful views! Good service! Had the pork chop topped with chow chow serves on plate of hoppin John... Great southern dish!
(4)
Mia M.
I think I would have liked Brett's better under the following circumstances: -going with a party of four or less -not having a one-year-old with me -in the evening -with several beverages As it was, we had ten people in our party (including two children under the age of one) and were told that it would be a 20 minute wait. That turned into an hour, which gave the two babies just enough time to become displeased with the situation. We were given free appetizers to appease us - nachos and crab dip. Both were very good, although it would have probably been just as nice to receive 25% off our total bill, because Brett's ain't exactly cheap. Whatever. Once we did get seated, I guess everything was okay. I spent most of my time walking my child around outdoors to keep him from melting down in his high chair. Foreseeing his lack of cooperation, I purposely ordered something inexpensive and small - the fried green tomatoes, which were delicious. The goat cheese on top was an unexpected and tasty addition. Everything else that our party ordered looked just as good, but I never really found out because, you know, cranky kid. Truly, I would not bring any child under the age of five here. The view is nice. It kept the kiddo somewhat entertained. There was an older couple sitting outside enjoying glasses of wine as they gazed out over the water. That looked just heavenly and I envied them greatly. There is a lot of seating on the deck area, but as I understand, that's just for beverages only. Probably a good thing, because the grackles are abundant and not shy about hopping on tables for a sample. All that being said, Brett's is probably a wonderful date night spot, so line up a babysitter and hit it up.
(3)
Tamara D.
Had the Grouper--it was the special. The fish was good, but I wished I had gotten the steak instead. I wasn't really in the mood for Asian, and it had that flare with the butter sauce and cashews. Nice atmosphere and the waitress was sweet and pretty fast.
(4)
Alan R.
Been here twice. First time was pretty good. Second time, sober, reminded me of eating in an assisted living facility. Definitely caters to the older population. Decent quality, but lacked flavor.
(3)
Joe P.
Right on the water plus great food - how can you beat that! Be sure to save room for Key Lime Pie - the best I ever had.
(4)
Amy D.
My husband and I came here for lunch before we headed back home. I had the quiche of the day which was a crab and shrimp quiche and it was wonderful! There was a generous portion of both shrimp meat and crab meat. The serving size was good. My husband had a special meatloaf and his was really good as well! Great place to eat. My only request would for them is to add their menu on here. We almost didn't come because we weren't sure what the served for lunch...
(5)
Deborah P.
Five stars for drinks and three stars for food. Great place for a drink - though the signature margeritas were overly sweet. The view is great. The food was nice. The only outstanding dish were the grits - they were the best grits we had on the island. The food was nicely cooked but not worth waiting for.
(4)
Jim E.
Our trip to Amelia Island has been exceptional overall, however most of the dining experiences have been average for the most part. Upon recommendation of Rita, the carriage tour guide, we decided to give Brett's a try. Ahh, finally a really great dining experience. We were able to get a table for two, on Friday evening, although not outside, which you would expect On a busy Friday evening. I knew we were in a special place, when the host seated my wife and I, and noticed my wife had on a black dress, and he immediately retrieved her a black linen napkin as opposed to the white in which adorned the table. Our waitress ( I failed to get her name) was a local and sweet as southern tea. We started the meal with their fried oysters, amazing! Delicately fried in a tempura type batter, but preserved the flavor of the oysters. My wife ordered the Shrimp and Grits ( local Fernindina shrimp of course ) and I have to say, this was some of the best shrimp and grits I have ever had, and I travel the low country often. I ordered the low country boil, complete with sausage, crawfish ( perfectly cooked and not over cooked), local clams and so much shrimp I could not finish it all. Without question this was the best meal we had during our 3 days on the Island. A visit to Amelia Island would not be complete without a meal at Brett's.
(5)
Tara A.
We stumbled on this place while wandering around Fernandina Beach. We were first drawn to the amazing sunset views from the deck, and decided to check out the menu. The menu should be prettier - it doesn't do the food justice! The mozarella and veggie salad that we shared as an appetizer was huge, lightly dressed, and felt very healthy. I balanced that out with simple fried shrimp and coleslaw. The sesame oil on the cole slaw turned a dish that I mostly don't eat into something I couldn't get enough of. The shrimp and fries were delicious. Husband was a fan of his scampi. We got a nice table by the window to watch the boats while we ate, and all in all this place was a pleasant surprise. It's not super cheap, but in our opinion, it was well worth it.
(4)
Georgia L.
Charge for Birthday Cake? Give me a break, we spent over 500.00 for an unexceptional meal and they have to add 6.00 for a birthday pie? The music was awesome and the location beautiful...but don't go there to celebrate a birthday!
(3)
Cara B.
Went for lunch and the service was prompt and all staff very friendly. The food wad delicious loved the shrimp salad it was awesome. Carol the waitress couldn't have been nicer. We are celebrating our friends 40th birthday and Carol brought a fabulous keylime pie on the house. Would definitely recommend!
(5)
Rick K.
Just in for a drink and quick appetizer. Very quiet (it was 3PM last wednesday) so in between lunch and dinner meaning we could grab a prime table outside overlooking the water. View was great and setting peaceful. Place was very clean, service average, drinks the same and tortilla chip app tasty. Can't offer much beyond that since our stop was quick; but a nice place to have a quick drink and enjoy the scenery.
(3)
Margaret L.
Gorgeous water views! Waitress was very attentive. Shared the shrimp scampi and shrimp & grits with my husband. Both dishes were delicious! Excellent restaurant choice for a local experience.
(4)
Kristen M.
The view is beautiful, but the food was subpar. I was only there once and not sure I will return. The service was very slow and it was not busy at all. I got the fish tacos which were pretty average, but we also tried the fried green tomatoes which were terrible. I was so excited since I'm from the South and now live in New England, but they were flavorless, under seasoned and soggy. Our stomachs weren't right for a couple weeks after that.
(2)
Jill C.
Fabulous food: shrimp bisque, creamed spinach and mahi. Excellent wine choices and a beautiful sunset. Our server was charming and attentive. The only negative was the foul mouthed patron sitting behind us.
(5)
John S.
Crab dip gratin was good. The house specialty is the grits which were nearly perfect. The crab-cakes, sirloin, and rib-eye were all fine, but nothing was exceptional. The service is great, the view is terrific, but the prices are a touch high.
(3)
Jeff A.
I had the wedge salad and the fried shrimp. My wife had Gazpacho and the grilled Whitefish. All of the food was good, but the service was just so-so. My wife has Celiac and their menu was clearly marked with Gluten-free items. However, I didn't get the sense that the staff was that familiar with the dishes and their gluten free potential.
(3)
Pascal Z.
A very average restaurant. This was a night out without the kids, and we usually do a "nicer than average" restaurant. However, we were on vacation so we were unfamiliar with the restaurants in downtown Fernandina. My wife chose this place, and there were two strikes that happened within 30 mins of arriving. First, our server was about 25 years old and better suited to a diner than a restaurant trying to be upscale. Sorry, no excuse for poor training and a lack of grace. Second, the peel and eat shrimp was mushy-- made my wife nervous because she ate two. We sent them back. Finally, we wanted an exceptional experience and didn't get one. Very disappointing as we don't get out to eat much anymore. I would say this place has a great view, and would be well suited to larger groups. Maybe a work event, etc with a group that isn't that concerned with a great experience.
(2)
Scott C.
A group of us are boating up the intercostal waterway from FL to MD and so we are having dinner out a lot. We stayed last night in Daytona Beach and did not have the greatest meal but tonight made up for it. Our wait staff was friendly and witty and knew the menu and drink very well. The food was excellent. The shrimp bisque was fresh, the fried oyster app was more of a entree then app and very good. Scallops with grits and pork belly were outstanding. All of the food that came to the table was fantastic. Defiantly a place to come when in Fernandina Beach.
(5)
Orlando A.
Classy, upscale casual place. Great for brunch on Sundays or lunches. Excellent for intimate dinner on the river or for a special occasion. Full bar and wine list. There's dishes in every price range. I love the "Cafe chips", an appetizer that can be a meal. Shrimp is good when it's fresh in season. Shrimp fritters were a let down, too much fritter, not enough shrimp but you live and learn. Key lime chiffon pie is a must. If you go to the bar, ask for Todd, he'll be sure to take care of you. Menu changes seasonally and daily specials can be appealing.
(4)
S M.
Bretts used to be better. It is still a nice place with a great location but everything about it is beginning to seem tired. The printed menus are even tired. I had to borrow my companion's menu because the print had worn off mine. There were five chardonnays on the wine list. They were out of three of them. The iceberg lettuce wedge was nice and fresh (all the salads at our table looked good). But the entrees were variable. Shrimp and grits - way too salty. Scallops - hard to identify the dish as a scallop. Salmon- good. Chicken sandwich - good. Re the policy of an automatic gratuity for a party of 5 or more - this seemed to engender a great ennui in our waitress. Probably a bad idea even in a tourist trap place like this. Wish it was as good as it was years ago.
(3)
Margaret B.
Two visits, both average. We visited in August 2013 and again in December 2013. Consistently average. View is fantastic, too good to miss. My companions reported their food was good; I need a gluten free meal due to celiac disease and struggled on both visits to communicate with the wait staff. Several items on the menu are marked GF but they delivered the wrong meal. It was a very long wait already, so my trusty Gf bar in the purse had to suffice. Second visit I had better luck with a plain beef patty covered with pimento cheese. Pretty good. The chunky apple sauce had chunks of raw apples which was odd. Qualified as "chunky"! But too weird to eat! This is a busy touristy spot, noisy and congested. They added a 20% gratuity to our table of 5 in December which tells you a lot right there.
(3)
Dana D.
On our 20 minute drive east from I-95, we experienced the hood and passed a plant that was dumping cancer into the air. Luckily, Brett's is on the water, offering a scenic view for tourists that have no idea they're breathing in toxins from factories and duck shit. I ordered the chicken and brie salad in a hurry, since the Asian waitress harassed me with her fake hooters at eye level. I was offered a peach vinaigrette, which sounds lovely by default, however when I received it, I was convinced I saw blueberry chunks in there-and the taste was bland. $14 for a plate of lettuce with dry chicken and melted cheese on top. Perhaps I made a mistake in ordering salad, but my boyfriend's fish tacos weren't that fancy either. I did not dare try the carrot muffins they put on the table.::gagging a little ::. To say the very least, this place made me crave McDonald's. And an oxygen tank. And a replenished wallet.
(2)
Kimber L.
We had a party of 5 for a Saturday lunch and was able to be seated right away which was nice. Our waitress was good and attentive to our needs. I thought the lunch menu was a bit slim on the offerings and 3 of us just ordered the cheeseburger....now in my opinion the burger should not be overshadowed by the bun upon which it rests. This bun was huge, with the bun overlapping the burger a good 1" all the way around. It was soo big I peeled half the top and still had too much bread. The fries were fantastic. A friends french dip sandwich looked much more appealing. We did share a piece of the key lime pie which was the best thing on the table.....they gave it to us free because it was too small, but the size was average to me. NO BEER ON TAP BOTTLES ONLY I didn't appreciate that they added 20% gratuity to a party of 5 for lunch either. Nice atmosphere but I'll try somewhere else next time....
(2)
Franklin W.
My wife and I went to Brett's on Friday near sunset. The pictures we took while sitting on the dock were something off a Greeting card. Phenomenal!! We went in and found a nicely decorated place with great views of the harbor and docks from every table. No reservations were needed at this time of year. We had the pimento cheese and flatbread appetizer. I prefer to make my own pimento cheese when I am home, as most any good southerner should be able to do. So I was not thinking they were going to impress me...but I was wrong! It is made fresh by the chef and had an outstanding taste. A perfect start to the meal. My wife and I both had the House salads.They were huge! Too big in fact! But they were very fresh with broad mix of lettuces, carrots, tomatoes, etc and a tangy Balsamic Vinagrette that had great taste. It's just that was so big. I had the Lamb Meatballs with Pasta. My wife had the Shrimp Scampi. Both were excellent! as good as I have had at any place in Atlanta. the portions were huge !! Topped off with Champagne it was a very good meal to end our vacation. I would recommend it and if I am back in the area I would go back. Total price for an app, 2 salads, 2 splits of Champagne, 2 entrees was about $80. A little high but considering the location, view, and quality and quantity of food... worth it! The negatives: Service was slow and at times a little inattentive. I am deducting 1/2 a star ( it was slow but not enough for a full star deduction). The prices were a little high and the menu items mostly Alla cart. Because of that the portions were huge and quite frankly I would have been happy with 1/2 the size of the salad as a side to the entree and 1/2 the size of the Pasta. Plenty of leftovers but no way to keep them on our trip back home so 1/2 star deduction.
(4)
Kimberly W.
After vacationing with my celiac daughter for a week and having been told numerous times the chef understood our situation (but clearly did not), I was naturally skeptical by the items marked GF on Brett's menu. After inquiring about cross-contamination out comes the owner himself - Brett - who also has celiac. Not only is he charming he is incredibly friendly and accommodating. He sent out two special items for us that were GF and not on the menu - delicious! My daughters devoured the salmon which I also enjoyed. I had the buffalo shrimp salad - delicious but not for those gals watching their waist lines (well not every day) and my mother had the seafood enchiladas that were absolutely decadent. Great view, seriously friendly staff and awesome owner!
(5)
Blue H.
Great view, good wait staff. I had the mahi sandwich and it was good and fresh. I asked specifically about the whitefish tacos and whitefish fried fish sandwich. According to the waiter, the tacos were tilapia and the fried fish was swai. I appreciated the honesty on the fish species (even though it wasn't clear on the menu). Started the meal with a muffin which was also good. Price was fair for fresh mahi and a great view.
(3)
Paul T.
Had a very nice dinner here. Nice laid back atmosphere. Excellent service and food. Not sure why the so-so reviews. Probably not a place that would be enjoyable with kids. The price of the food matches the quality of the food which is nice and I feel like many restaurants have a hard time achieving. Would come come again.
(5)
Arlynn W.
On a recent all-girls weekend getaway to Amelia Island, we decided to stop by Brett's for a Saturday lunch after some downtown Fernandina shopping. I have to say that our lunch was quite good! The service was okay, but everyone enjoyed their lunch entrees and those fried green tomatoes with goat cheese - yum! The meal began with a few (1/person) mini carrot-rasin muffins, so-so, but I'm usually not a fan of these types of muffins... Next came those tomatoes, delish! I ordered the shrimp & grits, a wonderful, unique twist on this dish with "grit cakes" and shrimp in a wonderful, savory brown gravy with taso ham & veggies. Two others in our party ordered the salmon entree, which they were delighted with & my little sis ordered the shrimp salad croissant accompanied by their homemade potato chips - also very yummy. All in all, a lovely meal - all dishes were under $15/plate for a nice lunch portion. Again, the service was nothing to write home about but the food made for a nice lunch!
(4)
Matt H.
My partner and I were pleasantly surprised with this place. Great views. Good service. It has an awesome location, but one that screams tourist trap. It was a little overpriced and they did have the dumb touristy items on the menu like gator tail. Instead, I recommend the shrimp, crab cakes and the pork loin were all delicious. I give Brett's an extra star for making a real margarita.
(4)
Bob P.
After a few days at the Ritz-Carlton at Amelia, we decided that we wanted some good, old-fashioned seafood for lunch. Where better than the traditional touristy seafood place on the water with a beautiful view. A fried fish sandwich fresh caught from the nearby waters would be perfect. Needless to say, I was very surprised and disappointed to learn that the fried fish was- ugh- tilapia! We stayed and ate anyway. We started with the hot crab dip, which was good.My wife had a grilled chicken sandwich and I had a salad with fried calamari on top. All were good, but not what we had in mind, and definitely not worth the money. If you want good, locally caught seafood, maybe you can find another place, but this isn't the place.
(2)
Roger P.
We were a little uneasy about this restaurant, but had a very good experience. I can highly recommend the small plate cheese grits with chorizo. My wife had a fresh catch white fish that she described as one of the best fish dishes she has ever experience (she lived in Boston at one time).
(4)
Jason M.
Wonderful seafood. Warm, intimate views. Best sunset viewing. Great staff. A must when visiting the island.
(5)
Jennifer C.
I absolutely love the shrimp n grits with sundried tomatoes and fontina cheese. Great atmosphere right on the pier. Some items seem pricy but I'venever had a bad meal. Great atmosphere.
(4)
Laurin R.
Brett's has a great location on the harbor at the end of the historic main street of Fernandina Beach. The wait was somewhat lengthy for a late lunch in off-season, but I suppose that shows its popularity with the locals! The food was tasty and the service was great. Our group ordered a variety of dishes, starting with the fried green tomatoes with goat cheese (delicious) and hot crab dip. For entrees, we enjoyed the shrimp & grits, fried shrimp plate, shrimp salad sandwich, and the calamari salad. The salad was HUGE and full of lightly fried calamari with a thai peanut dressing. It sounds like a strange combo, but is very good. I would also recommend the shrimp & grits with a red creole gravy. Finally, if you enjoy a nice glass of wine, I'd suggest not getting the house red/white...it's only alright and was not the correct temperature when served.
(4)
Diana M.
Dirty martini was great! Shrimp and grits were great! View is great! Eat here!
(4)
David G.
Had dinner last night , calamari for the app with a napa slaw garnish, and a thai peanut sauce would have liked a bed of fries with it. ny strip for the entree cooked med asked for med rare , desserts were really good, daughter had shrimp scampi with a twist , had spinach, bell peppers , girlfriend had pan seared grouper, service was good. lighting was really low for ambience would have liked a little more light.
(3)
Nicole F.
Great dinner! It was a nice family restaurant on the water. We really enjoyed the basket of fresh warm biscuits with butter before our meal...we enjoyed them so much we paid extra for a second basket!! The catch of the day was a wonderful Chilean sea bass on couscous which was delicious. My family also enjoyed the shrimp & grits, the pub fish & chips, low country boil, and shrimp scampi. They also had a decent kids menu. Overall, it was a very enjoyable atmosphere and meal.
(4)
Kevin B.
Crap dip gratin is good as is the corn and crab soup. The white fish in the sandwich hangs over the bun. It was moist with a great crunch. The slaw is mayonnaise based, which I prefer. The view of the marina is great if you're fortunate enough to get a table outside or with a view inside. I sat at the bar and they were clearly busy so the service was not what you'd expect to place the order, get a nonalcoholic drink refill or get the check.
(3)
Judy C.
View of the wharf is the best part, especially at sunset. Salads are large and can be shared by two people. Food was good but nothing memorable.
(3)
Mona C.
Fantastic restaurant. We were in town for one week and ended up going there 3 different times because every meal was better than the last. They have an outstanding chef. The porch seating right on the waterfront was the perfect setting for our final anniversary dinner before we headed home...with a goreous sunset and orange skies. Loved it!
(5)
Karin F.
Brett's is located on the marina in Fernandina, which is a nice spot for lunch or dinner. A shark hangs, "JAWS" style, out on the pier, which is a nice attraction for the kids. That said, the food was good. It was not spectacular and the beef was actually nicer than the seafood dishes. Though, the seafood was acceptable, just not what I'd expected considering the prices. The fried green tomatoes were very good. That was the standout at dinner. I would suggest lunch here over dinner. We had a party of 9 for dinner and the consensus was that everything was good. But, again, considering the pricing and the location, I expected better seafood. I would recommend eating here. I would recommend the salmon and grits, that was quite nice. The scallops entree was quite disappointing. Otherwise, more simple fish plates or the tenderloin of beef.
(3)
John A.
Great view and location. Food good but a little too buttery/salty for my taste.
(3)
Eric L.
Best place to watch the sunset over the water on the island. The food is awesome, but its a bit expensive for what you get. The menu has a lot of southern influence with things like pot pie, biscuits, and shrimp & grits. It has a very touristy vibe to it. Prepare to pay about $30 per person for food & drink.
(4)
Mandy H.
The service, the food, and the atmosphere here are awesome. I think the menu is slightly overpriced, but no more than it would be in any other town that is like Fernandina Beach. If you're in town for the weekend, it's definitely worth a visit for a nice waterfront dinner.
(4)
Taylor W.
The place has a great view of the water. The seafood is pretty good. Not much more to say... The food is pretty good, but definitely not worth the tab. There are definitely better spots to eat given the cost of Brett's, no matter what the occasion.
(3)
Vince W.
I suppose it was naive to think that such an obvious "touristy" kind of place would be anything special. It was not. In fact Britt's could be put in the dictionary as a synonym for mediocre. I'm talking about the food and service, not the waterside view/location that deserves a better operation. The food is "ok", about on par with Red Lobster, a family place with no pretensions. Red Lobster is a great success as a place where you get what you expect, and at much lower cost. The service was erratic, almost as though the coverage areas for each of the wait staff had not been assigned. Sit on the water's edge for drinks but skip the dinner.
(3)
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Address :1 South Front St,Ste 2
Fernandina, FL, 32034
Sorry, Store hours have not been updated. If you are the owner of this restaurants. Please update the store hours.
Specialities
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Debbie G.
Still great food however the menu could use some changes and a slightly bigger menu. Crab dip was awesome. My scallops were great. The braised pork belly could use some help. I think I'd prefer risotto over the cheese grits that came with the Scallops & Braised Pork Belly over Grits dish. My husbands fish dish of the day was wonderful and the Peach Bread Pudding was to die for. Waiter was great. Each trip once to twice a year we go the Bretts Waterway restaurant. The typical bill for the two of us is about $200 and includes a drink and appetizer before dinner, dinner with a bottle of wine and dessert. I still miss the Veal with Cherries and Pine Nuts. Please bring this back next year! What an exceptional dish this is.
(4)Sharon C.
My friend and I enjoyed a lovely lunch here yesterday. We started off with the fried green tomatoes. My friend had never eaten fried green tomatoes but I had and these were some of the best I've eaten. They were battered instead of breaded and it was not a heavy batter; it was light and nicely seasoned. For lunch I ordered the fried calamari salad and she ordered the fish and chips special which was grouper. The fried calamari rings were cooked to perfection! Best I have ever eaten! They had the same batter as the fried green tomatoes which made them so light and tasty. The salad had a Thai peanut sauce poured over top of the calamari which was incredible with great flavor! The fish and chips lunch was nice too. The fish was lightly breaded so you could actually taste the fish and not just breading and the fish was cooked just right. You cannot beat the view at this restaurant. It seems that no matter where you sit you will have a view of the water or the marina.
(5)Kasey O.
I came here on a Monday night with a large group of twelve people. They accommodated us quickly for such a large group. We were seated in a large back room with a view of the bay. Service was prompt and attentive, our water glasses were never empty, and we were brought anything we asked for very quickly. I got a chance to try the salmon off of someone else in my party's plate; it was delicious and I don't even like seafood. So now you may wonder, well, why are there only three stars? I would give 3.5 if possible, and here's why. I ordered the beef tips and so did my boyfriend. While the sauce, onions, mushrooms, and pasta were wonderful, the beef was not. Many pieces were easily chewable, some melted in your mouth, but 4 of the beef chunks on my plate were fat. Pure fat. Many on my boyfriend's plate were as well. I'm not sure of your beef eating preferences, but I cannot power chew through or swallow fatty meat. So after a pretty exceptional experience, chunk after chunk of meat came up tough and fatty and I had to spit them out. Not so good. I also tried green beans off another family member's plate, which were too crunchy in my opinion. I also felt that for a seafood place, the seafood section of the menu was fairly lackluster. There was a whole lot of shrimp and then some pretty basic fish options, nothing special. Sorry for the novel, folks. Overall, a pretty good experience. The service was wonderful, my food and many others' was delicious, but I was just unhappy with fatty meat, crunchy green beans, and other small details that slowly helped this restaurant to slide down the slope from a 4.5 to a 3.5. If I was from the area, I'd probably come back to give them a second shot.
(3)Pearl T.
If you want a meal with a view, make your way over to Brett's! The food is consistently good, the service always pleasant but not overbearing, and on a sunny day, the view is definitely something to write home about. You can look out at the shrimp boats and know that you're being served local, wild-caught shrimp. The salads are fresh and crisp, and they're generous on the protein. I also once had their pulled pork sandwich, which was large and filling. The fries were perfectly made, and the coleslaw was crunchy and tangy. Everyone else's orders looked amazing as well - I was told their applesauce is homemade and tastes like it. I took my parents here and my dad ordered one of their lunch specials, a mahi filet with shrimp over rice, which he said was cooked well. I stole one of his grilled shrimp and don't regret it one bit.
(3)Alex H.
Lunch with 5 of us. Nice room, windows on the water comfortable chairs. Crab chowder app and fried green tomatoes outstanding double order (4 slices) plenty. I had the tomato mozzarella grilled chicken sandwich. It was excellent but was served with battered french fries which were not eaten - too much food and fresh cut would be better. Key lime margarita tasted fresh and well done. No room for dessert.
(4)Tokyo C.
Get ready to be ripped off. My daughter got the kids shrimp and fries (4 shrimp) and I got the adult plate (7 shrimp) and it cost $25! I feel really jipped. I did enjoy the view but the service was mediocre. She didn't even offer us dessert. Will never return. Not worth it!
(1)Justin T.
A large group of 12 and I came here during prime dinner time and were seated immediately in a back room that provided a comfortable and secluded feeling. That being said, I never once felt forgotten as my glass was always filled to its brim, the table bread was consistently being replaced, and all of our food was brought out piping hot in under 20 minutes. With all that being said, I still feel like I have to say more to compliment the grace and courteousness with which my group was met. Our main waitress was kind and quick. Being a former waiter myself, I know how demanding and stressful a large group with a baby can be.. I ordered the beef tips. The taste of the broth was excellent and the mushrooms and ricotta made an amazing combination. The beef, however, was like cattle Russian roulette. I'd stick my fork into a piece of steak, put it in my mouth, and pull the trigger with a swift chomp! I was either met by mouth watering, tender steak... Or.... Gag reflex was triggered by some of the fattiest pieces of beef I've ever had. I was really upset because every other aspect of the dish, from the pasta to the mushrooms, was on point and delicious. This 4 star review is based off the fact that the service was more than impressive and that the food had major potential and it could have been an off night for the cook.. Service: 5 Food: 3
(4)Justin K.
We chose to be seated outside and the view was great as a result! The food were great. We ordered a crab dip starter to share. Then, our waiter brought out two fresh biscuits. A delicious start! For dinner, I ordered the grilled whitefish and my date ordered the chicken cordon bleu. The portions were very big! Each meal came with plenty of mashed potatoes and green beans. Our mixed drinks were also very well made. I really felt like we got our money's worth and left feeling full. The only negative was that our waiter was a bit rude at the beginning, but that may have been because we were taking our time deciding what to order. Oh, well! It's still a very nice place, a bit fancier than we were expecting, in fact. Make sure to walk up and down Centre Street before or after dinner. Great small beach town feel down there and you're sure to get plenty of great pictures.
(5)Sheila C.
Can't give this place a full review, we went in-between services. They were operating on a small appetizer menu with full bar. We sat outside with a great view of the inlet. The rum punch had a great kick to it! The chips and salsa were average and the peel-n-eat shrimp were fresh.
(3)C K.
Amazing service! Amazing food! We can highly recommend the dinner at the yacht harbor.
(5)Liz A.
The sunset in this location is phenomenal!! Billie Jo was our server -- she was great and very attentive. We ate indoors due to tons of bugs. We got crab dip and grits with artichokes, Olives and blue cheese to start! Both starters were awesome! For entree we had beef tips and shrimp scampi. Both entrees were great. Shrimp were fresh and both large portions.
(4)James H.
great location on the water to watch the sunset if you get the right table outside. food was pretty good, they had the best grits ive ever had, they had cheese in them they were great! service was slow but not terrible. food was cheap too.
(4)Waheed B.
If you arrive between "normal" lunch and dinner hours, there's a tiny, mini menu with limited choices (chips and salsa, soup, sandwiches--it fits on a quarter sheet of letter paper). It's not that bad since you can still sit outside and enjoy the view of the water and marina. Their shrimp bisque and shrimp salad croissant sandwich are both available on the limited menu and they are delicious. The sandwich is messy if you try to eat it with your hands, and the kitchen leaves the produce (lettuce and tomato) on the side in case you don't want to mess up the butter-laden and mayo-tastic combination of the shrimp salad on a croissant. The servers are polite and the outdoor deck is great; they have high top tables! If the menu had a few more options, the soup had been served at a soup-appropriate temperature (it was kind of cold when it reached me) and the drink refills came a little more frequently, I would see myself giving more stars. I will try them again--they have a great location in this cute little area of town next to numerous beachy kitsch shops.
(3)Kaia T.
I have been here a few times with my family and the restaurant location has impressive and gorgeous views. Atmosphere (5/5): The atmosphere is great. The restaurant is centralized in downtown on the water. The restaurant has a fancy atmosphere, but you can come in casual attire. It is great for dinners, especially when the sun is setting for a view of the sunset. The jazz music creates a relaxing ambiance. Service (1/5): The service is not very good. The waiter was ready to take our order after my cousin asked for a kids menu which was not delivered before. I had to ask for a water refill several times. The waiter did not come to our table to check up on us at all. Food (4/5): The food is great. I got a jalapeno infused vodka bloody mary, which was delicious. The iceberg wedge was ok, but nothing special. My main entrée was delicious and generously portioned. I got the salmon served on top of mashed potatoes with avocado and grapefruit. Great restaurant if you are in the area. Good for an intimate date night or large groups.
(3)Gary C.
Stopped in for lunch and ordered their special which was seafood quiche. Not bad, though a little dry and kind of eggy. Sat outside and the views were fantastic! Would recommend this place for sure.
(4)Robert K.
Way overpriced tourist restaurant. Mahi mahi sandwich was tasteless, shrimp po boy was less than mediocre, and the fact that you can't sub is antiquated. We were visiting from out of town and will luckily never have to suffer thru that again.
(2)Sabrina H.
We were doing some local pub crawling and stopped in at Brett's too. The drinks were reasonably priced, the bartender was friendly and we enjoyed some boiled shrimp with our drinks. The shrimp was great. We didn't partake in any other food for the evening as we had a reservation elsewhere. Overall, worth the walk to the water.
(4)Debbi D.
Beautiful marina sunset view. Good food. Had the salmon, husband had the special of grouper. Both really good. Key lime pie was delicious. Good servers and hosts.
(4)Bree H.
We decided to drive up to Amelia Island on Saturday morning and after wandering around all the stores and seeing the sights were feeling hungry. Luckily we spotted the sign for a cafe across the road and decided to give it try. Now even though this is called a cafe it is actually a wonderful restaurant. For those who haven't been here before it is actually tucked in behind the gift shop which faces the street but what a surprise when you go around the corner and see all the wonderful outdoor seating looking out over the water and boats. There is also plenty of room inside for those who want a cooler spot for lunch or dinner. Our server was wonderful and told us in detail about the daily specials and answered any question we had about the dishes we were interested in. I went with the fried shrimp and hubby had the fried chicken salad. The shrimp were lightly battered and tasted just wonderful - easily some of the best I have had. The little corn fritter were a real surprise - not the normal dough kind but like a creamy mixture in a shell - totally awesome. The fries were also amazing - lightly battered they were crisp and I couldn't get enough of them. I wasn't to keen on the coleslaw - a little too much celery seed for my liking but it was certainly fresh and crisp. Hubby's fried chicken tenders were also light and crispy and he had a wonderful mixture of fresh salad greens, walnuts and apple in just the perfect amount. Our server kept our ice tea topped up even though the place was very busy. It was so relaxing to sit by the window watching the clouds go by and see with wind ripple the water. Definitely the perfect spot for an excellent lunch.
(5)Jason G.
My partner and I were visiting Amelia Island for the weekend and wanted to eat somewhere in the downtown area. We went to Brett's Waterway Cafe because it was the only one on the water, but it was a disappointment. It was Sunday lunchtime, so there was somewhat of a wait for outside seating. However, that was not really a problem, since we just walked around the main drag for a few minutes and then came back. Apparently a lot of people left the outside area at once because there were many open tables when we sat down. For whatever reason, the hostess sat us far in from the ocean, and then sat people right after us in the prime areas right by the water. That kind of rubbed me the wrong way from customer service perspective. The service was fine but nothing special. I realize going to a place like Brett's Waterway Cafe is not some fine dining experience, so it was acceptable. My main issue with this place with the bugs. I have no idea where these bugs were coming from or what they were, but they were almost like the little fleas that would latch onto your arms and legs. Both my partner and I were inundated with these bugs, but what was weird was that no one else around us seem to be having this issue. I don't know if they're from the water and so they're normal around here or what, but they made us uncomfortable. We almost wanted to move inside. And then, when we were back in Washington, it's almost like we broke out in hives from where these little bugs but us. That was a constant reminder that we ate at this café, not in a good way. The food was pretty bland and standard. The fried green tomato appetizer had large slices of green tomatoes, which is now how I prefer this dish be cooked. The cornmeal came off, which is probably due to sloppy preparation. They are apparently "known" for their turkey club sandwich, but it was the definition of average. Overall, I don't think I recommend Brett's Waterway Cafe for the food, and I don't even think I would recommend it for the view, since it's basically just the harbor and not picturesque ocean.
(2)Rachel L.
I hate to give a negative review and I usually don't write reviews but I had to about this establishment. We just finished a meal there. My son and I ate here because the views are spectacular of the bay. However I ordered the steak tenderloin tips and 90% of the steak was grissel and fat. Uneatable! At $21 a plate you think I would get better "tenderloin" steak tips than the "99" restaurant. But I have had better steak tips there. I told the waitress and she just brushed it off as that is the "type of meat it is". I didn't know grissel was actual meat?? Really??? She never offered to send it back and have me order something else like most restaurants. It was not a happy ending to our vacation because I couldn't even eat my meal. My 15 yr old son reported his chicken pesto sandwich was very good. Never again.
(1)Susan A.
We went for a 2pm lunch which is just 30 minutes before they close lunch service. We had an excellent experience despite getting close to closing time. I had the special of blackened fish and shrimp on Israeli couscous topped with some fresh greens and a light balsamic sauce. I all but licked my plate. My son had the salmon with Bernaise sauce and it was excellent also. Our server was excellent! He patiently reviewed the specials three times for me. The view was also beautiful. We will visit often.
(5)Terry N.
We have been here a couple of times and I am still "not impressed" My 4 or 5 stars are places that I "miss" during the week. Brett's is a nice, on the water, type place, but that's it. The prices reflect the high dollar real-estate space they occupy and even at that its just not "impressive". I had the french onion and salmon dish. It was good. My wife had the calamari salad. Admittedly we came while they were offering only a limited menu (between 2 and 4 or something), but its Sunday, people will be dinning all day. The food was good though, waitress was awesome! Like I said, nice place to visit, but I don't "miss it".
(3)Rob V.
Short review. View was great 5 stars. Did was meh average at best. Come for the view.
(3)Symphony D.
We had great food! We started with the spinach and artichoke dip, along with the crab dip gratin. Among us, we had the catch of the day, the BBQ shrimp, crab cakes, shrimp and crab Louie, and I got the seared scallops. The scallops came with cheesy grits, asparagus, and seared pork belly. The scallops were fantastic. The asparagus and pork belly were cooked wonderfully. The cheesy grits were thick and all of it was delicious!
(4)Jill L.
We stopped by for a sunset dinner while on a short vacation. Pricing was about what we expected for the view- appetizers around $10, dinners ranged $20-$35. The crab dip appetizer was okay at best, but the Mahi Mahi (listed as "whitefish" on the menu) was delicious. We went at the end of May, and it was hot on the patio until the sun finally set, then it was very comfortable.
(4)Lee A.
Food was ok but a 20 percent tip added on was a ripoff! Won't be back, ever. The waitress didn't refill my wife's drink and the menu was very limited for the shrimp festival. I always tip but not 20 percent for mediocre service.
(2)Jenn S.
The restaurant has a great water view location. I love the relaxed feel of the restaurant. Food is actually pretty good, nothing high end more of a good diner fare type. I've had their Fried Green Tomatoes, which were crunchy right out of the frier and liked that the tomato had a nice bit to it. The fried shrimp and fried calamari all were good as well. I thought is was funny that our waitress had no idea what I was talking about when I asked for any 12 yr old scotch the bar had on hand, neat. She said nobody orders drinks like that there...huh?! Really?! Still I've only received warm friendly personable service each time I've visited.
(4)Andrew H.
My wife and I ate here in August 2014. The food, atmosphere (back porch), and service were fantastic. We had the low country boil and spinach queso - and left very satisfied. I highly recommend for couples or families. Great spot.
(5)Jessica C.
Scallops, pork belly and cheese grits. The best. Took us in right before they stopped serving and were still the nicest.
(5)Katelin B.
My family and I came here for dinner over other downtown restaurants with better reviews because we just really wanted to be on the water. Not expecting much in regards to food, I was pretty blown away!! The calamari appetizer was topped with a delicious slaw and we ate every last bit. I ordered the salmon entree which came with the best grits I've ever had, avocado, and fresh grapefruit. Wow. I rarely finish my entrees but, disappointingly to my husband, I ate every last bite. Service was pretty good and the view was gorgeous. Definitely recommend, as long as you can sit outside - the inside is dark and really cold!
(4)Ken L.
Our food was very good and the service was excellent. The view is great. We will be back
(5)Sheella M.
We went to the Brett's Waterway Cafe Inc our first night in Fernandina. It is located right in Times Square. The restaurant is much bigger that other Brett's Waterway Cafe Inc I've visited around the world. Service was good and the waiter was helpful. I just had a goat cheese salad with pears and shrimp and it was wonderful. The other food coming out of the kitchen looked good, too.
(5)Debbie I.
We were told by the locals not to go here if we wanted really good seafood. I can't say that's the case. My fish was very good. Generous portion. Excellent wait staff. The problem is that it is way over priced for what you get. Disappointingly so really. We won't return. The view is probably very nice on a clear day.
(3)Brande V.
Waited on Mother's Day for 2 hours for them to open. Along with about 40 other people. The never opened. There was no sign up saying they weren't going to open. No one answering their phones. Web sites say their open. No one inside. Horrible way to run a business. A lot of disappointed moms.
(1)Lisa B.
We were looking forward to sitting on the deck & enjoy the view, for lunch. We got there at 11am, but they didn't open until 11:30am, so we walked around the docks. There were several couple waiting, also. At 11:20, we sat at a table thinking someone would come out, eventually, but they never did. Not even at 11:35! So we walked around to the front door & it was STILL LOCKED! And servers were just standing there looking at us! At 11:40, they STILL didn't unlock the doors, so we left hungry & pissed! We'll never go back!
(1)Ronnetta W.
great location. food was fine but not upscale like I expected. service was really good. prices were a little high. my husband and I had the fettuccine and bbq shrimp. the bartender made a specially requested drink for us that was really tasty. not high on the list of places to visit again. not disappointed but not wowed either.
(3)Natalie S.
Went on New Year's Eve and it wasn't busy at 8 when we arrived. We were seated and server took a while to come over. The food was awful. Ordered calamari, some flatbread and cheese, and fried green tomatoes. Each one was worse and the bill was outrageous!!!! Then the waitress was flirting with my boyfriend and hovering over our table to let us know it's time to go forty minutes into our service. Terrible!
(2)mary m.
Amazing view. I got the Carolina Bbq shrimp. It came with grits and greens. The grits were so good and creamy. The greens were simply the best I've ever had. I need that recipe. The shrimp I got about a dozen with a sweet bbq sauce on top. Man o man was tha dish good. My boyfriend got the ribeye. It was so tender. And we both got the shrimp bisque which was very good.
(5)Kent N.
Outstanding service, beautiful day for lunch out on the deck overlooking the marina. The Shrimp Quiche was absolutely spectacular. It came with a great potato salad and tangy apple sauce all of it homemade in the kitchen. All of these tastes complimented each other.
(5)Cynthia K.
Shrimp and low country boil bland, the shrimp tasted like cleaning products. Servise good but no apologies for the bad food. Grits good, though.
(2)Chris H.
You have to go for the view. Go early and get a seat overlooking the marina. Excellent!! The seafood bisque was (5 star) excellent. The grouper special was (4 star) good, as were the sea scallops and ribeye. Service was good. Price was high! Overall a good, but not consistently excellent. And, for the price it should have been consistently excellent.
(4)Redd C.
Fernandina beach has so many great restaurants. We love Bretts for the ambiance, the thoughtful and potent cocktails and the inspired food. Try the calamari appetizer, the ceasar salad and the ribeye steak dinner. Serious yum.
(5)Deb C.
Wonderful views! Good service! Had the pork chop topped with chow chow serves on plate of hoppin John... Great southern dish!
(4)Mia M.
I think I would have liked Brett's better under the following circumstances: -going with a party of four or less -not having a one-year-old with me -in the evening -with several beverages As it was, we had ten people in our party (including two children under the age of one) and were told that it would be a 20 minute wait. That turned into an hour, which gave the two babies just enough time to become displeased with the situation. We were given free appetizers to appease us - nachos and crab dip. Both were very good, although it would have probably been just as nice to receive 25% off our total bill, because Brett's ain't exactly cheap. Whatever. Once we did get seated, I guess everything was okay. I spent most of my time walking my child around outdoors to keep him from melting down in his high chair. Foreseeing his lack of cooperation, I purposely ordered something inexpensive and small - the fried green tomatoes, which were delicious. The goat cheese on top was an unexpected and tasty addition. Everything else that our party ordered looked just as good, but I never really found out because, you know, cranky kid. Truly, I would not bring any child under the age of five here. The view is nice. It kept the kiddo somewhat entertained. There was an older couple sitting outside enjoying glasses of wine as they gazed out over the water. That looked just heavenly and I envied them greatly. There is a lot of seating on the deck area, but as I understand, that's just for beverages only. Probably a good thing, because the grackles are abundant and not shy about hopping on tables for a sample. All that being said, Brett's is probably a wonderful date night spot, so line up a babysitter and hit it up.
(3)Tamara D.
Had the Grouper--it was the special. The fish was good, but I wished I had gotten the steak instead. I wasn't really in the mood for Asian, and it had that flare with the butter sauce and cashews. Nice atmosphere and the waitress was sweet and pretty fast.
(4)Alan R.
Been here twice. First time was pretty good. Second time, sober, reminded me of eating in an assisted living facility. Definitely caters to the older population. Decent quality, but lacked flavor.
(3)Joe P.
Right on the water plus great food - how can you beat that! Be sure to save room for Key Lime Pie - the best I ever had.
(4)Amy D.
My husband and I came here for lunch before we headed back home. I had the quiche of the day which was a crab and shrimp quiche and it was wonderful! There was a generous portion of both shrimp meat and crab meat. The serving size was good. My husband had a special meatloaf and his was really good as well! Great place to eat. My only request would for them is to add their menu on here. We almost didn't come because we weren't sure what the served for lunch...
(5)Deborah P.
Five stars for drinks and three stars for food. Great place for a drink - though the signature margeritas were overly sweet. The view is great. The food was nice. The only outstanding dish were the grits - they were the best grits we had on the island. The food was nicely cooked but not worth waiting for.
(4)Jim E.
Our trip to Amelia Island has been exceptional overall, however most of the dining experiences have been average for the most part. Upon recommendation of Rita, the carriage tour guide, we decided to give Brett's a try. Ahh, finally a really great dining experience. We were able to get a table for two, on Friday evening, although not outside, which you would expect On a busy Friday evening. I knew we were in a special place, when the host seated my wife and I, and noticed my wife had on a black dress, and he immediately retrieved her a black linen napkin as opposed to the white in which adorned the table. Our waitress ( I failed to get her name) was a local and sweet as southern tea. We started the meal with their fried oysters, amazing! Delicately fried in a tempura type batter, but preserved the flavor of the oysters. My wife ordered the Shrimp and Grits ( local Fernindina shrimp of course ) and I have to say, this was some of the best shrimp and grits I have ever had, and I travel the low country often. I ordered the low country boil, complete with sausage, crawfish ( perfectly cooked and not over cooked), local clams and so much shrimp I could not finish it all. Without question this was the best meal we had during our 3 days on the Island. A visit to Amelia Island would not be complete without a meal at Brett's.
(5)Tara A.
We stumbled on this place while wandering around Fernandina Beach. We were first drawn to the amazing sunset views from the deck, and decided to check out the menu. The menu should be prettier - it doesn't do the food justice! The mozarella and veggie salad that we shared as an appetizer was huge, lightly dressed, and felt very healthy. I balanced that out with simple fried shrimp and coleslaw. The sesame oil on the cole slaw turned a dish that I mostly don't eat into something I couldn't get enough of. The shrimp and fries were delicious. Husband was a fan of his scampi. We got a nice table by the window to watch the boats while we ate, and all in all this place was a pleasant surprise. It's not super cheap, but in our opinion, it was well worth it.
(4)Georgia L.
Charge for Birthday Cake? Give me a break, we spent over 500.00 for an unexceptional meal and they have to add 6.00 for a birthday pie? The music was awesome and the location beautiful...but don't go there to celebrate a birthday!
(3)Cara B.
Went for lunch and the service was prompt and all staff very friendly. The food wad delicious loved the shrimp salad it was awesome. Carol the waitress couldn't have been nicer. We are celebrating our friends 40th birthday and Carol brought a fabulous keylime pie on the house. Would definitely recommend!
(5)Rick K.
Just in for a drink and quick appetizer. Very quiet (it was 3PM last wednesday) so in between lunch and dinner meaning we could grab a prime table outside overlooking the water. View was great and setting peaceful. Place was very clean, service average, drinks the same and tortilla chip app tasty. Can't offer much beyond that since our stop was quick; but a nice place to have a quick drink and enjoy the scenery.
(3)Margaret L.
Gorgeous water views! Waitress was very attentive. Shared the shrimp scampi and shrimp & grits with my husband. Both dishes were delicious! Excellent restaurant choice for a local experience.
(4)Kristen M.
The view is beautiful, but the food was subpar. I was only there once and not sure I will return. The service was very slow and it was not busy at all. I got the fish tacos which were pretty average, but we also tried the fried green tomatoes which were terrible. I was so excited since I'm from the South and now live in New England, but they were flavorless, under seasoned and soggy. Our stomachs weren't right for a couple weeks after that.
(2)Jill C.
Fabulous food: shrimp bisque, creamed spinach and mahi. Excellent wine choices and a beautiful sunset. Our server was charming and attentive. The only negative was the foul mouthed patron sitting behind us.
(5)John S.
Crab dip gratin was good. The house specialty is the grits which were nearly perfect. The crab-cakes, sirloin, and rib-eye were all fine, but nothing was exceptional. The service is great, the view is terrific, but the prices are a touch high.
(3)Jeff A.
I had the wedge salad and the fried shrimp. My wife had Gazpacho and the grilled Whitefish. All of the food was good, but the service was just so-so. My wife has Celiac and their menu was clearly marked with Gluten-free items. However, I didn't get the sense that the staff was that familiar with the dishes and their gluten free potential.
(3)Pascal Z.
A very average restaurant. This was a night out without the kids, and we usually do a "nicer than average" restaurant. However, we were on vacation so we were unfamiliar with the restaurants in downtown Fernandina. My wife chose this place, and there were two strikes that happened within 30 mins of arriving. First, our server was about 25 years old and better suited to a diner than a restaurant trying to be upscale. Sorry, no excuse for poor training and a lack of grace. Second, the peel and eat shrimp was mushy-- made my wife nervous because she ate two. We sent them back. Finally, we wanted an exceptional experience and didn't get one. Very disappointing as we don't get out to eat much anymore. I would say this place has a great view, and would be well suited to larger groups. Maybe a work event, etc with a group that isn't that concerned with a great experience.
(2)Scott C.
A group of us are boating up the intercostal waterway from FL to MD and so we are having dinner out a lot. We stayed last night in Daytona Beach and did not have the greatest meal but tonight made up for it. Our wait staff was friendly and witty and knew the menu and drink very well. The food was excellent. The shrimp bisque was fresh, the fried oyster app was more of a entree then app and very good. Scallops with grits and pork belly were outstanding. All of the food that came to the table was fantastic. Defiantly a place to come when in Fernandina Beach.
(5)Orlando A.
Classy, upscale casual place. Great for brunch on Sundays or lunches. Excellent for intimate dinner on the river or for a special occasion. Full bar and wine list. There's dishes in every price range. I love the "Cafe chips", an appetizer that can be a meal. Shrimp is good when it's fresh in season. Shrimp fritters were a let down, too much fritter, not enough shrimp but you live and learn. Key lime chiffon pie is a must. If you go to the bar, ask for Todd, he'll be sure to take care of you. Menu changes seasonally and daily specials can be appealing.
(4)S M.
Bretts used to be better. It is still a nice place with a great location but everything about it is beginning to seem tired. The printed menus are even tired. I had to borrow my companion's menu because the print had worn off mine. There were five chardonnays on the wine list. They were out of three of them. The iceberg lettuce wedge was nice and fresh (all the salads at our table looked good). But the entrees were variable. Shrimp and grits - way too salty. Scallops - hard to identify the dish as a scallop. Salmon- good. Chicken sandwich - good. Re the policy of an automatic gratuity for a party of 5 or more - this seemed to engender a great ennui in our waitress. Probably a bad idea even in a tourist trap place like this. Wish it was as good as it was years ago.
(3)Margaret B.
Two visits, both average. We visited in August 2013 and again in December 2013. Consistently average. View is fantastic, too good to miss. My companions reported their food was good; I need a gluten free meal due to celiac disease and struggled on both visits to communicate with the wait staff. Several items on the menu are marked GF but they delivered the wrong meal. It was a very long wait already, so my trusty Gf bar in the purse had to suffice. Second visit I had better luck with a plain beef patty covered with pimento cheese. Pretty good. The chunky apple sauce had chunks of raw apples which was odd. Qualified as "chunky"! But too weird to eat! This is a busy touristy spot, noisy and congested. They added a 20% gratuity to our table of 5 in December which tells you a lot right there.
(3)Dana D.
On our 20 minute drive east from I-95, we experienced the hood and passed a plant that was dumping cancer into the air. Luckily, Brett's is on the water, offering a scenic view for tourists that have no idea they're breathing in toxins from factories and duck shit. I ordered the chicken and brie salad in a hurry, since the Asian waitress harassed me with her fake hooters at eye level. I was offered a peach vinaigrette, which sounds lovely by default, however when I received it, I was convinced I saw blueberry chunks in there-and the taste was bland. $14 for a plate of lettuce with dry chicken and melted cheese on top. Perhaps I made a mistake in ordering salad, but my boyfriend's fish tacos weren't that fancy either. I did not dare try the carrot muffins they put on the table.::gagging a little ::. To say the very least, this place made me crave McDonald's. And an oxygen tank. And a replenished wallet.
(2)Kimber L.
We had a party of 5 for a Saturday lunch and was able to be seated right away which was nice. Our waitress was good and attentive to our needs. I thought the lunch menu was a bit slim on the offerings and 3 of us just ordered the cheeseburger....now in my opinion the burger should not be overshadowed by the bun upon which it rests. This bun was huge, with the bun overlapping the burger a good 1" all the way around. It was soo big I peeled half the top and still had too much bread. The fries were fantastic. A friends french dip sandwich looked much more appealing. We did share a piece of the key lime pie which was the best thing on the table.....they gave it to us free because it was too small, but the size was average to me. NO BEER ON TAP BOTTLES ONLY I didn't appreciate that they added 20% gratuity to a party of 5 for lunch either. Nice atmosphere but I'll try somewhere else next time....
(2)Franklin W.
My wife and I went to Brett's on Friday near sunset. The pictures we took while sitting on the dock were something off a Greeting card. Phenomenal!! We went in and found a nicely decorated place with great views of the harbor and docks from every table. No reservations were needed at this time of year. We had the pimento cheese and flatbread appetizer. I prefer to make my own pimento cheese when I am home, as most any good southerner should be able to do. So I was not thinking they were going to impress me...but I was wrong! It is made fresh by the chef and had an outstanding taste. A perfect start to the meal. My wife and I both had the House salads.They were huge! Too big in fact! But they were very fresh with broad mix of lettuces, carrots, tomatoes, etc and a tangy Balsamic Vinagrette that had great taste. It's just that was so big. I had the Lamb Meatballs with Pasta. My wife had the Shrimp Scampi. Both were excellent! as good as I have had at any place in Atlanta. the portions were huge !! Topped off with Champagne it was a very good meal to end our vacation. I would recommend it and if I am back in the area I would go back. Total price for an app, 2 salads, 2 splits of Champagne, 2 entrees was about $80. A little high but considering the location, view, and quality and quantity of food... worth it! The negatives: Service was slow and at times a little inattentive. I am deducting 1/2 a star ( it was slow but not enough for a full star deduction). The prices were a little high and the menu items mostly Alla cart. Because of that the portions were huge and quite frankly I would have been happy with 1/2 the size of the salad as a side to the entree and 1/2 the size of the Pasta. Plenty of leftovers but no way to keep them on our trip back home so 1/2 star deduction.
(4)Kimberly W.
After vacationing with my celiac daughter for a week and having been told numerous times the chef understood our situation (but clearly did not), I was naturally skeptical by the items marked GF on Brett's menu. After inquiring about cross-contamination out comes the owner himself - Brett - who also has celiac. Not only is he charming he is incredibly friendly and accommodating. He sent out two special items for us that were GF and not on the menu - delicious! My daughters devoured the salmon which I also enjoyed. I had the buffalo shrimp salad - delicious but not for those gals watching their waist lines (well not every day) and my mother had the seafood enchiladas that were absolutely decadent. Great view, seriously friendly staff and awesome owner!
(5)Blue H.
Great view, good wait staff. I had the mahi sandwich and it was good and fresh. I asked specifically about the whitefish tacos and whitefish fried fish sandwich. According to the waiter, the tacos were tilapia and the fried fish was swai. I appreciated the honesty on the fish species (even though it wasn't clear on the menu). Started the meal with a muffin which was also good. Price was fair for fresh mahi and a great view.
(3)Paul T.
Had a very nice dinner here. Nice laid back atmosphere. Excellent service and food. Not sure why the so-so reviews. Probably not a place that would be enjoyable with kids. The price of the food matches the quality of the food which is nice and I feel like many restaurants have a hard time achieving. Would come come again.
(5)Arlynn W.
On a recent all-girls weekend getaway to Amelia Island, we decided to stop by Brett's for a Saturday lunch after some downtown Fernandina shopping. I have to say that our lunch was quite good! The service was okay, but everyone enjoyed their lunch entrees and those fried green tomatoes with goat cheese - yum! The meal began with a few (1/person) mini carrot-rasin muffins, so-so, but I'm usually not a fan of these types of muffins... Next came those tomatoes, delish! I ordered the shrimp & grits, a wonderful, unique twist on this dish with "grit cakes" and shrimp in a wonderful, savory brown gravy with taso ham & veggies. Two others in our party ordered the salmon entree, which they were delighted with & my little sis ordered the shrimp salad croissant accompanied by their homemade potato chips - also very yummy. All in all, a lovely meal - all dishes were under $15/plate for a nice lunch portion. Again, the service was nothing to write home about but the food made for a nice lunch!
(4)Matt H.
My partner and I were pleasantly surprised with this place. Great views. Good service. It has an awesome location, but one that screams tourist trap. It was a little overpriced and they did have the dumb touristy items on the menu like gator tail. Instead, I recommend the shrimp, crab cakes and the pork loin were all delicious. I give Brett's an extra star for making a real margarita.
(4)Bob P.
After a few days at the Ritz-Carlton at Amelia, we decided that we wanted some good, old-fashioned seafood for lunch. Where better than the traditional touristy seafood place on the water with a beautiful view. A fried fish sandwich fresh caught from the nearby waters would be perfect. Needless to say, I was very surprised and disappointed to learn that the fried fish was- ugh- tilapia! We stayed and ate anyway. We started with the hot crab dip, which was good.My wife had a grilled chicken sandwich and I had a salad with fried calamari on top. All were good, but not what we had in mind, and definitely not worth the money. If you want good, locally caught seafood, maybe you can find another place, but this isn't the place.
(2)Roger P.
We were a little uneasy about this restaurant, but had a very good experience. I can highly recommend the small plate cheese grits with chorizo. My wife had a fresh catch white fish that she described as one of the best fish dishes she has ever experience (she lived in Boston at one time).
(4)Jason M.
Wonderful seafood. Warm, intimate views. Best sunset viewing. Great staff. A must when visiting the island.
(5)Jennifer C.
I absolutely love the shrimp n grits with sundried tomatoes and fontina cheese. Great atmosphere right on the pier. Some items seem pricy but I'venever had a bad meal. Great atmosphere.
(4)Laurin R.
Brett's has a great location on the harbor at the end of the historic main street of Fernandina Beach. The wait was somewhat lengthy for a late lunch in off-season, but I suppose that shows its popularity with the locals! The food was tasty and the service was great. Our group ordered a variety of dishes, starting with the fried green tomatoes with goat cheese (delicious) and hot crab dip. For entrees, we enjoyed the shrimp & grits, fried shrimp plate, shrimp salad sandwich, and the calamari salad. The salad was HUGE and full of lightly fried calamari with a thai peanut dressing. It sounds like a strange combo, but is very good. I would also recommend the shrimp & grits with a red creole gravy. Finally, if you enjoy a nice glass of wine, I'd suggest not getting the house red/white...it's only alright and was not the correct temperature when served.
(4)Diana M.
Dirty martini was great! Shrimp and grits were great! View is great! Eat here!
(4)David G.
Had dinner last night , calamari for the app with a napa slaw garnish, and a thai peanut sauce would have liked a bed of fries with it. ny strip for the entree cooked med asked for med rare , desserts were really good, daughter had shrimp scampi with a twist , had spinach, bell peppers , girlfriend had pan seared grouper, service was good. lighting was really low for ambience would have liked a little more light.
(3)Nicole F.
Great dinner! It was a nice family restaurant on the water. We really enjoyed the basket of fresh warm biscuits with butter before our meal...we enjoyed them so much we paid extra for a second basket!! The catch of the day was a wonderful Chilean sea bass on couscous which was delicious. My family also enjoyed the shrimp & grits, the pub fish & chips, low country boil, and shrimp scampi. They also had a decent kids menu. Overall, it was a very enjoyable atmosphere and meal.
(4)Kevin B.
Crap dip gratin is good as is the corn and crab soup. The white fish in the sandwich hangs over the bun. It was moist with a great crunch. The slaw is mayonnaise based, which I prefer. The view of the marina is great if you're fortunate enough to get a table outside or with a view inside. I sat at the bar and they were clearly busy so the service was not what you'd expect to place the order, get a nonalcoholic drink refill or get the check.
(3)Judy C.
View of the wharf is the best part, especially at sunset. Salads are large and can be shared by two people. Food was good but nothing memorable.
(3)Mona C.
Fantastic restaurant. We were in town for one week and ended up going there 3 different times because every meal was better than the last. They have an outstanding chef. The porch seating right on the waterfront was the perfect setting for our final anniversary dinner before we headed home...with a goreous sunset and orange skies. Loved it!
(5)Karin F.
Brett's is located on the marina in Fernandina, which is a nice spot for lunch or dinner. A shark hangs, "JAWS" style, out on the pier, which is a nice attraction for the kids. That said, the food was good. It was not spectacular and the beef was actually nicer than the seafood dishes. Though, the seafood was acceptable, just not what I'd expected considering the prices. The fried green tomatoes were very good. That was the standout at dinner. I would suggest lunch here over dinner. We had a party of 9 for dinner and the consensus was that everything was good. But, again, considering the pricing and the location, I expected better seafood. I would recommend eating here. I would recommend the salmon and grits, that was quite nice. The scallops entree was quite disappointing. Otherwise, more simple fish plates or the tenderloin of beef.
(3)John A.
Great view and location. Food good but a little too buttery/salty for my taste.
(3)Eric L.
Best place to watch the sunset over the water on the island. The food is awesome, but its a bit expensive for what you get. The menu has a lot of southern influence with things like pot pie, biscuits, and shrimp & grits. It has a very touristy vibe to it. Prepare to pay about $30 per person for food & drink.
(4)Mandy H.
The service, the food, and the atmosphere here are awesome. I think the menu is slightly overpriced, but no more than it would be in any other town that is like Fernandina Beach. If you're in town for the weekend, it's definitely worth a visit for a nice waterfront dinner.
(4)Taylor W.
The place has a great view of the water. The seafood is pretty good. Not much more to say... The food is pretty good, but definitely not worth the tab. There are definitely better spots to eat given the cost of Brett's, no matter what the occasion.
(3)Vince W.
I suppose it was naive to think that such an obvious "touristy" kind of place would be anything special. It was not. In fact Britt's could be put in the dictionary as a synonym for mediocre. I'm talking about the food and service, not the waterside view/location that deserves a better operation. The food is "ok", about on par with Red Lobster, a family place with no pretensions. Red Lobster is a great success as a place where you get what you expect, and at much lower cost. The service was erratic, almost as though the coverage areas for each of the wait staff had not been assigned. Sit on the water's edge for drinks but skip the dinner.
(3)