Mouth-watering morsels span global cuisines, set against the ambiance of a charming coastal South Georgia destination
KINGSLAND, GEORGIA-OCTOBER 2023-There’s plenty of culinary action in the small but historic town of Kingsland, Georgia, a town located only three miles from the Florida line along Interstate 95 and only a short drive to the Atlantic coast. It’s easy to see why several Kingsland restaurants have nabbed the Georgia Business Journal’s Best of Georgia Award.
Start the day with a caffeine fix at Kingsland’s two coffeeshops, one located within a short drive from the interstate and the other in the heart of the historic downtown. Blue Bridge Coffeehouse (102 South Lee Street, downtown Kingsland, www.facebook.com/BlueBridgeCoffeehouse), named for the famous drawbridge on the nearby St. Marys River, begins serving its craft coffees, breakfast and lunch items and pastries early so it’s convenient for visitors traveling through or pausing to enjoy the ambiance of Kingsland. Espresso Base (909 East King Highway, Kingsland, www.facebook.com/TheEspressoBase) serves both craft drinks and breakfast and lunch entrees from what looks like a tiki bar, so it’s a quick and easy stop. But the expansive yard on the side also invites travelers to stop and relax beneath ancient live oak trees or enjoy the occasional live music and special events.
Breakfast options are plentiful in Kingsland. And varied. Steffens Restaurant (550 South Lee Street, Kingsland, www.SteffensRestaurant.com) not only serves up breakfast dishes made from scratch (also lunch and dinner) but it’s also a treat for the senses. The restaurant dates to 1948 and its history covers the walls. Don’t miss the Southern standard of biscuits and gravy! Over in downtown Kingsland, Chef Wanda Clark stretches the breakfast envelope at Wandaful Things (151 East William Avenue, downtown Kingland, www.facebook.com/WandafulThingsCo), a Best of Georgia Award winner for dishes such as breakfast egg rolls filled with eggs, bacon, onion and bell peppers with a cheese avocado sauce for dipping. Clark loves to bake as well, so save room for one of her pastries.
Lunch may be a global experience or a visit to Southern comfort foods—so much to choose from in Kingsland! The owner of King’s Latin Cuisine (105 North Lee Street, downtown Kingsland, www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090683996783) learned cooking from his Argentina grandmother and diners may enjoy dishes from his home country as well as other Central and South American nations. Moochies Soup and Sandwich Shop (102 Marsh Harbour Parkway, Kingsland, EatatMoochies.com) leans toward traditional American fare with great craft coffees, sandwiches, salads and brunch items.
Want to picnic in Kingsland’s many parks, such as Howard Peeples Park with its hiking trails and Frisbee golf, Veterans Park downtown or Crooked River State Park on the East River? Lunch items purchased at both Wandaful and Moochies make for great picnic staples.
Visitors may enjoy lunch and dinner entrees at Outerbanks Bar & Grill (140 The Lakes Boulevard, Suite H, Kingsland, www.facebook.com/Outerbanks.Bar), another Best of Georgia Award winner, but don’t miss the delectable appetizers that marry well with the restaurant’s many bar-related events. While you’re trying your hand at trivia night, for instance, sample the Frips, chef and owner Nick McCoy’s version of potato chips topped with bacon, blue cheese cream sauce, balsamic and chives. One popular dish is the Shrimp Grand Marnier, fried local shrimp with bacon, Grand Marnier sauce, sliced oranges and diced tomatoes. It’s easy to see why it’s been labeled the “Five Star Dive Bar.”
It’s a win-win situation at Angelo’s Italian Restaurant (1371 Highway 40 East, Kingsland, www.AngelosItalianRestaurantGA.com) for visitors may dine in-house on Italian specialties such as calzones and manicotti or grab one of their innovative pizzas to go. Either way, diners are sure to enjoy this favorite community eatery that’s centrally located near hotels along Interstate 95. Angelo’s been going strong for the past 40 years and filled with locals nightly, which speaks volumes.
Need to satisfy that sweet tooth? It’s not just ice cream at Krazee’s (801 East King Avenue, Kingsland, MyKrazees.com). It’s an experience! You’ll realize this isn’t just any ice cream parlor when walking through the doors and spotting the homemade flooring consisting of comic books. They roll their ice cream creations too, using an ice cream base with gourmet ingredients (you chose), then pile on more sweet goodness and call it Krazee Rollz. Need more enticement? Waffle cone chips topped with ice cream or yogurt and a host of ingredients make up their decadent Nach-Oh!z. But there’s so much more. And yes, it’s another Best of Georgia Award winner.
If you go
Kingsland is home to numerous chain hotels along Interstate 95, all centrally located to Kingsland restaurants and its historic downtown. Kingland’s sister city of St. Marys is a short drive east.