The holidays are over and many of you have begun your new year resolutions of getting in shape and laying off the carbs … or sweets … or alcohol … or whatever food/drink group is your particular weakness. And we’re here to say WAIT! January is a great foodie month on Amelia Island, and we really want you to partake in it. Besides, it’s a great time to visit the island when the crowds are low. 

Here are 5 reasons to put your January dieting resolutions on a temporary pause and come to Amelia Island.

Sundays with the Salt Sommelier
You won’t want to miss Sundays with the Salt Sommelier held year round at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island. The world class Sommeliers invite you to join them each Sunday afternoon from 3:00-4:15pm in the AAA Five Diamond award-winning Salt restaurant, to sample a new wine region. This is not your average wine tasting, folks. Chef Okan will pair light bites from the Salt Kitchen as well.
$75 per person. Register here. 4750 Amelia Island Parkway

Reef Road Literary Luncheon
Dine on delicious fare at Story & Song Center For Arts & Culture and listen to former actress on “All My Children” (and in multiple films), Deborah Goodrich Royce discuss her new book, Reef Road, a psychological thriller set in tranquil Palm Beach, Florida, and inspired by a true crime! January 12 from 11:30am – 1pm.
$49 (includes Program, Lunch, & 1 Autographed Book) or $74 (includes Program, Lunch for 2, & 1 Autographed Book). Buy tickets here. 1430 Park Avenue

Restaurant Week
Experience delicious from January 20-29 as Amelia Island’s rich and varied culinary landscape gets extra yummy! Restaurant Week is your chance to try that dining establishment you’ve always wanted to with special prix-fixe menus for lunch and dinner. participating restaurants can be found downtown, South Island and everywhere in between. Kick off the week with an opening dinner at Omni Amelia Island Resort and end the week with a closing dinner at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island. Dieting stops now!
$15 lunch. Dinners at $25, $35, and $45.

Winter Sip & Shop
What’s better than shopping? How about shopping and drinking wine! On Friday, January 20, more than 20 downtown retail shops will participate in Winter Sip & Shop where attendees receive an insulated wine cup in Frosty White, wristband, and a map to the shop locations. Registration begins at 4pm in the Pocket Park next to Amelia Island Coffee (207 Centre Street). Sips will be poured until 7pm. Get Ready. Get Set. Let’s Sip & Shop!
$20 per person. Register Register here. Downtown Fernandina Beach

Amelia Island Downtown Tasting Tours
Year-round narrated tasting tours provide guests an opportunity to meet the owners, chefs and bartenders who make the downtown food & bev scene so delicious and fun. Whether you take the Booze & Bites Tour that includes menu samplers and specially created cocktails, or the Cocktail Tour (basically a mobile cocktail party), one thing is for sure… you’re going to have a good time and get a history lesson to boot! Great for groups.
2:30-5pm. Booze & Bites, $89 per person. Cocktail, $59 per person. Downtown Fernandina Beach.

If January events don’t work for you, check out all our upcoming calendar of events here and pack your bags for a future visit!