Fun in the Sunrise Grille

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Good food is hard to find. Fabulous food is rare. However, recently, we found phenomenal food on Jekyll Island at the Sunrise Grille.

While vacationing, our family planned on visiting the grille for dinner because we heard that the restaurant has some of the best shrimp on the island. However, one morning, we were looking to eat out for breakfast. In researching, we discovered that the Sunrise Grille is rated as having one of the best breakfasts on the island too!

These reviews were no lie. The French toast was perfect, and the shrimp and scallops at dinnertime were a 10 out of 10. An excellent aspect of the grille is that the restaurant has no offseason, unlike some dining establishments on the island. You can visit the grill in mid-July or mid-January, and you will find fresh, quality food. Even though less than 600 people live on Jekyll, there is enough business from the locals for the grille to thrive all year round.

Breakfast at the Sunrise Grille

Breakfast at the Sunrise Grille was great on so many levels. Not only did they have excellent French toast, home fries, sausage, bacon, ham, pancakes, and biscuits, but they also had an excellent morning atmosphere. The grille sits on the ocean behind the Great Sand Dunes, and a morning freshness overwhelmed us all as the sun rose.

The name Sunrise Grille is spot on because the sun rises right in front of you as you sit facing the ocean. The waitresses were full of morning cheer and accommodating as we decided what to order. You can’t help but feel a new day rising as you sip your coffee and enjoy the atmosphere.

One of my favorite things to do anywhere we dine is to “people watch.” I find that observing people’s mannerisms and interactions with others is fascinating. In addition, watching people tells you all you need to know about a restaurant.

When we arrived at the grill, two police officers were dining for breakfast. Grill owner, Rob Tribuzio, spoke with the officers, and I understood why they would choose this restaurant before they went on duty.

As we ordered our food, a gentleman who owned a piece of property on the island came in for a cup of coffee and a good chat. He sat at the bar and interacted with the employees. When the gentleman left, he seemed happy and upbeat.

More patrons visited the restaurant, but a memorable man came in and threw up his hand to wave at everyone with such a positive spirit. All of the employees responded to the gentleman by name. These are the places I choose to dine, the places I choose to spend my money.

I can think of no better way to begin my morning when the island is still waking. Sean, Jackson, Lucy, and I had a fantastic breakfast experience as we started our adventurous day!

Lunch and Dinner at the Sunrise Grille

Back to those reviewers who said that Sunrise Grille had some of the best shrimp on the island… they were telling the truth. The scallops at the grill were some of the best I have ever eaten. Paired with the shrimp, it may be the best seafood I have ever put into my mouth.

For lunch and dinner, the atmosphere is still casual and calm as you get that relaxed beach vibe. The grille sits adjacent to the Jekyll Island Convention Center. It is no surprise that people attending seminars and classes all day swarm to the grill for lunch and dinner. Do not be surprised if, at lunchtime, you see people lined around the corner waiting to enter the restaurant to eat delicious food and destress from a busy day.

A neat aspect of the Sunrise Grille is that you can be vacationing on the beach with your family, walk from the beach to the restaurant to pick up your food, and then head back to the beach to eat it picnic-style.

The grille has daily lunch and dinner specials with various items, including island-inspired cuisine.

In my people-watching endeavors, I observed that the lady sitting beside us for dinner was a local. She had company staying with her for two weeks. The lady told Rob that she wanted to bring all of her guests to the grill each night of their two-week visit. She explained that there were so many choices to pick from on the menu. Thanks to the specials and the regular menu, her guests would never tire of the food selection.

While at the restaurant, Jackson chose delicious wings.

Sean had more shrimp (he could not get enough from the appetizer; he loved them so much).

Lucy had a burger.

And I had a Mahi sandwich!

We topped the night off with a splendid piece of Key Lime pie.

The Grill, the Owners, and the Staff

The Sunrise Grille is a fun place. The restaurant is small and intimate enough to feel at home, yet popular enough that people are curious. The staff is happy, and the owners are relaxed.

Rob and Brittany Tribuzio opened the grill in 2018 with a vision and years of experience under their belt. It often seems that owners who have worked in the restaurant industry for years and who are not afraid to get their hands dirty have the best restaurants.

Originally from Long Island, New York, Rob entered the restaurant business at 13 years old while working in the Hamptons. Years later, even after the great success of his restaurant, Rob is as happy as anyone to refill glasses and clear dirty plates from tables. Friends, this work ethic is a defining marker of success.

As we chatted with our waitress, Lindsay, we gained even more insight into the restaurant. Lindsay is from Dalton, Georgia (coincidently the same town that the owner, Brittany, is from). She came to the island to attend a nearby university. Lindsay spoke of how the owners and staff have become her family away from home.

Rob and Brittany have stepped in to help Lindsay when needed and fill that familial role as she is on her own many miles from her North Georgia home. Others agree that no matter what position you serve at the restaurant, whether owner, server or patron, you will feel a special ambiance.

If you are visiting Jekyll Island, the Sunrise Grille is a restaurant that you will want to check out. So walk in from the beach, ride your bike to the door, come in your island electric car, or drive as usual, but don’t let the sun go down without dining at the Sunrise Grille!