Four of us stopped in for lunch. We'd been there several times before and when we left this time we said we'd likely not return. The service was "just OK." The food offerings were unimpressive and very greasy/oily and not so healthy. (Example: (The fried pickles were REALLY salty and were SWIMMING in oil!) The selections are uninspired. I was looking for a craft beer or microbrew -- no such thing available. Our seating was not very comfortable. There are many great restaurants on SSI -- a very competitive place for chow. None of us saw a reason to go back to Gnat's.
(2)
Bill S.
Ate at Gnats Landing On St Simons after seeing reviews and seeing crowed last night while at restaurant next door. Food was great except undercooked hushpuppies. Told server but he did not to care- no apology etc,,, - need to work on that but wont keep me from returning for another try. Had the cup of gumbo and Double C platter with grilled Shrimp & Ousters. These were good and grilled veggies and grits were excellent. Price was good but still hung up on server attitude. That is reason for a 4 vs 5 wish i could give a 3,5
(4)
Robert K.
Real good place, very friendly staff. This is a great place to take kids and to see more than the pier area. Fried pickles are a staple, peppered shrimp are delish. Great salads. Great burger. Don't miss it.
(5)
Kayla E.
Food was amazing! Had the veggie burgers (vegan friendly) and sweet potato fries. The burgers would satisfy even a meat eater. They had a great chargrilled flavor. Had the fried pickles. Lightly breaded to perfection. Service was a little slow, but they were very busy and we never wanted for anything.
(4)
Brant K.
Great burger. I suggest the big cheeseburger with pimiento cheese and bacon. Fries are great. Wonderful atmosphere. Would love to come here in the evening, I bet this place is fun. I did have to ask for a refill, but other than that it was a great experience. Definitely will be back.
(4)
Paula P.
We went around 3:30 in the afternoon so it wasn't busy and the service was excellent. I had the Spinach Salad with blackened shrimp which was awesome. The flavors were perfect together (spinach, bacon, red onions, dried cranberries, mushrooms) YUM! My husband had the Shrimp Po Boy which he said was great too! We also had a 1/2 lb of peel & eat shrimp. The only complaint I have is they came after the entrees so I was too full to enjoy them. I'm sure we will be back on our next trip to SSI.
(4)
Dana G.
Love the seafood bar atmosphere, especially the outdoor seating! Service was slow and food was good, but not great.
(4)
Sandra F.
Gnats Landing Bar and Grill is located in Saint Simon's Island in Redfern Village. What I really loved about this place is the decor! It's decorated like an old shack. Very laid back. You have the option to dine in near the bar area if you don't like the humidity outdoors. There is a front patio with a bar and inside the restaurant there is a outdoor (covered with fans and a huge screen tv) dining area with long picnic tables. I love the set up and how open it is. My mom and I sat near the bar area and our waitress was Samelia. She was very attentive and helpful. I couldn't decide what kind of beer I wanted to drink. So she let me a sample, so I ended up getting the Florida Brew Skinny Dip (Draft) for $5.00. What I like about the menu is that it very simple! I think too much is overkill. Lunch, my mom ordered a cup of gumbo ($4.25) and a grilled salmon sandwich (on hoagie roll) with fries ($11.95). I got the half order of the Autumn salad ($9.95)-onions, crumbles of blue cheese, cranberries, walnuts, balsamic vinigerette dressing and added blackened Scallops for $2.00. We got our food within 20 minutes and I couldn't believe how much scallops I got on my salad! WOW! Perfect taste and great flavor. My mom really enjoyed her meal as well. She was alittle overwhelmed with the salmon sandwich. She told me it was too big. But she was not complaining :) Bathrooms are very clean. Colorful and nice decor. Love the Mosaic sink. Overall it was a great experience and I would definately come back!
(4)
Eric C.
Myself and three friends arrived on a moderately busy Friday night. We took a seat at the bar tables and we were quickly handed menus. When the server came by, my friend ordered a drink and put in her food order, to which he replied "I'm only taking drink orders right now" Then the server continued to take our drink orders, and one of my other guests ordered some food. The server took down the food order, despite denying my other friend her food order. I was tempted to walk out right then and there, but we stayed just in case the service may get better. My friend who was denied her food order was brought the Stella Artois she ordered, and the server asked if she wanted a glass with the beer. She responded "yes" however the server did not bring her a glass after 5 minutes had already elapsed. I had to get up and ask a different staff member to bring my friend a glass, and he handed her a PLASTIC cup, claiming they were "out of glasses". Several moments later our original server wanders by and says "oh sorry we are out glasses", which was clearly obvious due to the fact that my guest had began drinking her beer out of a plastic cup. Realizing his errors, the server went to clean a glass, and brought my guest a DISGUSTINGLY stained glass (see picture). The only reason I gave more than one star was that the food was good for the type of venue and price.
(2)
Carol D.
Fried pickles were awesome! Kids and parents all content with meal, great atmosphere. Managed a big group well aside from wait at lunchtime. Our first time, went with seasoned Gnat's fans...
(4)
Barbara C.
We were looking for a place to hang out, eat some local food and have some drinks. We were told Gnats was a good spot and it seemed to be a happening spot when we arrived so we sat at the bar and ordered. I ordered the blackened mahi mahi and seasoned fries. The fries were the bomb they were fried to perfection and seasoned well. The fish was not fresh although they said it was and it wasn't blackened. The server asked how it was and we told her it wasn't fresh or blackened. They took it back and took it off of our bill. We also ordered fried dill pickles and gnats chicken wings. The fried pickles were great they were sliced to the perfect size and fried to perfection. The fried dill pickles came with a sauce they didn't name but it was the perfect combination. The service was great as well.
(4)
Paul M.
This is a great casual place to eat and drink. Live music and open air seating make Gnat's. a great place to visit. Great shrimp and grits. Good service overall. I will be back.
(4)
Robin N.
Food was good! Drinks good, service ok! Kind of a dive, but a good dive. Wait staff very friendly. Very casual dining.
(4)
Andi P.
Just walked out of this place. Sat fairly quickly but waited for a server and no one ever came. Shortly after other customers came in and were seated at a table diagonally from us. They were able to at least get a water. A few minutes later the server went back to their table and chatted then turned to the table next to them and started saying "....well it's the Mexicans in the kitchen... I'll go back there and talk to the Mexicans but I don't know what good it will do because they don't speak English. Then she laughed and walked away never stopping at our table. Now I'm not Mexican, but I found it to be indicative of very bad service and in poor taste.
(1)
Gin G.
Went for drinks n ordered crab balls. Basically crab cakes in the shape of balls. They were gross. Mushy n chunky. N def not fresh. Beer selection was good tho.
(2)
Bonnie K.
Almost a five-star review! Food was great - chicken sandwich was awesome... Fresh, crispy fried white meat on a soft bun. Fried pickles were addictive. Wings were a hit as well. Great service and a very very cool, down-to-earth, relaxed atmosphere. The outdoor seating area felt like an old barn with really beautiful lights strung throughout. Nothing bad to say about the place ... I just don't give five-star ratings very easily... Gnats was close to it, though!
(4)
Kara B.
Absolutely loved this place. Great atmosphere, delicious food, fun servers. Adequately priced. They had an awesome band playing which added to the fun. Our kids only gave it 4 stars because it did not have wifi.. Us parents gave it 5 stars because it did not have wifi. We will definitely eat here on our next trip to the island. Try the shrimp and grits!! We give it .
(5)
Adam C.
Fried pickle chips are the bomb - they are cut nice and thin but are big pieces. Really does seem like chips crossed with fried pickles. I got their friend and grilled swings - really great flavor. Spicy but smokey. These wings I think come lightly breaded fyi. Some of the best wings I've had.
(5)
Reese S.
Nice size crab cakes. My second time there and each time I've been there it has been crowded. It's a nice busy spot. Nice local hangout! They also have drink special.
(5)
TJ D.
Unfortunately we did not have a very good experience. The waiter decided to keep change from each of the bills and then expected a full tip and walked away mad when he did not get it. The beer was good, service was ok, considering, and the blackened grouper was overdone and rubbery. No complaints on the other dishes. Went back a couple days later just for drinks at 10 o'clock at night and no one wanted to wait on us at the table. After 5 minutes, we asked the bartender for drinks, he said the kitchen was closed and started throwing down napkins like he was upset that we were even there so we walked out. Not going back!
(2)
Cristen F.
This place has a great selection of "low country" Southern selections like shrimp and grits and plenty of fresh seafood - and it's all fantastic. The non seafood items are plentiful and delicious. The menu is diverse enough to satisfy any palate. They have managed to successfully create the outside dining experience with enough shade and fans to remain comfortable while eating. Also, most all weekends there is live music. A "must do" when I'm on the island.
(4)
Cindy B.
Great food. Great company - actually a fun place to watch the game beneath the live oak tree on the back patio.
(5)
Kate H.
Our waiter was snotty and missed pretty much all the steps off service. Food was above average quality but the waiter ruined it for me, he was a young brown skinned man with american flag shorts and high dorky socks. I dont know his name because he never told us, just walked up to the table and said, "what would you like to drink." Not even a hello. This is a pet peeve of mine. Greet me, introduce yourself, and tell me the specials or soup of the day, fish of the day, anything at all. Then ask what I want to drink. My husband asked if they had any lagers on draft. His answer was "I don't really know about beer", followed by a blank look. Dude, go find out and come back. Who cares if you don't know, be willing to find out. Our food was good. Hubs had shrimp platter, fries and slaw. I had a mahi sand which and lackluster sweet potato fries, they were soggy. The best part of the meal was the fried pickles, don't miss those! Our finally checked on us to see if we needed anything when our plates were about empty. Terrible service. Good food.
(3)
Ktimene G.
Fun Southern respite from the heat: a casual covered deck with giant fans and a brick patio replete with white lights. Extensive menu with a good assortment of standard fare like pimiento sammies and some delish garlic grits. The charm ends there, folks! We waited 85 minutes for our meal, which was served lukewarm with soggy fries. We had to wave down our server, busboy and even the hostess to get a check. Might be a good spot if plan to spend all afternoon nursing drinks, but until then they will be turning tables slooooowly.
(3)
Mary Locke M.
It's bar food people! Gnats Landing is on par for what I would expect for a beach bar. I was down in St Simons over Labor Day weekend with friends and we wanted to go out on Sunday night. I hadn't had a Sunday Funday in years because I wake up at 5:30 AM on Mondays for my big girl job as I like to refer to it, so I completely forgot that bar bars (places serving booze but no food) are closed on Sundays in the state of Georgia. Hence, we wound up at Gnats Landing. The interior has a fun Jimmy Buffett-esque beachy vibe to it. There was a wait for a table, but we snagged seats at the bar immediately. Like any good tourist, I decided it was my moral obligation to drink frozen margaritas while on vacation. You can't mess up a frozen marg! They were out of wings, so I had fried oysters instead. They were breaded deliciousness to accompany the tequila. The bartenders were friendly. I would definitely go back to watch a Georgia game next time I'm down there. Our fun night out at Gnats Landing was finished off with a cab ride home was $5 (take a hint Checker Cab Atlanta!!!)
(3)
James S.
Nice bar style seafood restaurant. The service was good. Don't miss the big bulldog as you enter. We enjoyed the fried pickles and po-boy sabdwiches.
(4)
Jess A.
The pier is where the tourists go when they visit St Simon's Island (and with good reason, it's a wonderful spot). Redfern Village is where the locals gravitate, and when they are there, their spot of choice is Gnat's Landing. A bit off the beaten path and away from the coastline, Gnats sits in the midst of the Village, easy to stop into as you wander the shops and haunts. Depending on the day you may need to wait a bit for a table on the covered porch (lined with shutters for those pesky hurricanes, otherwise open air year round) because once you're seated it's easy to linger. A golf tournament will likely be on the big screen TVs as golf is the unofficial sport of choice, we discovered, at Gnats. We were invited there by Captain Billy for a beer after he took us out on his shark fishing boat early father's day morning (shameless plug for the wonderful Capt. here: billybeecharters.com ). Thanks Billy for showing us the "other" side of the island. Everybody seemed to know everybody else, at least by sight, and we were welcomed with a local craft beer and a huge basket of fried pickle chips upon arrival. Score one for me, fried pickle chips are my bar food GO to! We listened to the live band out back and chummed up to the local golf aficianados (several mid-level professional players live in the area so you never know who you'll run into) while the kids played outside on the painted bulldog statues (we were in GA, afterall) before dinner. A great time had by all, very relaxed and welcoming. I would not be writing a complete review if I did not mention the missing star - although I was so charmed by Gnats that it hardly matters, I'd go back anytime. The food/drink selection was hit or miss. The front porch spikes lemonades were weak (prompting a quick switch back to beer) and the burger, by all reports, wasn't great. My blackened shrimp salad, on the other hand - excellent. Maybe it's a matter of knowing what's good and sticking to it. Something the locals would know anyway.
(4)
Law Man L.
This place looks like a total dive... and I guess it is. But that should not suggest that the food is lacking. This place is a dusty gem. Come in and enjoy a delicious meal... in a very casual atmosphere with plenty of picnic tables and TVs. And you can sit outside (or inside the covered porch area).
(4)
Damian F.
Excellent spot to hangout...the food is good for the price...and the staff is awesome...every time I come to St. Simon...it's a must that I stop in...if you love oysters...the oyster po-boy is a good choice
(5)
Dennis D.
It's been a few months and I still rave about this place. My Chicagoan brother in law was visiting in the area and we need to get him some country southern home cooking STAT. My wife OD'd on the fried pickles roflmao...Listen. I take my food seriously and when I say this place has me wanting to drive back up from Jax JUST for the shrimp and grits, I mean it. dayum they're good. Reminiscing about their shrimp and grits right after Thanksgiving speaks volumes doesn't?
(4)
Andy M.
The food was good, the fried shrimp were local and delicious. The atmosphere is fun and the waitstaff was here and there. Parking can be a challenge when the Redfern Village area is busy (i.e. any night).
(4)
Jeffrey J.
A great Local Favorite year round, and especially popular with tourists during the season. Extremely beachy feel (even though it's a mile or two from the beach). Great food, served quick, and always with a smile. Picnic tables or inside tables, your choice. Love the fish sandwich!
(5)
Stephen B.
The family met me down here on St Simons and we hit Gnats Landing for lunch. My wife ordered this amazing slaw salad with grilled shrimp and I had the shrimp Po boy. We both loved our food. The pickle chips were a big hit with the kids. My daughter had the shrimp and grits and she loved them. Since it was a Saturday afternoon they had the football game on out on the deck and it was a perfect atmosphere for our food. Service was great too.
(4)
D M.
I left very happy -- and full. Plethora of choices and the ambiance is casual with outdoor covered seating and large TV for football viewing. Older type seating on hard wood but I'm fine with that. Friendly staff. And then you walk back outside and realize you are in a very upscale shopping center-- two odds, but I would definitely recommend this place.
(4)
Lindsey H.
They have the best shrimp and grits! Fun place to go for live music, they usually have a band on the weekends. They situated our large group really well, got all of the checks correct and didn't ever leave us waiting for a drink! We are always happy with gnats.
(5)
Patricia S.
Had the shrimp po'boy. The shrimp was great but the bun was dry and cold. They didn't toast the bread for a HOT sandwich. Too bad because it would have made a difference. I ordered fried okra and still ended up with fries. They brought me my okra, it was ok. I decided to try a fry and it was soft and tasted like a freezer. My daughter was disappointed that they don't serve Dr. Pepper or Mr. Pibb. My husband loved his meal, he had some seafood platter.
(2)
Jeff B.
Onion rings here are pretty good, but if you're looking for anything other than onion rings and beer then look elsewhere. . If the menu says it's grilled then it's cooked on a flat grill (like waffle house eggs). If the menu says it's market priced then don't believe it's fresh. if you want scenery then there are hotter waitresses nearby. But the onion rings are pretty good, so if O-Rings are what you need then come here.
(2)
Bonnie T.
Went for lunch, Food was decent. Lots of salad options. I had one with grilled shrimp, blue cheese and pears. My BF had the grouper sandwich, which he said was good. Service was terrible. She planted us at the table, took our order and it was tough to get her back again. Guys from kitchen brought the food. She never came back and asked how it was. I had to yell to her for the check. Then she never came back with the CC receipt. I had to go up to the bar and get it from her. She's lucky she got a tip at all.
(2)
Andrew A.
Went to Gant's Landing for a group lunch during a business trip. I certainly enjoyed sitting on the porch - which was still comfortable in the summer sun. The server was nice and attentive, but the food was lacking. The fried pickles appetizer was just okay. The pickles were cut too thin for my liking so you got more fried than pickle flavor. The grilled shrimp caesar salad I had for lunch was fine, but nothing to write home about. The people I was with seemed to enjoy their meals so maybe I just ordered the wrong thing. Wouldn't be opposed to trying it again, but not the first place I'd chose.
(2)
Kari W.
Solid Southern Fried food. Food was not outstanding but good, enjoyed family friendly atmosphere. Covered porch with lots of sports on big tvs. Service was friendly and knowledgable, added suggestions for ways we could save money (always appreciated). Fried Dill pickles were good, but wished they were cut a little thicker, half order was plenty for 5 adults. Shrimp and grits was pretty good, but best if you get the shrimp blackened. Grilled shrimp and grouper were very good, but the crab cakes were a disaster. Bready, soggy, and barely tasting of crab. We would probably try some other places before we went back, but the food was decent.
(3)
Erica L.
So glad I stopped here. I needed to kill some time by myself and I was pleasantly surprised to find out that the reviews are right--the staff is very friendly. I didn't feel weird. I felt like a local. The gumbo is delicious and the peppered shrimp is sinfully good.
(5)
Daphne H.
Stopped in for a drink and also sampled their famous slaw salad. It was fabulous and worth the stop just to try. Drinks were tasty as well !
(4)
Janelle S.
Great place for locals and tourists to watch the Georgia games. Huge screen and lots of other small ones. They have a smaller bar area with a couple tables, a larger dining area which is actually a covered deck, and and outside patio with tables and chairs and a tv for warmer days. Some people even bring their own lawn chairs from home to sit outside, watch the games, but still get food and service. Traditional bar food with a southern twist. Good food, drinks, and very good for large groups and the tables are picnic benches that are movable.
(4)
Erick E.
Meh. Not really bad, not really good for all of us except my son, whose chicken fingers tasted really wrong. Nice atmosphere.
(3)
Tori W.
Gnats Landing is fun, casual, laid back type of place. You won't find anything fancy here - no need to worry about attire or if your group will be too loud. And you can bet half the menu is probably fried foods! As a matter of fact, we started with fried pickles (slices, not spears.) The were a treat washed down with a variety of beers! I ordered a fried shrimp po'boy, and side of garlic cheese grits. Both were yummy but not anything over-the-top special! Everyone seemed to be pleased with their orders. I can appreciate a laid back vibe, sitting at picnic tables, with a band playing, and big screens with ESPN on but it wasn't my favorite meal of the trip!
(3)
Jasmine H.
A bit disappointed because I've heard several good things about Gnats. We were seated right away, which is either inside near the bar (a very small area) or basically outside in these covered area with the doors opened with fans. It was a warm, humid night, so the seating wasn't ideal. I ordered The Front Porch Lemonade, one of their specialty drinks. The vodka outweighed the lemonade so it's wasn't so good. The waiter didn't know whether the salmon was fresh or farm raised, so he had to stop in the middle of taking our order and ask. I asked for ranch on the side with my caesar salad (weird, I know) and I got caesar dressing tossed in with the salad. My shrimp and grits were ok, sweet potato fries were not hot, but my boyfriend's grouper was great (earned an extra star). One thing that I noticed about St Simons Island in general.. The water there has a strange taste, even if when you stay at the hotels, you can smell it in the shower. If you're not used to it, it'll bother you.
(2)
Lauren H.
Smells funny inside. I didn't eat here, but I'm not sure I would with the funky smell.
(2)
David P.
Me and the wife were here on a Friday night and felt right at home. They have a full bar, but yet I didn't even see one drunkard stumbling around. It was awesome! I love going to a place where you can relax and not have to worry about people acting stupid. They also had a live band that was playing and it was right on time with the atmosphere. I had blackened flounder and the wife had a shrimp po' boy. They were both excellent! If you're in St. Simons, don't pass this one up!
(5)
Cher W.
Loved this place! Just a cool place to come and hangout. We are putting this on our list of "have to come back real soon" list.
(4)
Barbara N.
Delicious blackened shrimp atop Autumn Salad with walnuts and pears. The place is what you would imagine if you are from New England and are picturing ramshackle shutters, overhead fans and a Georgia sports Bar all entwined!
(3)
Taylor C.
YUMMMM! Best barbecued pork sandwich. It was so tender the pickles, the pork, the bun, the sauce I have never been so in love with pork. They gave me a huge serving of pork too! French fries were great and the fried pickles were thin and crispy. Our waitress recommended the coleslaw it is not a mayonnaise base which I prefer and it had uncooked ramen noodles in it! The spinach salad with scallops looked good and I heard was great! I also heard they have a great margarita! Their menu has everything and anything from fried green tomatoes to fresh healthy salads. You cannot go wrong here! Great food and service. Go at night and sit outside watching the game or stay inside like I did.
(5)
Linda S.
This is usually the first eatery I hit on my way on the island. I love the Fried Green Tomato Cuban. I can't get past it for the other menu items. It is overly filling and a huge sandwich. Service is spotty depending on when you arrive and how crowded. It starts loading up with patrons when it opens @ 11:30 which says something for their food. Love the covered porch with the large screen TV which always has the most current sports event showing.
(4)
Katie H.
Firstly, this is a party joint. Crowded bar scene and loud (but very good) music. Don't go here expecting to be able to have anything resembling a conversation. I think everyone in my party was unimpressed by their food except me. I ordered the mahi sandwich (one of the catches of the day) and it was a piece of mahi and a piece of lettuce on a roll. Luckily it was a perfectly cooked, delicious piece of mahi. Here's the thing, though: I'd seen on the menu that one of their appetizers was served with a "Cajun mayo" and I was really craving a remoulade sauce to spread on my sandwich, so I asked for a side of the Cajun mayo. This, with the mahi, was so so so so satisfying. I don't know why they haven't thought of this themselves and added it to the menu. The combination made for an impressively good fish sandwich. Also tried their "$8,000 margarita", but was disappointed to see that the bartender just poured it out of a cooler, even if it did taste quite good. The front porch lemonade (with vodka and strawberry puree) was a decent cocktail. I think this spot might be best suited for happy hour.
(3)
Ali K.
For some reason, this is always the first place I want to go for lunch as soon as I get on the island. Love it here. Fun atmosphere, friendly service and good food. Love their fried dill pickles... and sweet tea. Since I'm from the north, these are big treats when I go down there :) I really love their autumn and ceasar salads... can't go wrong with either! Also, I'm a big fan of their margaritas served in mason jars. They are amazing.
(4)
Bill S.
Gnat's Landing is beach casual dining in Redfearn Village. You can eat under revolving fans outside or in AC inside; with the summer heat and humidity we chose indoors. Others have raved about the fried pickles; we didn't try them. but we did go for some delightfully zippy shrimp and grits (specifically, blackened shrimp with andouille, grilled ciabatta bread on garlic cheese grits. Tasty and filling, just right with a big glass of ice tea. We also enjoyed the slaw bowl, a crunchy cole slaw (not too sweet) with good, fresh grilled shrimp piled on top. The menu features a variety of sandwiches, from Cubans to burgers, a variety of salads, All dressings are served on the side except for the Caesar ("You'll come to praise the Caesar.") Friendly waitresses keep things moving, and the prices are reasonable. Nothing bad to say about Gnat's. It's a pleasant dining experience, and the bar offers a good selection of cold beverages including some imported beers. We'd go back!
(3)
Marisa K.
This is a great outdoor bar/restaurant with a laid back beachy feel! I went here for the first time this week and had a great salad! The atmosphere is fun and quirky, along with a super friendly staff! We were here on a Tuesday night but the place was full and they had a great band playing. Lots of TV's make a good place for watching sports - it's a great spot in Redfern!
(4)
Russ M.
My name is Russ M. and I approve of this message... Gnat's landing? Hell yeah! I'll keep this simple; Friendly service Friendly locals/patrons Tasty grub (Shrimp and grits!) Good beer What's not to like?
(4)
Julie D.
"Unfortunately, Gnat's has gone down hill. Lunch took an hour and a half and we just ordered salads. Salads were not up to standard. Subpar tomatoes, meager toppings. They were also out of fish at noon. ??? Will not be back anytime soon."
(2)
tony s.
The wings are amazing, not the everyday hot wing, unique and amazing. Service was outstanding. It's rustic no frills but excellent.
(4)
Bernard P.
I've got 6 words for you: Vidalia Onion Pie Order it now, gobble it up, ask for seconds! You won't be sorry and yes, I can't count. F@ck you and your book learnin'!
(5)
Tony L.
Unfortunately we had to wait for over 45 min to get our food. The waitress never once told us why the meals were taking so long. We noticed two other customers complain too. Overheard one waitress tell her customer that she did her job after he complained about the length of time he waited and wasn't even told why. Food was decent but definitely not worth the wait. I guess had the waitresses been more attentive and tried to explain that there was a delay we may have been more understanding. Visited on 5/31/12.
(2)
Mark T.
Great little casual spot. The chicken chili special and the shrimp app were particularly zesty.
(4)
F C.
We ate there today. We had shrimp n grits and the crab cakes. I did not care for the crab cakes at all but the shrimp n grits were really good. Our waitress was not so great... I think she forgot about us because we rarely saw her...
(3)
Guerry N.
Gnats Landing, which opened in 1999 is a Bar & Grill located in Redfern Village near Bubba Garcia's. Both restaurants and owned and run by "Boz" Bostock. Boz's goal was to create a place for beach goers to relax in a "Flip-Flop Friendly" environment and enjoy some good ole' American fare. His menu of daily specials, fresh seafood, salads, sandwiches, fried pickles, Vidalia Onion Pie not to mention the $8,000 Margarita. In the fall this is where all the St Simons Island locals gather for the Georgia Football games. So... if you aren't afraid of having a good time, come on by and give Gnats a try.
(4)
J C.
I would not eat here again. Person greeting us was unfriendly (I think he was a bar side employee) for starters and the table was outside and cold and drafty. The fried pickles were highly recommended so we were looking forward to some new discovery and they were so SALTY we could not eat even 1/2 of them (and I can handle salt, or so my husband accuses) Food was big portions, not pricey, maybe better suited for the poor and hearty appetites of beer drinking college kids. The stars given were for our excellent waiter (soon to be Dad, name ?), very nice person!!! Better places to spend time and money on St. Simons Island!
(2)
Paul M.
This is a great casual place to eat and drink. Live music and open air seating make Gnat's. a great place to visit. Great shrimp and grits. Good service overall. I will be back.
(4)
Robin N.
Food was good! Drinks good, service ok! Kind of a dive, but a good dive. Wait staff very friendly. Very casual dining.
(4)
Bonnie K.
Almost a five-star review! Food was great - chicken sandwich was awesome... Fresh, crispy fried white meat on a soft bun. Fried pickles were addictive. Wings were a hit as well. Great service and a very very cool, down-to-earth, relaxed atmosphere. The outdoor seating area felt like an old barn with really beautiful lights strung throughout. Nothing bad to say about the place ... I just don't give five-star ratings very easily... Gnats was close to it, though!
(4)
Paula P.
We went around 3:30 in the afternoon so it wasn't busy and the service was excellent. I had the Spinach Salad with blackened shrimp which was awesome. The flavors were perfect together (spinach, bacon, red onions, dried cranberries, mushrooms) YUM! My husband had the Shrimp Po Boy which he said was great too! We also had a 1/2 lb of peel & eat shrimp. The only complaint I have is they came after the entrees so I was too full to enjoy them. I'm sure we will be back on our next trip to SSI.
(4)
Dana G.
Love the seafood bar atmosphere, especially the outdoor seating! Service was slow and food was good, but not great.
(4)
Reese S.
Nice size crab cakes. My second time there and each time I've been there it has been crowded. It's a nice busy spot. Nice local hangout! They also have drink special.
(5)
Andi P.
Just walked out of this place. Sat fairly quickly but waited for a server and no one ever came. Shortly after other customers came in and were seated at a table diagonally from us. They were able to at least get a water. A few minutes later the server went back to their table and chatted then turned to the table next to them and started saying "....well it's the Mexicans in the kitchen... I'll go back there and talk to the Mexicans but I don't know what good it will do because they don't speak English. Then she laughed and walked away never stopping at our table. Now I'm not Mexican, but I found it to be indicative of very bad service and in poor taste.
(1)
Sandra F.
Gnats Landing Bar and Grill is located in Saint Simon's Island in Redfern Village. What I really loved about this place is the decor! It's decorated like an old shack. Very laid back. You have the option to dine in near the bar area if you don't like the humidity outdoors. There is a front patio with a bar and inside the restaurant there is a outdoor (covered with fans and a huge screen tv) dining area with long picnic tables. I love the set up and how open it is. My mom and I sat near the bar area and our waitress was Samelia. She was very attentive and helpful. I couldn't decide what kind of beer I wanted to drink. So she let me a sample, so I ended up getting the Florida Brew Skinny Dip (Draft) for $5.00. What I like about the menu is that it very simple! I think too much is overkill. Lunch, my mom ordered a cup of gumbo ($4.25) and a grilled salmon sandwich (on hoagie roll) with fries ($11.95). I got the half order of the Autumn salad ($9.95)-onions, crumbles of blue cheese, cranberries, walnuts, balsamic vinigerette dressing and added blackened Scallops for $2.00. We got our food within 20 minutes and I couldn't believe how much scallops I got on my salad! WOW! Perfect taste and great flavor. My mom really enjoyed her meal as well. She was alittle overwhelmed with the salmon sandwich. She told me it was too big. But she was not complaining :) Bathrooms are very clean. Colorful and nice decor. Love the Mosaic sink. Overall it was a great experience and I would definately come back!
(4)
Eric C.
Myself and three friends arrived on a moderately busy Friday night. We took a seat at the bar tables and we were quickly handed menus. When the server came by, my friend ordered a drink and put in her food order, to which he replied "I'm only taking drink orders right now" Then the server continued to take our drink orders, and one of my other guests ordered some food. The server took down the food order, despite denying my other friend her food order. I was tempted to walk out right then and there, but we stayed just in case the service may get better. My friend who was denied her food order was brought the Stella Artois she ordered, and the server asked if she wanted a glass with the beer. She responded "yes" however the server did not bring her a glass after 5 minutes had already elapsed. I had to get up and ask a different staff member to bring my friend a glass, and he handed her a PLASTIC cup, claiming they were "out of glasses". Several moments later our original server wanders by and says "oh sorry we are out glasses", which was clearly obvious due to the fact that my guest had began drinking her beer out of a plastic cup. Realizing his errors, the server went to clean a glass, and brought my guest a DISGUSTINGLY stained glass (see picture). The only reason I gave more than one star was that the food was good for the type of venue and price.
(2)
Carol D.
Fried pickles were awesome! Kids and parents all content with meal, great atmosphere. Managed a big group well aside from wait at lunchtime. Our first time, went with seasoned Gnat's fans...
(4)
Barbara C.
We were looking for a place to hang out, eat some local food and have some drinks. We were told Gnats was a good spot and it seemed to be a happening spot when we arrived so we sat at the bar and ordered. I ordered the blackened mahi mahi and seasoned fries. The fries were the bomb they were fried to perfection and seasoned well. The fish was not fresh although they said it was and it wasn't blackened. The server asked how it was and we told her it wasn't fresh or blackened. They took it back and took it off of our bill. We also ordered fried dill pickles and gnats chicken wings. The fried pickles were great they were sliced to the perfect size and fried to perfection. The fried dill pickles came with a sauce they didn't name but it was the perfect combination. The service was great as well.
(4)
Gin G.
Went for drinks n ordered crab balls. Basically crab cakes in the shape of balls. They were gross. Mushy n chunky. N def not fresh. Beer selection was good tho.
(2)
Kara B.
Absolutely loved this place. Great atmosphere, delicious food, fun servers. Adequately priced. They had an awesome band playing which added to the fun. Our kids only gave it 4 stars because it did not have wifi.. Us parents gave it 5 stars because it did not have wifi. We will definitely eat here on our next trip to the island. Try the shrimp and grits!! We give it .
(5)
Adam C.
Fried pickle chips are the bomb - they are cut nice and thin but are big pieces. Really does seem like chips crossed with fried pickles. I got their friend and grilled swings - really great flavor. Spicy but smokey. These wings I think come lightly breaded fyi. Some of the best wings I've had.
(5)
Cristen F.
This place has a great selection of "low country" Southern selections like shrimp and grits and plenty of fresh seafood - and it's all fantastic. The non seafood items are plentiful and delicious. The menu is diverse enough to satisfy any palate. They have managed to successfully create the outside dining experience with enough shade and fans to remain comfortable while eating. Also, most all weekends there is live music. A "must do" when I'm on the island.
(4)
Cindy B.
Great food. Great company - actually a fun place to watch the game beneath the live oak tree on the back patio.
(5)
TJ D.
Unfortunately we did not have a very good experience. The waiter decided to keep change from each of the bills and then expected a full tip and walked away mad when he did not get it. The beer was good, service was ok, considering, and the blackened grouper was overdone and rubbery. No complaints on the other dishes. Went back a couple days later just for drinks at 10 o'clock at night and no one wanted to wait on us at the table. After 5 minutes, we asked the bartender for drinks, he said the kitchen was closed and started throwing down napkins like he was upset that we were even there so we walked out. Not going back!
(2)
Kate H.
Our waiter was snotty and missed pretty much all the steps off service. Food was above average quality but the waiter ruined it for me, he was a young brown skinned man with american flag shorts and high dorky socks. I dont know his name because he never told us, just walked up to the table and said, "what would you like to drink." Not even a hello. This is a pet peeve of mine. Greet me, introduce yourself, and tell me the specials or soup of the day, fish of the day, anything at all. Then ask what I want to drink. My husband asked if they had any lagers on draft. His answer was "I don't really know about beer", followed by a blank look. Dude, go find out and come back. Who cares if you don't know, be willing to find out. Our food was good. Hubs had shrimp platter, fries and slaw. I had a mahi sand which and lackluster sweet potato fries, they were soggy. The best part of the meal was the fried pickles, don't miss those! Our finally checked on us to see if we needed anything when our plates were about empty. Terrible service. Good food.
(3)
Mary Locke M.
It's bar food people! Gnats Landing is on par for what I would expect for a beach bar. I was down in St Simons over Labor Day weekend with friends and we wanted to go out on Sunday night. I hadn't had a Sunday Funday in years because I wake up at 5:30 AM on Mondays for my big girl job as I like to refer to it, so I completely forgot that bar bars (places serving booze but no food) are closed on Sundays in the state of Georgia. Hence, we wound up at Gnats Landing. The interior has a fun Jimmy Buffett-esque beachy vibe to it. There was a wait for a table, but we snagged seats at the bar immediately. Like any good tourist, I decided it was my moral obligation to drink frozen margaritas while on vacation. You can't mess up a frozen marg! They were out of wings, so I had fried oysters instead. They were breaded deliciousness to accompany the tequila. The bartenders were friendly. I would definitely go back to watch a Georgia game next time I'm down there. Our fun night out at Gnats Landing was finished off with a cab ride home was $5 (take a hint Checker Cab Atlanta!!!)
(3)
Tori W.
Gnats Landing is fun, casual, laid back type of place. You won't find anything fancy here - no need to worry about attire or if your group will be too loud. And you can bet half the menu is probably fried foods! As a matter of fact, we started with fried pickles (slices, not spears.) The were a treat washed down with a variety of beers! I ordered a fried shrimp po'boy, and side of garlic cheese grits. Both were yummy but not anything over-the-top special! Everyone seemed to be pleased with their orders. I can appreciate a laid back vibe, sitting at picnic tables, with a band playing, and big screens with ESPN on but it wasn't my favorite meal of the trip!
(3)
Katie H.
Firstly, this is a party joint. Crowded bar scene and loud (but very good) music. Don't go here expecting to be able to have anything resembling a conversation. I think everyone in my party was unimpressed by their food except me. I ordered the mahi sandwich (one of the catches of the day) and it was a piece of mahi and a piece of lettuce on a roll. Luckily it was a perfectly cooked, delicious piece of mahi. Here's the thing, though: I'd seen on the menu that one of their appetizers was served with a "Cajun mayo" and I was really craving a remoulade sauce to spread on my sandwich, so I asked for a side of the Cajun mayo. This, with the mahi, was so so so so satisfying. I don't know why they haven't thought of this themselves and added it to the menu. The combination made for an impressively good fish sandwich. Also tried their "$8,000 margarita", but was disappointed to see that the bartender just poured it out of a cooler, even if it did taste quite good. The front porch lemonade (with vodka and strawberry puree) was a decent cocktail. I think this spot might be best suited for happy hour.
(3)
Rickster P.
Four of us stopped in for lunch. We'd been there several times before and when we left this time we said we'd likely not return. The service was "just OK." The food offerings were unimpressive and very greasy/oily and not so healthy. (Example: (The fried pickles were REALLY salty and were SWIMMING in oil!) The selections are uninspired. I was looking for a craft beer or microbrew -- no such thing available. Our seating was not very comfortable. There are many great restaurants on SSI -- a very competitive place for chow. None of us saw a reason to go back to Gnat's.
(2)
Bill S.
Ate at Gnats Landing On St Simons after seeing reviews and seeing crowed last night while at restaurant next door. Food was great except undercooked hushpuppies. Told server but he did not to care- no apology etc,,, - need to work on that but wont keep me from returning for another try. Had the cup of gumbo and Double C platter with grilled Shrimp & Ousters. These were good and grilled veggies and grits were excellent. Price was good but still hung up on server attitude. That is reason for a 4 vs 5 wish i could give a 3,5
(4)
Robert K.
Real good place, very friendly staff. This is a great place to take kids and to see more than the pier area. Fried pickles are a staple, peppered shrimp are delish. Great salads. Great burger. Don't miss it.
(5)
Kayla E.
Food was amazing! Had the veggie burgers (vegan friendly) and sweet potato fries. The burgers would satisfy even a meat eater. They had a great chargrilled flavor. Had the fried pickles. Lightly breaded to perfection. Service was a little slow, but they were very busy and we never wanted for anything.
(4)
Brant K.
Great burger. I suggest the big cheeseburger with pimiento cheese and bacon. Fries are great. Wonderful atmosphere. Would love to come here in the evening, I bet this place is fun. I did have to ask for a refill, but other than that it was a great experience. Definitely will be back.
(4)
Dana K.
Gnat's Landing gets 4 stars for the fried pickles alone. I've eaten other food there, but I can't remember what it was. It was fine, though (I'd remember it if it were bad). I absolutely crave their fried pickles. I've had them at other places, but they never live up to my expectations anywhere else. Extra half star for carrying imported beer...trust me, there are still few places where you aren't accosted by 8 different types of Budweiser.
(4)
Dennis D.
It's been a few months and I still rave about this place. My Chicagoan brother in law was visiting in the area and we need to get him some country southern home cooking STAT. My wife OD'd on the fried pickles roflmao...Listen. I take my food seriously and when I say this place has me wanting to drive back up from Jax JUST for the shrimp and grits, I mean it. dayum they're good. Reminiscing about their shrimp and grits right after Thanksgiving speaks volumes doesn't?
(4)
Andy M.
The food was good, the fried shrimp were local and delicious. The atmosphere is fun and the waitstaff was here and there. Parking can be a challenge when the Redfern Village area is busy (i.e. any night).
(4)
Jeffrey J.
A great Local Favorite year round, and especially popular with tourists during the season. Extremely beachy feel (even though it's a mile or two from the beach). Great food, served quick, and always with a smile. Picnic tables or inside tables, your choice. Love the fish sandwich!
(5)
Stephen B.
The family met me down here on St Simons and we hit Gnats Landing for lunch. My wife ordered this amazing slaw salad with grilled shrimp and I had the shrimp Po boy. We both loved our food. The pickle chips were a big hit with the kids. My daughter had the shrimp and grits and she loved them. Since it was a Saturday afternoon they had the football game on out on the deck and it was a perfect atmosphere for our food. Service was great too.
(4)
D M.
I left very happy -- and full. Plethora of choices and the ambiance is casual with outdoor covered seating and large TV for football viewing. Older type seating on hard wood but I'm fine with that. Friendly staff. And then you walk back outside and realize you are in a very upscale shopping center-- two odds, but I would definitely recommend this place.
(4)
Lindsey H.
They have the best shrimp and grits! Fun place to go for live music, they usually have a band on the weekends. They situated our large group really well, got all of the checks correct and didn't ever leave us waiting for a drink! We are always happy with gnats.
(5)
Patricia S.
Had the shrimp po'boy. The shrimp was great but the bun was dry and cold. They didn't toast the bread for a HOT sandwich. Too bad because it would have made a difference. I ordered fried okra and still ended up with fries. They brought me my okra, it was ok. I decided to try a fry and it was soft and tasted like a freezer. My daughter was disappointed that they don't serve Dr. Pepper or Mr. Pibb. My husband loved his meal, he had some seafood platter.
(2)
Jeff B.
Onion rings here are pretty good, but if you're looking for anything other than onion rings and beer then look elsewhere. . If the menu says it's grilled then it's cooked on a flat grill (like waffle house eggs). If the menu says it's market priced then don't believe it's fresh. if you want scenery then there are hotter waitresses nearby. But the onion rings are pretty good, so if O-Rings are what you need then come here.
(2)
Bonnie T.
Went for lunch, Food was decent. Lots of salad options. I had one with grilled shrimp, blue cheese and pears. My BF had the grouper sandwich, which he said was good. Service was terrible. She planted us at the table, took our order and it was tough to get her back again. Guys from kitchen brought the food. She never came back and asked how it was. I had to yell to her for the check. Then she never came back with the CC receipt. I had to go up to the bar and get it from her. She's lucky she got a tip at all.
(2)
Andrew A.
Went to Gant's Landing for a group lunch during a business trip. I certainly enjoyed sitting on the porch - which was still comfortable in the summer sun. The server was nice and attentive, but the food was lacking. The fried pickles appetizer was just okay. The pickles were cut too thin for my liking so you got more fried than pickle flavor. The grilled shrimp caesar salad I had for lunch was fine, but nothing to write home about. The people I was with seemed to enjoy their meals so maybe I just ordered the wrong thing. Wouldn't be opposed to trying it again, but not the first place I'd chose.
(2)
Kari W.
Solid Southern Fried food. Food was not outstanding but good, enjoyed family friendly atmosphere. Covered porch with lots of sports on big tvs. Service was friendly and knowledgable, added suggestions for ways we could save money (always appreciated). Fried Dill pickles were good, but wished they were cut a little thicker, half order was plenty for 5 adults. Shrimp and grits was pretty good, but best if you get the shrimp blackened. Grilled shrimp and grouper were very good, but the crab cakes were a disaster. Bready, soggy, and barely tasting of crab. We would probably try some other places before we went back, but the food was decent.
(3)
Erica L.
So glad I stopped here. I needed to kill some time by myself and I was pleasantly surprised to find out that the reviews are right--the staff is very friendly. I didn't feel weird. I felt like a local. The gumbo is delicious and the peppered shrimp is sinfully good.
(5)
Daphne H.
Stopped in for a drink and also sampled their famous slaw salad. It was fabulous and worth the stop just to try. Drinks were tasty as well !
(4)
Janelle S.
Great place for locals and tourists to watch the Georgia games. Huge screen and lots of other small ones. They have a smaller bar area with a couple tables, a larger dining area which is actually a covered deck, and and outside patio with tables and chairs and a tv for warmer days. Some people even bring their own lawn chairs from home to sit outside, watch the games, but still get food and service. Traditional bar food with a southern twist. Good food, drinks, and very good for large groups and the tables are picnic benches that are movable.
(4)
Erick E.
Meh. Not really bad, not really good for all of us except my son, whose chicken fingers tasted really wrong. Nice atmosphere.
(3)
James S.
Nice bar style seafood restaurant. The service was good. Don't miss the big bulldog as you enter. We enjoyed the fried pickles and po-boy sabdwiches.
(4)
Jess A.
The pier is where the tourists go when they visit St Simon's Island (and with good reason, it's a wonderful spot). Redfern Village is where the locals gravitate, and when they are there, their spot of choice is Gnat's Landing. A bit off the beaten path and away from the coastline, Gnats sits in the midst of the Village, easy to stop into as you wander the shops and haunts. Depending on the day you may need to wait a bit for a table on the covered porch (lined with shutters for those pesky hurricanes, otherwise open air year round) because once you're seated it's easy to linger. A golf tournament will likely be on the big screen TVs as golf is the unofficial sport of choice, we discovered, at Gnats. We were invited there by Captain Billy for a beer after he took us out on his shark fishing boat early father's day morning (shameless plug for the wonderful Capt. here: billybeecharters.com ). Thanks Billy for showing us the "other" side of the island. Everybody seemed to know everybody else, at least by sight, and we were welcomed with a local craft beer and a huge basket of fried pickle chips upon arrival. Score one for me, fried pickle chips are my bar food GO to! We listened to the live band out back and chummed up to the local golf aficianados (several mid-level professional players live in the area so you never know who you'll run into) while the kids played outside on the painted bulldog statues (we were in GA, afterall) before dinner. A great time had by all, very relaxed and welcoming. I would not be writing a complete review if I did not mention the missing star - although I was so charmed by Gnats that it hardly matters, I'd go back anytime. The food/drink selection was hit or miss. The front porch spikes lemonades were weak (prompting a quick switch back to beer) and the burger, by all reports, wasn't great. My blackened shrimp salad, on the other hand - excellent. Maybe it's a matter of knowing what's good and sticking to it. Something the locals would know anyway.
(4)
Ktimene G.
Fun Southern respite from the heat: a casual covered deck with giant fans and a brick patio replete with white lights. Extensive menu with a good assortment of standard fare like pimiento sammies and some delish garlic grits. The charm ends there, folks! We waited 85 minutes for our meal, which was served lukewarm with soggy fries. We had to wave down our server, busboy and even the hostess to get a check. Might be a good spot if plan to spend all afternoon nursing drinks, but until then they will be turning tables slooooowly.
(3)
Law Man L.
This place looks like a total dive... and I guess it is. But that should not suggest that the food is lacking. This place is a dusty gem. Come in and enjoy a delicious meal... in a very casual atmosphere with plenty of picnic tables and TVs. And you can sit outside (or inside the covered porch area).
(4)
Damian F.
Excellent spot to hangout...the food is good for the price...and the staff is awesome...every time I come to St. Simon...it's a must that I stop in...if you love oysters...the oyster po-boy is a good choice
(5)
Jasmine H.
A bit disappointed because I've heard several good things about Gnats. We were seated right away, which is either inside near the bar (a very small area) or basically outside in these covered area with the doors opened with fans. It was a warm, humid night, so the seating wasn't ideal. I ordered The Front Porch Lemonade, one of their specialty drinks. The vodka outweighed the lemonade so it's wasn't so good. The waiter didn't know whether the salmon was fresh or farm raised, so he had to stop in the middle of taking our order and ask. I asked for ranch on the side with my caesar salad (weird, I know) and I got caesar dressing tossed in with the salad. My shrimp and grits were ok, sweet potato fries were not hot, but my boyfriend's grouper was great (earned an extra star). One thing that I noticed about St Simons Island in general.. The water there has a strange taste, even if when you stay at the hotels, you can smell it in the shower. If you're not used to it, it'll bother you.
(2)
Lauren H.
Smells funny inside. I didn't eat here, but I'm not sure I would with the funky smell.
(2)
David P.
Me and the wife were here on a Friday night and felt right at home. They have a full bar, but yet I didn't even see one drunkard stumbling around. It was awesome! I love going to a place where you can relax and not have to worry about people acting stupid. They also had a live band that was playing and it was right on time with the atmosphere. I had blackened flounder and the wife had a shrimp po' boy. They were both excellent! If you're in St. Simons, don't pass this one up!
(5)
Cher W.
Loved this place! Just a cool place to come and hangout. We are putting this on our list of "have to come back real soon" list.
(4)
Barbara N.
Delicious blackened shrimp atop Autumn Salad with walnuts and pears. The place is what you would imagine if you are from New England and are picturing ramshackle shutters, overhead fans and a Georgia sports Bar all entwined!
(3)
Taylor C.
YUMMMM! Best barbecued pork sandwich. It was so tender the pickles, the pork, the bun, the sauce I have never been so in love with pork. They gave me a huge serving of pork too! French fries were great and the fried pickles were thin and crispy. Our waitress recommended the coleslaw it is not a mayonnaise base which I prefer and it had uncooked ramen noodles in it! The spinach salad with scallops looked good and I heard was great! I also heard they have a great margarita! Their menu has everything and anything from fried green tomatoes to fresh healthy salads. You cannot go wrong here! Great food and service. Go at night and sit outside watching the game or stay inside like I did.
(5)
Linda S.
This is usually the first eatery I hit on my way on the island. I love the Fried Green Tomato Cuban. I can't get past it for the other menu items. It is overly filling and a huge sandwich. Service is spotty depending on when you arrive and how crowded. It starts loading up with patrons when it opens @ 11:30 which says something for their food. Love the covered porch with the large screen TV which always has the most current sports event showing.
(4)
Mark T.
Great little casual spot. The chicken chili special and the shrimp app were particularly zesty.
(4)
F C.
We ate there today. We had shrimp n grits and the crab cakes. I did not care for the crab cakes at all but the shrimp n grits were really good. Our waitress was not so great... I think she forgot about us because we rarely saw her...
(3)
Guerry N.
Gnats Landing, which opened in 1999 is a Bar & Grill located in Redfern Village near Bubba Garcia's. Both restaurants and owned and run by "Boz" Bostock. Boz's goal was to create a place for beach goers to relax in a "Flip-Flop Friendly" environment and enjoy some good ole' American fare. His menu of daily specials, fresh seafood, salads, sandwiches, fried pickles, Vidalia Onion Pie not to mention the $8,000 Margarita. In the fall this is where all the St Simons Island locals gather for the Georgia Football games. So... if you aren't afraid of having a good time, come on by and give Gnats a try.
(4)
M D.
Lunch was casual and they easily accommodated our party of 8 (4 adults/ 4 kids). Food was okay and fit the setting: kids menu, salads, and decent fish & shrimp. In addition to the usual fried fare, they have decent grilled/blackened fish.
(3)
Kelly P.
Make sure the little ones do not fill up on the sweet tea before the meal. Expect copious refills on drinks, chips. New and improved outdoor space was cool with the fans and open windows. Great choice anytime!
(5)
Ann Marie D.
Gant's Landing is a very casual place located at Redfern Village. You can do a little shopping then head over for a bite to eat. They have a good bit of seating, so you should not have to wait for a table. The food is good but nothing to really write home about. There is plenty of parking around the restaurant, unlike many of the places in The Village.
(3)
The Hungry American E.
Go where the real locals go. Family owned and operated by a guy that is island heritage. And everyone on the island has worked here at some point. Cheap beer, good American cuisine. And live entertainment. This place is St. Simons Island.
(5)
Anna O.
My husband and I ate at Gnat's Landing on a Friday night. There was no wait, amazing food, and a perfect atmosphere! Absolutely no complaints.
(5)
Ali K.
For some reason, this is always the first place I want to go for lunch as soon as I get on the island. Love it here. Fun atmosphere, friendly service and good food. Love their fried dill pickles... and sweet tea. Since I'm from the north, these are big treats when I go down there :) I really love their autumn and ceasar salads... can't go wrong with either! Also, I'm a big fan of their margaritas served in mason jars. They are amazing.
(4)
Bill S.
Gnat's Landing is beach casual dining in Redfearn Village. You can eat under revolving fans outside or in AC inside; with the summer heat and humidity we chose indoors. Others have raved about the fried pickles; we didn't try them. but we did go for some delightfully zippy shrimp and grits (specifically, blackened shrimp with andouille, grilled ciabatta bread on garlic cheese grits. Tasty and filling, just right with a big glass of ice tea. We also enjoyed the slaw bowl, a crunchy cole slaw (not too sweet) with good, fresh grilled shrimp piled on top. The menu features a variety of sandwiches, from Cubans to burgers, a variety of salads, All dressings are served on the side except for the Caesar ("You'll come to praise the Caesar.") Friendly waitresses keep things moving, and the prices are reasonable. Nothing bad to say about Gnat's. It's a pleasant dining experience, and the bar offers a good selection of cold beverages including some imported beers. We'd go back!
(3)
Marisa K.
This is a great outdoor bar/restaurant with a laid back beachy feel! I went here for the first time this week and had a great salad! The atmosphere is fun and quirky, along with a super friendly staff! We were here on a Tuesday night but the place was full and they had a great band playing. Lots of TV's make a good place for watching sports - it's a great spot in Redfern!
(4)
Russ M.
My name is Russ M. and I approve of this message... Gnat's landing? Hell yeah! I'll keep this simple; Friendly service Friendly locals/patrons Tasty grub (Shrimp and grits!) Good beer What's not to like?
(4)
Julie D.
"Unfortunately, Gnat's has gone down hill. Lunch took an hour and a half and we just ordered salads. Salads were not up to standard. Subpar tomatoes, meager toppings. They were also out of fish at noon. ??? Will not be back anytime soon."
(2)
tony s.
The wings are amazing, not the everyday hot wing, unique and amazing. Service was outstanding. It's rustic no frills but excellent.
(4)
Bernard P.
I've got 6 words for you: Vidalia Onion Pie Order it now, gobble it up, ask for seconds! You won't be sorry and yes, I can't count. F@ck you and your book learnin'!
(5)
Tony L.
Unfortunately we had to wait for over 45 min to get our food. The waitress never once told us why the meals were taking so long. We noticed two other customers complain too. Overheard one waitress tell her customer that she did her job after he complained about the length of time he waited and wasn't even told why. Food was decent but definitely not worth the wait. I guess had the waitresses been more attentive and tried to explain that there was a delay we may have been more understanding. Visited on 5/31/12.
(2)
Jim S.
Food was very good..when we finally got it. Waited over an hour for our food to arrive after it was ordered. This was 3 salad orders & 2 fried food selections. Nothing fancy. First time in my life ever spoke to mgmt about my restaurant experience. That said, manager was quite responsive, but there was some bad food issues going on. Table beside us sent back scallops that were overcooked. She was told they were out of scallops, but 2 of our party got scallops afterwards. Again, food was fine but wait and service was not good, especially with a 4 year old.
(2)
Gina L.
Fantastic place for lunch! I really enjoyed my meal and everyone was so attentive. It's pretty reasonable and the portions are HUGE! I will definitely go back when I go back to St Simons
(5)
M D.
Lunch was casual and they easily accommodated our party of 8 (4 adults/ 4 kids). Food was okay and fit the setting: kids menu, salads, and decent fish & shrimp. In addition to the usual fried fare, they have decent grilled/blackened fish.
(3)
Kelly P.
Make sure the little ones do not fill up on the sweet tea before the meal. Expect copious refills on drinks, chips. New and improved outdoor space was cool with the fans and open windows. Great choice anytime!
(5)
Ann Marie D.
Gant's Landing is a very casual place located at Redfern Village. You can do a little shopping then head over for a bite to eat. They have a good bit of seating, so you should not have to wait for a table. The food is good but nothing to really write home about. There is plenty of parking around the restaurant, unlike many of the places in The Village.
(3)
The Hungry American E.
Go where the real locals go. Family owned and operated by a guy that is island heritage. And everyone on the island has worked here at some point. Cheap beer, good American cuisine. And live entertainment. This place is St. Simons Island.
(5)
Anna O.
My husband and I ate at Gnat's Landing on a Friday night. There was no wait, amazing food, and a perfect atmosphere! Absolutely no complaints.
(5)
Dana K.
Gnat's Landing gets 4 stars for the fried pickles alone. I've eaten other food there, but I can't remember what it was. It was fine, though (I'd remember it if it were bad). I absolutely crave their fried pickles. I've had them at other places, but they never live up to my expectations anywhere else. Extra half star for carrying imported beer...trust me, there are still few places where you aren't accosted by 8 different types of Budweiser.
(4)
J C.
I would not eat here again. Person greeting us was unfriendly (I think he was a bar side employee) for starters and the table was outside and cold and drafty. The fried pickles were highly recommended so we were looking forward to some new discovery and they were so SALTY we could not eat even 1/2 of them (and I can handle salt, or so my husband accuses) Food was big portions, not pricey, maybe better suited for the poor and hearty appetites of beer drinking college kids. The stars given were for our excellent waiter (soon to be Dad, name ?), very nice person!!! Better places to spend time and money on St. Simons Island!
(2)
Jim S.
Food was very good..when we finally got it. Waited over an hour for our food to arrive after it was ordered. This was 3 salad orders & 2 fried food selections. Nothing fancy. First time in my life ever spoke to mgmt about my restaurant experience. That said, manager was quite responsive, but there was some bad food issues going on. Table beside us sent back scallops that were overcooked. She was told they were out of scallops, but 2 of our party got scallops afterwards. Again, food was fine but wait and service was not good, especially with a 4 year old.
(2)
Gina L.
Fantastic place for lunch! I really enjoyed my meal and everyone was so attentive. It's pretty reasonable and the portions are HUGE! I will definitely go back when I go back to St Simons
Sorry, Store hours have not been updated. If you are the owner of this restaurants. Please update the store hours.
Specialities
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Music : Background Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Best Nights : Fri, Sat, Sun Coat Check : No Smoking : Outdoor Area/ Patio Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Rickster P.
Four of us stopped in for lunch. We'd been there several times before and when we left this time we said we'd likely not return. The service was "just OK." The food offerings were unimpressive and very greasy/oily and not so healthy. (Example: (The fried pickles were REALLY salty and were SWIMMING in oil!) The selections are uninspired. I was looking for a craft beer or microbrew -- no such thing available. Our seating was not very comfortable. There are many great restaurants on SSI -- a very competitive place for chow. None of us saw a reason to go back to Gnat's.
(2)Bill S.
Ate at Gnats Landing On St Simons after seeing reviews and seeing crowed last night while at restaurant next door. Food was great except undercooked hushpuppies. Told server but he did not to care- no apology etc,,, - need to work on that but wont keep me from returning for another try. Had the cup of gumbo and Double C platter with grilled Shrimp & Ousters. These were good and grilled veggies and grits were excellent. Price was good but still hung up on server attitude. That is reason for a 4 vs 5 wish i could give a 3,5
(4)Robert K.
Real good place, very friendly staff. This is a great place to take kids and to see more than the pier area. Fried pickles are a staple, peppered shrimp are delish. Great salads. Great burger. Don't miss it.
(5)Kayla E.
Food was amazing! Had the veggie burgers (vegan friendly) and sweet potato fries. The burgers would satisfy even a meat eater. They had a great chargrilled flavor. Had the fried pickles. Lightly breaded to perfection. Service was a little slow, but they were very busy and we never wanted for anything.
(4)Brant K.
Great burger. I suggest the big cheeseburger with pimiento cheese and bacon. Fries are great. Wonderful atmosphere. Would love to come here in the evening, I bet this place is fun. I did have to ask for a refill, but other than that it was a great experience. Definitely will be back.
(4)Paula P.
We went around 3:30 in the afternoon so it wasn't busy and the service was excellent. I had the Spinach Salad with blackened shrimp which was awesome. The flavors were perfect together (spinach, bacon, red onions, dried cranberries, mushrooms) YUM! My husband had the Shrimp Po Boy which he said was great too! We also had a 1/2 lb of peel & eat shrimp. The only complaint I have is they came after the entrees so I was too full to enjoy them. I'm sure we will be back on our next trip to SSI.
(4)Dana G.
Love the seafood bar atmosphere, especially the outdoor seating! Service was slow and food was good, but not great.
(4)Sandra F.
Gnats Landing Bar and Grill is located in Saint Simon's Island in Redfern Village. What I really loved about this place is the decor! It's decorated like an old shack. Very laid back. You have the option to dine in near the bar area if you don't like the humidity outdoors. There is a front patio with a bar and inside the restaurant there is a outdoor (covered with fans and a huge screen tv) dining area with long picnic tables. I love the set up and how open it is. My mom and I sat near the bar area and our waitress was Samelia. She was very attentive and helpful. I couldn't decide what kind of beer I wanted to drink. So she let me a sample, so I ended up getting the Florida Brew Skinny Dip (Draft) for $5.00. What I like about the menu is that it very simple! I think too much is overkill. Lunch, my mom ordered a cup of gumbo ($4.25) and a grilled salmon sandwich (on hoagie roll) with fries ($11.95). I got the half order of the Autumn salad ($9.95)-onions, crumbles of blue cheese, cranberries, walnuts, balsamic vinigerette dressing and added blackened Scallops for $2.00. We got our food within 20 minutes and I couldn't believe how much scallops I got on my salad! WOW! Perfect taste and great flavor. My mom really enjoyed her meal as well. She was alittle overwhelmed with the salmon sandwich. She told me it was too big. But she was not complaining :) Bathrooms are very clean. Colorful and nice decor. Love the Mosaic sink. Overall it was a great experience and I would definately come back!
(4)Eric C.
Myself and three friends arrived on a moderately busy Friday night. We took a seat at the bar tables and we were quickly handed menus. When the server came by, my friend ordered a drink and put in her food order, to which he replied "I'm only taking drink orders right now" Then the server continued to take our drink orders, and one of my other guests ordered some food. The server took down the food order, despite denying my other friend her food order. I was tempted to walk out right then and there, but we stayed just in case the service may get better. My friend who was denied her food order was brought the Stella Artois she ordered, and the server asked if she wanted a glass with the beer. She responded "yes" however the server did not bring her a glass after 5 minutes had already elapsed. I had to get up and ask a different staff member to bring my friend a glass, and he handed her a PLASTIC cup, claiming they were "out of glasses". Several moments later our original server wanders by and says "oh sorry we are out glasses", which was clearly obvious due to the fact that my guest had began drinking her beer out of a plastic cup. Realizing his errors, the server went to clean a glass, and brought my guest a DISGUSTINGLY stained glass (see picture). The only reason I gave more than one star was that the food was good for the type of venue and price.
(2)Carol D.
Fried pickles were awesome! Kids and parents all content with meal, great atmosphere. Managed a big group well aside from wait at lunchtime. Our first time, went with seasoned Gnat's fans...
(4)Barbara C.
We were looking for a place to hang out, eat some local food and have some drinks. We were told Gnats was a good spot and it seemed to be a happening spot when we arrived so we sat at the bar and ordered. I ordered the blackened mahi mahi and seasoned fries. The fries were the bomb they were fried to perfection and seasoned well. The fish was not fresh although they said it was and it wasn't blackened. The server asked how it was and we told her it wasn't fresh or blackened. They took it back and took it off of our bill. We also ordered fried dill pickles and gnats chicken wings. The fried pickles were great they were sliced to the perfect size and fried to perfection. The fried dill pickles came with a sauce they didn't name but it was the perfect combination. The service was great as well.
(4)Paul M.
This is a great casual place to eat and drink. Live music and open air seating make Gnat's. a great place to visit. Great shrimp and grits. Good service overall. I will be back.
(4)Robin N.
Food was good! Drinks good, service ok! Kind of a dive, but a good dive. Wait staff very friendly. Very casual dining.
(4)Andi P.
Just walked out of this place. Sat fairly quickly but waited for a server and no one ever came. Shortly after other customers came in and were seated at a table diagonally from us. They were able to at least get a water. A few minutes later the server went back to their table and chatted then turned to the table next to them and started saying "....well it's the Mexicans in the kitchen... I'll go back there and talk to the Mexicans but I don't know what good it will do because they don't speak English. Then she laughed and walked away never stopping at our table. Now I'm not Mexican, but I found it to be indicative of very bad service and in poor taste.
(1)Gin G.
Went for drinks n ordered crab balls. Basically crab cakes in the shape of balls. They were gross. Mushy n chunky. N def not fresh. Beer selection was good tho.
(2)Bonnie K.
Almost a five-star review! Food was great - chicken sandwich was awesome... Fresh, crispy fried white meat on a soft bun. Fried pickles were addictive. Wings were a hit as well. Great service and a very very cool, down-to-earth, relaxed atmosphere. The outdoor seating area felt like an old barn with really beautiful lights strung throughout. Nothing bad to say about the place ... I just don't give five-star ratings very easily... Gnats was close to it, though!
(4)Kara B.
Absolutely loved this place. Great atmosphere, delicious food, fun servers. Adequately priced. They had an awesome band playing which added to the fun. Our kids only gave it 4 stars because it did not have wifi.. Us parents gave it 5 stars because it did not have wifi. We will definitely eat here on our next trip to the island. Try the shrimp and grits!! We give it .
(5)Adam C.
Fried pickle chips are the bomb - they are cut nice and thin but are big pieces. Really does seem like chips crossed with fried pickles. I got their friend and grilled swings - really great flavor. Spicy but smokey. These wings I think come lightly breaded fyi. Some of the best wings I've had.
(5)Reese S.
Nice size crab cakes. My second time there and each time I've been there it has been crowded. It's a nice busy spot. Nice local hangout! They also have drink special.
(5)TJ D.
Unfortunately we did not have a very good experience. The waiter decided to keep change from each of the bills and then expected a full tip and walked away mad when he did not get it. The beer was good, service was ok, considering, and the blackened grouper was overdone and rubbery. No complaints on the other dishes. Went back a couple days later just for drinks at 10 o'clock at night and no one wanted to wait on us at the table. After 5 minutes, we asked the bartender for drinks, he said the kitchen was closed and started throwing down napkins like he was upset that we were even there so we walked out. Not going back!
(2)Cristen F.
This place has a great selection of "low country" Southern selections like shrimp and grits and plenty of fresh seafood - and it's all fantastic. The non seafood items are plentiful and delicious. The menu is diverse enough to satisfy any palate. They have managed to successfully create the outside dining experience with enough shade and fans to remain comfortable while eating. Also, most all weekends there is live music. A "must do" when I'm on the island.
(4)Cindy B.
Great food. Great company - actually a fun place to watch the game beneath the live oak tree on the back patio.
(5)Kate H.
Our waiter was snotty and missed pretty much all the steps off service. Food was above average quality but the waiter ruined it for me, he was a young brown skinned man with american flag shorts and high dorky socks. I dont know his name because he never told us, just walked up to the table and said, "what would you like to drink." Not even a hello. This is a pet peeve of mine. Greet me, introduce yourself, and tell me the specials or soup of the day, fish of the day, anything at all. Then ask what I want to drink. My husband asked if they had any lagers on draft. His answer was "I don't really know about beer", followed by a blank look. Dude, go find out and come back. Who cares if you don't know, be willing to find out. Our food was good. Hubs had shrimp platter, fries and slaw. I had a mahi sand which and lackluster sweet potato fries, they were soggy. The best part of the meal was the fried pickles, don't miss those! Our finally checked on us to see if we needed anything when our plates were about empty. Terrible service. Good food.
(3)Ktimene G.
Fun Southern respite from the heat: a casual covered deck with giant fans and a brick patio replete with white lights. Extensive menu with a good assortment of standard fare like pimiento sammies and some delish garlic grits. The charm ends there, folks! We waited 85 minutes for our meal, which was served lukewarm with soggy fries. We had to wave down our server, busboy and even the hostess to get a check. Might be a good spot if plan to spend all afternoon nursing drinks, but until then they will be turning tables slooooowly.
(3)Mary Locke M.
It's bar food people! Gnats Landing is on par for what I would expect for a beach bar. I was down in St Simons over Labor Day weekend with friends and we wanted to go out on Sunday night. I hadn't had a Sunday Funday in years because I wake up at 5:30 AM on Mondays for my big girl job as I like to refer to it, so I completely forgot that bar bars (places serving booze but no food) are closed on Sundays in the state of Georgia. Hence, we wound up at Gnats Landing. The interior has a fun Jimmy Buffett-esque beachy vibe to it. There was a wait for a table, but we snagged seats at the bar immediately. Like any good tourist, I decided it was my moral obligation to drink frozen margaritas while on vacation. You can't mess up a frozen marg! They were out of wings, so I had fried oysters instead. They were breaded deliciousness to accompany the tequila. The bartenders were friendly. I would definitely go back to watch a Georgia game next time I'm down there. Our fun night out at Gnats Landing was finished off with a cab ride home was $5 (take a hint Checker Cab Atlanta!!!)
(3)James S.
Nice bar style seafood restaurant. The service was good. Don't miss the big bulldog as you enter. We enjoyed the fried pickles and po-boy sabdwiches.
(4)Jess A.
The pier is where the tourists go when they visit St Simon's Island (and with good reason, it's a wonderful spot). Redfern Village is where the locals gravitate, and when they are there, their spot of choice is Gnat's Landing. A bit off the beaten path and away from the coastline, Gnats sits in the midst of the Village, easy to stop into as you wander the shops and haunts. Depending on the day you may need to wait a bit for a table on the covered porch (lined with shutters for those pesky hurricanes, otherwise open air year round) because once you're seated it's easy to linger. A golf tournament will likely be on the big screen TVs as golf is the unofficial sport of choice, we discovered, at Gnats. We were invited there by Captain Billy for a beer after he took us out on his shark fishing boat early father's day morning (shameless plug for the wonderful Capt. here: billybeecharters.com ). Thanks Billy for showing us the "other" side of the island. Everybody seemed to know everybody else, at least by sight, and we were welcomed with a local craft beer and a huge basket of fried pickle chips upon arrival. Score one for me, fried pickle chips are my bar food GO to! We listened to the live band out back and chummed up to the local golf aficianados (several mid-level professional players live in the area so you never know who you'll run into) while the kids played outside on the painted bulldog statues (we were in GA, afterall) before dinner. A great time had by all, very relaxed and welcoming. I would not be writing a complete review if I did not mention the missing star - although I was so charmed by Gnats that it hardly matters, I'd go back anytime. The food/drink selection was hit or miss. The front porch spikes lemonades were weak (prompting a quick switch back to beer) and the burger, by all reports, wasn't great. My blackened shrimp salad, on the other hand - excellent. Maybe it's a matter of knowing what's good and sticking to it. Something the locals would know anyway.
(4)Law Man L.
This place looks like a total dive... and I guess it is. But that should not suggest that the food is lacking. This place is a dusty gem. Come in and enjoy a delicious meal... in a very casual atmosphere with plenty of picnic tables and TVs. And you can sit outside (or inside the covered porch area).
(4)Damian F.
Excellent spot to hangout...the food is good for the price...and the staff is awesome...every time I come to St. Simon...it's a must that I stop in...if you love oysters...the oyster po-boy is a good choice
(5)Dennis D.
It's been a few months and I still rave about this place. My Chicagoan brother in law was visiting in the area and we need to get him some country southern home cooking STAT. My wife OD'd on the fried pickles roflmao...Listen. I take my food seriously and when I say this place has me wanting to drive back up from Jax JUST for the shrimp and grits, I mean it. dayum they're good. Reminiscing about their shrimp and grits right after Thanksgiving speaks volumes doesn't?
(4)Andy M.
The food was good, the fried shrimp were local and delicious. The atmosphere is fun and the waitstaff was here and there. Parking can be a challenge when the Redfern Village area is busy (i.e. any night).
(4)Jeffrey J.
A great Local Favorite year round, and especially popular with tourists during the season. Extremely beachy feel (even though it's a mile or two from the beach). Great food, served quick, and always with a smile. Picnic tables or inside tables, your choice. Love the fish sandwich!
(5)Stephen B.
The family met me down here on St Simons and we hit Gnats Landing for lunch. My wife ordered this amazing slaw salad with grilled shrimp and I had the shrimp Po boy. We both loved our food. The pickle chips were a big hit with the kids. My daughter had the shrimp and grits and she loved them. Since it was a Saturday afternoon they had the football game on out on the deck and it was a perfect atmosphere for our food. Service was great too.
(4)D M.
I left very happy -- and full. Plethora of choices and the ambiance is casual with outdoor covered seating and large TV for football viewing. Older type seating on hard wood but I'm fine with that. Friendly staff. And then you walk back outside and realize you are in a very upscale shopping center-- two odds, but I would definitely recommend this place.
(4)Lindsey H.
They have the best shrimp and grits! Fun place to go for live music, they usually have a band on the weekends. They situated our large group really well, got all of the checks correct and didn't ever leave us waiting for a drink! We are always happy with gnats.
(5)Patricia S.
Had the shrimp po'boy. The shrimp was great but the bun was dry and cold. They didn't toast the bread for a HOT sandwich. Too bad because it would have made a difference. I ordered fried okra and still ended up with fries. They brought me my okra, it was ok. I decided to try a fry and it was soft and tasted like a freezer. My daughter was disappointed that they don't serve Dr. Pepper or Mr. Pibb. My husband loved his meal, he had some seafood platter.
(2)Jeff B.
Onion rings here are pretty good, but if you're looking for anything other than onion rings and beer then look elsewhere. . If the menu says it's grilled then it's cooked on a flat grill (like waffle house eggs). If the menu says it's market priced then don't believe it's fresh. if you want scenery then there are hotter waitresses nearby. But the onion rings are pretty good, so if O-Rings are what you need then come here.
(2)Bonnie T.
Went for lunch, Food was decent. Lots of salad options. I had one with grilled shrimp, blue cheese and pears. My BF had the grouper sandwich, which he said was good. Service was terrible. She planted us at the table, took our order and it was tough to get her back again. Guys from kitchen brought the food. She never came back and asked how it was. I had to yell to her for the check. Then she never came back with the CC receipt. I had to go up to the bar and get it from her. She's lucky she got a tip at all.
(2)Andrew A.
Went to Gant's Landing for a group lunch during a business trip. I certainly enjoyed sitting on the porch - which was still comfortable in the summer sun. The server was nice and attentive, but the food was lacking. The fried pickles appetizer was just okay. The pickles were cut too thin for my liking so you got more fried than pickle flavor. The grilled shrimp caesar salad I had for lunch was fine, but nothing to write home about. The people I was with seemed to enjoy their meals so maybe I just ordered the wrong thing. Wouldn't be opposed to trying it again, but not the first place I'd chose.
(2)Kari W.
Solid Southern Fried food. Food was not outstanding but good, enjoyed family friendly atmosphere. Covered porch with lots of sports on big tvs. Service was friendly and knowledgable, added suggestions for ways we could save money (always appreciated). Fried Dill pickles were good, but wished they were cut a little thicker, half order was plenty for 5 adults. Shrimp and grits was pretty good, but best if you get the shrimp blackened. Grilled shrimp and grouper were very good, but the crab cakes were a disaster. Bready, soggy, and barely tasting of crab. We would probably try some other places before we went back, but the food was decent.
(3)Erica L.
So glad I stopped here. I needed to kill some time by myself and I was pleasantly surprised to find out that the reviews are right--the staff is very friendly. I didn't feel weird. I felt like a local. The gumbo is delicious and the peppered shrimp is sinfully good.
(5)Daphne H.
Stopped in for a drink and also sampled their famous slaw salad. It was fabulous and worth the stop just to try. Drinks were tasty as well !
(4)Janelle S.
Great place for locals and tourists to watch the Georgia games. Huge screen and lots of other small ones. They have a smaller bar area with a couple tables, a larger dining area which is actually a covered deck, and and outside patio with tables and chairs and a tv for warmer days. Some people even bring their own lawn chairs from home to sit outside, watch the games, but still get food and service. Traditional bar food with a southern twist. Good food, drinks, and very good for large groups and the tables are picnic benches that are movable.
(4)Erick E.
Meh. Not really bad, not really good for all of us except my son, whose chicken fingers tasted really wrong. Nice atmosphere.
(3)Tori W.
Gnats Landing is fun, casual, laid back type of place. You won't find anything fancy here - no need to worry about attire or if your group will be too loud. And you can bet half the menu is probably fried foods! As a matter of fact, we started with fried pickles (slices, not spears.) The were a treat washed down with a variety of beers! I ordered a fried shrimp po'boy, and side of garlic cheese grits. Both were yummy but not anything over-the-top special! Everyone seemed to be pleased with their orders. I can appreciate a laid back vibe, sitting at picnic tables, with a band playing, and big screens with ESPN on but it wasn't my favorite meal of the trip!
(3)Jasmine H.
A bit disappointed because I've heard several good things about Gnats. We were seated right away, which is either inside near the bar (a very small area) or basically outside in these covered area with the doors opened with fans. It was a warm, humid night, so the seating wasn't ideal. I ordered The Front Porch Lemonade, one of their specialty drinks. The vodka outweighed the lemonade so it's wasn't so good. The waiter didn't know whether the salmon was fresh or farm raised, so he had to stop in the middle of taking our order and ask. I asked for ranch on the side with my caesar salad (weird, I know) and I got caesar dressing tossed in with the salad. My shrimp and grits were ok, sweet potato fries were not hot, but my boyfriend's grouper was great (earned an extra star). One thing that I noticed about St Simons Island in general.. The water there has a strange taste, even if when you stay at the hotels, you can smell it in the shower. If you're not used to it, it'll bother you.
(2)Lauren H.
Smells funny inside. I didn't eat here, but I'm not sure I would with the funky smell.
(2)David P.
Me and the wife were here on a Friday night and felt right at home. They have a full bar, but yet I didn't even see one drunkard stumbling around. It was awesome! I love going to a place where you can relax and not have to worry about people acting stupid. They also had a live band that was playing and it was right on time with the atmosphere. I had blackened flounder and the wife had a shrimp po' boy. They were both excellent! If you're in St. Simons, don't pass this one up!
(5)Cher W.
Loved this place! Just a cool place to come and hangout. We are putting this on our list of "have to come back real soon" list.
(4)Barbara N.
Delicious blackened shrimp atop Autumn Salad with walnuts and pears. The place is what you would imagine if you are from New England and are picturing ramshackle shutters, overhead fans and a Georgia sports Bar all entwined!
(3)Taylor C.
YUMMMM! Best barbecued pork sandwich. It was so tender the pickles, the pork, the bun, the sauce I have never been so in love with pork. They gave me a huge serving of pork too! French fries were great and the fried pickles were thin and crispy. Our waitress recommended the coleslaw it is not a mayonnaise base which I prefer and it had uncooked ramen noodles in it! The spinach salad with scallops looked good and I heard was great! I also heard they have a great margarita! Their menu has everything and anything from fried green tomatoes to fresh healthy salads. You cannot go wrong here! Great food and service. Go at night and sit outside watching the game or stay inside like I did.
(5)Linda S.
This is usually the first eatery I hit on my way on the island. I love the Fried Green Tomato Cuban. I can't get past it for the other menu items. It is overly filling and a huge sandwich. Service is spotty depending on when you arrive and how crowded. It starts loading up with patrons when it opens @ 11:30 which says something for their food. Love the covered porch with the large screen TV which always has the most current sports event showing.
(4)Katie H.
Firstly, this is a party joint. Crowded bar scene and loud (but very good) music. Don't go here expecting to be able to have anything resembling a conversation. I think everyone in my party was unimpressed by their food except me. I ordered the mahi sandwich (one of the catches of the day) and it was a piece of mahi and a piece of lettuce on a roll. Luckily it was a perfectly cooked, delicious piece of mahi. Here's the thing, though: I'd seen on the menu that one of their appetizers was served with a "Cajun mayo" and I was really craving a remoulade sauce to spread on my sandwich, so I asked for a side of the Cajun mayo. This, with the mahi, was so so so so satisfying. I don't know why they haven't thought of this themselves and added it to the menu. The combination made for an impressively good fish sandwich. Also tried their "$8,000 margarita", but was disappointed to see that the bartender just poured it out of a cooler, even if it did taste quite good. The front porch lemonade (with vodka and strawberry puree) was a decent cocktail. I think this spot might be best suited for happy hour.
(3)Ali K.
For some reason, this is always the first place I want to go for lunch as soon as I get on the island. Love it here. Fun atmosphere, friendly service and good food. Love their fried dill pickles... and sweet tea. Since I'm from the north, these are big treats when I go down there :) I really love their autumn and ceasar salads... can't go wrong with either! Also, I'm a big fan of their margaritas served in mason jars. They are amazing.
(4)Bill S.
Gnat's Landing is beach casual dining in Redfearn Village. You can eat under revolving fans outside or in AC inside; with the summer heat and humidity we chose indoors. Others have raved about the fried pickles; we didn't try them. but we did go for some delightfully zippy shrimp and grits (specifically, blackened shrimp with andouille, grilled ciabatta bread on garlic cheese grits. Tasty and filling, just right with a big glass of ice tea. We also enjoyed the slaw bowl, a crunchy cole slaw (not too sweet) with good, fresh grilled shrimp piled on top. The menu features a variety of sandwiches, from Cubans to burgers, a variety of salads, All dressings are served on the side except for the Caesar ("You'll come to praise the Caesar.") Friendly waitresses keep things moving, and the prices are reasonable. Nothing bad to say about Gnat's. It's a pleasant dining experience, and the bar offers a good selection of cold beverages including some imported beers. We'd go back!
(3)Marisa K.
This is a great outdoor bar/restaurant with a laid back beachy feel! I went here for the first time this week and had a great salad! The atmosphere is fun and quirky, along with a super friendly staff! We were here on a Tuesday night but the place was full and they had a great band playing. Lots of TV's make a good place for watching sports - it's a great spot in Redfern!
(4)Russ M.
My name is Russ M. and I approve of this message... Gnat's landing? Hell yeah! I'll keep this simple; Friendly service Friendly locals/patrons Tasty grub (Shrimp and grits!) Good beer What's not to like?
(4)Julie D.
"Unfortunately, Gnat's has gone down hill. Lunch took an hour and a half and we just ordered salads. Salads were not up to standard. Subpar tomatoes, meager toppings. They were also out of fish at noon. ??? Will not be back anytime soon."
(2)tony s.
The wings are amazing, not the everyday hot wing, unique and amazing. Service was outstanding. It's rustic no frills but excellent.
(4)Bernard P.
I've got 6 words for you: Vidalia Onion Pie Order it now, gobble it up, ask for seconds! You won't be sorry and yes, I can't count. F@ck you and your book learnin'!
(5)Tony L.
Unfortunately we had to wait for over 45 min to get our food. The waitress never once told us why the meals were taking so long. We noticed two other customers complain too. Overheard one waitress tell her customer that she did her job after he complained about the length of time he waited and wasn't even told why. Food was decent but definitely not worth the wait. I guess had the waitresses been more attentive and tried to explain that there was a delay we may have been more understanding. Visited on 5/31/12.
(2)Mark T.
Great little casual spot. The chicken chili special and the shrimp app were particularly zesty.
(4)F C.
We ate there today. We had shrimp n grits and the crab cakes. I did not care for the crab cakes at all but the shrimp n grits were really good. Our waitress was not so great... I think she forgot about us because we rarely saw her...
(3)Guerry N.
Gnats Landing, which opened in 1999 is a Bar & Grill located in Redfern Village near Bubba Garcia's. Both restaurants and owned and run by "Boz" Bostock. Boz's goal was to create a place for beach goers to relax in a "Flip-Flop Friendly" environment and enjoy some good ole' American fare. His menu of daily specials, fresh seafood, salads, sandwiches, fried pickles, Vidalia Onion Pie not to mention the $8,000 Margarita. In the fall this is where all the St Simons Island locals gather for the Georgia Football games. So... if you aren't afraid of having a good time, come on by and give Gnats a try.
(4)J C.
I would not eat here again. Person greeting us was unfriendly (I think he was a bar side employee) for starters and the table was outside and cold and drafty. The fried pickles were highly recommended so we were looking forward to some new discovery and they were so SALTY we could not eat even 1/2 of them (and I can handle salt, or so my husband accuses) Food was big portions, not pricey, maybe better suited for the poor and hearty appetites of beer drinking college kids. The stars given were for our excellent waiter (soon to be Dad, name ?), very nice person!!! Better places to spend time and money on St. Simons Island!
(2)Paul M.
This is a great casual place to eat and drink. Live music and open air seating make Gnat's. a great place to visit. Great shrimp and grits. Good service overall. I will be back.
(4)Robin N.
Food was good! Drinks good, service ok! Kind of a dive, but a good dive. Wait staff very friendly. Very casual dining.
(4)Bonnie K.
Almost a five-star review! Food was great - chicken sandwich was awesome... Fresh, crispy fried white meat on a soft bun. Fried pickles were addictive. Wings were a hit as well. Great service and a very very cool, down-to-earth, relaxed atmosphere. The outdoor seating area felt like an old barn with really beautiful lights strung throughout. Nothing bad to say about the place ... I just don't give five-star ratings very easily... Gnats was close to it, though!
(4)Paula P.
We went around 3:30 in the afternoon so it wasn't busy and the service was excellent. I had the Spinach Salad with blackened shrimp which was awesome. The flavors were perfect together (spinach, bacon, red onions, dried cranberries, mushrooms) YUM! My husband had the Shrimp Po Boy which he said was great too! We also had a 1/2 lb of peel & eat shrimp. The only complaint I have is they came after the entrees so I was too full to enjoy them. I'm sure we will be back on our next trip to SSI.
(4)Dana G.
Love the seafood bar atmosphere, especially the outdoor seating! Service was slow and food was good, but not great.
(4)Reese S.
Nice size crab cakes. My second time there and each time I've been there it has been crowded. It's a nice busy spot. Nice local hangout! They also have drink special.
(5)Andi P.
Just walked out of this place. Sat fairly quickly but waited for a server and no one ever came. Shortly after other customers came in and were seated at a table diagonally from us. They were able to at least get a water. A few minutes later the server went back to their table and chatted then turned to the table next to them and started saying "....well it's the Mexicans in the kitchen... I'll go back there and talk to the Mexicans but I don't know what good it will do because they don't speak English. Then she laughed and walked away never stopping at our table. Now I'm not Mexican, but I found it to be indicative of very bad service and in poor taste.
(1)Sandra F.
Gnats Landing Bar and Grill is located in Saint Simon's Island in Redfern Village. What I really loved about this place is the decor! It's decorated like an old shack. Very laid back. You have the option to dine in near the bar area if you don't like the humidity outdoors. There is a front patio with a bar and inside the restaurant there is a outdoor (covered with fans and a huge screen tv) dining area with long picnic tables. I love the set up and how open it is. My mom and I sat near the bar area and our waitress was Samelia. She was very attentive and helpful. I couldn't decide what kind of beer I wanted to drink. So she let me a sample, so I ended up getting the Florida Brew Skinny Dip (Draft) for $5.00. What I like about the menu is that it very simple! I think too much is overkill. Lunch, my mom ordered a cup of gumbo ($4.25) and a grilled salmon sandwich (on hoagie roll) with fries ($11.95). I got the half order of the Autumn salad ($9.95)-onions, crumbles of blue cheese, cranberries, walnuts, balsamic vinigerette dressing and added blackened Scallops for $2.00. We got our food within 20 minutes and I couldn't believe how much scallops I got on my salad! WOW! Perfect taste and great flavor. My mom really enjoyed her meal as well. She was alittle overwhelmed with the salmon sandwich. She told me it was too big. But she was not complaining :) Bathrooms are very clean. Colorful and nice decor. Love the Mosaic sink. Overall it was a great experience and I would definately come back!
(4)Eric C.
Myself and three friends arrived on a moderately busy Friday night. We took a seat at the bar tables and we were quickly handed menus. When the server came by, my friend ordered a drink and put in her food order, to which he replied "I'm only taking drink orders right now" Then the server continued to take our drink orders, and one of my other guests ordered some food. The server took down the food order, despite denying my other friend her food order. I was tempted to walk out right then and there, but we stayed just in case the service may get better. My friend who was denied her food order was brought the Stella Artois she ordered, and the server asked if she wanted a glass with the beer. She responded "yes" however the server did not bring her a glass after 5 minutes had already elapsed. I had to get up and ask a different staff member to bring my friend a glass, and he handed her a PLASTIC cup, claiming they were "out of glasses". Several moments later our original server wanders by and says "oh sorry we are out glasses", which was clearly obvious due to the fact that my guest had began drinking her beer out of a plastic cup. Realizing his errors, the server went to clean a glass, and brought my guest a DISGUSTINGLY stained glass (see picture). The only reason I gave more than one star was that the food was good for the type of venue and price.
(2)Carol D.
Fried pickles were awesome! Kids and parents all content with meal, great atmosphere. Managed a big group well aside from wait at lunchtime. Our first time, went with seasoned Gnat's fans...
(4)Barbara C.
We were looking for a place to hang out, eat some local food and have some drinks. We were told Gnats was a good spot and it seemed to be a happening spot when we arrived so we sat at the bar and ordered. I ordered the blackened mahi mahi and seasoned fries. The fries were the bomb they were fried to perfection and seasoned well. The fish was not fresh although they said it was and it wasn't blackened. The server asked how it was and we told her it wasn't fresh or blackened. They took it back and took it off of our bill. We also ordered fried dill pickles and gnats chicken wings. The fried pickles were great they were sliced to the perfect size and fried to perfection. The fried dill pickles came with a sauce they didn't name but it was the perfect combination. The service was great as well.
(4)Gin G.
Went for drinks n ordered crab balls. Basically crab cakes in the shape of balls. They were gross. Mushy n chunky. N def not fresh. Beer selection was good tho.
(2)Kara B.
Absolutely loved this place. Great atmosphere, delicious food, fun servers. Adequately priced. They had an awesome band playing which added to the fun. Our kids only gave it 4 stars because it did not have wifi.. Us parents gave it 5 stars because it did not have wifi. We will definitely eat here on our next trip to the island. Try the shrimp and grits!! We give it .
(5)Adam C.
Fried pickle chips are the bomb - they are cut nice and thin but are big pieces. Really does seem like chips crossed with fried pickles. I got their friend and grilled swings - really great flavor. Spicy but smokey. These wings I think come lightly breaded fyi. Some of the best wings I've had.
(5)Cristen F.
This place has a great selection of "low country" Southern selections like shrimp and grits and plenty of fresh seafood - and it's all fantastic. The non seafood items are plentiful and delicious. The menu is diverse enough to satisfy any palate. They have managed to successfully create the outside dining experience with enough shade and fans to remain comfortable while eating. Also, most all weekends there is live music. A "must do" when I'm on the island.
(4)Cindy B.
Great food. Great company - actually a fun place to watch the game beneath the live oak tree on the back patio.
(5)TJ D.
Unfortunately we did not have a very good experience. The waiter decided to keep change from each of the bills and then expected a full tip and walked away mad when he did not get it. The beer was good, service was ok, considering, and the blackened grouper was overdone and rubbery. No complaints on the other dishes. Went back a couple days later just for drinks at 10 o'clock at night and no one wanted to wait on us at the table. After 5 minutes, we asked the bartender for drinks, he said the kitchen was closed and started throwing down napkins like he was upset that we were even there so we walked out. Not going back!
(2)Kate H.
Our waiter was snotty and missed pretty much all the steps off service. Food was above average quality but the waiter ruined it for me, he was a young brown skinned man with american flag shorts and high dorky socks. I dont know his name because he never told us, just walked up to the table and said, "what would you like to drink." Not even a hello. This is a pet peeve of mine. Greet me, introduce yourself, and tell me the specials or soup of the day, fish of the day, anything at all. Then ask what I want to drink. My husband asked if they had any lagers on draft. His answer was "I don't really know about beer", followed by a blank look. Dude, go find out and come back. Who cares if you don't know, be willing to find out. Our food was good. Hubs had shrimp platter, fries and slaw. I had a mahi sand which and lackluster sweet potato fries, they were soggy. The best part of the meal was the fried pickles, don't miss those! Our finally checked on us to see if we needed anything when our plates were about empty. Terrible service. Good food.
(3)Mary Locke M.
It's bar food people! Gnats Landing is on par for what I would expect for a beach bar. I was down in St Simons over Labor Day weekend with friends and we wanted to go out on Sunday night. I hadn't had a Sunday Funday in years because I wake up at 5:30 AM on Mondays for my big girl job as I like to refer to it, so I completely forgot that bar bars (places serving booze but no food) are closed on Sundays in the state of Georgia. Hence, we wound up at Gnats Landing. The interior has a fun Jimmy Buffett-esque beachy vibe to it. There was a wait for a table, but we snagged seats at the bar immediately. Like any good tourist, I decided it was my moral obligation to drink frozen margaritas while on vacation. You can't mess up a frozen marg! They were out of wings, so I had fried oysters instead. They were breaded deliciousness to accompany the tequila. The bartenders were friendly. I would definitely go back to watch a Georgia game next time I'm down there. Our fun night out at Gnats Landing was finished off with a cab ride home was $5 (take a hint Checker Cab Atlanta!!!)
(3)Tori W.
Gnats Landing is fun, casual, laid back type of place. You won't find anything fancy here - no need to worry about attire or if your group will be too loud. And you can bet half the menu is probably fried foods! As a matter of fact, we started with fried pickles (slices, not spears.) The were a treat washed down with a variety of beers! I ordered a fried shrimp po'boy, and side of garlic cheese grits. Both were yummy but not anything over-the-top special! Everyone seemed to be pleased with their orders. I can appreciate a laid back vibe, sitting at picnic tables, with a band playing, and big screens with ESPN on but it wasn't my favorite meal of the trip!
(3)Katie H.
Firstly, this is a party joint. Crowded bar scene and loud (but very good) music. Don't go here expecting to be able to have anything resembling a conversation. I think everyone in my party was unimpressed by their food except me. I ordered the mahi sandwich (one of the catches of the day) and it was a piece of mahi and a piece of lettuce on a roll. Luckily it was a perfectly cooked, delicious piece of mahi. Here's the thing, though: I'd seen on the menu that one of their appetizers was served with a "Cajun mayo" and I was really craving a remoulade sauce to spread on my sandwich, so I asked for a side of the Cajun mayo. This, with the mahi, was so so so so satisfying. I don't know why they haven't thought of this themselves and added it to the menu. The combination made for an impressively good fish sandwich. Also tried their "$8,000 margarita", but was disappointed to see that the bartender just poured it out of a cooler, even if it did taste quite good. The front porch lemonade (with vodka and strawberry puree) was a decent cocktail. I think this spot might be best suited for happy hour.
(3)Rickster P.
Four of us stopped in for lunch. We'd been there several times before and when we left this time we said we'd likely not return. The service was "just OK." The food offerings were unimpressive and very greasy/oily and not so healthy. (Example: (The fried pickles were REALLY salty and were SWIMMING in oil!) The selections are uninspired. I was looking for a craft beer or microbrew -- no such thing available. Our seating was not very comfortable. There are many great restaurants on SSI -- a very competitive place for chow. None of us saw a reason to go back to Gnat's.
(2)Bill S.
Ate at Gnats Landing On St Simons after seeing reviews and seeing crowed last night while at restaurant next door. Food was great except undercooked hushpuppies. Told server but he did not to care- no apology etc,,, - need to work on that but wont keep me from returning for another try. Had the cup of gumbo and Double C platter with grilled Shrimp & Ousters. These were good and grilled veggies and grits were excellent. Price was good but still hung up on server attitude. That is reason for a 4 vs 5 wish i could give a 3,5
(4)Robert K.
Real good place, very friendly staff. This is a great place to take kids and to see more than the pier area. Fried pickles are a staple, peppered shrimp are delish. Great salads. Great burger. Don't miss it.
(5)Kayla E.
Food was amazing! Had the veggie burgers (vegan friendly) and sweet potato fries. The burgers would satisfy even a meat eater. They had a great chargrilled flavor. Had the fried pickles. Lightly breaded to perfection. Service was a little slow, but they were very busy and we never wanted for anything.
(4)Brant K.
Great burger. I suggest the big cheeseburger with pimiento cheese and bacon. Fries are great. Wonderful atmosphere. Would love to come here in the evening, I bet this place is fun. I did have to ask for a refill, but other than that it was a great experience. Definitely will be back.
(4)Dana K.
Gnat's Landing gets 4 stars for the fried pickles alone. I've eaten other food there, but I can't remember what it was. It was fine, though (I'd remember it if it were bad). I absolutely crave their fried pickles. I've had them at other places, but they never live up to my expectations anywhere else. Extra half star for carrying imported beer...trust me, there are still few places where you aren't accosted by 8 different types of Budweiser.
(4)Dennis D.
It's been a few months and I still rave about this place. My Chicagoan brother in law was visiting in the area and we need to get him some country southern home cooking STAT. My wife OD'd on the fried pickles roflmao...Listen. I take my food seriously and when I say this place has me wanting to drive back up from Jax JUST for the shrimp and grits, I mean it. dayum they're good. Reminiscing about their shrimp and grits right after Thanksgiving speaks volumes doesn't?
(4)Andy M.
The food was good, the fried shrimp were local and delicious. The atmosphere is fun and the waitstaff was here and there. Parking can be a challenge when the Redfern Village area is busy (i.e. any night).
(4)Jeffrey J.
A great Local Favorite year round, and especially popular with tourists during the season. Extremely beachy feel (even though it's a mile or two from the beach). Great food, served quick, and always with a smile. Picnic tables or inside tables, your choice. Love the fish sandwich!
(5)Stephen B.
The family met me down here on St Simons and we hit Gnats Landing for lunch. My wife ordered this amazing slaw salad with grilled shrimp and I had the shrimp Po boy. We both loved our food. The pickle chips were a big hit with the kids. My daughter had the shrimp and grits and she loved them. Since it was a Saturday afternoon they had the football game on out on the deck and it was a perfect atmosphere for our food. Service was great too.
(4)D M.
I left very happy -- and full. Plethora of choices and the ambiance is casual with outdoor covered seating and large TV for football viewing. Older type seating on hard wood but I'm fine with that. Friendly staff. And then you walk back outside and realize you are in a very upscale shopping center-- two odds, but I would definitely recommend this place.
(4)Lindsey H.
They have the best shrimp and grits! Fun place to go for live music, they usually have a band on the weekends. They situated our large group really well, got all of the checks correct and didn't ever leave us waiting for a drink! We are always happy with gnats.
(5)Patricia S.
Had the shrimp po'boy. The shrimp was great but the bun was dry and cold. They didn't toast the bread for a HOT sandwich. Too bad because it would have made a difference. I ordered fried okra and still ended up with fries. They brought me my okra, it was ok. I decided to try a fry and it was soft and tasted like a freezer. My daughter was disappointed that they don't serve Dr. Pepper or Mr. Pibb. My husband loved his meal, he had some seafood platter.
(2)Jeff B.
Onion rings here are pretty good, but if you're looking for anything other than onion rings and beer then look elsewhere. . If the menu says it's grilled then it's cooked on a flat grill (like waffle house eggs). If the menu says it's market priced then don't believe it's fresh. if you want scenery then there are hotter waitresses nearby. But the onion rings are pretty good, so if O-Rings are what you need then come here.
(2)Bonnie T.
Went for lunch, Food was decent. Lots of salad options. I had one with grilled shrimp, blue cheese and pears. My BF had the grouper sandwich, which he said was good. Service was terrible. She planted us at the table, took our order and it was tough to get her back again. Guys from kitchen brought the food. She never came back and asked how it was. I had to yell to her for the check. Then she never came back with the CC receipt. I had to go up to the bar and get it from her. She's lucky she got a tip at all.
(2)Andrew A.
Went to Gant's Landing for a group lunch during a business trip. I certainly enjoyed sitting on the porch - which was still comfortable in the summer sun. The server was nice and attentive, but the food was lacking. The fried pickles appetizer was just okay. The pickles were cut too thin for my liking so you got more fried than pickle flavor. The grilled shrimp caesar salad I had for lunch was fine, but nothing to write home about. The people I was with seemed to enjoy their meals so maybe I just ordered the wrong thing. Wouldn't be opposed to trying it again, but not the first place I'd chose.
(2)Kari W.
Solid Southern Fried food. Food was not outstanding but good, enjoyed family friendly atmosphere. Covered porch with lots of sports on big tvs. Service was friendly and knowledgable, added suggestions for ways we could save money (always appreciated). Fried Dill pickles were good, but wished they were cut a little thicker, half order was plenty for 5 adults. Shrimp and grits was pretty good, but best if you get the shrimp blackened. Grilled shrimp and grouper were very good, but the crab cakes were a disaster. Bready, soggy, and barely tasting of crab. We would probably try some other places before we went back, but the food was decent.
(3)Erica L.
So glad I stopped here. I needed to kill some time by myself and I was pleasantly surprised to find out that the reviews are right--the staff is very friendly. I didn't feel weird. I felt like a local. The gumbo is delicious and the peppered shrimp is sinfully good.
(5)Daphne H.
Stopped in for a drink and also sampled their famous slaw salad. It was fabulous and worth the stop just to try. Drinks were tasty as well !
(4)Janelle S.
Great place for locals and tourists to watch the Georgia games. Huge screen and lots of other small ones. They have a smaller bar area with a couple tables, a larger dining area which is actually a covered deck, and and outside patio with tables and chairs and a tv for warmer days. Some people even bring their own lawn chairs from home to sit outside, watch the games, but still get food and service. Traditional bar food with a southern twist. Good food, drinks, and very good for large groups and the tables are picnic benches that are movable.
(4)Erick E.
Meh. Not really bad, not really good for all of us except my son, whose chicken fingers tasted really wrong. Nice atmosphere.
(3)James S.
Nice bar style seafood restaurant. The service was good. Don't miss the big bulldog as you enter. We enjoyed the fried pickles and po-boy sabdwiches.
(4)Jess A.
The pier is where the tourists go when they visit St Simon's Island (and with good reason, it's a wonderful spot). Redfern Village is where the locals gravitate, and when they are there, their spot of choice is Gnat's Landing. A bit off the beaten path and away from the coastline, Gnats sits in the midst of the Village, easy to stop into as you wander the shops and haunts. Depending on the day you may need to wait a bit for a table on the covered porch (lined with shutters for those pesky hurricanes, otherwise open air year round) because once you're seated it's easy to linger. A golf tournament will likely be on the big screen TVs as golf is the unofficial sport of choice, we discovered, at Gnats. We were invited there by Captain Billy for a beer after he took us out on his shark fishing boat early father's day morning (shameless plug for the wonderful Capt. here: billybeecharters.com ). Thanks Billy for showing us the "other" side of the island. Everybody seemed to know everybody else, at least by sight, and we were welcomed with a local craft beer and a huge basket of fried pickle chips upon arrival. Score one for me, fried pickle chips are my bar food GO to! We listened to the live band out back and chummed up to the local golf aficianados (several mid-level professional players live in the area so you never know who you'll run into) while the kids played outside on the painted bulldog statues (we were in GA, afterall) before dinner. A great time had by all, very relaxed and welcoming. I would not be writing a complete review if I did not mention the missing star - although I was so charmed by Gnats that it hardly matters, I'd go back anytime. The food/drink selection was hit or miss. The front porch spikes lemonades were weak (prompting a quick switch back to beer) and the burger, by all reports, wasn't great. My blackened shrimp salad, on the other hand - excellent. Maybe it's a matter of knowing what's good and sticking to it. Something the locals would know anyway.
(4)Ktimene G.
Fun Southern respite from the heat: a casual covered deck with giant fans and a brick patio replete with white lights. Extensive menu with a good assortment of standard fare like pimiento sammies and some delish garlic grits. The charm ends there, folks! We waited 85 minutes for our meal, which was served lukewarm with soggy fries. We had to wave down our server, busboy and even the hostess to get a check. Might be a good spot if plan to spend all afternoon nursing drinks, but until then they will be turning tables slooooowly.
(3)Law Man L.
This place looks like a total dive... and I guess it is. But that should not suggest that the food is lacking. This place is a dusty gem. Come in and enjoy a delicious meal... in a very casual atmosphere with plenty of picnic tables and TVs. And you can sit outside (or inside the covered porch area).
(4)Damian F.
Excellent spot to hangout...the food is good for the price...and the staff is awesome...every time I come to St. Simon...it's a must that I stop in...if you love oysters...the oyster po-boy is a good choice
(5)Jasmine H.
A bit disappointed because I've heard several good things about Gnats. We were seated right away, which is either inside near the bar (a very small area) or basically outside in these covered area with the doors opened with fans. It was a warm, humid night, so the seating wasn't ideal. I ordered The Front Porch Lemonade, one of their specialty drinks. The vodka outweighed the lemonade so it's wasn't so good. The waiter didn't know whether the salmon was fresh or farm raised, so he had to stop in the middle of taking our order and ask. I asked for ranch on the side with my caesar salad (weird, I know) and I got caesar dressing tossed in with the salad. My shrimp and grits were ok, sweet potato fries were not hot, but my boyfriend's grouper was great (earned an extra star). One thing that I noticed about St Simons Island in general.. The water there has a strange taste, even if when you stay at the hotels, you can smell it in the shower. If you're not used to it, it'll bother you.
(2)Lauren H.
Smells funny inside. I didn't eat here, but I'm not sure I would with the funky smell.
(2)David P.
Me and the wife were here on a Friday night and felt right at home. They have a full bar, but yet I didn't even see one drunkard stumbling around. It was awesome! I love going to a place where you can relax and not have to worry about people acting stupid. They also had a live band that was playing and it was right on time with the atmosphere. I had blackened flounder and the wife had a shrimp po' boy. They were both excellent! If you're in St. Simons, don't pass this one up!
(5)Cher W.
Loved this place! Just a cool place to come and hangout. We are putting this on our list of "have to come back real soon" list.
(4)Barbara N.
Delicious blackened shrimp atop Autumn Salad with walnuts and pears. The place is what you would imagine if you are from New England and are picturing ramshackle shutters, overhead fans and a Georgia sports Bar all entwined!
(3)Taylor C.
YUMMMM! Best barbecued pork sandwich. It was so tender the pickles, the pork, the bun, the sauce I have never been so in love with pork. They gave me a huge serving of pork too! French fries were great and the fried pickles were thin and crispy. Our waitress recommended the coleslaw it is not a mayonnaise base which I prefer and it had uncooked ramen noodles in it! The spinach salad with scallops looked good and I heard was great! I also heard they have a great margarita! Their menu has everything and anything from fried green tomatoes to fresh healthy salads. You cannot go wrong here! Great food and service. Go at night and sit outside watching the game or stay inside like I did.
(5)Linda S.
This is usually the first eatery I hit on my way on the island. I love the Fried Green Tomato Cuban. I can't get past it for the other menu items. It is overly filling and a huge sandwich. Service is spotty depending on when you arrive and how crowded. It starts loading up with patrons when it opens @ 11:30 which says something for their food. Love the covered porch with the large screen TV which always has the most current sports event showing.
(4)Mark T.
Great little casual spot. The chicken chili special and the shrimp app were particularly zesty.
(4)F C.
We ate there today. We had shrimp n grits and the crab cakes. I did not care for the crab cakes at all but the shrimp n grits were really good. Our waitress was not so great... I think she forgot about us because we rarely saw her...
(3)Guerry N.
Gnats Landing, which opened in 1999 is a Bar & Grill located in Redfern Village near Bubba Garcia's. Both restaurants and owned and run by "Boz" Bostock. Boz's goal was to create a place for beach goers to relax in a "Flip-Flop Friendly" environment and enjoy some good ole' American fare. His menu of daily specials, fresh seafood, salads, sandwiches, fried pickles, Vidalia Onion Pie not to mention the $8,000 Margarita. In the fall this is where all the St Simons Island locals gather for the Georgia Football games. So... if you aren't afraid of having a good time, come on by and give Gnats a try.
(4)M D.
Lunch was casual and they easily accommodated our party of 8 (4 adults/ 4 kids). Food was okay and fit the setting: kids menu, salads, and decent fish & shrimp. In addition to the usual fried fare, they have decent grilled/blackened fish.
(3)Kelly P.
Make sure the little ones do not fill up on the sweet tea before the meal. Expect copious refills on drinks, chips. New and improved outdoor space was cool with the fans and open windows. Great choice anytime!
(5)Ann Marie D.
Gant's Landing is a very casual place located at Redfern Village. You can do a little shopping then head over for a bite to eat. They have a good bit of seating, so you should not have to wait for a table. The food is good but nothing to really write home about. There is plenty of parking around the restaurant, unlike many of the places in The Village.
(3)The Hungry American E.
Go where the real locals go. Family owned and operated by a guy that is island heritage. And everyone on the island has worked here at some point. Cheap beer, good American cuisine. And live entertainment. This place is St. Simons Island.
(5)Anna O.
My husband and I ate at Gnat's Landing on a Friday night. There was no wait, amazing food, and a perfect atmosphere! Absolutely no complaints.
(5)Ali K.
For some reason, this is always the first place I want to go for lunch as soon as I get on the island. Love it here. Fun atmosphere, friendly service and good food. Love their fried dill pickles... and sweet tea. Since I'm from the north, these are big treats when I go down there :) I really love their autumn and ceasar salads... can't go wrong with either! Also, I'm a big fan of their margaritas served in mason jars. They are amazing.
(4)Bill S.
Gnat's Landing is beach casual dining in Redfearn Village. You can eat under revolving fans outside or in AC inside; with the summer heat and humidity we chose indoors. Others have raved about the fried pickles; we didn't try them. but we did go for some delightfully zippy shrimp and grits (specifically, blackened shrimp with andouille, grilled ciabatta bread on garlic cheese grits. Tasty and filling, just right with a big glass of ice tea. We also enjoyed the slaw bowl, a crunchy cole slaw (not too sweet) with good, fresh grilled shrimp piled on top. The menu features a variety of sandwiches, from Cubans to burgers, a variety of salads, All dressings are served on the side except for the Caesar ("You'll come to praise the Caesar.") Friendly waitresses keep things moving, and the prices are reasonable. Nothing bad to say about Gnat's. It's a pleasant dining experience, and the bar offers a good selection of cold beverages including some imported beers. We'd go back!
(3)Marisa K.
This is a great outdoor bar/restaurant with a laid back beachy feel! I went here for the first time this week and had a great salad! The atmosphere is fun and quirky, along with a super friendly staff! We were here on a Tuesday night but the place was full and they had a great band playing. Lots of TV's make a good place for watching sports - it's a great spot in Redfern!
(4)Russ M.
My name is Russ M. and I approve of this message... Gnat's landing? Hell yeah! I'll keep this simple; Friendly service Friendly locals/patrons Tasty grub (Shrimp and grits!) Good beer What's not to like?
(4)Julie D.
"Unfortunately, Gnat's has gone down hill. Lunch took an hour and a half and we just ordered salads. Salads were not up to standard. Subpar tomatoes, meager toppings. They were also out of fish at noon. ??? Will not be back anytime soon."
(2)tony s.
The wings are amazing, not the everyday hot wing, unique and amazing. Service was outstanding. It's rustic no frills but excellent.
(4)Bernard P.
I've got 6 words for you: Vidalia Onion Pie Order it now, gobble it up, ask for seconds! You won't be sorry and yes, I can't count. F@ck you and your book learnin'!
(5)Tony L.
Unfortunately we had to wait for over 45 min to get our food. The waitress never once told us why the meals were taking so long. We noticed two other customers complain too. Overheard one waitress tell her customer that she did her job after he complained about the length of time he waited and wasn't even told why. Food was decent but definitely not worth the wait. I guess had the waitresses been more attentive and tried to explain that there was a delay we may have been more understanding. Visited on 5/31/12.
(2)Jim S.
Food was very good..when we finally got it. Waited over an hour for our food to arrive after it was ordered. This was 3 salad orders & 2 fried food selections. Nothing fancy. First time in my life ever spoke to mgmt about my restaurant experience. That said, manager was quite responsive, but there was some bad food issues going on. Table beside us sent back scallops that were overcooked. She was told they were out of scallops, but 2 of our party got scallops afterwards. Again, food was fine but wait and service was not good, especially with a 4 year old.
(2)Gina L.
Fantastic place for lunch! I really enjoyed my meal and everyone was so attentive. It's pretty reasonable and the portions are HUGE! I will definitely go back when I go back to St Simons
(5)M D.
Lunch was casual and they easily accommodated our party of 8 (4 adults/ 4 kids). Food was okay and fit the setting: kids menu, salads, and decent fish & shrimp. In addition to the usual fried fare, they have decent grilled/blackened fish.
(3)Kelly P.
Make sure the little ones do not fill up on the sweet tea before the meal. Expect copious refills on drinks, chips. New and improved outdoor space was cool with the fans and open windows. Great choice anytime!
(5)Ann Marie D.
Gant's Landing is a very casual place located at Redfern Village. You can do a little shopping then head over for a bite to eat. They have a good bit of seating, so you should not have to wait for a table. The food is good but nothing to really write home about. There is plenty of parking around the restaurant, unlike many of the places in The Village.
(3)The Hungry American E.
Go where the real locals go. Family owned and operated by a guy that is island heritage. And everyone on the island has worked here at some point. Cheap beer, good American cuisine. And live entertainment. This place is St. Simons Island.
(5)Anna O.
My husband and I ate at Gnat's Landing on a Friday night. There was no wait, amazing food, and a perfect atmosphere! Absolutely no complaints.
(5)Dana K.
Gnat's Landing gets 4 stars for the fried pickles alone. I've eaten other food there, but I can't remember what it was. It was fine, though (I'd remember it if it were bad). I absolutely crave their fried pickles. I've had them at other places, but they never live up to my expectations anywhere else. Extra half star for carrying imported beer...trust me, there are still few places where you aren't accosted by 8 different types of Budweiser.
(4)J C.
I would not eat here again. Person greeting us was unfriendly (I think he was a bar side employee) for starters and the table was outside and cold and drafty. The fried pickles were highly recommended so we were looking forward to some new discovery and they were so SALTY we could not eat even 1/2 of them (and I can handle salt, or so my husband accuses) Food was big portions, not pricey, maybe better suited for the poor and hearty appetites of beer drinking college kids. The stars given were for our excellent waiter (soon to be Dad, name ?), very nice person!!! Better places to spend time and money on St. Simons Island!
(2)Jim S.
Food was very good..when we finally got it. Waited over an hour for our food to arrive after it was ordered. This was 3 salad orders & 2 fried food selections. Nothing fancy. First time in my life ever spoke to mgmt about my restaurant experience. That said, manager was quite responsive, but there was some bad food issues going on. Table beside us sent back scallops that were overcooked. She was told they were out of scallops, but 2 of our party got scallops afterwards. Again, food was fine but wait and service was not good, especially with a 4 year old.
(2)Gina L.
Fantastic place for lunch! I really enjoyed my meal and everyone was so attentive. It's pretty reasonable and the portions are HUGE! I will definitely go back when I go back to St Simons
(5)