For six years, Kitchen 251 was one of those Amelia Island spots where the food, the people, and the waterfront sunsets all seemed to work together. Tucked inside the Amelia Island Marina, it became a favorite for locals and visitors looking for fresh seafood, comforting Southern dishes, and a little Cajun flavor.

Now, Kitchen 251 has traded its marina views for historic charm, a much larger dining room, and plenty of room to grow.

The restaurant officially opened its new location at 801 Beech Street in January 2026, settling into the historic William Bell House in downtown Fernandina Beach. While the setting may be different, the familiar food and welcoming atmosphere that built Kitchen 251’s loyal following have made the move right along with it.

The new space is a major change from the restaurant’s former marina location, which only had a small number of indoor tables. Kitchen 251 can now welcome approximately 140 guests inside, with additional seating available outdoors. That means more room for lunches, dinners, date nights, and celebrations.

The larger location also includes private dining rooms, a full bar, and a dedicated catering area. Behind the scenes, a much larger kitchen gives Chef Michael McCarroll and his team the freedom to expand the menu and serve more guests without losing the quality people have come to expect.

Chef Michael, originally from Lafayette, Louisiana, has deep roots in Fernandina Beach’s restaurant community. His local culinary career began more than 40 years ago when he was recruited to work as the chef at the former 1878 Steakhouse. He and his wife, Ashley, later focused on private catering before opening Kitchen 251 at the marina.

What started as another opportunity to share Chef Michael’s cooking quickly grew into a true local favorite. Eventually, the restaurant simply needed more room.

Thankfully, the move did not mean starting over. The staff from the marina location made the move to Beech Street as well, which is especially meaningful for regular customers who have gotten to know the people behind the restaurant over the years.

The menu continues to feature the down home comfort food and Cajun influenced dishes Kitchen 251 is known for. Longtime favorites such as the Corn and Crab Soup, Seafood Dip, Shrimp and Grits, Blackened Salmon Salad, and local wild caught shrimp are still part of the experience.

The larger kitchen has also made room for new additions, including steaks, pasta dishes, and even more made from scratch desserts. Current menu selections include Blackened Mahi and Shrimp, a filet topped with red wine demi glace, and Kitchen Pasta served with housemade marinara and a choice of protein.

Of course, leaving without dessert may require more self control than most of us reasonably possess. Kitchen 251 offers rotating homemade treats such as Key Lime Pie, Bread Pudding with Whiskey Sauce, Cheesecake of the Day, and Chef Michael’s award winning Pecan Pie. If dinner leaves no room, there is absolutely no shame in taking dessert home for later. In fact, that may be considered responsible planning.

The location itself adds another layer to the experience. Built in 1889 by Captain William Bell as a wedding gift for his bride, the William Bell House is one of Fernandina Beach’s historic treasures. Its bay windows, two story verandas, detailed railings, and original imported marble fireplace features are reminders of the home’s long history.

Moving Kitchen 251 into this space feels like a meeting of two different parts of Fernandina Beach. One brings the history and character of the island, while the other brings decades of local culinary experience and a restaurant that has already earned its place on the island.

Longtime customers will certainly miss the beautiful sunsets and waterfront views of the marina location. However, the move to Beech Street gives Kitchen 251 more space to serve the community, host special occasions, and continue building its future in Fernandina Beach.

Kitchen 251 is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 801 Beech Street in Fernandina Beach. The restaurant is closed Sunday and Monday. Reservations and additional information are available by calling 904 261 7447 or visiting Kitchen251.com.

Kitchen 251 may have a new address, but the food, familiar faces, and welcoming spirit that made it a local favorite have all come along for the move.