Cucina South — Restaurant in Fernandina Beach

Good food, great service, quant and cozy atmosphere in a small building resembling an old Southern style swamp/bayou house...make reservations.

The meatballs under the Anti Pasta section were absolutely our favorite dish. The meat within the meatball itself had an elegant mixture of herbs and spices homogeneously mixed throughout which made sure each bite was full of Italian pizzazz and flavor. They were so good, they could stand alone without the sauce. However, the sauce really complemented and elevated the already amazing meatballs to a higher level of awesomeness! We appreciated swiping up the remaining sauce with the bread provided. 🤤

They offered chef's specials which were worth going with the flow and trying. They really know how to cook fish correctly. The sea bass special was absolutely phenomenal!

If we had one minor complaint it was that the risotto in the Scallop Porcini Risotto ate more like wild rice but the charred brussel sprouts and perfectly cooked scallops made it worth it.

The atmosphere is cozy and intimate like dining in someone's house for dinner. There is outside seating but check the weather before you decide to ask for outside dining.

Our waitress was friendly and helpful which made the experience all the better.

The lemoncello marscapone cake was amazing although we do wish the slice was bigger considering it was $12.

Overall we had a wonderful experience and are excited to go back again and try the...

From the moment we were seated, Benji made our entire dining experience outstanding. His professionalism, warmth, and genuine attentiveness immediately stood out. He struck the perfect balance of being friendly and approachable without ever being overbearing, which truly elevated the atmosphere of our meal.

Benji was incredibly knowledgeable about the menu and offered thoughtful recommendations that suited our preferences perfectly. He anticipated our needs before we even had to ask—whether it was refilling drinks, checking on how we were enjoying our food, or ensuring everything came out at just the right time. His attention to detail showed he takes great pride in his work.

What impressed me most was how effortless he made it all seem. Even though the restaurant was busy, Benji treated us as though we were his only table. His upbeat energy, patience, and genuine kindness made the entire evening not just a meal, but an experience worth remembering.

It’s rare to find someone who can combine efficiency, charm, and genuine hospitality so seamlessly. Benji is a true credit to the team, and it’s clear he goes above and beyond to make guests feel valued and cared for. I would absolutely come back just to be served...

We love Cucina South. Whenever we visit Amelia Island which is several times a year we eat there a few times.We dined there this past Tuesday evening and while our meals were fabulous and our server Stephen was outstanding, unfortunately there was a very loud and rowdy large party adjacent to us which spoiled the evening.Not that I begrudge people from going out and having a good time, but Cucina South is one of those restaurants that’s intimate and quiet and people go there to have a nice relaxing meal and enjoy the people they’re with.

At the end of our meal Stephen was about to offer us coffee and desserts and I mentioned that we would love to stay but unfortunately the atmosphere was such that we needed to leave. He was extremely apologetic and we explained that we understood he nor management had any control over this situation. He later returned with our bill and let us know that the manager felt so badly that he bought us a round of drinks.

This is what I call good customer relations. They certainly did not have to do that, but it did in someway turn the evening around for us. We will definitely be back as we have always enjoyed...