North Beach Bar & Grill on Tybee Island

Most people who head for the Tybee lighthouse never look for dinner nearby. Then they come down the last step, hungry, with a car parked at a meter and kids who want a table now. North Beach Bar & Grill is the answer to that moment, and it sits right by the tower.

It is also a good plan on its own. This is a profile of a casual, family-friendly restaurant on the north end of the island, with notes on what to expect and how to fit it into a day.

What it is

North Beach Bar & Grill is at 33 Meddin Drive. The island's tourism office describes it as sitting between the Tybee Island Lighthouse and the beach, which puts it in the North Beach and Fort Screven part of Tybee. That is the quieter end of the island, away from the pier crowds.

The food is casual coastal fare. You will see Caribbean and Southern coastal influence, fresh seafood, tacos and burgers, and vegetarian options too. It serves both lunch and dinner. The restaurant keeps its menu on its own site at northbeachbarandgrill.net, and that is the place to look before you go.

Visit Tybee and Explore Georgia both list it.

Why it works for a family dinner

A good family restaurant has to do a few plain things. It needs a menu with something for everyone, a casual feel so nobody worries about noise, and a location that fits the day. North Beach Bar & Grill does all three.

The menu is the first reason. Tacos and burgers cover the kids who only want familiar food. Seafood covers the adult who wants to eat like they are on the coast. Vegetarian options mean a table with mixed diets does not have to split up or compromise.

The second reason is the mood. This is a come-as-you-are place. You can walk in with sandy feet after a beach afternoon and nobody blinks.

The third is the location. If you spend the day on the north end, you do not have to drive back across the island, find another meter, and look for a table. You stay put. For a tired group, that matters more than almost anything on the menu.

Plan the day around North Beach

The north end has enough to fill an afternoon, and dinner fits at the end of it.

Climb the lighthouse first. The Tybee Light is 145 feet tall, with 178 steps. It is the oldest and tallest lighthouse in Georgia. Our sister site has a full walk-through of the history and the climb in the Tybee lighthouse guide. Do the stairs before you eat, not after.

Look for shark teeth. North Beach is the spot for them. Walk the waterline with your eyes down and a small bucket in hand. Our guide on where to find shark teeth on Tybee Island covers how to look.

Let the kids run. North Beach is a good family stretch of sand. If you are still deciding where to spend your beach time, we compared the options in the best Tybee Island beach for families.

Then eat. Lunch works if you want to save the evening, and dinner works if you want the whole day on the north end first. Hours change, so check the restaurant's site for the current schedule before you set out.

Practical notes

Address: 33 Meddin Drive, Tybee Island, GA 31328.

Meals: Lunch and dinner. It is a sit-down spot, and takeout may suit you better on a day when you are heading straight back to the room.

Parking: This is the part that catches visitors. Public parking at North Beach is paid, and it runs through the Park TYB app. The City of Tybee posts the current rules on its Parking Services page. Read it before you leave so you know what to expect.

Getting there from Dunes Inn: We are on Butler Ave, a short walk from South Beach. North Beach is on the other end of the island, so this is a drive. Our lot is free, which helps. You can leave the car with us between outings and pay for parking only on the north end, when you need it.

Dogs: Dogs are not allowed on Tybee's beach. If you travel with a pet, the beach part of the day is the hard part. Pets are allowed at Dunes Inn. The fee is $25 per pet, per night. In the off season, it's $25 per pet for the first night, then $10 per pet per night after that.

Tips that save a little stress

Go before the family is hungry. A hungry child and a wait for a table is a bad mix. Eat a little before you arrive, or aim for an off-peak time.

Pick one anchor for the day. The lighthouse climb, the beach and dinner can all fit, but not if you add more. Choose the climb or the beach as the main event, then end with dinner.

Order for the table. With tacos, burgers and seafood on the menu, a table can mix and match. Let each person choose.

Bring a plan for the beach bag. After the sand, you will want a way to carry wet towels and shoes to the table. A dry bag is worth it.

Keep leftovers in mind. If your room is a Kitchenette room, it has a mini-fridge and microwave, so leftovers can come back with you. Those features are specific to that room type, not every room at Dunes Inn, so ask when you book if it matters.

Pairing it with the rest of your stay

For a lower-cost meal on another night, see our post on casual, affordable places to eat on Tybee Island. If you want more of the island's restaurants in one place, the dining page lists them. For ideas on the rest of the day, try the things to do page.

North Beach Bar & Grill is not trying to be the fanciest dinner on the island. It is an easy, friendly place near the lighthouse, with a menu most families can agree on. After a day on the north end, that is often exactly what you want.

Planning your Tybee trip

Dunes Inn & Suites is on Butler Ave, a short walk from South Beach, with free on-site parking and a saltwater pool. When you are ready, check availability for your dates.