St. Augustine is greatest identified for being the oldest metropolis that has been constantly occupied within the United States, however it’s also rising in fame as a foodie vacation spot. Walking by way of the cobblestoned streets of the historic district in downtown St. Augustine, you can find all the pieces from craft cocktail bars to out of doors tiki bars with stay music, cafes serving escargot to seafood eating places allotting a mix of southern consolation meals and creole delicacies.
With 500 years of historical past at its again, from early explorers to pirates to industrial-age robber barons, this coastal metropolis in Northeast Florida is actually distinctive with so many issues to do and it makes an excellent cease on a Florida street journey. At the identical time, the considerably kitschy part of Old St. Augustine would possibly remind you of the streets of Key West and even New Orleans.
Yet whenever you enterprise into the neighborhoods like Lincolnville, it might really feel extra like strolling by way of Savannah or Charleston. (Check out a few of the historic lodges within the space.)
Whether you come to St. Augustine for its Spanish-colonial type structure, checkered historical past, quick access to stunning seashores, or a sip on the Fountain of Youth, you all the time have to eat. So take your decide from just a few of our favourite downtown St. Augustine eating places in your subsequent journey (plus just a few close by if in case you have a automotive to discover.)
We ate at a whole lot of eating places in St. Augustine’s historic district, however see what else we bought as much as on our St. Augustine women’ weekend too!
Best Downtown St. Augustine Restaurants for Lunch or Dinner
In St. Augustine, you can find robust Greek and Mediterranean influences. With lengthy and deep connections to Minorca, additionally, you will discover the datil pepper featured in lots of dishes. Here are just a few favourite locations to eat in downtown St. Augustine.
Catch 27
My favourite discovery on a latest women’ journey to St. Augustine was Catch 27. Located within the coronary heart of downtown simply minutes from Castillo San Marcos, Catch 27 focuses on fresh-catch seafood and native substances with a southern and Creole aptitude. You can eat inside within the small eating room or benefit from the relaxed environment of the heated patio.
The deviled egg BLT appetizer with southern fried oysters and house-made tomato-bacon jam is to not be missed! You can’t go unsuitable with the fish of the day however in the event you aren’t a fish lover, the fried hen sandwich is extremely really helpful.
Catch 27 is positioned at 40 Charlotte Street, St. Augustine, FL. Reservations can be found on Resy.
Old City House
If you might be in search of an upscale eating expertise within the historic district, Old City House gives artistic delicacies that includes contemporary seafood, pasta, beef, lamb, and pork. Located in a superbly restored Nineteenth-century constructing, the Old City House gives a number of world delicacies utilizing the best substances.
While not on the usual menu, I had a scrumptious entree of salmon with a crab-stuffing crust — and I’m not even normally a fan of salmon.
Old City House & Inn is positioned at 115 Cordova Street, St. Augustine, FL 32084. Reservations can be found on OpenDesk.
River & Fort
One of the latest eating places in St. Augustine’s historic district is River & Fort, which opened in early 2022. Located on the Corner of Charlotte St. and Avenida Menendez, River & Fort overlooks the Castillo de San Marcos and Matanzas Bay.
This giant area options a number of balconies, two rooftops, and a courtyard. The third-story rooftop options scenic views of the Treasury, Bridge of Lions, the bay, and Castillo de San Marcos. For year-round out of doors eating, the courtyard will function heaters, a fountain, plenty of seating, and a cabana.
River & Fort focuses on contemporary seafood, together with native shrimp and fish, together with imported chilly water crustaceans, making it an ideal decide for seafood lovers or an incredible spot to seize a cocktail at sundown. You may even discover southern favorites like fried inexperienced tomatoes and fried pickle hushpuppies. Be positive to avoid wasting room for dessert and take a look at the guava pop tart or the Key Lime creme brûlée.
River & Fort is positioned at 12 Avenida Menendez, St. Augustine, FL 32084.
Cafe Alcazar
For a very distinctive eating expertise or a special day, make a lunch reservation at Cafe Alcazar, positioned within the Lightner Museum, with aspect entrances for non-museum diners. This elegant eatery is located in what was initially an indoor swimming pool when the museum was the Alcazar Hotel, one in all Henry Flagler’s many properties on the town in the course of the Gilded Age.
Cafe Alcazar has an eclectic menu that includes native and natural substances — serving up all the pieces from selfmade hummus to Greek-style escargot.
Cafe Alcazar is positioned at 25 Granada St, St. Augustine, FL 32084. Reservations are extremely really helpful and could be made by calling 904-825-9948.
Taberna del Caballo
Taberna del Caballo is a superb spot for lunch on the shaded patio courtyard. Located within the Colonial Quarter in Old Town, Taberna del Caballo is an 18th-century-style Spanish-inspired tavern providing a menu impressed by Spanish and Latin influences.
If you want spice, you’ll benefit from the cochinita pibil pork tacos. But in the event you can solely decide one factor, the Taberna soiled rice bowl is superb and I’d extremely advocate it!
Taberna del Caballo is positioned at 37 St George St, St. Augustine, FL 32084
Casa Reina
Another of downtown St. Augustine’s new eating places, Casa Reina (or “Queen’s House”) encompasses a fusion of Mexican, Latin American, and Florida coastal delicacies. From a chief location in historic downtown St. Augustine, Casa Reina gives superb views of the St. Augustine Plaza, Matanzas Bay, and the Bridge of Lions from the rooftop and porches.
The menu options loads of conventional favorites like genuine road tacos and enchiladas, alongside a number of distinctive signature dishes, equivalent to our Short Rib Chiles Rellenos and Tequila Lime Grouper. This has rapidly change into a St. Augustine hotspot for nice meals, refreshing drinks, and gorgeous views.
Casa Reina is positioned at 1 Anderson Circle, St. Augustine, FL 32084
Athena Restaurant
Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Athena serves up basic Greek dishes in an informal setting. This family-run restaurant is positioned simply off the central sq. in downtown St. Augustine and is ideal for household vacationers or these searching for a scrumptious however reasonably priced meal.
Even youngsters will benefit from the flaming presentation of the Saganaki cheese and the Greek salad with gyro meat is scrumptious.
Athena Restaurant is positioned at 14 Cathedral Pl, St. Augustine, FL 32084
Ice Plant Bar
Co-located on the St. Augustine Distillery, the Ice Plant Bar is one in all St. Augustine’s hottest eating places and everybody I do know recommends a meal or no less than drinks right here. This classic bar serves up farm-to-table delicacies and craft cocktails.
Cocktails are concocted with house-pressed juices, a large assortment of bitters, and specifically developed syrups, leading to gorgeous cocktails. They even use three completely different sorts of ice, a nod to the constructing’s authentic use as an Ice Plant, with a 300 lb block of ice and customized cubes.
If you’ll be able to’t get a desk, you’ll be able to all the time take a free tour (with tastings) on the St. Augustine Distillery subsequent door.
Ice Plant Bar is positioned at 110 Riberia Street, St. Augustine, FL 32084
St. Augustine Fish Camp
Located on the San Sebastian River close to the St. Augustine Distillery, the St. Augustine Fish Camp gives waterfront out of doors eating and the inside is as contemporary and welcoming because the catch of the day. Featuring southern seafood like a low nation boil and shrimp and grits, St. Augustine Fish Camp gives the freshest fish straight off the boat.
Open each day for lunch and dinner, that is additionally an incredible spot to look at the sundown.
St. Augustine Fish Camp is positioned at 142 Riberia St, St. Augustine, FL 32084
Sainte-George Restaurant
Located by the City Gate on St. Augustine’s common pedestrian-only St. George Street, this eatery offers European-influenced American Cuisine. From Wednesday by way of Sunday, the Sainte-George is the place to go for brunch with basic breakfast plates and luncheon decisions.
Dinner service brings advantageous eating with an incredible number of steaks and seafood accompanied by contemporary native veggies and a implausible wine choice and specifically created craft cocktails. Everything is cooked and baked from scratch, together with all of the bread and sauces, for a very native eating expertise.
Sainte-George Restaurant is positioned at 1 St. George Street, St. Augustine, FL 32084. Reservations can be found by way of OpenDesk.
Where to Eat Near Downtown St. Augustine
If you have got a automotive and you might be prepared to drive to lunch or dinner, listed below are some recommendations for eating places close to downtown St. Augustine.
Aunt Kate’s
If you might be heading to the seaside, you could need to plan to cease for lunch or dinner at Aunt Kate’s on the Tolomoto River. You can eat inside or get pleasure from out of doors eating whereas the youngsters romp on the small seaside or watch the pelicans attempting to steal fish from the docks.
You might need to go for one of many Menorcan dishes (or decide up a bottle of their selfmade datil pepper sauce) or benefit from the scrumptious fried inexperienced tomatoes with Key Lime sauce — what an ideal mix of Southern consolation delicacies with Florida flavors! The award-winning fish tacos and tender shell crab sandwiches are additionally good decisions.
Aunt Kate’s is positioned at 612 Euclid Ave, St. Augustine, FL 32084
Kingfish Grill
Just throughout the Vilano Beach Bridge from downtown St. Augustine, Kingfish Grill serves up the freshest fish and native seafood round. The out of doors patio is a enjoyable setting and the hearth pits are an ideal spot for a pre-or post-dinner cocktail.
The Oysters Vilano are decadent and the sushi is extremely contemporary and attractive. All of the fish that we tried have been so extremely contemporary and flavorful. I ate extra fish in St. Augustine than I usually do in a month at residence!
The Kingfish Grill is positioned at 252 Yacht Club Drive, St. Augustine, FL 32084
Where to go for Snacks in St. Augustine
When your candy tooth begins begging for a mid-afternoon deal with, right here is the place to cease in St. Augustine.
Peace Pie
This ice cream store originated on the Jersey shore and has migrated its mellow sweetness all the way down to St. Augustine. Offering connoisseur ice cream sandwiches with a layer of pie filling, there are alternatives for each candy tooth. I didn’t strive all of them, however the salted caramel apple with vanilla ice cream, salted caramel, and apple pie filling, with cinnamon shortcake cookies, is delish!! I’m unsure how they handle to maintain the cookies crisp however not crumbly.
Peace Pie is positioned at 8 Aviles St, St. Augustine, FL 32084
Hyppo Gourmet Ice Pops
For these craving one thing chilly however non-dairy, pop over to Hyppo Gourmet Ice Pops. The flavors vary from champagne mango to pineapple ginger or strawberry basil. I would like to remain longer in St. Augustine simply to strive all of them!
Hyppo Gourmet Ice Pops is positioned at 48 Charlotte St, St. Augustine, FL 32084
Whetstone Chocolates Store and Tasting Tours
Whetstone is a family-run chocolatier providing a retailer downtown and on the manufacturing facility. One-hour manufacturing facility excursions are supplied each day and embrace a four-tiered tasting to differentiate between the traits of darkish, milk, and white chocolate, and cocoa nibs.
Whetstone is positioned at 139 King St, St. Augustine, FL 32084 and 42 St George St, St. Augustine, FL 32084
Where to go for Drinks in St. Augustine
Prohibition Kitchen
Prohibition is a retro, gastropub paying homage to the times of Prohibition and the Gilded Age. There is a big number of craft beers and handcrafted cocktails poured by aptly-bearded hipster bartenders. Go within the evenings to get pleasure from stay music. If you select pub grub, beware that the German-style pretzels are humongous.
Prohibition Kitchen is positioned at 119 St George St, St. Augustine, FL 32084
Casa de Vino 57
Casa de Vino 57 is a cute wine store/wine bar with an outside patio and bar, usually that includes stay music. They serve up a imply charcuterie board and pour classic and small-batch wines.
Casa de Vino 57 is positioned at 57 Treasury St, St. Augustine, FL 32084
Odd Birds Bar
Odd Birds is a pop-up bar serving craft cocktails and odd bites. Featuring a enjoyable out of doors patio, Odd Birds brings in visitor bartenders recurrently and makes use of all kinds of spirits from all around the world.
Odd Birds Bar is positioned at 33 Charlotte St, St. Augustine, FL 32084
The Tasting Tours
If you actually need to study in regards to the meals scene in downtown St. Augustine, join a meals and drinks tour with The Tasting Tours. You know I really like an incredible meals tour, and the tour in St. Augustine showcased all kinds of cuisines in addition to PLENTY of wine!
Before we headed all the way down to St. Augustine, I requested for suggestions on Facebook and Instagram and another locations that popped to the highest embrace:
- The Floridian Restaurant – southern delicacies – 72 Spanish St #3638, St. Augustine, FL 32084
- Mango Mango’s – Caribbean & American – 700 A1A Beach Blvd, St. Augustine, FL 32080
- Cap’s on the Water – oyster bar and seafood with nice sundown views – 4325 Myrtle St, St. Augustine, FL 32084