History. Ghostly Lore. A beautiful beach. Those are some of the many reasons to visit St. Augustine. One thing many people don’t realize is St. Augustine is also a foodie destination. Not only will you find delicious coastal seafood dishes, but you’ll also find cuisine from around the world. Even better, there’s a story to accompany all of the dishes. Here are some Must-Visit Restaurants in St. Augustine.
We were guests of St. Augustine, but all opinions are our own.
Must Visit Restaurants in St. Augustine
Whether they are located in historic buildings, located in historic downtown, or across the Bridge of Lions, you’ll be nourished by the tasty offerings as well as the friendly atmosphere. Whether you crave a romantic dinner, a casual family meal, or an evening with friends, you’ll find them here.
Delicious Lunch Options
1. Taverna del Cabello -Located at 37 St. George Street, this restaurant is in the heart of downtown and directly across from the Castillo de San Marcos. Built to look like a colonial Spanish Tavern, you’ll feel like you stepped back in time the moment you walk through the door. But don’t drop by just for the atmosphere, come in for the delicious food. I tried the Cuban sandwich, made with three types of meats and topped with a tasty garlic aioli. It’s served with kettle chips and is both hardy and delicious. Our table split Goat Cheese Terrine, a concoction of “Whipped Goat Cheese Mousse layered with Olive Tapenade, Pesto, and Sun-dried tomatoes” It was a huge hit with everyone and quickly devoured. If the weather is nice, take advantage of the shaded outdoor seating.
2. Cafe Alcazar – Have you ever wished to dine in a swimming pool? This is the place to be. Once designed as an indoor swimming pool for the wealthy clients of Mr. Henry Flagler, today Cafe Alcazar is a tasteful restaurant. Dine with classic music playing softly in the background and imagine the ladies and gentlemen descending down the marble staircase into the pool. Not only is the atmosphere tasteful, but the food is also a treat. The chefs use a variety of local and organic ingredients to present fresh dishes that change with the seasons. I had the soup and sandwich combo with a bowl of homemade French Onion Soup and a chicken salad sandwich. The presentation is lovely, but the food itself is the real showstopper. The soup was covered with a thick layer of cheese and the onions were perfectly sauteed. I only wish I had room for dessert! Cafe Alcazar is located at 25 Granada Street and reservations are recommended.
Tasty Dinner Options
1. O.C. White’s Seafood & Spirits Located on the waterfront in historic downtown at 118 Avenida Menendez, this is another place to visit not just for the delicious food, but for the atmosphere. Dating back to 1790 when Don Miguel Ysnardy built his residence in St. Augustine, this restaurant was moved to its present location in 1961. Thanks to the 18-inch walls, you’ll feel cool inside on the hottest day. If you’re headed over for lunch, I recommend the blue crab cake sandwich. For dinner, I recommend the Seafood Combo. It includes fried shrimp, a crab cake, the catch of the day, mashed potatoes, and the vegetable of the day. There’s easily enough food to take home for a second meal or to split with a friend. The abundance of casual patio seating is a favorite in the evenings. If you’re looking for a thrill, be sure to ask about the hauntings. While they serve spirits, including a yummy Sangria, you might see also see the spirit of the former owner, Mrs. Worth.
2. Amici Italian Restaurant – If you plan to leave the downtown area and cross the Bridge of Lions to spend a day in St. Augustine Beach or even if you don’t- stop by Amici Italian Restaurant. Owned by a brother and sister team, Benedetta and Vito, Amici has been serving classic Italian recipes since 1999. They use the freshest ingredients, secret recipes passed down through their family, and make the food from scratch each day. I recommend the Salmon Senapa, a fresh salmon fillet sautéed in a light mustard cream sauce.
As I said, all good restaurants come with a story and Amici is no exception. When the owners purchased the restaurant, they found a large “A” in the tile outside the door. Not wanting to go to the expense of removing or changing the “A,” they thought of words that began with an A. Finally, they decided on Amici, a Latin word that translates as “friend.” Amici is located at 1915 A1A South, St. Augustine Beach.
3. Raintree Restaurant Another place to go for the atmosphere and stay for the food, Raintree is located in a beautifully restored 1879 Victorian Home. They also offer lovely courtyard dining that would be perfect for a romantic evening. Opened in 1981 by the MacDonald Family, their daughter Lorna and her family still manage the restaurant. It’s a casual place with a warm and welcoming staff. Start your dinner with either the Bang Bang Shrimp Castillo, a sweet and spicy Buffalo shrimp, or the Raintree Charcuterie Board, a selection of rosy goat cheese, house-cured meats, citrus olives & a French Baguette. You can’t go wrong with either of them. I could have made a meal of their salad. It was that good. Raintree Restaurant is located at 102 San Marco Avenue.
Can’t-Miss Foodie Experiences
1. Peace Pie – The brainchild of Jerry Klause, Peace Pie began as a Thanksgiving accident. Realizing he didn’t have all the ingredients he needed to make pecan pie, Mr. Klause baked cookies, spread ice cream and pecan pie filling on one side, and topped it with another cookie. The result, “Pecan Pie Lasagna,” was a hit with family and friends. Now, this family-owned business has three locations in New Jersey, two in Charleston, South Carolina, and one in St. Augustine. Florida. These pies are prepared from scratch daily to serve up a piece of homemade goodness. With flavors like Salted Caramel Apple, Peanut Butter Chiffon, and more, there’s sure to be a favorite for everyone in the family. Peace Pie is located at 8 Aviles Street.
The classic pecan Peace Pie.
2. St. Augustine Distillery– Housed in what was once St. Augustine’s first electricity company and ice factory, this distillery is a true community project. A group of 28 people banded together to make Florida’s first bourbon. This project was a labor of love. Using as many local and regional products as possible, including sugar cane, wheat, corn, and citrus, they prepare all of their liquors in small batches for quality. Today, they offer four spirits; Bourbon, Vodka, Gin, and Rum. Besides the Double Cask Bourbon, you can find Port Finished Bourbon, a traditional bourbon that has been finished in a port wine barrel. St. Augustine Distillery offers free tours daily beginning at 10:30. All tours include a free tasting. The tasting is informative and you’ll leave learning how to make a perfect cocktail. They are located at 112 Riberia Street.
Have you visited St. Augustine? If you are planning a visit, make sure to include these restaurants in your plans. You won’t regret it. What is your favorite place to visit? What’s your favorite restaurant?
Must Visit St. Augustine Historical Sites
St. Francis Inn, St. Augustine, Florida
King and Prince Resort, St. Simons Island
Michael’s Tasting Room, St. Augustine, Florida
This is such a great list. We visit St. Augustine regularly and Cafe Alcazar is one of our favorites. Glad to see they made your list.
Oh wow! Look at all that food. So amazing. Lots of great foods and places to eat!
I am such a foodie when it comes to this kind of cuisine. I would love to check out these places for sure!
That sounds like a great restaurant. All that food looks so amazing too. I’d love to give many of these dishes a try.
That’s pretty clever to use the letter A in the name of their restaurant instead of removing it. The food looks super delicious!
These are some great suggestions. I think I would really like the Peace Pie. I love Pecan Pie filling but not pecans. That would be the perfect dessert for me.
This would be a best food trip that if you want a different food this is the place .,Those food so delicious .,
St Augustine seems to have some delicious dining options! The Peace Pie is such a great accident. Looks delicious!
Oh yes, I would enjoy going to all of these places. I just love to eat. I really need to get to St. Augustine one day.
We skip St. Augustine during our road trip to Key West and we regret it so much. The beach and the area has high reviews its just that we don’t have much time so we decided to stop by to Daytona instead. It made me want to plan our next trip and this time St. Augustine is on our list. I love they offer lots of good food along the way.
Holy. Moly. I need to plan a visit to St. Augustine just for the food! Everything here sounds so amazing.
I have never been there but these restaurant and libation establishments are not to be missed. Each dish looked better than the next so i need to get there.
The only place we’ve been to is the distillery. Our favorite place in St. Augustine was St. Augustine Seafood Company. They had the best fish sandwich ever!
I love St. Augustine but it has been years since I have been there. I need to go again. A dear friend lived there once and I haven’t been back for a long while.
I have been wanting to go to Saint Augustine for a very long time. It just looks like an interesting place to visit. Now I know that I need to try out all the food there also. All of this looks delightful.
You’re making me so hungry! St. Augustine is such a beautiful place to visit and I didn’t realize they had so much good food as well. I need to plan a visit.
My husband and I were just talking about planning a trip there. I will add these restaurants to our list.
There are so many wonderful places I would love to visit here in the United States. After reading your post about St. Augustine Florida this place sounds wonderful.