Mouthwatering List of Popular Top Restaurants in St. Augustine

With a variety of flavors and influences that range from Spanish to down-home southern cooking, and ingredients like fresh, local seafood and delicious regionally sourced produce, the culinary scene in St. Augustine has something for everyone.

If digging into the local food scene is one of your favorite vacation activities, this mouthwatering list of popular top restaurants in St. Augustine has you covered! Here, you’ll find award-winning flavors, exceptional scenery, and diverse dishes that will leave you craving more. From casual beachfront dining to local favorites in the heart of the historic district, you’ll be set to taste your way through the city on your next visit. But enough with the appetizer, let’s move on to the main course! 

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Beachfront Restaurants in St. Augustine, Florida

The Reef

As one of the last remaining true beachfront restaurants in Northeast Florida, The Reef offers an incredible dining experience where you can enjoy the tastes of the coast as you watch the waves roll into shore.

In addition to the phenomenal view, Chef Denzel Aponte has created a well-balanced menu that celebrates seafood and fish as well as beef, poultry, pasta, and unique specials. And with a history that spans more than 30 years, it’s clear the team is doing something right.

Visit them seven days a week and be sure to check out their happy hour from 3-7 PM Monday through Saturday and 4:30-7 PM Sunday for discounted drinks and appetizers. 

• Address: 4100 Coastal Highway St. Augustine, FL 32084
• Menu
• Our Pick: Grilled Seafood Trio of Rock Lobster, Jumbo Shrimp and New England Scallops

Beachcomber St. Augustine

A St. Augustine staple, Beachcomber has been around in one iteration or another since 1940. Starting as a simple beach shack where folks could grab a quick bite before heading back to the beach, it’s grown into one of the best spots for seafood in town.

In 2019, under the guiding eye of Executive Chef Steve LeClair, Beachcomber won the Best of St. Augustine award for Best Lunch Restaurant. But the dishes extend beyond lunch. Chef LeClair brings more than 35 years of fine dining experience to the plate. Evidenced by the creative twists to traditional dishes you’ll see on the menu.

Stop by Monday – Thursday from 11 AM to 9 PM, Friday and Saturday from 11 AM to 10 PM or Sunday from 11 AM to 9 PM.

• Address: 2 A Street St. Augustine Beach, FL 32080
• Menu
• Our Pick: Fried Wahoo Bites with the Tropical Storm Taco

Salt Life Food Shack

Enjoy great food, cool drinks, and a perfect atmosphere right by the beach when you visit Salt Life Food Shack. An extension of the popular Salt Life brand, the restaurant provides a fun and casual atmosphere with a huge menu so even the pickiest eaters can find something mouthwatering.

Whether you want sushi, something from the raw bar, or you like to stick to mainland classics like burgers and steaks, you’ll find it all here. Need a gluten-free option? No worries. And don’t forget to try one of their fantastic island cocktails.

• Address: 321 A1A Beach Blvd St. Augustine, FL 32080
• Menu
• Our Pick: Smoked Grouper Dip, A Dozen Oysters from the Raw Bar, and Chili Lime Mahi with coconut cream sauce

Downtown Restaurants in St. Augustine

The Floridian

The Floridian prides itself on sourcing only the finest local ingredients whenever possible, and you can taste that dedication to regional influence in every bite. With a menu that focuses on elevating classic Southern comfort foods into lighter, healthier, and more vibrant dishes, you’ll understand what keeps folks coming back to this top restaurant in St. Augustine. 

From their fried green tomatoes and made-from-scratch soups to bright fresh salads, and hearty mains that range from brisket to burgers, every selection on the menu feels like a warm hug. Be sure to visit them for lunch or dinner during your St. Augustine vacation. 

• Address: 72 Spanish Street St. Augustine, FL 32084
• Menu
• Our Pick: The Cheese Board followed by ‘N Waffles: slow-smoked BBQ pulled pork served over crunchy cornmeal waffles. Topped with bourbon-brown sugar fruit, local honey, house buttermilk ricotta, and candied pecans.

Columbia Restaurant

Consistently recognized as one of Florida’s top restaurants since 1967, Columbia Restaurant has been around since 1905, growing into the largest Spanish restaurant in the WORLD! The menu is an exquisite blend of Spanish and Cuban cuisine that is perfect for those who want to try traditional foods from the cultures that founded St. Augustine.

The dining room is brilliantly decorated with Spanish-inspired hand-painted tiles, fountains, and art pieces, transporting you to the old world, and the menu is nothing short of phenomenal. Bring a group and sample the tapas. Be sure to save room for a slice of indulgent key lime pie at the end!

Columbia Restaurant is open daily from 11 AM to 10 PM. 

• Address: 98 St. George Street St. Augustine, FL 32084
• Menu
• Our Pick: Croquetas de Pollo followed by La Completa Cubana, a dynamic plate of Cuban flavors featuring roast pork, empanadas, plantains, beans, rice, and more!

Ice Plant

As the name suggests, this top St. Augustine restaurant is located in a factory building dating back to 1927 and beckons a return to a time when grabbing a cocktail and a quick bite was an entire experience. The menu features grass-fed beef and burgers, seafood dishes, vegetarian options, and daily specials. The cocktails are inventive and include zero-proof offerings, while their extensive wine list and beers ensure there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

• Address: 110 Riberia St. St. Augustine, FL 32084
• Menu
• Our Pick: Blue Crab Beignets to start and Pan Seared Sea Scallops with roasted heirloom carrots for the main.

Restaurants in St. Augustine’s Historic District

Forgotten Tonic

Located in the heart of the historic district in St. Augustine, Forgotten Tonic is one-part cocktail bar and one-part restaurant focused on creating fully immersive experiences like this fall’s Black Lagoon, which embodies all things spooky and macabre. Wear your costume and enjoy a bespoke menu crafted by their skilled mixologists.

If you’re visiting outside of October, you’ll still be met with a delightful menu that focuses on American cuisine with a modern twist. While reservations are not required, they are highly encouraged, and parties are limited to eight guests or fewer. When you want a fancy and fun night out on your St. Augustine vacation, this is the place to go. 

• Address: 6 Aviles Street St. Augustine, FL 32084
• Menu
• Our Pick: Baked Brie and Shrimp and Grits Etouffee with Tiramisu Bread Pudding for dessert.

Catch 27

Focusing on locally caught seafood, Catch 27 makes everything on its menu from scratch using seasonal ingredients and locally procured produce. With all their seafood coming from Florida’s coast, your meal supports not just the restaurant staff, but the entire fishing industry around St. Augustine.

On the menu, you’ll find shrimp, clams, snapper, sheepshead, mahi mahi, triggerfish, and flounder, just to name a few. Creative dishes and tried and true classics blend to create the perfect dining experience at this casual fine-dining restaurant in St. Augustine.

• Address: 40 Charlotte Street St. Augustine FL 32804
• Menu
• Our Pick: Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes and Panko and Parmesan Crusted Grouper with bacon-spinach cream sauce, mashed potatoes, and asparagus.

Prohibition Kitchen

Led by Executive Chef Lashunta Oxendine, Prohibition Kitchen serves, “unique dishes and stylish cocktails.” As a vintage gastropub, the menu focuses on home cooking and comfort fare like burgers, pot pies, wings, and steaks. Enjoy an intimate speakeasy-style dining experience on the first floor, or head to the second floor for a table overlooking the bar and stage. With frequent live music, it’s a great spot for an entertaining dinner during your vacation.

• Address: 119 St. George St. St. Augustine, FL 32084
• Menu
• Our Pick: County Line Boiled Peanuts and a Chargrilled Ribeye with loaded baked potato, sweet corn, and green beans.

Book Your Culinary Getaway to St. Augustine Today!

Featured Property: Ocean Village Club P12

When you aren't out exploring the city and trying these top restaurants in St. Augustine, imagine whipping up a delicious meal right in your beautiful vacation rental! Or grabbing takeout and dining on the balcony of your oceanfront home. At Coastal Realty, we have a St. Augustine vacation rental perfect for whatever your family needs. Choose from a pet-friendly property or search all our communities. When you find the right spot, don't forget to book it directly on this site for the best rate on your stay. 

Booking directly with Coastal Realty lets you keep money in your pocket instead of spending it on third-party fees from places like Airbnb or VRBO. And wouldn't you rather put that cash toward trying all this great food? Browse our list of St. Augustine vacation rentals, and book your next getaway today!