Romantic walks alongside historic streets, sunsets on the waterfront, and a historical past wealthy in Spanish affect have all the time been the principle sights in St. Augustine, Florida, the oldest metropolis within the continental U.S. However I additionally love St. Augustine’s number of eating choices that vary from informal to stylish. Eating places and cafés exhibit the Historical Metropolis’s fusion of Mexican, Latin American, and Floridian coastal influences and blend them with timeless views.
I’ve visited St. Augustine on a number of events, and every time, I uncover new eating places so as to add to my favorites. If I would like seafood twice a day, I can have it. If I alter my thoughts and go vegetarian, I can do this, too. And if I really feel like including an ethnic spin to my menus, St. Augustine addresses that want, as properly.
What’s distinctive right here is the sense of place that St. Augustine affords. Pedro Melendez de Aviles and Ponce de Leon might have occurred upon St. Augustine by chance, however I make a degree to return on function for the historical past and romance that captivates my soul and the scrumptious flavors that fulfill my palate.
Listed below are six of my favourite eating places with views starting from stunning outside vistas to indoor panoramas with particular options of their very own.
1. Casa Reina Taqueria
Casa Reina Taqueria is one among St. Augustine’s latest and most colourful eateries. Set in a standalone constructing throughout from the town’s historic Plaza de la Constitución, the restaurant overlooks centuries of St. Augustine historical past. The 120-year-old “Queen’s” residence — now the utterly renovated Casa Reina — is an instance of turn-of-the-century St. Augustine fashion, initially constructed as a personal dwelling and later transformed into the Blenmore Lodge and a gathering place for the American Legion.
To take full benefit of the restaurant’s vigorous vibe and gorgeous views, I counsel you head to the rooftop. Time your dinner properly and also you’ll benefit from the altering hues of sundown over the Bridge of Lions and Matanzas Bay, which harmonize with the colourful delicacies. Apple-green guacamole is a refreshing starter to the pink glazed salmon entrée surrounded by Mexican corn, cilantro, and pico de gallo. Or select one of many vegetarian “casa tacos” or enchiladas, each crammed with vibrant avocado slices and a rainbow of veggies.
Casa Reina provides practically 70 tequilas and mezcals together with a bevy of artistic cocktails. Colourful and boozy, Montezuma’s Gold is a potent mixture of crema de mezcal, licor de elote, and Bouchant orange liqueur. Or select the appropriately named Mexican Sundown, a multi-toned concoction of rum with cherry juice, grapefruit, and lime. For a one-two mezcal and tequila punch, strive the Oh My! — you’ll echo the title as soon as the ancho chiles kick in.
Professional Tip: Be particular about your required location whenever you request outside seating, and observe that the rooftop is reached by way of an extended flight of stairs. St. Augustine doesn’t get very chilly, however you may need to convey a lightweight wrap or sweater, as breezes can drift in from the Bayfront.
2. Catch 27
Catch 27 provides scenic outside eating and a medley of seafood from Florida, the 27th state. Surrounded by 18th-century properties within the historic district, the restaurant’s softly lit yard has a country, old-world environment.
I daydream about Chef Joshua Smith’s decadent deviled eggs. They’re served with a fried oyster on prime and a contact of tangy tomato-bacon jam. Bacon additionally finds its approach round dates smeared with St. Augustine’s personal heat-generating datil pepper jelly. Foremost programs change with the season, with a give attention to coastal components. Attempt the shrimp and grits, the lionfish ceviche, and regardless of the catch of the day is, merely grilled and served with seasonal veggies. However there’s no want to fret if somebody in your group doesn’t eat fish — there are meat and veggie selections as properly. The fried hen with bitter cream mash is a revelation.
Equally trendy and basic, Catch 27’s craft cocktail menu mixes oldies with new-fangled creations just like the Black Manhattan, a twist on a standard whiskey-based drink with Averna and bitters added.
Professional Tip: Catch 27 is one among St. Augustine’s most sought-after eating places. Ebook early when you hope to attain a desk, and be versatile along with your timing.
3. Leña Asado At City Asado
A particular expertise born out of the recognition of a cellular grill, Leña Asado at Urban Asado invitations you to a chef collaboration utilizing wood-fired grills. The outside eating house alongside the shores of the San Sebastian River is lit by torches and hanging lights. Picnic tables and fireplaces, unadorned however becoming for conventional Argentine grill cooking, are scattered adjoining to a repurposed shrimp packing home.
Whereas seating affords beautiful waterfront vistas over docked shrimp boats, the popular view is that of the open kitchen, an outside grill the place a number of cooks put together a menu of grilled meats, provoleta, and veggies. Chef Matt Brown and Asador Nick Carrera are the masterminds behind this distinctive expertise, and so they’ll fortunately chat with you in regards to the inspiration for the night and the menu. If the meat-centric dinner isn’t to your liking, a seafood model might be pre-ordered. The restaurant is BYOB, and I counsel bringing a few bottles of cabernet. For dessert, a moist olive oil cake can be ready on the grill.
Professional Tip: Although you might be seated instantly in entrance of a hearth, it could possibly get very windy right here. Alongside along with your bottles of wine, pack a jacket or perhaps even a beanie to maintain you comfy. The unique asado dinners happen on weekends solely, and reservations might be tough.
4. St. Augustine Seafood Firm
Informal and buzzy, St. Augustine Seafood Company sits entrance and middle on pedestrian-only St. George Avenue, the foremost vacationer thoroughfare of St. Augustine. You stand in line on the counter and order your meal from gadgets listed on menu panels as you may at a fast-food restaurant. However the meals right here is something however quick meals — it’s quick informal. Oysters — uncooked, fried, or in po’ boys — recent fish sandwiches, and shrimp baskets are standouts. You’ll be able to add large onion rings, do-it-yourself coleslaw, and the tomato-based Minorcan conch chowder (made with St. Augustine’s heat-packing datil pepper) together with an array of sauces starting from a really tame tartar to a difficult, fiery datil-Buffalo.
Please don’t keep indoors within the cafeteria-like restaurant: The outside is the place you’ll be immersed in a setting that’s completely outdated St. Augustine. You may even think about a conquistador tying up his horse right here as you sit beneath the lantern-adorned, 300-year-old oak tree in what is called Colonial Oak Music Park. Decide a seat and look ahead to the servers to ship your meal.
Professional Tip: The Taberna del Caballo bar sits simply exterior so you may seize a beverage to accompany. Examine the schedule — there are sometimes free rock, blues, and nation concert events within the park.
5. Historical Metropolis Brunch Bar
If I had to decide on someplace to start my day, it might be the Ancient City Brunch Bar. It’s the spot-on place for caffeine fueling earlier than your metropolis exploration. Named for its enviable location simply off St. Augustine’s “historical” plaza within the Historic Quarter, the café additionally sits throughout from Trinity Parish, the oldest Protestant church in Florida.
Historical Metropolis Brunch Bar has an inspiring story. Began through the pandemic from an idea by teenage twins Emily and Sophia Schroeder for an entrepreneurial class, the women and their mom got here collectively to feed residents their scrumptious “bruncharcuterie boards.” Changing charcuterie meats and cheeses with quiches, bacon, waffles, fruit, and extra, the boards have been so well-liked that the unique “to go” catering idea moved right into a brick-and-mortar location and added sandwiches and pastries. The Brunch Bar makes use of recipes handed down from Grandma Schroeder together with unique creations from the twins. Utensils and dishes from household collections create a sense of eating within the Schroeder household residence — it’s comfy and comfy and the sidewalk tables put you proper in the midst of historical past.
Professional Tip: You should definitely go searching exterior. You’re standing the place the US was found greater than 500 years in the past. Close by Aviles Avenue is the oldest avenue in St. Augustine.
6. The Columbia
I’m choosy with regards to perfection. And, for me, The Columbia is St. Augustine eating perfection. Certainly one of a number of eating places of the identical title specializing in Cuban and Spanish delicacies, The Columbia dates again to 1905 and sits precisely the place it ought to, within the coronary heart of the historic district. The view right here is all in regards to the restaurant itself, a hacienda-like constructing with an outside fountain and patio and a number of rooms on a number of flooring. Eating areas present an immersion into Hispanic tradition with hand-painted tiles and Spanish-style fountains.
Its signature dishes are justifiably fantastic. Order the restaurant’s Cuban bread, and also you’ll get a loaf of the crustiest bread conceivable. The Columbia’s Unique “1905” Salad is ready tableside with components which might be recent and never too shocking: iceberg lettuce, lemon, olives, Swiss cheese, ham, and grated Romano cheese. However there’s one thing magical in regards to the presentation and mixing of the dressing with the components that creates what’s a real masterpiece. One other basic, the restaurant’s Spanish bean soup, relies on outdated household recipes, as are the pompano en papillote and paella a la Valenciana — an exhilarating array of mussels, clams, fish, hen, pork, greens, and rice with a touch of saffron. For dessert, a glass of purple or white sangria blends completely with conventional white chocolate bread pudding.
Professional Tip
In case you fall in love with any of the dishes, the present store has recipe books accessible.
Able to ebook your journey to St. Augustine? Take a look at a few of the prime trip leases beneath:
Intrigued by the Ancient City? Think about:
