St. Augustine is a special place with lots to offer. It’s an old city founded by the Spanish in 1565, and it has a beautiful waterfront area with a 400-year-old fort called Castillo San Marcos. You might even see people walking around dressed in clothes from colonial times, and sometimes, you’ll hear cannons firing during demonstrations.
Even though St. Augustine is the oldest city in the country, its restaurant scene could be more exciting. There are plenty of fresh and different foods to try.
You can taste real Spanish dishes like empanadas or have a fancy meal of tapas with wine. Chefs in St. Augustine also like to use fresh, local ingredients from Florida farms.
If you’re looking for something more casual or just a tasty snack while exploring the Old City, you’ll find local coffee shops, homemade chocolates, delicious icy treats, and hot waffles that will tempt you as you walk around.
USA Today has picked out ten places to eat and enjoy sweet treats during your visit to this beautiful and historic city.
The Hyppo
According to founder Stephen DiMare, the idea for gourmet ice pops came to him while he was flying back home to St. Augustine. He mentioned to the woman sitting next to him that he was thinking about opening a coffee shop. She suggested making gourmet Mexican-style popsicles called paletas, which can have anything from cucumbers to fresh pineapple to jalapeños in them.
The Hyppo offers fresh, homemade ice pops in many flavors, which are especially nice on a warm day in Florida but tasty anytime. Some popular flavors include Mexican Hot Chocolate (made with cocoa, cayenne, and cinnamon), Key Lime, and Elvis Presley (peanut butter, banana, and honey). Plus, all the ice pops are made with local ingredients. (904-217-7853)
Spanish Bakery
This small bakery is located in a courtyard right in the middle of one of St. Augustine’s oldest streets, St. George Street. They serve delicious and affordable Spanish snacks. They’re only open for lunch and have a simple menu with things like savory empanadas filled with beef for $4, smoked sausage wrapped in biscuit dough for $4, and homemade chicken soup. For sweets, they have big cinnamon rolls and scones for $2. There’s no formal seating, but you can sit at a picnic table under a shady tree or take your snack with you as you explore the historic area.
Cafe Alcazar
This place has been a part of St. Augustine since 1888 and has a lot of history. It used to be called The Hotel Alcazar and had a casino and the world’s biggest indoor swimming pool. Many kings and presidents secretly visited here. Now, the deep end of the old swimming pool is a cafe that’s open for lunch every day. They serve dishes like escargot, curried chicken salad sandwiches, shrimp Giovanni, and the famous Florida dessert, key lime pie. Most dishes cost between $8 and $15. While you eat, you can look up at the fancy balconies where people used to watch the swimmers. Now, you’re sitting in the same spot enjoying your lunch. You can call them at (904) 825-9948.
Ice Plant
This awesome distillery makes really good craft spirits right here. It’s also a great restaurant with a cool, old-fashioned hipster feel. You can come here for lunch and try the Old City Melt sandwich with lots of cheese, tomato, and caramelized onion on multigrain bread for $9 or the meatloaf sandwich for $13. They also have snacks like smoked fish dip and bacon-wrapped dates to go with your craft cocktail. For dinner, prices range from $14 for a burger to $28 for scallops with handmade pasta. And remember to try a cocktail made with their special New World Gin or Distillery Vodka. You can stay late because the bar is open until 2 a.m. You can call them at (904) 829-6553.
The Floridian
The Floridian is owned and run by a husband-and-wife team, Jeff McNally and Genie Kepner. They use local ingredients and embrace Florida’s Southern food traditions but with a lighter and fresher twist. For example, they serve grit cakes, which are fried polenta topped with seasonal salsa, for $8. Their Shrimp and Sausage Pilau costs $16 and is made with local shrimp cooked with onions, peppers, and a spicy Datil-tomato and sausage sauce. Datil is a native pepper from St. Augustine.
The Floridian also offers many vegetarian and vegan options, like ‘n Grits, which can be ordered with shrimp or tofu for $14. Their seasonal Florida Sunshine salad includes strawberries, sweet potatoes, and candied pecans, and you can add tempeh for $13. They even have gluten-free options available. You can call them at (904) 829-0655.
Harry’s Seafood, Bar & Grille
Harry’s is in one of the oldest houses by the bay in St. Augustine. They serve tasty dishes from New Orleans like crawfish etouffee, jambalaya, burgers, po’boy sandwiches, and salads. The dining room is cozy and festive, but a lot of people prefer sitting outside on the patio, which is decorated with pretty white lights and overlooks the bay. Harry’s is known for being family-friendly, with a special menu for kids and Mardi Gras beads for them to play with. They also have New Orleans-style drinks like Hurricanes and Bayou Bloody Marys. You can enjoy live music in the courtyard almost every night. You can call them at (904) 824-7765.
Michael’s Tasting Room
Michael’s Tasting Room is a perfect match for St. Augustine, a city with a lot of Spanish influence. They serve food inspired by the Mediterranean region and traditional Spanish dishes. Along with a variety of tapas and main courses, they have a big selection of wines that have won awards. They always focus on using seasonal and high-quality meats and seafood, and they make sure everything looks beautiful when it’s served. You can pair your meal with one of over 70 different Spanish wines, and they even offer tasting flights with several wines to try. Plus, they have live Spanish music to create a romantic atmosphere for a special dinner or celebration. You can reach them at (904) 810-2400.
Cafe 11
If you’re staying on the beachside of St. Augustine and feeling hungry in the morning, this is the place to go for a big breakfast or brunch. You can get lots of bacon and home fries along with fresh egg sandwiches or scrambles with cheese and veggies. They also serve sandwiches salads, and have beer on tap until 9 p.m. Sometimes, they have live music in the evening. The outside of the restaurant looks like a regular strip mall, but inside, you’ll see local people enjoying healthy dishes like acai bowls or huevos rancheros. In the early evening, you can come for a glass of beer or wine and plan your night out.
95 Cordova
The 95 Cordova Restaurant is a fancy place located on the first floor of the beautiful Casa Monica Hotel. Inside, you’ll find elegant Moroccan decorations, a great selection of wine, and a mix of different types of food from around the world. People love coming here for romantic dates, business dinners, and other special occasions.
Chef Aaron Chavarria prepares a delicious tasting menu and the full course menu changes with the seasons. Dinner prices range from $23 to $32, which is typical for a fancy hotel restaurant. If you’re on a budget but still want to enjoy the nice atmosphere and tasty food, you can come for lunch or dinner.
For breakfast, you can try the Orange Maple Marmalade French Toast for $11, and in the afternoon, you can have a stone oven-baked pizza with prosciutto (thinly sliced ham), mozzarella, and fresh arugula for $12. You can call them at (904) 810-6810.
Catch 27
Catch 27 is one of the most talked-about seafood restaurants in historic St. Augustine, and for good reason. They’re known for serving fresh seafood caught locally in Florida waters, along with seasonal ingredients and local produce, which makes their menu really special. The atmosphere is stylish and modern but still relaxed.
For lunch, you can try the seared blue crab cake sandwich or shrimp tacos, both priced at $12. If you’re not into seafood, you can choose from options like the Cuban sandwich or the lemon chicken sandwich. They also have special entrees like the Rustic Fish for $20, which is the catch of the day served simply with salt, pepper, and lemon garlic butter, or the delicious shrimp and grits for the same price. You can call them at (904) 217-8190.
Llama Restaurant
If you want to treat yourself to a fancy meal in St. Augustine, go to Llama Restaurant. It’s a high-end dining place that serves really delicious Peruvian food. The food not only tastes amazing but also looks beautiful when it’s served. You should try the ceviche lima with Peruvian giant corn and glazed sweet potatoes, the octopus carpaccio with Alfonso olives aioli, and the Arroz con mariscos, which is a creamy risotto with fresh herbs.
Cedar House Inn
Cedar House Inn is a beloved bed and breakfast nestled in the heart of St. Augustine. With a spirit of optimism and devotion, the innkeepers embarked on their journey with rose-colored glasses and unwavering dedication to their labor of love.
Over the years, the inn has welcomed countless guests, each one a culinary explorer eager to indulge in new flavors and experiences. Inspired by their guests’ enthusiasm and support, the innkeepers decided to embark on a new venture: creating a Cedar House Inn cookbook.
Despite lacking professional culinary skills, the innkeepers were motivated by the bravery and loyalty of their guests to give it their best shot. In their world, cooking is a blend of talent, enthusiasm, and a sprinkle of luck. They poured their hearts into the cookbook, hoping to capture the essence of their hospitality and the flavors of their kitchen.
Now, with the Cedar House Inn cookbook in hand, guests can recreate the magic of their stay at home, savoring the same delicious dishes and warm memories. It’s a testament to the bonds forged between hosts and guests and a celebration of shared experiences and culinary delights.
With love and appreciation, the innkeepers invite you to enjoy their efforts and embark on your culinary adventure through the pages of their cookbooks.
Contact Us
Cedar House Inn 79 Cedar Street Saint Augustine, FL 32084 1 (904) 829-0079
https://www.cedarhouseinn.com/
79 Cedar Street