One beloved seafood spot in St. Augustine still takes cash only, as if it never got the memo about cards, and the line out the door suggests nobody minds. That kind of stubborn charm runs all through the nation’s oldest city.
The surprises keep stacking up. One dining room sits inside a Victorian home built in 1879, complete with a koi fountain in the courtyard, while a family bakery tucked down a pedestrian alley turns out crispy sugar waffles and pierogies. Even dessert gets a local twist, with ice pops spiked with the city’s own datil pepper.
This corner of Florida mixes Spanish tile, Peruvian ceviche, Southern biscuits, and fried shrimp, often within a few blocks of each other. Picking just one meal here is nearly impossible, so these ten tables make a good place to start planning.
1. Columbia Restaurant
A salad named after a year sounds odd until you learn the year is 1905. That’s when Casimiro Hernandez Sr. opened the first Columbia in Tampa’s Ybor City, and it’s often called Florida’s oldest restaurant.
This branch sits right on St. George Street in the historic district. Colorful Spanish tiles, sculptures, historic photos, and stained glass fill two floors of dining space that are worth a slow look while you wait for food.
The menu leans into Spanish and Cuban comfort cooking. The 1905 Salad is the classic order, Paella Valenciana is the showstopper, and Ropa Vieja brings tender shredded beef to the table.
Plant-based diners get real options too, including a vegan Spanish Bean Soup and full vegan and vegetarian menus.
The restaurant is open every day of the year from 11 AM to 10 PM. Saturday afternoons and evenings draw the biggest crowds, so a reservation is a smart move.
Address: 98 St George St, St. Augustine, FL 32084
2. Catch 27
Fresh, locally caught fish sets the tone at Catch 27, a cozy downtown spot on Charlotte Street built around seasonal cooking.
Shrimp and grits bring Southern comfort to the table, while crab cakes and a rotating lineup of chowders keep the coastal theme front and center.
Salmon and lobster gnocchi makes a richer choice for a special night. The menu stays on the smaller side, and plenty of vegan and gluten-free options sit alongside the seafood.
The quaint, romantic dining room makes it an easy pick for date night, and dishes arrive beautifully plated.
Catch 27 serves dinner only, opening in the late afternoon. Thursday through Saturday evenings fill up fast, so book ahead and leave a few extra minutes to find downtown parking.
Address: 40 Charlotte St, St. Augustine, FL 32084
3. The Floridian Restaurant
Hoppin John and Greens sharing a menu with Steak Frites says plenty about this kitchen’s playful take on Southern cooking.
The Floridian serves modern Southern food made with locally sourced ingredients. In 2026, the restaurant moved from the historic district into a custom-designed building near St. Augustine Beach, with free on-site parking and outdoor seating.
Fried Green Tomatoes make a classic start, and Biscuits and Belly is the kind of plate that calls for a slow afternoon. Pork ‘N Waffles takes the chicken-and-waffles idea in a new direction.
What really sets the Floridian apart is how plant-friendly it is. Full vegan and vegetarian menus mean nobody has to settle for a side salad, and even the Chips and Dips come vegan.
The restaurant is closed Tuesdays, while Fridays and Saturdays stay open until 10 PM. Reservations are recommended for dinner.
Address: 485 Old Beach Rd, St. Augustine, FL 32080
4. O’Steen’s Restaurant
Bring cash and leave your fancy expectations at home. O’Steen’s has kept things simple since 1965, and that’s exactly why people still line up.
Fried shrimp is the star of the show, and the Double Fried Shrimp Dinner doubles down on it. Hush puppies and homestyle sides round out the plate.
Homemade Minorcan Clam Chowder is another must-try, a local specialty tied to the area’s Minorcan settlers. Fried chicken and broiled scallops cover diners who want something different.
Dessert is a serious part of the meal here, with Key Lime Pie, Coconut Cream Pie, and Banana Cream Pie waiting at the finish line.
O’Steen’s is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 AM to 8:30 PM, and it fills up quickly. Weekday mornings right after opening are the calmest window to skip the wait.
Address: 205 Anastasia Blvd, St. Augustine, FL 32080
5. Cap’s On the Water
Sunsets come free with dinner at Cap’s On the Water. The waterfront restaurant on the Intracoastal Waterway was voted the best waterfront dining spot in Northeast Florida in 2025, and the evening sky shows why.
The setting does a lot of the work. A large wooden dock, a covered pavilion, and a small private beach shaded by an old Florida cedar tree give diners plenty of places to watch the boats drift by.
Fresh raw oysters on the half shell are one of the big draws, and local seafood fills much of the menu. Vanilla Grouper and the fresh catch of the day are solid picks, while She Crab Soup and Jambalaya bring comfort in a bowl.
Feeling adventurous? Deep-fried gator tail with a citrus sauce is a classic Florida dare for visitors. Wild Mushroom Risotto offers a meat-free option for the table.
Weekday service starts at 4 PM, perfect for an early sunset dinner, while Saturdays and Sundays open at 11:30 AM. Reservations aren’t taken, but you can join the waitlist online, and complimentary valet parking helps during the busiest hours.
Address: 4325 Myrtle St, St. Augustine, FL 32084
6. Llama Restaurant
Peruvian food in the nation’s oldest city makes a delicious plot twist. Chef-owner Marcel Vizcarra brings it to life at Llama with plates that look almost too pretty to eat.
Ceviche is the place to start, whether you choose the classic Ceviche Lima or the Japanese-Peruvian Ceviche Nikkei. Anticuchos, grilled skewers popular in Peru, make another tasty opener.
Mar Y Tierra brings land and sea together on one plate, and Arroz Con Mariscos is a hearty seafood rice dish worth sharing. Full vegan and vegetarian menus mean plant-based diners have plenty to explore.
The small, intimate dining room has a quiet, romantic feel that suits an anniversary or special night out.
Dinner is served nightly from 5 PM, and Sunday adds a brunch service from 11 AM to 2 PM. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Address: 415 Anastasia Blvd, St. Augustine, FL 32080
7. Raintree Restaurant
A Victorian home built in 1879 sets the stage at the Raintree, one of the last post-Civil War residences left in its neighborhood across from the Mission.
A courtyard with gazebos and a koi fountain makes the setting as memorable as the menu, and the romantic atmosphere makes it a favorite for special occasions.
Steak and seafood lead the way. Beef Wellington is the old-school showstopper, while filet mignon, Canadian lobster, and Chilean sea bass round out the classics.
Save room for the dessert bar, which offers a sweet finish to a long dinner. Vegan versions of the Raintree Salad and Soup of the Day give plant-based diners options too.
Dinner runs Tuesday through Saturday, and Sunday brings an extensive brunch from 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM. Reservations are recommended for both.
Address: 102 San Marco Ave, St. Augustine, FL 32084
8. The Boathouse St. Augustine
Sushi and classic seafood on the same menu means nobody at the table has to compromise. The BoatHouse, formerly the St. Augustine Fish House and Oyster Company, serves both along Nix Boat Yard Road.
Crab legs and oysters are top picks for seafood fans, and a whole steamed Maine lobster makes a showpiece for a special night. Stuffed Grouper brings a Florida favorite to the table.
Collard Greens come in a vegan version, and Bread Pudding makes a comforting sweet finish.
Local musicians often play on the deck, and a fire pit keeps things cozy when the weather cools.
Weekday service begins at 4 PM, while Saturdays and Sundays open at 10:30 AM for a later brunch. Reservations are recommended for dinner, especially on Friday evenings.
Address: 160 Nix Boat Yard Rd, St. Augustine, FL 32084
9. Gaufres & Goods
Finding this restaurant is half the fun. Gaufres & Goods sits off a narrow pedestrian alleyway near Aviles Street, tucked away from the busiest stretch of downtown.
The family-owned kitchen serves Greek and Polish home-style cooking, a combination you won’t find on many Florida menus.
The name comes from the signature dish. Crispy sugar waffles, or gaufres, arrive with a choice of toppings and make a sweet start or finish to the meal.
Pierogies come with several filling options, while spinach pie brings the Greek side of the menu to the table. Mussels, soups, salads, and a case of pastries round out the choices.
The restaurant is closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Saturday stays open until 8 PM, while other days wrap up in the late afternoon.
Address: 212 Charlotte St, St. Augustine, FL 32084
10. The Hyppo
A popsicle made with datil pepper sounds like a dare. In St. Augustine, it’s a local favorite, since the fiery little datil is the city’s signature pepper.
The Hyppo got its name from Hypolita Street, home to its flagship shop. Founder Stephen DiMare built the business around handcrafted, all-natural gourmet ice pops made without preservatives or artificial colors.
The approach is “farm to freezer,” with many fruits coming straight from local Florida farms. Fruit-forward sorbets stay dairy-free, while creamier sherbets add a richer bite.
The company has created hundreds of flavors, and each shop typically stocks 30 to 40 at a time. Horchata and Nutella pops sit alongside the fruit, but Strawberry Datil Pepper is the one most visitors remember.
A pop makes an easy treat while walking St. George Street on a warm afternoon, and a fun way to cool down between historic sights.
Address: 70 St George St, St. Augustine, FL 32084