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Restaurants in St. Augustine
In a town with as much tourist traffic as St. Augustine, there are, of course, a number of “tourist trap” restaurants. But on the whole, the food here, even at the popular eateries, is fairly priced and of good quality. And spicy! St. Augustine is the home of the Datil pepper, one of the hottest around. Lots of local restaurants have their own Datil pepper sauces and even “Datil Dust,” which is used to heat up any dish. August Heat Co.’s Hot Stuff, in the historic shopping district at 34 Treasury St. (tel. 904/824-4944), features an assortment of hard-to-find sauces and sauces made exclusively with Datils in St. Augustine. Also check out datildoit.com.
The historic district has a branch of Tampa’s famous Columbia, 98 St. George St., at Hypolita Street (tel. 904/824-3341). Like the original in Ybor City, this one has Spanish architecture, including intricate tile work and courtyards with fountains.
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12 Results
- Seafood
Cap's on the Water
Location, location, location, as they say. The reason you go to Cap's is for its stunning waterfront, front garden canopy, and its own beach, shaded by an ancient Florida cedar tree. This is Old Florida finery at its best. The food's okay, but the views are better. Standard seafood…$$Around Town - Seafood
Catch 27
This place is named Catch for several reasons, one being the obvious—it's a seafood spot—and another because if you walk too fast, you may miss it. Then there's the Joseph Heller reference: Serving only fresh seafood bought locally on a daily basis, Catch 27 creates ordering…$$$Historic District - Gourmet American
Collage Restaurant
Quaint and romantic, in a tiny house reminiscent of something you'd find after getting lost on a cobblestoned European street, Collage is aptly named for its multifaceted menu of high-end fare. If you want a "nice dinner" to celebrate a special occasion, this place would be it. The…$$$Historic District - Surf/Turf
Florida’s Fresh Grill
Although strip-mall doesn't exactly scream fresh seafood, the aptly named Florida’s Fresh Grill is one of Cocoa Beach’s off-the-beaten path best bets for exactly that. A warm and welcoming interior of copper-plated ceilings, woods, and candles transports you from the saltier spots in…$$Outskirts - American
GAS Full Service Restaurant
Despite the dubious name and all its implications, GAS is a hip, retro-modern, reasonably priced hot spot favored by the locals. It's worlds away from touristy historic district spots in so many ways. The retro theme may be kitsch and cheeky, but the menu is modern, updating comfort…$Anastasia Island - American
Gypsy Cab Co.
Billing itself as a temple of “urban cuisine,” this high-energy establishment, with gaudy neon stripes outside and art-filled dining rooms inside, has a creative menu that changes often, though black-bean soup is a constant winner. The Chicken Buena Vista with pimentos, green onion,…$$East of the Bridge of Lions - Gastropub
Prohibition Kitchen
A 1920s-era-themed bar and restaurant with an industrial speakeasy style and the longest bar in town, this place is decked out in 400-year-old heart of pine ceiling boards that were also used to create the bar and booths. As vintage as it looks, the menu is thoroughly modern,…$$Historic District - American
Purple Olive
A local favorite, the Purple Olive is a cozy bistro featuring a seasonal selection of small plates, flatbreads, and entrees by chef/owner Peter Kenney, whose menu takes you on a global tour of sorts, with appetizers such as a delicious British Isles cheese plate or Mediterranean…$$Anastasia Island - Seafood
Rusty’s Seafood & Oyster Bar
Water views here may be a dime a dozen, but fresh-shucked oysters—which aren’t that cheap—in these parts are not. In addition to the shucked-as-you-order oysters, Rusty’s serves up some serious seafood, from spicy seafood gumbo to a pot of steamed oysters, clams, shrimp, and crab…$$Outskirts - Seafood
St. Augustine Fish Camp
For a southern spin on your typical seafood fare, and eye popping views, this is the pick. Oysters are fresh, peel and eat shrimp come in spicy or regular, the fried green tomatoes are crisp and tart, and for those who consider reptile to be seafood, there’s fried gator tail with…$$Near the Historic Quarter - Southern
The Floridian
As hard as it is to find a native Floridian, it's even harder to find a restaurant that's wholly devoted to the cuisine and ingredients of the state. Enter the appropriately named The Floridian, which takes its moniker very seriously, right down to using purveyors that source from…$$Historic District - Sandwiches/Dessert
The Hyppo
This cute little Popsicle stand serves some of the most gourmet frozen treats you'll ever eat, from Mexican hot chocolate and datil strawberry, to mango habanero and pistachio rosewater pops. It's no coincidence that you have to say "hip" when mentioning The Hyppo. It's more than a…$Historic District
