St. Augustine is a treasure trove of good eats and creative cocktails. Whether it’s a small neighborhood joint, an upscale eatery, or one of the many food truck options, this town offers a plethora of farm-to-table, healthy, southern-inspired or fresh from the sea cuisine. Below is a small sampling of places to find good eats and libations in your time here.
The Floridian: Quaint Restaurant with many Southern specialties like BBQ pulled pork over crunchy cornmeal waffles. Lots of vegetarian/vegan options. Locally sourced, sustainable and seasonal. Must try: fried green tomatoes, pickled vegetables, Pappare Primavera. Outdoor patio with covered porch and small bar.
Catch 27: Tiny place in an old house with an open air patio. Known for craft cocktails and fresh takes on local seafood. Must try: Spring Pasta Primavera/Snap Pea Spaetzle (with snap pea pesto and house made ricotta) & Florida Po’Boy Catfish sliders. For cocktails, try Smoke on the Water.
What a great find! Tucked away on a corner in Lincolnville, my favorite neighborhood for a good meander. The quintessential southern breakfast joint. (Lunch is served as well.) Vintage charm with seriously good morning eats. Must Try: Chicken biscuits, savory blue crab quiche, or the totally decadent Kings French Toast(think peanut butter and honey).
St. Augustine Distillery/ The Ice Plant Bar:
I loved this place! In Lincolnville, a mere 1/4 mile from our Airbnb, the distillery offers tours and tastings that are worth your while. The gift shop alone has a great array of take-home beverages and goodies plus a tasting bar to sample the array of spirits. Must Try: St. Augustine Gin. One of the better craft spirits I have imbibed, particularly good mixed with the local kombucha.
The Ice Plant Bar is adjacent to the Distillery and it oozes atmosphere. Housed in an old ice plant, the second floor sports a double bar and dining area with outdoor bar patio. The craft cocktail menu is creative, but their original take on the lowly ice cube (distinctive shapes to match the style of the glass) brings an entire new meaning to the art of the craft beverage. Yummy bites offered as well.
Rype and Readi Down Farmer’s Market:
We fell in love with this market. An urban farm with a hodgepodge jumble of outbuildings, it oozes authenticity and charm. Located in Lincolnville, the market is a unique and inspired kitschy take on sourcing local food. A series of on-site sheds houses goats, donkeys, and some adorable Babydoll sheep that will charm the pants off you with their teddy bear faces and make you want to take one home as a pet. Indoors, there are fresh eggs, locally grown veggies, homemade breads and a small deli case.
Food Trucks:
Always a favorite, I make a point wherever I go to support these hard-working entrepreneurs. We sampled classic Hawaiian fare with acai bowls and tuna poke tacos. The smoothies at Crave were a step above your run of the mill healthy shakes.
Crave: A beloved and sought after food truck that provides deliciously innovative wraps and healthy bowls, and smoothies. Loved the Build Your Own options. Great location in Lincolnville with covered space for eating at picnic tables adjacent to the marsh.
Nalu’s Tropical Takeout: First food truck in St. Augustine, been around since 2002. Inspired by Kauai cuisine, burritos and tacos with a distinctive aloha flair. Specialized in fresh and healthy Hawaiian fusion. Located at entrance to Anastasia State Park. Must Try: Shoyu Ahi Poke
Big Island Bowls: A great stop after a bike ride to St. Augustine Beach on Anastasia Island. Seriously good acai bowls, just the thing on a hot Florida afternoon(or the perfect superfood energy breakfast!)