10 Places Where Locals Love to Eat in St. Augustine

At Harry's Seafood Bar and Grille, you can enjoy the unique taste of New Orleans right here in St. Augustine. They use authentic flavours and recipes, all made with high-quality, fresh ingredients.

The atmosphere at the restaurant is notably welcoming. You'll even find an outdoor patio dining area with stringed lights above and New Orleans-style street lamps illuminating the area, creating an ambiance as authentic as the food.

At Catch 27, you'll find some of the best seafood offerings in town as they specialise in keeping every item on their menu fresh, seasonal, and local. There's quite a bit of variety on offer here, with fish, shrimp, and clams delivered fresh to the restaurant every single day. Of course, you can always opt for fresh chicken if you're looking for a change of pace from the typical seafood. Additionally, this restaurant has a robust cocktail menu to enjoy.

At Manatee Cafe, you'll find one of the best predominantly vegetarian and vegan restaurants in the entire St. Augustine area. All of their ingredients are organically sourced and local.

While there are options on their menu that aren't strictly vegan or gluten-free, they're always happy to make a substitution. If you have any dietary restrictions, this restaurant one of the most accessible you'll find in the area. They even make their own organic coffee and bread items, amongst other grocery products you can try.

Present Moment Cafe is a great spot for those looking for a restaurant implementing a more holistic approach to food. They specialise in gourmet raw and vegan food, all sustainably sourced and guaranteed high quality. You’ll find that they even use high-quality salt, as the shakers at each table are filled with pink Himalayan salt.

Even further, they use non-toxic cleaning products when it comes to every inch of their establishment, so their commitment to the health of your body and mind is unparalleled. Not to mention that their food is also delicious!

The Floridian really celebrates Florida's long history and rich culture, reflecting both on its menu offerings. They have items suitable for meat lovers, vegans, and everything in-between. The sandwich selection is especially tasty and creative.

Each one of their recipes stems from southern traditions that embrace comfort food, combined with newer and healthier options, to create the ultimate culmination of the Florida dining experience. Plus, all of their ingredients are sourced from local growers, and their menu changes along with the seasons.

The Reef is one of the surprisingly few oceanfront restaurants in St. Augustine – and it's one of the best. The rivers that surround the historic city centre area restricts the number of waterfront eateries.  Fortunately, The Reef is there to satisfy all your coastal dining desires by offering delicious seafood alongside spectacular views that you can enjoy while dining on their patio.

Even if you're inside, you can still look out the restaurant's massive windows to the tranquil waters of the Atlantic. The menu primarily features seafood, but you'll find options for beef, poultry, and pasta, as well.

As the name may suggest, Cap's On the Water is a waterfront restaurant that offers scenic views of the Matanzas River. These are served alongside delicious seafood made with Old Florida style.

You can eat inside, on the outdoor deck, or at the Oyster Bar when you visit. This gives you options whether you're looking for something romantic or something with enough room for the whole family. Given that the patio faces west, out into the water, it's one of the best places in town to watch a sunset.

Located in the Historic District, Preserved offers high-end southern food in a casual setting. Owned and operated by Chef Brian Whittington, a James Beard Award nominee, you can enjoy the great deal of quality and care that goes into every dish.

All of the ingredients are locally sourced and fresh, so you can really taste what the region has to offer in its absolute best form. Additionally, you can enjoy a gluten-free menu and a robust wine list, if you want to add a bit more refinement to your meal.

Prohibition Kitchen is a 1920s-themed gastropub where you'll find a massive selection of drinks, delicious food served in generous portions, and live music every single night. Dishes are prepared with locally sourced ingredients. Standouts include the first-class burgers and the Reuben sandwiches.

The restaurant itself has a 2-level industrial-style design. Intimate booths can make you feel like you're in an old speakeasy, and the styling is only partially responsible. Some of the materials used in this building are reclaimed from the spot's original structure, dating back 4 centuries.

Collage is one of the best spots in town for a high-end dining experience. This award-winning experience offers seafood, steaks, and more, all made from locally sourced ingredients. They also have an excellent wine selection.

The style is notably international, with influences coming from all over the world. Every dish on the menu is made from scratch, and most of the items on the menu are original recipes you won't be able to find anywhere else. The lobster ravioli is especially highly recommended.