Grab a Bite in St. Augustine
Delicious places to eat before or after your tour
St. Augustine isn’t just known for its historic downtown and beautiful beaches – it also has a killer food and cocktail scene, with a diverse culinary landscape featuring fresh and local seafood, Spanish and Latin-inspired dishes, Southern comforts and white-linen dining. Before you hop on a tour, or after, grab delicious eats at some of our favorites in town
Aunt Kate’s – 612 Euclid Drive
Located on the banks of the Tolomato River, in a grove of live oaks, Aunt Kate’s is known for their fresh and local seafood — like steamed or fried oysters, peel ‘n eat shrimp, blackened fresh catch, low country boil, collards, and plenty of options for kids. This family-friendly, family-owned waterfront restaurant boasts a history spanning 100 years, with the Usina family’s seafood recipes dating back to the early 1900s. With beautiful views and charming interiors, lined with family photos and artifacts on the walls, Aunt Kate’s offers phenomenal food on the water.
Pesca Rooftop Kitchen and Bar – 117 Vilano Road
Located inside the Hyatt Hotel on Vilano Beach, this casual coastal kitchen and bar offers spectacular panoramic views of Vilano and St. Augustine. It’s one of local Chef Michael Lugo’s newest concepts, inspired by Latin and Caribbean flavors of his native Puerto Rico. The vibe is laid-back and reminiscent of vintage Miami, with a menu of small plates, daily seafood specials, beer, wine and fresh cocktails. Enjoy smoked fish dip, grilled mahi tacos, Puerto Rican-style chicken skewers, empanadas and more.
Michael’s – 117 Vilano Road
Established in 2006 in historic downtown St. Augustine, Michael’s new location on Vilano Beach is located beneath Pesca in the Hyatt Hotel. This fine dining, contemporary steak and seafood restaurant is also led by Chef Lugo, and has an award-winning wine list – having received the prestigious Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence. The menu changes seasonally, focusing on steaks and coastal Spanish-inspired cuisine, and using only the finest local and regional ingredients – it’s surely a meal to remember.
The Reef – 4100 Coastal Highway
An old-school, old-fashioned mainstay in St. Augustine, The Reef is a white-tablecloth fixture serving fresh seafood, beef, pasta and creative specials. It’s one of the few remaining oceanfront restaurants in Northeast Florida, with stunning Atlantic Ocean views from its waterfront tables. The Reef serves lunch, brunch and dinner; cocktails and desserts; with menu items of crab cakes, calamari, mussels, award-winning spicy seafood chowder, fresh catches, jambalaya and buttermilk fried chicken. With clean and bright decor, the beachfront building isn’t stuffy and specializes in fresh ingredients that are simply presented and served well.
Cap’s on the Water – 4325 Myrtle Street
Established in 1980, this local favorite is surely scenic, with live oaks popping up throughout their wooden deck, providing a natural canopy for tables lining the Tolomato River. Boasting multiple dining options – from their scenic dock, covered pavilion, indoor dining room, traditional tiki bar, oyster bar and an intimate inside bar – Cap’s is the best place to take in the sunset on the water. Their menu is new coastal cuisine, pairing fresh local seafood with traditional Southern and Mediterranean flavors. Cap’s cocktail program is based on fresh ingredients and local spirits, and all syrups and shrubs are made in-house. It’s been voted best waterfront dining, best seafood restaurant and best outdoor dining multiple times in local papers and national travel publications – including #9 on a list of the 15 “Most Beautiful Restaurants in the U.S.” by Trips to Discover.
Vinny’s – 105 Yacht Club Drive
For something quick, easy and delicious, grab a slice at Vinny’s. This family-run pizza shop has been serving authentic Italian cuisine for over 25 years – and it’s right next to us at Florida Water Tours! Vinny’s extensive menu includes pizzas, subs and wraps, calzones, stromboli, salads, garlic knots, wings, desserts and beverages, plus gluten free options. Visit them at 105 Yacht Club Dr or order for delivery.
Odd Birds Cafe – 121 Yacht Club Drive
Another super close spot right by our dock is Odd Birds Cafe, the smaller sister cafe to Odd Birds Cocktail Lounge and Kitchen on Anastasia Island. Offering a unique breakfast and lunch experience, this coffee shop, dessert bar and deli specializes in Latin-inspired cuisine. The menu boasts deliciousness of breakfast Cubans and burritos, arepas, sweet corn pancake cachapas, breakfast bowls, avocado toast and specialty coffees – like café con leche and chai lattes. Plus, the desserts are insane! Guava and cheese pastelitos, tres leches and more!
The Raintree – 102 San Marco Avenue
Open since 1981, this top-rated, family-owned restaurant is a staple in the local community. The Raintree is housed in a historic Victorian at 102 San Marco, in the heart of downtown, and has an expansive courtyard and beautiful indoor dining area. The Raintree’s international menu blends Mediterranean, American and Asian cuisine with items such as Canadian Lobster and Argentinian Chorizo, Paella and Chilean Sea Bass finished in a Japanese-style panko crust. It’s a popular spot for desserts, with a decadent dessert bar that includes cakes, cookies, bread puddings and brûlées; crepes and dessert cocktails. Plus, they host brunch on Sundays.
Boat Drinks – 123 San Marco Avenue
Right down the way from The Raintree is one of the best craft cocktail bars in town, Boat Drinks – not only delicious but FUN. Known for creating drinks reminiscent of its name, Boat Drinks’ cocktails and vibes are island and nautical-inspired. This tropical tavern and raw bar boasts a colorful indoor-outdoor setting, perfect for sipping frozen cocktails and enjoying oysters and peel-and-eat shrimp. They have chips ‘n dips, fish bites and burgers, and classic rum cocktails like piña coladas and daiquiris.
After your island cocktails, come sail away with us at Florida Water Tours. Hop on one of our most popular tours, the Dolphin & Wildlife Adventure, a true ecotour experience, where you’ll see dolphins, birds, manatees and turtles. For a more hands-on excursion, book our Marine Field Experience, where you get to be a marine biologist for the day. If you’re looking for something more relaxing and luxurious, try our Wine Tasting Cruise along St. Augustine’s bayfront, or the Moonlit Mysteries Tour, which takes you on the water as the sun begins to set. We’re located at the Windward at Camachee Cove Yacht Harbor Marina, 107 Yacht Club Dr., St. Augustine, FL 32084. We offer free parking and restrooms are on board. Our vessels are just a short walk from our boutique, located at Dock A-23 and A-24. Email us at [email protected] to book or inquire about your next sail.