Unique Dining Experiences

Urban asado 2

The culinary scene in St. Augustine is as storied as its history.

When you talk about St. Augustine, it’s difficult to keep history out of the conversation. Everything around you reminds you of what life must have been like when it was founded almost 550 years ago and how life has evolved since then. One thing is certain: lots of people came from lots of different places to the New World, bringing with them their aromatic spices, their seasoned pots and age-old recipes from their homelands. Here, they mixed, mingled and culminated in what is truly a melting pot of cultures. From African to Minorcan, Spanish to Greek, you can still experience the rich, vibrant flavors of St. Augustine through its distinct culinary scene.

Local Favorites

On any given day, you can explore a dozen curated coffee spots, go on an ice cream crawl from one scoop to the next, pop by the fresh farmers market, and enjoy samples of small-batch spirits distilled in a refurbished historic ice warehouse. At local staples like The Floridian, southern classics mingle with fresh salads made from local produce and hearty portions served in cast iron skillets.

Those with a genuine craving for something sweet won’t be remiss to find Peace Pie's filling crisp cookies with outlandish freshly churned flavors and all sorts of pie fillings. Just up the street on King Street there’s the popular Whetstone Factory and handcrafted chocolate confections at Claude’s Chocolate. If you’re headed to the beach, Island Donuts on A1A beckons you with glazed, sprinkled, cream-filled puffs of heaven otherwise known as donuts.

Watering holes from familiar dive bars to wineries are in no short supply either as Happy Hour hits. These hip intimate spots for sipping libations are sprinkled throughout St Augustine in every nook and cranny. From Casa De Vino 57, a fresh wine bar with nightly live music, to Odd Birds Bar with a posh seating area and regular sightings of guest bartenders whipping out creative cocktails take place. There are brew pubs with craft beers, like Ancient City Brewing, tiki bars, and plenty of perfectly balanced cocktails for any celebration. Fine dining is not overlooked for this easygoing beach town. Replete with landmarks like The Cafe Alcazar, located in what was once the indoor swimming pool of the historic Alcazar Hotel.

For a perfect intimate dinner, there is The Raintree Restaurant, serving traditional classics like beef wellington and rack of lamb to a well-honed perfection. And just down the street, Chef Michael Lugo’s namesake Michael’s is tempting guests with a savory menu filled with must-try temptations like goat cheese terrine with salty olives, and fresh herbaceous pesto. There is a place for every night if you were really looking for one, and the variety of the menus doesn’t disappoint. Many of them are regularly adapting each season fluidly to celebrate what’s new to harvest.

For something completely different and truly memorable, head to the island where Outer Banks Boil Company will put together a unique dining experience in a pot. Imagine a classic seafood boil pot to-go consisting of red bliss potatoes, fresh corn on the cob, authentic andouille sausage, sweet Vidalia onions and jumbo shrimp steamed to perfection. You can add-on lobster, crab legs, clams, mussels, scallops and whether you steam or they steam and bring to you at the beach, this is a dining experience you’ll want to share with friends and family.

A Global Dining Experience Brought by a World-Class Culinary Team

At some point, you’ll be looking for something completely different and yet, so familiar. That’s the idea behind AsadoLife, where everyone gathers around the pit for an evening of friendship, great food and lively conversation over a fabulous fire-grilled meal. This Argentine-inspired, live-fire asado dining experience takes place on the waterfront overlooking the scenic San Sebastian River and is orchestrated by the renowned Chef Matt Brown on grills created by asador, Chef Nick Carrera. Their love of good food—locally and responsibly sourced—and good camaraderie is evident everywhere, from the thoughtful Gaucho menus to the family style seating and friendly lounge areas.

Be sure to sign up to their email list so you don’t miss the chance to experience the heart and soul of St. Augustine in action, creating an experience as unique as the historic city itself.

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