St. Augustine Restaurants Promise Gastronomic Adventures

Food & Beverage, Online Exclusives

Deep roots of Florida’s Historic Coast blend with contemporary flavors whipped up in St. Augustine restaurants and Ponte Vedra kitchens

St. Augustine restaurants, along with eateries throughout Ponte Vedra Beach imbibe Florida’s Historic Coast roots in delicious ways. They deliver cuisine that’s as deep and diverse as Florida’s past. From fresh seafood dishes to classic European fare, St. Augustine and Ponte Vedra have a burgeoning culinary scene that rivals most major cosmopolitan cities. Undeniably, this is all thanks to chefs using contemporary techniques while staying true to some of the region’s traditional delicacies. Groups visiting St. Augustine and Ponte Vedra Beach will not only get a taste of the local flavor but also the history that has fed Florida’s gastronomic landscape for decades.

Spanish Flair

Florida was first settled by the Spanish, and, as a result, many popular Spanish dishes are prominent throughout the state. This is especially true in St. Augustine and Ponte Vedra Beach. Groups can dine on authentic Spanish entrees, including tapas, gazpacho, and paella.

Michael’s Tasting Room

Michael’s Tasting Room in St. Augustine. Credit.

St. Augustine for Spanish fare

Nestled in the heart of the historic downtown St. Augustine, Michael’s Tasting Room serves up innovative cuisine with a Spanish twist. For example, delicious charcuterie boards filled with cured Spanish meats and cheeses; and crispy empanadas stuffed with chorizo, potato, and goat cheese.

Taberna Del Caballo, located on St. George Street in St. Augustine, transports groups to another time. Its 18th century-style Spanish tavern is warm and welcoming. Here, patrons can munch on plates of patatas bravas and campera ensalada, and sip on rim-full glasses of sangria.

Fresh from the Sea

In St. Augustine and Ponte Vedra Beach, the phrase “Fresh Catch of the Day” can be heard pretty much anywhere you go. Being surrounded by water on three sides, the region boasts some of the best seafood around. The fruits of the Atlantic Ocean and Matanzas River have a very short journey from the water to the plate. Thus, groups will experience super fresh and delicious seafood. Some of the most popular catches are flounder, drum, and snapper, and all of them can be cooked up in various ways.

Ponte Vedra Beach for insanely fresh catches

Stop into Pusser’s Bar & Grille in Ponte Vedra Beach for some regional seafood favorites, including Pusser’s Crab Dip. Indulge in their freshly steamed mussels, firecracker shrimp, and grouper sandwiches. In addition, try a true local delicacy and order a few plates of the conch fritters—sea snails mixed with batter and deep fried to perfection.

Vernon’s First Coast Kitchen & Bar offers groups an upscale dining experience with welcoming ambiance and amazing views—not to mention well-crafted seafood dishes. Dive into plates of braised octopus and oysters, or savor diver sea scallops, blackened grouper, and battered fish.

St. Augustine serves up alligator and Minorcan clam chowder

For those who have never tried gator, St. Augustine is the place to do it. Head over to St. George Street in historic downtown for some of the best alligator in town at The Florida Cracker Café. They specialize in gator tail, deep fried and served as an appetizer or an entrée.

Downtown St. Augustine FL

Downtown St. Augustine

Ever heard of Minorcan Chowder? It’s a St. Augustine specialty. Grab a table at Sunset Grille to get a taste of the Floridian twist on New England Clam Chowder. The tomato-based soup is made with clams, of course. However, what really sets it apart is the use of Datil Peppers, grown only around St. Augustine.

Taste of the Caribbean

St. Augustine and Ponte Vedra Beach’s proximity to the Caribbean easily brings the flavors of the islands to America. Groups will get their fill of famed meals like Jerk Chicken and plantains. Also on the menu is Arroz con Pollo—a popular rice and chicken meal with Puerto Rican roots. Another incredibly prevalent lunch item is the Cuban Sandwich, known locally as the Cubano.

St. Augustine for the best Cubano sandwich

Groups will see this local favorite on menus all over St. Augustine and Ponte Vedra Beach, but one of the best can be found at A1A Aleworks. They make theirs with smoked pork loin, glazed ham, Swiss cheese pickles, and Dijon mustard on Cuban bread.

A1A Aleworks

A1A Aleworks in St. Augustine. Credit.

Southern Comfort Food

Being part of the American South, Florida naturally cooks up some classic Southern Comfort food. The Southern, Caribbean, and seafood influences on the culinary scene in St. Augustine and Ponte Vedra Beach are on display in the ever-popular Shrimp and Grits. This tasty specialty features hearty grits and fresh-caught shrimp and can be enjoyed any time of day.

fried-green-tomatoes

Fried Green Tomatoes. Credit.

Another classic Southern dish for groups in St. Augustine and Ponte Vedra Beach is Fried Green Tomatoes. Visitors won’t be able to stop eating the fresh slices of green tomato dipped in batter, fried, and seasoned with local herbs and spices. Dip them in blue cheese, mustard, ranch, or mayonnaise for a satisfying appetizer; or plop them onto a sandwich for a twist on the BLT.

BBQ, Bar-B-Q, ‘Que

Grab a bib and plenty of hand wipes, and head over to Woody’s Bar-B-Q or Smokin’ D’s BBQ for some fall-off-the-bone goodness. St. Augustine and Ponte Vedra Beach do barbecue right, pairing a variety of meats with all the fixings: green beans, cornbread, coleslaw, and baked beans. Visit any of the barbecue joints in Florida’s Historic Coast, and you won’t leave hungry.

St. Augustine and Ponte Vedra Beach have a burgeoning dining scene that highlights the best of the region’s past, while embracing modern cooking styles and flavors. No matter what kind of food your group enjoys, there’s something to satisfy their taste buds in Florida’s Historic Coast.

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