St. Augustine seafood restaurants are not hard to come by. With our ocean-adjacent location and unfettered access to the freshest of catches, restaurants naturally take advantage of these culinary offerings to serve up some of the best seafood around. If marine fare is what you’re craving, you could pop into nearly any local joint to find something on their menu – but there are quite a few St. Augustine restaurants that make seafood their specialty. So dive on into some of the best seafood restaurants in St. Augustine.
Image by Brian Miller
St. Augustine Seafood Company
33 St. George Street
As their name implies, this is your St. George Street seafood expert. Their laid-back restaurant is perfect for a fast casual bite or you can drop by their lounge for something a little more stylish. Along the way, you’ll dine on Chowder Fries and Conch Fritters, Minorcan Conch and New England Clam Chowders, and Shrimp, Catch, and Oyster Baskets.
www.saseafoodco.com
Cap’s on the Water
4325 Myrtle Street
This waterfront seafood restaurant sits on the shores of the Tolomato River, so you’ll get to experience a gorgeous view in addition to incredible food. While you take in the breeze and sunshine on the Old Florida style deck, try out dishes like Southern Gumbo, She Crab Soup, and Gator Tail or Honey Rosemary Salmon, Sesame Seared Tuna, and oysters from the raw bar.
www.capsonthewater.com
The Reef
4100 Coastal Highway
Sitting just above the sand and so close to the ocean that you can taste the salt in the air, the atmosphere at The Reef practically requires that you sample their seafood. You can start with a half pound of Snow Crab Legs, then dine on a lobster tail or jumbo scallops, Seafood Pasta or Shrimp & Lobster Risotto.
www.thereefstaugustine.com
Image by Brian Miller
Catch 27
40 Charlotte Street
Not far from the main downtown drag, you’ll find this intimate little restaurant on Charlotte Street with a small menu that serves up big flavor. The menu is seasonal and local whenever possible, but on it you’ll find dishes like a Smoked Salmon Spread, Florida Shrimp Roll, Salmon BLT, Crab Cake Sandwich, and Rustic Fish – not to mention delicious craft cocktails.
www.catchtwentyseven.com
Aunt Kate’s
612 Euclid Avenue
Situated in a grove of live oaks on the bank of the Tolomoto River, Aunt Kate’s is perfect for a laid-back waterfront experience. If you want to add to the nautical charm, you can even travel there by boat and tie up at their dock before you dig into Shrimp and Grits, a Low Country Boil, and the Award-Winning Fish Soft Tacos.
www.aunt-kates.com
Schooner’s Seafood House
3560 N. Ponce de Leon Boulevard
At Schooner’s Seafood House, you’ll find all your classic favorites – like Fried Clam Strips, crabcakes, oysters, and fish, boiled shrimp cocktail and conch fritters – but you’ll also get to try some dishes from the creek – like Frog Legs, Gator Tail, and a Swamp Platter (Frog Legs, Gator Tail, and lightly-fried Catfish). Whatever you choose on the menu, you’ll be treated to a great value.
www.schooners-seafood.com
Image via Blackfly the Restaurant
Blackfly the Restaurant
108 Anastasia Boulevard
A local favorite for unique fresh fish preparations (with selections like Wahoo, Mahi, and Hog Snapper), Blackfly the Restaurant will charm you with its bright artwork and murals and Bahamian ambiance even before the plate hits your table. When it does though, try out dishes like the Bahamian Conch Fritters, Furikake Crusted Ahi Tuna, and Maine Lobster Mac and Cheese.
www.blackflytherestaurant.com
Sunset Grille
421 A1A Beach Boulevard
This local haunt lets you dine outdoors with a view of St. Augustine Beach. It’s got all of the comforts of a classic beachside shack with a menu that’s deliciously unpretentious. You’ll find all the seafood necessities – like Fish n’ Chips, Minorcan Datil Shrimp, Redfish Creole, and (of course) the famous and award-winning Conch Chowder.
www.sunsetgrillea1a.com
Purple Olive
4255 A1A South
Purple Olive offers a creative full dinner menu, nightly specials, freshly-baked artisan breads, and all homemade soups, salads, signature salad dressings, and desserts – but what you’ll really want to experience is Chef Peter Kenney’s take on seafood. Try the Shrimp and Artichoke Pasta, Macadamia Crusted Salmon with Mango Vanilla Rum Butter, Sesame-Seared Scallops, or even some choices from the chef’s grill.
www.purple-olive.com
Image by Brian Miller
The Conch House
57 Comares Avenue
A beloved local legend with a tiki vibe and laid-back ambiance, The Conch House is perfect for a relaxing weekend meal as you look out over the water. Experience the Minorcan Conch Chowder, Bahamian Conch Fritters, Butter Rum Scallops, Lobster Mac and Cheese, Shrimp Tacos, and a whole lot more (not to mention some delightfully-tropical cocktails).
www.conch-house.com
Commander’s Shellfish Camp
7579 A1A South
This shellfish farm and seafood market will serve you to-die-for shellfish fresh from the water, and it’s a local experience you don’t want to miss out on. Chow down on the Mayport Shrimp, Local Matanzas Oysters, Snow Crab Clusters, Fried Fish Bucket, and the essential Minorcan Clam Chowder.
www.facebook.com/thecommandersshellfishcamp
St. Marys Seafood
705 Hortons Trace
With a large menu that often lets you dictate your favorite preparation, St. Marys Seafood offers deliciously-fresh oysters, clams, shrimp, crabs, and fish. Most items on the menu can be served fried, grilled, blackened, or broiled. Order the Calamari, Boom Boom Shrimp, Ahi Tuna, Crab Legs, or Stuffed Basa. There are all sorts of fisherman’s favorites to enjoy.
www.stmarysseafoodandmore.com
Image via Culinary Outfitters
Culinary Outfitters
173 Shipyard Way
With a gorgeous waterfront location at the St. Augustine Shipyard, it should be no surprise that Culinary Outfitters has a few seafood specialties up their sleeve. Start with the Fish Dip, Fried Calamari, or Raw Oysters then move onto Fish or Shrimp and Grits, Deconstructed Fish Chowder, Seafood Truffle Pasta, Lacquered Lobster, and Sourdough-Crusted Fish.
www.culinaryoutfitters.org
O’Steen’s
205 Anastasia Boulevard
This cash-only institution has been around for ages, serving up beloved fried shrimp and shellfish and a lot more seafood delights. It’s the type of place that you should expect to wait for, since O’Steen’s is no secret. But when you get inside, you won’t be disappointed by Deep Fried Sea Scallops, Deviled Crab Patties, Freshwater Catfish, and – of course – Famous St. Augustine Fried Shrimp.
www.osteensrestaurant.com
O.C. White’s
118 Avenida Menendez
Nestled between the intersection of Avenida Menendez and Marine Street and resting in a building that dates back to 1790, O.C. White’s offers both history and atmosphere to its guests. You can hear the bustle of the city and the bay from behind a lush barrier of greenery as you dine on a Dutch Garlic Shrimp Saute, Crab Legs, Bronzed Salmon, or Fish and Grits.
www.ocwhitesrestaurant.com
Image by Brian Miller
Kingfish Grill
252 Yacht Club Drive
Right on the water in Camachee Cove Harbor, Kingfish Grill has garnered a reputation for top-of-the-line sushi from a trained sushi master – who builds rolls both traditional and creative. But even if sushi isn’t your thing, you’ll find lots of seafood specialities to love here – from Fried Shrimp and Oysters Vilano to Horseradish Encrusted Mahi Mahi, Kingfish Country Boil, and Snow Crab Clusters.
www.kingfishgrill.com
Salt Life Food Shack
321 A1A Beach Boulvard
Casual and eclectic, Salt Life Food Shack is the perfect place to bring the family and friends as you settled in after a day at the beach. Kick things off with a Lump Crab and Spinach Dip or any number of sushi selections before diving into Grilled Garlic Parmesan Oysters, a Seared Mahi Bowl, Poke Tuna Tacos, a Crab Boil, Fried Shrimp, and a whole lot more.
www.saltlifefoodshack.com/locations/st-augustine
Creekside Dinery
160 Nix Boatyard Road
Under the magnolias and oaks on the banks of Gonzales Creek, Creekside Dinery is the place to be for relaxed and delicious tradition. You can dine on Smoked Fish Dip, Oysters on the Half Shell, Catchfish Fillet, Sauteed Shrimp Pasta, or Plank-Style Fish. You’ll feel right at home with a taste of Old Florida.
www.creeksidedinery.com
Image by Kate Gardiner
Saltwater Cowboys
299 Dondanville Road
Boasting the honor of St. Augustine’s oldest restaurant, Saltwater Cowboys has been serving locals for almost six decades and has quite a legacy of incredible seafood. Try gator tail, frog legs, and crawfish (courtesy of the creek) as well as fish, shrimp, oysters, and a whole lot more. Like many St. Augustinians before you, Saltwater Cowboys will keep you coming back.
www.saltwatercowboys.com
Barnacle Bills Seafood House
1302 N Ponce De Leon Boulevard
Anchored at the Holiday Inn, you’ll find plenty of pirate food at this St. Augustine spot. Minorcan Clam Chowder, Catch of the Day (with lots of options for preparations and toppings), Coconut Fried Shrimp, Deep Sea Scallops, and Crispy Clam Strips will all tempt the seafood-hungry palate.
www.barnaclebillsstaug.com
Beaches at Vilano
254 Vilano Road
Dubbed a “personal Caribbean Oasis,” Beaches at Vilano sits away from the main drag with a waterfront view of the Tolomato River. Alongside lots of signature drinks and a gorgeous view of the St. Augustine sunset, Beaches offers Sunset Shrimp Tacos, Seared Tuna Wrap, Peel-n-Eat Shrimp, and Steamed Snow Crab Legs and Clams.
www.beachesatvilano.com
Featured image by Kate Gardiner
