My parents moved to St. Augustine Beach, Florida (Anastasia Island) last year. For years before moving there, they took weekend trips there from suburban Jacksonville, Florida. They’re the locals. My sister and I have each been to St. Augustine Beach a number of times over the years and recently visited for the first time since our parents moved there permanently. We’re the visitors.
Over dinner during my visit, I surveyed my parents and sister about their favorite restaurants on “the Island.” It was characteristically difficult to get the family to focus and impossible to get a single “My favorite place is…” answer from anyone. But we had a lively discussion about food in the area. Turns out, that despite variations in our family’s taste in food and atmosphere, there was a surprising amount of consistency in favorite places in St. Augustine Beach.
Here’s a little about our taste in food:
George (a/k/a Dad): Likes good portions of good food at good prices. Big fan of international and regional cuisine. Has been known to hit the Indian buffet…multiple times in a week. No matter how good the food is, if the portions aren’t enough to fill you up, George will give it a “no.”
Mary (a/k/a Mom): Likes a good lemon drop martini and a good burger or steak. Tends to lean towards American and Italian cuisine but can find something to compliment at any restaurant. Dislikes most fruits and anything that sounds too healthy: organic, vegan, raw seitan burger is going to get a hard “no” from Mary no matter how good everyone else claims it is.
Andrea (a/k/a Sister): Likes a veggie with her meals and can appreciate Mexican inspiration at any meal. Goes for different foods and atmospheres for different moods. Will choose a fish or carb based entree over a “nice cut of meat.” Not afraid of spices or trying something different.
Larissa (a/k/a me): Just superb taste in everything (joke). Pretty similar to Andrea but less likely to order a salad. Not uncommon for us to get multiple items to split when traveling. I’m also a sucker for a good craft beer selection and gimmicks like a rotating sushi bar where you pick your items off of it.
Here’s an Embarrassing Story:
Our immediate family once passed a single shrimp around the table so everyone could take a bite of it. In my memory, it was at least a big piece of shrimp. Shhh…don’t tell my brother [in-law] Doug. He has more food boundaries than the rest of us – not too difficult to accomplish.
Here are the Recommendations Everyone Agreed On:
The Purple Olive
Website: http://purple-olive.com
Address: 4255 A1A South in St, Augustine, FL 32080
Go for: Creative, fresh entrees for a fancier night out.
Terra & Acqua
Website: http://www.terraacquarestaurant.com/
Address: 134 Sea Grove Main Street St. Augustine Beach, Florida 32080
Go for: Fresh, locally-sourced Italian food in a casual atmosphere.
South Beach Grill
Website: http://www.southbeachgrill.net/
Address: 45 Cubbedge Rd, St. Augustine, FL 32080
Go for: A beachfront lunch. Bring your flip-flops for a post-meal beach walk.
Blackfly – The Restaurant
Website: http://www.blackflytherestaurant.com
Address: 108 Anastasia Blvd, Saint Augustine, Florida 32080
Go for: Fresh seafood meals from scratch
O’Steen’s
Website: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g34599-d390356-Reviews-O_Steen_s_Restaurant-St_Augustine_Florida.html
Address: 205 Anastasia Blvd, St. Augustine, FL 32080
Go for: Unfussy local experience with solid simple food and portions. (Bring cash to pay)
Nalu’s
Website: http://nalusstaugustine.com/
Address: 1020 Anastasia Blvd, St Augustine, FL 32080
Go for: The best food truck tacos in town.
Ok, so George technically was not into Nalu’s but he ordered an ahi taco when we went and he does not like raw tuna so that’s on him. It’s delicious, has a fun atmosphere, and so I’m including it.
Les Petits Pleasures
Website: https://www.facebook.com/Les-Petits-Pleasures-French-Pastry-and-Bakery-297789540232314/
Address: 25 A1A Beach Blvd, St Augustine, FL 32080
Go for: An almond croissant.
