The first time I visited historic St. Augustine, Florida, years ago with my daughters, I knew I wanted to return. It’s just one of those places that draws you in. I have returned, twice, most recently with my husband, who I knew would absolutely fall in love with the place. With the fascinating history, the ocean, lush plant life, vivid colors, and interesting architecture, what’s not to love? Showing him around, I fell in love with historic St. Augustine all over again, going to some of my favorite spots from previous visits and discovering new ones together. True to our focus with Real Food Traveler, it was particularly fun to discover more ways to experience the food, ingredients, and people behind the local culinary scene. Here, we share some of what we discovered including insider tips from locals. 

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Where to go to discover the local flavor of Historic St. Augustine

Casa de Vino 57– Explore hard-to-find, curated, unique wines, located in tiny shop that was once a historic home. The secluded back yard is a fantastic place to sit and sample. There’s almost always live music going and other special events, enhancing the sippable experience.
Tip from a local: Book ahead to attend one of the New Moon or Full Moon Wine Tastings. Your ticket includes live music, a plentiful charcuterie platter and wine tastings with winery representatives.

Go to Casa De Vino 57 on one of the “Moon” event nights and enjoy charcuterie, wine tasting, and local music.

Catch 27– The restaurant is one of the best places to experience authentic Minorcan Clam Chowder, an iconic dish in St. Augustine that uses the Datil Pepper, an equally iconic regional pepper that provides a slightly sweet heat.
Tip from a local: Order the Lion Fish Ceviche if it’s available. The invasive, exotic fish is a problem in the area so fishermen are allowed to catch them periodically and restaurants find creative ways to serve it.

Hungry for more? Get the recipe for Minorcan Clam Chowder.

Columbia Restaurant – Step into another world at this fanciful restaurant that opened in 1905 and has been owned by the same family for five generations. As you sip sangria and order a variety of tapas, notice the ornate tile, wrought iron, and artwork. There’s so much to look at but don’t forget to be mindful of the delicious food and drink.
Tip from a local: Order the 1905 Salad that includes iceberg lettuce, julienned baked ham, Swiss cheese, tomatoes, olives, grated Romano cheese, Lea & Perrins Worcestershire sauce and their own salad dressing. It’s prepared and served tableside, adding to the experience of the place.

The Columbia restaurant is ornate and historic, known best for tapas sangria and the 1905 Salad.

San Sebastian Winery– After doing a tasting/tour, land on your favorite (hard to do) and purchase a bottle of wine, plus some charcuterie-makings from their cooler, and plan a picnic in the historic main square, beach, or even your hotel.
Tip from a local: Get some of their sherry to enjoy during your stay or to take home.

Farmers Markets on Anastasia Island – Just over the Bridge of Lions from St. Augustine (note the beautiful lions!) a great way to experience local food and goods is at the Farmer’s Markets at St. Augustine Amphitheatre on Saturdays and The St. Augustine Beach Pier Market on Wednesdays. Both operate year-round! Meet and purchase from local farmers, makers, and vendors, grab a bite, and listen to live music. Take note of some of the unique food and goods items specific to the area.
Tip from a local:  At the Saturday market, go early to get parking or, if that’s not possible, there’s parking in the VFW lot next door.

Attend the year-round Farmers Markets on Anastasia Island for some real local flavor.

The Hyppo Gourmet Ice Pops – Peruse the wide and unique selection of flavors and let one cool you off as you stroll along historic St. George Street.
Tip from a local: Be bold in choosing your flavors because they’re all so good. To connect with St. Augustine more, choose whatever flavor might have the Datil Pepper in it, like Strawberry-Datil.

St. Augustine Experiences food tours – Started by a couple from New York who fell in love with St. Augustine while visiting and moved there, we loved the blend of newcomer enthusiasm with thorough knowledge of all things St. Augustine shown us by co-owner, Alex. We were fortunate enough to have him take us on the “Not Just Chocolate Tour” but he assured us all of his tour guides are awesome. Sure, there was chocolate but also other sweets and savories along with the opportunity to meet makers and shop owners to really get to know the local food scene. 
Tip from a local: Take advantage of your tour guide’s knowledge for tips on places to go you might not ordinarily learn about. Our guide, Alex, the owner, suggested a stop in the St. Photios Greek Shrine, lunch at Gaufre’s & Goods Polish & Greek Cafe, and a visit to the Ximenez-Fatio House museum (with detached kitchen and washroom).

Stops along a St. Augustine Experiences food tour include Whetstone Chocolate, Savannah Sweets, and Le French Macaron, allowing you the chance to meet the purveyors behind each shop. 

St. Augustine Fish Camp – This is a popular restaurant right on the water. You may have to wait, even with reservations. It’s okay though because you can purchase a drink at the bar and take it out back to enjoy the sunset over the marina and chat with some of the other folks waiting too – some are locals, some visitors like you – you can learn a lot either way. Once seated, we recommend the Crispy Artichoke Hearts, and Spicy Seafood Linguini with Garlic, Tomato and Parsley. Ask to sit outside for more views of that sunset sky sparkling off the water.
Tip from a local: Before dinner, check out the galleries nearby in an industrial area. If  you’re lucky, it’ll be a gallery walk night. Even if it isn’t, stop in anyway and get to know the local art and artists.

Plentiful Seafood Pasta is just one of the options at St. Augustine Fish Camp restaurant.

St. Augustine Distillery tour – Currently, because of COVID, tours are self-guided. They are so interesting though because you get to see the entire process in action, learning the connection to local agriculture, smell the (we think wonderful) aroma of “sweet mash,” the fermenting mixture. Take pictures by the stills and barrels and sample some of their products. There’s even a Fill Your Own Bottle Experience that lets you go behind production lines.
Tip from a local: Save some time to visit their extensive shop for gift ideas and items to stock your liquor cabinet back home. We’re particularly fond of their “Old Fashioned Mix” and “Florida Straight Bourbon” which we brought home to remember our experience by.

You’ll learn a lot during a tour of the St. Augustine Distillery and a stop in their gift shop.

Hungry for more? Here’s our guide to 4 perfect days in St. Augustine.

The Spice & Tea Exchange – This spice shop was founded here and the original store sells various products that include the Datil Pepper.
Tip from a local: Take some St. Augustine home with you with the “Signature Spice Blend” that contains the Datil.

The Blue Hen Cafe – Get to this Lincolnville neighborhood spot early to get a seat for breakfast and to avoid a wait from with all the other late-risers. But if you do have to wait at this popular place tucked away in a residential area, it’s okay because you can order a mimosa or smoothie and take it outside with you to ease the wait.
Tip from a Local: Order the King’s French Toast with peanut butter, banana, and honey on brioche with bacon or sausage on the side.

Grab breakfast at the neighborhood Blue Hen Cafe.

Bonus: Some fun things to do in St. Augustine

Overall tip from a local: Sign up for email notifications of the places you’re interested in visiting, and/or follow them on social media for insider news to help you make the most of your visit.

Old Town Trolley or Red Train– Choose which service you want to use, then get tickets early and also start out early on your first day, taking it all the way around to get the lay of the land. Then use the trolley as an on-off means of transportation around the city.
Tip from a local: It’s fun to go on several rides with either of these companies because different drivers have different personalities and ways of telling the history (some stories may be the driver’s own version, just so you know). It all adds to the experience of visiting.

Hungry for more? Learn about the three railroaders who built Florida.

Lightner Museum – Walk past the lush garden courtyard to the Museum doors. Note the grand foyer before reaching the ticket desk. Upon officially entering the museum, enjoy the trip through time looking at items that captivated Otto Lightner which he obtained from Chicago millionaires who fell on hard times during the Depression.
Tip from a local: Include time for a meal at Cafe Alcazar behind the museum, located in the (drained) former indoor swimming pool of the Alcazar Hotel. it was the largest pool in the world, of its time. Besides enjoying good Mediterranean cuisine, how often can you say you ate in a swimming pool?

Flagler College – Tour the stunning buildings, built in Spanish Renaissance architecture, by railroad magnate, Henry Flagler.
Tip from a local: Check with them in advance to make sure tours are available when you want to go. This is a functioning school and it may be closed to visitors during some school functions.

Lightner Museum (top right), Flagler College (bottom right), and the domed ceiling in the foyer of Flagler (left).

Villa Zorayda Museum – Check days and hours of operation in advance to make sure you are able to visit this special museum (twice, it was closed when I was in town so I made sure we could go on our recent visit). Modelled, in part, after the Alhambra Palace in Granda, Spain, Villa Zorayda has been a family home, restaurant and social club, casino, speakeasy, and museum. Chock full of the curious, ornate, beautiful, unique, whimsical, and stunning, you’ll want to take your time in there.
Tip from a local: Photos aren’t allowed so just be present and absorb what you’re seeing 

St. Augustine Ecotour – Experience the historic city on the water. Book a kayak excursion, or a boat tour which goes on inland waterways that surround the city.
Tip from a local: With tours led by marine naturalists who are doing research, an Ecotour is a great way to get a different perspective on the sites on land while learning about the thriving life going on in St. Augustine’s waters.

Homebase for experiencing historic St. Augustine like a local? Homewood Suites by Hilton St. Augustine San Sebastian is a sleek, new, and easy to get to home away from home when visiting St. Augustine. It’s also a trolley stop and is walking distance to San Sebastian Winery. They offer spacious suites (with refrigerators to store any goodies you buy), free breakfast, a beautiful outdoor pool and a fitness center.

Homewood Suites by Hilton San Sebastian makes a fine place to call your home-away-from-home when visiting.

When you go: Visit the Florida’s Historic Coast website to learn even more about St. Augustine.

Save this list of things to do and things to eat in Historic St. Augustine to Pinterest to keep them handy.

— Story by Courtney Drake-McDonough. Photos by James McDonough

Please note: We were hosted for most of our trip to St. Augustine to help facilitate this article and information. However, as is always our policy, that does not influence, but only informs, our research through which we provide tips and guides for our readers. To learn more, read our About and Full Disclosure pages.