One of the best things about living in Jacksonville is being 30 minutes away from beautiful St. Augustine! Any chance we get, whether it be for a date night, girls trip, visiting with family, or a change of scenery, we absolutely love coming to St. Augustine. Read along for your best St. Augustine Travel Guide!

I have compiled a list of my favorite spots for food, things to do, and hacks to save a little time. We’ll start with the food!

Best Restaurants in St. Augustine

There’s quite a few spots here for a nice dinner. Some of these places take reservations, and some don’t. When you’re planning your trip and need to stick to a schedule, make sure you peak at their website to see if reservations are available.

Raintree Restaurant – John and I have come here for an anniversary dinner and a nice date night. It’s beautiful whether you sit inside or outside and the service is great. For what you get, the prices aren’t bad either! Get the charcuterie board and a bottle of wine for the table.

Preserved – Another nice date night spot. We love the food here, it’s more of an upscale farm to table menu and changes with what’s in season. There is seating inside and in the courtyard under the twinkle lights! Get the creme brûlée for dessert 😉 This is an easier location for parking since it’s a little ways from the square.

Columbia Restaurant – In the heart of downtown St. Augustine, this gorgeous Spanish restaurant is so authentic and delicious! It’s a pretty big restaurant with many sections and multiple bars, and there’s a beautiful courtyard in the middle. Ask your waiter for their recommendations if you can’t decide from their large menu, but you absolutely can’t leave without getting their Queso or the Sangria.

St. Augustine Fish Camp – Close to the distillery, this local chain is one of our favorites. We have a Fish Camp close to our house, so we know this menu well. It’s great food every time at a great price. I would say you can come here for both a nice date or a chill dinner.

River and Fort – A sister restaurant to River and Post that’s Downtown Jacksonville, this restaurant is one of my favorites. It’s in a fabulous location overlooking the water and the Castillo de San Marco. It’s a little bit of an upscale southern menu with great drinks. Put your name in and go upstairs for a drink outside! The views are stunning.

Casa Reina – A newer upscale Mexican restaurant in St. Augustine overlooking the water. I love this place for good margaritas and a great menu!

Harry’s Seafood – A Cajun staple. This is one of the more popular restaurants in St. Aug, so plan to wait in line if you don’t beat the dinner rush on a weekend. The atmosphere is very homey and the food is really good! Try to sit outside if the weather is nice!

Sunday – One of my favorite brunch spots. This little gem is only open from 8:30am-3pm, but it’s a must if you’re in town! The food is so fresh and the coffee/drinks are delicious. It’s a fun spot to start your day if you’re going out exploring or meeting for a brunch date.

Michael’s St. Augustine – A quaint and romantic restaurant with a fabulous wine list. Anything on their menu or charcuterie options are so, so good.

Out for Drinks

Tini Martini Bar – Hands down my favorite cocktail spot. It’s a must if you’re in town! This place is so fun (especially at Christmas). Each cocktail order, you get your own shaker and the menu has literally every martini / cocktail you could think of. No food here, so drink at your own risk 😉

A1A Ale Works – In the square, this two story restaurant is overlooking the St. Augustine Marina and is a great sports bar with good food and drinks.

Forgotten Tonic – Great drinks and another fun one at Christmas time! I want to say they have life music on the weekend.

Ice Plant / Distillery – The Ice Plant is the bar that’s connected to the distillery in St. Augustine, which is a fun activity for anyone who enjoys bourbon and wine.

Things To Do

The Trolley – An easy hop on and off tour around St. Augustine.

Sunset Cruise with St. Augustine Sailing – A stunning view of this city. Try to go at sunset, and book your trip with a charcuterie board + wine! For a romantic dinner or a celebration.

Private Historic Tour – You can learn a lot more about this city on a private tour.

The Lightner Museum – A beautiful landmark in St. Augustine! You can also book a lunch inside the old pool. It’s such a good spot!

Bourbon Tasting Class – We did this for my husbands birthday and it was so good. Very educational for anyone who’s into bourbon and how the distillery makes it!

Castillo de San Marcos National Monument

Stay in a Bnb!

The beach at Anastasia State Park

Shopping! – There are so many art galleries, boutiques and great stores to pop in – for both touristy souvenirs and local finds.

You should know…..

Parking is a nightmare. Mentally prepare if you’re not staying within walking distance! Bring cash with you. Parking lots on the weekends are between $10-$20.

I like to valet at Casa Monica just to make my life easy.

If you’re coming around Christmas, be sure to check when the boat light show is! This is such a fun activity at night to watch the hundreds of boats that are decked out for the holidays.

Book a photographer to capture your memories – especially if you’re coming for a family or coupes trip! Did you know I’m also a photographer? Inquire here. It’s best to do these in the morning around sunrise to avoid the people!

I hope you have a fabulous trip! While you’re in town, pop over to Jacksonville for a visit. Here’s my Jacksonville travel guide for everything you need to know!

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