Try the two tastes St. Augustine is known for: the datil pepper and Minorcan clam chowder, plus fresh local seafood. Most visitors eat in the historic district around St. George Street, Aviles Street and the Plaza. To taste a lot in one go, book a walking food tour.
Taste St. Augustine: what to order
- Datil pepper: a small, fiery pepper long grown around St. Augustine and tied to the Minorcan families who settled here in 1777. Look for datil hot sauce, datil jelly and datil-spiced dishes on menus and in shops.
- Minorcan clam chowder: a spicy, tomato-based chowder with datil heat. It’s on menus all over town.
- Fresh seafood: shrimp and local fish, especially on the waterfront and out at the beaches.
Menus, hours and prices change, so check a restaurant’s own site or call before you go.
Food tours: taste it all in one walk
A guided food tour is the easiest way to sample several local specialties and hear the history behind them. Most walk the historic district and take two to three hours.
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Where to eat by neighborhood
Historic district
St. George Street, Aviles Street, Hypolita and Cathedral Place: cafés, sweets and sit-down restaurants a short walk from the Castillo and the Plaza. Busiest on weekend evenings.
Uptown (San Marco Avenue)
A little north of the City Gates, with antique shops and local spots. Handy after the Fountain of Youth or the Old Jail.
Lincolnville
The historic neighborhood south of King Street, founded by freed people after the Civil War. Quieter streets and neighborhood favorites.
St. Augustine Beach & Vilano
Casual seafood and sunset spots across the Bridge of Lions or the Vilano bridge. Pair with the Lighthouse or Fort Matanzas.
Where to eat after your hunt
- Lost Treasure and Ghosts of the Ancient City finish in the Plaza de la Constitución, surrounded by restaurants on Cathedral Place, King Street and the bayfront.
- The Gilded Age Conspiracy ends on King Street by the Lightner Museum, steps from downtown dining. It’s great before a dinner date.
- Spanish Fortress ends at the Castillo; St. George Street is a two-minute walk away.
- Little Detectives wraps up on St. George Street, near ice cream and snacks for tiny detectives.
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Questions people ask
What food is St. Augustine known for?
The datil pepper, a small, hot pepper long grown around St. Augustine and tied to the city’s Minorcan community, and Minorcan clam chowder, a spicy tomato-based chowder seasoned with datil. Fresh local seafood is everywhere.
Is a food tour worth it in St. Augustine?
If you want to taste several local specialties in one walk and hear the history behind them, yes. Walking food tours cover the historic district and usually take two to three hours.
Where should we eat near the Castillo and St. George Street?
The historic district around St. George Street, Aviles Street, Hypolita Street and the Plaza is packed with cafés and restaurants within a few minutes’ walk of the Castillo. Weekday lunches are calmer than weekend evenings.
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