Dining Inside or Out
Along with year-round fresh seafood , locally grown produce , and spicy dishes featuring the destination ’ s signature datil pepper , the cultural influences of more than 450 years of history — Spanish , Greek , Minorcan , British and French — combined with traditional southern cuisine make Florida ’ s Historic Coast a “ must-do ” for food fans .
A Foodie ’ s Paradise
On Florida ’ s Historic Coast , dining is a topic of major interest to visitors and locals alike . Fortunately , there ’ s much to discuss .
From elegant upscale dining to laidback bistros and family-style food fests , there ’ s something here for every palate and budget .
St . Augustine is the nation ’ s oldest city and while its history is obviously fascinating , it ’ s easy to overlook the fact that food has been prepared here longer than in any other community . More than 450 years of daily cooking has provided plenty of time to master the culinary arts . Plus , the mixing of cultures and recipes has created a spicy combination of tastes and textures that are unique to the American experience . For more than 200 years , the daily fare here featured the flavors of Spain and the Caribbean . Low country Gullah and West African favorites , along with a dash of Greek flavor were added to the pot . Then , traditional Southern cooking got mixed in and , more recently , innovative trends like Asian fusion . Farm-to-table continues to grow in popularity here with many restaurants acquiring meat , dairy and vegetable ingredients directly from local growers . In fact , St . Augustine was an innovator in this approach to food preparation . The nearby farming areas centered on the town of Hastings were created by Henry Flagler in the 1880s to ensure the guests at his upscale hotels received only the freshest food .
Of course , fresh seafood has always been a mainstay of local dining here . In fact , by feeding fried shrimp to tens of thousands of wartime trainees , St . Augustine is credited with creating the nationwide demand for the tasty crustacean . This year , “ wild-caught shrimp ” was named the city ’ s official seafood . And to spice it all up , the fiery datil pepper that plays an important role in local cuisine is only cultivated on Florida ’ s Historic Coast .
So when it comes to dining here , the choices are uniquely tantalizing . Here are some suggestions .
A1A Ale Works Restaurant &
Tap Room 1 King St ., St . Augustine , FL 32084 904.829.2977 www . a1aaleworks . com A1A Ale Works is located in the heart of downtown St . Augustine . Their menu features a variety of Caribbean , Cuban and Florida influences . Their handcrafted beer is brewed to excellence . Lunch and dinner served daily .
Alice & Pete ’ s Pub 1000 TPC Blvd ., Ponte Vedra Beach , FL 32082 www . marriott . com / en-us / hotels / jaxswsawgrass-marriott-golf-resort-and-spa / dining Alice & Pete ’ s Pub — named after Golf Hall of Famers Alice and Pete Dye — is the perfect place for those seeking a relaxed dining experience complemented by a lively atmosphere . Open for lunch and dinner , guests can enjoy tempting appetizers , entrees , and desserts before trying their hand at a game of pool or watching their favorite sports team on indoor and outdoor televisions . Join the fun on Wednesday evenings at 7PM for Trivia on the Patio ! Open late ; food service ends at 11 p . m .
American Gator Club 1000 TPC Blvd ., Ponte Vedra Beach , FL 32082 www . marriott . com / en-us / hotels / jaxswsawgrass-marriott-golf-resort-and-spa / dining Inviting diners to overlook the tranquil lagoon and 13th hole at The Stadium Course at TPC ® Sawgrass , American Gator Club serves up iconic American bites and sips . The chef-driven menu features salads , small bites , and handheld fare crafted from locally sourced ingredients to connect your taste buds to the community . Offering plenty of outdoor seating , guests can take in the wonderful Ponte Vedra afternoon while unwinding from hours spent at the pool or on the course .
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Ancient City Brewing 3420 Agricultural Center Dr . & 18 Cathedral Pl ., St . Augustine , FL www . ancientcitybrewing . com A favorite of locals and tourists alike . Ancient City Brewing offers a wide selection of beer and wine at their Tap Room and also hosts special events and weekly activities all year long at their Brewhouse . The brew lineup includes Ponce ’ s Pale Ale , Galleons Golden Ale , Castillo Coconut Porter , Matanzas River Red Ale , Augustine ’ s Orange Amber Ale , and Anastasia Island IPA . All brewed right here in St . Augustine , Florida !
Asadolife 173 Shipyard Way , St . Augustine , FL 32084 904.501.1482 www . asadolife . com The true essence of an Asado engages family and friends long before the food hits the table . Asadolife is a full-service , experience-driven waterfront restaurant . Their passion is to create Argentine inspired , live fire Asado dining along St . Augustine ’ s San Sebastián river . Dining experiences include our : Waterfront or Dining room Asado ; Barcuterie ; Gaucho-style Asador ’ s Club ; Chef ’ s Table Experience ; and Collaborative dining room .
Atlantic Grille 200 Ocean Crest Dr ., Palm Coast , FL 32137 386.477.4610 www . hammockbeach . com / dine / atlantic-grille Atlantic Grille offers spectacular views of both the Atlantic Ocean and the Ocean Golf Course making this award-winning oceanfront restaurant the place to be for breakfast , lunch and dinner . With an emphasis on freshly caught seafood and an extensive beverage offering , the Atlantic Grille ’ s new “ Shore-to-Table ” experience is a must .
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