Where We Actually Ate, Drank & Shopped in St. Augustine
Whenever we come home from a trip, somebody eventually asks, “Okay...where should we actually go?” Not the places with the biggest advertising budget. Not the places that every travel website recommends. The places we’d happily spend our own money at again. Please understand that the places we list are places we visited on this trip. To say that St Augustine is rich in the food and drink category is an understatement. We’ve listed some more of those in earlier blogs so check them out.
After a few days wandering around St. Augustine, these are the places that made an impression on us this trip.
Start Your Morning at City Perks Coffee Co.
Every good travel day starts with coffee, and City Perks quickly became one of our favorite stops. I ordered the Beach, Please, an iced latte with coconut and caramel espresso that somehow managed to be refreshing without tasting overly sweet. Jodie went with the Seas the Lemonade, a lavender lemonade made with butterfly pea flower that looked almost too pretty to drink. If you’re looking for something uniquely St. Augustine, don’t miss the Bone Rattle Datil Latte. It has just enough kick from the local datil pepper to make you wonder why more coffee shops don’t do something similar.
The bonus is the location. Grab your drink and you’ll have a commanding view of the Castillo de San Marcos while you wake up.
Sunday Earned Every Bit of Its Reputation
Sometimes a restaurant earns awards because people already know its name. Sometimes it earns awards because it’s simply that good.
Sunday, tucked away in Uptown near the Abbott Tract, falls into the second category. It was awarded a Bib Gourmand in the 2026 Florida Michelin Guide, an honor given to restaurants serving exceptional food at a great value.
The atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming, the staff couldn’t have been friendlier, and yes...you really should order the potato salad. I know that sounds like an odd recommendation, but trust me on this one.
If there’s a line outside, don’t let it scare you away. It’s there for a reason.
French Pantry & Little Miss Ha
One of the more unique dining experiences we found was French Pantry and Little Miss Ha, two different restaurants sharing one building.
We stopped in for cocktails and lunch, then found ourselves coming back for dinner another evening. I ordered the Coconut Cognac Filet, a beautifully cooked six-ounce filet with wok-fired vegetables, jasmine rice, and a light coconut cognac sauce that worked far better than I expected. Jodie ordered the Carbonara, and I’d happily order either dish again.
Jonathan, behind the bar, deserves a mention all by himself. He was engaging, genuinely funny, and had that rare ability to make everyone feel welcome within a few minutes of sitting down.
Good food gets remembered. Good people make you return.
The Well
I’m almost hesitant to tell you about this one.
The Well is reserved exclusively for guests staying at The Collector Luxury Inn, so unfortunately, I can’t simply recommend stopping by. If you are staying there, though, don’t miss it.
John and Aubrey were two of the best bartenders we’ve met anywhere in St. Augustine. Friendly, attentive, engaging, and serious about their craft, they consistently turned-out outstanding cocktails. In a city full of incredible bars, The Well became our favorite. That’s saying something.
Bourbon Lovers, This One’s for You
The St. Augustine Distillery is well worth your time, especially if you appreciate bourbon. Sampling some of their higher-end offerings was one of the highlights of our visit.
Afterward, head upstairs to The Ice Plant. Their Old Fashioned, made with black walnut bitters, was exactly the way the good Lord intended.
Chatsworth Pub Was a Pleasant Surprise
Sometimes you walk into a place without any expectations and leave wondering why more people aren’t talking about it. That was Chatsworth.
Richard, the bartender and manager, was friendly, professional, and clearly took pride in what he served.
The Notting Hill Botanical Gardens cocktail was perfect for a hot Florida afternoon, blending quality gin, St-Germain, house-made peach turmeric tea syrup, lemon, lime, cucumber, and basil into one of the most refreshing drinks we had all week.
The Southampton Port, built around Old Forester bourbon with blueberry syrup and chocolate mole bitters, was outstanding, and their Banana Bread Old Fashioned with black walnut bitters had me smiling from the first sip.
Don’t overlook the food, either. The beer cheese soup with pretzel sticks and house-made honey mustard made for a indulgent lunch.
Shopping That Felt Local
One of the things we enjoy most about St. Augustine is wandering into the independent shops that give the city its personality. Silver Feather remains our favorite stop for Native American jewelry, thanks to both the quality of the selection and the helpful staff. The Irish Store is always worth visiting for Irish jewelry, clothing, and gifts. If datil peppers are your thing, you’ll probably lose track of time browsing Hot Stuff. JR Benet carries beautiful Spanish coin necklaces and Roman glass jewelry, while Earthbound is full of bohemian clothing, incense, and unique gifts.
We also enjoyed browsing City Gate’s Spirits, the Woman’s Exchange at the Peña-Peck House, and even the Visitor Center gift shop, which carries locally made products alongside the usual souvenirs.
One Place We’d Skip
I don’t enjoy writing negative reviews. Running a restaurant is hard, and everyone has an off day. That said, we weren’t impressed with Cordova Chophouse. The staff was professional and genuinely helpful, but the meal simply didn’t live up to the quality we found elsewhere in town. With so many excellent restaurants within walking distance, we’d choose somewhere else next time.
Final Thoughts
What stood out most wasn’t a single meal or cocktail.
It was the people. The bartenders who treated us like regulars. The servers who genuinely cared whether we enjoyed ourselves. The shop owners that were happy to tell us about their city. Those are the moments that stay with us long after we’ve unpacked the suitcase. St. Augustine has no shortage of places to eat and drink. These are simply the ones we’d tell our friends about. And I can’t think of a better recommendation than that.
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