Newcomer’s Guide to Saint Augustine Eateries

By Carie Levy | gargoyle@flagler.edu

Whether you are visiting Saint Augustine for the very first time or have lived here for years, it’s always nice to hear about a great new restaurant to try. As a recent freshman to Flagler College, I didn’t have the slightest idea where the best places to eat were, which is why I decided to ask upperclassman who have lived in the area for several years to name their favorites. Below I have configured a top 10 list of the results.

The Hyppo
If you are like me and crave a sweet, but healthy snack every once in a while, The Hyppo is definitely the place to go. They are an all natural popsicle shop that makes all of their popsicles fresh on site. Using real fruit and absolutely no artificial or genetically modified ingredients, The Hyppo creates over 450 tasty and unique flavors; some of the top sellers include Strawberry, Elvis (made with peanut butter, bananas, and honey), Avocado Coconut, Horchata, and my personal favorite, Orange Cream. Not all flavors are available at once. The popsicle flavors are seasonal so you can always try fresh, new flavors!

Harry’s
Jambalaya, Crab crusted redfish, Shrimp and grits- if these New Orleans style dishes have your mouth watering, then Harry’s is the place to go. This lovely sit down restaurant has outdoor and indoor eating options and is based in a historic house, its foundation dating all the way back to 1740. Along with the previously mentioned dishes, customer favorites include Shrimp and Scallop Orleans, crab cakes, and gumbo. Get a taste of delectable Louisiana cuisine right here in the beautiful city of Saint Augustine!

The Cuban Bakery & Cafe

When it comes to lunch, I’m always up for a well made sandwich. At the Cuban Bakery and Cafe you’ll be able to get exactly that. The Cuban Sandwich most popular menu item is made with smoked ham, pork, swiss cheese, mustard, pickles, and cuban bread. Along with many other sandwich options you can order homemade empanadas, cuban pastries, cafe con leche, and more.

Green Tea

If you are in the mood for some great Chinese food, look no further! Green Tea, a cozy mom-and-pop style restaurant, serves some of the best Chinese food in town according to the locals. With an extremely diverse menu, there are many dishes to choose from. Some of the Chef’s Specialties include the “Seafood Delight”, a dish made with lobster, jumbo shrimp, scallops, and crab meat sauteed with Chinese vegetables, and the “Dragon and Phoenix”, composed of General Tso’s chicken, spicy shrimp, and veggies. No matter what you prefer, Green Tea is sure to have a dish you’ll love!

The Chocolate Turtle

Who doesn’t love chocolate? As its name suggests, you can find plenty of it at The Chocolate Turtle! Whether you decide on the double chocolate cake, the snickers cheesecake, or a freshly brewed mocha, chocolate lovers will not leave unsatisfied. All desserts are freshly made on location. Along with the sweet treats, you can also find a breakfast and lunch sandwich menu. Of course you’ll want to try their signature Chocolate turtle: homemade caramel, chocolate mousse, chocolate ganache, and pecans all on a moist bed of chocolate cake.

Pizzalley’s

Pizza anyone? Pizzalley’s on St. George Street has got you covered. Preparing all of their pizzas on site with fresh ingredients is what helps to make their flavors stand out amongst the crowd. Along with the classic cheese and pepperoni pizzas, Pizzalley’s provides a wide variety of delicious gourmet pizzas, the most popular of them all being the Garbage Can pizza- a pie topped with pepperoni, onions, peppers, sausage, mushrooms, and olives.

Columbia
Saint Augustine is the nation’s oldest city so why not dine in Florida’s oldest restaurant while you are here? Columbia Restaurant not only offers exquisite Columbian cuisine, it also portrays the sense of history and beauty that is so prominent in Saint Augustine. Their most popular dish, the 1905 Salad, was featured on USA Today as “One of the 10 Great Places to Make a Meal out of a Salad”. Topped with their famous homemade garlic dressing, which is also bottled and sold in their gift shop, the 1905 salad has been enjoyed by visitors for years.

Kilwins
Fresh made chocolates, caramel apples, fudge, and a little toy train that circles the perimeter of the room at all times makes Kilwins appear at first glance to be child’s paradise; however, upon further investigation, I found that it would absolutely attract the attention of any grown up as well. For 15 years, Kilwins has been satisfying the sweet tooth of locals and visitors to Saint Augustine with its wide variety of irresistible treats. Whether you prefer ice cream, truffles, brittle, or fudge, you will always find exceptional sweet treats at Kilwins.

Cousteau’s
Waffles and Milkshakes. Need I say more? Cousteau’s offers some of the most unique waffles and milkshakes you will ever try. Although just about anything you choose will likely be delicious, the most popular items are the Whirlybird waffle and the Ping Island Milkshake. All dishes are handmade fresh on site. Along with the many different types of waffles on the menu, you can also choose from a wide variety of extra toppings to make your waffle one of a kind.

Kookaburra

Sometimes you just need a good cup of coffee. The Kookaburra is an Aussie inspired espresso bar and pie shop that brews local coffee and tea and bakes fresh pies daily. Not only are their coffees and teas delicious, but they are also organic. Who doesn’t love something that’s healthy and tasty? Be sure to try their house favorite, the Honey Badger: a latte with honey, cinnamon, and vanilla.