Last Updated on May 8, 2024 by Marybeth
Because vacation = dining out! Or the more accurate equation is: vacation + vacation eating = the necessity to walk some of it off! While staying at The Local St. Augustine boutique hotel you will have so many options you may never want to walk over the Bridge of Lions to the tourist area.
We believe that where you stay sets the tone for your whole trip. Though we all spend most of our time outside our hotel room when vacationing, our accommodation is our cozy respite. Being surrounded by comfort, contemporary amenities, and colorfully curated nostalgia gives us that glad heart at the end of a busy day exploring.
Another beautiful thing about staying at The Local St. Augustine is being able to leave your car there and not mess with the sometimes-messy parking situation in downtown St. A.
Playful, affordable, and stylish The Local St. Augustine has set the bar high for old properties given new life. This new generation of nomads (that we all are, now) wants comfort and convenience. With contactless check-in via an app you download onto your phone, you zip past a front desk experience and are in your room within seconds of pulling in. After swimming and sunning at the Palm Springs-vibe pool, relax in the new, hip, come-stay-awhile Florida Room lounge, full of comfy seating to enjoy a cup of complimentary coffee, cappuccino, latte or tea, and do some remote work, or plan your next excursion.
Plan your restaurant visits, too! We counted twenty-three places within a mile of The Local to eat and drink. Some are breakfast cafés, some are bars or breweries, most are full service restaurants. We’ve listed them all below (let us know if we’ve missed any.) And while one of our favorite mottos is “run like the wind away from the tourist areas,” downtown St. Augustine is one of those magical places you cannot miss. The Bridge of Lions itself is a must-walk-over; just about a half mile away from The Local and you’re there. The views left me speechless.
But first, your boutique accommodations! The Local St. Augustine offers a variety of rooms / bed sizes, including single full, single queen, double queen, single king, wheelchair accessible single queen – some with an added breakfast nook. All rooms have a microwave, mini fridge, hi-speed wi-fi, hair dryer and in-room safes. The Local has partnered with Drifters Beach & Bike Rentals for easy on-site access to rent the cutest bikes you’ve ever seen (be sure to snap a pic of yourself looking sporty, and post it somewhere!) as well as a partnership with Anastasia Fitness for complimentary gym access.
Read our interview with the new owners, detailing how they came to purchase and put their souls into overhauling this delightful property, For the Modern Traveler in Florida’s Oldest City: A Contactless Digital Experience in This Motel Turned Retro-cool Hotel.
And now onto those 20+ restaurants – get a pen and paper ready, time to make your plan!
Also known as Sheila’s Cafe, serving breakfast and lunch. Classic home-cooked breakfast: eggs, sausage, bacon, grits, pancakes and also breakfast quesadillas and burritos.
Bar None is a self-described dive bar with a full bar, new large outdoor deck, limited food menu. Darts, billiards, video miniature golf, video bowling. Biker friendly, pet friendly.
Blackfly offers fine dining, serving dinner beginning at 5 p.m. Choose from appetizers like Ginger Chili Steak Tips and Authentic Bahamian Conch Fritters. Some entree choices are Coconut Crusted Lobster, Seasonal Vegetable Wellington, and Furikake Crusted Ahi Tuna. Brick oven pizza, soups and salads, and a kids’ menu are available.
Sports bar / tavern with a full bar, craft beer, wine, extensive menu. Family owned and still operated by the sons of the original owners. Voted Best Wings.
Cheba Hut offers meat and vegetarian subs on proprietary Parisian bread, salads, and desserts along with 16 beers on tap. Outdoor dining areas are pet friendly.
Smoothies, juices, breakfast – omelettes, burritos, tofu egg scramble and more, and lunch – including tempeh BLT, quinoa feta burger, grilled quesadilla and more, with gluten free and vegan options.
Classic comfort food made from scratch daily using fresh, local and seasonal goods and offering vegan options, Gas Full Service Restaurant serves starters, salads, burgers, and entrees like fresh local catch of the day. Beer & wine.
Offering urban cuisine since 1983, serving brunch with menu items such as Lox, Eggs, & Onions, and Florentine Benedict, and Tofu Scramble, and lunch until 4 pm with choices of soups, salads, burgers, sandwiches, and lunch entrees. Dinner includes appetizers such as Smoked Salmon Platter, Hummus Platter, Blackened Shrimp Nachos, with entree choices such as Ribeye Steak, Italian Sausage Sauté Veal Pesada, and Tofu Sauté.
Serving fresh açai, dragon fruit, bowls, smoothies, cold press juices, house shots, and “bites” like avocado toast.
Peruvian traditional cooking with a modern twist and the recipient of Open Table Diner’s Choice 2022, Llama Restaurant’s menu includes appetizers like Mango Ceviche and Yucas Huancaina (yucca fries with Amarillo pepper cream sauce.) Entrees range from beef, surf and turf, shrimp, and more, with a vegetarian menu as well. Beer and wine, including specialty drinks such as the Flower Bomb (Prosecco, elderflower syrup, rose essence, orchid sphere.)
Locally-inspired restaurant chain known for homemade crust and stone-baked pizzas, Mellow Mushroom also serves salads, burgers, calzones, dips, soups, wings. Many of their pizzas can be made vegan or gluten-free. Cocktails, beer and wine.
Located just across the street from The Local St. Augustine! We love their description line for their Instagram: Tacos, burritos, salads, nachos, breakfast, beer, music, good vibes. Vegan options. What more could you ask for?
Odd Birds Cocktail Lounge & Kitchen
Full bar, restaurant, and event venue “where the rule is oddness in a relaxed and chill environment.” With such an extensive (odd?) menu I hardly knew where to start to give you some examples! From Amazing Odd Bites (Empenades Pastelitos, XO Brussels) to Bao Buns, Handhelds, salads, signature entrees, Off the Grill, and Family Style Sharing, there is something for everyone.
Something for every palate with malty stouts, porters, brown ales, double red, classic ESB, IPAs, and their local favorite, Burt’s Summer American wheat ale. Wine, N/A kombucha, hard seltzers, and all natural sodas. Perfectly located adjoining Osprey Tacos (tacos + beer = happy!)
Husband and wife team run Osprey Tacos, order inside and sit outside at their lovely open-air covered patio. Using local produce and proteins, Osprey Tacos offers street tacos, boulevard tacos, bowls and numerous sides with vegan and gluten-free options.
Serving famous southern fare for over 50 years and famous for their fried shrimp, O’Steen’s also offers broiled seafood, chicken, steak, chops, clam chowder, chicken Caesar salad, along with menu items made for the smaller appetite. We read multiple reviews that said there may be a wait for a table, and it is totally worth it! No alcohol served, and cash only.
The gourmet grilled cheese capital of St. Augustine, Sarbez! encourages you to build your own grilled cheese sandwich, from choice of bread, cheese, sauce, protein, fruits, veggies, and spreads. Many other sandwich choices along with vegan options. Craft beer, kombucha, and more. Local musicians and artists’ shows; check their website for the schedule.
The Conch House Marina Resort Restaurant
“Boating, drinks, music, and sun.” Great food as well, and that view! When we visited we had to wait out at the pier bar for a table in the restaurant to come available, and we would have happily stayed there all evening! Gorgeous views there as well, and an evening breeze off the water kept the temperature comfortable. You’ll find Caribbean style cooking, with options of chicken, steaks, seafood, and salads.
The Beacon is a local gastropub with gourmet food, craft beers, and live music. Choose from Small Plates and Shareables like Roasted Brussels Sprouts or Smoked Short Rib Poutine. Soups and salads, handhelds such as their Beacon Cheesesteak or a veggie pita. Or choose a burger, hot dog, Cuban sandwich, or from the taco menu. Live music, open mike night, trivia, and more – check the event schedule on their website.
“The ‘Cheers’ bar of St. Augustine!” and “The best karaoke!” The Pub offers over 100 different beers and wine, local craft beers, and many well known English beers. Equipped with over 600,000 karaoke songs, videos and music, complete with laser light show, fog, and bubbles. Their Pub Grub menu includes fish & chips and chicken wings, or order from O’Steen’s Restaurant next door and have your food delivered.
And because The Local St. Augustine is just so photogenic, and the perfect place to stay while exploring Florida’s oldest city – some more photos for you!
Book your (adorable, cozy) room now and start exploring (and dining & drinking!)
