The Reef Restaurant, located at 4100 Coastal Highway, St. Augustine, sports a menu full of fish, seafood, beef, poultry, pasta and creative specials at this true oceanfront location. Originally named Comptons, The Reef was opened by the Usina family in 1989 and operated for a decade under that name. In 2002, the restaurant reopened as The Reef under the direct ownership of the Usinas, where it stands today with spectacular views of North Beach and a carefully crafted, locally sourced menu under the direction of Chef Denzel Aponte. The restaurant runs a happy hour on Monday-Saturday from 3 to 7 p.m. and on Sundays from 4:30 to 7 p.m. The phone number is 904-824-8008.
Aunt Kate’s, located at 612 Euclid Ave., St. Augustine, is a feast for both the eyes and the palette, serving unforgettable waterfront views and family dining worth getting excited about. The Usina family opened Aunt Kate’s in March of 2009, inspired by the 100-year history of the Usina family (Catherine Usina, in particular) serving fresh, local seafood to the community. Today, guests are in for a dining experience on the banks of the Tolomoto River with menu items such as steamed oysters, peel ‘n eat shrimp, salads, soups, steaks, blackened chicken and more. The phone number is 904-829-1105.
Cap’s on the Water, located at 4325 Myrtle St., St. Augustine, is known for some of the most stunning sunsets in Florida. This coastal cuisine restaurant, specializing in local seafood with traditional Southern and Mediterranean flavors, was established in 1980 by Steven Knight and Bob Lazarra, though it was purchased by Bernard and Vivian de Raad and their business partner Jack Walsh in 1999. Since then, the owners turned this former fish camp into one of the most picturesque waterfront restaurants in St. Augustine. Guests can sit outside on Cap’s famous waterfront deck, under the covered pavilion, or request one of the eight tables in the inside dining room. The phone number is 904-824-8794.
Conch House Restaurant, located at 57 Comares Ave., St. Augustine, is a hidden gem within The Conch House Marina Resort. This resort, owned by the Ponce family, has wowed the St. Augustine community with dazzling waterfront views for more than 70 years. Serving as both a marina and a motel, The Conch House also welcomes guests to visit The Conch House Restaurant, which serves a unique blend of Caribbean-style cooking with fresh seafood, steaks, chicken dishes, salads and more. Guests can sit outside on the deck, dine in one of the Jamaican-style grass huts over the water or take a seat on the covered patio. The phone number is 904-829-8646.
Outback Crab Shack, located at 8155 CR 13 N., St. Augustine, is back and better than ever with exciting renovations to the waterfront restaurant. After taking damage from hurricanes Matthew and Irma, the restaurant was recently raised above the floodplain, while the dock (which can accommodate up to 100 boats) was completely rebuilt. This local, fresh seafood restaurant has been a staple of the St. Augustine community since 1984, privy to beautiful views of the Six Mile Creek, just off the St. Johns River. The restaurant’s outdoor seating area and covered outdoor bar will soon be home to a plethora of live music and events. The phone number is 904-863-3841.
Barbara Jean's On The Water, located at 15 S. Roscoe Blvd., Ponte Vedra Beach, offers guests coastal Southern cuisine with an idyllic view of the Intracoastal waterway. The restaurant’s menu features both seafood and made-from-scratch, homestyle cooking in “Southern-size portions,” paired with mouthwatering sides and a sweet, Floridian-inspired dessert menu. Guests can pop by for lunch on the back deck or stay for dinner and cocktails at the indoor portion of the restaurant with an unbeatable backdrop. The phone number is 904-280-7522.
1912 Ocean Bar & Rooftop, located at 619 Ponte Vedra Blvd., Ponte Vedra Beach, is an upscale beachfront restaurant and rooftop lounge on the second and third floors of Sawgrass Marriott's Cabana Beach Club. The restaurant and lounge offer guests unparalleled views of the Atlantic while they dine on fresh seafood such as Seared Hokaiddo Scallops or First Coast Raviolo and small plates such as Coastal Mac And Cheese or Esquite “Street Corn Salad.” 1912 Ocean Bar & Rooftop hosts a happy hour in the restaurant bar on the second floor Monday-Friday only from 4 to 7 p.m. The phone number is 904-373-2063.
Marker 32, located at 14549 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville, brings guests fine dining with a view of Jacksonville’s Intracoastal Waterway. Since 1992, owners Ben and Liza Groshell have prepared a culinary cabaret of fresh seafood, top-grade meats and premium sides for the Jacksonville community. This upscale, white-tablecloth restaurant features large windows with inhibited views of the waterway and has undergone several renovations over the years to enhance the guest experience. The phone number is 904-223-1534.
River & Post, located at 1000 Riverside Ave., Jacksonville, features an upscale restaurant on the main level and a rooftop lounge that overlooks the bustling St. Johns River. Opened in 2017, the main-level restaurant offers guests seafood and steak options with a focus on Southern American cuisine, with dishes such as the New York strip marsala and the shrimp and lobster fra diavolo. The rooftop lounge, which often hosts live music with a scenic river backdrop, serves smaller bites, such as flatbreads and fish dip, with an extensive list of cocktails. The phone number is 904-575-2366.
Casa Marina Hotel & Restaurant, located at 691 1st Street N., Jacksonville Beach, doubles as a historic hotel, grand event space and oceanfront restaurant all in one. The location itself has been operational since 1925, though the Penthouse Lounge is one of the building’s more recent additions. With a stunning view overlooking Jacksonville Beach and the pier, Casa Marina’s Penthouse Lounge serves small plates such as charcuterie boards, shrimp tacos and flatbreads afternoons and evenings during the week and daily during the weekend. The Penthouse Lounge also offers brunch on Friday-Sunday with bottomless mimosas, breakfast burritos and the works. The phone number is 904-270-0025.
Sliders Seaside Grill, located at 1998 S. Fletcher Ave., Fernandina Beach, is Fernandina Beach’s only oceanfront tiki bar and dining restaurant. The colorful, community-loved, two-story restaurant offers casual, beachside food with a strong emphasis on fresh seafood, alongside American favorites like burgers, wings and tacos. Sliders provides a laid-back, family-friendly dining experience with ocean views, fresh-squeezed cocktails and live music. Steps away from the beach, Sliders Seaside Grill even touts a sandbox playground for kids and an easy pathway to the water. The phone number is 904-277-6652.
The Salty Pelican Bar & Grill, located at 12 N. Front St., Fernandina Beach, brings guests a menu of everything from seafood to sandwiches to burgers with unique views of the beautiful Fernandina harbor and Amelia River. Al Waldis and T.J. Pelletier started The Salty Pelican Bar & Grill in 2012 with a mission to create an experience that encompasses an exciting location, great food and a fun atmosphere. The restaurant is both a stone’s throw away from the main Fernandina strip and conveniently located beside the Fernandina harbor docks, making it easy to visit by land or by sea. The phone number is 904-277-3811.
