950 Sawgrass Village Dr. Ponte Vedra Beach. 904-285-3017
Seafood is their specialty, but they also serve steaks and “eclectic American cuisine.” Although they have a rotating menu that changes nightly, they always feature American dishes with an Asian twist.
14 Castillo Dr. St. Augustine. 904-824-3663
This St. Augustine institution is famous for their seafood chowders and wide array of shrimp. Treat some out-of-town friends to some gator tail with Datl Do-It Hot Sauce made from real St. Augustine datil peppers.
2321 Beach Blvd. Jacksonville Beach, 904-241-9771
From clams and oysters to fish entrees with an Asian twist, including Cashew Crumb Swai (a snapper dish) and Salmon Hiro, Billy’s Boat House is perched right on the water and often features live music on their patio while you dig into some fresh caught fish and a cold beverage.
2400 South 3rd Street. Jacksonville Beach, 904-247-4234
This Florida seafood restaurant started in St. Pete and they are now littered throughout the country. Their specialty is grilling fresh fish on their wood-burning grill then topping it with one of their famous sauces. Salmon, grouper, swordfish or sea bass, Bonefish has it all. They also have a mandarin location.
4325 Myrtle Street, St. Augustine. 904-824-8794
Located on the Intracoastal Waterway in St. Augustine, Cap’s has terrific outdoor dining, the fattest oysters in town, and a great Sunset Oyster Bar where they will shuck them for you.
1501 Riverplace Blvd. Jacksonville. 904-398-3353
Not a Jacksonville-based chain, Chart House is known for fine dining on the richest seafood. From the Crab Avocado Mango Stack from their raw bar menu to the Macadamia Crusted Mahi Mahi, they are a top-shelf contender for scoring date points.
12903 Hood Landing Rd, 904-268-3474
Clark’s has everything from escargot to rattlesnake on their menu. Whether you want down-home classics such as fried catfish with a dessert of key lime pie or something truly wild, such as kangaroo, Clark’s has it.
57 Comares Ave, St Augustine, 904-824-2046
Get irie on their infamous reggae night or just make the drive to St. Augustine when you want cuisine and atmosphere that is one-of-a-kind. They have Minorcan Crab Cakes, Butter Rhum Scallops, and fried oysters. Best of all, it is served to you on a private cabana along their winding dock, so you are literally on the water.
704 1ST St N, Jacksonville Beach, 904-270-1424
Dig into some low-country cuisine such as shrimp and grits and enjoy a southern ambience. Low country food is indigenous to coastal South Carolina, so you get the delicious down-home flavors of fried fish alongside the buttery charm of shrimp and grits or low country boil.
1712 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville Beach. 904-249-5240
Once a Jacksonville institution, Homestead has vastly improved since being purchased by the people that owned First Street Grille. Get the sea bass or try their Sunday brunch buffet.
252 Yacht Club Drive, St. Augustine, 904-824-2111
From their horseradish crusted grouper to their fisherman’s stew, this place is authentically a seafood restaurant. You’ll find oysters, shrimp, calamari and crab cakes on their menu too.
8155 County Road 13 N, St Augustine, 904-522-0500
Although it has been there since 1975, people in Jacksonville seem to have discovered it only in the last year or two, but it has quickly been a place known for being worth the drive. They call the restaurant a cypress shack, they have music, and they are laid back (no shoes no shirt, no problem). Obviously their specialty is soft shell crab, but they also have everything from oysters to alligator.
Sea Turtle Inn, 1 Ocean Blvd, Atlantic Beach, 888-782-9722
This is Florida living. In addition to one of the best brunches in town, they serve some of the finest cuisine at the beach with a spectacular view of the ocean, which is oddly rare at the Beaches. From their Lobster Ravioli to their more Caribbean dishes, there is plenty on this menu to keep you coming back. The service, however, often leaves something to be desired.
207 Atlantic Boulevard, Atlantic Beach, 904-241-7877
Ragtime plays up a New Orleans theme with their Blackened Flounder, Barbecue Oysters and Louisiana Crawfish.
4100 Coastal Highway, Vilano Beach, 904-824-8008
Their prime rib is reportedly the best in the St. Augustine area and their seafood (like the Thai Chili Snapper) is known to be delicious, fresh and innovative.
4378 Ocean Street, Mayport, 904-246-4911
This shop is first and foremost one of the best fresh fish markets in Jacksonville. Featuring a constantly changing array of the freshest fish to come off of the boats that dock right next to it, Safe Harbor can give you the raw materials for a fantastic dish, or their experts can prepare the fish you pick out right in their kitchen.
299 Dondanville Rd. St. Augustine Beach, 904-471-2332
Saltwater Cowboys is a part of that old Florida. Their “Florida Cracker” combo comes with gator, frog legs, and “cooter.” I’m not sure what cooter is, but the Oysters Dondanville sound scrumptious.
218 1st Street, Neptune Beach, 904-246-088
This Neptune Beach favorite is the perfect place to slip away from the beach for a cold beer and some delicious oysters. Their raw oysters are known for being the best, but even if you like them cooked, they have plenty of styles to tickle your fancy.
2032 County Road 220, Orange Park, 904-269-4198
This may just be the best thing about Orange Park. From their sweet potato fries to their Snow Crab dinners, Whitey’s is an institution. The view of Black Creek ain’t bad either, and there’s plenty of great live entertainment every weekend.
|
EU Critic’s Choice Awards
