Restaurants in Saint Augustine

Hurricane Grill & Wings showcases its library of more than 30 sauces in dishes that blend American, Mexican, and tropical influences. Their sauces' level of spiciness mimics hurricane intensity ratings, from the honey or mango barbecue options occupying Category 1 to the Ridiculously Hot Hurricane sauce in Category 5. In between sit flavors of ancho chili and lime, Jamaican jerk, chipotle raspberry, and spicy sweet chili. Baskets of jumbo or boneless wings come tossed in guests’ sauces of choice, as do grilled chicken or mahi-mahi sandwiches.

Elsewhere on the menu are tropically themed selections such as firecracker shrimp tacos, Southwest-style churrasco steak, and Monterey jack–filled quesadillas. The to-go menu can accommodate large gatherings, such as sports-watching parties or jury-duty reunions. Meanwhile, the full bar features island cocktails and bottle and tap beers from a variety of microbreweries to help subdue roaring mouth fires.

A massive big-screen television casts a festive glow across Wing City’s dining room. Pitchers of beer slosh atop tables next to sizzling plates of finger food, including wings doused in 20 types of sauce. Specialty sandwiches, such as classic burgers and philly cheesesteaks, provide filling meals or tasty footballs in case patrons are inspired to go long.

The Augustine Grille supports locally grown food by working with an array of local farmers, regional farmers, and artisans to source the freshest and highest quality of sustainable, seasonal food. The menu of local seafood, naturally raised chicken, and house dry-aged prime steaks satisfies any craving. Start with truffled white-cheddar and lobster mac ‘n’ cheese ($14), or the blue crab with watermelon, cucumber, and cilantro ($14). Specialty seafood dishes include Mayport shrimp with grit cakes, spinach, and tasso gravy ($28) and a whole fish with jasmine rice, baby bok choy, and red thi curry (market price). A dry-aged, prime, natural ribeye with parmesan frites and asparagus is a delectable entree option ($39), or opt for a three-course prix-fixe meal and savor the flavors of course after course of scrumptious dishes ($39).

Behind Matsuya Sushi & Grill's sparkling L-shaped sushi counter, succulent fillets of tuna, salmon, and white fish succumb to chefs' keen knives before joining rice in bite-sized nigiri or tempting rolls. Collective gasps of admiration—usually reserved for the unveiling of a child’s macaroni self-portrait—leap from the lips of patrons as a chef taps and tosses shrimp, chicken, filet mignon, and lobster on the hibachi grill. Dressed in traditional Japanese robes and hats, waiters ferry plates decorated with carrot roses and artful splashes of sauce across the dining room, where screens and blond woods cultivate a peaceful atmosphere. Chefs reveal their sushi secrets every Sunday, bestowing their knowledge upon students during four-hour all-you-can-eat sushi-making classes.

From cracking eggs in the morning to oven-baking chicken at night, the staff at Tapestry Café do it all with a smile, earning the eatery a customer-satisfaction award from Talk of the Town in 2012. The scent of freshly brewed coffee permeates the quaint storefront, filtering through the air and out onto the patio where diners bite into sandwiches layered with high-quality Boar’s Head meats and cheeses. Pastries and ice cream round out the café’s offerings, ending meals with a sweeter finish than a noogie from the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man.

Orhan Celeno doesn’t need fancy HD televisions or designer décor to run a successful pizzeria. His talents rest upon the thin, crispy crusts of New York–style pizzas, which he tosses by hand at Vino’s Pizza Grill House. Homemade marinara simmers in his kitchen’s pots before dressing pizza dough and Italian pasta dishes such as manicotti and baked ziti. Add-ons such as pepperoni, pineapple, or fresh tomatoes customize pies, and the kitchen also crafts old-world desserts, filling cannoli shells with sweetened cheese and smothering zeppolis with chocolate and powdered sugar.