Overlooking the Downtown Plaza and Bridge of Lions, A1A Ale Works features award-winning New World Cuisine, handcrafted beer, and live music on weekends. Featuring a blend of Caribbean, Cuban, and Floridian influences, specialties include Tavern Fried Shrimp and Fried Lobster Bites, to start, and Bistro Filet, Surf & Turf, Seared Tuna, Grouper Oscar, and Grilled Seafood Paella. Dine inside or outside on the wraparound deck—both feature panoramic views of Matanzas Bay and the plaza. Banquet facilities for large parties up to 150 guests. Children’s menu. Full bar. Open daily at 11 a.m. Live music Thurs.-Sat. evening.

For authentic Italian specialties, Amici offers seafood, veal, chicken, pasta, and steaks prepared with Italian flair. Amici also serves pizzas, calzone, and housemade desserts. Owner Vito Arena of Sicily brings the flavors of Italy to St. Augustine in this charming and reasonably priced restaurant located at the corner of A1A and S.R. 312. Wine, beer, cocktails. Elegant banquet facilities for up to 150 seated guests or more for cocktails and dining stations. Catering available. Open daily for lunch and dinner at 11:30 a.m. Enjoy live jazz and swing; dancing, and dining in The Milano Room Thursdays, 7-10 p.m. Visit www.TheMilanoRoom.com

The Chryssaidis family welcomes you to St. Augustine’s premier Greek restaurant, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily. Located on the plaza in downtown St. Augustine, Athena offers Greek specialties such as kebabs, moussaka, and gyros along with steaks, chicken, seafood, lamb, vegetarian items, sandwiches, soup, and salads. Breakfast includes a variety of omelets and egg dishes. Serving wine and beer. On Thursday evenings, enjoy Greek Night, a special celebration of Greek food and wine. Now available for sale at the restaurant: the owner’s family estate-bottled extra virgin olive oil, imported directly from Frixa Greece—incomparable quality and taste! To purchase it via the Internet, visit www.FrixaOliveOil.net.

Avilés Restaurant & Lounge, located on St. Augustine’s picturesque bayfront in the AAA four diamond Hilton Historic Bayfront, features elegant dining for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and a full bar and lounge. Offering Progressive Global Cuisine—a masterful blend of the freshest local and imported ingredients—Avilés’ menu tempts with entrées such as Hunan Whole Crispy Fish, Grilled Hoisin-Marinated Filet Mignon, and Seared Sea Scallops. Or select from innovative starters, salads, and “Tortas”—flatbreads with flavorful toppings. Host special events and meetings in The Matanzas Room, the Hilton’s unique and elegant banquet facility, accommodating up to 100 guests. Free parking while dining.

For 27 years, Barnacle Bill’s has been serving up St. Augustine’s favorites—clam chowder, shrimp, fresh fish dinners, crab cakes, oysters, steak, chicken, entrée salads, gator tail, and homemade desserts. Located between 13th and 14th street off of A1A Beach Blvd., just 4.5 miles from Historic Downtown, the beaches location features a trendy South Beach Art Deco atmosphere. Serving dinner Sun.-Thurs., 4:30-9 p.m. and Fri. and Sat., 4:30-10 p.m. Full bar. Barnacle Bill’s is a family-friendly establishment.

Barnacle Bill’s made Fried Shrimp a “St. Augustine signature item!” It has been 27 years, and the seafood-focused menu has expanded to include steak, chicken, and gator tail. You will absolutely love the spicy Dat’l Do-It Shrimp or Dat’l Do-It Chicken Wings. We also recommend the Smoked Fish Dip. Located across from the Visitors Information Center Parking Garage. Barnacle Bill’s is open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Full bar. Barnacle Bill’s is a family-friendly establishment.

Enjoy classic and contemporary French comfort food in the center of St. Augustine on the Plaza. This authentic French bistro and patisserie (bakery) feature the freshest and best local ingredients. Chef Jean-Stephane Poinard and wife Valerie, a winemaker from Domaine de la Fond-Moiroux, bring their charming French style directly from Lyon, where Chef Poinard is a member of Les Toques Blanches Lyonnaises. Serving lunch, dinner, and breakfast on weekends: Mon. and Tues. 5-10 p.m.; Thurs. and Fri., 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sat. 8 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sun. 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Closed Wednesday. (Call for seasonal hours).

Have you ever dined in the bottom of a swimming pool? Located in the spacious elegance of what was once the world’s largest indoor swimming pool of the former Alcazar Hotel (now the Lightner Museum), Café Alcazar harkens back to those halcyon days when the rich and famous made St. Augustine their home away from home. Offering fine dining in a casually elegant setting, Café Alcazar serves lunch daily from 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Enjoy sautéed specialties such a Shrimp Giovanni, Crêpes Alcazar, sandwiches, paninis, salads, and homemade soups and desserts. Serving wine and beer; all major credit cards accepted.

Chef-owner Paolo Pece, a master chef certified by the Italian Culinary Institute from Naples, Italy, serves award-winning “authentic, contemporary Italian cuisine” featuring seafood, pork, steak, pasta, poultry, and housemade desserts. The interior features contemporary design and a rotating art collection. Referred to as “a St. Augustine treasure” by the Florida Times Union, Cafe Atlantico is a recipient of three diamonds from AAA, winner of Best Ethnic Dining Taste in the “Taste of St. Augustine”, and featured in Best Romantic Escapes in Florida. Dinner Mon.-Sat., 5-10 p.m.; Closed Sun. Extensive wine list. Reservations suggested. Catering.

Cellar6 is the newest addition to St. Augustine’s nightspots—a sensuous lounge and gallery space offering the perfect place to ‘wine down’. It is tucked away on brick-paved Aviles Street, where the arched wooden entry to the narrow boulevard is named after the town of Aviles, Spain. Featuring high ceilings, art-bedecked walls, a dazzling centerpiece glass wine cellar, and chic vintage furnishings rescued from a legendary Palm Beach Hotel, the space is cool, intimate, and relaxing. Owners Craig Colee and Valerie Shubert are both seasoned hospitality/restaurant professionals and proud to offer an impeccable first-class experience featuring a global collection of fine wines, Wolfgang Puck coffees, hand-crafted desserts, and a selection of innovative light bistro-style fare. Open Monday through Saturday from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Enjoy live jazz and a selection of San Sebastian wines, imported beers, and gourmet appetizers at St. Augustine’s finest jazz hideaway. Located atop San Sebastian Winery, relax to music and enjoy breathtaking views of the San Sebastian River and St. Augustine’s skyline. Open weekends (weather permitting); call for details. Banquet facilities on the third floor include two open-air decks for more than 7,500 sq. ft. for private functions. Seasonal special events include Winefest in February, Fine Art & Jazz Show in May, Annual Harvest Festival in August, and Holiday Open House in November; call for info.

When dining at Collage, be prepared for a first-class experience. The menu reflects the eclectic tastes of owners Mike Hyatt and Cindy Stangby. Focusing on fresh local seafood and a variety of flavors from around the world—including steaks, lamb, veal, and more—Collage was voted Best Global Cuisine in the 2008 Best of St. Augustine awards. Let Chef Melody Stewart and Collage’s professional staff treat you to an experience that is out of this world, or at least a small part of it. Dinner nightly from 5:30 p.m.; lunch 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m (call for seasonal hours and days).

Enjoy waterfront dining inside or on the decks overlooking Salt Run. Featuring seafood, Caribbean cuisine, steaks, salads, and award-winning conch chowder, the restaurant serves breakfast weekends, and lunch and dinner daily at 11 a.m. The Everglades Dining Patio, featuring live alligator exhibit, and Seminole Raw Bar make for a true Florida experience. The lounge offers the best in tropical specialty drinks served in a Caribbean atmosphere over the water and features live entertainment (call for schedule). The Original Reggae Sunday (from March-Sept.; call for schedule) features live music from 3-7 p.m.

This award-winning restaurant is completing a massive transformation and will serve its popular and reasonably priced bistro menu starting again in Spring. Meantime, enjoy Light Fare Menu of salads, pastas, burgers, and sandwiches in the courtyard and Flamingo Room. Owner Michael Smyth, a native of Ireland, has a wealth of international restaurant experience in London, Australia, Hawaii, San Francisco, and Las Vegas. Voted Best Outdoor Dining and Most Romantic Atmosphere by Jacksonville Magazine. Enjoy live music on Friday, Sat., and Sun. at The Flamingo Room and Happy Hour daily from 4-7 p.m. Full-service catering for large and small events.

Enjoy North Florida Low Country Cookin’ in a charming, waterfront setting lush with magnolia and oak trees draped with Spanish moss. Chosen one of the top five restaurants in St. Augustine by Jacksonville Magazine, Creekside’s Southern specialties include fresh local seafood and Florida favorites such as chicken, fish, or steak cooked on a thick oak plank, Barbecue Baby Back Ribs, Aunt Ada’s Florida-Style Fried Chicken, Beer-Battered Shrimp, and fried or broiled seafood platters. Serving dinner Tuesday-Sunday. Beer, wine, and cocktails. Enjoy live music on Creekside’s huge waterfront deck and bar Wed.-Sun. evenings.

Cruise on by this fun, casual restaurant right on St. George Street, for the best burgers in town and all your favorite comfort food! With locations in Jacksonville Beach and Ponte Vedra, Cruisers’ burgers were voted the best in Northeast Florida by the Beaches Leader and Folio Weekly. They also serve hot and cold specialty sandwiches, such as the Lone Star Steak (country fried steak topped with cream gravy), tacos (fish, soft, and crispy beef), quesadillas, and salads. Serving beer, wine, Häagen-Dazs milkshakes and IBC Root Beer floats. Indoor and outdoor courtyard seating. Open daily at 11 a.m. Takeout avilable.

Featuring fresh seafood, Angus beef, and daily chef’s specials, DECO was voted Best Upscale Restaurant in the 2008 Best of St. Augustine awards. After honing skills in Los Angeles; Vail; Mackinac Island, Michigan; Europe; and the Caribbean, chef-owner Sandy Krebs moved to St. Augustine in 1996 to open Azalea’s Cafe. After 10 years there, Chef Sandy was ready for a new venture. DECO’s hip ambience and plate presentations are innovative without being pretentious. Serving lunch (11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.) and dinner (5-9 p.m.). $12.99 Early Dinner Specials, available 5-6:30 p.m. Mon.-Sat., feature two courses. Garden area for weddings and other outdoor events.

This new family-owned pub and grill is owner Maureen (Blanchfield) Bellantoni’s longtime dream—a chance to pay homage to her Irish heritage. Many dishes are family recipes from Grandma Tess, who hailed from County Cork. Enjoy Shepherd's Pie, Fish & Chips, and Irish Stew, along with American fare and full bar featuring a wide selection of imported draught beers and specialty drinks. Though menu and atmosphere hark back to the days of old, other elements are completely modern. High-definition televisions featuring sports events and even a Wii station add to the fun. Open daily for lunch and dinner.

This favorite beaches restaurant offers great food in a storied setting—the stone building housed one of the area’s first saloons frequented by “cracker” cowboys. Now serving breakfast on weekends: Fridays 7:30 a.m.-noon; Sat. and Sun. 7:30 a.m.-1 p.m. with All-You-Can-Eat pancakes and other specials till 11:30 a.m. Happy Hour and Early Bird specials Mon.-Fri., 3:30-7 p.m. Serving seafood, Certified Black Angus Beef, prime rib, chicken, pasta, and award-winning chowders for dinner, Sun.-Thurs. till 9 p.m.; Fri. and Sat. till 10 p.m. Music and dancing Mon., Wed., Fri., and Sat. nights; free wings Mon., 9-11 p.m.

The Renaissance Resort at World Golf Village recently unveiled its new signature restaurant, 500 South, An American Grill. Specializing in New American Regional Cuisine, 500 South’s breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus utilize the freshest regional ingredients. Dinner is a stand-out with appetizers such as the Blue Crab Cake, and entrées such as Mediterranean Chicken with Feta, Chilean Sea Bass, Penne Pollo, and Filet Mignon and Shrimp Scampi. Dessert offerings range from Bananas Xango to Chocolate Lava Cake to Anastasia Island Trifle. Enjoy the lounge-like atmosphere, full bar, and superb wine list, featuring award-winning selections by the glass or bottle. Open daily.

For a true taste of St. Augustine, Florida Cracker Cafe has been a St. George Street favorite for 19 years. This colorful cafe features indoor and outdoor patio seating and specialties include fresh regional seafood with favorites such as stuffed shrimp, blackened scallops, oysters, fresh catch, and fried gator tail. Grilled steaks, chicken, burgers, pasta, entrée salads, specialty sandwiches such as the Oyster Po’ Boy, and housemade desserts round out the selections. Serving lunch daily from 11 a.m.; dinner Tuesday through Sunday from 5 p.m. Serving wine and beer; daily happy hour from 4-7 p.m. Kids menu. Private parties and catering available.

Reopening this spring in its original location, Fratelli’s is the quintessential neighborhood Italian restaurant with cozy atmosphere and all your favorite Italian-American specialties. Enjoy traditional Meat Lasagna, Chicken or Veal Parmigiana, and Shrimp Scampi, along with daily chef’s specials and house specialties such as Fratelli’s Almond-Crusted Salmon, Steak Marsala, and Chicken Verona—tender breast of chicken sautéed with plum tomatoes and mushrooms in a rosemary cream sauce. Serving a wide selection of wine and beer and homemade desserts. Open for dinner daily at 4:30 p.m. Early Bird Special from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Dine in or take out. Catering available.

Enjoy a blending of Far East Favorites—sushi, vegetarian, Japanese, Vietnamese, Thai, Chinese, and Korean—along with innovative specials from chef-owner Johnny Tai. House specialties such as the pan-fried noodles and tilapia served with black bean sauce are worth the trip to this lively Asian enclave which was voted Best Ethnic Restaurant several years running by locals in the St. Augustine Record. Located on San Marco Blvd., just north of Florida School for the Deaf and Blind. Serving beer, wine, sake. Catering available. Open for dinner 5-10 p.m. daily.