What’s New in St. Augustine: New Restaurants, Cafés & Local Spots to Check Out in 2026

by Kevin Howard

There always seems to be something new popping up around St. Augustine, and the second half of 2026 is no exception. From new restaurants and cafés downtown to waterfront dining, international markets, food trucks, and a few highly anticipated openings still on the way, the local food scene continues to evolve.

If you're searching for new restaurants in St. Augustine, Florida, or simply looking for somewhere different to eat, drink, or shop, here are some of the newest spots worth putting on your radar.

Malo Kebap Truck

St. Augustine's food truck scene has a flavorful new addition with Malo Kebap Truck.

Now stationed at the Marin Munch Food Truck Park at 509 S. Ponce de Leon Boulevard, Malo combines German-style döner kebab with authentic Lebanese shawarma. The concept traces its inspiration back to Madrid and focuses on made-to-order wraps, house-made sauces, and street food with influences spanning Germany, Lebanon, and Spain.

It's a welcome addition for anyone looking for something beyond the traditional burgers, seafood, and tacos that dominate much of the local casual dining scene.

La Roseta Café

Downtown has another new coffee stop with La Roseta Café, located at 210 St. George Street.

From the same couple behind The Roost, La Roseta has a distinctly European feel, serving gourmet coffee and tea alongside croissants, sandwiches, salads, cannolis, frittatas, toast, and bomboloni. There's also beer, wine, spritzes, cocktails, and a small market where visitors can browse specialty foods and accessories.

For anyone exploring Historic Downtown St. Augustine, it adds another locally owned café to the mix while offering something a little different from the traditional coffee shop.

Vertigo

Vertigo Cocktail & Cigar Club is a new cocktail bar located above EggBred on St. George Street in the heart of downtown St. Augustine.

Vertigo features two full craft cocktail bars, a wide selection of spirits, signature cocktails, specialty cigars and an after-hours coffee program with espresso drinks, cold brew, matcha and chai.

2 Creeks Dockside

Waterfront dining is always going to be popular in St. Augustine, which makes 2 Creeks Dockside one of the more interesting new additions.

Located at 69 Lewis Boulevard near Oyster Creek Marina, the locally owned concept expands on 2 Creeks Bar & Grill with a true dockside setting. The restaurant features waterfront views, indoor dining, an outdoor patio and tiki-bar atmosphere. Its menu leans heavily into seafood, including oysters, scallops, crab cakes, conch fritters, fish and shrimp, alongside burgers, sandwiches, salads and other approachable favorites.

It's another example of why the St. Augustine waterfront dining scene continues to get better.

Maci's Ice Cream

Historic Downtown has a new option for cooling off after a walk around the Castillo or St. George Street.

Maci's Ice Cream at 32 Charlotte Street serves Florida-made ice cream and Dippin' Dots, with flavors ranging from salted caramel and mint chocolate chip to apple strudel. The shop also carries St. Augustine souvenirs and merchandise, making it an easy stop for both locals and visitors exploring downtown.

Golden Asian Market

Not every exciting new opening has to be a restaurant.

Golden Asian Market recently opened at 2730 State Road 16, bringing another international grocery option to St. Augustine. The locally owned market carries Asian pantry staples, snacks, beverages, fresh and frozen foods, and specialty ingredients representing several Asian cuisines.

As St. Johns County continues to grow and become more diverse, specialty markets like this are a welcome addition to the local food scene.

Sara's Pops

Downtown has another new destination for anyone with a sweet tooth.

Sara's Pops, located at 84 Charlotte Street, comes from the owner of local favorite LuLi's Cupcakes. The shop specializes in gourmet cake pops with around 10 core flavors plus seasonal offerings, including key lime, peanut butter, Oreo, coconut, red velvet, birthday cake, and strawberry crunch.

There's also a distinctly local angle: Sara's Pops shares the experience with artwork from LiLu's Arts & Antiques and carries gifts and other merchandise.

Osprey Tapas – Coming Soon

The owners of Osprey Tacos will bring authentic Spanish cuisine to Anastasia Island this Fall. Located in the former Bea’s (and Gas) restaurant space at 9 Anastasia Blvd, Osprey Tapas will feature shareable tapas and Spanish beverages. The targeted opening date is November 1, 2026.

The Floridian Is Back

This one isn't technically a new restaurant, but its return deserves a spot on the list.

After leaving its longtime downtown location, The Floridian Restaurant officially reopened this summer in a new custom-built home at 485 Old Beach Road on Anastasia Island.

The restaurant has retained the locally sourced, seasonal Southern cooking and "Florida funky" personality that made it a longtime local favorite, but the new location offers significantly more breathing room with expanded indoor and outdoor seating and easier parking. The Floridian opened its new location a few months ago and it is as popular as ever. For longtime locals, it's good to have the Floridian back.

Anchor 28

Located in Vilano Beach, Anchor 28 brings an upscale coastal option to the neighborhood. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with a menu that ranges from brunch dishes and sandwiches to grouper, salmon, filet mignon, and rack of lamb. There's also a full bar and both indoor and outdoor seating.

It's part of a noticeable evolution happening in Vilano, which has quietly become one of the more interesting dining pockets around St. Augustine.

Also Coming Soon: Natural Greens Cafe

Looking a little farther ahead, Natural Greens Cafe is planning a St. Augustine location at 50 Silver Leaf Drive.

The Mediterranean-focused restaurant is known for gyro platters and sandwiches, falafel, Mediterranean rice bowls, and a large selection of salads. As of September, the new location is still awaiting permits for its buildout, so there isn't a firm opening date yet.

St. Augustine's Food Scene Keeps Growing

St. Augustine continues to evolve while maintaining the local character that makes it special. From new restaurants in St. Augustine to cafés, markets, waterfront dining, and new concepts across Historic Downtown, Anastasia Island, and Vilano Beach, there's always something new to discover.

Whether you're a local, planning a visit, or considering moving to St. Augustine, Florida, the area's growing dining and entertainment scene is another reason St. Augustine remains such a great place to live and explore.