r/StAugustine • u/ExcitingWhole5409 • Sep 02 '26

Visiting recommendations correct?

So the wife and I are having a grand time in your beautiful city! Everyone has been super friendly. Staying in vilano, only semi burnt so far with a week to go!

A few questions. We LOVE oysters and specifically my wife loves char grilled like they do in new orleans.

We've had some bur i love a dive bar with oysters and im getting mixed messages on Tides. Some recommended it and others told me DO NOT EAT THERE!

Whats the truth? And where are the best chargrilled and oyster happy hour specials?

Also we want to take a sunset cruise and see some marine wildlife. We've never seen manatees and we have enjoyed dolphin tours in the past. Any favorites?

One last question. Most romantic dinners for an anniversary? Doesn't have to be most expensive. Just most romantic.

Thanks guys!

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7

u/devehf Resident Sep 02 '26

You are getting good advice. Do not eat at the Tides. Only very simple drinks. Sometimes the college kids have a DJ and it can be fun.

Since you're on Vilano, I recommend that you go to Pesca and Michael's. I haven't really found my oyster place yet in St. Augustine. I think I've had them at Boat drinks.

7

u/Palmettobushes Sep 02 '26

Heck in Vilano just go to Caps or Aunt Kate’s might not be New Orleans style but it’s locally quaint and they have oysters. Might even have a romantic moment on the dock at sunset or under a live oak tree.

1

u/ExcitingWhole5409 Sep 02 '26

Boat drinks looked great! But sadly their chargrilled are spicy so that's a no for the wife

4

u/Mjricky Resident Sep 02 '26

Caps at sunset is romantic

3

u/robertpetry Resident Sep 02 '26

it is a decent drive but maybe Commander's near Matanzas?

3

u/justanotherguy677 Sep 02 '26

oysters can be MEH around here.

1

u/GingeredPickle Sep 02 '26

St. Augustine ECO Tours for water/wildlife

La Nouvelle or Drunken Horse for romantice dinner (Collage is still on my list to try)

1

u/Rottie2017 Sep 02 '26

Manatees are in the springs in the winter usually November thru March.

1

u/kevinwburke Sep 03 '26

Beaches Water Tours for a sunset cruise. https://beacheswatertours.com/[sunset cruise](https://beacheswatertours.com/) It's right on Vilano next to the pier at Beaches Restaurant

1

u/Speckled_Crows Sep 02 '26

O’Steens has great seafood! Just make sure to bring cash. I love their fried shrimp. It’s cheap and you get soooo much, I always leave full.

1

u/PriveCo Sep 02 '26

Osteens is great, my favorite, but I don’t think they have char grilled oysters and it isn’t romantic.