While its most notable distinction is being known as the oldest city in the U.S., St. Augustine, FL has a lot to offer vacationers. From beaches to colonial architecture and plenty of fine St. Augustine restaurants and St. Augustine beachfront rentals, there’s plenty to do and see in this beautiful northeastern Florida town.
Among St. Augustine places to eat, the River & Fort Restaurant in the heart of the historic downtown area should be a top lister if you’re looking for a fine St. Augustine seafood restaurant. The establishment is unique, from its two rooftop patios with expansive waterfront views to its extensive wine and cocktail list, it’s love at first sight—and first taste!—at River & Fort.
You’ll have lots of great views, too, if you’re lucky enough to be staying at one of many St. Augustine balcony suites or a St. Augustine beachfront suite. Start your day with coffee on the balcony, enjoying the sunset over the Atlantic, and end it atop River & Fort, with a cocktail and the sun setting into the blue water.
Location
Just across the street from the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, a Spanish-built 17th-century fort featuring the oldest fort masonry in the continental U.S., you’ll find the aptly named River & Fort Restaurant at 12 Avenida Menendez.
Visual and palatable sensations abound at River & Fort! The new restaurant, which opened in February 2022, has stunning ocean scenery and boasts a walk-up bar with wonderful views of the old fort—the first of its kind!
The menu (more on that in a moment) features delectable meat and seafood dishes, appetizers, kids’ meals, and a wide selection of wines and cocktails.
Dining Experience
Dining is truly an experience at River & Fort.
Hang in the courtyard with a cocktail. Dine on some appetizers, such as crab claws, calamari, chopstick wings, or fried pickle hushpuppies, on one of two stunning view-filled rooftop patio lounges. Select a full meal from the menu in the dining room or on the restaurant’s other patios.
The ambiance is warm and inviting, with the renovated building a mix of modern and the colonial architectural style of the old city, and the staff is friendly and welcoming.
Dinner menu items include a variety of fish dishes, among them lobster pasta, charred miso-glazed salmon, grilled stuffed half lobster, tuna, and an ocean platter of shrimp, scallops, and chef’s fresh catch with ginger rice. You can also choose hand-cut filet, braised short rib, stuffed New York strip, Southern pork chop, or rustic chicken thigh & dumplings.
The lunch menu features some of the same dishes and appetizers, along with a fried fish sandwich, lobster roll, fish tacos, fried chicken BLT, or tuna poke. Desserts include a decadent chocolate torte, key lime crème brulee, or apple pie galette.
Parking and Hours of Operation
Besides metered street parking, you’ll find plenty of parking at the Historic Downtown Parking Garage at 1 Cordova Street across from the restaurant.
The River & Fort Restaurant serves dinner in its first- and second-floor dining room and Cuna St. and courtyard patios from 4 p.m. – 10 p.m. every day. Lunch is served from 12 p.m. – 3 p.m. in the dining room and Cuna St. and courtyard patios every Wednesday – Sunday. Rooftop lounges, bar area, and pizza kitchen are open 4 p.m. – 10 p.m. Monday – Thursday, noon – varying hours based on volume Friday and Saturday, and 12 p.m. – 10 p.m. Sundays.