Fall is the season of renewal and Florida's historic coastline is the perfect place for fresh, new experiences. St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra and The Beaches welcome fall with a host of new restaurants, hotels and experiences. Fresh new spaces are waiting for eager visitors!
The internationally renowned Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort and Spa in Ponte Vedra Beach recently opened the new Cabana Beach Club with access to 26 miles of pristine Atlantic Ocean beaches, water sports, a youth Olympic pool and three distinct restaurants for resort guests to enjoy. . . Open to the public, the 1912 Ocean Bar & Rooftop offers spectacular views of the Atlantic. Their menu includes fresh seafood, small plates, elevated cocktails and wines. Cabana Beach Club members and resort guests also enjoy access to the Sea Porch Dining Club, featuring member-inspired specialties such as Crispy Calamari Salad and Lobster Roll, and Sharkey's Pool Bar & Café, a retreat next to the pool to enjoy portable classics and beach-inspired drinks.
The coastal community of Vilano Beach is now home to the highly anticipated Hyatt Place Vilano Beach. It has a fresh and inviting look: classic Florida vernacular architecture with Art Deco additions.
Along with 120 guest rooms, a second-floor pool, ample parking, and 7,200 square feet of meeting and event space, it is located just steps from Vilano Beach.
It also features dining experiences conceptualized by lauded local restaurateur Michael Lugo. Pesca Vilano offers globally inspired coastal cuisine with bold Latin flavors and cheeky imagination. Excellent indoor dining on the main floor features an extensive wine list, while the rooftop offers a curated menu and cocktails crafted with a unique view of St. Augustine and the Atlantic Ocean.
In mid-November, Casa Monica Resort & Spa will launch a revamped restaurant concept, Cordova – a Coastal Chophouse & Bar. This indulgent coastal restaurant featured 145 seats indoors, with a lounge, private dining room and intimate wine room. The menu is inspired by the bright, fresh cuisine of Spain and Morocco and features the restaurant's classic favorites.
A new concept, Dining at the Plaza, celebrated the successful launch of its late-night offering, Bourbon & Boards. Designed with nightlife in mind, Bourbon & Boards is open Fridays and Saturdays from 7 to 11 p.m. They serve a curated selection of over 137 bottles of bourbon, 900 bottles of wine, craft cocktails, late-night bar food boards, and tapas especially prepared. Live jazz music creates an intimate, clandestine atmosphere. Dining at the Plaza is also home to the Ancient City Brunch Bar and the Ancient City Supper Club.
In Uptown St. Augustine, Chez L'Amour, a new elevated dining concept offers a social experience through tapas-style small plates, upscale plant-based cuisine, decadent desserts and a full bar, complemented by intimate jazz and piano music performed by world-class musicians.
Area favorite Supremo Grocery & Meat Market has unveiled its third location, also in Uptown St. Augustine. This Latin American shop offers staples like high-quality meats, fresh produce, cheeses, and drinks, and an in-house taqueria serves freshly prepared tacos, burritos, and more.
Ramen bowl from Lotus Noodle Bar
Chef Barry Honan's Lotus Noodle Bar is all the rage on the St. Augustine culinary scene. Opening in September 2023, Lotus has a creative menu described as modern Japanese prepared with French technique. Each dish is a creative story filled with a delicious surprise of flavors, textures and visual composition rooted in a sense of constant evolution. A careful selection of sake, Japanese beer and wine is offered. Lotus has limited seating and is a reservation-only dining experience.
Tasting Tours, a popular culinary travel company, has a new place to call home, the historic Solla-Carcaba Cigar Factory at 88 Riberia Street, Suite 250, in downtown St. Augustine. Guests of The Tasting Tours embark on a journey of flavors in the world of wine, culture and shared moments. The space is perfect for weddings, birthdays and other celebrations.
There is no shortage of cultural, ecological and educational experiences available in St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra and The Beaches. In addition to the tried and true experiences, Florida's historic coastline has some new offerings bound to intrigue and excite.
Occupying the former Alcázar Hotel, a Gilded Age hotel complex commissioned by railroad magnate Henry Flagler, the Lightner Museum offers an immersive experience of art, architecture, history and design. The Lightner Museum celebrates the 75th anniversary of its founding and the 135th anniversary of its iconic house
Located midway between Daytona Beach and Jacksonville, Florida's historic coastline includes the historic city of St. Augustine, the premier golf course and coastal elegance of Ponte Vedra Beach, and 42 miles of pristine Atlantic beaches. For more information, call 1.800.653.2489 or visit the Convention and Visitors Bureau website at www.FloridasHistoricCoast.com and www.viajaStAugustine.com