Where to eat in St. Johns County
The 10 restaurants that local best-of lists name most often. We read 8 lists from local papers, magazines and food writers, counted who shows up, and link every one.
The list
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Lotus Noodle Bar
Chef Barry Honan's noodle bar; the duck tan tan ramen is the dish people talk about.
Named by MICHELIN Guide Florida 2026, as reported by Jacksonville Today, Michelin Guide adds 8 restaurants in Northeast Florida (May 29, 2026) · Eat It & Like It, St. Augustine Just Got on the Michelin Map (Jun 23, 2026) · Time Out, The best restaurants in St. Augustine (May 23, 2024)
Barbara Jean's On The Water
Southern seafood on the Intracoastal in Palm Valley; families sit outside to watch the boats.
Named by Ponte Vedra Recorder, Best of the Best of Ponte Vedra 2025 readers' poll, Best Family Restaurant, Best Waterfront Dining and Best Sweet Tea winner · Ponte Vedra Recorder, Best of the Best of Ponte Vedra 2024 readers' poll, Best Waterfront Dining winner · Jacksonville Mom, Live Like a Local: Ponte Vedra & Nocatee (page undated, read Oct 31, 2026)
Asado Life
Live-fire Argentine-style steaks and seafood on the San Sebastian River; book dinner ahead.
Named by MICHELIN Guide Florida 2026, as reported by Jacksonville Today, Michelin Guide adds 8 restaurants in Northeast Florida (May 29, 2026) · Eat It & Like It, St. Augustine Just Got on the Michelin Map (Jun 23, 2026)
Catch 27
Historic district seafood with local catch; the risotto with the daily fish is a regular's order.
Named by Time Out, The best restaurants in St. Augustine (May 23, 2024) · Edible Northeast Florida, Insider Guides to Five NE Florida Neighborhoods, St. Augustine (page undated, read Oct 31, 2026)
Poppy's Italiano
Family-owned Italian on A1A that Ponte Vedra readers have picked two years running.
Named by Ponte Vedra Recorder, Best of the Best of Ponte Vedra 2025 readers' poll, Best Italian winner · Ponte Vedra Recorder, Best of the Best of Ponte Vedra 2024 readers' poll, Best Italian winner
Aqua Grill
Lakeside spot on Front Street that Ponte Vedra readers vote their date night pick.
Named by Ponte Vedra Recorder, Best of the Best of Ponte Vedra 2025 readers' poll, Best Romantic Restaurant winner · Ponte Vedra Recorder, Best of the Best of Ponte Vedra 2024 readers' poll, Best Romantic Restaurant winner
Timoti's Seafood Shak
Casual seafood shack in Nocatee that Ponte Vedra readers have chosen for seafood two years running.
Named by Ponte Vedra Recorder, Best of the Best of Ponte Vedra 2025 readers' poll, Best Seafood winner · Ponte Vedra Recorder, Best of the Best of Ponte Vedra 2024 readers' poll, Best Seafood winner
Raintree Restaurant
Dinner and Sunday brunch in a restored 1897 house on San Marco Avenue.
Named by Time Out, The best restaurants in St. Augustine (May 23, 2024) · Florida's Historic Coast (St. Johns County visitors bureau), Breakfast? Brunch? Here are Some of the Best Spots Around (page undated, read Oct 31, 2026)
Argyle Restaurant
Sawgrass Village restaurant that Ponte Vedra readers voted their top restaurant in 2025.
The BoatHouse
Sushi, seafood and raw bar on A1A in Ponte Vedra Beach; Thursday lobster special.
Named by Ponte Vedra Recorder, Best of the Best of Ponte Vedra 2025 readers' poll, Best Sushi winner
How this list is ranked
Each place gets a point for every recent local best-of list that names it: readers' choice results, local papers and magazines, food writers. Review-site top tens count half. Newer lists break ties. Nobody can pay to be on it. When reader votes come in, they count too.
Think we missed a place? Tell us which list named it and we'll recount.