Food

The Best Chowder in St. Augustine

Chowder of all kinds is a staple of St. Augustine palettes. Luckily, we have some great restaurants that know how to do it right. We gathered a list of some of the best local places that are serving u

By Melissa Marcarelli

The Best Chowder in St. Augustine

Chowder of all kinds is a staple of St. Augustine palettes. Luckily, we have some great restaurants that know how to do it right. We gathered a list of some of the best local places that are serving up great chowders – from clam to conch, and shrimp to corn. Whether you like your chowder creamy New England style or with a spicy tomato base (maybe even combined), here is a list of chowders to satisfy your tastebuds.

Photography by Brian Miller

St. Augustine Seafood Company

33 St. George Street
This fast casual and family-friendly seafood restaurant is located in the heart of downtown St. Augustine, right on St. George Street. On their menu you’ll find both classic and creative preparations of uber fresh seafood. Dig into the Chowder Fries, french fries smothered in clam chowder & bacon, or sip a spoonful of Minorcan Conch and New England Clam chowders. The Half & Half soup is a must try!
www.saseafoodco.com

St. Augustine Fish Camp

142 Riberia Street
New to the St. Augustine food scene, St. Augustine Fish Camp is known for presenting homey and sophisticated seafood dishes with Southern hospitality.  Their New England Style Clam Chowder will awaken your taste buds. Stop into Fish Camp for an unforgettable lunch or dinner experience with a lively atmosphere, knowledgeable staff and spectacular views.

www.staugustinefishcamp.com

Salt Life Food Shack

321 A1A Beach Blvd
Casual and eclectic, Salt Life Food Shack is the perfect place to bring the family and friends as you settled in after a day at the beach. They serve an island-style Bahamian Fish Chowder with white fish, fire roasted tomatoes and potatoes as well as a creamy New England Clam Chowder with tender clams.
www.saltlifefoodshack.com

St. Augustine Fish House & Oyster Company

160 Nix Boat Yard Road
Sitting at the Gonzales Creek and overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway is a great way to enjoy chowder any month in Florida. Their indoor/outdoor concept and Old Florida vibes make it the perfect place to dine on the freshest seafood and enjoy delicious drinks while taking in the scenery and listening to live music every night of the week. Try Capt. Frank’s Fish Chowder for a creamy soup that is loaded with the freshest fish or The Lump Crab Meat Stew (Aunt Liz’s secret recipe with heaps of blue crab meat).
www.stafishhouse.com

great chowder debate st augustine

The Commander’s Shellfish Camp

7579 A1A S
The Commander’s Shellfish Camp is known for the freshest seafood, some of which they catch and themselves like the oysters they harvest out of the Matanzas River behind the restaurant. So, it is no surprise that they offer some tasty chowder. Try their New England Clam Chowder or the Minorcan Clam Chowder. Recently they’ve had a delicious Blue Crab and Corn Chowder.
www.facebook.com/thecommandersshellfishcamp

St. Marys Seafood

705 Hortons Trace
With a large menu that often lets you dictate your favorite preparation, St. Marys Seafood offers deliciously-fresh oysters, clams, shrimp, crabs, and fish. Most items on the menu can be served fried, grilled, blackened, or broiled, so it is a great place to bring family and friends with varying tastebuds. There are all sorts of fisherman’s favorites to enjoy along with their New England Clam Chowder, but the Shrimp Corn Chowder is a must try. Their soups come served with two hushpuppies.
www.stmarysseafoodandmore.com

Meehan’s Irish Pub & Seafood House

20 Avenida Menendez
The upper deck at Meehan’s is a great place to gaze out over the Bayfront while enjoying some delicious soup. Located across from the Castillo de San Marcos, Meehan’s offers an Irish Clam Chowder. It is a favorite and traditional soup of Ireland made with hearty sweet sea clams, potatoes, carrots and leeks in a thickened rich and creamy stock.
www.meehansirishpub.com

Kingfish Grill

252 Yacht Club Drive
Right on the water in Camachee Cove Harbor, Kingfish Grill has garnered a reputation for top-of-the-line sushi from a trained sushi master, who builds rolls both traditional and creative. But sushi isn’t their only specialty, you’ll find lots of great seafood dishes here to love and a must try New England Clam Chowder. This casual seafood eatery, with their cheery dining room and dockside patio, has a great atmosphere to enjoy some outstanding seafood.
www.kingfishgrill.com

The Conch House

57 Comares Ave
A beloved local legend with a tiki vibe and laid-back ambiance, The Conch House is perfect for a relaxing weekend meal as you look out over the water. They strive to offer the freshest ingredients and change up the menu to keep things interesting. Try their Award Winning Conch Chowder, a Minorcan family recipe with ground caribbean conch, tomatoes and datil peppers.

Sunset Grille

421 A1A Beach Blvd

Sunset Grille also has award winning chowders, from their New England Clam to Minorcan Conch and the New Minorcan which is half and half of both if you can’t decide. A great place to dine outdoors with a view of St. Augustine Beach, Sunset Grille has got all of the comforts of a classic beachside shack with a menu that’s deliciously unpretentious.

Hurricane Patty’s

69 Lewis Boulevard

If you’re looking for a friendly spot to enjoy a cold beer and fresh local seafood, you’re going to love Hurricane Patty’s. Located on Oyster Creek, Hurricane Patty’s Waterfront Bar & Grill has been retrofitted in a 1920s historic fish house where fresh shrimp and fish were cleaned before they made their way to market. Now, you can kick back island style and enjoy the three different types of chowders that they offer. Try the Hurricane Chowder, a blend of their New England and Minorcan Clam Chowders with a splash of garlic, shrimp, and fresh catch of the day.
www.hurricane-pattys.com

Beaches at Vilano

254 Vilano Road
Tucked away on the waters edge, away from the main stream, Beaches is truly a little vacation spot right in our hometown where you can relax and enjoy a ‘no worries’ Caribbean island atmosphere. Known for having great food and signature drinks, Beaches is a great place where you can dine with your toes in the sand and listen to live music every weekend. Try their Gluten Free Minorcan Conch Chowder or their Cedar Key Clam Chowder.
www.beachesatvilano.com

O.C. White’s

118 Avenida Menendez
Tucked inside a historic home, this American grill serves up lots of seafood dishes and frozen drinks. O.C. White’s has a history dating back to 1790, originally constructed by Don Miguel Ysnardy, a prominent St. Augustinian. The house served as one of the first hotels in St. Augustine. Now you can dine outside on their patio under twinkling lights in the heart of the city while enjoying delicious dishes next to the bay. Try their Award Winning New England Clam Chowder.
www.ocwhitesrestaurant.com

The Reef

4100 Coastal Highway
The Reef has one of the most spectacular oceanfront settings in Northeast Florida. Few culinary experiences parallel tasting fresh seafood above the dunes of the Atlantic. In fact, they are one of the only St. Augustine restaurants on the water. While dining on their patio, you’re just a few steps from the beautiful Atlantic ocean. Guests eating inside will appreciate large window views of the sand and waves as you sip on their Award Winning Seafood Chowder that is spicy with a kick.
thereefstaugustine.com

Aunt Kate’s Restaurant

612 Euclid Avenue
Situated in a grove of live oaks on the bank of the Tolomoto River, Aunt Kate’s is perfect for a laid-back waterfront experience. If you want to add to the nautical charm, you can even travel there by boat and tie up at their dock before you dig into some of their delicious food. Continuing over 100 years of serving the finest in local seafood, Aunt Kate’s pleasures both the eye and the palate. Try their Menorcan Clam Chowder.
www.aunt-kates.com

Catch 27

40 Charlotte Street
Not far from the main downtown drag, you’ll find this intimate little restaurant on Charlotte Street with a small menu that serves up big flavor. The menu is seasonal and local whenever possible. Their Minorcan Seafood Chowder is a spicy, clam, fish and bacon red chowder that goes great with one of their delicious craft cocktails.
www.catchtwentyseven.com

Beachcomber

2 A Street
Where ‘A’ Street meets the ocean you’ll find Anastasia Island’s destination beach front restaurant & bar. Every day they create outstanding specials along with their Beach Menu and chowders. Their Minorcan Clam Chowder, a spicy chowder made from an old St. Augustine recipe is a constant on the menu that you can enjoy year round.
www.beachcomberstaugustine.com