
Popular, cash-only eatery serves up shellfish & fried shrimp alongside other seafood specialties.
Hours
| Thursday | 11 AM–8:30 PM |
| Friday | 11 AM–8:30 PM |
| Saturday | 11 AM–8:30 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 11 AM–8:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 11 AM–8:30 PM |
Address and Contact Information
Address: 205 Anastasia Blvd, St. Augustine, FL 32080
Phone: (904) 829-6974
Website: http://www.osteensrestaurant.com/
Menu Photos
Photo Gallery
Related Web Results
O’Steen’s Restaurant, St. Augustine – Seafood & Southern Dishes
O’Steens Restaurant | Saint Augustine FL – Facebook
Osteen’s – St. Augustine, FL (The Place For Shrimp!!) – YouTube
Reviews
Out of the mains we tried, the braised scallops were my favorite and really delivered on a fresh flavorful scallop. Their hush puppies are a bit unique. Definitely more on the savory-side which was different for us NC folk, but still really good! Now I’m not trying to sound like some health nut, but the veggies here are beyond good and a must try. Their cucumber salad is so tart, sweet, and really addicting. I’m still thinking about it a month later. For dessert, we had an excellent coconut cream pie.
O’Steen’s is definitely a must try and are looking for a well-rounded meal with an authentic seafood experience. The restaurant itself is small so be sure to get there early if you’ve got a bigger party!
Walk in and the first thing you notice is what’s not there: no pretension, no influencer traps, no overwrought plating. Just locals, regulars, and travelers lucky enough to have been tipped off by someone who cares about real food. This is a place built on a single religion: frying things perfectly.
Let’s talk shrimp. The fried shrimp at O’Steen’s are a cultural treasure, a masterclass in simplicity executed with the precision of a surgeon and the soul of someone’s Southern grandmother. Light, crisp, not the least bit greasy each bite crackles, then melts. It’s the kind of dish that reminds you why frying is an art, not a fallback.
Service is what service should be: efficient, warm, no-nonsense. They’re not here to inflate their ego, they’re here to feed you. And in a world where restaurants are constantly trying to reinvent themselves, O’Steen’s stands tall by doing the opposite. They simply continue to do what they’ve done for decades: cook damn good food.
If you’re the sort of traveler who wants the “best restaurant in town” as defined by glossy magazines, you might miss O’Steen’s. But if you care about places that matter, places that carry the weight of community, history, and flavor then this humble, always-busy, never fancy institution is five-star all the way.
This is the kind of place I’d cross a state line for. Hell, I’d cross two.
The waiting process—often dreaded at popular spots—was actually part of the charm. We added our name to the list, grabbed a seat on one of the outdoor benches, and ended up chatting with a few fellow diners. The wait time was shorter than predicted, and the entire process ran like clockwork.
Inside, the dining room was buzzing with energy. The staff moved quickly and efficiently, clearly working as a well-oiled team to get food out fast and keep things moving without ever making us feel rushed. Our server, Patrice, deserves a special shoutout—she was not only warm and knowledgeable, but impressively intuitive. From explaining the menu and house sauces with ease to anticipating drink refills and even offering paper towels with soda water after we both managed to get sauce on our clothes from overzealously scarfing down our meals, she was on it.
The menu is refreshingly simple—focused on fried seafood platters like shrimp, oysters, and scallops, paired with hush puppies and classic Southern sides. We ordered a cup of Minorcan clam chowder, a 12-fried shrimp platter (with coleslaw, sweet potato casserole, and 2 hush puppies), and a 6-fried oyster platter (with fries, macaroni salad, and a hush puppy). It was a lot of food, but we cleaned every plate.
The fried shrimp were the true standout—huge, uniquely butterflied, and fried to golden perfection. They were unlike any we’ve had before, and we’ve had a lot over the years. That first bite made us look at each other and say, “Wait, what?!” The house-made sauces were fantastic across the board, especially the datil pepper hot sauce, which adds a unique St. Augustine flair.
Also worth noting: it’s cash only, so come prepared.
My wife found O’Steen’s through a random social media recommendation, and we’re so glad she did. After experiencing it ourselves, it’s easy to see why this place has been a beloved local institution for over 50 years—equally treasured by locals and repeat visitors alike. We’ll absolutely be back and will be recommending it to everyone we know heading to St. Augustine.
The datil pepper sauce is amazing!
Food is above average. I ordered the fried shrimp and it was, to my surprise, delightful. Flavorful, especially with their house dipping sauce, and a really good sized serving, so I left feeling satisfied.
Overall, not a bad experience, personally. Just be advised, this is a CASH ONLY establishment. And, as such, it’s a huge hit with the seniors.