Santa Maria Restaurant

We happened upon this place and really enjoyed it. We took our two daughters and arrived a little after 5pm on a weeknight. There was no wait at all. The food was delicious and a very large portion! The girls passed the time between ordering and food arriving by feeding the birds and fish out the trap doors. I loved them being able to feed the wildlife while not having to beat them away from our table - really great idea. The girls are already asking if we can go back next year! more

I've been here a few times over the years, have never had a bad meal, and this trip was no different. We all ordered fried shrimp po-boy sandwiches, all wanted them done slightly different (plain with different sauce, different sauce on the side, and fully loaded), our server didn't blink an eye and everything came out perfectly prepared! (Had the same sandwich at a different, more popular place on George St, and this was soooo much better, love the grilled garlic bread it's served on!) The crab and corn chowder and clam chowder were well received and the sangria was wonderfully refreshing.\r Feeding the school of fish through the little trap door is always fun, but kids would really get a kick out of it!\r It's not a fancy place, but over the years it's been consistent enough that it's always on the list of places to eat when in St Augustine. more

Food was delicious! Able to feed fish through portholes scattered throughout the restaurant! Great entertainment for the kids that doesn't involve a phone or video games! A must for tourists. more

We just happened upon this restaurant and liked it a lot. We thought the food was good, portions were good sized and value was that of other local restaurants. The kids also loved feeding the fish from the little trap doors in the window. more

I've been in this restaurant to lunch with my husband, the food is amazing. Taste like food that we make at home. more

We chose to eat here because we got off of the train tour to see the Black Raven Ship. We had a small door to open at our table to feed the fish, they provide bread for it. The service was great and the food was good. I ordered a shrimp po boy and my husband, grilled snapper, at a reasonable price. more

Great restaurant, loved the server. Food was excellent even with the requested changes. Atmosphere and live music was perfect. Singer kept it at a low relaxing volume ! more

Great place! Good location and fun for the family. Food is great too. more

I thought this restaurant was great. My boyfriend and I were hanging out in St Augustine this past week and needed to grab lunch, we were totally prepared to go to A1 Ale, but parking was limited and though we were walking that way I noticed Santa Maria. I used to eat in a similar seating when I was really young with my mom and of course was overcome with nostalgia. This place is right on the water, not beach front, but literally on the dock. So we decided to eat here.\r \r I'm sure the host wanted to choke me, because it took three tries before we were at a table I was happy with, but if he was annoyed I couldn't tell at all. He was actually really friendly about it.\r \r The server we had was really cool, very laid back and helpful when choosing our meals. My boyfriend had a chicken wrap and I had Caribbean Baha fish tacos, which were seriously freaking amazing.\r \r The view was great and I had fun feeding the fish and birds from a little side area in the wall.\r \r I highly recommend this place! more

My boyfriend and I ate here for our anniversary and it was delicious! I got the crab cakes and the two sides I picked were the loaded baked potato and green beans... It was soooooooo good! My boyfriend got chicken Parmesan and he was crazy about it too! They also bring you bread out on a tray which was very good! We had decent service, the waitress could have been a little more attentive. But as far as food food and location, it gets an A+ in my book! more

Food is ok did enjoy sitting on deck and lifting hatch to feed fish. Pretty cool place more

Wonderful seafood. Especially enjoyed the menu item of an assortment of shrimp prepared three different ways. The coconut shrimp was outstanding with a coconut sauce for dipping that I had not experienced before and tasted really great. We sat next to the window looking out on the bay and they brought us about a half loaf of bread that we fed to the fish below the restaurant through a small door covered opening on the window sill. Great food and fun! more

Very nice dinner with friends, great atmosphere, the food was good and the service was good also. You must try the cajun shrimp & grits and the artichoke dip more

My boyfriend and I went here and the food was great. The view from the inside of the restaurant was so nice. We went at night and this place is on the bay. Not sure why this place has such bad reviews. We thoroughly enjoyed our time, and were greeted after our meal by the owner who was very nice to us. We travel a lot to St. Augustine, FL and have never tried this place, but I must say we will definitely be back! Overall great food, awesome location, and tons to do afterwards in town. more

Was worried to eat here because of the reviews but we were taking the pirate cruise and needed to kill time close by. Everything we had was really good. The service was good, the food came out quickly... Just no problems. We had fried shrimp, veggies, mashed potatoes, kids fish, garlic grits (heavy on the garlic but good), sweet potato fries, and crab cakes. I can see where someone might not like the crab cakes because they are very blended (like food processor) instead of chunky. But they were good. Te pineapple remoloude was REALLY yummy! Lastly the view was amazing an my son enjoyed feeding the fish. I am glad we ignored the reviews and came because we really enjoyed it! more

After reading some negative reviews on this restaurant I wasn't expecting much. But based on a recommendation from my sister I decided to try it out.\r And I must say I was pleasantly surprised with all the vegetarian options! I had the spinach salad which is one of the best salads I ever had in a restaurant. It actually had sunflower seeds on it, why don't more restaurants do this? I had the best bean burger I ever have eaten. My girlfriend got a fish sandwich which she also enjoyed. \r The view of the bay is great and very relaxing. And the service from our waitress Karolina was super!\r I wonder if all the hating on this restaurant comes from the overall general bad attitude I experienced from the people I meet in Florida. What is everyones problem down there?\r Anyway, if you are in St. Augustine, do try out this restaurant. more

This is an unique restaurant. The owner wanted to feed the fish. So, when the restaurant was built, next to each table (all tables are along the windows) there is a small door with a knob you can open it with. The waiter/waitress brings out a plastic container with bread in it so you can feed the fish. But guess what? The Sea Gulls are there waiting for their cut. There is a ledge just off the window and they are there for there food.\r \r The food was great. I had the Fried Oysters and they were delicious. If you are in the St. Augustine area, I recommend this restaurant. more

Great food, great atmosphere, friendly service! My kids loved feeding the fish. I m glad we stopped by & I would definitely recommend. more

We were delighted by the atmosphere in this unique restaurant. Our server was very helpful and accomodating and the food was excellent...try the crab patties! We even saw dolphins. more

This was one of the most ineresting and fun places to eat I have ever been to, heres why. The place sits out on the water, at the end of a pier. You can see it from the Bridge of Lions and the Fort and just about anywhere near the water in St. Augustines Old town. It is decorated with a nautical theme, with ship and some pirate decor. The lighting is subtle and makes it feel cozy, and relaxing. The food is priced comparable to The Outback, some things maybe a bit more, and choices range from Steaks and Chicken dishes to Salads and Pastas. Here is the cool part... When you order your food, the server brings you a cutting board with some bread for you to eat (like Outback) but then, they also give you a basket of old breads and bagels. This is not for you to eat! There are little trap doors next to your table if you sit near any of the windows that surround the building and you can drop pieces of bread down the hole and feed the fish below! Of course where there is random bread being tossed, there are seagulls! So you kinda have to throw fast or try to trick the birds so that the GIANT catfish below can get some bread! If you dine when it starts to get dark and later, the birds fly away and go home. And you are left with the fish. They literally come out of the water to get the bread! The quality of the food is excellent, and you get to entertain yourself! If you are in St. Augustine's Old Town, give it a try you will be glad you did! more