O'steen's Restaurant

We were recommended to come here by several people and they weren't wrong. The food was pretty good. The batter on the fried shrimp was very light but just enough to be very tasty. The sauces were exceptional and the showstealer was the crab cake. LOTS of crab meat and not too much cake. The potato salad and mashed were also very good. The ambiance was good, not because it was thr Ritz Carlton, but because the people inside were all super kind and unassuming, like it was something out of the 1950s. The service was perfect as the staff/managers were very nice. Cash only.

At first glance, O’Steen’s might seem like your typical small-town fried seafood joint—but from the moment we pulled up, it was clear this place is anything but ordinary. It has that classic, family-run vibe you’d expect from a decades-old local favorite, but the level of organization, service, and sheer food quality elevates it far beyond expectations. 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.

We had to try this place! This is a well run organized restaurant! We both really liked our shrimp, hush puppies were great and our sides were very simple good! Our wait time was not very long. Great family restaurant. If you love breaded shrimp you’ll enjoy this place. Check in at the window when you arrive and they’ll call your name when your table is ready.

There are restaurants that scream for your attention and then there are the quiet legends, the places that don’t need neon, hashtags, or culinary theatrics because they’ve been great long before you showed up. O’Steen’s in St. Augustine is one of those places. A shrine to Southern cooking, the kind of joint where the line out front isn’t hype, it’s faith. 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.

We love the food here. This is definitely one of my favorite restaurants in St. Augustine because of the food. They do not sell any alcohol and it is cash only. The restaurant is not fancy but almost always has a line wrapped around the building waiting to get in. I always get the fried shrimp and I do not really like shrimp in general but at O'Steen's it is just amazing!!

Great food and service! I’m always a little iffy when trying out restaurants in a tourist town, but O’steen’s did not disappoint. Our server Jess was also the best! I don’t think there was a moment where I didn’t have a full cup, she knew the menu very well, and made sure to check on us despite working a packed house. 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!

Food and service were excellent, We had the Fried shrimp and the Grilled Chicken both were scrumptous, would suggest the Delicious Squash casserole, pickled cucumbers, Cole Slaw and not to mention the Hush puppies that are so terrific and The Secret Shrimp sauce is soo good. If you are in St Augestine and Hungry stop here and enjoy a great meal. I will definitely be back the next time I am in town. Just on-site. they only take cash but have a ATM onsite.

We tried O’Steen’s during our week in St. Augustine and it was so good we had to go back later in the week before we left. Everything we had there was top notch, but they have without a doubt the BEST fried shrimp I have ever had. Everyone in the place was incredibly friendly and helpful, too. They really make you feel right at home. I would add that they are cash or check only, so just be aware of that before you go! If you don’t carry cash it’s worth going to the ATM to try this place!