Stopped in here on a tasting tour. First off I loved the way the inn feels. It is a taste of old St Augustine. We were given a delicious appetizer of rice and peas with shrimp on top. They were really yummy. We also had a sample of one of their house wines, which was delicious. After hearing about the Inn itself we are considering coming and staying here for Christmas for a couple of nights. We will definitely come back and try more foods from their menu as well.
We had a very nice room here. Al guests get a complementary glass of wine or beer and a cheese platter. Really great and tasteful. The room we had (a kings room) was spacy with good beds. The staff was really friendly and helpful. I'll would love to come back again.
(5)
Paul C.
We stayed at the inn and the rooms and service was amazing. I wish I could live here.
Great food and service. The presentation of the food is outstanding too. We were so pleasantly surprised by the entire experience. The dining room is quaint and cozy and on our list to visit when it's colder outside.
(5)
Gustavo R.
Took my wife for her birthday. Kind if hidden and off the main drag . Blown away by the vegetable beef soup made with filet mignon. Surprised by the Tamarindo sorbet to cleanse the palate in between soup , salad and entree. The beef tenderloin was simply out if this world for this area. I thought I was back in the City or in the Midwest. Flavor , texture , presentation was a chart topper. Service was very good .. Don't miss it if your in St Augustine . I'm going back...
(4)
M K.
Sooooo good and great service. If you're stuck on ordering the sea bass is delicious!
(5)
Melisa T.
My only complaint was I couldn't stay longer! Such a fine establishment. The innkeepers have quite a gem here. The rooms are very nice, clean and comfortable. We regret missing dinner at the restaurant, but will definitely dine there next time. We had coffee and dessert, and drinks. The staff was wonderful, and each person went out of their way to accommodate us. We will back and recommend this as the ace to stay in St Augustine!
(5)
Ally S.
The food was delicious - I only wish we had more of an appetite for lunch! I just had the tomato basil bisque and it was some of the best I've tasted! They also bring out bread and olive oil/vinegar with a roasted clove of garlic. It made my day - I love roasted garlic and most places do not serve an entire clove with the bread! I would love to go back for a full meal because there were quite a few great looking dishes. The ambiance was lovely as well and it was a nice quite spot for lunch before heading to the Lightner Museum and Flagler College tours!
(5)
Lisa O.
What can you say about perfection. The food is outstanding as well as good service. I had the escargot and they were perfectly cooked. The Halibut, which was a special was out of this world. Great little find.
(5)
Elizabeth G.
Nice place that used to be horrible. It's in a great location, but even so, I stopped going there after a couple of dismal overpriced meals and a business lunch where nobody got what they ordered, the food was inedible and it took us almost a half hour to get the check and correct the errors on it! So the new owners have a lot to overcome. I think they'll do it! The food is excellent. We had a sort of tapas lunch, with wine, of course, and everything was excellent. The fried cauliflower is a treat and the cod fritters weren't fritters but large excellent pieces of cod. The star was the Spanish tortilla, which wasn't the simple egg and potato dish, but s fluffy quiche-like dish with a variety of perfect vegetables. Dessert was their version of cheesecake, recommended by the hostess, and it was truly fine. The service was great and the price was reasonable for the quality. My only reservation was the interior of the restaurant, which hadn't been changed probably since the early 90s, when the old owners bought it. Very stodgy and dull. And I saw people on the street peer inside and then go away. Other than that, it's fine, highly recommended (by me!) and ... I hope they get a remodel soon.
(4)
Frank C.
My wife and I have been dining here for 20+ years. We know there have been changes in ownership over the years but the quality remains. We celebrated our anniversary there Wednesday evening with the trout and sea bass both being excellent. The portions and service were excellent too. Our secret place in the oldest city.
(5)
Mandie M.
For my birthday last weekend, a dear friend of mine took me to St. Augustine for the day. Upon our arrival, the first place that we went was to Old City House Inn and Restaurant. If it hadn't been so hot, I definitely would have preferred to sit on the beautiful patio, but that shall have to wait until the Fall or early Spring. From what I've seen of the dinner menu, it's rather expensive, but if you go here for lunch, you are provided with a "Bites" menu which is basically smaller portions at a lower price (around $6) per plate. The one thing that irked me about the menu was the amount of items that are unfriendly to those of us with lactose issues/allergies. I don't need special treatment, but I expect menus to be somewhat well rounded so everyone can have an enjoyable meal. In any case, I digress, this did not take away from my experience on this day, but did limit my choices. I had my heart set on a salad. I debated the Tri Colore Salad, which is radicchio, arugula (my absolute favorite green), endive, and white balsamic vinaigrette. I just couldn't bring myself to order this plate at $9 when I could get all of those ingredients so much cheaper at the store. What I ended up ordering was the Melon, Artichoke, and Chorizo Salad from the Bites menu as my appetizer. It was the perfect combination of sweet, salty, and spicy. All three flavors worked together splendidly. Along the lines of appetizers, we had also been served some rather fantastic garlic, along with olive oil and a balsamic reduction to go with our bread. The garlic was roasted while still within the clove itself and was some of the best that I've ever tasted. As we planned to walk around St. Augustine for awhile after lunch, I chose a main course that would be light on the stomach. Grilled Shrimp with polenta, which is actually listed as an appetizer, was my choice. While the polenta was a bit heavy, the shrimp was grilled to perfection. After finding out that it was my birthday, the waiter thanked me for telling him and went off to the kitchen. Just after we were given our check, he came out with a special birthday dessert: passion fruit creme brule. A spectacular end to a great birthday lunch.
(4)
Anne S.
This is my first 5 star review because everything was excellent-service, food and ambiance. To start the roasted garlic, olive oil and balsamic with the bread is perfect, we had our 9 year old daughter with us who devoured this (always a good sign). All of the entrees come with starter salad so between the bread and salad there was no need for us to try any appetizers. They had 5 options for dressing, our favorite was the papaya dressing, it was sweet but complimented the salad well. Then came the blackberry sorbet palate cleanser to prepare for the delicious main course that was about to bless our taste buds. My husband and I had the sea bass layered on top of fried yuca and asparagus in a herb, lemon butter sauce. The flavors and cooking preparation of this dish was superb. My daughter had the filet served with potatoes au gratin and green beans - all cooked perfectly. There was no room for desert since we all cleared our plates. I highly recommend this restaurant and we will be back anytime we find ourselves in St. Augustine again.
(5)
Dave S.
Stayed two nights, great location. Included is a happy hour and breakfast. Worth your money staying here. Juan is the innkeeper and made our stay here WAY WORTH WHILE!!! TIP.... FREE PARKING AND BICYCLES! Have fun here!
(5)
Ashley H.
I. am. in. love. with this charming place. My husband and I had originally planned to spend the weekend for our 2 year anniversary in August. But that was cut short as I came down with a horrible migraine and head-cold the first night. The first impression of the Inn we had the first time around was 3 out of 5 stars, all because our room was doused, I mean literally infused, with some kind of pungent air freshener. My husband and I are very sensitive to fragrances, scented candles, air fresheners... mainly artificial scents. I think trying to sleep in the room the first night had triggered my migraine and made head cold even worse. We were sad to leave the next morning because it was evident that I wasn't gonna get any better to enjoy the anniversary weekend. The innkeeper was very nice enough to offer us a voucher to return another time to make up for the second night we already had paid for. Just this past weekend, my husband decided to spring the surprise of taking me back to St. Augustine and we used the voucher for a Friday night. We did give the inn keeper the request, this time, to make sure our room wasn't sprayed with any kind of air freshener. I was nervous about that and even packed enough migraine medicine.... however upon our entrance to the room, it was perfect! He listened! We were thrilled with it and we were able to enjoy our stay thoroughly without any headaches! The entire building is so adorable, the lounge & bar is romantically lit at night, the dining room is cozy, and the outdoor sitting area by the small gardens is somewhat exotic. When you go to the lounge room, they bring you a complimentary tray of fine cheeses and crackers. I was so excited to have tried some fine cheese as I had never tried brie! Yum! They have wine, beer, and some hard liquor. With the candle-lighting, my husband and I felt like we had just started dating. The servers are extremely nice and well mannered. For the complimentary breakfast (between 9-10am only), they bring out 2-3 courses with a plate at a time. We absolutely loved it. The first breakfast we had was a lot of fruit, eggs, and waffles. And the second breakfast was similar but minus the waffles and more meat and an omelet. We think they offer different kinds of breakfast every morning and working with what is fresh in season. The Old City House Inn has a lot of the things that many other inns in the area don't have like: sufficient parking (some inns have NONE!), true history (some inns are cliche or overdone or even shady!), excellent food and innkeeping service, prime location (right next to the luxurious Casa Monica Hotel, Flagler College, Lightner Museum), and just a few blocks away from the touristy hustle bustle of St. George Street. We absolutely love this inn and will definitely come back to this inn whenever we are in St. Augustine. It's a home away from home!
(4)
Gabriela L.
Excellent food and service! best naturally made sangria Ive ever had in Florida. the food is very fresh and tasty.
(5)
Zoltan Z.
This place is so unique. Rooms are very nice, we had a room with a huge bedroom, spa bath tub.
(5)
Christa S.
Three words come to mind when reflecting on my Old City House Inn & Restaurant dining experience: Flavorful, Inventive and Accommodating. Let me explain... We went here the evening before Thanksgiving, because let's be honest, who wants to cook a big meal the night before a full day's worth of cooking?!?! Well, we didn't, so my brother looked for a spot on Open Table and decided that based on the reviews and that we could get a reservation at our desired timing, that this was the spot. We parked just a few blocks away in a free after 6 p.m. lot and strolled into a cozy restaurant and I could already tell we would be pleased. They had our table ready and waiting for us, and while the restaurant is small, they maximize the space with all the table formations they have. Our waitress was friendly and kept the meal well paced. The food was flavorful - while you felt like you were stepping into a comfortable place with comfortable choices, the chef certainly knows the combinations to keep your palette interested. Our bottle of wine arrived with some hot out of the oven bread with roasted garlic, herb infused olive oil and balsamic vinegar as toppings. We were hooked at the first bite and devoured the entire plate of bread! All entrees come with a house salad, but I was able to upgrade to the soup of the day (tomato basil bisque) as I had a sore throat and was in the mood for a soup versus salad. The soup was an ample serving and stayed hot from the first to the last spoonful. I love me some goat cheese and decided I wanted to swap sides, which again they had no problem with, as I prefer roasted potatoes to squash. The presentation of all of our meals was first class - another sign of the chef's comfort with food and its artistic display on the plates (not only ours, but those of the other diners we saw coming by). I ate my whole meal, but certainly didn't save room for dessert, although I'm sure it would be equally impressive. On the way out, we saw the previously Yelped about outdoor patio space and on a warmer evening, I think this little oasis would be the perfect spot for pre or post dinner drinks, even if you still wanted the actual dining room experience for dinner itself. Word to the wise - make reservations as since they are small, it would likely be tough to just walk in on a more popular night to dine out. We thoroughly enjoyed our meal, so much so that we were still talking about it the next day!
(5)
Carol S.
Excellent service and gourmet cuisine in one of Florida's most beautiful cities! Highly recommend their specials of the day! A rare find.
(5)
Gordon L.
This beautifully restored Inn located in the middle of the old city is welcoming and genuine. The staff have a culture reflective of the owner Juan who is passionate about services in all respects. We had a wonderful experience and highly recommend it for the experience, people, food, presentation and professionalism. We look forward to our next visit.
(5)
Adam F.
Excellent. Looks like a stuffy little place but it is very elegant and refined. Food was incredible. Service was fantastic. Small intimate setting. Attached to a small Inn. Small seating area so make reservations. Also. Parking is a nightmare so be prepared to hunt for parking. We got lucky on a metered space right in front of the location.
(5)
Toni W.
Good service, nice presentation, but the flavors fell flat. The seared tuna was competently done, but the service on a plate with pedestal made it tricky to share on a table already pretty crowded with a cocktail and wine and the complimentary bread (which is ok, but nothing special). My roasted garlic salad dressing (house made) had a greasy texture that was off putting but the greens were fresh and attractive. They served a raspberry sorbet as a little amusement between salad and main, which was a nice idea but was executed in what was becoming a pattern of "not quite right." Our entrees took a long time to come out and showed it by having cooled beyond my taste though my companion was satisfied (I'll admit I like my food served hotter than most people care for). He had a pork shank special that looked phenomenal, but the mushroom Marsala sauce was incredibly bland. I had the beef tenderloin which was slightly more done than I expected but tender. The potatoes gratin were runny on the bottom, dry in the middle, and a glob of gooey melted cheese on top. I make better at home from leftovers. We skipped dessert and walked down the street to the Chocolate Turlte where we were wowed with wonderfulness.
(3)
Malia S.
I only have experienced the restaurant but I am a repeat guest. Good, fresh food and owner Juan is a true jewel. He makes a point to engage his guests and cares about the quality-everytime I go there, he is there and very hands on. My favorite dish is the white fish served with hearts of palm. Never had a dish that I didn't enjoy and I think this is a charming inn at its BEST!
(5)
Betsy J.
Truly a great restaurant experience with creative attention to every detail. Great wine choices at a decent price. Amazing cheesecake-a wonderful surprise that we happened upon by accident! Loved St. Augustine
(5)
T A.
Great place. I've stayed at a lot of places, this has been one of the nicest. Older building so loud pipes and outside noises and poor water pressure. All made up for with personable friendly owners, clean, location good and great food.
(5)
Jonathan C.
I wish I could give this place a 5-star review, but it's just not going to happen yet. So this place is definitely a gem - albeit a well-known gem. Its frequented a lot, mostly by locals, sometimes by tourists. We stopped by here as a quick stop for some drinks at the bar before walking anymore in the heat (interesting fact, the week of June 27th saw an above-average solar flare). I love the way these older buildings were constructed - they are all about ventilation without the need for artificial AC. The smells coming from the kitchen about knocked us down from how mouth-watering they were! We were seated quickly even though the lunch rush was picking up. Luckily there was a table for four open, which interestingly enough is really difficult to find seeing how the restaurant is better suited for couples. One: Food was amazing. It was so fresh you could basically hear our food breathing, and the taste of everything together just made a hit with my family. I will never looked at bacon the same way again! Two: The atmosphere leaves something to be desired. There was just a certain something about the place that felt off - it may have been the wall color, it may have been the standoffish way the locals eyed everyone around them. Either way, it was dealt with and didn't take away from our overall experience. Three: The service was speedy but very quickly dropped to a crawl. And herein lies the reason for 4 stars. While we were seated and got drinks quickly, it quite literally took forever for a server to come back and either refill our drinks or take our orders. I understand a lunch rush in a touristy city in a well-known restaurant can be daunting, and I know servers always get a bad rap. Here I do have to say the restaurant for the most part really works hard for and deserves that fifth star. Once the speed during the lunch rush is resolved, I'll be giving it that extra star. Overall, price was what I expected. Free dessert wine was a nice surprise (I know my step-father said something about the speed of the service to the manager). I WILL come back to this restaurant when we're back in the city, but I'll probably be eating here before/after the lunch rush.
(4)
Erika E.
UPDATE (5/31/15): Went back to Old City House this year. Oh. My. God. It was our anniversary. Christopher upgraded our room to the St. George room, the most gorgeous room I have ever stayed in on a vacation. They left us champagne, an anniversary card and some fruit. We went to dinner at the restaurant and enjoyed a delicious meal. They surprised us with amazing cheesecake for our anniversary. If I could leave 6 stars, I would! --- This was our first time in St. Augustine. We loved staying here. The staff was very friendly and gave us great recommendations on things to do (and to avoid). Juan and Christopher, the innkeepers, were very attentive and nice. The location is perfect. It's right next to the Lightner Museum and a short walk from the fun stuff. If you sit outside for breakfast, you have a nice view of Flagler College. We loved the complimentary parking and free beach cruiser bikes to ride around town. The food is phenomenal. We decided to eat lunch after checking in. My husband had, what he called, the greatest chicken sandwich of his life. I had seared tuna - which was excellent. Breakfast the next day was fantastic. Also: The presentation of the food is beautiful. They really do have a talented chef. We also enjoyed the wine & cheese hour. Free wine/beer/cheese/fruit is always fun. Our room (the Cordova) was very clean and smelled so good. I liked how the balcony was right outside our door. The bed was comfy. My only gripe about the room would be the pillows. Maybe it's my personal preference, but I don't like really fluffy & firm pillows. Overall: 5 stars! We will be back for sure...next time longer than 2 days/1 night!
(5)
Dean P.
WOW! One cannot fully express the joy of this B&B. Clean, awesome innkeeper, central location to all the shops and restaurants. This is a top notch B&B. The restaurant looks quaint and the food looked delicious. We opted for a local raw restaurant for our supper, but we had a delicious cup of fresh, homemade hot chocolate with some rock candy as a spoon. My wife FULLY enjoyed the eggs Benedict for breakfast, and they made gluten-free pancakes for me with maple syrup. A fruit cocktail was served in a cocktail glass, and endless coffee, tea and orange juice quenced our thirst. Book your next stay here, we literally had the whole inn to ourselves, only one other couple down the hall. You won't regret it!
(5)
Theresa W.
I was here almost 10 years ago, but I always remember how awesome this place was. Nice romantic atmosphere but not stuffy. The food was SO delicious. I can't wait to go back!
(5)
Jonathan W.
Recently, I had the unique opportunity to stay at the Old City House Inn & Restaurant located on 115 Cordova St in Saint Augustine, FL. The Old City House was originally constructed in 1873. The exterior is an example of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture. Legend also has it that a ghost of a Spanish Soldier still guards the archway, unaware that he was killed by the misfire of his own musket. Before I arrived, I was kind of stressed. Later that evening, I had to give a presentation for work. Plus, I had fifty important unread e-mails in my inbox. However, when I checked-in, all my stress soon vanished. Parking was readily available, the innkeeper had my room key and paperwork ready, I was offered a very lovely "free" glass of Pinot Noir and my suitcases were quickly brought to my room. My room was charming and cozy. The floors were made of wood, the bathroom was clean and modern, fresh orchids were on the dresser, the Wi-Fi signal was strong and the atmosphere was incredibly quiet. I detest noise pollution and I didn't hear a single sound except for that of the fan overhead. The room reminded me of guesthouses in Europe. I smelled and sensed "history" in the walls. Indeed, the history of Saint Augustine was with me. Later, I took a little stroll. The entire building was adorable and tranquil. The outdoor sitting area had a small garden filled with orchids. That evening, after my presentation and after hitting the local bars, I headed back to the Inn. I saw the innkeeper outside drinking a red wine and he invited my to join him. Together, we sat for thirty minutes at a black iron table overlooking the Lightner Museum talking about life, wine and the history of the city. It was pleasant. Even though a Spanish Soldier haunts the Old City House, I still slept very peacefully and unfortunately didn't see him. In the morning for breakfast, the very handsome cook and server (from France I think) brought out 2 courses with a plate at a time. The first breakfast was a lot of fruit, eggs, and waffles. The second breakfast was a savory enchilada. In sum, the Old City House Inn has sufficient parking, excellent food and service. It is also pet friendly and it is right next to all the attractions. If I could suggest anything, it would be to have a newspaper outside the door of the guest-rooms in the morning. I would have loved to eat breakfast and drink my coffee while reading the Wall Street Journal or New York Times. It would also be nice to have a small pool near the garden. I will definitely come back to this inn whenever I am in St. Augustine. Too many cities are littered with your average chain hotel without any charm or individuality. The charm and beauty of the Old City House Inn & Restaurant adds a lot of value to the city.
(4)
Tony V.
This is perhaps the most under rated restaurant the food belongs at a 5 star restaurant in Manhattan, Paris , Madrid or any place you can think of. Fabulous chef prepared food that can't be praised enough. Don't miss this place !!!!!
(5)
Jon B.
This review is based upon my experiences at the bed and breakfast. Although I have not had the opportunity to have dinner at the restaurant, the menu looks really good. After having bad experiences at several bed and breakfasts around the downtown St. Augustine area, we finally came across Old City Inn who fortunately had some last minute availability. The location is perfect, tucked just behind the fancy Casa Monica hotel. Walking out the door, you are a one minute walk from Flagler College, Bridge of Lions and some of the nicer bars and restaurants (JP Henleys!!). During the day the sightseeing trains frequently pass by, but I don't think they run at night because I have never had any noise issues. Also being off the main roads there isn't too much noise to keep you up at night. The rooms are quite spacious and include a comfortable bed, tv, bathroom/shower. We have stayed in three of the rooms, but generally prefer the Alcazar as it has a private entrance up the side of the building. The rates are reasonable as well and they frequently run specials on their website such as stay 1 day get another free, 20% off, ect. I think they also have last minute rates if you call up the night of. We have had some terrible breakfast at other establishments in the downtown area, but the breakfast at Old City inn had always been quite good. And as the name would suggest, it is included in the price of your stay. You can choose to sit inside or outside in the front or courtyard. I believe the options consist of French toast, Belgium waffle, English breakfast, eggs Benedict, and southern Benedict, which has become my go to breakfast choice! I have had most everything at some point in time, and while I'm not a huge breakfast person, everything has been really good. The food can sometimes take a longer than expected time to get out to you if there are several people dining. Service has always been fair, and they check on you multiple times which is nice especially when sitting outside. If you are spending some time in St. Augustine, consider staying with Old City Inn. With a great location, tasty breakfast, nice clean accommodations, and reasonable prices, you really cannot beat it'
(4)
Ashley D.
We went during the afternoon when they had their small plates menu available. At 6 bucks a pop it was incredibly affordable for the quality. Everything tasted great ...the staff was very nice...and I wouldn't hesitate to come back any time!
(4)
Christy K.
Really really wish we could have stayed longer than one night. This was such a quaint and enjoyable inn. The room was nice and the bed was comfortable. The courtyards at the inn were very nice and lush. We went to the restaurant area during the 5-6 wine and cheese plate time and the cheese plate was very good. Good pours on the red wine. Later went back for appetizers and my husband had a shrimp one that was very good. I ordered another cheese plate like I had earlier and they did explain that they would have to charge which I totally expected, however it def wasn't worth the $17 charge for it. The free one had better cheeses on it. My mistake on not asking before ordering. Other than that everything about this place was amazing. Staff and ambiance was great!!! Location was perfect.
(5)
Stu M.
The location is fantastic.
(3)
Deke K.
When I stayed at this B&B in 2008, everything was 5-star. Charming themed rooms, great rooftop patio, great location, historical story within, great price (too many steps, all rooms are upstairs so be a healthy stair-climber). My breakfasts were memorable and 5-star at the restaurant. I remember a fab fritatta. Also had a great bananas foster. Had great duck for a fine dinner. Intimate, romantic restaurant. When I went back last week, simply for lunch, we found the menu limited and without "pizazz". The desserts changed. The blonde female appeared distracted. (Twice when we came through to check things out, no one was there, no bell, no one came.) When you review the 5-star reviews they are years old. This place currently seems understaffed and less interested in drawing a crowd. (The town was bursting with crowds this week, this place was empty.) Please note this review is based on observation--we chose NOT to eat there based on the menu and lack of human connection. Maybe next time.
(3)
Tia L.
The ONLY reason why this isn't a 5 star review is because I don't want to gush too much and thus be less believable. That said, our weekend at the Inn was perfect. The new innkeepers are destined to bring this Inn back to the classy vitality that has been known for in years' past. We appreciated their openness and very sincere hospitality- they are renovating and improving as they go, while at the same time, offering truly excellent attentive service that far exceeded our expectations. We were here for a stress-free weekend, not far from home but with just enough change of scenery to refresh our spirits. Our room was spacious, clean, and beautiful (the St. George Room, slated for improvements but also very nice as-is). I especially liked the location: close to the action of the historic district yet enough to the side to avoid all nighttime noise and traffic. They offered several perks along the way that really make the difference between an ordinary hotel and an extraordinary inn: complimentary bike use for touring, wine and cheese each afternoon, a gorgeous breakfast served inside or out (we chose out, in the lush garden patio near the trickling water fountain), ample towels, bottled waters, and any request served to our room. My husband conspired with the innkeeper to have roses and creme brulee served on the morning of my birthday, which was a fantastic surprise! One of our very favorite aspects of St. Augustine is that even though it's not far from where we live, we almost feel like we are in another country. That international flair is also part of the texture at the Old City Inn. Both innkeepers are bilingual, as is the bar tender- all three are from different parts of the world. Add in a little Spanish music (helpful hint of something that I thought of) and I never would have believed I was so close to home! With the mix of biking through cobblestone streets, an afternoon at the beach, the June Super Moon over the bay followed by a breezy evening walk back to our room, and the restful beauty of the Inn, we have new friends and great memories. Mission to feel refreshed: met and exceeded!
(4)
Mike N.
We really enjoyed our stay at the old city house inn. The staff was very nice and attentive. We stayed in the Ammidown room, very cozy and comfy bed. The location is excellent, very close to everything in the historic district, only 1/2 a block off the beaten path so its a bit quieter. They give options for breakfast which is a bonus and it tastes good too.
(5)
J M.
No objection to the food, but it is truly WAY overpriced - for the brunch, at least. Service and food were ok, simly worth nothing near what we paid for our meal.
(3)
Shane V.
Great service. Quaint and quiet location. Nice drinks and the food was well prepared. I would recommend and will likely return with friends later in the season.
(4)
Robin s.
We came here for breakfast and are so glad that we did. Nice service and really great food. We had the stuffed French toast and Southern Benedict and both were delicious. The setting is nice a little bit upscale but cozy.
(5)
Charles H.
I share the same comment from a previous review-USE to be one of our favorites in st. Aug. We live in St. Augustine and feel that the improper way our situation by the general manager, Marty, was handled in a manor that is unheard of in the industry. Note-we have eaten at old city house well over 20 times and had good experiences but not on Saturday evening. Ordered tuna appreciate as my meal and it was well done. Moved it around on my plate to determine if any of it was medium rare. Sent it back and was asked if I would like another portion. I stated no because you never know were the next piece had been. Received my bill and was not removed. Marty-the general manager, stated that i ate half the tuna and he offered to replace not remove from the bill. After carrying on with Marty on about his lack of wanting to make it right, we left and will NEVER GO BACK!!!!!! I have already expressed my displeasure with 30 friends and plan on making sure that no one has to deal with this type of attitude which is a shame because it was a nice place to eat.
(1)
Missy S.
Very Wonderful! Service was nice (LOL, there were only 2 tables filled and 2 waiters, so we pretty much got good service!...altho had to wait to catch someones eye a couple of times to request something. The restaurant has a little bit of a Slavic or Eastern European/Polish hint to it (the balsamic vinagrette had poppyseeds) and I cannot recall the other 'hints' the Hubby mentioned. He is of this decent, and not only could we distinguish an accent in the food, but the waiters as well. Food was outstanding. We were staying Next door at Casa Monica, and had great food there also, but we so happy to have discovered this place via yelp before our visit, and had made a reservation ahead of time. I had a chicken breast which was kinf of like a cordon bleu, altho it was stuffed with only mozz and basil, and it had the most WONDERFUL bechamel sauce on it, and the ''fried' outer layer was so thin and delicate, the little tiny crunch it gave was a delight in my mouth! We loved the house salad dressings (the salad was utilitarian in nature), but with the dressings, which they suggest MIXING....the poppyseed balsamic vinagratte and a creamy garlic dressing. each was fabo in itself, but OMG when u DID mix them, they rounded right out and were so smooth and delicious! I was wiping my plate with my very HARD and CRUNCH Ciabatta bread at the end.... ok, will finsih this later, mouth is watering.....need a snack! WIsh I was back at this restaurant!
(5)
Michael A.
Recently travelled to St. Augustine for a little romantic getaway. My wife and I have become quite the world travellers and we have been blessed to have had experience with many 5-star accomodations (e.g. Four Seasons, Thailand). Because of this, we find that even when a restaurant is very good, it always seems to pale against our more luxiourious experiences. Not so with this darling little find. The Old City House Restaurant really made an impression on us. Tucked away within an inn near the city's center, this restaurant is pleasantly appointed with a very high attention to detail. The staff was genuine, hospitable and down-to-earth. We felt very welcome here. Now to the food. Everything was superbly prepared. That included the usually forgettable house salad. The main courses were the real show (as they should be). I had medium-rare ostrich which was done to perfection. I've had ostrich several times, but this was a true winner. My wife ordered the surf and turf. The filet was cooked to an exact medium rare and crusty on the outside. That type of accuracy in preparation typically only happens in the best steak restaurants. The seafood cake was 95% crab and very little filler. Excellent in every domain. The desert du jour was hot bread pudding with white raisins, chocolate sauce and vanilla ice cream. Just like the understated yet well created interior of the restaurant, the desert wowed us with the fact it was made with a lot of love. Bravo! For such a small restaurant to have achieved this type of balance while not getting a big ego over it is something to be congratulated. We would absolutely return, if nothing more than to enjoy your hospitality.
(5)
Reba S.
I hate to say I disagree but I disagree. The only thing I enjoyed about this experience was the cheesecake. I ordered the sea food crepe and I know this might not make sense, but it was very seafoody. What I mean is when sea food tastes good it taste like shrimp, scallops, etc. This just tasted like sea water. It wasn't great. The waitress blamed me saying "you ordered seafood". Then when I ordered cheesecake she said that the real reason I didn't eat is because I wanted cheesecake. Um ya she lost major points on that one. My boyfriend the feat bacon burger and it was really good. Maybe of k ha ordered the burger the star count would have been higher, but based on rudeness and grossness I will have to give it 2 stars. Ps we went because it emphasized south African influence. My boyfriend is south African and the pictures on wall were only south African influence we saw. The other waitresses seemed nice wish we enjoyed this more, but alas we won't be visiting this place again soon.
(2)
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Address :115 Cordova St
Saint Augustine, FL, 32084
Lora H.
Stopped in here on a tasting tour. First off I loved the way the inn feels. It is a taste of old St Augustine. We were given a delicious appetizer of rice and peas with shrimp on top. They were really yummy. We also had a sample of one of their house wines, which was delicious. After hearing about the Inn itself we are considering coming and staying here for Christmas for a couple of nights. We will definitely come back and try more foods from their menu as well.
(4)Alex P.
Restaurant review: This is truly a gem in St Augustine and very much off the beaten path. We literally stumbled upon it just walking by! It's without a question on the old fashioned side of things, but hey, what did you come to this town for! It's set in an old fashioned inn. - EASILY THE BEST CEVICHE IVE EVER HAD. I mean, they just know their ceviche. Nothing else to add really other than, it's spectacular! Loaded with seafood, avocado and served nicely in a glass. - BREAD AND ROASTED GARLIC - here I am really questioning myself, how did I not come up with this myself. Just cut off the stem from the garlic and roast it in olive oil in the oven. So simple, so good. - SEAFOOD DISHES ARE AMAZING. Cod is great. The Chilean sea bass is loaded with freshness and flavor. - CREME BRÛLÉE IS ODD. I say odd, because it tasted absolutely nothing like a CREME brûlée, but was very good. Reminded me of some Eastern European pastries. - WINE PRICING IS GREAT. I knew very well most of the wines on their menu and must admit, they did not up charge much at all! If you like Chardonnay, ZD Chardonnay is spectacular and one of my favorites. To sum it up, you better be putting this spot on your must go list of dinners in St Augustine. You do need a reservation by the way.
(5)Fabian D.
We had a very nice room here. Al guests get a complementary glass of wine or beer and a cheese platter. Really great and tasteful. The room we had (a kings room) was spacy with good beds. The staff was really friendly and helpful. I'll would love to come back again.
(5)Paul C.
We stayed at the inn and the rooms and service was amazing. I wish I could live here.
(5)Luis A.
Excellent food and very attentive and friendly service. The chef went to each table and made sure the customers were satisfied. We had the zarzuela and the Herb Crusted Chilean Sea Bass with dill lemon gras sauce over lightly fried yuca and sautéed vegetables. The dessert, Italian style cheesecake recommended by our waitress, Peggy, was fantastic. It was light and fluffy with a salty Carmel crust. One of the best meals and overall restaurant experience we've had period.
(5)Doug R.
Great food and service. The presentation of the food is outstanding too. We were so pleasantly surprised by the entire experience. The dining room is quaint and cozy and on our list to visit when it's colder outside.
(5)Gustavo R.
Took my wife for her birthday. Kind if hidden and off the main drag . Blown away by the vegetable beef soup made with filet mignon. Surprised by the Tamarindo sorbet to cleanse the palate in between soup , salad and entree. The beef tenderloin was simply out if this world for this area. I thought I was back in the City or in the Midwest. Flavor , texture , presentation was a chart topper. Service was very good .. Don't miss it if your in St Augustine . I'm going back...
(4)M K.
Sooooo good and great service. If you're stuck on ordering the sea bass is delicious!
(5)Melisa T.
My only complaint was I couldn't stay longer! Such a fine establishment. The innkeepers have quite a gem here. The rooms are very nice, clean and comfortable. We regret missing dinner at the restaurant, but will definitely dine there next time. We had coffee and dessert, and drinks. The staff was wonderful, and each person went out of their way to accommodate us. We will back and recommend this as the ace to stay in St Augustine!
(5)Ally S.
The food was delicious - I only wish we had more of an appetite for lunch! I just had the tomato basil bisque and it was some of the best I've tasted! They also bring out bread and olive oil/vinegar with a roasted clove of garlic. It made my day - I love roasted garlic and most places do not serve an entire clove with the bread! I would love to go back for a full meal because there were quite a few great looking dishes. The ambiance was lovely as well and it was a nice quite spot for lunch before heading to the Lightner Museum and Flagler College tours!
(5)Lisa O.
What can you say about perfection. The food is outstanding as well as good service. I had the escargot and they were perfectly cooked. The Halibut, which was a special was out of this world. Great little find.
(5)Elizabeth G.
Nice place that used to be horrible. It's in a great location, but even so, I stopped going there after a couple of dismal overpriced meals and a business lunch where nobody got what they ordered, the food was inedible and it took us almost a half hour to get the check and correct the errors on it! So the new owners have a lot to overcome. I think they'll do it! The food is excellent. We had a sort of tapas lunch, with wine, of course, and everything was excellent. The fried cauliflower is a treat and the cod fritters weren't fritters but large excellent pieces of cod. The star was the Spanish tortilla, which wasn't the simple egg and potato dish, but s fluffy quiche-like dish with a variety of perfect vegetables. Dessert was their version of cheesecake, recommended by the hostess, and it was truly fine. The service was great and the price was reasonable for the quality. My only reservation was the interior of the restaurant, which hadn't been changed probably since the early 90s, when the old owners bought it. Very stodgy and dull. And I saw people on the street peer inside and then go away. Other than that, it's fine, highly recommended (by me!) and ... I hope they get a remodel soon.
(4)Frank C.
My wife and I have been dining here for 20+ years. We know there have been changes in ownership over the years but the quality remains. We celebrated our anniversary there Wednesday evening with the trout and sea bass both being excellent. The portions and service were excellent too. Our secret place in the oldest city.
(5)Mandie M.
For my birthday last weekend, a dear friend of mine took me to St. Augustine for the day. Upon our arrival, the first place that we went was to Old City House Inn and Restaurant. If it hadn't been so hot, I definitely would have preferred to sit on the beautiful patio, but that shall have to wait until the Fall or early Spring. From what I've seen of the dinner menu, it's rather expensive, but if you go here for lunch, you are provided with a "Bites" menu which is basically smaller portions at a lower price (around $6) per plate. The one thing that irked me about the menu was the amount of items that are unfriendly to those of us with lactose issues/allergies. I don't need special treatment, but I expect menus to be somewhat well rounded so everyone can have an enjoyable meal. In any case, I digress, this did not take away from my experience on this day, but did limit my choices. I had my heart set on a salad. I debated the Tri Colore Salad, which is radicchio, arugula (my absolute favorite green), endive, and white balsamic vinaigrette. I just couldn't bring myself to order this plate at $9 when I could get all of those ingredients so much cheaper at the store. What I ended up ordering was the Melon, Artichoke, and Chorizo Salad from the Bites menu as my appetizer. It was the perfect combination of sweet, salty, and spicy. All three flavors worked together splendidly. Along the lines of appetizers, we had also been served some rather fantastic garlic, along with olive oil and a balsamic reduction to go with our bread. The garlic was roasted while still within the clove itself and was some of the best that I've ever tasted. As we planned to walk around St. Augustine for awhile after lunch, I chose a main course that would be light on the stomach. Grilled Shrimp with polenta, which is actually listed as an appetizer, was my choice. While the polenta was a bit heavy, the shrimp was grilled to perfection. After finding out that it was my birthday, the waiter thanked me for telling him and went off to the kitchen. Just after we were given our check, he came out with a special birthday dessert: passion fruit creme brule. A spectacular end to a great birthday lunch.
(4)Anne S.
This is my first 5 star review because everything was excellent-service, food and ambiance. To start the roasted garlic, olive oil and balsamic with the bread is perfect, we had our 9 year old daughter with us who devoured this (always a good sign). All of the entrees come with starter salad so between the bread and salad there was no need for us to try any appetizers. They had 5 options for dressing, our favorite was the papaya dressing, it was sweet but complimented the salad well. Then came the blackberry sorbet palate cleanser to prepare for the delicious main course that was about to bless our taste buds. My husband and I had the sea bass layered on top of fried yuca and asparagus in a herb, lemon butter sauce. The flavors and cooking preparation of this dish was superb. My daughter had the filet served with potatoes au gratin and green beans - all cooked perfectly. There was no room for desert since we all cleared our plates. I highly recommend this restaurant and we will be back anytime we find ourselves in St. Augustine again.
(5)Dave S.
Stayed two nights, great location. Included is a happy hour and breakfast. Worth your money staying here. Juan is the innkeeper and made our stay here WAY WORTH WHILE!!! TIP.... FREE PARKING AND BICYCLES! Have fun here!
(5)Ashley H.
I. am. in. love. with this charming place. My husband and I had originally planned to spend the weekend for our 2 year anniversary in August. But that was cut short as I came down with a horrible migraine and head-cold the first night. The first impression of the Inn we had the first time around was 3 out of 5 stars, all because our room was doused, I mean literally infused, with some kind of pungent air freshener. My husband and I are very sensitive to fragrances, scented candles, air fresheners... mainly artificial scents. I think trying to sleep in the room the first night had triggered my migraine and made head cold even worse. We were sad to leave the next morning because it was evident that I wasn't gonna get any better to enjoy the anniversary weekend. The innkeeper was very nice enough to offer us a voucher to return another time to make up for the second night we already had paid for. Just this past weekend, my husband decided to spring the surprise of taking me back to St. Augustine and we used the voucher for a Friday night. We did give the inn keeper the request, this time, to make sure our room wasn't sprayed with any kind of air freshener. I was nervous about that and even packed enough migraine medicine.... however upon our entrance to the room, it was perfect! He listened! We were thrilled with it and we were able to enjoy our stay thoroughly without any headaches! The entire building is so adorable, the lounge & bar is romantically lit at night, the dining room is cozy, and the outdoor sitting area by the small gardens is somewhat exotic. When you go to the lounge room, they bring you a complimentary tray of fine cheeses and crackers. I was so excited to have tried some fine cheese as I had never tried brie! Yum! They have wine, beer, and some hard liquor. With the candle-lighting, my husband and I felt like we had just started dating. The servers are extremely nice and well mannered. For the complimentary breakfast (between 9-10am only), they bring out 2-3 courses with a plate at a time. We absolutely loved it. The first breakfast we had was a lot of fruit, eggs, and waffles. And the second breakfast was similar but minus the waffles and more meat and an omelet. We think they offer different kinds of breakfast every morning and working with what is fresh in season. The Old City House Inn has a lot of the things that many other inns in the area don't have like: sufficient parking (some inns have NONE!), true history (some inns are cliche or overdone or even shady!), excellent food and innkeeping service, prime location (right next to the luxurious Casa Monica Hotel, Flagler College, Lightner Museum), and just a few blocks away from the touristy hustle bustle of St. George Street. We absolutely love this inn and will definitely come back to this inn whenever we are in St. Augustine. It's a home away from home!
(4)Gabriela L.
Excellent food and service! best naturally made sangria Ive ever had in Florida. the food is very fresh and tasty.
(5)Zoltan Z.
This place is so unique. Rooms are very nice, we had a room with a huge bedroom, spa bath tub.
(5)Christa S.
Three words come to mind when reflecting on my Old City House Inn & Restaurant dining experience: Flavorful, Inventive and Accommodating. Let me explain... We went here the evening before Thanksgiving, because let's be honest, who wants to cook a big meal the night before a full day's worth of cooking?!?! Well, we didn't, so my brother looked for a spot on Open Table and decided that based on the reviews and that we could get a reservation at our desired timing, that this was the spot. We parked just a few blocks away in a free after 6 p.m. lot and strolled into a cozy restaurant and I could already tell we would be pleased. They had our table ready and waiting for us, and while the restaurant is small, they maximize the space with all the table formations they have. Our waitress was friendly and kept the meal well paced. The food was flavorful - while you felt like you were stepping into a comfortable place with comfortable choices, the chef certainly knows the combinations to keep your palette interested. Our bottle of wine arrived with some hot out of the oven bread with roasted garlic, herb infused olive oil and balsamic vinegar as toppings. We were hooked at the first bite and devoured the entire plate of bread! All entrees come with a house salad, but I was able to upgrade to the soup of the day (tomato basil bisque) as I had a sore throat and was in the mood for a soup versus salad. The soup was an ample serving and stayed hot from the first to the last spoonful. I love me some goat cheese and decided I wanted to swap sides, which again they had no problem with, as I prefer roasted potatoes to squash. The presentation of all of our meals was first class - another sign of the chef's comfort with food and its artistic display on the plates (not only ours, but those of the other diners we saw coming by). I ate my whole meal, but certainly didn't save room for dessert, although I'm sure it would be equally impressive. On the way out, we saw the previously Yelped about outdoor patio space and on a warmer evening, I think this little oasis would be the perfect spot for pre or post dinner drinks, even if you still wanted the actual dining room experience for dinner itself. Word to the wise - make reservations as since they are small, it would likely be tough to just walk in on a more popular night to dine out. We thoroughly enjoyed our meal, so much so that we were still talking about it the next day!
(5)Carol S.
Excellent service and gourmet cuisine in one of Florida's most beautiful cities! Highly recommend their specials of the day! A rare find.
(5)Gordon L.
This beautifully restored Inn located in the middle of the old city is welcoming and genuine. The staff have a culture reflective of the owner Juan who is passionate about services in all respects. We had a wonderful experience and highly recommend it for the experience, people, food, presentation and professionalism. We look forward to our next visit.
(5)Adam F.
Excellent. Looks like a stuffy little place but it is very elegant and refined. Food was incredible. Service was fantastic. Small intimate setting. Attached to a small Inn. Small seating area so make reservations. Also. Parking is a nightmare so be prepared to hunt for parking. We got lucky on a metered space right in front of the location.
(5)Toni W.
Good service, nice presentation, but the flavors fell flat. The seared tuna was competently done, but the service on a plate with pedestal made it tricky to share on a table already pretty crowded with a cocktail and wine and the complimentary bread (which is ok, but nothing special). My roasted garlic salad dressing (house made) had a greasy texture that was off putting but the greens were fresh and attractive. They served a raspberry sorbet as a little amusement between salad and main, which was a nice idea but was executed in what was becoming a pattern of "not quite right." Our entrees took a long time to come out and showed it by having cooled beyond my taste though my companion was satisfied (I'll admit I like my food served hotter than most people care for). He had a pork shank special that looked phenomenal, but the mushroom Marsala sauce was incredibly bland. I had the beef tenderloin which was slightly more done than I expected but tender. The potatoes gratin were runny on the bottom, dry in the middle, and a glob of gooey melted cheese on top. I make better at home from leftovers. We skipped dessert and walked down the street to the Chocolate Turlte where we were wowed with wonderfulness.
(3)Malia S.
I only have experienced the restaurant but I am a repeat guest. Good, fresh food and owner Juan is a true jewel. He makes a point to engage his guests and cares about the quality-everytime I go there, he is there and very hands on. My favorite dish is the white fish served with hearts of palm. Never had a dish that I didn't enjoy and I think this is a charming inn at its BEST!
(5)Betsy J.
Truly a great restaurant experience with creative attention to every detail. Great wine choices at a decent price. Amazing cheesecake-a wonderful surprise that we happened upon by accident! Loved St. Augustine
(5)T A.
Great place. I've stayed at a lot of places, this has been one of the nicest. Older building so loud pipes and outside noises and poor water pressure. All made up for with personable friendly owners, clean, location good and great food.
(5)Jonathan C.
I wish I could give this place a 5-star review, but it's just not going to happen yet. So this place is definitely a gem - albeit a well-known gem. Its frequented a lot, mostly by locals, sometimes by tourists. We stopped by here as a quick stop for some drinks at the bar before walking anymore in the heat (interesting fact, the week of June 27th saw an above-average solar flare). I love the way these older buildings were constructed - they are all about ventilation without the need for artificial AC. The smells coming from the kitchen about knocked us down from how mouth-watering they were! We were seated quickly even though the lunch rush was picking up. Luckily there was a table for four open, which interestingly enough is really difficult to find seeing how the restaurant is better suited for couples. One: Food was amazing. It was so fresh you could basically hear our food breathing, and the taste of everything together just made a hit with my family. I will never looked at bacon the same way again! Two: The atmosphere leaves something to be desired. There was just a certain something about the place that felt off - it may have been the wall color, it may have been the standoffish way the locals eyed everyone around them. Either way, it was dealt with and didn't take away from our overall experience. Three: The service was speedy but very quickly dropped to a crawl. And herein lies the reason for 4 stars. While we were seated and got drinks quickly, it quite literally took forever for a server to come back and either refill our drinks or take our orders. I understand a lunch rush in a touristy city in a well-known restaurant can be daunting, and I know servers always get a bad rap. Here I do have to say the restaurant for the most part really works hard for and deserves that fifth star. Once the speed during the lunch rush is resolved, I'll be giving it that extra star. Overall, price was what I expected. Free dessert wine was a nice surprise (I know my step-father said something about the speed of the service to the manager). I WILL come back to this restaurant when we're back in the city, but I'll probably be eating here before/after the lunch rush.
(4)Erika E.
UPDATE (5/31/15): Went back to Old City House this year. Oh. My. God. It was our anniversary. Christopher upgraded our room to the St. George room, the most gorgeous room I have ever stayed in on a vacation. They left us champagne, an anniversary card and some fruit. We went to dinner at the restaurant and enjoyed a delicious meal. They surprised us with amazing cheesecake for our anniversary. If I could leave 6 stars, I would! --- This was our first time in St. Augustine. We loved staying here. The staff was very friendly and gave us great recommendations on things to do (and to avoid). Juan and Christopher, the innkeepers, were very attentive and nice. The location is perfect. It's right next to the Lightner Museum and a short walk from the fun stuff. If you sit outside for breakfast, you have a nice view of Flagler College. We loved the complimentary parking and free beach cruiser bikes to ride around town. The food is phenomenal. We decided to eat lunch after checking in. My husband had, what he called, the greatest chicken sandwich of his life. I had seared tuna - which was excellent. Breakfast the next day was fantastic. Also: The presentation of the food is beautiful. They really do have a talented chef. We also enjoyed the wine & cheese hour. Free wine/beer/cheese/fruit is always fun. Our room (the Cordova) was very clean and smelled so good. I liked how the balcony was right outside our door. The bed was comfy. My only gripe about the room would be the pillows. Maybe it's my personal preference, but I don't like really fluffy & firm pillows. Overall: 5 stars! We will be back for sure...next time longer than 2 days/1 night!
(5)Dean P.
WOW! One cannot fully express the joy of this B&B. Clean, awesome innkeeper, central location to all the shops and restaurants. This is a top notch B&B. The restaurant looks quaint and the food looked delicious. We opted for a local raw restaurant for our supper, but we had a delicious cup of fresh, homemade hot chocolate with some rock candy as a spoon. My wife FULLY enjoyed the eggs Benedict for breakfast, and they made gluten-free pancakes for me with maple syrup. A fruit cocktail was served in a cocktail glass, and endless coffee, tea and orange juice quenced our thirst. Book your next stay here, we literally had the whole inn to ourselves, only one other couple down the hall. You won't regret it!
(5)Theresa W.
I was here almost 10 years ago, but I always remember how awesome this place was. Nice romantic atmosphere but not stuffy. The food was SO delicious. I can't wait to go back!
(5)Jonathan W.
Recently, I had the unique opportunity to stay at the Old City House Inn & Restaurant located on 115 Cordova St in Saint Augustine, FL. The Old City House was originally constructed in 1873. The exterior is an example of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture. Legend also has it that a ghost of a Spanish Soldier still guards the archway, unaware that he was killed by the misfire of his own musket. Before I arrived, I was kind of stressed. Later that evening, I had to give a presentation for work. Plus, I had fifty important unread e-mails in my inbox. However, when I checked-in, all my stress soon vanished. Parking was readily available, the innkeeper had my room key and paperwork ready, I was offered a very lovely "free" glass of Pinot Noir and my suitcases were quickly brought to my room. My room was charming and cozy. The floors were made of wood, the bathroom was clean and modern, fresh orchids were on the dresser, the Wi-Fi signal was strong and the atmosphere was incredibly quiet. I detest noise pollution and I didn't hear a single sound except for that of the fan overhead. The room reminded me of guesthouses in Europe. I smelled and sensed "history" in the walls. Indeed, the history of Saint Augustine was with me. Later, I took a little stroll. The entire building was adorable and tranquil. The outdoor sitting area had a small garden filled with orchids. That evening, after my presentation and after hitting the local bars, I headed back to the Inn. I saw the innkeeper outside drinking a red wine and he invited my to join him. Together, we sat for thirty minutes at a black iron table overlooking the Lightner Museum talking about life, wine and the history of the city. It was pleasant. Even though a Spanish Soldier haunts the Old City House, I still slept very peacefully and unfortunately didn't see him. In the morning for breakfast, the very handsome cook and server (from France I think) brought out 2 courses with a plate at a time. The first breakfast was a lot of fruit, eggs, and waffles. The second breakfast was a savory enchilada. In sum, the Old City House Inn has sufficient parking, excellent food and service. It is also pet friendly and it is right next to all the attractions. If I could suggest anything, it would be to have a newspaper outside the door of the guest-rooms in the morning. I would have loved to eat breakfast and drink my coffee while reading the Wall Street Journal or New York Times. It would also be nice to have a small pool near the garden. I will definitely come back to this inn whenever I am in St. Augustine. Too many cities are littered with your average chain hotel without any charm or individuality. The charm and beauty of the Old City House Inn & Restaurant adds a lot of value to the city.
(4)Tony V.
This is perhaps the most under rated restaurant the food belongs at a 5 star restaurant in Manhattan, Paris , Madrid or any place you can think of. Fabulous chef prepared food that can't be praised enough. Don't miss this place !!!!!
(5)Jon B.
This review is based upon my experiences at the bed and breakfast. Although I have not had the opportunity to have dinner at the restaurant, the menu looks really good. After having bad experiences at several bed and breakfasts around the downtown St. Augustine area, we finally came across Old City Inn who fortunately had some last minute availability. The location is perfect, tucked just behind the fancy Casa Monica hotel. Walking out the door, you are a one minute walk from Flagler College, Bridge of Lions and some of the nicer bars and restaurants (JP Henleys!!). During the day the sightseeing trains frequently pass by, but I don't think they run at night because I have never had any noise issues. Also being off the main roads there isn't too much noise to keep you up at night. The rooms are quite spacious and include a comfortable bed, tv, bathroom/shower. We have stayed in three of the rooms, but generally prefer the Alcazar as it has a private entrance up the side of the building. The rates are reasonable as well and they frequently run specials on their website such as stay 1 day get another free, 20% off, ect. I think they also have last minute rates if you call up the night of. We have had some terrible breakfast at other establishments in the downtown area, but the breakfast at Old City inn had always been quite good. And as the name would suggest, it is included in the price of your stay. You can choose to sit inside or outside in the front or courtyard. I believe the options consist of French toast, Belgium waffle, English breakfast, eggs Benedict, and southern Benedict, which has become my go to breakfast choice! I have had most everything at some point in time, and while I'm not a huge breakfast person, everything has been really good. The food can sometimes take a longer than expected time to get out to you if there are several people dining. Service has always been fair, and they check on you multiple times which is nice especially when sitting outside. If you are spending some time in St. Augustine, consider staying with Old City Inn. With a great location, tasty breakfast, nice clean accommodations, and reasonable prices, you really cannot beat it'
(4)Ashley D.
We went during the afternoon when they had their small plates menu available. At 6 bucks a pop it was incredibly affordable for the quality. Everything tasted great ...the staff was very nice...and I wouldn't hesitate to come back any time!
(4)Christy K.
Really really wish we could have stayed longer than one night. This was such a quaint and enjoyable inn. The room was nice and the bed was comfortable. The courtyards at the inn were very nice and lush. We went to the restaurant area during the 5-6 wine and cheese plate time and the cheese plate was very good. Good pours on the red wine. Later went back for appetizers and my husband had a shrimp one that was very good. I ordered another cheese plate like I had earlier and they did explain that they would have to charge which I totally expected, however it def wasn't worth the $17 charge for it. The free one had better cheeses on it. My mistake on not asking before ordering. Other than that everything about this place was amazing. Staff and ambiance was great!!! Location was perfect.
(5)Stu M.
The location is fantastic.
(3)Deke K.
When I stayed at this B&B in 2008, everything was 5-star. Charming themed rooms, great rooftop patio, great location, historical story within, great price (too many steps, all rooms are upstairs so be a healthy stair-climber). My breakfasts were memorable and 5-star at the restaurant. I remember a fab fritatta. Also had a great bananas foster. Had great duck for a fine dinner. Intimate, romantic restaurant. When I went back last week, simply for lunch, we found the menu limited and without "pizazz". The desserts changed. The blonde female appeared distracted. (Twice when we came through to check things out, no one was there, no bell, no one came.) When you review the 5-star reviews they are years old. This place currently seems understaffed and less interested in drawing a crowd. (The town was bursting with crowds this week, this place was empty.) Please note this review is based on observation--we chose NOT to eat there based on the menu and lack of human connection. Maybe next time.
(3)Tia L.
The ONLY reason why this isn't a 5 star review is because I don't want to gush too much and thus be less believable. That said, our weekend at the Inn was perfect. The new innkeepers are destined to bring this Inn back to the classy vitality that has been known for in years' past. We appreciated their openness and very sincere hospitality- they are renovating and improving as they go, while at the same time, offering truly excellent attentive service that far exceeded our expectations. We were here for a stress-free weekend, not far from home but with just enough change of scenery to refresh our spirits. Our room was spacious, clean, and beautiful (the St. George Room, slated for improvements but also very nice as-is). I especially liked the location: close to the action of the historic district yet enough to the side to avoid all nighttime noise and traffic. They offered several perks along the way that really make the difference between an ordinary hotel and an extraordinary inn: complimentary bike use for touring, wine and cheese each afternoon, a gorgeous breakfast served inside or out (we chose out, in the lush garden patio near the trickling water fountain), ample towels, bottled waters, and any request served to our room. My husband conspired with the innkeeper to have roses and creme brulee served on the morning of my birthday, which was a fantastic surprise! One of our very favorite aspects of St. Augustine is that even though it's not far from where we live, we almost feel like we are in another country. That international flair is also part of the texture at the Old City Inn. Both innkeepers are bilingual, as is the bar tender- all three are from different parts of the world. Add in a little Spanish music (helpful hint of something that I thought of) and I never would have believed I was so close to home! With the mix of biking through cobblestone streets, an afternoon at the beach, the June Super Moon over the bay followed by a breezy evening walk back to our room, and the restful beauty of the Inn, we have new friends and great memories. Mission to feel refreshed: met and exceeded!
(4)Mike N.
We really enjoyed our stay at the old city house inn. The staff was very nice and attentive. We stayed in the Ammidown room, very cozy and comfy bed. The location is excellent, very close to everything in the historic district, only 1/2 a block off the beaten path so its a bit quieter. They give options for breakfast which is a bonus and it tastes good too.
(5)J M.
No objection to the food, but it is truly WAY overpriced - for the brunch, at least. Service and food were ok, simly worth nothing near what we paid for our meal.
(3)Shane V.
Great service. Quaint and quiet location. Nice drinks and the food was well prepared. I would recommend and will likely return with friends later in the season.
(4)Robin s.
We came here for breakfast and are so glad that we did. Nice service and really great food. We had the stuffed French toast and Southern Benedict and both were delicious. The setting is nice a little bit upscale but cozy.
(5)Charles H.
I share the same comment from a previous review-USE to be one of our favorites in st. Aug. We live in St. Augustine and feel that the improper way our situation by the general manager, Marty, was handled in a manor that is unheard of in the industry. Note-we have eaten at old city house well over 20 times and had good experiences but not on Saturday evening. Ordered tuna appreciate as my meal and it was well done. Moved it around on my plate to determine if any of it was medium rare. Sent it back and was asked if I would like another portion. I stated no because you never know were the next piece had been. Received my bill and was not removed. Marty-the general manager, stated that i ate half the tuna and he offered to replace not remove from the bill. After carrying on with Marty on about his lack of wanting to make it right, we left and will NEVER GO BACK!!!!!! I have already expressed my displeasure with 30 friends and plan on making sure that no one has to deal with this type of attitude which is a shame because it was a nice place to eat.
(1)Missy S.
Very Wonderful! Service was nice (LOL, there were only 2 tables filled and 2 waiters, so we pretty much got good service!...altho had to wait to catch someones eye a couple of times to request something. The restaurant has a little bit of a Slavic or Eastern European/Polish hint to it (the balsamic vinagrette had poppyseeds) and I cannot recall the other 'hints' the Hubby mentioned. He is of this decent, and not only could we distinguish an accent in the food, but the waiters as well. Food was outstanding. We were staying Next door at Casa Monica, and had great food there also, but we so happy to have discovered this place via yelp before our visit, and had made a reservation ahead of time. I had a chicken breast which was kinf of like a cordon bleu, altho it was stuffed with only mozz and basil, and it had the most WONDERFUL bechamel sauce on it, and the ''fried' outer layer was so thin and delicate, the little tiny crunch it gave was a delight in my mouth! We loved the house salad dressings (the salad was utilitarian in nature), but with the dressings, which they suggest MIXING....the poppyseed balsamic vinagratte and a creamy garlic dressing. each was fabo in itself, but OMG when u DID mix them, they rounded right out and were so smooth and delicious! I was wiping my plate with my very HARD and CRUNCH Ciabatta bread at the end.... ok, will finsih this later, mouth is watering.....need a snack! WIsh I was back at this restaurant!
(5)Michael A.
Recently travelled to St. Augustine for a little romantic getaway. My wife and I have become quite the world travellers and we have been blessed to have had experience with many 5-star accomodations (e.g. Four Seasons, Thailand). Because of this, we find that even when a restaurant is very good, it always seems to pale against our more luxiourious experiences. Not so with this darling little find. The Old City House Restaurant really made an impression on us. Tucked away within an inn near the city's center, this restaurant is pleasantly appointed with a very high attention to detail. The staff was genuine, hospitable and down-to-earth. We felt very welcome here. Now to the food. Everything was superbly prepared. That included the usually forgettable house salad. The main courses were the real show (as they should be). I had medium-rare ostrich which was done to perfection. I've had ostrich several times, but this was a true winner. My wife ordered the surf and turf. The filet was cooked to an exact medium rare and crusty on the outside. That type of accuracy in preparation typically only happens in the best steak restaurants. The seafood cake was 95% crab and very little filler. Excellent in every domain. The desert du jour was hot bread pudding with white raisins, chocolate sauce and vanilla ice cream. Just like the understated yet well created interior of the restaurant, the desert wowed us with the fact it was made with a lot of love. Bravo! For such a small restaurant to have achieved this type of balance while not getting a big ego over it is something to be congratulated. We would absolutely return, if nothing more than to enjoy your hospitality.
(5)Reba S.
I hate to say I disagree but I disagree. The only thing I enjoyed about this experience was the cheesecake. I ordered the sea food crepe and I know this might not make sense, but it was very seafoody. What I mean is when sea food tastes good it taste like shrimp, scallops, etc. This just tasted like sea water. It wasn't great. The waitress blamed me saying "you ordered seafood". Then when I ordered cheesecake she said that the real reason I didn't eat is because I wanted cheesecake. Um ya she lost major points on that one. My boyfriend the feat bacon burger and it was really good. Maybe of k ha ordered the burger the star count would have been higher, but based on rudeness and grossness I will have to give it 2 stars. Ps we went because it emphasized south African influence. My boyfriend is south African and the pictures on wall were only south African influence we saw. The other waitresses seemed nice wish we enjoyed this more, but alas we won't be visiting this place again soon.
(2)