🌟 Florida’s Coastal Comfort: I-95 Food Stops Orlando North 🍊
🌟 Florida’s Coastal Comfort: I-95 Food Stops Orlando North 🍊
Welcome to the Northern Florida segment of your I-95 culinary journey!
As you traverse the Sunshine State from the Georgia line down toward Central Florida and the Orlando area, you’ll encounter a delicious mix of coastal seafood, authentic Southern fare, and unique regional specialties. This stretch, encompassing the historic beauty of St. Augustine and the shrimping ports near Jacksonville, offers wonderful SoFloDining Approved pit stops.
We believe that road trip meals should be a chance to slow down, enjoy local flavor, and savor the state’s distinct character.
Our recommendations in this section focus on dining experiences in and around the Jacksonville area (known for its unique regional foods like Minorcan Chowder and ‘Camel Riders’), the historic coastal town of St. Augustine, and the stretch heading toward the Titusville/New Smyrna Beach exits. These are the places that serve food that is good, clean, and fair, offering a true taste of Northeast Florida’s hospitality and culinary heritage.
Welcome to the Northern Florida segment of your I-95 culinary journey!
As you traverse the Sunshine State from the Georgia line down toward Central Florida and the Orlando area, you’ll encounter a delicious mix of coastal seafood, authentic Southern fare, and unique regional specialties. This stretch, encompassing the historic beauty of St. Augustine and the shrimping ports near Jacksonville, offers wonderful SoFloDining Approved pit stops.
We believe that road trip meals should be a chance to slow down, enjoy local flavor, and savor the state’s distinct character.
Our recommendations in this section focus on dining experiences in and around the Jacksonville area (known for its unique regional foods like Minorcan Chowder and ‘Camel Riders’), the historic coastal town of St. Augustine, and the stretch heading toward the Titusville/New Smyrna Beach exits. These are the places that serve food that is good, clean, and fair, offering a true taste of Northeast Florida’s hospitality and culinary heritage.
12A Buoy – 22 Fishermans Wharf, Fort Pierce, FL: (Fort Pierce, FL – on the water) We discovered what can only be described as the definition of a “hole-in-the-wall” hidden gem. This tiny spot operates out of an incredibly small kitchen, yet everything—right down to the dressings—is made from scratch. Doris started with a mango mimosa that she said was absolutely perfect, a great companion to the relaxed, waterfront vibe.
For our starters, Doris chose the gazpacho soup special, which was textbook—light and refreshing with a subtle kick—while I went with the conch chowder. It was a culinary standout, seasoned and flavored to perfection. For entrees, Doris enjoyed the lobster macaroni and cheese, a hefty and decadent portion, while I opted for the butterflied fried shrimp. They were lightly breaded and flash-fried, as close to my own homemade as I’ve ever tasted, paired with a side of excellent cheesy grits.
While we didn’t have room for the homemade desserts this time, we will most definitely be returning for those. Next time, we also plan to try the “world-famous” garlic bread and the bacon-wrapped scallops that so many people rave about.
Down the Hatch Seafood Company – 4894 Front Street, Ponce Inlet, FL: (Ponce Inlet, FL – near Daytona) We found a true piece of old Florida at this historic 1940s fishing camp turned restaurant. Located right on the water near the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse, it’s a perfect coastal detour where we loved the rustic atmosphere and watching the boats cruise by the Intracoastal.
Doris and I highly recommend The Shrimp Boat—shrimp sautéed in a savory cheese sauce and served in a toasted bread boat. It’s one of the most creative and original dishes we’ve tasted in a long time. For our main, we chose the Black Grouper Catch of the Day Sandwich; we went with blackened, and it was perfectly seasoned and incredibly fresh.
Reviewers often praise the Hatch Famous Smoked Fish Dip and the She Crab Soup as local essentials. To round out the meal, Doris enjoyed a Island Mule and I had a Fantasy Island, both of which were refreshing and generous pours. If you are visiting the lighthouse or in the area, this spot is a must-stop for authentic flavors and great waterfront views.
Columbia Restaurant – 98 St. George Street, St. Augustine, FL: Walking into this space, you’re immediately struck by the old brick and the classic professionalism of the white-coated waiters, with flamenco music playing low in the background. Doris and I have dined countless times in the Ybor City flagship—this one truly rivals it.
The food remains the benchmark for consistency. The “1905” Salad was tossed tableside with that signature garlic dressing, and the Gambas al Ajillo (garlic shrimp) arrived sizzling in olive oil. We dove into a perfectly pressed Cuban sandwich and rich black beans, and we even ordered extra plantains, just because. To wrap it up, the white chocolate bread pudding was the perfect finish to a phenomenal meal.
St. Mary’s Seafood – 705 Hortons Trace, St. Augustine, FL: This is exactly the kind of unpretentious, local spot we love presenting. Doris and I tackled the fried seafood platter for two, and it is so massive and generous that we ended up packing half of it away for lunch the next day. The shrimp were huge and snappy, the oysters were perfectly breaded, and the flounder was incredibly flaky—all served alongside crispy fries, fresh coleslaw, and those addictive hush puppies.
The reviews aren’t kidding about the value here; the portions are enough to make you reconsider buffets forever. We also noticed the Fried Green Tomatoes were a hit at the surrounding tables, and the service was fast and friendly even with a full house. If you’re looking for fresh, local flavors without the “tourist trap” fluff, this is the place.
Murray Brothers Caddyshack – 455 S. Legacy Trail E.106 St. Augustine, FL: Doris and I visited Murray Brothers Caddyshack (455 S. Legacy Trail E.106 St. Augustine, FL). We loved the golf decor and the fun bar hum that made us feel like we were right inside the movie. We shared a BLT chicken sandwich, blackened salmon, and those famous crispy “golf-ball” potatoes loaded with cheddar and bacon. The gopher balls with horseradish sauce are a must-try! We enjoyed the good pour drinks and found the staff to be incredibly friendly and efficient. It’s a great spot to “Eat, Drink, and Be Murray.”
Harry’s Seafood – 46 Avenida Menendez, St. Augustine, FL: Doris and I recently visited Harry’s Seafood in St. Augustine, and the experience was exceptional. The restaurant features second-floor windows that frame the bay like a postcard. The atmosphere strikes a perfect balance between old-world charm and a lively New Orleans vibe, especially with the live music drifting up from the courtyard.
The food was truly the star of the show. I ordered the blackened redfish, which was one of my all-time favorites—the crust was perfectly charred and the flesh was buttery. Doris was equally impressed with her meal; everything served was flawless. Based on the glowing reviews we’d read, we also couldn’t resist trying the she-crab soup, which was rich and velvety, and the crispy calamari served with unique fried green beans.
The service was impeccable—our server was knowledgeable, attentive, and moved with a level of professionalism you’d expect from a high-end bistro. We’ve already told half our friends about it, and we will definitely be back.
Boondocks Restaurant – 3948 S Peninsula Dr, Port Orange, FL: – (Ponce Inlet, FL – near Daytona) Doris and I found an authentic, casual waterfront gem tucked away in Wilbur-By-The-Sea (near Daytona Beach). It’s a classic open-air spot right on the inlet where the atmosphere is as fresh as the food.
We started by diving headfirst into a generous one-pound pile of peel-and-eat shrimp, perfectly seasoned with J.O. spice. For the mains, Doris enjoyed a fresh blackened salmon Caesar salad, while I had the blackened grouper sandwich—a perfectly spiced, thick cut of fish on a soft bun. The reviews weren’t kidding about the portions; the servings are massive, and we saw plenty of people sharing the famous “Net Breaker” or the fish Reuben.
With the tiki-bar vibe, live music, and even a spot for the kids to feed the fish off the deck, it’s a highly recommended stop for anyone wanting a relaxed meal and a great sunset view.
Off The Hook at Inlet Harbor – 133 Inlet Harbor Rd, Ponce Inlet, FL: (Ponce Inlet, FL – near Daytona) We found another spectacular Florida coastal detour, located right near the lighthouse in Ponce Inlet. At Off The Hook, we loved the legendary tiki bar and the live music that gives the place such a great energy. It’s the kind of spot where you can even have them cook your own catch, but we stuck to their menu of fresh, local seafood.
Reviewers frequently highlight the “spectacular” oysters and the blackened tuna served with wasabi mashed potatoes, which many call a must-order. We also noticed plenty of praise for the shrimp tacos and the “peel and eat” shrimp. It’s easy to see why people come for the excellent food and stay for the fantastic sunset views over the water.