Everything about De Leon Cocina is five star. They have traditional, vegan, and gluten free options. I am vegetarian and had the black bean arepas and tostones. The arepas were perfectly crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside. The beans were simultaneously simple and complex. The sauce that comes with them was a perfect match. The tostones were large and crispy - not overly dense nor mushy. The music and overall ambiance was chef's kiss. I am excited to go back soon! read more

De Leon Cocina - Black bean arepas, tostones - Latin American Near Me - St Augustine, Florida

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My wife and I took my mom, who was visiting from So Cal, to Saint Augustine. We got on the Old Trolley Tour (informative but overpriced) and decided to head out to De Leon Cocina for lunch. We got off the trolley at Stop 20, National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche, and were going to walk to the restaurant. Unbeknownst to us, there was no crosswalk to cross the busy Ponce de Leon boulevard. Mom isn't as spry as she once was so we didn't risk crossing without a crosswalk, so we had to walk another 1/4 or so to the nearest crosswalk then doubled back to the restaurant. Located in the The Ponce St. Augustine hotel, the restaurant is just to the left of the main doors. We had to wait a bit to get seated as the lone server had to clean a table first. Service was slow. I ordered the Bistec a Caballo (medium), my wife tried their Pork de Leon with fries and my mom opted for the Inca bowl. Did I say service was slow? Our orders weren't synched up. My order and my wife's sandwich were served first and we had to wait a few minutes before my mom's dish was served. My wife liked her sandwich and fries although she thought the shredded pork was a bit dry. My mom liked the flavors of her dish, with tender cuts of meat and smoky soy sauce flavor. The Bistec a Caballo had decent flavors BUT that steak was tough, even ordered medium. I felt like I was cutting through shoe leather cutting it with the serrated knife. Slow service and a tough steak bumped our rating down. We just couldn't overlook the quality and/or preparation of my steak, even with good flavors. Lunch for 3 came out to just over $67 with tip. Oh yeah, they add a surcharge for credit card payments. read more

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In the mood for Mexican food. Found this gem of a place within walking distance to our AirBnB. It was awesome. Friendly service and the food was absolutely delicious. I had the Casuela Montanera bowl and Jim had the Inca bowl. Even though we put half of our large meal in a to-go container, we had to try some dessert action. I had the cheese empanada and Jim the tiramisu. Since I neglected to take pics of the main course , you get dessert pics this time. Would definitely come back here. Not too busy like the downtown eateries. read more

De Leon Cocina - Latin American Near Me - St Augustine, Florida

De Leon Cocina of Ponce hotel of St Augustine Ordered the ribeye steak but was more fat than lean The plantains , yuca fries, and shrimp cocktail Were the only things that didn't fail We also ordered a cup of espresso It made me less depresso The service was nice as they checked up often Had to get togo boxes because of how big each portion Hard to find good eats around St. Augustine But this place sure has the green read more

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I was pretty done with downtown st Augustine so i appreciate the location. Just outside the madness. We ended up getting a bunch of apps for take out. When I told my group the price we thought this must be a great deal or I didn't order enough food. Empanadas were good. It was a little odd how similar the beef and chicken were. But very tasty and good texture. The arepas were ok. Fillings weren't very interesting and the outside was a little too tough. I've definitely had better. Coconut shrimp with tamarind sauce was tasty but very small portion. Overall decent food in an easy to access location. I'd return for a proper meal read more

De Leon Latin Cocina is a culinary gem nestled within the Ponce Saint Augustine Hotel on US 1. A must when you are visiting in St. Augustine. Prepare to embark on a flavorful journey through Latin, Colombian, Spanish, and South American cuisine. From the first bite, it's evident that the chefs pour their passion into every dish, infusing it with a burst of freshness and authentic flavors. Each ingredient and spice is carefully selected, resulting in culinary masterpieces that transport you straight to Colombia with their rich and vibrant tastes. Whether you're a food enthusiast or simply seeking an unforgettable dining experience, De Leon Latin Cocina is a must-visit destination. With flavorful dishes and impeccable service what's not to love about this place. They are a local family owned restaurant representing latin culture and colombian cuisine, their families have been in St. Augustine for almost two decades and want to share their love for cuisine, culture thru Colombian food and drinks. At De leon you will find a variety of Colombian dishes and drinks from whole fried red snapper, shrimp, to veggie empanadas, bandeja paisa, and a variety of themed bowls and daily specials. A common pairing is the Empanadas with a refreshing Natural Juice like guavas, or mango, passion fruit + pineapple. The desserts are out of this world, tres leches and tiramisu were scrumptious. Follow @deleonlatincocina on instagram and Facebook and visit them for lunch or dinner. Cater for your next event through them and savor the essence of Latin cuisine in every delightful bite! 1111 N Ponce De Leon Blvd, St. Augustine, FL 32084 read more

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The service was excellent, I love when servers treat you very well. Food was great as well.

Food: very good Colombian food. Prices are good. Portions, flavor, and presentation is good. Service: It was okay. Waiter seemed rush and a little impatient but he was still nice. Ambiance: it's inside a hotel. There was extra seating on the right side when you enter the hotel. Tables and chairs look older and worn down. Old curtains over windows and we were sat next to a bulky wet floor cleaner, and a table with a microwave on top. The other side of the restaurant that I think has a bar looked nice. Wish we were seated over there. This was back in November. Maybe they updated the area. Will come back to visit. read more

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Let me talk about tostones. My hubby is Boricua and his as insanely perfect because they are thin and crispy. On a chance I asked to r server if I could have them extra smashed and crispy. She said she would ask the chef and WOW! My hubby has eaten here before and loves their empanadas. The Colombian style are my not fav but they were delicious. The salsa they serve with it is 1000000% divine. We got two deserts to go and I am sorry I did not take the photos! But the pane cotta with passion fruit was HEAVEN! The server was super sweet and very very accommodating. We will be back for sure! read more

De Leon Cocina - Tostones - Latin American Near Me - St Augustine, Florida

La verdad si que e comido en muchos restaurantes pero la bandeja paisa que me comí en este lugar fue otro nivel el sabor y la textura el sabor de los chicharrones muy buena me encantó, mi esposa se comió una sopa la cual se sentía como que estuvieras en casa realmente recomiendo este lugar aunque esté de paseo estos 3 días volveré por aquí, muchas gracias! read more

De Leon Cocina - Bandeja Paisa - Latin American Near Me - St Augustine, Florida

The snapper is delicious and fabulous, we came for the fish and found the shrimp is also amazing

Highly recommend. Nice little place located inside of the Ponce Hotel. Authentic Columbian food served with a smile by friendly professional staff. We loved Gregorio, he was awesome. Visited twice cause it was so good. Big portions, very very reasonably priced! read more

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This place is very nice and comfortable, although it is small, it feels very good there. This restaurant is located inside a hotel. The employees are very friendly and attentive. They were well aware of us. The food was super delicious, it has a lot of flavor, they serve quite a lot of food and the prices are acceptable. read more

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Unassuming little gem inside a motel. Very small so might be a wait, but it was worth it! Service was great, food was even better! Cuban food at its best. Full bar. read more

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As there were too many families and not enough staff on hand on a Sunday at 2:00 PM, the service was a bit slow, but the whole fried fish I ordered was worth the wait. The restaurant is located in a corner of the Ponce Hotel, with no visible signage from the street. I would never have ventured inside had it not been for looking up Colombian restaurants on Yelp. read more

De Leon Cocina - Whole fried fish with tostones, a.k.a., fried Green plantains, sliced red onion and tomato salad, and rice. - Latin American Near Me - St Augustine, Florida

Great service even when short in staff. Will come back. Clean and good music. Food and starters were good and great size read more

De Leon Cocina - Shrimp Cocktail - Latin American Near Me - St Augustine, Florida

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I have to say that you would never think a place this little in the lobby of a hotel would be capable of serving up food with this amount of flavor. I went recently with my wife and her parents because it was one of the only things open at the time and I saw it had good reviews. The place is small with maybe about ten (if that many) tables and easy to pass if you are checking into the hotel. The staff was super friendly and attentive so we were sat quickly and served quick as well. I decided to get the shrimp casuela and let me say, this blew me away. The flavors all blended perfectly and the shrimp were cooked to perfection with no rubbery consistency whatsoever. The broth of the coconut milk and tomato was the right consistency and the rice had the perfect chew to it. For the price you get a very nice amount of food. The entire place is great and I cant recommend it enough if you are in the area and want some amazing food. Staff and food both amazing, will be back for sure next time I am in St. Augustine! read more

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Small restaurant with big flavors. Started with a delicious mango juice (huge glass for $4.50) and a Mexican coke. Shared the special of the day which included home-made chicken and vegetable soup, pork ribs with a tasty sauce, green plaintains, a small green salad and rice. We added a side of black beans which was perfect with the plain rice. It was plenty for 2 for lunch. Very friendly service. This place doesn't have a big sign and it's in an unassuming hotel, but you should go there! read more

De Leon Cocina - Pork Ribs Special - Latin American Near Me - St Augustine, Florida

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Was looking for places to eat in St.Augustine that were reasonably priced and also not packed after a beach day. Scrolled thru Yelp and saw some reviews that convinced me to walk in and check this place out. My family and I weren't sure if outsiders were welcomed since this is inside a hotel. My bf asked and the lady working at the desk was so nice and confirmed that we could indeed walk in and eat even though we aren't staying at the hotel. It was a 10 min wait but the waiter gave us a menu and said he could take our order as we wait. Then we were called in and within I think 5-10 min our food was ready. Food was hot and so flavorful. I burned my mouth cause I was so hungry and it was just so delicious. I got the Inca bowl and some tostones on the side . It was so filling and well worth it. Everything is fairly priced and great portions as well. read more

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For a hotel restaurant this was great Central American food. Service was great. And cost wasn't bad at all. read more

De Leon Cocina - Hotel restaurant but all Columbian - Latin American Near Me - St Augustine, Florida

This hidden gem is amazing!! The food, drinks, appetizers and main course were so delicious!! The service and ambiance were great! read more

The food is delicious!!! Very friendly staff and great service. I had the chicharron for an appetizer and the ponce de Leon sandwich was amazing. I also had a mango smoothie which was really delicious. The place is nice and clean. I can't wait to go back. read more

The food was great. Servers were personable. Coffee shop atmosphere with reasonable prices. Worth checking out for great food. read more

De Leon Cocina - Latin American Near Me - St Augustine, Florida

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Great restaurant! The Colombian food is delicious! The best I have had! We dined here with 9 people on a Friday afternoon and the staff was very accommodating. The food is delicious, everything on the menu is fantastic. Their empanadas, tostones, natural juices (so so good, especially the ones with milk) and their fried fish (best I've had). Overall, service is great, everything on the menu is delicious and they have a WIDE variety of menu items. Everyone is very friendly. Highly recommend for Colombian food. I cant wait to return here! read more

Hidden gem! Tucked inside the Ponce hotel is this small but mighty restaurant with bar. We loved our lunch which consisted of the Caribe bowl and pork de Leon sandwich. Flavors were perfect along with the portion sizes. Everything was fresh. Fast and friendly service as well. read more

If you want Colombian food out of Colombia this is your place. My favorite is the sancocho ( thick soup ) we can eat everything in the menu because everything is delicious but our favorites are their soups. read more

De Leon Cocina - Latin American Near Me - St Augustine, Florida

Great food and staff experience! Yes, it is located in the lobby of a not 5 star hotel. No, it doesn't look like much from the street. The food and friendly & attentive staff more than make up for it. We had one of their bowls and one of their specialties. Both were flavorful and delicious. We washed them down with a Colombian beer and didn't have room for dessert. Looking forward to returning to explore more of the menu. read more

Wanted to come for some authentic Colombian food and saw the awesome reviews so I was excited to try it. First off, we went in around 3pm and all the tables except 1 was full. Not sure why it was such a busy time. Luckily we got the last table but the service was awfully slow because there was only 1 waitress and she was stressed out so she was a bit short on us when we ordered Our waters took forever to come and when it did, it was at least 15 mins later. The food itself was a disappointment. I thought it would be flavorful and tasty but it was bland, too greasy and the steak was extremely chewy (not tender). I didn't end up finishing my meal and neither did my boyfriend. The good thing is that it's a huge portion size so you'll leave full. Will you leave satisfied? Hmm that's for debate. I've tried really good Colombian food in Miami and Key west so this place cannot even compare. It's lacking in a lot of ways. Would I come back? No but at least I got to try it for myself. read more

De Leon Cocina - Latin American Near Me - St Augustine, Florida

Best Colombian rest. In St.Agustin , great service and the food is to die for love it, i will recommend it read more

This gem outside the lobby of The Ponce Hotel is an absolute must for authentic Colombian food. It is a very casual place with an amazing menu and prices too good to be true for the quality and potion sizes. We started our meal with an order of tostones that came with 4 huge ones and a tasty red sauce. I had the Bandeja Paisa that had a perfectly done steak, hearty and flavorful beans, rice with an over medium egg on top, fresh chicharrones ( a little tough to chew), plátanos maduros, a slice of avocado, a mysterious round breaded and fried delight (which I think was a slice of potato or yucca) and a piece of sausage that I was too full to try. I bursted the egg over the rice and it was so good. My son enjoyed his perfectly cooked Rib Eye steak that came with fried yucca. I was so excited to eat that I dug into the food before I took pictures!! read more

De Leon Cocina - Bandeja Paisa - Latin American Near Me - St Augustine, Florida

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I've been on the hunt for the best Colombian restaurant in north Florida. And while celebrating Colombian Independence Day '23 with my family, I invited them to this great establishment I've heard of in Saint Augustine. I was blessed to have found my new fav Colombian restaurant on this visit! Cristian our server welcomed us and was very friendly and professional. He ensured that our dining experience was a wonderfully memorable one. The small dining area that sits approximately 20 - 30 people comfortably was very clean. A small bar is situated to the right upon entering. Now to the best part, the Colombian cuisine. Every Colombian restaurant makes similar yet different versions of what is considered "Traditional" Colombian food. Ordered the crispy and delicious beef empanadas along with the choclo (topped with yummy melted cheese). My go to is always "La Bandeja Paisa", platter consisting of steak, rice, beans, fried egg, sweet plantains, avocado, arepa and chicharron. Every aforementioned food was fresh, savory and the portions just perfect for one person. Even good for two to share. My go to drink is the guayaba juice with water. Those that aren't lactose intolerant can order with milk instead. The juice was served chilled and was great tasting. Such an amazing and relaxing dining experience here. During the week I highly recommend to get here early if planning on site seeing and shopping in the area and the historic district. I'm excited already knowing I'll be back again soon for some more great Colombian food! read more

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In looking for a place to eat before going to a show nearby, I came across this place last minute due to its location to the theater. I'm glad I did! Small restaurant inside the Ponce motel. Thankfully I made reservations as there was a wait to get a table when we arrived. First, we ordered the chicken arepas for appetizer. Fresh and full of flavor. For the entree, ordered the Cubano bowl which was ropa vieja with rice and beans. Great flavor, large portions. Friendly staff, great food and great value, I hope this place doesn't start price gouging. Us locals need somewhere to eat! read more

This is a small restaurant but big in flavors! We started with empanadas and shrimp cocktail. The shrimp cocktail was "shrimply" irresistible! The ribeye was tender and was accompanied with a chimichurri sauce that complimented the meat well. Unfortunately, I wasn't too fond of the bistec. It didn't seem to have a vinegar base and was loaded with tomatoes and tomato sauce. However, make no "misteak" everything else was delicioso! read more

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Went here for the first time recently, only to hear they have been open for over 4 years. Wife had a Cazuela bowl and I had the ribeye steak. We were both raised on this cuisine and could not be happier to come across this culinary find. They also have a good variety of Gluten Free options! Food was delicious, authentic and worth the trip to St. Augustine! read more

De Leon Cocina - Cazuela Bowl - Latin American Near Me - St Augustine, Florida

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The place was recommended by my son as "best food ever". Please don't judge a book by its cover- this restaurant and Gregorio were by far one away one of the best places we have eaten. Service was perfect... he could not have been more attentive. Although the surroundings did not reflect the quality of food- I highly recommend ANYONE go here to have the best Columbian food!! Don't overlook this diamond in the rough! Also very, very reasonably priced. read more

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This was an amazing meal. I really tfhink it's the best restaurant meal I've had in years. The server had great recommendations, and the high point of the meal was the soup opener...a potato, beef, and plantain stew...very savory and flavorful. The spiced rice, grilled pork loin, and fried plantains were also very good. If I'm ever back in town, I'll give serious thought to coming back again, just to try another great dish. read more

De Leon Cocina - The incredible soup. - Latin American Near Me - St Augustine, Florida

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This place is amazing and very unassuming. Located well off the strip and away from the hustle and bustle of town. Small little cafe located in the Ponce hotel. We've eaten here twice now and have loved every dish we've ordered. The staff is super friendly too. They have the tiniest bar (like four stools) and the restaurant is small too. Extremely fresh and flavorful. I know we will return on our next visit to town. read more

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It was a very good place to eat. They had good hospitality, hot food. It was very very very good. They gave you a lot and I would recommend anybody to go there because it is well worth it, and the food was fresh. read more

We went on Tuesday morning just as they opened. The food was fresh and delicious. All the meat choices were juicy and tender. We highly recommend this restaurant. It's located inside the lobby of a small hotel. They are also very friendly and nice. read more

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Food with a Columbian influence and service were wonderful. Wait time was long. We will return when in the area.