. April 07, 2026 ...... My wife and I split the "SEAFOOD DINNER" and it was very good. The assortment was good and the potato salad and coleslaw were both excellent. We travel a lot USA & Asia and eat out a lot and look for good food at a good value. O'Steen's was a good deal for good food; I saw a lot of locals there which told me the same thing. You register at the outside window by the entrance door and wait in line (outside) to come into the restaurant and go directly to your table Looking back, I kinda liked this approach when I saw how well it worked. They DO NOT TAKE CREDIT CARDS and we seldom carry cash, so we were prepared to pay cash when we went to their website. ..... I give the place a conservative 4.7 stars ... ...... Be prepared to wait in line for a while if you go at a busy time. . read more

The atmosphere hasn't changed in many years but the food taste wonderful. My boyfriend brought me here, and we had the fried shrimp and it was terrific as expected. There's a nine and a 12 shrimp order size. This is the best Shrimp I've had in the US yet -- I am from Ecuador. They have a lot of great sides like macaroni and cheese and coleslaw to go with it. They only accept cash but there is an ATM machine outside. read more

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This is a diner fashion seafood restaurant that has been in business over 50 years. You check in outside and then they tell you to either enter or wait on a bench outside. We were promptly seating and the waitress was very quick to take our drink orders and then when she returned, she took our food orders. This is a very busy place. The ambiance was one of a diner. Everything was very neat and clean! We had fried shrimp with hush puppies and 2 sides each. The shrimp was the best shrimp we have had during this trip. It's lightly battered and fried to perfection. We were offered dessert but we were stuffed. I'll definitely be back! read more

O'Steen's Restaurant - Fried shrimp, green beans, buttered grits, pickled beets and French fries. - Seafood Near Me - Saint Augustine, Florida

The BEST old Florida Time Machine with INCREDIBLE food and INCREDIBLE service! They don't need the reviews, but as a first timer - 10/10!!! The best shrimp I've ever had. Just perfect. Can't believe I waited so long to get here. I was worried about parking & it can be busy but they have their own parking lot & there are also some paid spots nearby. They will have a wait, but since there were just 2 of us we were able to get counter service pretty quickly! read more

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Came here October 2025 for the fried shrimp. It was very good. It is fried in a light batter. Comes with a nice sauce and they also have their own hot sauce. The hush puppies were Delicious. The coleslaw was super creamy and full of flavor. I got a side of the peas They were okay but they were served only lukewarm. This place has pretty good prices and we got in fairly quickly around 7:00 p.m. on a Thursday night. read more

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Unpopular opinion.... My family did not care for this restaurant. It was recommended to us more than once, including one local saying they had the best shrimp in Florida. We waited about 45 mins for a table, so we were hungry when we got seated. The food looked good, and the waitress was great. But once we started eating, I noticed no one was saying a word. Normally we would be saying oh wow, try this, this is so good, etc. my main issue was the texture of the fried shrimp was super firm. It seemed like someone took a piece of boiled shrimp and then fried it. It was just weird. Side dishes were just ok. The restaurant itself is quite dated, and to get to the restroom, you have to go outside. Plus, it is cash only, which is inconvenient. I don't not recommend this restaurant when so many others are available nearby. read more

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Best fried shrimp ever light breading service was good. Ambiance was excellent, server kept our drinks filled. FYI need to come early to get sides they run out of them soon etc casseroles. read more

Best shrimp ever. Always outstanding and never changes. It's so consistent. The service is just fine. The inside is super casual really a hole in the wall. But soooooo worth it. The price range is usually for a seafood place. Not too low, not too high. It's so worth it though. The wait can be long, so if you go for dinner you may have to wait awhile. Sometimes hours. That's how good this place is. Well worth it. read more

Best Fried shrimp in town. Terrific southern green beans and hush puppies. Service is fast and the staff is friendly.

Omg. Best fried shrimp in Florida. Must try and also try the pickled beets and cucumbers. Delicious deliciousness. Ambiance is cool but service is absolutely amazing. Great good affordable quality food read more

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The best Shrimp you can get when you visit St Augustine, FL. The shrimp is melting in your mouth. Delicious and fresh. They also have a lots of fish and delicious side dish. The service is amazing. You have to bring CASH , they don't accept cards. They also closed on Monday and some days during the holiday. You need to check in their web before go. The restaurant is nice with a fire place and some cute Christmas decorations. This place is a must visit. read more

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Amazing food and service. Parking can be a struggle depending on how busy they are. Brittany was absolutely amazing! Shrimp was excellent! Hush puppies were fresh and tasty. Save room for the dessert. Four of us enjoyed a late lunch for under $20 each. We were full when we left. Definitely worth the time and effort. Did I say Brittany was amazing?! Cash only. Comfortable read more

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Loved O'steens, ate twice in 5 days. Great service, great food. Kudos. Make sure you bring cash they don't accept cards read more

Delicious! Love the local hang out. Cash only, quick service, family atmosphere, local staple read more

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Cash only. There is an ATM on site if you don't have cash. Their fried shrimp is hard to beat for the best. Hush puppies are really good as well. You may want to ask for a few extra. Highly recommend! read more

9/4/25 It's always good to eat at Osteens! It's best to come early or late or be prepared to sit outside in the heat/cold (depends on season) until a table is cleared..lol. They have a variety on the menu but I think the preferred item is their fried shrimp which is my preferred! We got a bowl of Majorcan chowder and honestly, we were disappointed-the potatoes weren't cooked all the way, seasoning was off and very little clams. If it was like this regularly... we would not order it again but it hasn't so we'll assume a bad night for soup makers?!? read more

O'Steen's Restaurant - Get 2 sides with meal, I got green beans and sparkled beans both were delicious! - Seafood Near Me - Saint Augustine, Florida

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Several You tube searches for St Augustine restaurants led us to O'Steens. About 45minute wait on Friday evening. Seating is limited but they have a good system for getting people in and out. Our waitress (Jess) was busy but took great care of our table. The menu is easy and they are known for great fried shrimp. It was very good. We got a lot of food for reasonable prices. Was really good and I can see why they are usually so busy. Good food and good service are found here. read more

O'Steen's Restaurant - Fried shrimp and squash casserole - Seafood Near Me - Saint Augustine, Florida

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My wife and I had a wonderful dining experience here, and it truly felt like classic home-style cooking at its best. We enjoyed the steamed shrimp, fried clams, hush puppies, mashed potatoes, green beans, sliced beets, and finished with the coconut cream pie for dessert--everything was absolutely delicious. The entire wait staff was friendly and welcoming, but Brittany especially stood out. She was attentive, cheerful, and constantly checked on us to make sure we had everything we needed without ever being intrusive. Her service really made the evening even more enjoyable. We visited on a Wednesday night, and the place was packed with a wait--which says a lot. They've just celebrated their 60th anniversary, and it's easy to see why they've lasted so long. Great food, great service, and a true hometown atmosphere. We will definitely be back. read more

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Easter Parade on Saturday, was crowed as expected, but no wait. Service was very good, prompt with a pleasant attitude and smile. Like the feel of the restaurant, in that its style reminded me of restaurants growing up. I opted for the Chicken & Dumplings that was on special. Well seasoned with plenty of chicken. Sides were pickled beets & cucumber salad. Both my favorites. Saw the shrimp that every one talks about? I will just say, that they appear small. read more

O'Steen's Restaurant - Chicken and Dumplings - Seafood Near Me - Saint Augustine, Florida

What can I say but O'Steen's still remains on top of their game. We came mid afternoon of a weekday and were seated pretty quickly. Of course, I ordered the Fried Shrimp. Of course, it was delicious. Of course, I finished the whole platter and maybe didn't have dinner that night because I was still full. read more

I eat here as often as I can. Got there on Friday at 1045am. They opened at 11am. I had the 6 piece shrimp special with squash casserole & Cole slaw. The shrimp were hot & fresh. It was a great lunch at a reasonable price. My server Chelsea was friendly & made sure my iced tea was always topped off. read more

Still going strong with fresh and amazing dishes along with super friendly staff that keeps a good check on your table! Definitely check this place out! read more

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Amazing old school diner with the best shrimp ever! Seriously could not wait to go back. Was here 5 years ago and it was amazing to go again and have the same great service, food, and prices. Love the clam chowder, sides, shrimp and the sauce, oh and did someone say pie???? We all were so impressed we had to tell the owner. What a nice guy! Really one of my favorite seafood restaurants ever!!! We lucked out this visit with a very short wait at 2:30 on a Friday. I would still wait in line for this restaurant! Beware it can be hours to get in!! read more

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Visiting the oldest city to view Night of Lights we stopped in for an early dinner. You give your name at the window and wait outdoors for a table to open up. Luckily we had a good sunny afternoon on a chilly day, but we didn't wait very long for our name to be called. The fried shrimp is the best in St. Augustine - very light batter on perfectly cooked shrimp. You can choose two sides - I had coleslaw with the potato salad (just like I make at home). Hubby chose fries and coleslaw. It was terrific - and we finished the meal with a piece of key lime pie that was excellent! You must remember that the restaurant is CASH only - so be prepared when you visit. There's convenient parking next to and behind the restaurant. Don't miss it - it is the BEST shrimp in the county! read more

Service was really slow. Waited forever to get our food. Many people left that came in after us. The food was average. Yellow squash was soggy. Hush puppy very greasy. French fries were cold and undercooked. Definitely not worth the prices. Left hungry. Won't be going back. Disappointed. read more

Food was AMAZING, even though we had take-out (we have pets so no dining in this time!) Phone service calling "in" was pleasant and helpful! Pickup was a snap and INCLUDED EVERYTHING! This place is A MUST DINE THERE if you visit St. Augustine! read more

Went last week when it was super cold and the wait wasn't fun, but it was worth it! The Minorcan soup helped warm me up. It was terrific, stuck to your ribs and spicy. We had the fried shrimp since it was our first time there. At first glance it looked underdone, but they were perfectly cooked and adding some datil sauce to.the pink sauce made a delicious blend. Hubby forgot all about cocktail sauce after tastng it. The fries were practically greaseless. I had the peaches as a side and they made a refresing end to my meal. Hubby had the French silk pie and he was in heaven. He thought the crust was homemade, it was so good. We didn't ask, dont want to know. Just a yummy dessert. Will definitely go back. Staff was very patient with us newbies. read more

Food is excellent, service is great. Gets a little noisy because it's small. Bring cash because they don't take anything but cash. This place is very popular. As an example they open at 11:00 on Saturday but if you want a seat, you need to get in line at 10:00-10:30 latest. It's worth it!! read more

Great family restaurant that has served St Augustine for decades just over the Lion Bridge. Noted for fried shrimp, variety of sides and friendly service in a jam packed location. We waited 45 min in the rain till our name was called while we chilled mostly in my SUV. Well worth the wait and will be back! Cash only so leave the Amex at home. We live off 210 but 95 N was a mess and took 3.5 hours to reach World Golf exit and wiggle around Silverleaf to get home. Next time we will not hit the freeway! read more

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I live 2 blocks away from O'Steens. I've been 3 times is the past 20 years and they struck out each time. Many other restaurants that have as good or better fried shrimp. No atmosphere, no bar, long wait, really don't like their sides, oysters were mushy and you must pay cash. I understand everybody has their own opinion, their own tastes. read more

Have enjoyed O'Steens for close to 40 years. Some of the best food ever, especially the fried shrimp. Planning on going this weekend to ear and see the lights, always beautiful. Every adjective could be used for overall Great restaurant. We live in Tampa but drive up for the day just to eat and enjoy this great place .Have gone there many time for our wedding anniversary and we have had 56 of them read more

Really good food. Service was fast and friendly even though they were busy. Ambiance is that of a diner with tables and chairs. read more

O'Steen's Restaurant - Seafood Near Me - Saint Augustine, Florida

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Been two years since I have been here and still the best place for fried shrimp! Don't skip out on trying the Minorcan Clam Chowder! read more

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Husband has been wanting to visit here for quite some time, the wait has always scared us, as they don't take reservations, and have a reputation around town for great fried shrimp and long lines. The restaurant is very small, very simple, and provides fast friendly service. There's and antique shop next door that provides an activity while you wait. The shrimp was very good, coleslaw was good, fries were ok, as they were a little under the ideal temperature. The hush puppies were probably some of the best I've ever had, as they were very light and fluffy, and not greasy. read more

O'Steen's Restaurant - Side dish menu - Seafood Near Me - Saint Augustine, Florida

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Cash ONLY! Registering before entering was unexpected experience. However, there was no standing room inside. Food came in large portions! Service was prompt! read more

This is the 2nd the we've been here. Great service and everything was delicious . I was sad to see that the store next was no longer there to kill time while we waited for our table. read more

O'Steen's Restaurant - 6 fried shrimp with coleslaw , sweet potato casserole and hush puppy - Seafood Near Me - Saint Augustine, Florida

Had to stop here before we left st. Augustine. This place is a must. We did take out this time and it was quick. We ordered 9 piece fried shrimp with fries and rice with gravy. The shrimps melt in your mouth and the sauce is so good. Highly recommend this place read more

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On a trip to St. Augustine, the place that kept popping up during my research was O'steen's no matter where I looked, and I knew that I had to give it a shot. We ended up parking in downtown and then walked across the bridge, but if you have a car, there is a small parking lot that you can park out so you do not need to walk 30 minutes like us. We got there around 1230PM and only had to wait 20-30 minutes to be seated. If you go during the summer like we did, there is an antique store right next door with connected speakers so you can walk around with AC so you are not suffering in the heat outside. Between the two of us, we ended up ordering the double sized shrimp platter, which comes with 24 shrimps, two sides of our choice, two hush puppies, and your choice of sauces. I did see a few people eat this platter by themselves, but believe me that this was enough for two, and even then some. The shrimp are butterflied so they all look even bigger than they already are when you eat them (and of course allow for more sauce dippage which for me is a big plus). The fried outside is a bit more on the thick, dougher side (which I prefer as I love myself some good batter), but if you are looking for a thinner, crispy fried outside it may not be up your alley. Otherwise, the sides we got (squash casserole and fries) and the hushpuppies were well made and could not complain. Definitely a treat of a meal and would go again. read more

O'Steen's Restaurant - Seafood Near Me - Saint Augustine, Florida

The best fried shrimp ever! So light and perfectly cooked. I also loved my fresh veggies and hush puppies. The service was fantastic - friendly and efficient. The restaurant has a casual, home town feel. I also got a piece of coconut cream pie to go - so creamy and delicious. Love it! read more

O'Steen's Restaurant - Fired shrimp, green beans, pickled cucumbers, and hush puppies - Seafood Near Me - Saint Augustine, Florida

This is an old school southern fish house. These are hard to come by these days. If you want to know where the locals are eating and tourists -this is the spot. The way they prep the fried shrimp is a very Florida thing sans the complete butterfly. The simple side dishes that are mostly cold is a simple mom and pop feature. The food comes really quickly and the serve is really great. I saw them making accommodations for double strollers in the very small dining room. Plus they move tables around quickly to accommodate any size party. read more

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