Went to new location and I won't return! We sat at the bar and I had to witness training 101 for the bartenders. Our food took 45 min to come and this was early before the place filled up. We order safe a filet mignon that came out undercooked and had an artery right in the middle of the meat. I had mahi mahi that was so dry!! The best part I had a glass of wine when the bill game I was charged for an entire bottle of wine! I kept my cool and ask for manager who was very fine and took the steak and wine off bill. We go out to relax and this wasn't relaxing never again!! read more

We have been patrons of this restaurant since moving to St Johns county 15 years ago. Everything about their original location was excellent. I cannot report that of their new location. To start with parking is very limited of not almost impossible when they are busy. We had a reservation and were promptly seated. The table was so close to the first bar as you enter that our table chairs touched the bar chairs. Well okay as long as neither of us had to move. Tables are crammed in all areas; seating quantity now rules, not quality. The noise level was and is unacceptable. In order to be heard each of the 2 tables of six next to us had to shout making conversation at our small table impossible. Our server was very attentive and did a great job. Our food order was brought to us promptly. The magic and excellence of the food we received at their original location was missing; we agreed our meals were ok, but nothing special as we had come to expect of the Purple Olive. I doubt if we will return until some changes are made. read more

sorry to say we had a bad dinner at purple olive there were six of us they had a short menu not the one on line because they just opened up at new location that was no excuse they have been in business for 23 years. the food was horrible there was no taste to the pesto with shrimp chicken parm was dry the seafood pasta was not great very little fish also the pesto shrimp pasta there was only 4 shrimp they need to get a cookbook also food was not hot. read more

We enjoyed our dinner. The place has been recently renovated and is adorable. We were disappointed when asked if we wanted bread(in past times it was complementary) and were charged 6$ plus a dollar for oil. If old policies change, don't ask if we want the item as though things are still the same. It was always bread, olives and oil came out before your meal. Also, the little salads appear to no longer be included as well. Overall, it's nice to have an option on the island with good food. read more

We had dinner at the new Purple Olive location. First, we could not identify or find the designated handicap parking which was weird because it was still day light. I believe legally every business has to have a well marked designated spot or two. Any way, the food was delicious! The service and ambiance were atrocious. Not at all like their previous location. Very, very loud and hard to hear the person sitting across from you. Our server was either having a bad day or just didn't like us. Maybe both. She would abruptly leave us mid-sentence or half way through our ordering, attend to another table then come back to taking our orders with a scour on her face. Really not sure what was happening, but not at all the same high level of service we received at their former location. I'd be hesitant to return again, which is sad as I was a frequent diner at their last spot. Ultimately, hopeful for them fine tuning their service and overall great success, but our experience tonight was extremely sad. read more

It was underwhelming. Ordered bread basket ($8.00)...the bread was cold. Ordered short ribs...was really a round (boneless) chuck cut...They need to raise their game when they move to new location. read more

Our family dinner here was wonderful! The attention to detail is reflected in their excellent service, quality of food, and nice surroundings! The duck, short stack ribs, blackened ahi tuna, peach burrata salad and braised romaine salad were all precisely prepared to order and excellent! The staff care and it showed in our dining experience with them! read more

Our meals at the Purple Olive were delicious. What was notable was finding the price of the T bone steak was $56.00. More than twice the price of anything on the menu and never listed on the specials board or mentioned by our wait staff. All the food was delicious but after sharing our dismay about the charges I didn't feel that the restaurant properly represented that menu option. It sure left a bitter taste in my mouth. read more

Quiet on a Friday night, but crowded parking in this busy strip mall. (Take reservations! Rare here.) small place, up to 17 tables. Interesting menu for seafood or meat. Short but nice wine list. Pleasant understated decor. Fast service. House salad normal OK. Lobster bisque with a tomato base was good. Trigger fish was tasty, fresh and buttery. Lamb chops, cashew encrusted, were thick and meaty. I stupidly forgot to instruct how they should be cooked. Shouldn't the waitress always ask? Overdone. read more

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Absolutely fabulous. Delicious! Date night with hubs. He got the NY strip steak and I got the butternut squash goat cheese chicken salad. Lovely elevated but casual atmosphere. Small venue. Attention to detail. Very GF friendly. Service was great despite being mobbed with customers. read more

Frequently dine at Purple Olive- always great. Just tried to order on line @ 3:45 pm. Order would no go through for some reason. Called the restaurant to phone order and Cheryl said it was too late to order. Cut off at 4:00 and it was 4:00. We tried to order at 3;45. She was very curt. read more

History is truly prologue. We were new to the island back in 2005. It was New Years Eve. We had no plans. We wandered down the street to Purple Olive early in the evening and they managed to fit us in. Kindly. The food was fabulous. Life and other experiences get in the way and we next cross paths at a beer/food event at Bog Brewery, 2017 or so. Damn good food, again...smacked upside the head. Enter COVID. We've been getting takeout every 2-3 weeks. The quality is incredible, the portion sizes on the family style "for 2" menu is more like "for 3", and the prices are more than reasonable. Anything seafood or Mediterranean is basically a win. The bottom line is the preparation. This is food prepared by a chef, not just a cook (no offense intended). This place is highly recommended. I can't wait for the dining room to open again. But until then, this is a great place to "buy local, eat local" read more

Food was Awesome... Service was friendly and professional... great place and we will be back !!! Thank you

Interesting and delicious offerings. Terrific service. We had not been back in a couple of years for no particular reason. We will be returning more often! read more

Very yummy and great dinner at Purple Olive. We had perfect meal/experience. Great food and great service!!! Come for a lovely time read more

Purple Olive Restaurant & Catering - We enjoying our pre dinner wine. Super place to dine, date night - Wine Bars Near Me - Saint Augustine, Florida

Highly recommend to-go catering! Ordered multiple dishes for a promotion ceremony for 50 guests day. Kristen was great to work - she was extremely responsive and accommodating throughout the process despite requests to change the menu and picking up day before Thanksgiving. All of the dishes were delicious, but especially recommend the empanadas and tuna wonton. My new go-to for any event! read more

We went for an early dinner on Wednesday and were so pleased with the new offerings. The early bird was lovely. We tried the crab cakes (4 mini cakes), empanadas ( 4 small ones) and Spanakopita (4 triangular shaped). All 3 were tasty I thought the best was the empanada, my husband thought the Spanakopita. The apps arrived quickly. We then order 3 small plates, I tried the beet salad- it was yummy, lovely dressing. I tried the crab soup- it was ok, I was hoping it was more like a she-crab soup. I would skip the soup in future. My husband got the lollipop lab chops. These were excellent. Three lollipops over lentils, I thought he would lick the plate it was so good. Overall we had a great experience we will be back. read more

I wanted to take my mom somewhere special for Valentine's Day that wasn't typical or super crowded. After researching restaurants where I could make a reservation, I found The Purple Olive and made a reservation, which was super easy to do. It was a drive for us, but I'm glad it got us away from the crowds. We were able to walk in and check in with the hostess before being seated. We were able to review the menus and choose water and tea before ordering. The service was on point, with bread service, water service, the waitress, and the plate servicing. It gave us time to relax and talk without feeling rushed or having to give up our table for another party. I ordered the Macadamia Encrusted Salmon with Rum Butter, and my mom ordered the Dijon Salmon. I also ordered a glass of their Italian Pinot Grigio, and it was such a good choice, not too dry and not too sweet. We were able to nibble on bread, olive oil with spices, and olives. When our food came out, it was beautifully plated, very hot,and full of color. We started eating, and it was so delicious. The salmon was fresh, the asparagus was crisp, and the jasmine rice was fluffy. We finished our dinner and were so happy with the experience. I'm so glad we gave this place a chance and enjoyed a quiet, but special Valentine's Day. Thank you!! read more

Purple Olive Restaurant & Catering - Dijon Salmon and Macadamia Encrusted Salmon with Rum Butter Sauce - Wine Bars Near Me - Saint Augustine, Florida

Very welcoming and friendly staff. The food was absolutely delicious. I hadn't ventured to this side of St Augustine and I'm sure glad that I did. The woman with the purple hair was wonderfully hospitable and the staff was able to provide helpful suggestions. I will definitely be coming back for another solid meal! read more

Great place, for a date night or just a casual dining, I recommend the lamb chops, it was delicious. read more

Purple Olive Restaurant & Catering - Vanilla creme brulee! It's amazing!!! - Wine Bars Near Me - Saint Augustine, Florida

Food, service, ambiance all nice. Small plate size and price was a great option for those not so hungry.

Reservations only. Clean and they adhere to COVID guidelines. My meal of beet salad was awful. Pickled beets on a salad and dressing was almost all vinegar...inedible. My husband had the lamb chops and they were fantastic. Will give it one more go as people rave about this place. read more

Greeted at the door with friendly hosts and promptly seated. Water was brought promptly with bread and spices to follow (olive oil on the table). Plenty of good selections from the menu or tempting specials to choose from to appease most palates. Some menu items seem a bit pricey but in line with the area and economic cycle. But plenty of choices from a variety of price ranges. I had the macadamia encrusted salmon which was most excellent (recommended). We had the coconut key lime cake for dessert which was also very good (enough to split for two). Service was attentive and friendly. Overall a good meal and a good value for the price. read more

Small but cute restaurant. Many gluten free options. The catch of the day is very good.

This is still one of our favorite restaurants in St. Augustine. We recommend it to everyone who asks us where a good place is to eat. The specials are always delicious you can't go wrong with any of their suggestions. The ingredients always fresh and the dishes flavorful and delicious. Portions are big, well for little old me they are. There are always a small dish of olives and a basket of bread and some herbs and olive oil placed at the table when you sit. There are plenty of options to choose from the menu. The chef is also accommodating to those who have special dietary requests. Well at least for us he was when we said one of our guest was on a gluten free diet. We had another delicious meal last night. The short-rib special was melt in your mouth amazing and so were the blackened scallops. My plate of pasta and shrimp could feed a family of four. I could only eat a third of it. It was cooked to perfection. Excellent spot for a fantastic meal. read more

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Our entire experience at Purple Olive was amazing from service to food! We arrived early (misjudged the time to get there) with a reservation and they rushed to seat us early so we didn't have to wait around. We told them it wasn't necessary but the manager kept trucking along and got everything squared away for us. The server was very nice and quick to get refills and clear plates. But the food, oh my, was it good. I had the grilled shrimp with the au gratin potatoes which were delicious! We have a perfectly cooked steak and the garlic shrimp over pasta appetizer was super garlicky and cheesy. The portions are very fair for the price and I would eat the exact same meal again! We'll be back next time we're in St. Augustine. read more

was there last night , food was ok beets salad was a salad with very few beets , lentils good, the flat bread boring no seasoning my lamb chops were decent asparagus had see better days. the worse was the service ordered a $56 btl wine but never was refilled neither the water glass. a little attention would be nice when you spend 150 + tip in a restaurant . we were disappointed because were told how great the place was . read more

Delicious dinner. We had the fresh catch special and the lamb chops with Gorgonzola garlic butter sauce. The wine was great too. Can't wait to go back and that is saying something in st Augustine where there are so many amazing choices. read more

A fantastic opportunity to enjoy a meal that is truly prepared after your order is taken to Chief Peter.The best fresh food only, a real food high from his expert spices and years of experience. A must go when visiting the beaches of Anastasia Island. read more

The food here made fireworks go off in my mouth! Absolutely amazing macadamia crusted salmon. The seafood bisque was so delicious, I just had to get some extra to take home. The stuffed chicken was divine and get some potato and caramelized onion gratin...amazing! And if you didn't have enough flavor explosion, feast on the chocolate pecan gateaux and you will find a way to come back and try the next item on the expansive and diverse menu. Service was top notch and this restaurant just raised the bar so high, you'd have a hard time finding any better. read more

Always loved the place however since COVID not a full service restaurant. But wine is good and the small plates are amazing. Great Chef

The Purple Olive team catered our event for the second year in a row and we cannot rave enough about the amazing food and service they provide! Peter is always quick to respond and provide menu options and details. Our event is a bit non-traditional as it was over an hour from the restaurant. Peter delivered our wonderful food directly to us, helped with a quick setup as we were in a pinch, and made sure that we had everything we needed to serve great quality food to our guests! If you're in need of catering for any event, I HIGHLY recommend giving Purple Olive a chance to provide your guests with great food! Thank you, Peter and team! read more

Had the special, Pecan Bourbon Trigger fish. Absolutely one of the the best meals I've ever had in St Augustine! Highly Recommended!!!

This is a small place with a large helping of pallet blasting, tasty goodness. The service is unmatched in the way that once you are done with the appetizers, the salad/soups come out almost instantly and so on for the following dishes. This place is great for couples, dates, events and I also understand they even cater. Bottom line the food is delicious and they make you feel like royalty. They earned all five stars. I'd give more if I could. read more

Omg best food I have had in awhile. Went with a group of people and we all ordered something different. Almost always without fail somebody doesn't like what they order. Not at the Purple Olive. Literally everyone enjoyed the meal immensely. The only issue I had was we were set right next to the kitchen which I believe does not have a door. So basically we were bombarded with kitchen gossip which was kind of funny, but kind of awkward in mixed company. read more

Server was very nice and attentive. I ordered the scallops seared and my husband got the Trigger fish. The seafood bisque starter was delicious so we were certain we picked the right restaurant. Unfortunately we were both not happy with our entrees. My scallops had no sear or flavor and the texture was so weird that I not able to eat them. My husbands fish lacked flavor and he said it also had a funky texture so he couldn't eat his meal either. Our server did notice that we didn't enjoy our entrees and offered to bring us something else but we decided not to try anything else. We are not locals and after reading reviews chose to come away from the popular touristy areas full places to eat to try this place. Unfortunately, we were disappointed. read more

The Purple Olive! A Wonderful place to dine! 100% recommend this establishment! Jill, our waitress was friendly, made excellent suggestions and took great care to make our eating experience a joy. Food was phenomenal!!! Compliments to all the chefs in that great kitchen! They sure can make magic! I will definitely return! read more

We went to the Purple Olive after asking around about a good place for dinner, but not "touristy". The Purple Olive came through in magnificent fashion. In a strip mall, we would never have gone in without the recommendations. Seriously, there needs to be a little face lifting done to make the place look a little more inviting - or maybe that is the plan. When we arrived we were only the third table but there was a steady stream of people in and out while we enjoyed our dinners. Most people seemed to be regulars and that is what we were looking for in a restaurant. My wife and I both had scallops - Sesame Scallops for her and Broiled Scallops for me, with 2 different dipping sauces. These were Diver Scallops and the were huge and broiled to perfection. Their large wine list presented many different options and we chose a Carmenet Merlot along with a St Francis. We will definitely return the next time we are in the area. read more

This was the shiny bright culinary delight on my trip to St. Augustine. I read about this place via Yelp and Urban Spoon and was really looking forward to it. We weren't staying nearby, so it was a bit of a drive, but definitely worth the trip. At first read, the menu seemed a little chaotic, sort of a 'choose your own adventure' on one side with proteins, sauces and sides. The other half were chef specials that really covered the gamut from locally caught seafood to lamb shank. When we sat down we were treated to a small bowl of deliciously marinated olives and some bread. Hoping to have more we started with the olive and cheese tray, which was HUGE. Definitely could have split that between 4 people (vs 2). Unfortunately though, those preview olives weren't on the plate, and some were so salty I downed a pint of water before trying another. Just a few minor tweaks and that app would be spectacular! Dinner was just fantastic. I had the catch of the day, trigger fish, blackened and served with some wok fried veggies and kale with raisins and pine nuts. It was just incredible. Unfortunately I couldn't finish it, but man... I tried. I also sampled the lamb shank and the meat was so good, just falling right off the bone. Not real fatty, perfectly cooked. The other stand out was the sesame cilantro vinaigrette. I wish that was bottled, because I would have taken it home. Just delicious!!! Our server was nice, but he forgot I changed my order from soup to salad, which I can understand. It was busy and he didn't write our order down (no shame in doing that btw). I would definitely be a regular here if I lived closer. http://burgersandbarolo.blogspot.com/2010/03/purple-olive-by-annette.html read more

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Great little place in a indistinguishable strip mall with wing restaurant and seafood place. The Purple Olive is the stand out. The food was wonderful, the servers were numerous and attentive, and the food was served with good time intervals and served hot. The menu is interesting and varied, with a "build you own" entree with several choices. They also have a good wine list that is reasonably priced. There is an amazing prefix dinner with 3 choices each for appetizer, entree and dessert - a spectacular deal for excellently prepared good portioned food. ( A coupon from "Restaurant Times" - a local brochure available at hotels and tourist haunts gives you an additional 10% off!) This is a gem that sparkles and will see us again. read more