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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The restaurant is currently closed for inside dining but open for carry-out. We both had grouper, one blackened, one grilled. Both were generous and outstanding. For a slight up charge my wife got the spinach salad which was loaded with pecans and brie. Simply gourmet for take-out! The pick up was well organized and outside so I didn't even need to enter the restaurant. Don't by-pass this restaurant during this pandemic. Places like this need our business! read more

What a great experience tonight at purple olive. This restaurant is up the street from where we live but I have never given it a chance. It's in a strip mall and just didn't look that appealing... Boy was I wrong. My wife and I ordered entrées and they brought out a salad that was fresh and just the right size. She ended up ordering the chef special which was triggerfish that was pecan encrusted with an orange buerre blanc and fresh green beans it was amazing! I had the chicken Parmesan which came with a side of pasta and string beans and it was fantastic! For dessert we had Keylime pie - that most definitely was homemade. Service was good - very efficient but not amazing. It seem like the waitress was focused in on regular customers which was fine... Hopefully will be those people as time goes on. We love this place and I think you will too. Well worth checking out if your on the island. read more

Pretty dissatisfied and disappointed. Ordered the fresh catch snapper ( my favorite) blackened. Well this is overdone! Dry and you are supposed to get a sauce... nope! I even took her recommendation and then they didn't deliver any sauce. So now I have an overcooked piece of fish that is dry and no sauce. And the vegetables are Asian not grilled!!!Furious read more

Purple Olive Restaurant & Catering - Fresh Catch Grilled Vegetables - Wine Bars Near Me - Saint Augustine, Florida

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We came for dinner and were pleasantly surprised. I have to admit, I was worried about the service at first because they were slammed with customers on a Tuesday evening but we were told a server was arriving any moment and sure enough, in walked Trey. He gave us a list of specials, recommendations, and returned with our drinks amidst running in and outside to serve his tables. We enjoyed the crab bisque with the thick base and chunky crab bits. I will say I had a tiny piece of shell of in mine but I was happy to discover because it meant it was fresh crab. We both tried the seafood linguine. It was very tasty and had a variety of seafood from white fish, shrimp, mussels, and octopus. The sauce was light and not overpowering if the protein. I ordered the early bird dinner portion and could not finish it. A super deal! I was super glad to eat here. Try it! I hope u enjoy! read more

Purple Olive Restaurant & Catering - My dinner! - Wine Bars Near Me - Saint Augustine, Florida

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Although parking can be difficult, the food is completely worth it. They have a gluten free menu for anyone who needs one and the food was delicious. I was very impressed with their commitment to cleanliness/ sanitizing of menus. After each table used them, they were fully wiped down before anyone else used them. I had the filet and mashed potatoes which were delicious and cooked perfectly. Our server was attentive and kind. We look forward to going back! read more

Since being in St Augustine I haven't gotten to get a taste of the foodie scene much! So tonight I decided to take my son to dinner before we went to we the lights downtown. I searched yelp and saw this place because the name stood out tremendously! It is extremely creative in itself! We arrived to a strip mall parking lot and noticed the sign and I instantly thought it was closed, only because the windows were dark and the sign was a bit miss leasing. We went inside and were immediately seated... I immediately noticed there were no booths :( Oh well.... we get seated and the menu was pretty straight forward, I could see this place was a regular spot for locals in the area... GREAT! I loved that they had a sirloin option ok the kids menu! No fries though :( I had the shrimp and artichoke pasta, The sauce was a bit runny and the shrimp still had tails attached but all in all the plate was good. We ordered the stuffed egg plant as an appetizer and i will say I didn't have much flavor :( But I was very satisfied with service and the entire experience in itself. This place reminds me of a Resturant you would see in Ashland Oregon or Medford. The vibe and feel of the employees etc.... it made me happy :) I also noticed the options to order "half" bottles of wine, which is a cool idea! I don't see that many places. All and all it's a cool spot! I will be returning! read more

Unbelievable!! Amazing!! Don't let the building fool you. I was thinking should we really go in? Thank goodness we did. The service by Jill was over the top. She's wonderful and provided a great service. Good- great. Crab bisque, scallops, grouper.. I could go on. Everything was top notch. Hidden gem. read more

Purple Olive Restaurant & Catering - Wine Bars Near Me - Saint Augustine, Florida

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Went on Valeentines day was not crowded as it was late in evening. I enjoyed the food and atmosphere. Price was also good. I had the fish and hobby had the beef. I would recommend the place read more

Purple Olive Restaurant & Catering - Late dinner so empty but food was great I highly recommend this place - Wine Bars Near Me - Saint Augustine, Florida

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Our favorite place in St Augustine. Everything we've tried is good, but their award-winning chocolate dessert is divine!

Once again location location location, perfect if your staying next door at the RV RESORT, Ocean Grove. Just walk on over, don't drive parking is tight. Four of us went here on 9.26.19 with no reservation, No problem. They were clearly short staffed when it came to waiters/servers. The two main dishes that I believe WITHOUT a doubt that would have been outstanding if they had come out of the kitchen ON time were the Lollipop Lamb chops and the Blackened Scallops. They both came out on very hot plates but the food was not even warm. If they had more servers maybe our food would have come out promptly, hot and flavorful. Otherwise, the place is small, quaint and clean. They have a large menu and offer wines and beers. I would definitely be returning once I confirm they are full staffed. read more

This was such a delightful dinner while we were on vacation. Every member of the staff we had an interaction with were friendly and really attentive. We were early for our reservation and they were very communicative and sat us as quickly as possible. Their food was great and our entire party enjoyed their meal. I would definitely come back and happily eat another meal. read more

we've eaten in the restaurant three times over the last 6 months, each meal better than the last. i do have two minor criticisms, the specials are not accompanied by a price, $40 or so for a special when most mains are mid 20s was an expensive surprise. also, oddly, the short ribs which were great during the pandemic were too salty in the restaurant. still, we continue to love this restaurant and it will be in our rotation when in town. read more

Spent a week visiting St. Augustine. This was the only restaurant that didn't disappoint. Amazing food, fantastic service, and wonderful gluten free options. We will be back the next time we're in town. read more