We (party of 4 adults) had a reservation and were seated promptly. The view was beautiful. The server was pleasant, checked on us several times and wasn't overbearing. Each couple split the grilled seafood trio which was conveniently split in the kitchen for us. It consisted of a rock lobster tail that was way overcooked, tough, and slightly bitter, two shrimp, and two scallops which were the best thing on the plate. It came with a rice pilaf and broccoli/cauliflower combo, both sides were good. The platter was overpriced at $50 + $3 split plate charge. The other couple got the crab cake appetizer and said it was good but thought the sauce was a little too spicy for them, but in all fairness none of us like spicy foods and can't tolerate heat. My husband and I shared the calamari which had rings and tentacles which I like. They were very tasty but the vinegar based sauce served on the side didn't enhance the calamari in our opinion. We opted out of desserts as they were all priced at $12. Overall the dining experience was pleasant but we all felt it was overpriced for mediocre food. We've wanted to try this place for several years but most likely will not return on our next trip to the area. read more

My wife and I were very excited to go for brunch; we love Eggs Benedict. My wife had the Salmon and I had the crab Benedict's, we both agreed, worst we've ever had. The eggs were hard boiled and nearly no Hollandaise sauce, the muffins, potatoes, and fruit were very good read more

The Reef - Over cooked eggs Benny - Seafood Near Me - Saint Augustine, Florida

Arrived, Wednesday evening 4:30 p.m. Service very slow,server not attentive, Jacqliyn,I ordered a simple pasta house red sauce, no seafood no chicken, just basic I was told no problem food Arrived 50 minutes later,Cold smothered with chunks of cheese, a flower, dried tomatoes, not what I ordered,asked server about it she said,Sorry about that,I paid bill ,I asked why I was paying full price$30 for a tiny bit of Cold Spaghetti ? She said she would check with manager,came back and said I was to pay full price,I thanked her for her mis guidance, paid and left...WILL NOT BE BACK terrible experience, cold food misled on price, What a joke,Stay Away ,the web site is very misleading, much,much better resturants in St Augustine then this place, 2 people in party over$80 read more

For a dining experience that combines stunning views, impeccable service, and incredible food, The Reef is a must-visit. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply indulging in a romantic meal, it promises to leave you delighted and craving more. Timeless elegance meets breathtaking ocean views at The Reef in Vilano Beach! From the tender blackened Mahi & Shrimp to the melt-in-your-mouth Sesame-Crusted Seared Tuna, every dish was a delight. Chef Denzel truly outdid himself with his culinary creations, including the flavorful House-Made Pâté and the perfectly balanced chefs special Pan-Seared Mahi Mahi with asparagus, basil, tomatoes, and orzo. All of our fishes were so fresh with just the right amount of spice, delivering a burst of flavor in every bite. And don't miss the Crème Brûlée or warm Bread Pudding to finish your meal on a sweet note. Big thanks to our amazing server Joey for making it extra special with his top-notch recommendations and charming descriptions (shoutout to orzo as "the love child of pasta and rice" ). Under the skilled hands of Chef Denzel Aponte, The Reef delivers seafood dishes that are both creative and delicious. My wife and I were in food nirvana, savoring every course from start to finish. Make your reservation today and savor a dining experience like no other. 4100 Coastal Hwy, Vilano Beach, FL read more

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This was an enjoyable evening listening to the waves from the ocean. The food was good I had the short rib with broccoli and fig jam accented in my dish, but my sister-in-Law had too much fig jam and it was sweet for her. The calamari appetizer was delicious and the seared tuna appetizer fresh. The service was so so. Things came out late. Over all good read more

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Nice location with beach/water views. Prices were high relative to other options for seafood restaurants with better fare. Service was "ok". read more

I'm really disappointed to be writing this because The Reef used to be phenomenal. Unfortunately, our experience last night -- which was supposed to be my mom's birthday dinner -- was incredibly disappointing. My mom ordered the prime rib, requesting it medium. It arrived completely raw in the middle and was about 75% inedible fat. It was extremely difficult to even cut into, let alone enjoy. I ordered the braised short rib, and it was served so cold that the fat had congealed. It honestly made my stomach turn. My dad ordered the seafood chowder, which was also cold, and later the jambalaya, which tasted pre-batched and unappetizing. For a restaurant we once loved -- and for the amount of money we spent -- this experience was unacceptable. It was especially upsetting given that it was meant to celebrate my mom's birthday. Sadly, we won't be returning. read more

Way over priced. You are paying for the view, but the view is not work the price. $18 crab cake was cold and no taste. $8.00 salad was just mesclun mix. Fish tacos had tiny piece of fish and the rest cabbage and salsa. Wife and I had 2 draft beers each, paid $40 for alcohol. Total bill was $120 for a bad lunch. Service was good. Not his fault we won't be back. Plenty of great places without the view, but great food in the area. read more

Great view even if the windows can get a little salty from the spray. Vilano is relatively close to St. Augustine so this is somewhat convenient for dinner if you are staying in STA or are going to the Amp. The Mai' Tai was pretty good. Crab app was very tasty. The fresh catch was pretty good. Service is laid back. Good beachside vibe with decent food. read more

Arrive at the Host stand, put our name in (table for 2) and told it would be about 30 minutes wait - Totally acceptable, as it's Saturday night. We go to the bar for a drink. The bartender is standoffish. Doesn't check on us until we ask to cash out. Meanwhile it's been 45 minutes so we ask host if a table is ready and they say yes but we never got notified via text. Our server arrives to the table a few minutes after we are sat and appears already in the weeds, gives us water, takes our drink order and at that point we are already for our food order so we give him appetizer and entree. Food arrived and we still haven't received drinks or app so we cancelled them. Someone tried running the app when we were finishing meals so at that point it was probably an hour after ordering. The food was good, but literally everything else was quite disappointing... absolutely not recommending this place to anyone. read more

Their award winning seafood chowder was very good with just the right amount of heat in the spicyness. My wife does not like things too spicy, and she liked the soup a lot. Although my wife liked the coconut shrimp, I thought it was overly breaded and not enough coconut flavor. My wife really enjoyed her seafood pasta, although I thought it could have had a bit more flavor. I had the lobster and shrimp risotto, which came with a whole Lobster tail and three large shrimp. Although maybe a little different tasting than some I have had (maybe because it was a vegetable risotto), it was excellent and very creamy. Even though it was a gloomy night, the location and view right on the ocean is not to be missed. We will definitely be back! read more

I thought it was good and had a nice seafood selection, as well as wine, beer, and cocktails. They have $25 bottles of wine on Mondays, which is a great deal. They also had some deals on the appetizers for happy hour. The restaurant is off by itself and right on the beach, so the views are beautiful. Lots of windows. The waitress was super nice and very responsive. We had a lovely time. read more

They were very busy which I understand, and our server Major was great, but after paying over $100 and waiting 40 minutes for incredibly overcooked, mushy steak and a lobster tail which was hard as a rock, I can't in good conscience rate this any higher. For brunch in St Augustine , I strongly recommend avoiding this restaurant. read more

FOOD POISONING, DO NOT GO HERE. What started as a nice meal ended in two people getting food poisoning. We ate here last night and the food was okay. Two from our party ordered the prime rib and it was extremely fatty and a little underwhelming. Today, both people who ordered the prime rib are throwing up. We called the restaurant to inform them of the food safety hazard and the manager we spoke with asked for proof. This is a gross way to handle a significant problem. They hung up without providing a resolution, any compensation or even taking the safety concern seriously. Undercooked or expired meat or whatever the issue was, two people are sick and this restaurant doesn't want to take accountability. DO NOT GO HERE. FOOD POISONING CONCERNS. read more

Great view super average to bad. Not worth the price for sure. We would never return. Service was good though

Probably the worst dining experience we've had except maybe the food. Service, ambiance were terrible upstairs. We made a reservation and they asked if we could be okay with sitting upstairs...unfortunately the upstairs does not feel like the rest of the restaurant and more so like a make shift banquet hall. Apparently they open the upstairs for holidays but there's definitely not enough staff to do that. One server for the entire upstairs. My brother in laws martini came with a pink lipstick ring around the rim. For as much as they charge for entrees, they should really improve the atmosphere and service. We will not be back unfortunately and my family has been coming for years. read more

The Reef - This sat on our table for 45 minutes to an hour - Seafood Near Me - Saint Augustine, Florida

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I'll do a review from the last time. Food a tad off both had flounder. A bit "mushy" my partner mentioned it when I thought of it. But not a bad taste so everyone gets a pass now and then. Service is great and can't beat the ambiance of the Atlantic outside then glass read more

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We had a great lunch here. The snapper and steak were perfectly prepared.Zack is an excellent waiter, most attentive and professional. We will be back here! read more

Food was great View was wonderful Service was timely without being overbearing House wines were excellent for the price read more

This was our first time at this restaurant and we were so excited because the location is wonderful...but that's where the compliments stop! The service was horrendous...you could tell that the staff was annoyed to be working today. My husband said his Diet Coke didn't taste right and asked For it to be removed from the bill that he was fine with water, and the waiter seemed to be annoyed. Then it took forever for our food to come out and when it did my grouper was room temperature at best and overcooked. My daughter's shrimp and grits were also cold and shrimp was overcooked, sitting in a sea of sauce! Regarding the restaurant...you are charging enough for the menu items, take some pride in the place and actually update it. The carpet is filthy, the tables are folding tables and the chairs are rickety and old. This place would be beautiful if the owners cared about making the restaurant clean, updated, and inviting... this is clearly a Cashcow for the owners and they don't care about what the place looks like. read more

We had no idea what we were stepping into. We were tired and hungry and pulled in on a whim! Oh I am so glad we did! The service was top notch, the food was amazing and the view was breathtaking! read more

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Fantastic Food with a Killer Ocean View! I'm so glad we chose The Reef for dinner during our St. Augustine trip! The location alone is incredible--right on the beach, with sweeping views of the ocean. We were lucky enough to sit by a window and watch the waves roll in as the sun set. Perfect atmosphere. The food was delicious from start to finish. I had the blackened mahi-mahi, and it was cooked perfectly--tender, flavorful, and paired with fresh veggies and rice. My partner ordered the shrimp and grits, which were creamy and packed with flavor. We also shared the crab dip appetizer... HIGHLY recommend! Service was attentive and friendly, even though they were quite busy. Our server gave great recommendations and kept our drinks filled. Prices are on the higher side, but you're paying for quality food and that stunning oceanfront view--it's worth it for a special night out. Pro tip: Try to go around sunset for the best experience, and make a reservation if you can. We'll definitely be back next time we're in town! read more

Food: 10/10 View: 10/10 Service: 10/10 I have absolutely no idea what some of these negative reviews are talking about because the food here is delicious! I live in Chicago and came down for my moms birthday that we celebrated here. Service was amazing from the start, they let us sit 30min earlier than our reservation & also gave us the best spot view wise. Jenifer was our waitress and she was so lovely and very helpful. I got the short rib and subbed the mashed potatoes for risotto- best dish I've ever had and I've had plenty of short rib back home, nothing compares. The risotto was cooked perfectly and creamy with the perfect amount of flavor. The short rib melted in my mouth and had the most tasty glaze on top. My dad got the triple tail fish grilled and my mom got the grouper. They absolutely loved their dish and said it's the best they've had in Florida (they live in palm coast). For dessert they gave my mom the option to pick from the menu on the house since it was her birthday and they made the plate all nice for her which was super sweet. All I know is my mom had the absolute best time and left with the biggest smile and we absolutely loved this place and will definitely come back!!! read more

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I've been looking for a low key oceanfront restaurant to enjoy and I found it. I made reservations on open table about a month ago for brunch at 12:00. We got there, was windy outside so we opted to do a window seat. It was still a perfect view as you can tell my picture. We got sausage gravy and biscuits (biscuits was soft and fluffy and so much sausage to enjoy), this came with a mimosa. I got chirizo empanadas and a mimosa, was perfect! Appetizer was spinach artichoke with garlic bread pieces.... So good and full of flavor. Our waiter was on time with everything and just made the whole experience even better. They had a live musician that just added to the whole experience. We spent the weekend in St Augustine and this was the last of our trip and like they say... saved the best for last.... It definitely sealed in one of best weekend trips. read more

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Great ambiance. Good food and good service. Our waitress was fabulous, funny and super friendly. The other young ladies bringing the food to the table or hosting up front had more of a sour face. Barely replies when we asked questions, neither do they smile at all. Decent selections for Happy hour. Food portions are perfect amounts and plated beautifully. If you do not mind spending good amount of money for definitely yumm fresh sea food or just quality food- this is the spot for you. Do not have a picture of the crab cake, it was too delish that we finished it before remembering to take pic. Their bread pudding is one of the best in town. read more

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Great food and great service! Sat on the patio overlooking the ocean. Cocktails were wonderful. Fish and chips 4 out of 5 stars and the beet salad hit a home run! Keylime pie is to die for. Try it! read more

The Reef - Keylime pie - Seafood Near Me - Saint Augustine, Florida

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My husband took me for a drive to Vilano Beach to try and find shark teeth, but we couldn't find a spot to park so we opted to eat at The Reef and then explore the beach right after. We got sat by the bar and man was she so busy, there was only one bartender and so many guests throughout the restaurant so I felt for her. I ordered the North Beach Mule, but swapped the vodka for tequila, it was nice and refreshing. Bryan and I decided to have starters instead of a big meal since we had a family bbq later that day. We ordered calamari and the saffron mussels, these came out in such a quick manner and it was so good. That saffron mussels were my favorite, so many mussels and that sauce is delicious! The calamari was perfectly fried, light and crispy. Next time we're in St. Augustine I definitely want to come back, food was great and the location is just so picturesque and for it being so busy everything came out deliciously. read more

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The Reef is without a doubt one of the best places between St Augustine & Jax Beach for a true outdoor experience ocean view. I had a lunch date with a friend who lives in Palm Coast so The Reef was a 1/2 way point for us to meet. When we made the reservation, we asked for outdoor seating. When I arrived on this beautiful day the hostess took about 7 minutes to appear & there was a line starting to form behind me. The reef has a very long skinny upper deck with I'd say 15 tables able to accommodate 4 persons each. Some are actually overlooking a railing with umbrella & some are tucked under the deck on the opposite side out of the sun. My friend & I chose to wait for a table on the railing rather than to sit squeezed into a corner table where you couldn't really get a view. The hostess was almost argumentative saying that an outdoor reservation doesn't necessarily procure you an outdoor table & basically if we didn't take this one who knows when another would be available. We decided to take our chances & wait at the bar while having a glass of wine. She had red. I had white. Both glasses were good. After about 15 minutes we were seated at one of their great tables overlooking the ocean. We started with the fried manchego cheese with raspberry sauce. 4 large squares of fried cheese enough to share. I know my cheeses and I can bet it wasn't manchego but it was very tasty. The sauce I could have done without as it was more like a syrup. Ask for it on the side. We then shared a spinach artichoke dip which was delicious. More wine & a tuna appetizer. The tuna was presented nicely however it didn't have much flavor itself. Our server was attentive & friendly. The views and company were great. I definitely would return for lunch again to take in the lovely view, have some appetizers & relax over a glass of wine. read more

The Reef - Looking out from the upper deck. - Seafood Near Me - Saint Augustine, Florida

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We have been coming to the Reef now for about 11 years, since we relocated here from The Annapolis MD area. It's always been a favorite and it is also convenient, as we live nearby. The atmosphere is a friendly blend of old oceanfront pub and fine dining. The menu has been updated and the food we've had in this past month, both for lunch and dinner has been exceptional! They have outstanding service and the General Manager; Jeremy Ticehurst has really brought this local favorite to a new level. It is beginning to be our "GO TO" for Date Night, again! The bar is extremely well stocked and again, excellent service, from a very talented & friendly group of mixologists. Finally, my wife is a fine wine connoisseur, and the wine selection is the best! read more

We visited with another couple for a date night. The view and coastal ambience was the perfect setting. The food and service was excellent as well. All of our choices were beautifully presented and tasted wonderful! read more

Overall, this is a 4.0 restaurant. For me, the server (Banyon) made the overall experience very good. We ate at one of the high tops in the bar area. The wife ordered a prime rib and I ordered the jambalaya. For drinks. she had Specialty cocktail and it was really good. I had one of the local taps on beer and draft and it was OK. The mashed potatoes were superb. Prime rib is cooked very to a MR and was good, but the Ajou is definitely not homemade. It probably came from a can or bottle. I still definitely would recommend this place. read more

It may be unfortunate but the best thing about the reef was the view. Service was good flavors were on par but just seemed to be missing something overall. Don't know what it is but we'll give it another shot in the future. read more

The Reef - Seafood Near Me - Saint Augustine, Florida

We were a party of 4 and we all enjoyed our food. The one bad thing was being gluten free I trusted them to make my food as requested. I was awake most of the night with stomach pain. Someone needs to take the allergy more seriously. Service was good too! read more

I will be honest I was a little nervous coming to the reef with some of the recent reviews, but others rest assured we had an awesome dinner here!! I have been here quite a few times for happy hour (3-7PM) but it's been a couple years. I came this time for dinner with family and it was great!! They still have happy hour which is really just a couple dollars off wine, beer, and apps if you sit in the bar area. We had drinks and apps then we went to dinner in the dining room. We did have a reservation in the dining room. Our server (Jacob) was super sweet and attentive. All of our food was delicious. The fresh catch was redfish and it was sooooo yummy. My father got the lobster risotto and my father in law got the jambalaya and they both loved what they got. Everyone else got fish dishes and enjoyed every bite. My mom even liked the fried spinach which she was nervous about but it was kind of between kale chips ish and sautéed spinach. I had bites of both the jambalaya and risotto and it's hard to pick which was better, both were super amazing. We will absolutely come back. Food was truly great and you couldn't beat the picture perfect ocean view. read more

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This is the kind of place you look for dinner while near a beach. Unfortunately sunset is not on this side. That is why service and coziness have to shine, and they do. Our waitress Jennifer was so professional that we think she have an old soul, or tremendous training or both, it really was above and beyond attentive. We have a local really good craft beer, me a cocktail, delicious sweet but don't remember the name , kind of a cranberry appletini?... I asked for not too strong one and they nailed it. Tons of extra bread is what will make me comeback beside the non sunset that put pink and baby blue on the sky, take a look on my pictures, just for that is the place for happy hour on Sundays. read more

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My family and I came here for a special occasion dinner. We made reservations for a Saturday night at 6pm. I ordered the grilled Mahi, which came with rice and vegetables. The Mahi itself was plain, but not bad. I didn't touch the rice, but the vegetables were fine. About half of the people in my party were not satisfied with their meals for various reasons (meat being too tough, food not arriving hot, etc.). Our waitress was nice, but the restaurant must have been understaffed, because we rarely saw her and service was slow. Overall, not an amazing experience. read more

Food was flavored well but cold & disappointing for $$. Sat at bar area felt like a bother when ordering more expensive beer.

This was a nice place to listen to a little live music and have a bite to eat. Bar tender was great and drinks were delicious!

Food was mediocre at best and the service was horrific. I got the impression that the waiter did not want to wait on my husband and me. A table of three, seated ten minutes after us, received drinks, appetizers and bread before us. He frequently checked on them, but never came back to check on us after he took our drink and food order. We had to waive another server down for more drinks and additional sauce for our awful fried green tomatoes. I ordered a bottle of wine form another waiter. After she poured my first glass, I asked for a wine bucket to keep it cold. She took the bottle and never returned with it. My husband had to go to the bar to ask for another glass of wine. The shrimp and grits I ordered were terrible. Lime sauce with onions and red & green peppers. I left most of it on my plate. I took home the rest, but threw it away when I got home. The best thing about the Reef is the view of the beach. We will not be back. read more

Bring back the buffet, food is the same quality but now you just can't eat as much as you want. Greedy business decisions will lose you long time customers. Atleast I can look out into the ocean while I pay for a portion of what I would normally eat. Might as well go across the street to Cap's on the Water for decent quality seafood. read more