
River & Fort Restaurant & Roof Top Lounge
Dine with stunning bay views, enjoying Southern-inspired steaks and seafood in an elegant setting perfect for any occasion.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

River & Fort Restaurant & Roof Top Lounge

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Dine with stunning bay views, enjoying Southern-inspired steaks and seafood in an elegant setting perfect for any occasion.
"The best food, service, and atmosphere we have ever experienced - definitely recommend!"
Reservations Recommended
Book in advance to avoid long wait times, especially during peak hours.
Rooftop Menu Limited
The rooftop offers great views but a more limited menu, primarily flatbreads and wings.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
American
Price
$$$
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Stunning Bay Views from the Rooftop
Soak in breathtaking vistas of Mantanzas Bay and Castillo de San Marcos from the restaurant's multi-level rooftop lounge.

Exceptional Service & Ambiance
Experience friendly, knowledgeable staff and a refined yet comfortable atmosphere perfect for special occasions.

Highlighted Southern Flavors
Indulge in delicious dishes like braised short ribs, deviled eggs topped with caviar, and fried green tomatoes.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Reservations Recommended
Book in advance to avoid long wait times, especially during peak hours.
Rooftop Menu Limited
The rooftop offers great views but a more limited menu, primarily flatbreads and wings.
Consider Lunch
Visiting for lunch might mean shorter waits if you prefer a less crowded experience.
Ask for Recommendations
Staff like Jesse, Shane, and Austin are noted for providing excellent recommendations.
Tips
from all over the internet
Reservations Recommended
Book in advance to avoid long wait times, especially during peak hours.
Rooftop Menu Limited
The rooftop offers great views but a more limited menu, primarily flatbreads and wings.
Consider Lunch
Visiting for lunch might mean shorter waits if you prefer a less crowded experience.
Ask for Recommendations
Staff like Jesse, Shane, and Austin are noted for providing excellent recommendations.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
River & Fort garners praise for its stunning bay views, exceptional service, and refined ambiance, making it a popular spot for special occasions. While many rave about dishes like sticky ribs and deviled eggs, some reviewers mention inconsistencies in food quality, with occasional complaints about saltiness, blandness, or overcooking. The wait times for entrees can also be a drawback for some diners.
"We ordered the shrimp, lobster pasta, and fresh oysters. The pasta was delicious — full of flavor and cooked just right. The oysters were fresh but pretty small, which I’m guessing is just because it’s not oyster season. We also had the New York strip and it was great!
Only downside was the wait — it took over 30 minutes for our entrées to come out. We sat inside and the vibe was nice and comfortable. Service was friendly, just wish the food had come out a little quicker."
Nhi Nguyen
"Lovely restaurant with a great rooftop bar with a fantastic view of the water. We were on the patio, which had a nice ambience. Our waitress was helpful and friendly. The steak salad was spot on, but the short ribs were a little too salty, whereas the fish special was a bit bland."
Jill C
"My wife and I went here for our honeymoon and this was the best food, service, and atmosphere we have ever experienced. The price was very reasonable and we could not have asked for a better experience for our special time. (Sunset time was beautiful and we got to see the lights turn on after). Very romantic and relaxing spot! Johnny was our server and was not only informative about the restaurant but the surrounding city! Definitely recommend going here, we will definitely be back!"
Brian Shaw
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
For a less crowded experience and potentially shorter waits, consider visiting during lunch. Reservations are highly recommended for dinner.
Yes, River & Fort boasts a rooftop lounge with stunning views of the bay and historic Castillo de San Marcos. However, the rooftop menu is limited.
Guests often praise the sticky ribs, deviled eggs (especially with caviar), and braised short ribs. The fried green tomatoes are also a popular appetizer.
Yes, reservations are highly recommended, especially for special occasions and to avoid long wait times.
Absolutely. Many reviewers mention celebrating anniversaries and special occasions here, citing the ambiance and service as ideal.
Yes, one reviewer mentioned that the restaurant has many kid-friendly options available.
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We’re going to talk about this building as well–it is on the other side of San Marco, right across from the fort. It used to be a string of Mexican restaurants, but the new owners have spent almost a year renovating all of the spaces, adding an adorable courtyard, a second and third floor outdoor deck (again with firepits–are we seeing a trend here?) as well as outdoor seating in front of the city parking lot. Although it’s named for the Matanzas River which empties into the bay just across the street, River and Fort is a great place to take people who don’t want to eat seafood every night (like Sandy’s meat-and-potato man dad).
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Nestled in the heart of St. Augustine, River & Fort offers a captivating dining experience that combines breathtaking views with expertly crafted cocktails. As the second project from the family behind the acclaimed River & Post in Jacksonville, this restaurant is a testament to Southern hospitality and culinary innovation. Perched across three levels, including a stunning rooftop patio, River & Fort provides diners with unparalleled vistas of the historic Castillo de San Marcos, the serene Matanzas River, and the vast Atlantic Ocean beyond.
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River & Fort -Indulge in a menu inspired by the flavors of the southern continent, featuring locally sourced seafood, succulent steaks, a fine selection of wines, and expertly crafted cocktails. Situated directly on the Bay Front, the restaurant offers the added charm of second and third-floor rooftop dining experiences. What's more, it enjoys a prime location just across the street from the historic Castillo de San Marcos fort.
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Located directly across from the Castillo de San Marcos is St. Augustine’s newest dining establishment, River & Fort. Take in the sights and sounds of the Bayfront and the historical sights from the second and third-floor rooftops while sipping on a handcrafted cocktail from the lounge, or enjoy a more relaxed setting inside over dinner. Their menus feature a blend of seafood and beef options sure to please all palates.
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Not only does this restaurant and lounge have amazing food and drinks, it also has the best view in the city. River & Fort Restaurant & Rooftop Lounge is located right in the heart of downtown St. Augustine at the corner of Avenida Menendez and Charlotte St, directly across from the Castillo de San Marcos. Their menu includes a southern continental inspired menu with local seafood, steaks, wine, and craft cocktails.
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River & Fort is one of St. Augustine’s newest spaces and, as its name indicates, is across from the Castillo de San Marcos and the Matanzas River. River & Fort’s huge rooftop dining area offers an expansive view of the bayfront, Anastasia Island, the St. Augustine inlet and more. The rooftop menu offers lighter fare, including divine lobster flatbreads, broiled oysters and wood-fired baked chocolate chip beignets.
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Situated in the heart of St Augustine, River & Fort Restaurant & Roof Top Lounge offers a delightful happy hour that you simply can't miss. The moment you arrive, the stunning bay views wrap around you, serving as the perfect backdrop for an evening of relaxation. As I settled in, I was greeted by excellent service that made me feel right at home, setting the stage for a wonderfully pleasurable experience.
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Seafood-and-steaks restaurant River & Fort (two blocks to the north) delivers a postcard-worthy perspective on the Castillo de San Marcos, the city’s iconic fortress that was built more than 300 years ago from the hardy, seashel-laden coquina stone. Both embody the spirit of celebrating the city’s past without being entirely beholden to it, a tricky balance I observed time and time again during my stay.
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River & Fort, one of St. Augustine’s most recent additions to the historic Bayfront, now offers group bookings!. Their southern continental menu includes local seafood, steaks, wine, and craft cocktails. With multiple indoor and outdoor seating options and incredible views of the Matanzas River and Castillo de san Marcos, this restaurant is sure to leave a lasting impression on your guests.
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12 Avenida Menendez, St. Augustine, FL 32084 riverandfort.com. Steak and seafood in an unforgettable atmosphere with beautiful views. As you drive down the Avenida Menendez you can’t miss the fort — Castillo de San Marcos — and the Mentdoz River — and across from both of those is one of St. Augustine’s newer restaurants and a fine dining experience: River and Fort.
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River & Fort: As the newest addition to the list of restaurants in St. Augustine, this elegant spot is located directly across from Castillo de San Marcos and offers diners multiple rooftop seating options with spectacular views. The menu swings Southern-continental with fresh seafood, hearty steaks, and an extensive wine list.
Outdoor Dining with Fabulous Views
Speaking of bay views, have a drink on River & Fort's roof if you want a great photo of the bay and the Castillo de San Marcos. Like Casa Reina, it has a lot of pit stops along the way so make sure you keep climbing—the pay off at the top is worth it!. Your Instagram page will thank you.
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The newest addition to the downtown bay front, the River & Fort is directly across the street from the Castillo de San Marcos. With a separate bar/lounge area and 2 different menus, be sure to plan a date night at this upscale restaurant while vacationing in St. Augustine.
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Limited reservations are available for the full-menu dining room and courtyard seating. However, we recommend you take your chances for the first-come, first-serve rooftop spaces. On both the second and third floors, the rooftop spaces have a pizza kitchen.
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River & Fort: As the newest addition to the list of St. Augustine restaurants, River & Fort is already making an impression with its exceptional rooftop deck. If you really want to do it up, order the Grand Platter with lobster, King crab, and caviar.
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A four-minute walk from the Castillo de San Macros, River& Fort is easily accessible. Not only are they accessible, but they’ve also got a ton of outdoor space on the first-floor patio. The views are impressive as well, overlooking the fort.
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Enjoy delicious dishes like perfectly cooked steak paired with seasonal veggies. The views of the waterfront make every meal feel special, adding to the charm of this lovely restaurant. For more details, check out this great restaurant.
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Experience breathtaking views of the Castillo de San Marcos from the rooftop lounge of River & Fort. Sip innovative craft cocktails and savor elevated Southern-inspired dishes.
St Augustine FL - restaurants and things to do
Take the St.Augustine Distillery Tour and then right next to it is the ICE Plant. Great seasonal drinks and a great early 1900's vibe.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit