MICHELIN Guide Expands Into Northeast Florida, Recognizing Four Florida's Historic Coast Restaurants

Florida's Historic Coast is making history with four restaurants earning recognition in the MICHELIN Florida Guide 2026, putting the region on the MICHELIN map for the first time. Asado Life, Lotus Noodle Bar, Bar Citra, and Sunday Gathering Table are joined by four additional restaurants located in the region. This marks the first time the acclaimed MICHELIN inspectors have expanded their recommendations into Northeast Florida.

“This achievement is a tremendous milestone for Florida's Historic Coast and Northeast Florida and further validates the strength, creativity, and growing national reputation of our culinary community,” said Susan Phillips, President and CEO of The St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra and The Beaches Visitor and Convention Center. “Congratulations to all of the chefs, owners, managers, and teams whose hard work and talent helped earn this well-deserved recognition.”

First published in France at the turn of the 20th century, the MICHELIN Guide highlights the most distinctive and exciting places to dine around the world. Its inspectors visit restaurants anonymously, applying the same criteria and selection methods as the Guide's earliest inspectors. A restaurant's quality is assessed using five criteria: mastery of cooking techniques, harmony of flavors, the chef's personality as reflected in the cuisine, and consistency over time and across the entire menu. The inclusion of Florida's Historic Coast in the newest MICHELIN Guide reinforces what locals and visitors have long known – Northeast Florida is a culinary destination like no other.

Lotus Noodle Bar and Asado Life earned a place on the MICHELIN Guide Florida 2026 Recommended Restaurants list, which denotes establishments that MICHELIN Guide inspectors wish to highlight.

An alumnus of Chef Eric Ripert's 3-Star MICHELIN restaurant Le Bernardin, where he served as sous chef, Chef Barry Honan learned the art of ramen by moonlighting at noodle shops in New York City in his off-time. Lotus Noodle Bar began as a pop-up in May 2021, with locals vying for a seat at Chef Honan's table. After two years of creating dishes in pop-up kitchens, he opened Lotus Noodle Bar, located at 56 Grove Ave., tucked beneath live oaks in historic Uptown St. Augustine. From the start, Chef Honan's approach as a chef-storyteller earned him a reputation for excellence. Selecting from a seasonal menu of curated dishes and accompanying beverages, diners can watch the Lotus Noodle Bar culinary team prepare their meals in the open kitchen.

Asado Life began in 2014 when owners Nick and Christie Carrera launched their grill company, Urban Asado, in a retired shrimp packing house in St. Augustine's historic Lincolnville neighborhood. Their mission was simple: to share the sights, sounds, and aromas of Argentinian asado, or cooking over a live fire. They soon began hosting Sunday pop-ups, where guests gathered to experience food prepared on their traditional grills. In 2017, Executive Chef Matthew Brown joined the Carreras, helping to shape the culinary program that has become a hallmark of the restaurant. Today, 12 years later, Asado Life offers chef-driven lunches and dinners cooked on two large asados, hand-built by Nick Carrera, at its riverfront restaurant located at 173 Shipyard Way in St. Augustine.

Florida's Historic Coast is also home to two restaurants awarded MICHELIN's Bib Gourmand distinction: Bar Citra and Sunday Gathering Table. The Bib Gourmand list identifies eateries that offer great food at an equally great value. Bar Citra serves carefully sourced coffee and tea, fresh-baked breads and pastries, simple seasonal plates, and natural wines in an artfully composed space in northern St. Augustine. Sunday Gathering Table specializes in breakfast and lunch, with a menu inspired by their flagship creation – freshly baked sourdough bread. They serve a selection of toasts, egg specialties, salads, sandwiches, and homey sides.

Four restaurants on the First Coast, just a short drive north of Florida's Historic Coast, received mentions in MICHELIN's 2026 Florida Guide. Jacksonville's Bearded Pig and Rue Saint Marc, Amelia Island's Salt at the Ritz Carlton, and Atlantic Beach's Eggboy were all included on the 2026 Recommended Restaurants list. Salt at the Ritz Carlton's restaurant manager, Christopher Tegreeny, received the prestigious Outstanding Service Award.

Explore the creativity and talent of Florida's Historic Coast's culinary landscape with heritage-inspired flavors, from acclaimed fine dining to beloved waterside seafood shacks. Learn more at www.FloridasHistoricCoast.com.

America's 250th Anniversary Comes to Life In St. Augustine

As communities across the country celebrate America's 250th anniversary, St. Augustine is inviting visitors to experience Independence Day where centuries of history meet modern-day celebration. From spectacular waterfront fireworks and patriotic concerts to special tours, exhibits, and culinary experiences, the Nation's Oldest City offers a unique way to commemorate the country's milestone anniversary.

"Few places in America can celebrate Independence Day against a backdrop that spans nearly 500 years of history," said Susan Phillips, President and CEO of the St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra and The Beaches Visitors and Convention Bureau. "This year, visitors can experience everything from patriotic concerts and fireworks to historic tours and special America 250 programs, all in the Nation's Oldest City."

The centerpiece of the celebration is Fireworks Over the Matanzas on July 4, when fireworks light up the sky above the Matanzas River, with the historic Castillo de San Marcos serving as a dramatic backdrop. Visitors can also enjoy a variety of special America 250-themed events and experiences throughout the holiday weekend and the month of July.

In honor of the anniversary, admission to the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument will be free July 3–5. On July 3, the National Park Service and the St. Augustine Music Festival will present a special outdoor musical program featuring patriotic fanfares and traditional fife-and-drum performances. Brass quintet performances will take place at 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m., and 4 p.m. on the historic fort grounds.

Visitors can continue the celebration at Ximenez-Fatio House Museum, where admission will be just $2.50 on July 4 in recognition of America's 250th anniversary. The museum will also participate in the nationwide simultaneous reading of the Declaration of Independence on July 8 with a special commemorative public program.

Those interested in exploring the area's Revolutionary War history can join the St. Augustine and the Birth of America free walking tour. Offered every Saturday in July at 6 p.m., the guided tour reveals St. Augustine's surprising connections to the American Revolution, including East Florida's loyalty to the British Crown, imprisoned signers of the Declaration of Independence, and stories of colonial intrigue hidden among the city's historic streets.

Visitors seeking a memorable view of the fireworks can choose from a variety of special holiday cruises and boat excursions, offering front-row seats to the July 4 fireworks display from the waters of Matanzas Bay.

The celebration extends beyond historic sites. Throughout July, Cordova Coastal Chophouse & Bar at Casa Monica Resort & Spa will offer a limited-time three-course prix fixe dining experience inspired by classic American steakhouse traditions.

The Lightner Museum, Villa Zorayda Museum, Peña-Peck House Museum & Cultural Center, and St. Augustine Art Association will feature special exhibits and programs honoring America's 250th anniversary.

From patriotic celebrations and historic tours to waterfront dining and live entertainment, St. Augustine offers visitors a distinctive way to celebrate Independence Day during America's 250th anniversary year.

A complete schedule of America 250 events, exhibits, tours, and celebrations is available at:

www.FloridasHistoricCoast.com/events/250/

St. Augustine, Florida Sizzles With The Sounds & Flavors Of Latin America

Hispanic heritage is one of the pillars of Floridian culture, and nowhere is this better shown off than in the city of St. Augustine — the birthplace of Hispanic influence in the United States. Recently named one of the top 50 Best Small Towns in the South by Southern Living, and perched along Florida's northern coast, St. Augustine was basking in Spanish influence four decades before the first English settlement was ever established in continental North America.

The Spanish influence of St. Augustine began in 1565 when the city was founded by explorer Pedro Menedez de Aviles. Today, visitors to St. Augustine can step back in time and see the evolution of Hispanic influence and culture throughout the city. Some of the most impressive heritage sites include:

The Castillo de San Marcos fortress, one of the oldest masonry fortifications on the continent.

Ponce de Leon's Fountain of Youth Archaeological park, where visitors can actually sip from the legendary fountain.

St. Augustine Historic District and Aviles Street, the oldest street in the United States.

Fort Matanzas, the fort that protects St. Augustine along the Matanzas River.

Mission Nombre De Dios, the first Catholic parish in the United States.

But St. Augustine’s Hispanic influence extends much further than historic landmarks. Modern-day St. Augustine is a veritable spotlight on Hispanic culture. The sounds and flavors of the city are deeply rooted in Latin American traditions. Some of St. Augustine’s most iconic and beloved restaurants take their culinary direction from Hispanic kitchens.

Columbia Restaurant, for example, offers diners a traditional Spanish setting in the city's historic district. The restaurant is more than 100 years old and has a menu of award-winning Spanish and Cuban cuisine.

Other top Latin American restaurants in St. Augustine include Asado Life with Argentinian meats, Leon La Cocina, serving Latin, Colombian, Spanish, and South American dishes, Casa Maya Restaurant for Mexican cuisine, Llama Restaurant highlights Peruvian cuisine, and Casa Reina Taqueria & Tequila, for a fusion of Mexican, Latin and Cuban flavors. Also not to be missed is Michael’s Tasting Room for a modern take on Latin American staples.

Visit St. Augustine during the annual St. Augustine Spanish Food & Wine Festival to celebrate all of the Spanish influences in the city's most iconic kitchens. The event features tapas, wine and spirits, as well as a Cava Dinner Reception, and a Grand Tasting. More than 100 Spanish Wines are available to taste throughout the three-day event, including Spanish-inspired cuisine prepared by St. Augustine chefs.

The celebration of St. Augustine's food and wine continues at the city's premiere culinary event, the St. Augustine Food + Wine Festival, held every May. Showcasing culinary, beverage, and culture, the annual event highlights celebrity guest chefs, winemakers, local chefs, artisans, and local craft spirits and beer.

Latin American food, music, and dance come together at another beloved annual St. Augustine tradition — Unidos en la Musica: A Latin American Festival. This yearly event celebrates the wide variety of Latin American music, and pairs beat perfectly with authentic dance, food, and games.

The celebration of St. Augustine's Hispanic heritage continues during its end-of-year Nights of Lights celebration. Locals and visitors love to watch the city light up with millions of tiny white lights, a practice inspired by the Spanish tradition of lighting candles in the windows during the holiday season.

Overall, St. Augustine is one of the best cities in the nation for honoring and celebrating the Hispanic and Latin American influence that is such a vital part of the fabric of Florida and the United States. Taste, listen, see, and feel where it all began in the oldest city in the country.

About St. Augustine: St. Augustine is found along Florida's northern coast between Daytona Beach and Jacksonville. It is one of the most important stops on Florida's Historic Coast, which includes the city itself, as well as the 42 miles of Atlantic beachfront. Visitors can access St. Augustine through Daytona Beach International (DAB) and Jacksonville International (JAX) airports.