Ready for a day of exploration around the Ancient City? You’re gonna need to fuel up. Luckily, no matter where your wanderlust takes you, from the beach to downtown to uptown, you’ll find lots of spots to grab and go or just relax before your adventure. Here are a few local favorites:

Downtown

On Hypolita Street, you’ll find Schmagel's Bagels. Enjoy their 13 varieties of freshly baked Brooklyn-style bagels and 12 varieties of hand-crafted cream cheeses and breakfast and deli sandwiches. The patio out front is a great place to meet up over coffee.

St. George Street

Seems like all roads lead to or start from St. George Street. Before you spend your day strolling in and out of the street’s famous shops, attractions and restaurants, fuel up at one of these local favorites.

Conveniently located across from the Castillo de San Marcos, City Perks Coffee Co keeps it simple with drip coffee, latte, espresso and nitro brew to get you going.

Just off the Plaza on Cathedral Place, Peace, Love and Little Donuts serves up old-fashioned cake donuts, fresh and warm, with far-out frosting and topping combos. Grab a few to go, and you’re all set for a nice stroll along St. George Street.

Cinnabon believes there’s nothing the world needs more than a little frosting. It’s the stuff of love and magic. And here, they create wonders with their frosting. Try their Classic Roll, Caramel Pecan Butter, or Churro Stick.

Uptown

On the north end of the ancient city on San Marcos, DOS Coffee & Wine offers hand-crafted coffees, pour over, lattes, cold brew coffees, house made baked goods, breakfast croissants and baked sandwiches and salads. Late in the day, stop in for a snack and a glass of wine from a rotating selection of wine and beers. This is a local favorite with comfortable indoor seating on leather couches, farm tables for groups, and an outside patio.

Alms + Fare on San Marco Avenue is all about making sweet things simple, with treats that are delicious yet nutritious. Using just a few quality ingredients they create gluten-free desserts that benefit your body and satisfy your sweet tooth.

St. Augustine Beach

Ready for the beach? Island Donuts on A1A Beach Road is locally owned and offers a delicious selection of donuts and breakfast sandwiches and fresh brewed coffees. Grab and go to the beach, just steps away, or relax on the outside porch. Choose from sprinkles and glazed, yeast or cake, old fashioned or Boston cream, guava filled and classic cinnamon rolls, or breakfast sandwiches on croissant, bagel or English muffin. Get there early before they run out.

Parlor Doughnuts on A1A specializes in famous layered doughnuts, craft coffee, and delicious food offerings. Their unique doughnuts are created in small batches all day long and are made to be crisp on the outside and light and fluffy on the inside. More than 20 flavors available and Keto, Vegan, and “Gluten-friendly” doughnut options.

Craving a bagel instead? Beach Bagels on A1A South is a surfside-style breakfast and lunch café from the owners of Purple Olive, serving fresh bagels, breakfast sandwiches, salads and bowls.

Route 1

Everything Bagel on Route 312 offers New York-style bagels, all baked on-site, along with homemade cream cheese spreads, coffee, lattes, sandwiches, pressed panini sandwiches, deli sandwiches, wraps, rolls, bialys, croissants, muffins and so much more. Eat in or take out, it’s everything you’re looking for.

Mochiatsu on Route 1 offers mochi donuts featuring a variety of delicious and creative glazes, from sweet and fruity to savory. Try the popular strawberry shortcake and Oreo mochi donut or, if you’re adventurous, a Korean hotdog--similar to the corn dog, but with a crispy and warm panko batter on the outside. The inside is filled with cheesy mozzarella and a hot dog.

Sometimes you want a little more than a bagel. Farmhand Kchn on Route 1 has it all. Plain, Swiss or Everything Bagel, their breakfast and lunch sandwiches and burgers are hand crafted with quality ingredients and lots of love. You’ll find something on their menu to satisfy your hunger.

Northwest St. Johns County

Near World Golf Village, Bite a Bagel on Nature Walk Parkway is a neighborhood go-to for fresh bagels, spreads, breakfast sandwiches and coffee.

Bagel lovers can get a taste of New York City at H&H Bagels on Longleaf Pine Parkway. The iconic NYC bagel shop opened its first Northeast Florida location here in 2025.

Donuts? or Bagels?