Ok, so you’d like to find out what it’s like to live here at the beach permanently? Odds are St. Augustine Beach residents will tell you the best place to experience the beach vibe they enjoy each day is to head over to The Original Café Eleven located just across the street from the beach. Here you can join surfers, city officials, retirees, tourists, artists, shop owners and anybody who is anybody for breakfast, lunch, dinner or just awesome coffee. And on special evenings, some of the best national touring bands take the stage to create that music by the warm sea experience that residents of the far away heartland can only dream about.
Of course, it’s not just the atmosphere that makes The Original Café Eleven so appealing. It’s also the food. And if you think beach food is hamburgers, fries and fish sandwiches, well – you won’t find any of that here. This is the home of some of the most creative culinary creations found anywhere within the sound of waves. There are 19 breakfast choices including huevos rancheros, biscuits and gravy and unique concoctions like steak-and-egg tacos. (There’s also an awesome breakfast buffet from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays). Lunch features sandwiches and wraps or choose from among 11 enticing salads. Meatloaf for dinner at the beach? It’s here. Along with the local catch-of-the day and specialties like honey balsamic salmon. There’s also a daily (3-7 p.m.) Happy Hour featuring an impressive selection of craft beers at half-price. This is also a favorite restaurant among local and visiting dogs – out on the pet-friendly patio, they can choose their favorite from the Doggie Dining Menu (ice water is complimentary).
And there’s music! Considered by serious music enthusiasts to be one of the best venues in Northeast Florida, The Original Café Eleven brings some of the nation’ best touring bands to the stage. Artists from every genre perform here, but there’s a slight preference for the blues with appearances by Popa Chubby and Anna Popovic. You can’t have a beach musical venue without some reggae – The Original Wailers have performed here. The music begins after 9 p.m. Check the website for upcoming artists – tickets are sold via Eventbrite.
