Saint Augustine
Steps from Flagler College on King St in St. Augustine's Historic District — a cafe and restaurant where students, neighbors, and visitors gather for craft coffee, breakfast, brunch, and a fireplace courtyard that's hard to leave. Florida's oldest city deserves a coffee shop worth staying in.
Location
124 King St, St. Augustine, FL 32084, USA
Hours
Open Daily: 6:30 AM - 9:00 PM
PHONE
Southern Grounds St. Augustine is a coffee shop and restaurant at 124 King St in the heart of the Historic District — directly across from Flagler College, steps from the Lightner Museum, Casa Monica Hotel, and the King St trolley stop. Breakfast starts at 6:30 AM and the courtyard fireplace is the spot that makes people stay longer than they planned — one of the only fireplace dining patios on King St.
We draw Flagler College students looking for a real place to study, Historic District locals who want something other than tourist-row dining, and visitors moving between St. George Street, the St. Augustine Distillery, and the Villa Zorayda Museum. The guest mix is unlike any other Southern Grounds — tourists and locals layered together by the energy of the oldest city.
Inside, the space is warm and calm — built for studying, catching up, and lingering over a second cup. Free Wi-Fi and plenty of room to spread out. The courtyard is the draw: shaded seating, dog-friendly, and a fireplace that turns cooler evenings into the best seat on King Street. Live music on weekends without overwhelming the conversation.
The kitchen is Mediterranean-inspired and scratch-made — Intelligentsia coffee roasted and shipped weekly from Chicago, Blueberry Bakery pastries baked in-house, and everything cooked in extra virgin olive oil. All-day breakfast and brunch, dinner, bowls, and a beer and wine list.
Walk-in only. Opened December 2024. Open daily 6:30 AM–9 PM. Parking in nearby downtown garages; the King St trolley stops at the door.
Private events & Catering
The Historic District fireplace courtyard on King St is one of Florida's most sought-after rehearsal dinner settings — across from Flagler College, steps from the Lightner Museum and Casa Monica Hotel. Southern Grounds St. Augustine has already hosted wedding rehearsal parties and milestone celebrations. Contact us about private events and catering for wedding weekends and special gatherings in the oldest city in America.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Where exactly are you on King Street?
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Right at 124 King Street, directly across from Flagler College. You'll see us on the south side of King Street between the Lightner Museum and Casa Monica. If you're walking from St. George Street, we're a short block west. If you're coming from the parking garage on Cordova, we're a two-minute walk.
Parking is always a nightmare downtown. What's the best option?
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Honest answer: plan for it. There's no lot attached to the building — this is historic downtown St. Augustine, and parking is shared with everyone else on King Street. Your best bets are the city parking garage on Cordova Street (closest, about a two-minute walk), street pay stations along King and Granada, and the paid lot behind the Lightner Museum on Granada. The ParkStAug app lets you pay by phone at most city spots. On weekends and during Nights of Lights season, give yourself an extra 10–15 minutes. If you're using the trolley, there's a stop right on King Street.
Is the outdoor courtyard open year-round? Does it have a fireplace?
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Yes and yes. The courtyard has an outdoor fireplace — which, during Florida's brief winter window, becomes the best seat in the Historic District. It's open daily and dog-friendly. On warmer days it's shaded seating; on cooler evenings, the fireplace gets going. St. Augustine's shoulder seasons (October through February) are when it's at its best.
Is this a good spot to sit and study or work?
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Yes. We get a steady mix of Flagler College students and remote workers throughout the week. Inside, the space is calm and designed for lingering — good Wi-Fi, plenty of seating, quieter than most King Street options during weekday mornings. Weekends pick up with tourist traffic, so if you're looking for focused work time, weekday mornings are your window.
Is Southern Grounds St. Augustine dog-friendly?
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Yes. The King Street courtyard is dog-friendly — bring your dog and grab a table outside. Water bowls are out. The courtyard is shaded and enclosed, and during cooler months the fireplace side is where every dog owner ends up.
Do you have live music at the St. Augustine location?
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Yes — live music on weekends in the courtyard. Acoustic sets that fit the space without overwhelming conversation. Check our Instagram @southerngroundsco for the weekly lineup.
Do you take reservations at the St. Augustine location?
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No — all seating is walk-in only. On weekday mornings you can usually grab a table right away. Weekend brunch is busier; arriving before 9 AM or after 1 PM avoids the peak.