Which St. Augustine restaurant won a major award for its beautiful waterfront setting?

Colleen Michele Jones, St. Augustine Record
·3 min read
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Vivian and Bernard de Raad, owners of Cap's On the Water, stand on the deck restaurant that overlooks the Intracoastal Waterway, north of St. Augustine, on Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022. The restaurant was recently ranked No. 9 among the "15 Most Beautiful Restaurants in the U.S.," according to the travel industry website Tripstodiscover.com.
Vivian and Bernard de Raad, owners of Cap's On the Water, stand on the deck restaurant that overlooks the Intracoastal Waterway, north of St. Augustine, on Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022. The restaurant was recently ranked No. 9 among the "15 Most Beautiful Restaurants in the U.S.," according to the travel industry website Tripstodiscover.com.

What started out as a rustic waterfront fish camp in Vilano Beach has become an award-winning, upscale, destination restaurant that attracts guests from all over.

Cap's on the Water has earned a No. 9 ranking among the "15 Most Beautiful Restaurants in the U.S.," according to the travel industry website Tripstodiscover.com.

Another long-standing local restaurant, O'Steens, recently landed on another Triptodiscover.com list as one of the "15 Best Seafood Restaurants in Florida."

Just over 20 years ago, Bernard and Vivian de Raad bought Cap's – which was first a fish camp in the 1940s and then a local hangout bar – with the vision of providing an elevated dining experience in a serene setting.

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By nearly all accounts, they've accomplished their goal.

Romantic restaurant with sunset views in historic St. Augustine

Nestled among a canopy of live oaks, the large deck and pavilion overlooking the Intracoastal create a leisurely, romantic atmosphere. Add a diverse menu of fresh seafood and landlubber dishes, an immense wine list (a few rarities in their 500-bottle collection go for as much as nearly $1,000) and it's a recipe for success.

Cap's On the Water, north of St. Augustine, was recently ranked No. 9 among the "15 Most Beautiful Restaurants in the U.S.," according to the travel industry website Tripstodiscover.com.
Cap's On the Water, north of St. Augustine, was recently ranked No. 9 among the "15 Most Beautiful Restaurants in the U.S.," according to the travel industry website Tripstodiscover.com.

Even with about 400 seats, staff have to regularly turn down would-be guests on a line that usually snakes well around the building at peak dinner hours.

"We do have sensational sunsets and offer a slice of 'Old Florida' with a modern approach to food and beverage," said Bernard de Raad.

According to the write-up from Tripstodiscover.com: "Cap’s on the Water must be one of the world’s best places to watch a sunset, with tables spread around its vast outdoor deck and jetty which sit along the Intracoastal Waterway. The outdoor oyster bar, which is often called the sunset bar, is one of three here that offers beer, cocktails featuring local spirits and award-winning wine. If it’s chilly out, there are heaters around the tables that will keep you cozy and warm. If you want to dine indoors, enjoy the views through large paned-glass windows. The menu starts with appetizers like a cheese platter and raw oysters on the half shell, with entrees featuring the daily fresh catch, served crusted, seared or blackened."

Bernard de Raad, originally from the Netherlands, brings a decidedly European flair and artistic sensibilities to the venture, which offset Vivian's southern charm and feel for the "Old Florida" she grew up with.

Both are very visible and hands-on owners, taking the time to drop in and chat with as many guests as they can. They live just down the road in Vilano Beach.

Cap's is known for grouper, other seafood

As for menu items Cap's is known for (including their vanilla grouper, sesame tuna and calamari) the owners know they could never remove from the menu, but they do try out new specialties and incorporate them time to time.

As a destination restaurant, Cap's attracts lots of travelers but also has a loyal local following, the couple say.

The place does not take reservations. And the reason they begrudgingly have to inform diners who may have waited upwards of an hour that they cannot accommodate them that night is because they want to ensure those who do get in receive their utmost attention.

Cap's On the Water, north of St. Augustine, was recently ranked No. 9 among the "15 Most Beautiful Restaurants in the U.S.," according to the travel industry website Tripstodiscover.com.
Cap's On the Water, north of St. Augustine, was recently ranked No. 9 among the "15 Most Beautiful Restaurants in the U.S.," according to the travel industry website Tripstodiscover.com.

"It has everything to do with the customer experience," Vivian said.

After working through two hurricanes and the COVID-19 pandemic, the de Raads say they have no intention of going anywhere anytime soon.

"We've grown it through the years, just as the area has grown," Bernard said proudly.

Cap's on the Water, located at 4325 Myrtle St. in Vilano Beach, with dinner served daily starting at 4:30 p.m.; lunch begins at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday only.

This article originally appeared on St. Augustine Record: Cap's on the Water in St. Augustine awarded for beautiful setting