Michael’s St. Augustine just pulled off a milestone double-header: the longtime steak-and-seafood favorite is celebrating 20 years in business and has picked up a coveted Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence to go with the party. The veteran dining room, now perched inside the Hyatt Place at Vilano Beach after a recent move from the downtown historic district, has been refitted with a fresh look and a stronger focus on wine and tasting experiences. Regulars say the new setup comes with obvious perks: more space, easier parking and a live-piano backdrop that the tight Cuna Street quarters could never quite deliver.
Twenty Years In, Michael’s Lands a Wine Spectator Prize
The restaurant marked the moment with a short video announcing both the award and the anniversary on April 17, 2026, according to Facebook. Michael’s lists the Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence among its honors, and a release from Florida’s Historic Coast also spotlighted the recognition while previewing this year’s food-and-wine calendar.
Why Michael’s Left Downtown For Vilano Beach
Owner and chef Michael Lugo told reporters he was increasingly boxed in downtown, with repeated flooding and the limitations of the old Cuna Street building making it tough to keep a full-service operation on even footing. He announced plans to relocate in late 2024, and coverage from the Jax Daily Record noted that the Hyatt Place site opened to guests in February 2025, about four miles northeast of the original downtown spot.
Inside the New Hyatt Place Home
The Vilano Beach relaunch leans into wine and a slower-paced dining room. The reopening emphasized a larger wine library, a dedicated chef’s tasting table, valet service and a grand piano to set a quieter tone, according to an opening release from Old City PR. In a statement reproduced in those launch materials, Lugo said the Hyatt’s expanded kitchen and storage give his team room to stretch, particularly on seafood offerings, while sharpening the overall steakhouse experience, per Old City PR.
Festival Spotlight and Regional Standing
Michael’s is also staying visible on the events circuit. The restaurant is set to host festival programming this spring, including the Saltworks Supper presented with Garden & Gun during the St. Augustine Food + Wine Festival from May 6 to 9, 2026, according to a release from Florida’s Historic Coast. The booking reinforces Michael’s profile as a regional dining anchor even after trading its downtown address for a coastal hotel setting.
Whether diners show up for the chef’s tasting table, the expanded wine library or a festival dinner, the move to Vilano Beach looks designed for staying power and tourism traffic. The 20-year anniversary and the Wine Spectator nod offer a neat checkpoint for locals watching how far Michael’s has come from its compact downtown beginnings.
