After two decades as a fine-dining staple in downtown St. Augustine, Michael’s is moving to a new home in Vilano Beach.

Chef Michael Lugo’s acclaimed Spanish restaurant will open in February at the Hyatt Place Vilano Beach, offering an upgraded dining experience with expanded features.

Why the Move?

Despite its historic charm, Michael’s downtown location faced ongoing flooding, infrastructure issues, and parking challenges. These concerns pushed Lugo to relocate, allowing him to focus on food rather than facility maintenance.

“It’s a move I’m incredibly excited about,” Lugo said. “Occupying a historic building comes with its own set of unique challenges. The Hyatt Place is brand new, so I can focus more of the efforts and budget on fine-tuning the dining experience.”

What’s New?

The new Vilano Beach location will offer:

• An expanded wine selection
• A custom-built kitchen
• More comfortable seating
• Plentiful parking
• A larger seafood selection, including oysters

Michael’s Joins Pesca Vilano at Hyatt Place

Lugo originally launched Pesca Vilano at the Hyatt Place, using both its rooftop terrace and main dining area. Pesca will continue operating upstairs, while Michael’s will take over the elegant downstairs dining space.

Michael’s will serve its final meal at the downtown St. Augustine location on New Year’s Eve before officially moving to Vilano Beach in early 2025.