Enter OC White's Restaurant, where ghostly chefs, colonial diners, and Civil War officers continue their eternal feast in St. Augustine's most haunted eatery.

A Restaurant Where the Dead Still Dine

Located in the heart of St. Augustine's historic district, OC White's Restaurant occupies a magnificent 18th-century building that has served continuous culinary traditions for over two centuries. Originally constructed in 1790 as a private residence for wealthy Spanish colonial merchant Don Carlos Espinosa, the elegant two-story structure was converted into St. Augustine's first upscale tavern during the British colonial period. The building's thick coquina walls and cypress beam construction have witnessed countless meals, celebrations, and gatherings that have left an indelible spiritual imprint upon the premises. Today's diners frequently report supernatural encounters that enhance rather than disturb their culinary experience—phantom waitstaff who refill water glasses, ghostly chefs whose aromatic preparations waft through the dining rooms, and colonial-era patrons who continue their eternal conversations at favored tables. From the elegant main dining room where Spanish colonial officials once entertained distinguished guests, to the intimate upstairs chambers where Civil War officers planned military strategies over elaborate dinners, every corner of OC White's pulses with the spiritual energy of those who found comfort, companionship, and sustenance within these historic walls.

From Colonial Mansion to Culinary Institution

The building that houses OC White's Restaurant began as the private mansion of Don Carlos Espinosa, a prosperous Spanish merchant who imported luxury goods from Cuba and Mexico for St. Augustine's colonial elite. Don Carlos designed his home to accommodate lavish dinner parties that served both social and business purposes, with multiple dining areas that could host different classes of guests simultaneously. The mansion's kitchen featured revolutionary Spanish colonial innovations including multiple hearths, specialized storage for exotic spices, and a sophisticated ventilation system that allowed for year-round cooking despite Florida's heat. When Britain gained control of Florida in 1763, the mansion was acquired by Colonel James Grant, the British colonial governor, who expanded the building's dining facilities to accommodate military staff meetings and diplomatic receptions. During this period, the building earned its reputation for excellent cuisine, as Colonel Grant employed French chefs who introduced European culinary techniques to St. Augustine's dining scene. The American territorial period brought new ownership and the building's conversion into St. Augustine's first public restaurant, catering to wealthy American settlers and northern tourists seeking authentic Spanish colonial atmosphere. During the Civil War, the restaurant served both Union and Confederate officers at different times, as control of St. Augustine changed hands multiple times throughout the conflict. The building's conversion to OC White's Restaurant in the 1980s restored its original elegant dining atmosphere while preserving the supernatural ambiance that centuries of memorable meals had created.

The Eternal Dinner Party

The most beloved spirit at OC White's Restaurant is Chef Eduardo, a Spanish colonial cook who died in the building's kitchen during the yellow fever epidemic of 1728. Modern kitchen staff consistently report his helpful presence during busy dinner service, when pots stir themselves, oven temperatures adjust automatically, and complex dishes receive mysterious finishing touches that elevate them beyond the chef's original preparation. Eduardo's spirit is particularly protective of the restaurant's Spanish colonial recipes, and several cooks have reported receiving detailed cooking instructions through dreams or sudden inspiration while preparing traditional dishes. His presence is always accompanied by the warm aroma of Spanish spices—saffron, paprika, and cumin—even when these ingredients are not being used. The restaurant's most distinguished ghostly patron is Colonel James Grant himself, who continues to hold court at his preferred table in the main dining room. Waitstaff report that his table occasionally sets itself with period-appropriate silverware and crystal, and guests seated nearby often hear the phantom sound of colonial-era conversation and the gentle clink of wine glasses being raised in invisible toasts. Colonel Grant's spirit is most active during evening dinner service, particularly when the restaurant hosts private parties reminiscent of his colonial-era gatherings. The upstairs dining rooms house the collective spirits of Civil War officers from both armies who found temporary camaraderie over shared meals during the conflict's chaotic periods. These military ghosts manifest as the phantom sounds of strategic discussions, the rustle of maps being spread across tables, and the distinctive aroma of military-issue tobacco and brandy that accompanied their planning sessions.

Supernatural Seasoning

Paranormal activity at OC White's Restaurant intensifies during the dinner hours, particularly between 6 and 9 PM when the building's history of elegant evening meals seems to awaken its resident spirits. The kitchen experiences the most consistent supernatural phenomena, with staff reporting that cooking equipment operates independently, ingredients organize themselves, and completed dishes receive mysterious garnishes that enhance both flavor and presentation. Temperature fluctuations occur throughout the dining areas, with certain tables maintaining supernatural cold spots that seem to coincide with the preferred seating areas of the restaurant's ghostly patrons. Electronic equipment behaves erratically, particularly the restaurant's sound system, which occasionally plays period-appropriate music from eras when no such recordings existed. The building's historic mirrors reflect more than living diners—guests consistently photograph shadowy figures in colonial and military dress seated at adjacent tables, toasting invisible companions. Cutlery and glassware move independently during service, with water glasses refilling themselves and silverware rearranging into patterns that reflect different historical periods' table-setting conventions. The restaurant's wine cellar, located in the building's original Spanish colonial foundation, experiences intense supernatural activity with bottles shifting positions overnight, phantom wine tastings where empty glasses develop mysterious residues, and the sound of colonial-era Spanish conversations echoing through the storage areas. During full moons and on historically significant dates—particularly September 8th (St. Augustine's feast day) and various Civil War anniversaries—the restaurant becomes extraordinarily active, with witnesses reporting entire phantom dinner parties complete with ghostly waitstaff serving invisible meals to period-dressed diners who vanish when approached.

Dining with the Departed

OC White's Restaurant offers diners the unique opportunity to enjoy exceptional cuisine while experiencing authentic supernatural encounters in one of St. Augustine's most historically significant buildings. Reservations are recommended for both the culinary experience and the enhanced paranormal activity that seems to accompany occupied tables, as the restaurant's spirits appear most active when engaging with living patrons. The main dining room provides the best opportunity for encountering Colonel Grant's spirit, particularly tables positioned near the original colonial-era windows where he conducted his historical dinner meetings. Guests should come prepared for temperature variations, as certain seating areas experience supernatural cold spots that are part of the authentic historical atmosphere rather than climate control issues. Photography is encouraged throughout the restaurant, as the historic mirrors and reflective surfaces consistently capture paranormal evidence including period-dressed figures and mysterious orbs that seem to hover around specific tables. The restaurant's evening dinner service offers the most intense supernatural experiences, though the lunch service also provides opportunities for daytime paranormal encounters in a more subdued atmosphere. Wine enthusiasts will appreciate the restaurant's historic cellar tours, which include both wine education and paranormal experiences as the basement area houses some of the building's most active spirits. The upstairs private dining rooms can be reserved for special occasions and provide intimate settings for encountering the Civil War military spirits who continue their strategic discussions in these chambers. Staff members are knowledgeable about the building's paranormal history and often share personal supernatural experiences with interested guests, creating an atmosphere where the supernatural enhances rather than overshadows the exceptional dining experience.