Jacksonville Food Spots (Pt. I)
Food scene
This local coffee spot has some of the best coffee in Jacksonville. From teas, coffees, and kombucha to pastries, sandwiches, and bread, everything is locally made. Not to mention, the baristas are regulars, so they’re usually super friendly.
Also has dairy alternatives and gluten-free and vegetarian/vegan options.
Bold Bean has three locations in Jacksonville (Jacksonville Beach, San Marco, and Riverside— no difference in quality).
This particular location is beachside and across the street from a ton of other local favorites as well as right down the street from a large neighborhood park.
62 locals recommend
Bold Bean
2400 3rd St SThis local coffee spot has some of the best coffee in Jacksonville. From teas, coffees, and kombucha to pastries, sandwiches, and bread, everything is locally made. Not to mention, the baristas are regulars, so they’re usually super friendly.
Also has dairy alternatives and gluten-free and vegetarian/vegan options.
Bold Bean has three locations in Jacksonville (Jacksonville Beach, San Marco, and Riverside— no difference in quality).
This particular location is beachside and across the street from a ton of other local favorites as well as right down the street from a large neighborhood park.
Social Grounds Coffee Company
1712 N Main StChill coffee spot if you’re downtown.
Another trendy beachside cafe (down the street from Bold Bean at the beach).
17 locals recommend
Sago Coffee
318 7th Ave NAnother trendy beachside cafe (down the street from Bold Bean at the beach).
Excellent date night spot; a bit on the pricey side, but definitely worth it.
114 locals recommend
Restaurant Orsay
3630 Park StExcellent date night spot; a bit on the pricey side, but definitely worth it.
Coop 303
303 Atlantic BlvdBeachside rooftop dining experience; modernized southern cooking.
Intimate dockside dining; definitely recommend valet parking because parking is very limited. Reserve ahead of time.
57 locals recommend
Marker 32
14549 Beach BlvdIntimate dockside dining; definitely recommend valet parking because parking is very limited. Reserve ahead of time.
Similar to Safe Harbor (in Mayport area), if not identical. Local catch— oysters, fish, gator tail, shrimp, etc. Casual spot; always a line, but worth it because the line moves fast.
106 locals recommend
Safe Harbor Seafood Restaurant Jax Beach
2510 2nd Ave NSimilar to Safe Harbor (in Mayport area), if not identical. Local catch— oysters, fish, gator tail, shrimp, etc. Casual spot; always a line, but worth it because the line moves fast.
If you’re a meat-lover and love Brazilian steakhouses— you’ll love this. It’s right around where you’re staying too! If you haven’t been to a Brazilian steakhouse before, well... Consider yourself a fan now.
Other nearby options: Texas de Brazil (right next door) or Terra Gaucha (on Southside; 7 min. away).
Any of these are really nice options. FDC is on the pricier end of these options and offers the buffet.
9 locals recommend
Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse
4784 Town Center PkwyIf you’re a meat-lover and love Brazilian steakhouses— you’ll love this. It’s right around where you’re staying too! If you haven’t been to a Brazilian steakhouse before, well... Consider yourself a fan now.
Other nearby options: Texas de Brazil (right next door) or Terra Gaucha (on Southside; 7 min. away).
Any of these are really nice options. FDC is on the pricier end of these options and offers the buffet.
Intimate dining; great for family dinners. Seasonal menus, so your options are always fresh. Right next to Nordstrom at Town Center.
9 locals recommend
Seasons 52
5096 Big Island DriveIntimate dining; great for family dinners. Seasonal menus, so your options are always fresh. Right next to Nordstrom at Town Center.
The title is pretty self explanatory: Cigars, Wines, and Martini Bar.
10 locals recommend
Aromas Cigar, Wine & Martini Bar
4372 Southside BlvdThe title is pretty self explanatory: Cigars, Wines, and Martini Bar.
Definitely go to this location instead of the beach one for many reasons— the food is better quality, the venue is cleaner, and the rooftop bar is really great. Amazing cocktails. Watch out for the stairs to the rooftop— very steep! Also it’s on Park, so there is a lot to do there as well as many bars and restaurants to try. It’s supposed to be German food, but I’ll add a real German place next on this guidebook for your curiosity.
84 locals recommend
Hoptinger Bier Garden & Sausage House
1037 Park StDefinitely go to this location instead of the beach one for many reasons— the food is better quality, the venue is cleaner, and the rooftop bar is really great. Amazing cocktails. Watch out for the stairs to the rooftop— very steep! Also it’s on Park, so there is a lot to do there as well as many bars and restaurants to try. It’s supposed to be German food, but I’ll add a real German place next on this guidebook for your curiosity.
Real German food. Vegan options. If you want lighter food, then avoid. If you want a good cheat meal, then this is it!
German Schnitzel Haus
Real German food. Vegan options. If you want lighter food, then avoid. If you want a good cheat meal, then this is it!
If you like lobster rolls, then this is the place for you! There’s also Cousins Maine Lobster, but... That’s not a local joint. Same thing, really, except the lobster rolls here are heartier.
Jax Fish Fry
8380 Baymeadows RoadIf you like lobster rolls, then this is the place for you! There’s also Cousins Maine Lobster, but... That’s not a local joint. Same thing, really, except the lobster rolls here are heartier.
Four locations in Jacksonville, but this one is right next to the Town Center. Nice brunch spot, and last I checked— bottomless mimosas. Call ahead to reserve, or wait an hour to get in.
28 locals recommend
Another Broken Egg Cafe
2230 3rd St SFour locations in Jacksonville, but this one is right next to the Town Center. Nice brunch spot, and last I checked— bottomless mimosas. Call ahead to reserve, or wait an hour to get in.
Five locations in Jacksonville— always packed. A preferred brunch spot.
18 locals recommend
First Watch
544-4 Marsh Landing PkwyFive locations in Jacksonville— always packed. A preferred brunch spot.
CASH ONLY. It’s out of the way, but if you want fresh and local donuts— this is it. The blueberry and strawberry donuts... To die for.
8 locals recommend
Donut Shoppe
1535 University Blvd NCASH ONLY. It’s out of the way, but if you want fresh and local donuts— this is it. The blueberry and strawberry donuts... To die for.
Carolina Jax
2548 Oak StreetArguably the best burgers in Jacksonville.
River & Post
1000 Riverside AveBeautiful view and great food; intimate dining experience.
Martini bar with amazing beachfront view. Great rooftop bar view; however, don’t recommend wearing heels (or at least wear flat shoes for safety) for the climb up top to the bar because of the steep steel grill stair steps.
82 locals recommend
Casa Marina Hotel and Restaurant
691 1st St NMartini bar with amazing beachfront view. Great rooftop bar view; however, don’t recommend wearing heels (or at least wear flat shoes for safety) for the climb up top to the bar because of the steep steel grill stair steps.
Eleven South
216 11th Ave S$$$$
Roy's Restaurant
2400 3rd St SSuper pricey; only go if you’re absolutely dying to try it.
Maa Kitchen
8206 Philips HwyAUTHENTIC Indian Food; absolutely amazing.
JaxSpice
311 3rd St NAnother really great local Indian food joint, but at the beach.
Dwight's Mediterranean Style
1527 Penman RdSouthern Grounds & Co.
200 First StGreat coffee, and deliciously healthy food.
Southern Kitchen & Bar
831 1st St NMavi Waterfront Bar & Grill
2309 Beach BoulevardGreat seafood with a great waterfront view— dockside.
Azurea
1 Ocean BlvdExpensive but delicious.
SUSHI HOUSE 2 at town center
10261 River Marsh DrGreat sushi place; amazing staff.
In the Avondale area, a few minutes away from Five Points, Riverside, and Old Kings Rd. They offer a vegan menu as well as a traditional sushi menu— both menus are amazing. Also, if you like a sweeter wine, try the plum wine because it’s delicious.
14 locals recommend
Sushiko Japanese Restaurant
3620 St Johns AveIn the Avondale area, a few minutes away from Five Points, Riverside, and Old Kings Rd. They offer a vegan menu as well as a traditional sushi menu— both menus are amazing. Also, if you like a sweeter wine, try the plum wine because it’s delicious.
Bonefish Grill
2400 3rd St SA couple locations in Jacksonville, but this one is the best.
Brix Taphouse
300 2nd St NAmerican food.
Locally sourced kombucha, beer, poke bowls, smoothies, pitaya (dragon fruit) and açaí bowls— literally across the street from Roy’s and Bold Bean Jacksonville Beach.
12 locals recommend
Fla Juice & Bowl
2403 3rd St SLocally sourced kombucha, beer, poke bowls, smoothies, pitaya (dragon fruit) and açaí bowls— literally across the street from Roy’s and Bold Bean Jacksonville Beach.
Tequila's Town Mexican Restaurant Jacksonville, FL
13475 Atlantic BoulevardSuper fun and super delicious.
Locally and family-owned and staffed. Their burgers have won awards, and if you try them, you’ll see why. They offer bison patties (definitely worth the up-charge), salmon, chicken, as well as vegetarian options. Burgers, fries, onion rings, milkshakes, brownies, and homemade dipping sauces.
6 locals recommend
Epik Burger
12740 Atlantic BlvdLocally and family-owned and staffed. Their burgers have won awards, and if you try them, you’ll see why. They offer bison patties (definitely worth the up-charge), salmon, chicken, as well as vegetarian options. Burgers, fries, onion rings, milkshakes, brownies, and homemade dipping sauces.
The Capital Grille
5197 Big Island Drive
J. Alexander's Restaurant
10296 Bistro DrNext to Adventure Landing right next to the bridge. Chill local taco spot; really fun and lively environment.
140 locals recommend
TacoLu
1712 Beach BlvdNext to Adventure Landing right next to the bridge. Chill local taco spot; really fun and lively environment.
Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant
4850 Big Island Drivebb's restaurant and bar
1019 Hendricks AveBistro Aix
1440 San Marco BlvdFrench cuisine, similar to Restaurant Orsay.
Town Hall Restaurant Jacksonville
2012 San Marco BlvdGreat cocktails
Matthew's Restaurant
2107 Hendricks AveAll I have to say is: $$$$$$$
Midtown Table
5016 Gate PkwyRight down the street from your stay, past Minibar Donuts. Fairly new joint.
Bazille
4835 Town Crossing DrBlack Sheep Restaurant
1534 Oak StTrue Food Kitchen
5205 Big Island DriveVegan and vegetarian options. Healthy.
Nice lunch spot but always busy because it’s a hot spot for everyone’s lunch break as it’s located next to large banks and law firms in downtown.
17 locals recommend
Bellwether
117 W Forsyth StNice lunch spot but always busy because it’s a hot spot for everyone’s lunch break as it’s located next to large banks and law firms in downtown.
Olio Restaurant
301 E Bay StTaverna
1986 San Marco BlvdGreat cocktails and very savory but light food.
Firebirds Wood Fired Grill
4826 Town Center Parkway