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Best Restaurants in Jacksonville

Best Restaurants in Jacksonville

Jacksonville Florida, USA Travel Guide

Culinary Overview

Local Cuisine & History

Jacksonville’the food environment journey through Southern flavors, fresh coastal ingredients, and global influences.

Cuisine draws from Southern roots, Atlantic Ocean, and St. Johns River. This creates a regional profile. Expect Southern comfort food, fresh seafood, and international flavors.

Ingredients & Flavors

  • Fresh Seafood: Shrimp (Mayport shrimp), oysters, local fish.
  • Southern Staples: Grits, collard greens, sweet potatoes, corn.
  • Proteins: Fried chicken and barbecue often feature regional variations.
  • Citrus: Florida's famous citrus provides a bright note.

Regional Dining Variations

The Beaches

Focus on seafood, casual dining, lively beach bars, ocean views, and a relaxed atmosphere.

Riverside/Avondale & San Marco

Concentration of independent restaurants, diverse cuisines, upscale dining, innovative chefs, and craft cocktail bars.

Downtown

Caters to the business crowd with lunch spots, some fine dining, quick-service options, and riverfront views.

Dining Customs & Etiquette

  • Casual dining for most restaurants, relaxed dress codes.
  • Tipping (15-20%) is customary for service staff.
  • Reservations are suggested for fine dining, especially on weekends.
  • Wait to be seated by a host at most sit-down restaurants.

Must-Try Dishes

Signature Dishes

Mayport Shrimp

Fresh, local, wild-caught shrimp from Mayport Village, known for their sweet flavor.

Find at: Safe Harbor Seafood Market & Restaurant, beachside seafood spots.

Minorcan Clam Chowder

A spicy, tomato-based chowder with heat from the Datil pepper.

Find at: Traditional seafood spots throughout Jacksonville and St. Augustine.

Shrimp & Grits

A Southern classic with creamy grits topped with sautéed shrimp, bacon, or a flavorful sauce.

Find at: Southern-inspired restaurants and many brunch spots.

Beverages & Snacks

  • Sweet Tea: A staple non-alcoholic Southern beverage.
  • Craft Beer: Intuition Ale Works and Bold City Brewery offer unique beers.
  • Local Cocktails: Bars feature Florida-inspired flavors, often with citrus.
  • Lime Pie: Tart and sweet Florida dessert.

Seasonal & Street Food

Food Trucks

Popular at events, markets, and rallies, offering diverse and affordable cuisines.

Seafood Festivals

Events like Mayport Shrimp Festival showcase freshly caught fish and seafood cuisine.

Dining Options

Fine Dining Establishments

  • Cowford Chophouse (Downtown): Steak and seafood with rooftop views.
  • Orsay (Avondale): French-American cuisine in a sophisticated setting.
  • Black Sheep Restaurant (Riverside): Modern American with local focus, rooftop bar.

Mid-Range Restaurants

These establishments offer quality meals in a comfortable setting without the premium price.

  • Hawkers Asian Street Fare (Riverside, Neptune Beach): Authentic Asian street food.
  • The Loop Pizza Grill (various locations): Local chain with pizzas, burgers, salads.
  • M Shack (various locations): Popular for gourmet burgers and shakes.

Budget Eateries & Markets

Affordable choices for quick bites and unique market finds.

  • Food Trucks: Verify the schedule for diverse, affordable meals at rallies.
  • Casual Diners & Fast Food: Many choices for quick and inexpensive meals.
  • Riverside Arts Market: Local food vendors, fresh produce on The weekend day of saturday.

International Cuisine

Diverse Flavors

Jacksonville has strong presence of diverse international cuisines.

Find Mexican, Italian, various Asian (Vietnamese, Thai, Chinese, Japanese), Indian, and Latin American restaurants.

Neighborhood Hotspots

Remarkable concentrations of these eateries are located in the Southside and Avondale areas.

Discover authentic and affordable options for international tastes.

Unique Culinary Concepts

Riverfront Dining

Enjoy food with scenic views of the St. Johns River.

Beachside Seafood Shacks

Authentic, laid-back dining with fresh catches and a relaxed atmosphere.

Southern Comfort with Twist

Places like Maple Street Biscuit Company offer local comfort food with an unique approach.

Farm-to-Table

Congaree and Penn farm offers dining experiences and tours.

Special Dietary Considerations

Vegetarian & Vegan Choices

  • Many restaurants mark vegetarian options in the food selection.
  • Dedicated vegan restaurants and cafes are growing (e.g., The Granary).
  • Look for establishments with plant-based menus.
  • Inquire with servers about vegan modifications and recipe parts.

Halal & Kosher Options

Halal Availability

Limited dedicated Halal restaurants exist. Some Middle Eastern or Mediterranean restaurants may have Halal meat options.

Halal products might be in larger grocery stores.

Kosher Availability

Very limited availability for dedicated Kosher restaurants.

Consult local Jewish community centers or synagogues for resources on The island ofsher food or stores.

Gluten-Free & Allergen Awareness

Dining with Allergies
Many restaurants cater to gluten-free requests.
They accommodate common allergies (dairy, nuts).
Inform your server clearly about restrictions.
Servers guide menu choices or suggest modifications.
Apps like "Find Me Gluten Free" locate suitable diners.
Direct communication with the workers are most reliable.
Online Resources

Online review sites (Yelp, TripAdvisor) have filters or reviews highlighting dietary options.

  • Check specific dietary apps like HappyCow for vegan/vegetarian choices.
  • Always verify information directly with the restaurant.
Direct Inquiry

Communicating directly with restaurant staff about your requirements is the most reliable method.

This ensures clarity and satisfaction for your meal preferences.

Dining Etiquette & Tips

Reservations
Tipping
  • 15-20% for good service.
  • 20% or more for exceptional service.
Meal Times
  • Breakfast: 7 AM - 10 AM.
  • Lunch: 12 PM - 2 PM.
  • Dinner: 5 PM - 9 PM (peak).

Culinary Experiences

Classes & Tours

Cooking Classes

Local culinary schools or restaurants offer cooking classes.

Hands-on regional dish preparation. | Learn local techniques.
Find Classes
Food Tours

Available in areas such as Riverside or San Marco.

Combine tastings with cultural insights.
Book a Tour
Farm Visits

Congaree and Penn farm offers farm-to-table dining experiences.

Tours demonstrating local agriculture.
Visit the Farm

Festivals & Unique Dining

  • Mayport Shrimp Festival (May): Celebrates local shrimp.
  • Jacksonville A Festival of jazz music (May): Music with many food vendors.
  • Craft Beer Festivals: Sample brews from local breweries.
  • Riverfront Dining: Enjoy meals with scenic St. Johns River views.

Local Favorites

Beachside Seafood Shacks

Experience authentic, laid-back dining at seafood shacks near the beaches, offering fresh catches.

These spots provide a relaxed atmosphere.

Maple Street Biscuit Company

A local favorite known for its unique and delicious biscuit dishes, offering a taste of Southern comfort food with a twist.

Originating in Jacksonville, it is popular with locals.

Culinary Summary

Rich Heritage

Jacksonville's food scene combines Southern traditions, coastal ingredients, and global influences.

Diverse Locations

Dining options span from beachside casual to upscale downtown, with distinct tastes in every district.

Varied Experiences

Opportunities for food-related classes, food tours, and enjoying local festivals are available.

Dining Information

Always confirm operating hours for restaurants, as they can vary. Special events or holidays may change normal service.

  • Check online reviews for the latest information on specific dishes and service.
  • Consider local food blogs for up-to-date recommendations and new openings.
  • Many restaurants source fresh, local produce and seafood; inquire about daily specials.
  • Exploring diverse neighborhoods opens up different culinary scenes.