10 Best Jacksonville Restaurants

Jacksonville is famous for fresh Mayport shrimp, garlic crabs, and dishes influenced by Southern and coastal traditions. The city's location on the Atlantic coast makes it a prime destination for seafood, with Mayport shrimp being a local delicacy. This sweet, firm shrimp is caught off the coast of the historic fishing village of Mayport and is featured on menus across the city. Another local specialty is garlic crabs, which are blue crabs steamed and drenched in a potent garlic butter sauce. The best food in Jacksonville also draws from Lowcountry cooking and Gullah Geechee heritage, seen in dishes like shrimp and grits. The Datil pepper, a hot and sweet pepper grown in nearby St. Augustine, frequently appears in local hot sauces and marinades, adding a unique regional flavor.

The average cost for a meal at an inexpensive restaurant in Jacksonville is between $15 and $25 for one person. A three-course meal for two people at a mid-range restaurant costs between $60 and $100. At fine dining and upscale establishments, entrees alone start at $40, with the total cost per person for a full meal often exceeding $100.

A meal at an upscale restaurant in Jacksonville will cost between $75 and $150 per person. This price range accounts for an appetizer, a main course, and a non-alcoholic beverage. At Cowford Chophouse, prime steak entrees are priced from $50 to over $100. At Orsay, main courses such as Beef Wellington or Duck Breast fall in the $40 to $60 range. The final cost will be higher when including desserts, cocktails, or selections from the wine list. Many Jacksonville upscale restaurants offer a premium experience where the total bill reflects the quality of ingredients, service, and atmosphere.

Yes, there are several fine dining restaurants Jacksonville FL. These establishments are characterized by their elevated food, sophisticated atmosphere, and high standard of service. Matthew's Restaurant in San Marco is a long-standing example of fine dining Jacksonville FL, offering a refined menu of modern American food with French and Mediterranean influences in an elegant setting. Orsay, located in Avondale, provides a classic French brasserie experience with meticulous attention to detail in both its food and service. Cowford Chophouse offers a fine dining steakhouse experience in a historic downtown building, complete with prime cuts of meat and an extensive wine list. Mesa in San Marco presents an intimate fine dining atmosphere with a seasonal menu of modern American dishes.

Jacksonville is the birthplace of several popular fast-casual chains, including Firehouse Subs and Maple Street Biscuit Company, which remain local favorites. The city's fast-food landscape includes these homegrown spots alongside major national brands that are popular with residents.

• Maple Street Biscuit Company: Founded in Jacksonville, this fast-casual spot is famous for its biscuit sandwiches, especially "The Five and Dime" with fried chicken, bacon, and sausage gravy.
• Firehouse Subs: Started by Jacksonville firefighters, this sandwich chain is known for its hot specialty subs like the Hook & Ladder and the Engineer.
• Metro Diner: While a full-service diner, its fast-paced environment and popularity make it a go-to for quick, hearty meals like its famous Fried Chicken & Waffles.
• Hawkers Asian Street Fare: A fast-casual restaurant known for its shareable small plates of Asian street food, with Roti Canai and Pad Thai being popular choices.
• PDQ: Stands for "People Dedicated to Quality" and is a popular choice for its fresh, never-frozen chicken tenders, sandwiches, and hand-spun milkshakes.
• Zaxby's: A regional favorite known for its Chicken Finger Plate, crinkle fries, and signature Zax Sauce.
• Moe's Southwest Grill: A popular chain for build-your-own burritos and bowls, known for its free chips and salsa with every order.
• Culver's: Known for its Midwestern ButterBurgers and fresh frozen custard.
• Pollo Tropical: A go-to spot for citrus-marinated grilled chicken platters served with rice and beans.
• Wawa: This convenience store chain has a massive following for its made-to-order hoagies, coffee, and quick-service food items.

Recently opened restaurants in Jacksonville include Amari, an Italian-inspired restaurant in the East San Marco shopping center, and The Lola, a stylish bistro in Avondale. These new spots join a growing list of establishments that have recently opened their doors, which are listed below:

• Amari: Located in East San Marco, this restaurant offers a menu of Italian-inspired dishes, including pasta, pizza, and classic entrees.
• The Lola: A neighborhood bistro in Avondale serving classic American and European dishes with a modern presentation, including a weekend brunch.
• Fogo de Chão: A Brazilian steakhouse at the St. Johns Town Center that offers the traditional churrasco experience with tableside meat service.
• The Hangout Restaurant & Bar: A new addition to the St. Johns Town Center, this spot provides American pub fare, seafood, and live music in a casual setting.
• Parlor Doughnuts: A craft doughnut and coffee shop that recently opened a location in Jacksonville Beach, known for its layered doughnuts.
• Meskel Ethiopian Restaurant: A recently opened restaurant offering authentic Ethiopian food, including injera bread and various stews (wats).

Yes, for many downtown Jacksonville restaurants, reservations are highly recommended. While not every establishment requires them, securing a reservation is essential for upscale and fine dining spots like Cowford Chophouse, especially for dinner on Friday and Saturday nights. Making a reservation ensures a table and prevents long wait times, particularly during peak dining hours or when there are events happening in the area. For the most popular restaurants downtown Jacksonville, booking in advance is the best way to guarantee a seamless dining experience.

Jacksonville has vegan restaurants like Southern Roots Filling Station, Murray Hillbilly, and The Walrus. These establishments offer fully plant-based menus. Southern Roots Filling Station is a vegan cafe and market known for its organic bowls, smoothies, and baked goods. Murray Hillbilly serves vegan comfort food with a Southern twist, including biscuit sandwiches and barbecue. The Walrus is a vegan craft beer and cocktail bar with a menu of plant-based pub food. Other restaurants like True Food Kitchen and Hawkers Asian Street Fare also provide extensive vegan options on their menus.

The restaurants in Jacksonville that serve gluten-free food include Epik Burger, Catullo's Italian, and Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant. These places offer dedicated gluten-free items or have special menus. Epik Burger has a separate gluten-free menu with options for burgers on gluten-free buns and dedicated fryers for fries. Catullo's Italian, known for its fresh pasta, offers a gluten-free pasta substitute for many of its dishes. Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant provides a detailed gluten-free menu featuring appetizers, entrees, and desserts. Mellow Mushroom is another option, offering a gluten-free pizza crust.

Jacksonville's most famous types of food are fresh Seafood and classic Southern. The city's location on the Atlantic coast and its deep Southern heritage define its food identity, which is also influenced by a growing number of international flavors. Listed below are the most common and popular types of food in Jacksonville.

• Seafood: With its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and the St. Johns River, Jacksonville is a prime destination for fresh seafood. The local specialty is Mayport shrimp, a sweet, wild-caught shrimp from the nearby village of Mayport, which is served fried, grilled, or boiled. Garlic crabs are another local favorite.
• Southern & Lowcountry: Jacksonville's food is rooted in Southern traditions. Dishes like shrimp and grits, fried chicken, collard greens, and biscuits are staples on many menus, reflecting the region's Lowcountry culinary heritage.
• American (Burgers & Pub Fare): The city has a strong contingent of restaurants serving classic American food. This includes popular burger joints with creative, hand-pattied burgers and gastropubs that pair craft beer with elevated pub food.
• Barbecue: As a Southern city, Jacksonville has numerous barbecue restaurants. These spots serve slow-smoked meats like pulled pork, brisket, and ribs, with a focus on traditional cooking methods and house-made sauces.
• Filipino: Jacksonville has one of the largest Filipino populations in the United States, which has resulted in a number of authentic Filipino restaurants. These establishments serve traditional dishes like lumpia, adobo, and pancit.
• Tacos: The city has a growing taco scene, with many food trucks and restaurants specializing in street-style tacos. These spots focus on fresh ingredients and authentic preparations, with birria tacos being especially popular.