Top 47 Bites from Jacksonville's Best Restaurants

Here are the 47 best bites that should not be missed while visiting Jacksonville:

(organized alphabetically by restaurant, you can later organize them by taste after trying them)

1. 13 Gypsies: Risotto

This local restaurant serves traditional Spanish tapas, where everything from the sausage to the cheese, to the bread is handmade. You can’t go wrong with anything from 13 Gypsies menu, but a mainstay of the restaurant is their risotto, which changes daily but is always delightful.

2. Angie’s Subs: The Peruvian Sub

The best subs and sweet tea in town! This Jacksonville Beach favorite has been around for nearly 30 years, and with good reason. On your first visit go for their #1 best seller – the Peruvian. With ham, genoa salami, bacon, Italian sausage, provolone and Peruvian sauce it has everything you want and more! Of course don’t forget to wash it down with some sweet tea.

3. Azurea: Long Line Catch 3 Ways

For upscale dining right by the beach, Azurea is a must. Their long line catch 3 ways uses the freshest locally caught fish and gives you a great variety of preparations to enjoy it. The 3 ways: grilled with tropical fruit salpicone, bronzed with a citrus butter emulsion, and cooked in beignet batter with a smoked Vidalia remoulade. Fish 3 ways, all delicious.

4. Beach Road Fish House & Chicken Dinners: Fried Chicken

Beach Road Fish & Chicken Dinners features fresh, locally sourced fish and seafood, as well as Southern fried chicken with traditional fixin's that has made us a favorite with residents and visitors alike for generations.

5. bestbet: Sushi

Take a break from the poker table and indulge in some of the best sushi in Northeast Florida! Sushi Bar is open every day. From specialty rolls to Sushi & Sashimi plates, bestbet has it all. Your taste buds will thank you!

6. Biscottis: Bread Pudding

Biscottis is well known throughout Jacksonville for its decadent desserts. The menu changes daily, but their signature dish is bread pudding. This confectionary delight is served warm with vanilla ice cream, and it will melt your heart it’s so good.

7. Bistro AIX: Escargot

Located in San Marco, Bistro AIX is the spot to go for absolutely delicious French and Mediterranean inspired cuisine. Of course you can’t go French and not go with escargot. Here it is served in a rich garlic herb butter sauce and a crostini to soak it all up (you won’t want to waste a drop).

8. Black Sheep: Poutine

Located in the historic 5 Points area of Jacksonville, Black Sheep focuses on fresh, local ingredients and hand-crafted food and cocktails. You can’t go wrong with anything you may choose off this menu, but you’ll never forgive yourself if you miss out on their poutine. They’ve got the basics of your average poutine, hand cut fries and cheese curds, but with a twist in the form of their smoked short rib gravy – that makes this dish anything but average.

9. Bold Bean Coffee: A cup of Joe

Locally roasted and brewed fresh, any way you like it, Bold Bean Coffee Roasters is dedicated to sourcing, roasting and serving outstanding coffee. This is a must for any coffee lover, plus their local pastries and fresh tea are a must do, as well.

10. Burrito Gallery: Curry Chicken Burrito

Voted best burrito in Jax six years in a row, there’s a reason the locals love this burrito joint. One of Burrito Gallery’s more unique offerings is their curry chicken burrito, a blend of flavors that is out of this world.

11. Bread and Board: Southern-Style Buttermilk Chicken Board

You can't go wrong with any of the sandwiches or sandwich boards from Bread and Board. The southern-style buttermilk chicken is a crowd favorite or try the sandwich that started it all, Cured Italian Meats.

12. Crispy's: Hubbard Pie

For a pizza with just the right amount of flavor, try Crispy’s Hubbard pie, with sausage, roasted peppers and onions. Their San Marzano Red Sauce is out of this world and a stable in the Springfield community. Don’t leave without grabbing a slice!

13. Culhane’s Irish Pub: Guinness Beef Stew

An upbeat Irish pub in Atlantic Beach and on the Southside, you’ll go for the drinks, but you’ll keep coming back to Culhane’s Irish Pub for this stew.

14. Dreamette: Homemade Ice Cream

An unassuming little ice cream stand, if you blink you could miss it, but what you don’t want to miss is Dreamette's ice cream. Serving homemade ice cream for more than 60 years, this treat is hard to beat. Try any of their flavors, homemade syrups and shakes.

15. Engine 15 Brewing Co.: Frito Pie

One of the stops on the Jax Ale Trail, this popular craft brewery’s Frito pie might rival their beer (and that’s saying something). But you won’t have to choose because at lunchtime your pie comes with a free draft.

16. The Fish Company: Oysters

Serving up fresh local seafood in Atlantic Beach, The Fish Company is a great spot for many different types of seafood, but what makes them stand out from the others is their oysters. Offered raw, fried or as a shooter for those 21 and up, there's an oyster for every appetite.

17. The French Pantry: Bruschetta

One of, if not the, most popular lunch spots in Jacksonville. This cozy little pantry has a menu that changes daily, but whatever the offering of the day is – you know it will be fresh, made from scratch and absolutely delicious. The bruschetta is the most popular among locals. They have several options to try.

18. Green Papaya: Pad Thai

This Pan Asian restaurant reigns supreme with fresh flavors and great atmosphere. Their pad Thai dish is a classic done well—the noodles and peanut sauce are a delicious combo that are well worth the trip.

19. Indochine: Crab Rangoon

Voted Folio Magazine’s “Best Thai Restaurant” six years in a row, Indochine is the place to go for anyone who loves Thai food, wants to try Thai food, or just likes food at all. Their crab rangoon is the must-try here, with real lump crab and curried cream cheese. This is not your average rangoon.

20. Juliette’s Bistro: The Boujee Burger

Located in the Marriott Downtown Jacksonville Hotel, Juliette’s Bistro has been serving up delicious First Coast cuisine for more than 25 years. The boujee burger is a must-have! It's a blend of chuck and brisket served on a potato roll with local tomee, sautéed wild mushrooms, buttermilk shoestring fried shallots, watercress and roasted garlic kalamata aioli.

21. Julington Creek Fish Camp: Mayport Shrimp and Grits

Many southern cities will lay claim to shrimp and grits, but no one does it quite like Jacksonville. With fresh, locally caught Mayport shrimp and a white wine butter sauce, Julington Creek Fish Camp’s dish is a shining example of a local favorite.

22. Jumpin' Jax House of Food: Black N' Bleu Burger

A burger with all the fixings from sliced blue cheese, pecan wood smoked bacon, honey balsamic grilled onions, HOF blue cheese dressing, house-made garlic aioli, lettuce, tomato and topped off with the honey balsamic drizzle. This burger will make you and your taste buds very happy! Stop by one of Jumpin' Jax House of Food's three locations to grab this one of a kind burger.

23. Kickbacks: Corn Nuggets

Sometimes it’s the simple things that make the best dishes. Kickback’s Gastropub (along with the adjoining Goozlepipe and Guttyworks) offer everything from high end adventurous dishes to old-school favorites like tater tots, spaghettio’s and corn nuggets which are perfect in their simplicity, and pair perfectly with any of the over 180 beers on tap.

24. Maple Street Biscuit Company: The “Five Biscuit”

A fresh-made flaky biscuit, all natural fried chicken breast, bacon and cheddar cheese topped off with sausage gravy (with a kick). Locally sourced ingredients and southern charm are plentiful at this wildly popular breakfast spot. Maple Street has lighter options too, but if you’re doing a good southern-style breakfast, you should do it right!

25. Marker 32: Rosemary Grilled Octopus

Featured on Emeril’s Florida, Marker 32 is a staple of the Jacksonville culinary scene. Everything on the menu is prepared daily from scratch by classically trained chefs. One of the (many) highlights: octopus with smoky tomato puree, corona bean and arugula salad with chorizo and sherry smoked paprika vinaigrette dressing.

26. Matthew’s: Chef’s Adventure Menu

One of the most innovative and distinctive restaurants in Northeast Florida’s fine dining scene, Matthew’s offers a unique (and of course delicious) menu. Chef Matthew Medure is constantly coming up with new and exciting dishes, so it would be impossible to choose just one for this list. We leave that up to the chefs with the Chef’s Adventure Menu, where they take you on a culinary exploration through the season’s freshest and finest options.

27. The Metro Diner: Chicken and Waffles

A true diner and a local favorite, Metro Diner is a great spot for some of the best breakfast in Jacksonville. Must try: all the reviews agree, the chicken and waffles with their strawberry butter is simply delicious!

28. Mojo BBQ: The Whole Hawg

Can’t decide between all the delicious barbeque options at Mojo’s? Get a little bit of everything with the Whole Hawg! It has ribs, chicken, pulled pork, beef brisket, turkey breast and smoked sausage served with four side items. Hope you’re hungry!

29. Moon River Pizza: The Special

Moon River Pizza is a funky pizza joint that makes pies the old-fashioned way; hand-tossed, covered in hearty tomato sauce and freshly grated cheese. For your classic everything pizza, try “The Special”, loaded with meat, veggies and of course, extra cheese!

30. Mossfire Grill: Pacific Rim Tuna Taco

Seared yellowfin tuna, tangy Asian slaw, green onions, homemade sesame seed sauce and a soft flour tortilla make this taco the one to have on Tuesdays, or any day of the week at The Mossfire Grill.

31. MShack: "M" Burger

How do you know you have a truly great hamburger? When it stands up on its own, and the “M” Burger at MShack does just that! American cheese, lettuce, vine ripe tomato, pickle, all natural, hormone-free beef ground fresh daily and “shack sauce” make up this hand crafted burger. Of course, it only gets better as you start adding toppings, and MShack has plenty more to offer!

32. North Beach Fish Camp: Blackened Fresh Catch

Located just steps from the sand in the middle of the Beaches Town Center, the North Beach Fish Camp is one of Jacksonville’s best fish camps. Their signature dish is a perfect example of southern beach cuisine: fresh blackened Mahi with Tasso ham gravy, collards and creamy grits. Yum!

33. On the Fly Sandwiches & Stuff: Overloaded Sweet Potato Planks

At On The Fly, a local food truck, the sandwiches are definitely worth a try; but the stuff is where it’s at. Sweet potato planks, topped with melted bleu cheese, pulled pork and their special On The Fly Sauce – that’s some really great “stuff.”

34. Palms Fish Camp: Fresh Caught Mayport Shrimp

Palms Fish Camp offers locally caught fresh seafood, pizza, sandwiches, tacos and stunning views. They are open every day of the week starting at 11 a.m. Palms Fish Camp was awarded JAX BEST for the best place to dock and dine.

35. Peterbrooke: Chocolate covered popcorn

Two great things, chocolate and popcorn. How could you possibly make them better? By combining them of course! And nobody does it better than Peterbrooke.

36. The Potter’s House Soul Food Bistro: Smothered Pork Chops

For soul food done right, the Soul Food Bistro is the place to go. It was a tough call between the fried chicken and the smothered pork chops, but the pork chops come out as king of the comfort foods.

37. Restaurant Orsay: Duck Confit Hash

For fine dining in a relaxed atmosphere, Restaurant Orsay is the perfect destination. A French Bistro with southern influence, this is a great spot to grab dinner, but their brunch is where you will find our favorite – the duck confit hash. Fingerling potatoes, fried eggs, fresh herbs and tender duck make the perfect dish for a great Sunday Funday.

38. Poe’s Tavern: Rue Morgue

A gastropub named after the great poet, Poe’s Tavern has burgers to match some of the artist’s greatest works. The Rue Morgue is a dish just as epic as Poe himself, a bunless burger with fries covered in chili and queso, topped with a fried egg. It will get your tell-tale heart pumping.

39. Safe Harbor Seafood Market & Restaurant: Mayport Shrimp

A visit to Jacksonville is not complete without dining on the local Mayport shrimp (there’s a reason there’s so many shrimp dishes on this list!). For a true Jacksonville fish camp experience, try it at Safe Harbor Seafood Market & Restaurant.

40. Salt Life Food Shack: Caliche’s Poke Bowl

For those enjoying the Jacksonville Beach experience, a trip to Jacksonville would not be complete without a visit to this local food joint. Salt Life’s signature dish is a true tribute to their ocean loving lifestyle: fresh tuna, steamed spinach, sticky rice, avocadoes, and a special marinade make this poke bowl unforgettable.

41. Silkie's Chicken and Champagne: Flavor Bomb

Celebrity Chef, Chef Kenny, opened up Silkie's Chicken and Champagne. An upscale yet fast causal restaurant in the historic Springfield neighborhood. While you can't go wrong with anything on the menu, Chef Kenny’s signature “ Flavor Bomb” is comprised of Smokey Fried Chicken Thigh served on Truffle Gouda Drop Biscuits, Fernandina Beach Hot Sauce + Orange Blossom Honey is a dish that dreams are made of. Crispy & Smokey with the option of spice and sweet is heavenly.

42. Singleton’s Seafood Shack: Minorcan Clam Chowder

Singleton’s is a cozy little seafood shack in Mayport that just happens to have some of the best Minorcan Clam Chowder you’ve ever had.

43. Strings Sports Brewery: Smoked Wings

Jax Ale Trail’s newest brewery is opened and ready for kickoff! Their brewery and restaurant is in a restored station house with plenty of views. Their smoked wings options will leave you wanting seconds. Sauce options include Alabama white, Buffalo and Peruvian, or if you prefer dry rubs try the Strings original.

44. Sweet Pete’s: Caramels

Sweet Pete’s makes over 10,000 pounds of caramel a year, and for good reason. People can’t get enough of the sweet stuff. Made right here in Jacksonville, Sweet Pete’s Caramels are a true Only in Jax treat! Be sure to try the signature Sea Salt Caramels.

45. Sweet Theory Baking Company: Cinnamon Roll

Sweet Theory Baking Co. in Riverside handcrafts treats that are egg, dairy, soy and peanut free yet full of flavor! Their donuts are fluffy and perfection, but their cinnamon rolls take the cake!

46. TacoLu: Bangin’ Shrimp Taco

Fish tacos, tequila and mexcal – what more could you ask for? TacoLu is the place to go if you want great food, but also want to have a great time. There’s a reason this place is always packed. Must try: the bangin’ shrimp taco with its Asian style fried shrimp, cabbage and chipotle cream.

47. Taverna: Soppressata Pizza

Located in the San Marco Dining District, Taverna specializes in seasonal European cuisine. Their soppressata pizza, with Italian dry salami, fried egg, house-made mozzarella and San Marzano tomato, has developed somewhat of a cult following. Just one bite and you’ll see why.

47 is a good number, but we could really make a list of the 1,000 best dishes in Jax, our food really is that fabulous! Jacksonville has so many great restaurants with so many delicious offerings, it would be nearly impossible not to miss some of them. Be sure to let us know what your favorite dishes in Jacksonville are through social media with the hashtag #OnlyInJax or #SipSavorJax.

To try these and other delicious dishes in Jacksonville, visit our Food & Drink guide and start planning your culinary adventure!

This list is routinely updated. If you feel like we are missing something, please email marketing@visitjacksonville.com.

*Updated: March 2022