Places to Eat in Jacksonville, FL

Are you looking for a delicious restaurant to dine at in Jacksonville, FL? Follow along as we discuss some of Jacksonville's best places to eat, like Green Papaya, Restaurant Orsay, Dockside Seafood Restaurant, and more.

Relocating to a new area can bring a lot of questions to mind. Learning about what Jacksonville has to offer to its residents is essential before making the big move. A great thing about living in Jacksonville is that there are many amazing dining options throughout the city. 

Jacksonville, Florida, also known as 'Jax' or 'J-ville,' is one of the best places to relocate. If you love the outdoors and want to be surrounded by beautiful scenery, then you are likely considering moving to Jacksonville. It offers its residents a suburban feel and is one of the best cities to live in Florida. This city is safe and full of restaurants, parks, and various things to do.

This is the most populous city in the state, with nearly 912,000 residents. This large population makes Jacksonville the 12th most populous city in the United States. Not only is it a highly desirable place for its remarkable restaurants and location, but it is also an affordable city to reside in.

Here are the eleven best places to eat in Jacksonville, FL.

Restaurant Orsay

Address: 3630 Park Street, Jacksonville, FL

Hours: Tuesday through Thursday, 4 pm - 10 pm; Friday, 4 pm - 12 am; Saturday, 11 am - 12 am; Sunday, 11 am - 4 pm; Closed on Monday

Average Price: $$$

Specialty: French

Check out Restaurant Orsay for seasonal French food and creative cocktails. Enjoy dining at this restaurant with your friends and family in a classic atmosphere with plush seats and exposed beams. Not only do they serve French cuisine, but the chefs add an American South and Parisian twist to each meal.

Restaurant Orsay is known for giving its guests a warm, genuine dining experience. Not only will you have excellent customer service here, but you will also be served some of the most delicious food.

This restaurant has an extensive raw bar list, various house-made charcuterie, and tons of delicious appetizers, salads, cured meats, sandwiches, and entrees. Our favorite dish to order at this establishment is the Pan Roasted Duck Breast, served with a pan-seared duck breast, French green lentils, bacon lardons, carrot puree, and roasted duck jus topped with crispy carrots.

Carolina Jax

Address: 2548 Oak Street, Jacksonville, FL

Hours: Tuesday through Thursday, 11 am - 8 pm; Friday and Saturday, 11 am - 9 pm; Sunday, Noon - 6 pm; Closed on Monday

Average Price: $

Specialty: American, Burgers

This restaurant is known for its excellent burgers, loaded fries, and onion rings in a down-to-earth atmosphere. Carolina Jax is a staple in Jacksonville, Florida, and is a must-try restaurant. 

Our go-to burger at Carolina Jax is the Fried Onion Burger. This burger is made of thin onions smashed into the patty with American cheese, house mustard, and sweet pickles on a toasted white bun. Another delicious burger on the menu is the Hurricane Burger. This burger is served with white American cheese, grilled jalepenos, white cheddar mac, crumbled bacon, and spicy chipotle sauce.

If you don't like burgers, Carolina Jax has sandwiches, hot dogs, a variety of loaded fries, a salad, and tons of sides to choose from. Every dish at this restaurant is absolutely delicious and well worth visiting Carolina Jax.

Silkie's Chicken and Champagne Bar

Address: 1602 Walnut Street, Jacksonville, FL

Hours: Wednesday and Thursday, 4 pm - 9 pm; Friday and Saturday, 10 am - 9 pm; Sunday, 10 am - 3 pm; Closed on Monday and Tuesday

Average Price: $$

Specialty: Chicken, Biscuits, Champagne

This restaurant is a very unique dining destination in Jacksonville, Florida. Here at Silkie's Chicken and Champagne Bar, you will be served inventive fried chicken sandwiches with global flavors offered in a vintage, chic restaurant. 

The chef of this restaurant is Kenny Gilbert, best known for his appearance in "Top Chef."  Kenny Gilbert has had a successful career. One of his most significant accomplishments is launching a product line of spices and sauces in 2015 and opening up Silkie's Chicken and Champagne Bar in 2020.

The menu at this restaurant consists of a variety of salads to choose from, different flavors of biscuits, specialty platters, sandwiches, and grit bowls. Remember to check out Silkie's for brunch on Saturday and Sunday.

Dockside Seafood Restaurant

Address: 2510 2nd Ave N, Jacksonville Beach, FL

Hours: Every day, 10:30 am - 9 pm

Average Price: $$

Specialty: Seafood

If you want a restaurant with fantastic water views and outdoor seating, head to Dockside Seafood Restaurant in Jacksonville Beach. You can experience a casual setting with high-quality, fresh seafood at this restaurant. 

Our go-to dish to start our evening off with when visiting Dockside is the Shrimp Nachos. These nachos are exceptional in every way. You can choose to have your shrimp either fried, grilled, or blackened, and it is served with chips, cheese, pico, lettuce, pepper sauce, crema, and green onion.

This restaurant has a little of everything. It has tacos, po' boys, sandwiches, combos, baskets, salads, steamed/raw oysters, and more. Dockside Seafood Restaurant is a great place to take your friends and family for a quick lunch or relaxing dinner.

TacoLu

Address: 1712 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville Beach, FL

Hours: Tuesday through Thursday, 11 am - 10 pm; Friday, 11 am - 11 pm; Saturday, 10 am - 11 pm; Sunday, 10 am - 10 pm; Closed on Monday

Average Price: $$

Specialty: Mexican

TacoLu is a high-energy Mexican restaurant that is known for its tacos and tequila, surrounded by quirky art and murals. This establishment has been open since 2008 and started off in a little taco shack. Over the years, it has become a staple in Jacksonville Beach, FL. 

One of the more popular dishes at this restaurant is the guacamole. It is made fresh with avocados, roasted garlic, cilantro, and lime, then topped with roasted pepitas for a nutty crunch. 

The menu at TacoLu is easy to navigate. They have a section for fish tacos, beef tacos, pork tacos, chicken tacos, veggie tacos, nachos, quesadillas, enchiladas, and various salads. 

If you are looking for a delicious Mexican dining option, TacoLu is a go-to.

Blue Bamboo Canton Bistro

Address: 10110 San Jose Blvd, Jacksonville, FL

Hours: Monday through Friday, 11 am - 2 pm, 5 pm - 9 pm; Saturday, 5 pm - 9 pm; Closed on Sunday

Average Price: $$

Specialty: Asian

If you are looking for a delicious Pan-Asian restaurant, look no further. Blue Bamboo Canton Bistro is a Chinese and modern Pan-Asian restaurant with a hip, buzzy vibe. Visit this restaurant and enjoy traditional Asian cuisine with a new modern twist on the old favorite dishes. 

Our favorite dish to start the evening with is the phenomenal Crab Rangoons. They have a variety of soups and salads here for customers who would like something on the lighter side for their meal. 

Other tasty dishes at Blue Bamboo Canton Bistro are Cantonese Lo Mein, Honey Garlic Shrimp, Pepper Steak, Sweet and Sour Chicken, and many more dishes. This is a great restaurant to visit with friends and family to enjoy delicious Asian cuisine. 

Wicked Barley Brewing Company

Address: 4100 Baymeadows Rd, Jacksonville, FL

Hours: Monday through Thursday, 11 am - 10 pm; Friday and Saturday, 11 am - 11 pm; Sunday, 11 am - 10 pm

Average Price: $$

Specialty: Brewpub, American

Here at Wicked Barley Brewing Company, you will be served house-brewed craft beers and bar bites. This is a great restaurant and bar to visit with your friends and family for a casual outing. Wicked Barley is the go-to place to enjoy a cold beer and food on their outdoor patio in the Florida sun.

Wicked Barley aims to provide a warm and inviting atmosphere. It is a 2,200-square-foot full-service restaurant and tap room with multiple TVs, a covered patio, a pet-friendly waterfront beer garden, a boat dock, and a massive parking lot for its customers. What more could you ask for?

The local favorite appetizer at this restaurant is the pretzel that is served with beer cheese, and Bavarian mustard. The Fried Pickles are also phenomenal because they are made with a house-made garlic dill brine and served with jalapeno ranch. Other menu items are burgers, handhelds, salads, wraps, and vegetarian options.

Picasso's

Address: 10503 San Jose Blvd, Jacksonville, FL

Hours: Monday through Thursday, 11:30 am - 2:30 pm, 4:30 pm - 9 pm; Friday and Saturday, 11:30 - 2:30 pm, 4:30 pm - 10 pm; Closed on Sunday

Average Price: $$

Specialty: Pizza, Italian

This hidden gem serves St. Louis-style pizza and American fare in a modern atmosphere. At Picasso's, everything truly is homemade. The chef hand-picks the ingredients to be sure they are fresh. 

Our go-to appetizer at this restaurant is Fried Mac and Cheese. When it comes to ordering a salad, we suggest the "Da" House Salad or the Spinach Salad. Both options are delicious, and you will leave wanting to return for more. A popular sandwich at Picasso's is the Jax Cheesesteak, which comes with shredded ribeye, peppers, onions, mushrooms, and provel cheese on a hot garlic roll. 

Other menu items at Picasso's are pasta, entrees, and many pizza options. You even have the opportunity to create your own pizza by picking the size and what kind of toppings you would like. 

Biscottis

Address: 3556 St Johns Ave, Jacksonville, FL

Hours: Monday through Thursday, 10:30 am - 10 pm; Friday, 10:30 am - 12 am; Saturday, 8 am - 12 am; Sunday, 8 am - 9 pm

Average Price: $$

Specialty: American, Bistro

This bistro serves small plates, sandwiches, salads, and brunch in a historic brick building. Biscottis is a staple of the Avondale/Riverside dining district and is a small bistro-style restaurant and bar specializing in eclectic American cuisine infused with Southern charm. 

Biscottis serves cafe bites, soup, various salads, a couple of kinds of pizza, and different types of sandwiches/handhelds. Our go-to cafe biters are the Mozzarella Bruschetta, or the Tempura Battered Fish Fingers served with sweet chili-garlic-cilantro dipping sauce. 

Some of the most loved sandwiches at Biscottis are Smoked Turkey, Corned Beef Reuben, Smash Burger, and the Ancho Honey Glazed Salmon BLT. This is a great restaurant to visit for a quick bite on the healthier side.

Green Papaya Thai Cuisine

Address: 13141 City Station Dr #149, Jacksonville Beach, FL

Hours: Tuesday through Thursday, 11 am - 9:30 pm; Friday and Saturday, 11 am - 10:30 pm; Sunday, 12 pm - 9:30 pm; Closed on Monday

Average Price: $$

Specialty: Thai

This casual yet modern restaurant serves Asian cuisine with a Thai emphasis. Green Papaya is so loved in the Jacksonville community. Two restaurants are already located within the city, and a third one is coming soon. 

For starters, their most popular dishes are the Crab Rangoons and the Thai Egg Roll, which comes stuffed with clear noodles, cabbage, carrots, and chicken with a Thai garlic sauce. Both options are excellent and will make your mouth water. 

When it comes to the entrees at Green Papaya, all of them are delicious. Some of the more popular dishes are Drunken Noodles, Pad Thai, Thai Fried Rice, and Yellow Curry. This is a great restaurant to visit if you love Thai food.

BB's Restaurant and Bar

Address: 1019 Hendricks Ave, Jacksonville, FL

Hours: Monday through Thursday, 11 am - 10:30 pm; Friday, 11 am - 12 am; Saturday, 10 am - 12 am; Sunday, 10 am - 9 pm

Average Price: $$$

Specialty: American

This little restaurant is a buzzing bistro that serves New American dishes and sweets. BB's Restaurant and Bar is located on the Southbank of the river, in between downtown and San Marco Square. This restaurant has been consistently voted one of the best restaurants in Northeast Florida. They have an award-winning wine list, creative daily specials, and house-made desserts.

Our go-to appetizer is the Fried Brussel Sprouts, served with kung pao vinaigrette, candied walnuts, and gochujang aioli. These are cooked to the perfect amount of crispiness and melt right in your mouth.

When it comes to the entrees at BB's, we have a couple of favorite dishes. The first dish is the Lemon Pepper Spiced Salmon, served with Nicoise salad, charred haricot vert, potato, kalamata olives, six-minute egg, and tomato gastrique. The second dish is the Five Spice Duck Breast. This entree comes with blackberry bourbon sauce, bok choy, and crispy rice cakes. 

This restaurant is a great place to visit for a night out with friends or family or a quick bite for lunch.

Best Restaurants in Jacksonville, Florida - Our Final Thoughts

We hope this guide helped you better understand what kinds of restaurants the locals rave about. Not only does Jacksonville have fantastic dining destinations just minutes from its many safe neighborhoods, but this city also has an abundance of things for you and your family to enjoy. With Jacksonville being one of the best places to live in Florida, it is a great choice when deciding where to relocate.

If you're considering moving to Jacksonville, Florida, you can contact us here to get connected with a local Real Estate specialist for more guidance in the buying and selling process.