4 Must-Try Local Delicacies You Can’t Miss in Jacksonville

From bold flavors to hometown favorites, get ready to dig into Jacksonville's culinary scene.

Jacksonville’s diverse food scene will leave you craving more. Sink your teeth into these local delicacies!

Mayport shrimp

Did you know Jacksonville boasts 1,100 miles of shoreline? That’s a lot of coast so it’s no surprise that Mayport shrimp is a local delicacy. Many restaurants in the city take pride in serving the shrimp caught off the coast of Mayport, a historic fishing village where the Atlantic Ocean meets the St. Johns River. Mayport shrimp is featured in a variety of dishes from shrimp and grits to shrimp po'boys and beyond. Jacksonville’s minor league baseball team is the Jumbo Shrimp, so it’s clear we have a serious love for this crustacean.

Follow the Mayport Shrimp Trail on the Visit Jax app! Simply dine at participating restaurants, check-in on the app and you’ll score tickets to a Jumbo Shrimp home baseball game after dining at 5 restaurants - it's that easy!

Camel rider sandwich

This signature Jacksonville sandwich was originally called the desert rider and is now more commonly known as the camel rider. It’s a pita stuffed with bologna, ham, salami, classic sandwich toppings and finished with dressing. Born from the Arab community in Jacksonville, the camel rider is a popular choice for a quick, affordable, on-the-go lunch. You can find this local favorite at spots like Desert Rider Sandwich Shop and Pinegrove Market and Deli, with at least 50 shops across the city serving them.

Honey drippers

If you’ve never heard of a honey dripper, you’re missing out! While this frozen delight is enjoyed throughout the south, it goes by different names depending on the region. In Jacksonville, it’s known as the honey dripper. So, what exactly is a honey dripper?

It’s a homemade frozen fruit drink, typically made with Kool-Aid or other fruit-flavored beverages and sometimes contains chunks of real fruit. One of the best places to grab a honey dripper in Jacksonville is from the Honey Dripper House truck. The truck can be spotted at events around the city and in the historic Eastside neighborhood, where the owner Alice is from.

This treat is such a local staple that the Jumbo Shrimp, Jacksonville’s minor league baseball team, adopted "The Honey Drippers" as their first alternate identity since 2017. During certain games throughout the 2025 season, the team will be sporting jerseys, hats and more dripped out with the Honey Dripper alternate logo and mascot.

Garlic crabs

Jacksonville is the world capital of garlic crabs. Yes, you read that right! Throughout the city you’ll find plenty of local crab shacks and restaurants serving this dish. Garlic crabs are typically cooked in a rich melted garlic butter sauce, often accompanied by corn, sausage, potatoes and eggs. This dish is one of many with roots in Gullah Geechee culture. The Gullah Geechee people are descendants of those from central and west Africa who were enslaved and brought to the southeastern coastal Atlantic. Today, Jacksonville is home to one of the largest concentrations of Gullah Geechee descendants in the United States.

Whether you’re indulging in the savory goodness of Mayport shrimp and garlic crabs, cooling down with a honey dripper or grabbing a quick lunch of a camel rider sandwich, each dish tells a unique story of Jacksonville’s cultural diversity and flavor. Next time you’re in town, be sure to taste your way through these local favorites and experience a true taste of Jacksonville!

Author

Lauren

Local Expert