A Guide to Wine Bars, Brewpubs and Restaurants with Great Cocktails

Dinner and drinks, a combination that goes together like… well, red wine and red meat.

Whether you like to cozy up to your favorite Cabernet, sip on a classic Manhattan or partake in a fine Belgian Tripel, Jacksonville is full of restaurants that pair delicious food menus with top-notch wine, beer or cocktail lists.

From high-end wine bars to one of the world’s most extensive beer selections, these are some of Jacksonville’s best places to sip and savor. Just pick your poison:

Wine Aficionados

Matthew’s Restaurant

One of the most iconic restaurants in Northeast Florida’s fine dining scene, Matthew’s has some of the most unique (and of course delicious) menu options in the area. The elegant setting lends itself perfectly to a romantic night out. With a newly designed wine cellar that holds up to 2,000 bottles, Matthew’s extensive wine list is hand selected by Chef Matthew Medure and spans more than 10 countries. They have a sommelier on hand to walk you through your wine selection.

Taverna

Located in historic San Marco, Taverna offers a menu of rustic Italian dishes in a sophisticated atmosphere. Their extensive wine list highlights many fine Italian wines, as well as selections from France, South Africa, California and more. The menu changes seasonally, but you will always find exquisitely hand-crafted dishes like their house-made pasta.

Craft Beer Connoisseurs

The Jax Ale Trail

Jacksonville has 25+ breweries on the self-guided Jax Ale Trail. Some of them include Bold City Brewery, Aardwolf Brewing Company, Green Room Brewing, Veterans United Craft Brewery and Intuition Ale Works. Collect stamps and win prizes for completion of your Ale Trail passport.

Seven Bridges Grille & Brewery

This brewpub is located in Jacksonville’s Southside and features a variety of fresh seafood, steaks, chicken, salads and pizza. On tap are their award-winning beers like the South Side Pilsner and the Iron Horse Stout. Grab some friends, your brews and some cues and play a game on their championship billiards tables.

KickBacks Gastropub/Goozlepipe & Guttyworks

This spot is a must for any beer lover passing through Jacksonville. With more beers on tap than almost anywhere in the world (180 and counting) and a selection of 600 different bottled beers, you’d be hard pressed not to find a new, excellent beer to try. Their menu ranges from old-school favorites like Spaghettios and ramen noodles to exotic fare like lumpia or chicken tikka masala to a whole range of creative gastropub concoctions. They even offer a giant turkey leg, a crowd favorite. Open until 3am, this is a great spot for late night eats.

Spirit Sippers

Mojo No. 4

Mojo No. 4 is an Urban BBQ restaurant and whiskey bar in the picturesque Avondale neighborhood. They offer your classic barbecue options like beef brisket and pulled pork, and have a mac n’ cheese that’s out of this world. They’re known for their extensive whiskey list (16 pages long!) but also worth trying is their smoked bloody mary.