The 47 Best Bites in Jacksonville

Atlantic Beach

3. Azurea:

Local Catch Trio- For upscale dining right by the beach, Azurea is a must. Their Local Catch Trio 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 tomato remoulade.

4. Bones Pizza:

Pesto Pizza- Bones Pizza is located inside Reve Brewing. Pizza and beer, a match made in foodie heaven, right? They must put some true magic in their dough because it really is fantastic. Take that dough and top it with their house-made pesto, mozzarella, local Cugino's sausage, feta, cremini mushrooms and jalapenos.

5. Culhane's Irish Pub:

Guinness Beef Stew- An upbeat Irish pub with two locations, Atlantic Beach and the Southside. You’ll go for the drinks, but you’ll keep coming back to Culhane’s for their signature Guinness Beef Stew.

6. 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. What makes them stand out? Their oysters. Offered raw, fried or as a shooter for those 21 and up, there's an oyster for every appetite.

Jacksonville Beach

11. 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.

12. Dockside Seafood:

Mayport Shrimp Nachos- For a true Jacksonville fish camp experience, try Dockside Seafood in Jacksonville Beach. Specifically, order their Mayport Shrimp Nachos and sit outside to enjoy views of the intracoastal waterway as your background.

13. Engine 15 Brewing Company:

Brisket Beer Dip Sandwich- One of the stops on the Jax Ale Trail, this popular craft brewery is also serving up some serious food to enjoy with your brew. The Brisket Beer Dip Sandwich is a must-try. House-smoked beer braised beef brisket (say that four times fast) is topped with sauteed peppers, onions and melted swiss cheese with a side of au jus for dipping.

14. Salt Life Food Shack:

Caliche's Poke Bowl- For those enjoying the Jacksonville Beach experience, a trip to the beach 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, avocados and a special marinade make this poke bowl unforgettable.

15. TacoLu:

Bangin' Shrimp Tacos- Fish tacos, tequila and mezcal – 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. Must try: the bangin’ shrimp taco with its Asian-style fried shrimp, cabbage and chipotle cream.

Murray Hill

18. Community Loaves:

Farm Salad- Nestled in the Murray Hill neighborhood is this inviting bakery and café. If you are in the area and want a lunch that will satisfy your taste buds, stop into Community Loaves and order their Farm Salad. The toppings change regularly depending on what is in season but whenever you order it you know it will be made with locally grown produce. And as a bonus, this salad is served with their freshly made sourdough bread.

19. 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.

Riverside Avondale

21. 13 Gypsies:

Risotto- This local restaurant serves traditional Spanish tapas, where everything from the sausage to the cheese to the bread is handmade. A mainstay of the restaurant is their risotto, which changes daily and is always delightful.

22. Biscottis:

Blue Cheese Crusted Beef Medallions- Biscottis is well known throughout Jacksonville for its decadent desserts. But before you try one of their famous cakes, try their incredibly delicious and tender beef medallions for dinner. Blue cheese and a shiitake demi glaze make this dish a real winner.

23. BREW Five Points:

Brisket Breakfast Tacos- This coffee shop keeps people coming back and not only for coffee but for their incredibly delicious food and fresh pastries too. Try the brisket breakfast tacos topped with chipotle barbecue sauce, a chimi fried egg, white cheddar and pickled red onions.

24. Burrito Gallery:

Mission Style Burrito- Voted best burrito in Jax many years in a row, there’s a reason the locals love this burrito joint. Try the classic Mission Style Burrito.

25. Kickbacks Gastropub:

Corn Nuggets- Sometimes it’s the simple things that make the best dishes. Kickbacks Gastropub, along with the adjoining Goozlepipe and Guttyworks, offers everything from high-end, adventurous dishes to old-school favorites. The Corn Nuggets are perfect in their simplicity and pair well with any of the over 180 beers on tap.

26. Mesa:

Paneer Burrata- Mesa is a modern Indian restaurant serving up classic dishes as well as some more unique ones. Take the Paneer Burrata for example: an Indian and Italian cheese topped with chili oil and served alongside naan chips.

27. The Mossfire Grill:

Pacific Rim Tuna Tacos- Seared yellowfin tuna, tangy Asian slaw, green onions, homemade sesame seed sauce and a soft flour tortilla make this Taco Tuesday-worthy.

28. Prospect Five Points:

Pistachio Crusted Goat Cheese Balls- Prospect is one of the few restaurants that offer a daily happy hour. Get a group together and enjoy drinks and some shareables like the Pistachio-Crusted Goat Cheese Balls with a lavender honey drizzle.

29. Restaurant Orsay:

Steak Frites- For fine dining in a relaxed atmosphere, Restaurant Orsay is the perfect destination. Indulge in the steak frites: rosemary seasoned steak, paired with a rich red wine jus and butter sauce. And don't forget about the pommes frites.

30. Taqueria Cinco Five Points:

Repollitos Taco- Taqueria Cinco is a local favorite and a hidden gem in the Five Points area of Riverside Avondale. Highly recommended is the repollitos taco: Brussel sprouts glazed in a Oaxacan mole, topped with queso fresco, pickled onions and almond salsa all on top of a freshly made corn tortilla.

Northside

37. Congaree and Penn:

Roasted Local Mushrooms- Congaree and Penn takes farm-to-table to a new level. While dining outside, you can see their farm from your table. Spend some time on a farm tour and then relax with their homemade hard cider and some dinner including the savory Roasted Local Mushrooms.

38. Green Papaya:

Pad Thai- This Pan Asian restaurant reigns supreme with fresh flavors and a 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.

39. Palms Fish Camp:

Fresh Caught Mayport Shrimp- A visit to Jacksonville is not complete without dining on the local Mayport shrimp. Try the shrimp and grits, shrimp tacos or their palmbalaya. Any way you have it, you know it's going to be fresh when you can see the water from the restaurant.

Springfield

45. 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 staple in the Springfield community.

46. 1 Foxy Lady Cafe:

Foxy Cajun Chicken Ranch Sandwich- While you can't go wrong with anything on the menu, you must try the Foxy Cajun Chicken Ranch Sandwich. It's mouth-watering!

47. Strings Sports Brewery:

Smoked Wings- Another Jax Ale Trail brewery serving up some amazing food options. Their smoked wings will leave you wanting seconds. Sauce options include Alabama white, Buffalo and Peruvian, or if you prefer dry rubs try the Strings original.