Restaurants in Jacksonville that are sure to please.
One wise man said that Jacksonville is the most beautiful city that he had ever been to and he couldn’t wait for it to be done. Man has the town grown. With the addition of the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Players Championship here in the area, many new restaurants have collected themselves at the St. Johns Town Center. Here you will find places like Mimi’s Café, PF Chang’s, and The Capital Grille. This is the model for the new dining revolution that is happening in Jacksonville.
About thirty minutes south of Jacksonville you have Historic St. Augustine. Here you will find all the classic restaurants of historic towns. The Columbia on St. George Street is their signature. Be sure to visit Scarlet O’Hara’s and the World Famous Oasis on Anastasia Island. You’ll know you’re going the right way after you pass the lighthouse and the alligator farm.
Here in Jacksonville, we have a little bit of everything. The once segregated and densely populated town has turned into a growing melting pot of commerce and recreation. Most places here you could wear a jacket and tie and the person next to you could have on flip-flops. All are welcome here in the River City. We are truly the Bold New City of the South.
To get a feel of the best restaurants in Jacksonville we enlisted Erin Thursby to help us come up with our top 10 list.
Erin Thursby is the food editor of the local entertainment monthly EU Jacksonville, where she also writes, takes food photographs and writes other stories, occasionally freelancing for other publications. Her blog, Epicurean Jacksonville, is based, in part, on the philosophy of Epicurus, a Greek philosopher who is most often associated with the phrase “Eat, Drink and be Merry, for tomorrow you may die.” She contends that he was more of a sensualist than a hedonist. Like Epicurus, she believes in experiencing the pleasures life has to offer without over indulging.
These are the top 10 restaurants in Jacksonville that you can not afford to miss:
13 Gypsies
If you want a table at 13 Gypsies, reservations are recommended. This small, funky bistro, run by a husband and wife duo, represents the backlash against fusion. It’s mainly tapas here and the menu changes seasonally, but they tend toward pure interpretations of dishes from their native lands. You’ll find unadulterated Spanish and Italian dishes (among others) that haven’t been diluted by blatant Americanism.
Basil Thai and Sushi
There certainly isn’t a shortage of upscale Thai in Jacksonville. While we love hole-in-wall family places such as Taste of Thai, the swank factor of a place like Basil Thai and Sushi does lure us in. It’s probably one of the most expensive Thai places in town, but they do an excellent job and have a large wine selection. Their sushi surpasses their Thai food, and that’s saying something.
Blue Bamboo
Finely crafted fusion cuisine in a white tablecloth setting. Outstanding wines, excellent cocktails
Biscotti’s
Most of Biscotti’s entrées are under $10, but it’s the place most Jacksonvillains go when they want something fancy and casual at the same time. The skirt steak salad is one of the most popular menu items for dinner, as are their gourmet personal pizzas. Whether you come for a wine tasting in the evening or a breakfast on the weekend, it’s one of the most popular places in town.
Casbah
They aren’t fine dining, they’re a Middle Eastern Hookah bar with excellent Americanized Middle Eastern and Mediterranean. If you’re hungry after midnight and you don’t want to hang out in a brightly lit chain, this is the place to be. Their kibbie is outstanding, as is their tabbouleh. If you’re afraid to try something to exotic, there’s always the Casbah Pizza–highly recommended for more timid palates.
Clark’s Fish Camp
Clark’s has a massive menu. Not everything on it is excellent. But it simply must make a top 10 list because of its status as a Jacksonville icon. (Whitey‘s in Orange Park, shares that status here on the First Coast). Fish camps are a very Florida and Southern thing. Like other local fish camps, Clark’s grew out of a stop for Jacksonville boaters to fuel up and buy snacks. It became a restaurant chock full of stuffed exotic animals and an odd collection of plates. These plates have game fish of all types lovingly rendered onto the porcelain. The seafood bake plate is recommended, as are most of the fried fish dishes. If you’re feeling adventurous, order one of their exotic appetizers such as the ostrich, kangaroo, antelope or even snake.
French Pantry
They say this place is one of the best kept secrets in Jacksonville. Judging from their always packed dining room, it‘s not a secret anymore. The French Pantry is only open for lunch and only open on weekdays. Their exquisite salads, delicious pastries and outstanding French breads have made them one of the most popular lunch spots for the business crowd. If you don’t want to wait either come just after the lunch rush or call in your order.
Matthew’s
Jacksonville’s fine dining at it’s finest. A robust wine list and food that will rival New Yorks best. The menu is constantly changing as Chef Matthew Medure showcases the finest and freshest ingredients available. You would be hard pressed to find a better meal in Jacksonville. Reservations and credit cards are a must as it is usually full and always pricey.
Mojo’s BBQ
Jacksonville is a barbeque town. So when a barbeque joint ends up on a top 10 list like this, it has some serious competition. Most of the que here is North Carolina inspired, but the sides do surely steal the show. Try the smoked corn and their delightful, sweet and hot jalapeño cornbread.
Orsay
Cocktails that split the difference between savory and sweet, a raw bar and traditional French fare. Great atmosphere, and a refreshing approach as they utilize regional materials whenever possible and sustainable practices where practical. Top that with some great food and your on the list! A great Jacksonville dining experience.