Eat Like a Local in Jacksonville, FL

Visiting Jacksonville? I bet you’re hungry! Wondering where all the locals eat?

If you are like me, when visiting a new city you want to steer clear of (and generally avoid) dining in tourist-heavy areas where chains and completely overpriced restaurants dominate the landscape. But don’t worry when visiting Jacksonville, FL. I will give you all the inside information you need so that you will be eating like a local.

As a frequent long time visitor to the Bold City and being friends with many born and raised Jaxsons, I keep a constant finger on the city’s food culture including the best local places to eat.

Any food aficionado should spend time exploring the diverse culinary experiences that Jacksonville offers. Anyone who does this will be rewarded in spades with delicious, well-crafted food. Jacksonville may not have a Michelin starred restaurant, but I can attest that it doesn’t mean it can’t compete with cities that do.

For a quick snapshot of where to eat well I have put together this cheat sheet of current places to feast like a local in Jacksonville, Florida.

Blue Crab Crabhouse

Order a half dozen blue crabs or three jumbo crabs when they are available. The blue crab dinner comes with french fries and a choice of two sides. You can also get parmesan potatoes or the garlic toast as a side if that’s what you’re craving. Don’t forget to ask for a big side of melted butter and seasonings to dip your crabmeat.

They have a full bar so feel free to get a cold beer or cocktail to complement your food. One doesn’t have to be in Maryland to enjoy a blue crab dinner, it’s right here in Jacksonville.

Recommended Dishes: Steamed Blue Crabs, Crab Balls, Fried Oyster and Shrimp Dinner (hushpuppies, coleslaw, red beans and rice)

Blue Crab Crabhouse
Address: 3057 Julington Creek Road
Contact: (904) 260-7722
Website: https://www.bluecrabcrabhouse.com

Safe Harbor Seafood Restaurant

To get to Safe Harbor Seafood Restaurant you need to drive around a corner to the end of 2nd Avenue. If you get to the water and are among a group of empty boat trailers, you’ve found it: a small building right on the waterway.

Safe Harbor is a bustling seafood market on the water that serves over-the-counter catch in a simple, no-frills setting. Specials are especially inviting as you can see the just-caught fish glistening on the ice-packed cases. Options for fried, blackened and grilled available with just about any kind of fish you order.

Try the shrimp, as you are in Florida, and the Mayport shrimp are famous. Order a two-item basket that contains both blackened shrimp and fried calamari. The perfectly cooked shrimp are more spicy than sweet. The calamari are chewy, fresh and deliciously battered.

Red fish in the fish tacos is blackened with a kick that nicely balances the sweetness of the fish along with the mango salsa. A dollop of lime crema is all it needs.

Recommended Dishes: Blackened Shrimp, Fried Calamari, Blackened Redfish Tacos, Oyster Po’Boy

Safe Harbor Seafood Restaurant
Address: 4378 Ocean Street #3, Atlantic Beach, Florida
Contact: (904) 246-4911
Website: https://www.safeharbor-seafood.com/mayport

PK Noodles

There’s nothing in the world that a warm bowl of pho can’t fix, and my favorite spot to satisfy my hunger is at PK (Pho King) Noodles. With over 15 pho options and other superlative traditional Vietnamese dishes, this restaurant is the real deal.

Ever try a Banh Mi? These Vietnamese sandwiches (something like a sub) feature a variety of quality ingredients and are among the best I have ever eaten.

Recommended Dishes: Pho, Banh Mi (my favorite: ham, head cheese, steamed pork, veggies), Vegetable Stir-fry

PK Noodles
Address: 11925 Beach Boulevard #204
Contact: (904) 646-0707
Website: https://pknoodle.com/

Singleton’s Seafood Shack

A sprawling, down-to-earth, nautical wreck with a low ceiling, listing wooden floors, and hard benches. A perfect example of a Florida seafood shack.

Most everything served is in styrofoam. Utensils are plastic. No-nonsense waitstaff. If you mind your manners, you might hear a hon or dear.

This is a north coast gem, so ignore the burgers, bbq, and dogs; they are immaterial. What matters most is sweet shrimp, briny oysters, and seasoned devil crab.

There is a southern accent to most of the plates. Every meal comes with hushpuppies clothed in a red gold crust that encloses insides that are moist as cake. Sides include cheese grits, black beans and rice, vegetable of the day (don’t miss the collards).

Order a bowl of the Minorcan clam chowder, a speciality from down the St. Augustine way. Datil peppers provide a nice buzz to soup that is loaded with flavorful clams.

Recommended Dishes: Steamed shrimp, Shrimp dip, Parmesan crusted oysters, Deviled crab basket, Blue crab cakes, Cajun sauteed shrimp, Minorcan clam chowder

Singleton’s Seafood Shack
Address: 4728 Ocean Street
Contact: (904) 246-4442
Website: https://www.singletonsseafood.com/

Arepa Please

What do you get when you fill a traditional Venezuelan Arepa with ingredients you would find a classic New York bodega? You get Arepa Please, a fixture in Jacksonville’s vibrant culinary scene.

Venture past the stylish outside mural and indulge in the freshly made arepas (stuffed corn cakes) like the Fancy Monkey, a delicious concoction of fried plantains, queso blanco, black beans and avocados. Or maybe the Jax Blond: shredded beef cooked in a pomodoro sauce on a bed of melted cheddar cheese.

Feeling creative? You can make your own arepa with any filling you choose, but trust me it will be hard to compete with the tasty choices already on the menu (especially my personal favorite, Porco Loco: a mouth-watering filling of slowly cooked pork, marinated in red wine on a bed of queso blanco)

Forget the wraps, subs, salads; they are of little account. This restaurant is all about arepas.

Recommended Dishes: Any arepa

Arepa Please
Address: 4714 Riverside Avenue
Contact: (904) 356-8055
Website: https://www.arepaplease.com

Good Dough

The beautiful open space at Good Dough centers around a clear case with rows and rows of colorful doughnuts. Some are classics, such as an original glazed snowball or chocolate with sprinkles. Others are unique, such as one named the “Cheese board” which is topped with dried fruits, prosciutto and nuts.

House-raised doughnuts are made brioche style which makes them ideally suited for  sandwiches. One of the most indulgent things I’ve ever eaten is a glazed doughnut cut in half and filled with a freshly fried piece of chicken, pickles, and hot sauce. The doughnut is soft and springy and the chicken is juicy and still hot from the fryer. A perfect balance is struck between the sweetness of the doughnut, the flavor of the chicken and the tangy heat of the pickles and sauce.

An egg, ham and cheese looks plain, but is brought home by the doughnut. Thanks to the brioche style, it is the perfect chewy complement to the other ingredients.

Recommended Dishes: Fried chicken doughnut, Ham, egg, cheese doughnut, all the stand alone doughnuts.

Good Dough
Address: 1636 Hendricks Avenue
Contact: (904) 527-1875
Website: https://www.gooddoughjax.com

Restaurant Orsay

Restaurant Orsay is well known for its blend of French sophistication and Southern comfort. It is a go-to spot for celebratory meals and special occasions.

Dishes like bouillabaisse, pan roasted fish with grits, and mussels frites are prepared with classic French techniques. Though the menu is filled with classic French dishes, I always lean towards comfort food such as the Shepard’s pie, Lobster pot pie, and the decadent Cassoulet.

The weekend brunch is especially remarkable, including: roasted oysters, biscuits and gravy, lobster mac and cheese, duck confit hash, and steak and eggs.

Pro-Tip: This is a very popular restaurant for locals and visitors alike, so book a table well in advance.

Recommended Dishes: bouillabaisse, pan roasted fish, mussels frites, lobster pot pie, shepherd’s pie, roasted oysters, biscuits and gravy, duck confit hash, cassoulet, lobster mac and cheese, steak and eggs.

Restaurant Orsay
Address: 3630 Park Street
Contact: (904) 381-0909
Website: https://www.restaurantorsay.com

Carolina Jax

Carolina Jax, once a food truck, is now a go-to spot for innovative smash burgers and loaded fries

The terrific Hurricane burger combines a house beef blend, white American cheese, grilled jalapenos, white cheddar mac, crumbled bacon, and spicy chipotle sauce all on a toasted brioche bun.

The Riverside blends sweet, spicy, creamy, smoky flavors with Key Lime aioli, goat cheese, baby spinach, smoked bacon, orange marmalade, and datil sauce drizzle on a toasted brioche bun .

My favorite meal at Carolina Jax? That’s difficult. So many things to choose, but here I go: a Blue Devil with lemon peppercorn aioli, arugula, gorgonzola spread, and bourbon bacon on a toasted brioche bun. My perfect side: Rodeo Rings (beer battered onion rings smothered in cheese sauce, crumbled bacon, pulled pork, and sweet bbq sauce).

Besides burgers there is a selection of sandwiches, 12 loaded fries options, shakes, and hot dogs. Order a Devil Dog and enjoy bacon, grilled onions and peppers, spicy chipotle with sriracha curry ketchup.

Carolina Jax is a beloved local institution combining a wide array of creative food in a relaxed and laid back atmosphere.

Recommended Dishes: Hurricane burger, Riverside burger, Blue Devil burger, Rodeo Rings, Devil Dog

Carolina Jax
Address: 2548 Oak Street
Contact: (904) 240-1980
Website: https://carolinajax.com

Blue Bamboo

Blue Bamboo serves classic Cantonese offerings in a soothing upscale setting. The highlight for me is the Cantonese-style roasted duck boasting a crispy skin and tender meat. But don’t overlook the Chinese barbecued spare ribs, a homage to chef Dennis Chan’s deep-rooted culinary heritage.

Blue Bamboo’s dessert menu presents a sweet ending to your Cantonese feast with its Mandarin orange cake (light citrus infused, springy with creamy frosting, it is a sensual delight).

Look no further than Blue Bamboo for genuine Cantonese cooking in Jacksonville.

Recommended Dishes: Roasted duck, Barbeque spareribs, Sichrian beef stir fry, Javin rubbed pork ribeye, Mandarin orange cake

Blue Bamboo
Address: 10110 San Jose Boulevard
Contact: (904) 646-1478
Website: https://bluebamboojacksonville.com/

Gators BBQ

Gator’s BBQ is located due west of downtown Jacksonville. Primarily take-out, it is housed in a small stand-alone brick building.

Entering the restaurant you are greeted by a cozy room with a few tables offering a few chairs and some bench seating for hungry customers who opt to eat in. Keep in mind, this is a busy place especially on weekends.

Although Gators offers brisket, cajun sausages, smoked chicken and pork chops, I naturally go for the smoked pork and ribs. The smoked pork has the right amount of smoke and admirable bark. The ribs are tender with just enough chew to let you know they are cooked low and slow. Typical of most northern Florida BBQ joints, squirt bottles of golden mustard BBQ sauce are readily available (and also several other sauce offerings).

If you try the Brunswick stew and the fried corn on the cob you will not be disappointed. I like to start my meal with the fried squash that begs to be dipped in house made swamp sauce (a creamy horseradish concoction) and I always finish with some homemade banana pudding.

Recommended Dishes: Smoked pork, smoked ribs, brisket, fried squash, Brunswick stew, Swamp sauce, banana pudding

Gators BBQ
Address: 8142 West Beaver Street
Contact: (904) 683-494
Website: https://gatorsbbq.net/

Quick Bites

Lubi’s Hot Subs

Known for their steamed subs, served hot, smothered in cheese and stuffed with a variety of toppings and meats.

Address: 11663 Beach Boulevard
Contact: (904) 642-3800

Beach Hut Cafe

Perfect spot for breakfast before the beach or lunch after.

Address: 1281 3rd Street South
Contact: (904) 249-3516

Dos Vatos Tacos

Jacksonville’s premier taco destination (over a dozen selections).

Address: 1451 Atlantic Boulevard, Neptune Beach, FL
Contact: (904) 372-4997
Website: https://www.dosvatostacosfl.com

The French Pantry

Arguably the best lunch spot in Jacksonville.

Address: 6301-1 Powers Avenue
Contact: (904) 454-8719
Website: https://www.thefrenchpantryfl.com

Jacksonville, Florida, is a scenic city by a river and sea boasting a lively and vibrant food scene. My curated list includes places that most locals would identify as places they’d want to take their friends who are in from out of town.

Enjoy eating like a local in Jacksonville, Florida.