St. Johns Avenue offers what's perhaps the region's most-walkable and inviting cluster of restaurants, boutiques and specialty shops. | Cole LoCurto
Published on October 15, 2026 at 9:59 am
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One benefit of living in a region as geographically diverse as Jacksonville is the opportunity to explore different neighborhoods, each with its own sense of place and culture. Avondale, with its popular commercial strip, St. Johns Avenue (called the Shoppes of Avondale), offers what’s perhaps the region’s most-walkable and inviting cluster of restaurants, boutiques and specialty shops.
A planned development started in 1920, Avondale is now a historic district listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Infrastructure for the community, including sidewalks, sewers, city water, gas, electricity and telephone lines, was installed before lots were for sale and restrictions were placed on where commercial development could occur. The small-scale buildings of St. Johns Avenue in particular, including a 1927 edifice designed by Henry Klutho, were intended to blend with the residential neighborhood.
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The St. Johns Avenue business district saw some renovation in 2010 under Jacksonville’s Town Center Program, which allocated funds for revitalizing neighborhood commercial districts. Several spots along the avenue now offer patio seating, perfect for alfresco dining and people watching. Nearby Boone Park offers trails, playgrounds and picnic areas. And mark your calendar for Amplified Avondale on the last Friday of the month, with art, music and dining specials along the strip.
St. Johns Avenue is an alluring destination for a full day of eating, drinking, strolling and shopping.
Eat
Josephine | $$$
A family-inspired eatery, Josephine serves innovative Italian fare, house-made fresh pasta (pinwheel lasagna is a customer favorite), salads, classic cocktails, craft beer, zero-proof options and an impressive selection of Old World and New World wines. Open for dinner, aperitivo hour and weekend brunch.
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Le Macaron French Pastries | $$
Macarons, meringue-based brightly colored gluten-free sandwich cookies commonly filled with buttercream or jam filling, are the stars at Le Macaron. They come in 20 flavors, including seasonal specials. The shop also offers gourmet chocolates, French gelato, specialty coffees, classic French pastries, cakes, savories and homemade candies.
Peterbrooke | $$
An upscale chocolatier, Peterbrooke specializes in hand-dipped chocolate treats (strawberries, pretzels, graham crackers, Oreos), truffles, handmade caramels, signature gift baskets and gelato. Milk chocolate-covered popcorn is always a good idea.
Biscottis | $$$
A staple of the neighborhood for more than 30 years, Biscottis has perfected the art of a bistro atmosphere, with extensive brunch, lunch and dinner menus. The seared redfish with sweet corn beurre blanc and kabocha boulangère is always outstanding. Make sure to ogle the dessert case on your way to your seat. The croissant bread pudding redolent with cherries, currants and golden raisins will spoil you for any other versions.
The Fox Restaurant | $$
Head to the Fox for traditional diner options for breakfast or lunch. There may be a line, but don’t worry, the wait is worth it. Extra hungry? Go for the extra large waffle. In a hurry? Grab a bacon, egg and cheese sandwich on a biscuit to go. Sit at the bar to watch the kitchen action. Foxes are a fun décor theme throughout the restaurant, with vintage and hand drawn art work from patrons lining the walls.
Southern Grounds | $$
A coffee shop serving a chef-driven menu throughout the day, Southern Grounds serves espresso beverages, breakfast sandwiches, salads, grain bowls, wraps and entrees featuring fresh, seasonal ingredients. Baked goods are made by their sister operation Blueberry Bakery. The covered patio makes it a perfect spot for bring-your-pup-to-work day.
The Blue Fish Restaurant & Oyster Bar | $$$
Open daily for lunch and dinner, the high-energy American eatery Blue Fish is knowns for its seafood, raw bar and Sunday brunch. Happy hour specials include raw oysters, Prince Edward Island mussels and peach barbecue chicken bites. An outdoor courtyard for and private rooms for gatherings and a dedicated parking lot add to the appeal of this eatery.
Mojo No. 4 BBQ | $$
Known for slow-smoked meats and wood-fired barbecue, Mojo’s menu includes brisket, pulled pork and ribs. Be sure to order several side dishes — smoked yellow corn, collard greens, mac and cheese — or go all in and order the giant onion rings. Outdoor seating available.
Brick Restaurant | $$$
The brick-walled interior and stained glass windows provide a unique backdrop to Brick’s modern take on American dishes with regional culinary inspiration. Menu items like the poke nacho salad, rice bowl, huevos rancheros and Mediterranean dishes highlight global influences. Open for lunch, dinner and weekend brunch. (Try the Spicy Habañero Bloody Mary as an eye opener!)
Mellow Mushroom | $$
Mellow Mushroom features an eclectic offering of stone-baked pizzas, along with burgers, hoagies, salads, wings and more than 60 draft beers and craft cocktails. Don’t knock pineapple on a pizza until you try the Pacific Rim — red sauce topped with mozzarella, honey ham, applewood-smoked bacon, caramelized onions, pineapple and jalapeños. Jaguars fans don’t have to worry about missing a game, with plenty of TVs broadcasting home and away events.
Sushiko Japanese Restaurant | $$
An intimate and cozy sushi house, Sushiko features a variety of rolls, Japanese fare, noodles, and hibachi meals in a relaxed venue. The tiny kitchen hits above its weight and offers a vast menu, including what is possibly the most expansive vegan sushi menu in the state of Florida. Go with friends and order a variety of dishes to share. Japanese beer, sake and wine are served along with tea and soft drinks.
The Happy Cake Shop | $
Whether you need a single sweet or enough for a crowd, this small bakery known as Happy Cakes has a variety of cupcakes for every taste. There’re usually more than two-dozen flavors on offer, including cream- and jam-filled options. While most customers get their treats to go, there is space in the shop to enjoy your cake (and order more before you leave).
Whit’s Frozen Custard | $
Whit’s makes fresh frozen custard throughout the day. Along with the standard vanilla and chocolate, the shop serves a rotating Flavor of the Day. Watch social media for their monthly flavor calendar so you can plan your visits around your favorites. The menu also includes Whitsers (frozen custard blended with toppings), Whitties (custard between two cookies), sundaes, shakes and custom custard cakes.
The Casbah Cafe | $$$
This festive restaurant and bar is the place to go for Middle Eastern fare, hookah water pipe smoking, live music and belly dancing. The menu includes a variety of mezze, kebabs, shawarma, mint iced tea, and desserts. And the lounge offers a large variety of hookah flavors. The weekly Live Jazz Night (Sundays, 9 p.m. to midnight) is one of the longest-running jazz jams in the region.
Drink
Cork Thyme Wine Bar, Bodega & Gourmet Market | $$
Formerly called All Spiced Up, this spot has morphed into a Cork Thyme, a wine bar and gourmet market. They offer a curated selection of small-batch wines, craft bites, custom spice blends, gourmet ingredients and hand-crafted gifts, along with live music and patio seating. Sample a wine flight with a gourmet panini or artisan board in the cozy lounge in the back of the shop.
Old Cup Café | $$
In addition to espresso, coffee and tea beverages, this tiny coffee shop serves house-made cupcakes, muffins, scones and cookies, along with a limited breakfast and lunch menu. If you can’t decide on a dessert, try a selection of mini cakes for a variety of flavors.
Shores Liquors and Bar $$
Known to longtime locals as Monty’s West Inn Cantina and Package Store (after a previous manager named Monty), Shores has a drive-through window, along with a bar serving beer, wine and cocktails, pool tables, darts, a karaoke stage and outdoor seating.
