Features and guides to Jacksonville’s restaurant scene, including openings, reviews, chef profiles, and dining trends
Featured image for “#AskJAXTDY l Dogs on restaurant patios: Who is liable?”
The city's permitting process that makes it legal for restaurants to allow dogs in outdoor dining patios is now live. | Hanna Raskin
January 29, 2026

#AskJAXTDY l Dogs on restaurant patios: Who is liable?

If a dog bites someone on a patio, does liability fall on the restaurant, the dog owner or the other…

Featured image for “THE FOOD SECTION | Jacksonville cheesesteak tour: Which of the 4 comes out on top?”
A cheesesteak at D&LP Subs in Jacksonville Beach | Hanna Raskin
January 25, 2026

THE FOOD SECTION | Jacksonville cheesesteak tour: Which of the 4 comes out on top?

In Jacksonville, online chatter about which area cheesesteak outshines the rest has snowballed since Big Al’s Cheesesteaks opened in Arlington…

Featured image for “Plans move ahead for restaurant at Riverfront Plaza”
A city-owned restaurant is planned in Riverfront Plaza, the park at the former site of the Jacksonville Landing in Downtown. | Jacksonville Daily Record
January 22, 2026

Plans move ahead for restaurant at Riverfront Plaza

The city would own the restaurant at Riverfront Plaza and choose an operator to build out the structure.…

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | Shaped by water and time: Historic Oak Haven, Love Grove and Spring Glen”
January 20, 2026

THE JAXSON | Shaped by water and time: Historic Oak Haven, Love Grove and Spring Glen

Here are five facts about Oak Haven, Love Grove and Spring Glen.…

Featured image for “Jacksonville now has a process to legalize dog-friendly patios”
Chad Munsey, co-owner of The Bearded Pig, was caught by surprise when he learned the restaurant's dog-friendly patio was not authorized by the city. | Dan Macdonald, Jacksonville Daily Record
January 20, 2026

Jacksonville now has a process to legalize dog-friendly patios

The City Council has set up a permitting process, and signs must be displayed saying dogs are allowed on the…

Featured image for “Grouper Shack restaurant is now open in Jax Beach”
January 6, 2026

Grouper Shack restaurant is now open in Jax Beach

Grouper Shack, a fast-casual restaurant, bar and market, is the group’s second site in Northeast Florida.…

Featured image for “The Hub Brooklyn expected to open within weeks”
Construction work contniues at the Hub Brooklyn on Monday, Dec. 29, 2025. | Monty Zickuhr, Jacksonville Daily Record
December 30, 2025

The Hub Brooklyn expected to open within weeks

The Hub, housing three restaurants, is tenatively scheduled to open Jan. 19 at Riverside Avenue and Forest Street.…

Featured image for “Pecan Craft Kitchen sets opening in Julington Creek”
The kitchen inside Pecan Craft Kitchen in St. Johns County. | Pecan Kitchen
December 16, 2025

Pecan Craft Kitchen sets opening in Julington Creek

A “farm-to-fire” restaurant, Pecan Craft Kitchen will open in the former Broudy’s Liquors location.…

Featured image for “Calico Cactus ready to launch in Murray Hill”
Workers remodel Calico Cactus, a breakfast-lunch taco restaurant that replaced the Maple Street Biscuit Co. at 1171 Edgewood Ave. S in Murray Hill. | Jacksonville Daily Record
December 15, 2025

Calico Cactus ready to launch in Murray Hill

Calico Cactus is a breakfast-lunch taco restaurant that replaces Maple Street Biscuit Co.…

Featured image for “Ben & Jerry’s is coming to Five Points”
The city is reviewing a permit application for Ben & Jerry's in Five Points. | Jacksonville Daily Record
December 2, 2025

Ben & Jerry’s is coming to Five Points

The ice cream shop will be in the former space of Jane Doe Boutique, across from the Five Points Theatre…

Featured image for “Open 9 months, Lily’s restaurant closes Downtown”
Lily Grabb has closed Lily’s Asian-American Food in Downtown Jacksonville. | Dan Macdonald, Jacksonville Daily Record
November 21, 2025

Open 9 months, Lily’s restaurant closes Downtown

Owner Lily Grabb said she closed the Asian American restaurant after struggling to attract lunch customers.…

Featured image for “Deal to sell Casa Marina Hotel in Jax Beach falls through”
The Casa Marina Hotel & Restaurant at 691 First St. N. in Jacksonville Beach. | Jacksonville Daily Record
November 18, 2025

Deal to sell Casa Marina Hotel in Jax Beach falls through

Developer Corner Lot had planned to buy and redevelop the Casa Marina and a property across the street.…

Featured image for “Greek pastry shop plans Five Points location”
Lukumades, a Greek pastry shop, is planned at 1020 Park St. in the Five Points Theatre building.
November 17, 2025

Greek pastry shop plans Five Points location

Lukumades II is working on building out its second location, in the Five Points Theatre building.…

Featured image for “More outdoor dining on the way in Downtown Jacksonville”
Renderings of Pearl Square, the Gateway Jax development in the NorthCore area of Downtown Jacksonville, show sidewalk seating. | Jacksonville Daily Record
November 14, 2025

More outdoor dining on the way in Downtown Jacksonville

The Jacksonville City Council voted to allow restaurant and bar seating on Downtown sidewalks.…

Featured image for “Jacksonville may expand sidewalk dining Downtown”
Renderings of Pearl Square, the Gateway Jax development in the NorthCore area of Downtown Jacksonville, show sidewalk seating. | Jacksonville Daily Record
November 5, 2025

Jacksonville may expand sidewalk dining Downtown

City Council is considering legislation that would allow sidewalk dining throughout Downtown instead of in select areas.…

Featured image for “Outback Steakhouse closes in Jacksonville Beach”
October 29, 2025

Outback Steakhouse closes in Jacksonville Beach

Outback’s parent company said it was closing 41 locations across all of its restaurant brands.…

Featured image for “Purple Olive restaurant moves to former Gypsy Cab space”
In taking over the space that used to house the Gypsy Cab Co., Purple Olive owners Kristen White and Peter Kenney renovated the space. | Old City PR
October 23, 2025

Purple Olive restaurant moves to former Gypsy Cab space

Purple Olive will open Friday on Anastasia Island after 21 years in St. Augustine Beach.…

Featured image for “Downtown Jacksonville Starbucks wins city incentives”
An illustration shows the interior of the proposed Starbucks in Downtown Jacksonville. | City of Jacksonville
October 15, 2025

Downtown Jacksonville Starbucks wins city incentives

The Starbucks franchise holder now will turn their attention to construction in the Bank of America Tower Downtown.…

Featured image for “Why the city thinks incentives for Downtown Starbucks make sense”
A licensed Starbucks franchise is planned on the ground floor of Bank of America Tower at 50 N. Laura St. | Jacksonville Daily Record
October 9, 2025

Why the city thinks incentives for Downtown Starbucks make sense

Jacksonville officials say a Starbucks in the Bank of America Tower would be a sign of health for Downtown.…

Featured image for “1928 Cuban Bistro plans to expand in Brooklyn”
Rebecca Gonzalez opened her first 1928 Cuban Bistro in 2019 on Baymeadows Road near San Jose Boulevard. | Jeffrey Leeser, Jacksonville Daily Record
October 8, 2025

1928 Cuban Bistro plans to expand in Brooklyn

Based in Jacksonville, 1928 Cuban Bistro plans its eighth location where Tossgreen closed.…

Featured image for “Habit Burger & Grill sets opening for first Jax restaurant”
The first Habit Burger & Grill in Jacksonville is at 13559 Beach Blvd. | Karen Brune Mathis, Jacksonville Daily Record
October 8, 2025

Habit Burger & Grill sets opening for first Jax restaurant

The California-based Habit Burger & Grill plans three locations in Jacksonville.…

Featured image for “Starbucks seeks incentives for Downtown coffee shop”
A licensed Starbucks franchise is planned on the ground floor of Bank of America Tower at 50 N. Laura St. | Jacksonville Daily Record
October 3, 2025

Starbucks seeks incentives for Downtown coffee shop

The Starbucks franchise would open on the ground floor of Bank of America Tower.…

Featured image for “Brett’s in Fernandina Beach closes after 41 years”
Brett's Waterway Cafe in Fernandina Beach will close after Saturday. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
October 3, 2025

Brett’s in Fernandina Beach closes after 41 years

The city is considering several possible uses for the Brett’s site, including a more elaborate restaurant with a pier.…

Featured image for “Wobbly Whale replaces iconic British pub in St. Augustine”
The Wobbly Whale Public House will open Saturday in the former home of the Kings Head British Pub. | The Wobby Whale Public House
October 1, 2025

Wobbly Whale replaces iconic British pub in St. Augustine

The Wobbly Whale Public House takes over the spot of Kings Head British Pub, which closed after 32 years.…