As the most populated city in the state of Florida and one of the largest cities by area within the mainland United States, it should come as no surprise that Jacksonville has become host to a large variety of restaurants to accommodate the many palettes and tastes of its inhabitants. Many factors have influenced the food served at restaurants near Jacksonville Beach: the proximity to the sea, the numerous different cultures that offer their own specialty cuisine, and American history itself! Indulge in mouthwatering fresh catch of the day, served with a side of ocean views, or savor the flavors of Southern cuisine at a cozy diner. The warmth of local hospitality combined with delectable dishes creates an unforgettable dining experience during your stay in one of our Jacksonville Beach rental homes or Jacksonville Beach condo rentals.
No matter what you find appetizing, after reading through this article, there will surely be someplace to pique your interest that you will surely make a beeline for the next time you find yourself in Jacksonville!
Hawkers
Hawkers is an Asian-style restaurant located in Neptune Beach. It contains a subdued atmosphere with lots of authentic woodwork on the ceiling and above the bar, juxtaposed with striking Hanzi neon signs.
As for the menu, Hawkers offers a variety of meals. Dim sum, a small but hearty dish meant to be enjoyed by two people, comes in the form of bao, a Chinese-style filled yeast bun, or wontons, a Chinese dumpling.
However, the real stars of the show are the rice, curry, and noodle dishes. Chow faan is a fried rice dish packed with proteins and doused in soy sauce, which is good for anyone who enjoys umami flavors. One can’t go wrong with the classic pad thai, which is noodles, chicken, and shrimp topped with roasted peanuts and lime to add a little acidity to the dish.
There are also noodle soups, in case one prefers noodles in a savory broth. One can get either a tom yum or wonton soup, both served with some veggies and seafood, depending on the dish!
For those with room for dessert, you can get a bag of powdered donuts with a sweet dipping sauce or banana spring rolls with a side of vanilla ice cream and berries.
Poe’s Tavern
Literature buffs, rejoice! There is an Edgar Allan Poe-themed burger joint in Atlantic Beach! Aside from burgers, it also offers fish tacos and specialty cocktails.
While Poe’s Tavern looks like any regular seaside food shack from the outside, it transforms into a Gothic steeple on the inside, complete with stained glass windows and iron fences to separate the eating areas. The walls are adorned with Poe memorabilia, including portraits, paintings, and slogans, all referencing Poe’s work.
The menu is also an homage to Poe, with gourmet burgers such as The Tell-Tale Heart, complete with a fried egg under a brioche bun, and Amontillado, a combination of avocado, jalapeno cheese, and pico de gallo that will be recognizable to any Poe reader.
Poe’s Tavern also offers gluten-free options and specialty cocktails, as well as delicious buffalo shrimp. For those searching for a literature-themed restaurant, your search ends here!
Eleven South
Eleven South is a seafood restaurant named for the 11 blocks it takes to reach the ocean from its location. It specializes in seafood classics such as paella, crab cakes, and oysters, but it also offers ribs and pork alongside the flounder and salmon!
The restaurant’s aesthetic varies depending if one is dining inside or outside. Inside, one may think of themselves within the dining car of a train, with dark carpets to compliment the intricate curtains underneath warm lighting. The bar is circular and wooden up against a tiled wall.
Outside, the floor is made up of cobblestone, with slanted wooden roofs and vegetation giving one the feeling of eating on a metropolitan balcony.
Eleven South also offers octopus and escargot. The menus differ by the time of day, with dinner being much more extravagant. Due to Jacksonville’s close proximity to the sea, its seafood quality is assured through these dishes.
Refinery Jacksonville Beach
This venue has a whole lot of variety! Each specific part looks like it could be its own restaurant. One thing’s for sure: it’s stylish! It also has different options depending on where customers wish to eat.
It has a lounge where live music is performed Friday and Saturday while bathed in an ethereal purple light, an ocean bar with a view of the beach and black and beige dining decor that goes together perfectly, an indoor dining area with a view of the ocean that perfectly displays a sunset backdrop to a disappearing pier, and a sleek pub perfect for watching games.
The indoor dining menu is a bit more high-end than the others, offering premium cuts of meat like ribeyes, filet mignon, and lamb chops. They even offer charcuterie boards as an appetizer! For dessert, one can balance the meat out with a refreshing key lime tart or olive oil cake.
The pub dining menu is a bit more casual, offering burgers and snacks like hush puppies, boiled peanuts, and bruschetta. Great for pairing with a beer from the bar!
Due to Refinery Jacksonville Beach’s sheer amount of options, each area has varying hours.
Plan Your Visit
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Dockside Seafood
A true partnership between local anglers and restaurateurs, Dockside Seafood specializes in freshly caught shellfish. Located right by the water, it offers an overlook of boats gliding past, offering a lively backdrop.
This menu is a maritime fiesta! It offers all kinds of seafood, from crab and oysters to calamari and basa. There’s even a bit of Mardi Gras inspiration in this menu, offering gumbo with rice and po’ boys! Dockside Seafood assures its seafood is top quality due to its affiliation with local seafood vendors to ensure it reaches the plate in tip-top shape and freshness.
Salumeria 104
Calling all meat lovers! Salumeria 104 is a restaurant focused on the finest Italian meats, offering authentic prosciutto and other variants.
The restaurant has a more casual look to it, one that seems like a run-of-the-mill deli. However, that seems more in tune with restaurants in Italy, where modest-looking shops are heralded as some of the finest eateries in entire cities!
The chefs offer charcuterie boards that customers can customize to their liking, picking from the selection of salumi. They then cut the meat into fine strips right in the restaurant, showing their aim to deliver fresh and quality food.
Aside from the salumi, Salumeria 104 offers pasta and steaks. However, their crowning achievement is the salumi and the sheer variety they offer. Salumeria 104 is a dream come true for those who love authentic Italian food!
Book Your Jacksonville Beach Vacation Rentals With Lancelot’s Castles
With an exceptional selection of properties and a commitment to exceptional service, the team at Lancelot’s Castles ensures that your stay will be nothing short of extraordinary. Imagine waking up to the sound of crashing waves and stepping onto your private balcony to witness breathtaking ocean views. Whether you’re seeking a cozy beachfront cottage or a luxurious seaside villa, Lancelot’s Castles offers a range of accommodations to suit every traveler’s needs.
Enjoy the convenience of our rentals in Jacksonville Beach being just steps away from the pristine sandy shores, things to do in Jacksonville Beach, as well as easy access to the vibrant dining options that Jacksonville Beach restaurants have to offer. When it comes to planning your dream beach vacation, Lancelot’s Castles is the perfect choice for an unforgettable experience. Book your Jacksonville Beach vacation rental with us today and prepare to create lasting memories in this coastal paradise.
