Oceanfront Dining and other Jacksonville, FL Restaurant Reviews

Restaurant Name: First Street Grille

This upscale but casual restaurant features seafood, steak and chicken entrees and a tiered dining area, allowing for patrons seated furthest from the giant oceanfront picture windows to still get a view of the paradise outside. The restaurant also has an outdoor deck. The view from inside and out is of the ocean framed by white sand dunes and sea oats.

Favorite Dish: Honestly, I'm not into seafood but their landlubber entrees are certainly top notch. The view and atmosphere really make this a "must eat" destination for anyone visiting Jacksonville.

Leave a Comment

Theme: Seafood
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$21-30  » Currency Converter
Address: First Street
Directions: Jacksonville Beach oceanfront

Restaurant Name: Sunny Caribbee

Inspired by the owners' trip to a Caribbean resort, this bright and colorful gem is a unique icon in the popular dining district of Beach Town Center. With windows that open completely to the sidewalk, tropical artwork on the walls, televisions showing surfing footage, a covered and enclosable open-air bar on the second floor and a spice shop stocked with bottled versions of the same Caribbean spices they use in their specialties, Sunny Caribbee is a culinary and sensory treat you won't want to miss!


Leave a Comment

Theme: Seafood
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Directions: Neptune Beach side of Town Center

Restaurant Name: Ruth's Chris Steak House (2 locations)

This reknown upscale steak house chain has two Jacksonville locations (Downtown Southbank and Ponte Vedra Beach) to satisfy discriminating tastes. While I have not been to the Ponte Vedra location, the Downtown restaurant is absolutely fabulous! Connected to the Hilton & Towers right on the Southbank Riverwalk, patrons get to enjoy views of the river and downtown skyline while indulging in some of the most choice steak around. Very romantic atmosphere! They also have great desserts. Just be sure you're ready to shell out the big bucks.

Favorite Dish: Mmmm... Steak!

Leave a Comment

Theme: Steakhouse
Comparison: most expensive
Prices: US$41 and up  » Currency Converter
Address: Riverplace Blvd. (Downtown) and A1A (PVB)
Directions: Downtown Southbank Riverwalk; Ponte Vedra Beach

Restaurant Name: Shelby's

Shelby's is a favorite locals' hangout at Jacksonville's Beach Town Center. Here, patrons can enjoy frozen mango drinks, pastries, sandwiches, salads, ice cream, cakes, pies, cookies, and, of course, coffee drinks, all in a cozy, tropical setting. A courtyard behind the coffee shop features live music on weekend nights. Additional outdoor cafe-style seating at umbrella tables is also availiable. Some locals even bring their pooches. The inside features changing exhibits of local artwork, stands with local art, entertainment and opinion magazines, and bulletin boards advertising all things hip and happening that are taking place at the beaches. Live jazz is performed here on Sunday mornings. Shelby's, along with the rest of Town Center was profiled in a recent issue of Southern Living.

Favorite Dish: Frozen mango drink and a cheese danish turnover.

Leave a Comment

Theme: Coffeehouse
Comparison: least expensive
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Address: Town Center
Directions: Neptune Beach
Website: www.beachtowncenter.com

Restaurant Name: Sandollar

Located right next door to the St. Johns River Ferry landing on Ft. George Island, the Sandollar is a great addition to Jacksonville's dining scene. Boasting giant picture windows, patrons enjoy views of the river that include the shrimpboats and casino boats docked across the water at Mayport Village, the ferry itself as it makes its regularly scheduled crossings, and the occassional towering ship making its way to/from the port. I have also seen dolphins playing in the river from my table and if you look carefully you can also spy the historic Mayport lighthouse.

Inside, the decor includes aquariums and bubble lamps accented by nautical touches and the atmosphere works for everything from a romantic dinner to a family outing.

Favorite Dish: While I personally am not a seafood lover I can say they have great chicken sandwiches and other landlubber offerings.

Leave a Comment

Theme: Seafood
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Address: Fort George Island
Directions: Neighborhood: Ft. George Island

Restaurant Name: Al's Pizza (4 locations)

Consistently voted best pizza in Jax by readers of various local publications, Al's Pizza is a Jacksonville legend. Each of the local chain's four locations has a unique, somewhat funky, somewhat trendy decor that gives it an ambience worthy of the pizzas, calzones and other favorites they create.

Favorite Dish: Order a pizza. You know you want one.

Leave a Comment

Theme: Pizza
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Address: My favorite one is at Beach Town Center
Directions: Neighborhoods: Beach Town Center, Five Points, San Pablo, Ponte Vedra Beach

Restaurant Name: Third Street Diner

Located in Jacksonville Beach, the Third Street Diner is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Here you can order breakfast, lunch, dinner, or dessert any time you want. The restaurant is designed like a traditional New Jersey diner complete with a jukebox and a neon sign that can't be missed at night. Inside, the soft colors and decor are not in the least bit tacky and the giant dessert case by the front door is certain to tempt you to order more than just a meal. The menu is huge boasting both the traditional who's who of American favorites as well as Greek dishes (the owners are Greek). The prices are reasonable too!


Leave a Comment

Theme: Diner
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Address: On Third St. (A1A) between Beach and Butler Blvds.
Directions: Neighborhood: Jacksonville Beach

Restaurant Name: Bistro AIX

Imagine eating at a trendy Manhattan eatery with an eclectic menu, stylish and contemporary interior design, an open kitchen and a lovely courtyard. That's what you will experience if you choose to dine at Bistro AIX in Jacksonville's trendy San Marco neighborhood, located just a few blocks south of the Downtown Southbank. Perhaps that's why the restaurant has been profiled in a major travel magazine and consistently ranks in various local publications' top 25 restaurants lists.


Leave a Comment

Theme: Eclectic/International
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Address: San Marco
Directions: Neighborhood: San Marco

Restaurant Name: Lighthouse Grill

When crossing the Beach Blvd. bridge over the Intracoastal toward the beach you'll see a small lighthouse rising from a large building not far from the bridge pilings. Upon closer inspection you'll see that the massive restaurant with its outdoor bar area and a wraparound boardwalk with marina is situated at the edge of a pristine marshland that frames the waterway itself. Inside, the sophisticated urban atmosphere is marked by dark walls with an open central kitchen which stand in stark contrast with the giant picture windows that wrap around three external walls and reveal a natural setting of sawgrass, cranes, egrets and water. Of course, the contrasts don't stop with the setting itself. Lighthouse is the kind of place where shorts and sandals are just as acceptable as coats and ties, and yes, you'll likely see both if you come here for dinner. Speaking of dinner, sunsets are a particularly romantic time to dine here. Overall, Lighthouse Grill's collection of contrasts combined with a wide menu makes it one of Jacksonville's most unique, must-eat-at restaurants.


Leave a Comment

Theme: American
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: 904.242.8899
Address: 2600 Beach Blvd.
Directions: Neighborhood: Jacksonville Beach

Restaurant Name: Cafe Carmon

This trendy, upscale hangout for the beautiful in San Marco Square projects a sophisticated, artsy aura. Although it is small, it does have some outdoor sidewalk cafe style seating. While it is expensive and I have not sampled any of the chef's entree specialties, I can attest to the delicious richness of the cafe's chocolate mousse. Be sure to stop in and share a slice of pricey mousse with your sweety. You'll be glad you did.

Favorite Dish: The mousse. Yum. Yum.

Leave a Comment

Theme: Eclectic/International
Comparison: more expensive than average

Phone: 904.399.4488
Address: 986 San Marco Blvd.
Directions: Neighborhood: San Marco Square