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The ocean, St. Johns River, and numerous lakes and smaller rivers teem with fish, and so, naturally, seafood dominates local menus. Northeast Florida also has fine-dining restaurants, and its ethnic eateries include some excellent Middle Eastern places. And then there are the barbecue joints—more of them than you can shake a hickory chip at.
The local artwork on the redbrick walls is a mild distraction from the crowds jockeying for tables here at brunch, lunch, and dinner. The menu's wide-ranging, locally sourced dishes include such unexpected delights as the popular ancho chili–rubbed pork chop. There are always gluten-free options, and the lengthy dessert menu features cakes and pies.
Eclectic, creative, and international all describe the cuisine and decor at this charming Cocoa Village spot, featured on the Food Network. The menu blends French, Italian, and Asian influences with dishes such as Kobe beef meatballs in garlic sesame sauce, penne and chicken breast in Manchego garlic Madeira cream, or a 16-ounce prime boneless rib eye. An outdoor courtyard with umbrella tables adds to the Continental flair.
Situated in the trendy Five Points district, Hawkers replicates the small, varied dishes—made using recipes passed down for generations—sold by street vendors in Asia. Sharing bowls of noodles, steamed buns, soups, and more makes for a convivial atmosphere.
This tiny, fine-dining restaurant may have single-handedly changed the perception of Gainesville from a college town fueled by pizza, chicken wings, and pitchers of beer to an up-and-coming culinary destination with imaginative dishes created using fresh Florida produce. The ever-changing menu might include such items as an organic beet salad, grilled salmon over sweet potato and Cotija cheese enchiladas, or pan-roasted Angus fillet over chive-mashed Yukon Golds.
Although many flock to this artsy and inspired eatery for its veggie-centric menu, there's plenty to tantalize omnivores as well. Delicious Southern food with flair ranges from braised pork belly biscuits to toast du jour, a rotating bruschetta inspired by the freshest produce from local farms. Many dishes, such as the cornbread panzanella, offer a choice of meat, seafood, tofu, or tempeh. Some gluten-free dishes are also available. Attire is casual, and the oceanic hues and funky decor put you at ease. Kids' needs are handled with flexible good nature. It's a deservedly popular spot, especially on weekends, when you should make a reservation.
Considering NASCAR fans' affinity for barbecue, it was only natural that this wildly popular Florida chain, which originated about an hour away in Orlando, would set up shop across the street from Daytona International Speedway. First-timers might want to try the Smokehouse 2X2, which lets you mix and match mouthwatering smoked meats, such as the 18-hour smoked brisket, pulled pork, and burnt ends. The Six-Shooter starts with a layer of baked cheese grits that's topped with pulled pork, coleslaw, jalapeños, and the signature sauce. For an outside-the-box side, consider trying the bacon-wrapped, cheese-stuffed jalapeños.
Although the five area locations fit the criteria of a neighborhood pizza joint—cheap, casual, and frequented by locals—this funky-chic pizzeria looks more like a hangout for hipsters than Jacksonvillians low on dough (pardon the pun). The main draw is the pizza, particularly Al's gourmet white pie, but eggplant parmigiana, stuffed shells, and lasagna are also good.
Eclectic preparation of seafood is what Aqua Grill does best. The constantly changing menu might include Vidalia-crusted grouper, oysters Rockefeller, and locally caught snapper cooked as you like it. The restaurant has a charming lakeside patio dining area surrounded by waterfalls. There's a lively bar scene, with sports showing on HDTVs.
Don't be surprised if your server introduces herself as your cousin, though you've never seen her before in your life. The silly Southern hospitality is only one of the draws at this wildly popular waterfront restaurant specializing in mouthwatering plates of fresh seafood and other Southern favorites. Hot cinnamon rolls, hush puppies, baked beans, cheese grits, and slaw come with every entrée and can be a meal in themselves. Bring your appetite and your patience—a wait is practically guaranteed. Sunday brunch lures empty stomachs with made-to-order eggs and French toast, and a chocolate fountain.
A stone's throw from Persimmon Hollow brewery in Artisan Alley, Bake Chop specializes in pub fare and does so exceptionally well, using locally sourced ingredients. Brewery patrons often saunter over after a few pints for bratwursts, burgers, meatball sandwiches, and other inventive and flavorful hand-helds like the Billy Madison, consisting of sloppy Joe meat, spicy collared greens, and Manchego cheese on a homemade croissant. The menu offers gluten-free and vegan items as well, and the Daily Dally salad is an always-tempting blend of seasonal greens and veggies. Saving room for dessert is a challenge, but worth it. All baking is done in-house, where rotating offerings include chocolate chip cookie cheesecake and an assortment of cupcakes. There's also an espresso bar and strong selection of local craft beers. The dining area is small, so a wait is possible, especially at lunchtime.
Sleek yet cozy, this hip bistro is popular with all types. The concrete floors and a stainless-steel wine bar provide an interesting backdrop for comfort-food-inspired entrées, but they also create a dining room that is uncommonly loud, especially on weekends. The daily specials are your only real main-course options, but the pizzas, sandwiches, and salads—especially the warm goat-cheese salad—are favorites. Don't miss the display of diet-destroying desserts. Reservations are accepted.
Named after the French city (pronounced simply "X"), this sophisticated bistro-bar's leather booths, 1940s brickwork, and intricate marbled globes provide the perfect setting for well-prepared French food. Regulars can't get enough of classic bistro dishes like French onion soup, escargot, and steak frites. There's also a variety of wood-fired pizzas and delectable desserts. Don't miss trying the popular blue-cheese chips.
Housed in the magnificent Lightner Museum—formerly the luxurious Hotel Alcazar in its 1890s incarnation—this lovely little lunch spot sits where wealthy winter tourists once frolicked in the nation's largest indoor pool. Curried chicken salad, panini, and artichokes Giovanni—an addictive dish of baked artichokes with cheese and mushrooms on linguine—are among the many favorites here. Reservations are recommended.
Everything is made from scratch here, from the sauces and marinades to the mixers for unique cocktails such as the cucumber jalapeño margarita. Daily specials might include pork and chicken tamales or fresh local cobia with tequila-marinated shrimp, mango corn salsa, and chipotle sauce. The Mayan soup is a must—fresh vegetables, avocado chunks, and crispy tortillas in a light vegetable broth. The two-story restaurant has three seating areas: a shaded ground-level courtyard, a second-story deck overlooking the street, and a rustic indoor dining room.
This lunch-only, family-owned restaurant (one of three branches) has devoted local patrons. The chicken salad pita with potato salad is legendary.
Befitting its Cuban and Spanish cuisine, this historic restaurant evokes an airy villa, thanks to a white-stucco exterior and an interior atrium dining room full of palm trees, hand-painted tiles, and decorative arches. Favorites on the menu include arroz con pollo, fillet salteado (with a spicy sauce), an array of tapas, and a fragrant seafood paella (allow extra time for preparation). Table not ready? Take in the archival family photos on the walls, linger in the courtyard, listen to the fountains, and enjoy a glass of homemade sangria or a refreshing mojito.
Mexico City natives chef Nora De La Vega and her brother, Mano, run this casual-elegant downtown restaurant serving Latin-fusion tapas. The menu emphasizes healthy, fresh ingredients, with numerous vegan and vegetarian options, and some of chef Nora's creations—such as the banderillas (chicken or cheese skewers with zucchini, roasted peppers, and mango vinaigrette)—look almost too good to eat. During weekend brunch, unlimited tapas and sangria accompany creative egg dishes such as the huevos con nopal (freshly grilled cactus, fried egg, refried black beans, and pepper sauce), which is served with tropical granola and the best avocado toast you've ever had. Outside, there are two rows of tables on the sidewalk; inside, you'll find a serene ambience, with dark-wood tables and dramatic art on the walls.
This sprawling restaurant is always crowded and festive, but it's not just the rustic setting that draws the throngs—it's the seafood. The specialty is rock shrimp, which are served fried, broiled, or steamed. Diners with a hearty appetite can opt for the Dixie Spectacular, featuring rock shrimp, scallops, crab legs, and lobster, or, if seafood isn't your choice, the menu offers steaks, chicken, and ribs. You might have to wait (up to 90 minutes) for a table, but if you don't have time to wait, you can order takeout or use the call-ahead seating option. A word to the wise: when that basket of corn fritters dusted with powdered sugar appears like magic on your table, try not to fill up on them.
Relaxed, affordable Ellen's, an area institution for more than 50 years, serves breakfast and lunch daily to families and other beachgoers. Come hungry, and be sure to try the Hippie featuring two poached eggs served on an English muffin with toppings.
Wicker baskets and lofty shelves brimming with European confections and groceries fill practically every inch of space not occupied by tables at this café (one of three branches), which is known by locals as "E Street." The menu is similarly overloaded, with nearly 100 deli sandwiches and salads, including raspberry-almond chicken salad and the Blue Max, with pastrami, corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, hot mustard, and blue-cheese dressing. Like its other locations—1704 San Marco Boulevard and 992 Beach Boulevard—the café also offers live music and trivia several nights a week.
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