One of my most frequently asked questions is “What are your favorite things to do in Jacksonville?”. Having lived here for over twenty-one years (aka my entire life), I think it’s safe to say I know the city pretty well. Jacksonville is the largest city square foot per capita, so there is definitely a ton to explore if you are ever in town. Jacksonville is home to lots of shopping, lively restaurants, and an abundance of things to do.
Since this is a fashion blog, I guess we should start off with a little shopping! Three of my favorite locations to shop at are the St. Johns Town Center, Beaches Town Center, and the St. Augustine Outlets. The St. Johns Town Center is by far my number one pick though!
Best places to shop in Jacksonville:
St. Johns Town Center – The St. Johns Town Center is my absolute favorite area to walk around, eat lunch, and shop! It is home to over 175 well known stores and over 20 restaurants. The town center features an outside mall lined with gorgeous palm trees and upscale shopping. It is home to Nordstrom, Louis Vuitton, Anthropologie, Sephora, and many more stores! (just had to name a few of my favorites)
Beaches Town Center – Beaches Town Center is an ocean front shopping center in between Neptune Beach an Atlantic Beach. Beaches Town Center is home to boutiques, restaurants, and art galleries.
St. Augustine Outlets– If you’re on the hunt for a good bargain (and who isn’t?!) definitely take a short ride to the St. Augustine Premium Outlets. Shop for brands such as Adidas, Polo, and J Crew. There is even a Saks Off 5th across the street that has designer brands without the price tag!
Next topic, restaurants. My motto “phone eats first” definitely came in handy for this part! Below, I am sharing some of my favorite restaurants and eats in Jacksonville. If you’re a seafood lover, you’re in the right place! More casual restaurants will be at the top of the list, while more upscale are towards the bottom.
My Favorite Restaurants in Jacksonville:
Salt Life Food Shack – Salt Life is located in Jax Beach and there is also a location in St. Augustine Beach. Salt Life has it all – seafood, sushi, tacos, sandwiches, salads, and fruity cocktails. If you’re a fan of tuna, order the Caliche’s Poke Bowl, you won’t regret it! If you love sushi, the Crunch Roll and the Mexican Shrimp Roll are two of my favorites.
Caps on the Water – Caps is the perfect casual outdoor spot to relax with great seafood and cocktails. I love their crab stack and fried shrimp. It is also near the beach, so you can hit up both during the same trip!
Bazille at Nordstrom – Located inside Nordstrom at the St. Johns Town Center, Bazille is one of my favorite lunch spots to grab a quick but delicious bite to eat. The Crab and Avocado Salad and the Asian Glazed Chicken Salad are my favorites.The Burrata is my mom’s favorite and it is amazing!
True Food Kitchen – Located at the St. Johns Town Center, True Food Kitchen is the perfect spot for a healthy and refreshing lunch. The edamame dumplings are my favorite thing on the menu along with their teriyaki chicken quinoa bowl.
Julington Creek Fish Camp / Palm Valley Fish Camp – Both Julington Creek Fish Camp and Palm Valley Fish Camp have the same menu and owner, just different locations. The seafood is delicious, and the fried green tomato appetizer is a must have. I also love their ahi tuna nachos and broiled seafood platter.
Taverna San Marco – Taverna is a modern Italian restaurant located in San Marco. The charcuterie board and truffle fries are delicious!
River & Post– River & Post is a restaurant and rooftop lounge located in Riverside. It is the perfect spot to enjoy a cocktail with views of Downtown Jacksonville and the St. Johns River. Their menu features fresh seafood, steaks, and a delicious charcuterie board.
Dwight’s Bistro – Dwight’s is a hidden gem located near the beach off of Penman Road right next to Cinnoti’s Bakery (another Jacksonville favorite). It is one of my favorite places in Jacksonville Beach and is pretty upscale on the inside. The ahi tuna is the best I’ve ever had, and they also have great steaks, quail, pasta, and seafood.
Ruth’s Chris Steak House – Ruth’s Chris downtown Jacksonville location my favorite spot for a special occasion. It has the most gorgeous views overlooking downtown Jacksonville and the St. Johns River. If you are a sweet martini lover, the Roseberry Raspberry martini is the way to go. It isn’t on the menu, but if you order it, they will make it. My other favorites are the filet and seafood tower.
Cowford Chophouse – Cowford Chophouse is located in downtown Jax right past the Main Street Bridge. Cowford is an upscale steakhouse for a date night or a special occasion. The food is mouth-watering, décor is beautiful, and there is a rooftop bar overlooking the city and St. Johns river.
Coffee Shops:
Good Dough – Good Dough is home to doughnuts that look like artwork and some of the most delicious lattes. Coffee and doughnuts- what more could you need?! Make sure to get there early, their artisan doughnuts usually sell out within a few hours.
Bold Bean Coffee Roasters – Bold Bean has multiple locations, including San Marco, Riverside, and Jax Beach locations. Bold Bean is great spot to get computer work done and sip on a Jacksonville roasted and uniquely sourced cup of coffee.
Other Restaurant Recommendations:
Below are restaurants that people rave about, but I have yet to make it to. These are all on my list, as I have heard amazing things about each one!
- Prati Italia
- Coop 303
- Hawker’s Asian Street Food
- Black Sheep
- BB’s Restaurant and Bar
- The Bearded Pig BBQ
- Marker 32
- Taco Lu
Areas of town to explore:
San Marco – San Marco is a small, quaint neighborhood just south of downtown Jacksonville. San Marco is home to boutiques, restaurants, a theatre, and one of my favorite ice cream spots.
Riverside & Avondale – Visit these neighborhoods for boutiques, bars, restaurants, and the well-known Cummer Art Museum.
Things to do in Jacksonville:
- Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens
- Southbank Riverwalk
- The beach (Micklers and Guana are my favorite public access beaches. They are a little more south but tend to be calmer and less crowded than Jacksonville Beach. Vilano Beach and St. Augustine Beach are also great)
- Road trip 30 mins to Saint Augustine
- Cummer Art Museum
- Little Talbot Island
- The Players Championship in March
- Jumbo Shrimp (minor league baseball) game during the summer
- Jacksonville Jaguars game
- Drive north to explore Amelia Island
- St. Johns River Taxi
- The Florida Theatre
- Riverside Arts Market on Saturdays
- Book a fishing charter for the day out of Mayport or St. Augustine
