Explore the secret Jax foodie scene!
The Jacksonville foodie scene is boomin’ with so many delicious places to eat and we’re here to narrow down some of our favorite Hidden gems in Jacksonville FL that you HAVE to try!
Some of these hidden gem restaurants you may have already tried, but there are so many that you may not know about yet. And if you are like us, once you know, you will be back every other weekend to these best restaurants in Jacksonville!
Located in Murray Hill, this made-from-scratch neighborhood bakery specializes in bringing customers fresh and delicious food. From incredible baked goods to delicious sandwiches, salads, and sweets. They only use fresh ingredients, so expect to find a rotating menu that changes with the seasons.
Open for over a decade, this incredible cafe has become a trusted location for light breakfasts, lunches, and mid-afternoon pick-me-ups within the community. Don’t miss out on this incredible hidden gem!
📍1116 Edgewood Ave S, Jacksonville, FL 32205
Nestled in the heart of Arlington, Maggie’s Table offers delicious breakfast, brunch, and lunch options. Get transported to France with the quaint charm of this homey eatery, and enjoy delicious dishes, freshly brewed coffee, and sweet pastries. Stop in for a light breakfast or a delectable lunch, at this cozy restaurant!
📍2771-32 Monument Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32225
Photo credit Blueberry
We are so excited about Blueberry’s San Marco storefront! This boutique artisan bakery is full of sweet treats that are handmade and created with care. From delicious pastries to savory bites, we are obsessed with their simple yet incredible menu!
📍3247 Beach Blvd Jacksonville Fl 32207
There’s nothing in the world that a warm bowl of pho can’t fix – and our favorite spot to grab one is at PK (Pho King) Noodles! With an impressive variety of Pho options and other incredible traditional Vietnamese dishes, this place is the real deal.
Our Recommendation: no matter what you order as your main, you absolutely have to get the ground chicken eggrolls!
📍11925 Beach Blvd #204, Jacksonville, FL 32246
Enjoy authentic Chinese cuisine and delicous Dim Sum at this hidden gem restaurant in Jacksonville! With family-style plates, incredible sides, and every fan-favorite dish you could dream of, Silver Star Chinese Restaurant is a spot any foodie should visit!
📍5016 Blanding Blvd Jacksonville, FL 32210
You’ll definitely leave this spot with a smile on your face! Smilies Coffee is an amazing hidden gem cafe offering all your favorite drinks! With coffee classics and tasty signature drinks to exciting options like their Power Ups (red bull infused drinks) and lemonades, there are so many delicious drinks to choose from! We recommend their Hammer Head coffee or Freak Out Power Up!
📍7411 103rd St, Jacksonville, FL 32210
Photo credit Bellweather
Enjoy delicious and elegantly plated American fare at this downtown restaurant! Featuring incredible lunch and dinner options, any meal at Bellweather will be a good one! For lunch, we recommend one of their stacked sandwiches, and for dinner be sure to try the shrimp and grits or Don Don noodles! Visit this amazing eatery, and pair your meal with a creative craft cocktail, for an elevated next night out.
📍117 W Forsyth St, Jacksonville, FL 32202
Photo credit Arepa Please
You may know Arepa Please from their gorgeous outdoor mural, but have you ever ventured inside This hip restaurant serves up some of the best Venezuelan food in Jax! Enjoy stuffed Arepas, delicious salads, and yummy wraps at this creative cafe!
📍 474 Riverside Ave, Jacksonville, FL 32202
Visit Hovan Gourmet Mediterranean for delicious falafel, kebabs, and impressive wraps! Enjoy your incredible meal outside at their gorgeous patio, where you can soak up the Florida sun and devour authentic and exquisite Mediterranean cuisine.
📍2005 Park St, Jacksonville, FL 32204
While Jacksonville natives are sure to know the deliciousness that is Lubis Hot Subs, those who just moved here may not. And since it would be an absolute travesty not to share this incredible Jacksonville Gem, we’ve added it to the list! Known for their steamed subs, these delicious sandwiches are served hot, smothered in cheese, and stuffed with all your favorite toppings and meats. Seriously, you’ve got to try one of these subs!
📍11633 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32246
This small sandwich and pizza shop is championed by Jax Beach locals, but still seems to fly under the radar, despite the giant flavors coming out of the kitchen and being one of the best Jacksonville restaurants. D&LP Subs is run by a couple brothers who had a dream to start a restaurant, and they are sharing that dream with hungry customers all over Jacksonville. If you feel like a deer in headlights when deciding between pizza or a freshly made sub, get a Philly – paired with their crispy fries, it’s bangin’.
Foo Dog Curry Traders is the perfect fusion of European and American recipes. The food is perfect for a health-conscious diner – there are lots of vegetarian options and everything on the menu is gluten-free! Their delicious curries are all made in house using traditional techniques and ingredients. It’s good food that’s good for you! Don’t miss out on one of the Best Restaurants in Jacksonville!
The name says it all… this is Simply Tasty Thai! The owner Nancy has been cooking traditional Thai food for over 20 years and has studied with chef’s in Thailand and the Philippines. The curry paste is freshly ground in the kitchen, and all of the sauces are made from scratch. You’ll fall in love with their fresh ingredients and great prices, and definitely be back for more from this Jacksonville Restaurant!
This hidden gem will have you feeling like you’re seriously in Heaven! Pie Heaven Bakery Cafe is your one stop shop for any and all dessert cravings! Swing by for delicious cakes, tarts, and of course… pies! Your sweet tooth will thank you!
When it comes to hidden gems, we believe that Dalton’s Sports Grill is one of the best. They are located in Green Cove Springs and they are most known for their delicious wings. The flavors we tried were the BoomBoom and the Cajun Ranch. They have stuffed potatoes that are so delicious and it feels like a community there.
Gina’s Delicatessen in Murray Hill serves up good food at a great price! Ditch the frills or fancy food and dive into a delicious meal simply served on a Styrofoam plate! They serve yummy subs and salads for lunch, and have a full breakfast menu! This will be your new favorite casual eatery in no time!
📍803 Edgewood Ave S, Jacksonville, FL 32205
Whether you call them subs, heroes, or hoagies, Sub Cultured has what you’re looking for! They have dozens of hot and cold sandwich options, plus tasty and fresh salads, and specialty fries! This hole in the wall sandwich shop will be your new favorite lunch spot!
📍10 Donner Road Atlantic Beach FL 32233
Touting itself as “the most authentic Mexican cuisine in Jacksonville, Florida,” this place is the REAL DEAL! Our motto has been Tajin-on-everything and Las Tapatias knows how to do it! With big frozen candy drinks, Aguas Locas, and fruits, enchiladas, Micheladas, and plenty of seafood – you’ll feel deep in the heart of Mexico city.
This tearoom is a cozy café that serves full tea service – from delicious soups, salads, sandwiches, and desserts to tasty teas. Everything is served on beautiful vintage chinaware to add to the ambiance!
The purpose and mission behind this tearoom are what really make it amazing. Cup of Dreams is a safe space for young adults with special needs to participate in job training. This café is run through PossAbilities Plus, an organization dedicated to enhancing the lives and opportunities of individuals with special needs.
Pro Tip: The Cup of Dreams tearoom is also attached to the Unique Boutique, an upscale resale store that is also run by students of PossAbilities Plus!
📍1079 Atlantic Blvd Suite 2, Atlantic Beach, FL 32233
Step back in time to the good ol’ days at Johnny Angel’s Diner! This 50s nostalgia gem is the perfect place to share a milkshake with your sweetheart. With friendly, neighborhood customer service and some of the best burgers you’ll eat — Johnny’s is like a blast from the past! We loved the free jute box, which added to the fun ambiance of this little golden oldies diner.
📍3546 St Johns Bluff Rd S #120, Jacksonville, FL 32224
Marianas Grinds is home to delicious Hawaiian, Filipino, and Chamorro food! We absolutely love grabbing a tasty plate full of authentic cuisine from this hidden gem. Local favorites include Hawaiian Paradise Shrimp, Island Shrimp Fajitas, and Flounder Fillet with SFV.
📍11380-10 Beach Blvd. Jacksonville, FL 32246
One of the most authentic Mexican Jacksonville Restaurants out there, Mi Veracruz has an extensive menu of mouthwatering food! This hole-in-the-wall restaurant is packed with tons of flavor. Be sure to stop in and try delicious fan-favorite dishes like Arroz con Pollo, Carne Asada, enchiladas, and tacos!
📍3109 Spring Park Rd Jacksonville, FL 32207
Sunday Gathering Table is an adorable breakfast & lunch spot near downtown St. Augustine! We absolutely love their sandwiches, which feature their in-house daily sourdough and locally sourced ingredients. The restaurant itself is bright and bohemian with walls decorated in local art. Don’t miss out on one of the best Jacksonville restaurants for brunch! It’s a easy-going Sunday morning every day here!
Nestled in the neighborhoods between Murray Hill and Riverside, you can count on Pinegrove Deli to serve up only the freshest and tastiest food! You’ll feel right at home with the friendly staff. This neighborhood deli and butcher shop has plenty of yummy lunch options on the menu, like their St. Johns chicken salad sandwich and their steak-in-a-sack. And while you’re on a lunch break, be sure to pick up a couple of mouthwatering steaks for dinner!
📍1511 Pine Grove Ave, Jacksonville, FL 32205
If you are a fan of wood-fired pizza, chef-inspired specials, or really, anything delicious, go discover the delectable dishes that Chef Evan Eriksen is concocting over at Pie95 Pizza. At this hidden gem, every pizza is a unique work of art, and his menu is a medley of fresh ingredients making this one of the best restaurants in Jacksonville! He started as a food truck, but now has a cool little shop over in Riverside with a beautiful outdoor patio.
Pro-Tip: Keep an eye out for Chef Evan’s specials on Instagram and try something new. It will probably blow your mind!
This 5 Points hidden gem is absolutely delicious! Offering Mediterranean plates that are filled with flavor, creative cocktails, and a cozy yet elegant atmosphere, this restaurant is perfect for any date night. Plus, you can dine under the stars on their beautiful outdoor patio. Be sure to try this authentic from scratch restaurant ASAP!
📍1023 Park St, Jacksonville, FL 32204
We visited Pie 95 to try our hand at creating delicious pizza pies!
If you’re looking for a spot to watch the big game, we can’t recommend Perfect Rack enough! From their incredible drink specials (definitely visit during a Jags game!) to their delicious wings (arguably some of the best in Jax!) Perfect Rack is just that – PERFECT!
This authentic Filipino and Hawaiian Cafe offers delicious baked goods and traditional savory breakfasts! We can’t get enough of their Ube Velvet cheesecake, or anything on the menu for that matter. With tons of delectable sweet treats and mouthwatering mains, be sure to check out this hidden gem restaurant next time you want to branch out into cultural cuisine!
Beach Hut Café is the perfect spot for breakfast before the beach, or lunch after! Stop by in the morning for a huge country-style breakfast, the perfect way to begin your day, or drop in around lunchtime for delicious sandwiches, salads, and hot plates, making this one of the best hidden gem Jacksonville Restaurants.
📍1281 3rd St S, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250
If you’re looking for an amazing sandwich, Blue Boy Sandwich Shop has got you covered! This favorite among Jacksonville locals has been around for a while, and with their delicious and extensive menu, we know why! From their massive Super Club to their delicious pastrami, ruben, and more, this is a must try for sandwich lovers. With delicious freshly baked homemade bread and only the freshest ingredients, these huge sandwiches are perfect for any meal!
📍6514 Norwood Avenue, Jacksonville, Florida 32208
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