Our Favorite Must Try Dishes in Jacksonville

Cleo's Sandwich Shop – Taco Salad

📷 Yelp

While their taco salad may appear sweet and simple as it’s constructed of basic ingredients, the flavor is something you are completely unable to replicate. This must try dish starts on a bed of tortilla chips and gets topped with lettuce, taco meat, onion, tomatoes, cheese and ranch dressing. (Trust us, the dressing makes it.) It’s famous for a reason! The restaurant is a cute mom and pop place, and only accepts cash, so make sure to bring bills when you are ready to try their delicious dish. For all you sweet tea fanatics, be sure to order the tea to drink! Patrons of Cleo’s claim they have the best in town!

Hours & Location
Monday-Friday| 9:00am–2:00pm
Saturday-Sunday| Closed

📍1438 Eastport Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32218

Lubi’s – The Famous Lubi Sandwich

📷 Lubi’s

Open since 1969, many will say that Lubi’s is a Jacksonville staple, and definitely, a must visit spot if you love sandwiches. The business defines a “Lubi” as a steamed sub full of fresh, ground sirloin beef, onions, and Kraft American cheese. The best Lubi, however, is their Famous Lubi sandwich. The steamed sub is topped with lean ground sirloin, Kraft American Cheese, and onions. You can also add a variety of toppings, such as sweet or hot peppers, to create your perfect hot sandwich!

Hours & Location
Monday-Saturday| 7:00am-9:00pm
Sunday | 8:00am-7:00pm

📍 11633 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32246

Iguana on Park - Lomo Saltado

📷 Stuff To Do in Jacksonville

Leave the ordinary steak night behind and step into an explosion of Latin flavors at Iguana on Park. This trendy restaurant offers up amazing Latin fusion dishes and they boast over 100 tequilas to choose from! Their Lomo Saltado – steak frites – is a fan favorite, and it’ll soon be your favorite, too! This dish is freshly cut and served with a side of delicious truffle fries – plus all of the juicy veggies you’ll be sure to love! Along with their table side guac, this dish is totally and must try in Jacksonville!

Hours & Location
Monday – Thursday | 11:00am–10:00pm
Friday – Saturday | 11:00am–11:00pm
Sunday | 11:00am–10:00pm

📍 3638 Park St. Jacksonville, FL 32205

Simply Tasty Thai - Choo Chee Curry

📷 Simply Tasty Thai Facebook

Curry is the ultimate cozy day meal and the Choo Chee Curry from Simply Tasty Thai is the coziest of all! Locals and visitors can all agree on how delicious Chef Nancy’s authentic curry is! Plus, the prizes are unbelievable!

The Choo Chee Curry is a staple of the Jacksonville community and is full of flavors! This unique dish can’t be found at many other Thai restaurants so hanging with Chef Nancy and the team at Simply Tasty Thai is a must!

Hours & Location
Monday – Friday | 11:00am–3:30pm | 4:30pm-9:30pm
Saturday | 12:00pm–9:00pm
Sunday | Closed

📍2292 Mayport Rd #8 Jacksonville, FL 32233

Dalton's Sports Grill - Cajun Potato

📷 Stuff To Do in Jacksonville

Cajun lovers can unite at Dalton’s Sports Grill for their delicious take on the loaded potato. This potato has all your bayou favorites stuffed into one large and warm potato – they got the shrimp, gator, sausage, and all the fixin’s right there in a deliciously messy dish! Be warned, it’s only one potato but the fixings fill you up! This potato is perfectly paired with beer, the game, and a good afternoon nap!

Hours & Location
Monday | Closed
Tuesday – Thursday | 11:00am–9:00pm
Friday – Saturday | 11:00am-10:00pm
Sunday | 11:00am-9:00pm

📍2808 Henley Rd, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043

Buchner's Bierhalle - German Potato Salad

📷 Stuff To Do in Jacksonville

Everyone in Jacksonville knows that Buchner’s Bierhalle is a must visit! But the people have spoken and the authentic German Potato Salad is this must visit place’s, must eat dish! Everything here is as authentic as can be, but the potato salad adds just the right amount of flavor to any meal here. We always know when we’re going to Buchner’s Bierhalle we’re going to be greeted by great beer and great potato salad, giving us comfort and happiness here in Jacksonville!

Hours & Location
Monday – Thursday | 4:00pm-12:00am
Friday – Saturday | 4:00pm–2:00am
Sunday | 12:00pm-12:00am

📍1188 Edgewood Ave S, Jacksonville, FL 32205 (through Blackhat Vapor)

Orange Park Fish House and Oyster Bar - Shrimp N Grits

📷 Stuff To Do in Jacksonville

Here in Florida we love our fresh seafood and some southern cooking. Luckily, Orange Park Fish House and Oyster Bar brings soul food to the Florida coast with their fan favorite Shrimp N Grits! Local shrimp topped with crispy bacon and juicy sausage over warm and cheesy grits. We know your mouth is watering just as much as ours is! And did we mention it’s gluten free, too! Perfect for the whole crew to enjoy – or fight over!

Hours & Location
Monday – Thursday | 11:00am-9:30pm
Friday | 11:00am–10:00pm
Saturday | 10:30am-10:00pm
Sunday | 10:30am-9:00pm

📍636 Kingsley Avenue Orange Park, Florida

Poe's Tavern - Rue Morgue Burger

📷 Poe’s Tavern Facebook

If the name didn’t win you over the bed of fries sure will! Yeah, you read that right, the Rue Morgue Burger from Poe’s Tavern is a big ole patty layered on top of a bed of fries, with drunken chili, queso, and a whole fried egg smothered on top. Don’t worry, we’re drooling, too. Poe’s is always a favorite for trying out new dishes, but be sure to take a bite out of this dish on your next trip over!

Hours & Location
Monday – Sunday | 11:00am-10:00pm

📍363 Atlantic Boulevard, Atlantic Beach, FL 32233

Kickbacks Gastropub - Microprotein Nuggets

📷 Kickbacks Gastropub Facebook

To all of our veggie friends, Kickbacks Gastropub has you covered with the most crispy and savory Microprotein Nuggets! We could order these all night dipping them in an array of sauces! They taste just like chicken, even your non-veggie friends will be stealing them off your plate! Come for the nuggets, stay for super unique and steampunk vibe! Plus, they have a whole list of vegetarian options to indulge in throughout the night!

Hours & Location
Monday – Sunday | 7:00am-3:00am

📍910 King St, Jacksonville, FL 32204

Taverna - Ravioli

📷 Taverna Facebook

Ravioli, ravioli, give me the formuoli – or just a second helping of the delicious ravioli from Taverna! Honestly, if we were after a secret recipe, this would be the one. At Taverna authentic Italian dishes meet modern Florida with locally sourced ingredients with that Italian grandma feel. The ravioli is no different and an absolute favorite in town with its truffle cream sauce and spattering of mushrooms, sweet peas, and kale. Yum, right!?

Hours & Location
Monday | Closed
Tuesday – Thursday | 11:00am-9:00pm
Friday – Saturday | 11:00am-10:00pm
Sunday | 10:00am-9:00pm

📍1986 San Marco Blvd Jacksonville, FL 32207

Angie’s Subs – Peruvian Sandwich

📷 Angie’s Subs

Angie’s is a must visit when you’re headed to or from the beach, and their Peruvian sandwich is a must-try! As their number one best-selling sandwich, it’s sure to satisfy your tastebuds with layers of various meats, sausage, cheese, and veggies. This must-try dish is a local favorite is packed with yummy flavor. Pro-tip: Ask for a side of the Peruvian sauce for dipping, too! Be sure to check out the rest of their menu too, as there are plenty of tasty subs to try!

Hours & Location
Monday – Saturday | 10:00am-9:00pm
Closed on Sundays

📍 1436 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250

Maple Street Biscuit Company – Five & Dime

📷 Maple Street Biscuit Company

Have you been searching for the perfect chicken biscuit? Well, Maple Street Biscuit Company is known for them! The Five and Dime will put an end to your hunt – a flaky biscuit filled with fried chicken, bacon, fried egg, and cheddar cheese smothered in sausage gravy? Yes, please! The real cherry on top, or should we say gravy on top, is that Maple Street Biscuit Company is local business that has started to spread across the country! So, keep your eyes peeled if you’re missing a taste of home during your travels!

Hours & Location
Monday-Sunday | 7:00a – 2:00pm

📍 410 3rd St N, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250

Dreamette - Dipped Cone

📷 Stuff To Do in Jacksonville

You’ve seen the dipped ice cream cone, but you’ve never had it like the dipped cone at Dreamette! You’ve probably seen people walking around town with a super chocolatey and sweet cone full of even sweeter ice cream, and then instantly go jealous. Well those dipped cones are from our favorite cool down spot in Jacksonville – Dreamette! This ice cream parlor has been helping Florida through its endless summer since 1948 and now it’s expanding so even more of us can indulge in their creamy goodness!

Hours & Location
Monday-Sunday | 11:30am – 8:00pm

📍 3646 Post St Jacksonville, FL 32205

Moon River Pizza - T-Rex Slice

📷 Stuff To Do in Jacksonville

We had the veggie lovers dream, now it’s time for our meat lovers to indulge with a T-Rex Slice at Moon River Pizza! This pizza spot is a local favorite with their unique pizza’s and even more unique names like the T-Rex Slice. This slice is stacked full of all the meat and even extra cheese for some extra gooeyness! Basically the perfect pizza. With two locations, you will always be supplied with yummy pizza!

Hours & Locations
Monday-Saturday | 11:00am – 10:00pm
Sunday | Closed

📍 1176 Edgewood Ave. South Murray Hill Jacksonville, FL 32205
📍 925 S 14th Street Fernandina, FL 32034

Beach Road Fish House and Chicken Dinners - Fried Chicken and Creamed Peas

📷 Beach Road Fish House and Chicken Dinners Facebook

The title says it all – Beach Road Fish House and Chicken Dinners basically serves up great fish and chicken like their fried chicken and creamed peas dinner! And if that was a mouthful to say, wait until they ask you how it is while you have a mouthful of that glorious fried chicken! If you haven’t noticed, Jacksonville loves a good fried chicken AND their fresh fish so this place has Jacksonville covered! You can order a quarter, half, or whole fried bird to indulge in when getting their chicken dinners so the meal is custom just for you and your fried chicken needs!

Hours & Location
Monday-Thursday | 11:00am – 9:30pm
Friday | 11:00am-10:00pm
Saturday | 10:30am-10:00pm
Sunday | 10:30am-9:00pm

📍 4132 Atlantic Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32207

Slider's Oyster Bar - Fried Mayport Shrimp Basket

📷 Stuff To Do in Jacksonville

Any must try dish list in Jacksonville has to include some dish from Slider’s Oyster Bar! This place is iconic for their oysters, seafood, and their outdoor patio and all around vibe. Trust us, this is a place you want to be – we even have a whole guide here just for Slider’s! But back to its very Jacksonville dish, the Fried Mayport Shrimp Basket! A whole basket of their fried mayport shrimp (obvi) and all of your fried cravings like fries and hush puppies! The perfect shareable platter for an afternoon hangout with the gang!

Hours & Location
Monday-Wednesday | 11:00am – 9:00pm
Thursday | 11:00am-10:00pm
Friday | 11:00am-late
Saturday | 10:00am-late
Sunday | 10:00am-9:00pm

📍 4218 First St Neptune Beach, FL 32266

Metro Diner - Fried Chicken and Waffle

📷 Stuff To Do in Jacksonville

You knew a Chicken and Waffles dish had to make it onto this list! Jacksonville loves their chicken and waffles and Metro Diner serves up some of the best! This diner is a staple of Florida – and beyond – but Jacksonville has a very strong love for these over the top meals. The fried chicken and waffle is no different with an entire half of fried chicken and a giant sugary Belgian waffle to dig in to! With their sweet strawberry butter and signature sweet and spicy sauce to top it off, you’ll be wanting more for sure!

Hours & Locations
Mandarin, Ortega, and Southside
Monday – Sunday | 7:00am-8:00pm

San Marco
Monday – Sunday | 7:00am-3:00pm

Jacksonville Beach
Monday – Sunday | 7:00am-2:30pm

📍 12807 San Jose Boulevard Jacksonville, FL 32223
📍 4495 Roosevelt Boulevard Jacksonville, FL 32210
📍 3302 Hendricks Avenue Jacksonville, FL 32207
📍 9802 Baymeadows Rd Jacksonville, FL 32256
📍 1534 Third Street North Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250

Carolina Jax – The Riverside Burger

📷 Carolina Jax

The last must-try dish is found at Carolina Jax, which may have taken the title for “Best Burger in Jax” with this signature burger! This must try dish comes with chevre goat cheese, applewood smoked bacon, key lime datil aioli, baby spinach, orange marmalade, and is topped off with a drizzle of datil sauce. With all those yummy flavors, it is guaranteed to be an explosion in your mouth! Be sure to pair your burger with a side of crispy fries or onion rings. For those of you not big on burgers, they also serve a variety of hotdogs and handheld sandwiches!

Hours & Location
Monday | Closed
Tuesday-Thursday| 11:00am–8:00pm
Friday-Saturday | 11:00am-9:00pm

📍 2548 Oak St, Jacksonville, FL 32204