50 Best American Restaurants in Jacksonville

“Amazing staff, wonderful ambiance, the most delicious espresso martinis and food! My family and I evacuated to Jacksonville from hurricane Milton and the staff made my night. I went there a ball of nerves and left feeling grateful for the amazing experience. Thank you to Jessica and your staff!! ~Christina from Seminole“

“The blueberry bread pudding with goat cheese is delish!!!!! Full Stop! But, the shrimp and grits were perfect too! Shrimp cooked just right and the roux was expertly seasoned. Some of the best food I’ve had in a while! 🤌🏼 Oh, did I mention the friendly and prompt waitstaff? Get there! You won’t be disappointed. 😊“

“What an experience!!! Great food, great c/s, the atmosphere, is definitely different to the southern realm. I will definitely return, first visit was Sunday, I'm back Wed. It's a must try.“

“As always, their food, vibe, professionalism, and service were top notch. Our first night out in a while, and as usual, JCF exceeded in delivering an amazing atmosphere. The cooks, servers, and staff were, as always, quick, thorough, and the food was delish. Ibelieve I've had nearly everything on their menu now and it never is less than excellent! Quite likely our top 3-5 favorite nationwide! Easily could be number 1 with great competition. If you want amazing local food, this place is the spot. Thanks as always, y'all!“

“We were in the area and decided to stop by, and we’re so glad we did. Allie was our server, and she did not disappoint. Her customer service and knowledge of the menu were outstanding. We started with the crab cake—wow! The flavors were incredible, and the portion size was perfect for an appetizer. The red wine was served perfectly chilled. For our main course, we had the bison short rib with fresh mashed potatoes and green beans. Everything was absolutely delicious. You can truly taste the difference here—they specialize in fresh, made-to-order food with no freezers or microwaves, and it shows. This will definitely be our go-to spot from now on. Thank you for a superb dining experience and an amazing fresh meal!“

“Food is amazing, staff is friendly and food was pretty fast“

“The food is always great! Bring your family and friends to enjoy an awesome meal. Ask to sit with Kelsey or Hailey. Best servers there!“

“Easily one of my best dining experiences in Jacksonville. Food and service were incredible. I've been in Jax a long time and I'm kicking myself for not coming here sooner. The dry-age steak was perfect and the lobster crab cake was top tier. The manager greeted us and Mitoki made sure we had a great time our dinner date! Oh, and the cheesecake is amazing.“

“It’s a wonderful classic American diner. Special place,breakfast is very, very good. Multiple omelettes to choose from, pancakes. All kinds of good breakfast and lunch menu items to choose from. great Coffee , great service. The people there are really good. That’s what makes the experience better. The owner and the people making it happen are very good people and it’s very affordable for the good quality food and service that you get highly recommended. Don’t miss it. It’s the best place in town in my opinion.“

“we are in town for the packers/jaguars game. this nice little Cafe is right next to our hotel, which will not get a good review, and the food & service is great!!! we asked for things to do and places to check out and they are super friendly/helpful. Definitely check it out!!!“

“Lobster pimento cheese! Snapper was great too. Ambience is even better.“

“Wonderful restaurant with a varied and unique menu. Their dishes are cooked to perfection and the service is impeccable!“

“This was my first time eating at J. Alexander and I was so pleased with everything about this place. The atmosphere was very pleasant. It was a group of 10 of us celebrating the birthday of one in the group. Our server Misty was awesome, she was so helpful and knowledgeable. She went above and beyond to make sure we were satisfied with everything we ordered. Now to the food, WOW!!! everyone enjoyed the steaks, crab cakes, salads, warm bread with butter, celantro shrimp and to top it off the warm carrot cake with cream cheese icing. Yum,Yum. Thank you Misty for making this occasion so special for all of us.“

“Food is always good never been disappointed!! Staff is always nice and curious!“

“Best burger around! Friendly staff !“

“Great experience, food is always top notch , service impeccable with Bailey as waiter ! One of our favorites ???“

“I have been going to the FP for over 15yrs and we recently did an online order. I love the thai chicken salad ,but what I got was a burnt on the top chicken breast and something was very bitter in the salad. This the 1st time I was not pleased with my meal. it was up until this last salad my favorite salad. pickup food should be as good as tn resturant food.disappointed to say the least“

“I absolutely love this family-owned and operated Greek restaurant! From the moment you walk in, you're treated like family. The staff remembers your name, greets you warmly, and always goes above and beyond to make sure you have a great experience.
The food is consistently fresh, flavorful, and authentic, and they're incredibly accommodating to special requests and dietary needs. It's rare to find a place that combines amazing food with such genuine hospitality. You can tell they truly care about their customers and the community they serve.“

“Amazing evening out. Everyone was so friendly as you entered the restaurant. It started with one of the best pomegranate martinis I ever had. Our server Jessica was excellent and all the servers that came to the table paid attention to detail. The most impressive part of the evening was the impeccable style of chef Justin. We had the 6 courses chef’s adventure tasting menu and I cannot say enough about the cuisine. The harmony of flavors and the mastery of technique with the plating presentation was magnificent. The chef came to the table to explain each plate that was presented. He’s very knowledgeable regarding the dishes he prepares and you could see his personality come through in the way the dishes were plated and the flavors that came through with each plate. With the cuisine Justin is preparing this restaurant could be a Michelin star restaurant in notime. By the way I am gluten free so the chef had to make changes to my dishes only. I cannot say enough on how much we enjoyed the entire evening. We will definitely be visiting Matthew’s again.“

“Wow, what an incredible first experience! I stopped by today and ordered the Big Al and the Herbivore. Every bite was packed with flavor, the portions were massive, and the food was wonderfully hearty and meaty. Even though the shop was super busy, the team moved incredibly fast and the wait time was barely noticeable. The customer service was fantastic from start to finish. I will absolutely be back to try the rest of the menu. Highly recommend! Huge thanks to Al and the entire team—well done!“

“We visited River & Post last night for the first time for a birthday dinner after hearing so many good things, and I can honestly say the praise was very well deserved. Everything from the quality and timeliness of our meals to the friendly, informative and attentive servers were exceptional, which sadly is not a common trait in upscale restaurants. I had the Broiled Ocean Platter which consisted of broiled mahi, three sea scallops and four large shrimp served in a citrus herb beurre blanc sauce, whipped potatoes and beautiful crisp tender veggies. All of my entre ingredients were cooked perfectly, the buttery lemon sauce was such a nice compliment to this dish and let all the distinct flavors of each seafood component shine. Too often sauces can be overpowering and used to moisten overcooked and flavorless seafood. I’m glad I opted out of a predinner salad or appetizer as this entre is very substantial and I wanted to save some room for dessert. My husband also very much enjoyed his choice of the Seared Filet Mignon served a mustard demi-glace, confit potatoes and sauteed broccolini. The steak was perfectly prepared to his medium rare request and he raved about how flavorful it was. Both of our meals arrived hot, beautifully plated, and we devoured them completely. Then the decision came for dessert. Since we were sharing, we opted for the wonderfully decadent Chocolate Mousse Torte. This torte could easily be called “Death by Chocolate” due to its intense deep chocolate flavor which had a more silken fudge like consistency than a typical fluffy mousse, but still seemed surprisingly light as the chocolate just melted in our mouths. The torte was served with a chocolate drizzle, freshly whipped cream and plump blackberries. What a wonderful finish to this birthday dinner! Thank you, R&P, for this great dining experience. We’ll definitely be back, and we won’t be waiting for the next birthday to do so.“

“Food is amazing, staff is friendly and food was pretty fast“

“Was in Jacksonville Florida, up from Tampa, and had another delicious breakfast at First Watch. Quality and goodness you can count on. They have a wonderful individual here welcoming guests who is such a spreader of joy! A great experience overall.“

“One year ago we lost a very dear friend, co-worker, family member and loved one! We went to seasons 52 to celebrate his life and brought with us (his ashes). The staff at seasons 52 town center Jacksonville Florida was amazing and accepted the situation as if he was there! From the bar tender Michael who served him a drink to the receptionist who Renee who made us fell very welcome and treated our friend with respect and dignity to our waiter Blake who also went the extra mile to make our experience exceptional! We would like to recognize these people for helping us make our friends night out so very special we will be back every year because of them and the service, not to mention the food was amazing! Thank you!“

“OMG I traveled to Jacksonville for a conference this past weekend and someone suggested to stop here for lunch. I’m not a huge big meal eater and will typically get smaller portions/appetizers. I ordered hummus and lemon chicken rice soup. Let me tell you this was the BEST hummus I’ve ever had in my life. So fresh, the flavor was fantastic, and the pita bread was warm. The soup was flavorful and filling for me. I’m gonna be dreaming about that hummus until next year when I can visit again. I’m telling everyone! I want to try even more of their cuisine. Authentic, fresh, and the staff is so friendly and welcoming.“

“We tried Clara’s Tidbits in Fleming Island today and were wowed by the sweet, welcoming, and informative staff. So friendly and eager to greet us and take our order. The chicken and potato salads were fantastic! The pita chips were crunchy and perfectly seasoned. The potato soup was the best I’ve ever had. The iced tea was refreshing. They were very good with my little ones and the dining experience couldn’t have been better. This was our first visit but certainly won’t be our last. Loved our experience.“

“We Elf the Musical tonight and it was amazing! Sarah Anne was our server and she was very professional and nice! The food was delicious! We will definitely be returning soon.“

“We really enjoyed our meal last night! We started with tuna poke served with wonton chips. It was so fresh and the chips were crisp. My husband got the grouper special and ate it all. I got the scallops. They were seared perfectly, the grits were creamy, and I'd love the collards recipe lol. Thanks for a great meal“

“We just stopped by for a late breakfast and highly recommend this place. The service was excellent and the food was delicious, especially the crispy bacon. We met the owners Mark and Salene, they were working hard with their staff, greeted everyone as they entered and checked in with every table to make sure everything was OK.“

“The lazy manatee is my favorite place in the neighborhood. It’s exactly what Arlington needed. The food is quite amazing and the beer selection can’t be beat. I cannot recommend this place enough. The staff are quite amazing. You cannot beat the atmosphere.“

“1st time visitor LIFETIME fan!!! The food was absolutely AMAZING! Had the brisket, ribs, brussel sprouts and poppers. Hands down best ever! Put Memphis BBQ to shame and that’s saying something. The sauces were delicious. Service impeccable and the vibe was perfect. Servings were abundant and The young man at the counter helping us was A+++. This is MUST visit on my next trip to JAX. Make sure to order a Caparito.“

“Service was great. Food was wonderful. Thank you 1560 Herber K.“

“Absolutely love this place! Such a hidden gem!“

“Enjoy each time I come to Uptown. Never has failed me in the past 2yrs I’ve been coming here. Staff is absolutely the best. Ryan the bartender is amazing he already knows what I’m eating and drinking never has to ask me because he knows.“

“The Customer Service is always wonderful, the food fantastic, quick, made to order, good portions & prices...“

“The food was amazing and served quickly. The people were great and friendly. We will definitely be back.“

“Barbi at the Mandarin Metro diner is 12 out of 10 stars she makes our visit very wonderful every time we come, which is often“

“We tried Clara’s Tidbits in Fleming Island today and were wowed by the sweet, welcoming, and informative staff. So friendly and eager to greet us and take our order. The chicken and potato salads were fantastic! The pita chips were crunchy and perfectly seasoned. The potato soup was the best I’ve ever had. The iced tea was refreshing. They were very good with my little ones and the dining experience couldn’t have been better. This was our first visit but certainly won’t be our last. Loved our experience.“

“Amazing portions, wonderful flavor, great atmosphere and excellent service (shout-out to Aaron) at Brick Restaurant in Avondale. Generous portion of scallops and asparagus! Wagyu burger was delicious too! Adding to our list of places to patronize!“

“🔥 Hidden BBQ Gem in Jacksonville – Authentic Smoke, Huge Portions, and the Best Collards You’ll Ever Have ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – First Visit to The Butt Hutt Smokehouse (Jacksonville, FL) Stopped in tonight while passing through Jacksonville on my way to Tampa for work — and I’m really glad I did. We got there around 6:40 on a Sunday evening. The place was busy but we still found parking and plenty of outside tables, and we ended up at the bar. Service started strong — our bartender Jacob was friendly, helpful, and quick to make recommendations. Later in the meal, we found out he’s also the owner and pitmaster, which honestly explains a lot about the pride and attention to detail that came through in everything. I ordered the 3 Meat Platter ($18) with Sliced Brisket, Smoked Turkey, and Pork Ribs, plus sides of Baked Beans with Sausage and Collard Greens, served with Garlic Texas Toast (not pictured). My coworker ordered the Burnt Ends Platter with Fried Okra and another helping of beans, and we also tried the Homemade Bacon — as to be expected here, it’s from the butt and not the belly. Thick little piggy nuggets of yummy. Everything was served classic-style on butcher paper over a metal tray. Portions were bigger than expected for the menu price points, and the food came out quick but not too quick. All the meats are smoked over pecan wood, giving a smooth, balanced flavor. • Brisket: 9/10 — tender, flavorful, and perfectly balanced without being over-smoked. • Turkey: great flavor and really showcased the homemade sauces. • Ribs: my favorite — great smoke and cooked-on sauce. • Bacon: thick, savory, and pure indulgence. • Collard Greens: 11/10 — best I have ever had. Flavor, tenderness, and added-in meat. Wow. • Toast: simple but super flavorful. Crisp. The vibe was authentic, chill, and laid back — the perfect kind of find that feels unassuming on first pull up, but then it just envelopes you into a transformative, legit meat experience. Between the food, service, and atmosphere, The Butt Hutt hits all the marks of a great local BBQ spot. First timer. Will be a second timer. Must-try: Collard Greens & Ribs. Next trip: Jerk Chicken and Wings (and of course, will double up on the side of collards).“

“Amy was our server on Monday afternoon, and she was fantastic. She greeted us with a smile, kept our drinks filled, and was quick with menus and taking our order.

We started with the fried mushrooms as an appetizer, then ordered the Hangover Burger salad with tater tots and a Philly steak with onion rings.

And let me just say — the onion rings are where it’s at! The batter is zesty, flavorful, hand-battered, and absolutely delicious.

Jen was the cook, and she was so happy to hear how much we loved the food. Everything came out fresh, hot, and full of flavor. We’ll definitely be back!“

“It's my go to comfort spot. Great food, great service, love the old school nostalgia.“

“I visited Twin Peaks today and Savannah was our server and she did a great job! She kept the beers coming and even took a pic with my friend even though he didn’t want me to post 😂😂😂 He a great time and will definitely be back!!“

“This restaurant has great tasting burgers. They even have gluten free buns. Adding gluten free fries to the menu would be good.“

“Sweet baby Uncle Khalid makes the best food in town. Nothing compares to how fresh and flavorful the food is. The meat? Juicy and flavorful. The veggies? Fresher than the grocery store. I come here multiple times a week. Shoot I'd be happy to only eat here for the rest of my lifeeeee.
Don't even get me started on his sauces, I could drink an entire gallon of each one and bathe in them if I could.
The best food on the block paired with the best atmosphere in Jax.“

“Very good customer service 😊“

“We didn't have to wait long...The food was great! Everything was very fresh. Our services was also great. And they have plenty of Employees ♥️.We will be going back soon!“

“Good fresh food. Good fast service.“

“Amy was great...went through the menu with us, was so nice and helpful..the food was great. we will be back...and real bread sticks....yum“

“Years sago, my wife & I tried this specific location twice. We're usually "3-strike" people but the experience was so bad. they got 3 strikes in two visits! For this Thanksgiving, we decided to take my wife's mom but this was the only location we could get a reservation. We were reluctant to go but some friends of ours had been recently and said it had changed a lot... positively. Man has it changed! The GM, Mark, came by and spent some time talking with us. He has done an awesome job in turning things around! The food and service was excellent and the place was cheerful. We had to do a double take just to be certain we were at the same place. Our server, Ms Frenchy, was amazing! She was friendly, engaging and fully involved with providing us with grade a service and a contagious smile. She went above and beyond to insure our Thanksgiving was awesome. We will definitely be returning for a future date night.“