Jacksonville, Florida Travel Guide
So, you’re planning to visit the Bold City? You’ll want some recommendations from a native, trust me.
Disclaimer: With Jacksonville being the largest city in the US land wise, adding every single must-do onto this post would probably make it the length of a college textbook and NONE OF US want to deal with that. As an alternative, this post will strictly list a few of my personal Duval favorites that are between the Downtown - Riverside areas. I may make a secondary post down the line that is strictly a travel guide for Jax Beach, but for now, this blog will specifically showcase a few J-ville gems that are outside of the ocean.
Where To Eat
Maple Street Biscuit Company
Maple Street first opened its doors in 2004 with their first restaurant located right in the heart of the San Marco area of Jacksonville. To this day, even with there now being seven locations in the Jacksonville area, the San Marco restaurant is still my favorite!
Maple Street Biscuit Company offers Southern-style comfort food with a modern twist, and honestly could anything be more Southern than home-made biscuits?! My heart wants to answer that question with a strong hell no, but it's hard to deny that the made-from-scratch gravies, fried chicken, and house-made jams are definitely all strong competitors for the “tastes like grandma made it” trophy.
Bold Bean Coffee Roasters
Without question, Bold Bean Coffee Roasters is one of my favorite local coffee spots in the Jacksonville area. Bold Bean serves sustainably sourced coffee that’s roasted right in Jacksonville, Florida. Their coffee process uses a light-to-medium roasting style, which originally shocked me to learn because in my experience with their brand, the name more than lives up to its flavor. Their coffee is delicious and BOLD. And personally I’ve never once gone to a coffee shop in hopes to be served weak-ass coffee, so Bold Bean’s full-bodied taste is right up my alley.
The Fox
If you’re interested in a local restaurant with a unique vintage feel, then The Fox is a great option to go with. The Fox is a small Mom & Pop diner located in the historic Avondale part of town. They offer a lengthy menu of classic American-fare breakfast and lunch options, served in a vintage-pop-culture decorated dining room. After grabbing a bite to eat, feel free to wander through the boutique shops of the Avondale Shopping Center which are conveniently located right outside the doors.
Lunch
Carmine’s Pie House
Carmine’s is a small Riverside gem and my personal favorite local pizza joint.
Carmine’s serves a variety of both Chicago and NYC-style pies along with pastas, subs, J-ville microbrews, and a rotating selection of desserts that never fail to temp every single ounce of my self control. Word to the wise, just give in already. One look at their dessert display and self control is going to start to seem like a lame idea anyway.
Hawkers Asian Street Fare
If you’re in the Five Points area, do your taste buds a favor and swing by Hawkers, even if only to try the Roti Canai with a side of curry (it’s my favorite thing on their menu and I’m currently in Denver drooling over the thought of it).
Hawkers Jacksonville was the second location of this hip Florida-originating street food chain and has proudly become a staple within the artsy Five Points community. It’s a VIBE.
Hawkers specializes in Asian small plates and draws their menu inspiration from countries that the owners have traveled such as Japan, Korea, and Thailand.
Dinner
Black Sheep
If Black Sheep is known for anything in particular, it’s their locally-sourced ingredients. Everything from their meat and seafood to their produce and dairy is all sourced from local farmers and purveyors within the Florida and Georgia regions to ensure that dedication to sustainability and high-quality products are kept at the forefront of their menu.
Black Sheep serves award-winning American fare and hand-crafted cocktails in a modern atmosphere. Plus, the view of Five Points Jax from Black Sheep’s rooftop patio is killer! Grab a drink, go upstairs, and check out the area.
Safe Harbor
I honestly feel that I’m leaving the best for last with this one. Being voted as the best seafood in Florida, a meal at Safe Harbor (specifically the Mayport location) should be a must-do part of your travel plans!
Safe Harbor is both a casual restaurant with dockside views and a fresh-off-the-boat seafood market located directly across from each other. Everything on their menu comes fresh from the market next door, right to your plate.
My go-to menu choice is their two-way basket of blackened scallops partnered with the fresh catch. Pair that with a sunset on the water and a ride on the ferry next door, and you’re getting the best of the local experience.
What to do
Chamblin's Uptown
Whenever I’m visiting home, designating time to wander through the rows of books at Chamblin’s Uptown feels mandatory. If you’re a bibliophile like me, or have any appreciation at all for kitchy independent bookstores, then I beg you to stop by Chamblin’s for a coffee and quick read while you’re in the area.
As a long-standing member of the Jacksonville community, Chamblin’s has been winning over the hearts of Duval bookworms since the debut of their first location in 1976, and continues to offer a wordy oasis of winding wooden shelves that provide the perfect opportunity for embracing your inner book nerd.
As an added bonus, Chamblin’s Cafe also happens to offer my favorite flavor of coffee in the whole damn city (sorry Bold Bean, you come in close second place). Chamblin’s serves a Florida based brand called Hurricane Coffee, and the Wildfire Blueberry flavor is AMAZING.
I repeat. WILDFIRE. BLUEBERRY. HURRICANE. COFFEE. Even the name just feels Florida as hell. I love it. Grab yourself a cup to go and wander through Jax’s urban literature haven. It’s worth it.
The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens
If you’re a sucker for the arts, then The Cummer Museum is the perfect spot to quince your thirst for observing the creative. The place is incredible inside and out. And mentioning the outside - make sure to check out the backyard!
Along with breathtaking historical pieces and artwork throughout the property, the museum is also home to one-of-a-kind English and Italian gardens that are right on the St. Johns River.
The museum was founded in 1961 by local art collector Ninah Cummer (God bless the art nerds) and the property and gardens itself have been in the Cummer family since the early 1900s. Nearly a hundred years of history preserved into one unique property!
Bring your family or your travel buddies and snap some grade A Instagram content. Go look at the art, pretend you’re fancy, and soak up the experience.
Sweet Pete’s Candy
This place pretty much ripped off Willy Wonka’s idea, and we’re all thankful as hell that it did!
Sweet Pete’s is the perfect pit stop to load up on a sugar rush, excite the crap out of your kids, and embrace your inner child all in one eccentric 115 year-old downtown mansion.
The elaborately decorated confectionery is the largest candy store in the southeast and all-around explodes with sugared genius and southern charm. My personal recommendation is the house-made fudge in any of their flavors. Every single one is amazing.
Friendship Fountain
There are few places in Jax with skyline views that can beat the cityscape eye candy at Friendship Fountain in St. Johns River Park.
With across-the-river views that face the whole downtown area (and what used to be The Landing - R.I.P) you’re almost guaranteed to capture some of the best sights and photos of the Bold City.
Recommendation : Visit Friendship Fountain after sunset. The sights won’t disappoint during any part of the day, but the large color-changing fountain against our bright urban backdrop makes for an ideal after-dinner visit, plus, your pictures will be BOMB.
