Visiting a new city can be tricky. I want to experience the flavor of the area. Discover local restaurants I won’t find at home. The problem is finding these restaurants! Sometimes, when I’m visiting a shop or attraction, I’ll ask people who live in the area for their favorites. Sometimes, as during my recent visit to the Casa Marina hotel, the locals have already selected their favorite locations for us. If you are traveling to the Jacksonville Beach area, here’s some can’t miss suggestions to make your journey a little sweeter!

A Food Lovers Tour of Jacksonville Beach

For Dinner and Drinks

1. Penthouse Restaurant and Bar– Located on the third floor of the historic Casa Marina hotel, the Penthouse Restaurant and Bar combines delicious dining experiences with breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean. The only rooftop bar with oceanfront views in the area, this is a great spot to meet up with friends and enjoy one of their specialty Martinis. I tried the Expresso, a smooth and creamy concoction made with Van Gogh Double Espresso Vodka, Godiva Chocolate Liqueur, Kahlua, Cream and Licor 43. It’s like dessert in a glass! If you’re not in the mood for dessert, try one of their fruity libations, like The Hemingway made with fresh lime and grapefruit juice, Captian Morgan Rum, Maraschino Liqueur and a simple syrup. Tip: Stop by during the daily Happy Hour to enjoy martinis for only $6.00.

If you’re feeling hungry, there’s a variety of tempting dishes created by Chef Aaron Webb, who’s been managing the kitchen of the Casa Marina for twenty years. He’s created an award-winning Sunday brunch with entrees like Eggs Benedict on Fried Green Tomatoes with Sweet Chili Hollandaise. For dinner, you can enjoy his fresh take on classic dishes with treats like Shrimp and Grits. These aren’t prepared in the traditional fashion! They’ve been elevated to new heights with a Chardonnay Butter Sauce. Served with the creamy grits, it’s a perfect pairing. Tip: Come early for the best outdoor seating. The restaurant fills up quickly in the evenings and weekends.

Breakfast from the Casa Marina Hotel Restaurant. — Sunday Brunch selections from the Penthouse Restaurant.

2. Ocean 60 Located only a few miles down the road in nearby Atlantic Beach, Ocean 60 prides itself on its “Fresh Continental Cuisine with a Tropical Flair.” Owner and Chef Danny Groshell prides himself on using the freshest, locally caught seafood, adding “it comes “straight from the boats of Mayport.” We sampled several dishes, including my favorite the Gambas Al Ajillo. If you’re a seafood lover, this dish is for you. It’s made with royal red shrimp seared in a pan with garlic, shallots and sherry wine. This mixture is topped with a parmesan toasted baguette and fresh herbs. The crispy bread contrasts nicely with the slightly sweet sauce and jumbo shrimp.

My advice? Save room for some of the luscious homemade desserts. We sampled a pineapple cake with homemade vanilla ice cream, a Tiramisu Cheesecake and a chocolate tart studded with pecans and covered with a rich caramel sauce. Since I am a dessert fanatic, I naturally had a taste of them all. While they were all delicious, I absolutely adored the Tiramisu Cheesecake. Creamy with just the right amount of sweetness, this upscale version of a traditional Tiramisu is a must try. Divided into two sections, you can enjoy a casual meal in the Martini Bar or a more upscale experience in the main dining room.

3. Gilbert’s Hot Chicken, Fish, and Shrimp– The newest concept by Chef Kenny Gilbert, Gilbert’s Hot Chicken, Fish, and Shrimp opened in January 2018, features “modernized Southern Cuisine.” With a choice of “hot or not,” the enticing menu offers classic favorites with modern twists like the KG’s BLT Biscuit. This is nothing like the traditional BLT! Think of it as a BLT on steroids. It features a smoked and fried boneless chicken thigh, pork belly, butter lettuce, and a pickled green tomato instead of the usual bacon, lettuce, and tomato. And forget the plain old white bread. This sandwich comes with a Jalapeno Cheddar biscuit that’s just the right of amount of sweet and savory and is served with a creamy remoulade sauce.

For a side, try Anna’s Mac and Cheese. When we read the description on the menu-it’s a mixture ofCavatappi Pasta, Pimento Cheese, Black Pepper Queso, and cheddar baked with a Saltine Cracker Gratin- we had to ask for it. Smooth and creamy, it puts traditional macaroni and cheese to shame. Everyone at the table had a taste and exclaimed how we could have eaten this as our main course. And, of course, we couldn’t pass up dessert. My favorite was the bourbon pecan pie, a traditional Southern pie with an added hint of bourbon. The menu changes seasonally. Gilbert’s also serves signature cocktails- made with moonshine or bourbon whiskey- like the Hey Y’all, a concoction of Ole Smoky Strawberry Moonshine, Strawberry Puree, Lemon Juice, and Prosecco. It’s the perfect spot for a classic lunch or dinner.

For Breakfast

4. Maple Street Biscuit Company– While Maple Street Biscuit Company now includes locations around the South, it all started in Jacksonville, Florida. Dedicated to making people feel like they are a part of the local community, owners Scott Moore and Gus Evans decided to craft good food made from in-house and from scratch and serve only locally roasted coffee. Per the name, their signature dish is biscuits and biscuit sandwiches. You’ll find options from The Iron Goat, a vegetarian biscuit choice served with goat cheese and sauteed spinach, to the Five, a biscuit served with a fried chicken breast, pecan wood smoked bacon, cheddar cheese and that Southern classic, sausage gravy. There’s dessert options too, like the cream covered biscuit pictured below. All of the biscuits are light and fluffy, sure to stand up to the scrutiny of any demanding Southern cook.

Photo Credit: Tonya Denmark of Detail Oriented Traveler

For An Entertaining Evening

5. Alhambra Theatre & Dining– If you enjoy theater and good food, the Alhambra Dinner Theatre is the place to be! Opened in 1967, it is the oldest continually running dinner theater in the US. One visit will let you know why. This isn’t a cast of amateurs! These are professional off-broadway hit productions, with different titles each year. The 2018 season includes such classics as Little Shop of Horrors, Chitty-Chitty Bang Bang, and Kiss Me, Kate. You’ll find venues for every taste and member of the family, from the upcoming Christmas production of Elf: The Musical to The Marvelous Wonderettes. Dinner menus change with each show and are carefully crafted by Chef DeJuan Roy to match the theme. Each three course meal provides a choice between soup and salad, a choice of one of four entrees, and a choice of desserts. Gluten-free options are available as well. If I lived in the Jacksonville area, I would have season passes to the Alhambra!

If you’re planning a visit to Jacksonville Beach, make sure you find the time to try these restaurants. If you are looking for anything from a casual night out to fine dining, I don’t think you will be disappointed.

Simply Southern Mom

A Food Lovers Tour of Jacksonville Beach

A Food Lovers Tour of Jacksonville Beach

For Dinner and Drinks

For Breakfast

For An Entertaining Evening

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