Renowned chef Kenny Gilbert’s Silkies Chicken and Champagne Bar celebrates Southern cuisine, focusing on fried chicken, biscuits, seasonal sides, and champagne cocktails. The Flavor Bomb chicken sandwich, an Oprah Winfrey favorite, features a truffle and gouda biscuit, fried chicken thigh, and a sweet and spicy sauce with a hint of acidity. The weekend-only chicken and waffles brunch offers options like the OG Weekend CW, with tequila orange blossom honey butter sauce, hot sauce, and pickled pineapple, or the Mexico City plate, featuring churro-style waffles, Spanish hot chocolate sauce, and toasted marshmallows accompanying the fried chicken.

For those looking for their ‘cue fix, head to ABBQ, a barbecue restaurant specializing in Texas-style barbecue featuring tender brisket smoked low and slow with thick bark. ABBQ offers meats as sandwiches, platters, or by the pound. Favorites include the chopped brisket sandwich with house-made barbecue sauce and pickles, or the 1513, layering brisket, pulled pork, and house-made sausage with coleslaw, pickles, and barbecue sauce. On Fridays and Saturdays, house-smoked beef ribs appear on the menu. Complement the meal with sides like creamy macaroni and cheese or baked cowboy beans with cheddar and cilantro.

Nestled in a modest strip mall, this former Jacksonville food truck now boasts a brick-and-mortar location, offering Italian dishes such as lasagna with hand-rolled pasta, delicate gnocchi, ravioli with assorted fillings, and the popular pear fiocchi featuring pears and cheese. Pro tip: Arrive right when the restaurant opens or be prepared to wait, as seating is very limited in the small space. The bar is first-come, first-served, so if a seat is available, grab it. 

Expect a top-notch happy hour and a meal featuring inventive bistro classics at Restaurant Orsay. Inspired by French cuisine and its Southern surroundings, the menu includes pan-roasted fish with grits and mussels frites. Beyond its impressive happy hour and dinner service, Restaurant Orsay offers weekend brunch, showcasing roasted oysters with bacon, spinach, parmesan cheese, Southern-style biscuits and gravy, and bourbon-orange infused French toast. As this is one of the most buzzed-about restaurants in town, book a table far in advance.

Dockside Seafood, located next to the Jacksonville Beach Boat ramp, specializes in fresh, local seafood. The starter, smoked fish dip, is a Southern classic made with white fish and mayo, or try the fried gator tail, which has a chewy texture and chicken-like taste. Most visit for the fried seafood baskets, such as the lightly battered and fried shrimp, clam strips, oysters, and fresh catch. For those seeking a true Southern experience, fried is the way to go. Each basket comes with French fries, slaw, and hush puppies, a fried cornmeal ball with diced onions. 

Blue Bamboo shines with its traditional Cantonese offerings. Menu highlights include stir-fried noodles and fried rice, perfect for sharing among friends or family. However, the menu’s true standout is the Cantonese-style roasted duck, boasting crispy skin and tender meat. The Chinese barbecue spareribs, prepared using chef Dennis Chan’s closely guarded family recipe, also impress - with the restaurant selling 6,000 pounds of ribs weekly. Finish the meal on a sweet note with the chef’s award-winning Mandarin orange cake topped with cream cheese frosting.

Upon entering the French Pantry, guests are instantly engrossed in the charm of old-world France. This spot is known for its sandwiches and bruschetta offerings, featuring an array of unique ingredient combinations. A display of homemade cakes and desserts awaits as patrons approach the counter to place their lunch orders. The crowd-pleasing wedding cake stands out, featuring white frosting and strawberries. If there’s a line out the door, don’t worry. The line moves quickly, and it’s worth the wait.

Wicked Barley Brewing Company specializes in craft brews and dishes ideal for beer pairings, with the innovative brewmasters consistently creating new offerings, including Jacksonville Jaguars-inspired brews. Guests can enjoy shareable appetizers such as cheese curds or kimchi pork belly fries or indulge in a hearty burger featuring unique toppings. The family-friendly outdoor beer garden encourages relaxation in the Florida sun, where kids can play and adults can sample beer flights. Just be sure to designate a safe driver to get everyone home.

A Jacksonville favorite, Picasso’s in the Mandarin neighborhood offers a diverse menu featuring regional American dishes. The selection includes St. Louis-style toasted ravioli crafted in-house, New Orleans barbecue shrimp, and brick-oven New York-style pizza. For dessert, indulge in the St. Louis original gooey butter cake, also made in-house. Each dish is hand-made and with regional specialties made by chefs from that area. The food tastes like a trip to the Deep South, the Northeast, or elsewhere.

Since its 1999 debut, Grumpy’s Restaurant has become a Jacksonville breakfast and lunch staple. The original Orange Park location has expanded to include Neptune Beach and Yulee branches. Grumpy’s offers a traditional diner atmosphere and menu featuring favorites like eggs with grits, hash browns, breakfast meat, and toast. Try the warm cinnamon roll, served hot and drizzled with frosting for a sweet treat. Each location features a frequently updated specials board—be sure to inquire with the server for details.