Guidebook *Call establishments Re:COVID-19 changes*
Food Scene
If you're looking for an intimate & eclectic atmosphere with more exotic fare (including many Vegan dishes), visit this hidden gem. Excellent made-from-scratch food, we love the super fresh ingredients with exceptional flavors. Friendly & quiet with attentive service. Might seem a little pricey, but it's sooo worth it: this is NOT asian 'fast-food.' The most traditional, and perhaps less-adventurous-but-equally-delicious dish, is the House Special Chicken Curry. However, don't be timid about trying something different!
About a 5 minute walk from Rocket Motors Studio.
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Foo Dog Curry Traders
869 Stockton StIf you're looking for an intimate & eclectic atmosphere with more exotic fare (including many Vegan dishes), visit this hidden gem. Excellent made-from-scratch food, we love the super fresh ingredients with exceptional flavors. Friendly & quiet with attentive service. Might seem a little pricey, but it's sooo worth it: this is NOT asian 'fast-food.' The most traditional, and perhaps less-adventurous-but-equally-delicious dish, is the House Special Chicken Curry. However, don't be timid about trying something different!
About a 5 minute walk from Rocket Motors Studio.
Authentic asian street fare with a lively, urban vibe. This 5 PTS restaurant is extremely popular, so expect a wait if you try to go during typical lunch or dinner hours. However, they move pretty quickly, so your wait probably won't be terribly long. (That is, unless you call in an order. This seems to take longer than actually waiting to be seated.) The food is very tasty & fresh, however, it can be a bit salty. We always ask for "light sauce" on stir fry dishes.
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Hawkers Asian Street Fare
1001 Park StAuthentic asian street fare with a lively, urban vibe. This 5 PTS restaurant is extremely popular, so expect a wait if you try to go during typical lunch or dinner hours. However, they move pretty quickly, so your wait probably won't be terribly long. (That is, unless you call in an order. This seems to take longer than actually waiting to be seated.) The food is very tasty & fresh, however, it can be a bit salty. We always ask for "light sauce" on stir fry dishes.
Urban, friendly and cool, Bold Bean simply has the best coffee drinks. The walls serve as a gallery for the BEST of the Jacksonville art scene. (Not typical generic, decorative & humdrum/safe corporate art.) Why go to Starbucks, when this fabulous coffee shop is a 5 minute walk away?
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Bold Bean Coffee Roasters
869 Stockton StUrban, friendly and cool, Bold Bean simply has the best coffee drinks. The walls serve as a gallery for the BEST of the Jacksonville art scene. (Not typical generic, decorative & humdrum/safe corporate art.) Why go to Starbucks, when this fabulous coffee shop is a 5 minute walk away?
Cute little coffee shop serving breakfast & lunch in a cozy & friendly environment. The food/coffee and service are comfort-food-good. We walk to Cool Moose all the time; it takes about 7-8 minutes. The prices are pretty budget friendly, except for the juice. A tall glass of OJ will set you back $4, and refills aren't free. Otherwise, love this place.
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Cool Moose Cafe
2708 Park StCute little coffee shop serving breakfast & lunch in a cozy & friendly environment. The food/coffee and service are comfort-food-good. We walk to Cool Moose all the time; it takes about 7-8 minutes. The prices are pretty budget friendly, except for the juice. A tall glass of OJ will set you back $4, and refills aren't free. Otherwise, love this place.
If you want something that's still casual, but a little nicer with more sophisticated menu options, try our favorite restaurant of all time: Biscotti's. In the heart of Riverside's neighboring historic community, Avondale, the food is consistently top notch. Gourmet specials and savory regular menu items can be paired with the perfect wine. The Bruschetta is our favorite, but everything we've ever had has been scrumptious. Also, this is the one place you HAVE to try dessert at. The cappuccino torte is TO DIE FOR! Do not leave without trying a dessert!
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Biscottis
3556 St Johns AveIf you want something that's still casual, but a little nicer with more sophisticated menu options, try our favorite restaurant of all time: Biscotti's. In the heart of Riverside's neighboring historic community, Avondale, the food is consistently top notch. Gourmet specials and savory regular menu items can be paired with the perfect wine. The Bruschetta is our favorite, but everything we've ever had has been scrumptious. Also, this is the one place you HAVE to try dessert at. The cappuccino torte is TO DIE FOR! Do not leave without trying a dessert!
If delectable French food, cocktails, and a romantic, elegant dinner is what you have in mind, try Orsay.
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Restaurant Orsay
3630 Park StIf delectable French food, cocktails, and a romantic, elegant dinner is what you have in mind, try Orsay.
Black Sheep Restaurant
1534 Oak StThe Mossfire Grill
1537 Margaret StIn our opinion, this Italian restaurant is one of the best kept secrets in Jacksonville. The food is authentic, delicious & can be paired with the perfect wine; so if you want 'Olive Garden' faux Italian, don't go here. Also, don't be fooled by the average looking storefront: once you step inside, you'll feel like you stepped into a quaint Italian bistro in NYC. Very romantic.
9 abantu bendawo batusa
Primi Piatti
2722 Park StIn our opinion, this Italian restaurant is one of the best kept secrets in Jacksonville. The food is authentic, delicious & can be paired with the perfect wine; so if you want 'Olive Garden' faux Italian, don't go here. Also, don't be fooled by the average looking storefront: once you step inside, you'll feel like you stepped into a quaint Italian bistro in NYC. Very romantic.
Best little Mexican restaurant in the area. Outside seating only, it’s a pretty easy walk on a nice day. We often order from here on Grubhub.com. The flavors are superb - highly recommend the lime chicken skewers. Our order usually arrives much quicker than the estimated time.
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Nacho Taco
751 Stockton StBest little Mexican restaurant in the area. Outside seating only, it’s a pretty easy walk on a nice day. We often order from here on Grubhub.com. The flavors are superb - highly recommend the lime chicken skewers. Our order usually arrives much quicker than the estimated time.
Highly recommend the blackened shrimp, blackened fish, and fried fish. It's consistently cooked and seasoned to perfection. Even the hush puppies are delicious. Walk up counter & seat yourself. Love this casual and cool 5 PTS restaurant!
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Timoti's Seafood Shak
1043 Park StHighly recommend the blackened shrimp, blackened fish, and fried fish. It's consistently cooked and seasoned to perfection. Even the hush puppies are delicious. Walk up counter & seat yourself. Love this casual and cool 5 PTS restaurant!
Great German bistro, European Street has been a Riverside stronghold for decades. Lots of imported beers. Yummy sandwiches, pretzels and cheese. Check the website for the live entertainment schedule.
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European Street Cafe
1704 San Marco BlvdGreat German bistro, European Street has been a Riverside stronghold for decades. Lots of imported beers. Yummy sandwiches, pretzels and cheese. Check the website for the live entertainment schedule.
Hip, classic pizza joint in Murray Hill. Pay at the counter and seat yourself. Murray Hill is another historic neighborhood just a 7 minute drive away from the Rocket Motors Studio. There are lots of ways to 'do' pizza and calzones, but we feel Moon River does it right.
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Moon River Pizza
1176 Edgewood Ave SHip, classic pizza joint in Murray Hill. Pay at the counter and seat yourself. Murray Hill is another historic neighborhood just a 7 minute drive away from the Rocket Motors Studio. There are lots of ways to 'do' pizza and calzones, but we feel Moon River does it right.
Best. Burger. EVER. Great salads & pizzas too, but did we mention the burgers? They're the best. Like juicy, beefy, BEST. The thick steak fries and crunchy onion rings are pretty awesome as well. For something a little lighter, we like the Asian Chicken salad. Casual & family friendly, the location on Lakeside Drive is usually easier to find parking at than the historic San Marco location. However, if you go in the daytime, the San Marco Loop is a better location if you want to browse all of the cute shops.
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Loop Pizza Grill
211 3rd StBest. Burger. EVER. Great salads & pizzas too, but did we mention the burgers? They're the best. Like juicy, beefy, BEST. The thick steak fries and crunchy onion rings are pretty awesome as well. For something a little lighter, we like the Asian Chicken salad. Casual & family friendly, the location on Lakeside Drive is usually easier to find parking at than the historic San Marco location. However, if you go in the daytime, the San Marco Loop is a better location if you want to browse all of the cute shops.
Great burgers, chicken and fish sandwiches. Hotdogs and shakes too. Quick service, casual and budget friendly. Pay at the counter. There's also a bar that faces the outside.
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M Shack Riverside
1012 Margaret StGreat burgers, chicken and fish sandwiches. Hotdogs and shakes too. Quick service, casual and budget friendly. Pay at the counter. There's also a bar that faces the outside.
Open for breakfast and lunch, Maple Street Biscuits in historic Murray Hill has delicious breakfast-biscuits-on-steroids. Highly recommend the fried green tomatoes, mash ups with veggies & ham, cinnamon pecan biscuits, and waffles as well. Only one downside: If you order a side of bacon, it might be some of the best tasting bacon you've ever had, but don't expect to get a whole lot of it. When it comes to the side of tasty bacon, the quantity can feel like a bit of a tease. Don't worry, everything else comes in ample portions!
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Maple Street Biscuit Company- Murray Hill
1171 Edgewood Ave SOpen for breakfast and lunch, Maple Street Biscuits in historic Murray Hill has delicious breakfast-biscuits-on-steroids. Highly recommend the fried green tomatoes, mash ups with veggies & ham, cinnamon pecan biscuits, and waffles as well. Only one downside: If you order a side of bacon, it might be some of the best tasting bacon you've ever had, but don't expect to get a whole lot of it. When it comes to the side of tasty bacon, the quantity can feel like a bit of a tease. Don't worry, everything else comes in ample portions!
Best southern BBQ in town. The ribs are to die for. Go with a BIG appetite; everything is delicious. The collard greens are good. The corn bread is good. The green beans are good. The fries are good. Everything is good. Seriously, you won't be able to stop eating. Just a 6 minute drive away in the heart of historic Avondale.
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MOJO no.4, Urban BBQ Whiskey Bar
3572 St Johns AveBest southern BBQ in town. The ribs are to die for. Go with a BIG appetite; everything is delicious. The collard greens are good. The corn bread is good. The green beans are good. The fries are good. Everything is good. Seriously, you won't be able to stop eating. Just a 6 minute drive away in the heart of historic Avondale.
Cool, fun vibe with a menu featuring traditional Tex Mex meals with a tasty twist. Wings and burgers aren't too bad either. Wednesday nights are trivia nights, so don't go on Wednesday if you want a quiet night out. If you're in the mood for a lively atmosphere and aren't in a huge hurry, then by all means, check this place out on a Wednesday or any other night. Also on the plus side: Lola's is a 7 minute walk or 2 minute drive away from the Rocket Motors Studio.
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Lola's Burrito & Burger Joint
1522 King StCool, fun vibe with a menu featuring traditional Tex Mex meals with a tasty twist. Wings and burgers aren't too bad either. Wednesday nights are trivia nights, so don't go on Wednesday if you want a quiet night out. If you're in the mood for a lively atmosphere and aren't in a huge hurry, then by all means, check this place out on a Wednesday or any other night. Also on the plus side: Lola's is a 7 minute walk or 2 minute drive away from the Rocket Motors Studio.
This iconic ice-cream shop in Murray Hill hasn't changed much since 1948. Walk up to the window, custom order your favorite, and slurp up your dipped cone or shake while it drips all over the sidewalk. People of all ages line up for the chance to enjoy the simple pleasure and feel like a kid again!
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Dreamette
3646 Post StThis iconic ice-cream shop in Murray Hill hasn't changed much since 1948. Walk up to the window, custom order your favorite, and slurp up your dipped cone or shake while it drips all over the sidewalk. People of all ages line up for the chance to enjoy the simple pleasure and feel like a kid again!
Arts & Culture
Ritz Theatre & LaVilla Museum
829 N Davis StI-Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens
829 Riverside AveI-Riverside Arts Market
715 Riverside AveMuseum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville
333 N Laura StMOSH
1025 Museum CirParks & Nature
One of the best zoos in the United States. Terrific gardens, excellent exhibits with great views. Get up and personal with the giraffes and feed them. This park will take a full day to explore, possibly two. Wear comfortable walking shoes!
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Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens
370 Zoo PkwyOne of the best zoos in the United States. Terrific gardens, excellent exhibits with great views. Get up and personal with the giraffes and feed them. This park will take a full day to explore, possibly two. Wear comfortable walking shoes!
Timucuan Ecological & Historic Preserve
9400 New Berlin RoadTrails and the old Fort.
Tillie K. Fowler Regional Park
Norman StreetGreat view of the St. John's river. Easy walk to 5 Pts., Publix and plenty of restaurants.
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Iphakamiso Park
1620 Riverside Ave Great view of the St. John's river. Easy walk to 5 Pts., Publix and plenty of restaurants.
Riverside Park
753 Park StDuck pond, play ground, and picnic tables. Next to 5 PTS.
Hanna Park Campground
500 Wonderwood DrTree Hill Nature Center
7152 Lone Star RdJacksonville Arboretum & Gardens
1445 Millcoe RdShopping
5 Points Vintage
1046 Park StSouthern Crossing Antique Mall
2718 Park StAntiques
Fans and Stoves Antique Mall
2270 Lomax StAntiques
Midnight Sun
1055 Park StBead Here Now
1051 Park StHeyday!
2016 San Marco BlvdBest toy store in Jacksonville!
Your 5 year old self will get the urge to chase an Oompa Loompa or take a boat ride down a chocolate river at Sweet Pete’s. Featured on the CNBC reality show ‘Profit’, this mega candy shop features colorful, scrumptious and handcrafted candies, as well as fun novelties and an ice cream shop. There’s even a viewing area where you can see candy being made! Seriously FUN. Located in the historic Seminole Club in downtown Jacksonville, the 23,000 square foot candy emporium is one of the largest of its kind in the United States. Best parking is usually on the street around the courthouse. Bring quarters for the meters if you go during business hours!
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Sweet Pete's Candy
400 N Hogan StYour 5 year old self will get the urge to chase an Oompa Loompa or take a boat ride down a chocolate river at Sweet Pete’s. Featured on the CNBC reality show ‘Profit’, this mega candy shop features colorful, scrumptious and handcrafted candies, as well as fun novelties and an ice cream shop. There’s even a viewing area where you can see candy being made! Seriously FUN. Located in the historic Seminole Club in downtown Jacksonville, the 23,000 square foot candy emporium is one of the largest of its kind in the United States. Best parking is usually on the street around the courthouse. Bring quarters for the meters if you go during business hours!
Essentials
Grassroots Natural Market
2007 Park StGreat little health food store with organic foods.
Publix Super Market at Riverside
2033 Riverside AveWalgreens
3505 University Blvd WThis Walgreens also has a clinic.
The Fresh Market
150 Riverside AveSightseeing
Veterans Memorial Wall
1145 E Adams StJacksonville Beach
601 1st St SAtlantic Beach
800 Beach AvePonte Vedra Beach
I-Kingsley Plantation
11676 Palmetto AveEntertainment & Activities
Sun-Ray Cinema
1028 Park StTopgolf
10531 Brightman BlvdiFLY Jacksonville
10579 Brightman BlvdReserve your roomy, adjustable, plush seats. This part of Arlington is a bit 'meh,' but the seats in this theater are the best.
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AMC Regency 24
9451 Regency Square BlvdReserve your roomy, adjustable, plush seats. This part of Arlington is a bit 'meh,' but the seats in this theater are the best.