San Jose / Lakewood Restaurants Veteran-owned
Athens Cafe
Athens Cafe is a veteran- and family-owned Greek and Mediterranean restaurant on St.
6271 St Augustine Rd Ste 7 $$
Restaurants in Jacksonville
Jax Locals lists 34 independent, locally-owned restaurants across 11 neighborhoods — including San Jose / Lakewood, San Marco, Jacksonville Beach in Jacksonville. Every one is locally owned; no chains. Tap a listing to call, get directions, or check hours.
San Marco Restaurants Veteran-owned
Basil Thai & Sushi
Basil Thai & Sushi is a veteran-owned Thai and sushi restaurant on Hendricks Avenue in the San Marco area, run by a Navy veteran who spent much of his service in food service.
1004 Hendricks Ave $$
San Marco Restaurants
bb's restaurant and bar
bb's is a longtime independent restaurant and bar on Hendricks Avenue in San Marco, known for its bistro menu, bakery case, and busy brunch.
1019 Hendricks Ave $$
Jacksonville Beach Restaurants
Beaches
Beach Hut Cafe
Beach Hut Cafe is a long-running breakfast-and-lunch spot in Jacksonville Beach — the kind of unfussy local diner regulars line up for on weekend mornings.
1281 3rd St S
Avondale Restaurants
Blue Fish Restaurant and Oyster Bar
Blue Fish is an independent restaurant and oyster bar in the Shoppes of Avondale on St.
3551 St Johns Ave $$
Ortega Restaurants
Bodrum Mediterranean Kitchen
Bodrum Mediterranean Kitchen is an independent restaurant on Roosevelt Boulevard in Ortega, well-reviewed for Turkish and Mediterranean plates.
5907 Roosevelt Blvd Unit 200
Avondale Restaurants
Brick Restaurant
Brick is an independent, upscale-casual restaurant on St.
3585 St Johns Ave $$$
Riverside & Five Points Restaurants
Carmines Pie House
Carmine's Pie House is an independent pizzeria and Italian spot on Forbes Street in the Riverside area, a well-loved neighborhood joint for pies and calzones.
2677 Forbes St
Mandarin Restaurants
Chophouse Thirteen
Chophouse Thirteen is an independent steakhouse on San Jose Boulevard in Mandarin, a local special-occasion spot for steaks and a full bar.
11362 San Jose Blvd $$$
Springfield Restaurants
Crispy's Springfield Gallery
Crispy's occupies a restored historic building on North Main Street in Springfield, serving Italian plates and pizza in a room hung with local art.
1735 N Main St $$
Mandarin Restaurants
Don Juan's Restaurant
Don Juan's is an independent Mexican restaurant on San Jose Boulevard in Mandarin, a neighborhood staple for tacos, fajitas, and margaritas.
12373 San Jose Blvd
Jacksonville Beach Restaurants
Beaches
Eleven South
Eleven South is a long-running independent restaurant a block off the ocean in Jacksonville Beach, known for a seasonal, upscale-casual menu and a well-kept wine list.
216 11th Ave S $$$
San Jose / Lakewood Restaurants
Enza's Italian Restaurant
Enza's is an independent Italian restaurant on San Jose Boulevard, a neighborhood favorite for classic pasta and a warm dining room.
10601 San Jose Blvd #109
Neptune Beach Restaurants
Beaches
Grumpy's Restaurant
Grumpy's is a beloved independent breakfast-and-lunch diner in Neptune Beach — the kind of unfussy local spot regulars pack on weekend mornings.
200 3rd St
Atlantic Beach Restaurants Veteran-owned
Beaches
Hangar Bay Cafe & Gallery
Hangar Bay Cafe & Gallery is a veteran-owned New American restaurant and art gallery on Mayport Road near Naval Station Mayport — a spot with a genuine Navy soul and a from-scratch kitchen.
2294 Mayport Rd #22 $$
Ortega Restaurants
Hightide Burrito & Bar
Hightide Burrito & Bar is an independent taqueria and bar off Roosevelt Boulevard in the Ortega area, a casual local spot for burritos, tacos, and a drink.
4591 Lakeside Dr #107
Mandarin Restaurants
Julington Creek Fish Camp
Julington Creek Fish Camp is an independent waterfront restaurant on San Jose Boulevard in Mandarin, a locals' spot for seafood and creekside seating at the south end of the river.
12760 San Jose Blvd
Riverside & Five Points Restaurants
Lola's Burrito & Burger Joint
Lola's Burrito & Burger Joint is an independent spot on King Street in Riverside, a casual local favorite for burritos, burgers, and a relaxed vibe.
1522 King St
Murray Hill Restaurants
Moon River Pizza
Moon River Pizza is a Murray Hill institution on Edgewood Avenue, an independent shop known for New York–style pies by the slice and a loyal neighborhood crowd.
1176 Edgewood Ave S
Springfield Restaurants
Naked Kitchen
Naked Kitchen is an independent, health-minded eatery in Historic Springfield, serving fresh bowls, plant-forward plates, and made-from-scratch cooking just north of downtown.
2336 N Liberty St
Ortega Restaurants
Okinawa Japanese Grillhouse & Sushi Bar
Okinawa is an independent Japanese grillhouse and sushi bar on Roosevelt Boulevard in the Ortega area, doing hibachi and rolls for the neighborhood.
4403 Roosevelt Blvd
San Jose / Lakewood Restaurants
One Night Taco Stand
One Night Taco Stand is an independent taco spot on San Jose Boulevard, a casual local favorite for street-style tacos.
9703 San Jose Blvd
San Jose / Lakewood Restaurants
Picasso's
Picasso's is an independent pizza-and-pasta restaurant on San Jose Boulevard, a longtime local favorite known for creative pies and a loyal following.
10503 San Jose Blvd
Riverside & Five Points Restaurants
Primi Piatti
Primi Piatti is an independent Italian restaurant on Park Street in Riverside, a neighborhood spot for from-scratch pasta and a quiet dinner.
2722 Park St
Ortega Restaurants
Puerto Plata Restaurant
Puerto Plata is an independent Dominican restaurant near Ortega, a well-reviewed neighborhood spot for mofongo, rice-and-beans plates, and other island staples.
2045 Bayview Rd
Avondale Restaurants
Restaurant Orsay
Restaurant Orsay is a French bistro in the Shoppes of Avondale, pairing Parisian technique with Southern ingredients and a well-regarded bar program.
3630 Park St $$$
Riverside & Five Points Restaurants
River & Post
River & Post is an independent restaurant in the Brooklyn/Riverside area with a well-known rooftop bar looking out over the St.
1000 Riverside Ave #100 $$$
San Marco Restaurants
Seafood Island Bar & Grille
Seafood Island Bar & Grille is an independent seafood spot on San Marco Boulevard, serving boils, island-style plates, and fresh catch in a laid-back room.
1959 San Marco Blvd
San Jose / Lakewood Restaurants
Sr. Ceviche Jacksonville
Sr.
9825 San Jose Blvd #35
Jacksonville Beach Restaurants
Beaches
TacoLu
TacoLu is a Jacksonville Beach institution on Beach Boulevard — a big, loud, independent Baja-Mexican spot famous for tacos, tequila, and a beach-town party vibe.
1712 Beach Blvd
Mandarin Restaurants
The Cuban Place Restaurant
The Cuban Place is an independent Cuban restaurant on San Jose Boulevard in Mandarin, well-reviewed for pressed sandwiches and home-style plates.
9850 San Jose Blvd Ste 1
San Jose / Lakewood Restaurants
The Local
The Local is an independent gastropub on San Jose Boulevard, well-reviewed for scratch cooking and a rotating draft list.
4578 San Jose Blvd
Springfield Restaurants
Tulua Bistro Springfield
Tulua Bistro brings modern Colombian cooking to North Main Street in Historic Springfield — an independent, chef-driven spot that's become a reason to make the trip to the neighborhood.
1705 N Main St $$
Mandarin Restaurants
Umami Curry & Ramen
Umami Curry & Ramen is an independent ramen and curry spot on San Jose Boulevard in Mandarin, well-reviewed for its bowls.
11701 San Jose Blvd #23
About restaurants in Jacksonville
From San Marco bistros to Beaches seafood and Springfield's from-scratch kitchens, Jacksonville's best tables are independently owned and neighborhood-rooted. These are the chef-driven and family-run rooms locals send visitors to — never a national chain.
Restaurants by neighborhood
Frequently asked
Where can I find independent restaurants in Jacksonville?
Jax Locals lists locally-owned restaurants across 11 neighborhoods — San Jose / Lakewood, San Marco, Jacksonville Beach, Avondale, Ortega, Riverside & Five Points, Mandarin, Springfield, Neptune Beach, Atlantic Beach, Murray Hill. Every listing includes the address, phone number, and directions.
Are all the restaurants on Jax Locals locally owned?
Yes. Jax Locals only lists independent, locally-owned businesses — national and franchise chains are never included.
How do I get my restaurant listed?
Listings are free. Submit your business on the "List your business" page and we'll add it, usually within a week.