If you think you know Florida, Jacksonville might just surprise you.
Words by Ashley Locke
Photos provided by Visit Jacksonville
Forget palm trees and theme parks—Jax is a big, bold city that’s quietly redefining what a Florida weekend can look (and taste) like. Settled where the St. Johns River meets the Atlantic, Jacksonville serves up an unexpected mix of laid-back beaches, historic neighborhoods, and a food scene that’s way more ambitious than it lets on.
This is the kind of place where shrimp is caught down the road, chefs are growing ingredients behind the restaurant, and you can earn free swag just for eating donuts and drinking beer. (Seriously.) Whether you’re planning a couples getaway, a girls trip, or just a really great reason to hop in the car, Jacksonville’s got everything you need for a flavor-filled escape.
Friday: Start with a Classic
Kick off your weekend in Jacksonville Beach with a local legend: Dockside Seafood. Sitting right on the intracoastal waterway, Dockside is where locals go to eat shrimp nachos in flip-flops. The secret? Mayport shrimp. These wild-caught Atlantic beauties are a point of pride here, and once you’ve had them grilled, fried, or folded into a taco, you’ll understand why the city built an entire Mayport Shrimp Trail around them.
From there, check in to your hotel—bonus points if it’s within walking distance to the water—then make your way downtown to catch dinner at Indochine, a moody, multi-level Thai spot tucked away on East Adams Street. Voted Jacksonville’s best Thai restaurant multiple years in a row, it’s an ideal spot for spicy curry and late-night conversation over craft cocktails.
Saturday: Market Finds + Neighborhood Eats
Start the day with coffee and brisket breakfast tacos at BREW Five Points, a neighborhood favorite where creatives and coders swap laptops for lattes. Then, take a slow stroll through Riverside Arts Market, held under the Fuller Warren Bridge every Saturday. Between the live music, handmade goods, and river views, it’s a vibe you’ll want to linger in.
For lunch, head to Community Loaves in Murray Hill. This tiny café and bakery is known for its farm salad and thick slices of house-made sourdough. It’s seasonal, satisfying, and exactly the kind of place you’ll tell your friends about later. After lunch, stop by neighboring Bee Friends Farm to stock up on honey and try their latest whipped creation.
Spend the afternoon brewery-hopping along the Jax Ale Trail, where each stop gets you a passport stamp—and after a few stamps, free swag. Try the sour ales at Reve Brewing, the riverside patio at Wicked Barley, or the community energy at Myrtle Avenue Brewing.
Dinner tonight is a choose-your-own-adventure. For something upscale and unforgettable, Catullo’s Italian offers handmade pastas and risotto-stuffed arancini that’s earned cult status. Want something a little funkier? Slide into a seat at DOMU, a Southside spot with ramen, small plates, and a cocktail list you’ll dream about.
Sunday: Sweets, Shrimp, and Scenic Views
Sunday is for slowing down—but not too much. Start with a donut and coffee combo from Good Dough (don’t skip the maple bacon) or the delicious lattes at Flamingo Coffee Bar. Bonus: both count toward your progress on the Jax Coffee & Donuts Trail. Hit four shops and you’ll earn a coffee sleeve; hit twenty and you’ll be rewarded with a leather cuff and enamel pin. Challenge accepted?
From there, make your way to The French Pantry, a lunchtime rite of passage in Jax. Lines can stretch out the door, but the bruschetta options and daily-made desserts are well worth the wait. Then, take a drive along the river before landing at Congaree and Penn, a working farm turned dreamy dining destination. Walk the grounds, sip a hard cider, and try the roasted local mushrooms—then stay for a long, lingering dinner that tastes like everything good about Florida.
By the end of the weekend, you’ll realize that Jacksonville isn’t trying to be flashy—it doesn’t need to be.
This city plays the long game: fresh ingredients, passionate chefs, and neighborhoods that invite you to explore one bite at a time. It’s a little Southern, a little coastal, and a whole lot cooler than you expected.
So pack your appetite, bring your walking shoes, and save room in your suitcase for a souvenir coffee mug or two. Jacksonville’s ready to feed you—heart and soul included.
