The Best Southern in Jacksonville

Lewey's Seafood and Wings

★★★★☆ 4.4 (23)

"The hot lemon pepper wings were good. The Cajun ranch was more like just a ranch. But over all, the wing was a good crispy fried wing with decent fries. I would definitely eat here again."

Colt Country Cafe & Buffet

★★★★☆ 4.1 (14)

"Love this place. We come when we are in the area to pick up our pups from Southern Goldens. The buffet is great. The food is fresh and hot. The workers are friendly. When we were there about a year ago they had picnic tables on the porch for outside dinning since we had our dogs with us. Definitely not fancy but very tasty food and a great value."

Lagniappe

★★★★☆ 3.8 (362) • $$$

"So fun to find a New Orleans style restaurant on Amelia Island! My sister lived in Nola for years so I've missed this food. The shrimp and grits was fabulous and totally lived up to some great ones we've eaten there. They have a large selection of wine by the glass which was fun. Unfortunately we were pretty limited to appetizers since my partner is celiac so we had the smoked salmon brûlée which was excellent, although the salmon dip is super rich. Our other entree was the curry salmon which was served with a papadum and Carolina gold rice which is new to me and so delicious. The ambiance is overall fun although the lights over the tables cast a harsh glare in your face/table - but they look cool so I understand the appeal. Overall we had a great time - and don't forget to tip the kitchen a 6-pack or 12-pack - love this option."

O'Steen's Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.4 (733) • $$

"Visiting the oldest city to view Night of Lights we stopped in for an early dinner. You give your name at the window and wait outdoors for a table to open up. Luckily we had a good sunny afternoon on a chilly day, but we didn't wait very long for our name to be called. The fried shrimp is the best in St. Augustine - very light batter on perfectly cooked shrimp. You can choose two sides - I had coleslaw with the potato salad (just like I make at home). Hubby chose fries and coleslaw. It was terrific - and we finished the meal with a piece of key lime pie that was excellent!You must remember that the restaurant is CASH only - so be prepared when you visit. There's convenient parking next to and behind the restaurant. Don't miss it - it is the BEST shrimp in the county!"

Southern Taste

★★★★★ 5 (2)

"Parking along the street was easy. You order at the counter and they will bring your food to you. There was plenty of seating with tables in two separate rooms. We ordered Smash burgers and a Philly Steak and Cheese. Both came with fries, which were excellent, or you could substitute for something else for a small fee (I believe they charged to upgrade but the fries were excellent). I would travel to come back for that burger, it was that good. Highly recommended this place."

Steffens Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.4 (465) • $$

"Worth the stop!! And come with an appetite! We dropped in here on our way through the state headed for Florida to get our southern grits fix and they did not disappoint! We also sampled the award winning chili and the homemade onion rings which I would highly recommend. There were so many things we wanted to try on the menu! And the atmosphere and service are just how a diner should be. They are also dog-friendly fyi."

The Potter's House Soul Food Bistro

★★★★☆ 4.2 (524) • $$

"Whenever it's a Jags gameday, you can catch me at Soul Food Bistro getting it in. The place is known for it's large portions, long lines, and vibrant atmosphere. My parents and I stopped by after the Jags beat the Colts for a celebratory meal before making the drive back to Gainesville. I think Sunday's specials are typically meatloaf and turkey wings, however - I was not happy to hear around 3:30pm that they were out of some great entree items. The turkey wings were sold out and the herb roasted chicken was also done for the day. I ended up opting in for the fried catfish as it's made to order and took about 10 minutes or so. I always get their mac and cheese and collard greens for my sides, and picked up a piece of the chocolate cake since this was my first time trying it. My catfish was hot and fresh, however the batter was a little salty. Thankfully, the hot sauce helped balance the saltiness a bit. The mac and cheese here is always so creamy and cheesy! It's like eating at your granny's house for a good Sunday meal. The collard greens are not my favorite here since they always have a more tangy vinegar taste, but I do love to mix them into my mac and cheese for the perfect pairing. I also got a peach sweet tea and whew, someone had a real heavy hand on the sugar on that batch. I couldn't even drink it, I had to switch to lemonade. I was disappointed with the chocolate cake. Oh man, the piece of cake was thick and heavy but the frosting was the only saving grace as the cake was so dry, I barely ate it.Soul Food Bistro is a great establishment but they have some kinks they need to work out from professionalism to food consistency. I think next time we will try out their other location."

Shut Em Down Authentic Southern Restaurant

★★★★★ 4.9 (18)

"Tender, juicy, hot, delicious are the words to describe the fried chicken we had here. There was a wait on the chicken, wait is so worth it. The staff were friendly and accomodating. Place was clean."

The Blue Hen Cafe

★★★★★ 4.6 (951) • $$

"We really wanted to split a sweet and a savory item for breakfast, but by the time our table was ready, it was too late for French toast or pancakes. The savory breakfast menu is available all day. The chicken biscuit was great. And I loved the sweet potato home fries that came with the Zada Jane. Def get the iced coffee if that's your thing. They use coffee ice cubes! Bummed that they don't have call ahead or a virtual queue. We used the wait time to go to a cool thrift store across the street."

The Conch House Restaurant

★★★★☆ 3.5 (919) • $$

"Nice place in St. Augustine that has live entertainment and a wonderful beach vibe. I didn't see a single person not enjoying themselves. The food is good for the most part but my flounder was little dry on the Carribean Coconut Catch but it was still good. My wife absolutely love the Rum Scallops which were nice and tender.Not overcooked at all. This place is a must visit in St. Augustine. Highly recommend."

Starvin Like Marvin

★★★★★ 4.7 (36)

"I was quickly looking for a small bite to eat before going into work and ran in this restaurant. The restaurant was clean. The service was fast and friendly. I ordered the shrimp bowl the food was fresh it was a 7/10"

South Kitchen & Spirits

★★★★☆ 3.9 (382) • $$

"This is our third visit, and definitely not our last. We came in on a Friday for happy hour, but noticed that the menu had changed from what was listed online. The options were more limited and none quite to our liking, so we opted for items from the regular menu instead.I've had their shrimp and grits before and enjoyed them, so this time I ordered the fish. It was still tasty, but I wish the protein portion was larger. My husband ordered the SKS cheesesteak, which was delicious, but then again, it would've been better with a bit more meat. Additionally, the hoagie bread felt a bit stale when you break it, the pieces don't stick together and it's slightly dry.We also requested that our drinks be served with our food, but unfortunately, they arrived after we had almost finished eating.Overall, we'll definitely be back, but likely for brunch, as we had a more enjoyable experience during our last visit."

The Southern Grill

★★★★☆ 3.9 (315) • $$

"It's a hole in the wall for sure. The beef vege soup was OUTSTANDING! Their fries are always crisp and seasoned, sandwiches are all on point. Not fancy, but yummy."

Indigo Fernandina

★★★★★ 4.7 (23)

"Trifecta! Food, service and ambiance are all top notch! We decided to come during Amelia Island Restaurant Week, and tried their prix fixe menu. We had additionally added in the escargot with bone marrow and a wonderful pork belly appetizer. First course choice of Caesar or market salad (both delicious), then a scallop dish and frankly the MOST delicious scallop I've ever had. Perfectly seared with a creamy risotto, I'd go back for that dish alone. Next was the duck breast that was executed beautifully. Dessert was a very tasty warm butter cake with ice cream. Our evening made all the better because of our attentive, friendly, professional server, Jordan. When back in the area, I'd love to enjoy again."

Big Man's Cafe

★★★★★ 4.5 (110)

"Amazing menu options for breakfast and lunch. Coffee was the smoothest, and I even asked what brand it was. I had the loaded grit bowl with a side of tomatoes. My friend had the salmon patty breakfast plate with potatoes, eggs and toast. I was intrigued by the Oxtail plate. The waitress said it was flying out the door this morning. I wanted to try it (Oxtail virgin here) but, I was so hungry I opted for the safer, grit bowl. My friend and I have decided to stop for lunch on the way back through town...lived our adorable waitress, she gave lots of recommendations. Hope we see her in the way out of town! I highly recommend this soul food based restaurant. Don't be intimidated by the "soul food" highlight. They have plenty of the basic food plates we all are use to. I'm gonna try the Oxtail"

Twisting Roots

★★★★★ 4.6 (54) • $

"I knew about Twisting Roots from their previous brick and mortar restaurant Cultural Kitchen near San Marco. When I saw the food truck at the Porchfest, I was excited!! I tried a shrimp and veggie taco with sweet plantains. OMG the guava sauce and the sweet plantains were so perfect. This truck serves Puerto Rican food with Southern influences. My fried shrimp were also plump and juicy in the taco. My friend loved her pork tacos and I tried one of her tostones which was also delicious! The service was friendly from the woman working the cash register to the young man serving the tacos out of the truck. They had a variety of sandwiches, tacos, sides, and even a chicken tender basket that my friend enjoyed. Her fries were seasoned really well too. 5 stars. I will absolutely keep an eye out for this delicious food truck again in the future!"

Orange Blossoms - Keystone Heights

★★★★☆ 4.3 (81)

"Great place to meet friends for brunch. The food is delicious and the staff are very attentive. Inside or outside seating is available."

Callahan Barbecue

★★★★☆ 4.4 (128) • $

"Excellent food. First time here.Had rib sandwich which is 4 ribs on the bone with 2 pieces of bread. It is billed as a sandwich so of course you have put the bread aside. The ribs were good. The cole slaw and onion rings were excellent. Ready to go back and try other menu items."

Mojo Bar-B-Que

★★★★☆ 3.9 (234) • $$

"The wings were great...seasoned and juicy. The rest of the meat was served dry and not very good. It's probably because it was past lunch and kind of early for dinner when I ordered. The result...disappointing. The sides did not disappoint...the onion rings seemed as though they were cooked to order and the coleslaw was fresh. The French fries were hot and the baked beans tasty."

Angel's Dining Car

★★★★☆ 3.5 (172) • $

"The sign says since 1932 - There are no frills.  It's dated.  It's old. It's nostalgic. It's probably not spic & span clean but it's doing what it does best - cooking up great hamburgers in a setting that spans generations.Personally I consider these types of places "bucket list" worthily - the staff upfront was energetic and friendly, I felt the kitchen lacked motivation although the food doesn't necessarily reflect this, but it does takes what seems like forever to deliver a couple of burgers and fries plus two onion rings.We grabbed a few stools at the counter (far end near the cash register) there was no waiting but lots of bumping and grinding as people formed a line to cash out or place takeout orders, hey it's a dining car so it's narrow and can be a little claustrophobic.The food - the burgers are old school they're hand formed and the patties are cooked to order so your burger will always be served hot from the grill and constructed with fresh ingredients (no complaints here I loved it) - the burger baskets are served with homemade fries and two premium onion rings, this seems to be the tradition here so it's not either / or you get both.The prices are still reasonable and it's likely this place will always be busy and you'll probably have plenty of time to enjoy one of their handmade shakes while waiting on your food to arrive so relax and take it all in - now that I've been here I have no doubt that I'll return when in the area, the bone-in fried pork chop sandwich is calling my name..."

Elevation Lounge

★★★★☆ 3.5 (14)

"Space is beautiful. The crowd is older and mature. It has a lot of potential. However this was my experience on a Friday night: I arrived at 5:48 pm and didn't get food until 7:23 pm. My meal came with two sides, one of which were greens. At 7:34 pm (yes after I got my main meal) I was told they didn't have any. I ordered asparagus and that never came. The manager comped my drink but said two things that stuck out to me 1) a 45 minute to an hour wait is typical for any restaurant and 2) since the meal was a base price he couldn't take off the greens. Most businesses have a comp code so if they aren't going to comp or don't know how to, I suggest going a la carte.I could tell everything was cooked to order which was great but paring down the menu until they can efficiently get food out may be an option they need to consider. Note - I was given plastic cutlery and my drink in a plastic cup. I do understand it's a lounge but for a $40 plate I would have like real utensils. I would return on a Friday evening but only to sit and vibe at the bar because the vibe was really nice."

The Hidden Crab

★★★★☆ 4.3 (54)

"Food was awesome best chicken, shrimp, chicken livers. The service was great very attentive to our desires. It was clean and a nice ambiance. We will be back!"

Sweet Mama's Southern Homestyle Cookin

★★★★☆ 4.4 (129)

"In the mood for some good ole' southern, homestyle food? If so you've gotta check out Sweet Mama's I stopped by recently and immediately felt at home when I walked in. The staff were so friendly and the ambiance and decor was welcoming and reminded me of my own grandmother's kitchen! Everything is made to order so our food was piping hot when we received it. My friend ordered the fried pork chop and gravy which came with two sides. She got mac and cheese and greens and she loved how tender and tasty everything was. I ordered the southern style oxtails which were so tender and full of flavor truly reminding me of home. I also got an order of fried chicken wings and they were also packed with flavor! Both of our meals came with a fluffy piece of honey butter cornbread and I loved how generous the portions were! I was able to eat off of my plate a couple times. Overall, I was very pleased with my dine at Sweet Mamas! The only thing I missed out on was a dessert. I didn't even think about it until I was heading out the door. I will be back soon because in addition to dessert, there a several menu items I still have my eyes on! If you enjoy good home cooked cuisine, definitely check out Sweet Mamas!"

Jenkins Quality Barbecue - Downtown

★★★☆☆ 3 (101) • $

"In full transparency, I'm vegetarian so my rating does not reflect their mostly meat menu. However, I did taste their hottest BBQ sauce and it was pretty dang good (I'd score that a 5). I'm sure if you put that on anything, it will taste good! I also had their corn nuggets, which were cold, even having them as soon as we got our order. I thought it was a very small serving size for the price. Back to my 3-star rating. There were a number of things that definitely need attention as a food service establishment. First thing you notice when you walk in is the door. It seems like it has shifted so it hits the tile floor and opens only about a third of the way. (Not accessible and not very welcoming at all as it makes a loud scraping sound). The other door entrance/exit door is locked shut for some reason.The outdoor patio is great since there's limited seating inside, but there were dead cockroaches out there that should have been taken care of prior to opening (we went here soon after their opening time on a Saturday morning). The menu seems very simple as it's all listed by item on a board by the cashier. For a newcomer, however, it was a bit hard to decide without photos or descriptions. I looked to yelp for help on this. I know this is a Jax original and a go-to for many folks for decades so I'm sure the simple pleasantries are unimportant to some, but definitely very notable for new visitors. Bottom line: their sauces are worth trying if you haven't!"

Blue San Marco

★★★★☆ 3.9 (19)

"Blue is a place to celebrate. Best drink: Moka Pot - Coconut treated Charanda Uruapan, Lugo's Craft Riskey Rum, Café Bustello Espresso Syrup, Whiskey Barrel Bitters Best app: Burrata with Fried Green Tomatoes *must order Best main: I loved the crab and fish with curry special they served that night. On the menu, the braised lamb shank was also delicious. I love meats that fall off the bone. Desserts: We ordered the cookie platter, the spice cake bread pudding, and the vanilla crème brûlée. All the desserts were solid, but my favorite that night was the sesame cookie on the cookie platter. The sauces that came with all the dishes were excellent. Blue has great ambiance. Sometimes, at San Marco restaurants, I feel like the tables are so close together, and I can overhear conversations all night. Blue does not have that issue. The service and the care for details were 5 stars. I like when restaurants reset the silverware from first bites to mains. I also liked how knowledgeable our server Tony was. He made the best recommendations to our preferences. One girl is a bourbon girlie and he recommended the Fly South. The chocolate coin on each dessert was my favorite detail of the entire meal"

Pogo's Kitchen

★★★★☆ 4.3 (164) • $$

"Without question, Pogo's is our favorite restaurant on the island. Exquisite seasonal offerings and an impressive wine collection. Indubitably the best espresso martinis north of Miami and south of Atlanta. I highly recommend the "Insomniac" - also available in decaf, so one can enjoy this whipped adult milkshake anytime. The staff are delightful and trained in sommelier style. Amanda, their mixologist-in-residence, is a marvel at her craft. Whether you're coming for cocktails, dinner or brunch, you're always in the best hands with her. Tip: Make a reservation.Easily 5 stars."

Catch 27

★★★★☆ 4.3 (944) • $$$

"To me, this was a hidden gem in the heart of historic st Augustine! During nights of lights the area is ever so bustling and the typical restaurants in the area had very very long wait times but we were hungry and somehow managed to find a seafood-forward restaurant that seated us immediately. It felt like a very good sign. It's a very cozy atmosphere inside the restaurant although they had plenty of seating outside (it was a bit chilly so inside was somewhat preferred for us anyway). I opted for the Catch Beurre Blanc, which featured mahi, roasted sweet potatoes, broccolini, and lemon caper beurre blanc sauce. This meal was so delicious I didn't want to stop eating even when I knew I was full. I'll be thinking about it for a long time. The service was excellent, she was patient and accommodating. The person I was dining with opted for a similar dish but wanted a different type of fish and they had accommodated the request. I was far to full to try any dessert but I was so impressed I can't wait to come back here the next time I'm in St Augustine"

Blue Gill Quality Foods

★★★★☆ 4 (239) • $$

"My family and I share our daughter birthday here. All the food was delicious the service and everything we will be going back my wife and I for a date night. I have pictures to show you all the different things that we ordered there and all it was delicious."

The Yearling Restaurant

★★★★☆ 3.6 (173) • $$

"This place is a whole experience! The outside of the restaurant is rustic and the decor inside has an old hunting cabin vibe. Eclectic menu offerings like frog legs and gator tail. We stuck with a grilled redfish sandwich and chicken nuggets for the kiddo. Our waitress was friendly and came by several times to check on us. We were stuffed after dinner but will be back to try the onion rings appetizer and key lime pie!"

MOJO no.4 Urban BBQ Whiskey Bar

★★★★☆ 4.2 (288) • $$

"If you're a fan of good barbecue, then this place is a must visit. I've eaten here several times and it has never disappointed. MOJO no.4 Urban BBQ Whiskey Bar is located on Saint Johns Avenue in the middle of downtown Avondale. There are a multitude of restaurants and shops along here and so parking can be a challenge at times. The inside is open and the long wooden bar off to the right is an inviting and excellent place to sit. There are plenty of tables throughout for those who prefer them. My last visit I sat at the bar where I was promptly waited on by a friendly and helpful employee, "Kat". She explained the daily drink specials and took my order. I ordered my two favorite things off their menu - Burnt Ends and Smoked Wings. The Kansas City Burnt Ends are tender, juicy pieces of beef brisket with a crusty outer edge ($13.00). The Pit Smoked Chicken Wings are smoked then flash fried and are served with celery and ranch or bleu cheese ($13.00). Interestingly, both of these are listed as appetizers. It was only about a 15 minute wait before my order arrived. The Burnt Ends were delicious and the Smoked Wings were excellent - another very satisfying visit. Give them a try!"

The Hangar Bay Cafe & Gallery

★★★★★ 4.5 (620) • $$

"Fried chicken AND ramen?! Uhhh, YES, PLEASE. Hangar Bay has become a staple in my family. My parents live closer, so they get to go more than I can, but every visit is better than the last. The food keeps getting better and better. I usually swap between the classic tonkatsu or the Bayou ramen. Now and then, when I'm feeling spicy, I go for the hellfire bowl. The staff is always so friendly and I love looking at the military items along the walls and throughout the restaurant. I highly recommend it!"

Shut Em Down Authentic Southern Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.3 (346) • $$

"Easily one of the best fried chickens in the North Florida area. When you get that perfect crunch on the breading but the meat inside is still glistening inside, you know it's done right. Couple that chicken with some amazing sides and it's a meal made in heaven."

Famous Amos

★★★★☆ 3.6 (62) • $

"Husband and I stopped in for breakfast on a Sunday morning and was surprised on how little staff there was to accomodate almost a full house with a few bigger parties seated. Logistics seemed to be running smooth for how busy it looked. We walked in and it was a seat yourself welcome. We nestled into a booth and did a once over of the menu. Great value on the meals compared to most chain breakfast restaurants and I could say they didn't skim on any options you wanted. We ordered the typical staples, pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage, grits, side of biscuit and gravy, home fries and a few other sides. We came hungry and our little booth ran out of space for the plates. Overall enjoyed our dine in experience and will probably do another visit to try their lunch and dinner options. We saw fried fish and fried chicken dinners that were specials on the Weekly Specials Menu. Beats having fried grease and clean up at home!"

Rigos Grill and Catina Buffet

★★★★☆ 4.2 (13)

"We stopped here on a whim and man we are glad we did. Although there was a buffet ( Tuesday and Fridays). We ordered off the menu. First and foremost the service was excellent. We were greeted as we walked in and had water almost immediately. The menu is a bit short and time of day specific. But the choices were excellent. The kids meal menu is not just one or two things that you normally see. It was a good selection and good portions. The adult portions are very generous and fill the plates. We will return."

Bono’s Pit Bar-B-Q

★★★☆☆ 3.3 (83) • $$

"There's a reason why Bono's has been around since 1949. As soon as you enter one of its many locations you're hit with a smoky aroma of meats prepped by the pit master. I ordered a small pulled pork platter for $9.99 and the portion was so generous! It came with two sides (I got green beans and sweet potatoes) and garlic toast. The pork wasn't dry at all and if you squeeze some of that 1949 original sauce on the pile of meat, it becomes finger-licking delicious! I made a makeshift dessert with my sweet potatoes by lathering it with the cinnamon spread that came with the dish. So good!I'm giving an extra shout out to the staff because they were so accommodating and hospitable!Extra Tip: Offers military discount of 10% off!"