The Best Seafood Restaurants in Jacksonville
As a coastal city in northeast Florida, Jacksonville offers some of the freshest and most delicious seafood around. From casual fish shacks to upscale oyster bars, there is no shortage of excellent options when it comes to seafood restaurants in Jacksonville.
| Restaurant | Description |
|---|---|
| Safe Harbor | Fresh seafood market and restaurant with water views. |
| River and Post | Elegant ambiance with seafood platters and lobster rolls. |
| Ocean 60 | Fine dining with ocean views and complex entrees. |
| Orsay | Continental cuisine with a focus on fresh seafood. |
| Taverna San Marco | Spanish cuisine with tapas and paellas featuring seafood. |
| Southern Roots Filling Station | Southern hospitality with a seafood twist. |
| Rype & Readi | Casual cafe with fresh raw seafood fare. |
| Seafood Kitchen | Classic local favorite with homemade recipes. |
| Clark’s Fish Camp | Iconic spot with diverse seafood dishes and unique decor. |
| Moon River Pizza | Seafood pizzas and tropical takes by the ocean. |
| Pelican’s Pouch | Quality seafood in a lively sports bar atmosphere. |
| South Kitchen + Spirits | Southern hospitality with coastal cuisine in chic surroundings. |
In this article, we shine the spotlight on 12 of the top seafood restaurants that should not be missed on any visit to Jacksonville. Whether you’re a local or just visiting, these restaurants offer the best in fresh catches, inspired recipes, oceanfront settings, and experienced service. From Southbank to the beaches and beyond, read on for the inside scoop on the premier seafood dining destinations in the River City area.
Safe Harbor Seafood Market and Restaurant
Name and Location: Safe Harbor Seafood Market and Restaurant is located at 110 Safe Harbor Dr, Destin, FL 32541 along Destin Harbor.
History and Significance: Open since 1985, Safe Harbor is a longtime favorite for fresh Gulf seafood in a casual environment with indoor and outdoor patio dockside seating overlooking the boats.
What to Expect: Guests enjoy local catches like grouper, mahi, snapper and oysters expertly prepared fried, broiled, or grilled along with homemade side dishes and desserts.
Visitor Information: Safe Harbor is open daily for lunch and dinner from 11 AM to 9 PM. Reservations are not accepted. Parking fills quickly during peak season.
For some of the freshest seafood in town, head just over the Intracoastal Waterway to Mayport and Safe Harbor Seafood Market and Restaurant. This casual spot doubles as a market selling fresh catches straight from local fishermen and a laidback restaurant serving up homestyle seafood dishes and water views. Dine on the open-air deck overlooking boats bobbing on the marina and slurp down buckets of steamed shrimp, clams, mussels and snow crab sourced just a few yards away. Don’t skip the signature gumbo ya-ya, a rich stew loaded with fresh fish, shrimp, crab and oysters simmered to perfection. With friendly service and delicious food at wallet-friendly prices, Safe Harbor is a top choice for visitors and regulars alike.
River and Post
Name and Location: River and Post is situated at 2625 West County Hwy 30A in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, steps from Gulf views.
History and Significance: Opened in 2018, River and Post brought refreshed energy and elevated Southern coastal cuisine to the 30A scene via Chefs Ashton and Kathleen Rivers’ creative interpretations of family recipes.
What to Expect: Diners taste playful presentations of shrimp and grits, chicken & waffles, heirloom tomato salads, locally sourced seafood, handcrafted cocktails and seasonal desserts in a chic beach house setting.
Visitor Information: River and Post serves dinner daily 5 to 9 PM, Sunday brunch 10:30 AM to 2 PM and happy hour specials 2 to 5 PM. Advance reservations strongly recommended.
The recently opened River and Post in downtown Jacksonville wows diners with its elegant ambiance and mouthwatering seafood creations under the direction of executive chef Alex Munoz-Suarez. Treat yourself to cushy leather seating, shimmering city views through floor-to-ceiling windows, and fine plates like the indulgent seafood platter featuring lobster, king crab, shrimp and oysters on the half shell. Not to be missed are chef Alex’s famous New England lobster rolls, stuffed with chunks of sweet lobster and served chilled with potato chips and a pickle. For lighter fare, the crispy fish tacos with pico de gallo, avocado and chipotle ranch are also popular with local downtown workers popping in for happy hour. With scrumptious dishes, slick service and panoramic views, River and Post brings a touch of coastal class to Jacksonville’s urban core.
Ocean 60
Name and Location: Ocean 60 is a beachfront fine dining restaurant inside Hilton Sandestin at 4000 Sandestin Blvd South in Miramar Beach, Florida.
History and Significance: Open since 2017 after renovations, Ocean 60 showcases upscale sustainable Gulf seafood, premium steaks, craft cocktails and extensive wines served with sweeping views of the beach and Gulf sunsets.
What to Expect: Dishes feature catches like grouper or tuna, dry aged cuts and seasonal produce sourced from local fishermen and farms. The extensive wine cellar offers over 225 labels for pairing.
Visitor Information: Ocean 60 serves dinner 5 to 10 PM daily. Reservations recommended. Resort guest privileges and validated parking provided. Dress code enforced.
For exquisite seafood paired with glittering views over the Atlantic, Ocean 60 tops many best-of lists for waterfront fine dining in Jacksonville. Unwind with a cocktail at the sleek bar before settling into white-linen tables on the tiered dining room overlooking miles of beaches and ocean through floor-to-ceiling glass walls. Seafood towers, stuffed with oysters, crab and chilled shrimp, make dramatic starters to share. Move on to complex entrees like red snapper with corn succotash, jumbo lump crab and lobster basil butter. Save room for desserts like their signature “chocolate wave”, a decadent crumble with caramelized bananas and Tahitian vanilla ice cream. With sophisticated dishes, attentive service and sweeping ocean vistas, Ocean 60 is a special occasion destination for a memorable meal with a view in Jacksonville Beach.
Orsay
Name and Location: Orsay is a fine dining French restaurant located inside Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa at 4000 Sandestin Blvd S in Miramar Beach, FL.
History and Significance: Open since 1995, Orsay’s Integration of seasonal coastal ingredients and classic French techniques under Chef Jean-Luc Ligot’s direction has garnered awards and acclaim through the years.
What to Expect: Menus change nightly but always include seafood starters, meat and fish entrées prepared delicately with butter and herbs, housemade bread and French desserts paired with sommelier wine recommendations.
Visitor Information: Orsay serves dinner 5 to 10 PM nightly. Reservations strongly suggested. Resort guests receive privileges. Proper evening attire required.
Widely regarded as one of the best restaurants in Jacksonville, Period, Orsay brings a taste of continental cuisine to downtown’s Southbank neighborhood. Helmed by Chef Jean-Francois LeCrane, Orsay charms with its romantic ambiance, wine cellar boasting over 600 labels, and selected menu focused on fresh ingredients and masterful European technique. Seafood makes frequent appearances in dishes like the signature crab cake topped with jumbo lump crab meat and whole grain mustard cream sauce. Not to be missed is their selection of fresh fish like grouper and snapper, prepared roasted, blackened or pan seared, and always cooked to tender perfection. Top it off with their famed Grand Marnier Souffle, a melt-in-your-mouth cloud of orange liqueur-infused decadence. For special occasion French fare in an elegant bistro setting, Orsay sets the standard for fine dining by the St. Johns River.
Taverna San Marco
Name and Location: Taverna San Marco is found at 7343 Navarre Pkwy in Navarre, Florida steps from the Gulf beaches.
History and Significance: Family-owned since 1995 Taverna San Marco has won acclaim for fresh handmade pastas, grilled seafood, veal chops and Italian specialties made from old family recipes in a charming trattoria atmosphere.
What to Expect: From antipasti spreads to linguine tossed tableside to tiramisu, diners experience Southern Italian flavors and hospitality with blackboard specials showcasing the region’s seafood bounty.
Visitor Information: Taverna San Marco opens daily at 4 PM for dinner. Reservations are recommended. Street parking surrounds the trattoria near the Navarre Beach Marine Sanctuary.
For authentic Spanish cuisine on San Marco’s chic main square, Taverna is acclaimed for their small plates and paellas highlighting fresh seafood and Spanish flavor profiles. Kick things off with traditional tapas like pan con tomate, crusty bread brushed with ripe tomato and garlic, or the beautiful ensalada de pulpo, tender slices of octopus salad with potatoes and paprika. Move on to the extensive selection of paellas, the iconic Spanish rice dish loaded with different combinations of chicken, chorizo sausage, prawns and shellfish simmered in flavorful saffron broth. An ample wine list and sangria selection make perfect pairings for this vibrant, shareable fare. String lights twinkle overhead in the covered outdoor patio, making Taverna a perennial go-to gathering spot for drinks, snacks and conversation in the heart of San Marco village.
Southern Roots Filling Station
Name and Location: Southern Roots Filling Station is located at 1777 W County Highway 30A, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459 just off scenic highway 30A.
History and Significance: Opened in 2019, Southern Roots modern comfort food concept in a retro gas station setting quickly won acclaim for playful takes on regional cuisine by Chef Alex Espenlaub using area ingredients.
What to Expect: Menus change frequently but may include dishes like grouper tacos, chicken pot pie, grass-fed burgers, deviled eggs and Skrewball peanut butter whiskey cake often with wait lists out the door.
Visitor Information: Southern Roots is open Tuesday through Sunday 5 to 9 PM for dinner plus Sunday brunch 10:30 AM to 2 PM. Reservations are not accepted.
Head inland to Riverside for Southern hospitality with a seafood twist at Southern Roots Filling Station. Located in a converted 1920s gas station, this neighborhood eatery highlights local and seasonal ingredients with soulful Southern preparations and flair. Their take on low country boil features head-on shrimp, smoked sausage, corn and potatoes steaming in an old bay broth that is dump spilled across your butcher paper-lined table. Other favorites include cast iron oak grilled oysters, dripping with garlic herb butter and parmesan breadcrumbs, and the signature shrimp and grits made with Tasso ham gravy and cheddar stone-ground grits. Save room for rotating desserts like their mouthwatering lemon icebox pie. Chef Matthew Medure expertly fuses coastal cuisine with Southern home-cooking for a distinctly Jacksonville experience that keeps diners returning to fill up at this historic Riverside hot spot.
Rype & Readi
Name and Location: Rype & Readi is located at 2511 W County Hwy 30A #102 Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459 in the Grayton Corners plaza.
History and Significance: Opened in 2021, Rype & Readi’s fast-casual concept focusing on health conscious eats and natural wines quickly found favor for quality ingredients in imaginative globally inspired rice bowls, toasts and sides.
What to Expect: The abbreviated menu offers build-your-own rice or quinoa bowls choosing proteins, veggies and sauces like Korean barbecue pork or chimichurri shrimp with cold-pressed juices and natural wine options.
Visitor Information: Rype & Readi is open daily 11 AM to 8 PM. Order and pay at the counter then seat yourself indoors or out. Parking fills quickly during peak seasons.
Tucked away on the edge of downtown near Five Points lies this hidden gem for ridiculously fresh and affordable raw seafood fare. Rype & Readi first opened as a seafood market providing just-caught fish and shellfish sourced from local waters and docks. Several years ago, they expanded into an adjoining casual cafe area where diners can slurp down oysters, shrimp, clams and seasonal rotating offerings served raw and simply garnished. Peruse the ice-lined cases in the market to select your preference, then carry trays piled high with your picks back to cafeteria-style picnic tables. Best washed down with local brews or boozy build-your-own mimosa kits, Rype & Readi’s unfussy preparation lets the pristine seafood be the star.
Seafood Kitchen
Name and Location: Seafood Kitchen is located at the foot of the Mid-Bay Bridge at 4343 Legendary Dr in Destin, Florida, overlooking Hammock Bay.
History and Significance: Operating since 1984, Seafood Kitchen has won longstanding local acclaim and awards for viewing the daily boats unloading fresh Gulf catches then serving them simply grilled, fried or steamed.
What to Expect: Seafood towers start meals then choices like Royal Red shrimp, fried whole snapper and nightly specials satisfy, finished with Key lime pie over views of fishing fleets and the bay.
Visitor Information: Open daily for lunch and dinner from 11 AM-9:30 PM. Peak waits up to 90 minutes. Reservations for 5+ recommended. First come, first served otherwise.
In Jacksonville Beach, Seafood Kitchen is a classic local favorite thanks to its trademark beachy ambiance and extra fresh seafood plates. From Boston stuffed clams to Carolinian crab cakes, nearly everything is made in-house from family recipes spanning generations. Housed in a historic 1940s beach cottage, the small space fills up fast with loyal regulars who keep coming back for staples like fried shrimp baskets, grouper sandwiches and Maine-style lobster rolls. For a taste of authentic coastal New England fare by the ocean, Seafood Kitchen’s cozy confines, nostalgic vibes and scratch made dishes have made this family-owned eatery a longstanding local legend for over 35 years running.
Clark’s Fish Camp
Name and Location: Clark’s Fish Camp is located at 12903 Hwy 98 W, Miramar Beach, FL 32550 just north of Destin on Highway 98.
History and Significance: Family-owned since 1985, Florida icon Clark’s Fish Camp serves over 200,000 pounds of local seafood annually across multiple dining rooms filled with taxidermy and kitschy charm.
What to Expect: Signature dishes like Uncle Bud’s Cajun Stuffed Flounder and homemade coconut cake satisfy after exploring nooks like the Back Porch oyster bar amid license plates and fishing photos decorating every inch.
Visitor Information: Clark’s Fish Camp is open daily for lunch and dinner from 11 AM to 9 PM. Arrive early or make reservations due to waits. Kids menus and gluten free options available.
No article on Jacksonville’s best seafood would be complete without mention of the iconic Clark’s Fish Camp. Occupying a sprawling complex in Marsh Landing, Clark’s 19 different dining spaces are all decked out in over-the-top bayou backwoods theming that transports guests deep into Southern swamp country. While the rustic restaurant is as famous for its decor as its food, seafood still takes center stage in dishes like lobster and grits, whole rock shrimp cocktail, peel and eat shrimp by the pound, and plentiful seafood platters overflowing with fried and grilled selections. Live music wafts over the outdoor deck overlooking Julington Creek as patrons chow down on Clark’s famous gator tail nuggets and hand-breaded coconut calamari rings. Part restaurant, part roadside attraction, no visit to Jacksonville is complete without experiencing the one-of-a-kind character and cuisine found only at quirky, legendary Clark’s.
Moon River Pizza
Name and Location: Moon River Pizza is located at 55 Ave L in Inlet Beach along Scenic Highway 30A.
History and Significance: Opened in 2008, Moon River brought New York-style pizza to 30A by combining family recipes with Gulf Coast ingredients across specialty pies named for local towns using homemade dough and sauces.
What to Expect: Sought-after thin crust pies like the Grayton featuring shrimp & pesto or Rosemary Beach with balsamic-marinated chicken satisfy diners inside the laidback restaurant or beneath the rustic pavilion outside.
Visitor Information: Moon River Pizza opens 11 AM to 10 PM daily. Pies, subs and salads available to eat in or takeout. Kid’s options and gluten free crusts offered. Cash only payments.
A casual neighborhood pizzeria along Jacksonville’s stretch of Atlantic coast, Moon River Pizza is as beloved for its beachy vibe as its scrumptious seafood pies. Located right on the dunes overlooking the ocean, Moon River’s outdoor deck strung with twinkling lights is the perfect place to kick back, feel the sea breeze and take in gorgeous sunset views. While specialty pies heaped with lobster, shrimp, clams and crab shine as standouts, diners also flock here for heaping salads, pasta dishes and handcrafted cocktails. Expect fun tropical takes like pizzas topped with jerk seasoned shrimp and pineapple or breaded coconut shrimp sprinkled atop creamy Alfredo sauce and mozzarella. With chilled drinks, stellar oceanfront views and seafood-centric pies, Moon River Pizza sets the casual, coastal mood for fun evenings out in Jacksonville Beach.
Pelican’s Pouch
Name and Location: Pelican’s Pouch is situated at 2096 Scenic Gulf Dr within the Market Shops in Miramar Beach, Florida.
History and Significance: Family owned since 2006, Pelican’s Pouch Gourmet Eats & Drinks gained fame for gourmet creations, fried seafood platters and sushi all crafted from locally sourced ingredients whenever possible.
What to Expect: Patrons enjoy pelican eggrolls, blackened catches, shrimp po’ boys, sushi rolls, burgers, boiled peanuts and signature rum cakes served indoors and patio seating amid beach chic decor.
Visitor Information: Open Monday to Saturday 11 AM to 8 PM. First come, first served seating with waits during peak periods. Street parking fronts the eatery near Grand Boulevard Town Center.
On Jacksonville Beach’s lively restaurant row, Pelican’s Pouch plates up quality seafood in a lively sports bar atmosphere. With game day specials during Jaguars and college football season, Pelican’s cavernous single room features seemingly endless picnic style tables and over 20 big screen TVs broadcasting nonstop sports. But it’s not just the game watching that draws crowds—Pelican’s also shines for its extensive menu starring fresh coastal catches. Plump oysters arrive from Apalachicola daily and local line caught fish get treated to flavorful blackening spices or pistachio crusts. Generous seafood pasta platters mean no one leaves hungry from this high energy beachfront hangout. Expect to see lines out the door during big games for some of the best game watching and seafood eating beachside.
South Kitchen + Spirits
Name and Location: South Kitchen + Spirits occupies 654 Grand Blvd, Suite L in Miramar Beach, Florida inside the upscale Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort.
History and Significance: Opened in 2021, South Kitchen + Spirits contemporary Southern cuisine utilizes Gulf and local ingredients across share plates and artisanal cocktails best enjoyed fireside on the outdoor terrace.
What to Expect: Guests sample creative small plates like chicken liver mousse, diver scallops and cornbread spring rolls paired with craft whiskeys, bourbons and barrel-aged drinks befitting the lofty restaurant setting among the rare coastal forests.
Visitor Information: South Kitchen + Spirits opens daily at 4 PM for dinner and cocktails. Reservations recommended due to demand within the luxury resort. Resort guests receive valet parking.
In funky Riverside, South Kitchen + Spirits brings together Southern hospitality with coastal cuisine served in industrial chic digs. Exposed brick walls, metal beams and polished concrete floors contrast with warm lighting, reclaimed wood and bright tile mosaics for a welcoming neighborhood vibe. Their seafood-focused menu stars cast iron seared tuna and bronzed flounder fillets cooked to tender perfection. But Southern-inspired creations shine brightest in dishes like Lowcountry shrimp & grits studded with Tasso ham and tomato gravy. Don’t miss daily happy hour when they shuck $1 oysters alongside select food and drink discounts that keep guests mingling over inventive small plates late into the evening. With clever interiors, inspired Southern seafood plates, great daily specials and central Five Points location, South Kitchen cultivates quintessential saltwater Southern comfort food with hip local flair.
Conclusion
Jacksonville overflows with terrific seafood restaurants spanning casual coastal shacks to upscale dining rooms with ocean views. From the historic fish camps on the Intracoastal to new hot spots renewing downtown, this roundup reveals the diverse settings and menus for experiencing Jacksonville’s best seafood. Whether you crave charbroiled oysters with cold beer in a beachy fish joint, or four-course fine dining overlooking the waterfront, Jacksonville’s top seafood restaurants deliver fresh catches and memorable meals around every bend of the St. Johns River and Atlantic coastline.