Discover love: Jacksonville’s most romantic restaurants for unforgettable dates

Whether you're celebrating Valentine’s Day or a milestone anniversary — or perhaps even just a first date — Jacksonville has plenty of restaurants to make your special night a special night.

From rooftops to waterfronts to suburban strip shopping centers, here are some of our favorite restaurants for a romantic dinner for two on Feb. 14 or any of the other 364 days of the year — or in the case of this year, 365.

They include some of the city’s longstanding favorites as well as a handful of newcomers to Northeast Florida’s dining scene.

Some advice: No matter which you choose, plan ahead and make a reservation. And trust us, definitely don’t skip dessert.

Dinner with a view: 10 of our favorite rooftop dining restaurants in Jacksonville

More dining with view: Best waterfront restaurants with a view in Jacksonville's Beaches

Azurea in One Ocean Resort

1 Ocean Blvd., Atlantic Beach, (904) 249-7402, azurearestaurant.com 

From the moment you step into Azurea, located at One Ocean Resort, you know you’re in for something special. When it debuted in 2008, our reviewer proclaimed the restaurant set the new standard for oceanfront dining in the area.

Start your evening on the patio, enjoying a cocktail and ocean view. Inside, high-backed booths offer the perfect setting for an intimate dinner for two.

For dinner, choose from Bronzed Pacific Seabass, Crispy Atlantic Salmon, Pan Seared Beef Tenderloin, Twelve Hour Braised Short Rib, Midnight Lobster Ravioli, Nueske Bacon Wrapped Venison and more. And don’t overlook the sides: the Cider Braised Collard Greens are a favorite.

Dessert favorites include Spiced Orange Crème Brulee, Flourless Chocolate Torte and more.

bb's restaurant and bar

1019 Hendricks Ave., (904) 306-0100, bbsrestaurant.com 

Like its Avondale counterpart Biscottis, bb’s has become a landmark restaurant in its own San Marco neighborhood since its opening in January 2000.

Located just across the river from downtown’s performing arts center, Florida Theatre and VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, the restaurant is the perfect prequel or sequel to the latest Broadway musical, classic rock show or hottest touring acts to stop in town.

Devoid of the charm of a historic neighborhood retail district or a waterfront view, bb’s creates its own eclectic atmosphere with its wine list, cuisine and decadent, house-made desserts, like Oreo Mousse, Carrot Cake, White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake and Toasted Coconut Cake.

And on-site parking means you’ll quickly get to that downtown concert or performance.

Biscottis

3556 St. Johns Ave., (904) 387-2060, biscottis.net 

Open more than 30 years in historic Avondale, Biscottis remains a go-to place for a special meal before or after a Broadway musical or concert; for birthday celebrations (all those delicious cakes!); for weekend brunch; or just a Thursday night.

Its intimate setting is ideal for a first date — or an anniversary celebration.

And its menu, from the wine or cocktail list to the aforementioned cakes in the dessert case near the hostess stand, ensures a perfect date night. Choose from one of its signature salads, including Mandarin, or sandwiches, including the open-faced Biscottis Meatloaf, or dinner entrees, ranging from braised pork shoulder to duck breast to blackened grouper to Chicken Francaise and more.

A neighborhood favorite as well as a dining destination, Biscottis delivers a great dining experience year after year (after year).

Bistro Aix

1440 San Marco Blvd., (904) 398-1949, bistrox.com 

When it opened in 2000, Bistro Aix — with its exposed brick walls, vaulted ceilings, semicircular booths, animal-print chairs and unique lighting fixtures — ushered in a new dining experience in Jacksonville. More than 20 years later, after ownership and kitchen changes, much of the restaurant’s charm remains, making it a destination for a special night out.

That includes its Provencal French menu, including longtime staples Rack of Lamb, Steak Frites Au Poivre, Duck Aixoise and Wedge and Nicoise salads.

Late last year, owner Marcello Villani debuted Limoncello Ristorante in the restaurant's former Le Bar space. Reflecting the flavors and ambiance of the Island of Capri, Limoncello's menu features housemade pastas, including lasagna, gnocchi, linguine and more.

Blue Bamboo Canton Bistro

10110 San Jose Blvd., (904) 646-1478, bluebamboojacksonville.com

For fans of Chinese food, Blue Bamboo has been a destination for nearly 20 years, first at its Southside Boulevard location, and now in Mandarin. (For more than 70 years, though, Chan’s family has operated 13 restaurants in Jacksonville, including Little Dragon and Eng’s Golden Dragon.)

At his latest restaurant, Chan’s American-style Cantonese menu features comfort food that he loved as a kid and now as an adult. That includes a favorite from his childhood, sweet and sour chicken. Other popular entrees include Jimmy’s Pan-Fried Noodles, Canton roast duck, basil miso-salmon, Javin-rubbed pork ribeye, red curry chicken chop suey, red curry shrimp and grits, Sichuan stir fry and more.

For special occasions, lobster Cantonese and Hong Kong steak are available with 24-hour advance notice.

And no trip to Blue Bamboo is complete without Chan’s award-winning Mandarin Orange Slice Cake, a layered orange sponge cake with pineapple cream cheese frosting.

Chart House

1501 Riverplace Blvd., (904) 398-3353, chart-house.com

Chart House restaurants are known for their waterfront dining views. And Jacksonville’s restaurant — with its sweeping views of the St. Johns River and downtown’s Northbank — doesn't disappoint. In fact, with the demolitions of the Jacksonville Landing and River City Brewing Co. in recent years, Chart House is just one of a handful of downtown restaurants with a river view.

Built in 1982, the Southbank restaurant is one of the city’s most iconic buildings, boasting a design by San Diego-based architect Kendrick Bangs Kellogg, who is recognized as one of the founders of the modern organic architecture movement.

On the menu, expect a solid lineup of steaks and seafood, ranging from Filet Mignon to NY Strip to Key West Spiced Grouper to Wild Caught King Crab and more.

Complete your special evening with the Hot Chocolate Lava Cake. With a preparation time of 30 minutes, the dessert is a favorite and it allows you to relax and enjoy the building’s unique architecture and views of the downtown skyline — and perhaps even a glimpse of a dolphin or two in the St. Johns.

Cowford Chophouse

101 E. Bay St., (904) 862-6464, cowfordchophouse.com

Housed in an old bank building in the heart of downtown Jacksonville — one of the first to open after a fire devastated much of the city in 1901 — high-end steakhouse Cowford Chophouse is among downtown’s dining destinations for a special night out or an after-work watering hole for downtown office workers.

Its name a nod to Jacksonville’s history, Cowford’s large, arched windows offer a peek into the city’s past and a portal to the present day. Head upstairs to the rooftop bar for sweeping views of the Main Street Bridge, Wells Fargo Center and the Northbank and Southbank, making it the perfect spot to impress a date or celebrate a special occasion.

Menu highlights include Filet Mignon, New York Strip, Porterhouse, Stuffed Whole Maine Lobster, Chilean Seabass, Wood-Fired Chicken, Steak Frites and more. And for dessert, there’s Baked Alaska, Cinnamon Roll Brulee and Chocolate Stout Cake to name a few.

Its location makes for a great spot for dinner before the big show. But the restaurant’s ambiance and menu make it a show unto itself.

Dwight’s Bistro

1528 Penman Road, Jacksonville Beach, (904) 241-4496, dwightsbistro.com 

Tucked away in a nondescript building shared with high-profile Beaches bakery, Dwight’s Bistro is a dining gem. (For those that know, we apologize in advance for giving away your dining secret.)

For more than 20 years, Chef Dwight Delude has been serving up special meals, including his handmade pasta. He literally cranks out the pasta, making as many as 50 raviolis from scratch in less than an hour. In addition to the ravioli of the day, Dwight’s pasta menu includes Fettucini Carbonara, Fettucini with Mushrooms, Fettucini Alfredo and Angel Hair Puttanesca.

Entrees, each of which is served with a ravioli, include Sea Bass, Sea Scallops, Crab Cakes, Quail, New York Strip, Veal Piccata, Filet Mignon, Lamb Chops and more on a recent menu.

And if Banana’s Foster is your dessert indulgence, then Dwight’s is your place.

Estrella Cocina

100 W. Bay St., (904) 862-6994, estrellajax.com

Sitting atop one of the VyStar campus buildings in the heart of downtown Jacksonville, Estrella Cocina offers tastes of Mexico's two coasts, plus soups, salads and specialty cocktails, housemade tortillas and salsas, all served for lunch or dinner. A separate menu is offered for Sunday brunch and for late-night snackers (the restaurant is open until midnight on Thursday, Friday and Saturday).

Gather around one of the rooftop fire pits or grab one of the 150 or so seats and look down on the bustling streets, surrounded by the downtown office towers.

Enza’s Italian

10601 San Jose Blvd., (904) 269-4458, enzas.net

You don’t have to go to one of downtown’s historic neighborhoods, the Beaches or the Town Center to find a great restaurant. And Enza’s, a fixture in one of Mandarin’s many (many) shopping centers since 2004, is proof.

For those craving traditional Italian favorites, Enza’s is among the city’s best.

There’s veal: Veal Parmesan, Veal Piccata, Veal Milanese and Veal Saltimbocca. And Chicken: Chicken Stephanie, Chicken Marsala, Chicken Cacciatore, Chicken Caprese and more, including Chicken Alla Enza, made with marinara sauce, mushrooms, olives, capers, Italian sausage, onions, green and red bell peppers and artichoke hearts over pasta.

And there’s Baked Manicotti, Baked Lasagna, Baked Ravioli and Baked Ziti. And of course, Tortellini, Spaghetti, Fettuccine and Liguini dishes. And grouper, mussels and shrimp pasta dishes.

All of your favorites. All of the time.

After closings of some longtime neighborhood Italian restaurants in recent years, Enza’s continues to deliver, year after year.

Josephine

3563 St. Johns Ave., (904) 647-7556, josephineavondale.com

One of the city's newer entrants in the dining scene is Josephine, an Italian-American restaurant from first-time restaurateur Josh Floyd.

Named after Floyd’s late grandmother, Josephine Lois “Jo” Gill Floyd, Josephine is not your traditional neighborhood Italian restaurant. "We're doing Italian food but we're definitely not a traditional Italian restaurant,” Floyd said. “You'll find some traditional undertones in some of our approach and in some of our sauces. But we're also doing things that are a little bit cheeky in a way where we're crossing cultural lines."

On the menu, highlights include Josephine Rigatoni, featuring a Calabrian vodka sauce, la tur and pecorino romano; Carbonara di Mare, showcasing squid ink spaghetti, octopus bacon, Parmigiano and black pepper; Pinwheel Lasagna, with roast fennel sausage ragu, fontina, Parmigiano and basil; Roast Chicken, featuring anduja-stuffed leg, roasted breast, peperonata, polenta and jus gras; and more.

Marker 32

14549 Beach Blvd., (904) 223-1534, marker32.com

One of Jacksonville’s oldest waterfront restaurants, Marker 32 dates back to 1992, offering a view of boats cruising the Intracoastal Waterway and an eclectic menu.

That menu is filled with dishes you’re not likely to find at many other area dining establishments. A Rosemary Grilled Octopus starter is served with white bean and arugula salad, chorizo and a smoky tomato puree. The entrée menu includes Seared Duck Breast, Vegan Pad Thai and Seared New Bedford Scallops served with collard greens and grits, and you can order Hoppin’ John, Brown Butter Mushrooms or Truffle Parmesan Arugula fries from the sides menu.

Reviewers on Yelp.com raved about the low light in the dining room, the fabulous views of the water (particularly at sunset) and the prompt, friendly service.

Matthew’s Restaurant

2107 Hendricks Ave., (904) 396-9922, matthewsrestaurant.com 

Just over 25 years ago, chef/restaurateur Matthew Medure opened Matthew’s, bringing his fine dining skills honed at the Grill Room at the Ritz-Carlton at Amelia Island to San Marco.

The AAA four-diamond rated Matthew’s is among the city’s most elegant fine-dining restaurants, offering impeccable service, a menu of French and Mediterranean dishes and a Wine Spectator award-winning wine list.

On the menu, you’ll find Japanese A5 Wagyu Beef, New Zealand Venison Rack, Maine Diver Scallop, Lacquered Duck Breast, Pasta Radiatori and others, featuring farm-to-table ingredients, handmade pasta, sustainable seafood and more. Or for something a little different, choose the six-course chef’s adventure tasting menu paired with wine.

For dessert, choose from White Chocolate Pot De Crème, Banoffee, Cinnamon Apple Tart, Glazed Chocolate Torte or the souffle of the day.

O-Ku

502 1st St. N., Jacksonville Beach, 904-694-2770, o-kusushi.com 

Offering a “fresh and innovative take” on traditional Japanese sushi and cuisine —and a postcard-worthy ocean view from its rooftop bar and dining area — O-Ku delivers on its promise.

A proven concept in Atlanta, Charleston, Nashville and elsewhere, O-Ku offers a selection of nigiri, sashimi, chef specialties and small plates, including Otoro Spoons, described as follows by one reviewer: “Dreamy, one-bite spoons are an amalgamation of bluefin tuna belly, wasabi stem, uni, caviar and truffle soy. The most perfect bite!” Among the makimono favorites are the Blazing Saddles (tempura shrimp, avocado, seared wagyu beef, cilantro aioli, sweet soy, crispy onions) and Firecracker (crispy panko fried roll with spicy salmon, avocado, cucumber, goat cheese mousse, sweet soy).

Head upstairs to the rooftop dining area (with a roof of its own), where the vibe is more laid back compared to the higher energy (and noisier) first-floor dining room.

Prati Italia

4972 Big Island Drive at St. Johns Town Center, (904) 998-9744, pratiitalia.com

Tom Gray knows when to hold ‘em and when to fold ‘em. He opened Moxie Kitchen + Cocktails at the Town Center in 2013 and, a few years later, it was named as Small Business of the Year by the Jax Chamber. But when another “Moxie” restaurant started looking at Florida, he saw it as an opportunity to shift gears and Prati Italia was born in the same space in 2020.

Prati Italia specializes in pasta made from scratch and homemade bread, as well as rectangular Roman-style pizzas, red and white sauces, meatballs, sausage and Italian-inspired desserts. You can order most of the pasta dishes in a “light portion” if you want to save room for dessert, but if the main dish is your thing, consider the 13-Layer Crispy Lasagna, made with beef bolognese, provolone, Parmigiano, marinara, garlic cream sauce and flash-fried for a crispy exterior.

Prata Italia offers separate menus for kids, brunch and vegan, vegetarian or gluten-free diners,

Refinery

831 1st St. N., Jacksonville Beach, (904) 746-1318, refineryjaxbeach.com

Located four blocks north of the Jacksonville Beach Pier, multi-concept restaurant Refinery offers something for everyone — with an ocean view.

On the first floor, there’s the Ocean Bar and First Street Pub, perfect for meeting friends for a drink or a quick bite to eat in a casual setting, each with a patio offering views of the beach or First Street. Think appetizers, ranging from Boiled Peanuts to Salt & Pepper Shrimp to Nashville Hot Fried Chicken Sliders and more; handhelds, including Baby Swiss Mushroom Burger, Patty Melt and Bacon Jalapeno Manchego Burger; and more.

Upstairs, expect a more refined dining setting with a menu of “Euro-American-inspired cuisine,” including entrees Forbidden Togarashi Spiced Seared Tuna, Everything Crusted Snapper, Lamb Chop Cassoulet, Salt and Pepper Crusted Chicken, Slow Cooked Buckhead Pride Short Rib Tomahawk and more, all with an unobstructed view of the Atlantic Ocean.

There’s even a marketplace offering a variety of freshly made-to-order sandwiches, seasonal salads, wine by the bottle, specialty beers and smoothies, available to eat in or grab and go.

Restaurant Orsay

3630 Park St., (904) 381-0909, restaurantorsay.com 

Described as a “French bistro incarnated in the American South,” Restaurant Orsay offers a selection of traditional Parisian bistro classics as well as Southern-influenced dishes featuring French cooking techniques.

Launched by chef/restaurateur Jonathan Insetta in 2008, the restaurant is an Avondale neighborhood favorite as well as a date-night destination. A year ago, Yelp named the restaurant to its list of Top 20 Most Romantic Places to Eat in Florida.

Entrees range from Shepherd’s Pie, Prince Edward Island Mussels Frites and Lobster Pot Pie to Bouillabaisse, Cassoulet, Pan Roasted Duck Breast, Beef Stroganoff and Steak Frites.

A 25-page wine and liquor list offers plenty of options to pair with your meal.

And think of Orsay’s dessert menu as an invitation: whatever you can’t try on this visit will be waiting for your return visit. There’s Crème Brulee, Butter Pecan Bread Budding, Peanut Butter Chocolate Mousse Dome, Caramel Cheesecake, Macarons and more.

RH Rooftop Restaurant

4831 Village Shops Way at St. Johns Town Center, (904) 730-1474, rh.com

Walk through the front door and you’d think you were in an upscale home-décor gallery — because, in fact, you are. But make your way to the third floor of RH Jacksonville and you’ll find a rooftop restaurant that, not surprisingly, puts a lot of emphasis on décor, with a large fountain, live plantings and a glass roof dotted with chandeliers.

You should expect to spend a few bucks on dinner. The RH Burger, for instance, is listed at $22 on the menu (add bacon for another $7), and the priciest entrée is the 16-ounce Charred Ribeye Steak, which goes for $64. Entrees are served a la carte, so sides such as Truffled Fries ($20), Charred Heirloom Broccolini ($13) and Yukon Gold Potato Puree ($11) are priced separately. They also offer brunch and lunchtime menus, but the entrée prices are the same as at dinner.

River & Post

1000 Riverside Ave., (904) 575-2366, riverandpostjax.com

With a ground-level dining room and a rooftop lounge, River & Post offers one of the best views in the city, making it a great choice for a special evening out unto its own.

On the menu, you’ll find selections from land and sea, including Seared Filet Mignon, Crispy Salmon, New York Strip Marsala, Shrimp and Grits, Roasted Chicken, Togarashi Seared Ahi Tuna and more. There’s also jumbo shrimp, raw oysters, snow crab and Maine Lobster.

In addition to stunning, sweeping views of the St. Johns River, the downtown skyline and more, the rooftop lounge (with a roof top) offers a limited menu of salads, pizzas, wings, appetizers and sushi, plus handcrafted cocktails. (While reservations are required for the dining room; the rooftop is first come, first served.)

Desserts include Bread Pudding, Pistachio Crème Brulee, Chocolate Mousse Torte and Miss Lisa’s Bee Sting, white cake stuffed with Bavarian cream, candied almonds, caramel and local honey comb.

Santioni’s Italian Ristorante

3535 U.S. Highway 17, Fleming Island, (904) 264-1331, santionis.com 

Don’t let the strip mall setting fool you; Santioni’s can definitely deliver an authentic Italian dining experience.

The first thing you notice when walking through the door is probably going to be the line of people waiting for a table (reservations definitely recommended). The second thing is that the music isn’t canned — there’s a real piano player tinkling the ivories to set the mood.

The menu goes on for four pages and runs the gamut from escargot, bruschetta and calamari appetizers to classic Italian pasta, seafood, chicken and veal dishes to build-your-own pizzas.

Silkie’s Chicken and Champagne Bar

1602 Walnut St., (904) 330-0576, meetatsilkies.com 

Silkie’s takes the “champagne” in its name seriously. There are eight champagnes, six sparkling wines and three “house bubbles” on the menu, and the Springfield eatery was named as one of the top 10 bars and restaurants in the U.S. by the Champagne Bureau in 2022.

Silkie’s is run by Kenny Gilbert, who was a contestant on Food Network’s “Top Chef” and has worked in fine-dining restaurants in Florida, Georgia, Colorado and Barbados.

Silkie’s menu is dotted with down-home dishes served with a high-end touch — Chicken & Waffles topped with tequila orange blossom honey sauce, Southern Fried Texas Catfish with a datil pepper remoulade, Truffle Smoked Gouda Mac & Cheese and the Flavor Bomb, a smoked chicken thigh sandwich served with orange blossom honey, Fernandina Beach hot sauce and pickled vegetables.

SoNapa Grille

2400 Third St. S., Jacksonville Beach, (904) 595-5650, sonapa.com

SoNapa, which opened in 2022, brings a taste of California Wine Country to the Beaches (they also have locations in New Smyrna Beach and Ormond Beach).

The wine list, with more than 120 choices that change with the season, is focused on California’s Sonoma County and Napa Valley, hence the name. Wine is available by the bottle or by the glass. The menu also changes seasonally, with nightly specials and an emphasis on locally sourced seafood and produce.

The brick-oven flatbreads, which come in six varieties, are a favorite among diners. Entrees reflect the Wine Country theme, with Highway 29’s Famous Pork Chop (served with a house-made mustard sauce) , Sonoma Style Chicken and Bison Bolognese Cavatappi.

Taverna

1986 San Marco Blvd., (904) 398-3005, taverna.restaurant

San Marco Square is the sort of neighborhood other Florida cities wish they had, with plenty of foot traffic, a nice variety of shops and some of Jacksonville’s best restaurants. Taverna has been part of that scene since 2009, operated by Chef Sam Efron and his wife, Kiley Winne Efron, the wine director.

Diners love the place. Since opening, it’s been named as one of the 10 best restaurants in Jacksonville by USA Today, one of Florida’s best restaurants (four times) by Florida Trend and best restaurant overall, twice, in the Times-Union’s Bold City Best readers’ poll.

They offer brunch, lunch, dinner and kids’ menus with pizzas, pastas, fish, steaks and a Sicilian Seafood Stew packed with shrimp, mussels, crab, clams and calamari.

And if seafood is your preference, try Taverna's new Oceana concept, located next door. Expect seafood towers, oysters, caviar and more, all featuring the same quality and attention to detail that Taverna has offered for 14 years.

Town Hall

2012 San Marco Blvd., (904) 398-0726, townhalljax.com 

Town Hall comes from the same team behind Pratti Italia, but with a distinctly different vibe. It’s in the heart of the historic San Marco neighborhood and the menu has an American flair, with Steelhead Trout, Seared Salmon and Seared Scallops among the most popular entrees. Town Hall sources many of the ingredients it uses from more than 35 local farms, brewers, distilleries, dairies and ranches.

Our reviewer particularly loved the Crispy Brussels Sprouts, which bear no resemblance at all to the mushy steamed ones that made you hate Brussels sprouts in the first place.

Trattoria di Bernardone

425 Durbin Pavilion Drive, Saint Johns, (904) 547-2888, trattoriadibernardone.com

To say Trattoria di Bernardone is a family affair is an understatement. The Italian restaurant that opened in October at Durbin Park Pavilion was built out by owner Mario Bernardone, his wife, Laura, and their nine children. But its menu features authentic recipes handed down through seven generations of his family whose roots are in Bolognano in the Italian province of Abruzzo.

Resembling a countryside villa, the trattoria specializes in from-scratch pasta handcrafted the way his forebears taught him — "always using the best ingredients possible" — as well as breads, pastries and even sausages all made "the old-fashioned way."

On the menu, there's Mario's Traditional Lasagna, Tromba Rustica, Veal or Chicken Marsala, Veal Parmigiana and more as well as house-made gelato and other desserts, including Torta al Cioccolato and Italian Lemon Cream Cake.

It's become a go-to restaurant for a romantic dinner for two, a family Sunday dinner or a place to celebrate an anniversary, birthday, promotion or another special occasion. It's also a place to simply relax with good wine or espresso and indulge in a slice of homemade Lime Mascarpone Cheesecake.

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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Best romantic restaurants in Jacksonville, St. Johns and the beaches