The dining scene in Downtown Jacksonville slumped in 2024, with more restaurants closing than opening.
But with more than a dozen under construction, in development or announced, 2025 could bring a rebound.
In January, Bagels R Us opened at 440 W. Adams St. across from the Duval County Courthouse. It’s open 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday-Friday.
Here is a status report of Downtown’s restaurants as the new year begins.
Burrito Gallery
The Tex-Mex restaurant shut down in February after 18 years at 21 E. Adams St.
Jumpin’ Jax House of Food
It closed after four years at 20 W. Adams St.
Bento Asian Kitchen + Sushi
Two of the chain’s three Northeast Florida locations closed in May, including one at 50 Riverside Ave. in Brooklyn.
Super Food & Brew
The gastropub at 11 E. Forsyth St., announced in mid-December it was closing at the end of the month. It opened in 2015.
The Bread & Board and Provisions
While possibly not a permanent closure, The Bread & Board and Provisions has yet to reopen after closing May 26 for what was announced as repairs.
In August, a co-owner said the issue was related to a failure in the original pouring of the establishment’s concrete floor.
Cinco de Mayo
The Mexican restaurant opened in January in the former Olio restaurant at 301 E. Bay St.
The restaurant group started at The Jacksonville Landing, which was demolished 2020, and now has locations in Jacksonville, St. Augustine and Palm Coast.
Cinotti’s and Grounds of Grace
In November, the Jacksonville Transportation Authority celebrated the opening of the cafe and bakery and coffee shop in the JTA headquarters at 100 LaVilla Center Drive.
The cafe filled a space vacated in 2023 by Crazy Beans Coffee.
The Cereal Box Live
The venue opened in July at 245 E. Adams St., offering such items as waffles and smoothies in addition to bowls of cereal.
The establishment also operates as a live music venue.
In December 2023, the Downtown Investment Authority board approved $21,500 in incentives for the establishment.
Decca Live
The live music and dance space at 323 E. Bay St., which includes a covered rooftop bar, is scheduled to open Jan. 31.
The establishment is in a brick building that was constructed in 1904 and granted landmark status in 2021.
In July 2022, Jacksonville City Council approved a $1.53 million incentives package to help finance the adaptive reuse of the building.
Jersey Mike’s
Build-out is underway for the sandwich shop at 90 Riverside Ave., Unit 604, in Brooklyn Station.
The sandwich shop is between Mayday Handcrafted Ice Cream and Vale Food Co.
Pizza Dynamo & Pour Taproom
Work is in progress for the venues on the ground floor of the VyStar Credit Union parking garage at the southeast corner of Laura and Forsyth streets.
In April 2024, the DIA board approved $207,350 in incentives for Pizza Dynamo and $215,000 for Pour Taproom.
The Co-op Frose & Eatery
On its website, it says it will open soon at 218 W. Church St., Suite 150.
In addition to frose, a blended mix of frozen rose wine, The Co-op offers breakfast, sandwiches and salads.
The restaurant group lists locations in South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee and Las Vegas.
In April 2024, the DIA board approved a $156,240 forgivable loan for the build-out in the renovated Florida Baptist Convention building.
The Prudential Club
The restaurant and lounge said it will open soon at 1430 Prudential Drive, where an incorporated liquor store has already opened.
According to a staff report from the Downtown Investment Authority, the establishment will offer an upscale environment and fare with 9,000 square feet of interior dining space, a 6,800-square-foot patio and a lounge with a 15-seat, full-service bar and additional seating for 75 people.
In September, the DIA board approved $345,314 in forgivable loans for the restaurant.
Vantage Point Coffee
The shop will operate in the lobby of the Union Terminal Warehouse mixed-use redevelopment at 700 E. Union St., which is nearing completion.
It is leasing about 900 square feet of space in the restored building, which was built in 1913.
The $72 million adaptive reuse of the warehouse will transform it into 228 apartments, 43 offices and 11 light industrial spaces.
Vantage Point owner Leo Baker said the shop would offer grab-and-go items such as muffins, bagel sandwiches and Danish pastries in addition to coffee.
Players Grille
Build-out is underway for the restaurant and sports bar on the ground floor of the Home2 Suites by Hilton Jacksonville Downtown at 600 Park St.
It is owned by the group that is developing The Prudential Club.
The DIA approved a $72,430 forgivable loan for the project in May.
Flamingo bar and cafe
A Southbank expansion of the Murray Hill concept is planned in the Hanania Place building at 1200 Riverplace Blvd.
The DIA board approved a $53,430 grant for the establishment in August 2024.
According to the DIA, the Flamingo will serve coffee, beer, wine, breakfast items, pastries, sandwiches and other food items.
Flamingo signage has gone up in the glass-walled space, along with construction screening on the windows and doors.
The HUB
Groundbreaking was in November for mixed-use space at 400 Riverside Ave. that will include a Southern Grounds coffee shop, the Sky Bar and Alder & Oak.
The Sky Bar will serve craft cocktails and small plates.
Alder & Oak will offer wood-fired entrees.
In October 2023, the DIA approved two grants for the coffee shop and restaurant for a combined $150,350.
Dorothy’s Downtown
In September 2024, the DIA board approved a $173,055 incentive package for the Southern and Creole restaurant planned in the space vacated by the Burrito Gallery.
The Daily Record reported Nov. 13 that the city was reviewing a permit application to renovate the space.
Baby Got Brunch
Former Jacksonville Jaguars defensive lineman Marcus “Big Baby” Stroud plans to open the restaurant in a renovated, 5,000-square-foot space at 610 N. Julia St.
The DIA reported that the establishment will serve brunch all day, with a menu that includes such items as chicken and waffles, short ribs and waffles, burgers, shrimp and grits, salads, macaroni and cheese and slow-cooked collards.
Cocktails and mimosas also are on the menu.
The DIA board approved a $96,620 forgivable loan for the restaurant in May 2024.
Oak Steakhouse
In November, South Carolina-based Indigo Road Hospitality Group announced that it would bring the chain to Jacksonville in the Greenleaf & Crosby Building at 204 N. Laura St.
The restaurant will take the space that formerly housed Jacobs Jewelers, which closed in 2023 after 96 years in business.
The building is being renovated by JWB Real Estate Capital, which plans to use five floors as its headquarters.
The Indigo group, founded by Steve Palmer, operates seven locations in Virginia, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Tennessee.
Panda Express Chinese Kitchen
In July, the Daily Record reported that the city was reviewing a permit application for the chain to build-out the space vacated by Bento Asian Kitchen + Sushi at 50 Riverside Ave. in Brooklyn Place. The interior of the building remains vacant.
Juliette Balcony
Plans for an adaptive reuse of the historic building at 225 N. Laura St., include renting the ground floor to a restaurateur. In mid-December, the DIA board approved a $2.56 million incentive package for the renovation project, which would include eight short-term rental units on the upper floors.
Alan and Ellen Cottrill, co-founders of Avant Construction Group, a Jacksonville-based company with years of experience in historic renovation and adaptive reuse projects, have taken an ownership stake in the building along with Rafael and Carmen Godwin, who bought the building in 2022.
Alan Cottrill told a DIA committee that the owners hoped to select a restaurant tenant within six to eight months.
In December, the Godwins bought the neighboring closed Mag’s Cafe building.
Daily’s and Bold City Brewery
The city issued a demolition permit Oct. 1 for a former drive-thru bank building at 60 N. Broad St., which is part of a proposed Daily’s gas station and convenience store that would also include a Bold City Brewery and restaurant.
The Downtown Development Review Board approved final plans for the project in August 2023.
The former bank building remained standing as of Jan. 16.