The opportunities and challenges of operating a restaurant in Downtown Jacksonville were on display in 2025, when openings of food and beverage establishments mixed with closures of several others.
Here is a look at restaurants on the horizon:
IN THE PIPELINE
Tavola Trattoria, described by DIA staff as an “upscale yet approachable Italian restaurant,” is planned at 1037 Hendricks Ave. on the Southbank. The DIA board approved a $135,000 grant for the establishment in August.
Asado Life, “a live-fire culinary experience,” will open in the Shipyards marina support building Downtown near the Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences along East Bay Street near EverBank Stadium.
Iguana Investments, Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan’s company that is developing the project, announced the restaurant in September.
Asado focuses on communal fire-grilling, or asado, with “traditional Argentinian-inspired cooking methods of chef’s cuts, sausages, fresh catches and grilled vegetables.”
Koto Izakaya & Listening Room is building-out at 927 W. Forsyth St. after receiving a $156,000 grant from the DIA to cover a portion of its $692,115 cost for tenant improvements.
According to DIA staff, the concept will offer Japanese small plates and a bar on the first floor and a lounge and listening room on the second floor, which will also have food service from the main kitchen.
Norikawa Japanese restaurant is planned in the One Riverside mixed-use development at 1 Riverside Ave. along the Downtown Northbank.
Pearl Hospitality Group, operator of the Norikase Japanese restaurant in Tinseltown and Beachside Seafood in Jacksonville Beach, announced the plans in August.
Justin Raulerson of PHG said Norikawa would be on the riverfront with interior and patio dining.
The establishment will offer an omakase dining experience, in which the chef prepares a multicourse tasting menu without customer input. It is a chance for the kitchen to display its skill.
The HUB restaurant and event space is nearing completion at 400 Riverside Ave. in Brooklyn, Southern Grounds, the Sky Bar and Alder & Oak will anchor The HUB, which also will offer space dedicated to an event venue.
Southern Grounds is a coffee shop, and The Sky Bar will serve craft cocktails and small plates. Alder & Oak will feature wood-fired entrees.
On Oct. 18, 2023, the Downtown Investment Authority approved two Basic Retail Enhancement Program Grants for the coffee shop and restaurant for a combined $150,350.
1928 Cuban Bistro owner Rebecca Gonzalez announced plans in October to convert the Tossgreen space at 501 Riverside Ave., Unit 107, to the eighth location of the Cuban establishment in Northeast Florida.
That same month, the city issued a permit for build-out at a project cost of $64,000. 1928 Cuban Bistro’s menu includes breakfast all day, lunch and, depending on the location, dinner.
Starbucks Coffee Co. plans a shop in Bank of America Tower, the Daily Record reported in July. It would bring the Seattle-based chain back to Downtown after more than a decade of absence.
Starbucks closed its store at 11 E. Forsyth St. in 2008 and its store in The Jacksonville Landing in 2011. In October, the DIA board approved $133,200 in incentives for the Bank of America project, which would be a licensed store operated by Orlando-based business owner Jeremy Roberts as opposed to one owned by the national chain.
Dapper D’s Cigars Restaurant Lounge and Bar was approved by the city in December build-out space at 11 N. Ocean St. at a project cost of $516,571.
The establishment is planned as a fast-casual restaurant downstairs with a menu focused on Philly cheesesteak sandwiches and a casual bar that will serve beer, wine and mixed drinks.
The second floor, which has its own entrance at the sidewalk and with what is described as an extensive ventilation system, will house the cigar lounge, humidor and an upscale cocktail bar. In July, the DIA board approved a $217,572 incentive package for the project.
Daily’s gas station, convenience store and Bold City Brewery. In August, the Jacksonville City Council approved a three-year extension to Daily’s owner First Coast Energy LLP for the final approval it received in August 2023 from the Downtown Development Review Board to build the two-story project on property bordered by Forsyth, Bay, Broad and Jefferson streets in LaVilla.
Plans include Bold City Brewery and restaurant with a rooftop bar.
Oak Steakhouse. The city issued a permit in August to prepare ground-floor space in the historic Greenleaf & Crosby Building at northwest Adams and Laura streets for pre-tenant uses.
Two of the three tenants have been identified as Oak Steakhouse and the HiReformance Institute studio for Pilates.
The project cost on the permit was $181,114. The three tenants will file separate permits to build-out their businesses.
Breezy Jazz House plans to move fro San Marco to 337 E. Bay St. In September, the DIA board approved $132,662 in incentives for the jazz club and restaurant.