Where to Eat when Visiting Jacksonville Beach, Florida

Head out to the beaches? Jacksonville Beach has a great list of places to eat that can promise you won't leave hungry. I have come up with my own short list of favorite places to eat.

Roy's is a great place for an evening meal when you want to impress someone. Roy's serves an authentic Hawaiian Fusion cuisine. Roy Yamaguchi is the chef at this upscale eatery. They serve only dinner and dress is casual business. Roy's does offer catering as well as take out. They do have a wonderful bar but there is no smoking. Roy's is located at 2400-101 South 3rd Street. I would recommend calling ahead for reservations. The number to do so is 904-241-7697. Pricing is moderate.

you will find Roy's open Monday thru Thursday from 5:30-9:30 for dinner, Friday and Saturday from 5:30-10:30 and on Sunday from 4:30-6:30. they serve fabulous cocktails such as Roy's Island Mai Tai, a great rum concoction I can recommend! The menu at Roy's offers succulent choices such as the Spilt Pea and Rock Shrimp Soup. This is a great appetizer that will leave you wondering if it can get any better. Follow your appetizer with the Lobster California Roll, an amazing combination of cucumber, lobster salad and Tobiko (fish roe).

If you are out during the day and just want good food, Barb and Wally's Down South Barbeque is the place to go for real southern style barbeque. They are located in the Ponte Vedra Beach area at 830 State Rd. A1A N, this will be a repeat. I promise you, once will not be enough. A local favorite, Barb and Wally bring barbeque to you southern style! Pricing is inexpensive, quality is excellent. 904-273-9902

Dunkin Donuts makes my list simply because you must know where it is for a late night or early morning donut run. Locals know that you can get them fresh and warm about 4am. Be there, you will not be sorry. 1325 Beach Blvd 904-249-7088

Rita's serves, in my opinion, the best Gelati on the east coast. Rita's is located at 393 3^rd Street North; Rita's is the perfect place to stop for Italian Ice when you are out walking. Picture this: it is hot, nearing 95 degrees. You are out walking the beach and decide to head to the main drag. There, sitting right on the corner of 3^rd and 3^rd you see a red and white striped canopy beckoning to you. Yes, it is Rita's, home of the best Mango Gelati you have ever tasted. You ease on up to the window and get yours and sneak around to the side to grab a spot on the popular benches. The smell of salt water, hot sun, and cold Mango Gelati...it just does not get much better than that.

Open from 11:30 until 9:00 Monday thru Thursday, 11:30 until 10:00 on Friday and Saturday and 11:30 until 9:00 on Sunday, Rita's closes from December 12 until February 12 for a much needed vacation.

Feel free to add your own favorites in the comment section below!