Jennifer's Guidebook
Local Indie Food scene
Of course Jax has all the major chains, I haven't added them here. Easy to find. Instead I've curated a list of my favorite locally owned restaurants, cafes, bakeries, and bars.
The historic, hip, and indie Mecca of Five Points is about 1.5 miles from our home. Great shops, vintage, coffee, cinema, cafes and fine dining options.
138 locals recommend
Five Points
1053 Park StThe historic, hip, and indie Mecca of Five Points is about 1.5 miles from our home. Great shops, vintage, coffee, cinema, cafes and fine dining options.
Great local favorite pizza place. Beer / wine are half price on Wednesdays. They don’t deliver, but they are only a mile away and worth the trip. If there's a muscular, bald guy with Bono sunglasses, it's the owner, Dan. Tell him Jen Chase sent you!
59 locals recommend
Moon River Pizza
1176 Edgewood Ave SGreat local favorite pizza place. Beer / wine are half price on Wednesdays. They don’t deliver, but they are only a mile away and worth the trip. If there's a muscular, bald guy with Bono sunglasses, it's the owner, Dan. Tell him Jen Chase sent you!
Our family has been eating here for more than 20 years. Great indie family -owned business. Something on the menu for any taste.
27 locals recommend
The Mossfire Grill
1537 Margaret StOur family has been eating here for more than 20 years. Great indie family -owned business. Something on the menu for any taste.
Primi Piatti
2722 Park StFamily owned. Great, fresh Italian food.
Pinegrove Market and Deli
1511 Pine Grove AveThe Shoppes Of Historic Avondale
3620 St Johns AveKaika Teppanyaki Asian Fusion
1012-1 Margaret StVegetarian/vegan: Lovely, local, indie and nearby. This is a great vegetarian and vegan option.
8 locals recommend
Murray Hillbilly
1044 Edgewood Ave SVegetarian/vegan: Lovely, local, indie and nearby. This is a great vegetarian and vegan option.
Fabulous food! Clean and lovely outdoor courtyard! Reasonable prices! Warm owners and atmosphere!
Ahadu Ethiopian Restaurant
2151 Lane Avenue SouthFabulous food! Clean and lovely outdoor courtyard! Reasonable prices! Warm owners and atmosphere!
We really love the food here, including savory appetizers and the falafel toppings bar, unique wine selections, and live music outside on most Fridays.
Falafel x Bar
4162 Herschel StreetWe really love the food here, including savory appetizers and the falafel toppings bar, unique wine selections, and live music outside on most Fridays.
Love the small, intimate feel. Great food. Family business. The couple/ original owners are often there cooking and serving (Their love story written on the menu.)
22 locals recommend
Pattaya Thai Grille
1526 King StLove the small, intimate feel. Great food. Family business. The couple/ original owners are often there cooking and serving (Their love story written on the menu.)
My husband and I love this place! Ecuadorian fabuloso! The Ceviche brunch on Sundays is fantastic. All seafood incredibly fresh and flavorful. We've tried their: lentil empanadas, lobster, ceviche, and the Red Fish bellies, chorizo sandwich. All great! Agua fresca mimosas too.
Chancho King
My husband and I love this place! Ecuadorian fabuloso! The Ceviche brunch on Sundays is fantastic. All seafood incredibly fresh and flavorful. We've tried their: lentil empanadas, lobster, ceviche, and the Red Fish bellies, chorizo sandwich. All great! Agua fresca mimosas too.
Sightseeing
The Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens
829 Riverside AveMemorial Park
1620 Riverside AveMuseum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville
333 N Laura StSteeped in French, Spanish and Native American history.
33 locals recommend
Fort Caroline National Memorial
12713 Fort Caroline RdSteeped in French, Spanish and Native American history.
Kingsley Plantation
11676 Palmetto AveLittle Talbot Island State Park
Stuff to do
Great local indie cinema. They have lots of choices for local beers, wines, snacks and meals to choose from while you watch your flick! Love them!
101 locals recommend
Sun-Ray Cinema
1028 Park StGreat local indie cinema. They have lots of choices for local beers, wines, snacks and meals to choose from while you watch your flick! Love them!
Riverside Arts Market
715 Riverside AveChamblin Bookmine
4551 Roosevelt BlvdMOSH
1025 Museum CirxRent a Bike! Zen Cog Bike Shop- Tell Garf, Jen Chase sent you! This is a really great local bike shop. They'll rent you a bike for under $25 per day. Enjoy! http://zencog.com/
6 locals recommend
ZenCog Bicycle Company
883 Stockton StxRent a Bike! Zen Cog Bike Shop- Tell Garf, Jen Chase sent you! This is a really great local bike shop. They'll rent you a bike for under $25 per day. Enjoy! http://zencog.com/
This is a wonderful bookshop and cafe. There is a great selection of new and used books, a robust children's section. And...local authors' books too (like mine:)
Happy Medium Books Cafe
This is a wonderful bookshop and cafe. There is a great selection of new and used books, a robust children's section. And...local authors' books too (like mine:)
Great unique finds for gifts, momentos, conversation pieces, decor. Great people working there. A fun experience.
6 locals recommend
5 Points Vintage
1046 Park StGreat unique finds for gifts, momentos, conversation pieces, decor. Great people working there. A fun experience.
Sandra has a wonderfully clean and relaxing space. We've had her hot stone massages. She is an expert with fair prices. Very restorative!
Sandra’s Massage Therapy
Sandra has a wonderfully clean and relaxing space. We've had her hot stone massages. She is an expert with fair prices. Very restorative!
If you are up for an authentic traditional spa experience, this is it. This is for a very special treat.
Seventh Wonder Holistic Spa
4236 St Johns AveIf you are up for an authentic traditional spa experience, this is it. This is for a very special treat.
Tiger Records
875 Stockton StCoffee & Breakfast
Bold Bean Coffee Roasters
869 Stockton StCommunity Loaves
1116 Edgewood Ave SFox Restaurant
3580 St Johns AveLiquors
They have a great selection of almost every hard to find liquor and a large selection of wines.
22 locals recommend
Riverside Liquors & The Restaurant in Riverside
1251 King StThey have a great selection of almost every hard to find liquor and a large selection of wines.
My absolute favorite place for wine, wine tastings and "non-judgemental" great advice and pricing! Tell Bernie Jen Chase sent you!
Bernie's Wine Stop
1080 Edgewood Ave SMy absolute favorite place for wine, wine tastings and "non-judgemental" great advice and pricing! Tell Bernie Jen Chase sent you!
Nice owners. Great convenience store prices on last-minute items such as beer /wine. Walking distance from treehouse.
Avondale Superette
3673 Park StNice owners. Great convenience store prices on last-minute items such as beer /wine. Walking distance from treehouse.
Jennifer has a phenomenal selection of gourmet cheeses and gives tastes and tours. This shop is conveniently located next to Bernie's Wine Stop for a wine /cheese/local experience like no other! Tell her Jennifer Chase sent you!
Grater Goods
1080 Edgewood Ave SJennifer has a phenomenal selection of gourmet cheeses and gives tastes and tours. This shop is conveniently located next to Bernie's Wine Stop for a wine /cheese/local experience like no other! Tell her Jennifer Chase sent you!
Health drinks/non-alcoholic options
Best smoothies ever. I like the Vanilla Avacado. Outdoor seating.
31 locals recommend
Grassroots Natural Market
2007 Park StBest smoothies ever. I like the Vanilla Avacado. Outdoor seating.
Wildcrafters Booze-Free Bar Tea | Kava | Cocktails
2105 Park StThis is a GREAT nonalcoholic option.
Food scene
My mom's side of the family is all Italian from the Northeast. When you gotta have Real Italian lasagna, meatballs, pizza, and subs. Casual setting. Way reasonably priced. This is the place. You gotta love people that have funny stories and names to accompany each item on the menu too. They got it.
39 locals recommend
Carmines Pie House
2677 Forbes StMy mom's side of the family is all Italian from the Northeast. When you gotta have Real Italian lasagna, meatballs, pizza, and subs. Casual setting. Way reasonably priced. This is the place. You gotta love people that have funny stories and names to accompany each item on the menu too. They got it.