Where To Dine In Neptune Beach, Florida | 7 Top Neptune Beach Restaurants

Neptune Beach, Florida, is located in Duval County and is part of the Jacksonville Beaches neighborhoods.

US90) that spans two huge bridges (including The Mathews Bridge) and runs along the route that connects Jacksonville (JAX) to the beach. St. Augustine is about a 45-minute journey via A1A. We stayed at the One Ocean Resort and Spa, which is located directly on the Atlantic Ocean at the end of Atlantic Boulevard (SR10).

You can see Neptune Beach to the south and Atlantic Beach to the north as you drive into town (check out my piece on Atlantic Beach eateries next!). These two seaside communities offer fantastic eateries along the beach. And there’s much more a few streets inland.

Once again, with the help of a local, I ate my way across town, picking up some amusing anecdotes along the way.

Visiting other places in Florida? See our other guides:

• 9 Must-Try Marco Island Restaurants
• 13 Fun Things To Do In San Marco Island
• The 9 Best Amelia Island Restaurants
• 13 Best Disney Springs Restaurants
• 7 Best Kissimmee Restaurants
• 9 Must-Try Restaurants In Atlantic Beach FL

Neptune Beach’s Top 7 Restaurants

Taquerio Flying Iguana & Tequila Bar

The phone number is (904) 853-5680207 Atlantic Blvd.

This restaurant, open everyday with the tagline “Let the good times fly,” serves Mexican and Southwestern cuisine with lots of vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free alternatives.

A few streets inland, the cuisine here is worth the little detour away from the shore. They offer over 100 tequilas and a huge assortment of craft beers, so you’ll be delighted you’re within walking distance of your hotel.

We began with the guacamole and chips for lunch. The guacamole is more spicy than I anticipated. They add jalapenos and red onion to the avocado meal, as well as tomato, cilantro, and lime juice. Tableside preparation is good for a performance and an introduction to the employees. They survived the epidemic but are delighted to see visitors back to town.

When I return, I could try the chorizo and potato empanadas or the queso blanco dip. My daughter could like the shrimp ceviche, and the esquites sound tasty as well. They’re char-grilled Mexican street corn on the cob garnished with chipotle aioli, chives, and cotija cheese. It’s similar to La Calle in Midtown Houston. Since it contains shrimp escabeche, favorite daughter may also select the grilled filled avocado.

They provide six soups and salads. My dining buddy raved about the sweet potato bisque. Peruvian chicken salad with spicy pepitas and an aji verde dressing reminded me of the tastes we had in Cusco. It’s wonderful to have the many taste profiles accessible to us in the United States. We were quite fortunate.

The situation then became more severe. Tortas, Mexican Griddle Baked Sandwiches, are only available until 4 p.m. at the Flying Iguana. What should I do? Mexico’s Bahn Mi? What about the Cubana? Calabacitas (favorite daughter’s selection)? What is a Mexican Cheese Steak? What is a Tostones Burger?

My dining partner had the Bahn Mi Mexico, which consisted of marinated and grilled all-natural chicken with a chipotle aioli, house-made escabeche, cucumber, jalapeño, and cilantro. Shrimp may be used in place of chicken.

Tacos on the menu include the Dirty South, a fried green tomato, black-eyed peaco de gallo, queso sauce, and baby arugula, the Junkyard, grilled chicken, roasted potato, queso sauce, cabbage, charred corn, and flaming iguana sauce (it is HOT! ), and Meat N Potato, a spicy ground beef tinga, roasted red potato, grilled corn, and Chih

I choose the flying fish taco since I can’t get enough of delicious fish tacos. That was delectable. It was gone before I thought to snap a picture. The fish was prepared on the grill and served with shaved cabbage, aji Amarillo, and salsa criolla. I wish I could have eaten more, but the guacamole and chips were filling.

By the way, since I dislike the taste of the water in the region, I got rather proficient in the liquid love languages available. Coke products are available, as well as Barqs Root beer, Mr. Pibb, Lemonade, Fanta Orange, and both sweet and unsweet tea. I discovered the ideal mix to be half-sweet, half-unsweet tea and soon learned to request the unsweet tea on the bottom half.

A classic slow-roasted pulled pig (cochinita pibil), pollo a la brasa, Peruvian Rotisserie Chicken, the daily catch, and chimichurri steak were among the other meals.

Stuffed churros (tres leches), Nutella bread pudding, and guava cheesecake are among the desserts.

North Beach Fishing Lodge

Phone: (904) 249-3474100 1st Street

This restaurant, located just across the corner from One Ocean, is highly recommended by both business and leisure guests. The option of inside or outdoor seating offers you maximum flexibility. You can’t see the beach from here, but you can smell it, and the saltwater-flavored air is delightful once the sun shines (I was there during a King Tide and a Noreaster didnt see the sun for three days).

This restaurant provides the relaxed elegance I want on a work trip, whether you’re inside or out. The cuisine complements it wonderfully.

A spicy pimento cheese spread, crispy artichoke hearts, fried green tomatoes with goat cheese, ceviche of the day, fried New England Clam Bellies, Roasted Beet salad, and an Asian chopped tuna salad are among the appetizers.

But there’s more.

Oysters on the half shell (by the half dozen or dozen), crispy calamari with pecorino cheese and spicy tomato sauce, fried gator tail (!) with Cowgills Datil Pepper Aioli, smoked fish spread with toasted melba, abaco conch fritters with lemon aioli, New England-style clam chowder, Greek salad with olives and feta, and more are available as starters. Fried clams with fish camp tartar sauce, grilled octopus and white bean salad, iceberg wedge with blue cheese dressing, peel and eat shrimp (spicy or normal), Ricks all-day seafood soup (by the cup or bowl), and broiled scallops with bacon, sun-dried tomato, and spinach cream are among the options.

Since it’s SUCH a seafood location, I’m pleased some of my conference attendees have more refined palates than I do.

One male began with the octopus, while one woman began with the gator tail. I know they both taste like chicken, but I couldn’t bring myself to eat them. I had five-way alligator in New Orleans, but that was about it. Their platters were rapidly depleted. Each dish is highly recommended.

Moving to the mains (which made me feel like I was back in Ireland), they had a fried fish sandwich, fish camp shrimp and grits, spicy shrimp linguini, Baja style fish tacos with cod, blue crab cakes with caper dill aioli, bacon cheddar burger, and bacon cheddar cheeseburger. Angus beef burgers, buttermilk pan-fried chicken with grits, grilled salmon BLT with Carols pickled zucchini and fish camp tartar sauce, fried oyster po boy, low boil for two (shrimp, clams, andouille, corn, broccoli, mushrooms, onions), royal red shrimp roll with shrimp salad, and whole fried market fish.

The difficult decision was between the Baja fish tacos and the fried seafood baskets. The seafood baskets were popular among my group. They come with deviled crab, oysters, shrimp, scallops, clam strips, fish filet, and other combinations.

The seafood plate for two, which included scallops, oysters, clam strips, shrimp, and a fish filet, was shared by two persons. Everything was well prepared and devoured swiftly. All throughout our 90-minute lunch break.

The Baja fish tacos were very fresh and flaky. I went with the fish (you can upgrade to mahi), and it was a fantastic taste combination with the salsa fresca and adobe sour cream. That was refreshing, and it’s on my list for my future visit.

Northerners who had never had grits before were blown away by the creamy grits served at this excellent eatery. Parsley potatoes, collard greens, tomatoes, and okra are among the other sides. Not something I’d see at home.

Sweets are difficult to resist here. They have a distinctive white chocolate bread pudding, a sweet and salty chocolate torte (which was a hit with half the table), key lime pie, vanilla ice cream, and Reeses pie (the hit of the other half of the table).

I believe that having multiple people and sharing dessert is the greatest way to enjoy it. Cutting the dessert in half or thirds worked incredibly well for us when we were with strangers. North Beach Fish Camp’s staff is delighted to provide extra plates.

Restaurant Mezza Luna

904-249-5573110 1st St.

This restaurant, recommended by one of my screenwriting friends, is open in the evening and noted for its romanticism. This Italian restaurant, which is locally owned, includes beautiful tablecloths and silverware as well as a more informal outside patio sitting (closed during the Noreaster).

The chef has been with them for over five years and has designed a take-away menu. They’ve made online ordering available to make the process simpler for you.

Burrata, Sesame Crusted Seared Tuna, Crispy Brussels Sprouts, Truffle Fries, Lamb Lollipops (another best-selling author favorite), P.E.I. Mussels, meatballs, citrus salmon cakes, cheese plate, or steak tartare are among the appetizers available.

I chose the best-of-the-best salads. Mezza salad (mixed greens, berries, toasted almonds, orange segments, champagne vinaigrette), arugula prosciutto salad, baby iceberg, and Caesar are also available. The baby iceberg salad was accompanied by crispy shallots, marinated sun-dried tomatoes (I had no idea they could taste so amazing), and bacon. I was in charge of the blue cheese dressing.

Fresh catch cioppino, orange glazed salmon, fresh fettuccine, pan-seared diver scallops, linguine and clams, fresh pappardelle, pan-seared branzino, grilled filet mignon (my next time pick), braised pig shank, grilled NY steak, or lasagna are among the entree options (sausage and beef). The Cioppino was chosen by the other author. It was served with mussels, clams, shrimp, tomato stew, fennel, and crostini. He thought it was fantastic.

They serve wood-fired pizza, and the aroma of fresh dough baking wafts across the eatery. Yum!

After my lunch, there was no place for dessert, although they definitely entice you. Bread pudding, crme brulee influenced by the season, chocolate nut brownie, vanilla layer cake, chocolate layer cake with chocolate ganache, NY style cheesecake, Affogato al caf, and a cheese platter are all available.

They provide flavored coffees as well as dessert martinis. They’re famed for their grasshopper, a light crme de cacao with key lime and espresso, as well as green crme de menthe with brandy and cream. Please let me know what you think if you try them.

Doro’s Restaurant

1st Street (904) 853-6943106

They come highly recommended by our hotel employees and provide a little discount to hotel guests. The restaurant’s cuisine is described as New American, and the menu varies on a regular and seasonal basis.

The menu is simple: first course, second course, sides, dessert, wine, and beer. Thus it’s simple to concentrate on your friends, family, and dinner.

When I was there, they had minestrone, romaine lettuce salad, simple greens salad, persimmons and kale salad, burrata, tomato jam, brussel sprout leaves, and everything tulle (no joke, I thought it said futile when I first read it), jonati crab salad, charred octopus, pork schnitzel, and ahi tuna ohitashi sea lettuce. I’m pleased the folks I was with were more daring. The others appreciated the octopus, burrata, and ahi tuna, but I stayed with the plain greens salad and was pleased I had the ginger dressing on the side. It’s great to see how much fun they had.

Chicken dijonaise, grilled snapper, vegetable harira, roasted duck breast, sea scallops, market fish of the day, crispy short ribs, roast lamb loin, or grilled ribeye are among the second course selections. When the others ordered scallops, duck, and lamb, I ordered grilled snapper. As good as it was in Belize, it was served with roasted zucchini, roast pepper, olive, and celery relish. A mouthful of each with the snapper is the ideal meal.

Desserts include key lime panna cotta, vanilla ice cream or sorbet of the day, chocolate pot de crème with fresh whipped cream, and strawberry rhubarb a la mode.

Looking around the restaurant, I believe several individuals came just for the dessert. That’s how fantastic it is.

Asian Street Food Hawkers

904-425-10251 Atlantic Blvd.

This tiny dish Asian eatery is where I first heard the term “the ditch!” At first, I assumed they were talking to Atlantic Boulevard, which separates Atlantic Beach and Neptune Beach. The ditch, it turns out, refers to the water that the Mathews Bridge crosses to get to the Jacksonville Beaches areas.

Inside, you’ll appreciate the bar and the bustle, but on a good day, you’ll enjoy the fresh air and sunlight. Open from 11 a.m. every day, you may spend the day at the beach and then go two blocks into town for a lunch and a drink or soda.

You may want to taste everything since the meals are so unique. The waitresses were particularly friendly and knowledgeable. If you want to experiment, go ahead! Bring some buddies and share it dim sum style.

They characterize their meals as having robust, unabashed tastes. The recipes, handed down from generation to generation, correspond to the wok skills, which I’d want to be able to replicate at home.

As you go inside the restaurant, they do an excellent job of engaging all five senses. Sight, smell, sound, touch, and taste are all senses. Everything is fantastic.

Handhelds, dim sum, pork and seafood, light, rice and curry, noodles, noodle soups, and desserts comprise their tiny plates.

Don’t be afraid to begin with the sweets. The Jo-He Bag O Donuts are fantastic. I suggest having it before your dinner and the cinnamon Roti a la mode for dessert.

Oh, and they offer a happy hour from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Also available from 9 p.m. to closure Sunday through Thursday. Also, cater. They are delighted to assist you with any of your requirements.

We began ordering after the Jo-He Bag O-Donuts. Furthermore, ordering.

Roti Canai, Seoul Hot Chicken Baos (a REALLY good bao), pork belly bao, spring rolls (wonderful! ), summer rolls, and chicken egg rolls are also available.

We began with Seoul Spicy Chicken Baos and spring rolls. They vanished so swiftly that it’s a good thing they provide items when they’re ready. Just remember to slow down enough to notice when you’re full.

Dim sum options include Yi-Yis chicken dumplings (please!). This is Auntie’s signature recipe, and Auntie knows what she’s doing), Sichuan wontons (chicken and shrimp in a peanut chili sauce), and golden wontons (filled with chicken, shrimp, and mushrooms). The initial ones were barely a few minutes long.

Isn’t it amazing how fast you can consume something that takes others so long to prepare?

Street skewers (beef, chicken, or satay chicken), hawkers wings, Korean twice-fried wings, Siu Yoke, Char Siu, and coconut shrimp are among the meat and seafood options. The coconut shrimp would have been a hit with my favorite daughter. It includes a curry dipping sauce.

Hawkers Delight (tofu), green papaya and shrimp salad, and crispy tofu bites are among the light offerings. Favorite daughter would have liked them all. I choose the edamame. I’m still not sure why they put a chile and garlic sauce on the exterior of the pods, but the sauce finally gets to a little of the bean. The green beans are gently fried with five spices, while the Viet Bun salad is a lemongrass pork salad.

I’m not a big fan of curry, but the others raved about the Chow Faan, Basil fried rice, Po Po Los curry, and Kimchi fried rice, and I loved the jasmine rice with some of my other choices. During graduate school, my daughter lived with a great group of Indian students, and I can only imagine how much fun they’d have here.

Chee Chengs Char Kway Teow, Singapore Mei Fun, Yaki Udon, Pad Thai, Beef Haw Fun, Chicken Lo Mein, Hokkien Mee, Tom Yum, Hong Kong Wonton, Curry Laksa, and Ramen are some of the noodle dishes available.

Since we were so stuffed, finishing with the cinnamon Roti a la mode was a bit more tougher than imagined.

You may, however, consume the ice cream and take home the dessert version of their famed roti. It doesn’t need to be warmed, so even at One Ocean, where each room has a refrigerator but no microwave, you’ll be OK.

The Community

301 Atlantic Blvd.

Where I used to live in Prescott, Arizona, there was a The Local that could learn a lot from this restaurant, especially the signs. They are not linked in business, but they have a passion for delicious, healthful cuisine. They’ve just been here since 2017, and they’re only three blocks from the beach, so they don’t get as much traffic as they should, but I have a feeling that will change.

They put their own spin on almost everything, from the cocktails to the cuisine. The music is upbeat and enjoyable, and the staff is quite kind. Do like my daughter does and inquire how much they enjoy it before making your decision.

They serve brunch on Fridays and Sundays, as well as lunch and supper throughout the week.

Oysters New Orleans, The Blue Goat (blueberry bread pudding with whipped goat cheese, see what I mean? ), and other small dishes and appetizers are available. A distinct spin), chicken nuggets (Jax sauce), conch fritters (key lime aioli), ahi tuna poke nachos, and Korean short rib fries.

Healthy crunch (granola), Belgian waffle, and local toast are among their lighter side choices (goat cheese, avocado, and sesame seeds with a sunny side up egg).

I was looking for local classics. The hurricane plate, eggs benedict, the complete dival, and the local dish are all available. And then I went to the specialties. My coworkers appreciated them since I don’t eat eggs, save in my morning egg salad, and I don’t eat bacon or ham. These are substantial servings that are ideal for getting your day started on the right foot.

Hot chicken and waffles (I enjoy that it features fried chicken breast with honey spicy sauce), morning Tostados, Korean Short Rib Benedict (a table favorite), The Wandering Cajun, Gumbys Bowl, and Short Rib Hash are among the specials. The Breakfast Klub in downtown Houston and the Coop in Atlantic Beach have made me feel like I’m becoming an expert on this soul cuisine.

Home fries, chips, fries, or sweet potato home fries are provided with their sandwiches and burgers. The Average Joe, chicken club, Morning BLAT (avocado added to your BLT), short rib and collard melt, fried chicken, the local club, Beyond Vegetarian burger, and the Brunch burger are all favorites of mine.

I suggest the arugula fig prosciutto salad and the chicken and waffles if you want to combine a salad with a meal. My server suggested it, and it was a surprisingly excellent mix.

Tuna poke salad and goatacado, an arugula, chickpea, quinoa, tomato, cucumber, goat cheese, avocado, toasted crostini with green goddess dressing, are two more salads.

A bloody Mary, mimosa, Irish coffee, or hand-made lemonade or limeade may be added for brunch.

If I were to return for lunch, I would probably start with the hot honey chicken bits, while my favorite daughter would have the Mayport shrimp and the Mediterranean fish tacos, which include a blackened mahi with sazon lime wonton chips.

They do have a Two for Ten deal that includes a sandwich, salad, and a bowl of their homemade soup of the day.

Later in the day, they serve distinctive hand-crafted cocktails, bottles, cans, or on tap of beer, hard cider, seltzers, and canned drinks, as well as a special happy hour and late-night menu.

Pete’s Pub

1st Street (904)249-9158117

This pub, hidden behind white siding on the left side of 1st Street, has a fantastic Thanksgiving celebration that virtually closes down the street.

It has been family-owned and run since 1933 and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. Petes Bar, which has been passed down through five generations, was the first to operate in Duval County when Prohibition was abolished in 1933.

Nonetheless, it was formerly known as Jensens Market, which opened in the 1920s prior to the formation of the city in 1931. William Jensen, Peter Jensen’s son, took over the pub.

After William died in 1979, his wife, Clara Jensen, who had established the environment that still exists today, took over and became the community’s Godmother. She was known to treat everyone as if they were her own children. As she retired with her daughter, Nancy Jensen, she left this legacy in excellent hands.

Nancy currently leads the company with the help of her four children: Tom, Steve, John, and Nancy Jo. Other from upgrades (such as the restroom! ), their secret has been to make no other changes to the pub. It helps both regulars and newbies feel welcome.

They believe their continued popularity is due to the 25-cent pool and inexpensive beverages.

Although they are not a restaurant, I placed them on this list since they are a must-see. Even if you don’t like playing pool (its a great place to learn).

I wish I could be here for Thanksgiving. Please notify me if you arrive.

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Which of the Neptune Beach restaurants do you wish to try the most? Please share your thoughts in the comments box below!