Hot 'Hoods
Ready to navigate new routes to dining and drinking adventures without leaving Northeast Florida? You’re in luck! Our region is booming with new watering holes, restaurants and eateries to explore. We’ve selected four local neighborhoods that are quickly expanding with new or recently opened food and drink businesses. While most of these neighborhoods have a handful of great established businesses, these hot spots are up-and-comers with local restaurateurs and food makers looking for untapped potential. The result? Neighborhood economies benefit and locals get new options for drinking and dining.
MAYPORT
Incorporated as a city from 1909 to 1917, this neighborhood is between Mayport Naval Station and the St. Johns River and is part of the Jacksonville Beaches communities. State Road A1A runs through Mayport, where much of the business sector sits.
Why Mayport?
“I’ve spent most of my life driving down Mayport Road to get to Hanna Park and it always seemed weird that one part of the Beach was mostly ignored. I knew some tenants in the property already and saw a unit that had been empty for 10 years and thought it would be great for a brewery buildout. After looking everywhere else at the Beach I kept gravitating back to the space where Reve is in now. A lot of people we talked to had doubts about the location, but my wife/business partner and I just saw so much potential on this road, kind of a blank slate. Best decision we’ve ever made.” Eric Luman, owner, Reve Brewing & Bones Pizza, Mayport Garden Club
“As a business owner for nearly 10 years along the Mayport corridor, we’ve seen it change and grow, but oddly stay the same in some ways. It’s one of Jacksonville’s last frontiers, and it’s a neighborhood that harbors creativity. With a unique blend of residents, a great surf culture, the ebb and flow of Navy crew and their families, the corridor is always flourishing with business and has been a place we have never taken for granted. We truly love Mayport as a neighborhood and continue to get excited for the possibilities it has yet to reveal.” Grace Forgette and Daniel Ballesteros, owners, Sub Cultured Sandwich Eatery
NEW TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Bones Pizza: Wood fired kitchen in Reve Brewing.
Mayport Garden Club: Reservation only cocktail lounge.
Egg Boy: Breakfast and brunch restaurant.
1985 Coffee Shop: Coffee and event spot.
WILDLIGHT
This 2,900-acre mixed-use development located in Nassau County includes homes, apartments, retail, dining, medical, office and other commercial uses. More than half of this new community near Yulee is dedicated to preserved wetlands and open space.
NEW TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Anejo Cocina: Mexican restaurant with full bar.
Mocama Taproom: Bar serving craft beer, wine and coffee.
Grumpy's Restaurant: Full-service breakfast, lunch and brunch eatery.
Hana Sushi: Restaurant offering sushi, poke bowls and Asian dishes.
Tasty's Fresh Burgers: Serves hamburgers, fries, sandwiches and milkshakes.
WEST KING STREET
A short walk from St. Augustine’s historic downtown, this community runs west of U.S. 1 and has seen its commercial district rise and fall over the years. Now, with Bog Brewing Company as an anchor and affordable housing in nearby neighborhoods, West King Street has become an appealing destination and is experiencing a business rejuvenation.
Why West King Street?
“While looking for a location for The Bog in 2015, a search that went from Ormond Beach to Atlantic Beach, a friend of ours came across 218 West King Street and noticed a flyer on the door announcing the closure of Old City Jewelry & Pawn. From the time I first saw the space, it just felt right. I knew it had potential and I thought that it seemed like a no-brainer to open a neighborhood taproom so close to Saint Augustine’s historic district. I would describe the neighborhood as authentic. Since opening our doors eight years ago, the West King Street district has grown into an area where anyone can enjoy a drink, shopping or a bite to eat without having to make the jaunt downtown. We embrace the history of our neighborhood but have also made it into something different.” Steve Mendoza, owner and head brewer, Bog Brewing Company
“We decided to open Maracuya by Llama on West King Street because we adore this neighborhood. We’ve lived here for a few years now and see huge potential with the rich culture and history in the area and we’re so excited to be part of the growth. We love our patrons and have been so welcomed. We hope to bring the same energy and joy to the neighborhood for years to come.” Staci Cleveland and Marcel Vizcarra, owners, Maracuya by Llama
NEW TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Buena Onda Café: Scratch-made vegetarian and vegan breakfast and lunch items.
The Local Refillery: Shop includes bulk foods and herbs, coffee bar and hemp-based wellness products.
The West Egg: Serves breakfast, brunch and sandwich items.
Sweet City Cupcakes: Bakery specializing in custom cakes, custom and mini desserts.
Muggsy’s: Neighborhood bar and tap room with games.
Real Peel Pizza Truck: Small batch artisanal pizza.
Blue Hen Café: Eatery serving comfort food with a Southern twist.
Maracuya by Llama: coffee, beverages and baked goods.
SILVERLEAF
This master-planned new home community is in the booming area of St. Johns County between County Road 210 and State Road 16 and includes several different neighborhoods. While commercial development is still in its infancy with more opening soon, residents already have some notable eateries and food outlets to enjoy.
Why Silverleaf?
“We opened the Chop Shop in St. Augustine in 2018 and started to keep track of where our customers lived. We had many people coming from the northwest part of St. Johns County, Nocatee and Ponte Vedra Beach, and they all wanted us to open a shop in those areas. After three and a half years of analysis, when we decided to branch out and open a second shop, the numbers pointed us to this community. I live in the World Golf Village neighborhood, which is not that far, so Silverleaf ’s proximity to my homelife made it very attractive for a second location. Now we are considering a third Chop Shop, and again we are keeping an eye on the customer trends, where they live and where this business would fit in.” Brian Whittington, owner, Chop Shop Artisan Butcher
NEW TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Salento Steakhouse: Serves a variety of steaks along with Colombian dishes and beverages.
Rustica Restaurant: Modern casual restaurant featuring seasonal ingredients.
Foxtail Coffee Co.: Extensive selection of craft beverages, food and Kelly’s Homemade Ice Cream.
Peterbrooke Chocolatier: European style handmade chocolates and gelato.
Chop Shop: Artisan butcher and market with produce, dairy, kitchen utensils and more.
