My Favorite New Restaurant Openings in Jacksonville & the Beaches in 2025 (And the One I Didn’t Love)

Jacksonville and the Beaches saw a big wave of restaurant openings in 2025, bringing fresh dining energy across the region. Locals have been sharing photos and talking about some of the standout spots that have opened this year. Facebook+1

Here are my three favorite new restaurants of the year — plus one that didn’t quite hit the mark for me personally.

1. Bella Vista A’Mare — Classic Italian with Local Flavor

One of my top new spots this year is Bella Vista A’Mare in Jacksonville Beach. This authentic Italian restaurant brings dishes like cacio e pepe, pappardelle Bolognese, chicken parmigiana, and veal Milanese, all prepared with high-quality ingredients sourced straight from Italy. WhatNow

What I love most about Bella Vista A’Mare is how it manages to feel both elevated and approachable — the food tastes like something you’d savor on a special night out, but the vibe is relaxed and genuinely local. Whether you’re grabbing dinner after a beach day or looking for a memorable meal with friends and family, this place delivers.

2. Grouper Shack — A New Favorite for Seafood Lovers

Another new opening I really enjoyed is Grouper Shack, which expanded from its original St. Augustine location to Jacksonville Beach this year. Jacksonville Today

Grouper Shack brings fresh local seafood and a casual, beach-friendly atmosphere that fits perfectly into the Northeast Florida vibe. It’s the kind of place where you can relax with good food and a drink, especially after a day in the sun. Their seafood lineup and easygoing style make it one of 2025’s most welcomed new entries to the local dining scene.

3. Shake Shack — Comfort Classic With a Local Twist

While it’s a national brand, Shake Shack’s new Jacksonville Beach location deserves praise as one of this year’s standout openings. The burgers, shakes, and crinkle-cut fries are consistent crowd-pleasers, and their space near South Beach Regional feels like a perfect casual stop. Facebook

I appreciate Shake Shack because it brings a reliable, crave-worthy option to the Beaches dining mix — something you can suggest to visitors or grab when you want a familiar favorite that still feels fun and fresh.

Least Favorite: Dave’s Hot Chicken

Now for the one that didn’t click for me.

Dave’s Hot Chicken made headlines as one of the new restaurant openings in the area and definitely drew lines and hype — but personally, it didn’t wow me like the others did. The concept is serviceable, and plenty of folks enjoy it, but in a year full of genuinely exciting and unique dining debuts around Jacksonville and the Beaches, this one felt more like another fast-casual chicken chain rather than a local standout.

That’s not a knock on the food — it’s just that when you have spots like Bella Vista A’Mare and Grouper Shack offering distinct flavors and experiences, the difference in creativity and quality becomes more obvious.

Why 2025 Was Exciting for Jacksonville Dining

The sheer number of new restaurants opening — from full-service venues to casual beach-friendly spots — is a sign of how much the local food scene is growing. Dozens of new concepts were introduced around town this year, giving residents more places to explore and adding depth to Northeast Florida’s culinary identity. Facebook

Whether you’re a longtime Jax local or a newcomer exploring the Beaches, there’s never been a better time to get out and try something new.