September saw the highly anticipated opening of an intimate European-inspired wine bar on the Southbank from a Michelin-recognized Jacksonville restaurateur and his wife.
A popular nationwide fast-casual farm-to-table restaurant
opened at St. Johns Town Center. And a trendy California restaurant chain known for its freshly flame-grilled burgers, chicken and sushi-grade tuna opened its third Northeast Florida restaurant in North Jacksonville.After 46 years, aJacksonville barbecue institution known for its signature Baby Back Ribs, Memphis-style Spare Ribs, and other Southern slow-smoked staples closed as it prepares to relocate.
Notable closings also included a landmark Fernandina Beach beachfront restaurant, bar and motel after nearly three-quarters
of a century.
Here's a recap of notable Jacksonville-area restaurant news in September
The Huguenot
The Huguenot, an intimate European-inspired wine, artisanal cheese and charcuterie bar, opened at 1039 Hendricks Ave., No. 5, on the Southbank in the former Reddi-Arts building complex. Michelin Guide-recognized restaurateur Chad Munsey and his wife, Lauren, co-founded and co-own the wine bar. The Huguenot features a sommelier-curated selection of wines by the glass and bottle, as well as artisan cheeses, cured meats, composed boards and shareable plates. The roughly 1,500-square-foot space is "designed to provide a relaxed and refined setting where guests can gather over exceptional wine and small bites." | Read more
Original Woody's Bar-B-Q
The original Woody's Bar-B-Q , a Jacksonville barbecue landmark known for its signature Baby Back Ribs, Memphis-style Spare Ribs, and other Southern slow-smoked staples closed Sept. 30, but only temporarily as its owner plans to relocate the restaurant. The restaurant at 1638 University Blvd. S. was the first for founders and former owners Woody Mills and Yolanda Mills-Mawman, who launched the restaurant on July 1, 1980. Consistently named a Jacksonville favorite for classic Southern barbecue and hospitality, the restaurant will reopen at a new location, which is being finalized, according to its Jacksonville-based parent company, Greater Purpose Restaurant Group. | Read more
Habit Burger & Grill
Known for its freshly flame-grilled burgers, chicken and sushi-grade tuna, Habit Burger & Grill opened its third Northeast Florida restaurant at 15088 Max Leggett Parkway at River City Marketplace. Habit uses an open flame to "sear bold, smoky flavor" into its cooked-to-order Charburgers, marinated chicken and sushi-grade tuna. The Irvine, Calif.-based restaurant chain also offers freshly made salads and a variety of sides, including tempura green beans, sweet potato fries, French fries and onion rings. | Read more
Voodoo Brewing Co.
The spell is broken. After two years, Voodoo Brewing Co. quietly closed its only Northeast Florida taproom at 1974 San Marco Blvd. in the renovated, 101-year-old San Marco Building in historic San Marco. The Jacksonville gastropub is among at least 12 Voodoo Brewing taprooms and franchise locations to close nationwide since May 2023, according to news media reports and social media accounts. | Read more
Sweetgreen
Known for its chef-crafted salads, warm grain bowls, and "protein-forward plates," trendy farm-to-table restaurant chain Sweetgreen made its Northeast Florida debut at 4624 Town Crossing Drive, No. 113, at the St. Johns Town Center. There, the restaurant took over and renovated the space formerly used by Noodles & Company, which closed in March after 10 years. Founded in November 2006, Sweetgreen opened its first restaurant in August 2007 in Washington, D.C. | Read more
Dick's Wings & Grill
After at least 20 years, Dick's Wings & Grill closed at 965 State Road 16 in the Publix-anchored Shoppes of Mission Trace retail center in northwest St. Augustine. The closure came as the longtime franchise owner and his family moved to be closer to relatives out of state. The State Road 16 restaurant closure comes seven months after Dick's Wings in Nocatee Town Center shut its doors in February after 13 years. Remaining open is Dick's Wings at 4010 U.S. 1 South, also in St. Augustine, which is now the sole St. Johns County location. | Read more
The Surf Restaurant, Bar and Beach Motel
The Surf Restaurant, Bar and Beach Motel shut the doors of its restaurant and bar after nearly 70 years — citing competition, changing consumer habits and economic factors in an announcement on social media. The motel will remain open indefinitely, employees told the Times-Union. The Surf, on its website, said it was envisioned as "a place where locals and visitors could gather to enjoy fresh seafood, good company, and breathtaking views of the East Coast" — becoming a staple of Amelia Island. The restaurant was known for its fresh seafood — especially shrimp salad — and hospitality, as well as live music on the weekends. | Read more
Hwy55 Burgers, Shakes & Fries
Two years after introducing its signature hamburgers, frozen custard and fries to Jacksonville, Hwy 55 Burgers, Shakes & Fries closed at 1027 Danmac Lane on the Westside. The restaurant chain announced the closure on social media, thanking everyone for their support. The North Carolina-based retro-themed diner debuted in Northeast Florida in June 2024, opening near the Commonwealth Avenue/Interstate 295 interchange, near Zaxby's, Waffle House, Burger King and Hardee's. | Read more
Ned's New England Deck
Featuring lobster rolls, North Shore roast beef, seafood and other authentic New England-style fare, Ned's New England Deck, based in Fairfax, Va,, opened its first Florida location at 170 Fountains Way, Unit 7, at The Fountains at St. Johns off County Road 210 in Saint Johns. The new restaurant replaces Jax Fish Fry, which closed in August after nearly three years. New England natives and Nocatee residents founded the new restaurant, which plans to add breakfast, according to a news release announcing the opening. Ned's is open from 10:45 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Sunday and Monday, and 10:45 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. | Read more
Riviera 89
Describing itself as an "Italian kitchen with French soul," Riviera 89 opened at 100 Marketside Ave, Suite 305, in the Publix-anchored Nocatee Town Center. The new restaurant takes over the roughly 1,860-square-foot space vacated by Catullo's Italian, which closed in June after three years. Riviera 89 features pasta imported from Italy and showcases scratch-made sauces, risotto and homemade desserts and pastries. Guests can choose from a selection of pasta including spaghetti, penne, rigatoni and gnocchi. Sauces range from pomodoro aglio, olio e peperoncino and Arrabbiata to Pesto Verde, Alfredo, carbonara, Bolognese and more. French specialties include three types of quiche, according to the menu. | Read more
Sierra Grille
After four years, Sierra Grille closed at 1021 Atlantic Blvd. in Atlantic Beach. The closure came as the restaurant's lease expired. Operating costs have risen, and the business is no longer sustainable there, the restaurant said in posts on Facebook and Instagram announcing the closure. Remaining open is the original Sierra Grille at 331 Marsh Landing Parkway in Jacksonville Beach, which dates back to 1995. | Read more
Teresa Stepzinski is the dining reporter for the Times-Union. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @TeresaStepz or reach her via email at tstepzinski@jacksonville.com.
If you're a subscriber, thank you. If not, become a subscriber to get the latest dining coverage.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: 5 Jacksonville-area restaurants open, 6 permanently close in September
