Jacksonville's new restaurants make a pretty good argument for breaking your usual routine. You can start with a deli breakfast in Mandarin, make a night of Florida seafood in Fairfax or finally sit down at the burger place you used to follow around town.
These stops opened in 2026. Bell & Layton's is the newest addition, with a November grand opening. The others have had a few months to settle in. This is a starting list for a meal you can plan now, and we will add openings as we research them.
Find a new Jacksonville restaurant worth your next outing
| Restaurant | Neighborhood | 2026 opening | Go for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bell & Layton's Delicatessen | Mandarin | November 8 grand opening announced | New York-style deli breakfast and lunch |
| The Buoy | Fairfax | June 5 | Locally caught seafood and tiki drinks |
| Hard Pressed | San Marco | May 13 | A smashburger at the brand's first restaurant |
| The Block Jax | Southside | March 20 | A food hall with a play park and live events |
Bell & Layton's brings the deli breakfast to Mandarin
Picture a bagel with lox to start the day, or pastrami on rye when lunch rolls around. Bell & Layton's puts an old-school New York kosher-style deli in the former Players Grille at 10140 San Jose Boulevard.
The deli's menu includes The Will pastrami sandwich and The Brian corned-beef Reuben. Can't decide between the meats? The Odd Couple puts both together. Latkes and a potato knish are on the menu, too.
Brian Bell and Will Layton announced their grand opening for November 8. Their Instagram lists Tuesday through Sunday from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m., so make this a breakfast or lunch plan. If kosher certification matters to your meal, confirm it with the deli; kosher-style alone does not establish certification.
The Buoy gives an old Fairfax service station a new life
That curved building at Herschel and San Juan is a good excuse to turn off the main road. The Buoy opened June 5 with chef Tito Quinones' focus on fish caught in Florida and nearby Georgia waters.
The full bar and tiki drinks give it another reason to linger. Look for the red buoy at 4323 Herschel Street and use the restaurant's own updates for its current offerings. This is Fairfax, between Avondale and Ortega; it is a separate outing from Mandarin or the beach.
Hard Pressed finally has a front door in San Marco
You may already know the food trucks. The new part is the restaurant: Hard Pressed opened its first permanent dining room May 13 at 1636 Hendricks Avenue, where Good Dough used to be.
Eddie Evans and Justin Pa'ala built their following on smashburgers. The San Marco room gives you a place to sit with one. Check the restaurant's current menu and hours, then see what else is nearby in our San Marco food guide.
The Block Jax lets everyone order something different
The food hall at The Block Jax opened March 20 on Quarter Mill Drive. Your group can split up for food and come back together, while the fenced play park gives the kids something to look forward to.
Look at the current vendor list and event calendar before choosing your day. Monday currently has a smaller food lineup. Use the venue's posted overflow-parking instructions; nearby business lots are not all open to visitors.
Bringing a dog? The Block allows dogs in designated outdoor common areas, with restrictions. Its main pavilion dining area and kids park are excluded. Our dog-friendly outings guide explains the options.
Where the opening dates come from
- Florida Times-Union, November 7 reported Bell & Layton's announced November 8 grand opening. Its owner Instagram supplies the current hours.
- Jax Daily Record, June 10 reported that The Buoy opened June 5.
- Florida Times-Union, May 15, via AOL reported Hard Pressed's May 13 restaurant opening.
- News4JAX, June 5 reported on The Block after its March opening. Visit Jacksonville's March update names March 20.
Checked November 9, 2026. This is researched opening coverage, not a ranking or a claim that we have eaten at every restaurant. Menus and hours can change.
Heard about another opening? Tell us about the new place and help a neighbor find their next favorite.