JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Anyone who is new in town and asks for the best places to eat in Jacksonville will likely hear at least one recommendation repeated more than once: European Street Cafe.
That could be why the beloved local eatery came out on top in not one but two categories in our JAXBest 2025 voting!
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European Street Cafe was selected by our News4JAX Insiders as both the best place for lunch and the best spot for vegan/vegetarian dishes.
For lunch, the cafe beat out fellow Top 4 finalists BF’nD Food Truck, Clara’s Tidbits and Graze Craze Jacksonville.
The other finalists for the vegan/vegetarian category were Murray Hillbilly, Nacho Taco and Seitanic Jax.
According to its website, European Street Cafe, a family-owned restaurant, has been providing award-winning food, beer selection and service for more than 40 years.
The eatery has three locations around the Jacksonville area:
- Riverside: 2753 Park St., Jacksonville, FL 32205
- San Marco: 1704 San Marco Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32207
- Jacksonville Beach: 992 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32250
From classic clubs, Reubens and wraps to salads, German sausage samplers and pita pockets, you are bound to find a favorite or two on European Street’s extensive menu.
The Veggie Lovers section offers the Vegetarian Wiener, tabbouleh, tempeh, pitas and more.
Each location also has a variety of American and European beers, and the patio dining is dog-friendly.
In a recent interview with News4JAX about the unique history of the Riverside location’s Art Deco style building, owner Andy Zarka told News4JAX that couples have gotten engaged on the patio there.
RELATED: European Street Cafe in Riverside blends history, community and art deco charm
“I think it’s a special place to a lot of people,” he said. “We hope to continue that for many, many years to come.”
Zarka is the son of founders Mary and Lew Zarka, who opened the Riverside location in 1992 after spending years running a Mr. Dunderbak’s franchise in the Regency Square Mall.
For more information and to see the full menu and beer options at each location, click here.
A special thanks to our JAXBest sponsor, Farah & Farah!