Call me biased, but my hometown – Jacksonville, Florida has some pretty incredible restaurants from casual eats to elegant dining all with top-notch service and tasty dishes.

Sip & Savor Jax, Jacksonville’s restaurant week, is going on now through September 25, 2016 with great deals and great eats. It is a great time to try out some ‘new to you’ places and discover where the locals go.

Here’s a look at some of my top picks of where to eat in Jacksonville –

Moxie Kitchen & Cocktails

Chef Tom Gray brings Southern flavors with a twist to Moxie Kitchen & Cocktails located in the St. Johns Town Center. If you follow me on Instagram, you’ve probably seen plenty of picture of the great eats from this favorite spot.

Pimento cheese toast, chicken and waffles and incredible desserts – the restaurant prides itself on its “full-circle approach” working with local farmers and artisans, along with eco-friendly practices. Need a drink? Check out the creative cocktails list and local beers on tap.

Must Try: Don’t miss trying the Seared Scottish Salmon on the Sip & Savor Jax dinner menu – it is served with goat cheese smashed potatoes. Yes, please!

Seared Scottish Salmon

HOBNOB

HOBNOB, located in Jacksonville’s Unity Plaza, is one of Northeast Florida’s newest hot spots and one I enjoy visiting to catch up with friends for drinks and great food. Great service and a relaxed, but classy atmosphere.

In addition to artfully-plated dishes, be sure to check out the Chef’s Table offering great views of the kitchen and a perfect spot for catching up with friends. If you’re in the mood for a drink – try the UniTiki Plaza, a signature drink featuring a variety of rum and served in a tiki glass.

Must Try: The Shrimp Kilawin is a fantastic dish filled with flavor, one of my favorite dishes at HOBNOB.

Candy Apple Cafe & Cocktails

Located just steps from Hemming Park in Downtown, Candy Apple Cafe & Cocktails offers diners a whimsical dining experience with tasty foods and their signature candy apples for dessert – perfect for sharing. Open for brunch, lunch and dinner – the restaurant has a great menu lined up for this year’s Sip & Savor Jax.

Open for brunch, lunch and dinner – the restaurant has a great lunch and dinner menu lined up for this year’s Sip & Savor Jax. Must Try: Don’t miss the Mac n’ Cheese topped with candy bacon and fried chicken — pure comfort food!

Dennis Ho for Candy Apple Cafe & Cocktails

Gilbert’s Social

If you’re a fan of BravoTV’s Top Chef, you’ll recognize Chef Kenny Gilbert from Season seven in Washington D.C. As a follow up to the successful Gilbert’s Underground Kitchen in Fernandina Beach, Gilbert’s Social, located on Jacksonville’s Southside is brand new — so new I haven’t been yet. (That will change – soon!)

The Sip & Savor Jax menu features a pulled pork platter with dill pickles, a choice of one side and Mini Kentucky Derby Pie. The prix fixe menu features a kale salad with apples, hot miso catfish and Chef Kenny’s mini banana pudding – yes, please!

Kitchen on San Marco

This local, gastropub is high on my list for great eats and a fantastic craft beer menu. Kitchen on San Marco focuses on local eats, regional cuisine and a relaxed atmosphere perfect for a fun night out with friends — and great for watching football too. (One of my favorite weekend activities.)

Their Sip & Savor Jax dinner menu features chicken fried oysters and a pork board with a variety of meats and even boiled peanuts – yum! Must Try: I’m a big fan of grabbing a local beer (Intuition Ale Works Jon Boat, please) and sharing a bunch of appetizers like pimento cheese and candied bacon!

image provided by Kitchen on San Marco

What Is Sip & Savor Jax? 

Known as Jacksonville’s restaurant week – Sip & Savor Jax features some fantastic deals at some of the area’s top restaurants and breweries.

These specials take place September 11 – 25, 2016 with participating restaurant presenting their own three-course prix-fixe lunch or dinner menu at a price point of $15, $25, $35 or $45. Each will include an appetizer, main entrée and dessert.

Eat Well and Win During Sip & Savor Jax

Taking place September 11 through September 25, 2016 – Sip & Savor Jax reservations will go quickly, so plan ahead and enjoy great eats.

If you are on Instagram, share your Sip & Savor Jax pics with the hashtag #SipSavorJax and you’ll be entered to win Visit Jacksonville’s contest to win a $50 restaurant gift card each day during the event. The hashtag has some pretty incredible pictures — you’ll be ready to eat in no time.

For the complete list of participating restaurants and menus, go to www.sipandsavorjax.com.

Where’s Your Favorite Place to Eat in Jacksonville?

** I received no compensation for this post. I love Jacksonville and I love great food. Opinions here are 100% my own. **