We know you deserve some date nights here in Jacksonville Beach, and we’re so lucky that Jax Beach has a great variety of date options. Whether you’re looking for a fancy night out, a nice family date with the kids in tow, or a way to relax during the day while the kids are at school, we’ve got a few of our favorite dates around town that are sure to please everyone.
Best Coffee or Day Date: Brunch at Southern Grounds
Jacksonville Beach Date NIGHTS, or should we say Date DAYS? Honestly, I will choose a day date, hands down. On my birthday a few years ago, my daughter had just started pre-K, so we had an entire morning to do whatever I wanted. My choice was to ride bikes to Neptune, grab coffees and mimosas and just RELAX. This is now my birthday tradition, and it is glorious. The folks at Southern Grounds have done a great job with their menu- everything is delish! It’s just the perfect spot for a relaxing brunch.
Best Dressy Date Night: Dinner on the Patio at Eleven South
If you’re looking for a classic date night, at a gorgeous restaurant with some GOOD WINE, you absolutely cannot go wrong with Eleven South. Put on some lipstick, strappy heels, and a cute dress that would be impractical to wear with your children, and enjoy. Order whatever sounds yummy, because it all is- but I must insist on the cheese plate. Get all the deliciousness that comes with it, you will feel very sophisticated not eating your children’s leftover chicken nuggets. Eleven South is amazing every time. They even grow their own produce on premise. Cheers!
Best Casual Date Night: Palm Valley Fish Camp
PV Fish Camp was the very first restaurant I went to in Jax, and we choose it again and again. Super fresh seafood and ridiculously gorge setting right on the Intercoastal make for a perfect date. The nice thing is that you could go casual or a bit dressier here. Get some bubbles (a glass of Blanc de Blanc), fried green tomatoes and don’t forget the bread pudding for dessert. My husband enjoys the whole red snapper too. Save some time to sit in the Adirondack chairs out back and watch the boats go by. Pro-tip: If the babysitter cancels, you can take the kids along. This place, along with the other Fish Camps are nice and loud.
Best Family Date: Nineteen at TPC Sawgrass
If you just can’t get enough of those kiddos (haha) head over to Nineteen. Sure, it’s fancy shmancy and it’s at “The Club” but it’s also a great place for a family date. Get a table on the porch- not only will you have a fabulous view of the 18th hole, but there is a huge lawn areas for the kids to do cartwheels and run around. Lots of options for picky palettes too! So order a cocktail and tell the kids to go play (ya know, just not TOO loud).
Best Beach Date: Sunset Picnic
Taking long walks on the beach is a date cliché for a reason. One of the most gorgeous beaches is in our backyard, and it’s crazy to take that for granted. Usually, we’re strapped down with sandy beach toys, juice boxes and sweaty children. For once, leave those little monsters at home and just take yourselves, two chairs and a little picnic basket with some cold wine or beers, fruit and cheese. Better yet, hire a pop-up picnic company to do it all for you. Sunrise and sunset at low tide are the ideal times for a relaxing beach picnic. So sit in your chair, stick your toes in the sand and don’t move! Unless you’re refilling your wine glass.
Mattie Shepherd moved to Jax Beach from Cincinnati about 3 years ago. She was a school psychologist for 9 years and enjoys using behaviorism on her husband and 2 daughters (JK, kind of). Mattie co-leads a Daisy Troop, is very proud to be on PTA board and cheers LOUDLY watching her daughter play ALL the sports. Mattie loves exploring Jax, especially in search of parks, coffee, cocktails and delish food. At home, she likes baking with her girls, dreaming of buying a fixer upper and covering it with #shiplap, and cropping messes out of her Instagram shots.
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