Really, what better way to dine in Jacksonville than to arrive by boat? There are excellent choices for dining all around Jacksonville, but only a few are accessible by boat- giving you not only a great way to travel but guaranteed waterfront views. Check out some of the restaurants that you can travel to via boat from the Jax Boat Club and truly enjoy your natural surroundings-and arrive in style.
LuLu’s Waterfront Grille
Your first stop could be Ponte Vedra Beach’s Lulu’s Waterfront Grille. Lulu’s is open seven days a week from 11-10pm serving up some of the freshest seafood in town. Lulu’s is well known for their fried shrimp, Lulu’s Pontchatrain, crab cakes and Baja Tacos but they have a variety of entrees to please any palate.
While you can always reach this spot by car, this is one of the few local spots where you can arrive by boat. Lulu’s has recently renovated their dock for boaters to pull up and enjoy this waterfront experience. Lulu’s is about a half-hour leisurely cruise down the Intracoastal from the Jax Boat Clubs dock. The dock is first come, first serve.
Palm Valley Fish Camp
Directly next door to Lulu’s is Palm Valley Fish Camp, an upscale restaurant specializing in top-notch Southern style seafood. Palm Valley Fish Camp, also located on the Intracoastal, offers beautiful views, fresh seafood, and new twists on classic seafood entrees. You’ll love the welcoming interior with plenty of sunlight, a lively atmosphere, and friendly service.
The restaurant is serving up some superb lunch selections Tuesday through Sunday from 11-4, while dinner is served every night starting at 4pm. Enjoy starters such as the Raw Oysters on the Half Shell or my favorite- the Fried New England Clam Bellies. With entrees like the Fish Camp Shrimp and Creamy Grits, Roast Cod Filet or Top Sirloin Steak with mixed greens and fries, the Fish Camp has something for everyone. Bring the whole family and the kids can enjoy fried fish strips or a grilled cheese. Afterward, stop into the Palm Valley Outdoors Bar & Grill just to the south for kayak rentals and paddle boarding. The dock is first come, first serve.
Jacksonville Landing
The Jacksonville Landing is a mecca of restaurants and entertainment, and another choice for waterside dining. You can easily boat to this downtown destination in about an hour with one of the boats from our fleet. Restaurants range from casual fare like Chicago Pizza and Sports Grille, Fionn MacCool’s and Hooters to the more sophisticated Lanna Thai Sushi and Benny’s Steak and Seafood. The Landing docks are free and open to the public first come, first serve. For additional information, call the City of Jacksonville Dockmaster at 904-630-0839.
![By Excel23 (Own work) [CC0], via Wikimedia Commons](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56fe9c3bcf80a175dd4a8a0e/1500675233918-BKIZZYWXQYY2UDA072CB/Boating+destinations)
By Excel23 (Own work) [CC0], via Wikimedia Commons
River City Brewing Company and Marina
The River City Brewing Company is another great choice for dining and they also have a more casual lounge area. River City offers lunch and dinner with varying hours depending on the dining area you choose. Sunday brunch, offered from 10:30-2:30, would be a fantastic stop on your next weekend outing. Located on the Southbank Riverwalk of the St John’s River between the Acosta and Main Street Bridge, River City Brewing Company is directly across from the Jacksonville Landing. Reservations for dock slips are accepted (but not required) and can be made by calling the Dockmaster at 904-398-7918.