In 2025, dozens of new restaurants are in the works throughout the greater Jacksonville area from the city's downtown and historic neighborhoods to the Beaches and from Yulee in Nassau County to St. Augustine in St. Johns County. Some are in the early stages of permitting or construction while others have opening dates on the horizon.

Among them are big-name national chains staking a claim to new territory and established local favorites expanding their footprint. Others include new concepts from veteran area restaurateurs.

Restaurant openings are subject to multiple factors such as permitting and inspection delays, supply chain disruptions, fluctuating economic conditions and staff shortages.

Here's a look at some of the most notable restaurants in the works for the Jacksonville area during the next 12 months or so based on a review of public documents, including building permits, as well as developers' site plans, restaurant social media posts and owners.

14 Prime

14 Prime steakhouse is the first fine dining concept from V Pizza, the popular Jacksonville-based restaurant chain known for its handcrafted, wood-fired brick oven pizza. Aiming for a February opening, 14 Prime will connect to V Pizza + Sidecar in The Palms at Gate Parkway about 2 1/2 miles south of St. Johns Town Center. The chef-driven menu will focus on different brands of beef, American Wagyu, as well as fresh seafood and made-from-scratch pasta. 14 Prime promises "the very best versions" of classic craft cocktails." Unique amenities include a chef's table, and a concierge whose primary role will be interacting with guests even before they arrive so the restaurant understands their preferences and expectations.

The HUB

Three years in the making, The HUB is an entertainment complex anchored by new restaurant Alder & Oak, popular coffeehouse Southern Grounds and Sky Bar, an upscale cocktail bar. The HUB is the latest concept from Restaurant & Hospitality Investment Group (RHIG) of Jacksonville, which is best known for its popular Southern Grounds coffeehouse, artisan Blueberry Bakery and upscale Oaxaca Club in Jacksonville Beach. The HUB is designed to be an "urban oasis" in the historic Brooklyn neighborhood near downtown Jacksonville. Ground was broken Oct. 31 and construction is expected to take about 10 months.

Electric Dough Pizza Co.

Acclaimed Jacksonville chef Tom Gray is launching fast-casual homemade pizza restaurant Electric Dough Pizza Co. in the historic former San Marco Theatre building on San Marco Square. The restaurant will focus on Gray's signature fresh-from-scratch rectangular pizzas featuring a Roman-style dough with Detroit-style crispy, cheesy edges. Named for the Italian-imported electric oven used to bake the pizzas, Electric Dough Pizza Co. is the latest concept from Gray and his wife and business partner, Sarah Marie Johnston. The couple are the founders and owners of Prati Italia at the Markets at Town Center, and Town Hall, which neighbors the new restaurant. No opening date has been announced.

36 Granada (French Pantry/Little Miss Ha)

A new restaurant concept pairing popular Jacksonville restaurant The French Pantry with Vietnamese cuisine restaurant Little Miss Ha is coming to historic St. Augustine. Named for its address, 36 Granada will encompass four distinct dining concepts, including established restaurants The French Pantry and Litle Miss Ha; plus La Petite Kitchen, a chef-driven cooking class studio and private dining room; and Cache Cache, a secluded speakeasy bar and event space. There, French Pantry is expected to launch dinner service with a menu of French-Mediterranean cuisine.

Potbelly Sandwich Shop

Though no location has been identified yet, Chicago-based Potbelly Sandwich Shop is expected to enter the Jacksonville market in 2025. The popular chain — which describes itself as “a first-class dive” — has more than 425 restaurants across 33 states and is known for its toasty sandwiches, like The A Wreck, made with turkey breast, hickory smoked ham, Angus roast beef, salami and Swiss, and hand-scooped shakes. Franchisee Patrick Prendergast could bring as many as seven Potbelly restaurants to Northeast Florida in the coming years.

The Block Jax

Construction is well underway on The Block Jax , a first-of-its-kind family-oriented venue featuring an outdoor food hall, unique children's adventure playground, Kanine Social dog park and a live music area. The "pet-friendly and kid-approved" multi-faceted venue spanning 2.5 acres on Jacksonville's Southside will focus on food, family and fun. An Aug. 23 city building permit calls for the construction of a large pavilion covering multiple smaller buildings for an estimated job cost of slightly more than $3.3 million. The Block Jax is on track to open in the third quarter of 2025, founder and owner Daniel Moffatt told the Times-Union.

Oak Steakhouse Jacksonville

The historic Greenleaf & Crosby Building downtown will be home to the city's newest steakhouse, Oak Steakhouse Jacksonville . The restaurant is expected to open in late 2025 on the ground floor of the nearly century-old, 12-story building in the space occupied by Jacob’s Jewelers for most of the building’s history. The restaurant’s menu features Certified Angus Beef prime cuts of steak, ranging from an 8-ounce Filet Mignon to a 14-ounce Prime NY Strip to a 16-ounce Prime Ribeye, according to a menu from its Nashville steakhouse. Charleston, S.C.-based Indigo Road Hospitality Group operates the steakhouse concept as well as Japanese cuisine restaurants O-Ku, including one in Jacksonville Beach.

Dorothy's Downtown

Featuring an elevated menu of Creole and Southern cuisine, Dorothy's Downtown is the new upscale restaurant from the owners of award-winning The District SPR . Named in honor of its chef's grandmother, the new restaurant is renovating the storefront formerly occupied by the original Burrito Gallery, which closed in February 2024 after 18 years. Dorothy's will feature inspired versions of Creole and Southern favorites, including beignets, gumbo and Vegan Sausage Etoufee plus Rack of Elk and BBQ Shrimp & Grits. Dorothy's Downtown plans to offer lunch and dinner daily as well as brunch on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Prudential Club

After buying the landmark Players Grille in Miramar and expanding the concept to Mandarin — and soon, Brooklyn — Players Group LLC is proposing a new concept, Prudential Club , described as an “upscale restaurant, lounge and garden patio,” on Jacksonville’s Southbank. The 9,000-square-foot restaurant will seat about 250 inside and more than 90 in an outdoor area and offer a menu of tapas and entrees like Slow Cooked Bone-in Beef Shank and Grilled Salmon, according to plans submitted to the city.

Ford's Garage

After making its Northeast Florida debut in St. Augustine in September 2020, Ford’s Garage is exploring a second St. Johns County restaurant, this one in the sprawling Beachwalk mixed-use development. The 12-year-old restaurant concept is known for its menu of burgers, sandwiches and comfort food set in a 1920s service station-inspired dining room filled with classic Ford vehicles and memorabilia. And on Sundays, expect a brunch menu offering Chicken and Waffles, Monte Cristo, Mechanic’s Skillet and more.

Pinstripes

Pinstripes , a new, unique dining and entertainment venue is in the works at St. Johns Town Center. Described as a“best-in-class experiential dining and entertainment brand combining bistro, bowling, bocce and private event space,” Pinstripes offers a full-service Italian-American food and beverage menu featuring made-from-scratch pizzas and flatbreads, pasta and other entrees as well as desserts, including gelato, tiramisu and caramelized cheesecake. The Northbrook, Ill.-based company plans a 24,096-square-foot, two-story venue with outside patios on the first and second floors at an estimated construction cost of $8 million, according to an application for a city building permit.

Pour Taproom and Pizza Dynamo

Pour Taproom and Pizza Dynamo are aiming for a spring opening on the ground floor and mezzanine of the new VyStar Credit Union parking garage at Forsyth and Main streets downtown. Founded in Asheville, N.C., in 2014, Pour Taproom features a self-serve system for wine and beer, including a focus on local craft beer, according to its website. Pizza Dynamo, from Urban Dough LLC of Peachtree Corners, Ga., is "a traditional New York pizzeria that also uses 100% organic flour, tomatoes and cheese," according to a Downtown Investment Authority staff report.

Baby Got Brunch

Marcus Stroud, a retired Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle, hopes to score a touchdown with Baby Got Brunch , a brunch-themed restaurant downtown about a mile and a half from the stadium where he played for seven seasons. He is renovating and remodeling a roughly 5,175-square-foot storefront that previously served as a coffee shop and co-workspace. Potential menu items include chicken, short ribs or crispy pork belly and waffles, a Suns Out Burger and Shrimp and Grits. No opening date has been announced.

Raising Cane's

A rising star in the fast-food chicken business, Raising Cane’s received a city building permit on Dec. 3 for its first Northeast Florida location in Southwest Jacksonville, a 3,457-square-foot building with an outdoor seating patio and drive-thru at Oakleaf Station. Founded in 1996, the restaurant is known for its limited menu of fried chicken fingers and signature Cane’s sauce — a secret recipe known only to its managers. Its combo meals — available with two, three, four or six chicken fingers — come with crinkle-cut fries, Texas toast, and coleslaw. A chicken sandwich made with three chicken fingers is also available. No opening date has been announced.

Olive Garden

After Florida-based chains Red Lobster and Hooters closed some area restaurants in 2024, another Sunshine State favorite, Olive Garden , is planning to expand its presence in Jacksonville with its first new restaurant in the area since 2009. The restaurant would be the fifth in Northeast Florida for the 42-year-old Italian-American chain famous for its never-ending first course of soup or salad and breadsticks. At Glen Kernan Park, it will join market newcomer Slim Chickens, Culver’s and others.

V Pizza and White Oak Public House

Popular homegrown restaurant chain V Pizza expects to open its 14th pizzeria along with new bar concept White Oak Public House in the Durbin Crossing mixed-use community in northern St. Johns County. The projected debut is August, CEO Antonette Palacios told the Times-Union. Founded in Jacksonville, V Pizza is known for its hand-crafted, Napoletana pizza cooked in wood-fired brick ovens built in Italy, as well as, its wings and sandwiches. The emphasis is on fresh all-natural ingredients such as San Marzano tomatoes and bufala mozzarella imported from Italy. Dating back to 2014, V Pizza has locations in Florida, Georgia and North Carolina.

Habit Burger & Grill

Known for freshly chargrilled burgers, chicken, and tuna cooked to order over an open flame, California-based Habit Burger & Grill is scheduled to open its first Jacksonville location at a former Bojangles restaurant by late 2025. Habit uses 100% fresh ground beef for its Charburgers. And using an open flame sears a distinctive smoky flavor into the burgers, fresh marinated chicken, and sushi-grade ahi tuna it serves, according to its website.

Black Pearl

Offering "a unique dining experience where Italian charm meets Japanese elegance," Black Pearl is an upscale fusion concept coming to Ponte Vedra Pointe shopping center. Chef and part owner Kelvin Ole told the Times-Union he hopes to open the 4,256 square-foot restaurant in March just in time for The Players Championship. The menu will feature signature Italian-Japanese fusion dishes as well as sushi, he said.

Slim Chickens

Fast-casual chicken chain Slim Chickens is planning its first Northeast Florida restaurant at Glen Kernan Park. The Fayetteville, Ark.-based chain is known for its chicken sandwiches and wraps, chicken tenders and wings and chicken and waffles paired with a choice of 17 house-made sauces. Its menu also features a variety of Southern-inspired sides and a selection of milkshakes and jar desserts — layered with cake, pudding or whipped cream and served in a Slim Chickens mason jar.

Bohemian Bull

76030-1 William Burgess Blvd., Yulee, bohemianbull.com Known for its craft burgers, beer and bourbon, Bohemian Bull is set to join Grumpy’s Restaurant at the Publix-anchored Crossings at Wildlight. The restaurant will be the first in Florida and just the second outside of South Carolina, where the concept first debuted at James Island in 2013. In addition to burgers, the menu includes a selection of sandwiches and entrees, including Fish & Chips, Blackened Salmon, Milk Braised Pork Rigatoni and more. And on weekends, Bohemian Bull will offer brunch, featuring unique takes on bunch staples.

Dave's Hot Chicken

Known for its jumbo Nashville-style hot chicken tenders, sliders and new bites, served with fries, mac & cheese or kale slaw, Dave's Hot Chicken is coming to St. Johns Town Center to the corner storefront between Firehouse Subs and PetSmart. The location is the second of at least five locations planned in North Florida for franchisees Tim Jensen, Jesse Allen, Andrew Hamerling and Tom Devine, the Times-Union previously reported. No opening date has been announced.

Chicken Salad Chick

Spanning two adjacent storefronts, Chicken Salad Chick plans to open at Ortega Park, the redeveloped Roosevelt Square shopping center on the Westside. Atlanta-based Chicken Salad Chick bills itself as the nation's only fast-casual chicken salad restaurant concept with a menu of more than a dozen original, made-from-scratch chicken salad flavors as well as its pimento cheese and egg salads. Also featured are fresh garden salads, gourmet soups, signature sandwiches such as The Chick Melt, seasonal items and desserts. No opening date has been announced.

Michael's

Acclaimed St. Augustine chef Michael Lugo is relocating his flagship fine dining restaurant Michael's ― a mainstay in that city's downtown for 20 years ― to Vilano Beach's Hyatt Place St. Augustine oceanside hotel that also hosts his new rooftop restaurant, Pesca Vilano restaurant, which opened in October 2023. Michael's plans to open at the hotel in February.

The Lomax Restaurant

No target opening date has been announced and construction — which began in August 2023 — appears stalled for The Lomax Restaurant , the new concept planned for the former Wells Fargo bank branch at Lomax and Oak streets in historic Five Points. The restaurant comes from Roost Restaurants LLC — the team behind The Local restaurants in Jacksonville and Neptune Beach. Led by restaurant developers Ted Stein and J.C. Demetree and CEO Eli Durant, the restaurant group has been renovating the existing ground-level bank space as well as building a new two-story addition where the bank's drive-thru lanes canopy once stood.

The Local

A project formerly known as The Roost, The Local is another new restaurant proposed by Ted Stein and J.C. Demetree of Roost Restaurants LLC. Planned for the former Deluxe Laundry and Dry Cleaners and Deluxe Launderette buildings on Oak Street in Riverside, the restaurant would be the third for The Local, after locations in Jacksonville's Miramar neighborhood and in Neptune Beach. Another is on the way at 225 Solana Road, Suite 1, in Ponte Vedra Beach, a St. Johns County building permit shows. Inspired by travels to big cities around the world, each Local restaurant and its menu "are homegrown by locals for locals."

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