Cafe Genovese

I went to Whiskey Cake for a party which was in a nice size private room. Our server Christina was…read morefabulous! There were roughly 15 people at the party and she kept the food and drinks coming all night with a friendly smile. I started with the guava gimlet made with Wheatley Vodka, guava, pineapple, simple and lime. It was sweet and refreshing. We were served a few appetizers including creamy artichoke dip served with homemade chips which were tasty. My friend and I ordered the charcuterie board which hit the spot! You could top the meat cheeses and sauces on to either homemade crackers or French bread. I highly recommend the board if you are looking for something light.

This place is in a busy area of town center. It has a cool semi-upscale ranch style vibe. I was…read moresuper excited to try this place based on reviews but was disappointed. The staff were friendly but super busy due to inside volume of people. The food looks good and the steak was cooked fine, but the chimichurri had too much oil & fries were super salty. Like it was fried in it and topped off with it... I had let the person who brought the food out know (who works with the chef), and they never offered to bring me different fries. They just said they would tell the kitchen but didn't offer anything and so I didn't eat the fries at all. This plate being $38 before tax, I mean you want good fries....For the drink I got one of their mocktails which honestly was not up to par at all tasting like water and cucumber and nothing else, and I ended up ordering a soda... Again staff are friendly, but if management could pay attention a little more even when they're busy, it would help a lot, especially if someone is not happy with their food. I will not try this place again for a while as there are other places better than this that have similar dishes. Again when people are eating alone or in a group, make them happy with the food please...

TAVERN BURGER: brisket blend, new American cheese, dill pickles, lettuce, tomato, fancy sauce, sesame bun

Whiskey Cake Jacksonville - Chicken & Cheese Melt:
roasted chicken, peppered bacon, fontina cheese, tomato, lettuce, avocado, roasted shallot mayo, sourdough

Chicken & Cheese Melt: roasted chicken, peppered bacon, fontina cheese, tomato, lettuce, avocado, roasted shallot mayo, sourdough

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Fish 'N Chips: wild Alaskan cod, beer batter, dill crumble, Sazerac barrel aged malt vinegar, hand-cut fries, remoulade

Treylor Park

Kriscinda did a great job with our service today. And made sure that we got our food out a…read morereasonable time. Great vibes inside with good music on.

The vibes were great! We had the Asian beef tacos, boneless wings, cactus marg…read more Nice little spot for lunch!

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The District SPR

4.4(533 reviews)

21.4 mi•Downtown

Locally owned & operated

Established in 2020

First time eating there. Ordered the Salmon and Grits and it was on point. Perfectly cooked and…read moreseasoned well. I will be back.

I love this place. The food is so great. The staff is so friendly. anytime I go they always…read moreaccommodate me no matter if I walk in or make reservations.

Main dining room

Salmon and grits!

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Inside area

Doro

4.4(181 reviews)

18.5 mi•Beaches

I love going there, it's great food and great ambience. The service is also amazing. And they have…read morea great selection of wine.

I was in Jacksonville for the weekend, and my girlfriend and her sister would not stop hyping up…read moreDoro. They were talking about Doro like it was a 2013 Andrew Wiggins. We walked into the chic interior, with a bottle of Chianti under the arm as it's BYOB. Something about sipping Chianti out of a nice wine glass...idk man. It makes me feel something. It makes me feel important. It makes me feel like I'm under the Florentine sky without a care in the world. We went with the charred octopus ($20), pork schnitzel ($16), fish of the day, the crispy short ribs ($47), and some seared scallops ($20) that were to die for. Everything hit, but that crispy short rib was operating on a different level. It was putting a show on. A crispy exterior with a tender interior, it made me question every other short rib dish I've ever had. I was inspired. The portions were on the smaller side, but my girlfriend gave me the scout ahead of time so I demolished an Angie's sub a few hours before dinner. It's always nice when you do your pregame preparation and are able to get a clean read of the defense. I felt like Tom Brady. IG @jnov_ Tiktok @jnov__ Substack @johnnynovo

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Schnitzel

Orsay

4.5(1.3k reviews)

20.6 mi•Avondale

An outstanding dining experience for a perfectly planned Mother's Day. From start to finish the…read moreservice was attentive and seamless, food was beautifully presented and full of flavor, and the decor created a warm, elegant atmosphere. The creative cocktails were a standout-unique, well-balanced, and the perfect complement to the meal. The pork chop was perfectly seasoned with just the right amount of crunch. Orsay is the perfect spot for a memorable night out.

Bar

Creme Brûlée

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Hamburger

BB's

4.4(1.2k reviews)

19.6 mi•Southbank

We went with some friends for dinner. We are doing the AbC's dinner club and we picked this…read morerestaurant for the letter "B" We had reservations, inside was nice, the first thing that caught my eye was the cakes!!!! They have an amazing selection! The service was good, the food was great. I did the 3 courses menu for $45 and it was worth it. I had the salmon stuffed with crab, salad and rum cake, everything was delicious! They have a selection of cocktails too. I highly recommend it!

While seeking an exceptional dining destination in Southbank this evening, I happened upon BB's,…read moreand it proved to be an absolute culinary triumph! Arrival was effortless thanks to their convenient parking options. Stepping inside, I was immediately enchanted by the ambiance. While unassuming at first glance, the decor is exquisitely appointed, featuring a charming bar area alongside a breathtaking display of artisanal cakes and delicate treats. The venue is pristine, elegant, and impeccably maintained. The hospitality was top-tier from start to finish. My server, Evan, was remarkably gracious, attentive, and ensured I was seated comfortably, making the entire experience feel thoroughly luxurious. To unwind after a long day, I ordered an Espresso Martini, which was mixed to sheer perfection smooth, rich, and an absolute delight. For my main dish, I selected the Duck Wonton Napoleon, which was nothing short of divine. The flavors were sophisticated, beautifully balanced, and executed with real skill. From the pristine cleanliness and chic decor to the stellar service from Evan and exquisite cuisine, BB's earns full marks. A thoroughly marvelous evening I shall most certainly be returning

Wine selection

Almond Crusted Calamari

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Warm Goat Cheese Salad

Asado Life

4.2(226 reviews)

16.6 mi

My gf checked out the reviews and we both decided that this was a must try for lunch. The French…read moredip was superb. Cooked medium on a baguette with perfecfly melted provolone cheese and aioli. I aslo enjoyed the crispy seasoned fries. A generous portion size for a fair price. I love that this restaurant is on the water and has a market woth unique items as well. Service was good and I would certainly return for dinner.

We stopped at Asado Life for a late lunch. I was impressed with my Asado Bowl! It came with datil…read morepepper, black beans, cotija, jasmine rice, heirloom tomato criolla, white corn tortilla crisp and micro cilantro. I also added grilled zucchini. The datil pepper black beans and heirloom tomato criolla gave it a really distinctive Florida and Latin Caribbean flavor. I loved the smoky taste and the portion was huge! I love grilled, spicy vegetables packed with flavor and this bowl was on point! Everything came together beautifully and was very filling. The water views are pretty and there is an adorable little market with fun goodies and swag to browse. Service was also good and made the experience even better. Definitely a great spot to stop for a flavorful meal with a nice atmosphere!

Bar dining and kitchen

Lobster Gnocchi available on our dinner menu

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House salad

Collage Restaurant

4.5(662 reviews)

16.1 mi

Food was delicious, Service was great. I had the surf and turf and my date had the lobster ravioli…read more I highly recommend this place for a date night.

Reservations required due to the limited seating and dress is business casual, although nice shorts…read moreon the guys is fine during these hot summer months. Even though it sounds rather stuffy, this is a very friendly and welcoming place. Our meal and the whole experience was amazing! Professional, yet friendly staff and our waitress was wonderful! Cozy, yet elegant dining areas. We started with bread with roasted garlic cloves and basil oil. Had an appetizer of prosciutto wrapped scallops and potatoes (Scallop Saltimbocca). I had their special of pan seared redfish and my husband had the wild mushroom pasta. We were served raspberry sorbet as a palate cleanser before the entree. Finished with rum cake we shared that they graciously split in half portions for us. All in all, it was a wonderful dining experience!

Corner table with great view of Holiday trolleys driving by

Surf and turf with broccolini and risotto

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Rustica Earth Sea and Fire

4.7(208 reviews)

3.8 mi

Absolutely amazing food, atmosphere and service. Our server was top tier and clearly cared about…read morethe place.

Shout out to Dale who took care of our party of 7. This restaurant has a revolving menu changing…read moreevery few weeks. So, if there something you love, come back soon. The dishes were great and I wouldn't change a thing, except on one. The pork belly bao was dry and little bland. I used the dip from karage chicken on it and it was great. Everything else we had, AMAZING! Love all the sauces and dips made in house. The miso dressing on the salad was so good I could eat that on anything. The oysters were fresh and the toppings equally complimented the oysters. The grouper and monk fish, cooked and seasoned just right. Great job on crab beignet! My favorite was hamachi on the soba. It was a completely elevated way to experience that fish. I would order that again. The kids really enjoyed their kids meals too and the cocktails were good. I definitely recommend.

Pretty interior.

Delicious and filling

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Romaine salad

Grumpy's Restaurant

4.0(436 reviews)

0.3 mi

I am so excited to finally find a place that makes a sandwich with REAL carved turkey !!!…read moreI wished it was sliced because it would be easier to eat and not fall out, but I'm not going to complain because it's the real deal!! Their orange juice is fresh squeezed and reminds me of the juice you get over in parts of Europe, it's SO good!!! My husband had the Fried Green Tomato Benedict with the Hollandaise sauce on the side, said it was yummy (I'm not a green tomato fan so didn't try it) The service was great and attentive. Definitely going back again

Grumpy's absolutely delivered. I had the fried chicken Benedict with pancakes on the side, and…read morewhew... you're gonna need to be rolled out of there when you're done. The fried chicken was crispy, the Benedict was packed with flavor, and the pancakes were the size of hubcaps. The hash browns were excellent too. Service was friendly and fast, and the atmosphere had that classic hometown breakfast spot feel where everyone seems happy to be there. Great food, huge portions, and prices that won't make you grumpy. We'll definitely be back.

Indoor seating

Grumpy's Big Breakfast. Cheese grits, sunny side up eggs sausage links and two pancakes . Excellent !

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Coffee and I got this mug to take home #Winning

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18 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Peter M.

1132

192

558

4 months ago

Some restaurants simply make you feel comfortable the moment you walk through the door, and Café Genovese is one of those places. We found this restaurant completely by accident while exploring after moving to the area, and it has become one of our favorite local breakfast spots ever since. Even during the long road construction period off 210, we kept making the trip because the experience was always worth it. The atmosphere feels authentic and personal. The walls are filled with sentimental family treasures, customer photos, and little pieces of history collected over the years. One framed Christmas card from a customer hanging on the wall especially stood out because it perfectly reflects the relationship this restaurant has built with the community. Peter ordered his favorite, the Complete Breakfast with eggs, bacon, hash browns, and pancakes. The pancakes were absolutely incredible and earned our Culinary Duo "Best of the Best" recognition. Light, fluffy, buttery, and perfectly cooked, they tasted homemade in the best possible way. The coffee kept flowing throughout the meal and the staff treated everyone warmly without feeling rushed or scripted. Susan enjoyed one of the fresh salads while Peter unapologetically added extra maple syrup to every pancake in sight. What we appreciated most was how genuine the entire experience felt. This is not a trendy brunch spot trying to impress social media. It is a real local restaurant serving comforting food with pride and consistency. If you appreciate hometown breakfast spots, friendly service, great pancakes, and authentic community atmosphere, Café Genovese is absolutely worth visiting. read more

Guy B.

6 years ago

I have been here once and would never go again. If you want to peacefully eat breakfast in an environment that is non-political, this isn't the place. The right winged networks are on full blast on the television screens, and it seems the customers feel very welcome and are accustomed to such. You would think as a breakfast diner they would be accommodating to all people. I would rather drive the extra 20 to 30 mins to where my presence doesn't make anyone uncomfortable or where I'm not made uncomfortable by the right wing atmosphere. If you're passing thru, just keep driving and head to Jacksonville or Daytona for breakfast- the food is subpar anyway. read more

M D.

3 years ago

We ate at Cafe Genovese recently. The kitchen is open air. The cook, that day, talks loud enough that he can be heard from the counter and all tables. The cook is a big supporter of Donald Trump. He incessantly talks about Trump as a victim including, e.g., if "they" can do this to him, they can do it to anybody. He was complaining about Trump's recent bank fraud conviction in New York. Perhaps the cook doesn't think the shareholders of the defrauded banks are victims? Bottom line, if you would like to commiserate about Trump being a victim while you eat your breakfast, this is the place for you. read more

Jenny G.

4 years ago

Frozen foods, and not homemade. Shameful to any Italian family. Hopefully the Foubtains at St Johns center will put this awful place out of business. Why have a restaurant just to serve food right off the Sysco truck? Waste of money. read more

Dana S.

1 year ago

Cafe Genovese have the best Reuben sandwich I've ever had!! You can call ahead and pick up your order or you can enjoy the hometown feel inside. Small business family owned and ran, where everyone knows your name . read more

Slate C.

166

258

10 years ago

Very good food for a great price. It's a great family run business where the owner knows all his regulars. Open kitchen so you can see him cooking. Food is very reasonably priced. Breakfast is great read more

Mario G.

10 years ago

Stop writing mean comments cause we read them it hurts us an if u have a problem about the restraunt u don't have to eat there ok seriously who has time to right mean cruel comments screw off read more

Michael G.

1 year ago

Racist hateful people ..... Newsmax and Fox on TV all the time and if you are Brown Black or any other type of non white Straight Christian stay away for your own sanity read more

Laura A.

11 years ago

Great food and service. We were seated as soon as we arrived. Food is cooked in front of you. Food was excellent. Home style cooking. Very tasty! Prices were great too. read more

Rachel M.

8 years ago

Love Cafe Genovese's family atmosphere, menu and service. Also that the locals go there and the staff know them by name, etc.

Sandy G.

7 years ago

Great place to eat! Everyone was very friendly! The food was good too! We were happy to find a new place not far from home.

Tasha G.

8 years ago

Service was great, food was great and prices were great! Small family run breakfast place. Would definitely recommend.

Cathy I.

12 years ago

Awesome place with a family atmosphere ....salads are fresh and delicious!!! I will definitely come again!!!

Cait A.

205

7 years ago

I always love coming here for breakfast or lunch!!! It's the best and everyone is sooo friendly

Cait S.

10 years ago

This place is not in the right place on the map!! Can't wait to get there and eat breakfast!

Jeff B.

3 years ago

I eat here several times per week, the whole menu is amazing. Great staff, great people!

Brianne S.

11 years ago

Awesome food, great prices! The perfect breakfast spot!

Darren M.

6 years ago

Great family diner. Mostly locals.

Cafe Genovese - newamerican - Updated September 2026

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