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    The Buoy

    4.5 (14 reviews)
    Open 10:00 am - 10:00 pm
    Updated a few days ago

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    Karen C.

    Made a last minute decision to check out the newest restaurant in our area. Since it was a Friday night, it was packed. However, this place isn't very big to begin with. We ended up sitting outside just so we wouldn't have to wait 45 minutes to be seated. The grouper was excellent! Flavorful and flaky. The hush puppies were good but not much flavor, like they needed some seasoning. The shrimp and grits were also delicious. We'll be back and hopefully be able to sit inside.

    Laura P.

    Service a bit spotty drinks took a bit of time and overall the time from ordering should be a.bit less. But the food was tasty corn nugget me and ranch great could use more corn but it's like corn and bechamel how can that be bad. He has oysters and shrimp basket. I had chicken Sam. Which was delish and yuca was ehhh cilantro sauce great. Ice cream Sammy was good and drinks ok. The Saturn and the siesta sling best. I left the cereal drink untouched. For what we had our bill was 150. With tip 200. Bit I would go back and order only the hits

    Corn nuggets with homemade ranch dressing
    Anna-caroline B.

    Buoy is newly open and man is it SO GOOD . Parking is tricky so park down the street (parking also available in the church lot behind) so you can get a good stretch after you eat until youre beyond full. The prices were average but reasonable for the quality. We arrived just before 6 and were able to be seated but be patient- they just opened! they are also open on Tuesday- Friday from 11-3 for lunch. They had a variety of options from fried fish baskets to deliciously thought out mains. oh and even better- instead of bread to start they have boiled peanuts cooked in house! Take it from your south carolina transplant! So good that we forgot to take a picture. We tried the corn nuggets and Mayport shrimp bisque for our aptz. The corn nuggets came with homemade ranch. The batter was light but so crunchy. Not too salty- just right. The bisque was great and not heavy. They had so many options for Starters that sounded so good- I cant wait to go back to try more. 12/10 - no complaints at all For entrees we had the Mayport shrimp (fried)- it was perfectly battered, and paired with homemade cocktail and tarter which really brought it home. The fries were nothing special but not bad. 9/10 I grew up eating clam pasta and had expectations... however this was far better than i couldve imagined. Ive never had it with bacon and parm and im not sure if thats what made it so good or if there was a secret ingredient but it was the best clam sauce Ive ever had. It had 10 clams which I felt like was a fair number. I have to give it a 10/10.For dessert- I was sad to hear they were out of the Key lime pie as i heard its amazing. We decided to go with the icecream cookie. It had room for improvements. Far too cold (sounds silly but remeber im being more strict), ice cream melted out of the side so most of the cookie was eaten without icecream. Flavors were great. I have to give it 7.5/10.Service was good. Our waitor, Jacob was very busy however the others did attend to us if we seemed to be waiting. i think the service will get better as they have more time to adjust. We cant wait to go back. We arent big on repeating monthly restaurant visit but we might have to with this one. I am giving Service a 8/10

    Rachel M.

    We tried this place for dinner the other night and sat at the bar. We tried the blackened catfish basket and the corn nuggets. I loved the fries and the hushpuppies, so good! Their house-made ranch was also delicious and my fiancé loved the corn nuggets. The vibe was a cute dinner spot and I would definitely check it out again!

    Hush puppies

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    15 days ago

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    Ask the Community - The Buoy

    Review Highlights - The Buoy

    Good vibe, yummy apps and friendly upbeat service for our Happy Hour get together!!

    Mentioned in 2 reviews

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    Southern Shores Seafood

    Southern Shores Seafood

    4.5
    (81 reviews)
    4.3 mi
    $$

    Whenever I travel, I enjoy trying local restaurants and tend to avoid chains. I discovered this…read moreplace based upon its positive Yelp reviews. The restaurant is located in a small shopping center and has a colorful sea related decor inside. I came here to specifically try the Shrimp Charleston, and I was not disappointed. The dish includes Blackened Shrimp and Nettles Country Smoked Sausage, topped with fried cheese grits, seafood bisque and chives. It tasted savory, fresh and flavorful. My server Jennifer was friendly, personable and attentive. She anticipated my needs and checked on me frequently. I would definitely recommend this restaurant for flavorful seafood and friendly service in the Jacksonville area. Cheers

    Don't sleep on this place yes it's in a strip mall don't let that fool you! This was some of the…read morebest food!!!!!!! And service was over the top! The beer was cold , onion petals better than that chain restaurant spot, homemade salad dressing, awesome shrimp dip complimentary on table with crackers that was soo good! The Shrimp Charleston is absolutely fantastic! Fried grit cakes with a seafood bisque with blackened shrimp , sausage and chives!!! If the food was not good enough the servers are attentive and very nice! Never once walked by without checking on you! I have had dinners that cost 4 times this and was not 1/2 as good ! If you go ask for Jaime to be your server she is fantastic!

    Photos
    Inside photo. Nicely positioned location with huge light letting windows.
    Inside photo. Nicely positioned location with huge light letting windows.
    Shrimp Charleston- a must try
    Shrimp Charleston- a must try
    Inside photo

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    Inside photo
    Orsay

    Orsay

    4.5
    (1.3k reviews)
    1.2 mi
    $$$

    Orsay continues to impress, and brunch was no exception. The service was incredible from start to…read morefinish. My server was attentive, knowledgeable, and seemed to have the perfect balance of checking in when needed while still giving me plenty of space to relax and enjoy my meal. The Eggs à la Orsay were a creative and elevated take on Eggs Benedict, featuring black truffles that added a rich, luxurious flavor without overpowering the dish. Paired with a mimosa, it made for a fantastic brunch experience. The real showstopper was dessert. The Black Forest Silk Pie, topped with toasted meringue, raspberry, and Bing cherries, was absolutely delicious--decadent yet beautifully balanced. My server also recommended a glass of cava to accompany it, and the bubbles were the perfect complement. Great food, outstanding service, and thoughtful recommendations made this a memorable brunch. I'll definitely be back.

    Restaurant Orsay is one of those places that feels elevated the moment your food hits the table and…read morethis dish was a perfect example of why. The presentation alone was stunning. A beautifully seared piece of chicken with crispy, golden skin, plated over what looked like creamy mashed potatoes, surrounded by a rich, glossy sauce. The mushrooms and caramelized onions added depth and made the whole dish feel thoughtfully composed, not just thrown together. Flavor-wise, it delivered. The chicken was juicy with that perfect crisp on the outside, and the sauce tied everything together in a way that felt indulgent but balanced. Every component had a purpose, and you could taste the level of technique behind it. I love coming here to celebrate birthdays as it's such a great spot for special occasions. The ambiance, service, and quality of food make it feel like a true experience every time. Orsay really nails that refined, French-inspired dining vibe: elegant, rich, and consistently memorable.

    Photos
    Bar
    Bar
    Creme Brûlée
    Creme Brûlée
    Beef Stroganoff

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    Beef Stroganoff
    Chancho King

    Chancho King

    4.7
    (133 reviews)
    1.9 mi
    $$

    Love the order at counter vibes, friendly staff. Busy place on a Saturday but the line and food…read morecomes out hot and promptly. First stop: cheesy yuka bites. Light, fluffy, cheesy, garlicky sauce with the right amount of zest spice. Melts in your mouth. How can I bring this sauce home?!?! Second up: main course. Chicken, pickled onions, and avocado w lime over crispy plantains. Do I need to move to Equador or just come here again? I will always give a high five to restaurants with gender neutral bathrooms!

    A late but worthy review…read more So I've been Chancho King before but this is my first time leaving a review. I've had the fried chicken and their butter noodles and they are really good! So we came the weekend of Jazz fest. We were out on Sunday and I was like hey let's go to Chancho King and try their ceviche. I wasn't a big fan of their ceviche I prefer it from a Mexican restaurant. However the plantain chips were a hit! I would absolutely go back and get those it was a nice snack I'm interested to see how they would taste with some guacamole I need to do that! And I'm an oyster loving girl-lala so I got 2 little cities oysters and they were nice and fresh. The two times I have been here the service has been great. For a Sunday it is super busy and the seating on the inside quickly feels up but I was so glad to be inside because the heat was too much. Nevertheless I will be back to try to more items from their menu.

    Photos
    Interior Decor/Menu
    Interior Decor/Menu
    Shoot sandwich
    Shoot sandwich
    Pan de yuca

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    Pan de yuca
    Othello

    Othello

    4.8
    (99 reviews)
    5.3 mi

    Tin fish platter was delightful. The bread, the spreads,…read morethe olives, the wine - Yum!

    If you're looking for a unique dining experience in Jacksonville, put Othello in Springfield on…read moreyour list. This hidden gem offers an intimate indoor dining room along with a charming outdoor patio. I highly recommend making a reservation, as seating is limited. Othello is a tapas-style restaurant, and we loved ordering a variety of dishes to share around the table. It was the perfect way to experience different flavors, and every dish we tried was beautifully prepared, fresh, and packed with flavor. Even the less adventurous eaters in our group left impressed. Some of our favorites included the whipped feta (don't skip the bread for dipping!), the roasted half chicken, and the butterflied branzino, which was perfectly cooked with a delicious char and bright, fresh flavors. Every plate that came to the table looked as incredible as it tasted. The staff was welcoming, knowledgeable, and happy to answer any questions about the menu. One thing to know before you go: the chef has a very specific vision for each dish and generally does not allow substitutions or modifications. For example, one person in our group wanted the aioli removed from the tuna, but the dish was only served as designed. It's something to keep in mind if you have picky eaters or dietary preferences. We were so full after sharing so many plates that we had to pass on dessert, but that's just another reason to come back. Othello delivers a memorable dining experience with creative flavors, excellent service, and a fun, shareable menu. We'll definitely be returning.

    Photos
    Beautiful bar
    Beautiful bar
    Butterflied Branzino
    Butterflied Branzino
    Smokeshow

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    Smokeshow

    The Buoy - seafood - Updated July 2026

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