Farm-to-Table Dining in Northeast Florida

By Julie Landry Laviolette

With roots in historic St. Augustine, the nation’s oldest city, plus serene coastal destinations like Amelia Island, Florida’s Northeast has plenty to offer.

If you’re looking for farm-to-table dining to put the cherry (or other fresh produce) on top of your stay, this corner of the Sunshine State has lots of choices.

Here’s a sampling of farm-to-fork eateries and artisanal producers.

Dining

Restaurant Orsay, Jacksonville – Vibrant French bistro crafting Parisian classics with a Southern twist from responsibly produced ingredients. Specializes in small-batch winemakers for its extensive wine list.

Matthew’s, Jacksonville – Fine dining establishment specializing in regional cuisine and locally sourced fare, from handmade pasta to sustainably raised meats and seafood. The spacious dining room has an open kitchen, an elegant lounge and a temperature-controlled wine cellar with more than 2,000 bottles.

Congaree and Penn, Jacksonville – Expansive 330-acre farm and restaurant serving seasonal produce grown on-site and from local and regional farmers. House-milled grains and local fish also are featured. Farm passes are available to explore the grounds, waterways, trails and animal paddocks.

The Floridian, St. Augustine – Down-home Southern cooking and light fare with an innovative seasonal menu and vegetarian options from local growers and producers. Farm and artisan partners are listed on a blackboard in the charming dining room. Outdoor seating is available.

Casa Maya, St. Augustine – Welcoming space for upmarket Mexican dishes, highlighting seasonal organic produce and herbs, local seafood and housemade marinades and sauces. Set in the heart of the historic district and boasting a tequila bar.

Catch 27, St. Augustine – Historic district fresh-catch seafood outpost serving locally caught fish, seasonal ingredients and local produce in an informal setting. Tree-shaded outdoor tables are available.

Gas Full Service, St. Augustine – Renovated gas station-turned family-friendly joint whipping up New American eats. Creatively plated fare features local meat, seafood and seasonal produce in a laid-back eating area with a cool vibe. Small craft breweries are highlighted monthly.

13 Gypsies, Jacksonville - Tiny family restaurant with an open kitchen and a minimalist interior spotlighting a changing menu of tapas, Spanish bites and house-cured meats.

1748 Bakehouse, Jacksonville – Down-to-earth, simple counter-serve bakeshop and café partnering with local farms, growers, breweries, producers and roasteries for its seasonal menu and casual plates.

bb’s Restaurant, Jacksonville – A rooftop garden helps supply herbs and produce to this popular spot in the South Bank area, known for its legendary desserts and creative takes on New American plates. Has an award-winning wine list and cocktails in stylish surrounds.

Native Sun Kitchen + Market, Jacksonville – Polished market and organic grocery store specializing in products of local farms and purveyors, with an emphasis on small producers of handcrafted items. The in-store Dine Happy Kitchen turns out classic American light eats and meals made from local, organic and seasonal items.

Rue Saint-Marc, Jacksonville – Sophisticated, New American ingredient-driven menu and cocktail program championing local, sustainable farming and traditional craftmanship. A five-course tasting menu highlights the season’s best ingredients, with an optional wine pairing.

Taverna San Marco, Jacksonville – Elevated locale with outdoor seating offering fresh takes on Italian specialties. Seasonal menus highlight local purveyors and curated wines. Taverna seeks out sustainable, humanely raised products, from herbs to beef to seafood.

Homespun Kitchen, Atlantic Beach and Jacksonville– Health-conscious fast-casual mainstay focusing on sustainable, organic ingredients. Serving simple American classics, bowls and smoothies, plus all-day breakfast.

Royal Palm Village Wine & Tapas, Atlantic Beach – Easygoing fixture boasting more than 1,200 wines by the bottle and 200 craft brews. The inventive, seasonally rotating menu features globally inspired shareable plates using ingredients from local producers, all identified on the menu.

Doro, Neptune Beach – This stylish gem partners with producers who use sustainable agricultural, ranching and fishing methods. It offers an intimate dining experience, wine pairings and a casual, upscale menu of innovative American entrees.

Amelia Fresh Café, Fernandina Beach – Located inside Nassau Health Foods, a market for natural and organic products, Amelia Fresh Café serves soups, sandwiches, salads and wraps crafted from organic and locally harvested produce. Informal patio seating is available.

Farms

Berry Good Farms, Jacksonville – Part of a school for people with developmental challenges, the urban farm has a Thursday market, café and food truck. Students create and sell Barkin’ Biscuits, which uses farm ingredients in dog and horse treats.

GYO Greens, Ponte Vedra Beach – Sustainable farming specialist combining aquaculture - raising fish in tanks, with hydroponics - cultivating plants in water. Sells produce and offers tours.

County Line Produce, Hastings – Vast 65-acre farm known for cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli and assorted greens. Has a farm stand eight months out of the year, with a blackboard updated daily with seasonal offerings.

Resources

Edible Northeast Florida – Resource for connecting lovers of sustainable and locally grown food with suppliers and eateries.

Slow Food First Coast – Nonprofit aimed at strengthening the connection between local food, farms and the community. Hopes to educate people about where food comes from, who makes it and how it’s made, and to encourage sustainable, locally produced food sources.

Localharvest – Lists local farms and produce buying clubs offering Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA) produce boxes.

Know Where Your Food Comes From – Resource for farm-to-table dining and sustainable agriculture.

Fresh from Florida – Promotes seasonal produce and seafood items.