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Ask someone who lives near the north end of the Beaches where they actually go on a Friday night, and there's a good chance the answer is somewhere on Mayport Road. This is the road that carries A1A toward the ferry landing, past Naval Station Mayport and the shrimp boats that still work the river. From the car window, it doesn't look like much. Step inside a few of these storefronts, though, and you'll understand why so many of our customers start asking about homes nearby.
These are the places we return to, whether we're meeting for coffee, celebrating a great day or simply chasing a good sunset. Consider it your insider's short list.
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The Tables We Keep Coming Back To
Singleton's Seafood Shack
Some restaurants you visit for the food. Singleton's you visit for the whole evening. Mayport's catch has been served here since 1969, and the deck looks due west across the St. Johns River, so golden hour does the decorating. Come hungry, come early, and stay until the sky fades.
Safe Harbor Seafood Market & Restaurant
Part fish market, part riverfront restaurant, Safe Harbor lets you watch the boats come in while you eat what they brought. Anything featuring Mayport shrimp is the right call, and the lobster po' boy is a worthy splurge.
Eggboy
A casual breakfast spot that caught the attention of the MICHELIN Guide for Florida. Our pick is the French toast sandwich: rich, buttery brioche filled with fluffy scrambled eggs, crisp bacon, fresh maple sausage, and melted cheddar, served with a side of sweet cinnamon syrup for dipping. Add a café con leche and your morning is off to the right start.
Simply Tasty Thai
Owner Nancy cooks the food of her northern Thailand upbringing, and the from-scratch curries show it. Our team's tip: if you're feeling under the weather, order the egg drop soup. It will knock whatever is ailing you right out. When mangoes are in season, look for mango sticky rice.
Reve Brewing and Bones Pizza
Wood-fired pizza and beer brewed on site make this an easy weeknight favorite. Ask for a dipping sauce with your crust (the truffle aioli is a favorite),
Tony Pepperoni Pizza Bar
When everyone at the table wants something different, this is the answer. Pizza built your way, pasta, calzones, subs, and wings, whether you're dining in, picking up, or ordering delivery. Save room for the raspberry cheesecake.
VooSwar Restaurant and Lounge
Open since 1963, VooSwar carries six decades of Mayport memories. Expect a tiki bar, live bands, art from local painters, pool tables, and a dance floor that lights up beneath your feet. Order the fried pork chop sandwich and thank us later.
Choi's Chinese Food Drive Thru
For roughly twenty years, Choi's has been the neighborhood's answer to "what's for dinner tonight?" A big menu, quick pickup or delivery, and the kind of consistency every community needs.
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Coffee, Three Ways
Zap Cat Espresso Bar
For the coffee-curious. The beans rotate through specialty roasts from around the world, brewed as espresso or pour-over, with pastries from local bakers on the side. Take a bag home if something wins you over or stay a while for some remote work.
1985 Coffee Shop & Events
Bring the laptop. The relaxed pace makes this a favorite for remote work days, and the monthly flight specials are worth watching for on their social pages. Browse the coffee-themed merchandise on your way out.
Coconut Key Coffee & Sundries
Coffee and beach-day supplies in one stop, so the sunscreen you forgot is covered. Order the chocolate chip cookie warmed, then make a morning of it at the Mayport Waterfront Market, held the third Saturday of every month from 10 AM to 2 PM.
Raise a Glass
Grey Matter Distillery
Jacksonville's original craft distillery has been making spirits since 2014, including Mayport Moonshine and Ribault Rum. Book a tour and tasting, then stay for a cocktail on a trivia, music trivia, or live music night. Be sure to follow Grey Matter on Instagram for their rotating themed drinks, which never disappoint.
Mayport Brewing Co.
Forty taps, a full bar, duckpin bowling, pool, and trivia, with The Burger Galaxy food truck keeping everyone fed. It's the kind of place where a quick drink easily becomes an evening.
Mayport Garden Club
Our pick for date night. This tiki speakeasy opens Thursday through Saturday and requires a reservation, and the cocktails are built with carefully chosen rums and house-made spirits and cordials. Book ahead.
Why This Matters When You're Choosing Where to Live
A home is only part of the decision. The rest is the life around it: where you'll get your morning coffee, where you'll take visiting family for dinner, where you'll watch the sun go down on a Tuesday. Mayport Road is a reminder that coastal living here is as much about community as it is about the water.
Posted by Jennifer Heller on
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