JACKSONVILLE, Fla. \u2013 Anyone who is new in town and asks for the best places to eat in Jacksonville will likely hear at least one recommendation repeated more than once: European Street Cafe.<\/p>\n
That could be why the beloved local eatery came out on top in not one but two categories in our JAXBest 2025 voting!<\/p>\n
European Street Cafe was selected by our News4JAX Insiders as both the best place for lunch and the best spot for vegan\/vegetarian dishes.<\/p>\n
For lunch, the cafe beat out fellow Top 4 finalists BF\u2019nD Food Truck, Clara\u2019s Tidbits and Graze Craze Jacksonville.<\/p>\n
The other finalists for the vegan\/vegetarian category were Murray Hillbilly, Nacho Taco and Seitanic Jax.<\/p>\n
According to its website, European Street Cafe, a family-owned restaurant, has been providing award-winning food, beer selection and service for more than 40 years.<\/p>\n
The eatery has three locations around the Jacksonville area: <\/p>\n
Riverside: 2753 Park St., Jacksonville, FL 32205<\/p>\n
San Marco: 1704 San Marco Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32207<\/p>\n
Jacksonville Beach: 992 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32250<\/p>\n
From classic clubs, Reubens and wraps to salads, German sausage samplers and pita pockets, you are bound to find a favorite or two on European Street\u2019s extensive menu.<\/p>\n
The Veggie Lovers section offers the Vegetarian Wiener, tabbouleh, tempeh, pitas and more.<\/p>\n
Each location also has a variety of American and European beers, and the patio dining is dog-friendly.<\/p>\n
In a recent interview with News4JAX<\/a> about the unique history of the Riverside location\u2019s Art Deco style building, owner Andy Zarka told News4JAX that couples have gotten engaged on the patio there.<\/p>\n RELATED: European Street Cafe in Riverside blends history, community and art deco charm<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cI think it\u2019s a special place to a lot of people,\u201d he said. \u201cWe hope to continue that for many, many years to come.\u201d<\/p>\n Zarka is the son of founders Mary and Lew Zarka, who opened the Riverside location in 1992 after spending years running a Mr. Dunderbak\u2019s franchise in the Regency Square Mall.<\/p>\n For more information and to see the full menu and beer options at each location, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n A special thanks to our JAXBest sponsor, Farah & Farah!<\/p>\n