Marjorie MillerIt’s no secret that Jacksonville is a city renowned for its incredible food scene and stunning diversity of cuisines, from high-end Japanese restaurants to authentic Chinese restaurants.
But among them, French cuisine shines splendidly, like a fully-loaded charcuterie board or a rich, velvety crème brûlée!
You might want a cosy spot for a romantic anniversary date, or you need a sharp venue for a corporate lunch. Either way, we’ve gathered up the best French restaurants in Jacksonville. Read on!
How much does French dining cost in Jacksonville?
When dining at a French restaurant in in Jacksonville, expect to spend anywhere from 15 USD (United States Dollars) for a casual bistro lunch to over $50 for a fine dining entrée, depending on the venue’s level of service.
| Dining Option | Typical Price |
| Casual Bistro Meal | $15 to $25 |
| Fine Dining Entrée | $30 to $50 |
1. Rue Saint-Marc
Website: ruesaintmarc.com
Address: 2103 San Marco Blvd
Contact: 904.619.0861
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM | Friday-Saturday, 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Rue Saint-Marc offers a dedicated five-course tasting menu focused on local, sustainable ingredients. They combine classic cooking techniques with produce sourced directly from Northeast Florida farms.
For a more casual start to the week, we also spoke with a diner who visited on a Monday evening. They said that they really enjoyed the three-dollar fresh oysters and discounted Champagne.
These deals offer a more affordable way to enjoy a premium seafood pairing.
Plus, they keep things quiet by limiting parties to eight guests. This setup gives couples a relaxed space to enjoy seasonal dishes without shouting over a large crowd.
However, couples who want a cozy booth might be disappointed because the restaurant reserves those seats for groups larger than two.
Still, free valet parking across the street makes them a convenient choice for a stress-free romantic dinner.
Customer Reviews
Rue Saint Marc is, without question, one of Jacksonville’s best restaurants
“Rue” means “street” in French, and this is one you’ll want to travel again and again – because the destination is pure culinary delight.
Rue Saint Marc is, without question, one of Jacksonville’s best restaurants. It’s a gastronomic feat for Chef Scott Alters, who puts every ounce of his heart and soul on the plate as he guides you through a magnificent journey for the eyes, olfactory, and tastebuds – the kind you’ll talk about for years to come.
- Matthew Garrepy | Google Reviews
This is a super experience that allow you to enjoy quality ingredients
This is a super experience that allow you to enjoy quality ingredients prepared , displayed and explained on a high level. This Experience allow you to enjoy what French food should be and taste.. Take it from someone who visited France almost 7 time already.
- Eddy Tolentino | Google Reviews
2. Restaurant Orsay
Website: restaurantorsay.com
Address: 3630 Park Street
Contact: (904) 381-0909
Hours: Tuesday-Thursday, 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM | Friday, 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM | Saturday, 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM | Sunday, 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Restaurant Orsay splits their venue into three distinct spaces, letting you pick a lively lounge, a covered patio, or a quiet dining room with a view of the kitchen.
Their French-Southern culinary fusion delivers high-end gastronomy while staying welcoming and approachable.
The standout feature is their extensive raw bar, with tiered shellfish plateaus loaded with regional oysters and butter-poached Maine lobster.
Plus, they bypass mass-market vintages and curate a wine program focused on independent, lower-production growers. This means you can pair fresh coastal seafood with rare, family-owned bottles that perfectly complement the rich flavors.
But keep in mind, they enforce a mandatory $25 corkage fee, which adds a noticeable surcharge if you bring a personal vintage from your cellar.
Additionally, they’re closed on Mondays.
Customer Reviews
Service was great and the food was absolutely amazing
Incredible dinner! Service was great and the food was absolutely amazing. We started with the Caesar salad and French onion soups, both were great. I got the Lobster Pot Pie and my fiancé got the Beef Stroganoff. Can’t go wrong with either!! For dessert we got the toffee pudding – highly recommend that.
- Katherine Carrillo | Google Reviews
A true standout in Jacksonville with consistent quality and sophistication
Exceptional dining experience at Restaurant Orsay! This French bistro in Avondale delivers outstanding food with refined flavors and beautiful presentation. Every dish we tried was expertly prepared and full of character. Service was polished, attentive, and made the evening feel special. The atmosphere is elegant yet welcoming, perfect for a memorable night out. A true standout in Jacksonville with consistent quality and sophistication. Highly recommend for anyone seeking excellent French-inspired cuisine—we’ll definitely return!
- Catherineqijones | Google Reviews
3. JJ’s Liberty Bistro
Website: jjbistro.com
Address: 330 A1A North, Suite 209, Ponte Vedra
Contact: 904-273-7980
Hours: Tuesday-Thursday, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM, 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM | Friday-Saturday, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
JJ’s Liberty Bistro combines traditional fine dining with an upscale retail shop, giving guests more to enjoy beyond their meal.
The kitchen is led by an owner who holds a rare French knighthood for agricultural merit, reflecting a commitment to traditional French cooking.
The menu offers classic dishes like seafood bouillabaisse, while the shop stocks carefully selected pantry goods.
We even spoke with a friend who visited for lunch and bought some curated pantry items after enjoying the bouillabaisse. They appreciated the chance to pick up scratch-made pastries and fresh macarons from the attached sweet shop.
Even better, wine lovers can join a free club that offers significant discounts on bulk purchases.
Unfortunately, the retail shop only offers wine case discounts to customers who pay with cash or paper checks.
Customer Reviews
We love Jj’s Liberty Bistro for their friendly and attentive service
After leaving our home in Paris 26 years ago, we have found just a small handful of restaurants that truly capture the essence of the French dining experience.
We love Jj’s Liberty Bistro for their friendly and attentive service (Grace and Joyce), authentic atmosphere, extensive wine list (with a fantastic Sommelier Matt at the helm), Chef Oscar’s creative delicacies, the grandest dessert showcase in Jacksonville, and of course, there to welcome you in, JJ himself.
- Mark Fallon | Google Reviews
All the food was amazing
My first time eating French cuisine and I was very impressed. Huge wine and dessert selection. All the food was amazing. Staff was five star. The owner was very professional and engaged with the customers. Everything you would want for a perfect date night. I would recommend this place to anyone and will definitely be back.
- Pete Adams | Google Reviews
4. La Nouvelle
Website: lanousta.com
Address: 102 Bridge Street, St. Augustine
Contact: (904) 217-8551
Hours: Tuesday-Thursday, 5:00 PM – 9:30 PM | Friday, 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM | Saturday, 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM | Sunday, 10:00 AM – 9:30 PM
La Nouvelle welcomes walk-in diners to their wraparound porch and garden patio, so you can stop by without making a reservation.
Their kitchen is co-led by a chef from Marseille, which helps bring an authentic taste of coastal France to the menu.
They give focus on regional seafood, and their Bouillabaisse Marseillaise is a popular choice. This rich saffron broth comes with fresh lobster, shrimp, and mussels.
If you prefer meat, you can also try French favorites like Burgundy escargots and classic steak tartare.
However, much of the seating is outdoors, so bad weather can make patio tables unavailable and leave the indoor dining room crowded.
Nevertheless, if you don’t mind a possible short wait, they definitely offer an inviting way to enjoy authentic Marseille-style dishes.
Customer Reviews
One of the best French restaurants we’ve found in St. Augustine!
One of the best French restaurants we’ve found in St. Augustine! The food, service, and atmosphere were absolutely exceptional. Every dish was beautifully presented, fresh, and full of flavor.
The staff was attentive, welcoming, and made the entire experience feel special from beginning to end. The ambiance was elegant, cozy, and perfect for a relaxing dinner.
You can truly tell they care about quality and every little detail. Definitely a place we will come back to and highly recommend to anyone looking for an amazing French dining experience in St. Augustine!
- Paola | Google Reviews
Every dish tasted amazing
You said you wanted authentic French food? Well do I have a recommendation for you. Vibes? Immaculate. Staff? So kind and knowledgeable. The food? I laid awake last night thinking about it. My mother is notoriously difficult to impress and she left happy. All the French wine you could want from every price point. Intimate seating, with limited tables meant we were not fighting to hear each other. It’s expensive food. But every dish tasted amazing. I will be returning/suggesting for future important events. Merci!!!!
- Marlee Elizabeth | Google Reviews
5. The Drunken Horse St. Augustine
Website: drunkenhorsewinebars.com
Address: 56 Charlotte Street, St
Contact: (904) 679-5858
Hours: Monday-Sunday, 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM
The Drunken Horse offers a unique wine experience by pairing carefully selected international wines with specialty French flatbreads.
Instead of serving typical bar pizza, the kitchen prepares thin-crust flatbreads topped with Gruyère cheese and béchamel sauce. These lighter options make a great match for wine and offer business professionals an alternative to full entrées.
Aside from flatbreads, you can also enjoy a heartier meal and French comfort food like slow-simmered boeuf bourguignon or crispy duck confit.
They also bring a taste of classic Parisian café culture to a spot near prominent local landmarks.
Plus, they’re open seven days a week, so you can plan a visit without worrying about midweek closures.
However, they limit bill splitting to three ways, which can make payment tricky for larger groups of coworkers.
Customer Reviews
Had a wonderful evening at The Drunken Horse
Had a wonderful evening at The Drunken Horse in St. Augustine. It was a beautiful night to sit outside on the patio, and the entire experience felt cozy, romantic, and welcoming. We started with the French Onion Soup, escargot, and the Forestiere French Flat Bread, all of which were outstanding. For dinner, we enjoyed the Pan Seared Seabass served with frisée greens, tricolor carrots, and a beurre blanc sauce, along with the Truffle Mushroom Risotto. We also tried the Boeuf Bourguignon, which was rich and full of flavor.
- Helen Karadsheh Levinson | Google Reviews
Amazing food with great staff
Amazing food with great staff. Cute restaurant with outdoor seating in front and back. Indoor seating and a bar with 8 seats. Great selection of French wines. Delicious French food. I really loved the Boeuf Bourguignon and the chocolate lava cake. Bridget at the bar was so amazing and fun to talk with. I will be back. Highly recommend.
- Tom Steele | Google Reviews
