Where to Eat on Game Day in Jacksonville, Florida

Wafts of grill smoke fill the air, cars decorated with the signature gold and teal flags make their way to tailgate spots, the war cry “DUUUVAL!” (a call sign referencing the county that Jacksonville is in) pierces the normal Sunday tranquility — Jacksonville, Florida, pulses with excitement as game time nears.

Travel writer and longtime Jaguars season ticket holder, Carrie McLaren, grew up here and has been cheering on the Jags since childhood. "Fans start in the early morning hours setting up; many people even make breakfast at their tailgate spots," she says. "Football is a family affair in Jacksonville with generations of families attending the games. You'll see kids and adults rocking their face paint and jerseys from their favorite players."

Whether you're craving a pre-game brunch or post-game bites or need a place to nosh while watching the game, Jacksonville offers diverse dining options to cater to every craving. McLaren and I teamed up to lay out the best game plan for staying nourished and hydrated for the big event.

Hoptinger Bier Garden & Sausage House

If you want to score some good grub before the game, check out Hoptinger Bier Garden in the Five Points neighborhood. The sausage house opens at 10 a.m., plenty early to grab brunch before kickoff. McLaren loves the wide selection of craft beer (over 60 on tap) and the Make Your Own Bloody Mary menu with garnishes like corn dogs, chicken wings, sliders, onion rings, and more. “Do not miss the French Toast Burger, it is huge and perfect game day food,” she says. 

Blue Fish Restaurant and Oyster Bar

McLaren goes for this Avondale neighborhood eatery for a more sophisticated pre-game meal. White tablecloths, interesting cocktails, and a menu with items like Bold City (Jax’s nickname) Fried Green Tomato Benedict, Banana Fosters French Toast, and Blackened Mahi topped with Jumbo Lump Crab add to the allure of Blue Fish. Don't miss the dessert bar — there are homemade chocolate chip cookies, the perfect post-game treat.

Intuition Ale Works

If you are in town but don't have tickets to the game, hit up this family-friendly brewpub. Just a few blocks away from the stadium, Intuition Ale Works serves local beer on 21 taps and a game day menu of bites like burgers, cheese curds, pulled pork sandwiches, and McLaren’s favorite: the King Street Brat, a pork bratwurst cooked in King Street Stout topped with slow caramelized onions and tangy Jon Boat Ale mustard. “They have plenty of televisions and a rooftop bar that offers great stadium views,” she says. “And if you're lucky, you can see the stadium's jumbotrons.”

Fore Score Golf Tavern

To maximize your day of sports, hit up Fore Score Golf Tavern in the San Marco neighborhood. Reserve a bay and try out the Full Swing Golf simulators while the Jaguars game streams on the big-screen TVs. The menu features snacks, salads, burgers (get the Four Score Signature because American cheese is the best burger cheese), pizzas, and mile-high sandwiches like the corned beef on ciabatta. The espresso martini tower is a must, and for the zero-proof crowd, the root beer float is the stuff of creamy, fizzy legends.

The Bearded Pig

If you didn’t get your fill of stadium food during the game, or maybe you want to celebrate an epic win, opt for this spot serving smoky, rich barbecue with just the right amount of bark. The Bearded Pig has two locations, one in the San Marco neighborhood and another in Jacksonville Beach, offering one of McLaren’s clutch game-day foods. “Their Bearded Poutine is my go-to dish featuring loaded French fries, brisket, pimento cheese, and cheese curds. It pairs great with their selection of local beer,” she says.

V Pizza

Pizza is always a good idea after a big win, and V Pizza has locations throughout Northeast Florida, including two in Jacksonville. The family-friendly pizzeria has plenty of televisions to catch up on football scores and other sporting matches. The brick-oven pizza comes specialty-style or build-your-own. If it’s on the menu, get The Pizza Autunno — the maple-roasted butternut squash, salty pancetta, and tangy goat cheese taste like fall. “Don't sleep on their signature wings with lemon, rosemary, garlic, a special V spice mix, and caramelized onions,” McLaren cautions.