Hey there everyone! It’s me again, Sparkle, coming to you with a question I’ve been thinking about for a little while now. See, up at the North Pole, we have Christmas-themed celebrations and restaurants all year long. It’s kind of a common thing for us elves. But, for those of you in Northern Florida, restaurants with the best Christmas vibes are sometimes not always the easiest to find.
That’s why I spent some time coming up with this list — with the help of my friends from Twinkle Nights, of course — of some of the places you’re not going to want to miss this holiday season. All of these are a part of the Jacksonville community, though there are plenty of others throughout the region!
So, if you’re in the mood for some creative restaurants with the best Christmas vibes, be sure to make it a plan to hit up each of these this holiday season!
Buchner’s Bierhalle & Christmas Market
Located at 1188 Edgewood Ave S in Jacksonville, Buchner’s Bierhalle is a classic German restaurant that you will definitely want to visit this year. Not only is their food amazing from January through December, but each year they host A Christmas Market.
Or, if you’re interested in saying it in the original language, they host a Weihnachtsmarkt (a German street market).
Sounds pretty cool, right? They rotate through their list of vendors for each night of the market, and while they haven’t announced their 2024 plans just yet, be sure to keep an eye on their Facebook page here for more details.
Even better, they don’t require reservations. You can enter through Blackhat Vapor to get to the main restaurant and then explore the market once it’s up and going!
The Red Gill Bistro
If you’re a fan of classic American fare, then you won’t want to miss the Red Gill Bistro. Their menu is full of popular items such as traditional cheeseburgers and chicken plates. But don’t overlook their seafood options as well, ranging from snow crab legs to various types of shrimp and so much more.
Is your stomach growling yet? Then you can visit them at 4660 Salisbury Road in Jacksonville right now. But, if you’re looking for their Christmas theme, then sometimes video can speak louder than words. Click here to see an example of their holiday decor and you’ll see firsthand why they’re one of the restaurants with the best Christmas vibes in the area!
Sandollar Restaurant
Do you like waterfront dining? How about everything from seafood appetizers to salads and more?
Better yet, do you love an amazing atmosphere, whether Christmas or otherwise? If so, then look no further than Sandollar Restaurant at 9716 Heckscher Drive in Jacksonville. They have a little bit of something for everyone including a full lunch and dinner menu.
As far as their Christmas experience is concerned, it’s pretty amazing. Their waterfront elegance meshes exceptionally well with the holiday theme, creating an experience you will not want to pass up this year! Keep an eye on their Facebook page here for more details.
And if you click that link, you might even get a visit from a friend of mine! Be sure to say hi to the Big Guy for me, will ya?
For the kiddos: Fizzies & Fare at Sweet Pete’s Candy
Christmas, of course, is often all about the kids. That’s why we elves spend so much time making toys and treasures. It’s why Santa checks his list twice.
And also, it’s why we spend a great deal of time making sure each kid gets exactly what they’re looking for.
So, what would a list of restaurants with the best Christmas vibes be without one that’s specifically focused on the kids? That’s where my recommendation for Fizzies & Fare at Sweet Pete’s Candy comes in. You can visit them at 400 N Hogan Street, Unit 1 in Jacksonville.
That’s the where. Now, let’s talk about the what! Their soda shop-styled restaurant and menu is clearly focused on making your kids and grandkids smile — that’s one thing to keep in mind. But beyond the food is the candy. And, well, let me just say that it’s hard to find a place outside of the North Pole that matches their selection. Even more cool is that USA Today even named it one of the best places to visit in the area!
Looking for the details? Then be sure to visit their website here.
For mom and dad only: Grape & Grain Exchange
Don’t worry, parents! I haven’t forgotten about you. That’s where the next restaurant with the best Christmas theme comes in: Grape & Grain Exchange. Located at 2000 San Marco Boulevard in Jacksonville, this restaurant has everything you’ll need for a relaxing and intimate night out on the town. Each year, they host Miracle — a Christmas-themed pop-up that you have to see for yourself to believe it. You can get a preview of it here on the 904 Happy Hour’s website while keeping an eye on their Facebook page to find out when this year’s festivities will be rolling out!
A few other notable mentions of restaurants with the best Christmas vibes
While the restaurants I mentioned above are visually stunning ones, you’ll often find many restaurants in the Jacksonville area open on Christmas Day or offering holiday-specific specials during the season. A few of those include:
- Salt at The Ritz-Carlton
- 4 Rivers Smokehouse
- Ida Claire South of Ordinary
- Medure Brothers restaurants
- Matthews Restaurant New Year’s Eve party
Some of these offer Christmas take-home meals as well. The best bet is to keep an eye on your local Jacksonville news sources closer to the Christmas season to see if the ones I mentioned above will continue those options this year.
The holiday season is almost here!
Speaking of Christmas almost being here, have you scheduled your Christmas lights appointment yet with my friends at Twinkle Nights? If not, then you will want to call them right away to get on their calendar. I cannot wait to see what amazing display they come up with for you and all of your neighbors!
And with that, I’m off. Bye for now!
Here are some other resources to help light up your holiday season!
How To Hang Lights To Music: Guide To Avoid A Christmas Nightmare
Favorite Local Outdoor Lighting Company for Gainesville & Alachua County, FL
