Welcome to Jacksonville, North Carolina! Located in Onslow County, Jacksonville is best known as home to Marine Corps base Camp Lejeune. However, Onslow County and Jacksonville is much more than a Marine Corps base: the area is home to beautiful beaches, fun festivals, and an under-appreciated foodie scene. Today, we’ll be taking you on a journey throughout Jacksonville, showcasing where the locals love to go for fabulous food, drinks, and desserts!
Breakfast: Jacksonville is home to several tasty breakfast locations. The Kettle Diner, located on Marine Blvd, has been a local staple since 2001. Serving up savory omelets, fluffy pancakes, and amazing service, you can’t go wrong at The Kettle Diner. Also, breakfast is served all day! Be sure to check out their lunch and dinner menu as well. On a personal note - this is where I took my mother when she came to visit me, and I would never steer my mother in the wrong direction! Make sure to save room for Darel’s Bakery and Sweets, also located on Marine Blvd. Home to the most delectable croissants in Jacksonville, Darel’s never disappoints. My personal favorite flavors are blueberry, apple, and lemon. However, they have so many options to accommodate everyone’s taste!
Coffee/Cafes: As for coffee and cafes, Blend Cafe and The Grazing Tray are two of Jacksonville’s most popular spots. Blend Cafe, located on Marine Blvd, is perfectly positioned on the New River. Sip on delicious coffee, tea, and smoothies while sitting on the outdoor patio, taking in the beautiful view. Blend also serves up delicious acai bowls, gourmet waffles and toasts, sandwiches, salads, and more! My go to here is a refreshing mango smoothie. The Grazing Tray is also a can’t miss. Their new location on Gum Branch Road is the perfect spot for relaxing with a book, getting some work done, or catching up with friends. Their menu is extensive, offering coffee, tea, smoothies, matcha, breakfast burritos, signature sandwiches, salads, pasta, charcuterie boards… the list goes on and on! My personal favorite drink is the iced chai latte.
Lunch: For lunch, head to Flavor Hills, located on Marine Blvd. Self described as “modern southern comfort,” Flavor Hills is one of Jacksonville’s hottest spots. From appetizing fried deviled eggs, to mouthwatering biscuits and gravy, to delectable chicken and waffles, Flavor Hills is the place for all things southern. My personal favorites are the Rattlesnake Pasta with grilled chicken (pictured above) and their Hot Honey Chicken Sandwich (pictured right) with, dare I say, the best fries in Jacksonville. Another plus - they have an extensive cocktail menu, including mimosa flights!
Dinner: For dinner, make your way to 622 Court St for the best ramen in Jacksonville at Hakata Downtown. Located in the beautifully renovated Biagio’s building, built in 1901, Hakata is exactly what Jacksonville needed to bring some life to the downtown area. Hakata’s menu boasts authentic ramen, rice bowls, teas, boba, and even breakfast! My personal favorites are the Japanese BBQ Bowl and the Sapporo Miso Ramen.
Drinks: For a post dinner drink, you don’t have to head far! Located right next door in the same building as Hakata is The Clove Hitch Beer Company. While not a brewery, The Clove Hitch is home to an extensive beer and wine menu, plus amazing ambience, music, and staff! Their draft selection is sourced from North Carolina and South Carolina, but they also have other domestic, craft, and imported selections. Non-alcoholic options are available too. Perhaps my favorite thing about The Clove Hitch - no TV’s! This is a place for good old face to face conversation. I’ve been known to get lost in a good book in the comfortable leather chairs in the corner, sipping on a diet coke. My go to here, besides a diet coke, is whatever new cider they have on draft. As an extra added bonus - they are pet friendly! Cute dogs and good beer - what more could you ask for?
Desserts: Finally, we’re ending the day at Blend Rolled Ice Cream, located in Blend Cafe. They are the only rolled ice cream location within 40 miles! They have plenty of ice cream and topping options to choose from. You can’t go wrong with any of their flavors, but my favorite flavors are their strawberry and coffee. Pictured above is a delicious combination of chocolate ice cream, bananas, and Ferrero Rocher topping.
From delicious cajun pasta to authentic ramen to tasty rolled ice cream, Jacksonville is an unexpected foodie destination. So next time you find yourself on the coast of North Carolina, don't forget to give us a visit!
Other Recommended Locations:
Duck's Grille & Bar - https://www.ducksgrilleandbar.com/
Angry Ginger Irish Pub - https://www.angrygingeririshpub.com/
Marrakesh - https://marrakeshjax.wixsite.com/marrakesh
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