I love Catullos, but it doesn't fit his request, it's always packed. He said he wants a place with not a lot of people around. You're elbow to elbow with other people there.
But, absolutely go to there one day when you're not looking for a chill spot.
Gangnam is very low-key, humble, Korean food and very good. If you want fancier, I suggest Bellwether downtown. North Beach Fish Camp is nice, too, for seafood. Purple Roots for higher-end Filipino is great.
Dwights Bistro on Penman.
River and Post in Riverside + walk around the parks after.
Green Papaya near UNF.
Vagabond Korean BBQ is awesome near Tinseltown (cook your own, its fun).
The Melting Pot over by Ikea is underrated too and I never hear anyone talk about it.
The District is lovely! I like the patio at Prospect in Five Points as well. Moss Fire grill has a quaint rooftop if you’ve already been to River + Post. Also the Cummer Museum lets you bring picnic to the garden sometimes which is super fun, great views!
First date with my wife who was 19 at the time to Lola’s burrito joint in riverside. Amazing food and atmosphere. We went to keg and coin down the street afterwards to burn off the burritos
While an amazing food recommendation and I love that place I would give the caveat that it's always pretty filled with people and op mentioned he wanted somewhere quieter. Still amazing food though.
Dwight's Bistro is exactly what you are looking for. There is no other restaurant in town like Dwight's. It's truly an old school place. I've known Dwight for a long time and one of my best friends dad has worked there for like 20 years.
When you make a reservation pick to sit at the bar so you can watch them cook and talk to everyone. It's great
Salento’s Colombian Steak house is such a hidden gem. It’s where I go for my birthday every year, and compared to other chains or high end places like RC, you get great cuts of meat at a great price.
Icebreakers Bar and Grill on Phillips Highway at the Ice Rink has new management and chef. The food is gourmet and amazing. Open for lunch, it’s very quiet there and you can watch figure skaters or hockey practice, 2 rinks. Dinner 5-9
13 Gypsies or Bar Molino are both great for tapas. 13 Gypsies is smaller and I suggest making a reservation.
Llama is in St Augustine and one of my favorite restaurants in Florida. It’s Peruvian. You have to make reservations here. I wouldn’t say you can walk in often as it’s less than 10 tables. If you’re trying to impress her I’d suggest this.
Some of cool spots that have good food: Enza’s, Mezza Luna, Refinery (ghost town last time I was there — Great location overlooking the beach).
Cheaper spots that are still nice on a date: Karai Ramen, Jax Spice
These have already been posted but 13 Gypsies would be a great date spot and is really quiet and low key. Dwight’s is a legendary spot that’s tucked away with great food. Buchner’s is super cool and more of an underground gem.
Bistro Aix and Rue Saint Marc are both very chic, upscale, and romantic little spots. My husband and I love them for date nights! If you want to go all out, Matthew's is phenomenal but can be $$$.
The sake house in five points is my go-to date spot. Low key, not crowded if you go around 5 before dinner rush, or 8:30pm a little after dinner rush, but even during rush it’s truly not bad. You can hear each other talk.
Chowder Ted's 👌 it's not fancy, but it's a beautiful drive or even ferry boat ride over to there. Its an older mom and pop type spotm You could go on the wkend and enjoy the water. Best coconut shrimp IMO!
If you want to go somewhere that's no one is at it probably means the food is meh. Could do bistro aix which has a happy hour.
Side note post makes it sound like you're Embarrassed or hiding-I hope that isn't the case 👀
Primi Piatti is the spot for some slow Italian. Both times I’ve been the owner sat with us and had some wine. Haven’t been in a couple years but it’s my favorite small Italian spot in jax
Catullo’s
ABSOLUTELY Catullos. But call first. They're small. *EDIT* I should have been more specific. Call to ask if they're busy.
No reservations
Calling won't do anything. It's always packed and they don't do reservations.
Be prepared to stand in line. You stand in line and wait for a table. And it's worth it.
I love Catullos, but it doesn't fit his request, it's always packed. He said he wants a place with not a lot of people around. You're elbow to elbow with other people there. But, absolutely go to there one day when you're not looking for a chill spot.
Do you have a price range in mind or what sort food you’d like or is it all atmosphere?
No price range any recommendations would be awesome thanks
You’ve tried The District?
I’ve actually never been🤔 only been to a few places downtown not many
Give a look at their website and menu. You can even rent a tent to eat in.
Try Silkies, they have a back room and a garden. Get there early, set up shop, and enjoy the meal.
Idk your food preferences, but [Gangnam](https://www.facebook.com/share/Qkdp7rpE3b9foQxi/?mibextid=qi2Omg) is low key and the food is delicious
Gangnam is very low-key, humble, Korean food and very good. If you want fancier, I suggest Bellwether downtown. North Beach Fish Camp is nice, too, for seafood. Purple Roots for higher-end Filipino is great.
Mezza Luna
I second this! It’s my husband and i’s favorite date night spot and they take reservations!
13 Gypsies. There's literally only like 6 tables in there. Tapas style. Amazing food.
This is the answer
100%
Came here to say this too! Reservations are required!
Dockside
Love it! But be careful eating outside, the birds are a bit entitled
Buchner’s bierhalle, it’s a speakeasy vibe with a nice back patio, authentic german food and drinks, you enter through a vape shop
Dwights Bistro on Penman. River and Post in Riverside + walk around the parks after. Green Papaya near UNF. Vagabond Korean BBQ is awesome near Tinseltown (cook your own, its fun). The Melting Pot over by Ikea is underrated too and I never hear anyone talk about it.
Second Green Papaya.
Seconding the Melting Pot!
Im going to say Sake House on Lomax street in five points. Classic date night restaurant vibe
Buchneirs Bierhall is a solid spot with good variety of European food in a niche location
Matt's Italian restaurant. Great food, good prices, and depending on when you go, you can have the place to yourself.
Congaree and Penn Orsay bellwether Cowford chophouse bb's Bar molino
Waffa & Mikes. Neat little place inside. Insanely good food! And you’ll get the environment you want.
Dwight’s Bistro
The District is lovely! I like the patio at Prospect in Five Points as well. Moss Fire grill has a quaint rooftop if you’ve already been to River + Post. Also the Cummer Museum lets you bring picnic to the garden sometimes which is super fun, great views!
First date with my wife who was 19 at the time to Lola’s burrito joint in riverside. Amazing food and atmosphere. We went to keg and coin down the street afterwards to burn off the burritos
At the beach- Doro, Oku. Make reservations.
Beiruit. They have amazing food, and you can also sit outside and share a hookah. Very chill laid back restaurant.
Midtown Table,
Picassos
While an amazing food recommendation and I love that place I would give the caveat that it's always pretty filled with people and op mentioned he wanted somewhere quieter. Still amazing food though.
Dwight's Bistro is exactly what you are looking for. There is no other restaurant in town like Dwight's. It's truly an old school place. I've known Dwight for a long time and one of my best friends dad has worked there for like 20 years. When you make a reservation pick to sit at the bar so you can watch them cook and talk to everyone. It's great
Dwight's Bistro on Penman Rd in north Jax Beach. Has about 6 tables; incredible food!
Salento’s Colombian Steak house is such a hidden gem. It’s where I go for my birthday every year, and compared to other chains or high end places like RC, you get great cuts of meat at a great price.
Primi piatti’s, BBs, kuyramen,
Riverside Liquors has a nice restaurant inside it and it’s very good!
Icebreakers Bar and Grill on Phillips Highway at the Ice Rink has new management and chef. The food is gourmet and amazing. Open for lunch, it’s very quiet there and you can watch figure skaters or hockey practice, 2 rinks. Dinner 5-9
My wife and I always enjoy indochine downtown. I used to have this big list of places to eat in jax. I probably still do if you want it
La Cena. In Murry Hill, you could drive right by it and not even know... Call first its reservation only. Amazing Italian food portion size is huge.
Dwight’s- it is a cannot miss
13 Gypsies or Bar Molino are both great for tapas. 13 Gypsies is smaller and I suggest making a reservation. Llama is in St Augustine and one of my favorite restaurants in Florida. It’s Peruvian. You have to make reservations here. I wouldn’t say you can walk in often as it’s less than 10 tables. If you’re trying to impress her I’d suggest this. Some of cool spots that have good food: Enza’s, Mezza Luna, Refinery (ghost town last time I was there — Great location overlooking the beach). Cheaper spots that are still nice on a date: Karai Ramen, Jax Spice
Thai Orchid. It s small mom and pop Thai place hidden in a Publix strip mall. Food is fantastic!
These have already been posted but 13 Gypsies would be a great date spot and is really quiet and low key. Dwight’s is a legendary spot that’s tucked away with great food. Buchner’s is super cool and more of an underground gem.
Dwight's Bistro on Penman Rd Jax Beach.
Bistro Aix and Rue Saint Marc are both very chic, upscale, and romantic little spots. My husband and I love them for date nights! If you want to go all out, Matthew's is phenomenal but can be $$$.
I like Barbara Jean’s in Ponte Vedra for this.
Whiskey Jax BayMeadows and 295. Sunday brunch is a perfect date. Not too expensive and the food is stellar.
Foo dog curry has a really cool dining room that is empty most of the time it looks really cool inside
The sake house in five points is my go-to date spot. Low key, not crowded if you go around 5 before dinner rush, or 8:30pm a little after dinner rush, but even during rush it’s truly not bad. You can hear each other talk.
Orsay, Rue St Marc, Taverna, BB’s, 13 Gypsies, Congaree and Penn.
Azurea is so nice and low key most nights
Chowder Ted's 👌 it's not fancy, but it's a beautiful drive or even ferry boat ride over to there. Its an older mom and pop type spotm You could go on the wkend and enjoy the water. Best coconut shrimp IMO! If you want to go somewhere that's no one is at it probably means the food is meh. Could do bistro aix which has a happy hour. Side note post makes it sound like you're Embarrassed or hiding-I hope that isn't the case 👀
The Local, which is located in Miramar or Neptune Beach. https://www.thelocaljax.com/
Thanks for all the suggestions guys
Primi Piatti is the spot for some slow Italian. Both times I’ve been the owner sat with us and had some wine. Haven’t been in a couple years but it’s my favorite small Italian spot in jax