Was visiting a friend in JAX and we decided to go to the symphony. We needed a place to eat! Beforehand. We looked up a few places that had food both of us would like. I like more of American fusion and my friend likes vegan. We made a reservation considering the symphony was playing. When we arrived there were a few open tables so who knows if it mattered. Next was hostess getting us to the table. Sometimes I wonder if they like their jobs. I don't think it is too hard to walk someone to a table, help them sit down, smile a bit then do it again. You could be flipping burgers. But seriously just smile and fake it. Our server was nice yet he looked like he had been gaming all week and forgot to take a shower. I say this as a mom. If I'm going to fine dining, I'd like the staff to brush their hair. Boomers and Gen X appreciate well kept staff. I mean, you had to touch your greasy hair to get it out of your eyes then touch our plates. Plus we barely saw you. No refills. Now to the food. I forgot to take pics. My friend had a salad and I had the $20 chicken sandwich. We are foodies and prob could have cooked up same at home. When I eat out and dine at high rated places, I do have some expectations. It was subpar. And finally we had decaf and espresso after the meal. We know coffee. We've traveled the world. Her espresso was just off. I tried it and choked. And last the bathrooms. They were clean! However there was a line. Only one ladies, one men, one both. And it's in this weird narrow space. Prob not going back. Always love me a new adventure. read more

We recently had dinner at Bellwether. They're on the northwest corner of Laura & Forsyth, downtown. This was our second time there but the second time for both of us eating there as we dipped in previously for me to eat when my wife had eaten elsewhere beforehand. We started with the Korean Fried Broccoli and we both had mixed feelings about it. We liked the overall taste but we both expected the breading to be far more crispy than it was. Having never tried it before, that could very well be how it's meant to be but when we see "Korean Fried", we are thinking crispy. Again, it wasn't bad, just not what we expected. I ordered the Steak Frites for my entree, which I ordered medium rare. Let me start by saying that the cook on the steak was perfect and I REALLY liked the fries and the seasoning on them. However, I was really surprised by how tough the the steak was. I mean, really tough. I liked parts of it but found it hard to enjoy most of it. My wife ordered the Sheep Style Smash Burger. She thought it was a good smash burger and the "sheep sauce" was a nice take on 1000 Island. She liked the potato bun and she really liked her fries as well. So it seems her entree was more of a success than mine. It's worth noting that our server Maya was fantastic. She added a lot to our enjoyment of the evening. Our server the first time was awesome too and I liked my entee (short rib) a LOT more. So we'll stop in again to try some other things eventually. read more

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Sad this place is closing. Enjoyed several meals and celebrations here throughout the years. Make sure you stop by and show them some love before the end of March. read more

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I stopped in for dinner during happy hour and ordered the shrimp po'boy with shoestring fries. The sandwich was spot on -- fresh and warm, with Cajun-seasoned shrimp that were perfectly cooked. The bread was soft and slightly sweet, which paired beautifully with the blackened spiced shrimp. Fries were flavorful though a bit thicker than expected for "shoestring," but still enjoyable. I paired it with Pinot Noir (1/2 off for happy hour!) and wrapped up the evening with strawberry and cream macarons -- a sweet, refreshing finish. Service was casual and welcoming. My server was friendly and personable. It felt easygoing yet professional, exactly the kind of service you want for a laid-back evening. The ambiance is modern rustic -- think wood accents, darker tones, and even a pig ceiling accent that adds some charm. Happy hour prices make it a great entry point if you're curious to try the menu. Overall, I've been here several times, and the consistency keeps me coming back: quality food, warm service, and an atmosphere that's lively without being overwhelming. Highly recommend, especially for a casual dinner or happy hour. read more

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We were going to a hockey game at VyStar Arena so my husband made a dinner reservation for us at this restaurant before the game. It was an excellent choice. The decor looks very new and modern. The menu offers about six appetizers, a few sandwiches, soups and salads, and about ten entrees. We started with the milk bread rolls and they tasted great. For my entree I had the blackened shrimp and grits. It was a very tasty dish with a little bit of spice. My husband had the steak frites. It was a great size portion with tons of delicious fries. He even let me have as many as I wanted and I think I ate too many. Service was quick and professional. read more

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Burger had the cheese not melted. It was served pretty fast. The tater tots and fries were good. No water refills, despite empty. Non-working pen to sign. No surprise empty on Saturday night. I've had better burgers at five guys. Everything was fine, but need either better service or unforgettable burgers. I just think something needs to be better here. Maybe delivery to Volstead. Nothing outstanding for $17 burger and fries read more

Bellwether - Sheep burger no onions and truffle taters. Wouldn't specifically come back - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

I love the burgers here. I wanted a sheep style burger but my server misunderstood. I didn't make a fuss. I ate my bellwether burger which was also good. This was my first time having that one. The Caesar is always great. The sheep fries and kimchi tots weren't mine but they were fantastic. I'd order both again. read more

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Definitely enjoyed this random spontaneous find of a restaurant with my sister. We had some amazing appetizers. The drinks were spot on. We were in the back next beautiful art wall and I love that they had a private room so the aesthetic was great. Our server was very fast and polite, even explained the menu to us and some recommend recommendations. read more

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My second visit and was even better than the first if that's possible! The food was so good. I love it when I taste new flavor profiles I have no complaints on the service and the establishment was clean.... I'd like to note that the bathrooms looked spotless Like most, I love a clean restroom Going to drop some photos below... Pictured in photos: Fuji Apple and Goat Cheese Salad, Vegan Green Curry (I added shrimp and it was amazing), single Bellwether Burger and Shoestring Fries with Parmesan and tings... read more

Bellwether - Vegan Green Curry (I added shrimp and it was amazing) - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

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4.75 Random Tuesday eve before a show. Environment- Clean, open, modern Service- Sat at the bar, the bartender was awesome, good convo. Drinks- Delicious, she made her own recipe up that we opted to try- gin, rosemary, cherries. Food- We split the poutine and Bellweather salad. Poutine came out first, good but wish there was more gravy (and assuming we could have asked). Thinner fries. Salad- super flavorful and delicious- fresh. Will be back. read more

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Written to "Billionaire" by Travis McCoy (feat Bruno Mars) I wanna go back to Bellweather so freaking bad Try all of the things I never had Order a Bellweather Burger and start with poutine Lovin Korean fried Broccoli Oh, every time I close my eyes I think about the shoestring fries, yeah A different entree every night, oh, I swear Jacksonville foodies should prepare to try Bellwether Yeah, if I had a show like Oprah, I would be sure to boast of Drinks all A-list, just tell 'em your preference Got a museum or a show downtown you wanna hit? Stop here before for apps, dinner and liquid libations Came here before the symphony, had a chicken sandwich And last but not least, crispy potato side dish read more

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We needed a place near the stadium for dinner before opening night for the Jacksonville Icemen hockey game. Obviously, it's not really that close to the arena but close enough for an early dinner and still time to make the first puck drop. I opted for the sheep style burger with truffle and Parmesan tater tots. Perfect flavor profile (think In-N-Out animal style) and those tots were bangin'. I dumped the fresh and perfectly crispy tots out of the silver cup onto my plate and it was a way bigger serving than I anticipated. Our server was on point - friendly and attentive. We decided to split a dessert and chose the hummingbird bread pudding. Trust me when I say save room for this creation. DEEP FRIED - yes, all CAPS - bread pudding, salted caramel sauce, coconut ice cream, and toasted coconut crumble. Best dessert I've had in a long time but I will confess I'm a big fan of coconut. My only critique is that Bellwether is not closer to my house. If you need someplace to eat downtown, Bellwether should be on your short list. read more

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My friend and I needed a place to eat prior to going to see a comedy show at VyStar Arena and bellwether came up as an option and we looked at the menu online and were already impressed. From the time we walked in until the time we left it was nothing but phenomenal service. The owner of the establishment came out and introduced himself, which you don't get that a lot so I was truly happy about that . Not only that he came out and was speaking to customers but when speaking, he seemed to have great pride in his restaurant, and even suggested another restaurant that he owns as well. Besides the amazing service, I would say the food was absolutely fantastic. The short rib came on a bed of cheddar grits with a flavorful sauce and was accompanied by a boiled egg cut in half and the delicious fermented kimichi. Now I did order a side of Brussels to try and I would say they were good brussel sprouts but the one thing I would add is that balsamic vinegar or glaze to them to put it right there. read more

Bellwether - Short Rib - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

The food has a Korean southern comfort fusion feel to me. We went for an early dinner and there were many Korean-fusion options on the menu, but also southern comfort foods. The server was excellent, the restaurant had a farmhouse industrial type of decor and the food came out quickly and tasted great. Delicious pineapple bread pudding topped with coconut ice cream! read more

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I started on the steak before remembering to snap a photo--too tempting to wait! The fries were crispy and delicate, and the steak was cooked exactly as I requested (medium well). Now, for the showstopper: dessert. The Triple Chocolate Cake truly lived up to its name--served with chocolate ice cream, chocolate crumbs, and a side of melted chocolate. It was the perfect way to end the night. My only (very minor) critique was the cream on top of the cake--not quite chocolaty enough for my taste and room temperature--but I still finished it all, balancing the flavor with the extra chocolate and ice cream. We were seated in a private room as part of a large party attending a conference. Our assigned waitress was incredibly helpful and attentive with all our menu questions. The private dining space had a peaceful, relaxed ambiance. Overall, I highly recommend this place! read more

Bellwether - Triple Chocolate Cake - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

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Small random menu choice. Food was nice but not somewhere I would rush back to. Was convenient for the theatre in Jacksonville read more

Bellwether - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

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We visited bellwether on a Thursday night. They gave us a table in their private room because there were 18 of us, which was awesome! It can be hard traveling for conferences because we can't always book ahead, but these guys were very friendly and accommodating and actually seated us after their last seating which was incredibly kind of them. We started with a few appetizers, including the poutine which was super tasty. I also got the shoestring fries with truffle and Parmesan, and while they were good fries, I felt they didn't have quite enough seasoning. For mains, I got the ginger miso carrot salad. The portion was good for dinner, and the ingredients were fresh. It was really a great salad (coming from someone who doesn't usually order salads as mains). A lot of my colleagues got smash burgers which they said were good, and someone got their special which was a steak burger, and that looked amazing. I would've considered a burger, but I had a hard time justifying 20 dollars for a double smash burger. I think this place has everything it needs to be great, but I think that they're a little on the simple-yet-overpriced side at the moment. Nothing on their menu was overly interesting or special. That being said, it's a nice place and the service was great. read more

What a great restaurant experience - just the right mix of high quality food prepared creatively, excellent service and a convenient location. The restaurant is just north of the Marriott and the Performing arts center, and just steps away from Riverfront Plaza which should be thriving post construction. It's right in the center of the business district making it a great choice for either lunch or dinner. The dinner that I had was steak frites, prepared with a wonderful sauce and a large amount of fries on the side. Our server, Logan was quite friendly and stopped by plenty of times to refill iced tea and to check on us. Pricing is reasonable at about $55 per person all in including drinks, tip and tax. For a great business meal, a casual spot when visiting the performing arts center, or visiting The museum of contemporary art, this is a convenient location offering wonderful food and great service. read more

My coworker and I wanted to try something different for lunch. We walked here and was pleasantly surprised. The service and food was great. I had the single burger sheep style. I added bacon. The tots were great. The burger was fantastic and the bacon is thick style country bacon. My coworker ordered the truffle fries. I would return for those alone. I I'll definitely visit again to try something different. read more

Bellwether - Bellwether Burger sheep style - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

If you're looking for a place where great food meets even better service, Bellwether is where it's at. We kicked things off with the kimchi tater tots, which were crispy, flavorful, and just missing a little extra kimchi love -- I mean, if you're going to bring the heat, don't be shy! We actually asked for extra kimchi, but it showed up on the bill as an extra charge, which would've been nice to know ahead of time so that is where I deducted 1 star. For the main event, we split a steak frites medium rare -- and let me tell you, it was chef's kiss perfection. But here's where it gets even better: they split the steak for us without us asking and didn't charge extra. Our waitress was a gem. She gave us a heads-up about the appetizer size, saving us from potential over ordering. And the drinks? Smooth and delicious. We had 2 rounds of the Passion Fruit Daiquiri and Tokyo Heights. The ambiance was warm and inviting, making it the kind of place where you linger a little longer just because you can. Kimchi Tater Tots 4/5 Steak Frites with salad 5/5 Passion fruit Daiquiri 5/5 read more

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Tried this restaurant for lunch with my food besties and the ambiance and food were both worth the hype. I was surprised they weren't packed due to the location and time that we arrived but I also appreciated not being overwhelmed with people since we had a baby with us. My food was light and delicious and the flavors of the fish complemented the sides well. of course we tried the desert which had an interesting spin on Cinnamon Toast Crunch. Definitely recommend checking out this place if you're in the downtown area read more

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Their cheese grits are the best - a must try. Atmosphere is an A+ - cocktails are excellent read more

Bellwether - Cheese grits - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

Ate outside because we didn't have a reservation but it was worth it! Smashed cucumbers and feta appetizer was amazing, along with the butter rolls. Great place to enjoy a cocktail and a meal. The menu was minimal but everything was tasty! read more

I went to lunch with a friend. It was my first time. It was pretty crowded, but we got in early and didn't have to wait long. My friend ordered Poutine (Canadian gravy and cheese fries). I'm not a huge fry fan, but I could eat this everyday! What an awesome dish. I ordered a cheeseburger and a cup of roasted red pepper soup. The soup was amazing and I loved the burger too! The soup was creamy and hot and the burger was cooked perfectly with all the fixins! My cocktail was delicious! I was very pleased with my first visit. I look forward to coming back and trying other menu items;( read more

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Early reservation for 6 before catching a show at FSCJ. Parking is on the street and there are plenty of lots nearby the restaurant. We were greeted immediately & were seated. The place was empty but quickly filled up as I suspected there were several other tables that were catching the show. Our group started with some of Bellwethers interesting cocktails. I had the Firebird which had a great Smokey flavor, made with mezcal & a large ice cube which I really enjoy so your drink doesn't get watered down. They also had some other nice signature drinks which our group partook in. (Happy Hour is daily from 3-5 so we missed that but I'd go back another time for it. ) The menu- our group liked so many of the items on the menu we decided to order several and share as appetizers. The kimchi tots were amazingly delicious. It was a huge mound of tots with cheese, some large pieces of pork, & kimchi. We also had the smashed cucumber & feta, dips & lavash and the Korean fried broccoli. Everything was wonderful and very flavorful. There was plenty to share which our group really appreciated. We were kind of stuffed but decided to order a few mains. A friend & I shared the shrimp po'boy. They split the order in the kitchen and even gave us each our own order of shoestring fries. The shrimp were cooked just right however I felt they were too salty. The person I split the dish with agreed. Everyone else loved their dishes. I believe they ordered smash burgers, & salads. We were running really late for our show & our entrees hadn't come out yet. The server offered for us to settle our check so we could leave right after we were served. This proved to be a real time saver.This was our fault as we languished over cocktails, and appetizers before putting in our main order. During our visit, we were checked on several times to see how everything was by someone other than our server. Our server was very attentive even though the place was busy she never forgot us. She filled up our water glasses several times & brought over more flatware for our mains. Overall, we had a great experience & will return. Too bad we didn't get to see the dessert menu maybe next time. read more

Modern designs and a sleek interior. Simple. The service was fabulous. The food, ok. It's simple American foods stylized in a slightly upscale manner. I overall enjoyed the food. I would definitely go back to try the shrimp and grits because the pork belly in that dish was beautifully crispy and flavorful. read more

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Went in around 8 pm on a Thursday night with reservations but it wasn't crowded. Service was quick a d staff was friendly. I went with the special burger of the day, it was really good! The table ordered Brussel sprouts, which were also good with a smokey mushroom taste. Quite place at the time we went, great for groups or a date night. read more

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What a lovely place to have lunch! Madeline was an absolute sweetheart who made it such a pleasant experience. Aside from being really good at her job, she was so sweet to our toddler daughter. The interior is modern and beautifully designed and the food is to die for! I highly recommend this establishment. read more

Bellwether - Club - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

If you're going to the symphony or a broadway show it's walking distance from the theater and a great choice for dinner. We started the meal with boiled peanuts and tater tots. Both seeped in flavor. You're able to choose from 3 different flavor profile for the tots, we decided on their spicy version. Delicious. For mains, we had steak frites, the don don noodles with blackened chicken and their special burger for the night. I had the don don noodles and I definitely will be ordering again. It was spicy but for me it was perfect, left the spicy after burn but wasn't so hot I couldn't continue eating them. The steak was perfect cooked to order, the fries were delicious, highly recommend the Parmesan truffle, and the burger I was told was great. The service was quick, their happy hour lasts until 7pm even on a Friday and the restaurant is stylish with large format tiles, brick walls and an open concept. read more

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Great craft cocktails! I was not super impressed with their food. Kimchi tots were ok, shrimp po'boy was just ok, my favorite was the fried broccoli appetizer! Liked the ambience and service was good! read more

What a find near Everbank Field. Cozy environment with great food. The Korean short ribs were fantastic. Clean and friendly.

We ended up here for lunch midday on a Monday and it was really the perfect spot for a quick, but not rushed lunch. The service was awesome & attentive, the space was clean with modern decor & art, & best of all my food was simple but delicious. There were so many items on the menu that sounded like they'd be worth trying AND were items I don't ever see at home i.e. boiled peanuts or kimchi tots. The fries look better than they taste because they were a bit salty, but my BLT was so flavorful I didn't even care about the fries. I probably should've waited until my stay in Jacksonville is over because I have a feeling I'll be back to this restaurant before I leave. read more

Bellwether - Classic BLT - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

Happy hour!! Highly recommend!! I had the single burger with an old fashioned! Burger was medium cooked and delicious!! On potato bun with lettuce and tomatoes. Old fashioned to my surprise was was well poured....yesssss!! The service was great and I met some great people at the bar, this was my second time here and does not disappoint. read more

Bellwether - Old fashion - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

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Lunch for 7. - Ambiance (4/5) Clean and modern, but no particular theme. Gets loud at peak time. - Service (2/5) Friendly service, but so so so slow. One person in my group joked they must've been making the kimchi. In fact, we wanted dessert but literally ran out of time (almost 2 hours for lunch). - Kimchi Tots, $14 (3/5) Nothing particularly wrong with this, but it was basically tater tots with a little hot sauce and a couple pieces of kimchi. It felt contrived. - Potato/Leek Soup, $8 (3/5) Flavorful and great texture, but with way too much salt. - Fresh Catch, $26 (3/5) I love fluke. One of my favorite fish to eat. It was supposed to be blackened but ended up pan seared with a little salt and pepper. Succotash was pretty good, lots of moisture. - Value (3/5) The tater tots pricing is egregious, but the fish is great. - Final Word Bellwether is trying too hard to be "inventive". I find fusion often fails in that regard. It's a nice spot with decent food but needs to pick up the pace of service and focus harder on executing the food. read more

Bellwether - Fresh Catch (fluke) - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

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I recently went here again for my nieces birthday. The menu is pretty limited and prices do not support the food quality. I would not recommend this restaurant to my friends read more

The service was great and we loved the Firestarter tequila drink. The apps were big enough to share. The roasted broccoli was my favorite!

Looking for something within walking distance to my hotel. Stumbled upon bellwether, it was not busy due to weather. Bartender made an amazing drink off the drink menu! Amazing flavor and didn't disappoint. Ordered boiled peanut for an app..... great flavor and lite as it seems that all the portions are large..... Ordered the short rib, which was probably the best damn combination I have had in a while. Egg, grits and kimchi mixed perfectly with the short rib! Absolutely an amazing experience of flavors that mixed together unexpectedly. A must when in town and I will definitely visit again!! The staff were pleasant, friendly and talkative. read more

Bellwether - Boiled peanuts - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

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There is free street parking after 6, and I had no issues finding a spot! It's an intimate restaurant; small and cozy and decorated beautifully. I sat at the bar to order a Togo and have a glass of wine. Happy hour ran until 7, and I got a half price glass of Pinot Grigio with a generous pour! I also got the kimchi loaded tots with cheese curds that were on the happy hour menu. Absolutely delicious and bursting with flavor! I loved the sauce and the cheese curds. They rolled out their fall menu literally the day I went and I tried their new crispy salmon with potatoes and a truffle cream sauce. It was absolutely delicious. The bartender worked very hard to make everyone happy and was so kind. I want to come back and try a burger! read more

Bellwether - Kimchi loaded tots - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

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Amazing food. Amazing vegan veggie options Amazing meat selection Appetizers on point Wine is delicious 10/10 any day of the week read more

Bellwether - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

A 20 dollar Burger and fries that was the same quality as McDonalds. Extra star for cool interior.