Rachel at the bar is absolutely wonderful. Watched her make drinks and she knows what she is doing. Asked her for dinner recommendations and with my "issues" she said the udon crabonara was perfect. She was not wrong. She even gave me some life advice. Never knew but will forever use. Lee was shucking the oysters and I got a dozen to start. No cocktail sauce. No mignonette. A sauce I have never seen. OMG. Kimchi vinaigrette. Great! Highly recommend! Taverna Oceana is a place I would absolutely return to. If you go I hope Rachel is at the bar and Lee shucks your oysters. They are what make the place! read more

Taverna Oceana - Oysters - Seafood Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

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I attended a private Galentine's prayer brunch at Taverna Oceana in San Marco, and the experience was top notch from beginning to end. The private space was perfect for a noon gathering. It was naturally lit, clean, and bright making the room feel intimate but not cramped. There was no overwhelming music, just a subtle hostess playlist in the background that allowed us to talk comfortably and enjoy the moment without competing with noise. The restaurant smelled clean and fresh. Not overly bleached, not heavy with fragrance. Just well kept. Temperature is a big one for me. I'm always cold and typically bring a sweater everywhere. I was completely comfortable the entire time, which honestly impressed me. The staff was exceptional. Dakota struck the perfect balance of attentiveness. Present, warm, and responsive without hovering. Managing a group of about 20 women is no small task, and everything flowed smoothly. Now the food. Not a single complaint from a table full of women, that's huge! I made it my business to ask around and every response was great. I ordered the blue crab eggs Benedict with the parmesan truffle fries and everything was wonderful. My friend ordered the prime rib sandwich and it was a generous portion and she loved it. Pricing felt appropriate for the quality and overall experience. I'll absolutely be returning with my husband soon, and I would confidently recommend Taverna Oceana for private gatherings, celebrations, or simply a well-executed brunch in San Marco. read more

Taverna Oceana - Eggs Crab Florentine Benedict - Seafood Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

Came for the happy hour, stayed for drinks & a meal. The Beef Carpaccio stole the show for us, but the smothered tater tots (salmon roe, sour cream, chives ) were also recommended by a friend - definitely a surprise combination that my taste buds enjoyed. I'm pretty sure they're why we couldn't finish our entrees or even think about dessert. The Ceviche Tostada was good too but I'd probably skip that next time. Entrees also impressed: flavorful Vietnamese Seafood Stew and solid Steak Frites. Service was top-notch from start to finish, with everyone from hostess to server (Guiseppe) to the manager (?) were all genuinely attentive throughout our visit. Bonus points for early happy hour (Sat 2-6pm) and VERY fast service. We were out much quicker than expected so had time to enjoy the festive Christmas tree display directly across in the square. TIP: Parking took us a few loops, so factor in a few extra minutes in case your reservation is at a busy time. We eventually snagged street parking just 2-3 blocks away in the nearby neighborhood along San Marco Blvd which was a quick stroll to the restaurant. read more

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I have been dying to try Oceana since they opened...yes I know, I'm very tardy to that party! My gf took me last night for my birthday & it was incredible. From the service to the ambiance to the food...incredible!! We started with the lobster burrata, it wasso fresh and delicious! We savored every bite. Then we selected the loaded tots and the Wagyu sliders. Both were fantastic! The tots with the roe had a lot of flavor and were not too fried. The sliders were very tender burgers, with wonderful flavor. We polished off our evening with another glass of champs & the crème brûlée...the perfect ending to a perfect meal!! Highly recommend the burrata, tots and sliders! We loved them all! Our server was incredible! I believe his name was Bradley, but I know his last name started with a Z...so to Mr Z, thank you for your proactive and efficient service! read more

Taverna Oceana - Such a gorgeous dining room!!! Didn't capture any food pics, but here's some Champagne Jacquart Brut de Nominée :) - Seafood Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

Came to visit Oceana for a birthday. The place was packed, thankfully we had reservations. The staff sat us immediately when we walked in. Our server Bradley greeted us with a friendly smile and gave some really great suggestions, he was amazing and joked along with us. We dibble and dabbled across the menu and not one thing missed the mark. Caviar and tots were a great combo and set the mood for the rest of our dining experience. Only slight miss was I never tasted any kimchi on the Brussels but they were still very good. The wagyu burger had the perfect grill taste w every bite. Everyone enjoyed their plates and not a crumb was left behind. Oceana has a beautiful wall in the back room for pics, so before leaving we def had an impromptu GNO pic. Oceana has quickly moved to the top of my list! read more

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This place was amazing. The interior vibe was spot on with casual upscale decor. We took the bartenders recommendation for our cocktail and boy he was right. The Oak & Margaret was fire. A very light typer of spritzer. We then decided to try to roasted oysters. The flavors all together were to die for. We only had time to grab a drink and app, but I would definitely come back for a meal. read more

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We popped in based on some recs from friends and they definitely pointed us in the right direction. The tuna poke was the perfect light bite to start off the night. We really enjoyed the lobster roll however the lobster was a smidge overdone and chewy. The old bay fries though-- they were perfect. The seafood pasta had a wide variety of seafood and a light tomato sauce. It was one of the lighter seafood pastas I've had. Wine list is good too! read more

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Came here with friends for Happy Hour and was so impressed! The Happy Hour menu is HUGE and includes both food and drinks. We came in with a party of 5 and were told that it's only 4 to a table max due to fire code regulations (FYI) but we were able to find a place for us to gather by the bar at the front of the restaurant. The Parmesan Fries were some of the best I've ever had and the Beef Carpaccio was also very flavorful, light and refreshing. It was busy so I'd recommend calling to get a reservation or waiting a bit for a table. read more

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Came here for my friends dinner birthday and had the best experience! From the ambiance to the service and food/drinks, everything was a 20/10. First off, our server Robert went above and beyond for our group/birthday girl and really made sure everything was perfect. He even remembered her name, which made it more personal and special of an experience. He also informed us that happy hour is all day everyday this month so that was great to hear. We all shared bottles of wine and got cocktails and everything was good. For apps, we got the caviar and tater tots, which didn't end up coming with tator tots but rather chips for some reason. It was still delicious. We also got the poke, ceviche, bogo raw oysters, and roasted oysters. Everything was delicious!! My favorite were the roasted oysters. As for main courses, the majority of our party got the seafood pasta while everyone else had the stew, scallops, steak frittes, and ribeye special. Everyone devoured their plates and basically licked them clean. No one complained about their meal and everyone was very satisfied and impressed with the meal. They also provided us with a complimentary cookie plate with a candle for our friends birthday. Definitely recommend this place to everyone! So yummy and definitely worth the price, but if you want to get a deal go during the month of July for the all day everyday happy hour. read more

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Walked in on Friday around 5pm with no reservations and were given options to sit at the bar area. Sat by the window to people watch. Service was impeccable and super friendly. It was happy hour so we ordered everything from that menu. So many options! We started off with a dozen oysters. Loved the "sauces" it came with. Super fresh and delicious. We should've told the server to bring things one at a time because when he asked, we just said "as it comes out" but it all came out so quick! We ordered the ceviche, tater tots with salmon roe, lobster burrata salad, wagyu sliders, kimchi brussels sprouts and a mocktail for myself. Wow. Everything was so good. There wasn't one thing we didn't like! Definitely will go again, especially during happy hour! read more

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Dropped in to check out Noodle Night on a Tuesday about 7:30. The place was pretty busy, which is always nice to see at a local restaurant. I was by myself so I opted to sit at the bar. The bartender was friendly and made a very lovely "San Marco Vice". I ordered the short rib yaki udon and it was so beautiful and delicious. Everything I could have wanted. The space is beautiful and it wasn't too loud even though it was a full house. Definitely will return to try other noods! read more

Taverna Oceana - Short rib yaki udon - Seafood Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

I walked into Oceana on a whim for happy hour, --best whim I've had in a while. You know when you go somewhere and immediately think, Oh, I'm about to become a regular here? That was me, about two sips into my Prosecco. I got there right when they opened, and the staff was already on top of everything. They know their menu inside and out, which is exactly what I need when making important food decisions. I ordered the shrimp cocktail. It was fresh, delicious, and just a little bit fancy. The flavoring was perfect. And the Prosecco? Bubbly perfection. The restaurant itself is small but in a charming, intimate way, not an oops, I just knocked over someone's drink way. The decor is beautiful, everything is spotless, and the whole place has a cozy, upscale vibe that makes you want to settle in for a full meal. Which, I absolutely will be doing next time. If you're looking for great food, great drinks, and staff who know what they're talking about - Oceana is the move. read more

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This is the best seafood I have ever had. The oysters were amazing. The salmon tartar was amazing. The beef carpaccio was amazing. Everything was fresh and delicious. Rachel was nice and friendly. I would highly recommend this place. We went during happy hour and sat at the bar. read more

Taverna Oceana - Oysters - Seafood Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

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Delicious dinner at Oceana. From the service to the food, everything was incredible. We started with the oysters which were BOGO on happy hour (which is all night for the month of July), and the tuna poke. For my entree, I split the Vietnamese Seafood Stew and Seafood Pasta. Everything was amazing. Our server Robert was awesome, and provided top notch service to our large group. read more

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Very nice ambiance. Service was outstanding, Morgan was attentive and gave amazing suggestions. The drinks were good, and refreshing and the food!!!!! Outstanding!!! 10/10 would recommend and will definitely be returning. read more

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Just left 5 min ago. Seated by hostess. No one came to say hi. I'll be right with you. Water. Nothing for 25 min. Just got up and left. No one but the hostess had any interaction with us. Just got up and left. Can't say it's horrible service if you don't get service. We got ignored. read more

Was craving the lobster burrata so I stopped in during happy hour today (4pm start), and got my fix. Plenty of seats at the bar a 4:30. Friendly bar tender. Added the roasted oysters also delicious -4 perfectly prepared with yummy toppings. Enjoyed it all with vodka spritz. Raking was still open at that hour, traffic already crazy though. read more

Taverna Oceana - people sitting at tables in a restaurant - Seafood Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

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Great spot for a post-work happy hour with friends! We came on a Wednesday with a reservation and were seated right away. Service was prompt, friendly, and attentive throughout the evening. Our favorite bites were the kimchi Brussels sprouts, oysters, and the beef carpaccio--super flavorful and beautifully presented. The space has a modern, trendy vibe that fits perfectly in the heart of San Marco. Bonus: they host Noodle Nights in the summer with a special menu that's definitely worth checking out. We'll be back soon! read more

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My absolute favorite restaurant in Jax! The service is always amazing here! The seafood is the freshest I've tasted in this whole city. I've yet to find a restaurant compete with the overall quality and assortment of oysters, customer service, and warm ambience provided at Taverna Oceana. I've now had most of the menu items and they haven't failed me yet! read more

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The restaurant had, great service, great ambiance and the food was delicious! My daughters and I really loved it and would highly recommend! read more

Oceana I have eaten at a few times for dinner. It is fun when they do the noodle night during the week, so there is a smaller menu to choose from! So def recommend it, for the odd stuff. I have to say they are good, but no need to come here for the seafood. You can go to Singletons shack for crab or another actual seafood place like City grille & Raw bar for oysters, and get better stuff. That being said, the reason I didn't give this place 5 stars is because of the waiting staff. There is an aura about them a little different from Taverna despite being the same owners... They are a little stuffy like they work at Nordstrom or some place that is too up to par... Maybe some staff work at both places... they are just more down to earth and reasonable at Taverna... This place is a good place for a "now and then" dinner...but there is Rue Saint Marc and Mathews for a fine dining experience. Food will not put you off, but again not a favorite, but a place to try. read more

Happy Hour at Taverna Oceana with a special friend - oh my gosh, you can't go wrong! The prices, the selections, the ambiance, it's one of my new favorite places now for Happy Hour in Jax! 4pm - 6pm, two whole hours! I'm very gracious Rachel made a reservation for us because it does get busy pretty quickly. Our server kept checking on us the entire time; we had phenomenal service. Oysters were very fresh and at a great price point during happy hour. The oysters, tots, and pear sorbet were my favorite things we tried, but honestly we cleaned house! We didn't leave any apps behind. The lobster burrata had nice big chunks of lobster and cheese, it was perfect. Get the grilled bread when they offer this to go with it - it's a very nice touch! I'm already looking forward to going back. This is a great addition to San Marco. read more

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I swung by Oceana Taverna for Happy Hour, and let me tell you--it did not disappoint. The atmosphere was welcoming and the menu had me questioning why I don't do Happy Hour more often. First up, I ordered the Kimchi Brussels Sprouts, and wow--who knew Brussels Sprouts could have a glow-up like that? I also went in hard on the fresh oysters (yes, two orders, because restraint is overrated). The shark bites were my favorite--I assume named for their bite-sized deliciousness, not an actual shark encounter. Then came the famous Truffle Fries because, let's be real, you can't not order them. They were so good I briefly considered writing them a love letter. For drinks, I kicked things off with a Strawberry Lemon Drop--sweet, tangy, and just the right level of "this will sneak up on you." Once that was gone (RIP), I moved on to a Strawberry Margarita, because when in doubt, double down on strawberries. Now, here's where things get interesting. We asked about oyster shooters, and while they weren't on the menu, our waiter--who deserves a raise, a medal, or both--went rogue and made us some with Bloody Mary mix and vodka. Different? Yes. Unexpected? Also yes. But you've got to respect the effort, and for that, I give it an A+ for innovation and a solid B for "this is definitely an acquired taste." Meanwhile, my friend tried the crab legs and gazpacho soup and declared both "amazing," so it's safe to say she was equally living her best life. All in all, this was exactly the kind of Happy Hour my soul (and stomach) needed. I'll definitely be back--possibly just for the fries and some more of those rogue oyster shooters. read more

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Place, service, and food were top notch!!! Mathew our waiter was so helpful and kind. We were there for happy hour, and it was amazing!! My favorite were the fresh amazing oysters, the Brussels sprouts, and caviar. I was impressed!! Best place I've tried this 2025. Can't wait to try more dishes. read more

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Five star service and food. The Beef Carpaccio is a must along with the marinated cucumbers. Absolute delicious. The Roasted Oysters are fabulous as well as the half shell raw. They have indoor and outdoor seating. They have bar/oyster bar seating as well. Usually crowded but I have always gotten seated quickly. read more

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Taverna Oceana is the perfect happy hour spot! I absolutely love the interior and the view of fresh shucked oysters at the bar made the experience even more immersive. I wasn't able to try the entire menu since the plan was to just grab appetizers before our dinner but the items we did try were good. The oysters I had were super fresh and my friend's beef carpaccio (that I stole a few bites from) was absolutely divine! It was our first time trying beef carpaccio and we were both pleasantly surprised at how much we enjoyed it! We did ask for bread on the side to accompany it and I think that helped elevate it due to the texture element it gave to the meal. I will definitely be back to try a cocktail or an item from their dinner menu soon! read more

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Not going to lie this place exceeded my expectations. The Brussel sprouts are by far some of the best I've ever had at a restaurant hands down! DELICIOUS! The tater tots with the salmon roe was so yummy and savory! The peel and eat shrimp were soooo fresh. Nothing I ordered was disappointing at all. This place clearly specializes in seafood and they are doing it well!! Our server was great and the vibe of the restaurant was welcoming and super cute! read more

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Wow, loved coming to eat here with dear friends! We got a table out front, which the weather was perfect! We came for HH and tried a bunch of dishes! I love a place that has food and drink specials on Happy Hour! So cool to taste all the different oysters, they were big and small from different places with different tastes. On HH they were bogo, so we got 2 of each. Drinks were delicious especially the old fashioned, omg that's not usually my drink but i snuck a sip and loved it! Everything we tried was fresh and tasty! For me I loved the roasted oysters and Brussels so good! The lobster burrata was wonderful light and bursting with flavors, I thought it could use a touch of salt but definitely enjoyed! Desserts were a miss for me, they just weren't amazing. Our server was excellent!! Wish I could remember his name but he took great care of us! Thank you! read more

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First dinner out of 2024 and I couldn't be more pleased. Taverna Oceana is such a Gem! We celebrated our friend's birthday there and the service was outstanding! Our server was on the ball the entire night, offering suggestions and going above and beyond to keep us happily enjoying our meal. The food was phenomenal, I think we ordered the entire happy hour bites menu to try and the daily oysters that were outstanding, try the Korean mignonette, so delicious. We had the opportunity to get a table outside but the place inside is fabulous, loved the decor and ambiance. This is an outstanding place, everything was so fresh, I cannot wait to come back. read more

Taverna Oceana - Seafood Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

I recently stopped by Oceanna for some light bites and a drink while cruising another event in San Marco, and I was blown away by their ceviche. I will definitely be back here to try more than the happy hour menu, but if you are just looking for light bites, I would recommend the marinated cucumbers and the ceviche. The fish was incredibly fresh, and the green sauce was the perfect accompaniment. I also had a beautiful glass of champagne, which complemented the meal perfectly! read more

Taverna Oceana - ceviche tostada - Seafood Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

This is a very special place. The food is awesome, the service is awesome and the vibe is awesome. I sat at the bar and Garron was my server. Drinks, food, service, and recommendations were awesome. I dreamed about those oysters and I can't wait to go back. 10/10 recommend read more

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Food amazing! Cleaned all of our plates. More on the pricier side but well worth it. Very nice and clean atmosphere and waiters are very nice. read more

Amazing location, beautiful interior, wonderful service, but unfortunately the food was not to par. Had the smothered tater tots as an appetizer and they were simply OK, it doesn't not justify $22 for that plate. The steamed mixed platter was also nothing out of the extraordinary and the crabs didn't have that much meat either. I doubt I'll be back to Oceana, I'll stick with the regular Taverna. read more

Taverna Oceana - Steamed Seafood Platter - Seafood Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

My absolute favorite restaurant in Jacksonville. We have been here for many celebrations and continue to come back because of how delicious everything is! The tuna poke and ceviche tostada are my favorite things on the menu. For their oysters, they have a kimchi sauce you can put on top. We have brought it to parties and it is an absolute hit. The service is wonderful and the staff are very knowledgeable. I will say it tends to be quite loud so make sure you have that expectation when you go in, but the food is worth it. I can't recommend this restaurant enough!! read more

We ended up here on a whim after a culinary school tasting, but don't get me wrong their food was awesome. We just needed something more hearty and substantial. Before arriving a made a Resy reservation just in case it was busy. Luckily we got one within the hour so we headed over. San Marco parking is a crapshoot, yeah yeah and all that jazz. It is what it is. But we found a spot close by and walked over. The place was smaller than I expected but still had a bustling atmosphere. We were greeted and seated within our reservation time. No dranks as we drank at the tasting event. I did have a cup (actually 2.5 cups because the pot was big and the cup was small) of herbal tea, Rishi Elderberry and Hibiscus I believe. Goot stuff. Apps first. He got the Peel & Eat Shrimp (half pound shrimp, old bay, drawn butter, cocktail sauce) expecting the cocktail sauce to be horseradish-y, it wasn't and he was a little disappointed (again) but he still liked that version. I got the Lobster Burrata (citrus marinated lobster, beets, burrata, arugula, truffle). Best decision ever. The citrus pieces paired well with the saltiness of the burrata and enhanced the taste of the beets. Where those orange beets? I thought they were only fuchsia-colored. Visually, it was a nice color palette. I really wanted to get oysters but since the weather was trashy a warm soup would work better. For my entrée I got the Vietnamese Seafood Stew (mussels, clams, prawns, calamari, crab, coconut cream, lemongrass, chili, cilantro, lime), to which our server agreed it was the best. She was not wrong. There's copious amounts of red and yellow peppers in it but nothing compares to the mussels and clams. Those things must've been pulled straight from the ocean because they were fresh. He got the New England Clam Chowder but again, was slightly disappointed that it wasn't creamy and thicker like what he's used to. He described it was kinda watery. He still ate it as he liked the flavors though just needed to be a bit thicker. Gotta come back for the oysters! read more

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Taverna Oceana surprised us. The seafood dishes we ordered were excellent, as well as the raw bar. We started with the San Marco Tower. While it should probably be renamed the San Marco "plate", as there was no "tower" in sight, the freshness of the seafood was excellent. There were six oysters, five shrimp, and insalata di mare. We were able to choose the oysters that we wanted from their list of five for the night. We opted for the tower without ceviche intentionally, and we ordered the ceviche tostada instead. The tostada provided the best bites of the night. It was so bright, clean, and the right amount of acid was added. The edible flowers were a nice touch as well. For entrées, we got the seafood pasta and the miso glazed Chilean sea bass. The pasta was very well-made. I would say that the seasonings could be a little stronger, but the dish had a very nice amount of seafood in it. The sea bass was also a large portion and it was beautifully glazed. The vegetables needed a little more seasoning though, as they were sitting in the broth and pretty bland. We asked our server to bring us the best dessert they had, and he opted for the coconut cake. It was denser than most coconut cakes I've had, but it was moist and had a good flavor. The passionfruit curd complemented it well. I would say the slice was a little small for the price, but the quality of the dessert was good. Overall, we had a nice meal at Oceana Taverna. The dining room appeared to be simply decorated, but it was a very nice open space. It filled up during the time we were there. Although I thought the prices were a bit high for what they served, I would probably still return. There were a few mishaps with the service, but I assume that's because they're a new restaurant. I'm sure in time they will find their rhythm. read more

Taverna Oceana - Oyster options of the night - Seafood Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

Came here for happy hour and the hype is real. Talk about a beautiful place to dine. Lovely and friend staff. Awesome food and cocktail deals. We went straight for our favorites the BOGO oysters on the half shell. They were so good, we sampled all 5 types (plus 1 that wasnt on the menu). Devoured 2 dozen oysters and also ordered the salmon roe tots and tuna ceviche. And the other real highlight was the $7 martinis. Delicious. We had the dirty martini, and a funky one called the Mayport martini (with some clam juice). SOOOOO good. Will be back very soon. read more

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My husband and I had a great date night at Oceana! Our server Matt was incredible - gracious, great recommendations, and detail oriented. He kept an eye on us without being intrusive - clearly a real pro. We could only get an early reservation so we were seated at 5:45 and got to take advantage of their wonderful happy hour specials. For drinks, I had a blood orange margarita (excellent!) and my partner had a glass of white wine. We starred with a great assortment of oysters including Kumamotos and St Augustines. We also had crab legs and kimchi cucumbers which were tasty. For an entree we had the Red Snapper with andouille, crab and mussels and a side of Brussels sprouts. Matt offered to cook the Brussels sprouts in a dedicated gluten free fryer next door which was a wonderful kindness for my celiac husband. Overall everything was delicious, fresh, flavorful and well presented. I'd love to eat there again! read more

Excellent food! Excellent service! While my time in Jacksonville was short, this little gym was a real highlight. Some of the best oysters I've had. The service was timely and pleasant. The next time I'm in Jacksonville, I'll definitely be back. read more

Taverna Oceana - Oysters - east coast! - Seafood Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

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Oceana is a spinoff of it's next door restaurant and sister company, Taverna. Oceana however will be focused more on Seafood dishes as well as Asian and Italian dishes. May 2nd is the projected Grand Opening for Oceana and I was luckily enough to have attended their Soft Opening on Wednesday, the 26th. Nice inside interior, design and Bar. Our server was Bradley and he was beyond 5 STAR in terms of service. He was very attentive and informative. We ordered alot from the menu, which took awhile to get our food but that was expected, it's a Soft Opening. When we did received our food, it was deeelicious. My only take, two of the dishes we ordered; The Seafood Pasta and Linguini & Clams lacked flavor but again, they're in Soft Opening phase so it's pretty understandable. Lastly, I just wanted to note that regardless of Soft Opening, all the staff were attentive and friendly. No one looked frazzled or anything as if they have been opened for many months already. We had a great experience. Keep up the good work Oceana and staff. read more

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