February saw the debut of St. Augustine’s first cidery.
In addition, the expansion of a Hawaiian-style restaurant brought bubble waffles, Kona coffee and boba to the Beaches.
Meanwhile, a Mexican restaurant in Jacksonville known for birria tacos said farewell, although its food truck will continue running.
Here’s a recap of notable Jacksonville-area restaurant news in February.
Cidersmith
Showcasing hand-crafted ciders, “Twisted Charcuterie” nestled atop a Bavarian pretzel, and inspired Mac-N-Cheese offerings, Cidersmith opened at 18 St. George St. in the center of the downtown St. Augustine historic district. The first cidery in St. Augustine offers a rotating selection of house-made ciders — core mainstays such as Strawberry Key Lime — as well as seasonally inspired choices like Peppermint Patty. Complementing the artisan ciders is a chef-crafted menu featuring the “Twisted Charcuterie,” a first-of-its-kind charcuterie board tailor-made with a Bavarian pretzel foundation; seven Mac-N-Cheese entrees ranging from classic creamy white cheddar to lobster; plus flatbreads, wings and salads. | Read more
El Agave Azul
It was last call for El Agave Azul, known for birria tacos, pizza and more. The restaurant announced on social media Feb. 16 that it was shutting the doors permanently of its third and last Jacksonville-area restaurant at 8763 Old Kings Road S. Thanking customers — also on social media — it counted down the days until its March 1 closure. El Agave Azul previously closed its Neptune Beach and Orange Park brick-and-mortar locations. Remaining open and active is its food truck. | Read more
Jersey Mike’s Subs
Jersey Mike’s Subs opened its newest Northeast Florida sandwich shop at 832 State Road A1A N. in Tournament Plaza shopping center in Ponte Vedra Beach. It is the Manasquan, N.J.-based restaurant chain’s seventh location in St. Johns County. The subs can be served “Mike’s Way” with onions, lettuce, tomatoes, red wine vinegar, olive oil blend, oregano, and salt or guests can customize the toppings. The sandwiches range in size from mini to giant. They can also be ordered as wraps or bowls. | Read more
Aloha Waffle Bar
Four years after debuting Hawaiian-style bubble waffles, authentic Kona coffee, boba tea and more at River City Marketplace, the second location of Aloha Waffle Bar opened at 1500 Beach Blvd., Suite 313, in Jacksonville Beach. From husband-and-wife retired U.S. Navy veterans, the restaurant offers freshly made-from-scratch bubble waffles — either in cones, bowls or as sandwiches — with sweet or savory fillings, then customized with a variety of toppings. Aloha was among the first, if not the first, Jacksonville restaurant showcasing bubble waffles, which are popular Hawaiian street food, especially on the North Shore.
1928 Cuban Bistro
Authentic Cuban cuisine is showcased at the eighth location of 1928 Cuban Bistro, which opened at 501 Riverside Ave., Unit 107 — on the ground floor of the Morgan & Morgan office building in Jacksonville’s historic Brooklyn neighborhood near downtown. The bistro took over and renovated the roughly 1,460-square-foot space vacated by Tossgreen, which closed in January 2025 after five years. The buildout was estimated at $64,000, according to an Oct. 7, 2025, city building permit. 1928 Cuban Bistro is known for serving breakfast, lunch and early dinner. The restaurant’s menu features family recipes for several signature entrees plus the traditional Cuban and Medianoche sandwiches. Wraps and salads are also on the menu.
Teresa Stepzinski is the dining reporter for the Times-Union. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @TeresaStepz or reach her via email at tstepzinski@jacksonville.com.
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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: 4 Jacksonville-area restaurants open, 1 permanently closes in February
Reporting by Teresa Stepzinski, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union / Florida Times-Union
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