Hammers are finally swinging inside a long-empty restaurant space in Jacksonville’s Brooklyn neighborhood, as Savannah-born coastal bar Zunzibar starts work on its first Duval County location. The buildout pushes the brand across the Georgia-Florida line and adds another player to the Northbank dining scene, where operators are hustling to catch downtown foot traffic.
Contractors pulled permits this month after Zunzibar secured a nearly $400,000 building permit to convert the former restaurant, according to the Jacksonville Business Journal. The outlet reports that interior construction is already underway as crews reshape the space to fit Zunzibar’s coastal bar format, framing the project as part of the chain’s broader push into Florida.
Zunzibar traces its roots to Savannah and lists locations in Savannah, Tybee Island and Jupiter on its website, with a "coming soon" note for Middleton. The concept leans on coastal seafood alongside an energetic cocktail program, with shareable plates, handhelds and a raw bar that the company says will follow it into new markets, per Zunzibar.
Where It Will Sit
The Jacksonville outpost is slated for a space in Brooklyn Station, taking over the unit left empty after Burrito Gallery closed its Brooklyn Station location last year, as reported by the Jax Daily Record. That stretch near the river has been in developers’ sights for added restaurant and nightlife energy as they work to keep downtown busy after office hours. For nearby residents and workers, Zunzibar’s arrival hints at a seafood-focused option within easy reach of the riverfront.
What To Expect From The Menu
Early indications and the chain’s own visuals point to a Jacksonville menu built around oysters, shrimp and other seafood-forward small plates, backed by cocktails and handhelds similar to those at existing locations. The Zunzibar menu and images highlight a strong raw-bar component that is expected to carry over to the Brooklyn Station build.
Zunzibar’s site does not yet list a Jacksonville address or opening date, and the company has not released a public timeline for the debut. Local coverage describes the project as one more step in activating Brooklyn Station and pulling more evening crowds to the Northbank, a trend city reporters have been tracking as downtown rebuilds and restaurant conversions advance, per the Florida Times-Union.
