Nocatee, now the third best-selling master-planned community in the country, first welcomed residents in the midst of one of the worst housing markets in 2008. Although home sales began slowly during the Great Recession, the community reached a milestone in 2010 when Northeast Florida's largest Publix supermarket opened its doors. The commercial sections serving the community began to grow in earnest following the opening of Publix, and now an exciting lineup of new restaurants are set to open in the Nocatee area over the next few months.  



Image courtesy Skinner Bros Realty


Two respected, locally-based real estate developers control the majority of Nocatee's commercially zoned properties. Regency Centers is the developer of Nocatee Town Center, a 21-acre retail center with 106,764 square feet of active commercial property (anchored by the 54,000 square foot Publix) along with an additional 4.61 acres of undeveloped parcels. Nocatee Town Center includes a mix of locally-based franchise operations in Dick's Wings & Grill and The Loop Pizza Grill, as well as national brands such as Wendy's, Dunkin Donuts, Tijuana Flats and Starbucks. Skinner Bros Realty is the developer of Nocatee Town Center East, a 6.25 acre tract that consists of four multi-tenant buildings and one outparcel. Nocatee Town Center East tenants includes the likes of local favorites M Shack and national brands like Pieology.

With over a population of over 13,000 people, with an average household income of $126,149 located within 3 miles of Nocatee Town Center and Nocatee Town Center East, it was inevitable that more restaurants would be interested in putting down roots in this rapidly growing, affluent community. Here is a look at four exciting restaurants that will be opening soon in the Nocatee area:



TREYLOR PARK






The newest entrant into Nocatee's burgeoning restaurant scene comes by way of Savannah, Georgia. Treylor Park will soon start construction on an 2,000+ square foot, end cap space adjacent to Publix and Remax Unlimited. 





Built on the motto 'Quality over Quantity', Treylor Park serves 'local Savannah Comfort Bar Food with a twist'. Fun, Southern-inspired fare includes a playful take on PB&J, chicken wings and shrimp and grits-filled tacos. The restaurant also hosts a very popular brunch service on the weekends, featuring Biscuits Benedict and half-a-dozen takes on Bloody Marys.





In addition to unique foods, Treylor Park is known for having an Instagram worthy atmosphere to go along with seasonal cocktails, boozy iced coffees and an impressive list of craft beers. Treylor Park is expected to open in the Spring of 2018.


Images courtesy of Treylor Park



FIONN MACCOOLS IRISH PUB & RESTAURANT





Fionn MacCools Irish Pub & Restaurant, a locally owned and operated, authentic Irish pub located on the waterfront in downtown Jacksonville, is opening a second location in Nocatee.





Named after Fionn mac Cumhaill, a legendary Irish warrior, Fionn MacCools offers an award-winning menu featuring modern Irish and American pub favourites along with an extensive draft beer and whiskey selection.  Popular Irish/American fusion items include the Giant Guiness BBQ Burger (grilled Black Angus patty topped with Guiness BBQ sauce, rasher bacon, portabella mushrooms and cheddar cheese on a Kaiser roll) and the reuben spring rolls (slow roasted corned beef, Swiss cheese and sauerkraut wrapped in a spring roll and deep fried with thousand-island dressing.  For those that seek a more traditional Irish fare, Fionns offers a traditional fish and chips (beer battered cod served with chips -fries-, peas and malt vinegar) or a shepherd's pier (ground lamb with diced carrots, onions, celery, and peas in a rich demi, topped with roasted garlic whipped red potatoes and cheddar cheese baked in a puff pastry crust).





Fionn MacCools first opened in Jacksonville Beach in 2005, before relocating to a 200-seat waterfront location at the Jacksonville Landing in 2011. The restaurant has built a loyal local following that is complemented by a steady stream of convention business and private parties.  The new 150-seat Nocatee location will be opening in November at the Shoppes of St Johns Oaks (145 Hilden Rd). Patty Trousdell told the Times Union, “With the success of our downtown location, we have been looking to open additional locations for some time,” she said. “We chose Nocatee, because we were looking for an area with big growth, new and upcoming neighborhoods, and a community feel.” 

Images courtesy of Fionn MacCools

SOUTH KITCHEN AND SPIRITS





South Kitchen and Spirits, a popular Southern-inspired restaurant and bar in the Avondale neighborhood, will open a second location in Nocatee Town Center East. Realty, The restaurant, scheduled to open December of 2017, will be located behind Dunkin' Donuts and MShack. 





When South opened in the highly competitive Avondale neighborhood, diners quickly welcomed its casual yet refine take on Southern cuisine and cocktails from scratch with fresh ingredients. Former Orsay chef Brian Siebenschuh serves as the restaurant's managing partner and teamed up with Chef Sam Sottile to create an award-winning menu that includes the Fil A. O. Chick sandwich (a nod to the popular chicken-focused, Atlanta-based Chik-Fil-A) and a soulful take on catfish and grits.





Owner Jason Motley told the Nocatee community blog, "Initial response to the South Kitchen & Spirits concept in Avondale has been overwhelmingly positive, so we're really looking forward to being able to bring SKS's brand of southern hospitality to Nocatee. It's an area that we've been considering for a second location since day one, based on the opportunity to be one of the first full service dining & bar options, as well as the long-term potential for growth." 





The 4,050 square foot Nocatee location will feature a covered patio and large bar area. As with the Avondale location, the bar program will feature hand-crafted cocktails, local beer and wine. 

Images courtesy of South Kitchen & Spirits



TIMOTI'S SEAFOOD SHAK





In 2012, Timothy and Theresa Poynter opened a concept in downtown Fernandina Beach that payed homage to the fish camps made popular throughout old Florida. Almost immediately after opening a second location in the Five Points neighborhood in 2016, the couple began to look for a third location in a growing, family-friendly neighborhood that appreciated an authentic take on fresh seafood. 





With an expected opening before Thanksgiving 2017, Nocatee diners will welcome Timoti's Seafood Shak in the western end-cap of the new Nocatee Town Center Building- opposite of Jersey Mike's and OrangeTheory.  





Timoti's Seafood Shak is a fast-casual, family-friendly restaurant serves only wild caught seafood. Every meal is cooked to order fresh- and their shrimp are all local or domestic.  The menu includes seafood baskets, tacos, sandwiches, salads and rice boxes, Timotis also features Vegan, Vegetarian and Gluten-free options.

 
The Nocatee location will include an outdoor play area, connected to a patio with outdoor seating and a kids play area with a boat. Beer and wine will also be served inside as well as in a bar area integrated within the covered outdoor patio.

Images courtesy of Timoti's Seafood Shak