Favorite coffee shops? (Jacksonville, University, Holiday: house, neighborhood, university)

[trola2]

Because I work from home sometimes I get restless looking at the same four walls all day and I also just need to be around other humans. So, on the days when I have no meetings I'll go work in a local coffee shop. I'm going to be in Jax next week (to narrow down the part of town I plan to move to later this year) and want to get a vibe on the areas I'm considering. So I'm thinking of spending some time working in some of the area coffee shops. When I was there at the end of '11 I worked at the Starbucks at Neptune Beach a couple of times.
But what are some of your favorite (preferably non-chain, unique, mom-and-pop type) coffee shops with good Wi-Fi that would help me get the vibe of the area? I'm particularly interested in Avondale/Riverside, San Marco and the beaches areas.
Thanks!

[fsu813]

There's really only 4 in Jacksonville of any note.

Bold Bean is in Riverside, on the growing Stockton Street commercial district. It's widely considered the best coffee house in the city now, mainly because they actually make their own coffee from scratch. They serve alcohol too, some lite snacks, and host music regukarly. They won "Best Coffee House" in 2012. Best time to visit is lunch or evenings.
Bold Bean Coffee Roasters - Bold Bean Coffee Roasters









Three Layers Cafe in the Springfield historic district, on a seemingly random corner in the neighborhood, is probably considered the second best coffee house in Jacksonville. They have a decent cafe menu, beer and wine bar, and host a different activity almost every day (ie, open mic, spoken word, stand up comdey, etc). What stands out of this coffeehouse is their secret garden in the back. Very tranquil. "They won Best Coffee House" in 2009 and 2011. Best time to visit is lunch or evenings.
ThreeLayers Cafe - Historic Springfield - Jacksonville, Florida









Chamblin's Uptown in the heart of Downtown Jacksonville is a great coffee house as well. It's a cafe / used book store, and embraces the hippie/artsy crowd, but is popular with everyone. Decent menu lite, including breakfast, which the 2 others I previously mentioned don't do, and have frequent vegan options. They just added sidewalk seating as well. Best time to visit is breakfast or lunch (by far). http://www.downtownjacksonville.org/...ns-uptown.aspx








Cool Moose Cafe in Riverside in the King Street commercial district is probably the last coffeehouse that deserves mention. It's been around longer than the others, and is a bit more of a restaurant than coffeeshop. Probably the best food menu. Best time to visit in breakfast or lunch. http://www.coolmoosecafe.net/







Enjoy.

[williamwebb49]

I don't drink coffee, but my personal assistant highly recommends,

The Brick Coffee House
214 N Hogan St
Jacksonville, FL 32202
(904) 354-9945

[fsu813]

I've been a couple times as I'm in Downtown a lot, and it doesn't compare. Not as big, not as much character, the crowd almost exclusively is Ed Ball Building office workers & it's neighbors. I go when i'm doing city biz nesr there. It's kinda like an airport coffeeshop in my opinion. Good, but not the real thing.

[JJmma]

I love three layers and chamblins! They're great environments to meet friends at or less fun, studying

[ShakenStirred]

Originally Posted by trola2

Because I work from home sometimes I get restless looking at the same four walls all day and I also just need to be around other humans. So, on the days when I have no meetings I'll go work in a local coffee shop. I'm going to be in Jax next week (to narrow down the part of town I plan to move to later this year) and want to get a vibe on the areas I'm considering. So I'm thinking of spending some time working in some of the area coffee shops. When I was there at the end of '11 I worked at the Starbucks at Neptune Beach a couple of times.
But what are some of your favorite (preferably non-chain, unique, mom-and-pop type) coffee shops with good Wi-Fi that would help me get the vibe of the area? I'm particularly interested in Avondale/Riverside, San Marco and the beaches areas.
Thanks!

I like the Racetrac on University Blvd. close to Phillips Highway.

[abvavgjoe]

Nice post fsu! Very comprehensive and I like the pictures. Good job!

[hornsch]

Lillie's in Neptune Beach is a nice spot...