Dorothy's Downtown — Restaurant in Jacksonville

Dorothy’s Downtown – A Soulful Southern Gem in the Heart of Jacksonville

We finally made it to Dorothy’s Downtown — and let me just say, it lived up to all the buzz and then some. This vibrant new spot, which opened its doors in May 2025, brings upscale Southern and Creole flavors to a beautifully reimagined space on Adams Street, right beneath Indochine. The energy here is warm and inviting, and you can feel the thoughtfulness behind every detail—from the food to the art on the walls.

The menu? Bold, soulful, and deeply rooted in Southern charm. Everything is made from scratch, and it shows. Each dish felt like a celebration of flavor, tradition, and a little bit of kitchen magic.

Here’s what we tried and absolutely loved: • 🦀 Crab Cakes with a zesty Cajun remoulade — perfectly crisp outside, rich and tender inside • 🍲 Fried Chicken Gumbo loaded with andouille sausage and served over fluffy yellow rice — comforting and full of depth • 🐟 Wild Salmon over Creole creamed spinach with Yukon Gold potatoes — balanced, fresh, and perfectly cooked • 🥩 Short Rib with a smoky roasted poblano chile sauce and Yukon Gold mash — melt-in-your-mouth good • 🍰 Banana Bread Pudding and Chantilly Cake — honestly, the kind of desserts you don’t forget

Also, shoutout to Ayanna, our server—she was incredible. Friendly, knowledgeable, and made us feel right at home without missing a beat.

We also couldn’t resist the French press coffee, and we’re not exaggerating when we say it might be the best in Jacksonville. Smooth, rich, and the perfect way to close out the night.

Oh—and don’t miss their gorgeous covered courtyard out back. Brick pavers, local art murals, and cozy lighting—it’s like stepping into a little French Quarter hideaway.

📍Dorothy’s Downtown 21 Adams St, Jacksonville, FL Southern Creole cuisine, scratch-made cocktails, and pure hospitality.

Whether it’s date night or just a craving for soulful food in a beautiful setting, Dorothy’s is an...

I met two friends this afternoon for brunch at Dorothy’s Downtown. The food and service did not live up to my expectations. I ordered deviled eggs as a shareable appetizer. They were very bland in taste. The presentation was awesome. The consistency of the deviled eggs were on point and had they been seasoned. It would have been a home run. I ordered the chicken and waffles for my entree. The waffle was very good. The chicken on the other hand was overcooked. It was dry and very hard to cut and chew. I ordered sweet tea but someone forgot to add sugar. I don’t want it overly sweet but I’d like to taste a little sugar. I ordered a mimosa. I asked for a splash of orange and a splash of pineapple. I just got orange. Then it comes time for the check. Two of us were going to split the check of the third bc it’s her birthday month. Our waitress said she couldn’t do that. So my friend told her to put the food on her tab and I asked her to put our friend’s drinks on mine. It was a debacle! When she brought the checks, I told her it was wrong and she brought it back still wrong. Instead of going through that again, I just paid the check but I was charged for an appetizer my friend ordered and the other friend’s entree. Thankfully, I had the money to pay for it but I spent more than budgeted bc the waitress didn’t know what I ordered vs my friend’s and even when told, she wasn’t able to follow directions. My friend ordered the crab cakes (Note: I was charged for the crab cakes and my friend was charged for the deviled eggs) to share and they were okay. I’ve had better but I’ve also had worse. The atmosphere was nice. There was a baby shower in the back. They closed the curtain and that helped make our experience better. One more thing, provide breath mints for your staff because our waitress almost knocked me out! I kept looking for the...

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ We finally made it to Dorothy’s Downtown — and wow, it completely lived up to the hype.

From the moment we walked in, we were struck by how beautiful everything was. The ambiance is warm, stylish, and thoughtfully put together — it just feels good to be there. Between the inviting outdoor space and the cozy, elegant interior, it’s the kind of spot Jacksonville has truly been missing. Add in amazing food and genuinely great service, and you’ve got a new favorite.

The menu is full of bold, comforting Southern flavors, and every dish we tried was a hit. We had the Crab Cakes with Cajun Remoulade (crispy and flavorful), the Fried Chicken Gumbo with Andouille Sausage and Yellow Rice (hearty and deeply spiced), the Wild Salmon with Creole Creamed Spinach and Yukon Gold potatoes (perfectly cooked), and the Short Rib with Roasted Poblano Chile and Yukon Gold (so tender it fell apart with a fork). Every bite was a win.

We finished with dessert and coffee — and let me tell you, do not skip it. The Banana Bread Pudding and Chantilly Cake were both amazing, and the French press coffee was honestly the best we’ve had in town. Rich, smooth, and just the right way to end a perfect meal.

Our server, Ayanna, was exceptional — friendly, attentive, and super knowledgeable about the menu. She made the whole experience even better.

If you’re looking for a place with elevated Southern flavors, gorgeous ambiance, and top-notch service, Dorothy’s Downtown is it. We’re already planning...