New restaurants coming to Jacksonville, FL in 2025
Dozens of new restaurants are in the works for Jacksonville and Northeast Florida in 2025. Here are 10 to watch for.
- A South Carolina-based Korean restaurant, Bibimbox, is opening its first Florida location in Jacksonville.
- The new restaurant will be located in a former Bojangles building near Tinseltown.
- Bibimbox specializes in Korean fried chicken, Bibimbap bowls, and other traditional fare.
A fast-casual South Carolina restaurant known for its crispy Korean-style fried chicken and other fare is ready to open its first Florida restaurant in Jacksonville.
Bibimbox Korean Kitchen & Wings will debut Oct. 28 at 4463 Deerwood Lake Parkway off Southside Boulevard. The new restaurant will be in the soft opening stage with the grand opening to be announced later, according to its website.
Bibimbox takes over the 3,873-square-foot building previously used by Bojangles near Tinseltown.
The Jacksonville location is the second one for the relatively new restaurant chain based in Columbia, S.C., where its original restaurant is located.
On the menu at Bibimbox Korean Kitchen & Wings
“At Bibimbox, we serve Korean food that fits your busy life — bold flavors and fresh ingredients with fast, friendly service. Our bowls combine the best ingredients, flavors, and textures together to create something perfectly balanced and uniquely yours,” the restaurant says on its website.
Bibimibox specializes in Korean fried chicken wings, which its menu describes as “double-fried and hand-brushed with bold Korean sauces.” The sauces include soy garlic, yangnum, and fire chicken, with more expected to be added soon, according to its online menu.
Another specialty is Tteokbokki, which is rice and fish cakes simmered in a sweet and spicy sauce.
Signature Bibimbap Bowls range from the original with Beef Bulgogi to Chicken Bulgogi, Spicy Pork Belly, Fried Chicken and Veggie.
Guests can also build their own Bibimbap Bowl by choosing from a selection of rice, proteins, veggies, sauces and toppings. In addition, the restaurant offers Hibachi Bowls.
Desserts include Bingsu, which is Korean shaved ice, as well as soft-serve ice cream, and Taiyaki, which are “crispy, Japanese fish-shaped waffles with a tasty filling.” A variety of hot and cold beverages, such as teas, coffee, and lemonades, are offered.
Bojangles abruptly closed 3 Jacksonville restaurants
The Bojangles near Tinseltown was among three in the Jacksonville area that abruptly closed in June 2023.
The Charlotte, N.C.-based fast-food chain known for its Cajun-seasoned fried chicken and buttermilk biscuits also shut down its restaurants at 13559 Beach Blvd. in Jacksonville as well as the 492 Blanding Blvd. location in Orange Park.
Remaining open are Bojangles in Jacksonville at 17110 Brandy Branch Road, Suite 103, and 12921 Duval Road — both in Love’s Travel Stop centers.
California chargrilled restaurant chain takes over former Bojangles in Intracoastal West
In an unrelated move, Habit Burger & Grill on Oct. 15 made its Northeast Florida debut at 13559 Beach Blvd. The restaurant is the first of at least three locations in the works in Jacksonville for the California-based better burger chain.
Habit took over the former Bojangles on Beach Boulevard which, like the Deerwood Lake Parkway site, had sat empty since June 2023, when that chain closed its three area locations.
A second Habit is proposed at 15080 Max Leggett Parkway on Jacksonville’s Northside on an undeveloped parcel of land at the Dick’s Sporting Goods- and Hobby Lobby-anchored Parkway Shops, according to plans submitted to JEA on June 9.
Bibimbox joins Tinseltown area dining roster
Bibimbox will be near other Tinseltown area restaurants, including Tequilas D’ Oro, Larry’s Giant Subs, K-Bop Korean Kitchen, and Brass Tacks Coffee Co.
The restaurant will be open from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
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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