Aqua Grill

395 Front Street, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082

Hours

Open daily for lunch 11:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Open for dinner Sunday - Thursday 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. (Fri & Sat until 10 p.m.)

904-285-3017

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About

So, you need a restaurant with waterfront views, an area suitable for fine dining, and a sports bar. All of this and more await you at Aqua Grill, considered to be one of the top Jacksonville Beach restaurants.

While the eatery opened in 1988, it closed in 2015. But like the phoenix, it rose from the ashes in a new facility next door to the original in 2016, again becoming a popular spot in Ponte Vedra Beach.

Aqua Grill is located on the lake in the renovated Sawgrass Village shopping center. It serves eclectic, multi-ethnic food crafted with fresh local ingredients. Additionally, the restaurant offers private banquet facilities and a covered lakefront deck with climate control. Toss in the full-service bar with HD TVs and it is easy to see why it is a hot spot. It is an "all for one" place to suit a romantic dinner, sports fans, and patrons off to see a show at the Florida Theatre.

When your Jacksonville vacation needs original cuisine with multiple dining areas, add Aqua Grill to your itinerary.

Vibe

The exterior of Aqua Grill, with its off-white walls and picturesque setting on the lake, blends with the surrounding shopping area buildings.

Inside, one discovers various dining areas to choose from. For instance, the main dining room blends sophistication and elegance with a Florida beach vibe. The setting is idyllic for romantic dinners or families needing a hearty meal after scuba diving with First Coast Divers.

The covered outdoor deck offers unobstructed lake views that will appeal to the "shop until you drop" crowd. Additionally, it will appeal to families, friends, and groups who prefer al fresco dining in Florida's mild climate.

The sports bar is a magnet for fans no matter the season. With multiple screens and plenty of bar stools and tables sprinkled around the room, there's not a bad view in the room. This is also where local bands and entertainers perform, adding another layer of entertainment to the room.

Such diverse settings make pigeonholing the restaurant into one specific vibe or atmosphere impossible. This attribute is its strength: a restaurant that caters to the martini and steak crowd and the beer and burger sports fans.

Aqua Grill: Menu & Drinks

Like the various dining areas, the menu at Aqua Grill is diverse and multi-layered.

An example is the chef-inspired specials that appeal to those seeking fine cuisine. The Scallop Mousseline Black Grouper is a masterpiece with pureed scalloped mousse, blistered heirloom tomatoes, char-grilled scallions, sundried tomato risotto, and a kale dust beurre blanc.

The award-winning crab cakes are ideal for dining on the back deck and feature generous chunks of succulent crab meat encased in a seasoned crust with a delightful crunch. While these are appetizers, some find them filling enough to serve after a meal.

Another highlight is the grilled scallops that appeal to those watching a game at the bar or a romantic dinner in the main room. The scallops are cooked perfectly to have a caramelized exterior and a tender, buttery interior. Seasonal vegetables often complement this dish, drizzled with a delicate lemon beurre blanc that creates a harmony of flavors.

The blackened Mahi-Mahi is a crowd favorite. It's infused with bold seasonings and served with a refreshing mango salsa that balances the dish's spices. It's the go-to meal after a day of walking at the Jacksonville Arboretum & Botanical Gardens.

Aqua Grill offers an impressive list of specialty drinks, wine, and beer when you need an adult beverage. An example is the signature Aqua Mojito, a refreshing mix of rum, fresh mint, and zesty lime. It is ideal for sipping on warm Jacksonville evenings.

Aqua Grill will enhance any First Coast getaway with its various dining sections, fresh fare, and lively atmosphere. Visit and discover why it is one of the top Jacksonville Beach restaurants.

Local Tips

Reservations are encouraged.
Check their Facebook page for daily specials.
Consider sharing dishes to experience various flavors.
Join their loyalty program for exclusive offers and rewards.
Visit for lunch for high-quality, less expensive meals.

Location

395 Front Street, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082

Frequently Asked Questions

What's a recommended one-day itinerary in Jacksonville Beaches?

Start the day off along 3rd St. at Jax Beach Brunch Haus for everything from basic breakfast favorites to hearty brunch options and tasty brunch-tails that go way beyond mere mimosas. From JBBH it’s a short hop over to the Jacksonville Beach Golf Course for those looking to spend a day on the greens.

On the north side of 3rd St., step into Maple Street Biscuit Co. for coffee and their self-proclaimed biscuits that wow. After breakfast, walk to Jacksonville Beach’s extended pier. Enjoy a stroll out over the Atlantic Ocean, or watch anglers casting their fishing lines. This is a great way to enjoy fishing in the area, especially if you don’t have enough time to go out on a boat. If surfing is more your style, be sure to hit the waves. Atlantic Beach to the north is more apt for novice surfers, while swells near the Jacksonville Beach Pier can be more challenging as this is the area’s high-tide break.

For lunch, savor the region’s fresh seafood as restaurants in Jacksonville and across the First Coast proudly serve fresh Mayport shrimp. Take in the view at Dockside Seafood restaurant to satisfy your shrimp cravings. Or, try Palm Valley Fish Camp in Ponte Vedra south of Jacksonville Beach after visiting the famed TPC Sawgrass golf course.

Many people who visit Jacksonville Beach are simply asking, where can I go to relax? Consider Neptune Beach to the north, a less crowded beach with calmer waves and plenty of space to spread out. A stroll through Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park is also a calm way to spend the day. If visiting downtown Jacksonville, the Riverwalk along St. John’s River provides ample walking space and benches to relax on while enjoying the view.

Wrap up the evening in Jacksonville Beach with the warm and elegant setting of Eleven South. This award-winning restaurant provides an exquisite fine dining experience to top off your day. For more casual fare, stop by TacoLu for fresh baja tacos and tequila with the essence of Florida.

Why is Jacksonville known as the First Coast?

People often refer to this part of northern Florida hugging the Atlantic Ocean as the “First Coast” (sometimes called the “Historic Coast”). Today, the First Coast moniker has come to represent it as the first coast in Florida that tourists visit when traveling southbound along the Atlantic seaboard. The name initially represented this area as the first part of Florida colonized by Europeans in the 16th century. Both the French and the Spanish settled into this part of northern Florida on lands of the Mocama and the Timucua. Further down the coast, St. Augustine was Florida’s first European settlement.

What are the biggest main events around Jacksonville Beach?

Jacksonville Beach welcomes visitors throughout the year to enjoy its wonderful weather and prime events. Each March, The Players Championship attracts golf aficionados from across the globe to our beckoning beaches.TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra has been home to The Players Championship of the PGA Tour since 1982.

If pigskin is more your style, Jacksonville is home to the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars, so it’s easy to catch a game in season. Another highlight, though up in the sky over Jacksonville’s Naval Air Station, is the NAS Jax Air Show. Birthplace of the Blue Angels, the NAS Jax Air Show generally takes place mid-October each year (check the event site for upcoming dates and program changes).

Back on land, or rather in the waves, the Super Girl Surf Pro also hits Jacksonville Beach in the fall. Held at the Jacksonville Beach Pier, this is the world’s largest women’s surf, lifestyle, and music festival.

When your vacation plans include an adventure to Jacksonville Beach, you can be certain there’ll be plenty to see and do!