Business Details
The Candy Apple Caf & Cocktails: Jacksonville's Premier Dining Destination
The Candy Apple Caf & Cocktails is a full-service restaurant located in Downtown Jacksonville, Florida, dedicated to delivering exceptional culinary experiences through French cuisine with Southern influences. Our scratch kitchen utilizes the freshest locally sourced ingredients from trusted partners like Blue Buddha Exotic Foods and White Oak Pastures, ensuring every dish reflects our commitment to quality and community. Since opening at 400 North Hogan Street, we have earned recognition as Jacksonville Magazine's Best New Restaurant, driven by our innovative menu and attention to detail. Our team, led by mother-daughter duo Liz and Jennifer Earnest, combines decades of hospitality expertise from their previous ventures, Chefs Garden Catering & Events and the Cummer Cafe, to create memorable dining experiences. We specialize in brunch, lunch, and dinner service Tuesday through Saturday, complemented by a craft cocktail program and an extensive wine selection.Beyond dining, our historic venue in the restored Seminole Club Building offers four distinct event spaces, accommodating gatherings from intimate parties to 200+ guests. Our dedication to accessibility, including wheelchair-friendly facilities, and our partnerships with local farms underscore our commitment to inclusivity and sustainability. Whether hosting a corporate event, celebrating a milestone, or enjoying a casual meal, our guests benefit from personalized service and a vibrant atmosphere blending chic dcor with historic charm. We take pride in creating unforgettable moments, as evidenced by testimonials praising our customized catering, exceptional food, and seamless event planning. Our operating hours, designed to serve both daytime professionals and evening patrons, reflect our mission to be a cornerstone of Jacksonville's culinary scene.
Services
Brunch
Lunch
Dinner
Catering
Event Hosting
Craft Cocktails
Wine Selection
Private Dining
Corporate Events
Customizable Menus
Highlights and features
- We offer a chef-driven menu with locally sourced ingredients from trusted regional farms.
- Our historic venue accommodates events from intimate gatherings to 200+ guests.
- We earned Jacksonville Magazine's Best New Restaurant award for culinary excellence.
- Our team brings decades of combined hospitality experience from award-winning ventures.
- We provide wheelchair-accessible facilities and inclusive dining experiences.
What people say
Extraordinary food and service
Most amazing time
Perfect day
Carefully customized events
Sweet memories
Services
Brunch Service
Our weekend brunch features French-inspired dishes with Southern twists, including gluten-free options. Prepared daily using fresh, locally sourced ingredients, the menu offers both sweet and savory selections in a vibrant atmosphere. Ideal for casual gatherings and weekend celebrations.
Private Events
Host events in our historic Seminole Club Building with four distinct spaces accommodating 20-200 guests. Services include customizable catering, professional planning, and access to our full bar. Perfect for weddings, corporate functions, and milestone celebrations.
Craft Cocktails
Enjoy handcrafted cocktails featuring premium spirits and house-made ingredients. Our mixology program pairs perfectly with appetizers and light entrees, creating a sophisticated after-work destination. Available daily during operating hours.
Catering
Custom catering services for off-site events, featuring our signature French-Southern fusion cuisine. Menus are tailored to client preferences using the same locally sourced ingredients as our restaurant. Includes full-service planning and execution.
Wine Selection
Curated wine list featuring Old World and New World varietals, carefully selected to complement our menu. Available by the glass or bottle, with sommelier recommendations for optimal food pairings. Served in our dining areas and event spaces.
People
Liz Earnest
Co-Owner
Liz Earnest co-owns The Candy Apple Caf & Cocktails with her daughter Jennifer. She brings extensive hospitality experience from founding Chefs Garden Catering & Events and the Cummer Cafe, focusing on culinary innovation and community engagement.
Jennifer Earnest
Co-Owner
Jennifer Earnest partners with her mother Liz to operate The Candy Apple Caf & Cocktails. Her background in event management and catering, developed through Chefs Garden Catering & Events, enhances the restaurant's personalized service and event planning capabilities.
Questions
What type of cuisine does The The Candy Apple Caf & Cocktails serve?
We specialize in French cuisine with Southern influences, using locally sourced ingredients to create a scratch kitchen menu featuring brunch, lunch, dinner, and catering options.
Do you offer catering services for off-site events?
Yes, we provide full-service catering with customizable menus featuring our French-Southern fusion cuisine. Our team handles planning, preparation, and execution for events of all sizes.
Is The The Candy Apple Caf & Cocktails wheelchair accessible?
Yes, our historic venue is fully wheelchair accessible, ensuring all guests can enjoy our dining areas, event spaces, and amenities without barriers.
What are your operating hours?
We're open Sunday 10 AM-5 PM, Monday 11 AM-3 PM, Tuesday-Thursday 11 AM-9 PM, Friday 11 AM-10 PM, and Saturday 10 AM-10 PM.
Can I rent your venue for private events?
Yes, we offer four event spaces accommodating 20-200 guests. The entire building is available for weekend evening rentals hosting up to 300 guests, with customizable catering and planning services.
Reviews (4)
Yekaterina Degtyareva
Jan 30, 2019
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Took out two of my nieces out on a date here. They absolutely love it here. They enjoyed their waffles and fruit. Food was delicious, drinks were exquisite. Such a fun experience for me and the kiddos!!! A perfect place to go on dates with your kids, nieces and nephews!!!
Caitlin McMahon
Jan 07, 2019
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Cute and cozy little gem in Downtown Jacksonville. Sophisticated comfort food, with a flare for cheeky crafted cocktails to pair. They offer small plates that are great for sharing. I really enjoyed the Candy Apple Cider bacon. I would highly recommend for breakfast or lunch.
Steve Engle
Dec 09, 2018
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This place is amazing! I was visiting Jacksonville on a business trip and was a bit disappointed with the choices of downtown restaurants until I went to The Candy Apple Caf. I ordered a burger which is honestly one of the best I've ever eaten! The other people with me said their food was very good as well. Nice portion sizes and the wait staff was excellent. One of the neatest things about this place though, was that it also has a candy store, toy store, and ice cream shop in the same place! It appeared to be an old three (maybe 4) story house and had lots of candy to choose from as well as
Jorge Enrique Estevez
Dec 08, 2018
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I only had coffee, actually 2 coffees. A latte that was perfectly prepared with very good proportion of milk and espresso and the service is phenomenal. It seems to be a fun place for kids with seasonal activities. I will be back for sure.
