Get your fanny there, it’s worth it. I ordered the chef’s special of pork belly banh mi with a side salad, and everything about it was delicious. The bread (drool), the pickled jalapeños and sauce with a bit of kick (I could eat it with a spoon), and the pork belly (Lord help me) was incredibly tender and drenched with the perfect amount of a tasty sauce with a little kick. Even the side salad was put together to be delicious. The veggies were fresh and crisp, and the dressing was perfectly tart. I’m looking forward to going back and trying their pastries!
Catch this place at the right time and the wait is minimal, otherwise, it will be anywhere from 5-30 mins. However, the quality of the food makes the wait worth while. Good selection, nice dining experience, flavorful, fresh, and modern. While my party had more french foods I got a Texan Burger, and it was brilliant. Big, flavorful, juicy, and fresh are just some of the words I can use the describe this masterpiece. Take the trip and enjoy, prices are reasonable and the menu is plentiful.
I feel like I need to explain the layout/ordering process as I have always been extremely confused and a little intimated by this place. There are two separate doors/entrances. One entrance is for dining in and the other is for takeout/mobile orders. There will almost always be a line to enter through the dine in door. The line moves pretty quickly but depending on the time of day expect to wait 20-45 minutes. The seating is also family style. There are large tables throughout the establishment and if you have a small party, be prepared to sit with other parties. When you order, the cashier will tell you exactly where to sit. Our drinks were already at the table before we even sat down. You get complimentary bread with oil and the bread was fluffy and really good. I got the bang bang shrimp po boy and it was so tasty! My boyfriend got the Texas burger and he said it was the best burger he ever had... Everything just melted in your mouth. The food came out fast and and servers all work together to provide orders, check on guests and clean tables. We also got tiramisu to go and it was definitely more of a cake and not your traditional tiramisu. While flavorful, I feel like they should actually explain it as more of a cake. Overall, this place is good and I plan on going back to try out more.
I liked this place a lot. There is a line to enter that walks fast. I shared table with another couple, I think is awesome. I had the Muffulata and a chocolate pastry. The sandwich was excellent with a very generous amount of salami, ham and pastrami with a very good olive salad in vinaigrette. The flavors of the meats and the cheese was in perfect balance with the salad and the bread was also good. I was expecting a side but it was only the sandwich 🥪 . I recommend to try the Po Boys, they look bigger and better. The salads 🥗 look very good too. I will try some other dishes next time. They served bread and olive oil to wait for the food which I never received (I think it was a honest overlook) The pastry was fresh and the combination of chocolates, moose, nuts and caramel was a delight. Prices are ok leaning to expensive. I will really go back to try it again.
The hot Rubin was very good, and the burger & fries were also excellent. I also had an eclair and slice of lemon pound cake. Delicious.
The French Pantry never disappoints. Their chicken is flavorful juicy. Wonderful fresh greens and tomatoes. THE BREAD ahhh glorious. Wedding cake with the strawberry sauce is like a delicious heavenly summer sweet day. Thank you so much to the entire crew for such a magnificent lunch experience.
Excellent lunch at a spot I would have driven past, time and time again, perfectly oblivious to the wonders inside. The French Pantry is located on Powers Ave in an unmarked large building one might assume is just another random warehouse in Jacksonville. Not random and definitely not just another lunch spot. They offer a nice variety of pastries and baked goods in addition to their full menu. There isn’t a lot of seating so bare that in mind when weighing the option of dine-in or to-go. I will be back again and I highly recommend this spot
Lunchtime rec from a friend turned out to be spot on!The French dip sandwhich was so delicious, I dont think I took a breath the entire time I ate! They packed this thing full of juicy roast beef, brie cheese (which I never liked before today) and zippy arugula spring mix (another fave). I loved the tangy mustard bite that kicked in after a few chews.The sandwhich also came with a warm cup of au jus and dont judge me but.... I totally sipped the au jus when I was done with my sandwhich. Like beef broth but better! MmmThe friend who recd the place raved about TFP so she loved it (natch) and I fell so hard, Im planning to stop by on my way back home just to purchase some breads and honey!Worth every penny!
Okay So I understand pretty food. But this place is overrated and overpriced. I Went with a friend of mine And I ordered the bang bang Poboy which cost $16.95 and she ordered a hamburger which ended up being $20. They charged an extra dollar for the tomato, and another extra dollar for the lettuce. Now correct me if I’m wrong but those are the toppings that should come with a hamburger. The Bill was $39.51. I don’t know who can afford to eat like that for lunch every day but I was not pleased. The food was not bad but I also consider price. And this place with all of it’s pretty food and people posting these pretty pictures Of food that was way, way, way overpriced. I will not go back there.
The best place to eat in Jacksonville. The best! Breads, pastries, salads, sandwiches- everything is beautiful and tastes amazing. It is slightly expensive but the quantities are substantial and the quality makes it well worth the splurge. Ive been coming to the French Pantry for 8 years now and its consistently the best all around.Advice: get in line early!
Amazing sandwiches found here! They remind me of the sandwiches I had in rustic little cafes in Paris. We tried their Chicken Panini on a baguette and the Turkey, Goat Cheese, and Pesto Sandwich. Both had great flavor profiles and the crusty bread perfectly held the sandwich together without getting soggy and falling apart. Their wedding cake is also top notch and that side of strawberry sauce perfectly balances out the sweet in the cake. Service was friendly and efficient. Id definitely want to come back soon to try one of the bruschettas!
I MISS THIS PLACE, living in Japan right now but the first stop when we get back home will be here. We miss this place so much, the food is awesome! from the brown butter berry tart to the goat cheese and tomatoe bread we miss it all is definitely a must when in Jax. Cant wait.
Great find! Stopped at this restaurant after an appt nearby. Had brunch--shrimp panini, chicken salad sandwich and later had chocolate croissant. Flavors were unique for typical sandwiches, everything delicious and fresh baked! Service was also quick & friendly. Definitely returning.
My boss raved about the french pantry and I finally can say Ive now gone. There was a bit of a line when I arrived but I felt it moved at a decent pace. The staff is still wearing masks as of late June. The staff was kind and friendly. The food was very good. Very good sized portions. I ordered the Cajun bruschetta and the special of the day, the turkey Gouda with fries. For my fry people the fries are roughly shoe string size but tasty and a decent portion. Otherwise I will be back!! Oh and I had a strawberry scone which was very good. And they are generous with the cardboard to go boxes. Parking is a bummer but there is parking around the back
We always love The French Pantry. Pricy, but it makes sense because its so damn good. Some of the bad reviews are just hilarious. Should definitely be a 5 overall.
I can honestly say the hype is real. This is one of the best restaurants in Jacksonville. I only wish they had longer hours and a location more convenient for us to visit often. Everything we have had there is wonderful, from the amazing bruschetta to the sandwiches and the desert. It was all delicious, fresh, high quality and tasty.
Very disappointed. My wife ordered the Irish Cheddar Grilled Cheese sandwich with brie and duck confit. But when we received it, the grilled cheese sandwich had hardly any cheese in it (and no brie) and instead was mostly duck. We informed the chef about our disappointment. Unfortunately we didnt have time for him to make a new one, so we left without being satisfied. Wish it could have been different or better.
As always, had another amazing meal from this great restaurant. Food was on point. The quiche had a buttery, flaky golden crust and cooked to perfection. The French dip is a simple sandwich but done so well itd be hard to want one from anywhere else. The bread is a staple to this establishment as it is seemingly such a simple item but done well it really creates the meal. Service was very fast, friendly and considerate through the whole meal. There was honestly not a single thing I didnt like about my visit here. Dessert to top it off, cant go wrong with anything they have or make. The Tiramisu was to die for but heard great things about every other dessert as well.11/10, hidden gem of Jax. If it really even is hidden.
This place is definitely worth the wait! Its so cute and cozy. The staff are nice. Theres so many options for desserts. The menu has a lot of varieties of sandwiches, paninis, salads, and bread. I ordered the turkey panini and it was so much more than I could eat along with the complimentary bread and wedding cake slice. The wedding cake is a well known favorite that you have to get if youre coming here. The moistness of the cake and the sweet sauce went well together. We were sat with other people and although thats not the norm, its no trouble at all. Its a very fun and interesting experience. If you are in Jacksonville then you have to try this place out. Try to come as early as possible to miss the line though!
Amazing. Ive been twice and everything has been great. I left with a bag full of desserts both times. German chocolate, yum yum, and wedding cake are all amazing. The sandwiches and specials have been great too.
My husband and I visited this place as it was recommended by co workers. We went early because we were informed that there is always a line which there was and we were there 20 minutes early with over 20 people in line in front of us. While you wait outside they have lemonade and water for you(which is great customer service). When you go in you stand in line to immediately place your order then you seat yourself. Also as a heads up it is communal seating but still a lovely place to eat. The waiters bring out bread with an herb and oil based vinaigrette which was very tasty. They are open from 11:00-2:15, you definitely dont need to arrive early as we did as I noticed as we were leaving there was no line. They also sale bread and all of the bread is very fresh!!!
I’m giving it 5 stars because I’ve tried to go several times and it’s been too busy so it must be good!
This place never disappoints. Ive been going here for years.
This venue is crowded like any other French bistro. It is a lunch menu but the score high marks in every category. French pastries are authentic and the bakery very deserving of high marks- I enjoyed a Waggu beef burger. This is a nice place for lunch. Most people seem to come dressed nice.
The French Pantry is a great, local gem. It is rather unassuming on the outside as it is in a plain, industrial building, but you will inevitably notice a line out the door that is there for good reason. The food is completely worth the wait. Everything I tried is delicious and they gave great customer service as well! The chicken panini and the wedding cake both are great, go-to options. Im just surprised they havent expanded to a bigger interior space because I think they would have no problem filling it.
Fantastic food and the staff are amazing, especially considering there was a line out the door waiting to get in. I will definitely be back for more :)
Awesome lunch spot and bakery. Great breads and desserts. Kobe burger was tasty. Lots of choices. Highly recommended. Just be prepared for a line most of the time.
Always worth the wait. Superb pastries and fantastic sandwiches. Very much a local staple. There is quite a bit of a wait, be prepared for it and enjoy the experience.
The best pastries in town. The wedding cake here is to die for. Just be prepared to wait outside if you dont get there early enough but well worth it.
WOW what else can I say about this place that hasn’t already been said?! Well first off: yes, get in line EARLY for lunch if you want to be seated timely. But I promise, it is worth the wait! My personal favorite dish is the chicken mozzarella bruschetta! So delicious. They also give you a great bread plate with dipping oils while you wait. And I know it’s hard, but try to not stuff yourself and save room for their dessert. Their wedding cake with the raspberry glaze and strawberry filling is absolutely to die for! I can’t get away for lunch at my job, so whenever I have a day off, this place is always my go-to!! Thank you French Pantry for being the best!
Was honestly a bit of a let down after reading all of the great reviews. Food was very good, but nothing really remarkable (the best thing was by far, the fresh bread). Service was non existent, as you order and pay upfront (which Im sure makes sense and assists in moving customers in this busy of a place) but using my table and other diners as a staging area for setting other tables and removing chairs was less than professional. I was never asked if I would like or needed a water after I finished my drink. And by the way, if youre going to advertise having craft beers, its nice to have more than two pale ales that are over 3xs their regular price. Many of the menu items appear to be tasty but the $15 grilled cheese I had was far from the best Ive ever had, including several at half the price. If you want to charge the prices they are, either the food needs to step it up a notch or improve the dining experience with real decor, ambiance and service. Sorry, just very disappointed as I really wanted to like it.
Yes, its difficult to find but if you arrive before it opens you will see a line of people waiting. I highly recommend trying the wedding cake. The saddest part is that they do not have any vegan options/alternatives. I still like this place. I would come back again and try a different dish. They do have a daily special and the menu is located in front of the door.
I come here occasionally because the food is amazing and I was so used to them closing at 2:30, I didn’t know they recently changed it from 2:30 to 2:00. I go inside to place an order without knowing they were closed because it was 2:06 and the doors were open. The cashier glanced at me numerous times without even saying anything or greeting me creating a very uncomfortable atmosphere. She finally comes up after 5 mins and I ask what time they close she said 2:00 so, I told her I would go somewhere else. She said she would take my order in a sarcastic tone. Usually the people are very nice there but this treatment makes me not want to come ever again. If you are closed and a customer walks in just politely acknowledge the customer and let them know.
I really enjoyed the Wedding Cake slice, but the Napoleon was wayyyy too heavy on the cream, and it wasn’t even the right type of filling that I’m used to in a Napoleon. I think they could’ve added more fruits to help balance the overuse of cream. It killed it for meFor reference, as of June 16, 2021, the prices are:Wedding cake = $7.25Yum yum cake = $7.25Napoleon = $8
I don’t know where to start… just stop by and enjoy the experience. BUT MAKE SURE YOU TRY THE CAKE, ALL OF THEM IF YOU CAN!!!!
Good customer service. Clean place. Ordered the bang bang shrimp. Or it might have been called shrimp po boy. Shrimp were lightly fried and were JUMBO as advertised. My only complaint was looking at the menu outside which was on a chalk board outside the main entrance did not list that the sandwich had onions and tomatoes. The sandwich also had lettuce and sauce. I also ordered the chicken and mozzarella bruschetta. Fantastic. Ordered some of their French pantry cheese rolls. All together I paid $35.05 after tax. You know a place is good when you arrive 30 minutes before their open an their is a line out the door. Consider that this place is open 6 days a week and 3 hrs 15 minutes when it is open lets me know their doing something right.
The French Pantry makes the best sandwiches in town! I have yet to have a bad meal here. I have been coming here for several years both with co-workers as well as with my wife. I cant tell you how good and consistent they have been through out the years
Never disappointed here. The bread plate alone is worth the price of admission... between that perfect bread and starting in on my to-go dessert a bit while waiting on the food, I barely had room for a bit of my bruschetta. Not to worry, it all came home with me in a to-go box for later. No service to speak of once your food comes, but to go boxes are readily available and my tea was served in a huge cup, so there was nothing else I needed to enjoy my meal.
This is my favorite restaurant in the area! Great fresh food & highly recommend the chicken salad made with artichokes. It is superb & the people are always nice!!
The muffelata was good. Not the best I have had. The turtle bomb was pretty good too. Ill definitely try some different food options.
One of my favorite restaurants. Came back after pandemic to find a beautifully remodeled entrance (I drive past it). Very disappointed to see them not use their signature french bread but generic white bread and not olive oil. BTW the Luisiana souffle was way too salty.
This place has fantastic food, homemade bread and pastries! It is worth the trip and I will definitely be going back. Arrive early, it gets crowded if you wait until noon to arrive. They are open 11 to 2.
I only went there for take out of their baked goods. The baked goods here are some if the very best in Jacksonville.
I was really excited about trying this place out. I walked in and nobody working there was wearing a mask. I walked right back out. Maybe this review will save everybody else some time and a trip.
Try everything! They are known for their bruschetta and pastries. I have only been twice and within the same week! I only wish I had found this sooner. The desserts Ive tried are the chocolate Yum Yum cake and the Napoleon. Both were amazing and I cant say I liked one more than the other. Ive had their Smoked Salmon Salad (delicious!) And had their Spinach and Onion with Smoked Apple Bacon bruschetta and it was fantastic
Amazing. Great food. Awesome customer service
My husband and I were excited to try this restaurant. We came 15 minutes before it opens and were able to get a sit inside 30 minutes after it opens. They had lemonade and cold water while we waited in line outside in the heat. We ordered chicken, artichoke, and goat cheese bruschetta; the french dip; the rare roast beef with Boursin; and a slice of carrot cake. My favorite was the bruschetta and my husband loved the carrot cake. We will come back to try something else.
A true hidden gem. Located in one of the most random areas I’ve been in Jax, it doesn’t even have a sign out front. They should be in San Marco or elsewhere along the Riverfront. The staff were so friendly and accommodating, even after they closed and were cleaning up while I was finishing lunch/dessert. Everything is top notch quality. Menu options are all delicious and there’s something for everyone. The environment is a bit European as well because you share tables with other people during the lunch rush. Now I understand the hype.
Went for lunch. Absolutely amazing. Had to wait for about 30 minutes to get a table but it was well worth it. Had the patty melt which was one of the specials. It was fantastic. The bread they brought out for an appetizer was warm and freshly made. Will definitely be back. 5 stars!!
Scrumptious! The Wedding Cake is exactly that! It is served with a side of strawberry compote. They have fresh bread and it is delicious. When you walk in you can smell the bread baking. My favorites are the Bang Bang Shrimp Po Boy and the Chicken and Mozzarella Bruschetta. Get a dessert to go, you will not be disappointed
As always the good was absolutely incredible and the service was amazing. I come here all the time because its simply the best.
Best BLT Ive ever had! Love the food here and the desserts are amazing. Only downside is you WILL wait awhile to get in and order. The items come fairly quickly to your table once you order, but we waited over 15 minutes to just get in to place the order. So, bottom line its not fast, but its definitely worth it if you have a bit of time.
Absolutely delicious sandwiches on the freshest bread ever and a scrumptious dessert. Only reason I didnt give a 5 was the crowded atmosphere. I know its all part of the French Pantry experience, but it was a cold, wet N FL winter day and we were seated at the table closest to the door. We had a wonderful conversation with our table mates (communal assigned seating) and it turns out we had connections, as so often happens in Jax, so we really didnt notice the crowd or the cold, but it was just a very slight drawback. My husbands Muffaletta was excellent as was my Parisian French dip. Sandwiches were big enough that we only ate half in order to save room for the creamy, chocolaty, expresso goodness of the tiramisu trifle. Yummmm! Ive been trying to to get here for years but their 11-2 weekday hours have never made it possible. So glad we finally got here on a day off. Now we have to work on getting back to try more of the many delicious options.
This was my fourth visit to the french pantry, nothing will top the first time I came though, because it was just so surreal to find a place like this in Jacksonville. The quality of ingredients and the mindfulness they have for the food is just something I havent experienced(up to that point in time) in this great city. My visit today was still a culinary treat. This time I decided to have the Muffuletta and shrimp artichoke and goat cheese bruschetta. The muffuletta wasnt done in the traditional way where the meats and olives are pressed together with the bread, it was more stacked on like a sandwich. The meat on the sandwich was very tasty and flavorful and the olives/vegetables were marinated beautifully. Bread as always was on point. Also if youve never been, they always bring out a plate with usually three different kinds of bread and olive oil, balsamic vinaigrette, and in house made oil seasoning. The french pantry is mainly a bakery and they only open for lunch service from 11:00am to 2:00pm. On to the shrimp artichokes and goat cheese bruschetta. The shrimps were cooked just right the artichoke marinated in a tangy acidic vinaigrette it seemed and the goat cheese married perfectly with the tomatoes that you spoon on top. All in all It was a great lunch. I finished with a slice of there famous wedding cake. Not to dense or sweet. It had a great filling with strawberrys and strawberry sauce on the plate. I always expect a good meal when I go and they always deliver. Everybody in Jacksonville should go once at least or theyre just cheating themselves.
Hands down, this place has really amazing bruschetta and salad and yummy pastries and baked goods! I have been going to The French Pantry for quite sometime now and everytime it never fails to fill my tummy with delicious salads, bruschetta, sandwiches and pastries. For me this is not just hype! There is a reason for people to line up and wait patiently to order food especially during the busiest hours of 12nn-1pm. I have never tasted a balsamic vinagrette as yummy as theirs. Since this place can get really packed, you will not be able to sit and reserve a table unless it’s your turn to order. Then while waiting for your order, you will be served with warm bread made from scratch and a dipping sauce made with herbs and olive oil. Must-try items include chicken mozzarella bruschetta, chicken panini and chicken salad sandwich! These are all very good! From their baked goodies selection, we usually order the italian wedding cake, blueberry torte and cremé brûlée!
Amazing as always! Best bread in town!!
My favorite place always the best (。♡‿♡。)
We love this place and will always find time to visit when we are in town. The communal dining experience is always carefully orchestrated. The food is always fresh and the line moves very fast. We only wish that the hours of service were longer, but understand the need to keep it brief. This place is a jewel and is not your typical fast paced lunch gathering, but the food is always worth the wait. These people have created a remarkable business model that will carry them for years to come. Definitely a must try, in our book!
Best food Ive had since I was last in Paris. Wow!
I never write reviews but I had to this time. I been going to the French Pantry for over 15 years. Today my Shrimp goat cheese bruschetta(my all time favorite) Ok the tomato salad on middle was total different, the shrimp was hard... Miss the old owners definitely I can tell the quality. The bread: I bought the rolls with goat cheese inside--no goat cheese now its cream cheese. This place is still good but never like before. Everything is tasting different.I was loyal customer to this spot. Today it hit me this place will never be like before. Good but not amazing!!!
One of the best restaurants Ive eaten at. The food the people that run the restaurants, the bread.
Atmosphere is relaxing, food is incredible. A little hole in the wall, from the outside you can barely tell its a restaurant. Usually a line out the door where the owners have generously considered the brutal Florida heat and set out Lemonade and water Urns. I have not eaten better food in my 3 years of living here!!
French Pantry is my favorite lunch spot in Jacksonville. Then line is usually out the door and 1,000% worth waiting for. If you don’t want to wait, there’s a separate line inside for take out orders. I often drop in to pick up freshly baked bread and a batch of chocolate chip cookies (practically heaven in every bite, I kid you not). Literally EVERYTHING is good! And the yummy breads they bring when you sit down is everything I didn’t know I needed- you probably need it, too. I’m hungry typing about it. You must go. You’re wrong if you deny your body the deliciousness that is carbs, sandwiches and bruschetta.
For a spot that has really good and Fresh food with very good portions and a killer dessert area...check em out!!Only open a few hours a day.Closed by 2pm.
Delicious food. The roast beef and boursin sandwich is TO DIE FOR.
I love this cafe! The pastries and baked goods are fresh and tasty. My favorite dish is the Cajun Bruschetta.
So Ive heard much about this place and how good it was; what I didnt realize was how wrong they were. This restaurant is PERFECT. Pastries are delectable (try the cheese Danish, its amazing), and the menu is varied and will make you salivate when your order arrives. I had the French Dip and au jus and enjoyed it tremendously. Great spot to enjoy a lunch.
Definitely will go back, I enjoyed the food.
Very good food and lots of it. Quality is outstanding. Moderately expensive
Wish we had a French Pantry in Atlantic Beach. Everything is super delicious. The bread is home made, rustic, cant-get-enough. The salad, the sandwiches, the desserts: It is all too good. Give yourself time to wait your turn on line outside. WORTH EVERY MINUTE!
Had a Ruben (maby 4 oz of meat) with bang bang shrimp (4). While tastee, quanity was poor. Deserts looked good but didnt try any.Did have to wait 40 min to place order, unacceptable! Word to wise, call in or use many of the other venues for a sandwich.
Worth the drive from Middleburg! 5 stars is not enough! Delicious, fresh, a hem of a place! Come early and expect to wait in line. The good was great.. Btw grab a cookie and some fresh bread on your way out! Delicious! Great service as well makes the whole experience a delightful one! Highly recommended!