Jacksonville, February 2, 2026
The downtown dining landscape in Jacksonville has recently been altered with several restaurant closures, including notable local favorites. Burrito Gallery, Lily’s Asian-American Food, Outback Steakhouse, Pollo Tropical, and Hooters are among the affected establishments. While these closures reflect the challenges faced by the local dining industry, upcoming developments suggest potential revitalization in the restaurant scene, with new establishments like Zunzibar and Bagels R Us on the horizon.
Jacksonville’s Downtown Restaurant Scene Faces Multiple Closures
Jacksonville, Florida – The downtown dining landscape has experienced significant changes recently, with several notable restaurant closures impacting the local community.
Burrito Gallery Closes Final Location
Burrito Gallery, a local chain known for its “Jax Mex” cuisine, closed its last remaining location at Brooklyn Station on June 22, 2025. This marked the end of a 20-year presence in Jacksonville, as the chain had previously operated multiple locations, including Downtown and Jacksonville Beach. The Brooklyn Station restaurant, which opened in 2016, was the final of four locations that began in 2005. The closure was announced with a sign expressing gratitude to patrons and stating, “With heavy hearts, Burrito Gallery is now closed.”
Lily’s Asian-American Food Shuts Down
Lily’s Asian-American Food, which had been operating in Downtown Jacksonville for less than nine months, closed its doors in mid-October 2025. Owner Lily Grabb cited challenges in attracting lunch customers, partly due to remote work policies affecting the Downtown workforce. The restaurant, located at 11 E. Forsyth St., ceased operations after struggling to gain a steady customer base.
Outback Steakhouse Closes Jacksonville Beach Location
Outback Steakhouse closed its Jacksonville Beach location at 3760 S. Third St. on October 28, 2025. Signs on the restaurant’s doors indicated the closure and directed customers to visit the Outback website for the nearest open location. The Jacksonville Beach location’s Facebook page listed the restaurant as permanently closed, and signage had been removed from the property.
Pollo Tropical Closes Jacksonville Restaurants
Pollo Tropical, the Miami-based chain known for its Latin-inspired cuisine, abruptly closed all three of its Jacksonville locations in February 2025. The closures affected restaurants in River City Marketplace, Markets at Town Center, and Mandarin. Signs on the doors thanked customers and apologized for any inconvenience.
Hooters Closes Tinseltown Location
Hooters closed its Tinseltown location at 4521 Southside Blvd. on June 4, 2025, leaving only the original Jacksonville Hooters remaining open. The closure was part of a series of 30 closures nationwide after the chain filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
Downtown Jacksonville Restaurant Scene Poised for Expansion
Despite these closures, the Downtown Jacksonville restaurant scene is poised for expansion in 2025. More than a dozen restaurants and bars are in development, with openings planned throughout the year. This includes new establishments like Bagels R Us, which opened in January 2025 at 440 W. Adams St., and the upcoming Zunzibar seafood bar, set to replace the former Burrito Gallery location in Riverside.
Conclusion
The recent closures of several prominent restaurants in Jacksonville’s downtown area reflect the challenges faced by the local dining industry. However, the anticipated openings of new establishments suggest a potential revitalization of the area’s restaurant scene in the near future.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is Burrito Gallery?
Burrito Gallery was a local chain in Jacksonville known for its “Jax Mex” cuisine, offering dishes like tacos, burritos, enchiladas, and nachos. It operated multiple locations in the area for 20 years before closing its final restaurant at Brooklyn Station on June 22, 2025.
Why did Lily’s Asian-American Food close?
Lily’s Asian-American Food closed in mid-October 2025 after less than nine months of operation. Owner Lily Grabb cited difficulties in attracting lunch customers, partly due to remote work policies affecting the Downtown workforce.
Which Outback Steakhouse location in Jacksonville Beach closed?
Outback Steakhouse closed its Jacksonville Beach location at 3760 S. Third St. on October 28, 2025. The restaurant’s Facebook page listed the location as permanently closed, and signage had been removed from the property.
What is Zunzibar seafood bar?
Zunzibar is a seafood and surf bar that will replace the former Burrito Gallery location in Riverside. It is described as a “beachy sports bar” serving award-winning sandwiches, wings, cocktails, and frozen drinks. The new location is expected to open in December 2025.
Are there any new restaurants opening in Downtown Jacksonville?
Yes, despite recent closures, the Downtown Jacksonville restaurant scene is poised for expansion in 2025. More than a dozen restaurants and bars are in development, with openings planned throughout the year. This includes new establishments like Bagels R Us, which opened in January 2025 at 440 W. Adams St., and the upcoming Zunzibar seafood bar in Riverside.
| Restaurant | Location | Closure Date | Reason for Closure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burrito Gallery | Brooklyn Station, Jacksonville | June 22, 2025 | End of 20-year presence in Jacksonville |
| Lily’s Asian-American Food | 11 E. Forsyth St., Downtown Jacksonville | Mid-October 2025 | Challenges in attracting lunch customers due to remote work policies |
| Outback Steakhouse | 3760 S. Third St., Jacksonville Beach | October 28, 2025 | Permanently closed |
| Pollo Tropical | River City Marketplace, Markets at Town Center, Mandarin | February 2025 | Abrupt closure of all Jacksonville locations |
| Hooters | 4521 Southside Blvd., Jacksonville | June 4, 2025 | Closed as part of nationwide closures after Chapter 11 bankruptcy |
| Zunzibar seafood bar | Replacing Burrito Gallery location in Riverside | December 2025 (expected opening) | New establishment replacing closed Burrito Gallery |
| Bagels R Us | 440 W. Adams St., Downtown Jacksonville | January 2025 (opened) | New establishment contributing to Downtown expansion |
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Author: STAFF HERE JACKSONVILLE WRITER
The JACKSONVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREJacksonville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Jacksonville, Duval County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Riverside Arts Market, and World of Nations Celebration. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and JAXUSA Partnership, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and entertainment that power the local economy such as CSX Corporation, Baptist Health, and VyStar Credit Union. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
