Jacksonville’s Global Food Corridor
Jacksonville’s global food scene thrives in unexpected places.
Two of the city’s most flavorful corridors, Beach Boulevard, known as “International Alley,” and Baymeadows Road, invite locals and visitors to explore the world through food. Each road offers a unique glimpse into the city’s cultural diversity, where family-owned markets, bakeries, and restaurants serve authentic dishes from across the globe. Whether you’re craving Korean BBQ, Turkish kebabs, or spicy Indian curries, these culinary hubs bring the world to your plate without leaving Jacksonville.
Baymeadows Road
Once a quiet rural road winding through pine forests, cattle pastures, and dairy farms, Baymeadows Road has transformed into one of Jacksonville’s most culturally diverse corridors and thrives as a melting pot of cultures, commerce, and cuisine.
One of the most flavorful influences comes from Jacksonville’s Indian American community, which has helped shape Baymeadows into a gateway to the diverse regions and tastes of India. Must-visit Indian restaurants include: Maa Kitchen, Persis Indian Grill, Minerva Indian Restaurant, 5th Element Taste of India, Waah Indian Bistro & Kwality Ice Creams, Honest Indian Vegetarian Restaurant, and Raja Indian Spices. Looking to take the flavors home with you? Stop by Patel Brothers, Indian Grocery Store/Tea of Jax, or Raja Indian Spices.
As one of the top U.S. cities for refugee resettlement, Jacksonville’s international diversity is also well represented. You'll find flavors from every corner of the globe, including Bosnia, Sudan, Albania, Vietnam, and Jamaica. More global stops to try include Cataluna Jax, Yah Suh Nice Jamaican Cuisine, Aroma Corner, Pupuseria El Paraiso, Al Basha, Coffee House Cafe, Bowl of Pho Vietnamese, Kyuramen x TBaar, and The Coffee Grinder.
International Alley Along Beach Boulevard
Once a railroad linking Jacksonville to the Atlantic Ocean, Beach Boulevard was officially dedicated in 1949. Today, it serves not just as a road to the beach, but as a flavorful journey through international cultures and cuisines. This vibrant stretch has blossomed into a global food lover’s paradise.
Start your culinary tour at New World Food Mart, an Asian grocery and Korean restaurant. Apna Bazar is a destination for Indian and Mediterranean essentials. Inside, you’ll find a fresh bakery, full-service grocery, and two eateries, Apna Restaurant for classic Pakistani and Indian cuisine, and Istanbul Mediterranean Grill, for Halal Turkish dishes.
No visit is complete without stopping at the sprawling RD International Market & Food Court, a 52,000-square-foot hub of global flavor. Here, you’ll discover live seafood, exotic produce, and ten casual dining spots all under one roof. Sample dishes from Kess Kitchen African Cuisine, Mai Xiang Kitchen, Hong Kong Duck Station, Komsan Thai Kitchen, Mai Xiang Garden Chinese Bakery, Mia & More Sugarcane Juicery, Lao Street Food, Bap Bowl Korean Food, Yibay Fuzhou Kitchen and Qing Shu - Hot Pot Palace.
From the bustling markets of International Alley to the aromatic kitchens along Baymeadows Road, Jacksonville’s global flavors reflect the city’s growing cultural mosaic. Each stop along these two roads tells a story of community, heritage, and shared meals that connect people from every corner of the world. So the next time you’re looking for something beyond the ordinary, take a drive down one of these flavorful corridors and taste just how global Jacksonville has become.
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