New Restaurants Bring Big Flavor to Downtown Pensacola
From local seafood and Southern fare to a variety of global flavors, downtown Pensacola boasts a vibrant and diverse culinary scene, offering a range of dining experiences from casual eateries to upscale restaurants. Over the past year, more than a dozen new restaurants have opened their doors in the downtown area, bringing a fresh mix of dining destinations for local foodies to enjoy—and there’s more to come! Here’s a look at some of the tasty new restaurants that have recently opened or are set to open in downtown Pensacola in the coming months. Bon Appétit!
J’S BAKERY & CAFE
Pensacola staple, J’s Bakery & Catering, is expanding its footprint with a sweet new location set to debut in downtown Pensacola soon. Known for its made-from-scratch cookies, decadent pastries, fresh-baked pies, and custom cakes, J’s has been delighting Pensacola with its timeless treats for over 75 years.
Owner Ryan Thomas purchased the new J’s storefront located at 1124 W. Garden St., which also houses Captain Joey Patti’s Seafood Restaurant and Emerald Coast Bread Company. A bright mural featuring bold, old-school typography spells out some of the bakery’s iconic treats, guiding patrons to the back entrance where a garage-style door leads into the charming new storefront.
Much like the original J’s, the new location will maintain an inviting mom-and-pop vibe. All treats will be crafted in-house using traditional recipes, including made-from-scratch donuts and signature smiley face sugar cookies. J’s Bakery is also in discussions with Emerald Coast Bread Company to sell their artisan breads, ensuring that both businesses maintain their unique identities while sharing the same space.
Once operational, the bakery plans to introduce new menu items, such as rotating flavors of cinnamon rolls and breakfast-friendly pastries to cater to downtown’s early morning crowd. The new location is expected to be open Monday through Saturday from 7 am to 6 pm. For real-time updates on the opening date and hours, follow J’s Bakery on Facebook and Instagram.
THE RESERVOIR
What was once the neighborhood’s historical Malamo Brothers corner grocery store at 524 N. Hayne St. has been transformed into a multi-faceted eatery and event space—The Reservoir. The cafe quietly opened its doors in March, bringing fresh breakfast and lunch options to the bustling downtown neighborhood.
Spearheaded by Reservoir Owner and Operator Casey Jones, who is also a Pensacola City Council Member, the project reimagines the former corner store into a lively community hub. The Reservoir is now open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and Saturday brunch, featuring a menu filled with Southern-inspired cuisines, locally roasted coffee, draft beer, cocktails, and hand-selected wines.
Designed to exude a warm and welcoming vibe, the cafe aims to provide an additional gathering space alongside the Blake Doyle Skatepark and From the Ground Up Community Garden. The menu includes everything from sandwiches and salads to sharables like Pimento Poppers and signature garlic herb duck fat fries. Breakfast favorites include the Conecuh Wrecka, a twist on homestyle biscuits and gravy.
With both indoor and outdoor seating, The Reservoir also hosts live music and entertainment throughout the week. The cafe is open Tuesday through Saturday, with breakfast and lunch served from 8 am to 2 pm and dinner from 4 to 8 pm. For more information, visit reservoirpensacola.com.
THE DROP IN
Two locals are resurrecting one of Pensacola’s beloved products—Damian’s Frozen Lemonade. Co-owners Rick Emmons and Joe Jacobs, the son of Damian’s founder, are reviving the original family recipe to bring this iconic frozen treat back to Pensacola at their new business, The Drop In.
Located at 23 W. Cervantes St., The Drop In will officially open its doors in early May, offering a variety of custom hot sandwiches, hand-cut fries, and, of course, Damian’s Frozen Lemonade. The co-owners have been busy refurbishing the former gas station, creating a space that includes both indoor and outdoor seating, along with a food truck in the back for food preparation.
For updates on opening day announcements and hours of operation, follow The Drop In on Facebook and Instagram.
GREAT HARVEST BREAD COMPANY
Studer Properties recently announced that The Savoy Place apartment building at 501 W. Wright St. will welcome Great Harvest Bread Company (GHBC) as its first ground-level tenant, set to open this coming July. GHBC will serve breakfast, lunch, and a variety of coffee beverages, with anticipated operating hours from 7 am to 6 pm Monday through Saturday.
Known for its made-from-scratch bread, each GHBC location mills its own wheat into fresh flour daily, preserving the bread’s nutritional value and enhancing its flavor. The Savoy Place building aims to serve as a marketplace and community hub, with GHBC as its inaugural retail tenant.
While each local bakery and cafe creates its own menu, GHBC typically offers an assortment of hot and cold sandwiches, salads, soups, grain bowls, and sweet treats. For updates on their progress and upcoming menu options, visit greatharvestpensacola.com and follow them on Facebook.
LITTLE TIDES OYSTER BAR
The former Gaby’s Taqueria at 104 E. Gregory Street is being transformed into Little Tides Oyster Bar, an all-new concept driven by Artisan Restaurant Group, set to open this summer. This new eatery will blend sophistication with the relaxed charm of Pensacola’s waterfront culture, creating a welcoming space for everything from casual happy hours to special occasions.
The restaurant group has been giving the community a taste of what’s to come through a series of small events, including a crawfish boil hosted by Louisiana native and Southern chef, Jean-Paul Bourgeois. The menu will highlight a daily catch from local purveyors and regionally harvested oysters, along with a complete wine list and craft cocktails made with seasonal ingredients.
For updates on their progress and upcoming events, follow @littletidesoyster on Instagram.
With these exciting new dining options, downtown Pensacola is poised to become a culinary hotspot. Whether you’re in the mood for sweet treats, Southern comfort food, or fresh seafood, there’s something for everyone to savor in this vibrant community.