Upscale dining with a casual feel... Mezza is definitely worth a trip across the ditch to enjoy an artfully prepared (and super fresh) dinner. There are so many little things that Mezza is doing, that all adds up to a superb dining experience. 1. Complimentary Valet: Parking at the beach can be a challenge at times, but Mezza does offer a complimentary valet on certain nights (check the schedule and bring a few bucks for tipping.) 2. The place is gorgeous: With amazing hardwood floors, perfectly hand picked art, white tablecloths, fresh flowers on every table, to the wonderfully scented candles in the restrooms, all of these little things really let you know the folks at Mezza want you to have the best experience here. A glowing and intimate feel, whether you are sitting inside or out, that is just perfect for a date night, or girls night out. 3. Service: Service seems to be top notch and attentive, with helpful suggestions and menu guidance. A group of us ventured in for dinner last night, and we ordered quite a few apps and dishes to sample and share. The starter bread on the table was super fresh, with oil and balsamic on the table, so you can customize to your own personal liking. We ordered the mussels, that came with a super green garlic and parsley puree, worthy of multiple bread dips. On to entrees, I ordered the filet, medium rare. The horseradish butter on top was amazing, and the sear on the outside and juicy and perfectly cooked middle, made for a killer bite each time. I did try a bite of the bread pudding (buttery, eggy and delicious) and the triple cheese cheese cake, which was so light, it took me off guard and I'm already craving more. Unbelievable! I love that their menu is seasonal, to ensure everything is fresh, fresh, fresh! The fall menu is debuting next week, and what a great excuse to head back for another culinary adventure. Bravo Mezza!
(5)
Daisy D.
Mezza (f/k/a Mezza Luna) has always been discovering itself. And not in a bad way. It's menu has been constantly evolving and now they've taken on a more holistic Mediterranean approach. And I kinda dig it. Got to try some of their new menu items which should be making their debut very soon at the Fine Fall Pairings event ( yelp.com/biz/yelps-fine-… ) and loved the food so much met some friends for date night to try out more of the menu. So many things looked good and it was hard to decide what to order, but my rule of thumb is if I'm leaning towards a special, I always go with the special. The rest of the menu will be there the next time I come back. So for tonight's dinner my husband and I split the ahi tuna appetizer special and I ordered the braised short rib parpadelle for my entree. The tuna came out first and after one bite I wished I would have ordered my own. Each slice melted on your tongue like butter and was so expertly sliced. The cold noodles were good, but I would have been happy with just a large plate of tuna. The short rib pasta is that perfect fall dish when the weather has started to cool off and it warms you up from the inside. Unfortunately living in Florida, the weather doesn't always get the memo. But that in no way took away from the dish. The pasta was freshly made and the short rib was so tender, no knife was needed. While we passed on dessert, we did get to taste some that were at the table, and I will definitely plan my meal better next time.
(4)
David C.
Very pleased with our stop here. First went to Ocean 60 and Flying Iguana, but both had waits, so we came here. It was busy, but we were seated in less time than it took to find out the wait time at Ocean 60. Our server was really nice and the food came out quick. I had the filet mignon over potatoes and some awesome glaze, with asparagus. She had the cioppino. Both were delicious. Portions could not be better. Not too much or too little. Wines were good and nice pours. Will come back again.
(5)
Morgan H.
I really loved Mezza before they updated their menu at the beginning of the year. My husband and I loved stopping by Mezza Luna late at night and sitting at the bar and ordering a few options off the menu and enjoying some REALLY good food. Yes it was expensive but in our minds it was always totally worth it. Then they changed their menu and portions got smaller (smaller than they already were if you can even believe it) and yet you were paying just as much as before. Explain that concept to me?? Maybe you can get away with something like that for new customers who have never experienced your restaurant before, but now for those of us that had dined there a few dozen times over the years. Unfortunately, it's just not the same experience now so we decided we probably won't be back anytime soon (if ever) b/c if it's one thing Jacksonville is not lacking in right now, it's a good food scene.
(3)
Cameron D.
The menu at Mezza is fairly standard - a lot of variants of fish-on-bed-of-rice and meat-on-bed-of-potatoes. The entrees are $20 and up, and I've found that Mezza isn't really earning the dollar amounts they're charging. Quantity: it becomes less of an issue when the food in question is absolutely amazing, but I've eaten here twice, and look, man, quantity is definitely an issue. The pork chop in particular is $24, I believe, and was a fairly dry and unremarkable single-cut chop. This stood out to me because Marker 32 around the corner has a 14-oz double-cut chop for the same price. I'm not here to shill Marker 32, believe me - it's got its fair share of issues - but there's your comparison, regardless. I also tried the steamed mussels, which were tasty but generic (served with some parsley & garlic sauce), and the tuna tartare, which was drowning in soy sauce yet still managed to taste unpleasantly fishy. The other entree I've eaten here was the salmon, which was also pushing its price tag at $24 for a 3-ish ounce piece. The Caesar Salad is also a bummer. I tend to use Caesar salad as a way to find out if a restaurant means business, and Mezza charges 8 bucks for a lackluster creamy caesar dressing that wouldn't be out of place at a Ruby Tuesday's. I'll end on positives: there's a fairly good drink selection (I'm always happy when I see a negroni on a menu), the atmosphere is really pleasant, the frites on my wife's steak frites were delicious, and the cheese plate had an excellent triple cream cheese. If Mezza was downtown or in San Marco, it'd be a solid 2 stars, but it gets a bonus contextual star for being at the beach among similar-quality restaurants.
(3)
Anna M.
Love Mezza! The atmosphere is romantic with lots of different options to accommodate all parties. The main room where the bar is located is cozy with dim lighting and live jazz. The brick oven pizzas are delicious and filling! You have to try the shrimp siracha pizza it was unexpectedly my favorite one. Highly recommend.
AWESOME food, every time. Great service, great atmosphere - live music every time I've been. Perfect mix b/w casual and upscale. Best thing about Mezza is it's always consistent. Wood fire oven pizza is a staple, And the desserts are insane. This is one of the few places at the beach that's always in the rotation.
(5)
CC C.
This is by far my favorite restaurant and bar at the beach. To begin with, the service is the perfect combination of personal and professional. The food is not only delicious, it embodies the balance of homemade and gourmet. I absolutely can not get enough of the filet and the homemade Irish whiskey pudding (it's made with croissants). Love that I can go more casual and sit at the bar or done in the dining room. Definitely recommend!
(5)
Alex O.
My favorite restaurant at the beach. The quality of the food is top notch. There is a variety of options for everyone. The service is attentive and friendly. Any special requests I've made have been met with a smile. The make your own pizza station for children is a great distraction and fun experience for the kids. You can make it easy by eating at the bar, casual by eating in the front bar area or on the outside deck or spruce it's up in the back dining area. Truly great a great atmosphere. Fresh bread is always served as a nice start. The Brussels sprouts and beet salad are some of my favorite appetizers. The grouper and salmon always rock and of course their pizzas are awesome. Drink selection is great....just love this place
(5)
Phillip T.
Great food. Great wine. Great service!! Half price wine bottles on Monday. The pizza is really great. Free valet parking when you dine
(5)
Laini T.
My husband and I took my parents out to dinner here for my mom's birthday, and it was great! We sat on the heated outdoor patio, which was perfect - they even provided blankets! They weren't really necessary, since the heater kept it warm enough, but any restaurant that provides blankets gets my vote. We ordered calamari as a starter, which was great. We are calamari lovers and can be critical, but this was delicious. My only complaint is that they throw lemon slices into the batter, and you as the diner are left to bite into it, only to discover that it's a fried lemon slice. We all ordered salads, which were good - noting noteworthy. For entrees, I had the papardelle bolognese, my husband had the grouper with bacon and avocado, my dad had the bbq salmon, and my mom had the lasagna. I can only vouch for my own, which was delicious, but everyone really enjoyed theirs. Since it was my mom's birthday, they brought her a little chocolate lava cake and sang to her, so we didn't order any other dessert. It was a delicious chocolate cake (another item that we order frequently and can be critical of). All in all, great service, great food, great atmosphere.
(5)
Waheed B.
Delicious. This was a great evening and I was lucky enough to share it with my awesome neighbors. Highlights: - parking available via valet so one less stress - the lamb appetizer was SO good and loved by all - dinner entrees were all spot on and raved about: ancho achile chicken with succotash was best chicken consumed ever, the pan cooked fish was increadibly flavorful and the housemade farfalle with braised beef was a winner again (I have ordered it before) - able to walk to the beach after the meal Brussel sprouts w/o bacon were OK as mustard is strong and may not appeal to everyone. Dessert was just OK (brownie) but after eating so much food earlier, that may have dinimished its appeal. Our server was friendly and tolerated our bad jokes and antics well. Overall, a great meal and I was relieved and excited to be able to recommend this location for dinner and have my dining partners agree this was a good choice. Yelp ratings have not let me down and thank you, Mezza, and fellow Yelpers for helping me maintain a solid dining reputation.
(5)
Ryan M.
This is for Nancy. You keep snapping at us that we are not allowed to turn our bar chairs around to watch the live music. We had to FACE THE WALL. WHAT?! The only reason we go here is to listen to the music and see our friends. You raised the prices and shrunk the plates. I'm not sure why you are a live music venue if watching the show bothers you personally. We spend thousands of dollars there every week. Everyone has so much fun singing, laughing, drinking excellent cocktails made by the bartenders (who are fabulous btw). If you don't want live music, I hope you find a way to up your early week business. I have worked and managed 5 star restaurants in Los Angeles. Both live music venues, white table cloth. We dressed the room accordingly where guests had seats and space to enjoy while the staff had ample room to move and serve. We will now be spending our time and money elsewhere at Ragtime and North Beach Bistro! Thanks for the memories!
(1)
Leah W.
Had 3 Apps: Lam chops Steak tartare Duck bites Must have of the 3 = lamb chops Pappardelle = effing fab Pass on the mushroom pizza- the truffle oil is non-existent
(4)
Jonathan F.
Owner is incredibly rude. Staff was very apologetic and even said he's a nightmare to work with. Pappardelle was great, but I refuse to support such an indecent person regardless.
(1)
Ben T.
Overall the place was quality. The appetizers were good, including the tuna, calamari, and some veggie thing. I had the pizza and the crust was good and wood fired. The smoked tomatoes were really good and blended well with their sauce. One weakness was their beers - they had three local brews in bottles and no taps - this would've been a great addition. The pizza wasn't on par with the true artisans but wasn't something to throw out. It was good the next day too. A solid 4-4.5 stars.
(4)
Eat Fresh A.
Great atmosphere with an exceptional staff! Best food in the area! I consider it a hidden oasis!
(5)
Laura M.
This restaurant was great! We made reservations last minute for a fri night and they were able to accommodate us on the patio which was really nice. It was supposed to rain but the patio is completely covered, there are fans, it was cool, and seemed a lot quieter than inside. Our waitress was sweet but she had a lot going on, they were busy so she was very slow in getting to our table, taking our order, Clearing plates, and getting refills was very slow. Food was great! We had mussels and the warm goat cheese tart which was fantastic. Mussels were in a paraDinner I had a short rib tagliatelle which was AWESOMe! So tasty and very fresh, homemade pasta. I was excited to have leftovers which were so good I had for breakfast the next day. Dessert was the best brownie a la mode which was amazing!
(5)
Diana M.
This place gets pretty busy so you might want to consider a reservation if the party is bigger than 2 people. We sat at the bar and had great service so that is always an option if there is room. I don't eat seafood so that narrowed the menu down for me quite a bit, I settled on the lasagna and it was good. Not blow my mind awesome, but solid. Hubby had clams and he loved them, this is probably a more enjoyable restaurant for those who like seafood. I still think they get 4 stars for atmosphere and quality. Next time maybe I'll try a steak??
(4)
Tom M.
The food was great and the service excellent. The best part, however, was cocktails built by master bartender, Joe. Try the Bourbon Bliss. Outstanding!
(5)
Mary A.
Food was excellent, service very good. Had fish and chicken dishes, both very good. Recommend this restaurant!
(5)
Anna J.
I really love this place. A very roomy restaurant with lots of seating (dining room, bar, outside), it's got a wonderful atmosphere. A dark, Italian feeling restaurant with a pizza stove in the middle. All of the staff are extremely nice and welcoming. The owners are very commonly at the restaurant helping out and checking on guests. You can tell this staff has been here for a long time and know their stuff. I've never had a bad meal here and have eaten here quite a bit. The scallops are cooked perfectly. Any pasta dish or pizza is a win. Love the cheese plate too; its a great selection. I really like that you can come here and choose how much you spend. With smaller plates and pizza on the lower side and entrees on the higher side, it's good for any occasion. The pizzas are incredible and they constantly feature innovative pizzas on their daily specials. Definitely one of the best and established places in Atlantic beach.
(5)
Virginia M.
I have been dining at the beach forever and I finally got to try this place. It was delicious! I would recommend making a reservation since the restaurant is packed. Excellent pasta, I would return! Their seafood is also great as well.
(4)
Lena S.
Beautiful, charming, warm, elegant homey style. Service is friendly and quick. Menu is good, interesting and changes with specials. Desserts are good. Three different seating areas: outside covered garden, main dining, lounge area with bar seating and tables. Crowded and busy but lots of privacy. Free valet parking.
(4)
Nicole J.
I love Beth Ann!! She is the best!! Seriously, we come back time & time again just for her. Sit on the patio, watch the sunset, it's awesome! Come check it out! I challenge you. (Just don't take my spot)
(5)
Michael Hosto H.
Great restaurant but its not $$. More like $$$$$$$. This is one of my favorite go to restaurants if I have people in from out of town.
(5)
Vanessa T.
This is a beautiful restaurant, in a beautiful location. Down near what I call the 4 corners of neptune beach. The restaurant had music jamming, was packed with people, it seemed like this was a hang out spot for locals. Now the food was delish, yummy seafood! This is a great spot to bring a date and drink some wine, and enjoy a nice dinner!
(5)
Chelly S.
We had a lovely dinner at Mezza for a party of four last night. Ancho Chicken was delicious served on asparagus instead of succotash. Tuna delicious. Food all good. Ambience in main dining room is excellent . Bar is exciting for local young people but very noisy. Valet parking eliminates all parking woes at the Beaches Town Center. Great special occasion choice. Recommend they join Yelp reservations and Open Table to modernize reservations approach.
(4)
Gizelle A.
What a nice surprise! After passing this place literally for years, looking through the windows and saying..yeah..should check it out some time, we finally did. And absolutely loved it! We usually don't go to Atlantic beach at night so this was an exception. Suddenly decided to eat pizza for dinner and, being the picky pizza eaters that we are, had to be some place fancy. Here comes Mezza! As soon as I saw that brick pizza oven and the menu, I knew it would be awesome! They don't take Open Table (bummer) so we didn't have reservations, especially given it was a last minute decision. Had to wait for quite some time, but even the wait was fun - they have these chairs by the pizza oven and they make delicious drinks. We got the mushroom and truffle oil pizza to share - that one time years ago we came across it in a very luxury restaurant in Palm Beach and have been looking for a match since. That was it! For the first time since that experience we finally found a match to that delicious pizza. We dined in the back room away from the bar. Everything was top notch. Lots more things I want to try on the menu. This place has immediately gone to the top list of favorites!
(5)
Mark B.
I have to say that this place is really scrumdelicious. We had such a great meal for the yelp event we had to return. Yes, I being a really serious foodie here in Jax might just have to put our meal before as one of the best I have had in Jacksonville. Tonight lived up to all of our expectations. The whole table ordered different dishes and we all shared. We started out with some apps of seared tuna and a house made pasta. To some mussels in a green sauce. Last but not least brussel sprout that cooked with a spicy mustard and some honey. I first with all of the other great food that I have eaten here they had to make even brussel sprouts amazing. Let me say that they didn't let any of us down. They were cooked perfectly al dente with a sweet glaze and then had a crunchy factor that sent the dish over the top. I personally moved onto some steak frites and the wife went with the short rib over house made pappardelle. Some of the other dishes that showed up top the table a tile fish with a garlic mash, and one of the best filets that I have tasted in a longtime. That was an amazing dish that I could only dream of being able to cook a steak that well. Then I moved onto some dessert in true fat kid fashion. I was blown away by the 3 cheese cheese cake that was so light and fluffy. The mixture of mascarpone, cream cheese and Ricotta cheeses made this a pure slice of heaven in Neptune Beach. Now this was a very soon to be favorite place to eat. We were also informed that their new fall menu is coming out on Monday. So maybe Tuesday or Wednesday maybe for a return dinner. Oh yea maybe Thursday cause they have Mike Shackleford playing in the bar. Mike is very special to us for he played our wedding many many years ago.
(5)
Chris C.
Mezza is an absolute delight, from the ambiance, to the service, to their food. I happened to be in Jax Beach (Atlantic Beach) for a conference last year and had my first opportunity to try Mezza's food. I was so impressed, that this was definitely one of my "must hits" on my return trip this year. 1 year after my original visit Mezza did not disappoint, I was adventurous and tried their Wild Boar Ragu (a special upon my visit), and I was blown away. Amazing cooked port, perfectly done noodles, and wonderfully seasoned. I dined alone so I didn't opt for an appetizer or dessert, but the service felt very attentive without being pushy and she let me go at my own pace, which unlike most of the other patrons, was sit down eat and get going. I'd definitely recommend Mezza for a night out with the guys (or gals), a great date idea, or for a special occasion, they are very good at what they do!
(5)
Leslie C.
I have been coming to this establishment over the past few years and I have to be honest, I had an incident of good poisoning about a year and a half ago after just eating here. I just recently ate here again and had the pappardelle and had another incident. I went there tonight to share my concern with the owner to help them identify the problem and was in utter shock when he was incredibly dismissive and went as far as to tell me that if I had an issue with his food that I was welcome to leave. I endured severe dehydration in both circumstances and had to miss multiple days of work. The lack of empathy and vileness of the owner was appalling. Needless to say, I am done with this place.
(1)
Brittany M.
Mezza is awesome! The atmosphere is lovely and I enjoy how calm it is. It's a nice respite from some of the crazier places at the beach. Great selection of wine! Food was delicious. They have some phenomenal wood-fired pizzas and great seafood! I went with a large group of folks from work and they were very accommodating of the large group. Service was great! This place would be great for cocktails and apps after work, a special date night, and more!
(5)
Kerri-Lyn F.
i enjoyed a great gluten free meal. Beth Ann took my order for pick up and she was very knowledgeable of the menu and had great recommendations for my allergies. When I arrived all staff was extremely friendly and accommodating. I found it confusing on which entrance to use. I arrived at closing time but a server was able to help me.
(5)
Stephanie A.
The front room is extremely packed and its hard to walk threw to the back dining area. Especially if there is a band playing right there by the pass thru. I was afraid my disabled son would trip and fall on either a chair leg or band cords. He made it safely thru. Once you get to the back it is much quieter and yes warm and cozy feel. My meal was nice. We enjoyed most of everything. My son loved his pasta with short rib and my little one had pizza and a salad. I had the mushroom pizza that was ok. I was hoping for a more smokey wood flavor on the pizza which I didn't get. I know it was busy so our waitress didn't come around as much as I would like. Once every 15 minutes is good? Ran out of drinks and sat for quite awhile for the check. I just laid my credit card out for her. Everyone seemed to be having a great time. The food overall was good but I feel it may be better on less busy nights. Ill definitely come back an earlier time during the week. Im very picky and as my hubby always says, if my wife says its okay then def give it a try and if I say its great then its usually outstanding lol.
(4)
Shaun H.
I really enjoyed this restaurant! The atmosphere was really nice, the live music was fun, soulful and interesting. #SouthernCharm My food was amazing, our server was great, and I like the open kitchen.
(5)
Christa S.
TIP: Make a reservation. You need to call to do so, and they begin picking up the phone after 4 on weekends, which was plenty of time for us to get a reservation that evening and our choice of the lounge, dining room or patio (which was enclosed/heated for the winter). I definitely enjoyed this spot. Went here because my parents had found it on a prior trip and raved about it. I can definitely see what all the fuss was about...I never expect great Italian food at the beach...it's usually more about the seafood, which does nothing for me...however, this place hit a home run. It offers the casual beach vibe (although slightly more upscale) and a strong menu of choices that left me wondering what I should get. I opted to begin with the grilled pear salad, which had a nice balance of flavors and textures. I then went from the pappardelle, which is covered in a bolognese sauce full of meat with a delicious flavor and shaved Parmesan atop. And the fresh bread and olive oil/vinegar at the table were nice accompaniments. I wasn't able to finish my full meal and had it for leftovers the next day and it was just as good reheated as it was the first time around (to me, the true test of a dish's worth). I would certainly return here...grazie Mezza Luna!
(5)
Linda R.
Excellent meal. Good wine recommendation. Great service. I would eat there often if I lived nearby.
(4)
Karen B.
My husband and I have eaten at Mezza Luna for the past 6 years for birthday's, anniversary's, and Valentines day. This year was such a let down starting from the moment we walked in the door. We had reservations for 7pm, they pawned us off into their "outside seating". We were freezing cold, people from the outside street kept opening up the canvas drape and letting cold air in. They provided blankets but, I am RN in a hospital, that is not sanitary to share blankets, that's how people pick up scabies, lice, bed bugs etc. How often are those blankets washed? Certainly not after each customer. We were seated under this terribly noisy heater that was mounted above on the ceiling. I didn't understand why we were sitting outside? We couldn't enjoy ourselves because we were cold and loud motorcycles kept driving by. Between that and the loud heater, I couldn't hear a thing my husband was saying. All we wanted was a romantic atmosphere. Come on! We had a freaking reservation, my husband and I were so confused as to why we had to sit outside when there were empty tables inside. In all the years we've eaten here, we've never had this terrible experience. We were seated close to the serving cart where they kept the pitcher of water, which I soon realized was the "hangout" spot for all the servers. I got to hear all about my waitresses weekend and how drunk she got, while she was flirting with one of the other male waiters. The wait staff were all wearing these cheap blue t-shirts, they all looked like a bunch of door greeters at walmart. We were not offered a bread basket and when I asked for one, the bread was like the sandwhich bread I would buy from the publix bakery to make my childrens lunches with. I asked for some suggestions with the wine list and the waitress was clueless. We had calamari for an appetizer and it was freezer burned. It tasted terrible. It wasn't even warm enough to eat. It was not fresh calamari, it was definitely frozen. We didn't bother finishing it. My husband ordered the grouper which was fine, but I ordered the penne and shrimp. It was so terrible I had maybe three bites and I didn't even want a box. It tasted like someone had dumped an .89 cent can of tomato paste on top and then dowsed it in cayenne pepper. The andoullie was not fresh, it was dry. Honestly, I used to rave about this place and now It's just very disappointing that I will not come here anymore, it used to be our favorite place for Valentines day and my Birthday. We are now on the hunt for a new tradition. Sorry, but this place has really gone down hill. It's the pit's! That dinner was not worth the 100$ we paid for it. So disappointing.
(1)
Hilary L.
Mezza Luna does border on the more expensive end of beach dining, but, were this restaurant transplanted to a different side of town, no one would bat an eyelash at the prices. I love Italian food. Authentic Italian food is almost impossible to come by in Jacksonville. There are only a few places scattered around town [Enza's in Mandarin, Primi Piatti in Riverside] that offer authentic style Italian food, and I think Mezza Luna can definitely be considered one of the rare few. The atmosphere for this place is remarkable. You feel transported from the sandy beach location to a dimly lit, cozy and romantic cove surrounded by stone, rich and thick wood, and deep colors. It's amazing how quickly the mood can shift just upon entering this place. Their food is delicious. I am salivating just thinking about it. For starters, I highly recommend the Portabello Frites, served with balsamic blue cheese aioli, for $11. They are amazing. The mussels [$11] and cheese plate [$9], both classics, are also great choices. The Pan Seared Scallops, with wild mushrooms & asparagus salad and smoked tomato & leek sauce, is a really great choice for entree [$26]. And the pizza... don't forget the pizza. It's a classic, and they make an ah-mayyyy-zing pizza. Mmmm. Try the Traditional [$14.50] with the olives and onions [my favorite] or the Prosciutto Pizza [$15], served with mozzarella, fontina, caramelized onions & roma tomatoes. But really, any of them will be delicious. If you are looking for a fine dining, Italian experience at the beach, this is the place to go. Hands down.
(4)
Tim J.
I've been going for years and always enjoyed the food. The seasonal changes are a great touch and the wood fired pizza is always a solid choice. They've taken the lasagna off the menu...huge disappointment! It was a staple for many years and the best in town. It needs to be back on the menu.
(4)
Becky S.
Mezzaluna is a great local spot at the beach for delicious food, wine, and live entertainment. Their menu is fantastic, and I've enjoyed everything I've ever ordered here from steaks, to pizza, to pasta, or just apps and dessert. They usually have a live band on Wed and Thursdays in the bar area. It can get a little loud, but if you sit at the end of the bar by the door, you can still have great conversation. Their outside patio is awesome for group dinners in the fall / spring when it is a little cooler. We go here probably 2-3 times a month!
(4)
Joseph B.
This restraurant has something for everyone. I come to Jacksonville every for I physical at the Mayo Clinic and I make sure I get at least one meal at Mezza Luna. Great Service, atmosphere and food.
(5)
Jeff S.
So-so evening. Lost our reservation. Seated in the outdoor patio. Cold and windy. Screens kept blowing over neat patrons. Food was Luke warm and so-so. Service was great. It will be quite awhile before we return.
(2)
Patty M.
Restaurant was packed the night we first tried Mezza..We had a reservation and was seated right away. Although it was busy our service never lacked, very personable waitress. The pizza my husband had was on of the best..( and I grew up in Boston where authentic pizza is on every street corner). Martini well made, atmosphere lively a little on the louder side but fine with us. Will frequent this place often once we move there..Res is a must
(4)
Benjamin G.
I'll begin by saying that the tuna tartare led two of the five people in my party to be sick(food poisoning). The entire dining experience was a debacle, with a waiter dropping a tray of wine glasses. We were "taken care of" with lemon cello on the house. I contacted the manager to inform them of our violent vomitus reaction to a shared food, only to be told that the are complimented by food safety inspectors of how well they do with their establishment. All in all it was a lackluster meals and very poor situations that left us feeling wronged, sick and out a few hundred dollars.
(2)
Rachel A.
This place has amazing food. The bartenders are great! Me and my husband come in every time we have a date night. We LOVE this place. I don't know what the lady is talking about children being treated like dogs... We take out daughter who is eight months now.. In for dinner quite often. We have sat all over the dining room, bar, patio. The staf has always taken great care of the little one
(5)
Philip M.
The night we went, older stuffy crowd, we stopped after apps and went elsewhere. The vibe was just off for us.
(3)
K V.
Inconsistent. I have gone more than once, ordered the same entree and had it taste completely different. In my opinion, the restaurant has gone down hill and I won't be going back any time soon.
(2)
Ryan F.
Service was great- staff explained everything and made great suggestions- bread pudding deserts - delicious
(4)
Allison C.
My 2nd trip, I was so disappointed. They were more concerned about the party of 9 outside than the people at the bar, most of whom were regulars. Not sure who was on that party of 9, but guess it is a good thing it's my last weekend there.
(3)
Natalie B.
I'm not sure why it took me so long to dine here. I would walk by countless times on the way to or from Sliders. However, encouraged by friends who live close by, we went for dinner on a Friday night. We arrived around 7pm and were seated immediately in the dining room. After a brief perusal of the menu, we decided on the following: Duck Breast with Truffled Polenta and Lingonberry sauce --This was a special of the evening. Being the duck nuts that we are, this was a no brainer. The duck was prepared perfectly for our taste--around mid rare. It was sliced and we were able to have 3 a piece. The truffled polenta was amazing! The lingonberry sauce was robust enough to stand up against the duck. Cheese Plate--The portion of the cheeses were pretty generous. For $9, we had a triple creme, truffled cheese, bleu cheese and gouda. The accompaniments included thinly sliced red and green apples, grapes, a strawberry and blackberries. I would have liked some honey to pair with the bleu cheese. All cheeses were terrific. Baby Arugula with Truffle Vinaigrette, toasted pine nuts, parm cheese and grape tomatoes--this was a generous portion, perfect for us to split. This is no TGI Fridays salad as big as your head, but I'm not much into that anyways! Terrific, light salad! Build Your Own Pasta--Tortellini with rosado sauce + 2 seared Diver's Scallops: Typically I don't like to order pasta at restaurants. Usually it is overpriced. However our friends raved about the tortellini so we went for it. I'm glad we did. The dish is enough for two to have a non glutenous portion. The sauce was tasty; the pasta melted in my mouth. The scallops were my favorite! Wine--The wine by the glass selection is decent. I had the Malbec by the glass and it was delightful. We did have dessert but we came back to Mezza Luna a hour or so later with said friends to enjoy the bar area. We had the Tiramisu, cutely served in a stemless martini glass. my hubby had a delicious 10 year old port. The bar was fun and relaxing. Service overall was very good. Both our server and bartender were extremely attentive. All in all, we were pleased with our experience and look forward to returning!
(4)
Kathy A.
The atmosphere was probably my favorite aspect of my dining experience at Mezza Luna. I like that Mezza Luna gives you a lot of seating options-quieter and European-feeling plaza seating outside, boistrous lounge seating and a general dining room great for people-watching. As for the food, it was good, but not great. I thought the calamari was delicious. The addition of fried lemon slices was surprising and new to me (and delightful!). My boyfriend had the salmon and it was only so-so. The beans may have been a little undercooked, fish was a little too fishy, and the yellow pepper coulis was unexpectedly cold. I won the menu choice war, ordering the prosciutto pizza, which was ample and very good. I'd probably go back to ML, but probably just for a drink with girlfriends (or for the pizza) at the end or beginning of my night.
(3)
Matt B.
I've been here numerous times and it's in my top three of favorite places in Jax. I love the ambiance and always enjoyed the quality of the food, as well as the professional service. If comparing ML to establishments in bigger cities, I would give a lower grade, but Jax food tends to leave a little to be desired, so this place stands out.
(5)
Caron S.
I've been to Mezza Luna twice: on a first date and a year later as a celebration of that first date. There are several area to dine: inside in a somewhat noisy large casual bar area, outside in a large open area (first date), outside by the parking lot in a small cozy area, and inside in a large, more formal but cozy dining room (a year later). The exposed beams, wood floors, and large windows make the dining area our favorite spot. It feels like Biscotti's in Avondale with a beaches twist. Both times I've ordered a beer (Fin du Monde) and the proscuitto pizza (mozzarella, fontina, caramelized onions & roma tomatoes) and add artichokes. It's a HUGE pizza. I got a side of the sherry vinaigrette for dipping and marinara, and both were excellent (oddly, they don't have ranch or balsamic, my two favorite dipping sauces). My man had the grouper with bacon butter (!!!) and the tomato, fried green tomato, crab and avocado appetizer on our recent visit, both of which were stellar. He picked dessert: a frozen chocolate toffee cake, which was good (I would have picked the bread pudding). A great spot for a nice dinner with good company.
(3)
Deena S.
LOVED THE FOOD!!! Both my husband and I really enjoyed our meals! Would go back again for sure!!!
(4)
Jeff J.
My favorite place at the beaches. Never have been disappointed. Great decor, atmosphere, dining at the bar. Writing this a few weeks after the last visit, so no specific comments, but just a "do try it!"
(5)
Milan M.
I have been here about 10 times. It's right near my house. If you play by my rules, you will have a solid 3 star meal, if you don't, well, you'll probably spend to much and be dissappointed. 1st- Sit at the bar (The owners hang out up here, and they are very friendly and knowledgeable about wine, and will often offer bottles not on the menu. The chef has also come out and talked when it isn't busy and even made me things that aren't on the menu) 2nd- Get the Tuna appetizer while you mull over the rest of the menu. 3rd- Split the Spinach salad with apples and scallops. (It is by far the best one on the menu, listed as an entree. There used to be a bibb salad with creamy cayenne dressing and avocado, but sadly they took it off; according to the waitstaff, it was too expensive to make.) 4th- Avoid the pasta dishes and entrees. (The pastas are lackluster at best. The marinara sauce is bland. The entrees are good, but overpriced.) 5th- Split a pizza, something with prosciutto. You should be full and happy now, and the bill will be half of what it could have been... You're welcome :)
(3)
Julie L.
Love this place. I've been there four times and have enjoyed everything. I especially like the bread pudding... yum!
(4)
James C.
Food was good, service was excellent. Priced moderately.
(3)
molly h.
Perfect spot for some wine, a cold martini, meet a group of friends, or grab a fresh piece of fish or pizza! The patio is totally inviting and the staff was very polite! The crowd was classy. I grew up in jax and now live in Nashville, but will definitely return during future visits!
(4)
Meredith H.
I've been to this place a couple of times. They have some of the best italian food in the beaches area. Another cool thing about this place, is that they have 3 different ambiances. One, is the seating around the bar like the picture shown here which is cozy and a little more casual than when you go further into the restaurant. Once you are further in, they have tableclothed tables and a fire place. When it gets cold, this is a great place to warm up. Finally, they have outdoor seating. They are only a block away from the beach, so you can sit and enjoy the nice breeze and the people walking by. The staff has always been friendly and attentive. If you have kids, they have a "make your own pizza" part of the evening from 530-730. It's a nice first date place too. There are a lot of different options on the menu aside from the pizza and pasta ranging from fresh Big Eye Tuna to Free Range Chicken.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Valet, Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Romantic Noise Level : Average Music : Live Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Best Nights : Thu, Fri, Sat Coat Check : No Smoking : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Allie A.
Upscale dining with a casual feel... Mezza is definitely worth a trip across the ditch to enjoy an artfully prepared (and super fresh) dinner. There are so many little things that Mezza is doing, that all adds up to a superb dining experience. 1. Complimentary Valet: Parking at the beach can be a challenge at times, but Mezza does offer a complimentary valet on certain nights (check the schedule and bring a few bucks for tipping.) 2. The place is gorgeous: With amazing hardwood floors, perfectly hand picked art, white tablecloths, fresh flowers on every table, to the wonderfully scented candles in the restrooms, all of these little things really let you know the folks at Mezza want you to have the best experience here. A glowing and intimate feel, whether you are sitting inside or out, that is just perfect for a date night, or girls night out. 3. Service: Service seems to be top notch and attentive, with helpful suggestions and menu guidance. A group of us ventured in for dinner last night, and we ordered quite a few apps and dishes to sample and share. The starter bread on the table was super fresh, with oil and balsamic on the table, so you can customize to your own personal liking. We ordered the mussels, that came with a super green garlic and parsley puree, worthy of multiple bread dips. On to entrees, I ordered the filet, medium rare. The horseradish butter on top was amazing, and the sear on the outside and juicy and perfectly cooked middle, made for a killer bite each time. I did try a bite of the bread pudding (buttery, eggy and delicious) and the triple cheese cheese cake, which was so light, it took me off guard and I'm already craving more. Unbelievable! I love that their menu is seasonal, to ensure everything is fresh, fresh, fresh! The fall menu is debuting next week, and what a great excuse to head back for another culinary adventure. Bravo Mezza!
(5)Daisy D.
Mezza (f/k/a Mezza Luna) has always been discovering itself. And not in a bad way. It's menu has been constantly evolving and now they've taken on a more holistic Mediterranean approach. And I kinda dig it. Got to try some of their new menu items which should be making their debut very soon at the Fine Fall Pairings event ( yelp.com/biz/yelps-fine-… ) and loved the food so much met some friends for date night to try out more of the menu. So many things looked good and it was hard to decide what to order, but my rule of thumb is if I'm leaning towards a special, I always go with the special. The rest of the menu will be there the next time I come back. So for tonight's dinner my husband and I split the ahi tuna appetizer special and I ordered the braised short rib parpadelle for my entree. The tuna came out first and after one bite I wished I would have ordered my own. Each slice melted on your tongue like butter and was so expertly sliced. The cold noodles were good, but I would have been happy with just a large plate of tuna. The short rib pasta is that perfect fall dish when the weather has started to cool off and it warms you up from the inside. Unfortunately living in Florida, the weather doesn't always get the memo. But that in no way took away from the dish. The pasta was freshly made and the short rib was so tender, no knife was needed. While we passed on dessert, we did get to taste some that were at the table, and I will definitely plan my meal better next time.
(4)David C.
Very pleased with our stop here. First went to Ocean 60 and Flying Iguana, but both had waits, so we came here. It was busy, but we were seated in less time than it took to find out the wait time at Ocean 60. Our server was really nice and the food came out quick. I had the filet mignon over potatoes and some awesome glaze, with asparagus. She had the cioppino. Both were delicious. Portions could not be better. Not too much or too little. Wines were good and nice pours. Will come back again.
(5)Morgan H.
I really loved Mezza before they updated their menu at the beginning of the year. My husband and I loved stopping by Mezza Luna late at night and sitting at the bar and ordering a few options off the menu and enjoying some REALLY good food. Yes it was expensive but in our minds it was always totally worth it. Then they changed their menu and portions got smaller (smaller than they already were if you can even believe it) and yet you were paying just as much as before. Explain that concept to me?? Maybe you can get away with something like that for new customers who have never experienced your restaurant before, but now for those of us that had dined there a few dozen times over the years. Unfortunately, it's just not the same experience now so we decided we probably won't be back anytime soon (if ever) b/c if it's one thing Jacksonville is not lacking in right now, it's a good food scene.
(3)Cameron D.
The menu at Mezza is fairly standard - a lot of variants of fish-on-bed-of-rice and meat-on-bed-of-potatoes. The entrees are $20 and up, and I've found that Mezza isn't really earning the dollar amounts they're charging. Quantity: it becomes less of an issue when the food in question is absolutely amazing, but I've eaten here twice, and look, man, quantity is definitely an issue. The pork chop in particular is $24, I believe, and was a fairly dry and unremarkable single-cut chop. This stood out to me because Marker 32 around the corner has a 14-oz double-cut chop for the same price. I'm not here to shill Marker 32, believe me - it's got its fair share of issues - but there's your comparison, regardless. I also tried the steamed mussels, which were tasty but generic (served with some parsley & garlic sauce), and the tuna tartare, which was drowning in soy sauce yet still managed to taste unpleasantly fishy. The other entree I've eaten here was the salmon, which was also pushing its price tag at $24 for a 3-ish ounce piece. The Caesar Salad is also a bummer. I tend to use Caesar salad as a way to find out if a restaurant means business, and Mezza charges 8 bucks for a lackluster creamy caesar dressing that wouldn't be out of place at a Ruby Tuesday's. I'll end on positives: there's a fairly good drink selection (I'm always happy when I see a negroni on a menu), the atmosphere is really pleasant, the frites on my wife's steak frites were delicious, and the cheese plate had an excellent triple cream cheese. If Mezza was downtown or in San Marco, it'd be a solid 2 stars, but it gets a bonus contextual star for being at the beach among similar-quality restaurants.
(3)Anna M.
Love Mezza! The atmosphere is romantic with lots of different options to accommodate all parties. The main room where the bar is located is cozy with dim lighting and live jazz. The brick oven pizzas are delicious and filling! You have to try the shrimp siracha pizza it was unexpectedly my favorite one. Highly recommend.
(5)Nicholas K.
Mezza Luna was one of several restaurants we enjoyed on our anniversary weekend in Jacksonville. It was a great pick for foodies like us - we would absolutely eat there again and cannot recommend it highly enough. With that said, here are the details... Just to get it out of the way and not take away from what will otherwise be a great review, there were a few negatives - after all, there's always room for business improvement. The restaurant was super busy. Be sure to make a reservation, we were told without one the wait would've been 1.5 hours. I'm happy they were busy, that's a good sign and good for business. However, as a result dinner got off to a very slow start. We waited about 10 minutes before we got our drinks and another 15 after our drinks until we ordered. It wasn't until then that we got some bread (we mixed the tabletop Olive oil and vinegar for dipping - so good!). There seemed to be a ton of large groups, so I'm sure the waitstaff was working very hard and the kitchen was backed up - completely understandable, just not exciting when you're super hungry. On another note, the valet guy seemed more interested in looking good and checking out the ladies than he did in parking my car - not the best first impression when we pulled up. Because of the amount of people, the restaurant was of course pretty noisy and crowded, but not overwhelming. And it's in an older building, so don't plan on big, spacious bathrooms... They're a bit small. Now - what really matters at a restaurant? The food - and it rocked! We started with two apps - the warm goat cheese with hazelnuts, fennel, apple, and orange blossom honey and a three cheese ravioli and prosciutto special - both were absolutely delicious. The goat cheese is nice with the complimentary bread. For entrees, I went with the pan-seared scallops with potato leek purée, summer cream corn, and orange scented spinach. It was a lovely combo and the scallops were cooked perfectly - no grit and a nice spice to the entire dish. My wife enjoyed the handmade pappardelle with braised short ribs and it was fantastic! Even though we were both full, we wanted more just because it tasted so good! The short rib addition was a special for the evening, but could be a stand-alone money maker for the restaurant because I can't think of a person with a right mind who wouldn't love this dish. We ended with the Three cheese cheesecake with blueberries. I was moist, light, and sweet - a good dessert to share after a full, rich meal. When you're ready to leave, don't bother texting your tag number to the valet guys... They're still busy doing what they were doing when you went into the restaurant - not their job. EAT AT MEZZA - Wow!!
(5)Taylor H.
AWESOME food, every time. Great service, great atmosphere - live music every time I've been. Perfect mix b/w casual and upscale. Best thing about Mezza is it's always consistent. Wood fire oven pizza is a staple, And the desserts are insane. This is one of the few places at the beach that's always in the rotation.
(5)CC C.
This is by far my favorite restaurant and bar at the beach. To begin with, the service is the perfect combination of personal and professional. The food is not only delicious, it embodies the balance of homemade and gourmet. I absolutely can not get enough of the filet and the homemade Irish whiskey pudding (it's made with croissants). Love that I can go more casual and sit at the bar or done in the dining room. Definitely recommend!
(5)Alex O.
My favorite restaurant at the beach. The quality of the food is top notch. There is a variety of options for everyone. The service is attentive and friendly. Any special requests I've made have been met with a smile. The make your own pizza station for children is a great distraction and fun experience for the kids. You can make it easy by eating at the bar, casual by eating in the front bar area or on the outside deck or spruce it's up in the back dining area. Truly great a great atmosphere. Fresh bread is always served as a nice start. The Brussels sprouts and beet salad are some of my favorite appetizers. The grouper and salmon always rock and of course their pizzas are awesome. Drink selection is great....just love this place
(5)Phillip T.
Great food. Great wine. Great service!! Half price wine bottles on Monday. The pizza is really great. Free valet parking when you dine
(5)Laini T.
My husband and I took my parents out to dinner here for my mom's birthday, and it was great! We sat on the heated outdoor patio, which was perfect - they even provided blankets! They weren't really necessary, since the heater kept it warm enough, but any restaurant that provides blankets gets my vote. We ordered calamari as a starter, which was great. We are calamari lovers and can be critical, but this was delicious. My only complaint is that they throw lemon slices into the batter, and you as the diner are left to bite into it, only to discover that it's a fried lemon slice. We all ordered salads, which were good - noting noteworthy. For entrees, I had the papardelle bolognese, my husband had the grouper with bacon and avocado, my dad had the bbq salmon, and my mom had the lasagna. I can only vouch for my own, which was delicious, but everyone really enjoyed theirs. Since it was my mom's birthday, they brought her a little chocolate lava cake and sang to her, so we didn't order any other dessert. It was a delicious chocolate cake (another item that we order frequently and can be critical of). All in all, great service, great food, great atmosphere.
(5)Waheed B.
Delicious. This was a great evening and I was lucky enough to share it with my awesome neighbors. Highlights: - parking available via valet so one less stress - the lamb appetizer was SO good and loved by all - dinner entrees were all spot on and raved about: ancho achile chicken with succotash was best chicken consumed ever, the pan cooked fish was increadibly flavorful and the housemade farfalle with braised beef was a winner again (I have ordered it before) - able to walk to the beach after the meal Brussel sprouts w/o bacon were OK as mustard is strong and may not appeal to everyone. Dessert was just OK (brownie) but after eating so much food earlier, that may have dinimished its appeal. Our server was friendly and tolerated our bad jokes and antics well. Overall, a great meal and I was relieved and excited to be able to recommend this location for dinner and have my dining partners agree this was a good choice. Yelp ratings have not let me down and thank you, Mezza, and fellow Yelpers for helping me maintain a solid dining reputation.
(5)Ryan M.
This is for Nancy. You keep snapping at us that we are not allowed to turn our bar chairs around to watch the live music. We had to FACE THE WALL. WHAT?! The only reason we go here is to listen to the music and see our friends. You raised the prices and shrunk the plates. I'm not sure why you are a live music venue if watching the show bothers you personally. We spend thousands of dollars there every week. Everyone has so much fun singing, laughing, drinking excellent cocktails made by the bartenders (who are fabulous btw). If you don't want live music, I hope you find a way to up your early week business. I have worked and managed 5 star restaurants in Los Angeles. Both live music venues, white table cloth. We dressed the room accordingly where guests had seats and space to enjoy while the staff had ample room to move and serve. We will now be spending our time and money elsewhere at Ragtime and North Beach Bistro! Thanks for the memories!
(1)Leah W.
Had 3 Apps: Lam chops Steak tartare Duck bites Must have of the 3 = lamb chops Pappardelle = effing fab Pass on the mushroom pizza- the truffle oil is non-existent
(4)Jonathan F.
Owner is incredibly rude. Staff was very apologetic and even said he's a nightmare to work with. Pappardelle was great, but I refuse to support such an indecent person regardless.
(1)Ben T.
Overall the place was quality. The appetizers were good, including the tuna, calamari, and some veggie thing. I had the pizza and the crust was good and wood fired. The smoked tomatoes were really good and blended well with their sauce. One weakness was their beers - they had three local brews in bottles and no taps - this would've been a great addition. The pizza wasn't on par with the true artisans but wasn't something to throw out. It was good the next day too. A solid 4-4.5 stars.
(4)Eat Fresh A.
Great atmosphere with an exceptional staff! Best food in the area! I consider it a hidden oasis!
(5)Laura M.
This restaurant was great! We made reservations last minute for a fri night and they were able to accommodate us on the patio which was really nice. It was supposed to rain but the patio is completely covered, there are fans, it was cool, and seemed a lot quieter than inside. Our waitress was sweet but she had a lot going on, they were busy so she was very slow in getting to our table, taking our order, Clearing plates, and getting refills was very slow. Food was great! We had mussels and the warm goat cheese tart which was fantastic. Mussels were in a paraDinner I had a short rib tagliatelle which was AWESOMe! So tasty and very fresh, homemade pasta. I was excited to have leftovers which were so good I had for breakfast the next day. Dessert was the best brownie a la mode which was amazing!
(5)Diana M.
This place gets pretty busy so you might want to consider a reservation if the party is bigger than 2 people. We sat at the bar and had great service so that is always an option if there is room. I don't eat seafood so that narrowed the menu down for me quite a bit, I settled on the lasagna and it was good. Not blow my mind awesome, but solid. Hubby had clams and he loved them, this is probably a more enjoyable restaurant for those who like seafood. I still think they get 4 stars for atmosphere and quality. Next time maybe I'll try a steak??
(4)Tom M.
The food was great and the service excellent. The best part, however, was cocktails built by master bartender, Joe. Try the Bourbon Bliss. Outstanding!
(5)Mary A.
Food was excellent, service very good. Had fish and chicken dishes, both very good. Recommend this restaurant!
(5)Anna J.
I really love this place. A very roomy restaurant with lots of seating (dining room, bar, outside), it's got a wonderful atmosphere. A dark, Italian feeling restaurant with a pizza stove in the middle. All of the staff are extremely nice and welcoming. The owners are very commonly at the restaurant helping out and checking on guests. You can tell this staff has been here for a long time and know their stuff. I've never had a bad meal here and have eaten here quite a bit. The scallops are cooked perfectly. Any pasta dish or pizza is a win. Love the cheese plate too; its a great selection. I really like that you can come here and choose how much you spend. With smaller plates and pizza on the lower side and entrees on the higher side, it's good for any occasion. The pizzas are incredible and they constantly feature innovative pizzas on their daily specials. Definitely one of the best and established places in Atlantic beach.
(5)Virginia M.
I have been dining at the beach forever and I finally got to try this place. It was delicious! I would recommend making a reservation since the restaurant is packed. Excellent pasta, I would return! Their seafood is also great as well.
(4)Lena S.
Beautiful, charming, warm, elegant homey style. Service is friendly and quick. Menu is good, interesting and changes with specials. Desserts are good. Three different seating areas: outside covered garden, main dining, lounge area with bar seating and tables. Crowded and busy but lots of privacy. Free valet parking.
(4)Nicole J.
I love Beth Ann!! She is the best!! Seriously, we come back time & time again just for her. Sit on the patio, watch the sunset, it's awesome! Come check it out! I challenge you. (Just don't take my spot)
(5)Michael Hosto H.
Great restaurant but its not $$. More like $$$$$$$. This is one of my favorite go to restaurants if I have people in from out of town.
(5)Vanessa T.
This is a beautiful restaurant, in a beautiful location. Down near what I call the 4 corners of neptune beach. The restaurant had music jamming, was packed with people, it seemed like this was a hang out spot for locals. Now the food was delish, yummy seafood! This is a great spot to bring a date and drink some wine, and enjoy a nice dinner!
(5)Chelly S.
We had a lovely dinner at Mezza for a party of four last night. Ancho Chicken was delicious served on asparagus instead of succotash. Tuna delicious. Food all good. Ambience in main dining room is excellent . Bar is exciting for local young people but very noisy. Valet parking eliminates all parking woes at the Beaches Town Center. Great special occasion choice. Recommend they join Yelp reservations and Open Table to modernize reservations approach.
(4)Gizelle A.
What a nice surprise! After passing this place literally for years, looking through the windows and saying..yeah..should check it out some time, we finally did. And absolutely loved it! We usually don't go to Atlantic beach at night so this was an exception. Suddenly decided to eat pizza for dinner and, being the picky pizza eaters that we are, had to be some place fancy. Here comes Mezza! As soon as I saw that brick pizza oven and the menu, I knew it would be awesome! They don't take Open Table (bummer) so we didn't have reservations, especially given it was a last minute decision. Had to wait for quite some time, but even the wait was fun - they have these chairs by the pizza oven and they make delicious drinks. We got the mushroom and truffle oil pizza to share - that one time years ago we came across it in a very luxury restaurant in Palm Beach and have been looking for a match since. That was it! For the first time since that experience we finally found a match to that delicious pizza. We dined in the back room away from the bar. Everything was top notch. Lots more things I want to try on the menu. This place has immediately gone to the top list of favorites!
(5)Mark B.
I have to say that this place is really scrumdelicious. We had such a great meal for the yelp event we had to return. Yes, I being a really serious foodie here in Jax might just have to put our meal before as one of the best I have had in Jacksonville. Tonight lived up to all of our expectations. The whole table ordered different dishes and we all shared. We started out with some apps of seared tuna and a house made pasta. To some mussels in a green sauce. Last but not least brussel sprout that cooked with a spicy mustard and some honey. I first with all of the other great food that I have eaten here they had to make even brussel sprouts amazing. Let me say that they didn't let any of us down. They were cooked perfectly al dente with a sweet glaze and then had a crunchy factor that sent the dish over the top. I personally moved onto some steak frites and the wife went with the short rib over house made pappardelle. Some of the other dishes that showed up top the table a tile fish with a garlic mash, and one of the best filets that I have tasted in a longtime. That was an amazing dish that I could only dream of being able to cook a steak that well. Then I moved onto some dessert in true fat kid fashion. I was blown away by the 3 cheese cheese cake that was so light and fluffy. The mixture of mascarpone, cream cheese and Ricotta cheeses made this a pure slice of heaven in Neptune Beach. Now this was a very soon to be favorite place to eat. We were also informed that their new fall menu is coming out on Monday. So maybe Tuesday or Wednesday maybe for a return dinner. Oh yea maybe Thursday cause they have Mike Shackleford playing in the bar. Mike is very special to us for he played our wedding many many years ago.
(5)Chris C.
Mezza is an absolute delight, from the ambiance, to the service, to their food. I happened to be in Jax Beach (Atlantic Beach) for a conference last year and had my first opportunity to try Mezza's food. I was so impressed, that this was definitely one of my "must hits" on my return trip this year. 1 year after my original visit Mezza did not disappoint, I was adventurous and tried their Wild Boar Ragu (a special upon my visit), and I was blown away. Amazing cooked port, perfectly done noodles, and wonderfully seasoned. I dined alone so I didn't opt for an appetizer or dessert, but the service felt very attentive without being pushy and she let me go at my own pace, which unlike most of the other patrons, was sit down eat and get going. I'd definitely recommend Mezza for a night out with the guys (or gals), a great date idea, or for a special occasion, they are very good at what they do!
(5)Leslie C.
I have been coming to this establishment over the past few years and I have to be honest, I had an incident of good poisoning about a year and a half ago after just eating here. I just recently ate here again and had the pappardelle and had another incident. I went there tonight to share my concern with the owner to help them identify the problem and was in utter shock when he was incredibly dismissive and went as far as to tell me that if I had an issue with his food that I was welcome to leave. I endured severe dehydration in both circumstances and had to miss multiple days of work. The lack of empathy and vileness of the owner was appalling. Needless to say, I am done with this place.
(1)Brittany M.
Mezza is awesome! The atmosphere is lovely and I enjoy how calm it is. It's a nice respite from some of the crazier places at the beach. Great selection of wine! Food was delicious. They have some phenomenal wood-fired pizzas and great seafood! I went with a large group of folks from work and they were very accommodating of the large group. Service was great! This place would be great for cocktails and apps after work, a special date night, and more!
(5)Kerri-Lyn F.
i enjoyed a great gluten free meal. Beth Ann took my order for pick up and she was very knowledgeable of the menu and had great recommendations for my allergies. When I arrived all staff was extremely friendly and accommodating. I found it confusing on which entrance to use. I arrived at closing time but a server was able to help me.
(5)Stephanie A.
The front room is extremely packed and its hard to walk threw to the back dining area. Especially if there is a band playing right there by the pass thru. I was afraid my disabled son would trip and fall on either a chair leg or band cords. He made it safely thru. Once you get to the back it is much quieter and yes warm and cozy feel. My meal was nice. We enjoyed most of everything. My son loved his pasta with short rib and my little one had pizza and a salad. I had the mushroom pizza that was ok. I was hoping for a more smokey wood flavor on the pizza which I didn't get. I know it was busy so our waitress didn't come around as much as I would like. Once every 15 minutes is good? Ran out of drinks and sat for quite awhile for the check. I just laid my credit card out for her. Everyone seemed to be having a great time. The food overall was good but I feel it may be better on less busy nights. Ill definitely come back an earlier time during the week. Im very picky and as my hubby always says, if my wife says its okay then def give it a try and if I say its great then its usually outstanding lol.
(4)Shaun H.
I really enjoyed this restaurant! The atmosphere was really nice, the live music was fun, soulful and interesting. #SouthernCharm My food was amazing, our server was great, and I like the open kitchen.
(5)Christa S.
TIP: Make a reservation. You need to call to do so, and they begin picking up the phone after 4 on weekends, which was plenty of time for us to get a reservation that evening and our choice of the lounge, dining room or patio (which was enclosed/heated for the winter). I definitely enjoyed this spot. Went here because my parents had found it on a prior trip and raved about it. I can definitely see what all the fuss was about...I never expect great Italian food at the beach...it's usually more about the seafood, which does nothing for me...however, this place hit a home run. It offers the casual beach vibe (although slightly more upscale) and a strong menu of choices that left me wondering what I should get. I opted to begin with the grilled pear salad, which had a nice balance of flavors and textures. I then went from the pappardelle, which is covered in a bolognese sauce full of meat with a delicious flavor and shaved Parmesan atop. And the fresh bread and olive oil/vinegar at the table were nice accompaniments. I wasn't able to finish my full meal and had it for leftovers the next day and it was just as good reheated as it was the first time around (to me, the true test of a dish's worth). I would certainly return here...grazie Mezza Luna!
(5)Linda R.
Excellent meal. Good wine recommendation. Great service. I would eat there often if I lived nearby.
(4)Karen B.
My husband and I have eaten at Mezza Luna for the past 6 years for birthday's, anniversary's, and Valentines day. This year was such a let down starting from the moment we walked in the door. We had reservations for 7pm, they pawned us off into their "outside seating". We were freezing cold, people from the outside street kept opening up the canvas drape and letting cold air in. They provided blankets but, I am RN in a hospital, that is not sanitary to share blankets, that's how people pick up scabies, lice, bed bugs etc. How often are those blankets washed? Certainly not after each customer. We were seated under this terribly noisy heater that was mounted above on the ceiling. I didn't understand why we were sitting outside? We couldn't enjoy ourselves because we were cold and loud motorcycles kept driving by. Between that and the loud heater, I couldn't hear a thing my husband was saying. All we wanted was a romantic atmosphere. Come on! We had a freaking reservation, my husband and I were so confused as to why we had to sit outside when there were empty tables inside. In all the years we've eaten here, we've never had this terrible experience. We were seated close to the serving cart where they kept the pitcher of water, which I soon realized was the "hangout" spot for all the servers. I got to hear all about my waitresses weekend and how drunk she got, while she was flirting with one of the other male waiters. The wait staff were all wearing these cheap blue t-shirts, they all looked like a bunch of door greeters at walmart. We were not offered a bread basket and when I asked for one, the bread was like the sandwhich bread I would buy from the publix bakery to make my childrens lunches with. I asked for some suggestions with the wine list and the waitress was clueless. We had calamari for an appetizer and it was freezer burned. It tasted terrible. It wasn't even warm enough to eat. It was not fresh calamari, it was definitely frozen. We didn't bother finishing it. My husband ordered the grouper which was fine, but I ordered the penne and shrimp. It was so terrible I had maybe three bites and I didn't even want a box. It tasted like someone had dumped an .89 cent can of tomato paste on top and then dowsed it in cayenne pepper. The andoullie was not fresh, it was dry. Honestly, I used to rave about this place and now It's just very disappointing that I will not come here anymore, it used to be our favorite place for Valentines day and my Birthday. We are now on the hunt for a new tradition. Sorry, but this place has really gone down hill. It's the pit's! That dinner was not worth the 100$ we paid for it. So disappointing.
(1)Hilary L.
Mezza Luna does border on the more expensive end of beach dining, but, were this restaurant transplanted to a different side of town, no one would bat an eyelash at the prices. I love Italian food. Authentic Italian food is almost impossible to come by in Jacksonville. There are only a few places scattered around town [Enza's in Mandarin, Primi Piatti in Riverside] that offer authentic style Italian food, and I think Mezza Luna can definitely be considered one of the rare few. The atmosphere for this place is remarkable. You feel transported from the sandy beach location to a dimly lit, cozy and romantic cove surrounded by stone, rich and thick wood, and deep colors. It's amazing how quickly the mood can shift just upon entering this place. Their food is delicious. I am salivating just thinking about it. For starters, I highly recommend the Portabello Frites, served with balsamic blue cheese aioli, for $11. They are amazing. The mussels [$11] and cheese plate [$9], both classics, are also great choices. The Pan Seared Scallops, with wild mushrooms & asparagus salad and smoked tomato & leek sauce, is a really great choice for entree [$26]. And the pizza... don't forget the pizza. It's a classic, and they make an ah-mayyyy-zing pizza. Mmmm. Try the Traditional [$14.50] with the olives and onions [my favorite] or the Prosciutto Pizza [$15], served with mozzarella, fontina, caramelized onions & roma tomatoes. But really, any of them will be delicious. If you are looking for a fine dining, Italian experience at the beach, this is the place to go. Hands down.
(4)Tim J.
I've been going for years and always enjoyed the food. The seasonal changes are a great touch and the wood fired pizza is always a solid choice. They've taken the lasagna off the menu...huge disappointment! It was a staple for many years and the best in town. It needs to be back on the menu.
(4)Becky S.
Mezzaluna is a great local spot at the beach for delicious food, wine, and live entertainment. Their menu is fantastic, and I've enjoyed everything I've ever ordered here from steaks, to pizza, to pasta, or just apps and dessert. They usually have a live band on Wed and Thursdays in the bar area. It can get a little loud, but if you sit at the end of the bar by the door, you can still have great conversation. Their outside patio is awesome for group dinners in the fall / spring when it is a little cooler. We go here probably 2-3 times a month!
(4)Joseph B.
This restraurant has something for everyone. I come to Jacksonville every for I physical at the Mayo Clinic and I make sure I get at least one meal at Mezza Luna. Great Service, atmosphere and food.
(5)Jeff S.
So-so evening. Lost our reservation. Seated in the outdoor patio. Cold and windy. Screens kept blowing over neat patrons. Food was Luke warm and so-so. Service was great. It will be quite awhile before we return.
(2)Patty M.
Restaurant was packed the night we first tried Mezza..We had a reservation and was seated right away. Although it was busy our service never lacked, very personable waitress. The pizza my husband had was on of the best..( and I grew up in Boston where authentic pizza is on every street corner). Martini well made, atmosphere lively a little on the louder side but fine with us. Will frequent this place often once we move there..Res is a must
(4)Benjamin G.
I'll begin by saying that the tuna tartare led two of the five people in my party to be sick(food poisoning). The entire dining experience was a debacle, with a waiter dropping a tray of wine glasses. We were "taken care of" with lemon cello on the house. I contacted the manager to inform them of our violent vomitus reaction to a shared food, only to be told that the are complimented by food safety inspectors of how well they do with their establishment. All in all it was a lackluster meals and very poor situations that left us feeling wronged, sick and out a few hundred dollars.
(2)Rachel A.
This place has amazing food. The bartenders are great! Me and my husband come in every time we have a date night. We LOVE this place. I don't know what the lady is talking about children being treated like dogs... We take out daughter who is eight months now.. In for dinner quite often. We have sat all over the dining room, bar, patio. The staf has always taken great care of the little one
(5)Philip M.
The night we went, older stuffy crowd, we stopped after apps and went elsewhere. The vibe was just off for us.
(3)K V.
Inconsistent. I have gone more than once, ordered the same entree and had it taste completely different. In my opinion, the restaurant has gone down hill and I won't be going back any time soon.
(2)Ryan F.
Service was great- staff explained everything and made great suggestions- bread pudding deserts - delicious
(4)Allison C.
My 2nd trip, I was so disappointed. They were more concerned about the party of 9 outside than the people at the bar, most of whom were regulars. Not sure who was on that party of 9, but guess it is a good thing it's my last weekend there.
(3)Natalie B.
I'm not sure why it took me so long to dine here. I would walk by countless times on the way to or from Sliders. However, encouraged by friends who live close by, we went for dinner on a Friday night. We arrived around 7pm and were seated immediately in the dining room. After a brief perusal of the menu, we decided on the following: Duck Breast with Truffled Polenta and Lingonberry sauce --This was a special of the evening. Being the duck nuts that we are, this was a no brainer. The duck was prepared perfectly for our taste--around mid rare. It was sliced and we were able to have 3 a piece. The truffled polenta was amazing! The lingonberry sauce was robust enough to stand up against the duck. Cheese Plate--The portion of the cheeses were pretty generous. For $9, we had a triple creme, truffled cheese, bleu cheese and gouda. The accompaniments included thinly sliced red and green apples, grapes, a strawberry and blackberries. I would have liked some honey to pair with the bleu cheese. All cheeses were terrific. Baby Arugula with Truffle Vinaigrette, toasted pine nuts, parm cheese and grape tomatoes--this was a generous portion, perfect for us to split. This is no TGI Fridays salad as big as your head, but I'm not much into that anyways! Terrific, light salad! Build Your Own Pasta--Tortellini with rosado sauce + 2 seared Diver's Scallops: Typically I don't like to order pasta at restaurants. Usually it is overpriced. However our friends raved about the tortellini so we went for it. I'm glad we did. The dish is enough for two to have a non glutenous portion. The sauce was tasty; the pasta melted in my mouth. The scallops were my favorite! Wine--The wine by the glass selection is decent. I had the Malbec by the glass and it was delightful. We did have dessert but we came back to Mezza Luna a hour or so later with said friends to enjoy the bar area. We had the Tiramisu, cutely served in a stemless martini glass. my hubby had a delicious 10 year old port. The bar was fun and relaxing. Service overall was very good. Both our server and bartender were extremely attentive. All in all, we were pleased with our experience and look forward to returning!
(4)Kathy A.
The atmosphere was probably my favorite aspect of my dining experience at Mezza Luna. I like that Mezza Luna gives you a lot of seating options-quieter and European-feeling plaza seating outside, boistrous lounge seating and a general dining room great for people-watching. As for the food, it was good, but not great. I thought the calamari was delicious. The addition of fried lemon slices was surprising and new to me (and delightful!). My boyfriend had the salmon and it was only so-so. The beans may have been a little undercooked, fish was a little too fishy, and the yellow pepper coulis was unexpectedly cold. I won the menu choice war, ordering the prosciutto pizza, which was ample and very good. I'd probably go back to ML, but probably just for a drink with girlfriends (or for the pizza) at the end or beginning of my night.
(3)Matt B.
I've been here numerous times and it's in my top three of favorite places in Jax. I love the ambiance and always enjoyed the quality of the food, as well as the professional service. If comparing ML to establishments in bigger cities, I would give a lower grade, but Jax food tends to leave a little to be desired, so this place stands out.
(5)Caron S.
I've been to Mezza Luna twice: on a first date and a year later as a celebration of that first date. There are several area to dine: inside in a somewhat noisy large casual bar area, outside in a large open area (first date), outside by the parking lot in a small cozy area, and inside in a large, more formal but cozy dining room (a year later). The exposed beams, wood floors, and large windows make the dining area our favorite spot. It feels like Biscotti's in Avondale with a beaches twist. Both times I've ordered a beer (Fin du Monde) and the proscuitto pizza (mozzarella, fontina, caramelized onions & roma tomatoes) and add artichokes. It's a HUGE pizza. I got a side of the sherry vinaigrette for dipping and marinara, and both were excellent (oddly, they don't have ranch or balsamic, my two favorite dipping sauces). My man had the grouper with bacon butter (!!!) and the tomato, fried green tomato, crab and avocado appetizer on our recent visit, both of which were stellar. He picked dessert: a frozen chocolate toffee cake, which was good (I would have picked the bread pudding). A great spot for a nice dinner with good company.
(3)Deena S.
LOVED THE FOOD!!! Both my husband and I really enjoyed our meals! Would go back again for sure!!!
(4)Jeff J.
My favorite place at the beaches. Never have been disappointed. Great decor, atmosphere, dining at the bar. Writing this a few weeks after the last visit, so no specific comments, but just a "do try it!"
(5)Milan M.
I have been here about 10 times. It's right near my house. If you play by my rules, you will have a solid 3 star meal, if you don't, well, you'll probably spend to much and be dissappointed. 1st- Sit at the bar (The owners hang out up here, and they are very friendly and knowledgeable about wine, and will often offer bottles not on the menu. The chef has also come out and talked when it isn't busy and even made me things that aren't on the menu) 2nd- Get the Tuna appetizer while you mull over the rest of the menu. 3rd- Split the Spinach salad with apples and scallops. (It is by far the best one on the menu, listed as an entree. There used to be a bibb salad with creamy cayenne dressing and avocado, but sadly they took it off; according to the waitstaff, it was too expensive to make.) 4th- Avoid the pasta dishes and entrees. (The pastas are lackluster at best. The marinara sauce is bland. The entrees are good, but overpriced.) 5th- Split a pizza, something with prosciutto. You should be full and happy now, and the bill will be half of what it could have been... You're welcome :)
(3)Julie L.
Love this place. I've been there four times and have enjoyed everything. I especially like the bread pudding... yum!
(4)James C.
Food was good, service was excellent. Priced moderately.
(3)molly h.
Perfect spot for some wine, a cold martini, meet a group of friends, or grab a fresh piece of fish or pizza! The patio is totally inviting and the staff was very polite! The crowd was classy. I grew up in jax and now live in Nashville, but will definitely return during future visits!
(4)Meredith H.
I've been to this place a couple of times. They have some of the best italian food in the beaches area. Another cool thing about this place, is that they have 3 different ambiances. One, is the seating around the bar like the picture shown here which is cozy and a little more casual than when you go further into the restaurant. Once you are further in, they have tableclothed tables and a fire place. When it gets cold, this is a great place to warm up. Finally, they have outdoor seating. They are only a block away from the beach, so you can sit and enjoy the nice breeze and the people walking by. The staff has always been friendly and attentive. If you have kids, they have a "make your own pizza" part of the evening from 530-730. It's a nice first date place too. There are a lot of different options on the menu aside from the pizza and pasta ranging from fresh Big Eye Tuna to Free Range Chicken.
(4)