Avondale
A bright, polished coffee shop in the heart of the Shoppes of Avondale with high ceilings, multiple rooms, and a covered patio on Saint Johns Ave. Where Avondale gathers for craft coffee, brunch, and the most versatile private event and wedding venue in Jacksonville.
Location
3562 St Johns Ave, Jacksonville, FL 32205, USA
Hours
Open Daily: 6:30 AM - 9:00 PM
PHONE
Southern Grounds Avondale is a coffee shop and restaurant at 3562 Saint Johns Ave in the Shoppes of Avondale — a historic building that has been part of Avondale's retail heart for decades. High ceilings, natural light from multiple angles, and several distinct rooms that shift from morning coffee spot to private event venue without losing their character.
We draw locals from Avondale and Riverside, plus neighbors from Ortega and Murray Hill who come for weekend brunch and weekday lunches. Steps from Boone Park and Riverside Park, surrounded by the boutiques and restaurants that make Saint Johns Ave walkable, we're a daily stop for families, professionals, and anyone who needs a real place to land.
Inside: multiple rooms with ample natural light, high ceilings, and seating for every pace. Free Wi-Fi. Outside: a covered dog-friendly patio facing Saint Johns Ave. We serve direct-trade Intelligentsia coffee, all-day breakfast and brunch, dinner, scratch-made bowls, and Blueberry Bakery pastries — from a Mediterranean-inspired scratch kitchen cooking in extra virgin olive oil and beef tallow. Seed-oil-free options identified on the menu. beer and wine. Walk-in only.
Open daily 6:30 AM–9 PM. Street parking on Saint Johns Ave.
Private events & Catering
Southern Grounds Avondale is Jacksonville’s most versatile private event space — wedding rehearsal dinners, engagement parties, bridal showers, corporate buyouts, and milestone celebrations in a historic Saint Johns Ave building. High-end flatware, glassware, cloth linens, AV, dance floor, and optional live music or DJ. Contact us about private events and custom catering. Online catering order for local teams and offices.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can I bring my dog to the patio?
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Yes. The covered front patio on St. Johns Ave is dog-friendly. It's one of the better people-watching spots on the avenue — grab a table outside and you'll see what we mean.
Is this a good spot for a larger group?
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Yes — Avondale has the most room in our portfolio. The building has a main dining room plus two additional spaces that open up naturally for groups. Walk-ins with parties of 6–10 are manageable on weekday mornings or early afternoons. For a group larger than that, or if you want to guarantee space, reach out about a private event reservation.
Do you host private events here?
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This is our primary event venue. Full buyouts can accommodate up to 200 guests — we can configure the space with high-end flatware and glassware, AV, presentation screens, and live music or a DJ setup. Partial buyouts starting at 60 guests are also available. If you're planning a shower, a company dinner, or anything in between, start on our [events page link] and we'll be in touch within 24 hours.
How's parking on St. Johns Ave?
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Street parking on St. Johns Avenue and the surrounding side streets. It fills up on weekend mornings and during busy lunch hours — plan an extra few minutes if you're coming at peak time. The neighborhood is walkable from Riverside and parts of Murray Hill, so some regulars just leave the car behind.
Is it loud inside — can you have a conversation?
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The space has high ceilings and an open floor plan, which means ambient noise carries. Mornings are noticeably quieter. If you're coming for a meeting or a focused work session, earlier in the day is your best window. Weekend brunch hours are the liveliest.