Very nice interior with exposed brick, a lot of oak on beams and also on the bar. Hubby ordered the bowl of gumbo and the red beans and rice deluxe. The beans had chunks of chicken chorizo sausage topped with cheese. He really enjoyed it. I had the blackened mahi sandwich with cheese grits. Yum. We shared the white chocolate sun-dried cherry bread pudding. Its a good thing we shared it as the portion was massive. It was moist with great flavor. Probably the best Ive had. Prices were very reasonable--especially for the beach location.
(4)
Michael B.
A great destination for an afternoon bike ride. The beer is great and the calamari is fantastic. There are three bars to choose from; so you can pick your crowd. The food is good, but you should come for the beer and atmosphere. If you get bored, the beach is a block away.
(4)
Tiffini C.
Outstanding place! Fantastic service! We had the Grouper sandwich, the red beans and rice and the Shrimp and Grits. All were delectable, but the Shrimp and Grits was absolutely mouth watering. We were so full, but my husband had to take the key lime cheesecake to go. We plan to stop at the St Augustine location tomorrow for lunch!
(5)
Timothy D.
I simply love the grouper sandwich it's awesome the only thing I would suggest is maybe offering something besides just fries with that dish , possibly some kind of mix vegetables would be great but the staff and atmosphere will make you return time and time again!!!
(5)
Frank S.
Bad name, bad signage, good service, very good food, nice selection, decent enough ambiance, great location. I definitely recommend the: 1. Crab cakes 2. Salads (there are a lot of really good salads) 3. Chicken wings (best in The Beaches, in my opinion) 4. I didn't have to say "in my opinion" for number three. Everything I post on Yelp is "my opinion." Duh. 5. You should ride your bike there and lock it up. Don't drive your car. Not because there isn't any parking (there is parking) but because if you live here at in the Beaches you should be driving a bicycle, not a car. 6. Ahi Tuna 7. Dolphin's Breath beer 8. Have you ever tried the chicken at KFC? It's really juicy. 9. One of my favorite songs is by Taylor Swift and I forget the name of it but it's really good. 10. When I lived in Vegas I would sometimes bet money on things.
(4)
Michael W.
We have lived in Jax/Mayport Fl for 25 years and Ragtime is quite possibly the best restaurant in Atlantic Beach! The food is great and the atmosphere is Superb! Enjoy the Ragtime Seafood Gumbo and don't forget the Crazy Jerry's Sauce...
(5)
Kassie C.
My bf & I stopped by Ragtime a few weeks ago around 5pm on a Tuesday I believe. We walked in & sat at the bar. There were probably 10 other people sitting there that were a couple decades older than us. It was safe to say that we were by far the youngest people in there & they seem to have a lot of regulars. From what I understand , Ragtime is one of the oldest bars around in that area opening in 1983. The bartender was quick & attentive & went over all the Happy Hour specials since I had never been there before. I had the berry bash sangria to start with & it was very good. It was also very sweet so not something you could drink all night unless you want a hangover. Next I had the A1A mule aka a Moscow mule which was also delicious! I was quite impressed with the Happy Hour specials. They are 7 days a week from 4-7pm & include $1 off drafts, $2 off glasses of wine & $5 select cocktails which include around 10-12. I did not have any food but the bartender explained they did have a few items like wings, nachos, etc on HH. Overall, Ragtime is a relaxed atmosphere to have a few drinks in a non-crazy setting. I understand they have bands at certain days & times. I'm sure it's much busier during the weekends at night. If you are looking to be around a younger 20-30s croud I wouldn't recommend this bar.
(4)
Ryan S.
We stopped in on a sat night for dinner. First tip is right b4 the restaurant on the right is a complimentary vallet parking for them deff make use of it as parking down there is a nightmare. They were very busy but we only waited maybe 10 min to be seated. The atmosphere is deff bar like noise levels are a bit high but that was to be expected. For our app we got the bluecheese chips they were good but degg not the best ive had chips were done well they were a little skimppy on the bacon and the cream sauce was a little bland but not terrible. For dinner my wife got the seasme tuna with the red beans and rice and fried spinach. I was a little concerned about portion size as I always am when I order seared tuna and we were not dissapointed it was easily 8oz of tuna. The red beans and rice were quite good the spinach was very tasty but a little to greasy. I ordered the tuna gyro and it was amazing tons of tuna so much so big hunks kept falling out of my pita. As a side I got the blue cheese pancakes wich were dissapointing. I was expecting more of a latke with blue cheese mixed in they were just like any old hashbrown with a small amount of bluecheese on topand were very greasy I only ate 2 of the 10 they gave me. Overall I would deff return here just try different sides and apps
(4)
Katherine D.
The great thing about the Jacksonville area, is that once you're near the bars, you can easily try a few out before choosing a place to stay. They all differ in decor, ambiance, and food, but are all within walking distance. It's worth checking out! I loved the Atlantic Beach area. It was very trendy and busy, but not overcrowded, for a holiday weekend. My friend and I came to Ragtime Tavern because all the locals raved about it! We went out for drinks, but I've heard incredible reviews about the food here and know there are many loyal customers. Just look at the pictures other Yelpers have posted!!! Everything looks delicious! I will absolutely have to return for dinner. They have a full bar at Ragtime and excellent service. My friend and I stuck with classic mixed drinks, They were about $5 each. We were able to snag two seats at the bar, but Ragtime is incredibly spacious. Come here with a group of friends and enjoy live music, good drinks, and charming decor. It's very easy to spot, which is helpful if you're calling a cab or car service.
(4)
Alison M.
I've passed by this restaurant on basically every beach trip I've taken in the last five years, and I had somehow managed never to go in. So when I found myself at the beach yet again with a couple of hungry friends, we decided to take the plunge and check it out. It was pretty quiet on a Saturday afternoon, such that we weren't convinced they hadn't accidentally left the door open, but we soon figured out where all the people were and got seated in a nice window booth with a super friendly waitress. My friend and I were in the mood for seafood, so I ended up with a blackened fish wrap and she ended up with the blackened mahi, "as blackened as you can ethically make it". Both of these were absolutely excellent, but we were both a little disappointed not to have gone my husband's route with the special pulled pork sandwich. The tiny bite I had of the pork was amazing, the bread was great, the fries were perfectly crunchy... oh, the regrets! We will definitely be back on a future trip and I will keep all available appendages crossed that they bring back that pork sandwich. But if not, that blackened fish will be calling my name!
(4)
Keith B.
Good, not amazing. Wednesday night, fairly crowded. It's bit older place and some places in the restaurant have an old feeling, but not in the good way. Originally seated in the back part of the restaurant down some stairs and into an awkward shaped booth, I asked if we could move towards the front of the restaurant where there were some booths near the bar area, close to where some live music was being played. Much better. My host ordered the blue cheese potato chips..ok, these were pretty great. He also ordered calamari.....ehhhh. I had a pan seared snapper with gnocci...and it was flavorful. Can't comment on price...I was lucky enough to be treated. I always judge a place the day after....was it really that good? And I have to say it was 'a ok' hence the 3 stars.
(3)
Susan S.
I read some not so stellar reviews after this place was recommended to me by someone that had been several times.. so i was on the fence if i was going to like it or not.. i will say that the parking situation around this area is horrendous..i almost parked in a bank parking spot that had a sign posted that i could be towed, thinking that it was friday night and the bank was already closed.. after finding some where to park and walking up, my friend and i were seated right away..at the tiniest table shoved in a corner..i regret not looking around that much on the way to our seats because there are two areas that are so much prettier, one in a downstairs alcove with aquariums, and one upstairs that seemed nice also..our seats were crap..oh well.. the waitress was super friendly and attentive..for those of you that read my reviews regularly, i am a very thirsty person and when i dont have to flag someone down to get more water..i love it..we ordered some adult bevs, a bloody mary for my friend and a rum runner for me..and also some calamari..the drinks came out almost immediately and the calamari as not very far behind..there was two dipping sauces with it..one horseradish that was good, and something else..it was an orangey-white color, and didnt taste like anything..next were our meals, i had the andouille crusted mahi that came with red beans and rice and some of the yummiest green beans..this dish as flavorful and the portion was huge! my friend had the shrimp and grits, as that is her personal go to dish, and happily cleaned her whole plate! our check was brought out together, and we asked if it could be split and there was no problem..my food was boxed for me, we paid and we were about to leave when we realized we had a little too much time before the play we were going to that was very close by..so we sat at the bar, where i had a georgia peach martini that was very tasty, and another bloody mary for my friend..we were a bit bummed that we missed the happy hour pricing by one minute and my drink was what i thought to be a bit overpriced.. the overall meal and experience were awesome, this isnt close to me so i dont know that i will be back anytime soon, but wouldnt hesitate to recommend to someone else..,and would make sure to tell them to get there during happy hour!!
(3)
Misty S.
I do really like this place. They have fresh food and fun drinks. We've been there a few times and we like sitting at the bar. the lobster tacos are a favorite and who could leave without the red rice and beans! Definitely need to go back and try a few more options there to get a better feel for how good the food is, but each time I've gone, I have not been disappointed.
(4)
Denise R.
Shame on the manager Kathy for making poor decisions regarding a very popular local band. After a brief power outage, Kathy told the band they would not be playing that evening. To the dismay of most of the patrons there waiting hear the band play. Add to that that Kathy left her staff out like sacrificial lambs to difuse the irate patrons while she hid in her office. Shame on you Kathy.
(1)
Mariana B.
My husband liked the shrimp and grits. That's really it..
(1)
Steve O.
A good local place with local bandstand dance to. Try the Red Brick Ale, I drink only that when I'm here good beignets, steaks and seafood. It's the kind of place where the bartenders know you by your first name.
(5)
Austin F.
This place is an absolute travesty when it comes to authentic flavors of LA. If you were like me you ended up here after being told the wait was over an hour at neighboring restaurants; nevertheless you persevered. You were sat by a very kind waiter perhaps, you were given a drink menu that looked altogether promising. You ordered a basil mojito- hey...not bad! Then you ordered gumbo, shrimp and grits, stuff you don't even remember because the food was just so.....forgetful. Gumbo? Please. This is a watery mess with no roux to speak of, no developed flavors, nothing to distinguish it from a bowl of Olive Garden minestrone save for a few, albeit it well-cooked, shrimp. No bueno. Shrimp and grits? Muddy, no acid to speak of (requested lemon wedges helped a bit) and half-cooked mushrooms that lent a very bizarre texture to the dish. There is a lot of shrimp and grits in this town- this is not one of the better ones. Overall? A terribly executed culinary experience that is obviously in the wrong hands. If you want to call yourself a cajun or NO restaurant and you don't even know how to make a friggin roux you are in the wrong line of work my friend. 10 minutes on google can illicit a better recipe then the 'minestrone- light' they're attempting to pass of as gumbo at this place. Get real.
(1)
Becky D.
Came because my husband had come with friends after work two times. I won't be back not will he as the crawfish dip had soggy toast points, not crispy like described as well as overloaded with Pablo bread crumbs/shredded cheese mix on top. The ordered the chicken wings- BIG mistake. No flavor no real heat. Small wings, two being only 1.75inches long!!! We sent the dip back and expected a table visit from a manager, but nothing.
(2)
Jon E.
Excellent food and service. Craft beers were great, and the red beans and rice with sausage was the best I've ever eaten.
(5)
Gigi L.
Yeah. Not really into it. We went there hoping to dance and the staff was practically rude on this Sunday night. :( Too bad. I heard a lot, but was very disappointed.
(2)
Quan D.
Quick Summary: Didn't stay long, but this is a high energy location, great for catching some pre and post dinner drinks! Stopped by here on our way to dinner since they serve some craft brews. The drinks were pretty good, though I didn't catch the name of the brewery, I believe it was The Taproom brewery. It was pretty packed on a rainy Saturday, but the bar staff was quick to respond. I'd be willing to venture back and stay a little longer and see what the rest of their menu has to offer!
(4)
Pamela D.
This place is HUGE. The food is awesome; a little higher priced but totally worth it. The service is excellent! Attentive, friendly and dedicated to the customer experience. The bartender we have now is on point; she got rid of our bones from the wings instantly. Which I greatly appreciate. The chef rocks and cooks to order. I can't believe I haven't frequented here more often. I love the atmosphere; there is a fish tank here. Gorgeous. This pace is huge. Definitely will be here again.
(4)
Ashley M.
Reading some of the other reviews, I am shocked that some people have had such terrible experiences at Ragtime. This place is AWESOME. I have been there probably 15-20 times in the three years that I have lived here and never had a bad experience. The service is always timely, and the food comes out well prepared. They often have live music which is nice during the summer. The bar is always fun to hang out at, it's such a diverse group of people that go there. You never know what crowd you are going to get. I do know that if you catch it on a specific night it is a great place to meet singles.. mostly in their 30's. I usually get the cheeseburger, which is stacked high up and filled with deliciousness. The meat is well seasoned and the fries that come with it are scrumptious. For those of you who had a poor experiences, you should give it another try.. it's a pretty cool spot down at the beaches.
(5)
Kyle K.
So I ordered a mahi sandwich. The bun tasted like a Walmart, 6 day old, stale, left over piece of trash. The fish was ok. The server didn't smile once. But if your in the mood for frozen seafood this place is great.
(1)
Brian A.
Ragtime, I expected more from you. Especially with the quality of service and food at your sister stores. I came here for a friends birthday dinner on a Friday night. I was actually excited to come here because I'm a big fan of Seven Bridges and A1A Aleworks. There was about nine of us so service obviously isn't going to speedy, and that's fine. The brown ale is my favorite so that's what I stuck with. So far, so good. When it came time to order, I settled on the Shrimp and Grits. Someone else had ordered them too so I figured they must be good. We were wrong. When they arrived, the other person took one bite and sent them back immediately. I chose to weather the storm and paid dearly later that evening. The grits were watery, almost like instant grits. The shrimp had the taste and consistency of frozen shrimp you buy at publix. I ate most of the shrimp and skipped the grits. Needless to say, we were both disheartened. The menu touts that they are fresh, local shrimp. I have a hard time believing that. Everyone else was content with the steaks, salads, and pasta they ordered. On the bright side, the food didn't take that long to get out to us and the service sped up quite nicely. Maybe it was an off night for the kitchen and they ran out of the normal ingredients? Who knows. I'd like to think I'll give it another try, but realistically, I'll probably opt for Seven Bridges/A1A before coming back here.
(3)
Heidi O.
Great grilled fish sandwich, excellent choice in beers. Nice surprise as not inviting from the outside!
(4)
Stephanie W.
We visited from Nashville and I would say the food is mediocre at best. We had good service but the food wasn't memorable at all. We started with the crab cakes and they seemed mayonnaisey or mushy. Hubs had the lobster and shrimp tacos, they were just ok. I had the honey pecan crusted salmon, I must say that the salmon itself was very tasty and tender. The stuff on top was not necessary and it was like a glob of dill sauce on top with pecans stirred in. That's all I can say.
(2)
Anna J.
Living right behind Ragtime, we LOVE it here! Not only is the place huge with three bars (lots of seating), but the food is great (and they brew their own beers). To be fair, we go about once a week, so we have definitely weaseled out the best dishes. The menu is fairly priced, in the sense that you can get something cheap (sandwich, wrap, appetizer), or go for something on the pricier side (entree of mahi or tuna steak with two sides, pasta dish, lobster and shrimp tacos). First, start with their hot wings. This isn't a place I'd expect to be known for wings, but they are some of my favorites in town. Their fries and nachos are also delicious starters. You cannot lose with any of their tuna dishes -- the tuna sandwich, tuna entree or tuna salad are all wins. If you are looking for something on the cheaper/lighter side, I recommend the blackened fish wrap or the shrimp po boy. Definitely a good atmosphere and good group restaurant (good for any age group...I usually meet my parents here). Additionally, all of the bartenders have been there a long time, and know the regulars... and how to make a drink.
(5)
Robert D.
Great atmosphere and great food. Service was superb. Great selection of home brewed beer. Ragtime Shrimp were fantastic. Blackened Mahi was perfect with jalapeño butter. Red beans and rice were great.
(5)
Jason L.
Great spot by the ocean. Great brunch but only on Sundays. Try the fresh squeezed lemonade.
(5)
Nicole W.
I don't have enough words to describe the wonderful experience we had working with Ragtime. I hosted my small wedding reception of 40 at Ragtime on a Friday night. From the first meeting with the managers, to the interaction with the hostess, unbelievable service and delicious food everything was perfect. They were beyond accommodating to my crazy bridal requests- like decorating their restaurant at 11:30am and allowing us to bring in an outside cake. Everything we asked was granted and every single guest raved about the food and loved their beer. If you need a simple lunch of are hosting a party I highly, highly recommend Ragtime Tavern!
(5)
Juliet G.
I had the Andouille Crusted Mahi and it was BANGIN!! I would highly recommend it to a friend! It comes with Red Beans and Rice, which were also delicious, but not nearly as good as the Mahi.
(4)
James B.
Great restaurant near the beach! My wife and I went for lunch and shared the Jambalaya. The waitress brought it out in two bowls and it was perfect size for lunch! The Jambalaya was amazing and the best I've ever had on a restaurant. It's loaded with shrimp, sausage, ham, and chicken. I highly recommend it. Service was great and staff friendly. I will definetly go there again
(5)
Matt H.
Lauren is absolutely the best, best, best. She went the extra yard for us. Ask for her. The foid, fabulous ! Key lime shrimp and lobster!!!! Enjoy...still sitting hete it is soooo good.
(5)
Bryan L.
We had hot wings .... They were excellent buffalo style ....and the winter nip and dolphin ales were delicious quaffs
(4)
Samantha S.
I am not from the area, was in JAX for work and we were told to come to this area for lunch and to be close to the water. We decided to go to Ragtime and check it out. I really really liked the decor, it was kind of neat, all the dark wood and cool lay out. The service was good. We had some brie for an appetizer- it was sooo good. I had shrimp/crab tacos... and my friend had some kind of crusted chicken dish. The tacos were pretty ok, no super duper great.. but still did the job. I tried a bite of my friends chicken... the chicken itself was good, but the crusted part was a little bland. I would expect it to be more flavorful.... They have free Wi-Fi, which is always a plus.... the tables are good sized, so I was able to plug in and do a little work. You have to create an account in order to use the free Wi-Fi, which to some may or may not be a pain. Nice area, nice place, ok- not bad- food.
(3)
Paul L.
Nice restaurant. ..good food and great location to the beach...very difficult to find parking and was a nice atmosphere...
(4)
Michael Hosto H.
This place is kind of a local legend. 3 different bars restaurants. First place has live music sometimes it's a little cheesy. Middle bar is comfortable and casual. Right side is quieter. Food here is consistently good. Highly recommend it.
(5)
Karrie K.
Great place! The menu has a wide variety of choices--the key lime cheesecake was fantastic! The layout of the restaurant is interesting with multiple levels and two bars. The beer selection was excellent. I had a Mai Tai and it tasted like Hawaii. We'll definite go again.
(5)
Will M.
Good food. Good service. Small French Fry portion. Asked for more and got charged $2.95.
(4)
Dean P.
Ragtime is an old favorite going back 20 years. Always good. Recently done January 2014 and had the flounder. Cooked excellent. Service is always good. Bar side had the Boogie Freaks who are always a local favorite. Danced the night away. Can be very loud when music is playing. Quieter side in the back by the bar. Great local favorite and nice crowd. Wouldn't be there for decades if it wasn't great.
(4)
Pamela S.
We have visited Jacksonville Beach twice in the past 3 months and we have dined at Ragtime during both visits. The restaurant has great energy and the decor if lovely, but also quite fun. On our most recent visit, we also had (2) 13 yo boys with us and they loved it, too. I had the Cedar Plank Salmon and it was outstanding. My husband had the Pecan Crusted Chicken and he liked it, but the sauce was a bit sweet. One of the boys had Shrimp and Lobster pasta and he loved it. My son had a cheeseburger and was a bit disappointed because it was overdone. He sent it back and asked for medium (again), but it still came back a bit overdone for his preference. He still ate it, but didn't love it. That was the only negative of our meal. They have some great brews on tap and their martinis are excellent!
(4)
Gizelle A.
New review (3/30/13): So we went back and this time took a table, being very excited about trying the food in full scope! After all, we loved the appetizers at the bar. Unfortunately, we were in for a huge disappointment. Salads were blah. Then I got appetizer that duck pastry thing for almost $11 and was shocked to see it - one tiny little fillo pastry bite, hardly any duck in it, mushy, on a bed of jam. It tasted nice (can't go wrong with fillo pastry and jam) but was barely worth $1. Luckily, we had an awesome waitress who removed it from the bill. My husband had chicken wings and loved them - hence the 2 stars!! Then we shared a po-boy, wary of the quality. Thank goodness we shared - that was the most boring po-boy ever. The bread was lukewarm - definitely not toasted. There was a very regular piece of boring chicken - and fries. That was a fast-food join worthy chicken sandwich. We didn't say anything - finished it, paid and left. Definitely not going back...wow..very big disappointment. Original review: The bar area is great and they have a pretty cool menu - great selection of delicious cocktails (try the pomegranate ones..yum!), tasty gumbos and a bunch of other things I would love to try. I have had snacks and drinks at the bar quite a few times and have only good things to say! Having been only to the bar area, we tried to actually go for a sit down dinner. The hostesses were so kind and so patient with us as we declined the first table (it was tiny, squashed too close to others and overall..not cool!). I picked a booth that was being cleaned and even though it was for a large party, they sat us there. As perfect as the booth seemed, the seats were terribly uncomfortable and you were just pressed against the table. Unfortunately, it wasn't the kind of comfort that would make me want to drop $100+ on a dinner..so we went to do that elsewhere. Each and every one of the employees was kind, patient and understanding. If you aren't as particular and as high maintenance as I am regarding seating..definitely a great place to go!
(2)
Amanda S.
Came across this (not so) little gem while headed to the beach for some R&R, not only was the service on point but the drinks were perfect for a hot summer day! Must try the Jamie n Ginger or the French Cosmo if you're looking for something refreshing when it's disgustingly hot outside :-) the hummus was delicious although I'm not sure why it's served with olives-that's just not my thing, but I'd eat it daily! ;-) If you come here in the evening I'm sure this place is packed! It has three separate bar areas and tons of seating. I'd say it's an absolute must try.
(5)
Debbie R.
We almost didn't come here because of the reviews. Our server, Amelia, is fantastic. I had a cup of gumbo that was very tasty then my entree was the cedar plank pecan salmon with red beans and rice and veggies. It was fantastic! My friend had the ragtime shrimp and steak medallions with mashed potatoes and veggies. The shrimp was excellent and the steak had a very good flavor. We will come back....oh and the micro brewed beer is something you should at least try. They have a sampler so you can try all of them.
(5)
Justin G.
We brought a big group on a Saturday night. We were told an hour wait, they squeezed us in within 45 minutes. Waiter was a bit aggressive, but did a nice job. I had mild chicken wings with little to no flavor, but my wife had chicken and pasta and loved it. Music was great as well.
(4)
Amiee H.
My friend and I randomly dined at this restaurant and I thought it was an excellent decision!! Food: 1) Pasta Jambalaya: I LOVED this dish! The pasta was soaked in the jambalaya spices which made it really tasty! The dish was slightly spicy and was super flavorful! I really enjoyed this dish! Southern food rocks!! YUM!!! 2) Gumbo: This was really good too! I thought it was well made! It wasn't as good as the jambalaya but it went really well with the rice and the bread that came with the meal! 3) Coconut fried shrimp: This was the epitome of FRIED FOOD! I don't even like fried food but this was DELICIOUS!!! It came with an equally delicious honey mustard dip! OMG! AMAZING! My mouth is drooling just thinking about this dish! 4) Bread pudding: SO SWEET it'll instantly give you diabetes! But it's totally worth it! Ambiance: Really rustic looking with red brick walls. It was really loud, so a good place to come hang out with a big group and make a ton of noise! Service: Our waitress is sooooo nice I didn't mind giving her 20% tip! She seemed genuinely nice and friendly! Price: The meal came out to be around $50. Pretty good for how delicious the meal was! Overall: I'm from out of town, but I would TOTALLY come back!!!
(5)
Jessica K.
Last week my boss took us out for lunch before the Labor Day holiday, and we chose Ragtime. Now he had only been to drink so this was a different experience for him. I convinced him the Brie was the ONLY appetizer to order...and he agreed! I had the brisket sandwich with red beans and rice, and the beef itself was good, but they drenched it with what I could only call "Cheez Whiz" like cheese......I scraped it off in an effort to eat the good stuff. My co worker ordered the same thing, he thought the same thing I did about ruining the sandwich- and only ate half....Boss ordered the wasabi tuna with fried spinach, and he questioned the "fried" part (he kinda a health nut), but after the waitress convinced him, he was pleased so much he cleaned the plate...literally.... no crumbs! The food is hit n miss, but I wouldn't ever NOT go there as the place is around the corner from my work and the service has always been stellar whether at lunch or super late at night. Worth a try- just watch what other people order as it "goes by" from the kitchen and decide for yourself. :)
(4)
Bill L.
Waited 20 minutes to be seated. Finally took us to a deserted upstairs section that was empty. Asked the hostess why I waited 20 minutes to be seated in an empty area and she told me that there was a party that had the whole space. Really? F-ing liar. Did you forget i was standing at the front door watching everyone come and go? Bunch of losers! Try Al's Pizza next door, awesome!!!
(1)
Mark L.
LOUD thank you Rick and Vanya Arcusa and band Grown-up pick-up place! Saw my first snow leopard. Chicken sliders at the bar: SUPER. Fair price, but I'm not drinking.
(4)
Jessica B.
I am surprised by the reviews for Ragtime Tavern on here. This was my first time eating here but i loved it. It has a New Orleans set up style which is pretty cool and the food was awesome however the drinks were a little over priced. The menu selection is great, lots to choose from.
(5)
Jenni A.
Late school concert landed us at Ragtime. Our group was starving, had specific dietary restrictions, and most places that can accommodate in the area were no longer serving food. Already disheartened after reactions we've gotten from nearby places to seat a large group for a very late dinner we were surprised to be seated at Ragtime. The lady at the front door was patient and helpful. She reacted with a warm smile when we mentioned table for 14 (although looking at the packed rooms, she must have been a bit stressed). The place was nice but the crown at the bars (more than one) was LOUD and rowdy. Any other time this would not have been a concern but our guest tonight included teenagers & their grandparents. I was able to release a sigh of relief when our tables were downstairs away from the louder crowds and even more relaxed after seeing the menu selection. I ordered the shrimp & grits (w/o bacon) and it was divine. Everyone enjoyed their meal and service was excellent. Mutiny averted. An unexpected, but pleasant, end to our Saturday "family night". Thank you Ragtime!
(4)
Wendy M.
Second time I've been there and all I can say is its fabulous!! The calamari is fantastically fresh and perfectly fried. This time I tried the Shrimp and lobster key lime pasta is was WONDEFUL! Staff is very nice and great atmosphere
(5)
Imoimion I.
Good presentation, tasteless food! Ordered the Blackened Mahi Mahi, there was no seasoning, I was so disappointed that l felt the need to sign up for Yelp and post this. I suppose that's what l get for ordering a seafood dish at a Tavern!! To be fair, the restaurant has a very nice atmosphere, but if the rest of the food is anything like what l had...well you get my drift.
(2)
Emmy M.
I've eaten here a few times, so far, I have not been disappointed with the food. We always get good service, and Mitch makes a great margarita.
(4)
Joes L.
After an unfortunate experience at a nearby joint we came into Ragtime hungry with a vengeance. Between the two of us we ordered an appetizer, seafood gumbo, clam chowder, the mahi special, a burger, an extra side of fries, a beer, mojito, coffees and two desserts. It was time and money well spent. Paula was our server, and she was magnificent. I'm convinced she's one of the beautiful people in the world who doesn't realize it. She's quirky, genuinely sweet and we bonded over our love of snack food. Our happy dining experience was found. All was right with the world again. Bottom line: with good service, tasty food, and wide beverage selection anybody living within striking distance of this tavern would be lucky to have it. Will definitely be back. Thank you.
(4)
M D.
Visiting a friend in the JAX area and had dinner in the patio. Very berry salad is excellent! Service good & happy hour specials are great!
(4)
Sean C.
Mediocre food and beer. Blackened fish sandwich and IPA. Tried pumpkin seasonal, which was way too sweet.
(2)
Dan B.
Saturday night, busy but the staff was fun, the drinks were a great pour and the food was very good. The music was a bonus.
(4)
Debra P.
What once was a guaranteed excellent meal is now a disappointment. My past few visits have guaranteed no more returns. It's too bad, I love their Tuna and they used to have the best red beans & rice. Tonight's visit was the all time worse..so bad that I want to warn others...it's not what it used to be!! From burnt Mac & cheese for the kids meal (how do you burn Mac & cheese...and who would serve clearly burnt Mac & cheese?), overdone tuna and to top it off, the blandest red beans and rice ever...they still tasted like a can...no seasoning and overdone rice!!! I don't know who they have cooking in the kitchen, but I've given Ragtime their last chance. There are way too many great restaurants in Jax to waste another meal here! So long Ragtime, it was good knowing ya!!!
(1)
Steve S.
I stopped in Ragtime with a buddy to check it out and possibly eat dinner. The place is huge with 3 different sections each having their own slightly different feel. We grabbed a seat at the bar in the far back section. It's a neat place with a cool atmosphere. We each ordered a beer and looked over the menu. They brew their own beer and it was pretty decent. The menu had a lot of seafood items and I'm not a fan of seafood. They prices were a little on the high side also. The bartender was very nice. He talked to us about different dining options in the area since we were visiting from out of town. We decided to find a different restaurant and left after one beer. It's a pretty cool place just not what we were looking for at the moment. I wouldn't hesitate to go back if invited. It's nice, clean, the service was awesome, and the beer was good.
(3)
Arjun D.
Really good food. Atmosphere is a little different, but the food here is awesome. Really enjoyed everything we ordered, and we ordered a lot of food.
(4)
Gary H.
I felt bad for our bartender. We ordered a beer sample platter and didn't finish a single one. I tipped well, because it's not his fault, but we didn't order anything else.
(2)
Vetey D.
Pricey drinks, not strong. Bland appetizers that are overpriced. Nuff said. I've had better.
(2)
Aaron C.
Very good restaurant. Impressive menu with a large variety of seafood, American, and southern twists. Beer is very good. Bar tender recommended mixing the light beer and the red beer together, which was excellent. Wouldn't hesitate to go back
(5)
Cameron D.
Look out, this is going to get pretty mean. Please note that my complaints are firmly situated in the realm of reality, and that I am not writing this just to get a rise out of anyone. And so: Maybe Ragtime has been around since the War of 1812, but I'm new to the area and that doesn't mean all that much to me when I am handed a bowl of "Gumbo" that smells like 2-day-old fish (and has tiny, semi-hazardous pieces of crab claw in it) and a dish of "Red Beans and Rice" that is no more Cajun than a Double Decker Taco is Mexican. Look, man. My family is from Louisiana and I know what that stuff is supposed to taste like, and this is the farthest from it that I have ever experienced in a restaurant. Actually, I'm doing the Double Decker a disservice because it is delicious. Ragtime's red beans and rice is virtually unseasoned, and the "Deluxe" version (because that's a thing) comes covered in cheddar cheese and little chicken cubes that are labeled in the menu as "Chicken Chorizo Sausage". What? Why? Even actual chorizo would have been tasty, though still totally bizarre to have served on red beans & rice. There's also something called a "Semi-Caesar Salad" on the menu (I ordered the gumbo, salad, and red beans special, in case that wasn't apparent) that is just an Average Restaurant Caesar Salad (romaine, creamy caesar dressing, parmesan) with slightly cajun-seasoned croutons. In conclusion, this is not my favorite restaurant of all time. Thank you and goodnight.
(1)
Chris C.
Great food, amazing beer, and the key line cheesecake cannot be missed!
(4)
Deb S.
Enjoyed the beer and the food was decent. I ordered the Shrimp & Lobster Tacos which were fine. The tacos were served with white rice and black beans and were way too salty for my taste. Atmosphere was decent, server was friendly and efficient. Prices are a little on the high end considering the fare...would return for the beer and to hear the band...food not so much.
(3)
Connie W.
I have been a fan of Ragtime since it first opened and was just the corner bar and restaurant by the windows. I have watched it grow, one section at a time, over the years. Was one of the first to try out the new onsite brewery. Many a great memories come from there and as I told my daughter on our first visit together. I do believe I have sat at every booth and table in the place. Ragtime seems to be tired. She needs a vacation, maybe to revive and reminisce on days of glory. And, maybe search for some fish to put in the fish tanks! Don't get me wrong. I will still go and enjoy every bite, probably just not as often :( When the Beanster and I went, she fell in love immediately! We ordered the Seafood Trio. Lump crab cake with cajun remoulade, jumbo shrimp with caper cocktail sauce and spiced seared tuna with wasabi aioli. For $13.95 I felt a little jipped. The food was delicious, but all you got was a taste. Don't think you are going to order from the appetizer menu and walk away full. We then decided to split a salad. Got to love a kid that will order and eat a salad! The Seafood Cobb Salad, topped with seasoned shrimp, lump crabmeat, bacon, avocado, tomato, egg, cucumber, pepper jack and cheddar cheeses was good and they were willing to split it in the kitchen. No split charge or extra plate fee was added, so that was nice. It cost $12.95 and was worth it for the most part. They could have been a little more generous with the ingredients. I am a fan of Ragtime so I will be back. Would like to see her in her former glory though.
(4)
Hilary L.
Like most Jacksonville natives, I've been to Ragtime many, many times. Its one of those almost inescapable places. Spend much time at all in Atlantic Beach and you'll end up there a time or two. I've had some really good times here and some good meals. There are a lot of different areas to dine in, including the multiple bars dispersed through [three in total]. One of the bars has a stage for live music and some funky high top tables. Another is full of light woods and brightly lit and open, a great place to stand around and chat [loudly, amongst the masses]. The last bar is tucked into the back of the restaurant, full of dark woods and exposed brick, much more rustic and romantic. With all of these different options, Its probably one of the best place in the area for large groups. The food is pretty straight forward and leans towards seafood themed bar and grill food. While not amazing, it is pretty reliable if a little on the pricey side. Take care when ordering during the late night rushes on weekends, I had one of the worst calamari experiences imaginable here. They are a brewery and have half a dozen or so beers on tap at all times. I somehow get the feeling that their beer isn't really brewed on site, maybe because the beer isn't really that great. Its almost hard to believe its micro-brewed at all. But that's really not the point of Ragtime [hand done chalk signs not withstanding]. This is the kind of place you go to have a fast paced good time on weekends, the kind of place you run into friends and make new ones. The kind of place everyone in Atlantic Beach ends up at sooner or later.
(3)
Jessielou P.
Ragtime is my go to place when I just can't decide what I want. They have a little bit of everything & it is all spot on for the most part. My personal favorite is the seafood trio app. You get a crab cake, seared tuna, and shrimp cocktail. They have great in house brewed beers, try a Redfish it won't disappoint. The atmosphere is great and you can usually catch some live music at night in the the front bar area. The staff is always helpful & on point with suggestions.
(4)
Kristen M.
Used to have such a strong reputation. Maybe its resting on its laurels? Food was overpriced and not terribly fresh. Disappointing.
(2)
Hank H.
Diverse dance crowd, great music. I stopped in here after dinner for live music and dancing. There was an 80s cover band that was GREAT. They kept the floor moving with irresistible dance tunes. The crowd was even better than the band. Most of them were also in here in the 80s when these tunes hit the top 40. There was some frost on the roof of this crowd but serious fire in the furnace. Man alive, those gals really age after 30 years on the beach. Scattered among them was a good number of 20 somethings with daddy issues. There was also a very tall woman with broad shoulders and a husky voice that kept smiling at me. They were all infected with dance fever on a tiny dance floor. The bartenders were quick and drinks were cheap. This is a winner for a good time in beach nightlife.
(3)
Diana M.
We popped in here for an after dinner drink and it seemed like a nice place, we will have to come back for further inspection. The bar service was a bit slow and it isn't the busy season so I'm not sure what to expect when summer rolls around??
(3)
Maisha R.
Despite the average reviews, my friend and I went to visit this place on a Friday night and I'm glad we did. I really enjoyed this place! I had the cedar plank pecan crusted salmon, which was very tasty with the perfect amount of sweetness and crunch. It came with red beans and rice as well as mixed vegetables They accidentally gave me mashed potatoes and veggies, but they were quick to bring a side of red beans and rice. Thank goodness because they were perfectly seasoned and really on point! But, with that said, I may have written the mashed potatoes off too quickly because when I tasted them, they were soooo good - red skin, nicely flavored potatoes. Yum! For dessert, we indulged in the triple chocolate brownie with chocolate and caramel sauce and a topping of vanilla ice cream, as well as the beignets with fresh pineapples. Both were decadent and absolutely delicious! We were so pleased with our meal at Ragtime!
(4)
Steve A.
Its def hoppin with great people
(4)
J D.
Outstanding food and great service. The red beans and rice are the best in the city.
(5)
Anne J.
Mitch is the worst bartender. Asked for a drink menu, he slapped it on the counter and went over to the computer. I stood for 5 minutes and he never turned around or asked for my order. I gave up. A waiter heard me complain to my friend and brought me one on the house- he was great but for the rest. Yuck...btw it was Not Crowded at all 5 pm front room.. Done with the place.
(1)
Jennifer V.
Went here for lunch when my parents were in town visiting. They have a wide variety of options, so you could go here with a group. My mom got the lobster tacos, and I got a grouper wrap. The grouper was a little fishy, but everything else we got was fantastic. Wasn't too expensive, and the service was good. Would recommend.
(4)
Priya A.
My colleagues and I were here for dinner and the experience was just alright. The starter of Bruschetta with goat chees was good and the chips with blue cheese was good. Our waitress got the chips with bacon when we had specifically asked for no bacon on chips. For the entree, all of us were disappointed in the food. I had asked for vegetarian pasta and mine came with this huge portion of pasta with beans and mushroom in cajun sauce. It was alright. Nothing I would have for $20. the waitress had recommended cheese grits fr my colleague and she said it was tasteless and blah.. the chicken ordered by other colleague was chewy and again tasteless. The drinks were watered down and not impressive.The only redeeming part was the dessert. Overall, we didnot have a great time for the price we paid. Service was slow.
(2)
Tira K.
I really enjoy this restaurant as well as their sister in St. Augustine, A1A. Its not a "chain" but its still pretty predictable. It looses a star based on the prices. Everything is just a few dollars more than its worth. I go there for three reasons: A) its close and by the beach so I can walk to the water after dinner B) I'm in the mood for a fantastic fried grouper sandwich C) In the mood to be healthy and have the seafood salad with lump crab and shrimp etc. I've entertained family and clients at this restaurant because of the location and atmosphere and all are always impressed!
(4)
Valarie G.
One of the better places in Atlantic Beach. Lobster bites and Pasta Jambalaya are both guaranteed hits and the beer here is awesome.
(4)
Jeff K.
They have plenty of fish on the menu. I was promised fresh fish if I order a special of the day. The swordfish was delivered as promised. I'm not a big swordfish fan and I loved it. The best part though, was the beer. The stout was my favorite. I could just skip dinner and drink that all night. So I was wondering if this is a 4 or 4.5 star...especially with the big parking problem. Well, parking is more than just a big problem. It's awful. Today (2 days later), I circled the 6 block radius 10 times and got nothing. The good news though is that I got an answer to my question. Apparently it's not good enough to make me waiting longer for parking. So, 4 stars would be perfect.
(4)
Chris B.
Food varies quite a bit. I went with a large group and the dishes ran from really good (beans/rice/chicken appetizer) to really mediocre (blackened mahi). The cajun style dishes they had seemed to be the better ones. Some of the basic fish dishes and one beef dish were weak. The service was good, but we went at a less busy time. At peak times, waits can be really long. Their beers continue to be good.
(3)
Jennifer M.
The beer sampler is a fun way to find a new favorite. In the end we liked the Red Fish a mix of two together. Food was tasty too!
(4)
Valerie T.
Wait staff and management were wonderful. Boyfriend had ahi tuna sandwich which was very good -- The "Tavern Slaw" made it. The first dish I ordered was Shrimp and Grits. The shrimp portion was miserly and the grits undercooked to the point of being inedible. The manager was very accommodating in replacing it with my second choice: the Shrimp & Lobster tacos. After removing the overwrap of flour tortilla from the blue corn tortilla and stealing some of my boyfriends' Tavern Slaw, the dish was fair. Overall, the restaurant has a great atmosphere and the wait staff and management were good but if you are looking for exceptional food, this isn't the spot.
(3)
Keith G.
The short and not so sweet of it is yes, I have had better. I'm not sure what has happened since my last visit in June of 2011, but this time around I was disappointed. My cocktail, the Patron Margarita was all Margarita mixer, and no Patron. My app, the "Crab Cakes", I don't even know how they can get away with calling them crab CAKES. They were more like crab CRACKERS. Plus they were over cooked, and served with remoulade sauce poured on top, and not on the side as it is implied. As for my entree, the Lobster & Shrimp tacos with red beans and rice, that wasn't too bad. The problem with them was that they come prepared in both a flour and corn tortilla. And to be honest, with all of that flour and corn tortilla, it just over powered the shrimp and lobster. Not to mention the that the red beans were half cooked.
(2)
Apryl C.
We were in town for a quick weekend away and stopped in for a quick lunch while we were exploring the area. I got the Shrimp Po' Boy and my husband got the Seafood Cobb Salad. Both were really good. I loved the sauce on the Po'Boy and the shrimp were fried beautifully. I nabbed a few bites of my husbands Salad and it was well made, lots of toppings, which is my favorite part of a salad. LOL I thought the decor was great. There are multiple levels and next time I think I will try and sit by the aquarium.
(4)
Joshua M.
Great atmosphere and ambience - I loved the old brick interior. Food was mostly very good, but the crab cakes and crab-stuffed shrimp were both very bland. My wife ordered pasta and she got it about half way through everyone else's (three other diners) meals - they said it came "from the other kitchen". I thought they should have coordinated the meals a little better, but overall a good experience. If you go, make sure to try dessert - the bread pudding and the key lime cheesecake were fantastic.
(3)
Tracy W.
This place was fine. My food (beef tenderloin) was a bit bland. I was there with a large group (~10) and they had no problem accommodating us - so props on the service.
(3)
Sean C.
I was really disappointed with this place. I got the Beer sampler since I love trying out micro-brew's, but they were all horrible! To make it worse all the samplers seemed flat, there were NO bubbles in them at all. I asked for replacements and they were the same, flat and very bad taste. My friends ordered the shrimp gumbo and flounder sandwich and I ordered the lobster and shrimp taco's. The food was just ok, nothing special and very bland. My total bill came out to 50 bucks, and I left a 10 buck tip since my server was good. Overall the price wasn't bad when you think about it (50 bucks for three entree's and a drink sampler) but the food was just so bland that I don't see myself coming back here. I'm not rich so I can't eat out all the time, why eat here for a bland meal you can cook better yourself when there are plenty of places in Jacksonville that serve much better food.
(1)
E F.
May be OK for drinks. Food wasn't good. Our stomachs hurt all day. We sat in the step down area - carpet was sticky and dirty. We could smell the stinky carpet as we ate. Only a few people in the restaurant. Poe's down the block was packed. We should have left. My last time at Ragtime.
(1)
T B.
Great food, fantastic staff! I would highly recommend the seafood trio as an app (seared tuna with wasabi, and pickled cucumber (YUM), shrimp cocktail, and an awesome crab cake. Also, get a half order of the shrimp nachos ~ It's fresh & enough for two. Last, they have the best hot wings. I order them extra crispy & extra hot. And of course, the Ragtime shrimp with red beans and rice!! Enjoy! Ask about the Passport card!
(5)
Patty T.
I have only been to Jacksonville 4 times since 2000 and every visit, my Mother in law takes me to Ragtime. It never stood out as anything special or horrible. It was good the first 3 times I had been. On my visit this past week, July 28th, I must say that it was not good at all. Service was fine. The server was honest about things he thought sucked on the menu. Things that he wouldn't order, what wasn't worth it. He suggested the Cajun Crawfish Points for an appetizer, highly recommended. When it came to the table, there was a very small ramikin of salmon paste with 6 sad little slices of a baguette. My husband said, "wait, don't eat it until the crawfish come." I replied, "I think the crawfish is in that ramikin...", he said, "OH!?" So, it was basically like a spread and everyone got one slice, almost like an amuse-bouche. It was okay. Per the servers suggestion, I went with the scallops over chickpea stew. When the dish was placed in front of me, I got a wiff of something that smelled off. I have a sensitive nose, I can smell everything, and something smelled like it was close to spoiling or it was spoiled. When I tasted it, it had that taste of spoiled vegetables. There was something that looked like cabbage. Everyone said, oh, "If your dish seems sour, it might be the sauerkraut." I thought, that was odd, I didn't recall the dish having sauerkraut in it. So, we called the server over to ask if it was kraut and he said no. I tried to eat it because I felt bad...but my husband said, "stop, don't do it, if you feel it is off, don't eat it." So, I gave it back...ugh. The server took it back and since we were seated right next to the kitchen, I got a look at all the servers and cooks looking at the dish and making a face like, "What dumbass is sending back her food and why?" ugh. The server returned and said, "I'll admit it, I tasted your food, and it tasted and smelled fine to me." ugh. So, he suggested other dishes and I just couldn't order anything else. I was done with Ragtime. But my Mother in Law looked concerned so I ordered side dishes. Red beans and rice and cheese grits. I was afraid to eat them for fear of loogies. ugh. I tasted the edges of the cheese grits as did the rest of the group and everyone thought it was bland. But I was not going to say a word. My hubby and Mom in law had their fave, the gumbo, which they always get when they go. Years...apparently. And even they were disappointed. Although, they did not say anything until the next day that their gumbo was cold and flavorless. I hope that we never go there again when I visit. ugh.
(1)
Katie F.
First of all, they were condescending and rude. They also denied 2 of our ID's....I'm 24!!! and the other guy is 30!! He said they were FAKE. How do you even come up with that conclusion!! So i made a stink and we said we would take our business elsewhere other than that over priced dump. Oh wait, its not over. We went across the street(we were starving at this point just having waited an hour at the other place) and they KICKED US OUT because RAGTIME went over there and said we were TROUBLE. I have never been kicked out of a place in my life, nor have I ever had a fake ID. The nerve of some people! negative 5 stars for me, but since i can only put one, here it is.
(1)
Sam D.
Very disappointed with Ragtime Tavern. Service was good but the quality of food was not worth the (in my opinion) high price. For dinner, I ordered the caesar side salad and shrimp & grits. The salad was very small and over dressed. I know I can get dressing on the side but if I pay for professional food preparation I expect perfection. The shrimp & grits sounded like a can't miss I mean shrimp, bacon, grits, and cheese what could go wrong? Grist were under cooked and the shrimp were over done, rubbery, and did not taste fresh. The dish was lacking flavor and was a disappointment. I would NOT recommend this restaurant to anyone who likes southern food or seafood.
(2)
Chuck M.
Ragtime seems to have lost it's soul. I was a customer for over a decade! This used to be THE place locals congregated and enjoyed a cold beer. Since the Morton's sold out to a corporation it has gone down hill. When they let go my favorite bartender that was the last straw. I used to frequent this place a couple times a week, not now. Hopefully new local owners will step in a get new quality management. Until then I'm going to Sun Dog, Sliders and other LOCAL resturants.
(1)
James O.
The staff was very friendly and helpful. The interior was nice and clean. My only complaint was that the food was just sub par. Not to mention the portion sizes were small and that is okay IF the price reflects that which in this case they don't. I got the Ragtime shrimp, because i figured a dish that would have the restaurant's namesake would be a good bet! The shrimp were just bland. There was barely any hint of coconut there and there was no salt or even much seasoning at all present in the french fries or even the summer squash zucchini disaster that was a side dish. My wife had the Pineapple Chicken Po-Boy and it was dry, flavorless, and just really bland. All in all, I think this place means well, but I think they should really try show some passion in their cooking. Who knows? Maybe it was an "off day".
(2)
Karla V.
My husband and I came to eat here lunch-ish and it was great. YUMMY martinis-I can do without all the fly's-boo to them! Can't blame them though, the food is delicious(I had the blackened fish wrap, my husband had some cobb salad-he enjoyed it).The interior of the place is very nice.
(4)
Laurie D.
I went here to sample their micro brews and have an appetizer. I sat at the bar furthest from the entrance which had a good view of the street. It was a cool escape from the sun after being at the Lemon bar for an hour plus. I had the beer sampler and was really underwhelmed by their beer. The only one that I enjoyed was their Maibock. Someone I was with referred to their dolphin's breath light lager as dolphin's piss. Needless to say it was my least favorite. Even though their beer was mediocre I really enjoyed this bar. It was pretty relaxing and their shrimp nachos were really good. I love nachos, but I hate seasoned ground beef, so this was a treat.
(4)
Andy L.
If I got by the horrible smell and the beer with a strange after taste, and the sub par food.....then this place is great. We realized why we hadn't eaten here in a long time and we will definatley not being going back any time soon. Sun dog and Sliders is definitely better....and Joseph's pizza place around the corner.
(1)
Karin D.
Everyone else I was with was raving about this place, but I just thought it was ok. They had a nice local brewed beer selection, but the food wasn't that great.
(3)
Ivan W.
Excellent place, excellent location. It's our "goto" place. No suggestions for improvement. Good place for a drink, a date, or a dinner!
(5)
Paul C.
Been here a few times over the last couple of years. I find it a confusing layout with three different bars, bad flow, and bartenders are not great to say the least. Same company that owns 7 Bridges, & A1A in St. Aug.; but no where as well run/managed. Food is just OK, parking sucks, people are strange. Good brewed beer, and close walk to ocean.
(2)
Cyndi C.
Food was OK. Beer was OK. Service was better than the food and beer. If I had limited time in Atlantic Beach, I would probably eat or drink somewhere else.
(3)
James J.
Mediocre. First the bread brought to the table is clearly frozen. It was barely edible. Gumbo was way over cooked, the shrimp were mush. The crab cakes are just mediocre. Grouper Sandwich which given our location in the grouper capital of North America should have shined, was just ok. Other members of our party had Jambalaya and a pasta dish. Large serving, but again, just ok.. Nosy, crowded, long wait. They have a premium location and I suspect they're taking money out by the trunk load. Service was fast, attentive. Might be an ok place to take a date, where the food is not the primary pursuit. I've lived in Jax for 25 years, and everytime I go, i remember why I haven't been back in 5 years. Much better dining closer to town..Bistro-X for example..
(2)
Daniel G.
Ragtime is an unquestioned staple of Atlantic Beach. There are tables in about every nook and cranny in the restaurant. They are a brewery and have half a dozen or so beers on tap at all times. I ordered the Surf n Turf and it was very good and very well priced. However, if you like bread pudding, this is the place to go for it. They sell a White Chocolate Cherry Bread Pudding which is unbelievably amazing. I make it a point to eat here almost once a week, it's that good.
(4)
Mark S.
Don't miss it, it's a beaches area staple and has been for years: good bar, good food, good home-brewed beer, and professional service. Ask Eric the bartender about his latest surf trip? My dad once Fedex'd Ragtime Shrimp to me at school (Indiana). It's that good. Two suggestions for the management: PLEASE, add crab legs, and cappuccino.
(4)
Gary S.
I love the fish tacos!!
(5)
Alex P.
I tried this place twice when visiting the area. The food was great. The sesame tuna and lobster/fish tacos were my two favorites. They also brew their own beer which was tasty as well. The service was average but the food made up for it. It is well located amongst other bars/restaurants and very close to the ocean.
(4)
Natalie B.
I've driven by Ragtime numerous times but it never piqued my interest enough to stop by. However when trying to pick a mutually agreeable place to go to dinner with my co-workers, it seemed to fit the bill. First off, Ragtime is own by the Gordon Biersch people. Not necessarily a BAD thing, but certainly I do think it takes a little away from it being a locally owned neighborhood joint. However it was a pleasant enough place for dinner. The beer was tasty and cold. My grouper sandwich came with a delicious chipotle tartar sauce. The service was good. It will not be my first choice in Atlantic Beach but it is still a solid choice in the area.
(3)
Matt B.
Love it as an occasional change of pace. Nice to grab a drink and bowl of something hot on a cold day. The place has a nice charm to it.
(3)
Nate G.
is sixty sexy? you'll find out here. crowd is older (but isn't everything in "old" AB these days?)... the food has slowly and sadly declined over the years, although I still will wander in for the shrimp and grits, which still manages to hold on (loosely). sunday brunch is great if you're on a liquid diet. otherwise, hold onto your hunger and go across the street around lunchtime.
(3)
Chris S.
I don't get how this place is only rated 3 stars. I went in there on a Thursday night and loved it. The only downfall of the place in my opinion is the beer list. It seemed too small for a place like that. Despite that, the beer was good so I can't complain. The environment was a lot of fun. There was a live band in the bar playing good music the entire night. Location is ideal. Hang out on the beach for a few hours and then stroll down to Ragtime for a beer and some outstanding food. We started with the seafood trio appetizer. The crab cake with a cajun remoulade was great, the shrimp cocktail was solid and the ahi tuna in wasabi sauce was great too. They did oversear the ahi in my opinion but it still had a great flavor. For dinner I ordered the Cajun Fettucine and it was one of the best meals I had in the area. The sauce was amazing and all the seafood was cooked perfectly. I would've given this place four stars but our server for the night didn't pay us much attention and screwed up our beer orders. Not enough to keep me from coming back though. Next time I'm in the area, I will definitely make it there.
(4)
MM M.
I didn't go to the Ragtime Tavern for a while and... boy... such a disappointment today. Just to start, the hostess placed my friend and me on a tiny table, barely big enough for one (before someone asks I'm a size 8) even if other tables were available and the restaurant was far from full. In fact when the entrees arrived few minutes after the salads (no idea why so fast) we had to help the waitress( moving pepper, salt etc on the window-sit) to make enough space to put the plates on the table. Once we were able to finish the salads paying a lot of attention to not knock the entrees from the table, everything was pretty cold. That didn't help the taste of the blackened snapper, fat to the point of being disgusting. Add to that the pressure of the waiter that asked for 4 times if my friend wanted a box even if she was eating. At the end I asked for a feedback/comment book. Guess what... they didn't have one.
(1)
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
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Address :207 Atlantic Blvd
Atlantic Beach, FL, 32233
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Brunch Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Music : Live Good For Dancing : Yes Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Best Nights : Fri, Sat, Sun Coat Check : No Smoking : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Randa T.
Very nice interior with exposed brick, a lot of oak on beams and also on the bar. Hubby ordered the bowl of gumbo and the red beans and rice deluxe. The beans had chunks of chicken chorizo sausage topped with cheese. He really enjoyed it. I had the blackened mahi sandwich with cheese grits. Yum. We shared the white chocolate sun-dried cherry bread pudding. Its a good thing we shared it as the portion was massive. It was moist with great flavor. Probably the best Ive had. Prices were very reasonable--especially for the beach location.
(4)Michael B.
A great destination for an afternoon bike ride. The beer is great and the calamari is fantastic. There are three bars to choose from; so you can pick your crowd. The food is good, but you should come for the beer and atmosphere. If you get bored, the beach is a block away.
(4)Tiffini C.
Outstanding place! Fantastic service! We had the Grouper sandwich, the red beans and rice and the Shrimp and Grits. All were delectable, but the Shrimp and Grits was absolutely mouth watering. We were so full, but my husband had to take the key lime cheesecake to go. We plan to stop at the St Augustine location tomorrow for lunch!
(5)Timothy D.
I simply love the grouper sandwich it's awesome the only thing I would suggest is maybe offering something besides just fries with that dish , possibly some kind of mix vegetables would be great but the staff and atmosphere will make you return time and time again!!!
(5)Frank S.
Bad name, bad signage, good service, very good food, nice selection, decent enough ambiance, great location. I definitely recommend the: 1. Crab cakes 2. Salads (there are a lot of really good salads) 3. Chicken wings (best in The Beaches, in my opinion) 4. I didn't have to say "in my opinion" for number three. Everything I post on Yelp is "my opinion." Duh. 5. You should ride your bike there and lock it up. Don't drive your car. Not because there isn't any parking (there is parking) but because if you live here at in the Beaches you should be driving a bicycle, not a car. 6. Ahi Tuna 7. Dolphin's Breath beer 8. Have you ever tried the chicken at KFC? It's really juicy. 9. One of my favorite songs is by Taylor Swift and I forget the name of it but it's really good. 10. When I lived in Vegas I would sometimes bet money on things.
(4)Michael W.
We have lived in Jax/Mayport Fl for 25 years and Ragtime is quite possibly the best restaurant in Atlantic Beach! The food is great and the atmosphere is Superb! Enjoy the Ragtime Seafood Gumbo and don't forget the Crazy Jerry's Sauce...
(5)Kassie C.
My bf & I stopped by Ragtime a few weeks ago around 5pm on a Tuesday I believe. We walked in & sat at the bar. There were probably 10 other people sitting there that were a couple decades older than us. It was safe to say that we were by far the youngest people in there & they seem to have a lot of regulars. From what I understand , Ragtime is one of the oldest bars around in that area opening in 1983. The bartender was quick & attentive & went over all the Happy Hour specials since I had never been there before. I had the berry bash sangria to start with & it was very good. It was also very sweet so not something you could drink all night unless you want a hangover. Next I had the A1A mule aka a Moscow mule which was also delicious! I was quite impressed with the Happy Hour specials. They are 7 days a week from 4-7pm & include $1 off drafts, $2 off glasses of wine & $5 select cocktails which include around 10-12. I did not have any food but the bartender explained they did have a few items like wings, nachos, etc on HH. Overall, Ragtime is a relaxed atmosphere to have a few drinks in a non-crazy setting. I understand they have bands at certain days & times. I'm sure it's much busier during the weekends at night. If you are looking to be around a younger 20-30s croud I wouldn't recommend this bar.
(4)Ryan S.
We stopped in on a sat night for dinner. First tip is right b4 the restaurant on the right is a complimentary vallet parking for them deff make use of it as parking down there is a nightmare. They were very busy but we only waited maybe 10 min to be seated. The atmosphere is deff bar like noise levels are a bit high but that was to be expected. For our app we got the bluecheese chips they were good but degg not the best ive had chips were done well they were a little skimppy on the bacon and the cream sauce was a little bland but not terrible. For dinner my wife got the seasme tuna with the red beans and rice and fried spinach. I was a little concerned about portion size as I always am when I order seared tuna and we were not dissapointed it was easily 8oz of tuna. The red beans and rice were quite good the spinach was very tasty but a little to greasy. I ordered the tuna gyro and it was amazing tons of tuna so much so big hunks kept falling out of my pita. As a side I got the blue cheese pancakes wich were dissapointing. I was expecting more of a latke with blue cheese mixed in they were just like any old hashbrown with a small amount of bluecheese on topand were very greasy I only ate 2 of the 10 they gave me. Overall I would deff return here just try different sides and apps
(4)Katherine D.
The great thing about the Jacksonville area, is that once you're near the bars, you can easily try a few out before choosing a place to stay. They all differ in decor, ambiance, and food, but are all within walking distance. It's worth checking out! I loved the Atlantic Beach area. It was very trendy and busy, but not overcrowded, for a holiday weekend. My friend and I came to Ragtime Tavern because all the locals raved about it! We went out for drinks, but I've heard incredible reviews about the food here and know there are many loyal customers. Just look at the pictures other Yelpers have posted!!! Everything looks delicious! I will absolutely have to return for dinner. They have a full bar at Ragtime and excellent service. My friend and I stuck with classic mixed drinks, They were about $5 each. We were able to snag two seats at the bar, but Ragtime is incredibly spacious. Come here with a group of friends and enjoy live music, good drinks, and charming decor. It's very easy to spot, which is helpful if you're calling a cab or car service.
(4)Alison M.
I've passed by this restaurant on basically every beach trip I've taken in the last five years, and I had somehow managed never to go in. So when I found myself at the beach yet again with a couple of hungry friends, we decided to take the plunge and check it out. It was pretty quiet on a Saturday afternoon, such that we weren't convinced they hadn't accidentally left the door open, but we soon figured out where all the people were and got seated in a nice window booth with a super friendly waitress. My friend and I were in the mood for seafood, so I ended up with a blackened fish wrap and she ended up with the blackened mahi, "as blackened as you can ethically make it". Both of these were absolutely excellent, but we were both a little disappointed not to have gone my husband's route with the special pulled pork sandwich. The tiny bite I had of the pork was amazing, the bread was great, the fries were perfectly crunchy... oh, the regrets! We will definitely be back on a future trip and I will keep all available appendages crossed that they bring back that pork sandwich. But if not, that blackened fish will be calling my name!
(4)Keith B.
Good, not amazing. Wednesday night, fairly crowded. It's bit older place and some places in the restaurant have an old feeling, but not in the good way. Originally seated in the back part of the restaurant down some stairs and into an awkward shaped booth, I asked if we could move towards the front of the restaurant where there were some booths near the bar area, close to where some live music was being played. Much better. My host ordered the blue cheese potato chips..ok, these were pretty great. He also ordered calamari.....ehhhh. I had a pan seared snapper with gnocci...and it was flavorful. Can't comment on price...I was lucky enough to be treated. I always judge a place the day after....was it really that good? And I have to say it was 'a ok' hence the 3 stars.
(3)Susan S.
I read some not so stellar reviews after this place was recommended to me by someone that had been several times.. so i was on the fence if i was going to like it or not.. i will say that the parking situation around this area is horrendous..i almost parked in a bank parking spot that had a sign posted that i could be towed, thinking that it was friday night and the bank was already closed.. after finding some where to park and walking up, my friend and i were seated right away..at the tiniest table shoved in a corner..i regret not looking around that much on the way to our seats because there are two areas that are so much prettier, one in a downstairs alcove with aquariums, and one upstairs that seemed nice also..our seats were crap..oh well.. the waitress was super friendly and attentive..for those of you that read my reviews regularly, i am a very thirsty person and when i dont have to flag someone down to get more water..i love it..we ordered some adult bevs, a bloody mary for my friend and a rum runner for me..and also some calamari..the drinks came out almost immediately and the calamari as not very far behind..there was two dipping sauces with it..one horseradish that was good, and something else..it was an orangey-white color, and didnt taste like anything..next were our meals, i had the andouille crusted mahi that came with red beans and rice and some of the yummiest green beans..this dish as flavorful and the portion was huge! my friend had the shrimp and grits, as that is her personal go to dish, and happily cleaned her whole plate! our check was brought out together, and we asked if it could be split and there was no problem..my food was boxed for me, we paid and we were about to leave when we realized we had a little too much time before the play we were going to that was very close by..so we sat at the bar, where i had a georgia peach martini that was very tasty, and another bloody mary for my friend..we were a bit bummed that we missed the happy hour pricing by one minute and my drink was what i thought to be a bit overpriced.. the overall meal and experience were awesome, this isnt close to me so i dont know that i will be back anytime soon, but wouldnt hesitate to recommend to someone else..,and would make sure to tell them to get there during happy hour!!
(3)Misty S.
I do really like this place. They have fresh food and fun drinks. We've been there a few times and we like sitting at the bar. the lobster tacos are a favorite and who could leave without the red rice and beans! Definitely need to go back and try a few more options there to get a better feel for how good the food is, but each time I've gone, I have not been disappointed.
(4)Denise R.
Shame on the manager Kathy for making poor decisions regarding a very popular local band. After a brief power outage, Kathy told the band they would not be playing that evening. To the dismay of most of the patrons there waiting hear the band play. Add to that that Kathy left her staff out like sacrificial lambs to difuse the irate patrons while she hid in her office. Shame on you Kathy.
(1)Mariana B.
My husband liked the shrimp and grits. That's really it..
(1)Steve O.
A good local place with local bandstand dance to. Try the Red Brick Ale, I drink only that when I'm here good beignets, steaks and seafood. It's the kind of place where the bartenders know you by your first name.
(5)Austin F.
This place is an absolute travesty when it comes to authentic flavors of LA. If you were like me you ended up here after being told the wait was over an hour at neighboring restaurants; nevertheless you persevered. You were sat by a very kind waiter perhaps, you were given a drink menu that looked altogether promising. You ordered a basil mojito- hey...not bad! Then you ordered gumbo, shrimp and grits, stuff you don't even remember because the food was just so.....forgetful. Gumbo? Please. This is a watery mess with no roux to speak of, no developed flavors, nothing to distinguish it from a bowl of Olive Garden minestrone save for a few, albeit it well-cooked, shrimp. No bueno. Shrimp and grits? Muddy, no acid to speak of (requested lemon wedges helped a bit) and half-cooked mushrooms that lent a very bizarre texture to the dish. There is a lot of shrimp and grits in this town- this is not one of the better ones. Overall? A terribly executed culinary experience that is obviously in the wrong hands. If you want to call yourself a cajun or NO restaurant and you don't even know how to make a friggin roux you are in the wrong line of work my friend. 10 minutes on google can illicit a better recipe then the 'minestrone- light' they're attempting to pass of as gumbo at this place. Get real.
(1)Becky D.
Came because my husband had come with friends after work two times. I won't be back not will he as the crawfish dip had soggy toast points, not crispy like described as well as overloaded with Pablo bread crumbs/shredded cheese mix on top. The ordered the chicken wings- BIG mistake. No flavor no real heat. Small wings, two being only 1.75inches long!!! We sent the dip back and expected a table visit from a manager, but nothing.
(2)Jon E.
Excellent food and service. Craft beers were great, and the red beans and rice with sausage was the best I've ever eaten.
(5)Gigi L.
Yeah. Not really into it. We went there hoping to dance and the staff was practically rude on this Sunday night. :( Too bad. I heard a lot, but was very disappointed.
(2)Quan D.
Quick Summary: Didn't stay long, but this is a high energy location, great for catching some pre and post dinner drinks! Stopped by here on our way to dinner since they serve some craft brews. The drinks were pretty good, though I didn't catch the name of the brewery, I believe it was The Taproom brewery. It was pretty packed on a rainy Saturday, but the bar staff was quick to respond. I'd be willing to venture back and stay a little longer and see what the rest of their menu has to offer!
(4)Pamela D.
This place is HUGE. The food is awesome; a little higher priced but totally worth it. The service is excellent! Attentive, friendly and dedicated to the customer experience. The bartender we have now is on point; she got rid of our bones from the wings instantly. Which I greatly appreciate. The chef rocks and cooks to order. I can't believe I haven't frequented here more often. I love the atmosphere; there is a fish tank here. Gorgeous. This pace is huge. Definitely will be here again.
(4)Ashley M.
Reading some of the other reviews, I am shocked that some people have had such terrible experiences at Ragtime. This place is AWESOME. I have been there probably 15-20 times in the three years that I have lived here and never had a bad experience. The service is always timely, and the food comes out well prepared. They often have live music which is nice during the summer. The bar is always fun to hang out at, it's such a diverse group of people that go there. You never know what crowd you are going to get. I do know that if you catch it on a specific night it is a great place to meet singles.. mostly in their 30's. I usually get the cheeseburger, which is stacked high up and filled with deliciousness. The meat is well seasoned and the fries that come with it are scrumptious. For those of you who had a poor experiences, you should give it another try.. it's a pretty cool spot down at the beaches.
(5)Kyle K.
So I ordered a mahi sandwich. The bun tasted like a Walmart, 6 day old, stale, left over piece of trash. The fish was ok. The server didn't smile once. But if your in the mood for frozen seafood this place is great.
(1)Brian A.
Ragtime, I expected more from you. Especially with the quality of service and food at your sister stores. I came here for a friends birthday dinner on a Friday night. I was actually excited to come here because I'm a big fan of Seven Bridges and A1A Aleworks. There was about nine of us so service obviously isn't going to speedy, and that's fine. The brown ale is my favorite so that's what I stuck with. So far, so good. When it came time to order, I settled on the Shrimp and Grits. Someone else had ordered them too so I figured they must be good. We were wrong. When they arrived, the other person took one bite and sent them back immediately. I chose to weather the storm and paid dearly later that evening. The grits were watery, almost like instant grits. The shrimp had the taste and consistency of frozen shrimp you buy at publix. I ate most of the shrimp and skipped the grits. Needless to say, we were both disheartened. The menu touts that they are fresh, local shrimp. I have a hard time believing that. Everyone else was content with the steaks, salads, and pasta they ordered. On the bright side, the food didn't take that long to get out to us and the service sped up quite nicely. Maybe it was an off night for the kitchen and they ran out of the normal ingredients? Who knows. I'd like to think I'll give it another try, but realistically, I'll probably opt for Seven Bridges/A1A before coming back here.
(3)Heidi O.
Great grilled fish sandwich, excellent choice in beers. Nice surprise as not inviting from the outside!
(4)Stephanie W.
We visited from Nashville and I would say the food is mediocre at best. We had good service but the food wasn't memorable at all. We started with the crab cakes and they seemed mayonnaisey or mushy. Hubs had the lobster and shrimp tacos, they were just ok. I had the honey pecan crusted salmon, I must say that the salmon itself was very tasty and tender. The stuff on top was not necessary and it was like a glob of dill sauce on top with pecans stirred in. That's all I can say.
(2)Anna J.
Living right behind Ragtime, we LOVE it here! Not only is the place huge with three bars (lots of seating), but the food is great (and they brew their own beers). To be fair, we go about once a week, so we have definitely weaseled out the best dishes. The menu is fairly priced, in the sense that you can get something cheap (sandwich, wrap, appetizer), or go for something on the pricier side (entree of mahi or tuna steak with two sides, pasta dish, lobster and shrimp tacos). First, start with their hot wings. This isn't a place I'd expect to be known for wings, but they are some of my favorites in town. Their fries and nachos are also delicious starters. You cannot lose with any of their tuna dishes -- the tuna sandwich, tuna entree or tuna salad are all wins. If you are looking for something on the cheaper/lighter side, I recommend the blackened fish wrap or the shrimp po boy. Definitely a good atmosphere and good group restaurant (good for any age group...I usually meet my parents here). Additionally, all of the bartenders have been there a long time, and know the regulars... and how to make a drink.
(5)Robert D.
Great atmosphere and great food. Service was superb. Great selection of home brewed beer. Ragtime Shrimp were fantastic. Blackened Mahi was perfect with jalapeño butter. Red beans and rice were great.
(5)Jason L.
Great spot by the ocean. Great brunch but only on Sundays. Try the fresh squeezed lemonade.
(5)Nicole W.
I don't have enough words to describe the wonderful experience we had working with Ragtime. I hosted my small wedding reception of 40 at Ragtime on a Friday night. From the first meeting with the managers, to the interaction with the hostess, unbelievable service and delicious food everything was perfect. They were beyond accommodating to my crazy bridal requests- like decorating their restaurant at 11:30am and allowing us to bring in an outside cake. Everything we asked was granted and every single guest raved about the food and loved their beer. If you need a simple lunch of are hosting a party I highly, highly recommend Ragtime Tavern!
(5)Juliet G.
I had the Andouille Crusted Mahi and it was BANGIN!! I would highly recommend it to a friend! It comes with Red Beans and Rice, which were also delicious, but not nearly as good as the Mahi.
(4)James B.
Great restaurant near the beach! My wife and I went for lunch and shared the Jambalaya. The waitress brought it out in two bowls and it was perfect size for lunch! The Jambalaya was amazing and the best I've ever had on a restaurant. It's loaded with shrimp, sausage, ham, and chicken. I highly recommend it. Service was great and staff friendly. I will definetly go there again
(5)Matt H.
Lauren is absolutely the best, best, best. She went the extra yard for us. Ask for her. The foid, fabulous ! Key lime shrimp and lobster!!!! Enjoy...still sitting hete it is soooo good.
(5)Bryan L.
We had hot wings .... They were excellent buffalo style ....and the winter nip and dolphin ales were delicious quaffs
(4)Samantha S.
I am not from the area, was in JAX for work and we were told to come to this area for lunch and to be close to the water. We decided to go to Ragtime and check it out. I really really liked the decor, it was kind of neat, all the dark wood and cool lay out. The service was good. We had some brie for an appetizer- it was sooo good. I had shrimp/crab tacos... and my friend had some kind of crusted chicken dish. The tacos were pretty ok, no super duper great.. but still did the job. I tried a bite of my friends chicken... the chicken itself was good, but the crusted part was a little bland. I would expect it to be more flavorful.... They have free Wi-Fi, which is always a plus.... the tables are good sized, so I was able to plug in and do a little work. You have to create an account in order to use the free Wi-Fi, which to some may or may not be a pain. Nice area, nice place, ok- not bad- food.
(3)Paul L.
Nice restaurant. ..good food and great location to the beach...very difficult to find parking and was a nice atmosphere...
(4)Michael Hosto H.
This place is kind of a local legend. 3 different bars restaurants. First place has live music sometimes it's a little cheesy. Middle bar is comfortable and casual. Right side is quieter. Food here is consistently good. Highly recommend it.
(5)Karrie K.
Great place! The menu has a wide variety of choices--the key lime cheesecake was fantastic! The layout of the restaurant is interesting with multiple levels and two bars. The beer selection was excellent. I had a Mai Tai and it tasted like Hawaii. We'll definite go again.
(5)Will M.
Good food. Good service. Small French Fry portion. Asked for more and got charged $2.95.
(4)Dean P.
Ragtime is an old favorite going back 20 years. Always good. Recently done January 2014 and had the flounder. Cooked excellent. Service is always good. Bar side had the Boogie Freaks who are always a local favorite. Danced the night away. Can be very loud when music is playing. Quieter side in the back by the bar. Great local favorite and nice crowd. Wouldn't be there for decades if it wasn't great.
(4)Pamela S.
We have visited Jacksonville Beach twice in the past 3 months and we have dined at Ragtime during both visits. The restaurant has great energy and the decor if lovely, but also quite fun. On our most recent visit, we also had (2) 13 yo boys with us and they loved it, too. I had the Cedar Plank Salmon and it was outstanding. My husband had the Pecan Crusted Chicken and he liked it, but the sauce was a bit sweet. One of the boys had Shrimp and Lobster pasta and he loved it. My son had a cheeseburger and was a bit disappointed because it was overdone. He sent it back and asked for medium (again), but it still came back a bit overdone for his preference. He still ate it, but didn't love it. That was the only negative of our meal. They have some great brews on tap and their martinis are excellent!
(4)Gizelle A.
New review (3/30/13): So we went back and this time took a table, being very excited about trying the food in full scope! After all, we loved the appetizers at the bar. Unfortunately, we were in for a huge disappointment. Salads were blah. Then I got appetizer that duck pastry thing for almost $11 and was shocked to see it - one tiny little fillo pastry bite, hardly any duck in it, mushy, on a bed of jam. It tasted nice (can't go wrong with fillo pastry and jam) but was barely worth $1. Luckily, we had an awesome waitress who removed it from the bill. My husband had chicken wings and loved them - hence the 2 stars!! Then we shared a po-boy, wary of the quality. Thank goodness we shared - that was the most boring po-boy ever. The bread was lukewarm - definitely not toasted. There was a very regular piece of boring chicken - and fries. That was a fast-food join worthy chicken sandwich. We didn't say anything - finished it, paid and left. Definitely not going back...wow..very big disappointment. Original review: The bar area is great and they have a pretty cool menu - great selection of delicious cocktails (try the pomegranate ones..yum!), tasty gumbos and a bunch of other things I would love to try. I have had snacks and drinks at the bar quite a few times and have only good things to say! Having been only to the bar area, we tried to actually go for a sit down dinner. The hostesses were so kind and so patient with us as we declined the first table (it was tiny, squashed too close to others and overall..not cool!). I picked a booth that was being cleaned and even though it was for a large party, they sat us there. As perfect as the booth seemed, the seats were terribly uncomfortable and you were just pressed against the table. Unfortunately, it wasn't the kind of comfort that would make me want to drop $100+ on a dinner..so we went to do that elsewhere. Each and every one of the employees was kind, patient and understanding. If you aren't as particular and as high maintenance as I am regarding seating..definitely a great place to go!
(2)Amanda S.
Came across this (not so) little gem while headed to the beach for some R&R, not only was the service on point but the drinks were perfect for a hot summer day! Must try the Jamie n Ginger or the French Cosmo if you're looking for something refreshing when it's disgustingly hot outside :-) the hummus was delicious although I'm not sure why it's served with olives-that's just not my thing, but I'd eat it daily! ;-) If you come here in the evening I'm sure this place is packed! It has three separate bar areas and tons of seating. I'd say it's an absolute must try.
(5)Debbie R.
We almost didn't come here because of the reviews. Our server, Amelia, is fantastic. I had a cup of gumbo that was very tasty then my entree was the cedar plank pecan salmon with red beans and rice and veggies. It was fantastic! My friend had the ragtime shrimp and steak medallions with mashed potatoes and veggies. The shrimp was excellent and the steak had a very good flavor. We will come back....oh and the micro brewed beer is something you should at least try. They have a sampler so you can try all of them.
(5)Justin G.
We brought a big group on a Saturday night. We were told an hour wait, they squeezed us in within 45 minutes. Waiter was a bit aggressive, but did a nice job. I had mild chicken wings with little to no flavor, but my wife had chicken and pasta and loved it. Music was great as well.
(4)Amiee H.
My friend and I randomly dined at this restaurant and I thought it was an excellent decision!! Food: 1) Pasta Jambalaya: I LOVED this dish! The pasta was soaked in the jambalaya spices which made it really tasty! The dish was slightly spicy and was super flavorful! I really enjoyed this dish! Southern food rocks!! YUM!!! 2) Gumbo: This was really good too! I thought it was well made! It wasn't as good as the jambalaya but it went really well with the rice and the bread that came with the meal! 3) Coconut fried shrimp: This was the epitome of FRIED FOOD! I don't even like fried food but this was DELICIOUS!!! It came with an equally delicious honey mustard dip! OMG! AMAZING! My mouth is drooling just thinking about this dish! 4) Bread pudding: SO SWEET it'll instantly give you diabetes! But it's totally worth it! Ambiance: Really rustic looking with red brick walls. It was really loud, so a good place to come hang out with a big group and make a ton of noise! Service: Our waitress is sooooo nice I didn't mind giving her 20% tip! She seemed genuinely nice and friendly! Price: The meal came out to be around $50. Pretty good for how delicious the meal was! Overall: I'm from out of town, but I would TOTALLY come back!!!
(5)Jessica K.
Last week my boss took us out for lunch before the Labor Day holiday, and we chose Ragtime. Now he had only been to drink so this was a different experience for him. I convinced him the Brie was the ONLY appetizer to order...and he agreed! I had the brisket sandwich with red beans and rice, and the beef itself was good, but they drenched it with what I could only call "Cheez Whiz" like cheese......I scraped it off in an effort to eat the good stuff. My co worker ordered the same thing, he thought the same thing I did about ruining the sandwich- and only ate half....Boss ordered the wasabi tuna with fried spinach, and he questioned the "fried" part (he kinda a health nut), but after the waitress convinced him, he was pleased so much he cleaned the plate...literally.... no crumbs! The food is hit n miss, but I wouldn't ever NOT go there as the place is around the corner from my work and the service has always been stellar whether at lunch or super late at night. Worth a try- just watch what other people order as it "goes by" from the kitchen and decide for yourself. :)
(4)Bill L.
Waited 20 minutes to be seated. Finally took us to a deserted upstairs section that was empty. Asked the hostess why I waited 20 minutes to be seated in an empty area and she told me that there was a party that had the whole space. Really? F-ing liar. Did you forget i was standing at the front door watching everyone come and go? Bunch of losers! Try Al's Pizza next door, awesome!!!
(1)Mark L.
LOUD thank you Rick and Vanya Arcusa and band Grown-up pick-up place! Saw my first snow leopard. Chicken sliders at the bar: SUPER. Fair price, but I'm not drinking.
(4)Jessica B.
I am surprised by the reviews for Ragtime Tavern on here. This was my first time eating here but i loved it. It has a New Orleans set up style which is pretty cool and the food was awesome however the drinks were a little over priced. The menu selection is great, lots to choose from.
(5)Jenni A.
Late school concert landed us at Ragtime. Our group was starving, had specific dietary restrictions, and most places that can accommodate in the area were no longer serving food. Already disheartened after reactions we've gotten from nearby places to seat a large group for a very late dinner we were surprised to be seated at Ragtime. The lady at the front door was patient and helpful. She reacted with a warm smile when we mentioned table for 14 (although looking at the packed rooms, she must have been a bit stressed). The place was nice but the crown at the bars (more than one) was LOUD and rowdy. Any other time this would not have been a concern but our guest tonight included teenagers & their grandparents. I was able to release a sigh of relief when our tables were downstairs away from the louder crowds and even more relaxed after seeing the menu selection. I ordered the shrimp & grits (w/o bacon) and it was divine. Everyone enjoyed their meal and service was excellent. Mutiny averted. An unexpected, but pleasant, end to our Saturday "family night". Thank you Ragtime!
(4)Wendy M.
Second time I've been there and all I can say is its fabulous!! The calamari is fantastically fresh and perfectly fried. This time I tried the Shrimp and lobster key lime pasta is was WONDEFUL! Staff is very nice and great atmosphere
(5)Imoimion I.
Good presentation, tasteless food! Ordered the Blackened Mahi Mahi, there was no seasoning, I was so disappointed that l felt the need to sign up for Yelp and post this. I suppose that's what l get for ordering a seafood dish at a Tavern!! To be fair, the restaurant has a very nice atmosphere, but if the rest of the food is anything like what l had...well you get my drift.
(2)Emmy M.
I've eaten here a few times, so far, I have not been disappointed with the food. We always get good service, and Mitch makes a great margarita.
(4)Joes L.
After an unfortunate experience at a nearby joint we came into Ragtime hungry with a vengeance. Between the two of us we ordered an appetizer, seafood gumbo, clam chowder, the mahi special, a burger, an extra side of fries, a beer, mojito, coffees and two desserts. It was time and money well spent. Paula was our server, and she was magnificent. I'm convinced she's one of the beautiful people in the world who doesn't realize it. She's quirky, genuinely sweet and we bonded over our love of snack food. Our happy dining experience was found. All was right with the world again. Bottom line: with good service, tasty food, and wide beverage selection anybody living within striking distance of this tavern would be lucky to have it. Will definitely be back. Thank you.
(4)M D.
Visiting a friend in the JAX area and had dinner in the patio. Very berry salad is excellent! Service good & happy hour specials are great!
(4)Sean C.
Mediocre food and beer. Blackened fish sandwich and IPA. Tried pumpkin seasonal, which was way too sweet.
(2)Dan B.
Saturday night, busy but the staff was fun, the drinks were a great pour and the food was very good. The music was a bonus.
(4)Debra P.
What once was a guaranteed excellent meal is now a disappointment. My past few visits have guaranteed no more returns. It's too bad, I love their Tuna and they used to have the best red beans & rice. Tonight's visit was the all time worse..so bad that I want to warn others...it's not what it used to be!! From burnt Mac & cheese for the kids meal (how do you burn Mac & cheese...and who would serve clearly burnt Mac & cheese?), overdone tuna and to top it off, the blandest red beans and rice ever...they still tasted like a can...no seasoning and overdone rice!!! I don't know who they have cooking in the kitchen, but I've given Ragtime their last chance. There are way too many great restaurants in Jax to waste another meal here! So long Ragtime, it was good knowing ya!!!
(1)Steve S.
I stopped in Ragtime with a buddy to check it out and possibly eat dinner. The place is huge with 3 different sections each having their own slightly different feel. We grabbed a seat at the bar in the far back section. It's a neat place with a cool atmosphere. We each ordered a beer and looked over the menu. They brew their own beer and it was pretty decent. The menu had a lot of seafood items and I'm not a fan of seafood. They prices were a little on the high side also. The bartender was very nice. He talked to us about different dining options in the area since we were visiting from out of town. We decided to find a different restaurant and left after one beer. It's a pretty cool place just not what we were looking for at the moment. I wouldn't hesitate to go back if invited. It's nice, clean, the service was awesome, and the beer was good.
(3)Arjun D.
Really good food. Atmosphere is a little different, but the food here is awesome. Really enjoyed everything we ordered, and we ordered a lot of food.
(4)Gary H.
I felt bad for our bartender. We ordered a beer sample platter and didn't finish a single one. I tipped well, because it's not his fault, but we didn't order anything else.
(2)Vetey D.
Pricey drinks, not strong. Bland appetizers that are overpriced. Nuff said. I've had better.
(2)Aaron C.
Very good restaurant. Impressive menu with a large variety of seafood, American, and southern twists. Beer is very good. Bar tender recommended mixing the light beer and the red beer together, which was excellent. Wouldn't hesitate to go back
(5)Cameron D.
Look out, this is going to get pretty mean. Please note that my complaints are firmly situated in the realm of reality, and that I am not writing this just to get a rise out of anyone. And so: Maybe Ragtime has been around since the War of 1812, but I'm new to the area and that doesn't mean all that much to me when I am handed a bowl of "Gumbo" that smells like 2-day-old fish (and has tiny, semi-hazardous pieces of crab claw in it) and a dish of "Red Beans and Rice" that is no more Cajun than a Double Decker Taco is Mexican. Look, man. My family is from Louisiana and I know what that stuff is supposed to taste like, and this is the farthest from it that I have ever experienced in a restaurant. Actually, I'm doing the Double Decker a disservice because it is delicious. Ragtime's red beans and rice is virtually unseasoned, and the "Deluxe" version (because that's a thing) comes covered in cheddar cheese and little chicken cubes that are labeled in the menu as "Chicken Chorizo Sausage". What? Why? Even actual chorizo would have been tasty, though still totally bizarre to have served on red beans & rice. There's also something called a "Semi-Caesar Salad" on the menu (I ordered the gumbo, salad, and red beans special, in case that wasn't apparent) that is just an Average Restaurant Caesar Salad (romaine, creamy caesar dressing, parmesan) with slightly cajun-seasoned croutons. In conclusion, this is not my favorite restaurant of all time. Thank you and goodnight.
(1)Chris C.
Great food, amazing beer, and the key line cheesecake cannot be missed!
(4)Deb S.
Enjoyed the beer and the food was decent. I ordered the Shrimp & Lobster Tacos which were fine. The tacos were served with white rice and black beans and were way too salty for my taste. Atmosphere was decent, server was friendly and efficient. Prices are a little on the high end considering the fare...would return for the beer and to hear the band...food not so much.
(3)Connie W.
I have been a fan of Ragtime since it first opened and was just the corner bar and restaurant by the windows. I have watched it grow, one section at a time, over the years. Was one of the first to try out the new onsite brewery. Many a great memories come from there and as I told my daughter on our first visit together. I do believe I have sat at every booth and table in the place. Ragtime seems to be tired. She needs a vacation, maybe to revive and reminisce on days of glory. And, maybe search for some fish to put in the fish tanks! Don't get me wrong. I will still go and enjoy every bite, probably just not as often :( When the Beanster and I went, she fell in love immediately! We ordered the Seafood Trio. Lump crab cake with cajun remoulade, jumbo shrimp with caper cocktail sauce and spiced seared tuna with wasabi aioli. For $13.95 I felt a little jipped. The food was delicious, but all you got was a taste. Don't think you are going to order from the appetizer menu and walk away full. We then decided to split a salad. Got to love a kid that will order and eat a salad! The Seafood Cobb Salad, topped with seasoned shrimp, lump crabmeat, bacon, avocado, tomato, egg, cucumber, pepper jack and cheddar cheeses was good and they were willing to split it in the kitchen. No split charge or extra plate fee was added, so that was nice. It cost $12.95 and was worth it for the most part. They could have been a little more generous with the ingredients. I am a fan of Ragtime so I will be back. Would like to see her in her former glory though.
(4)Hilary L.
Like most Jacksonville natives, I've been to Ragtime many, many times. Its one of those almost inescapable places. Spend much time at all in Atlantic Beach and you'll end up there a time or two. I've had some really good times here and some good meals. There are a lot of different areas to dine in, including the multiple bars dispersed through [three in total]. One of the bars has a stage for live music and some funky high top tables. Another is full of light woods and brightly lit and open, a great place to stand around and chat [loudly, amongst the masses]. The last bar is tucked into the back of the restaurant, full of dark woods and exposed brick, much more rustic and romantic. With all of these different options, Its probably one of the best place in the area for large groups. The food is pretty straight forward and leans towards seafood themed bar and grill food. While not amazing, it is pretty reliable if a little on the pricey side. Take care when ordering during the late night rushes on weekends, I had one of the worst calamari experiences imaginable here. They are a brewery and have half a dozen or so beers on tap at all times. I somehow get the feeling that their beer isn't really brewed on site, maybe because the beer isn't really that great. Its almost hard to believe its micro-brewed at all. But that's really not the point of Ragtime [hand done chalk signs not withstanding]. This is the kind of place you go to have a fast paced good time on weekends, the kind of place you run into friends and make new ones. The kind of place everyone in Atlantic Beach ends up at sooner or later.
(3)Jessielou P.
Ragtime is my go to place when I just can't decide what I want. They have a little bit of everything & it is all spot on for the most part. My personal favorite is the seafood trio app. You get a crab cake, seared tuna, and shrimp cocktail. They have great in house brewed beers, try a Redfish it won't disappoint. The atmosphere is great and you can usually catch some live music at night in the the front bar area. The staff is always helpful & on point with suggestions.
(4)Kristen M.
Used to have such a strong reputation. Maybe its resting on its laurels? Food was overpriced and not terribly fresh. Disappointing.
(2)Hank H.
Diverse dance crowd, great music. I stopped in here after dinner for live music and dancing. There was an 80s cover band that was GREAT. They kept the floor moving with irresistible dance tunes. The crowd was even better than the band. Most of them were also in here in the 80s when these tunes hit the top 40. There was some frost on the roof of this crowd but serious fire in the furnace. Man alive, those gals really age after 30 years on the beach. Scattered among them was a good number of 20 somethings with daddy issues. There was also a very tall woman with broad shoulders and a husky voice that kept smiling at me. They were all infected with dance fever on a tiny dance floor. The bartenders were quick and drinks were cheap. This is a winner for a good time in beach nightlife.
(3)Diana M.
We popped in here for an after dinner drink and it seemed like a nice place, we will have to come back for further inspection. The bar service was a bit slow and it isn't the busy season so I'm not sure what to expect when summer rolls around??
(3)Maisha R.
Despite the average reviews, my friend and I went to visit this place on a Friday night and I'm glad we did. I really enjoyed this place! I had the cedar plank pecan crusted salmon, which was very tasty with the perfect amount of sweetness and crunch. It came with red beans and rice as well as mixed vegetables They accidentally gave me mashed potatoes and veggies, but they were quick to bring a side of red beans and rice. Thank goodness because they were perfectly seasoned and really on point! But, with that said, I may have written the mashed potatoes off too quickly because when I tasted them, they were soooo good - red skin, nicely flavored potatoes. Yum! For dessert, we indulged in the triple chocolate brownie with chocolate and caramel sauce and a topping of vanilla ice cream, as well as the beignets with fresh pineapples. Both were decadent and absolutely delicious! We were so pleased with our meal at Ragtime!
(4)Steve A.
Its def hoppin with great people
(4)J D.
Outstanding food and great service. The red beans and rice are the best in the city.
(5)Anne J.
Mitch is the worst bartender. Asked for a drink menu, he slapped it on the counter and went over to the computer. I stood for 5 minutes and he never turned around or asked for my order. I gave up. A waiter heard me complain to my friend and brought me one on the house- he was great but for the rest. Yuck...btw it was Not Crowded at all 5 pm front room.. Done with the place.
(1)Jennifer V.
Went here for lunch when my parents were in town visiting. They have a wide variety of options, so you could go here with a group. My mom got the lobster tacos, and I got a grouper wrap. The grouper was a little fishy, but everything else we got was fantastic. Wasn't too expensive, and the service was good. Would recommend.
(4)Priya A.
My colleagues and I were here for dinner and the experience was just alright. The starter of Bruschetta with goat chees was good and the chips with blue cheese was good. Our waitress got the chips with bacon when we had specifically asked for no bacon on chips. For the entree, all of us were disappointed in the food. I had asked for vegetarian pasta and mine came with this huge portion of pasta with beans and mushroom in cajun sauce. It was alright. Nothing I would have for $20. the waitress had recommended cheese grits fr my colleague and she said it was tasteless and blah.. the chicken ordered by other colleague was chewy and again tasteless. The drinks were watered down and not impressive.The only redeeming part was the dessert. Overall, we didnot have a great time for the price we paid. Service was slow.
(2)Tira K.
I really enjoy this restaurant as well as their sister in St. Augustine, A1A. Its not a "chain" but its still pretty predictable. It looses a star based on the prices. Everything is just a few dollars more than its worth. I go there for three reasons: A) its close and by the beach so I can walk to the water after dinner B) I'm in the mood for a fantastic fried grouper sandwich C) In the mood to be healthy and have the seafood salad with lump crab and shrimp etc. I've entertained family and clients at this restaurant because of the location and atmosphere and all are always impressed!
(4)Valarie G.
One of the better places in Atlantic Beach. Lobster bites and Pasta Jambalaya are both guaranteed hits and the beer here is awesome.
(4)Jeff K.
They have plenty of fish on the menu. I was promised fresh fish if I order a special of the day. The swordfish was delivered as promised. I'm not a big swordfish fan and I loved it. The best part though, was the beer. The stout was my favorite. I could just skip dinner and drink that all night. So I was wondering if this is a 4 or 4.5 star...especially with the big parking problem. Well, parking is more than just a big problem. It's awful. Today (2 days later), I circled the 6 block radius 10 times and got nothing. The good news though is that I got an answer to my question. Apparently it's not good enough to make me waiting longer for parking. So, 4 stars would be perfect.
(4)Chris B.
Food varies quite a bit. I went with a large group and the dishes ran from really good (beans/rice/chicken appetizer) to really mediocre (blackened mahi). The cajun style dishes they had seemed to be the better ones. Some of the basic fish dishes and one beef dish were weak. The service was good, but we went at a less busy time. At peak times, waits can be really long. Their beers continue to be good.
(3)Jennifer M.
The beer sampler is a fun way to find a new favorite. In the end we liked the Red Fish a mix of two together. Food was tasty too!
(4)Valerie T.
Wait staff and management were wonderful. Boyfriend had ahi tuna sandwich which was very good -- The "Tavern Slaw" made it. The first dish I ordered was Shrimp and Grits. The shrimp portion was miserly and the grits undercooked to the point of being inedible. The manager was very accommodating in replacing it with my second choice: the Shrimp & Lobster tacos. After removing the overwrap of flour tortilla from the blue corn tortilla and stealing some of my boyfriends' Tavern Slaw, the dish was fair. Overall, the restaurant has a great atmosphere and the wait staff and management were good but if you are looking for exceptional food, this isn't the spot.
(3)Keith G.
The short and not so sweet of it is yes, I have had better. I'm not sure what has happened since my last visit in June of 2011, but this time around I was disappointed. My cocktail, the Patron Margarita was all Margarita mixer, and no Patron. My app, the "Crab Cakes", I don't even know how they can get away with calling them crab CAKES. They were more like crab CRACKERS. Plus they were over cooked, and served with remoulade sauce poured on top, and not on the side as it is implied. As for my entree, the Lobster & Shrimp tacos with red beans and rice, that wasn't too bad. The problem with them was that they come prepared in both a flour and corn tortilla. And to be honest, with all of that flour and corn tortilla, it just over powered the shrimp and lobster. Not to mention the that the red beans were half cooked.
(2)Apryl C.
We were in town for a quick weekend away and stopped in for a quick lunch while we were exploring the area. I got the Shrimp Po' Boy and my husband got the Seafood Cobb Salad. Both were really good. I loved the sauce on the Po'Boy and the shrimp were fried beautifully. I nabbed a few bites of my husbands Salad and it was well made, lots of toppings, which is my favorite part of a salad. LOL I thought the decor was great. There are multiple levels and next time I think I will try and sit by the aquarium.
(4)Joshua M.
Great atmosphere and ambience - I loved the old brick interior. Food was mostly very good, but the crab cakes and crab-stuffed shrimp were both very bland. My wife ordered pasta and she got it about half way through everyone else's (three other diners) meals - they said it came "from the other kitchen". I thought they should have coordinated the meals a little better, but overall a good experience. If you go, make sure to try dessert - the bread pudding and the key lime cheesecake were fantastic.
(3)Tracy W.
This place was fine. My food (beef tenderloin) was a bit bland. I was there with a large group (~10) and they had no problem accommodating us - so props on the service.
(3)Sean C.
I was really disappointed with this place. I got the Beer sampler since I love trying out micro-brew's, but they were all horrible! To make it worse all the samplers seemed flat, there were NO bubbles in them at all. I asked for replacements and they were the same, flat and very bad taste. My friends ordered the shrimp gumbo and flounder sandwich and I ordered the lobster and shrimp taco's. The food was just ok, nothing special and very bland. My total bill came out to 50 bucks, and I left a 10 buck tip since my server was good. Overall the price wasn't bad when you think about it (50 bucks for three entree's and a drink sampler) but the food was just so bland that I don't see myself coming back here. I'm not rich so I can't eat out all the time, why eat here for a bland meal you can cook better yourself when there are plenty of places in Jacksonville that serve much better food.
(1)E F.
May be OK for drinks. Food wasn't good. Our stomachs hurt all day. We sat in the step down area - carpet was sticky and dirty. We could smell the stinky carpet as we ate. Only a few people in the restaurant. Poe's down the block was packed. We should have left. My last time at Ragtime.
(1)T B.
Great food, fantastic staff! I would highly recommend the seafood trio as an app (seared tuna with wasabi, and pickled cucumber (YUM), shrimp cocktail, and an awesome crab cake. Also, get a half order of the shrimp nachos ~ It's fresh & enough for two. Last, they have the best hot wings. I order them extra crispy & extra hot. And of course, the Ragtime shrimp with red beans and rice!! Enjoy! Ask about the Passport card!
(5)Patty T.
I have only been to Jacksonville 4 times since 2000 and every visit, my Mother in law takes me to Ragtime. It never stood out as anything special or horrible. It was good the first 3 times I had been. On my visit this past week, July 28th, I must say that it was not good at all. Service was fine. The server was honest about things he thought sucked on the menu. Things that he wouldn't order, what wasn't worth it. He suggested the Cajun Crawfish Points for an appetizer, highly recommended. When it came to the table, there was a very small ramikin of salmon paste with 6 sad little slices of a baguette. My husband said, "wait, don't eat it until the crawfish come." I replied, "I think the crawfish is in that ramikin...", he said, "OH!?" So, it was basically like a spread and everyone got one slice, almost like an amuse-bouche. It was okay. Per the servers suggestion, I went with the scallops over chickpea stew. When the dish was placed in front of me, I got a wiff of something that smelled off. I have a sensitive nose, I can smell everything, and something smelled like it was close to spoiling or it was spoiled. When I tasted it, it had that taste of spoiled vegetables. There was something that looked like cabbage. Everyone said, oh, "If your dish seems sour, it might be the sauerkraut." I thought, that was odd, I didn't recall the dish having sauerkraut in it. So, we called the server over to ask if it was kraut and he said no. I tried to eat it because I felt bad...but my husband said, "stop, don't do it, if you feel it is off, don't eat it." So, I gave it back...ugh. The server took it back and since we were seated right next to the kitchen, I got a look at all the servers and cooks looking at the dish and making a face like, "What dumbass is sending back her food and why?" ugh. The server returned and said, "I'll admit it, I tasted your food, and it tasted and smelled fine to me." ugh. So, he suggested other dishes and I just couldn't order anything else. I was done with Ragtime. But my Mother in Law looked concerned so I ordered side dishes. Red beans and rice and cheese grits. I was afraid to eat them for fear of loogies. ugh. I tasted the edges of the cheese grits as did the rest of the group and everyone thought it was bland. But I was not going to say a word. My hubby and Mom in law had their fave, the gumbo, which they always get when they go. Years...apparently. And even they were disappointed. Although, they did not say anything until the next day that their gumbo was cold and flavorless. I hope that we never go there again when I visit. ugh.
(1)Katie F.
First of all, they were condescending and rude. They also denied 2 of our ID's....I'm 24!!! and the other guy is 30!! He said they were FAKE. How do you even come up with that conclusion!! So i made a stink and we said we would take our business elsewhere other than that over priced dump. Oh wait, its not over. We went across the street(we were starving at this point just having waited an hour at the other place) and they KICKED US OUT because RAGTIME went over there and said we were TROUBLE. I have never been kicked out of a place in my life, nor have I ever had a fake ID. The nerve of some people! negative 5 stars for me, but since i can only put one, here it is.
(1)Sam D.
Very disappointed with Ragtime Tavern. Service was good but the quality of food was not worth the (in my opinion) high price. For dinner, I ordered the caesar side salad and shrimp & grits. The salad was very small and over dressed. I know I can get dressing on the side but if I pay for professional food preparation I expect perfection. The shrimp & grits sounded like a can't miss I mean shrimp, bacon, grits, and cheese what could go wrong? Grist were under cooked and the shrimp were over done, rubbery, and did not taste fresh. The dish was lacking flavor and was a disappointment. I would NOT recommend this restaurant to anyone who likes southern food or seafood.
(2)Chuck M.
Ragtime seems to have lost it's soul. I was a customer for over a decade! This used to be THE place locals congregated and enjoyed a cold beer. Since the Morton's sold out to a corporation it has gone down hill. When they let go my favorite bartender that was the last straw. I used to frequent this place a couple times a week, not now. Hopefully new local owners will step in a get new quality management. Until then I'm going to Sun Dog, Sliders and other LOCAL resturants.
(1)James O.
The staff was very friendly and helpful. The interior was nice and clean. My only complaint was that the food was just sub par. Not to mention the portion sizes were small and that is okay IF the price reflects that which in this case they don't. I got the Ragtime shrimp, because i figured a dish that would have the restaurant's namesake would be a good bet! The shrimp were just bland. There was barely any hint of coconut there and there was no salt or even much seasoning at all present in the french fries or even the summer squash zucchini disaster that was a side dish. My wife had the Pineapple Chicken Po-Boy and it was dry, flavorless, and just really bland. All in all, I think this place means well, but I think they should really try show some passion in their cooking. Who knows? Maybe it was an "off day".
(2)Karla V.
My husband and I came to eat here lunch-ish and it was great. YUMMY martinis-I can do without all the fly's-boo to them! Can't blame them though, the food is delicious(I had the blackened fish wrap, my husband had some cobb salad-he enjoyed it).The interior of the place is very nice.
(4)Laurie D.
I went here to sample their micro brews and have an appetizer. I sat at the bar furthest from the entrance which had a good view of the street. It was a cool escape from the sun after being at the Lemon bar for an hour plus. I had the beer sampler and was really underwhelmed by their beer. The only one that I enjoyed was their Maibock. Someone I was with referred to their dolphin's breath light lager as dolphin's piss. Needless to say it was my least favorite. Even though their beer was mediocre I really enjoyed this bar. It was pretty relaxing and their shrimp nachos were really good. I love nachos, but I hate seasoned ground beef, so this was a treat.
(4)Andy L.
If I got by the horrible smell and the beer with a strange after taste, and the sub par food.....then this place is great. We realized why we hadn't eaten here in a long time and we will definatley not being going back any time soon. Sun dog and Sliders is definitely better....and Joseph's pizza place around the corner.
(1)Karin D.
Everyone else I was with was raving about this place, but I just thought it was ok. They had a nice local brewed beer selection, but the food wasn't that great.
(3)Ivan W.
Excellent place, excellent location. It's our "goto" place. No suggestions for improvement. Good place for a drink, a date, or a dinner!
(5)Paul C.
Been here a few times over the last couple of years. I find it a confusing layout with three different bars, bad flow, and bartenders are not great to say the least. Same company that owns 7 Bridges, & A1A in St. Aug.; but no where as well run/managed. Food is just OK, parking sucks, people are strange. Good brewed beer, and close walk to ocean.
(2)Cyndi C.
Food was OK. Beer was OK. Service was better than the food and beer. If I had limited time in Atlantic Beach, I would probably eat or drink somewhere else.
(3)James J.
Mediocre. First the bread brought to the table is clearly frozen. It was barely edible. Gumbo was way over cooked, the shrimp were mush. The crab cakes are just mediocre. Grouper Sandwich which given our location in the grouper capital of North America should have shined, was just ok. Other members of our party had Jambalaya and a pasta dish. Large serving, but again, just ok.. Nosy, crowded, long wait. They have a premium location and I suspect they're taking money out by the trunk load. Service was fast, attentive. Might be an ok place to take a date, where the food is not the primary pursuit. I've lived in Jax for 25 years, and everytime I go, i remember why I haven't been back in 5 years. Much better dining closer to town..Bistro-X for example..
(2)Daniel G.
Ragtime is an unquestioned staple of Atlantic Beach. There are tables in about every nook and cranny in the restaurant. They are a brewery and have half a dozen or so beers on tap at all times. I ordered the Surf n Turf and it was very good and very well priced. However, if you like bread pudding, this is the place to go for it. They sell a White Chocolate Cherry Bread Pudding which is unbelievably amazing. I make it a point to eat here almost once a week, it's that good.
(4)Mark S.
Don't miss it, it's a beaches area staple and has been for years: good bar, good food, good home-brewed beer, and professional service. Ask Eric the bartender about his latest surf trip? My dad once Fedex'd Ragtime Shrimp to me at school (Indiana). It's that good. Two suggestions for the management: PLEASE, add crab legs, and cappuccino.
(4)Gary S.
I love the fish tacos!!
(5)Alex P.
I tried this place twice when visiting the area. The food was great. The sesame tuna and lobster/fish tacos were my two favorites. They also brew their own beer which was tasty as well. The service was average but the food made up for it. It is well located amongst other bars/restaurants and very close to the ocean.
(4)Natalie B.
I've driven by Ragtime numerous times but it never piqued my interest enough to stop by. However when trying to pick a mutually agreeable place to go to dinner with my co-workers, it seemed to fit the bill. First off, Ragtime is own by the Gordon Biersch people. Not necessarily a BAD thing, but certainly I do think it takes a little away from it being a locally owned neighborhood joint. However it was a pleasant enough place for dinner. The beer was tasty and cold. My grouper sandwich came with a delicious chipotle tartar sauce. The service was good. It will not be my first choice in Atlantic Beach but it is still a solid choice in the area.
(3)Matt B.
Love it as an occasional change of pace. Nice to grab a drink and bowl of something hot on a cold day. The place has a nice charm to it.
(3)Nate G.
is sixty sexy? you'll find out here. crowd is older (but isn't everything in "old" AB these days?)... the food has slowly and sadly declined over the years, although I still will wander in for the shrimp and grits, which still manages to hold on (loosely). sunday brunch is great if you're on a liquid diet. otherwise, hold onto your hunger and go across the street around lunchtime.
(3)Chris S.
I don't get how this place is only rated 3 stars. I went in there on a Thursday night and loved it. The only downfall of the place in my opinion is the beer list. It seemed too small for a place like that. Despite that, the beer was good so I can't complain. The environment was a lot of fun. There was a live band in the bar playing good music the entire night. Location is ideal. Hang out on the beach for a few hours and then stroll down to Ragtime for a beer and some outstanding food. We started with the seafood trio appetizer. The crab cake with a cajun remoulade was great, the shrimp cocktail was solid and the ahi tuna in wasabi sauce was great too. They did oversear the ahi in my opinion but it still had a great flavor. For dinner I ordered the Cajun Fettucine and it was one of the best meals I had in the area. The sauce was amazing and all the seafood was cooked perfectly. I would've given this place four stars but our server for the night didn't pay us much attention and screwed up our beer orders. Not enough to keep me from coming back though. Next time I'm in the area, I will definitely make it there.
(4)MM M.
I didn't go to the Ragtime Tavern for a while and... boy... such a disappointment today. Just to start, the hostess placed my friend and me on a tiny table, barely big enough for one (before someone asks I'm a size 8) even if other tables were available and the restaurant was far from full. In fact when the entrees arrived few minutes after the salads (no idea why so fast) we had to help the waitress( moving pepper, salt etc on the window-sit) to make enough space to put the plates on the table. Once we were able to finish the salads paying a lot of attention to not knock the entrees from the table, everything was pretty cold. That didn't help the taste of the blackened snapper, fat to the point of being disgusting. Add to that the pressure of the waiter that asked for 4 times if my friend wanted a box even if she was eating. At the end I asked for a feedback/comment book. Guess what... they didn't have one.
(1)