Dorothy's Downtown

My boyfriend and I went in for brunch wait time wasn’t long at all for the bar. Our bartender/server was very nice and polite. I don’t remember her name but she had blonde hair and tattoos. My bf got Chimichurri steak and eggs, the steak was cold and they forgot his eggs and they brought him a cold poached egg. I got their Short ribs and sweet potatoes and eggs. They forgot my eggs as well and they were cold. Thankfully we did get the crab cakes as a starter and they were amazing. But disappointed in the quality of the entrees for the price. Our bill came out to $102 before tip for 1 drink 1 app and two entrees would expect a little more.

My coworkers and myself made our third visit yesterday and once again the staff didn't disappoint! Cassidy was a treasure and knew her food! She reassured me that even though I don't like dark meat, the chicken would be a great with the waffles. Ashley was such a sweetheart! She prepared our Banana Bread Foster. The experience she provided made the dessert well worth the wait! I love this place!

It’s a very cute restaurant. I got the chicken fried gumbo, the rice and sauce were good the fried chicken was a bit bland. I think this is a place that’s better for brunch instead of dinner.

Omg this place was fantastic!! They have a great bar for cozy happy hour after work, a back patio for sipping mimosas, and an intimate dining area for date night. The decor is stunning with a fabulous mix of old and new- you can barely recognize the space from what it used to be. The seating out front reminds me of Europe and I'm so thrilled this concept is coming downtown. I can't say enough about how great the food was. The beignets were to die for. We also got the soup du jour (corn chowder today), the Sunday Pasta, the ribeye, and the steak frites. The Sunday pasta had just enough kick and a great balance of sauce, noodles, and sausage. The steaks were both cooked to perfection and the fries, potatoes, and asparagus were seasoned perfectly. I also tried the Rush cocktail and the Nutella whipped topping was such a tasty addition. Our server Mario was attentive and charming. He checked on us often, answered all our questions, and made sure we had everything we needed. Can't recommend this place enough, we will definitely be back!

We took my team to dinner this week and had a variety of delicious appetizers, meals and finished off with the amazing bananas foster cooked table side. The venue is decorated so tastefully and our food was 10/10. We had leftovers because portions were large but we enjoyed every bite! Thank you so much Renee and team!

Shared the experience with family on last evening. Very nice set up and enjoyed the small intimate setting. My family ordered pretty much everything on the menu so we could try all dishes. Starters-Crabcakes were tasty and loved the presentation. Boudin balls-not good, Cesar salad-GREAT! House salad soggy because per the server they toss it in advance with ranch and or balsamic and the lettuce is spring mix. When asked for it to be removed or exchanged it was not allowed. (WHY!!). I had the "ribeye" (low end cut of meat) but it was tender and unseasoned. The sauce and potatoes made it enjoyable. I tried a piece of pork chop (tasty and tender). Lamb Chops and salmon dishes were good as well. Short ribs were different but not what was expected. We ordered side orders of grits (not expressed at all). They were lumpy and unseasoned they had potential with a little hot water and a touch of salt. We are not drinkers, so no cocktails were had. Desserts-we ordered every dessert except for the Chantilly cake. Carrot Cake-HORRIBLE! It was actually a spice cake. (As a baker they need to change the name of this cake to a spice cake.) It was very little carrots and pineapples. The spice was overbearing and the icing did not help it. Beignets-EXCELLENT! Banana Bread Pudding (which I do not care for bread pudding) EXCELLENT! Cheesecake-Good! Server (Tori) was GREAT until we provided feedback after asked "how everything was." However, she was GREAT overall. I would make a suggestion. If you ask the question, be prepared for honest answers, it is solely for you to provide the feedback. Price-was ok as well. Will I return-yes, I will give them another go at it. I will stick with what I know and would suggest asking detailed questions because the food that is prepared maybe different than what you would expect i.e. cut of ribeye, carrot cake (really a spice cake) salad pre-tossed (WHY) etc.

Dorothy delivered!! Dined before the Tab Benoit/Samantha Fish show as the spot was very close to the hotel and the venue. We both shared a nice cocktail and the salad was extremely fresh and tasty. My wife had salmon that was blackened and, surprisingly for many Cajun restaurants, not overcooked. I shared the duck confit with jambalaya,,,very nicely prepared duck leg---crispy skin and moist. Jambalaya was good......this spot could do some more with Cajun dishes, but I think that they have settled into a good spot!

Had dinner at Dorothy's Downtown last evening. It was great! I had vegan etoufee - it's not on the menu, but it seems they usually have it. It was DELICIOUS! Vegan sausage (probably Beyond) in a flavorful sauce with veggies and rice. YUM! They have vegan creole grill on the menu (Eggplant, Zuchini, Peppers, Tomato Pomodoro & Rice), I'll have to try next time. My husband had the wild blackened salmon, and he LOVED it. The service was excellent and friendly (Miriam was terrific), and the decor is very appealing. It's located next to Indochine downtown, easy walking distance to the Florida Theater. Most of the patrons were going to the same show, so we started chatting with our neighbors. Great place, highly recommend!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ We finally made it to Dorothy’s Downtown — and wow, it completely lived up to the hype. From the moment we walked in, we were struck by how beautiful everything was. The ambiance is warm, stylish, and thoughtfully put together — it just feels good to be there. Between the inviting outdoor space and the cozy, elegant interior, it’s the kind of spot Jacksonville has truly been missing. Add in amazing food and genuinely great service, and you’ve got a new favorite. The menu is full of bold, comforting Southern flavors, and every dish we tried was a hit. We had the Crab Cakes with Cajun Remoulade (crispy and flavorful), the Fried Chicken Gumbo with Andouille Sausage and Yellow Rice (hearty and deeply spiced), the Wild Salmon with Creole Creamed Spinach and Yukon Gold potatoes (perfectly cooked), and the Short Rib with Roasted Poblano Chile and Yukon Gold (so tender it fell apart with a fork). Every bite was a win. We finished with dessert and coffee — and let me tell you, do not skip it. The Banana Bread Pudding and Chantilly Cake were both amazing, and the French press coffee was honestly the best we’ve had in town. Rich, smooth, and just the right way to end a perfect meal. Our server, Ayanna, was exceptional — friendly, attentive, and super knowledgeable about the menu. She made the whole experience even better. If you’re looking for a place with elevated Southern flavors, gorgeous ambiance, and top-notch service, Dorothy’s Downtown is it. We’re already planning our next visit.

There was a bug in my drink; yet the waitress had to “ask” if it was ok to replace it? The voodoo balls are fried perfectly but the filling is very salty. I would’ve drank my glass of water but it was nasty. The fried chicken sandwich was overcooked (see pic). I thought it was fried street pigeon. The best thing was the fries and this white dipping sauce. Some of the staff is very young and demeaning…condescending almost.