Puccini’s Pizzeria – Review

VilanoDayByDay Dining December 14, 2014December 30, 2020Puccini's, Vilano Beach, vilano dining 0 Comment

Puccini’s Pizzeria

Price: Moderate ($10 – $20+ an entree)
Website: http://puccinispizzavilano.com/
Phone: (904) 342-7757

Located in the Publix shopping complex, Puccini’s is easy to find. This Italian eatery is popular with tourists and locals, and with everything from wings, pizza, pasta and subs, there’s something for everyone. Relax outside and listen to live bands, or get your food to go and take it back to your place, or the beach.

+ Pros: We enjoyed the pasta here (which is on par with Olive Garden) and our son, the chicken tender connoisseur, gives the chicken tenders a big thumbs up. Meals are a decent size and rather tasty. There is indoor and outdoor seating, although indoor seating is limited. Staff is friendly and the live music adds to the environment. Right by Publix and not far from the beach, this place is easy to find.

– Cons: The pizza has a strong flavor that our family didn’t care for at all, and the pizza was a bit pricey in our opinion. It must be noted that while we didn’t like the pizza at all, many visitors do enjoy the flavor, so it’s obviously a subjective taste. The fact that it’s right on the main road, and often has live music, means it can get loud. Because indoor seating is limited you might be forced to sit outside which could be a problem in cold, rainy weather.

Pictures from Puccini’s

Mojo’s Tacos in Vilano : Review

VilanoDayByDay Uncategorized December 14, 2014January 29, 2023Mojo's Tacos, Vilano Beach, vilano dining 0 Comment

Mojo’s Tacos in Vilano (Closed)

Price: Moderate ($10 – $20+ an entree)
Website: http://www.mojos904.com/mojo-s-vilano-beach.html
Phone: (904) 827-9977

Mojo’s has probably one of the best, if not the best locations in the heart of Vilano beach. Not only is it steps from the ocean, but it’s also right across the road from the Hampton Inn. Don’t feel like Mexican food? The good news is that they also have hamburgers. Head on inside and order at the counter. It’s mostly indoor seating, but there are a few tables outside. Warning: its cash only!

+Pros: This place is in the perfect location and rarely crowded. Close to the Hampton Inn and the beach, it’s an easy walk. The décor has a relaxed beachy feel inside that I truly appreciated and enjoyed. Staff was super friendly and meals arrived very quickly. This place is a little larger inside than you’d think and it’s a great restaurant to go to if you just want a quick bite, are sick of seafood, or other places are overflowing with tourists.

– Cons: Remember, the restaurant is cash only, so make sure you bring your money! I have to be completely honest and admit that after trying the Mexican food I was a bit disappointed. I didn’t care much for the beans and rice (plain black beans and white rice) nor the cheese queso (very thick like gravy). The taco was better, a soft shell wrapped around a hard shell and overflowing with fillings. But if we go again, I’ll probably end up skipping the Mexican food altogether, and get their hamburger.

Pictures from Mojo’s Tacos in Vilano

180 Vilano Grill : Review

VilanoDayByDay Dining December 14, 2014December 14, 2014180 Vilano Grill, Vilano Beach, vilano dining 0 Comment

180 Vilano Grill and Pizza

Price: Moderate ($5 – $20+ an entree)
Website: http://180vilanogrill.com/
Phone: (904) 827-1009

Driving down Vilano Road toward the pier it’s easy to miss this little gem of a restaurant. Locals have been going here for a while, and tourists are just starting to find out how good and reasonable the meals are. From pizza, to hamburgers to seafood, you can find a variety of food for a decent price.

+ Pros: The food is good and the prices are great, especially compared to other restaurants in the area. They are known for their delicious hamburgers, but their seafood and pizza are also a good choice. As of yet, we haven’t gone wrong here! In fact, Beaches and 180 Vilano are our two top choices for restaurants in town.

– Cons: People are starting to take notice of this restaurant and there have been a few times, especially around holidays, when it has gotten crowded and staff has seemed a bit overwhelmed. During these crowded moments certain foods, such as pizza, have been known to run out.

Make sure to ask about the wild chickens that roam the area!

Pictures from 180 Vilano Grill and Pizza

Caps on the Water : Review

VilanoDayByDay Dining December 9, 2014November 20, 2015caps on the water, Vilano Beach, vilano dining 0 Comment

Caps on the Water

Price: High ($15 – $35 an entree) Website: http://www.capsonthewater.com/
Phone: (904) 824-8794

Caps on the Water is truly enchanting and probably the prettiest place to eat in the Vilano Beach area. There is no better place to watch the sunset than at Caps. Spanish oaks with draping moss, outdoor seating right on the river, trees wrapped with white lights that twinkle in the evening…this restaurant is pure magic! Be aware that Caps is only open for dinner during the week days, while open for lunch and dinner during weekends. But believe me, you’ll want to go during evenings to experience the sunset. It is mostly all outdoor seating, so don’t expect to sit inside.

+ Pros: Most of the time the food is delicious and we’ve had some of our best meals here. In fact, this place is a favorite with our family and friends when they visit. The sunset view is amazing, and the décor is shabby chic magical.

– Cons: At the higher prices you’d expect perfection. Although many times our meals have been delicious, there have been a few occasions when they were subpar: mushy food and nasty veins in the shrimp. This place is so popular that the wait to get in can be long and the staff at times seems stressed. While we were fortunate enough to get seating next to the water one evening, it was a bit overwhelming when the sun started to set and suddenly we were surrounded by other diners who had left their tables to get photos, blocking our own view.