An unabashedly unscientific, opinionated, guaranteed not-to-please everybody collection of area dining spots we can't get enough of.

As it is every year, the Top 25 Restaurants feature article is decided by the subjective opinions of the staff of Jacksonville Magazine. Picking favorite restaurants is a highly personal endeavor. Just remember the last time you had a group of friends together and you asked them “What would you like on your pizza? ” Amplify that discussion ten-fold and you begin to grasp the intensity of the conversations and the hand-wringing that develop when we gather to select who makes the list for the year.

Having said that, we do look for certain features and amenities that we believe are important to our readers, namely a restaurant’s cleanliness, pleasing décor, value, consistent food quality and friendly, attentive service. We also require that a restaurant be open at least a year (18 months or so is even better) before it is eligible for the list. In addition, our list is purposely weighted in favor of locally owned establishments. And, a new wrinkle this year is an added emphasis on restaurants that are just plain enjoyable, neighborhood places that have that extra “something” that keeps the regulars returning time after time. Fancy food and white linens are great, but so are bartenders who call you by name and chefs who know just how you like your steak prepared.

As you review this year’s Top 25 list and the collection of assorted side dishes that accompanies it, you are certain to see some old favorites. You will also see the names of a few eateries making their debuts on the list. In the end, we know that you probably won’t agree with all of our selections. But, we hope you will agree that the story is arguably the most thoroughly researched and informative article on good eats whipped up in Northeast Florida.

Click here to download a pdf of the current Top 25 Restaurants article.