Zunzibar Seafood & Surf Bar, a Savannah-based restaurant chain with South African beach vibes, is planning to open a Jacksonville location.
The restaurant will take over the former Burrito Gallery space at Brooklyn Station, at 90 Riverside Avenue, according to Jacksonville Today. The restaurant confirmed the news on its website, noting that it’s “coming soon”, although an opening date has not been announced.
Zunzibar is owned by Chris Smith, a former Five Guys franchisee, who became a fan of Zunzibar and decided to take over the concept in 2014. Since then, the restaurant has been in growth mode. In addition to the flagship Savannah Zunzibar, there are locations in Tybee Island and Hilton Head Island. The brand is expanding to Florida, planning restaurants in The Villages and Jupiter in addition to Jacksonville.
Smith, who also owns casual restaurant Zunzi’s, hosts a podcast called the Shit Yeah Show, which talks about the restaurant industry.
Zunzibar offers beachy fare that includes fish dip, wings, oysters, peel and eat shrimp, saads, smash burgers, and more. The restaurant also offers a roster of signature cocktails such as the Cape Town Tea, made with vodka, rum, gin, lemon, simple syrup, Zunzi’s sweet tea, and mint; and the Perfect Pineapple with a house rum blend, pineapple, oralge, coconut cream, and nutmeg.
The restaurant also promotes its free “26” Club that includes perks such as birthday freebies and a 10 percent discount when you say “shit yeah” at checkout.
