Bar Citra is bringing its acclaimed coffee, pastries and seasonal fare to Jacksonville, marking the St. Augustine favorite’s first expansion outside its home market.
Rachel Gant and Andrew Deming, the husband and wife duo behind the restaurant, will launch their newest venue that spans 2,000 square foot area at Pearl Square, the $1 billion mixed-use project by Gateway Jax located in Downtown Jacksonville.
Recognized with a Bib Gourmand distinction in the 2026 Florida Michelin Guide, Bar Citra has built a following for its specialty coffee program, house-baked pastries, seasonal dishes and carefully curated natural wine list.
The restaurant will be among the first retail tenants at Vandeveer, Pearl Square’s first mixed-use residential building. Designed by architects Morris Adjmi, SK+I, Elkus Manfredi and Cecconi Simone, the broader development will bring more than 1,250 apartments, 100,000 square feet of Class A office space, the Hotel Merrydelle, and more than 200,000 square feet of retail and dining, including over 20 shops and 15 restaurants.
“Downtown Jacksonville is emerging as one of the Southeast’s most closely watched urban markets,” Bryan Moll, CEO of Gateway Jax, said in a statement. “It’s our vision that this growing ecosystem of retail, hospitality, new offices, residences and public green space will drive new life into Downtown Jacksonville, giving people new reasons to live, visit and do business downtown.”
Gateway Jax said the retailers at Vandeveer are expected to open onto a network of pedestrian-friendly streets and public green spaces surrounding the historic Thomas V. Porter Mansion, helping create a walkable retail and dining destination within Pearl Square.
