Coffee in the morning, cocktails in the evening and pizza when the night is winding down, Besa Bakery and Tea Room Speakeasy is shaping up to be a downtown Jacksonville spot that refuses to fit into just one box.
The new bakery, cafe and tea-room concept is taking shape at 301 E. Bay Street, with owner Evan Rajta telling What Now Jacksonville that Besa is targeting a mid-November opening as construction continues.
The approximately 3,590-square-foot space is designed to evolve throughout the day. During the morning and afternoon, Besa will operate as a bakery and cafe serving fresh pastries, coffee, tea and approachable daytime food.
As the day winds down, the concept will transition into a more intimate tea-room experience with elevated cocktails, small plates and a warm, polished atmosphere. Later in the evening, pizza and other casual late-night options will join the lineup.
“Besa is designed to evolve with the day,” Rajta said. “The goal is to create a place people can use throughout the day, for a quick coffee, a meeting, a date night, or a late-night bite.”
The restaurant is located along Bay Street in downtown’s Elbow District, an area surrounded by restaurants, bars and entertainment destinations.
Rajta said the location was a major part of the concept’s appeal as activity continues to build throughout downtown.
“Bay Street is right in the middle of a downtown that is gaining real momentum,” Rajta said. “We saw an opportunity to add something that feels useful to the neighborhood every hour of the day, while also bringing a distinctive new experience to the area.”
Besa will complement nearby destinations including Decca Live, SIP Rooftop and Keane’s, while creating its own identity as an all-day destination.
The idea is to give customers a reason to stop in at different points throughout the day, whether that means grabbing coffee and a pastry, meeting over lunch, settling in for drinks or looking for something to eat later at night.
“We are targeting an opening mid November, with the exact date to be announced as construction progresses,” Rajta said.
