Tasting menus are one of our favorite ways to get to know a new restaurant, a sometimes pricey but ultimately rewarding survey of their entire menu, with a focus on the most exciting and flavorful dishes available. We’ve picked four of the best prix fixe menus in Jacksonville, perfect for a romantic night out, trying some of the best cuisine in Jacksonville area.

Norikase 

Everything that went into the development of Norikase seemed destined to make it the stuff of local legend: it’s a tucked away speakeasy, elegantly decorated, with limited service hours serving food sourced directly from one of the best fish markets in Japan. This hidden gem, opened in October 2020, is an immersive, intimate experience where you and a handful of your fellow diners are served a 17 course menu by experienced sushi chefs, who prep each item in front of you, as if performing onstage. Jacksonville’s only Omakase experience is thrilling experience for sushi lovers, as well as a great way to expose aspiring foodies to the world of high-quality sushi. There’s so much more out there than California and Shrimp Tempura rolls, let the folks at Norikase share their knowledge and love of sushi with you to learn more! $100-$165; 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Wednesday, 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thursdays, 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturdays; 9734 Deer Lake Ct #13, Jacksonville, FL; norikase.com // @nori_kase

Mesa

Since opening in early 2021, Mesa has been a go-to for Jacksonville gastronomes, acclaimed for their authentic and flavorful south Indian cuisine. Their tasting menu, which changes monthly, is an affordable $55, five course meal, progressing towards a trio of main courses that diners can choose from. Current offerings on this exciting meal include vegetable biryani, chicken curry, and salmon molee. $55; 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday; 4260 Herschel St, Jacksonville, FL; mesajax.com // @mesajax

Matthew’s Restaurant

Matthew’s Chef’s Adventure restaurant may be the most popular tasting menu in town, and for good reason: it’s a high quality fine dining experience infused with storytelling and as well as an element of mystery. The knowledgable servers share details about the origins of the components of each dish, showcasing a deep understanding of and love for the food they’re serving. The specifics of what’s being served when on this constantly evolving seasonal six course meal are revealed only as they are served, which explains why they call it an “adventure.” Open minded diners willing to give themselves over to the staff at Matthews will undoubtedly be rewarded. Plus, with or without the $50 wine pairing add-on, it’s a relatively affordable experience, given the quality of the service and ingredients. $95-$145; 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Saturday; 2107 Hendricks Ave, Jacksonville, FL; matthewsrestaurant.com // @dinematthews

Rue Saint-Marc

San Marco eatery’s fixed price menu, dubbed the Rue Experience, is a five course tasting menu that highlights their seasonal approach to cuisine and menu planning. Much like their fellow Medure Brothers concept Matthew’s, the specific courses being served in the Rue Experience is not disclosed in advance to the diner, so every course is a total surprise. This playful approach to the often needlessly stuffy prix fixe menu lends an air of fun and unpredictability, ensuring a memorable experience for first time diners and regulars alike. $85-$130; 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Thursday, 5 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2103 San Marco Blvd Jacksonville, FL; ruesaintmarc.com // @ruesaintmarc