Congaree and Penn

"Congaree and Penn is a unique destination combining a working farm, cidery, and farm-to-table restaurant. It is located in the rural northwest part of Jacksonville, about 30 minutes from downtown. The farm offers: * Farm-to-table dining: The menu changes seasonally and features ingredients grown on the farm or sourced from local producers. * Farm cider: They produce their own hard ciders using apples and native fruits. * Beautiful grounds: The 330-acre property includes orchards, gardens, walking areas, ponds, and farm animals. It is a great place for relaxing, photography, and special events. * Activities: Depending on the season, they offer farm tours, goat hikes, U-pick fruit, wagon rides, workshops, and special dinners. They also host weddings and private events. * Lodging: a secluded lodging area recently opened near a pond. Only guests are allowed in the area so we were not able to tour this place. However, we were able to see it from a distance during our hike to the pond. The rental units appear to be beautiful, with a lot of privacy, and nestled in a wooded area. This is a great destination if you want to spend a few hours enjoying the scenery in addition to a meal. Unfortunately, I can’t rate the food because we did not dine during our visit. The host mentioned that reservations are often recommended, especially on weekends and during the high-season. We truly enjoyed the self guided tour. The scenery was absolutely beautiful."

"Some dinners are about the food. Others are about the experience. The Roost at Congaree & Penn gives you both. Jacksonville's newest casual dining spot is surrounded by one of the most beautiful properties in the city, with a seasonal menu built around locally sourced ingredients. It's the kind of place where you order another drink, watch the sun dip over the farm, and suddenly realize you've been there for hours. Here's what we tried: Hominy Hummus with blackberry compote, pepita oil & warm flatbread. Farmhouse Salad with field greens, heirloom tomatoes, red onion, radish, toasted sunflower seeds, roasted Vidalia vinaigrette, and grilled sourdough. Grilled Florida Shrimp finished with a citrus chile glaze and fresh cilantro. And don't overlook the frites... the house-made mayhaw ketchup completely stole the show. Every dish was cooked beautifully, fresh, and full of flavor. I've been a fan of Congaree & Penn since they first started milling rice, and it's been incredible watching the property grow into one of Jacksonville's true destinations. The Roost feels like the missing piece that brings it all together. If you haven't made plans to visit yet, you're already behind. Sunset, great food, local ingredients, and one of the best settings in Jacksonville. This is a spot you'll want to experience for yourself."

"An absolutely incredible experience from start to finish at Congaree and Penn! The atmosphere was warm and inviting, the staff were genuinely some of the nicest people we’ve met, and the food completely blew us away. We ordered the brisket flatbread, the fresh catch, and the yard bird — and every dish was phenomenal. You can truly taste the quality and care in each bite. And the banana toffee éclair for dessert? 10/10 and the perfect ending to the meal! We honestly can’t believe we’ve lived in the area this long and hadn’t made it out sooner.. This instantly became one of our favorite spots. We will definitely be back and recommending it to everyone we know!"