25 Best Restaurants in Gainesville (2024)

Last Updated on March 21, 2024

Gainesville is a North Central Florida city with some of the best restaurants in the state. It is known as the home of the University of Florida, founded in 1853.

With over 60,000 students enrolled, this large campus and its iconic mascots, the Florida Gators play a big role in Gainesville’s identity. Go Gators!

But Gainesville is more than a college town. There are a lot of great restaurants to choose from.

Here are some of the best restaurants in Gainesville

Whether you are looking for quick service, comfort food, vegan options, or something to satisfy your sweet tooth, we’re recommending some of the best spots to dine at during your next trip to Gainesville.

Make sure to bring your appetite.

Paramount Grill

Paramount Grill is a new American fine dining spot in Downtown Gainesville. It is one of the most recognized Downtown Gainesville restaurants, awarded the Golden Spoon Award in 2019 by Florida Trend magazine.

Paramount Grill is a perfect place for special occasions, with a frequently changing menu featuring a variety of fresh, local ingredients. 

Paramount Grill Address: 12 SW 1st Ave, Gainesville, FL 32601

Dragonfly Sushi

Dragonfly Sushi is a modern Japanese pub in Gainesville that serves fresh and authentic sushi and sashimi. Their menu includes different salads, soups, platters, and rolls.

There is even a vegetarian menu with small plates, grilled veggies, and vegetarian sushi rolls.

Dragonfly has a full bar with happy hour cocktails and sweet treats like cheesecake, crème brulée, and various ice cream flavors. 

Dragonfly Sushi Address: 201 SE 2nd Ave #104, Gainesville, FL 32601

Embers Wood Grill

Embers Wood Grill is a local restaurant known for its prime steaks. Voted 2021 Best of the Best by The Gainesville Sun, Embers serves 100% USDA Prime Beef chosen from the top 2% of all beef in America.

Their menu includes a variety of wood-grilled entrees, seafood, and delicious desserts like chocolate torte and lemon layer cake. 

Embers Wood Grill Address: 3545 SW 34th St Suite A, Gainesville, FL 32608

Mi Apá Latin Café

Mi Apá Latin Café is a great place to visit for genuine Cuban food in Gainesville. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Notable sandwiches include Cubanos, medianoches, and pan con bistec. There are many platters and sides to choose from here, with desserts that include flan, tres leches, and churros.

Try some freshly brewed coffees like a café Cubano, Cortadito, or café con leche for an energizing drink to enjoy with one of the restaurant’s fresh pastries. 

Mi Apá Latin Café Address: 114 SW 34th St, Gainesville, FL 32607

Satchel’s Pizza

Satchel’s Pizza is a Gainesville staple with great food and a great vibe. Having opened in 2003, the restaurant offers many different unique places to enjoy a meal, including outdoor seating with signature places like a van or greenhouse.

Satchel’s is covered in local art and stained glass windows.

This fun spot has a playground for kids and plays live music. The menu includes salads, pizza, calzones, and desserts.

Try their STACH-PAN Pizza, which has a uniquely thick buttery crust with three toppings of your choosing. 

Satchel’s Pizza Address: 1800 NE 23rd Ave, Gainesville, FL 32609

The Top Hub

The Top Hub is a collection of restaurants and bars in Downtown Gainesville that have been around for over 20 years. The Top is a restaurant with vegan and vegetarian options.

Their huge menu includes appetizers, salads, sandwiches, burgers, pasta, and desserts.

The Arcade Bar has three stories of arcade games and two full-service bars. The Dime Bar is a quieter, more intimate option with a signature cocktail menu. 

The Top Hub Address: 30 N Main St, Gainesville, FL 32601

La Tienda Latina

La Tienda Latina is one of the best places for authentic Mexican food in Gainesville. They serve delicious food and are a great spot to try Mexican classics like enchiladas, quesadillas, and fajitas.

The restaurant also has a vegetarian menu with tons of tasty options. They have porch seating and homemade tamales on the weekends.

La Tienda Latina Address: 2204 SW 13th St, Gainesville, FL 32608

Northwest Grille

Northwest Grille is a family-owned restaurant in Gainesville known for its seafood dishes. They have been voted Best Seafood by The Gainesville Sun for many years and we agree.

The menu includes many fresh seafood options, like grilled crab cakes, fried stuff shrimp, and seared ahi tuna. 

Northwest Grille Address: 5115 NW 39th Ave, Gainesville, FL 32606

More Great Restaurants in Gainesville

Original American Kitchen

Original American Kitchen Address: 15 SE 1st Ave, Gainesville, FL 32601

Covey Kitchen and Cocktails

Covey Kitchen and Cocktails Address: 1514 SW 14th St., Hotel Eleo, Gainesville, FL 32608

Prime and Pearl

Prime and Pearl Address: 4949 Celebration Pointe Ave., Ste 70, Gainesville, FL 32608

Seoul Pocha

Seoul Pocha Address: 3610 SW 13th St., Gainesville, FL 32608

Spurrier’s Gridiron Grille

Spurrier’s Gridiron Grille Address: 4860 Steve Spurrier Way, Gainesville, FL 32608

Nine Spices Fondue

Nine Spices Fondue Address: 3333 SW 34th St Gainesville, FL 32608

Paris Banh Mi

Paris Banh Mi Address: 50 NW 13th St., Ste 30, Gainesville, FL 32603

Metro Diner

Metro Diner Address: 2130 SW 34th St., Gainesville, FL 32608

The Paper Bag

The Paper Bag Address: 5750 SW 75th Ct., Ste 20, Gainesville, FL 32608

Mr. Han’s Restaurant and Night Club

Mr. Han’s Restaurant and Night Club Address: 6944 NW 10th Place, Gainesville, FL 32605

Momoyaki

Momoyaki Address: 1624 SW 13th St, Gainesville, FL 32608

Germain’s Chicken Sandwiches

Germain’s Chicken Sandwiches Address: 220 NW 8th Ave #10, Gainesville, FL 32601

Cantina Anejo

Cantina Anejo Address: 1680 W University Ave Suite 10, Gainesville, FL 32603

SquareHouse Pizza

SquareHouse Pizza Address: 405 SW 4th Ave, Gainesville, FL 32601

Underground Kitchen

Underground Kitchen Address: 722 NW 5th Ave, Gainesville, FL 32601

Red Rice Kitchen

Red Rice Kitchen Address: 3316 SW 35th Blvd, Gainesville, FL 32608

DJ’s Cast Iron Burgers

DJ’s Cast Iron Burgers Address: 1542 W University Ave, Gainesville, FL 32603

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