The best restaurants in Gainesville
69 restaurants we’ve checked and stand behind — with the story on each one. Not a ranking; a record.
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Afternoon Restaurant
RestaurantsGainesville’s own Afternoon Restaurant keeps it casual and delicious, a neighborhood brunch spot built for unhurried mornings and catching…
Afternoon Restaurant
RestaurantsMahzu Sushi & Grill
RestaurantsWhen the sushi craving hits, Mahzu Sushi & Grill delivers with pristine nigiri, sashimi, and playful rolls like the Salmon and Avocado…
Mahzu Sushi & Grill
RestaurantsBeque Holic | Korean BBQ
RestaurantsBeque Holic keeps Gainesville sizzling with premium beef, pork, seafood, and specialty cuts cooked right at your table, complete with…
Beque Holic | Korean BBQ
RestaurantsMojo Bar-B-Que, A Southern Blues Kitchen
RestaurantsWhen the craving hits for legit smoked meats, Southern sides, and a whiskey list that reads like bedtime stories, Mojo Bar-B-Que, A…
Mojo Bar-B-Que, A Southern Blues Kitchen
RestaurantsHarry's Seafood Bar & Grille
RestaurantsHip spot fixing up New Orleans-inspired fare, from jambalaya to signature cocktails.
Harry's Seafood Bar & Grille
RestaurantsMISSION BBQ
RestaurantsCasual chain featuring BBQ & classic sides, plus memorabilia honoring soldiers & first responders.
MISSION BBQ
RestaurantsHana Sushi & Asian Cuisine
RestaurantsEasygoing destination offering seafood rolls, noodles & tempura, plus other Japanese standards.
Hana Sushi & Asian Cuisine
RestaurantsRaising Cane's Chicken Fingers
RestaurantsFast-food chain specializing in fried chicken fingers, crinkle-cut fries & Texas toast.
Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers
RestaurantsChicken Salad Chick
RestaurantsChain outlet specializing in many different types of chicken salads, plus sandwiches, soups & sides.
Chicken Salad Chick
RestaurantsBiscottis
RestaurantsConvivial bistro serving small plates, sandwiches, salads & brunch in a historic, brick-lined space.
Biscottis
RestaurantsItalian Gator Pizza
RestaurantsBasic take-out nook offering whole pizzas & slices with a variety of classic toppings.
Italian Gator Pizza
RestaurantsDave's Hot Chicken
RestaurantsCasual chain known for Nashville hot chicken served as tenders, sliders, and mac 'n' cheese.
Dave's Hot Chicken
RestaurantsChophouse Thirteen
RestaurantsUpscale restaurant serving steak and other gourmet fare, along with a wine list and cocktails.
Chophouse Thirteen
RestaurantsPho 99 Vietnamese Grill Jacksonville
RestaurantsInformal choice for Vietnamese classics such as noodle soups & vermicelli, plus bubble tea.
Pho 99 Vietnamese Grill Jacksonville
RestaurantsSonny's BBQ
RestaurantsLong-standing barbecue restaurant chain specializing in meats smoked over oak, plus sides & salads.
Sonny's BBQ
RestaurantsOutback Steakhouse
RestaurantsBoisterous Australian-themed chain serving steaks, seafood & other hearty steakhouse fare.
Outback Steakhouse
RestaurantsBuffalo Wild Wings
RestaurantsChain dishing up wings, tenders & burgers, plus sauces ranging from sweet to very spicy.
Buffalo Wild Wings
RestaurantsCarmines Pie House
RestaurantsChicago deep-dish & NYC-style pies are on offer at this vibrant local pizza pub with pastas & subs.
Carmines Pie House
RestaurantsScuola Pizza
RestaurantsLaid-back locale serving stone-fired pizza and a variety of Italian and Greek classics.
Scuola Pizza
RestaurantsOriginal American Kitchen (OAK)
RestaurantsNew Southern fare, craft cocktails & self-pour beer & whiskey served in a brick- & wood-lined space.
Original American Kitchen (OAK)
RestaurantsRestaurant Orsay
RestaurantsSeasonal French food & creative cocktails meet in this dining room with plush seats & exposed beams.
Restaurant Orsay
RestaurantsThe Flying Biscuit Cafe
RestaurantsBranch of a laid-back chain known for Southern food & all-day breakfast selections.
The Flying Biscuit Cafe
Restaurants4 Rivers Smokehouse
RestaurantsCounter-serve chain eatery featuring Texas-style BBQ, homestyle sides & sweet treats.
4 Rivers Smokehouse
RestaurantsMoon River Pizza
RestaurantsFunky pizzeria offering custom & specialty thin-crust pies plus wine & beer in colorful surrounds.
Moon River Pizza
RestaurantsBoca Fiesta
RestaurantsMexican fare, veggie options & margaritas served amid exposed beams, brick walls & an outdoor patio.
Boca Fiesta
RestaurantsAmelia's Italian Cuisine
RestaurantsCasual, enduring bistro with old-world flair offering homemade pasta & other classic Italian dishes.
Amelia's Italian Cuisine
RestaurantsKasai Sushi Bar and Kitchen
RestaurantsCasual eatery for sushi and other Japanese fare plus pan-Asian dishes.
Kasai Sushi Bar and Kitchen
RestaurantsMojo No. 4, Urban BBQ Whiskey Bar
RestaurantsMini-chain branch serving Southern BBQ faves & a vast whiskey menu in laid-back quarters.
Mojo No. 4, Urban BBQ Whiskey Bar
Restaurants13 Gypsies
RestaurantsAn eclectic menu with a Spanish focus is the highlight at this tiny spot with a minimalist interior.
13 Gypsies
RestaurantsKeke's Breakfast Cafe
RestaurantsLocal chain serving American breakfasts & comfort-food lunches in a modern diner with booth seating.
Keke's Breakfast Cafe
RestaurantsZEN Pho & Noodles Jacksonville
RestaurantsPan-Asian dishes such as pho, ramen, and rice bowls are served in a casual setting.
ZEN Pho & Noodles Jacksonville
RestaurantsStonewood Grill & Tavern
RestaurantsChophouse chain serving surf 'n' turf, wine & cocktails in a stylish dining room & bar.
Stonewood Grill & Tavern
RestaurantsWings, burgers, and seafood dishes, plus beer, cocktails, and frozen daiquiris, offered in a sports-bar setting.
Zen Noodle Bar Gainesville (34th & Archer)
RestaurantsCasual Vietnamese counter-serve eatery serving pho, vermicelli, banh mi & vegetarian-friendly fare.
Zen Noodle Bar Gainesville (34th & Archer)
RestaurantsPeach Valley Cafe
RestaurantsRelaxed local chain serving a range of American breakfast & lunch fare, from waffles to patty melts.
Peach Valley Cafe
RestaurantsSonny's BBQ
RestaurantsLong-standing barbecue restaurant chain specializing in meats smoked over oak, plus sides & salads.
Sonny's BBQ
RestaurantsEnza's Italian Restaurant
RestaurantsMall-based white-tablecloth eatery featuring traditional Italian cuisine & live music nightly.
Enza's Italian Restaurant
RestaurantsIHOP
RestaurantsLong-standing chain serving a wide variety of pancakes & other American breakfast & diner fare.
IHOP
RestaurantsFlorida Room
RestaurantsCasual breakfast-and-lunch spot (plus some desserts) featuring omelettes, biscuits and gravy, sandwiches and other classics.
Florida Room
RestaurantsPrime & Pearl
RestaurantsUpscale eatery serving dry-aged beef, steaks, oysters and other seafood dishes, along with wine.
Prime & Pearl
RestaurantsLeonardo's Pizza of Millhopper
RestaurantsLong-standing option serving Chicago-style pizzas plus pastas & sandwiches in an easygoing space.
Leonardo's Pizza of Millhopper
RestaurantsSonny's BBQ
RestaurantsLong-standing barbecue restaurant chain specializing in meats smoked over oak, plus sides & salads.
Sonny's BBQ
RestaurantsMetro Diner
RestaurantsLocal diner chain serving classic American breakfast & lunch fare in a warm atmosphere.
Metro Diner
RestaurantsEmbers Wood Grill
RestaurantsHigh-end chophouse serves surf 'n' turf & a broad wine list with a full bar & outdoor seating.
Embers Wood Grill
RestaurantsHawkers Asian Street Food
RestaurantsAsian fusion restaurant offering gourmet, street-inspired dishes in a stylish, bustling space.
Hawkers Asian Street Food
RestaurantsAlpin Bistro
RestaurantsThis buzzy French bistro with hip decor & a patio serves seasonal plates with imported beer & wine.
Alpin Bistro
Restaurantssuperette
RestaurantsCozy, plant-lined restaurant and wine bar serving a Mediterranean menu, plus brunch.
superette
RestaurantsClock Restaurant
RestaurantsBasic spot serving comfort-food classics such as burgers, Southern fried chicken & Belgian waffles.
Clock Restaurant
RestaurantsOne Love Cafe
RestaurantsLocally sourced American eats in casual digs with a patio, fire pit & games, plus live music.
One Love Cafe
RestaurantsTexas Roadhouse
RestaurantsLively chain steakhouse serving American fare with a Southwestern spin amid Texas-themed decor.
Texas Roadhouse
RestaurantsGumby's Pizza
RestaurantsInformal chain offering an extensive menu of pizza, wings & Italian comfort food.
Gumby's Pizza
RestaurantsCarrabba's Italian Grill
RestaurantsChain eatery & bar serving a diverse menu of classic Italian fare in a family-friendly setting.
Carrabba's Italian Grill
RestaurantsShula's Steak House
RestaurantsFormer football coach Don Shula's sophisticated steakhouse chain serving aged beef & other classics.
Shula's Steak House
RestaurantsAnother Broken Egg Cafe
RestaurantsCasual chain featuring egg dishes & other breakfast items, plus brunch sandwiches.
Another Broken Egg Cafe
RestaurantsPomodoro Cafe | Italian
RestaurantsA comfortable atmosphere for classic pastas, traditional Italian entrees & made-to-order pizzas.
Pomodoro Cafe | Italian
RestaurantsChicken Salad Chick
RestaurantsChain outlet specializing in many different types of chicken salads, plus sandwiches, soups & sides.
Chicken Salad Chick
RestaurantsLa Tienda
RestaurantsInnovative & traditional Mexican chow dished in a simple counter-serve spot with porch seating.
La Tienda
RestaurantsTinker Restaurant - Main St.
RestaurantsCasual, air-conditioned eatery serving Latin comfort food, burgers and plantains alongside live music.
Tinker Restaurant - Main St.
RestaurantsMildred's Big City Food
RestaurantsCreative locavore American fare, plus wine & cocktails, served in serene purple & beige decor.
Mildred's Big City Food
RestaurantsNew Deal Cafe
RestaurantsRelaxed eatery serving locally sourced pizzas, burgers & sandwiches, plus beer & wine.
New Deal Cafe
RestaurantsBonchon - Gainesville, FL
RestaurantsCasual chain serving cooked-to-order Korean fried chicken, plus other traditional eats.
Bonchon - Gainesville, FL
RestaurantsEdo Japanese Steakhouse
RestaurantsCasual, clean restaurant offering a wide array of sushi rolls and grilled entrees, along with cocktails.
Edo Japanese Steakhouse
RestaurantsMiller's Ale House
RestaurantsCasual sports-pub chain with basics from bar snacks to steaks & a large selection of tap beers.
Miller's Ale House
RestaurantsVolcanic Sushi + Sake Hunter's Crossing
RestaurantsRelaxed Japanese eatery featuring sushi rolls plus teriyaki dishes, fried rice and ramen.
Volcanic Sushi + Sake Hunter's Crossing
RestaurantsThe TOP
RestaurantsHip, casual spot serving burgers, beer & modern American fare, with vegan & vegetarian options.
The TOP
RestaurantsMark's Prime Steakhouse
RestaurantsPrime meats & seafood entrees with traditional sides are showcased in this elegant steakhouse.
Mark's Prime Steakhouse
RestaurantsDragonfly Sushi & Sake Company
RestaurantsContemporary izakaya featuring tapas-style Japanese pub fare, plus an assortment of sake.
Dragonfly Sushi & Sake Company
RestaurantsMandola's Italian Kitchen
RestaurantsCasual, family-friendly Italian restaurant featuring a pizza bar, a bread bakery and a gelato selection.
Mandola's Italian Kitchen
RestaurantsHASS Kitchen
RestaurantsCoffee shop that also serves brunch favorites like avocado toast, and steak and eggs.
HASS Kitchen
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