Guidebook for Gainesville
Food Scene
Satchel’s is a must! It’s a crazy little pizza joint – the décor is fun and the pizza and salad are fantastic. So is the service. The owner puts his heart and soul (and eccentric art) into the restaurant. He pays his employees a living wage – they get paid time off and health insurance. They love their job, so the pizzas are truly made with love. It’s a bit of a drive but so worth it. Our favorite pizza (which we ate the night Michael proposed to me in this very house!) is a pepperoni + spinach + roasted red peppers.
Local tip: order takeout and sit in the back (Lightnin Salvage) to enjoy live music and less wait.
*Closed Sunday and Monday
*Cash only... but there is an ATM at the r
135 locals recommend
Satchel's Pizza
1800 NE 23rd AveSatchel’s is a must! It’s a crazy little pizza joint – the décor is fun and the pizza and salad are fantastic. So is the service. The owner puts his heart and soul (and eccentric art) into the restaurant. He pays his employees a living wage – they get paid time off and health insurance. They love their job, so the pizzas are truly made with love. It’s a bit of a drive but so worth it. Our favorite pizza (which we ate the night Michael proposed to me in this very house!) is a pepperoni + spinach + roasted red peppers.
Local tip: order takeout and sit in the back (Lightnin Salvage) to enjoy live music and less wait.
*Closed Sunday and Monday
*Cash only... but there is an ATM at the r
I know it sounds strange to recommend a sushi place in landlocked little Gainesville, but Dragonfly can hang with any sushi restaurant in a major market. The restaurant group has successfully expanded to Orlando and Miami, if that gives you an idea of quality. Chef Jeffrey Allen is crazy talented. The baked Dragonfly Roll is a perennial favorite, but venture to try something on the omakase menu, whether sushi or otherwise. Dragonfly has a great bar program as well, run by our friend Kristin Amron. They serve their full menu until 10pm.
111 locals recommend
Dragonfly Sushi & Sake Company
201 SE 2nd Ave I know it sounds strange to recommend a sushi place in landlocked little Gainesville, but Dragonfly can hang with any sushi restaurant in a major market. The restaurant group has successfully expanded to Orlando and Miami, if that gives you an idea of quality. Chef Jeffrey Allen is crazy talented. The baked Dragonfly Roll is a perennial favorite, but venture to try something on the omakase menu, whether sushi or otherwise. Dragonfly has a great bar program as well, run by our friend Kristin Amron. They serve their full menu until 10pm.
Fantastic local coffee/tea/wine bar just down the street from our house. Enjoy the outdoor seating and check out the latest installation next door at Protocol. Really impressive design!
49 locals recommend
Curia On The Drag
2029 NW 6th St Fantastic local coffee/tea/wine bar just down the street from our house. Enjoy the outdoor seating and check out the latest installation next door at Protocol. Really impressive design!
This French bakery is the best in town, perhaps even the best in Florida. The rosemary bread is amazing, as are the croissants and soups. The Fresh Market is next door.
16 locals recommend
Uppercrust Productions
4118 NW 16th Blvd This French bakery is the best in town, perhaps even the best in Florida. The rosemary bread is amazing, as are the croissants and soups. The Fresh Market is next door.
Owned by members of Sister Hazel (Gainesville natives), this is a nice coffee shop with plenty of room to spread out. They organize food truck rally’s and other events frequently throughout the year.
11 locals recommend
CYM Coffee Co
5404 NW 8th AveOwned by members of Sister Hazel (Gainesville natives), this is a nice coffee shop with plenty of room to spread out. They organize food truck rally’s and other events frequently throughout the year.
Truly excellent coffee and tea, plus pastries, but I haven’t tried those (see: Uppercrust.) There is some comfy seating inside, but the space isn’t huge.
28 locals recommend
Volta Coffee, Tea & Chocolate
48 SW 2nd StTruly excellent coffee and tea, plus pastries, but I haven’t tried those (see: Uppercrust.) There is some comfy seating inside, but the space isn’t huge.
The top is a quirky restaurant/bar with tasty food, and depending on the bartender, solid drinks. They have a decent late night menu, and the crowd is laid-back and hipster bearded. Don’t miss the foosball table, photo booth, or outdoor patio. You can’t go wrong with the corn nuggets and anything on the back of the menu… the specials are the best part and they’re locally sourced. There is *always* a wait, and the service is slooooow, but it’s quintessential Gainesville and a fun spot for dinner / drinks. They have a decent late night menu, too.
175 locals recommend
The Top
30 North Main StreetThe top is a quirky restaurant/bar with tasty food, and depending on the bartender, solid drinks. They have a decent late night menu, and the crowd is laid-back and hipster bearded. Don’t miss the foosball table, photo booth, or outdoor patio. You can’t go wrong with the corn nuggets and anything on the back of the menu… the specials are the best part and they’re locally sourced. There is *always* a wait, and the service is slooooow, but it’s quintessential Gainesville and a fun spot for dinner / drinks. They have a decent late night menu, too.
If the weather is nice, eat outdoors and enjoy the lawn games. It has to be dark, but they’ve got a giant outdoor screen that is great for watching Gator games. Great for brunch, large groups, and it is very family-friendly.
31 locals recommend
One Love Cafe
4989 NW 40th PlIf the weather is nice, eat outdoors and enjoy the lawn games. It has to be dark, but they’ve got a giant outdoor screen that is great for watching Gator games. Great for brunch, large groups, and it is very family-friendly.
Absolutely delicious breakfast / brunch / lunch / coffee spot near the house. Don't miss the poached eggs over butternut squash, sage and browned butter Hollandaise!
46 locals recommend
Afternoon
231 NW 10th AveAbsolutely delicious breakfast / brunch / lunch / coffee spot near the house. Don't miss the poached eggs over butternut squash, sage and browned butter Hollandaise!
Civilization is a solid restaurant in a really cool building. Service tends to be slow but this is a good option for vegetarians. The food is locally-sourced and the menu is eclectic. Good weekend brunch spot.
*Cash only.
28 locals recommend
Civilization
1511 NW 2nd StCivilization is a solid restaurant in a really cool building. Service tends to be slow but this is a good option for vegetarians. The food is locally-sourced and the menu is eclectic. Good weekend brunch spot.
*Cash only.
A tiny Japanese spot with really good ramen made with area-sourced ingredients. They also have a decent cocktail list.
29 locals recommend
Crane Ramen
16 SW 1st AveA tiny Japanese spot with really good ramen made with area-sourced ingredients. They also have a decent cocktail list.
If you’ve indulged a bit too much, Daily Green has healthy, organic food that actually tastes good.
22 locals recommend
Daily Green
436 SE 2 StIf you’ve indulged a bit too much, Daily Green has healthy, organic food that actually tastes good.
Great bar-b-que spot with an excellent whiskey selection, and delicious cocktails. There are a few TV’s so if you can grab a spot at the bar, this is a solid place to watch a game.
20 locals recommend
MOJO Hogtown Bar-B-Que, Smoked Meats Whiskey Bar
12 SE 2nd AveGreat bar-b-que spot with an excellent whiskey selection, and delicious cocktails. There are a few TV’s so if you can grab a spot at the bar, this is a solid place to watch a game.
Casual little Cuban restaurant. Good tacos and empanadas, and they’re open late night.
14 locals recommend
Flaco's Cuban Bakery
200 W University AveCasual little Cuban restaurant. Good tacos and empanadas, and they’re open late night.
In ‘n Out Burger’s got nothing on Mac’s! This local institution, which has been open longer than I’ve been alive, is only open from 9am – 5pm on Monday – Friday and they basically only serve burgers and fries. If you’re craving a burger, this will hit the spot.
*Cash only.
10 locals recommend
Mac's Drive Thru
129 NW 10th AveIn ‘n Out Burger’s got nothing on Mac’s! This local institution, which has been open longer than I’ve been alive, is only open from 9am – 5pm on Monday – Friday and they basically only serve burgers and fries. If you’re craving a burger, this will hit the spot.
*Cash only.
Parks & Nature
Depot Park
874 SE 4 StDevil's Millhopper Geological State Park
4732 Millhopper RdSan Felasco State Hammock Preserve Hiking Trailhead
11101 Millhopper RdBoulware Springs Nature Park station
Santa Fe Lake
A quick stop to find out why the University of Florida chose the Gators as their mascot! (There are tons of real, live alligators on campus, most in Lake Alice.)
18 locals recommend
Lake Alice
A quick stop to find out why the University of Florida chose the Gators as their mascot! (There are tons of real, live alligators on campus, most in Lake Alice.)
Ginnie Springs
7300 Ginnie Springs RoadBlue Spring State Park
2100 W French AvePoe Springs Park
28800 NW 182nd AveIchetucknee Springs State Park - Southern Entrance
U.S. 27Shopping
One Thread
Urban Thread
1236 NW 21 AvePaddiwhack
1510 NW 13th StEssentials
Publix Super Market at The Exchange
3720 NW 13th StWard's Supermarket
515 NW 23rd AveLucky's Market
1459 NW 23rd AveDorn’s is a wine/beer/liquor store in the same strip as Uppercrust and Fresh Market – they have a great selection of alcohol, cheese and some other specialty items. The staff is incredibly knowledgeable.
Dorn's Liquors & Wine Warehouse
4140 NW 16th Blvd Dorn’s is a wine/beer/liquor store in the same strip as Uppercrust and Fresh Market – they have a great selection of alcohol, cheese and some other specialty items. The staff is incredibly knowledgeable.
ALDI
3773 NW 13th StUnion Street Farmers Market
Pop-A-Top Corner Store
2 E University AveEntertainment & Activities
Home of the University of Florida Gators football team. The stadium is usually open to the public and is a popular spot for a tough workout. Hike the "Gator Mountains" for an especially difficult challenge (run alllllllll the way up the stadium bleachers!)
26 locals recommend
Ben Hill Griffin Stadium station
Home of the University of Florida Gators football team. The stadium is usually open to the public and is a popular spot for a tough workout. Hike the "Gator Mountains" for an especially difficult challenge (run alllllllll the way up the stadium bleachers!)
Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium
2880 Hull Rd Florida Gators Softball stadium
Stephen C. O'Connell Center
250 Gale Lemerand Dr Florida Gators Basketball stadium
Alfred A. McKethan Stadium
Florida Gators Baseball stadium
Arts & Culture
Florida Museum of Natural History
3215 Hull RdHarn Museum of Art
3259 Hull RdLovely fine art and fine craft gallery - look for Michael's sister's paintings on the wall! (Laura Adams Wilson, Artist)
Thornebrook Chocolates
2441 NW 43rd StLovely fine art and fine craft gallery - look for Michael's sister's paintings on the wall! (Laura Adams Wilson, Artist)
The crown jewel of Depot Park, the museum is named after Dr. Robert Cade, the UF professor who invented Gatorade
56 locals recommend
Cade Museum for Creativity & Invention
811 S Main StThe crown jewel of Depot Park, the museum is named after Dr. Robert Cade, the UF professor who invented Gatorade
Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
3201 Hull RdSightseeing
UF Bat Houses
Museum RoadBaughman Center
982 Museum RdThe Century Tower
Newell Drive